Ex-Manager watch: Antonio Conte

[Ghost Hardware]

Personally I don't think we are far off regarding performances to the team that Conte built at Inter. We are probably lacking our attack being really "in form'" but we are starting to put together the same workman like consistency that Conte thrives on. Yes I think we have greatly benefited from both West Ham and Chelsea being incredibly poor but you can only beat the team in front of you and even tho it was rather uninspiring at times we won both pretty comfortably. Its worth noting that when Conte won the league with Inter they weren't perfect, they often struggled against teams that pressed high and had lots of energy. They also won a lot of games exactly how we won our last two, ie with workman like showings that didn't really do much to light up a stadium with expansive football but still comfortably resulted with a win. As i said, i still think our attack is faltering and that for me is the big difference to where we are and where Inter were, they also had more creativity in their midfield, but even so I feel we are very much on the same track currently.

Whether you like the football or not is another matter, and I still think if we played an in form team we would likely struggle. But im sure what we are seeing will make Conte extremely happy as we are starting to look like a Conte team.

 

[easley91]

Personally I don't think we are far off regarding performances to the team that Conte built at Inter. We are probably lacking our attack being really "in form'" but we are starting to put together the same workman like consistency that Conte thrives on. Yes I think we have greatly benefited from both West Ham and Chelsea being incredibly poor but you can only beat the team in front of you and even tho it was rather uninspiring at times we won both pretty comfortably. Its worth noting that when Conte won the league with Inter they weren't perfect, they often struggled against teams that pressed high and had lots of energy. They also won a lot of games exactly how we won our last two, ie with workman like showings that didn't really do much to light up a stadium with expansive football but still comfortably resulted with a win. As i said, i still think our attack is faltering and that for me is the big difference to where we are and where Inter were, they also had more creativity in their midfield, but even so I feel we are very much on the same track currently.

Whether you like the football or not is another matter, and I still think if we played an in form team we would likely struggle. But im sure what we are seeing will make Conte extremely happy as we are starting to look like a Conte team.

What amazes me is we are 3rd in the scoring charts in the league with a frontline that hasn't really been at it all year (bar Kane). Once Son, Kulu and Richy get going in front of goal we could be a scary side to deal with.

 

[Trix]

Should probably be in the Emerson Royal thread, but heh-ho, I think you are also entitled to ask for a wing back who can deliver a good cross (Robertson, TAA, R James etc) as it is an important part of the roll, you are as much an attacking threat as you are a defensive foundation. I have never criticised his defending or commitment, which is why I think he would be a good RB in a back four, just wish he could deliver more threatening crosses from time to time.

Surely it's only an important part of the role if that's what they are being asked to do. Obviously he's not great at getting to the touchline and getting crosses in and it's very clear he's been asked now to come inside instead. Of course it's only a short sample size but it's been very effective since this switch. Honestly it doesn't matter to me if players are doing "traditional roles" as long as the final product is the same, and by that I mean creating problems for the opposition that lead to chances. If this is in fact more than just a purple patch then this also goes some way to saying Conte does have the ability to adapt his tactics, when many are saying he can't.

 

[alfiemacdaddy]

Personally I don't think we are far off regarding performances to the team that Conte built at Inter. We are probably lacking our attack being really "in form'" but we are starting to put together the same workman like consistency that Conte thrives on. Yes I think we have greatly benefited from both West Ham and Chelsea being incredibly poor but you can only beat the team in front of you and even tho it was rather uninspiring at times we won both pretty comfortably. Its worth noting that when Conte won the league with Inter they weren't perfect, they often struggled against teams that pressed high and had lots of energy. They also won a lot of games exactly how we won our last two, ie with workman like showings that didn't really do much to light up a stadium with expansive football but still comfortably resulted with a win. As i said, i still think our attack is faltering and that for me is the big difference to where we are and where Inter were, they also had more creativity in their midfield, but even so I feel we are very much on the same track currently.

Whether you like the football or not is another matter, and I still think if we played an in form team we would likely struggle. But im sure what we are seeing will make Conte extremely happy as we are starting to look like a Conte team.

Consistency and momentum are key now. We need to be able to apply your post in 10 - 15 games time rather than allowing nightmare performances (Leicester) to creep in and derail us

 

[Duke of Northumberland]

Personally I don't think we are far off regarding performances to the team that Conte built at Inter. We are probably lacking our attack being really "in form'" but we are starting to put together the same workman like consistency that Conte thrives on. Yes I think we have greatly benefited from both West Ham and Chelsea being incredibly poor but you can only beat the team in front of you and even tho it was rather uninspiring at times we won both pretty comfortably. Its worth noting that when Conte won the league with Inter they weren't perfect, they often struggled against teams that pressed high and had lots of energy. They also won a lot of games exactly how we won our last two, ie with workman like showings that didn't really do much to light up a stadium with expansive football but still comfortably resulted with a win. As i said, i still think our attack is faltering and that for me is the big difference to where we are and where Inter were, they also had more creativity in their midfield, but even so I feel we are very much on the same track currently.

Whether you like the football or not is another matter, and I still think if we played an in form team we would likely struggle. But im sure what we are seeing will make Conte extremely happy as we are starting to look like a Conte team.

How did he use Eriksen at Inter? I recall it took a while to fit him in...

 

[allatsea]

Well he has quite often and consistently said this is a long term project and things need to be done over multiple windows etc. As for it not being a happy settled camp how do you know this? You don't like the football. That's fine, because that's your opinion. What you are doing though is inventing scenario's to fit that narrative.

tut tut Trix. Surely you know negative opinions trump actual facts.

