Ex-Manager watch: Antonio Conte

[Duke of Northumberland]

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

Yeah he said this week...

 

[Bluto Blutarsky]

Just as an aside - I think Conte's tweak of Royal's role shows two things - first, he is not quite as stubborn or rigid as many think, and second, he is still committed to this team. Otherwise, he just goes through the motions to the end of the season.

He may well leave when his contract is up. But, don't let that fool you into thinking he is not invested in this squad, or that the players are not invested in this season.

 

[Duke of Northumberland]

Just as an aside - I think Conte's tweak of Royal's role shows two things - first, he is not quite as stubborn or rigid as many think, and second, he is still committed to this team. Otherwise, he just goes through the motions to the end of the season.

He may well leave when his contract is up. But, don't let that fool you into thinking he is not invested in this squad, or that the players are not invested in this season.

He will want a strong finish that will maintain his reputation...

 

[Bluto Blutarsky]

He will want a strong finish that will maintain his reputation...

Maybe. But, I think he cares a lot more for the team, and his players, than his reputation.

I think he wants them to win something for themselves, rather than for him.

 

[Trix]

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

I don't think there are any facts as yet. With Spurs fans though it always seems to be 'no news is bad news'.

 

[dbspurs]

Yeah he said this week...

Cue much wailing and gnashing of teeth!!

 

[Cochise]

I think we are perhaps seeing a bit of a tactical evolution to Conte's tactics.

We've all bemoaned the lack of numbers in the midfield and the consitent back to goal play that has seen us look predictable and easy to defend against, but against Chelsea we were playing a 433/4231 in the buildup phase.

Lenglet was closer to a de facto left back during the buildup with Dier and Romero taking up regular CB positions. Either Kulusevksi or Emerson were dropping in to give us a third option in the midfield and when it was the latter Kulusevski was being given the ball early and allowed to run at his man. He's good at that, he's good in those situations and we gave him many opportunities to isolate Chillwell and go at him.

With Lenglet at LB Davies was getting incredibly high up the pitch, he was at times the most advanced player out there. It may have only been a tactic designed for just Chelsea, but the way a few of the players interacted, finding and making space for eachother was great to see.

I'm coming back around into wanting Conte to stay, because seeing things develop after us looking lost for many games has been really enjoyable.

 

[easley91]

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

Haha you said trump

 

[Timberwolf]

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.

This sounds an awful lot like Conte's Chelsea in the title winning season too. They struggled against a high pressing team like us - IIRC we beat them quite comfortably at home - but ground out absolutely tons of ugly wins across the season. I remember watching them and thinking 'how are they doing this?' as they were very workmanlike compared to us under Poch, but they had a real knack of keeping things tight and winning game after game.

It's not to everyone's tastes but Conte's style proves that keeping things tight and playing the percentages is a reliable way of grinding out a title....if you have the players to pull it off.

 

[djhotspur]

Maybe that's because you looked at the team sheets with your Fifa specs on? I personally think we are only 3-4 players short from having a very good all round squad. Unfortunately they are pretty integral pieces.

Agreed. 2 quality CBs, a GK a creative rotation for Kulu and I think we are in a very very strong position.
Dier, Davies are fine as back ups as just want them being part of our strongest 11.

 

[djhotspur]

I think we are perhaps seeing a bit of a tactical evolution to Conte's tactics.

We've all bemoaned the lack of numbers in the midfield and the consitent back to goal play that has seen us look predictable and easy to defend against, but against Chelsea we were playing a 433/4231 in the buildup phase.

Lenglet was closer to a de facto left back during the buildup with Dier and Romero taking up regular CB positions. Either Kulusevksi or Emerson were dropping in to give us a third option in the midfield and when it was the latter Kulusevski was being given the ball early and allowed to run at his man. He's good at that, he's good in those situations and we gave him many opportunities to isolate Chillwell and go at him.

With Lenglet at LB Davies was getting incredibly high up the pitch, he was at times the most advanced player out there. It may have only been a tactic designed for just Chelsea, but the way a few of the players interacted, finding and making space for eachother was great to see.

