Ex-Manager watch: Antonio Conte

[RuskyM]

I rated these players before, during and after Gerrard’s management. We should have signed Konsa years ago for example

I agree. Which is why good management was getting the most out of them, as opposed to what Gerrard was doing, which was complaining about them.

 

[FinnYid]

And then back on the appoint-fail to back-team underachieves-coach sacked cycle we go. In fact, even better, maybe Fabio goes and then Levy decides to revert back to overseeing things again with a transfer committee. Can't wait.

Well cycle goes on untill we've learned our lessons in manager appointments.

 

[Derryank]

As I've said he was talking about a longer contract until the terms were changed......

Assuming promised funds...it's all headed in the one direction. So dissapointing and frustrating.....rinse and repeat

 

[yiddopaul]

I literally said CL run aside and you choose to highlight it anyway?

I never said the first 4 years of Poch weren't good. I was talking about the last 12. Which you have chosen to ignore.

So, again, have you forgotten the last 12 months (CL run aside) of Poch's reign?

For a few years before he left, he had been telling the board that we needed a complete refresh of the squad. Had he been backed, I'm quite sure he would have gone on to win silverware. As long as we have a board that does not want to priorities winning trophies, it doesn't matter who we have as manager. The end result will be the same. I'm not too anti-Levy, they have done so much for our club to put us in the position to compete financially. They are not winners though. They are the common denominator throughout the last 20 years. Maybe it is time for them to look around at someone to take over the reigns, I have no doubt that Levy loves our club, so I trust he would only sell to a buyer that will invest.

 

[Metalhead]

Well cycle goes on untill we've learned our lessons in manager appointments.

No, it goes on until the hierarchy learn how to consistently back and not undermine the head coach (or manager, depending on the favoured structure of the time).

 

[HedgieSpur]

Sure, but it will turn soon. The extensive season ticket list is no longer in place and people are getting fidgety with the cost of living crisis. A bad end to the season could see us fail to sell out season tickets this summer. The last couple of years we’ve seen new members get offered season tickets. That’s got to be a worry.

Yeah I agree with this. We are in London, with ridiculously high cost of housing and living in general. We are now one of 7 clubs vying for 4 CL slots and we will be consistently be the lowest spender over time. As such, the likelihood is that we will be 6th/7th each season. We will not be able to continue to charge high prices for that, nor will be be particularly attractive to tourists. ENIC should be worried

 

[walworthyid]

There is definitely some truth to that but at least I could see what Poch was trying to create. It was obvious that certain players didn't seem able/willing to adapt but there was a definite style and system being slowly implemented. My impatience at the time was more to do with Poch's slowness in dropping some of the big earners who clearly had no future. Soldado for example. There was very little doubt though, from me, that if Poch could get past that phase that things would improve dramatically. There was also the fact that the tools Poch needed weren't unrealistic. Young prospects were exactly what he needed and that was exactly the sort of player we have excelled in finding. It was the perfect fit. I don't see any such reason for optimism with Conte. There are no signs for me that the football will get better, there is no sign that the basis of a title winning Conte side already here. There is no chance whatsoever that we'll be able to fund the kind of spending that Conte insists on and what perhaps scares me even more is that when Conte is done here we'll have a very, very old and washed up squad that needs to be completely torn up and we'll probably have very few talented youngsters waiting in the wings because they've all got frustrated and buggered off. Conte is a shot term deal. As a club you've got money to spend (or not) and you're prepared to spend it to win a title. To hell with the consequences. That isn't us. He clearly can't work his magic with what we've got, we can't give him what he needs and so this whole experiment is kinda doomed. Its best to move on before Conte does too much damage.

100% agree. I loved poch, not because he was poch, but because of what he did while at TOTTENHAM HOTSPURS! I wasn't initially very keen. I thought we were aiming too low, but over time I could see what he was trying to do. We didn't have the best players but gradually we started to get some results. Even when we lost we went for it. We didn't let the opposition take the piss, we took it to them home and away. If we couldn't outplay them, we out fought and out ran them. If they wanted it physical we could do that as well. I could always see a plan, what he was trying to do.

I have literally no idea what conte is trying to do. None. Not a clue. We don't keep the ball. We don't press the ball. We don't create. We literally sit in our half and watch the opposition dominate the ball, the territory and the momentum. We do this at home to the likes of Villa and Brentford.

