How important is mental toughness?

As we approach the half way point, I think BBM has done a great job. 13 wins and only 5 losses in the first 20 games is very good and our points per game ratio is where it needs to be (2 points plus average per game). He's transformed the same squad of players that Bulut & the Rizlar could barely get a wimper out of and what he's done with the youngsters is amazing.

HOWEVER...do we have the mental toughness and experience to stay the course?

The 15 game run in to the end of the season is as much about togetherness and fight, as it is about having enough quality out there on the pitch. Its clear we have the quality and I do think BBM has instilled a discipline, the players play for him, and I don't think he/they will allow complacency to creep in...but do we have enough fight? Can we do it on quality alone.

We've lost to Bolton, Bradford, Lincoln and could only manage a draw against Stockport. All those boys are up there with us in the top 6 and we've still got to play them again. There were times, against these, where we were physically dominated and outmuscled (Lincoln's 2nd goal a great example of this)

My worry is, for all of BBM's positives, I'm worried he's neglected 2 vital ingredients...fight and physicality. I can't see him addressing this in the Jan window so I really hope to God I'm wrong and we see this through. If he manages it, the guy's a genius!

I certainly don't think we lack fight, the amount of late goals we've scored shows the players have fight and belief to play until the end.

We were away at Bolton, Lincoln and Stockport. Lets see how they do at our place. I think this team have loads of fight and character for such a young team but there were some tired bodies and minds after the Chelsea game. Lawlor had his worst hame for us yesterday.

The way we bounce back after defeat says everything about our mental toughness. We’re good.

As we approach the half way point, I think BBM has done a great job. 13 wins and only 5 losses in the first 20 games is very good and our points per game ratio is where it needs to be (2 points plus average per game). He's transformed the same squad of players that Bulut & the Rizlar could barely get a wimper out of and what he's done with the youngsters is amazing.

HOWEVER...do we have the mental toughness and experience to stay the course?

The 15 game run in to the end of the season is as much about togetherness and fight, as it is about having enough quality out there on the pitch. Its clear we have the quality and I do think BBM has instilled a discipline, the players play for him, and I don't think he/they will allow complacency to creep in...but do we have enough fight? Can we do it on quality alone.

We've lost to Bolton, Bradford, Lincoln and could only manage a draw against Stockport. All those boys are up there with us in the top 6 and we've still got to play them again. There were times, against these, where we were physically dominated and outmuscled (Lincoln's 2nd goal a great example of this)

I take your point which is valid. But I believe - along with some others - that overall we are coming to terms with the physicality of this league and have the physical and mental rigour to deal with it. Today, I thought we were too tired - understandably - so I am not blaming the players. With a bit of luck we could easily have won.

My worry is, for all of BBM's positives, I'm worried he's neglected 2 vital ingredients...fight and physicality. I can't see him addressing this in the Jan window so I really hope to God I'm wrong and we see this through. If he manages it, the guy's a genius!

The way we bounce back after defeat says everything about our mental toughness. We’re good.

I agree.

I'm sure the OP is just thinking about what we could possibly improve so this isn't aimed at them, but I do think that we as a fanbase (me included in the past) can question stuff when things are going well. We have been in strong positions before in a league table and thrown it away.

My sense of this manager is I don't see that happening with him.

As we approach the half way point, I think BBM has done a great job. 13 wins and only 5 losses in the first 20 games is very good and our points per game ratio is where it needs to be (2 points plus average per game). He's transformed the same squad of players that Bulut & the Rizlar could barely get a wimper out of and what he's done with the youngsters is amazing.

HOWEVER...do we have the mental toughness and experience to stay the course?

The 15 game run in to the end of the season is as much about togetherness and fight, as it is about having enough quality out there on the pitch. Its clear we have the quality and I do think BBM has instilled a discipline, the players play for him, and I don't think he/they will allow complacency to creep in...but do we have enough fight? Can we do it on quality alone.

We've lost to Bolton, Bradford, Lincoln and could only manage a draw against Stockport. All those boys are up there with us in the top 6 and we've still got to play them again. There were times, against these, where we were physically dominated and outmuscled (Lincoln's 2nd goal a great example of this)

My worry is, for all of BBM's positives, I'm worried he's neglected 2 vital ingredients...fight and physicality. I can't see him addressing this in the Jan window so I really hope to God I'm wrong and we see this through. If he manages it, the guy's a genius!

The mental toughness is there we've been behind plenty of times this year and come back. We've also pushed on and nicked wins at the death. I think that says something about a teams attitude.

Physically we can be exposed and I think this will continue, it's just a consequence of having such a young team

As we approach the half way point, I think BBM has done a great job. 13 wins and only 5 losses in the first 20 games is very good and our points per game ratio is where it needs to be (2 points plus average per game). He's transformed the same squad of players that Bulut & the Rizlar could barely get a wimper out of and what he's done with the youngsters is amazing.

HOWEVER...do we have the mental toughness and experience to stay the course?

The 15 game run in to the end of the season is as much about togetherness and fight, as it is about having enough quality out there on the pitch. Its clear we have the quality and I do think BBM has instilled a discipline, the players play for him, and I don't think he/they will allow complacency to creep in...but do we have enough fight? Can we do it on quality alone.

We've lost to Bolton, Bradford, Lincoln and could only manage a draw against Stockport. All those boys are up there with us in the top 6 and we've still got to play them again. There were times, against these, where we were physically dominated and outmuscled (Lincoln's 2nd goal a great example of this)

My worry is, for all of BBM's positives, I'm worried he's neglected 2 vital ingredients...fight and physicality. I can't see him addressing this in the Jan window so I really hope to God I'm wrong and we see this through. If he manages it, the guy's a genius!

Our players have played extra games due to International Commitments and a good cup run. As we progress, our results will improve.

Yes they are mentally strong enough, and yes, we will win the league and start to pull away.

I think the ‘mental toughness’ is there, and is very creditable in such a young squad. Everyone seems ’invested’, and no one shirks their roles and/or responsibilities when involved

This is the tough ‘grind it out’ section of the season, and I believe we’ll come through it well, before pushing on to claim promotion

We have the team/squad/manager to finish the job!