AvB

[PeeEyeEmPee]

Yeah pretty weak, but this year it's even weaker.

Chelsea were much weaker last year, and I think Arsenal as a team were too, even though they obviously had the best player in the league. of the top few teams last year, only City and Newcastle are obviously weaker, and the bottom teams have been much of a muchness for a while now, so I don't agree the entire league is weaker.

 

[Spurs_Bear]

Chelsea were much weaker last year, and I think Arsenal as a team were too, even though they obviously had the best player in the league. of the top few teams last year, only City and Newcastle are obviously weaker, and the bottom teams have been much of a muchness for a while now, so I don't agree the entire league is weaker.

Ok.

 

[Buckoxx]

Always was behind AVB from the start, he learnt a lot at Chelsea and you don't become that bad overnight. Has a great future ahead of him.

One thing I will comment on is his substitutions are sometimes baffling, but I suppose he does know better than me.

 

[sloth]

Played the same role last year. And at times when it was needed we would have been better off with him at least notionally having a starting position.

Scored the most goals from outside the box in Europe or some ridiculous stat. Do you attribute that to his position swap?

I don't think there's one key thing which AVB did which will show how he was better than Redknapp, or which will prove he's an excellent coach/manager, however if you look at Harry's most used 11 from last season (Starts in () ):

Friedel (38)
Walker (37) King (21) Kaboul (33) BAE (34)
Lennon (19) Parker (28) Modric (36) Bale (36)
VdV (28)
Ade (32)

Alternatives: Sandro (17), Gallas (15), Defoe (11), Kranjcar (9), Livermore (7), Dawson (6)
​

And compare it to AVB's this term:

Lloris (27)
Walker (36) Dawson (23) Caulker (17) Vertonghen (34)
Sandro (22) Dembele (26)
Lennon (33) Dempsey (22) Bale (33)
Defoe (27)​

Alternatives: Ade (18), Gallas (16), Parker (15), Naughton (13), BAE (12), Gylfi (12), Hudd (11), Holtby (4), Livermore (4)

Then it's obvious that this season we've lacked players in key positions, for long periods in a way we didn't previous season. What the bald facts above don't also show is how often we've been completely shorn in one position or another. The Bale experiment was forced on him when he lost both Defoe and Ade. Last season the very thought of playing Defoe by himself was scary, we'd tried it many times before and it almost always failed, but this season we did Ok.

The point for me is that we had no metronome, and also, for long periods, no real striking options. Then the loss of Sandro was massive, and when Bale became striker - coinciding with an injury to Lennon - we lost width, and speed. Losing all the craft and guile of Modric and VdV was also crucial, as well as twin rocks in defence. On top of all of that even if all the players who'd come in were world-class it still would have been a hard job given the sheer size of the upheaval one season to the next. How can you get a scratch team to play coherent, winning football when they've not played with each other much and when you haven't had a season or two to get your principal ideas and philosophy across to a core of number of first-teamers?

To me it's astonishing that we did as well as we did, and I argued at the start of the season that due to all these factors fifth or sixth should be considered decent, but if you'd told me then that we'd get 72 points, I'd have been amazed and asked whether we finished third or fourth! Not only that but we took the EL seriously, we were forced to play our strongest available team each match because the side's only chance to gel was on the pitch, and yet our second half of the season was stronger than our first, scoring 33 points in the first 19 at 1.73ppg, and 39 points in the final 19 at 2.05ppg, sprinting to the line with 14 points from our last six at 2.33ppg.

All of that said there are clearly unresolved questions concerning AVB, yes we can say we played without panache, or rhythm due to lack of key players, but that's not the same as saying we would have played with more panache and rhythm if we'd had them. We don't know, and time will tell. But I tell you what there's loads of reason to be optimistic. and very few reasons not to be. Compare that feeling now, to the same feeling last summer!

 

[JerryGarcia]

As a team we can only blame ourselves for not being able to make up for the loss of Sandro. However, what a huge and unfortunate loss that was! I don't think it's too outlandish to suggest that we may have finnished 6-10 points higher if we'd had Sandro for games like Everton and Liverpool away. I hope our physios are working hard with him to get him back to his best and injury free next season.

