Defoe: Villas Boas needs more time
Wednesday 05 September 2012
England and Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe believes that Tottenham Hotspur are progressing under new coach Andre Villas-Boas but ultimately will need time for the positive effects of his plans to work on the pitch.
Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Defoe told of the patience that new managers at Tottenham needed. He said: “Managers come and go. At Tottenham, I have played under how many managers? David Pleat, Jacques Santini, Martin Jol, [Juande Ramos], Harry Redknapp [and now Villas-Boas]. It is something you get used to. When the new manager comes in with different tactics it can be difficult.”
Defoe pointed to the upheaval of the transfer window and particular transfer deadline day, where Moussa Dembele, Hugo Lloris and Clint Dempsey were brought in at the expense of Luka Modric and Rafael van der Vaart as reason for optimism at White Hart Lane. “There will be a lot of changes and sometimes it takes time. Also it takes time for the manager to get used to the players. It is such a long season and I’m sure we will come good. We’ve got good players and we’ve made some good signings,” the England international added.
The 29-year-old was linked with a move himself to pastures new in the transfer window but said he was delighted to sign a new contract with the club after starting every game so far this season. “Obviously the chairman [Daniel Levy] made it clear he wanted me to stay as the manager likes me. He [Villas Boas] said I’d looked bright in training, had a good pre-season and he wanted me to stay. I love the club and the fans have been fantastic from day one. My family are in London and I love the boys at the club so I’ve signed a new contract and I’m settled now.” Defoe was speaking at a press conference ahead of England’s opening 2014 World Cup qualifier with Moldova on Friday, where in the absence of Andy Carroll and Wayne Rooney due to injury, he is pushing for a start having grabbed the winner in England’s 2-1 win over Italy last month.
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