Manager Watch: Ange Postecoglou

[ComfortablyNumb]

No that's the same approach the likes of Klopp and Guardiola

I can’t tell whether you are criticising Klopp and Guardiola, or saying that Ange is copying them, so that’s OK. What are you saying “no” to?

 

[mil1lion]

I can’t tell whether you are criticising Klopp and Guardiola, or saying that Ange is copying them, so that’s OK. What are you saying “no” to?

That they both have their methods and they stick to it regardless. Ange is the same and if it works for the best managers then he shouldn't change either.

 

[parj]

I have been reading some of the Ange comments but there is one thing people are forgetting about the last 3 or 4 matches matches.... Bentancur, Kulu, Johnson and Werner have not been good. All 4 could easily be upgraded on current form. The 3 attacking players have had plenty of chances to create or score and done neither. When Son gets back I expect that to change because teams will double on him.

We will have a lot of transfer activities to do. Yes we needed to do the same for Conte, but he needed very specific players. Ange doesn't. He needs players in attack that can beat their man and pick a pass.

But also don't forget, PL is competitive. Even poor teams can be a threat.

My only issue with Ange is late subs or cluster of subs. Players need to be coming on earlier and not all at the same time disrupting the rhythm

 

[ComfortablyNumb]

That they both have their methods and they stick to it regardless. Ange is the same and if it works for the best managers then he shouldn't change either.

Then you agree with Conte’s approach? It will have the same result, I think.

 

[Rout-Ledge]

Where did we finish last year?

What was the mood of the squad/fans at the end of last season?

Does this year really feel like a step back? Seriously?


I think we are lightyears ahead of where we were at the end of the season. We are not a finished product, but, the absolute turnaround is amazing.

Bear in mind you are talking to a Conte fanboy. He was still daydreaming about a Conte dynasty at Spurs even when Conte was not so subtly begging Levy to sack him in press conferences. You will never ever convince him otherwise.

 

[SpursSince1980]

Some are forgetting that we looked far better defensively in the first ten games than at any time under Conte. That’s when Ange had all his cogs in place. And the engine was running smoothly.

Two things happened since to impact our season:

1. Injuries, suspensions, and absentees. Team has look bedraggled ever since the Chelsea game. Bedraggled at times. Smooth sometimes. Lethargic in others.
2. Refs have been treating us differently since the Liverpool game. Teams kick us off the field in the first half now, and there are typically zero repercussions.

The in game management always looks bad after a draw or loss that happens in the last 10 mins.

We win yesterday if not for a moment of stupidity and laziness from Deki. And then, the goal itself was like the only other decent chance Everton had in the game. Scrappy and lucky.

Look, Ange is also adjusting to the PL too. He will learn a lot from this first season in charge. And if he pulls off a top 6 finish, the guy deserves a ton and of plaudits.

 

[Styopa]

Bear in mind you are talking to a Conte fanboy. He was still daydreaming about a Conte dynasty at Spurs even when Conte was not so subtly begging Levy to sack him in press conferences. You will never ever convince him otherwise.

I think a small but not insignificant number of fans would still take Conte back now. I honestly think there’s some people on here who still pine for Antonio. His name is fairly regularly invoked in here

 

[Cochise]

The midfield definitely feels like an issue right now. Even when we are set in our 442 defensive shape we are getting passed through far too easily. I do think Hojbjerg exacerbates the problem at times because whilst he's quite decent at making interceptions he is easily squared up and side stepped.

All the same, the pressing was slow yesterday which could be due to fatigue but at the same time, if the players aren't all set to go on the trigger then we shouldn't start the press. All it takes is for one player to be late to their man and we've got 3-4 out of position and a man running at our back 4-5. Perhaps that's coaching, perhaps that's the players not reading things properly.

 

[Sp3akerboxxx]

That they both have their methods and they stick to it regardless. Ange is the same and if it works for the best managers then he shouldn't change either.

Have to disagree there.

Peps team today plays very differently to his first City team that won a title.

 

[marion52]

All I can say about Ange v Conte is that I almost gave my ST up last year, but he was sacked so I kept it and have no regrets. The football may not be perfect but it’s entertaining and that’s what’s it all about isn’t it? Being entertained?

 

[TOLBINY]

Where did we finish last year?

What was the mood of the squad/fans at the end of last season?

Does this year really feel like a step back? Seriously?


I think we are lightyears ahead of where we were at the end of the season. We are not a finished product, but, the absolute turnaround is amazing.

I was comparing it to being 4th under Conte with an inferior squad and European games to play.

 

[TOLBINY]

All I can say about Ange v Conte is that I almost gave my ST up last year, but he was sacked so I kept it and have no regrets. The football may not be perfect but it’s entertaining and that’s what’s it all about isn’t it? Being entertained?

Being entertained may well be what it's all about for some fans, for me, it's about being the best. If we can do that in an entertaining way, that's a bonus in my eyes - but I would take being the best (in the Prem or European comp) over being entertained.

Would you take the next ten years of what you have seen so far this season if it meant finishing 4th or 5th and not winning any of the cup comps?

 

[jackson]

Bissouma back and playing as per early season transforms things, his picking it up off the CBs and beating the press made the world of difference. Problem is what shape he's in now after injury and malaria

 

[longtimespur]

Being entertained may well be what it's all about for some fans, for me, it's about being the best. If we can do that in an entertaining way, that's a bonus in my eyes - but I would take being the best (in the Prem or European comp) over being entertained.

