With every game that passes, I have to say I am more impressed with Vitor - but I'm also keeping a lid on it because it wasn't that long ago since the Newcastle/Forest drubbings etc - but I do feel like he is actually learning with each game that passes, and it's very obvious that he's an actual football manager, compared to Gaz. Few points:
- Doc appears to be Vitor's version of Nuno with Coady. I.e. he's come in, seen something within Doc's attributes that he feels might work in a role he's never really played before, and whilst I don't think any of us truly believe it's a long term solution, we're getting some consistency from Doc which many of us didn't think he had in him. Very similar to where most of us were with Coady, pre; Nuno.
- The vast improvement in many of the playing squad. Whist not taking the credit away from the players themselves, the improvement in the likes of Bellegarde, Andre, the aforementioned Doc - having an actual plan in terms of how to use those players. Making them feel wanted and actually using them in roles that they suit.
- early changes. How many times have we been sat here screaming for changes & we've had a manager who just waits & waits & waits until we inevitably concede. So refreshing to have someone who utilises the squad and has trust in his players. Taking Joao off at half time this past weekend is a prime example. It shows Vitor learned from the red against Arsenal last month.
- Asking for the signing of players that fit his system and using them how he intended - Hi Marshall.
I'm taking a little longer to warm to him from a personality point of view, compared to Nuno (lets be fair, no one can compare to Nuno!) - but I'm really liking what I see from him on a game by game basis. From where we were under Gaz, it's night and day. Would be interesting to see where he can take us with a full season and some continued backing, but the old concerns around Jeff Shi etc won't go away on that front.
