What happened to the attacking team that was a joy watch? Thus far the AVB era at White Heart Lane has been marred by timid play and strange tactical decisions. Up 1-0 against West Brom last week, Villas-Boas opted to replace Jermain Defoe for Jermaine Jenas. The decision proved costly – James Morrison equalized in the 90th minute and two points were lost.
History repeated itself today. Nursing a one goal lead – thanks to a marvelous Moussa Dembele strike, this guy is pretty good – Defoe was once again taken off, this time for Tom Huddlestone in the 82nd minute. Three minutes later Scotsman Robert Snodgrass leveled the game. Norwich were the better side for the majority of the match. Manager Chris Houghton’s homecoming saw The Canaries dominate the midfield and befuddle a Spurs squad that was booed off the pitch after 45 minutes.
It is rash to write off AVB’s ability to turn things around, but the same issues that plagued him at Chelsea have been on display with Spurs. Defensively, Tottenham is not strong enough to sit back and play to the final whistle. While attacking with a lead opens up vulnerabilities to counter attacks – it also allows a team with immense talent to do what they do best. Via opta sports, Villas-Boas has picked up only three wins from his last 15 Premier League matches as a manager.
Much has been made of the business Spurs conducted this week – the additions of Dembele, Dempsey and Loris are big – but this season will be defined by AVB’s ability to adapt his style to suit the players at his disposal.
Spurs to a 442. Having a system you believe in is important. Knowing when to change it to counter opposition is just as valuable.
#avb— Kristian Jack (@KristianJack) September 1, 2012
After a lackadaisical first half he did just that, bringing on Adebayor and Dembele. 11 minutes after Adebayor’s arrival they got their goal. While AVB showed he was willing to change, the Defoe substitution shows he has a ways to go. Huddlestone received a straight red minutes after he came on – not AVB’s fault of course, but the sub is even more damning in light of it.
It’s a process – a frustrating one at that for Spurs supporters.
http://goo.gl/972w0
I’m glad AVB is their coach. I hope they let him see out his contract.
Truegoonie,we will see how your shower of shit get on today before I bite.
you already bit.
Our game just ended. You were saying?
Was at the match today (as a neutral). Was a frustrating game for Spurs. Couldn’t seem to create much. The first half was pretty dreadful, and Friedel had to make some pretty key saves in the match (as pointed out in a later post on the Score).
Very cool KP. As a neutral, do you think the booing was justified?
Most definitely. Fans around us were outraged. A lot of anger towards the Modric and VdV sales. The team lacked creativity and urgency, and misplaced way too many passes, and hit passes to essentially no one up field.
I should add, I was interested in Cdn fwd Jackson, and man is he tiny/small. The role didn’t seem to suit him – a lot of long balls for him for battle for, and he just doesn’t have the physique to win those balls in the air. He wasted what few chances he had, but almost bagged one through a comedy of errors.
love to c spurs in the shitter what a mistake bringing in avb he did nothing at chelsea and will do nothing at spurs