I defy anybody to tell me that if poch had this group of players when took over we would not be performing better. We may not have more points, but you could see where we were going.

I'll say it again, Conte is not the right manager for spurs. Not now and not ever.

 

[FinnYid]

No, it goes on until the hierarchy learn how to consistently back and not undermine the head coach (or manager, depending on the favoured structure of the time).

Well backing up doesn't do much if we keep on appointing managers that are bad fit.

 

[Metalhead]

Well backing up doesn't do much if we keep on appointing managers that are bad fit.

But we've had all types! The hierarchy keep changing the structure, buy players other than what the head coach of the time wants and consistently indulges in punts on players that don't work out.

 

[Metalhead]

100% agree. I loved poch, not because he was poch, but because of what he did while at TOTTENHAM HOTSPURS! I wasn't initially very keen. I thought we were aiming too low, but over time I could see what he was trying to do. We didn't have the best players but gradually we started to get some results. Even when we lost we went for it. We didn't let the opposition take the piss, we took it to them home and away. If we couldn't outplay them, we out fought and out ran them. If they wanted it physical we could do that as well. I could always see a plan, what he was trying to do.

I have literally no idea what conte is trying to do. None. Not a clue. We don't keep the ball. We don't press the ball. We don't create. We literally sit in our half and watch the opposition dominate the ball, the territory and the momentum. We do this at home to the likes of Villa and Brentford.

I defy anybody to tell me that if poch had this group of players when took over we would not be performing better. We may not have more points, but you could see where we were going.

I'll say it again, Conte is not the right manager for spurs. Not now and not ever.

The right coach or manager for Spurs is the one that wins games and ultimately trophies and the only way that happens is for the club to stick with a plan and invest time and money into allowing them to see it through. Didn't happen last time with Poch. If you honestly think that Levy has fundamentally changed his outlook since last time then I agree with you 100%.

 

[spursfan77]

If we sack Conte then really what is the point?

Go back and look when he was appointed and virtually everyone was unanimous in saying it was Levy's last chance. If Conte cant win with us we might as well give up.

That is still true.

Just because the football has been bad this season shouldn't alter that at all. Don't relent on the actual problem at the club. If he goes we will have another summer like the one that ended up with Nuno. Paratici won't want Poch and vice versa. So it will be the end of him too.

People seem to have forgotten what it was like pre Bentancur & kulusevski joining. The football was like this. Wolves & southampton at home. Both games, the same as we've seen this season. Those 2 players have played in the team together 6 times this season. How do you reckon we got on in those games? (We didn't lose is the answer).

Turning on yet another manager isn't the way forward. Sticking with him like Liverpool stuck with Klopp, is what we all said at the start. Give a world class manager the tools to deliver something. If not, you've only got yourselves to blame for wanting him replaced. The rest is all noise. Back Conte, give him time. It won't happen of course though because he's had enough and won't sign a new contract because Levy has let him down.

 

[FinnYid]

But we've had all types!

I've had no problem with backing more Poch (or even 'arry / BMJ), but there is clear pattern in big failures of George Graham, Santini, Ramos, Villas-Boas, Mourinho and now Conte. It's clearly a bad recipe that we shouldn't follow ever again.

Besides Conte has been backed, there has been quite a movement in 2 windows he has been here considering we are not some sportswashing machine, but rather a proper football club.

 

[Wheeler Dealer]

I think it has previously been mentioned, that the players look over coached to the extent where they don't know whether to stick ot twist. They give the impression that they are playing with fear and withdraw from showing any instinct or expression. I think if you asked most of the squad whether they enjoy playing to Conte's game plan, I doubt you would have many that would endorse it.

I think this current squad would respond far better to Harry Redknapp type of manager, who keeps it simple and allows expression and risk

 

[mr ashley]

yep

And if he's the same around the training facilities, the players will pick up on it, which then creates a great aura of uncertainty and probably dampens the mood.

It's one thing Levy doesn't seem to understand with football. Some decisions from the top can seep into the dressing room and it can alter the mood, where morale needs to be high, positive or a sense of togetherness.

I don't think the club appreciate that side of things.

Like Jose and Poch, stuff was just allowed to linger and the mood became either toxic or downbeaten.

