Andre Villas Boas sacked by Tottenham

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I am actually quite surprised by that, backed him heavily in the transfer market and the season hasn't been a massive disaster apart from the two poor results against City and Liverpool.

Not sure what manager is available that they plan to replace him with. Unless Levy plans to spend heavily breaking somebody out of a contract.

compelling and rich wrote:not sure theo is worse than lennon at crossing, quick check on wiki and they have a similar amount of assists lennon has played 230 games with 40 assists (that's one assist per nearly 6 games!!) , theo 37 assists in 190

so theos beating him on assists, of course we dont know fully how many were crosses but they have been playing in the same position. i think a winger should be encourage to be able to cut inside. a winger who just stayed on touchline is pretty one dimensional, something which sums our point up about lennon

If you add up his one goal for every nearly 12 matches with his one assist in every six matches you realize that Lennon really gives your team nothing as an attacker no way is he the equal of valencia, Nani or Walcott. Frankly he shouldn't even play for tottenham. A thoroughly mediocre player, he has become this generations Emile Hesky. I struggle to think of a worse England international in recent memory. But he is a player who catches the eye because of his pace, but actually produces very little. Lennon and his lack of service is one of the problems Soldado has. A striker relies on service and Soldado is not wasting a boatload of chances every match he just is not getting any service to feed on and players like Lennon make those around them worse because they are a waste of possession, a dead end for the ball. Of course he doesn't represent the sole reason Spurs are underperforming there are a lot of players on that side that have questions to answer. But the manager bears responsibility for picking a squad that gives his team a chance to win.

As an aside, when did Valencia or Nani become the gold standard.

GSC wrote:As an aside, when did Valencia or Nani become the gold standard.

When they were negatively compared to Lennon. Or at least equated to Lennon.

Its really not a massive gap. Nani hasnt done anything in years

GSC wrote:Its really not a massive gap. Nani hasnt done anything in years

Well at least he did something at some stage to get his reputation as opposed to Lennon, doesn't he still start for the Portuguese team?

certainly not nanis biggest fan being a united fan but he has two better feet than lennon, stronger, better shooter on either foot. sadly nani's let down by a total lack of football brain something which lennon isnt exactly a world beater at

will take valencia all day over lennon, even when he was having a poor time at united

Nope, not for me, Valencia couldnt beat a good defender if he tried. Knock and run, no close control, crossing generally comes down to "how hard can I kick it at the box".

Whilst Nani can be held up for his one good year for United, but its depressing to see how bad hes become.

I think hes a better passer and dribbler than Walcott (although mainly down to Walcott's inconsistency, but his close control needs work still), arguably a better team player too. I'd imagine a good wedge of Theo's assists come completely away from crossing. I'd guess most are from rebounds and similar. Walcott plays a different role too.

I'm baffled by people not being able to see Lennon is a good player. He's no great but not everyone is. I honestly cant think of what the standard of Premier League footballer is if Lennon isnt one. And to compare him to Heskey is bizarre. The opinions in that are just baffling. I've watched Barry and Upson play for England.

Gotta admit I don't get it with Lennon. He's alright, but he's nothing special. Certainly think Spurs could do better

I'd have him in the same class as Nathan Dyer

lennons just a quicker version of jermaine pennant. the likes of walcott and valencia have established themselves as first team footballers at two of the biggest clubs in the country. lennon has barely been playing for this current spurs side

Dolphin Ziggler wrote:Nope, not for me, Valencia couldnt beat a good defender if he tried. Knock and run, no close control, crossing generally comes down to "how hard can I kick it at the box".

Whilst Nani can be held up for his one good year for United, but its depressing to see how bad hes become.

I think hes a better passer and dribbler than Walcott (although mainly down to Walcott's inconsistency, but his close control needs work still), arguably a better team player too. I'd imagine a good wedge of Theo's assists come completely away from crossing. I'd guess most are from rebounds and similar. Walcott plays a different role too.

I'm baffled by people not being able to see Lennon is a good player. He's no great but not everyone is. I honestly cant think of what the standard of Premier League footballer is if Lennon isnt one. And to compare him to Heskey is bizarre. The opinions in that are just baffling. I've watched Barry and Upson play for England.

