Times Article on Townsend

[Bus-Conductor]

Both Walker and Townsend are relatively inexperienced - both will hopefully get better with experience and coaching.

I notice you keep avoiding any criticism of AVB's inflexibility (despite his history at Chelsea on this subject). Is there a reason for this ?

I don't think it's the issue here, that's why. I could criticise AVB for some of his selections and some of his tactical decisions if it would make you feel better, but I think they are playing Townsend tactically the best way they could, he's just not super bright and doesn't always make great decisions, preferring to put his down instead of up too often. To answer your previous question, as I've said elsewhere, I don't think AVB has had too many other terribly viable options to play ARM. Lennon has been injured and is..well…Lennon and Lamela looked less than convincing in his first few starts against some of Europe's mingers.

I don't think it's just inexperience, but lets say for arguments case it is the only problem, Is it AVB's fault that Townsend and Walker are relatively inexperienced ? Could this inexperience be part of the problem. After all, Townsend himself says AVB wants him to vary his game and switch. Seems sensible coaching to me, so why are you trying to suggest, contrary to what the player says, that it's somehow a coaching problem ?

 

[Flashspur]

i think its a combination of factors - a coach that is obsessively tied to his 'system', inexperienced players, players new to the side who havent quite gelled, a sometimes toxic WHL atmosphere where expectations are high and fans are tiring of slow progress etc

 

[Shanks]

Only spurs fans could find the negative in one of their own players actually being praised.

 

[Kirito]

Only spurs fans could find the negative in one of their own players actually being praised.

But he's only useful on fifa where pace is king. The game we play cries out for a player like Lamela. It's actually bonkers that Townsend keeps getting games.

 

[mattyspurs]

But he's only useful on fifa where pace is king. The game we play cries out for a player like Lamela. It's actually bonkers that Townsend keeps getting games.

Why does it have to be one or the other? Why can't they both play?

 

[Spursidol]

, so why are you trying to suggest, contrary to what the player says, that it's somehow a coaching problem ?

After 10 PL games or so, if the player was not playing to instructions you would see the coaches dealing with the situation.

In fact all the signs are that AVB is happy with Townsend

Coming back to why its a coaching problem - the number of goals scored this season ion the PKL by all [players is very low, That's from the whole team - and surely its the coaches job to ensure that changes.

Its not just a Townsend/Walker player thing which needs adjusting - its.a whole team (or at least mlost players - everyone involved in attacking the opposition).

 

[FinnYid]

After 10 PL games or so, if the player was not playing to instructions you would see the coaches dealing with the situation.

In fact all the signs are that AVB is happy with Townsend

In broader context he seems to be happy with the way we are playing, which in itself is close to sackable offense.


.

 

[jezz]

I don't think it's the issue here, that's why. I could criticise AVB for some of his selections and some of his tactical decisions if it would make you feel better, but I think they are playing Townsend tactically the best way they could, he's just not super bright and doesn't always make great decisions, preferring to put his down instead of up too often. To answer your previous question, as I've said elsewhere, I don't think AVB has had too many other terribly viable options to play ARM. Lennon has been injured and is..well…Lennon and Lamela looked less than convincing in his first few starts against some of Europe's mingers.

I don't think it's just inexperience, but lets say for arguments case it is the only problem, Is it AVB's fault that Townsend and Walker are relatively inexperienced ? Could this inexperience be part of the problem. After all, Townsend himself says AVB wants him to vary his game and switch. Seems sensible coaching to me, so why are you trying to suggest, contrary to what the player says, that it's somehow a coaching problem ?

After 10 PL games or so, if the player was not playing to instructions you would see the coaches dealing with the situation.

In fact all the signs are that AVB is happy with Townsend

Coming back to why its a coaching problem - the number of goals scored this season ion the PKL by all [players is very low, That's from the whole team - and surely its the coaches job to ensure that changes.

Its not just a Townsend/Walker player thing which needs adjusting - its.a whole team (or at least mlost players - everyone involved in attacking the opposition).

If he is seriously happy with townsends play, im starting to worry.
Yes he will get the wonder goal from 30 yards, but they will be few and far between and he isnt chipping in with enough assists for our striker.
weve seen enough of the other lads who look like team players and should be given a run of games.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

After 10 PL games or so, if the player was not playing to instructions you would see the coaches dealing with the situation.

In fact all the signs are that AVB is happy with Townsend

Coming back to why its a coaching problem - the number of goals scored this season ion the PKL by all [players is very low, That's from the whole team - and surely its the coaches job to ensure that changes.

Its not just a Townsend/Walker player thing which needs adjusting - its.a whole team (or at least mlost players - everyone involved in attacking the opposition).

You think things like Walker not contributing enough is all the coaches fault ? I can see both Walker and Townsend going through the right motions, Townsend is going inside and outside (contrary to what you say, I've I've seen him do it and given you an example) and Walker is continually arriving in the oppositions half/third, but neither are making very clever decisions the majority of the time, or providing quality execution.

I think a coach can do so much, at some point a player must take some responsibility for his decisions and execution.

Of course AVB needs to continue to work with these (young) guys to improve their decision making but he can't give them brain transplants, and some of what we see Walker do has nothing to do with how he is coached. he gets to where he should be, he then gets that befuddled glaze sometimes. Likewise Townsend is lively and is taking up good positions and seeing plenty of ball - more than Lennon does - but his decisions and execution is often letting what goes before down. Even if it's a shot, it needs to be a better shot. And sometimes he is shooting when there are better options.

