Manager Watch: Ange Postecoglou

[ljinko888]

I didn't expect to talk about 3 at the back again so soon but maybe given he plays so high and pushing players forward we need that extra body instead of being 2-3-5 on the break. Opposite to Conte who played that formation with a low block and players behind the ball.

 

[werty]

I didn't expect to talk about 3 at the back again so soon but maybe given he plays so high and pushing players forward we need that extra body instead of being 2-3-5 on the break. Opposite to Conte who played that formation with a low block and players behind the ball.

Or we could just stop invering both fullbacks at the same time...

 

[Wizzy77]

Or we could just stop invering both fullbacks at the same time...

Exactly! We can have prime Maldini and VDV , we will still leak goals playing 235 most of the time

 

[ljinko888]

Or we could just stop invering both fullbacks at the same time...

I would prefer that. Way I see it though is Bissouma's form has dropped off since the Luton red card so you can drop him, put Dragusin in a back three and Porro and Udogie inverting doesn't leave us with less numbers in midfield. If Ange won't stop the inverting with Davies and Emerson filling in then that seems a principle he won't abandon.

 

[SpursForever71]

The worry is we have been found out, and the opposing managers know whats coming even before the game. We have no plan B, so when things are not going well we wont change our style.
Yes its good to have an identity, and i love the attacking football we are playing, but there needs to be a balance between defence and attack. Wolves could have easily had 5 today with no exageration.
Like someone posted before, it doesnt seem like much defensive work is being done, and is more about last ditch tackling all the time while chasing back.

 

[Johnny J]

The press concerns me most. For such a high line it's so disorganised. City, Liverpool and Arsenal press as a team and turn the ball over high up the pitch.

We play a high line but we don't press as a team, so it's easy to get in behind us.

 

[mil1lion]

I think we just need a run of games with a number of the returning players. Take Bissouma for example, just started for the first time in months and we're not willing to give him a run for a bit first. Maddison clearly not fully up to speed. Son needs a rest after the Asia Cup. Sarr just back too. It's like we had squad players 100 % doing well and at times above level. Now it's the better players under 100% under par. Too many turnovers which wasn't happening early in the season. It just means a lot of times when we defend we're last ditch because we're caught on the breaks. I'd like the first team together a bit longer in this formation as they get back to their best form. The break might help.

 

[Bluto Blutarsky]

There is no middle ground for our fan base is there?

We are either winning the league or sacking the manager.

 

[Johnny J]

There is no middle ground for our fan base is there?

We are either winning the league or sacking the manager.

For some people, sure. For me, I look at Klopp and Pep in their first seasons and think we're probably still ahead of schedule.

 

[Oh Teddy Teddy]

The press concerns me most. For such a high line it's so disorganised. City, Liverpool and Arsenal press as a team and turn the ball over high up the pitch.

We play a high line but we don't press as a team, so it's easy to get in behind us.

city, Liverpool and Arsenal have been at it for years

 

[talbot64]

We are conceding 1.5 goals a game on average at home and 2 goals a game away.

having to score 2 or 3 goals every game to win is just ridiculous.

 

[Oh Teddy Teddy]

The worry is we have been found out, and the opposing managers know whats coming even before the game. We have no plan B, so when things are not going well we wont change our style.
Yes its good to have an identity, and i love the attacking football we are playing, but there needs to be a balance between defence and attack. Wolves could have easily had 5 today with no exageration.
Like someone posted before, it doesnt seem like much defensive work is being done, and is more about last ditch tackling all the time while chasing back.

Forget Plan B; we’re still working on Plan A. Give it time…

 

[werty]

I would prefer that. Way I see it though is Bissouma's form has dropped off since the Luton red card so you can drop him, put Dragusin in a back three and Porro and Udogie inverting doesn't leave us with less numbers in midfield. If Ange won't stop the inverting with Davies and Emerson filling in then that seems a principle he won't abandon.

We've been pretty shit in the limited time we've gone to a back five in fairness! I just think we need to stop inverting both full-backs. It's not working at the moment, and hasn't for a large part of the season despite our early success.

 

[Johnny J]

city, Liverpool and Arsenal have been at it for years

I know; see my comment above. Doesn't mean we can't constructively criticise though.

 

[Styopa]

There is no middle ground for our fan base is there?

We are either winning the league or sacking the manager.

Yeah, or he’s so good that yesterday we were terrified of losing to him Liverpool, and now he’s so bad, every coach in the league has figured us out.

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

Never like those long winded answers.

Bit surprised by that.

Same. First slightly disappointing bit of press from Ange.

 

[rossdapep]

The press concerns me most. For such a high line it's so disorganised. City, Liverpool and Arsenal press as a team and turn the ball over high up the pitch.

We play a high line but we don't press as a team, so it's easy to get in behind us.

You're missing a HUGE fact here.

Pep, Ange and Klopp have been there over 5 years. Of course yhe press is organized!!!

 

[Johnny J]

You're missing a HUGE fact here.

Pep, Ange and Klopp have been there over 5 years. Of course yhe press is organized!!!

As I literally said a few posts above, Pep and Klopp had rough first seasons. Obviously they've been doing it longer. I'm not somehow missing that, I don't think this is Pep and Klopp's first season in the PL.

This will be a fairly boring thread if we can't bring up and discuss, without hyperbole, areas for improvement.

 

[worcestersauce]

Postecoglu has said from day one and is still saying it, there will be ups and downs and we still need to build our team/squad, you don't do that in a couple of windows. You also don't reach the point where you just keep winning even when you aren't playing your best even if at your best you're a match for anyone.
We haven't even started yet so it is no time to abandon the plan.

 

[rossdapep]

You don't think Ange can adapt to challenges?

I'd say the toughest league he has coached in was Japan and he finished 9th in his first season.

Won it the next.

I'd say he suffered at first but overcame the issues and figured it out.

It's normally the case with this type of football.