Ex-Manager watch: Antonio Conte

[Zippy1980]

Yeah seems an obvious one as can play in off the right or in a central 3. Still feels like we are missing key components for a Conte system.

We are missing a lot

 

[matthew.absurdum]

One more minor observation. I think Conte's team really played much better with 1 week break compared to 3 days break. The crazy schedule this season doesn't really help too

 

[nedley]

I'm afraid he gets no sympathy from me.

He continues to play Emerson when there are other viable options.

It's indefensible.

 

[Misfit]

Does make me sad though to think that we continue to hire managers and just get rid so quickly. It clearly doesn’t work as we have had Pochettino, Mourinho, Nuno and Conte all since November 2019. 4 managers in less than 3 years. No team that does that ever wins anything (baring maybe Chelsea).

In my opinion we just need to stick with a manager and give them the time needed to make the squad their own. Be that Conte or someone else, otherwise we will continue to fail.

Conte needs at least the next two windows and full backing in them to try and get the squad he needs. Next September looks a very long way away right now though, from his perspective alone IMO.

 

[Zippy1980]

One more minor observation. I think Conte's team really played much better with 1 week break compared to 3 days break. The crazy schedule this season doesn't really help too

Poor excuse

 

[agrdavidsfan]

I was frustrated at Conte for not playing 3-5-2 a few weeks back, but now it’s clear why. We don’t have the personnel in midfield to control games against good teams. When under pressure as a unit, they just don’t have the ability to pass the ball through the lines, or dribble past opponents to beat a press.

3-4-3 works a bit better because we can push opposing midfields back a little and afford our midfielders space to pick a pass out. Especially with the threat of a healthy Deki. But sadly this negative, direct football will continue until the squad improves.

I watched conte’s inter and Chelsea, this was not how they played. Either he’s completely changed his tactics (unlikely), or our squad isn’t up to it yet. I’m believing the latter.

But see this is my problem with him, if you don’t have the players to make your system work find a system that does work with what you have, look at Howe he’s problem solved moved Joelinton somewhere he can get the best out of his skill set.

that’s what good managers do they solve problems you find you’re players strengths and you play in a system that suits them and play them to their strengths uou don’t just keep doing something that’s not working as that’s the first sign of madness

 

[SargeantMeatCurtains]

One more minor observation. I think Conte's team really played much better with 1 week break compared to 3 days break. The crazy schedule this season doesn't really help too

Criticism of Conte’s ability to prepare for two games a week has followed him everywhere he has gone. He clearly hasn’t taken any steps to change this.

 

[glacierSpurs]

Conte in, but needs a really strong January window or he will walk regardless. I’m pretty sure he’s done with a few of these players.

When will the buck stops at the window being the issue? Before the season started we were deemed as possible dark horse to challenge - our players aren't that bad. Maybe Emerson is, sorry, but I will blame the system requirement of needing him to be our RWB first before criticising his abilities that come after.

If Wolves, Brighton, Newcastle are playing so much better than us the issue really is the system and coaching. Poor setup makes our players look worse than shit, as a whole.

 

[Verloc]

Stick with him for now, as long he doesn't come out with any passive/aggressive shit like last season.

 

[A Bit Much]

The club should be willing to give Conte 3 transfer windows to get the squad in his favoured shape, as long as he is willing to be slightly flexible on his formation and approach.

We obviously can't play a 3 CBS wing back formation effectively with the current players, so shift things about and try a new approach. Modern managers in general are far too rigid in this respect, and it kills the teams confidence and creativity when you slavishly adhere to one style of playing.

 

[mil1lion]

We are missing a lot

Not really. Just look how much difference Kulusevski alone makes.

 

[matthew.absurdum]

Poor excuse

Not an excuse for Conte I must add. You can consider my observation more like a criticism.

 

[eddiev14]

Does make me sad though to think that we continue to hire managers and just get rid so quickly. It clearly doesn’t work as we have had Pochettino, Mourinho, Nuno and Conte all since November 2019. 4 managers in less than 3 years. No team that does that ever wins anything (baring maybe Chelsea).

In my opinion we just need to stick with a manager and give them the time needed to make the squad their own. Be that Conte or someone else, otherwise we will continue to fail.

I agree with this but the problem I have is it just feels like we could throw everything at Conte for him to just decide to jump ship before we get to where we want to be. Then have to start again.

 

[Zippy1980]

I’m sick of his shit style

 

[EastUpperDK82]

Honestly. I am totally over the 5-ATB wingbacks system. Maybe if we had Hakimi and Cancelo on the flanks, true livewire creators, it would be different.

But it’s just a waste of two players who are laughable easy to mark, totally one dimensional, and leave us outnumbered in every other area of the pitch.

Problem is that our central defenders are s*** in a four at the back... so it's either 3-5-2 or 3-4-3 for me anytime with Conte. And right now with Kulu and Richarlison out it's difficult to look past a 3-5-2...

 

[Jay.]

One more minor observation. I think Conte's team really played much better with 1 week break compared to 3 days break. The crazy schedule this season doesn't really help too

No excuse. Same for everyone

 

[kendoddsdadsdogsdead]

How many times do we need to keep saying this? We backed him considerably in the summer and he’s made us worse.

nowhere near what was required imo. Squad players really. defence and wingback are miles off and midfield still needs work. Last year expectations were lower, the atmosphere was better, we had momentum and teams had to work us out.

 

[SargeantMeatCurtains]

Conte: “the fans need to understand we are doing our best”

???

 

[mil1lion]

Problem is that our central defenders are s*** in a four at the back... so it's either 3-5-2 or 3-4-3 for me anytime with Conte. And right now with Kulu and Richarlison out it's difficult to look past a 3-5-2...

Has to be 343 with Moura until Deki returns. At least its another attacking player.

 

[Danny1]

I agree with this but the problem I have is it just feels like we could throw everything at Conte for him to just decide to jump ship before we get to where we want to be. Then have to start again.

Yeah I understand that. There needs to be commitment shown from both sides and that includes the fans. If Conte is willing to sign a 4-5 year deal with us then we need to allow him the time to grow this squad that needed a complete rebuild from the one under Nuno.

What we can’t have, in my opinion, is some of the hyperbole posts we see every single time we lose a football match.

Teams lose, that’s football and maybe these people think our squad is better than it is but I see a whole load of average-good players in our squad with a few top quality mixed in. Until we replace those average players from our first 11 we will do nothing.