Spurs: Five reasons why Friedel should be AVB's number one?
Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas has been up to his old tricks again. At Chelsea AVB managed to upset almost all of his experienced players by placing them on the bench, ignoring them and refusing to praise them when they saved his bacon. Now, even before Hugo Lloris has even met his new team-mates, AVB has stunned the Frenchman by saying he will have to fight to be his number one.
The former Lyon shot stopper arrived at White Hart Lane in a £12 million deadline day deal and the captain of the French national side expected to be AVB's main man. And quite rightly too. Not too many managers shell out £12 million for a keeper to keep the bench warm, do they. Unfortunately AVB is not like most managers.
But that is good news for Brad Friedel though. He hasn't put a foot wrong during his spell at Spurs and deserves to retain Tottenham's number one.
Here are five reasons why AVB should stick with Brad Friedel.
1. Friedel may be 41 and nearing the end of his career but he is still in great form. If it wasn't for his heroics against Norwich at the weekend, the Canaries could well have left with all three points.
2. The American knows the Premier League inside out. He has played here for 15 years and can cope with the physical demands of English football. Lloris may well need time to bed in and AVB needs results now.
3. Players deserve to be picked on form and not reputation. Sure Lloris is a French international and captain of the national side and regarded as one of the best in the business, but Friedel has hardly put a foot wrong at the Lane and it would be an injustice to oust him. Lloris must be forced to prove himself worthy of the number one jersey.
4. Friedel is a no-nonsense kind of a guy and a model professional. The only place where you will read about his exploits is in the sports pages after another great display. There is no chance of Friedel disgracing the club or venting his anger through the media.
5. The former Blackburn keeper is Mr Reliable. When was the last time he let Spurs down by committing an absolute howler? Defenders love to know that Brad is behind them as he is a strong communicator, great organiser and is always ready to save the day with a last-ditch block or reaction save.
My colleague Antony Melvin though believes Hugo Lloris deserves to be number one. Read his argument here. Five reasons why Lloris should be AVB's number one.
Calling all Spurs fans: Do you agree? Should Friedel remain as Spurs number one? Whatever your views we'd love to hear from you.
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