Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas was obviously disappointed to miss out on a top-four spot in the English Premier League, but vowed to strengthen over the summer transfer window and come out a stronger side next season.
Gareth Bale was the main man once again for Spurs, scoring the only goal of the game with another piece of individual brilliance to earn his side a 1-0 win against Sunderland.
However, it did not prove to be enough with Arsenal also winning 1-0 and sealing the fourth and final Champions League spot. Chelsea finished third with a 2-1 victory over Everton in David Moyes' final game as manager of the Toffees, before taking over at Manchester United.
"It is a bit disappointing obviously but it did not depend on us and Arsenal did their job to sneak fourth spot," Villas-Boas told Sky Sports.
"Reaching 72 points and not making Europe means that we will have to get more than that next season, particularly as the other clubs are already great, great squads and they will continue to add quality.
"Next year we will have to raise the bar once again and be extremely competitive because our competitors will do the same.
"The difference between the three London teams is very short. We got ever so close to them.
"They will do their job in the transfer window and we will do ours in the Tottenham way -- look for good grabs in the window to make ours an even stronger squad.
"I don't think we have a mental block about the top four. We have a competitive side with great determination and character.
"We don't need a lot to make us even better. We did enough to deserve it, but this year was very unusual. With this amount of points you would normally achieve a top-four finish."
Villas-Boas again reiterated his desire to keep Bale, with the player's future to come under further scrutiny after Spurs failed to qualify for the Champions League.
"If you want to continue to improve you have to hold onto your assets," Villas-Boas added. "I think we will -- that's my information."
Bale has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid in the summer, with Paris Saint Germain and Manchester United also reportedly interested in the PFA Player of the Year's signature.
