The New AVB Sets Spurs on Fire

A satisfying day for AVB as a 2 – 1 win over arch rivals Arsenal takes Spurs above his old club, Chelsea, in the league. It seems hard to believe now, but back in November I was urging Spurs fans to maintain faith with AVB. Spurs had just lost the in the away leg of this fixture, 5 – 2, and it was their third defeat on the bounce.

It was this defeat that seems to mark a turn around for AVB. He had shown signs of being moody and petulant, not really consistent enough to inspire his side over a season. Since that defeat to Spurs bitter rivals he has been outstanding. His players are responding to his style as he ensures there is no repeat to the players rebellion he experienced at Chelsea. In that November post I quoted from an excellent article by Henry  Winter in the Telegraph;

And his style is working, Tottenham are on fire at the moment. Players throughout the side are putting in performances. They are one of only two teams not to have recorded a loss in the last ten games, (Man Utd, obviously being the other). With ten games to go they are only two points behind Man City who have lost two of the last ten. Although City have played one game less, if these two teams finish the season in the same form Spurs will grab second place. The satisfaction of finishing runners up, above Chelsea and Arsenal will be vindication for both AVB and Chairman Daniel Levy who surprised everyone with his controversial decision to replace the popular Harry Redknapp with Villas-Boas. It would leave the fans and players ecstatic.

In this BBC post match interview AVB is thoughtful with his language. He takes care to ensure the whole team are reflecting in the glory and the outstanding Gareth Bale is not the only one given credit. Highlighting players like Lennon and Dawson is clever since they have at times been peripheral to the team and here he demonstrates his talent for getting the best out of his whole squad.

His phrasing then becomes very clever. He is precise in his language and doesn’t mention the ambition of gaining second place in the league. He clearly feels that the rivalry with Arsenal is the motivator of the moment and talks about increasing the gap between the two clubs.

AVB is a manager who has turned his own performance around as well as his team’s. He has changed the way he works with his players and has a clear outcome to interact with them and build up their confidence and belief, (Step 1 impress). His moodiness has gone and is careful these days to Manage his State, (Step 2 of Impress). As a result he has a great relationship with his players, (Step 3 impress), who are responding by playing the best football of this Spurs generation.

Spurs to finish runners up in the `premier League this season is a definite possibility.

AVB in his current incanation has a naturally inspiring language style, I would estimate that he’d score a four on the impress Inspiration Survey. Take five minutes to try it yourself and discover your own innate inspirational style. You’ll get a free info sheet and your scores are private to you. There are no follow up emails or other annoying stuff.

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