There is no way he is a better passer than Theo, Theo maybe 2 years ago was a poor passer but he has improved a great deal. Take for example the assist that he had for Giroud in the match winner against Tottenham this year. The stats don't lie, he has better rate of assists and his goals are off the charts compared to Lennon's strike rate. By the way since he has been back from injury he has in two substitute appearances already had two assists. Theo of 2 years ago was not a good passer the same can not be said of him now. They play the same position and only the fact that theo can get goals makes it seems like they play different roles do you think Spurs would turn down 15-20 goals a year from Lennon?

What is the use of dribbling and close control if you can't score or pass? What does it produce for his team?

Can't even believe there are arguments over Lennon. Nothing short of ordinary. Someone said he`s good but then said it doesn't matter he has poor stats for goals n assists. Oh dear!

AVB debate going adrift now.......

I`m more interested in who takes him on next. Wonder how much compensation he can accumulate over his managerial career. He`s at £16m currently.

Olly wrote:Gotta admit I don't get it with Lennon. He's alright, but he's nothing special. Certainly think Spurs could do better

I'd have him in the same class as Nathan Dyer

Dyer is better, he looks much more likely in front of goal than lennon, he is not a world beater either but he edges lennon in my book. He has been more effective for Swansea than Lennon has been for spurs.

John wrote:Can't even believe there are arguments over Lennon. Nothing short of ordinary. Someone said he`s good but then said it doesn't matter he has poor stats for goals n assists. Oh dear!

AVB debate going adrift now.......

I`m more interested in who takes him on next. Wonder how much compensation he can accumulate over his managerial career. He`s at £16m currently.

I like Hoddle, he did a good job with the lions had them playing the most watchable style they had in years. This team needs someone to lift the shackles and just get them to play not another mourinho wanna be.

They play the same basic position, but they play completely separate roles. The debate is gone, I think we just plainly disagree.

Hoddle would suit their need for a coach, as clearly Spurs want a coach who takes on whatever players they offer him. But hes been out of the game a long time. If they want style they can try Bielsa. If they want to remember they are just bloody Spurs they will attempt realism.

Listening to drive on talksport on the way home from work yesterday.

Benitez was a name mentioned.

Couple of the Spurs fans who rang in thought he would be good. Hoddle was another.

Would Spurs fans be happy with Benitez?

Can't believe there's discussion about Valencia and nobody has mentioned him being the most one-footed player that's ever existed!!

Benitez would not leave a project like Napoli after just joining. He`s building a team & most probably will go on & qualify for champions league football & has a very good chance of winning the Europa League. Spurs is not attractive for a man in his position.

As for Valencia, truly ordinary player again. No left foot & even with his right foot, his only way of crossing, is to smash it in the box & hope RVP or Rooney do something with it. His major attribute is pure strength, engine n versatility, managers love that in a player.

Spurs should look to give Christian Gross a second chance.   

As for Lennon, he's just a pace merchant. Dime a dozen and too many of them in the PL.

i agree Napoli is an ideal position for benitez, why would he leave them for Spurs. Especially when the problem at Spurs is probably not the manager but the chairman Levy who seems to think he knows football better than his managers and has an itchy trigger finger. Napoli have a rabid fan base, are well financed and are now a buying club and not a selling club and he can win titles there. Plus you have the fact that Spurs seem to change their manager ever year or two.

I gave AVB a lot of grief but frankly he was never given total control over personnel decision and Levy seems to call the shots and not want to give up control. He is probably a bigger part of the problem over there than AVB was although I still think AVB is a bad manager that does not mean that one or the other exonerated. Benitez has a good side there, with good finances and the owner of the club is loaded and is a real fan of the club. If Spurs want to improve maybe they have to get rid of Levy as well.

As for valencia I would still take him over lennon at least he can manage to smash the cross into the box and give his forwards a chance at it. Plus he is stronger defensively. Lennon missed his true calling he should have become an NFL kicker then when he kicks the ball over the bar his team would actually score points. I bet he leads the EPL in goal kicks for the other team. At least Valencia can smash the ball into the box, that is the first step to an effective cross.

I can see them trying to get Rudi Garcia, not sure he'd come though

I hope they get Sherwood #Sherwood4Spurs

AVB to WBA seems to be cropping up not sure he'd want that job tbh

West Brom shouldn't go for him. Rubbish manager. They deserve him though, after getting rid of Clarke. 

