Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas thinks football fans are well within their rights to criticise their manager after a weekend which saw both Rafael Benitez and Arsene Wenger come under fire.
Chelsea supporters jeered interim coach Benitez and chanted the name of the man he replaced, Roberto Di Matteo, before the Blues' 0-0 draw against Manchester City. Arsenal boss Wenger was also jeered for his decision to substitute Olivier Giroud for Francis Coquelin during their goalless draw at Aston Villa on Saturday.
Villas-Boas himself has been subjected to boos from some Spurs fans on occasion this season, but the man who was sacked by Chelsea after less than nine months in charge of the club told a press conference: "The fans have the right to everything in my opinion."
He added: "They are the ones who breathe the biggest passion for the football club, they are the essence and they breathe the values of the football club. They are entitled to whatever they want to say or chant; disappointment, belief, encouragement, positiveness."
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has not suffered the same fate as Benitez and Wenger so far this season despite the Reds' mixed start to the season. Rodgers has only been able to guide Liverpool to 11th in the Barclays Premier League so far this season after a summer of upheaval on Merseyside.
Villas-Boas will take on the Northern Irishman on Wednesday when Liverpool come to White Hart Lane. The main reason why Rodgers is not embroiled in a relegation battle this season is because of the form of Luis Suarez, who has scored 13 goals in 19 appearances.
Villas-Boas is fully aware of the danger that Suarez, who has reportedly attracted the interest of Manchester City this season, will pose in Wednesday's game at White Hart Lane.
"He is an extremely good player. The amount of riot he creates up front on his own is absolutely incredible," Villas-Boas said. "His range of movements is immense. He has a strong mentality and that's what makes him the great player he is."
Villas-Boas has had a rampaging striker of his own to rely upon this season in Jermain Defoe, who scored his ninth and 10th goals of the season on Sunday in Tottenham's impressive 3-1 win over West Ham.
"I'm extremely happy with him," the Spurs manager said. "He is an excellent professional and works hard with a smile on his face. He has an extreme hunger for goal, which you require from your striker."
Source: PA
