Despite prolonged negotations, Andre Villas-Boas is now the new manager of Tottenham Hotspur. Replacing Harry Redknapp, Villas-Boas has plenty of work ahead of him. Here are 5 things AVB needs to do:

1. Get the players onboard
One thing, AVB should have learnt at Chelsea was the simplistic nature of player power. With hard heads like Lampard and Terry, to name a few, AVB failed to convert his ideas, which ultimately crushed him during his reign. The Portuguese has to get the players on his side and form a united dressing room. Breaking up the group, reminiscent of his actions of excluding certain Chelsea players, will harm the unity in the squad and begin turning the tide on the manager.

2. Resolve the Modric Situation
This is the big equation floating around the Tottenham board and dressing room. The Croatian wants Champions League football, but with Spurs’ unlucky failure last season, he missed out again. AVB can’t let the situation drag on like Redknapp did. Either he gets the Croat to stay, or he sells him to the highest bidder, and then spends the profit on a new squad. Waiting until the last moment to sell him might cost the team.

3. Sort out the striker conundrum
To keep Adebayor or not? The Togolese striker wants to get paid a pretty wage, one that Tottenham can’t afford. And given Daniel Levy’s history, won’t match; something Manchester City can. Another loan option isn’t possible, as City want to cut their wage bill. Jermain Defoe is the only other forward on the list, but after an average season, the hunt is on for another lethal striker, as their list is quite short.

4. Buy another centre back
Michael Dawson has been injured for a while; William Gallas’ youth is deserting him and Ledley King is on his last legs. They can maybe hold out another season, but AVB needs another solid defender in the backline; one that is youthful, fit, and adaptable to fit into AVB’s high pressure game plan. The search begins…

5. Fix the tactical enigma
AVB loves his 4-3-3, with a Barcelona flow and movement. It failed at Chelsea with the players unable to adapt. It ultimately cost him his job. By the time he went back to the basics, the knives were out behind AVB’s back. This can’t occur at Tottenham, with a trigger happy Daniel Levy hovering behind him (he fired Juande Ramos, don’t forget). AVB needs to hit the ground running. And getting the tactics spot on from the beginning is crucial to a good season.