Ex-Manager watch: Antonio Conte

[shelfboy68]

Bottom line though is we had 2 big chances to score

Richarlson header and Royal shot back post

They had 2 real chances. The 2nd goal and when Edwards shot from 6 yards

It was an even game. Its just if we had fresh legs we could have won this

But I thought we were told that we have a squad that can bring fresh legs on and rotate.
I expect the starting 11 on Saturday to be the same again as usual so not hard for the opposition to work out.
Leicester at home so we have around 30% of the ball and draw 1-1 with the same game plan lovely.

 

[rossdapep]

I will admit he could’ve made some changes tonight but then again until about the 80-85th minute we’d looked more like winning than losing or at least on for a decent point, then we concede a big chance, a goal from a set piece in 90th min and switch off for a 2nd minutes later, if it had finished 0-0 or we’d nicked it 1-0 the narrative would still be that the performance wasn’t great but we’d be lauding conte knowing what he’s doing.

He won’t always get it right but I Love Antonio ?? and have full faith in him just enjoy the ups and downs because overall he and Paratici are taking us in a positive direction.

Im not ignoring the negatives or where conte could’ve done better or the team could’ve done better but I just think there is so so much to be positive about right now about the club, the squad the manager and the direction we are going why get so so angry and frustrated when the performance isn’t quite where we want it or his team selections or subs aren’t how you wanted them to be (completely not aimed at you btw I just mean some who’ve come in here all worried and ready to criticise, look at the bigger picture surely)

Back to the point though I do agree with your post that in heindsight he could’ve made more subs and a bit earlier but he will have his reasons and plans and that is good enough for me, Conte is a master, we are lucky to have him.

great point,mate.

Sometimes games can be decided by one moment rather than several.

At that point in the game that moment had not come for either team and whilst we did have spells where we weren't pushing as much as we'd like to have done, we also weren't looking like conceding.

Conte has a winners mentality and for sure he probably felt with Kulusevski on the field the team would find a way. It wouldn't have been much of a concern we'd concede (Jose would have certainly done that and we'd likely have spent the last 20 struggling to get up the pitc) because Conte would have been more focused on urging the team to find a winner but stay focused.

I felt like we still had one more attack in us, even if I was not confident we'd take it, but we have before under Conte, so why think differently?

But football is football. Sometimes it just doesn't go the way you feel it will and you get a bit of a shock. I felt that a draw would have been fair considering neither team really created.

Anyway, if we were going to lose a game (and we were at some point) I would have been ok with it being this one as I want us to keep winning our league games.

Its important we recover and beat Leicester now so that we can go into the NLD with confidence.

But I have always felt the CL will be a bit ropey in terms of form and league is the priority. Therefore, it doesn't make sense to be going all out in a CL game so early and with no real risk of being KOd yet. We have to be patient and gain stability, the performances will come.

 

[rossdapep]

But I thought we were told that we have a squad that can bring fresh legs on and rotate.
I expect the starting 11 on Saturday to be the same again as usual so not hard for the opposition to work out.
Leicester at home so we have around 30% of the ball and draw 1-1 with the same game plan lovely.

I don't think fresh legs is an issue, it's more about players knowing their role inside out.

Richarlison has adapted quickly, Bissouma hasn't. But then Perisic and Son haven't completely blended yet and in not sure Richarlison and Son together will work.

There's still questions for Conte to figure out.

When he does that, fresh legs will play a part.

 

[Ruffinthepuffin]

But I thought we were told that we have a squad that can bring fresh legs on and rotate.
I expect the starting 11 on Saturday to be the same again as usual so not hard for the opposition to work out.
Leicester at home so we have around 30% of the ball and draw 1-1 with the same game plan lovely.

I might be being overly pessimistic but that’s exactly how I see it too.

 

[PrettyColors]

Looking back at his old teams…

I feel that for his system to compete for the biggest titles in the world - to truly bring us to the promised land - you need a world class, gamebreaking midfielder (Pogba, Pirlo, Kante, Barella), and/or two dynamic playmaking wingbacks.

We have neither. I am officially worried about the Conte Project succeeding in delivering us silverware. There simply isn’t enough panache and creativity from our individual players to transcend the system… I am so frustrated at our inability to deal with a low block. Of course, we are still a top side, one that can get 4th and CL, but a trophy is a much bigger ask.

