Ex-Manager watch: Antonio Conte

[Guernman]

It is obvious that Conte has wanted a longer term commitment from the club and his talking, unusually for him, about a longer term project is likely at least partly linked to his family situation. His daughter is in her teens I think, and while they apparently enjoyed London and would probably be open to moving here again, they had just made the move when he got fired at Chelsea and then had to move back to Italy, so they absolutely won't want t a repeat of that situation. It makes his position all the more difficult

 

[TOLBINY]

Longer term project perhaps suits both parties because Conte might be able to get the players he wants over time, which would be affordable for Tottenham. We can't / won't go and splash £300M in one window, but we might do it over 2 or 3.
Can also look at better youth development (not that Conte has a track record for this).

 

[Japhet]

Well the only way out of this is to buy players that any manger would want

Won't stop him from throwing in the towel though. This sort of unrest always seems to kick off in transfer windows.

 

[AtoubaToothpaste]

Longer term project perhaps suits both parties because Conte might be able to get the players he wants over time, which would be affordable for Tottenham. We can't / won't go and splash £300M in one window, but we might do it over 2 or 3.
Can also look at better youth development (not that Conte has a track record for this).

This feels like the entire crux at the moment. It seems neither he nor Levy are willing to commit right now. We're asking a lot of Conte to change a habit of his managerial lifetime and stick around, but IF he's willing to do that and wants to sign a long-term project, then perhaps (though I'm still doubtful), Levy will stay the course and continue to back him each window.

But we need to see more from both parties right now: more investment from the top, and more performance from the current squad.

 

[jpascavitz]

Longer term project perhaps suits both parties because Conte might be able to get the players he wants over time, which would be affordable for Tottenham. We can't / won't go and splash £300M in one window, but we might do it over 2 or 3.
Can also look at better youth development (not that Conte has a track record for this).

Yes I agree. I know it's very doom and gloom and we're not very good right now. I would argue that IF we can get 1-2 in, stay relatively injury free (or at least better than this season has gone in terms of injuries), then we'll have a chance for the last of the top 4 places.

It might get worse before it gets better for Conte with City twice in two weeks and a decent Fulham side. If he can survive that period, I saw that only 6 of our last 16 matches in PL are against current top 10 sides, with only 2 of those sides above us currently and 4 of those 6 at home (Newcastle, Utd (H), Chelsea (H), Pool, Brighton (H), and Brentford (H).

So my view in the short-term is if we can somehow, in ANY way possible get through the next two weeks with some hope, the squad and Conte can come together and have a strong end of the season.

 

[Japhet]

In this squad, I have to create a situation to support Sonny, Kane and Kulusevski or Richarlison.

This is a concerning quote as he just can't seem to get it out of his head that son needs dropping

The only time Sonny has been properly 'at it' was when he came off the bench v Leicester. Won't happen now though because the 343 is cast in stone (no matter the consequences), and the same with Son starting.

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

"To play four at the back, you need to have defenders with specific characteristics".

There's so many places I could go with this, but best not.

Yea tbh that is conte being a bit stubborn/stuck in terms of his view,3-4-3 isn’t working with these players, he said “if I play a back 4 and lose then I’m justified” erm not really mate we’ve lost 2-0 home to Villa and arsenal and barely laid a glove on either of them with 3-4-3 so at times it can’t get much worse so trying a 4-2-4 or 4-2-3-1 until/if we get a Porro for example and Udogie back would be much appreciated tbh and very interesting, I’d be surprised if we didn’t play better than we have been and we’d have more control of possession etc.

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

I don’t like how Conte and some others managers just accept that City will have 75%+ possession.

He’s said that ahead of the game tonight, why does that have to be the case? Get the ball of them and set-up in a way that makes it possible for us to pass and keep the ball a reasonable amount, I’m not expecting we got there tonight and dominate the ball but accepting that the opponent will definitely have 75% possession says to me the game plan is just sit back and counter, I know that worked last season but generally I don’t like it and think more often than not it just invites pressure and we lose just like against arsenal.

If we actually start a game on the front foot and keep the ball and push the opposition back it quietens the crowd and gives your team confidence, absolutely hate starting games so negatively and setting up with such a negative mindset.

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

Yes I agree. I know it's very doom and gloom and we're not very good right now. I would argue that IF we can get 1-2 in, stay relatively injury free (or at least better than this season has gone in terms of injuries), then we'll have a chance for the last of the top 4 places.

It might get worse before it gets better for Conte with City twice in two weeks and a decent Fulham side. If he can survive that period, I saw that only 6 of our last 16 matches in PL are against current top 10 sides, with only 2 of those sides above us currently and 4 of those 6 at home (Newcastle, Utd (H), Chelsea (H), Pool, Brighton (H), and Brentford (H).

So my view in the short-term is if we can somehow, in ANY way possible get through the next two weeks with some hope, the squad and Conte can come together and have a strong end of the season.

Yea next 3 games could be quite important, 3 losses and things could get messy.

 

[neogenisis]

It all feels like a mess now. Losing 3 friends and whatever is happening behind the scenes is taking its toll. Whatever is going to happen next lets get it over with, we are set adrift and it maybe the case but we have no direction. For *me* the Club needs to get its finger out of its arse and make a statement of intent one way or the other, this cant go on, behind the scenes its a shit show and on the pitch its a shit show.
It would be nice, just for once, to not be the fucking laughing stock of football.

