Title sums it up. For a successful team you basically need two things: 1) Decent players; 2) Them playing well. That's it. Now 1) is fairly straightforward: Modric, VDV, Bale are very good players. Everyone knows what a very good player looks like. But 2) has a bit more to it. Confidence is a big part - confidence in your own ability, the ability of those around you and, yes - confidence in tactics. And yes - tactics is a part of how you get the players playing well but frankly most tactical decisions are no-brainers (need a goal take off a midfielder, put on a striker; don't play Bale on the right - you're nullifying his abilities by doing that, etc, etc). Whether the system is 4-3-3 or 4-5-1 or 4-4-1-1 you simply need to have good players playing well. Spain aren't so good because of a bloody system! They have superb players playing with loads of justified confidence in themselves and the team. Swansea don't have the same quality of players but they do have the right sort of players who are confident of their abilities. Fitness and match-sharpness also helps a player play well and you could say Harry had flaws in that department. On the flip-side you could say that continuity and familiarity also help players play well - I think a lot of Harry-bashers didn't give enough weight to that point. Again Harry had flaws in the tactical department and that did cost us at times. But he did seem to be able to breed confidence in individuals and throughout the team. Mind you he also had players like Modric and VDV. When players can keep the ball like this it doesn't matter whether they're part of a midfield three or a part of a 4-4-2 - you're just gonna keep the ball, create chances, trouble the opposition. And create more confidence. I'm not saying that AVB is a train-wreck. TBH many of our problems are the kind of things we saw with Harry (Two DMs who don't look the best together - last year it was Sandro and Parker, this year it's Sandro and Livermore; we're not creating enough clear chances...) but now we have a new system to adapt to, new players to adapt to and, arguably, we've lost two of our best technical players. (Though perhaps Dembele may compensate quite a lot). We were the poorest yet today but I think this team needs to find itself again and that might come soon. I think AVB was basically appointed as a more trustworthy pair of hands to overhaul the squad after the planned big sales this summer. And he's got a much more difficult job on than Harry had last year - who knows how Harry would have coped with losing Modric and having VDV go to an OK bid? Or Ledley retiring? Year of bloody transition it could well be. Maybe not. Probably not, I'll optimistically say. But I'm only 60/40 on that right now. One win and that'll go 70/30, mind
dreadful performance up to a few minutes before the goal. Better after that, bit fortunate not to be a few down by that stage but with all that has changed there just will be games like this, point is not bad considering the chances Norwich had.
I think some are forgetting is that good players play well, as a team, when they are performing for a manager that not only gets the best out of them, but uses the right tactics to allow them to express themselves. Fans keep going on about arry and his crap tactics but they forget his man management skills are what made him as a manager, thats why he was such a success with us. AVB doesn't have this charisma, so he is relying on his knowledge of the game and tactical nous to become a success as a coach, its a more serious approach, which he has to excel at. Of course he may need time, and lots of it, to get the team gelling his way, and to a degree of success, yet there also has to be signs of progress and while he hasn't had enough time yet, there is no excuse for him using such negative tactics which don't take advantage of the current squads ability.
Excellent words, Lenny, and sentiments I've floundered to try to explain myself. I would say not only is confidence a key, it's part of a larger package of qualities which might be termed "having fun." No one wants to hear about millionaires having fun. It's serious business for fans. But if fans are in earnest, players have to play. You can't play properly if you're not enjoying yourself. And it was this fun/confident attitude Harry was so good in inculcating in players. It's one potential successful managing style, with tight control the other, opposite one. Most managers are something of a mix. AVB, clearly, is a "tight control" guy, and they can be and have been successful. But a rapid switch from the first style to the second can leave players dispirited and demoralized, and that's how Spurs have looked.
I dream of winning trophies and being in the CL. On that basis it is Harry 1 Ramos 1. Immediately before ENIC there was little chance of either
Pretty much an infinite amount of "levels" I would have thought. I think Harry took us up a couple of levels from the Ramos days and up a level or two from the Jol days. Which was damn good going because the Jol days were the best in the league for a long while. But there's always going to be more to aim for. And it was thought that Harry couldn't do this, I guess. But I think AVB's got a job on to do the thing that Harry was deemed unable to do. Still - it's early days and many of the problems have been short-term, getting-started types of problems (players only just joined/back from injury, players not familiar with each other yet, new players finding their feet. I still think we have the talent to finish top 4. IF we can get these players playing well. One thing I also have to say - there's been much talk of AVB changing the players to fit the system. Honestly I think that the players should define the system - not the other way round. To sell VDV cos he's doesn't fit 4-3-3...well he and Ade were great in a 4-4-1-1. That's two of our best players playing in positions that really suit them. Is Bale a left winger? I think we all know the answer to that one. Ok - so now you NEED to play with 1-1 up top and an out and out left winger. This is basically how teams and formations should be decided. I mean - if 4-3-3 doesn't suit Bale should he be sold? To someone who DOES play with an out-and-out left winger?
That has always been my main concern about avb, as he played a high/pressing game with Chelsea, regardless of the players suitability to the system. Now, with us, he is playing 4-2-3-1 and using players regardless of their suitability. Why not use the system which best suits our current squad and then implement his "perfect" system when he has the correct players?
I know I've said it before but I'll say it again - we have to give AVB time. I know most people on here said that they would do this when he was appointed but equally I think that relatively few people were actually prepared to do it! Of course we all wanted AVB to slot his system straight in and get off to a storming start but how likely was this ever going to be? Now he has had the chance to build the squad a bit for himself (barring Moutinho who is a major absence but whose lack of signing is not insurmountable for now) we need to let him bed in his signings and work out how to use them best. Some of his tactical decisions have been a bit disappointing so far admittedly. I mean I can understand perhaps not starting Dembele today - and props to AVB in this case for recognising his potential impact and bringing him on at half time - but I really don't get the continued starting of Defoe up front on his own. But for me he still needs and deserves more time. We can't blame him for Modric or VdV leaving, or for Moutinho not coming. Lets see how he integrates new players into the squad and how he works with what he has got NOW before calling for his head immediately like some sort of Chelsea fan forum.....
