AVB return to Chelsea

[aspursfan]

Good points. Where'd you get this from?

[RSS61]

This is an article I picked up this evening. No doubt some of you will have read it already, but for those who haven't, enjoy. I have!



Did any watch that ancient dinosaur of a football programme on BBC the other week? You know, the one where overpaid ex-professional footballers are given heavily edited highlights of all the matches that have been played that day and use them to reaffirm their preconceptions and prejudices about players, teams, clubs and managers, all delivered with a liberal dose of cliché and catchphrases.
 
Because I am unable to get to White Hard Lane to watch games, it wasn`t until live internet streaming enabled me to watch just about every game in full that I realised just how poor some of the punditry and commentary in the media is.
 
Again and again, they repeat the same old mantras about the same players: Alan Hansen suggesting that Benoit Assou-Ekotto is a liability in defence when he has been one of the most consistently excellent players for Tottenham for at least three season (albeit with the occasional lapse); everyone suggesting that Harry Redknapp is some sort of genius wheeler-dealer in the transfer market, when, of all his achievements at Tottenham, transfers were one of the areas that let him down; and then there is Jermain Defoe who everybody, apart from people who actually watch Spurs every week, seems to suggest is one of the most deadly poachers/finishers in the Premier League. Jermain Defoe is a good finisher and has an excellent attitude. His application and effort - not to mention his goals - are a credit to him and of great value to the team but he is not, and never will be, a deadly finisher. He scores lots of goals but he misses a lot too. He is good but not great. And when the ball is laid on plate for him by one of our excellent midfielders the ball is not "only going to finish in one place". It is just as likely to be scuffed, miss the target or hit straight at the goalkeeper as it is to end up in the back of the net.
 
And of course there is AVB, media darling extraordinaire, who can simply do no wrong. OK, so he`s let them down by not falling flat on his face at Tottenham; he masterminded a stunning victory away at Old Trafford; he`s brought the best out of Gareth Bale, Aaron Lennon and Sandro; he has successfully converted Defoe into a lone striker (which no other manager has managed to do); he has skilfully managed a depleted squad, having lost three of our best ever players in the summer and several more through injury, without ever once complaining; he`s integrated youth players into the team and kept all the senior players onside; he`s taken the Europa and Capital One cups seriously, qualifying for the knockout stages of the former while maintaining strong challenge for a Champions League place. When problems have emerged - such as that of conceding late goals - instead of mouthing clichés and deflecting blame he has analysed the data and taken steps to rectify the problem. Most disappointingly, he has not been arrogant, naïve or intransigent tactically as so many had hoped, confidently switching formations to suit the occasion and the players available.
 
He has also established his authority as manager at the same time as integrating himself as part of a team. Indeed, it is noticeable and refreshing how often he refers to "we" rather than "they" or "I".
 
Although it would be foolish to believe that he would not have his head turned should his success continue and one of Europe`s giants come calling, there is a feeling that he has bought into the Spurs philosophy and Daniel Levy`s vision for the future. He appears grateful for the chance to prove himself and seems eager to move forward with the club as part of a long-term project.
 
So what did Dion Dublin reply on Match of the Day when Gary Lineker tried to coax a little praise out of him for what AVB has achieved so far at Spurs?
 
"With the squad of players he`s got, he should be where he is."
 
No doubt that is exactly what would have been said about his predecessor in the same position.
 
Last weekend, I happened to flick over to Gillette Soccer Saturday before the QPR game on Sky Sports when Jeff Stelling asked Charlie Nicholas, "As far as Villas-Boas is concerned, what's Villas Boas changed there since Harry? Has he changed much?"

"No,no, no. Because he inherited a good batch - a very good batch, actually. So he didn't really need to change much, Jeff. But I think slowly he has just adapted his personality ... You know, 'cos I think Harry would be more in line with... Go on, entertain me, Gareth Bale, Defoe - who didn't always play under Harry - but, you know, go and entertain me, this is the way I like to see games... Whereas there`s maybe a bit more structure been put into the team through Villas Boas. But when you inherit such a good batch of players like he did, why would you even think about changing when you can tweak it here and there. You know and he's done that but I think Tottenham are going along as well as what they were last season. Nothing's changed dramatically, so err.... And it's still a decent squad."
 