I'm coming back around into wanting Conte to stay, because seeing things develop after us looking lost for many games has been really enjoyable.

Agreed. I was really worried that Felix would have a field day in between the lines but we actually marshalled him very well.

 

[Duke of Northumberland]

Maybe. But, I think he cares a lot more for the team, and his players, than his reputation.

I think he wants them to win something for themselves, rather than for him.

Not sure on the order of priorities, but it's win-win for sure.

 

[-Afri-Coy-]

It's the tactic of him tucking inside as the third midfielder that has made us better defensively. Since we did that against Man City we've been so much better. The only game we have lost in the league since doing this was when he didn't play. It's no coincidence.

It terms of moaning, the only people I see moaning are those moaning about people moaning. Where are the actual moaners? All very strange.

Not aimed at you, but it’s funny how when things go bad everyone who wants Conte out can say what they want, derail every thread on the forum with their drivel about him, insult other members in any manner they want when it comes to his supporters and pretty much never get pulled up on it but the second the supporters have a chance to rightfully gloat or call them out on their BS it becomes a huge problem.

If someone is going to say stupid shit or constantly moan about how things are they should expect to be pulled up on it. Actions have consequences.

 

[Trix]

Agreed. 2 quality CBs, a GK a creative rotation for Kulu and I think we are in a very very strong position.
Dier, Davies are fine as back ups as just want them being part of our strongest 11.

That's exactly how I'd go about things.

 

[olithfc]

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.

He was also quite consistent last year in telling the press that he would only be here if the owners matched his ambition, inviting the speculation (or causing it). He also hasn't committed to the club. It isn't unreasonable for senior players to want to enquire who will be in charge before committing themselves.

 

[Trix]

He was also quite consistent last year in telling the press that he would only be here if the owners matched his ambition, inviting the speculation (or causing it). He also hasn't committed to the club. It isn't unreasonable for senior players to want to enquire who will be in charge before committing themselves.

All of that is completely true, and I can't argue with it. The part I took exception to was this.....

"no wonder it isn't a happy settled camp"

Which is at best a guess, and purely speculation because it fits your opinion.

 

[easley91]

He was also quite consistent last year in telling the press that he would only be here if the owners matched his ambition, inviting the speculation (or causing it). He also hasn't committed to the club. It isn't unreasonable for senior players to want to enquire who will be in charge before committing themselves.

Yep so the press and fans can let their imaginations run wild, however Conte may well have told the players and the board how he feels. He is also in the middle of a recovery period. It's fine if he hasn't committed as of yet. Either way he seems like the kind of manager who is all in until the end of this season regardless of the contract situation. Judging by the goal celebrations there is a definite togetherness within the camp, so I don't think anyone is really that unsettled.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

Agreed. 2 quality CBs, a GK a creative rotation for Kulu and I think we are in a very very strong position.
Dier, Davies are fine as back ups as just want them being part of our strongest 11.

I think the one for me that isn't necessarily essential but I do think we ned to think about once the above is sorted is PEH. He's a very very solid player who on the whole is very consistent but for me he just isn't agile enough for a CM 2 when faced against the top teams. Now that doesn't mean we can't pick one of the CM's we already have to replace him, Sarr and Skipp both look really good and Bissuma still hasn't found his feet. But there is also a question of if Bentancur will be able to get back to his level pre injury. But ultimately I don't think PEH should be a starter for us if we continue to play 2 in CM

 

[olithfc]

All of that is completely true, and I can't argue with it. The part I took exception to was this.....

"no wonder it isn't a happy settled camp"

Which is at best a guess, and purely speculation because it fits your opinion.

fair point.

 

[mmidgers]

And if you'd have listened to Stellini the other week when he said Conte has not been himself then you may realise that it's probably more about Conte's energy than his sideline instructions/fear in players.

Nah mate, you're forgetting people are trying to win the internet with their 'gotta be right agendas'. They know 100% what's going on behind the scenes and inside the players heads. It's amazing really. They'd give Uri Geller a run for his money with the way they bend shit to suit their agendas.