Ex-Manager watch: Antonio Conte

[JCRD]

Dont let some improvement in Doherty for example disguise the fact that RWB is in my view the weakest area. We definitely need reinforcements but think apart from two key positions in the actual first team, i think it is the squad that needs improvement overall.

Im all about partnerships across the team, some may say we need an Left centre back, i think the three at the back have formed a strong connection that i would disrupt that but would bring in a back up.

I would get in an LWB and a RWB but think we can get away with just an RWB if funds are limited. But that is in my view the weakest area.

The rest is about a squad, need a midfielder, I think back up striker, and a back up left sided defender.

 

[smallsnc]

We were 0-0 at half time when Bentancur went off injured and Winks came on though. Not so much an agenda as the fact we're massively weakened if Winks plays over Bentancur.

Having Sanchez in instead of Dier wouldn't have helped either, but in games where we are expected to control and dictate the play, a missing midfielder is more of a loss than a missing CB.

I agree that we are weaker with Winks, especially playing a midfield 2, but our defense was all over the place when Dier was out, so just figured I would throw in that reminder.

 

[CoopsieDeadpool]

Capo di tutti capi

 

[Japhet]

I agree that we are weaker with Winks, especially playing a midfield 2, but our defense was all over the place when Dier was out, so just figured I would throw in that reminder.

It's the system as much as anything. Sanchez is much better in a back 3, just like Dier. Winks was much better in a CM3 than a pivot. Emerson isn't a great wingback. Those are our squad limitations where we have players not suited to Conte's preferred set up. Doesn't necessarily make them bad players though but shows how much work there is to be done in the next transfer window.

 

[Trix]

Dont let some improvement in Doherty for example disguise the fact that RWB is in my view the weakest area. We definitely need reinforcements but think apart from two key positions in the actual first team, i think it is the squad that needs improvement overall.

Im all about partnerships across the team, some may say we need an Left centre back, i think the three at the back have formed a strong connection that i would disrupt that but would bring in a back up.

I would get in an LWB and a RWB but think we can get away with just an RWB if funds are limited. But that is in my view the weakest area.

The rest is about a squad, need a midfielder, I think back up striker, and a back up left sided defender.

So would you ship out Doherty now?

You say it's "some improvement" but it's only been a big improvement of what he's shown for us not and not so much what he did for Wolves. You say RWB is the weakest area for us on the pitch but since AC has come in he's been a cut above anything we've had at LWB both before and during Conte's reign. Doherty's problem all along is he's been asked to do things he clearly wasn't comfortable with doing, and not what he was doing prior to when we bought him.

Doherty for me is in that batch of players along with Davies, PEH and Bergwijn that of course we could upgrade on, but at the same time I don't want to sell him because I know he is more than good enough as a rotation back up option. Bring in 4-5 more quality signings and I think we'd see a bit more rotation than we are currently do as the side would be all around stronger and more trusted to get the job done.

 

[CoopsieDeadpool]

Bring back Nuno

I'd be all for it if Doherty hadn't totally transformed into an unbelievably effective player since Conte came in.

Damn you, Doherty.

 

[JCRD]

So would you ship out Doherty now?

You say it's "some improvement" but it's only been a big improvement of what he's shown for us not and not so much what he did for Wolves. You say RWB is the weakest area for us on the pitch but since AC has come in he's been a cut above anything we've had at LWB both before and during Conte's reign. Doherty's problem all along is he's been asked to do things he clearly wasn't comfortable with doing, and not what he was doing prior to when we bought him.

Doherty for me is in that batch of players along with Davies, PEH and Bergwijn that of course we could upgrade on, but at the same time I don't want to sell him because I know he is more than good enough as a rotation back up option. Bring in 4-5 more quality signings and I think we'd see a bit more rotation than we are currently do as the side would be all around stronger and more trusted to get the job done.

I agree re Doherty I wouldnt sell him but have him as back up and sell Emerson (I just dont think he is cut out for the role) - Doherty has proven over the last few games that he has somethign about him - and id interchange him with someone else.

I also wouldnt get rid of the three you mentioned as ive alluded to - Davies and PEH have good partnerships with those around them and I wouldnt disrupt that. Bergwijn id keep but dont think he will stay. For me, partnerships is more important than having upgrades who may take awhile to get that understanding and next season its about hitting the ground running (need a good first half of the season as I imagien the world cup will disrupt a fair bit)

I think, two or three in the first team and a couple to the squad so yeah four or five as you mentioned - dont think we need 200m and dont think we need wholesale changes that the media lead us to believe.

