I am a very concerned fan and I cannot stress enough that the players are completely to blame, NOT AVB!
For all those fans that want to question AVB's tactics, its the same tactics that beat Man Utd, it was the players that almost lost it and it was the players that lost us the game against Wigan.
First things first well done to the Wigan players you did well to embarrass the team and get a good result at what used to be a fortress.
There are several players that need to be pushed out of the team and their performances are not good enough AT ALL.
Gallas who failed to track his man and allowed him to score! This is a player that is happy collecting his pay and doing nothing to earn it. Yes he was great for us, but he cannot be allowed to continue in the first team. If he is kiss the season goodbye and enjoy watching a player that has lost his pace, passion and commitment.
Caulker is young and is still learning, however without a strong partner he is susceptible to mistakes and rookie decisions. Dawson or Vertonghen are the only viable options to partner the young man. Kaboul when back is the man to partner Vertonghen at the back.
Defoe has been exceptionally below par for the past 5 games and it is not good enough. This is a player that stated he deserved to be in the starting team and at the beginning of the season I fought his side. The opening part of the season Defoe showed why that was, but now he has got the position he has failed to turn in a performance to keep it. As soon as Adebayor came on against Wigan the game changed!
Livermore is another youngster that needs a solid and experienced partner. Sandro or Parker are the best people for this job and ideally for me it would be Parker. Livermore has shown in the past great signs of potential, but as with Caulker without the experienced head he is caught out of position. Although I do like Huddlestone he has not shown the form prior to his injury and its been disappointing to watch. Theres too many "squad" players available and not enough stars.
These are serious weak links that need attention. If your skeleton is not at its strongest it would destroy the team.
Walker has been below par, as had Bale, but he has started to perform again (so I am not going to go against him now), Friedel should take some blame for palming the ball out to an unmarked player to score.
You can sit there and be blind to the players shocking performances or you could be a true fan and look to where the problems are.
AVB looks as if the players are causing him some issues. But it shows that they lack true professionalism. We have a great young manager in AVB, but players have to respect their boss whether they want to or not, its one of the things they are paid for!
I am sick of hearing people blaming AVB, his tactics, his age, his arrogance, its the PLAYERS! You can say that tactics can win or lose a game or that one up front is not good enough, but if the our lads played consistently then we would not struggle against any team at home and most teams away.
We must all remember that there has been a complete change of staff, which means a completely new approach to tactics and all games. Already we have seen the breaking of history with beating Man Utd, so how is it that AVB is the wrong man?
The attitude around the lane really stinks! Players are showing the lack of respect and laziness that causes a nightmare to even the worlds best managers. A change has come, but the players just haven't fully accepted it.
In terms of the newer players I still believe that Dempsey and Sigurdsson were not strong enough players to bring in and expect to change the squad. Dembele was a great signing and we are missing him. Vertonghen is one of the first names on the sheet and Lloris will soon be too (so we have strengthened in some respects).
Come January we must sign Willian or Moutinho, a striker and another left back. Without these we WILL NOT finish in the top 4 (actually we could minus the LB).
As always readers remember I am a fan, I am pointing out facts and if you wish to take them as negative I will not deny that you have a right to your opinion. We are all pulled together by one thing, Tottenham Football Club and we will continue to be, which is why we must sing in unison.
If our youngsters from the U18 and U21's were used as an example to the first teamers, they would see that they completely lack passion and realise that their personal goals have faded.
We now move into a difficult part of our fixture list, with a lot of tough games, it is now when a teams character is truely tested. We have fallen badly and AVB will be doing his best to pick up the players (and yes I am kicking them when they are down and righty so), but it is the players that must pick themselves up, we do not pay them to put in half hearted performances, we pay for 100% commitment.
Its now that we must be the big brother and raise morale and it is up to us fans to drag the players to their feet as it seems they are incapable of doing it!
Come on you Spurs
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