 

[HodisGawd]

Should probably be in the Emerson Royal thread, but heh-ho, I think you are also entitled to ask for a wing back who can deliver a good cross (Robertson, TAA, R James etc)

By the same token, I think you are also entitled to ask for a wing-back who can defend, unlike TAA.

 

[Duke of Northumberland]

Surely it's only an important part of the role if that's what they are being asked to do. Obviously he's not great at getting to the touchline and getting crosses in and it's very clear he's been asked now to come inside instead. Of course it's only a short sample size but it's been very effective since this switch. Honestly it doesn't matter to me if players are doing "traditional roles" as long as the final product is the same, and by that I mean creating problems for the opposition that lead to chances. If this is in fact more than just a purple patch then this also goes some way to saying Conte does have the ability to adapt his tactics, when many are saying he can't.

It's no coincidence his purple patches have been when playing with Kulusevski as an outlet...

 

[PaulThurston]

Stellini doesn't look like a soft touch
and we know that Conte is still firmly in charge
but perhaps he's not quite as in their face as Conte.
While the cat's away, the mice will play
(with just that bit of extra freedom).
Good results could just be coincidence, of course

What tune are we singing that to?

 

[-Afri-Coy-]

How did he use Eriksen at Inter? I recall it took a while to fit him in...

Injuries got him into the team and AFAIK he wasn't Conte Fit when he arrived. And then a switch to a 5-3-2 on occasion really helped keep Eriksen in the team.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

What amazes me is we are 3rd in the scoring charts in the league with a frontline that hasn't really been at it all year (bar Kane). Once Son, Kulu and Richy get going in front of goal we could be a scary side to deal with.

Yeah agree. Personally im not entirely sure we will click in attacking sense without a creative forward but here's hoping.

The subject of creativity is a long running issue and im not really sure what the answer is bar brining in another creative FW. But in the interim this is the one issue i have had with the change to Royal's positioning. I mentioned this in the match thread the other day and I really do think its a tricky situation. There is absolutely no doubt that moving Royal inside has completely re invented him. He has consistently been one of our best players since the shift but in moving him more central we have shifted Kulu out wide and that is causing problems for him and out overall attack IMO. Bar Kane Kulu is out most creative attacker and he is now playing a lot wider which results on him not being on the ball as much in more central positions There is also a point that he is clearly slowly building up mach sharpness after being out so long and isn't playing like his normal self anyway but I do think his new wider positioning, as much as it is greatly helping Royal, isn't necessarily helping our attacking dynamic. I am hoping tho that its just a matter of adapting and in time we will click.

 

[Duke of Northumberland]

Does anyone else get the feeling Conte is aiming to come back in time for the Milan game with all the Italian eyeballs on it...?

 

[Bluto Blutarsky]

Does anyone else get the feeling Conte is aiming to come back in time for the Milan game with all the Italian eyeballs on it...?

Not really...

 

[Duke of Northumberland]

Not really...

Oh OK then...

 

[Ghost Hardware]

How did he use Eriksen at Inter? I recall it took a while to fit him in...

Its very different because at Inter he played with three CM's. By the end of the season it was Eriksen LCM, Brozovic DM and Barella RCM with Eriksen sitting further forward but still more a CM then an AM much like he is at Utd i believe. Then two strikers ahead. Its also worth noting that all three of those midfielders are incredibly creative, Barella lead the league for assists last season for example. Our set up relies on our wing forwards to supplement the two CM's on the creative side which is why we struggle so much when Son is out of form and Kulu is rusty. Its also why I don't see Richy LWF long term as that isn't really a strong part of his game.

 

[THE SPURSBOY]

Should probably be in the Emerson Royal thread, but heh-ho, I think you are also entitled to ask for a wing back who can deliver a good cross (Robertson, TAA, R James etc) as it is an important part of the roll, you are as much an attacking threat as you are a defensive foundation. I have never criticised his defending or commitment, which is why I think he would be a good RB in a back four, just wish he could deliver more threatening crosses from time to time.

yeah interesting now to see what happens with porro

 

[Ghost Hardware]

Does anyone else get the feeling Conte is aiming to come back in time for the Milan game with all the Italian eyeballs on it...?

Didn't Stellini say that was when he was aiming to be back? Or did I imagine that.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

yeah interesting now to see what happens with porro

As good as Royal is currently I still think long term Porro will be our number one as I think he will bring more to the team in attack. But that might not be until next season or the very end of this season.

 

[Duke of Northumberland]

Its very different because at Inter he played with three CM's. By the end of the season it was Eriksen LCM, Brozovic DM and Barella RCM with Eriksen sitting further forward but still more a CM then an AM much like he is at Utd i believe. Then two strikers ahead. Its also worth noting that all three of those midfielders are incredibly creative, Barella lead the league for assists last season for example. Our set up relies on our wing forwards to supplement the two CM's on the creative side which is why we struggle so much when Son is out of form and Kulu is rusty. Its also why I don't see Richy LWF long term as that isn't really a strong part of his game.

Interesting. I see Perisic is leading our assists table with 9, which I hadn't really been that aware of.

 

[THE SPURSBOY]

Its very different because at Inter he played with three CM's. By the end of the season it was Eriksen LCM, Brozovic DM and Barella RCM with Eriksen sitting further forward but still more a CM then an AM much like he is at Utd i believe. Then two strikers ahead. Its also worth noting that all three of those midfielders are incredibly creative, Barella lead the league for assists last season for example. Our set up relies on our wing forwards to supplement the two CM's on the creative side which is why we struggle so much when Son is out of form and Kulu is rusty. Its also why I don't see Richy LWF long term as that isn't really a strong part of his game.

exactly this