Spot on, Charlie. The squad has hardly changed from last season, has it? I mean, apart from Van Der Vaart, Modric, Parker, Kaboul, King, Friedel, Assou-Ekotto, and a fit and available Adebayor, the first team team and results are basically the same as they were for the second-half of last season, aren`t they? OK, so the majority of the starting eleven and the systems have changed, but I can`t think of anything else.
 
And even though Good Old Harry (never Redknapp, of course) was an absolute for guiding Spurs to fourth in the Premier League, any replacement who couldn`t at least match that after losing four or five of last season`s most influential players would be a complete dope, wouldn`t he?
 
But, do you know what? For all that, instead of being annoyed, I`m actually starting to enjoy the anti-AVB bias, and almost hoping that it continues. Not only is it revealing, and increasingly amusing, I also think it may actually start to help Spurs. The players seem to like and respect AVB, and most of the Spurs fans seem to appreciate what a good job he has done so far under a huge amount of pressure. So, if the critics what to keep throwing bottles from their privileged seats, it may actually help the manager, players and fans to form a tighter bond. A siege mentality has never harmed certain other clubs, after all.



Your comments would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

I like and agree with the points you are making, and you irony. Especially, as you point out, our form over the second half of last season, which was considerably worse than AVB's first 20 games, despite the absence of VDV Modric King BAE Kaboul Parker and an in form Adebayor. Quite some achievement if you ask me.

[spursjoolz]

Here is another article I picked up today : Writer is Hog

Chelsea in my opinion were too quick to sack AVB and it was that narrow minded and rash mentality that has again seen RA make a huge mistake and allowed someone else to gain from it.

First there was Mourinho, us Spurs fans know all too well how close we were to benefiting from his dismissal, but then when AVB was fired we have taken full advantage of another mess Cheslea have got themselves into.

AVB's tactics had been questioned every step of the way, he was labelled as another Mourinho by the press and then tarred with the failure brush by the press all too quickly, but we now know that it was not his failures so much that caused the issues.

Since coming to Tottenham AVB has changed the style of play completely. The team is working together better than what I have seen in a long time, however I do admit that it has led to less chances up front as the strikers are dropping too deep (currently with the 4-4-2). This has seen our fortunes change and until our dismal result at QPR we were flying above Chelsea and  Ars*nal.

Now given that AVB was supported by Levy in the summer we know that we have had some great players come in (ok one or two questionable ones). However we are still yet to see what would happen if Levy signed the players AVB really wants!

If AVB can get the team playing so well after a loss of Modric and VDV (essentially the heart of the team) and have them getting results against the likes of Man Utd, then imagine what would happen if AVB had HIS team.

I started at the beginning stating that AVB was an OK choice and that there were 2 better candidates out there for the team. Soon enough my mind was swayed as I begun to see the team take shape. Before we saw our fortunes change and tactics shine through AVB had me won over.

We are doing well in the league and Europe and other fans can moan all they like about how poor other teams are doing (which has allowed us to climb so high), but we are winning more than those beneath us. That is what’s important surely (a win is a win no matter how ugly)? As long as we keep winning more games them those below us we will get the 4th spot, however we must win more than those above us and challenge for the higher positions (common sense I realise), I don’t care HOW we achieve that. There is only one way that this is going to happen though.... Levy must fully support AVB. The players bought in over the summer have done a good enough job, however we all know that now is the wise time to invest and with the likes of Willian, Sneijder, Moutinho and Negredo available it would be a rash decision to pass up the opportunity on at least 2 of them. I really do hope that Levy is not going to or has already made the same mistakes as his opponents chairman’s and not take the best chance we have ever had to push beyond 4th place.

