Jan Vertonghen: I'll need a vacation at end of Spurs season

 
25 September 2012

The frenetic start to Tottenham's season has already taken its toll on Jan Vertonghen.

Spurs came from behind to claim their first home win under Andre Villas-Boas with a 2-1 victory over QPR, doing it the hard way by scoring two goals in two second-half minutes after the team were lucky to go in just 1-0 down at half-time at White Hart Lane.

Vertonghen, who signed from Ajax this summer, had seen his team concede two late equalisers in their previous two Premier League home games and was also part of the back four that let in a killer late goal against Newcastle on the opening day of the season.

The Belgium defender was therefore understandably relieved he and his team-mates withstood a late barrage from QPR to see out the game and clinch victory.

He said: "I love it here in England, there's a great ambience at the games, it's just a shame we have to struggle until the last minute.

"At the end of the season I will need a good vacation."

Vertonghen was not the only man who was relieved following the final whistle at White Hart Lane.

Many of the 36,052 away fans inside the north London ground were tearing their hair out and venting their anger at the players during a first half in which Spurs lacked ideas, fluency and penetration.

Indeed had it not been for another brilliant performance from Brad Friedel, QPR could have been 3-0 up at half-time.

A change in formation and personnel, which moved Vertonghen to left back and Gareth Bale up to his regular position on the wing, and a few honest words in the home dressing room turned the game in Spurs' favour, however.

"Everyone was angry at half-time because we didn't think we played that well so there were a couple of words," Vertonghen said. "We motivated each other and you could see that in the second half because we started so well.

"We changed the system and we did very well. It was a good tactical decision from the manager."

Hearing the home team booed off can often be a source of motivation for the away side, but Vertonghen refused to criticise the Spurs fans for their actions.

"It's frustrating when you can't play your own game so I understand the supporters," he said. "They were not too happy in the first half. We want to dominate at home and away games so the supporters expect that from us."

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