AVB sees no need to discipline under-fire winger.
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Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas says he does not feel there is a need to discipline Andros Townsend for diving, according to Sky Sports.
The young Spurs winger came under some criticism for going down too easily in last weekend’s Premier League encounter with Chelsea, and admitted himself that he took a tumble and would be looking to cut it out of his game.
However, his manager refuses to accept that his player has been deliberately cheating, and pointed out that players of his pace often find it harder to keep their balance when they’re often on the end of many physical challenges during games.
The Portuguese coach believes the player was right to apologise, and compared Townsend’s situation with former Spurs star Gareth Bale, who also earned something of a reputation as a diver during his time in England.
“I didn’t speak to him because I thought his own words were quite understandable, and to me that is the end of the story,” he said.
“His pace is absolutely incredible, so you can easily understand, as with Gareth Bale, that any contact might affect the balance of the player.
“But I don’t think we have enough examples to call him a cheating player.
“I think he was right to correct himself straight away.
“In regards to the future, it will come with actions, not with words. But I’m sure someone who comes out with such a strong statement is able to continue to avoid that part of his game.”
Townsend is finally enjoying an extended run in the Tottenham first-team, having spent much of his career so far being farmed out on loan by the club, though he particularly caught the eye during a spell with Queens Park Rangers last season, which has earned him a more regular starting place this season despite the club spending big on the likes of Erik Lamela and Nacher Chadli in that position.