Come on Levy we are waiting for you to push us onto the next level and really put your name up there in history to be the first club outside of the usual top 4 to challenge for that title.

Call me a dreamer on that front and I would agree, but truly I am realistic, if Levy gets us that much needed player in midfield and attack..... we are definitely back eating at Europe’s elite table once more.

COYS!!!!!!


Not much wrong with that. 

[Metalanimal]

I like both articles very valid points and bang on the money!

[RSS61]

I like both articles very valid points and bang on the money!

Could not agree more. With the mess that Chelsea and Ars*nal are in at the moment, we may possibly never have a better chance to get 3rd spot, from where we could definitely mount a title challenge next year.
Now is the time to bring in those players mentioned !!

[dimexi]

I think both articles are fair in their evaluation. Not blindly saying we are the best, Levy is a god etc. But neither are they finding faults where there are none. They pick up on the positives and give realistic and warranted criticism where it is due. Also, recognising the need for strengthening in the areas we have all discussed. I just hope that Levy, finally takes the plunge and makes his move to become a title challenging side.

[ugs]

The sentiment of we could be title contenders is one that we could of had for the last 2 seasons if Mr Levy had backed 'Arry, but he chose to paddle in the shallows rather than diving right in !!!!
Alot now depends on Mr Levy backing AVB fully, his man, but we are 17 days in and haven't done anything again while 'Arry at QPR snatches one of our rumoured targets..... I'm just concerned that Mr Levy wants to do everything on the cheap !!!!
 
 

[Glenn R]

The sentiment of we could be title contenders is one that we could of had for the last 2 seasons if Mr Levy had backed 'Arry, but he chose to paddle in the shallows rather than diving right in !!!!
Alot now depends on Mr Levy backing AVB fully, his man, but we are 17 days in and haven't done anything again while 'Arry at QPR snatches one of our rumoured targets..... I'm just concerned that Mr Levy wants to do everything on the cheap !!!!
 
 

How do you know what went on between Harry and Mr Levy? Whether he backed him or not. Your speculation is based on your position of seeing the other two participates. You don’t like Mr Levy so your conclusions will never be favourable or fair. If Mr Levy didn’t back him I am sure there would be very good reasons. You like Harry, dislike AVB so Mr Levy is the bogeyman. The bottom line is you haven’t got a clue want went on between Mr Levy or anything to do with what is going on behind the scenes. There are thousands of Spurs know-it-all’s who actually know f**k all.

As for 17 days in; again how do you know nothing has been done? We will know if anything is being done by the end of the transfer window.

[RSS61]

The sentiment of we could be title contenders is one that we could of had for the last 2 seasons if Mr Levy had backed 'Arry, but he chose to paddle in the shallows rather than diving right in !!!!
Alot now depends on Mr Levy backing AVB fully, his man, but we are 17 days in and haven't done anything again while 'Arry at QPR snatches one of our rumoured targets..... I'm just concerned that Mr Levy wants to do everything on the cheap !!!!
 
 

How do you know what went on between Harry and Mr Levy? Whether he backed him or not. Your speculation is based on your position of seeing the other two participates. You don’t like Mr Levy so your conclusions will never be favourable or fair. If Mr Levy didn’t back him I am sure there would be very good reasons. You like Harry, dislike AVB so Mr Levy is the bogeyman. The bottom line is you haven’t got a clue want went on between Mr Levy or anything to do with what is going on behind the scenes. There are thousands of Spurs know-it-all’s who actually know f**k all.

As for 17 days in; again how do you know nothing has been done? We will know if anything is being done by the end of the transfer window.

Lets examine the facts.
About a year or so ago, Harry tried to buy Loic Remy for 22 million apparently. It was rejected. Now this same player is suddenly happily sold for about 8 million ?? Maybe they know something that Harry dosen't. Now QPR are gonna pay him 80k a week, a big gamble in the hope he can do the business over next 16 games, or he will be moved on again for sure, at a considerable loss no doubt.
The point I am trying to make is that getting the players we want is not always easy, and sometimes the more secretive pursuits work out the best, eg VDV 2 seasons ago.
As stated above we will know for sure on Feb 1st.

