Andre Villas-Boas’ performance this season with Tottenham has been lauded after his dismal introduction to the English Premier League last season with Chelsea.
Two Premier League manager of the month awards have left some in the English press red faced after writing Villas-Boas off last season after he failed to win over the Chelsea dressing room.
AVB’s turnaround this season with Tottenham has even seen him linked with Real Madrid in recent weeks – a far cry from this time last year, when many in the football world doubted that he had the appropriate experience and man-management capability to coach at the highest level.
After fan-favourite Harry Redknapp was bundled out by Tottenham Chairman Daniel Levy at the end of last season, many Tottenham supporters were dubious about the appointment of a young manager who had less than two full seasons’ experience at senior level.
After a shaky start, AVB won over the support of the White Hart Lane faithful with a famous win at Old Trafford, and a string of 12 unbeaten matches between December and March that left Tottenham above Arsenal and Chelsea and in pole position for Champions League qualification.
However after Spurs have only picked up four points from their last four matches, this season is starting to have a familiar feel to Tottenham fans.
Redknapp lost his job last year after giving up a twelve point advantage to Arsenal last year, which ultimately cost Tottenham a place in this year’s Champions League.
With Tottenham now sitting fifth and with games against Manchester City and Chelsea still to come, AVB is facing the biggest test of his managerial career.
The injuries to Gareth Bale, Aaron Lennon and Jermain Defoe could not have come at a worse time for the Portugal native, having relied on Bale and Defoe for 27 of Spurs’ 55 Premier League goals this season.
Despite the injuries, there will be no excuses if Tottenham do not manage to finish in the top four and it will result in more questions being asked of AVB’s pedigree to perform at the highest level.
The promotion of Bale to striker was a great move and has taken the Welshman to the top of his game.
The Adebayor situation is a difficult one – it seems as though the mental side of the game is where Adebayor struggles most, so perhaps AVB can be commended with continuing to show faith in the big Togan, hoping that a continued run in the side would give him the confidence he needs to regain his form from last year.
Adebayor’s consistently apathetic performances are starting to wear thin on Tottenham fans and most are calling for him to be dropped from the team.
Unfortunately, with both Defoe and Bale struggling for fitness, this leaves the Tottenham manager with very little choice but to stick with him for the time being.
Questions do have to have to be asked about the fluidity of Tottenham’s attack this year. They have shown their ability to dominate possession for long periods of the game, however this rarely converts into high number of shot on goal.
Often Tottenham look disjointed coming forward – this may be a reflection on the personnel that AVB has available but he has to take some of the blame for not being able to set the side up to score goals more easily.
There is an argument to suggest that some of Tottenham’s wins have been the result of individual brilliance rather than tactical dominance – this detracts further from AVB’s tactical abilities.
Ultimately AVB’s first season at Tottenham will be judged on his results over the coming six matches and the ability to break his team into the top four, displacing either of Tottenham’s London rivals in the process.
There will be no excuses should Champions League football not be attained for next year and the Tottenham fans will not be forgiving of another manager giving away a big points advantage to their bitter North London rivals.
Greater than any time in his career, Villas-Boas’ reputation as a manager hinges on the next four and a half weeks.
Success will see him cement his position as the world’s most promising managerial talent, and may see the beginning of a glorious new reign for Tottenham Hotspur.
Failure will cast serious doubts over his ability and leave Tottenham as also rans for yet another season.
Harsh Sinha
Roar Guru
+1
Harsh Sinha
Roar Guru
Getting sacked from West London is perhaps not a bad deal at all when someone as crazy as Roman Abramovich rules the club. :P
Harsh Sinha
Roar Guru
ageed!
Harsh Sinha
Roar Guru
If Bale leaves the club, Spurs will not be the favorites to fight for top 4! top 2 will still go to Manchester clubs and with Falcao coming in at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea might be number 3, Would be nice to see if Liverpool can display some fightback next season and Arsenal, well they just manage to play in Champions League somehow.
Harsh Sinha
Roar Guru
United, City, Chelsea and Arsenal! Sad for AVB and Spurs that they might finish 5th. A 2-2 against Wigan was not on the cards and Gareth Bale playing in the right wing was a bad decision. Caldwell would have anyways struggled to stop him from the left wing.
Harsh Sinha
Roar Guru
+1
Jason von Stieglitz
Roar Rookie
I think that Levy will certainly have to take a lot of the blame (or credit) for the final outcome of Spurs' season this year. AVB did come in quite late and probably didn't get as much input to the pre-season transfer dealings as he would have liked. This year will be different (provided he sticks around), so the incoming transfers might be somewhat more suited to AVBs vision for the team. A new striker is a must - Moving Adebayor on would be a good move, assuming that they can find a buyer for him.
Jason von Stieglitz
Roar Rookie
I have to say that I haven't found Tottenham's football to be that attractive this year. They have looked good on the break with the pace of Bale and Lennon but I think that their possession game has lacked an edge in the final third. I hope for Tottenham's sake that Bale doesn't go in the summer - he seems to have a good relationship with AVB, which might count for something? I agree that a 40m signing would not be the answer - if they don't make the CL, then it probably becomes academic as no 40m player would likely want to sign with them. Depth is definitely the key - there is not a lot of quality backing for key positions (with the exception of GK and centre half). I bet AVB is envious when he sees the depth at Manchester United where Ferguson can keep the likes of Rooney and Van Persie fresh by rotating them through the bench.
Greek Spur
Guest
And they will remain tight until the new stadium is built!! Lets not kid ourselves, we have performed brilliantly with the team we've built and the strict wage structure we have in place. As fustrating as it is to see Levy not spend, especially when we could've picked up someone of the calibre of Negredo in January relatively cheap (He's now scored something like 8 goals in 6 games, add a few million to the price tag now!!) you have to respect the plan they have in place build a solid foundation for the club and not become a a future Portsmouth or QPR the way they're going!! That Redschnapps sure leaves a mark on a club when he's done!!
Hawker
Guest
I don't doubt the england job fiasco played it's part in last year's meltdown. Thats water under the bridge now, we needed another striker in January this year (as well as last year) and Levy's kept the purse strings tight. If Bale leaves because of no champions league next year Levy's set the club back years.
Greek Spur
Guest
While Levy may have failed to adequately back up our strike power, it was Harry having his head turn for the England job and his "just go run around a bit" tactics that cost us a CL spot.
Hawker
Guest
Firstly "Redknapp lost his job last year after giving up a twelve point advantage to Arsenal last year, which ultimately cost Tottenham a place in this year’s Champions League." Wrong - Chelsea (fortunately) winning the champions league cost Spurs champions league football this season, they finished fourth. If anybody should have fingers pointed at them its Daniel Levy and not AVB. Last year he failed to purchase a striker of quality , Pavlyuchenko was sold and good ol Louis Saha loaned in January. This winter he again failed to strengthen the squad in this critical area. Its all well and good to mull whether Adebayor should be playing, well I can tell you there is no other option at the moment. Its hardly AVBs fault Bale, Lennon, Sandro, Defoe and Kaboul (believe when he's fit he's playing) have been injured recently.
Football United
Guest
AVB is a fantastic manager and the media only hounded him because he is a foreigner, something the right wing papers in England love to attack. When things go right, his teams play a very effective and attractive style of football and Chelsea would be streets ahead of where they are now if Abromovich had kept his ego in tact. Tottenham struggle for depth though, once the first team is out they struggle for people to fill in and really make a difference, especially on the flanks and up front. If the bale sale happens for 40m GBP plus like expected, then several 15m worth players should be brought in to fill the gaps rather than focus on one BIG signing to solely replace GB.