Tottenham should go for Glenn Hoddle, have him and Tim Sherwood running it until the end of the season IMO.

NickisBHAFC wrote: him and Tim Sherwood

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3012723.stm

i do have to say i have found all the love for hoddle a bit strange, has proven himself a w$nker of the highest order, not quite sure how such a character will keep modern day footballers happy, lastdamnation link shows he couldnt then.

people talk like he had us playing wonders in 98, we scraped through by the skin of our teeth. then got a pretty easy group in which we finished second meaning we got argentina next round which we went out to. not much different than the last shocking world cup if you ask me. might also add it wasn't a vintage Argentina or Romania that we lost to as well

only good thing was the emergence of owen during that world cup which i think would have occurred no matter who the manager was he was that talented at that stage

compelling and rich wrote:i do have to say i have found all the love for hoddle a bit strange, has proven himself a w$nker of the highest order, not quite sure how such a character will keep modern day footballers happy, lastdamnation link shows he couldnt then.

people talk like he had us playing wonders in 98, we scraped through by the skin of our teeth. then got a pretty easy group in which we finished second meaning we got argentina next round which we went out to. not much different than the last shocking world cup if you ask me. might also add it wasn't a vintage Argentina or Romania that we lost to as well

only good thing was the emergence of owen during that world cup which i think would have occurred no matter who the manager was he was that talented at that stage

Can't be any worse than AVB who has never accomplished anything in this league and Spurs with Chairman Levy in the picture and their problems are not going to attract a first tier talent anyway.

To be fair, the comments from Hoddle on that link are very good.

I think people like him as he endeavours to a good style and is a coach as well as a manager. His work in Spain is very encouraging to many too

There is no question Hoddle has a brilliant footballing brain just listen to the bloke on Super Sunday and or Radio appernaces. He is also the best England manager in recent memory.

NickisBHAFC wrote:There is no question Hoddle has a brilliant footballing brain just listen to the bloke on Super Sunday and or Radio appernaces. He is also the best England manager in recent memory.

again i have to ask why?? his record in his only tournament is very poor. venables and if you want to go earlier robson had a much better record. would also argue that sven did better at least reaching quarter finals

complete and utter myth that he was so great for england, his record at the major tournaments is one of the worse in recent history. did do better than mclaren and taylor in that at least he qualified though

Sven is the best England manager in recent history, only reason he isn't regarded as such is because he was foreign and some of the players were overhyped

Those of us who said AVB is a terrible manager are a bit vindicated. I mean the guy has a player like Adebayor who has scored 80 plus premier league goals and is earning 190k a week and he refuses to play him. AVB is one of these people who has a misplaced sense of his own superiority with really little cause for it. I know he is not responsible for the purchases but he is responsible for having a 200k week striker playing with the juniors when his team are not scoring goals.

socal1976 wrote:Those of us who said AVB is a terrible manager are a bit vindicated. I mean the guy has a player like Adebayor who has scored 80 plus premier league goals and is earning 190k a week and he refuses to play him. AVB is one of these people who has a misplaced sense of his own superiority with really little cause for it. I know he is not responsible for the purchases but he is responsible for having a 200k week striker playing with the juniors when his team are not scoring goals.

You'd think he had Spurs in the relegation zone. He hadn't. 2 very poor results disguised what was a decent season that may have improved if the players were given time to gel. He took Spurs to their highest points tally last season as well. Also countless managers have failed to motivate Adebayor for longer than 6 weeks, it's exactly what he does - plays well when he can be arsed. 1 thing I will give you about AVB, is unwillingness to adapt his tactics to the players given to him. Using Dawson in a high line just replicated the issues he had with Chelsea and john Terry. Slightly worrying that he didn't learn from that. If he can be more flexible I think he'll bounce back. Up to him though.

On a slightly separate point, all this bollox about Sherwood 'knowing the club' and 'getting back to the Spurs way' is cringe-worthy. Firstly, what has knowing the club got to do with being actually qualified to do the job? Secondly, what exactly is the Spurs way? Finishing mid-table? Cos that's all I know of them doing since the early 90s, with the exception of a few 'arry seasons, and that's were they've finished when Sherwood was a player there. At least AVB had them challenging for the top 4.

