There are three paradigms involved with our demise it would appear. The management, the players and the fans. Although the latter may seem like one of AVB's scapegoats I will take into consideration nonetheless. Is this simply an overreaction to an embarrassing defeat? Not at all. This article has been formulated as the season has progressed. Brace yourselves, this post is a long one.
The Management
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| A picture speaks a thousand words. |
Shortly following Harry Redknapp's departure we were linked with Portugese ex-Chelsea manager André Villas-Boas. Opinions were divided, particularly in Internet forums as fans could not decide whether the appointment of such an inexperienced manager was a wise move. To this day I stand by both the appointment of AVB and the sacking of Redknapp but I find my faith in Levy's latest appointment dwindling ever so slightly. The 2012/13 campaign was largely seen as a period of transition which is totally understandable since bar a few choice signings AVB was largely managing a side which wasn't his own. The brilliance of Gareth Bale, particularly towards the latter stages of the season managed to paper over several cracks which have since become chasms in our side. But why?
Over £100m was spent between Franco Baldini's negotiations and (presumably) AVB's own transfer targets. That is almost unheard of from a Spurs perspective. From Redknapp's frugal spending to the odd purchase from Messrs.' Jol and Ramos, we've never been a club to freely break transfer records. That's why this summer was even more surprising. Paulinho, Soldado and Lamela all overtook our previous most expensive signing. It's fair to say that AVB has put his stamp on the team. Although the multitude of transfers will result in an obvious period of transition, how long can we really afford to wait? We have only scored nine goals in twelve games. Transition or no transition, you simply cannot spend that amount of money and score so few goals. Particularly at this level of football it is unforgivable.
My main gripe with AVB is his contradictory tactics and signings. Simply put, his ideas do not seem to make a great deal of sense at times. Roberto Soldado is not a complete forward; he does not have the power of Drogba, the dribbling ability of Suarez or the speed of Aguero. But what he does have is incredible finishing ability. If you've seen him play in Spain over the past few seasons you will be aware that he is a poacher who thrives off of crosses and incisive passes. That's the type of player we have leading the line. However, this raises two questions.
Firstly, can he play up front on his own? He has next to no physical presence which isn't his own fault. This is down to the manager choosing a player to fit the system he desires. From where I'm sitting it doesn't look like Roberto Soldado is suited to this system.
Secondly, why must AVB persist with his inverted wingers? Granted, Aaron Lennon was brought back into the team on his stronger side this weekend but that has become a rarity; AVB has often gone with Sigurdsson and Townsend cutting inside. How do you expect a poacher to score goals when the ball is simply not being crossed into the box? This is what I am referring to when I talk about contradictory tactics. Why sign a poacher if you're not going to set the team up to create chances through crosses? It's like putting square pegs in round holes. I do understand that AVB is trying to recreate the success of his inverted wingers at Porto but we do not have a player of the same caliber of Hulk unfortunately.
I must also argue with the sheer number of similar players AVB has brought in. Previously, I covered the mutual strength all four of our would-be defensive midfielders possess. However, are they perhaps too similar? Sandro, Capoue, Paulinho and Dembele are all great players in their own right. But between them there is not a whole load of craft and passing ability. In other words, we still miss Modric. It is no secret that AVB coveted the mercurial Joao Moutinho for the past twelve months. Why didn't he sign a player of that ilk this summer? It is clear we are lacking creativity. AVB must surely realise that to play with a poacher you need a variety of creative players behind him in order to link the play? A deep-lying playmaker is a must for January.
I also find myself frustrated with our general build-up play. Our centre-backs split in order to receive the ball but there is next to no movement in front of them. The pattern of play is abysmal at times. It's one pass forwards and five passes backwards. It looks like a side void of confidence.
The Players
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| Dejected. |
It only takes a quick look at the reactions shown by the players to conceding goal after goal that something is not right. Heads went down after just 14 seconds and they didn't look like raising much after that. Where is the fight? Where is the passion? Outside of Sandro, who is fast becoming a Tottenham legend, does anybody actually care? Perhaps this too is a result of the backroom staff. For all his faults, Harry Redknapp was a fantastic motivator. He would get the best out of players by allowing them to express themselves on the pitch. It does not seem like our current personnel are motivated to play to the best of their abilities; Soldado's confidence looks shot, Vertonghen looks arrogant and disinterested at times and if media comments are anything to go by then Dembele appears mystified at his current role. Although a certain amount of blame can be attributed to the management, the players must also take a long, hard look in the mirror. Players need to play like leaders, taking games by the scruff of the neck and fighting for points. If we were in a relegation scrap right now (which is nearly impossible considering the talent we have on our books), I would be wholly concerned. It doesn't look like anybody really cares.
There have also been suggestions of favouritism within the club. Why do some players end up frozen out? Benoit Assou-Ekotto, love him or hate him, is a left-back by trade. Jan Vertonghen is not. Why is the former on loan at a Championship club? Furthermore, why has Adebayor been allegedly training with the youth team? A side short of senior strikers (and more importantly goals) should not treat a striker of Adebayor's talents with such disrespect.
The Fans
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| Anti-support? |
A few weeks ago, André Villas-Boas criticised the fans following our narrow win against Hull City. This can be viewed one of two ways. On one hand, perhaps the manager is trying to spark a reaction from the supporters in a bid to motivate the team. However, and I think more people tend to share this opinion, it comes across as a rather naïve excuse for the poor performances we have witnessed this season. I have always said that fans and teams have a reciprocal relationship. Sure, the fans can lift the team by chanting and creating a more positive atmosphere. But to do this they need to be initially inspired. When was the last time anyone saw a piece of skill or a player asides from Sandro put in a real crunching challenge? Fans want something to get them excited, and when the team do not provide any sort of motivation the support can suffer as a result.
Conversely, I do agree with AVB's base sentiment. The fans do need to improve. There have been reports of small sections of the crowd actively booing certain players such as Kyle Walker. This is possibly the most counterproductive response a supporter can have. If I were playing football and I heard my own fans offering discouragement I would not be happy. By all means have an opinion of a player but don't hurl abuse directly at them.
It's not like we've had a blessed recent history in terms of success. Our fans should not be as spoilt as Manchester United fans or as fickle as the ever-rich Chelsea or Manchester City fans. Our support was always good when we were a mid-table side. Perhaps the Champions League football of 2010/11 has tainted our support... How do you sing as loud for Hull City at home as you would for a game against Inter Milan? It is only natural that a game against European giants will warrant louder support but the singing should remain consistent. I don't think we're helped by the ongoing Y-word row but this is by no means an excuse for the lack of chanting at the Lane.
On a closing note, I would like to raise the following question; can AVB fix things? I would really like to believe he can. However, I have not seen us play well since beating Manchester City in April. Even then this was in a mere fifteen minute spell. How do you totally transform an ethic of playing football overnight? How do you go from a conservative approach to the fast, free-flowing and attacking football our club so desires? Let's hope things are a bit better by the time next weekend comes around. Until then, I urge you all to get behind the team and the manager. Whatever your views are, put them aside in favour of backing the club. We have state of the art training facilities, a new stadium on the way and are more financially secure than ever. That's down to Levy and I believe he trusts AVB implicitly. And so should we. Despite the above critique of current proceedings, I believe it is within the manager's capabilities to turn things around.
In AVB we trust.
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