Andre Villas-Boas has demanded more from the Tottenham Hotspur supporters, and many have taken to Twitter to agree with his comments.
It took a late – and controversial – Roberto Soldado penalty to sink Hull City at White Hart Lane, a result which keeps the home side hot on the heels of rivals Arsenal at the head of the Premier League table. However, after the match Villas-Boas was far from satisfied, and has urged the supporters to get behind the team more in future.
“I compliment the boys for what they did,” he told Sky Sports. “Not only that but we played away from home. We didn’t have the support that we should have had in a game that we needed a win. There was much anxiety present in the fans which transmitted to the players, so this victory is down to the players. We did it with no help today.”
It is always dangerous to criticise your own supporters, and this could have gone either way: AVB deserves credit for helping Spurs to their best ever start to a Premier League season, but at the same time, has he really earned the right to have a pop at the fans? After all, whilst they are well placed at the moment, the team is hardly ripping up trees and have only scored nine goals in the Premier League, whilst the Gunners have knocked in 20.
But judging by the reaction on Twitter, it appears as though many fans agree with the Portuguese coach. Dan Sandford (@djs2706) posted: “AVB is right, atmosphere is f****** atrocious. Have we achieved anything yet to even allow ourselves to become expectant and deserving?’ Arthur (@PaceToBurn) agrees: “Personally, I love what Villas-Boas has done. If fans are hostile and negative, they drag the team down. AVB is right to criticise.” Russell Thelwell (@Russ_88), meanwhile, says: “AVB has only come out and said what the players have told him. He is right as well. Best ever start to a PL season and people are moaning.”
Tottenham fans will have the chance to show their support for AVB and his players on Wednesday night when they again take on Hull, this time in the League Cup. Their next home league match comes on 10 November with a visit from Newcastle United, which follows a trip to Everton and then to Sheriff Tiraspol in the UEFA Europa League.