I think that’s happened already sadly

 

[HedgieSpur]

100% agree. I loved poch, not because he was poch, but because of what he did while at TOTTENHAM HOTSPURS! I wasn't initially very keen. I thought we were aiming too low, but over time I could see what he was trying to do. We didn't have the best players but gradually we started to get some results. Even when we lost we went for it. We didn't let the opposition take the piss, we took it to them home and away. If we couldn't outplay them, we out fought and out ran them. If they wanted it physical we could do that as well. I could always see a plan, what he was trying to do.

I have literally no idea what conte is trying to do. None. Not a clue. We don't keep the ball. We don't press the ball. We don't create. We literally sit in our half and watch the opposition dominate the ball, the territory and the momentum. We do this at home to the likes of Villa and Brentford.

I defy anybody to tell me that if poch had this group of players when took over we would not be performing better. We may not have more points, but you could see where we were going.

I'll say it again, Conte is not the right manager for spurs. Not now and not ever.

Did you know "what Conte is trying to do" last season when he took us to 4th?

 

[walworthyid]

If we sack Conte then really what is the point?

Go back and look when he was appointed and virtually everyone was unanimous in saying it was Levy's last chance. If Conte cant win with us we might as well give up.

That is still true.

Just because the football has been bad this season shouldn't alter that at all. Don't relent on the actual problem at the club. If he goes we will have another summer like the one that ended up with Nuno. Paratici won't want Poch and vice versa. So it will be the end of him too.

People seem to have forgotten what it was like pre Bentancur & kulusevski joining. The football was like this. Wolves & southampton at home. Both games, the same as we've seen this season. Those 2 players have played in the team together 6 times this season. How do you reckon we got on in those games? (We didn't lose is the answer).

Turning on yet another manager isn't the way forward. Sticking with him like Liverpool stuck with Klopp, is what we all said at the start. Give a world class manager the tools to deliver something. If not, you've only got yourselves to blame for wanting him replaced. The rest is all noise. Back Conte, give him time. It won't happen of course though because he's had enough and won't sign a new contract because Levy has let him down.

Yes but you could see what klopp was trying to do. It's like deciding that you will do something and continuing to do it regardless of whether it is going well or not. I dont like low block football, I think everybody knows this, but if I could see some sort of progress under conte I could live with it. But I can't. From that perspective I don't think it is wise to invest our limited funds in a project that is clearly failing.

Just my opinion.

 

[Gilzeanking]

Lot of good, detailed discussion here, but bringing things to the current situation I agree with those suggesting Conte is now in self preservation mode. Laffing in pressers after defeats..going quiet on the touchline when we go goals down. I see resignation..

..and this is transmitting to the players who don't quite seem to be at it and now play below their quality. I reckon we could be in for more match misery and a crunch may come sooner rather than later imo.

Obvs Poch will walk in after AC, but I'd much rather he didn't.

 

[HedgieSpur]

I think it has previously been mentioned, that the players look over coached to the extent where they don't know whether to stick ot twist. They give the impression that they are playing with fear and withdraw from showing any instinct or expression. I think if you asked most of the squad whether they enjoy playing to Conte's game plan, I doubt you would have many that would endorse it.

I think this current squad for respond far better to Harry Redknapp type of manager, who keeps it simple and allows expression and risk

Even if this is true, with the current defence and keeper are yu really saying we'd be doing significantly better? Or is this simply because you dont like the style of football?

 

[Bluto Blutarsky]

I'll say it again, Conte is not the right manager for spurs. Not now and not ever.

I understand what you mean, but I don't think you are right.

I think back to his Chelsea squad - when they were firing, they played with the type of swagger that I think Spurs fans want to see.

I know everyone gets hung up on the style of play - but I would suggest it's less a style issue, and more of a confidence issue. Right now, I think we go into games, and fans are expecting (based on results) to be disappointed. Nobody likes that. Everyone likes going into a game expecting to win.

If we got off to an early lead, and kept the other team from getting any quality opportunities - I think most would go home happy with a win - even if we conceded possession.

But, we don't get off to quick starts. We do fall behind. And we do look like we struggle just to get a point from mid-table squads.

We should have had a RWB lined up on January 1. And either a CB or RW shortly behind. We need to fill those spots no matter who is coming into manage - Conte or anyone else. And, it would have given a shot of confidence to the team - knowing that management was backing the squad, and to fans, which would have led to a bit of excitement at the stadium.

Instead we got treated to the worst performance of the year, and nothing on the horizon to look forward to.

 

[spurs mental]

HOTSPURS