#sackhimorbackhim

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

In this squad, I have to create a situation to support Sonny, Kane and Kulusevski or Richarlison.

This is a concerning quote as he just can't seem to get it out of his head that son needs dropping

It' s not that though is it? He's just naming our four main players in those front 3 positions.

He's not gonna just leave out Son in his answer to prove to him that he doesn't rate him lol

 

[YB123]

Yea he is implying the centre backs are not good enough in a 2 so why not have an extra midfielder to stop teams running at them?

Then they won't get so regularly exposed

I get that but Spurs fans (not all) make me laugh.

Cry for a back 4 but that means Emerson RB, everyone has moaned about him even since he wa splaying RB under Nuno.

Dier cant play in a back 4.

Lenglet no idea.

And it means Davies at LB again, meaning 2 fullbacks offering nothing going forward.

Dont get me wrong, in games if we are chasing then I understand switching to a 4 but its all well and good telling a man with a tried and tested system to got to a back 4, when that doesnt look much better, probably worse!

 

[chas vs dave]

The investment of ENIC in Tottenham does not bode well for their supporters.

Their investments in football clubs have failed, with the exception of Vicenza, thanks to an exceptionally clever manager, and all largely because of an inability, or unwillingness to spend in accordance with their stakes.

Cornelius Sierhuis, AEK Athens chairman.

Enics investment in spurs hasn't failed. That's quite obvious.

The issue is that they cannot/will not move the club any further forward.

 

[Mark_147]

Yea tbh that is conte being a bit stubborn/stuck in terms of his view,3-4-3 isn’t working with these players, he said “if I play a back 4 and lose then I’m justified” erm not really mate we’ve lost 2-0 home to Villa and arsenal and barely laid a glove on either of them with 3-4-3 so at times it can’t get much worse so trying a 4-2-4 or 4-2-3-1 until/if we get a Porro for example and Udogie back would be much appreciated tbh and very interesting, I’d be surprised if we didn’t play better than we have been and we’d have more control of possession etc.

How would you like Conte to set up with 4 at the back? High back line of low block.

 

[ralphs bald spot]

I get that but Spurs fans (not all) make me laugh.

Cry for a back 4 but that means Emerson RB, everyone has moaned about him even since he wa splaying RB under Nuno.

Dier cant play in a back 4.

Lenglet no idea.

And it means Davies at LB again, meaning 2 fullbacks offering nothing going forward.

Dont get me wrong, in games if we are chasing then I understand switching to a 4 but its all well and good telling a man with a tried and tested system to got to a back 4, when that doesnt look much better, probably worse!

but once again the problems aren't just at the back the system he employs leaves us exposed and usually outnumbered in the middle that is allowing sides to dominate us it doesn't give us options on the ball when we move forward largely because we drop so deep into his low block which again on Sunday was exposed

its not just the back line we are exposed all over the pitch someone at the press conference should have asked him why did allow the Arsenal midfield to romp around White Hart Lane all afternoon on Sunday why the midfield of a young kid and Hojberg was woefully outnumbered and why he didn't learn anything from the first game

 

[Black]

Wait are people now believing that we cant play a back four ? whats going on

 

[bubble07]

I get that but Spurs fans (not all) make me laugh.

Cry for a back 4 but that means Emerson RB, everyone has moaned about him even since he wa splaying RB under Nuno.

Dier cant play in a back 4.

Lenglet no idea.

And it means Davies at LB again, meaning 2 fullbacks offering nothing going forward.

Dont get me wrong, in games if we are chasing then I understand switching to a 4 but its all well and good telling a man with a tried and tested system to got to a back 4, when that doesnt look much better, probably worse!

I do get that view but my logic is by having 5 accross the 18 yatd box just means the opposition instantly get the territorial advantage so will have more attacking players around our 18 yeard box next to those 5 defenders who just cant defend. You could argue having a 3rd central midfielder infront of the defence would give the defenders another barrier to break through

 

[ralphs bald spot]

How would you like Conte to set up with 4 at the back? High back line of low block.

the answer is that it isn't either or you defend in numbers as required but you have to pressure the ball in key areas it takes pressure of the back line if you drop entirely as we do then sides dominate you its been happening all season and its why we can't get results against any half way decent sides - its not one or the other

 

[YB123]

but once again the problems aren't just at the back the system he employs leaves us exposed and usually outnumbered in the middle that is allowing sides to dominate us it doesn't give us options on the ball when we move forward largely because we drop so deep into his low block which again on Sunday was exposed

its not just the back line we are exposed all over the pitch someone at the press conference should have asked him why did allow the Arsenal midfield to romp around White Hart Lane all afternoon on Sunday why the midfield of a young kid and Hojberg was woefully outnumbered and why he didn't learn anything from the first game

Conte's successful teams are built on a solid defence and importantly wing backs. Always. He surrenders possession in midfield to gain advantages to counter wide.

I dont disagree we should go 3 in middle at times but its not his way. (a successful way)

 

[Albertbarich]

Yea next 3 games could be quite important, 3 losses and things could get messy.

Are they not already?