Watford 0 Tottenham 1: Defoe delivers timely reminder of his talents to AVB

Posted Monday, August 06, 2012 by Dailymail

Jermain Defoe made his case to start the season as Tottenham’s centre forward with the winner at Watford on Sunday evening.

Andre Villas-Boas is chasing at least one new striker with Emmanuel Adebayor and young Brazilian Leandro Damiao the chief targets.

But Defoe issued a reminder of his finishing prowess as he returned to the team after flying home from the club’s tour of the United States following the death of his cousin.

Watford 0 Tottenham 1: Defoe delivers timely reminder of his talents to AVB
Jermaine Man: Tottenham striker Defoe scored the only goal in a pre-season win over Watford

Watford 0 Tottenham 1: Defoe delivers timely reminder of his talents to AVB
It has been a sombre summer for the England striker. His father died after a battle with throat cancer during the preparations for Euro 2012 and 20-year-old Hannah Defoe died last week, electrocuted when she dived into a swimming pool during a holiday in the Caribbean.

Defoe was back on the pitch at Vicarage Road and back in the goals as Tottenham continued their unbeaten pre-season under the new manager.

There were traces of AVB’s tactical trademarks around. The goalkeeper rolled almost every ball to his defenders, the central defenders split wide in possession, the full-backs roared forward and the midfield triangle tried to rotate.

His efforts to imprint this at Chelsea were ultimately thwarted by the unsuitability of the players at his disposal, their resistance to change and the impatience of the owner.

It is unlikely that the Blues would have won the Champions League if he had stayed and attempted to push through the change but perhaps Spurs will be more receptive. It will probably hinge on results.

Tottenham have only one more friendly - at Valencia on Thursday - before the Barclays Premier League season starts at Newcastle and Villas-Boas has plenty of work to focus on.

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