I really fear for Spurs if Sherwood gets the job permanently, he comes across as a clueless but smug Muppet. A half-decent side would rip Spurs apart with those naive tactics used today. Southampton defended really badly - albeit without half their first choice defense. Even still , they looked out on their feet - which is ominous for them given we're only in December.

liverbnz wrote:

socal1976 wrote:Those of us who said AVB is a terrible manager are a bit vindicated. I mean the guy has a player like Adebayor who has scored 80 plus premier league goals and is earning 190k a week and he refuses to play him. AVB is one of these people who has a misplaced sense of his own superiority with really little cause for it. I know he is not responsible for the purchases but he is responsible for having a 200k week striker playing with the juniors when his team are not scoring goals.

You'd think he had Spurs in the relegation zone. He hadn't. 2 very poor results disguised what was a decent season that may have improved if the players were given time to gel. He took Spurs to their highest points tally last season as well. Also countless managers have failed to motivate Adebayor for longer than 6 weeks, it's exactly what he does - plays well when he can be arsed. 1 thing I will give you about AVB, is unwillingness to adapt his tactics to the players given to him. Using Dawson in a high line just replicated the issues he had with Chelsea and john Terry. Slightly worrying that he didn't learn from that. If he can be more flexible I think he'll bounce back. Up to him though.

On a slightly separate point, all this bollox about Sherwood 'knowing the club' and 'getting back to the Spurs way' is cringe-worthy. Firstly, what has knowing the club got to do with being actually qualified to do the job? Secondly, what exactly is the Spurs way? Finishing mid-table? Cos that's all I know of them doing since the early 90s, with the exception of a few 'arry seasons, and that's were they've finished when Sherwood was a player there. At least AVB had them challenging for the top 4.

I really fear for Spurs if Sherwood gets the job permanently, he comes across as a clueless but smug Muppet. A half-decent side would rip Spurs apart with those naive tactics used today. Southampton defended really badly - albeit without half their first choice defense. Even still , they looked out on their feet - which is ominous for them given we're only in December.

Don't get me wrong I am not one to oversell Spurs as a club, as an Arsenal fan I wish them midtable or worse for all eternity. But he took Spurs to its highest point total with someone else's team and Gareth Bale. And frankly their points tally was a little misleading, they had a number of fortunate penalties and late goals against woeful teams. Not only that his team was just unwatchable. He was terrible at Chelsea as well so you answered your own criticism why has this guy in his mid 30s managed two premier clubs when all he has done is failed in this league. Don't get me wrong, I think they blew most of the Bale money and Levy has a lot to answer for by not bringing Redknapp back. Not to mention the revolving door he has had at manager.

As for Adebayor, I will say this if my team needed goals, and Soldado is not getting goals I would try both Defoe and Adebayor instead of banishing Adebayor because of my own ego. Look at the converse, Arsene is still willing to use Bendtner eventhough he has just as much reason to banish him as AVB had to let Adebayor go. But he doesn't let his ego get in the way of what the clubs needs are. If Arsenal have injuries and no other strikers hell use what you have effectively.

AVB last season was Spurs's RECORD BEST season in terms of points won.
Secondly he had the best win ratio out of any Spurs manager in history.

This year he was sacked while Spurs were very close to top 4, which was not bad at all considering they had many new unproven players at once (many of which Baldini had brought in).
So all in all, ridiculous decision to sack AVB.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BcGSJKnIIAA3LF9.jpg

socal1976 wrote:

liverbnz wrote:

socal1976 wrote:Those of us who said AVB is a terrible manager are a bit vindicated. I mean the guy has a player like Adebayor who has scored 80 plus premier league goals and is earning 190k a week and he refuses to play him. AVB is one of these people who has a misplaced sense of his own superiority with really little cause for it. I know he is not responsible for the purchases but he is responsible for having a 200k week striker playing with the juniors when his team are not scoring goals.