 

[alexis]

This is really harsh on the lads tbh. We have scored and created plenty of goals from the WBs lately. The only 1 of the 4 who looks alien in that role is Royal.

There aren’t a huge queue of players that can improve us in those areas imo.

This is the part you’re getting disagrees for

 

[PeeEyeEmPee]

All I wanted was for Conte to stop complaining about the lack of quality in the squad, and concentrate on getting the maximum out of them, as I always believed he could. That now appears to be the case, so hats off to him.

 

[wrd]

We give them a lot of flack but credit where it's due here, our home fans have done a tremendous job of making Conte feel loved from the off. Done everything they can to let him know they believe in him and whilst I personally don't have any concerns regarding whether he will stay, if that ever did cross his mind then the fans have made it so it would be difficult to walk away from them giving how much they've been behind him.

 

[djhotspur]

So would you ship out Doherty now?

You say it's "some improvement" but it's only been a big improvement of what he's shown for us not and not so much what he did for Wolves. You say RWB is the weakest area for us on the pitch but since AC has come in he's been a cut above anything we've had at LWB both before and during Conte's reign. Doherty's problem all along is he's been asked to do things he clearly wasn't comfortable with doing, and not what he was doing prior to when we bought him.

Doherty for me is in that batch of players along with Davies, PEH and Bergwijn that of course we could upgrade on, but at the same time I don't want to sell him because I know he is more than good enough as a rotation back up option. Bring in 4-5 more quality signings and I think we'd see a bit more rotation than we are currently do as the side would be all around stronger and more trusted to get the job done.

Completely agree, those players are good enough to be in our rotation and on our bench. I would much rather Emerson be sold who is probably a very sellable asset and invest heavily in an absolutely quality, rapid RWB, to rotate with Doherty.

Berg this season has proven a very good and capable backup, who can play anywhere across the front 3 and can even come on and bang in goals, I would absolutely keep him and look to move on Moura and bring in ideally a Dybala and versatile player like CDK. I appreciate Dybala may be a pipe dream but that is my ideal situation. I am sure Moura is pretty sellable still to Italy etc.

Davies has proven himself worthy at LCB, a few mistakes aside and would be very comfortable with him being back up if we can bring in a true quality LCB, ideally one who is strong aerially.

 

[Danny1]

Yeah I don't think it's too unrealistic to say that our current wing backs are the weaker side of our first 11. If you had a Hakimi & a top left back in this side then we would be battling right up the top. However, these players are worth hundreds of millions and the likelihood is that Hakimi wouldn't be at all interested in joining us.

What we need to do, like with Bentancur & Deki, is find players that will instantly improve our first 11, and further strengthen our squad. I've seen us linked with Laimer who would be very shrewd purchase, as would Sam Johnstone on a free. If we can then get another CB, and a wing back for each side then in my opinion we would be set for next season (possibly another WF).

As for Conte, I feel like everything he does & says is meant for a reaction. The whole "I may not be good enough" was almost a guilt trip to the players that they are so bad that they can't even get Conte, one of the best, to win games. It appears it worked as it has lit a fire in our players, look at the reactions at the weekend. Davies was almost angry that he scored, which seemed like it removed some frustration for conceding a soft goal.

Conte makes players winners, and changing that mentality is key to becoming a winning side.

 

[Wakey]

Completely agree, those players are good enough to be in our rotation and on our bench. I would much rather Emerson be sold who is probably a very sellable asset and invest heavily in an absolutely quality, rapid RWB, to rotate with Doherty.

Berg this season has proven a very good and capable backup, who can play anywhere across the front 3 and can even come on and bang in goals, I would absolutely keep him and look to move on Moura and bring in ideally a Dybala and versatile player like CDK. I appreciate Dybala may be a pipe dream but that is my ideal situation. I am sure Moura is pretty sellable still to Italy etc.

Davies has proven himself worthy at LCB, a few mistakes aside and would be very comfortable with him being back up if we can bring in a true quality LCB, ideally one who is strong aerially.