 

[SteveH]

Love him.

Steady!

 

[ShelfSide18]

I don't think there's one key thing which AVB did which will show how he was better than Redknapp, or which will prove he's an excellent coach/manager, however if you look at Harry's most used 11 from last season (Starts in () ):

Friedel (38)​

Walker (37) King (21) Kaboul (33) BAE (34)​

Lennon (19) Parker (28) Modric (36) Bale (36)​

VdV (28)​

Ade (32)​

​

Alternatives: Sandro (17), Gallas (15), Defoe (11), Kranjcar (9), Livermore (7), Dawson (6)​

​

And compare it to AVB's this term:

Lloris (27)​

Walker (36) Dawson (23) Caulker (17) Vertonghen (34)​

Sandro (22) Dembele (26)​

Lennon (33) Dempsey (22) Bale (33)​

Defoe (27)​

Alternatives: Ade (18), Gallas (16), Parker (15), Naughton (13), BAE (12), Gylfi (12), Hudd (11), Holtby (4), Livermore (4)

Then it's obvious that this season we've lacked players in key positions, for long periods in a way we didn't previous season. What the bald facts above don't also show is how often we've been completely shorn in one position or another. The Bale experiment was forced on him when he lost both Defoe and Ade. Last season the very thought of playing Defoe by himself was scary, we'd tried it many times before and it almost always failed, but this season we did Ok.

The point for me is that we had no metronome, and also, for long periods, no real striking options. Then the loss of Sandro was massive, and when Bale became striker - coinciding with an injury to Lennon - we lost width, and speed. Losing all the craft and guile of Modric and VdV was also crucial, as well as twin rocks in defence. On top of all of that even if all the players who'd come in were world-class it still would have been a hard job given the sheer size of the upheaval one season to the next. How can you get a scratch team to play coherent, winning football when they've not played with each other much and when you haven't had a season or two to get your principal ideas and philosophy across to a core of number of first-teamers?

To me it's astonishing that we did as well as we did, and I argued at the start of the season that due to all these factors fifth or sixth should be considered decent, but if you'd told me then that we'd get 72 points, I'd have been amazed and asked whether we finished third or fourth! Not only that but we took the EL seriously, we were forced to play our strongest available team each match because the side's only chance to gel was on the pitch, and yet our second half of the season was stronger than our first, scoring 33 points in the first 19 at 1.73ppg, and 39 points in the final 19 at 2.05ppg, sprinting to the line with 14 points from our last six at 2.33ppg.

All of that said there are clearly unresolved questions concerning AVB, yes we can say we played without panache, or rhythm due to lack of key players, but that's not the same as saying we would have played with more panache and rhythm if we'd had them. We don't know, and time will tell. But I tell you what there's loads of reason to be optimistic. and very few reasons not to be. Compare that feeling now, to the same feeling last summer!

Yeah.

 

[Misfit]

Steady!

Now now, Steve. He'll never usurp you in my heart.

 

[ShelfSide18]

Before we get into talking tactics, coaching, formations, signings, high lines and immense dimensions, the one thing I am loving about AVBs time here and something I didn't really think about too much when we appointed him is how well the guy represents our club as our manager (or Head Coach if you're continentale).

The way he shows respect to the fans and his players is really telling, I think that part of his time here has been equally as important as anything else he's done, he's got everyone (or most people) on board. You could sense at WHL at the weekend that despite the disappointment, this club is going forward.

Well played AVB, you knee tapping, ginger bearded beauty.

 

[Gassin's finest]

Never get's old

 

[Lighty64]

i definately had my doubts at the start of the season, but the 1 thing i believe he has installed even if it took too long to do so is a team that fights to the death. if only that had been installed from the start we would be looking forwards to CL footy.

i just hope we can start next season with the same spirit as we finished, oh and a better defence when it comes to set pieces, which i believe with a fit Kaboul and now settled Vertonghen our defence will be stronger

 

[Spurs_Bear]

I don't think there's one key thing which AVB did which will show how he was better than Redknapp, or which will prove he's an excellent coach/manager, however if you look at Harry's most used 11 from last season (Starts in () ):

