• Premier League Spotlight

Villas-Boas victim of hyper-criticism

Premier League Spotlight previews the clash of the weekend between Tottenham and Manchester United.

Villas-Boas under fire from all angles

To consider sacking Tottenham Hotspur head coach Andre Villas-Boas either now or even after a potential defeat against Manchester United on Sunday is ludicrous. Sure, it is acceptable for there to be the losing of some heads in the wake of a 6-0 defeat at Manchester City, a side Spurs are meant to be able to give a competitive game.

A result like that jars the senses of those on the receiving end and leads to a short-term dislike of the sport and everything to do with it, including the man making the team decisions. And there is a case for Tottenham to be doing better than they have been. The nine goals scored from 12 games - the same number as striker-less West Ham United, for example - had been softened by their impressive "goals against" column prior to last weekend's public pants-pulling-down.

But now that their concession total has been doubled, the lack of firepower is highlighted further. Any 6-0 loss, no matter the money plundered on building the opposition, is reason to be "ashamed", as Villas-Boas noted. He should take some blame for persisting with such a high line against a City side so devastating in attack on their home soil this season.

Yet are these reasons enough to part company with a manager whose side are two points off fourth place? In short: no. It has been well-documented that Villas-Boas is working to integrate seven new signings, all of whom are settling in a new country and division, and that point stands. As does the absence of the Premier League's best player last campaign, Gareth Bale, without whom any team would feel the weaker, not to mention the unwanted fixture pattern that comes with being in the Europa League.

Regardless of this defence of a man who has been on the receiving end of hyper-criticism, there is no question that he needs a Premier League win after three matches without one. Against United last season, Villas-Boas claimed one of his most defining results, as they ended a 23-year wait for a victory at Old Trafford. That type of performance, where character was shown, is needed at White Hart Lane on Sunday.

The timing is not great for Tottenham, though, as United seem to be finding their groove under boss David Moyes, as Wednesday's 5-0 spanking of a rubbish Bayer Leverkusen made it 11 games unbeaten in all competitions.

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