re: AVB officially Spurs Manager

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I just can't see it. If you are a THFC player, how can you get behind a guy that failed miserably at Chelsea. Who knows if any of them leave? I think he will eventually be a good manager, but I just can't imagine him being very successful in the immediate future.

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It's just the style of ball that makes me think he'll be successful. I know you know your soccer and you know that Spurs and Chelsea don't play the same style.

AVB's style fits in nicely with the way Spurs already play. You can't run what AVB wanted to run with guys like Lampard, Mereiles, Drogba, Mikel, Malouda, etc. Plus, like mentioned, they're going to give him oodles of money to throw down wherever he sees fit.

eta: But yes, if you're referring to the off-the-pitch factor in terms of respect for AVB and winning the players over...I'm also skeptical

A fair point. I don't think anyone will disagree that the risk is still there. I think Spurs are in a good position (better than Chelsea was in regards to players, egos, etc) to take this risk, with the assumption that maybe AVB has learned something from his time at Chelsea. He enforcing his "style" wouldn't be my biggest worry. The possibility that he might be psychologically damaged from the London media/expectations etc would worry me. When he was rumored to be the next guy at Liverpool I was on board, but the question of whether he can cope with the media had me a little concerned.

I'm cautiously optimistic. I'm thinking that his hiring may help to retain some players that might have otherwise wanted to go elsewhere. But, regardless of the coach, Spurs need definite upgrades at several positions. If that doesn't happen, I'm doubtful Spurs can finish higher than 4th or even 5th.

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I'm doubtful Spurs can finish higher than 4th or even 5th.

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This is what would bother me. If you don't qualify for CL again, it will continue to be difficult to bring in the top talent to compete for trophies. So unless the academy is full of superstars, I fear THFC may be in trouble.

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After AVB left, Chelsea scored less goals per game, had more scored on them per game, got less points per game and finished in a lower place than when he was fired (talking about league play).

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The problem here is we were playing in the FA Cup and CL along with league play. We sacrificed the league and put all of our eggs in winning the CL. It worked. I agree that RDM may not be the best to lead us, but it is what it is. Thinking that RDM will just wake up and start winning games is absurd IMO.

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He'll succeed at Tottenham (just like he would have at CFC). He's reportedly been given £70M and he is targeting some big name players. Tottenham are in a great position, IMO.

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quality post

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By all accounts, Roman really liked AVB and would probably agree

Didn't really have much of a choice, though

I love how the Daniel Sturridge to Spurs rumors have already started

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Yep. It was a tough position. He didn't win the players and that doomed him.

I think they have a good shot at Sturridge. Lots of rumors that Chelsea are looking to offload him and he had a good relationship with AVB.

My point was that Chelsea did win the CL, but it wasn't like they got loads better in league play. They might have put all their eggs in one basket by going CL or Nothing, but it wasn't like Chelsea became world-beaters post-AVB. That's why I think he's still a good a manager.

He didn't get a fair chance at Chelsea. Didn't have the support of the vets, didn't have time to get the club to adopt to his style.

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All of that was mainly his fault though is the point some people are missing. He mismanaged the team badly and lost the respect and support of the players. Some of it is on them but most of it is on the manager.

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Well, here's hoping he's learned his lesson.
:fingerscrossed:

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Not an easy task when they are all the same age or older. Again, unless you really didn't pay attention, the attitude of the team got MUCH better when he was gone. They were happy.......and happy wins.

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His biggest mistake was keeping all the vets. It was predictable, you can't tell the (arguably) 3 best players in Chelsea history that they were all going to play second fiddle in a new system that does not fit them. Had he kept say, terry, and sold lamps and drogba I think he very well might have panned out there.

Also, I think the players were primarily motivated to prove that he was wrong (rather than any sort of tactical master stroke by RDM) after he got the sack. I can certainly understand that players like Lampard and Terry were unhappy but I think they showed extremely poor leadership and served to only divide the dressing room. Of course I'm of the opinion that any dressing room with cashley, terry and drogba is going to have problems unless a manager who claims a ton of respect is in place (Mourinho, ancelotti)