Agreed. Conte is here to win the league and we're four players short in the first team: LCB, two wing backs (as much as Doherty has improved) and a CM.

Get players in of the quality of Bentancur and Kulusevski or even better, Romero, and we're challenging next season.

And then a bench of players like Hojbjerg, Skipp, Doherty, Davies, Bergwijn, Sessegnon and a back up striker and we're in business. Those players would get loads of game time too because Conte trusts them.

 

[Gb160]

Conte cam

 

[THOWIG]

So would you ship out Doherty now?

You say it's "some improvement" but it's only been a big improvement of what he's shown for us not and not so much what he did for Wolves. You say RWB is the weakest area for us on the pitch but since AC has come in he's been a cut above anything we've had at LWB both before and during Conte's reign. Doherty's problem all along is he's been asked to do things he clearly wasn't comfortable with doing, and not what he was doing prior to when we bought him.

Doherty for me is in that batch of players along with Davies, PEH and Bergwijn that of course we could upgrade on, but at the same time I don't want to sell him because I know he is more than good enough as a rotation back up option. Bring in 4-5 more quality signings and I think we'd see a bit more rotation than we are currently do as the side would be all around stronger and more trusted to get the job done.

Agree with this 100 percent. Think we have some really important decisions to make this summer as, like you say, the likes of Davies, Doherty, Hojbjerg and Bergwijn are really solid squad players. Think with the left side both Sessegnon and Reguilon are good prospects, but neither is really taking it on and feel it's an area that could definitely be improved on. Equally the right side with another option alongside Doherty as don't think Emerson is a wing back personally.

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

So would you ship out Doherty now?

You say it's "some improvement" but it's only been a big improvement of what he's shown for us not and not so much what he did for Wolves. You say RWB is the weakest area for us on the pitch but since AC has come in he's been a cut above anything we've had at LWB both before and during Conte's reign. Doherty's problem all along is he's been asked to do things he clearly wasn't comfortable with doing, and not what he was doing prior to when we bought him.

Doherty for me is in that batch of players along with Davies, PEH and Bergwijn that of course we could upgrade on, but at the same time I don't want to sell him because I know he is more than good enough as a rotation back up option. Bring in 4-5 more quality signings and I think we'd see a bit more rotation than we are currently do as the side would be all around stronger and more trusted to get the job done.

Bang on

 

[dontcallme]

Amazing what a quality manager and a couple of good signings can do.

January is a hard time to buy, especially when looking for top quality players to make an impact that season. Bentancur and Kulusevski have made a huge impact.

Paratici is looking like a man who can get a deal done but also has good backups and the ability to find buyers for deadwood.

Things are looking very positive, even more so if we can get 4th.

 

[Singaspur]

My guess about what Conte wants and the rough order of priority is:

1. RWB - then sell Royal.
2. LCB - then sell Rodon.
3. CM - then sell Winks.
4. FW (who can play across the front line, including CF) - then sell one of Moura/Berg, probably Moura.
5. LWB - then sell one of Regi/Sess, really not sure which.

Obviously all incomings must be high quality a la Romero, Bentancour, Kulusevski but most important (despite Doherty having done well of late) is a top top quality RWB. Ideally some of them can cover more than one position. I put LWB as a lower priority because it's a squad game. Regi and Sess are both pretty good (or at least promising), and even Davies is decent and can be used there in a pinch if we have a better alternative for him at LCB. I don't think we are likely to be able to do all of that (incomings or outgoings) but it would be fantastic if we ended summer with all or most of that done.

 

[chrisd2k]

Amazing what a quality manager and a couple of good signings can do.

January is a hard time to buy, especially when looking for top quality players to make an impact that season. Bentancur and Kulusevski have made a huge impact.

Paratici is looking like a man who can get a deal done but also has good backups and the ability to find buyers for deadwood.

Things are looking very positive, even more so if we can get 4th.

Hope so although those outs are loans so it could be the same story again in the summer if obligations aren't activated, Lyon aren't paying for NDombele, and I really hope our summer business isn't impacted by the same old sell to buy narrative.

I'm sure we have a very healthy budget for transfers, I don't know about wages though so the worry is these players have to go first. Would anyone be surprised?

 

[curlacious]

I'd love to see a Conte cam of Antonio sitting on his sofa watching Palace-Arsenal going wild as each Palace goal goes in.