I like where we are playing him now I think he's far more involved in games, and as he said, I just think he needs to get his head up better.

The same could be said for Bale - I liked him much, much better is an wide striker or auxiliary striker than I ever did as left winger.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

If he is seriously happy with townsends play, im starting to worry.
Yes he will get the wonder goal from 30 yards, but they will be few and far between and he isnt chipping in with enough assists for our striker.
weve seen enough of the other lads who look like team players and should be given a run of games.

I am pretty sure Lamela would have played the last game if it hadn't been 3 days after the Euro game. I think Eriksen's injury may also prolong Townsend's involvement as he may try Lamela in the central position ?

Hope not, would like to see Lamela right and Holtby centre tried first, but we'll see.

 

[Nocando]

Only spurs fans could find the negative in one of their own players actually being praised.

This type of blasphemous opinion is not welcomed in this thread. Away with you and your air of normality.

 

[Spurs 1961]

Still can't believe BC reads The Times. I always saw him as more of a Socialist Worker type.

Don't worry The Times is just a Murdoch rag these days, nothing like it once was

 

[Spurs 1961]

Not sure I agree with the analysis, or disagree, over the roles taken by the attacking four. However I do agree that getting a combination of players who can complement each other is key. Now that is what is lacking at Spurs right now. We have good players, some very good imo, but to get the right combination...to get them to gel...that is still a way off right now

 

[dynamoSpurs]

So he agrees with AVB asking him to cut in more? I think it's ridiculous.

He was doing well as an out and winger, so why change it?

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

So he agrees with AVB asking him to cut in more? I think it's ridiculous.

He was doing well as an out and winger, so why change it?

Because in a 4-2-3-1 he doesn't have the same remit as a winger. He needs to be able to come inside and link play, create chances and shoot. Wingers are for teams who play 4 across midfield and they needed to keep width and cross the ball.

 

[idontgetit]

Townsend and the team need to remember that he is there to be played in behind the opposition defence and not to be set up to run at defenders or shoot from distance. The rest of the team, including the CM's and fullbacks, have to remember that it is their job to enable such a situation and that they must then also provide a threat in the box should Townsend decide to square a ball after being played in behind. Our centre backs and an out and out DM must cover the team whilst they do this. Do this and all problems solved. Probably. Maybe

 

[Spursidol]

You think things like Walker not contributing enough is all the coaches fault ? I can see both Walker and Townsend going through the right motions, Townsend is going inside and outside (contrary to what you say, I've I've seen him do it and given you an example) and Walker is continually arriving in the oppositions half/third, but neither are making very clever decisions the majority of the time, or providing quality execution.

I think a coach can do so much, at some point a player must take some responsibility for his decisions and execution.

Of course AVB needs to continue to work with these (young) guys to improve their decision making but he can't give them brain transplants, and some of what we see Walker do has nothing to do with how he is coached. he gets to where he should be, he then gets that befuddled glaze sometimes. Likewise Townsend is lively and is taking up good positions and seeing plenty of ball - more than Lennon does - but his decisions and execution is often letting what goes before down. Even if it's a shot, it needs to be a better shot. And sometimes he is shooting when there are better options.

I like where we are playing him now I think he's far more involved in games, and as he said, I just think he needs to get his head up better.

The same could be said for Bale - I liked him much, much better is an wide striker or auxiliary striker than I ever did as left winger.

The point I am making is that if over the course of a quarter season, the team as a whole is scoring very few goals, then its the coaches job to figure out why and deal with it - from all accounts we have good enough players.

I've put forward ways in which Townsend (the subject of this thread) could be instructed to play better - but its AVB's job to get the best of all of the players abilities. And the fact that we are not scoring more that one goal per PL game means that we are always vulnerable to the opposition also scoring one or more - as has unfortunately been proved several times this season.

I hope that AVB rises to that challenge.

Its a squad game so the likes of Holtby and Lamela should also get more games than they have played so far - and I hope that Lamela in particular quickly shows the fiorm he was in at Roma and River Plate because we need him and others to step up to the plate.

However IMO it will also need AVB to show more flexibility in his formation/tactics (as he said he would learn from his mistakes at his Chelsea debacle) as otherwise changes in the current personnel will not change the overall fortunes of Spurs.

 

[dynamoSpurs]

Because in a 4-2-3-1 he doesn't have the same remit as a winger. He needs to be able to come inside and link play, create chances and shoot. Wingers are for teams who play 4 across midfield and they needed to keep width and cross the ball.

Agreed..

So then an out and out winger is wasted in this formation. So Avb should address this.

With wingers cutting in, it just aimlessly congests the midfield and no one knows their role. So Andros ends up having a pop from distance.

Bottom line is, I think Andros is most effective taking on the full back, getting to the by line and putting in a cross. With his dribble ability and explosive pace, he's wasted any other way.

 

[jezz]

Agreed..

So then an out and out winger is wasted in this formation. So Avb should address this.

With wingers cutting in, it just aimlessly congests the midfield and no one knows their role. So Andros ends up having a pop from distance.

Bottom line is, I think Andros is most effective taking on the full back, getting to the by line and putting in a cross. With his dribble ability and explosive pace, he's wasted any other way.

Someone suggested the wing back/lb position.
I think this would give Townsend the freedom to run down the left and put crosses in.
With the amount of possession we have and the Great DM we have, this could be very viable.

 

[Pat Rice Spurs fan]

Don't worry The Times is just a Murdoch these days, nothing like it once was

Matt Johnson was part of the Red Wedge in the '80s. I'm still not sure he'd approve.