Reasons for our defensive Improvement

[mpickard2087]

AVB and Poch (and to be honest most managers) act in the same ways. If you're in their plans and the type of player they want then man management will come into play and players will think the world of them. If not then they feel alienated. Happens everywhere.

Difference between the two is that Poch seems more level-headed and willing to work with a wider variety of players and to properly build a team that isn't overly reliant on one or two players. AVB wants ready made players, often big money signings and seems less able to work with what he's got or to certain constraints.

 

[Mr Pink]

I think @Bus-Conductor is right Pinky. But it's a number of factors coming together. We're left with the perception that Pochettino is probably a better man manager, but how much of that is down to the current conditions in regard to playing staff, coaching staff, and background staff? We have a much younger squad with smaller egos, and a club that is pulling together in the same direction.

I think an argument could be made for AVB in each of the categories you mentioned, and the VDV thing is slightly disingenuous. AVB told him he wouldn't be first choice, it was Rafa's ego that took real umbridge to that. We have to be careful taking just VDV's telling of the story because it's bound to be biased somewhat. We have no idea exactly how the conversation went or anything, not to mention all that was going on in Rafa's private life at the time too. Pochettino I expect would have likewise said to players that no one was guaranteed to start, and they'd need to work. Benefit is now that younger players are up for that, some egos aren't so much.

That's true regarding VDV, not the best example I concede. But my point still stands in terms of Poch giving players a chance first. Its not like he banished them immediately - they were all playing up until Harry scored at Villa Park in early November.

I also think Poch comes across more likable publicly which doesn't mean that's the case behind closed doors, in fact I expect it isn't.

BC could well be right, its just a guess on my part.

 

[nicdic]

That's true regarding VDV, not the best example I concede. But my point still stands in terms of Poch giving players a chance first. Its not like he banished them immediately - they were all playing up until Harry scored at Villa Park in early November.

I also think Poch comes across more likable publicly which doesn't mean that's the case behind closed doors, in fact I expect it isn't.

BC could well be right, its just a guess on my part.

How much of Poch coming across better in the media is that he's not followed a media darling in Harry Redknapp. AVB was hounded by the press right from the off. First because of his time at Chelsea and then taking over from Redknapp. It all plays a part.

 

[Mr Pink]

How much of Poch coming across better in the media is that he's not followed a media darling in Harry Redknapp. AVB was hounded by the press right from the off. First because of his time at Chelsea and then taking over from Redknapp. It all plays a part.

Yeah I guess his problems at Chelsea influenced my perception. Where as Poch appeared to be loved at Southampton as well.

 

[nicdic]

Yeah I guess his problems at Chelsea influenced my perception. Where as Poch appeared to be loved at Southampton as well.

Yeah, it's really hard to gauge, if you try and strip away the media perception, the differences in squad, backing, backroom staff, etc.

I do think I prefer Poch's approach to football though. I liked what AVB had in mind, but I think Poch's philosophy, though similar, is more progressive and aggressive.

 

[Mr Pink]

Yeah, it's really hard to gauge, if you try and strip away the media perception, the differences in squad, backing, backroom staff, etc.

I do think I prefer Poch's approach to football though. I liked what AVB had in mind, but I think Poch's philosophy, though similar, is more progressive and aggressive.

That's how I would differentiate the two as well.

AVB was more about dominating the ball in the opponents half and working openings via good possession and if not retaining the ball, where as Poch is more about winning it, aggressively, high up the pitch and taking advantage of any disruption to the opponents defensive lines more quickly.

Its a higher intensity approach with quicker transitions, which I prefer.

Don't get me wrong AVB's approach was certainly effective - away from home in particular. It was at home where I felt it was more problematic when teams came to sit back and defend.

 

[THFCSPURS19]

Thought you might be interested in this @Bus-Conductor - the writer seems to argue that our mastery of the tactical foul has contributed to our defensive improvement.

http://www.si.com/thecauldron/2015/11/19/nab-champions-league-spot-tottenham-must-stay-foul-mood

 

[Bus-Conductor]

For the record, we are making more tackles per game than any other team, committing more fouls per game than any other team and have picked up more yellows than any other team.

I'm loving these stats.

Thought you might be interested in this @Bus-Conductor - the writer seems to argue that our mastery of the tactical foul has contributed to our defensive improvement.

http://www.si.com/thecauldron/2015/11/19/nab-champions-league-spot-tottenham-must-stay-foul-mood

Good find. Excellent point, taking my earlier flagging up of the foul stat the step further by highlighting areas on the pitch, which I think also ties in nicely with the vastly improved front four pressing/tackling analysis that I based the original piece on.

 

[Luka Van der Bale]

We have a competent CB partnership with 2 really good center halves and we have Dier whose been a fantastic DM. Rose is still a very good LB. Walker's fuck ups have cut down from about 5 a game to 1 or 2 a game and toby has mostly been to bail him out.

Ridiculous exaggeration. Will never understand why Walker gets so much stick. Absolutely imperious for a couple of months now.

 

[Luka Van der Bale]

This is isn't really true. AVB just told VDV that he would have to fight for his place in the side like every other player. VDV just acted like a prima-donna and took that as an insult after being over indulged by the previous manager.

Funny, I got close to 20 disagrees for criticising Rafa on this very topic a few weeks ago. To me the man does come across as very up himself - just a typical Dutch footballer really. A lot of love for what he did at Spurs, but he certainly has an ego.

 

[Nocando]

Apology accepted re dier and walker

 

[Ossie85]