Good article Lenny I have always enjoyed the Harry way: Go out and express yourself. Great for football and great for the players and spectators. BUT! in the modern game we have teams who are rehearsed by their managers on how to stop creative play and negate better sides than themselves, it's become a science. The conclusion is then that without 'the best' players you can't be the best if you do not adopt tactical plans to beat the opposition. Harry himself said we had reached our plateau and don't expect more with likes of Man C Man U & Chelsea about. It appears that that is not enough for Levy, he want's Spurs up top (why not) therefore he has decided to employ a young coach who subscribes to the 'tactics make you better' theory. If it is going to work he will need time to put it into practice and we are right at the beginning of this change. He should be given that time and hopefully without a full scale revolt from the fans when results do not go our way. There are not many Harry's about these days so it's unlikely we will find another suitable option. BTW Norwich hammered at WHL last time so we did a bit better than that this time.
Boss I get your frustration mate. It's infuriating. But try to take a step back and shake off how annoyed you might be feeling. I've just had to do the same thing and I feel I've been realistic and fair with my last comment in the norwich match thread. AVB needs time. Changes don't happen overnight. Tactics and players are two factors which are so heavily intertwined, and at the moment it's not working but the signs are there, as u say. The issue I think we've got, is that there are players that don't,and wont ever suit the style. The formation isn't negative; something similar is used by Spain as someone else mentioned. It's that we seem negative, because of the players playing in those positions. So therefore the issue is we don't have the TYPE of players like Spain. However, we could become a team who play like Spain who maybe aren't as good, but at the moment we don't have the players in place to even be a "not quite so good" version of Spain. (if that makes sense). To clarify, I'm talking about the positional attributes required for a certain role in a certain position within the 4-2-3-1 I can see where we're going. But I cannot hide my infuriation at levy for not getting us the players to make this work. (see my post I referred to earlier as I go into more detail) The poor guy hasn't been backed correctly. It was a half assed attempt, despite the fact we got some good players. Having sold modric and VDV, our defensive 2 should have been moutinho and sandro . (+Parker). No excuses. The former 2 have Attributes that complement one another and provide diversity, creativity and most importantly, a spark when you need it most. If AVB can get us playing good football and show the signs of things really heading in the right direction, regardless of results, I will commend the guy and be proud. The poor bloke has been on the Backfoot since day 1. It's uncalled for. Our chairman wants his cake and he wants to eat it. Back your manager properly Levy. O, and good post Lenny. Well put mate.
Spot on Roo. I wonder whether our best current midfield combination might be Sandro and Tom Carroll with Bale, Dembele and Dempsey in front. Cleverly and Wilshire were both playing in the PL at Carroll's age.
AVB definitely needs and deserves time, but how much time is up to the management. At the end of the day Hughton and Steve Clarke have been in their respective jobs for the same amount of time AVB has and they've nowhere near the pool of talent to pick from as AVB does. They've both performed well in 2/3 games, in WBA's case they've been the better side in all of them and unlucky not to be on 9 points having played 3 top sides. I think AVB needs at least 4 points from Reading and QPR, any less then it just brings unnecessary pressure and a media circus. Luckily for Spurs and AVB, Liverpool play Arsenal so the media will have a field day with whoever loses but there are some early causes for concern. The IB has come at a good time for AVB to re-assess his strategy for winning games and it'll give all the players a chance to gain some match fitness.
Roo, listen, If we all put our sensible cap on, do you think think everyone would be saying the same thing, which is "AVB needs time. Changes don't happen overnight" Of course, I know this, so does everyone, yet speaking from my side, I simply just don't like the guy, I don't like his methods or the manner in which he goes about his job. I'm not going to hide this, i'm won't disguise this opinion just because its the sensible thing to do, as I believe he is going to be a complete failure as our manager and we will never reach the heights or improve on what redknapp done. If avb proves me wrong and his changes benefit the club then i'll happily admit I was wrong for doubting him, yet until that times comes then I'll just be honest about my opinion on avb and the team.
Fair enough boss, I can see why perhaps you don't like him and his character. I just feel that this problem lies predominantly with Levy at this stage when he sacked redknapp for a fresh approach with someone he hasn't backed properly to make his ideas work. After all, that's what he's was after when he signed him. Have a look at this moutihno. AVB says that we weren't ready from this to happen, when we knew our "like for like" player wanted to leave weeks ago?! http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11675/8042158/Spurs-came-close-to-Moutinho
Roo, i think what he meant when he said Was the club were prepared for the deal not to happen, so in signing dembele and dempsey avb is "happy" with the squad regardless of missing out on mountinho.
and if he is unhappy, should he mope around and complain to Levy and sulk in training and disregard what he has at his disposal just because Mouthinio did not turn up? the man is a profesional and love him or hate him you cannot deny his will to succeed and to do that with style...if a fan cannot commit to such ideology then unless Mourinhio comes people will not be happy. AVB has a job t do and he is trying his best....its so damn obvious that Ade and Dembele are starters...but he chooses to almost phase out Defoe and maybe Livermore because he knows he needs players on side...i expect Lennon and Friedel to get the next game then they also will have to up their game to get a sniff..competition is good and healthy in this aspect....none of that rubbish chelsea fans try to spout about his man management. it is not easy to get a replacement for Modric but hats off to Levy for trying.
