A Conundrum that needs Addressing

Article by Gary Smith

Well, after the debacle at the Etihad it would be easy to jump on the bandwagon and criticise AVB and the whole Tottenham team. Pundits and supporters alike have been quick to dismantle AVB and his selection policy and it is difficult to argue against their points of view. Only a few weeks ago I was referring to the spirited although ultimately unproductive display against Newcastle and the showing of Lamela against Sheriff as grounds for tentative optimism. Unfortunately, it seems it may well have been a false dawn.

I have shared the dismay of a majority of supporters in the lack of creativity shown by the team and even more so by the paucity of League goals. Although I have tried to allay my doubts by thinking the team just needs to gel and looking at the goals scored in the Europa Cup it is still not a scenario that Tottenham supporters are familiar or comfortable with. I for one, would still prefer to watch a free flowing Tottenham even if it does result in a 4-3 loss.

So after sending £100 m plus what has gone wrong ? All the new players cannot be vastly overrated and overpriced surely. The Tottenham scouts cannot be that poor in their judgement. Firstly, I firmly believe that AVB is playing the wrong system. Spurs should have two strikers and an attacking / creative Number 10 – look at the success of City, United and Liverpool. Also, they should operate their wingers in orthodox wing positions as opposed to as inverted wingers. This has been pointed out so often during the season that I can only see the continuation of the formation as stubbornness on AVB’s part. Now I am willing to give AVB the benefit of the doubt but sometimes his decisions are baffling. Why on earth did he put Ade on, a player who contributed nothing last season and who hasn’t even featured this season. Defoe must be shaking his head in despair.

Finally to some individual players. I still feel desperately sorry for Soldado – someone with his record cannot be a bad player and I feel he needs to be judged within a system designed to suit him. If he fails to deliver then by all means criticise him.

Lamela – well he looks so short on confidence its a worry what to do with him – perhaps more starts in the Europa. Holtby ; I read at the weekend that not many players could make a fee of £1.5 million look a waste of money but sadly it wasn’t far from the truth. Erikson ? Is AVB going to give him a run or is he another whose confidence will erode in the wings?

Let’s hope that AVB can restore individual confidence and get the team working as an attacking unit. Spurs are at their best playing quick, incisive football, utilising the wings and feeding strikers in the box.

Yes – it was a humiliating defeat but we have the Europa on Thursday and then United. Time to regain some pride.

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