Tottenham Boss Takes Credit for Defoe’s Blistering Start to the Season

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas believes that he has instilled a new-found confidence into star striker Jermain Defoe.

The England international was unhappy at consistently being left on the bench last season, despite scoring 17 goals, as former boss Harry Redknapp preferred to play Emmanuel Adebayor as a lone striker.

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas believes that he has instilled a new-found confidence into star striker Jermain Defoe.

The England international was unhappy at consistently being left on the bench last season, despite scoring 17 goals, as former boss Harry Redknapp preferred to play Emmanuel Adebayor as a lone striker.

Adebayor has since returned to the club on a permanent deal and despite coming back from injury has missed out due to Defoe; the striker scoring four league goals in six games.

"I think he has received his confidence from me and he is showing his quality," Villas-Boas told the Mirror. "In the summer, we told him we really wanted him here - that is why we spoke with his agent and the chairman about his contract renewal.

"So at the moment, we are extremely happy with what he is doing. And I am sure that is having an impact on the way he feels about himself."

Defoe has always had an impressive record in front of goal when he has been given the chance and Villas-Boas believes that Tottenham will benefit from the fact that he wants to prove himself after an uncertain few years at the club.

"He scored so many goals last season from an interrupted sequence of games. He has performed so well for this club and you have to respect the fact he keeps on motivating himself to show that.

"Now he is getting confidence from being given games from the start. He has been excellent," continued the former Chelsea manager. "His desire and his motivation are there and his movements are fantastic. I think he will continue. He has been creating so much and has been immense for the team.

"He is now getting continuous opportunities that maybe he didn't have in the past - continuous in the sense that he is also playing in the midweek competitions.

"We have to be very grateful for what he has been doing for the team. I think he is enjoying every moment of it."

Defoe may not have scored at the weekend but he played a crucial role as Tottenham earned their first win over Manchester United at Old Trafford since 1989.

He will now be hoping to continue his superb run when Tottenham play Panathinaikos in the Europa League on Thursday night.