Hail to the chief!

[felmani26]

Just a positive thread on Andre Villas-Boas and to say for the first time I could see the first shoots of his influence on this team and in the system he's trying to implement.

In Sandro, Dembele and Sigurdsson we have a fluid but hard working and physical trio who will really make us tick going forwards and this change from a flat four to a three man midfield will pay dividends this season I am sure.

With Lloris, Kaboul, Adebayor, Dempsey, BAE and Caulker waiting in the wings, I feel we could be primed for a promising season indeed and I have every faith in our management team and what they are trying to achieve with our personnel.

Today feels like a fresh start and there's no looking back!

 

[Graysonti]

Shame we couldn't add Mouts but agree

 

[CJMurray]

You can really start to see AVB's influence on the team now.

When we've got the ball the centre back's spread, full backs push up and Sandro sits in as the third CB - similar to the role Busquets plays at Barca. Our off the ball movement looks so much better as well, people actually making intelligent runs in behind the defence.

Very promising signs.

 

[chinaman]

We might not even need Moutinho if the progress witnessed today develop further.

 

[yiddo_4eva]

It was a very promising performance. My concern at half time was that if Reading were to equalise and hold on for a draw or even win, the AVB bashers would have had a field day but it wasn't his fault Siggy couldn't score from 6 yards and Defoe and Lennon both could have added too but.....thankfully that didn't happen.

Defoe played well and showed the confidence of a player in form and could have had more and proves playing him ahead of a potentially not match fit Ade was the correct choice.

All in all a good all round performance from all the players. Bring on QPR and hopefully the form will continue.

COYS

 

[cwhite02]

Just a positive thread on Andre Villas-Boas and to say for the first time I could see the first shoots of his influence on this team and in the system he's trying to implement.

In Sandro, Dembele and Sigurdsson we have a fluid but hard working and physical trio who will really make us tick going forwards and this change from a flat four to a three man midfield will pay dividends this season I am sure.

With Lloris, Kaboul, Adebayor, Dempsey, BAE and Caulker waiting in the wings, I feel we could be primed for a promising season indeed and I have every faith in our management team and what they are trying to achieve with our personnel.

Today feels like a fresh start and there's no looking back!

And Scotty Parker!

 

[hughy]

First full game Sandro, Dembele and Sigurdsson have played together. Very pleased.

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

Where are the AVB bashers?

 

[beats1]

We might not even need Moutinho if the progress witnessed today develop further.

I always felt Moutinho wasnt needed for us to do well but he would of made us a force to reckon with, with us pushing the top 2,

 

[Mullers]

I thought it was an excellent performance, the only blemish was the goal at the end. I'm confident if Levy sticks with him we could go places.

 

[NEVILLEB]

Much better but will wait another couple of games to see how we do.

Work rate was very good and it certainly helps having tall, fit, young players throughout the team. We aren't as fluid or stylish as last year but at least there were the early signs of a game plan from AVB.

Big tests will be against top 6 opposition.

 

[saintlyspur]

sandro looked to be back to his normal awsomeness

 

[TheGreenLily]

sandro looked to be back to his normal awsomeness

What, are you crazy... I think he will really develop into something we could only dream of under AVB.

So he is not back, he is growing and will continue to you grow

 

[lillywhites61]

I am well pleased, to see us play like that after only a few games is very good indeed. So much change throughout the club yet we seem to be coming together already. Quicker than I thought we would have to be honest

 

[JollyHappy]

I want AVB to do well also but I was a touch worried when we were 1 0 up and about to bring on Hud - not because it was the wrong move but if it had then gone to 1 1 then the bashers would have been out in force! luckily Bale's miskick put paid to that and on such matters are managerial careers made!

 

[talkshowhost86]

Was about to start a similar thread. I'm really hoping this is the start of the AVB era. The passing was good, the pressing was excellent and it looked like a team that had been very well coached.

With Parker, Livermore, Adebayore, Dempsey, Kaboul etc etc etc all likely to be available/fit in the near future to give us options, I really think we could be on to something here.

Congrats AVB...long may it continue.

 

[tttcowan]

The biggest relief was those 3 in central midfield. I thought they were excellent and loved the pretty neat passing... I've been shitting myself about the large Modric shaped hole but Dembele and Sigi both looked the real deal... Luka who????

 

[kendoddsdadsdogsdead]

I'm happy for AVB and the team. Could be a massive result and performance that.

 

[RichieS]

Where are the AVB bashers?

Wait for tomorrow's papers...

 

[StartingPrice]

Just a positive thread on Andre Villas-Boas and to say for the first time I could see the first shoots of his influence on this team and in the system he's trying to implement.

In Sandro, Dembele and Sigurdsson we have a fluid but hard working and physical trio who will really make us tick going forwards and this change from a flat four to a three man midfield will pay dividends this season I am sure.

With Lloris, Kaboul, Adebayor, Dempsey, BAE and Caulker waiting in the wings, I feel we could be primed for a promising season indeed and I have every faith in our management team and what they are trying to achieve with our personnel.

Today feels like a fresh start and there's no looking back!

I agree...except that I believe you could see it in the Newcastle game, particularly the first half. I think a lot of folk are looking back on that game from the prism of defeat and then the WBA/Norwich games. I've got it recorded, and would advise anyone to watch that first half again. And that was with players missing/unpurchased.

Where are the AVB bashers?

Steady-on, now...it's just one game.

What, are you crazy... I think he will really develop into something we could only dream of under AVB.

So he is not back, he is growing and will continue to you grow

You mean you think he will develop into something under AVB that we could only dream of under AVB