Agreed. The formation change, coupled with being benched on the opening game. It was pretty obvious that VDV was surplus to requirements, and it would have been obvious to the player too. I genuinely believe that if VDV had the choice between being a first choice player at Spurs in the Premiership or playing for Hamburg VDV would have STAYED at Spurs (that said I have no doubt had a team like Utd come knocking he would have wanted to leave us). But why stick around if it's clear you aren't going to feature much?
I don't blame AVB or VDV. VDV is in his prime as a footballer (makes me laugh people are happy we only got £10m for him when he is in his prime and IMHO worth twice that at least - but that poor piece of business isn't AVB's fault either) and wants to play games. AVB has a formation and style of play where VDV doesn't really fit in. Huddlestone and Dawson don't fit in either that is why I believe both will also be ex-Spurs players within the next 12 months.
What annoys me is that people are trying to make out that VDV wanted to leave. I don't believe he wanted to leave, but I believe that once it was clear he wasn't going to be as central as the last two years he didn't mind leaving to join Hamburg. BIG difference.
Was AVB wrong in getting rid of VDV? No. I don't like the decision and I wouldn't have done it personally, but AVB has a vision to what he wants and to make that vision work he has to be ruthless. VDV (along with Hudd, Dawson and probably Parker) is too slow for that high tempo pressing game, and VDV in the Premiership is definitely NOT a midfielder. Nor is he fast enough to close down and harry the defence in a lone striker role. Finally one thing that drove me up the wall with VDV (and I am a fan of his) was his lack of discipline. His dropping too deep too often etc. AVB is all about tactical discipline, not personal flair. If AVB felt that VDV couldn't be disciplined enough to carry out his instructions then once again AVB made the right call selling VDV.