Andre Villas-Boas calls for patience as Norwich hold Spurs

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Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas wants fans to remain patient after his team conceded a late equaliser against Norwich at White Hart Lane.

Boos echoed around the stadium at the half-time and full-time whistles as Spurs fans came to terms with another day of frustration.

A second successive home draw leaves Spurs 14th in the Premier League table, without a win under Villas-Boas.

"We didn't play well, we have to do much better," Villas-Boas said.

"The team is down with what we did. We have to assume our responsibilities but it is a disappointing result, because we fought hard to get the 1-0 lead once again and suffering for the third time in the last minutes of the game is difficult to take.

"[The boos] are disappointment from the fans. Nobody likes to draw two games at home, everyone is in need of the win. But we will make sure we put the effort in for them.

"It is the third game for us, we all need to take things patiently and we will look to repay them with a good win and boost the confidence of everyone.

Norwich midfielder Robert Snodgrass scored five minutes from time as Spurs allowed two points to slip away, having taken a 67th-minute lead through debutant Mousa Dembele.

Villas-Boas admitted there was work to be done during the forthcoming international break. He said: "The players will now go to back to their national teams but we have ten days to work on these small things to fix them once and for all."

That Spurs did not slide to defeat was due in large part to the continued excellence of goalkeeper Brad Friedel.

The 41-year-old American produced three tremendous saves to deny Norwich and Villas-Boas admitted Friedel would keep his place despite the

"We recognise that Brad was outstanding today and saved us a couple of times from going 1-0 down," Villas-Boas said. "It is undeniable that Brad's position is his and it will continue to be like that.

Norwich manager Chris Hughton said the draw was the least his team deserved. "There is a tinge of disappointment because we were up against a very, very good Spurs team with good individuals but I felt we had the best chances and got into the better areas.

"But once you go 1-0 down you are always pleased to get back in the game. It was nothing short of what we deserved."

Substitute Tom Huddlestone was shown a red card in the 90th minute for a mistimed tackle on Jonny Howson. Villas-Boas said: "It was harsh and certainly not a sending off. We will most probably appeal."

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  • As an Arsenal fan I think that it is absolutely hilarious that you do not get behind your manager.. he has had three games to undo the mess that HR caused, HR was a mercenary, only ever after the next big paycheck, just ask any Portsmouth fan.

    You have a good manager in charge with a long term plan, that is where the future lies, not quick fixes. You, like AFC want to be around in 10 years.

  • I hear a lot of fellow Spurs fans saying that Redknapp should still be in charge. After the disaster of the 2nd half of the season and as the England job has gone, would he have reversed the tide this season? I felt that it was a potential masterstroke from Levy to nip it in the bud at just the right time and am behind the appointment of AVB. Just needs a few results to win over the majority.

  • AVB: Are they booing me? Why are they booing?

    Levy: No sir, they are saying boooooooaas

    Thanks Simpsons!

  • I have been a Spurs fan for nearly 45 years and seen it all so listen !!
    Just enjoy the football,the songs and the rivalry with A....It's entertainment.As Jimmy Greaves says "this the Heart of the Game"

  • Avb is right to ask for patience and i hoped the idiots who booed him think differently nxt time and give him it. Norwich are a decent team who beat us last time and WBA hav had an amazing start and beat liverpool and everton so at least we drew. Newcastle are also a top team and we wer unlucky not to get something out that match

  • Rome wasn't built in a day. You can't get rid of your most successful manager in years off the back of one 'poor' season in which you finished fourth and only missed out on a Champions League spot because of results you had no control over, and expect a new manager with limited, unsuccessful experience in English football to immediately make you title contenders after selling your key players.

  • The person most of the heat should come down on is Levy. He is the guy who sacks a manager who finishes in the top 4 and replaces him with the guy who was previously a disaster at Chelsea and lost the dressing room there. It was a huge risk, and if it backfires he is rightly the one who deserves most of the blame. And this is before you get into his lack of organisation in the transfer market.

  • From the evidence, ageed somewhat brief, and I'm a neutral, I thought the East Anglian side were quite good - no mugs. There is no 'divine right' in football, you have to earn it. Norwich did not 'grab' a point, I thought Spurs were lucky not to lose.

  • I can accept a change from 'arry and I can accept the transfer dealings of the last few days. I still believe we have a squad capable (just) of a top 4 finish. What I can't accept is the tactical ineptitude of AVB. Gallas not Caulker/Dawson? Livermore AND Sandro at home? Defoe not Adebeyor up front on his own? Jenas and Huddlestone both on as subs when he appears to rate neither...

  • AVB an easy target for sheeplike fans to criticize. Under Redknapp last season Tottenham LOST at home to Norwich 1-2. This season just a continuation of the last 4 months under Redknapp. Amazing how people forget he went through an entire season unbeaten and won the Europa cup with Porto.

  • Most of you moan about AVB but he's the smartest of all! He's laughing all the way to the bank while you waste your time arguing about him! He's already earned enough to live very comfortably for the rest of his life and to provide the very best for his close and extended family. I wish I could be as poor as him at my job yet receive millions and millions of pounds per month and per sacking!

  • spurs fans must be praying AVB isn't Juande Ramos all over again

  • I was booing the ref at the end of the match. Never a red card from where I was on the shelf, and not giving us a corner and booking Bale instead. There may have been an element of frustration around conceding a late equalizer for a second week in the row, but when you lose Ledley King, and the club sells two of the best (and most creative) three players I struggle to blame AVB this early.

  • Spurs spurs spurs tut tut *shake of the head*
    Did anyone see the Premier League's Most Amazing Moments on BBC 3, if not watch it on this link form 21st minutes in; "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qVgMtETQok"

    13points ahead in 3rd to finishing 4th, no CL and Harry loses job from being top contender for the English job.
    *Big face-palm*
    as an Arsenal fan, i enjoyed it very much

  • This time last season we had no points and nobody was calling for harry`s head .Give the man a chance . We`ve got just a good a squad now as we`ve had over the last two years .It will come good .

  • Spurs fans should not have high expectations on their team this season. They are no where as strong as last season and have lost a couple of their best players so don't expect them to finish in top 4 or even challenge for the premier league title. Spurs fans should expect them to finish between 5th and 7th position and that is realistic and achievable with Spurs current squad of players.

  • patience is a virtue.....it will come good. after all it could be brendan rodgers lol

  • 3 games is nothing. we desperately needed Mutinho and it showed yesterday. but that isnt AVB's fault. give the guy time. we may not do too well this season. but i see AVB doing well after a couple years. i doubt if any of us were expecting the results straight away.

  • Yes. a fine team was inherited with a fine style of play, that only needed fine tuning not a complete overhaul.
    NB I have watched Spurs for 52 years now. Some good, some bad, some indifferent. BUT negative defensive tactics, at home especially, are just not acceptable to the Spurs faithfull (who by way, pay AVB's wages!!).

  • Managers in the modern Premier league given patience and time? Oh who I laugh at such comments from punditsd and fans alike HA! I'll bet my house, job and left testicle that Villlas Boas or Rogers will be gone by Christmas

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