Tottenham's 6-0 humiliation at Manchester City brought the squad closer together, according to Brazilian midfielder Sandro.
Spurs earned a point in a stirring 2-2 draw against Manchester United after a week which Sandro described as the worst of his career with both the players and manager coming under intense scrutiny.
Thrashed at City last Sunday, Spurs were much improved yesterday, Andre Villas-Boas’s comments that the squad and coaching staff — himself included — should feel “ashamed” by the Etihad horror show having clearly provoked a reaction.
Sandro said today the players were fully behind their boss and talked of how everyone had stuck together.
Asked whether the defeat to City had unified the squad, Sandro said: “Of course. As a team we have to stay together in the bad moments and I think we did that. Everyone stayed together, talked and it was good.
“Everyone likes him [Villas-Boas], we have to play for him and everyone is doing that on the pitch.
“It [criticism] happens to any coach if you do not win games. He knows we are here and we showed him what we are going to do [for him] yesterday. I play for him every game and I think everyone was amazing yesterday.”
Sandro’s spectacular long-range effort, his first goal for exactly a year, gave Spurs hope of a first home win against United since 2001 before Wayne Rooney equalised from the penalty spot three minutes later. Sandro, 24, said: “Last week was the worst week I have had in my career and that goal means a lot to me. It would have been better if we had won the game but we played well.
“It was good to play like that against United. Last week against City was so disappointing for us, we felt so bad but we deserved to win yesterday. We played better in this game and now I think this week will be better.”
