Dembele – The key to Tottenham’s success if used properly…

After another poor first half performance at White Hart Lane, with more side ways passing than a Ray Wilkins career highlights DVD, AVB bought on the Belgian midfielder recently purchased from Fulham to replace a tired looking Sandro.

After a quietly impressive 15 mins on the pitch Dembele exchanged quick passes with Defoe, turned and fired in a low placed shot past Ruddy…Spurs fan erupted and a wave of elation swept over WHL and AVB’s face if we are honest.

Dembele played well and it was no coincidence that Spurs dominated the early part of the second half and created chances after his introduction to the game, even in a busy midfield that Norwich tried to dominate and frustrate Tottenham within, Dembele looked like he had time and space to dictate and create.

The Belgian is a different option to Modric and VDV in that he has a turn of pace and likes to dribble past the opposition and attack quickly, whilst the Croatian liked to dictate the play from deep and the Dutch man liked to play high up off the front man and score goals.

Not taking anything away from either of the above mentioned former Spurs players, both are clearly class acts and will be missed but, Dembele can be a catalyst for AVB’s Spurs revolution if the seemingly already under fire Portuguese manager allows him to be a creative force and does not stick with two defensive central midfielders.

The worry is that going forward AVB worries more about not getting beat rather than winning games and sacrifices the talented Belgian in favour of an industrious Sandro or Livermore alongside the underrated Parker.

A midfield with Bale, Lennon, Sigurdsson and Dembele in it would scare most in the premier league and I believe once Scott Parker is restored to the starting XI we will see a much improved Tottenham team, as he brings an understated and sometimes undervalued balance to the midfield and inspires around him to work harder for the team.

Fingers crossed that AVB is given time by the sometimes impatient Spurs fans and that he is allowed to stamp his mark on this already talented Spurs squad as he could build a legacy at Tottenham unlike any we have seen since the great Bill Nicholson tenure with his supportive chairman and the structure currently being set up behind the scene.

That said Spurs fans will demand exciting expansive football and a creative line up, especially at home so AVB needs to find the balance to achieve both his vision and placate the WHL faithful.