Ex-Manager watch: Antonio Conte

[Doctor Dinkey]

I know people are expecting him to have a big impact, and I expect he is too, but I have my doubts whether he can really make any improvement to our league position of last year without significant change of playing personnel. I don't think the players are up to the standard he requires, and the teams above us are much more complete and settled. I just hope that the fans understand this, and also Conte himself understands how slow change is going to be, and doesn't flounce off when we finish the season seventh. I don't think we should put too much faith in much happening in the transfer window either. Long term, at least next season, is where I think we'll see improvement, if he sticks it out and levy backs him.

 

[matthew.absurdum]

I think the reporters had asked Nuno for some weeks about the problem of creativity, and Nuno basically said we did not have such a problem.

Now Conte has a really refreshing answer to the same question:

Every word Antonio Conte said on Everton draw, penalty call and why he's happy

Here is what Antonio Conte had to say following Tottenham's Premier League clash at Everton

www.football.london

 

[dagraham]

I think the reporters had asked Nuno for some weeks about the problem of creativity, and Nuno basically said we did not have such a problem.

Now Conte has a really refreshing answer to the same question:

View attachment 99464

Every word Antonio Conte said on Everton draw, penalty call and why he's happy

Here is what Antonio Conte had to say following Tottenham's Premier League clash at Everton

www.football.london

I was no fan of Nuno and I’m glad he isn’t our manager anymore, but I’m sure he said a very similar thing. At least after the last couple of games he was in charge.

 

[shelfstandspur]

I think two things have struck me so far in particular:
1. Day one he started implementing his ideas. Showing the will that we need at the helm of the team.
2. Everyone who speaks about him talks about how he coaches the players to get the most out of them. How much have we missed our team getting coached and improved.

 

[matthew.absurdum]

I was no fan on Nuno and I’m glad he isn’t our manager anymore, but I’m sure he said a very similar thing. At least after the last couple of games he was in charge.

Maybe we should not turn in the a Nuno discussion in this Conte thread, but both of us may be not wrong (yeah).

In Sep against Crystal Palace, he did agree that we had a creativity problem

But in Oct against West Ham, he changed his tone, strangely

I don’t agree with you – Nuno rejects suggestion Spurs have creativity problem

Spurs slipped to a fourth London derby defeat of the season after failing to have a shot on goal in the second half at West Ham.

uk.sports.yahoo.com

 

[13VanDerBale13]

Only Norwich have scored less goals than us (9 VS 5), shocking for a side with the forwards we have ??‍
Without a doubt this should be his #1 priority to fix ?

 

[TheHoddleWaddle]

I know people are expecting him to have a big impact, and I expect he is too, but I have my doubts whether he can really make any improvement to our league position of last year without significant change of playing personnel. I don't think the players are up to the standard he requires, and the teams above us are much more complete and settled. I just hope that the fans understand this, and also Conte himself understands how slow change is going to be, and doesn't flounce off when we finish the season seventh. I don't think we should put too much faith in much happening in the transfer window either. Long term, at least next season, is where I think we'll see improvement, if he sticks it out and levy backs him.

Agreed. I do think though, he can change the clubs mentality and stop it rotting further. Put the breaks on a downward spiral, which I think is where spurs were heading.

Expectations are, I think, in the short term, too high by far. He's barely had time to have any proper training sessions and drill in patterns of play. The international break usually does my head in, but on this occasion its doing conte and the team a huge favour. Regardless of personnel leaving for it.

 

[GutBucket]

Said that final pass was missing, that with Skipp being unavailable for the next match is a perfect opportunity for Ndombele and Lo Celso, maybe even Dele and Winks.

 

[thelak]

I really don’t care about shots on target or shots off target. Goals are what matters.

generally i would say you need a shot on target to score a goal

 

[sparx100]

For me albeit it was a much the same as before I have noticed a bit quicker passing, one touch, triangles in some places occurring, a bit more desire to press and get back into shape. Only small shoots but we know that they will get well coached.

 

[allatsea]

Said that final pass was missing, that with Skipp being unavailable for the next match is a perfect opportunity for Ndombele and Lo Celso, maybe even Dele and Winks.

I’ll be very surprised if Conte selects Dele other than in an emergency situation, lots of injuries etc. Dele is the opposite type of player than he seems to prefer. He seems to be looking for us to move the ball much more quickly than Mourinho or Nuno wanted. Dele slows the game down too much by holding onto the ball too long.

 

[KirstyG]

Just hope during international break he can get some proper work in with those we have at home… any one have a list of those that are not going out?

 

[barry]

I’ll be very surprised if Conte selects Dele other than in an emergency situation, lots of injuries etc. Dele is the opposite type of player than he seems to prefer. He seems to be looking for us to move the ball much more quickly than Mourinho or Nuno wanted. Dele slows the game down too much by holding onto the ball too long.

Yeah but maybe he can coach that into him. Dele is a far bigger danger than Skipp or PEH, and if he can get his defensive game up a bit, I could easily imagine him replacing one of them.

 

[HNIM]

All internationals in 1st Xi should all be back by Wednesday and we don’t play till Sunday so he has 4 days with them before Leeds.

South American teams play Tuesday so I imagine those players won’t be back until Thursday.

 

[easley91]

South American teams play Tuesday so I imagine those players won’t be back until Thursday.

Standard Thursday to Sunday? That's doable. And really only Romero looks a nailed on starter out of those anyway.

 

[spurmin]

generally i would say you need a shot on target to score a goal

Should have been more specific. It’s the statistics that piss me off.

 

[JCRD]

generally i would say you need a shot on target to score a goal

Not really - i mean we can get an own goal - which would count as a goal to us. As logn as we create chances and havoc in the oppositions box - we have a chance.

 

[HNIM]

Standard Thursday to Sunday? That's doable. And really only Romero looks a nailed on starter out of those anyway.

Emerson is pretty nailed on based on recent showings and he’s in the Brazil squad.

 

[easley91]

Emerson is pretty nailed on based on recent showings and he’s in the Brazil squad.

I didn't realise he was called up. Was thinking Romero, Lo Celso and Sanchez.

 

[mil1lion]

Happy with the work rate we've shown today. Especially after a tough game Thursday. Also happy with the subs Conte is making and at good times where they can change the game. I agree with his comments on the final ball, that is the biggest problem at this moment. We had good counter opportunities and lacked that killer ball at the end. Credit does have to go to Everton though as they defended well, got bodies behind the ball and we had to try and force balls through them. I like the wing backs getting forward and arriving at the far post as it opens up the pitch more. Both Reguilon and Emerson getting chances in the first half, also another one for Emerson in the 2nd that Keane beat him too. GLC is unlucky not to get a winner at the end and all of a sudden we're talking about a good 1-0 away win.

I think we're close to getting the balance right between defence and attack. We really miss a creative player in midfield though. I often feel this way if both GLC and Ndombele are left out. The first change I would make would be replacing Moura for one of those 2 and going with 1 behind Son and Kane. I don't think Son and Moura out wide is necessary when you have a wingback and a wide centre back defending, as well as 1 of Skipp and Hoijbjerg going across too. I think we're showing a mix of the work rate we had under Poch and defensive discipline we had first half of last season under Jose. With a bit more time to work I expect our build up play to be more structured than under Jose and better width with the wing-backs rather than wide forwards who always come infield. A lot of work to be done but I can at least see some quality emerging.