AVB!

In what has become the worst kept secret in football. Andre Villas-Boas will supposedly be unveiled as the new Tottenham manager, and I have to say that despite a few worries and thoughts of 'if it ain't broke' etc, I am rather excited at the idea of bringing in this guy, and perhaps even more, the direction I believe the club are taking. Sure its a gamble, but I like the excitement of a game of chance, especially if I'm not playing with my own money and of course if it all falls on its arse, I can always go back to claiming I told you so...

I have been really interested to see not only Spurs, but also Liverpool, Villa, Swansea (again) and even WBA and Norwich, all go for new managers who have a proven track record for being technically excellent and also developing and improving players, and without a mega rich benefactor to fudge the books with a £100 million sponsorship deal for the clubs Tea Urn, it is impossible to imagine any team fulfilling its own potential without developing and finding its own talent. All at a fraction of what it costs to buy a quality No 9, in an inflated market.

Like or dislike the idea of AVB taking on the job at WHL, it appears clear that he has very definite idea on how to play the game and also seems to like to work with young and talented footballers, perhaps this also being easier to impact his playing ethos, whilst also having a few years on them, as opposed to being younger than half of the Chelsea squad, which was always going to cause problems. Looking at what he will have to work with. Not only do I see a Spurs squad that I feel will embrace his ideas, but I also see there being natural wastage as opposed to it being enforced at Chelsea to an obviously reluctant squad. I can also see a man who will look at the young and untested players and be prepared to take a chance on their quality, which is a good thing for everyone.

I actually have a real feeling that AVB will look at one or two of our young players such as Dean Parrett, Tom Carroll or Alex Pritchard and rapidly promote them into the first team picture. The latter two may be considered physically small, but all three have the vision, technique and industry to make an instant impression on a new and visionary manager and whether it is one or more of those three or others, that are yet to taste Premiership football, I can see one or two pleasant surprises.

It is with some amusement that the media talk about Tottenham being an ageing squad, when we have a great core of young players, with what was a scattering of 30+ veterans. Perhaps without the likes of Friedel, Gallas and the rest, they would have all complained that we lacked leadership and experience, and we would have done far better if we had a few 'been there and done that' old heads in the squad...

What does seem evident is that we will be looking at a far younger squad, which will partly be due to the departures of Nelsen, Saha and perhaps Gallas, King and even Van der Vaart, and you can see a time very soon, when being over 27, will be seen as old within the Tottenham ranks, and although that raises some concerns with me, as long as the team is moving forward, that will be fine with everyone, which is what is really important.

As a fan I obviously care about my club winning silverware, but it was never the motivation to support and enjoy watching Tottenham Hotspur. I now have the responsibility of an eleven year old son, who has an equally devout loyalty to the club and I want him to feel pride and enjoyment in what is a lifetime commitment. At his age, I witnessed relegation, but also some superb players, but there was always an attempt to play good football and to entertain. Perhaps those innocent days are gone forever, but if we can't win trophies, I still want to feel we have a chance and in doing so we continue to play the Tottenham way and if AVB can continue in that tradition, he will be a very welcome appointment in my eyes, whether we are winning Champions leagues or just playing great football somewhere in the top half of the division, but with an emphasis on developing and entertaining, that will be good enough for me...

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