Andre Villas-Boas divided opinions among the fans when he took charge at Tottenham in summer. First of all, he replaced a man, Harry Redknapp, who was a popular figure among the White Hart Lane faithful. Naturally, it takes time to embrace a foreigner so dearly. Further, his reputation was bit tainted during his spells at Chelsea. He was a very successful manager at Porto and came with a lot of promise but his tenure at the Bridge was a flop.
Well, not flop in that sense but he was sacked without given sufficient time but there were other problems too which had left scars on his managerial abilities.
His situation became bit precarious when Spurs failed to win their first three league games. He was booed at White Hart Lane against Norwich and one felt the situation could go worse.
However, the Spurs camp believed in him and believed in his methods and now is reaping the benefits. He is the real architect behind Spurs’ slow but steady progress. So, what has he done really to turn the tide?
New signings: Any team losing players like Luka Modric and Rafael van der Vaart is bound to struggle initially. His problem was compounded with the fact that several key players got injured, most notably Scott Parker. New signings – Fulham duo Clint Dempsey and Moussa Dembele – settled in quickly and helped the side earn positive results.
Results: Though Spurs suffered setbacks at the hands of Chelsea, Man City and Arsenal, yet victories against Manchester United and Liverpool must have given huge boost.
Fourth place: Spurs are currently sitting in fourth place in the Barclays Premier League table. This is a huge psychological boost to any side aiming to get into Champions League spot. Despite a stuttering start, Spurs have managed to make way to top four. Now the real challenge begins –they have to hang in there.
Jermain Defoe: The 30-year-old was unsure whether he would play again for Spurs at the start of the season but after he was given a new contract, Defoe has defied all expectations. The England international has scored 14 goals in all competitions, 10 in the league, and credit must go to AVB for transforming the striker completely.
Though Villas-Boas says he is happy to work with the players he has got, especially the key players now returning from injuries, but he could still delve into the transfer market and buy one or two quality players. The future looks bright for Spurs under the safe hands of the Portuguese.
Also the the hope is that we won’t have a tired feb and march from AVB Unlike the last two years under good old Arry. We would never have won yesterday’s game under Arry.
Texas, spurs won 2-1 at Sunderland a couple of seasons ago under arry after going a goal behind. villas boas is a complete fool (spurs were the better side at arsenal despite conceding 5!!!), the worst manager in Chelsea history. he`s inherited a great squad at spurs & they are doing well despite him not because of him!
AVB was given an impossible task at Stamford Bridge, for any number of reasons. I said that when he was appointed, and I don’t think it showed much about his ability, at all.
This viewpoint has only been confirmed, IMHO, by the sacking of Roberto di Matteo.
AVB you disclaimers will be eating humble pie come the end of the season.
@dave,
AVB is doing pretty well for a “complete fool”, isn’t he?
Despite losing two great players (Modric and VdV) and having Parker out all season, he’s got the team into the KO round of the Europa League and sitting fourth in the Premiership.
And clearly you know little of Chelsea’s “history” if you think AVB is the club’s worst ever manager. That’s a very hotly contested category given how many crap managers CFC has endured.
As for Redknapp, instead of everyone banging on about how he got Tottenham playing so well, I’d like to know how he managed to blow a 13-point lead last season. If AVB were starting with the same players this season, Spurs would be in first or second place already. Redknapp should have won the league with that squad.