Andre Villas-Boas to Take Positives from Tottenham’s win at Reading

A relieved Andre Villas-Boas after Tottenham’s win at Reading

Tottenham defeated Reading at the Madejski Stadium to give an immediate boost to Andre Villas-Boas. A fortnight ago his team were booed off the pitch at White Hart Lane after conceding a late goal for the second successive match to drop another two home points. Since then certain supporters and the media have questioned his team selection, tactics and ability to be Head Coach at White Hart Lane. Ahead of Sunday’s game, the weekend press were heaping further pressure on the young manager with stories that Danial Levy had lost confidence with Villas-Boas and had given him three matches to save his job. Then comments by his predecessor, Harry Redknapp, were critical of modern managers’ methods and were taken as a direct swipe at Villas-Boas on whom he had previous added pressure by stating categorically that the team would ‘finish in the top four, no doubts’.

It was under such pressure, that Villas-Boas went into the game at Reading knowing that he needed a win as any other result would have added to the criticism and media hounding. At the end, after the team’s best performance of the season, he was able to reflect on a number of positives both for him personally and for the team and players.

Three Decisions Come Good

Brad Friedel: Having signed the French international goalkeeper and captain, Hugo Lloris at the end of the transfer window, Villas-Boas responded to an outstanding performance from 41 year old, Brad Friedel, against Norwich by stating that Friedel would continue as number one choice. This caused dismay for Lloris and the France team manager, Didier Deschamps, who spoke out during the international break. The Head Coach stood by his decision and Friedel showed his usual consistent, authoritive and unflustered approach to the position which brought such calm to Spurs’ defence last season. Reading presented him with few moments of alarm but he will have been disappointed to concede a goal in added time. Lloris who watched from the bench would have appreciated a Premier League debut against a team with such limited attacking ideas. Presumably, Friedel will be rested for the Europa League match on Thursday, providing Lloris with the opportunity of a home debut against Lazio.

Central Midfield: Injury to Jake Livermore may have helped Villas-Boas in this decision but he paired Mousa Dembele with Sandro as the central holding pair in front of the defence. They combined superbly, releasing Gylfi Sigurdsson to a more forward, creative role where he was very proactive in getting forward to strike on goal and in the build up to the opening goal with a perfect pass to release Aaron Lennon behind the Reading defence. The central midfield three rotated and supported each other throughout with only the occasional misunderstanding due to a lack of playing time together.

Jermain Defoe: The general thought was that with Emmanuel Adebayor having had a further two weeks training, that he would be the ideal player to introduce as lone strike for an away match. Defoe had started the season well – scoring  in the opening Premier League match and had two goals for England, but many were of the opinion that he would give way for Adebayor. Not so, Villas-Boas showed confidence in his striker and Defoe responded with two goals and a hard-working performance that kept the Reading defence fully stretched at all times as he harried and hassled them any time they had possession. He took his first goal well and his second was a superb solo effort, reward for his efforts throughout the afternoon. Just as his manager had supported him, Defoe spoke positively of his new Coach after the match as Walker had done ahead of the game. Adebayor, like Lloris, may have to wait but will presumably have opportunities to regain match fitness in the Europa League.

Jermain Defoe commented after the match,

"” New managers come into football clubs and sometimes it takes time. I’m sure the fans are happy and everyone that’s been doubting us, they can hopefully look at us and see that we can do well this season. Our season will start now.”"

Players Showed Greater Confidence

The team as a whole and individual players performed with a much greater confidence on Sunday. The opposition was limited in its approach but the team took advantage of that to stamp their authority om the match. Individual performances showed improvement compared to the two home matches where there was uncertainty and frustration.

Kyle Walker showed a much greater desire to get forward and was much more effective. it was great play from him which brought about the vital second goal, scored by Bale. His defensive work still needs work and concentration but overall, a much more encouraging display compared to the opening three matches.

Jan Vertonghen has learned quickly about the rigours of the Premier League. He has stepped up his game and looks every bit the player to replace Ledley King. His defensive duties were carried out with assurance and he is always looking for the ball and can spread play quickly with long range passes and is also capable of bringing the ball forward in to midfield. He brought an early save from the Reading goalkeeper with a shot when a blocked save from a header by Sigurdsson fell to him.

Kyle Naughton made his first Premier League start for Tottenham in place of the injured Benoit Assou-Ekotto. Initially, he had his hands full coping with McCleary who caused any of the early Reading threat. As the match progressed, however, he was much more comfortable and showed his passing and crossing ability as he got forward later in the match. It was his pass which set up Defoe for a strike in goal midway through the first half when his long pass forward after defending a Reading free-kick found the striker who controlled the ball superbly only for his shot to go wide. Naughton showed that he will provide competition for Assou-Ekotto at left back who may be out for a month, as well as provide cover for both full back positions.

Aaron Lennon and Gareth Bale were much more involved and posed a threat, particularly Lennon. Bale scored his first goal and ha done great run on the left but both worked hard and linked well with other players.

The team as a whole played with much greater confidence and had re-found its attacking philosophy which had stood it in such good stead for the past couple of seasons. Brian McDermott, the Reading manager commenting  after the game said,

"“We came up against a top-class side and they played well. They deserved to win……We knew we were playing against a team of world-class individuals. They played well and we didn’t cause them enough problems.”"

It was a good afternoon for Tottenham and their supporters at Reading. Andre Villas-Boas will have appreciated the result but also the full support that he received from the travelling fans. The win lifts the pressure on Villas-Boas and presents him with time to focus on the important issues of coaching and preparing his team for up-coming matches against Lazio on Thursday and Queen’s Park Rangers on Sunday, both at White Hart Lane, so home supporters will have their chance to demonstrate their support for the new regime at Tottenham.