Ex-Manager watch: Antonio Conte

[AtoubaToothpaste]

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)

Always? I have to respectively disagree. And Conte disagrees with you. In the article, he specifically talks about how he's played 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 at clubs in the past. He doesn't 'one' system; that's a myth. He said he's not doing that here because he thinks his current system best suits our player's characteristics. These aren't my words; they are his. He didn't surrender possession in midfield with Inter, where he played a three and dominated possession in many games.

I wish he would try something else, but for whatever reason, he just doesn't think it is appropriate.

 

[Greybeard]

I'm beginning to think the decision for him to leave is already made, regardless of upcoming results.

 

[Johnny J]

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.

I see what you mean. But I was listening to a footballer on the radio the other day, and he talked about an unnamed manager who told them to press City and push them back.

His team tried this and it was exactly what City wanted. They played through them at ease and it was a bloodbath.

We simply don't have the players to play a high press game, let alone a high possession game.

It's not pretty, but City have the most problems when they're facing an organised team that sits back and plays on the counter.

They are likely the most press resistant team in the world and if we try to push them back they'll exploit the space behind us. Every single player in their team is superbly comfortably on the ball and playing out of pressure.

 

[Metalhead]

I'm beginning to think the decision for him to leave is already made, regardless of upcoming results.

This window will be telling.

 

[YB123]

Always? I have to respectively disagree. And Conte disagrees with you. In the article, he specifically talks about how he's played 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 at clubs in the past. He doesn't 'one' system; that's a myth. He said he's not doing that here because he thinks his current system best suits our player's characteristics. These aren't my words; they are his. He didn't surrender possession in midfield with Inter, where he played a three and dominated possession in many games.

I wish he would try something else, but for whatever reason, he just doesn't think it is appropriate.

I'm not saying he never played different formations, i'm saying his successful 3 at the back teams relied on strong defences and wing backs.

And for inter he only moved to 3 in a midfield because their form was dodgy and Eriksen won them the game against Milan. They never looked back.

 

[spursfan77]

This window will be telling.

If we sign Zaniolo then I can’t see him going.

 

[AtoubaToothpaste]

I'm not saying he never played different formations, i'm saying his successful 3 at the back teams relied on strong defences and wing backs.

And for inter he only moved to 3 in a midfield because their form was dodgy and Eriksen won them the game against Milan. They never looked back.

I'd suggest all championship-winning teams rely on strong defenses and great full-backs/wing-backs. You must have great players in all positions to be consistently successful. The fact remains he is playing a system that he thinks best suits our personnel; that's all I'm saying (and he's saying). I only disagree that he always wins with one system. There might be similarities, but I think those extend to other teams/systems too.

All that said, I do wish he would at least try something different for more than one match. One can only learn so much on the training field, IMHO.

 

[spurmin]

If we sign Zaniolo then I can’t see him going.

I want Nico Zaniolo and Pedro Porro so I can sing their names like the Kolo and Yaya Toure chant.

 

[ralphs bald spot]

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)

it may have been succesful in the past but its been thoroughly found out this season and continuing to play a system that is not working for whatever reason one of which he clearly hasn't got the players to play within it might just have resulted in him trying something else or at least on occasions trying to stop the opposition overwhelming you week in and week out - which is what you might expect from a manager who is supposed to be so called elite

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

I'm beginning to think the decision for him to leave is already made, regardless of upcoming results.

Don't agree. Especially for the fact we're in talks to sign his targets in Zaniolo and Porro.

Fans need to stop reading into everything he says. He's clearly an emotional man who sometimes just says what is in his mind at the time. That doesn't mean there are any hidden messages or long term thinking in his words.

Yes he could leave but I find it hard to believe the decision has already been made.

 

[Mark_147]

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

Where are the key areas you apply pressure

 

[Mark_147]

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

We had a 3rd CM against Man Utd and Liverpool and got overrun in midfield. Man utd actually had 28 shots on our goal.

 

[Bubble44]

Prof on COYS saying that if Conte does leave the Club are not considering Poch

 

[EastUpperDK82]

Prof on COYS saying that if Conte does leave the Club are not considering Poch

Of course... he is not a former Chelsea-manager. ?‍

 

[sidford]

Prof on COYS saying that if Conte does leave the Club are not considering Poch

Would find that very hard to believe. He would be about the only manager, outside of Klopp and Pep, that could possibly shield uncle fester from full on protests.

 

[For the love of Spurs]

Prof on COYS saying that if Conte does leave the Club are not considering Poch

Ben Jacob saying against Tuchel. You would think Poch and Tuchel would be the obvious choices, if not them you wonder who.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

Prof on COYS saying that if Conte does leave the Club are not considering Poch

Wow, if thats true im very very surprised. I find that encouraging to be honest. Not that i want Conte to go, but still.

 

[jimbo]

It seems possible to me that Levy would prefer Pochettino and Paratici might prefer Tuchel and so there are mixed messages/conflict about any potential successor to Conte.

 

[SirNiNyHotspur]

Changing direction from the opportune signing of Trossard to going back in for Zaniolo suggests to me there's a change in thinking to back to supporting Conte. Perhaps Levy is feeling the heat, I'd obviously be much more hopeful of Conte staying if this happens. That said we know with Levy there is a big difference between offering for a player and actually buying him, we'll see...

 

[Archibald&Crooks]

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.

Well, that all depends on how you look at it and how much you delve into that quote