You'd think he had Spurs in the relegation zone. He hadn't. 2 very poor results disguised what was a decent season that may have improved if the players were given time to gel. He took Spurs to their highest points tally last season as well. Also countless managers have failed to motivate Adebayor for longer than 6 weeks, it's exactly what he does - plays well when he can be arsed. 1 thing I will give you about AVB, is unwillingness to adapt his tactics to the players given to him. Using Dawson in a high line just replicated the issues he had with Chelsea and john Terry. Slightly worrying that he didn't learn from that. If he can be more flexible I think he'll bounce back. Up to him though.

On a slightly separate point, all this bollox about Sherwood 'knowing the club' and 'getting back to the Spurs way' is cringe-worthy. Firstly, what has knowing the club got to do with being actually qualified to do the job? Secondly, what exactly is the Spurs way? Finishing mid-table? Cos that's all I know of them doing since the early 90s, with the exception of a few 'arry seasons, and that's were they've finished when Sherwood was a player there. At least AVB had them challenging for the top 4.

I really fear for Spurs if Sherwood gets the job permanently, he comes across as a clueless but smug Muppet. A half-decent side would rip Spurs apart with those naive tactics used today. Southampton defended really badly - albeit without half their first choice defense. Even still , they looked out on their feet - which is ominous for them given we're only in December.

Don't get me wrong I am not one to oversell Spurs as a club, as an Arsenal fan I wish them midtable or worse for all eternity. But he took Spurs to its highest point total with someone else's team and Gareth Bale. And frankly their points tally was a little misleading, they had a number of fortunate penalties and late goals against woeful teams. Not only that his team was just unwatchable. He was terrible at Chelsea as well so you answered your own criticism why has this guy in his mid 30s managed two premier clubs when all he has done is failed in this league. Don't get me wrong, I think they blew most of the Bale money and Levy has a lot to answer for by not bringing Redknapp back. Not to mention the revolving door he has had at manager.

As for Adebayor, I will say this if my team needed goals, and Soldado is not getting goals I would try both Defoe and Adebayor instead of banishing Adebayor because of my own ego. Look at the converse, Arsene is still willing to use Bendtner eventhough he has just as much reason to banish him as AVB had to let Adebayor go. But he doesn't let his ego get in the way of what the clubs needs are. If Arsenal have injuries and no other strikers hell use what you have effectively.

Firstly, it doesn't really matter whether it was with his team or Harry's. He was in charge when they got the record points total. Which surely means he did a better job than old saggy face no - with his team. Saying they were lucky to get the points haul is also extremely churlish and only looking at it from one side. Every team gets decisions for and against, and luck, good and bad. They got the points, largely helped by Gareth Bale yes - but kudos to AVB for getting the best out of him.

As for Soldado, he was getting goals. Maybe not enough but surely it's too early to start writing him off? Plus AVB has Defoe as back-up and neither has been injured. Wenger has no one only Bendtner and Giroud. Plus Adebayor played plenty last season and scored very little - so he was given his chance and was his usual unmotivated self - just as he will likely be come February. Anyhow, it seemed Spurs problems under AVB were more about lack of creating chances, or good ones anyway rather than finishing them.

Now he's getting bashed for not playing and having a good relationship with Adebayor? He's in good company in that regard, Adebayor is an awkward swine and has disappointed most managers he's played for

Soldado was not getting goals at all and he refused to try any other tactical set up or player rotation to change it. Again neither Defoe or Adebayor are perfect, no one else is either, he failed to use what he had effectively. And just because Levy and Baldini may also be to blame for Spurs problems it does not absolve AVB, more than one party can be to blame. I think that Levy and his revolving door at manager are a big part of the problem. But lets not forget how last year ended, Spurs had a 7 point gap on arsenal that they lost in the last two months of the season.

As for luck from officials I am still waiting for Arsenal's. After the ridiculous villa match and two bogus offsides and a penalty kick not called against City. 4 penalty kicks in 4 1-0 matches for Spurs this year. Must be nice. Plus the team lost 3-0 at home to West Ham! forget what happened at City and at home against Liverpool. Not only was the team not performing they were probably one of the most unwatchable teams in the whole premier league.

The Spurs team clearly has not gelled yet but they are still right up in contention for CL (unless goal difference comes into play!). Impressive display today and at some stage Soldado will start scoring- he is a class player.

