Welcome to White Hart Lane, quick loan AVB... here are five problems you must immediately solve
By ADAM SHERGOLD FOR MAILONLINE

Published: 12:05 BST, 3 July 2012 | Updated: 15:08 BST, 3 July 2012









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Tottenham fans are digesting the news that Andre Villas-Boas has been named as the club's new manager, just seven weeks after Harry Redknapp guided them to fourth place in the Barclays Premier League.

The 34-year-old's appointment will create some concern at White Hart Lane following his disastrous tenure at west London rivals Chelsea last season.

Villas-Boas lasted just 27 league matches at Stamford Bridge, failing to convince the fans, players or owner Roman Abramovich that he was capable of delivering success.

In order to avoid a repeat at Spurs, AVB must hit the ground running. Here, Sportsmail looks at the new manager's in-tray. 



Plenty to ponder: AVB has a number of issues to resolve now he has taken the hot seat at White Hart Lane


1. Win over the dressing room and the supporters
At no stage during his eight-month spell at Chelsea did Villas-Boas carry the full support of the dressing room. Already one of the most hierarchical squads in the Premier League, the Portuguese's age counted against him.

He was 33 when he took over at Stamford Bridge, younger than senior players such as Frank Lampard and barely older than captain John Terry.

With no playing career and only a few years' coaching experience, he lacked the gravitas of older managers and when results didn't go their way, the dissenting voices grew.

In the end, Abramovich directly blamed these critics within the squad for the premature end to the Villas-Boas 'project.'

But after a number of chastening defeats, including the 3-1 defeat against Napoli that left them on the brink of exiting the Champions League, the fans had run out of patience as well.



Undermined: AVB never had respect from the likes of Lampard and Terry


 

At Spurs, Villas-Boas must strike up an immediate rapport with his squad. This should be easier than at Chelsea with fewer headstrong personalities in the dressing room and he has the advantage of a full pre-season to shape his plans.

A strong start in the league will banish the disappointment of Spurs missing out on Champions League qualification and help win over the fans, who would probably have wanted a more experienced manager. 


2. Resolve the Luka Modric question… quickly
An immediate priority will be to resolve the future of Luka Modric, who is reportedly coveted by Real Madrid and a long-term target for Manchester United.

The Croatia playmaker, who was an integral part of Tottenham's success under former manager Harry Redknapp, has made no secret of his desire to play Champions League football again.

Although no firm offers have been received from the Spanish champions, they could test Spurs with an offer in the region of £40million or offer a player in return - such as Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain, who was a target for Villas-Boas when at Chelsea.



Out of Luka: Modric looks certain to leave and the club will need to replace him

With Modric uninspired by the prospect of another season in the Europa League, Villas-Boas must waste no time in persuading one of the most influential players in his squad to have faith in his plans.

It will be a tough sell, with Modric eager to compete for silverware domestically and in European competition.  But it comes as a relief to Villas-Boas that his other star player, Gareth Bale, has already signed a new contract.


3. Strengthen the defence
To compete for the Premier League, Villas-Boas needs to ensure Spurs have a watertight defence, which will undoubtedly mean going in to the transfer market.

The first priority will be to finalise a deal with Ajax for Jan Vertonghen.

Negotiations for the Belgian defender have dragged on all summer, to the point where he is already back in pre-season training with the Dutch club. But with most of the hard work completed, Villas-Boas should be able to quickly seal the deal.

Doubts remains over how often Ledley King will feature in the forthcoming new season.









Back line? Kaboul and Vertonghen could line-up next to each other


He will put his troublesome knee to the test during training but may be forced into retirement, where he is expected to be offered a coaching role.

Such is his influence, if King breaks down again, it will leave a massive hole in the back line - despite the impressive form of Younes Kaboul and impending return of Michael Dawson from injury

Vedran Corluka has already departed White Hart Lane this summer, joining Lokomotiv Moscow for £5m, but the need for defensive acquisitions is less urgent than bringing in placements up front. 


4. Bolster the strikeforce
Following the departure of Louis Saha this summer and Emmanuel Adebayor's return to parent club Manchester City, Spurs have only one recognised striker on their books - Jermain Defoe. 

Defoe scored 17 club goals last season - despite spending much of it on the bench - but didn't feature in England's Euro 2012 campaign beyond a 15-minute cameo against France.

Therefore, Villas-Boas will have to immediately dip into the transfer market to buy at least two strikers, though his cause will be helped by the considerable war chest expected to be put at his disposal by chairman Daniel Levy. 



Bench warmer? Defoe is now the club's only recognised striker

Aside from Higuain, Villas-Boas reportedly has his sights on 22-year-old Chelsea frontman Daniel Sturridge, with a £10m bid being lined up.

Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo is keen to hang on to the player, who is desperate for more regular first-team football. 

Spurs have also been linked to emerging Russia player Alan Dzagoev, who impressed by scoring three goals from an attacking midfield position at Euro 2012.  


5. Change his habits
Villas-Boas often looked exhausted and exasperated at Chelsea as a result of the long days he put in on the training ground and in preparing the team.

He reportedly slept overnight at Cobham in a Japanese-style pod, was the first to arrive and the last to leave most days, and spent hours poring over technical data about his players.

But his 'workaholic' approach didn't exactly produce the desired results and it may be more effective and productive to occasionally take a step back from preparations.

His obsessive attention to detail meant he didn't realise soon enough how alienated and disheartened the Chelsea dressing room had become.



Change tack: AVB's idiosyncrasies made him a target of ridicule





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