Competition for Places in Tottenham Team a Bonus for Villas-Boas

Andre Villas-Boas – competition for places in Tottenham team

The opening weeks of the season have seen a new phenomenon at Tottenham – competition for places in the team and this must be a bonus for Andre Villas-Boas. In recent years there has been little rivalry for places in the team, leaving both squad players and young players on the outside looking in, with little motivation or opportunity to challenge the player in possession. Harry Redknapp had a regular starting eleven with occasional changes being made for injury or change of formation but, by and large, the team remained unaltered. This created a difficulty of keeping squad players interested and match fit so whenever an opportunity arose in the team they rarely played to their true level, knowing that they would probably be out of the team the following week. Niko Kranjcar struggled with that over his last two seasons with Spurs as did Vedran Corluka once he realised that Kyle Walker had claimed the right back position. Both quickly agreed to leave last summer, Corluka having already been out on loan for the previous six months. Other squad players who were out of favour were overlooked and demotivated, waiting an opportunity to go out on loan. It was a similar problem for young players, there was no opening for them in the team or even the match day squad. The Europa League provided an opportunity last season up to Christmas but after that it was back to the friendly matches arranged for the Development squad.

This lack of competition, caused by an over reliance on certain payers and little rotation within the squad, was clearly evident in the latter half of the past two seasons when Spurs lost form between February and the end of April. Results suffered but there were no options available from within the squad that the manager was prepared to make. Younger players weren’t given a chance to show their worth and the end result was that Tottenham missed out on Champions League qualification in both seasons.

Number 1

Brad Friedel in possession

This season there has been a clear indication that there is competition for places in the team and that reputation doesn’t count for anything with Villas-Boas. The arrival of the French captain and goalkeeper, Hugo Lloris, signalled to many that Brad Friedel’s time as first choice was up. Instead, Friedel has retained his position and Lloris is having to fight for it. Last season Friedel brought his experience to the team with his presence having a calming influence on the defence. Throughout the season, Friedel had no competition for the position – Heurelho Gomes was out of favour while Carlo Cudicini was quite happy to continue as the experienced reserve to come in for Cup matches and in Europe, as required. This time round Brad knows he has competition and if his form drops, there is a ready made replacement waiting to step in. The decision by Villas-Boas to select Brad Friedel ahead of Lloris has been met with disbelief in France. Didier Deschamp spoke out shortly after the completion of the transfer while former French goalkeeper commented unfavourably and raised anger within Friedel who responded to the criticism on Twitter.

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Back 4

At full back, Kyle Walker and Benoit Assou-Ekotto retained their first choice status for the opening matches. Kyle Naughton was considered as cover for Walker but injury to Assou-Ekotto has seen Kyle Naughton stepping in to perform admirably on the left until he was injured, requiring Jan Vertonghen to fill the gap. He was a relevation against Queen’s Park Rangers and has scored twice in the next two games. At left back, a position he plays for Belgium, he has proved a very potent attacking threat leaving Villas-Boas with a dilemma on the composition of his back four, knowing that he now has four players who can fill the two full back positions.

Tottenham have a glut of central defenders. William Gallas whom many thought would be leaving Tottenham during the summer has played in every Premier League game and taken on the role of captain, leading by example with his total commitment in the win over Manchester United. Younes Kaboul lost his place through injury allowing Vertonghen to make his debut against West Bromwich Albion. Steven Caulker and Michael Dawson who is determine to fight for his place at Tottenham were waiting in the wings. The injury problems at left back which necessitated the restructuring of the back four with Vertonghen moving across has allowed Caulker to step in to make his first Premier League start for Spurs at Old Trafford. Caulker played in the Europa League match and the Capital One Cup game where he partnered Dawson who made his seasonal debut as captain against Carlisle. Tottenham have an array of talent available for the back four and all know that they can’t let their standards slip as there is a very capable deputy waiting to step up.

Midfield

In midfield Sandro and Mousa Dembele have claimed the holding role with injury to Scott Parker and Jake Livermore currently keeping them on the sidelines. Aaron Lennon and Gareth Bale are first choice on the wings but Andros Townsend is being given the opportunity from the bench and in the Cup games to further his experience and provide a challenge to the two wingers. This opportunity has seen Townsend joining Adam Smith and Danny Rose, on loan at Sunderland, in the England Under-21 squad. Gylfi Sigurdsson and Clint Dempsey are in competition for the final central midfield role, playing behind the striker, with Dempsey at present seeming to be favoured as he provides a greater support to Jermain Defoe as the lone forward. Tom Huddlestone is also making his way back following injury with substitute and Cup appearances to also stake a claim for first team inclusion.

Striker

Up front is the one area of the squad where options are limited. Defoe has accepted the challenge of fulfilling the lone striker role and has scored four goals. He also played a significant part in lead up to the third goal by Dempsey at Old Trafford. Many have been critical of him in that position thinking that he is better when partnering another striker. It had been expected that once Emmanuel Adebayor reached match fitness, that he would come into the team and Defoe would resume his substitute’s role. That was not the case with Villas-Boas showing faith in the England striker as the player in form who like Brad Friedel on his performances, did not merit being left out of the team.

Younger players are also getting an opportunity. Harry Kane made his debut against Newcastle before going out on loan while Adam Smith, Ryan Mason, Iago Falque played in the Cup. Mason was among the substitutes for recent games making his debut against Lazio in the Europa League.

Competition for inclusion in the team is a bonus for Villas-Boas but creates selection headaches for him with the additional problem of keeping everyone happy within the squad. At present, with involvement in three competitions there are opportunities for everyone and with results improving the confidence and mood within the squad will be high. Continued success on the pitch is the best way for villas-Boas to ensure a]harmony within the squad and make use of the competition and challenge within the squad.