I think after today the top 8 are probably separated from the rest. The only one who might slip is Newcastle if they pick up some injuries. Everton look very impressive. I still think Chelsea and City will pull away. After the last week I think Liverpool might be third with a four way battle for the final CL spot. Big match tomorrow though if Arsenal can get a win!

Starlight wrote:AVB last season was Spurs's RECORD BEST season in terms of points won.
Secondly he had the best win ratio out of any Spurs manager in history.

This year he was sacked while Spurs were very close to top 4, which was not bad at all considering they had many new unproven players at once (many of which Baldini had brought in).
So all in all, ridiculous decision to sack AVB.

AVB is a dolt, I am sorry take Spurs performance over the last calendar year and they are no where near champion's league quality. You have to look at the trend line of the team from the end of last year to the start of this year. They had a bad end of the year last year compounded with a bad start to this year. Now add to that I think Spurs have 3 strikers, they are not scoring goals and he refuses to use all but one of them in league. It is a fair criticism. Plus he is a boring Mourinho clone all the better that he is gone, they played good football under Harry; watching a Spurs match under AVB without Bale was about as interesting as standing in line at the department of motor vehicles.

Funny you should mention Arsenal's 'poor luck' compared with AVB having a number of fortunate penalties. Last season, up until week 30 Arsenal had more 'incorrect' decisions in their favour than any other team in the league according to the debatable decisions guys. Decisions that gained you 9 more points than you deserved.

So as I said, everyone gets good and bad decisions.

http://www.debatabledecisions.com/english-premier-league-tables

The site must be run by a United fan. Please for years every team was told by the media, their coaches to beat ARsenal you should just kick them. And the referees wanting to be fair to them where and are co-conspirators. How many points did Aaron Ramsey's leg break and Eduardo's leg break cost us over the years, where are those reflected in your 'official' debatable decision table?

No you're right. Your completely unbiased and sensible argument outweighs that of a panel of 4, one of which used to be a professional referee - and one of which supports Arsenal. Just a pointer, no one has ever said or claimed it was 'official'.

Bloody hell, I try desperately to avoid going near football debates on this site. I'll never bloody learn.

liverbnz wrote:No you're right. Your completely unbiased and sensible argument outweighs that of a panel of 4, one of which used to be a professional referee -  and one of which supports Arsenal. Just a pointer, no one has ever said or claimed it was 'official'.

Bloody hell, I try desperately to avoid going near football debates on this site. I'll never bloody learn.

Don't get worked up, you know the kick Arsenal tactic was used by numerous teams, and it cost ARsenal dearly and the refs where accomplices. Not saying they were bought like in Italy, but that is my opinion. And I never said I was not biased everyone is biased.

Kick? I thought it was kill? 4 Arsenal players died in service in the Premier League in 2010 and the refs never gave a yellow

socal1976 wrote:

liverbnz wrote:No you're right. Your completely unbiased and sensible argument outweighs that of a panel of 4, one of which used to be a professional referee -  and one of which supports Arsenal. Just a pointer, no one has ever said or claimed it was 'official'.

Bloody hell, I try desperately to avoid going near football debates on this site. I'll never bloody learn.

Don't get worked up, you know the kick Arsenal tactic was used by numerous teams, and it cost ARsenal dearly and the refs where accomplices. Not saying they were bought like in Italy, but that is my opinion. And I never said I was not biased everyone is biased.

Exactly - which is why that site was as good as anything out there at rationalizing decisions.

Dolphin Ziggler wrote:Kick? I thought it was kill? 4 Arsenal players died in service in the Premier League in 2010 and the refs never gave a yellow

Name another team that lost two players to catastrophic leg breaks like that within that short of a span? And I guess I made up the part about the book being to beat Arsenal you need to get up in them and not let them play, (I mean kick them). Without official sanction or at the least complicity that tactic wouldn't be effective would it? Thankfully the officiating in the English game has improved since then at least in regards to protecting talented players against the leg breakers.

But Shawcross cried to the media and texted Ramsey so I guess that makes it alright. Poor  Shawcross at least that was what the media were telling us.

Dolphin Ziggler wrote:Kick? I thought it was kill? 4 Arsenal players died in service in the Premier League in 2010 and the refs never gave a yellow

PS Eduardo's career basically did die after that. First rule of sarcasm be funny about something that is actually funny.