Andre Villas-Boas Gets Big Decisions Right for Tottenham

Hugo Lloris – Premier League debut for Tottenham

Andre Villas-Boas has, so far, made good on his decisions over selection of the Tottenham team during the opening two months of the season. The choices made have been reasoned and he’s been prepared to offer an explanation for the decisions taken, avoiding being swayed by pressure of reputation or media and fans expectations. With Spurs sitting fifth in the Premier League going into  the international break he can feel satisfied with the progress that the team has made since he took control in early July.

Against Aston Villa he took a major decision to replace Brad Friedel with Hugo Lloris. The easiest course of action would have been to retain the team which defeated Manchester United but he opted for Lloris and explained it as rotation to give the French international an opportunity of a run of matches to maintain his form. It was a sensible decision and gave Lloris the opportunity to experience the Premier League in a game which wouldn’t be too testing, allowing him to ease himself into the team when more challenging opponents will be awaiting in coming weeks.

On the goalkeeping position, Villas-Boas has made his decisions and stood over them. In August when Lloris signed, Friedel produced a ‘Man of the Match’ performance against Norwich City to ensure Spurs avoided a home defeat. Having signed Lloris, many assumed that he would automatically replace Friedel but Villas-Boas stood by the American, praising his display in the opening two home games and admitting that he didn’t deserve to be dropped. Speaking after the Norwich match, Villas-Boas commented,

"“Last week we had a difficult second half and in the first half here Norwich played extremely well and only Brad saved us. We have made Hugo alert that whenever Brad has a bad game we won’t (drop him). These things have to be taken very carefully.”"

Lloris was restricted to the two Europa League games but has now made his Premier league debut. The decision to omit Friedel from the home match against Villa was difficult as he has maintained his form with Spurs continuing their unbeaten run and climb up the league table. It was further complicated by Friedel’s record of 310 successive Premier League matches stretching back to 2004. Friedel wanted to extend that run as long as possible but there’s no place for sentiment in professional sport and the manager decided he had to give Lloris a game to keep up his level of performance. He explained it afterwards.

"“We spoke among the staff this week about it and we thought it was logical to let Hugo come into a Premier League game because he can’t just play in the Europa League. Brad obviously was disappointed with the decision but accepted it like the good professional he is.”"

He admitted that the change was not based on performance because Friedel had been immense for the team and was respected for that so the situation would be looked at for the game against Chelsea. “It was a chance to give Hugo a run of games for Tottenham and the national team,” said the manager.

One decision has been taken and explained but the next is waiting in the wings. Jermain Defoe has held sway since the beginning of the season but now Emmanuel Adebayor has recovered from injury and he showed in the twenty minutes that he played against Villa that he is ready for a recall and a starting position in the team. Many had expected Adebayor to be in the team for the Reading match but he sat it out on the substitutes’ bench as Defoe scored twice to give Spurs their first win of the season. Adebayor had needed time to regain fitness after an interrupted preseason but would now appear to be ready for selection. Knowing Adebayor has a reputation for being difficult to handle when not in the team, Villas-Boas could have opted for an earlier introduction into the side but again stood by the player in form. Now a decision will have to be made before the next game against Chelsea.

With Villas-Boas’ preference for playing a 4 – 2 – 3 – 1 formation, it appears unlikely that both Defoe and Adebayor will start against Chelsea. Even against Villa he spurned the opportunity to have them both on the field for those final minutes by making a straight swap. The reasoning has always been that Aebayor can bring more to the team by holding up play and retaining possession while still contributing goals. Defoe, on the other hand is an out and out striker, in search of goals. He has adapted well to the loan striker role this season and added work to his play but he still maintains that striker’s instinct for goal. Decision time will come again for Villas-Boas and he’ll want to get it right, especially against Chelsea when the outcome of the match may depend on it. Again, he may opt for change with Adebayor getting his first start of the season.

What will Andre Villas-Boas decide for the match against Chelsea – Adebayor or Defoe?