Four wins from the last six games. Above Manchester United in the table. Cruised into the last 32 of the Europa League after six wins from six. Oh, and a win record of 54%, making him the most successful Tottenham Hotspur manager of recent times. Andres Villas-Boas may well be feeling slightly aggrieved at his dismissal.
It is without doubt that Tottenham have started this season weaker than they finished last. Who can blame them? Last season their team revolved around the talents of 26-goal man Gareth Bale, whose pace, power and finesse forged Tottenham into a formidable outfit. It was only Arsenal’s late season charge, powered by their away win at Bayern Munich, that prevented Spurs from securing a Champions League spot.
The world record sale of Gareth Bale this summer prompted AVB to reorganise his team. No longer would they rely on the ability of one individual, but rather the collective unit. The £86 million received from Real Madrid was reinvested, along with an addition £24 million, on seven players from seven different countries. AVB was given just five months to work with them.
There are very few occasions when a team sells its best player, deemed irreplaceable by many, and then improves. There are even fewer occasions when a team sells its best player, buys seven players from seven different countries – none of whom had played in England before – and instantly becomes a force to be reckoned with. AVB needed time. This should have been a season of transition. It is hard enough for one player to adapt to football in a new country, let alone seven.
AVB’s press conference following the humbling 5-0 home defeat against Liverpool was telling. His use of ‘we’, rather than ‘I’, when discussing the seven signings suggested extrinsic influences on transfer policy. Were these all AVB signings or were they the work of Technical Director Franco Baldini? Just how much influence did Daniel Levy have over the reinvestment of the sale of Gareth Bale? Did AVB even want some of these players?
It must be remembered that Tottenham Hotspur have only qualified once for the Champions League in their history. They do not possess the financial power of Manchester City or Chelsea. They do not have the same global appeal as Manchester United or Arsenal. Their wage-bill is not as high as these teams. They do not have the European experience of these teams. Yet they are expected to be amongst them, nestled snugly in the lucrative top four. AVB has become the victim of unrealistic expectations, cultivated by the sale of Gareth Bale and his success the previous season.
Where now for Tottenham? Fabio Capello has been made the bookies favourite to take the vacant managers position at White Hart Lane. Glenn Hoddle would be welcomed by the fans. In reality, whoever takes the job will be up against it. He will be inheriting someone else’s team. Keen to make his own mark on the squad, he will probably enter the January transfer market, meaning that even more players will need to adapt to a new life in North London.
Eight months ago Newcastle United lost 6-0 at home to Liverpool. Back then Newcastle were in a relegation battle, and pressure was relentlessly being applied to Alan Pardew. Chairman Mike Ashley stood firm. This Saturday the supporters at St. James’ Park were singing Pardew’s name. ‘Alan Pardew’s black and white army’ reverberated around the ground as fans celebrated a season where his side have beaten Chelsea and Manchester United and are sitting in the lofty heights of sixth place. Time heals wounds. Patience is a virtue. Daniel Levy should take note.
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