Friedel (38)
Walker (37) King (21) Kaboul (33) BAE (34)
Lennon (19) Parker (28) Modric (36) Bale (36)
VdV (28)
Ade (32)

Alternatives: Sandro (17), Gallas (15), Defoe (11), Kranjcar (9), Livermore (7), Dawson (6)
​

And compare it to AVB's this term:

Lloris (27)
Walker (36) Dawson (23) Caulker (17) Vertonghen (34)
Sandro (22) Dembele (26)
Lennon (33) Dempsey (22) Bale (33)
Defoe (27)​

Alternatives: Ade (18), Gallas (16), Parker (15), Naughton (13), BAE (12), Gylfi (12), Hudd (11), Holtby (4), Livermore (4)

Then it's obvious that this season we've lacked players in key positions, for long periods in a way we didn't previous season. What the bald facts above don't also show is how often we've been completely shorn in one position or another. The Bale experiment was forced on him when he lost both Defoe and Ade. Last season the very thought of playing Defoe by himself was scary, we'd tried it many times before and it almost always failed, but this season we did Ok.

The point for me is that we had no metronome, and also, for long periods, no real striking options. Then the loss of Sandro was massive, and when Bale became striker - coinciding with an injury to Lennon - we lost width, and speed. Losing all the craft and guile of Modric and VdV was also crucial, as well as twin rocks in defence. On top of all of that even if all the players who'd come in were world-class it still would have been a hard job given the sheer size of the upheaval one season to the next. How can you get a scratch team to play coherent, winning football when they've not played with each other much and when you haven't had a season or two to get your principal ideas and philosophy across to a core of number of first-teamers?

To me it's astonishing that we did as well as we did, and I argued at the start of the season that due to all these factors fifth or sixth should be considered decent, but if you'd told me then that we'd get 72 points, I'd have been amazed and asked whether we finished third or fourth! Not only that but we took the EL seriously, we were forced to play our strongest available team each match because the side's only chance to gel was on the pitch, and yet our second half of the season was stronger than our first, scoring 33 points in the first 19 at 1.73ppg, and 39 points in the final 19 at 2.05ppg, sprinting to the line with 14 points from our last six at 2.33ppg.

All of that said there are clearly unresolved questions concerning AVB, yes we can say we played without panache, or rhythm due to lack of key players, but that's not the same as saying we would have played with more panache and rhythm if we'd had them. We don't know, and time will tell. But I tell you what there's loads of reason to be optimistic. and very few reasons not to be. Compare that feeling now, to the same feeling last summer!

I wish there was a 'well written' rating sloth.

Well written.

 

[dazzle]

AVB looky-likey on the cover on FM14.
Or maybe I'm just seeing his sexy face everywhere I look.

 

[chinaman]

With such massive movement of personnel, it would be obvious that the team needs time to gel. Although I'm quite hopeful of good results in the first 2 weeks of the new season, I hope fans won't turn against AVB if things go wrong in the first 2 months and give him time to mold the team properly.

 

[Bulletspur]

With such massive movement of personnel, it would be obvious that the team needs time to gel. Although I'm quite hopeful of good results in the first 2 weeks of the new season, I hope fans won't turn against AVB if things go wrong in the first 2 months and give him time to mold the team properly.

I think he has earned his spurs. We all know how he manages so we should trust him to mold this new squad and judge him by the results at the end of the season. Unfortunately we have idiots who wont.

 

[Syn_13]

AVB looky-likey on the cover on FM14.
Or maybe I'm just seeing his sexy face everywhere I look.

It's a shame he's not squatting. Now that would've been amusing.

They should do a special edition with Freund leaping in the background.

 

[absolute bobbins]

It's a shame he's not squatting. Now that would've been amusing.

They should do a special edition with Freund leaping in the background.

A Special Freund edition

 

[OmarsComing]

AVB looky-likey on the cover on FM14.
Or maybe I'm just seeing his sexy face everywhere I look.

 

[SpurSince57]

We could have won it. This season especially.

Levy is too shrewd for his own good.

Makes him myopic.

And you're also the Empress of All the Russias, right?

Fantasy land.