I'm in two minds with Ade. While a big fan and know of his capabilities, added to the fact he hasn't had a pre-season, I can understand that he may have been below par and unfit at times. On his day he's miles better than Defoe and most of the strikers in the league for the matter. Plus it's not as if we've never seen him play, we've seen what he's capable of us so it's just a case of hoping last season's Ade returns. That said, he's been too bad too often. When you consider last season where even though he wasn't scoring, he was still adding assists and linking play really well, this season it's been completely different, his first touch has been awful too and that can't be blamed on lack of pre-season, his work rate and body language has also been of that of someone who quite frankly doesn't give a ****. Dempsey never had a pre-season and yet, albeit it's taken him time (though he's also had to adjust to a brand new club), he's started to find a bit of form and has been chipping in with assists and goals. I'm hoping Ade comes back from AFCON far improved, otherwise I'd be worried as we've got a £100k a week player that quite frankly doesn't seem interested in performing for the club and leaves us in the ****ter really.
It's not surprising that you are in two minds about him, Adebayor is probably in two minds himself. I think he is a mercurial player, he is never going to be consistent over a season but when he is good he is a game changer. It will be a test of AVB's skills to get the best out of him.
. Yeah completely agree though, on his day he's a match winner. AVB's managed to get the best out of Defoe and Lennon, ability wise Ade is better than both so here's hoping he can work his magic there and get the Ade of last season back.
What is perhaps significant is that AVB has had every opportunity to put the boot in as far as Ade is concerned, but he has certainly not done that, suggesting that he is very much keen to work with him on his return. If there were significant problems between them, I have no doubt that would have come out. Like the rest of you, I am hoping that Ade has a (personally) good ACN, that Togo go out in the first round and that he comes back refreshed and confident. I will reserve judgement until then.
Villas-Boas seems to be permanently positive about everyone and everything to the media. I have absolutely no idea where this idea of arrogance comes from, as he seems to go out of his way to praise our players, coaches and opponents as often as possible and never talks himself up in the slightest. The shadow of the Special One, perhaps?
He also learnt from the late Sir Bobby Robson didn't he? I'm sure I read AVB worked for him or received advice of some sought? Not a bad couple of managers to observe and gain ideas from if you ask me.
Sir Bobby Robson got Villas-Boas into coaching in the first place, SoS. The late Newcastle boss was managing Porto at the time and happened to be living in the same apartment building as our current manager, who was then an aspiring 17-year-old sports journalist. The teenager asked him why he wasn't picking an undisclosed crowd favourite at the time and they got into a discussion about it, which culminated in an invite to watch the team in training. [video=youtube;S2keGkwOrxw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2keGkwOrxw[/video] He then got him into scouting and coaching.
I've no current wish to see the back of him. He's a player I've always rated ( as a player). However, he does give this appearance of not really being that bothered about how he's playing. In other words, he seems to be willing to push himself to a point, and no further. As you've said, he has been fortunate enough to have been born with the skills to lift himself out of the poverty that afflicts so many of his countrymen. It therefore seems a shame to watch him waste that gift through lack of effort.
Lack of starts, injuries, whatever - they do not explain why he was so woeful at challenging for any header on Saturday. Not just woeful at winning them - woeful at challenging for them. He's very much off the pace at the moment too - his touch and decision-making just seems sluggish. I think the ACON might be a blessing in disguise for both Spurs (we might look better without him) and him. I think that criticism of his performances are very justified. And whilst I do not want to enter into character-assassination (I think he seems like a nice guy) I don't think you can get that much credit for building schools etc in Togo. How much you reckon it costs to build a school for him? Week's wages? And no doubt his accountant has ways to make it favourable for him on some levels. It might even end up costing a fraction of a week's wages once taxes are taken into account. I'm just off to the charity shop with a couple of boxfuls of stuff. Reckon that, proportionally, that might make me more generous than Ade. And no doubt more people on this forum give more of their money, proportionally, to fund schools and hospitals in the UK in the form of taxes.
I'm reluctant to accuse players of lack of effort unless it's really blatant, maybe because I'm sick of most tennis commentators imply that if a player would just start trying he'd win. Particularly when things aren't going well you may be better off trying to stay calm and find your game. Going all out all the time definitely works for some players and is always appreciated by the fans, but may result in tightening up and playing even worse. Ade's been starting in our last unbeaten run and I thought he looked the best option there. So I'm fine with him, though I have to admit there''ve been a number of reasons why people might be frustrated with him this year. My theory is that if the fans stay behind him he could continue to be a key player for us.
I admire the loyalty of all those who are with him even though he's been just one rung up from useless. I remember that many on the old BBC606 remained loyal to Defoe even though he badly went through a long barren spell a couple of years ago. For me if a striker stops scoring then it's the kiss of death for him ie Torres. I doubt whether he'll regain his scoring touch wherever he goes or whoever manages him at Chelsea. Keane didn't so I doubt that Adebayor will. You can say that Defoe has regained his form but I'd still be wary because he's hardly found the net for a while. It seems to me that a lack of goals rocks the confidence of strikers and they have trouble forgetting barren spells,they remain in the back of the mind so to speak. I would say that in a team the most pressure is on strikers and the keeper. Ade went missing for spells last season so for me the writing was on the wall then.
We've got enough quality options TMT...ask our leader!...don't be surprised when you find out one of them isn't even a recognised striker though!
Let's buy Lambert from Southampton and while we're about it let's get Luke Shaw. Chelsea supporters think that he's better than Bale. Who are these options?
Luke Shaw has apparently just committed to the saints as they are having a mini party over on the saints forum. Although is committed, still a word that we can use for professional footballers.
I haven't looked to see how long AFCON is on but if we win or draw our next 5 or 6 matches without Ade do we need him back in the side?