[RiffHard]

The sentiment of we could be title contenders is one that we could of had for the last 2 seasons if Mr Levy had backed 'Arry, but he chose to paddle in the shallows rather than diving right in !!!!
Alot now depends on Mr Levy backing AVB fully, his man, but we are 17 days in and haven't done anything again while 'Arry at QPR snatches one of our rumoured targets..... I'm just concerned that Mr Levy wants to do everything on the cheap !!!!
 
 

How do you know what went on between Harry and Mr Levy? Whether he backed him or not. Your speculation is based on your position of seeing the other two participates. You don’t like Mr Levy so your conclusions will never be favourable or fair. If Mr Levy didn’t back him I am sure there would be very good reasons. You like Harry, dislike AVB so Mr Levy is the bogeyman. The bottom line is you haven’t got a clue want went on between Mr Levy or anything to do with what is going on behind the scenes. There are thousands of Spurs know-it-all’s who actually know f**k all.

As for 17 days in; again how do you know nothing has been done? We will know if anything is being done by the end of the transfer window.

Lets examine the facts.
About a year or so ago, Harry tried to buy Loic Remy for 22 million apparently. It was rejected. Now this same player is suddenly happily sold for about 8 million ?? Maybe they know something that Harry dosen't. Now QPR are gonna pay him 80k a week, a big gamble in the hope he can do the business over next 16 games, or he will be moved on again for sure, at a considerable loss no doubt.
The point I am trying to make is that getting the players we want is not always easy, and sometimes the more secretive pursuits work out the best, eg VDV 2 seasons ago.
As stated above we will know for sure on Feb 1st.

Why Remy's price dropped? His form dropped, his goal rate is not that good and the price pretty much proves Marseille can do without him.

[Glenn R]

The sentiment of we could be title contenders is one that we could of had for the last 2 seasons if Mr Levy had backed 'Arry, but he chose to paddle in the shallows rather than diving right in !!!!
Alot now depends on Mr Levy backing AVB fully, his man, but we are 17 days in and haven't done anything again while 'Arry at QPR snatches one of our rumoured targets..... I'm just concerned that Mr Levy wants to do everything on the cheap !!!!
 
 

How do you know what went on between Harry and Mr Levy? Whether he backed him or not. Your speculation is based on your position of seeing the other two participates. You don’t like Mr Levy so your conclusions will never be favourable or fair. If Mr Levy didn’t back him I am sure there would be very good reasons. You like Harry, dislike AVB so Mr Levy is the bogeyman. The bottom line is you haven’t got a clue want went on between Mr Levy or anything to do with what is going on behind the scenes. There are thousands of Spurs know-it-all’s who actually know f**k all.

As for 17 days in; again how do you know nothing has been done? We will know if anything is being done by the end of the transfer window.

Lets examine the facts.
About a year or so ago, Harry tried to buy Loic Remy for 22 million apparently. It was rejected. Now this same player is suddenly happily sold for about 8 million ?? Maybe they know something that Harry dosen't. Now QPR are gonna pay him 80k a week, a big gamble in the hope he can do the business over next 16 games, or he will be moved on again for sure, at a considerable loss no doubt.
The point I am trying to make is that getting the players we want is not always easy, and sometimes the more secretive pursuits work out the best, eg VDV 2 seasons ago.
As stated above we will know for sure on Feb 1st.

Why Remy's price dropped? His form dropped, his goal rate is not that good and the price pretty much proves Marseille can do without him.

And that is why QPR came in for him and he went to them.

[spursjoolz]

This is  a quote from AVB in the SUN today. So don't get too  excited!



TOTTENHAM boss Andre Villas-Boas ruled ous signing a player to cover for crocked Brazilian
When asked if he was lining up any new arrivals, AVB replied: “It is not impossible but it is unlikely. At the moment there is nothing.”



Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4751708/Tottenham-will-not-sign-replacement-for-Sandro.html#ixzz2IM5jRxZv

[dimexi]

How do you know what went on between Harry and Mr Levy? Whether he backed him or not. Your speculation is based on your position of seeing the other two participates. You don’t like Mr Levy so your conclusions will never be favourable or fair. If Mr Levy didn’t back him I am sure there would be very good reasons. You like Harry, dislike AVB so Mr Levy is the bogeyman. The bottom line is you haven’t got a clue want went on between Mr Levy or anything to do with what is going on behind the scenes. There are thousands of Spurs know-it-all’s who actually know f**k all.

As for 17 days in; again how do you know nothing has been done? We will know if anything is being done by the end of the transfer window.

I am not sure that your position is any different, but role reversed. It could be said that you also do not know what went on between Levy and Harry, but you still make claims like Harry was sacked because he took spurs as far as he could, etc. etc. You seem to have a low opinion of Harry and love Levy and AVB, so are just as partial to prejudice. In fact nearly all the Spurs fans actually know F**k all, you and I included, because that information has never been given! So maybe it is time to stop slinging the muck about?

Yes we will know in 17 days, whether we have added to squad. But if we do not sign anyone, some fans will be very disappointed and thinking we lack ambition. Whilst others will claim that Levy and AVB must have thought we can do it with the squad we have, what brilliant minds and belief in the current squad they must have, and follow likewise.

Whereas, if we did pull off a big signing, the fans that are unsure may start to believe a little more in Levy and AVB, whilst the extremely loyal fans will claim what brilliant minds and understanding of the areas lacking in the current squad they must have, and will carry on as before.

[Yiddite]

Also read AVB's alleged comments in The Sun.


Have also read that due to Sandro's  injury he might be after
Yann M'Villa from Rennes and/or Mohamed Diame from West Ham.


Add in William to that and its papertalk to me and time will tell as
to what happens this January.   


 

[Glenn R]

How do you know what went on between Harry and Mr Levy? Whether he backed him or not. Your speculation is based on your position of seeing the other two participates. You don’t like Mr Levy so your conclusions will never be favourable or fair. If Mr Levy didn’t back him I am sure there would be very good reasons. You like Harry, dislike AVB so Mr Levy is the bogeyman. The bottom line is you haven’t got a clue want went on between Mr Levy or anything to do with what is going on behind the scenes. There are thousands of Spurs know-it-all’s who actually know f**k all.

As for 17 days in; again how do you know nothing has been done? We will know if anything is being done by the end of the transfer window.

I am not sure that your position is any different, but role reversed. It could be said that you also do not know what went on between Levy and Harry, but you still make claims like Harry was sacked because he took spurs as far as he could, etc. etc. You seem to have a low opinion of Harry and love Levy and AVB, so are just as partial to prejudice. In fact nearly all the Spurs fans actually know F**k all, you and I included, because that information has never been given! So maybe it is time to stop slinging the muck about?

Yes we will know in 17 days, whether we have added to squad. But if we do not sign anyone, some fans will be very disappointed and thinking we lack ambition. Whilst others will claim that Levy and AVB must have thought we can do it with the squad we have, what brilliant minds and belief in the current squad they must have, and follow likewise.

Whereas, if we did pull off a big signing, the fans that are unsure may start to believe a little more in Levy and AVB, whilst the extremely loyal fans will claim what brilliant minds and understanding of the areas lacking in the current squad they must have, and will carry on as before.

You are correct if I had just came to my conclusion in isolation, however, in the case of Harry and Mr Levy I was told this information by somebody who works at Spurs. Granted you could argue that how do I know this information is sound. The reason I think it is pretty accurate is because I was also told this by various sources at Tottenham who are not connected. Of course I made an educated guess by putting certain bits together. On top of that this has also been said in various papers. But whatever way you view it it doesn’t change what I said.

Big signings or not he and Mr Levy will be judged at the end of the season; in favour of AVB it would be his first season.