Manager Watch: Ange Postecoglou

[Yid-ol]

Good start, most important not to lose. Keeper is a worry and front 3 not good enough today. Other than that pretty happy with the way we dominated, vdv looked good. Expected more subs towards the end from Ange but guess he didn't want to upset the balance too much.

They played so deep, was always going to be hard for the front 3. I would have liked Gio and Solomon to come on, give us that option to take a man on as too many times we cut back or stopped.

Vicario did better than I thought, his passing needs work, but did some decent stops and saves.

 

[Bluto Blutarsky]

Would have liked to have seen anyone in for Deki.

But, he made some big calls today, and they largely were correct, imo.

Taking Romero off - easy to say it was obvious that Romero has to come out - harder to do when you are manager and player wants to continue. Real leadership, imo.

Second, taking Sonny off. Again, a strong call to take the captain off - but it was the right call.

And third - starting two debutants in VdV and Udogie in a tough away environment. I thought both players repaid his confidence.

 

[glacierSpurs]

He's definitely someone players will look up to by just taking Son off alone.

Would really hope he can use more of his subs. Somehow with this bloated squad we actually have options. I really hope he can use Lo Celso and Solomon more often to tweak with the formation as well.

And I hope he watched some of the turgid games we had under Conte, showed them in his presentation in team meetings, so he can truly eradicate those scarring and habits off. Sanchez still reverting to pressure-inviting pass backs towards the end. VdV was totally uncomfortable with that.

And we can't be sitting back so much. I don't think Ange will like that as well. Looking for that to be improved on.

 

[spursgirls]

This weekend will bring Postecoglou's Premier League debut in the dugout and the only downside to his new job is that he has to give up one annual tradition with his long-time friends.

"I've got a few friends coming to the match. It's fair to say I've been inundated for tickets but it's great because they've been along for the journey. We all had those dreams and we're all living it together because for me they're just part of it as well because I wouldn't be sitting here today without them," he said.

"They're all going to be here and for the first time in I reckon 20 years I've had to pull out of our fantasy Premier League group as well which I'm gutted about and if they try to grill me for information they're getting nothing out of me.

You missed off the next bit-

"I don't need to play now because I am a Premier League manager. There you go, it's not a fantasy any more!"

So did Postecoglou ever win his fantasy football league?

The reply came with a big grin: "Always, always."

 

[muppetman]

Plenty of bravery from Ange today, taking off Romero after he scored was good to see, then being willing to sub off his captain rather than playing favourites.

Giving 4 debuts in his first proper game in charge takes some balls.

Really impressed with pretty much everything he’s done so far.

 

[-Afri-Coy-]

The smaller details matter the most. The team clapping the away fans before kick off, his substitution choices and the tactical approach made for an unbelievable first game, away to Brentford too.

We have the obvious teething problems, but that’s to be expected. Given more time to get used to the ideas and we could see a very, very dangerous spurs team post Kane.

Very little to fault today, so I’m focusing on the positives. Onwards and upwards.

 

[VancouverSpur]

I liked that at various points you could hear him screaming “quicker, quicker” as we tried to pass forward.

The diffence in approach from Conte and Mourinho is genuinely exciting to witness

 

[easley91]

Give him the time he needs. We could be in for a fun journey.

 

[Sophos151]

Would have liked to have seen anyone in for Deki.

But, he made some big calls today, and they largely were correct, imo.

Taking Romero off - easy to say it was obvious that Romero has to come out - harder to do when you are manager and player wants to continue. Real leadership, imo.

Second, taking Sonny off. Again, a strong call to take the captain off - but it was the right call.

And third - starting two debutants in VdV and Udogie in a tough away environment. I thought both players repaid his confidence.

Deki improved in the second half IMO, had a few movements where he got towards the byline and drilled it in. Right decision to bring Son off ahead of him, though bringing Solomon on for Deki was an option.

 

[AtoubaToothpaste]

He's definitely someone players will look up to by just taking Son off alone.

Would really hope he can use more of his subs. Somehow with this bloated squad we actually have options. I really hope he can use Lo Celso and Solomon more often to tweak with the formation as well.

And I hope he watched some of the turgid games we had under Conte, showed them in his presentation in team meetings, so he can truly eradicate those scarring and habits off. Sanchez still reverting to pressure-inviting pass backs towards the end. VdV was totally uncomfortable with that.

And we can't be sitting back so much. I don't think Ange will like that as well. Looking for that to be improved on.

I don't think there was much sitting back at all. We played the majority of the game in their third, often all 10 of our outfield players in their half. Also, i thought VdV looked surprisingly composed. Our heatmap today:

 

[muppetman]

The smaller details matter the most. The team clapping the away fans before kick off, his substitution choices and the tactical approach made for an unbelievable first game, away to Brentford too.

We have the obvious teething problems, but that’s to be expected. Given more time to get used to the ideas and we could see a very, very dangerous spurs team post Kane.

Very little to fault today, so I’m focusing on the positives. Onwards and upwards.

Loved the players going over to the fans before the start.

 

[-Afri-Coy-]

Loved the players going over to the fans before the start.

Touch of class, we do that every game and the crowd becomes even more of a 12th man.

 

[glacierSpurs]

I don't think there was much sitting back at all. We played the majority of the game in their third, often all 10 of our outfield players in their half. Also, i thought VdV looked surprisingly composed. Our heatmap today:

View attachment 130604

Yeah, my bad. I don't mean sitting back letting them attack. But more like we were playing with a slower tempo and had no problems allowing them some control. But of course just the first game today it has been alot more proactive then during Conte days.

 

[muppetman]

Touch of class, we do that every game and the crowd becomes even more of a 12th man.

Ange has said a few things about the club belonging to the fans and they being the only ones who can judge what success is.

The guy just fucking gets it, which you wouldn’t think is rare but it definitely is.

 

[AtoubaToothpaste]

Yeah, my bad. I don't mean sitting back letting them attack. But more like we were playing with a slower tempo and had no problems allowing them some control. But of course just the first game today it has been alot more proactive then during Conte days.

Ah, fair enough. I think the tempo was good for the majority, but it did dip a little, probably just due to fitness. Our presason was pretty awful for that. I expect we'll eventually ratchet it up as the season progresses.

 

[SpursForever71]

Seems like the challenge is going to be getting the full back and wide forward balance right. Kulu and Son couldn't get in the game and the system seems to look more primed for traditional wingers. Prime example of problems with the inverted fullbacks was in the last minute there when we had to go all the way back to the keeper because of having no one moving out wide to create an easy option.

Overall very positive though.

This was my thought, and i dont think Son is a traditional winger. Like you say hopefully this can be tweaked.

 

[EQP]

I liked that at various points you could hear him screaming “quicker, quicker” as we tried to pass forward.

The diffence in approach from Conte and Mourinho is genuinely exciting to witness

That was my biggest complaint today was the lack of urgency and zip in our passing. I'm sure Ange will reinforce that he wants them to play quicker and in the teams defense, that was the 1st time that group of players have featured competitively, so I'm not going to overly critical. Still a good foundation to build on.

 

[chas vs dave]

We looked a bit out of shape first half. 2nd half, we controlled the game against a tough side.

I'm happy

 

[Gbspurs]

Couple of things today that show you the gumption on the man. 1, taking off Romero despite his protestations and 2, taking off his new captain to freshen the team up.

 

[allatsea]

Very encouraging start