Would you take the next ten years of what you have seen so far this season if it meant finishing 4th or 5th and not winning any of the cup comps?

I'm pretty sure we're all used to not winning things for a lot longer.
I'm also hopeful under Ange that we'll at least enjoy games and< IF we can stop the players thinking we have won because we're in front then maybe they will carry on scoring instead of easing down.

 

[spurs mental]

I have been reading some of the Ange comments but there is one thing people are forgetting about the last 3 or 4 matches matches.... Bentancur, Kulu, Johnson and Werner have not been good. All 4 could easily be upgraded on current form.

Werner has 2 assists on 3 games. Johnson literally came on and changed the game for us v Brentford.

Bentancur has just returned for the 2nd time after almost a year out. He was excellent on his return, has dropped off a bit but hes clearly one of our best players. Same with Kulu.

Sure, on current form they could be upgraded but if we're calling that as needing upgrades lets upgrade Vicario because he's been a bit weak at corners lately.

Have some persepective.

The 3 attacking players have had plenty of chances to create or score and done neither. When Son gets back I expect that to change because teams will double on him.

What?! We've scored 7 goals in 3 PL games since Sonny went.

We will have a lot of transfer activities to do. Yes we needed to do the same for Conte, but he needed very specific players. Ange doesn't. He needs players in attack that can beat their man and pick a pass.

I mean, Conte needed specific players but Ange only needs players with thoe specific skills? This is not a slight on Ange, but every manager wants players with particular skill sets. Conte just wanted the ones that could do it immediately. Ange is happy with the ones who have the potential.

But also don't forget, PL is competitive. Even poor teams can be a threat.

My only issue with Ange is late subs or cluster of subs. Players need to be coming on earlier and not all at the same time disrupting the rhythm

Made 2 subs at HT v Brentford when it wasn't working. Had made changes early when it's not working. The issue is the depth of the squad up until now when we've had buckets of injuries and suspensions.

 

[fletch82]

Have to disagree there.

Peps team today plays very differently to his first City team that won a title.

Yeah 1.5 billion pounds worth of players will do that for you

 

[SpursSince1980]

Being entertained may well be what it's all about for some fans, for me, it's about being the best. If we can do that in an entertaining way, that's a bonus in my eyes - but I would take being the best (in the Prem or European comp) over being entertained.

Would you take the next ten years of what you have seen so far this season if it meant finishing 4th or 5th and not winning any of the cup comps?

Of course not.

It is about trajectory. This should theoretically be a transitional season. But look where we are. Much better than what I anticipated.

If you feel we should be doing a lot better and have the wrong manager to win trophies, that’s fair.

I am happy. Hated the last three seasons. It was a slog watching us play most weeks. And we had two egotistical defensive minded coaches who strutted around the place like they were doing us a favor.

We got the right guy in my opinion. Because if we have learned anything from the last ten years, it’s that fast, creative, front foot football is what wins trophies. Klopp and Pep and even that detestable shit bag Arteta have demonstrated that clearly.

Difference between us and them right now is that we are in the infancy stage of this journey. If you want trophies this very minute, then yes, you will be disappointed. As it will take another season before this team, under this manager, will be one of the very best in Europe. And not for one season… he is building something that can challenge every year.

 

[spurs mental]

Being entertained may well be what it's all about for some fans, for me, it's about being the best. If we can do that in an entertaining way, that's a bonus in my eyes - but I would take being the best (in the Prem or European comp) over being entertained.

Would you take the next ten years of what you have seen so far this season if it meant finishing 4th or 5th and not winning any of the cup comps?

I was a fan of Conte, and banged the Jose drum a lot longer than probably anyone else on here. I'd have been of a similar opinion in that I want us to win, and I wouldn't really care how, just get there.

But to be honest, we were so shit last year I gave up watching Spurs as it was tough watching us be shite and get battered most weeks.

I've enjoyed this season more than I have any season since the last at The Lane. Even our losses, bar Brighton and Wolves, have been games where I've thought we've actually done ourselves proud and on another day we come away with a point or more. Especially with two full backs playing at centre half in the majority of them.

I wouldn't take the next 10 seasons being like this, no cups, maybe a run in Europe to a semi final or final without winning it. No. But I don't think we'll have 10 seasons like this, suffering with a hugely disrupted squad from injuries, suspensions, mid season international tournaments. I see our squad become stronger with the new recruitment system in place, a good coach and a mentality shift at the club in order to achieve success.

 

[mil1lion]

Have to disagree there.

Peps team today plays very differently to his first City team that won a title.

Point is that he has a way of playing and sticks with it even if he has to adapt season to season. He doesn't suddenly go defensive and play counter football in certain games or go long balls. His philosophy doesn't change just how he utilises it differently to adapt to the times. Ange is the same, he may adjust formation in different leagues or make adjustments in areas but his overall philosophy will remain and he will stick with it regardless of opponent.

 

[Sp3akerboxxx]

Point is that he has a way of playing and sticks with it even if he has to adapt season to season. He doesn't suddenly go defensive and play counter football in certain games or go long balls. His philosophy doesn't change just how he utilises it differently to adapt to the times. Ange is the same, he may adjust formation in different leagues or make adjustments in areas but his overall philosophy will remain and he will stick with it regardless of opponent.

I wouldn't agree with that either.

They are more than happy to get Haaland to run the ball to the corner flag and keep it there when they want to run down the clock