Spurs: Has AVB made Spurs a better team?

Tottenham Hotspur fans must be feeling a sense of deja vu. After seven games Spurs sit fifth in the Premier League, the same position they occupied 12 months ago.

On the plus side Andre Villas-Boas men have collected one more point then last term and have also lost one fewer game then Harry Redknapp's Lillywhites.

 

This White Hart Lane side have made a marked improvement in the goal difference stakes. They currently boast a plus five rating compared to last season's meagre plus one grading. Both sets of Spurs knew their way to goal. In the past two seasons Tottenham have scored 13 goals after seven games. Interestingly the current side are more prolific on their travels, seven of those 13 goals have been scored on opposition turf.

The new regime has clearly made use of Spurs' ability to hit teams on the counter attack. The lightening pace of Bale and Lennon flourish as home teams attempt to take the initiative. AVB has also certainly tightened the defence. Tottenham have conceded eight eight goals so far, last season the Spurs rearguard had been breached 12 times by mid October.

It should be added that six of those goals came when Manchester City visited the Lane in September 2011. The class of 2011 certainly had the trickier set of fixtures. The North London club faced both Manchester clubs in their opening two games. By contrast the present campaign began with a trip to Newcastle United followed by a home game against Norwich City. Despite this gentler reintroduction Spurs were just one point better off after two games.

Indeed Tottenham 2011 vintage gained maximum points in their third game. This season Spurs didn't register a victory until the fourth game of the season. The present squad does appear to be made of sterner stuff though. Their stunning win at Old Trafford laid to rest a few demons. This was Tottenham's first victory at the Theatre of Dreams since 1989. During Redknapp's tenure the side struggled to beat the big boys away from the Lane.

In conclusion the early signs are promising for AVB and company. In all facets the Portuguese seems to have found his feet in N17. The young gaffer is getting the best of his new charges. Jermaine Defoe and Aaron Lennon have both enjoyed a welcome resurgence while Gareth Bale is once again terrorising opposition full

backs.

On current form Tottenham Hotspur could soon be reacquainted with Champions League football.

Calling all Spurs fans: How would you assess your start to the season under AVB? Do you think Spurs can land a Champions League place this season? Have you changed your view on AVB? Whatever your views, we'd love to hear from you.

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