The reason? Our competition is totally absurd - City, Pool, Chelsea, United, Scum all dropping £250m per summer, and European teams like Madrid, Bayern, etc. lurking. Look ourselves in the mirror. Are we really on that upper echelon of playing level under Conte? Are we truly capable of winning a trophy with the current squad? I am terrified that, even after all the investment and a summer to train, the answer may still be no.

 

[ohtottenham!]

Nah people like to whip the central midfielders constantly for some reason. They’re not perfect the perfect players, yes it would be nice to have someone who can play some wonder passes in there, but they fulfil their remit well enough virtually every week and do the job they’re supposed to be doing. Tactically there are some games where they get outnumbered and we probably should be adaptable, but against most teams it’s not been an issue and it should be said that all tactics have their strengths and weaknesses, where there is an element of risk etc and vulnerability. Conte-ball might look light and open in midfield sometimes, but we play with a fairly low block and get everyone back in a 5-4-1 and they think with sheer weight of number and many defenders behind them they’ll be fine. And tbf most weeks we are.

Conte always says his teams/his football strives for balance. The centre backs and centre mids are primarily there to be the 5 functional, disciplined players who provide the platform. Make us defensively secure and tough to breakdown. With the ball they should be able to bait the opposition on to us, play out from deep, and execute planned, not really ultra elaborate tbh, pattern plays and up-back-through’s to release those ahead of them into decent positions. Now over the last 6 months vast majority of games, they’ve done all this pretty well. Defensively we’ve been good, and they’ve done the stuff with the ball. Even those who get lamented a lot – the Hojbjerg’s, Davies’ Sanchez’s, etc – have by and large carried out these patterns of play and give those up front a supply line.

The main problem at the start of the season, as I keep saying, is those primary 5 attacking players. The wingbacks and forwards. Some aren’t playing well, some are limited, and even in wins they’ve been very wasteful. They see a lot of ball, they’re not doing nearly enough with it.

Son is really badly out of form. Kane (whatever his goal stats) is really badly out of form. Richarlison is never going to be the most refined player and his touch/pass often lets him down. Between them I don’t think that trio is overly balanced, and even on good days will cough up the ball plenty. Emerson is Emerson, painfully limited for the role. Even Perisic I have said a few times now, early days and yeah we get some moments of class, I was expecting a lot more. I thought he’d be ultra aggressive in his work and looking to attack the final third, I’m wanting to see a lot more.

Games like tonight the midfield and defence had a bit of a dip for once this season, and it couldn’t compensate for our misfiring attacking unit – which it has done so far. But mainly it, and to go back to the original argument, the midfield, has been fine. For the tactics and our play to look better, we need the attacking unit and individuals to start firing, get back towards the form and efficiency and of the back end of last season, stop fucking the ball away and barbecuing attacking scenarios, and hopefully find the solutions to some of our deficiencies on the flanks.

A very sluggish start to the season further forward is where the heart of the matter is currently.

Nice analysis, mate. Agree with all of it on the whole in terms of where the main issues lie given Conte's system. Re the ones you mention, the forward issues are more temporary, much of it form-related etc., the WBs stuff is more of an enduring challenge even though we've made progress on that front.

I still think that we actually have the personnel within the squad, Bissouma and Skipp, to change some of the dynamic in MF when needed. Been such a shame re Skipp's injury setbacks; hopefully he gets reintegrated soon. Still developing but he is someone who can be very creative re his transitional play, his progressive passing, as well as being solid defensively and comfortable on the ball/press resistant etc.,

I think we'll see some different dynamics re our MF when we get those two up to speed. There could be different combinations among those four in MF that work for us in different games/ game phases.

 

[Strikeb4ck]

I feel that for his system to compete for the biggest titles in the world - to truly bring us to the promised land - you need a world class, gamebreaking midfielder (Pogba, Pirlo, Kante, Barella), and/or two dynamic playmaking wingbacks.

I agree. I think Perisic is pretty good - we won't find anyone hugely better there...but Emerson has needed upgrading for a long time. Doherty surely has to get a run in light of our attacking ineptitude.

It is so crucial for us to get the first goal so we can sit back and spring counters. Our defending is very good. Our creativity is non-existent.

I would move Kulusevski to a central role and let him act as that pseudo linebreaker you mentioned, and then play Doherty over Emerson. That should liven up the attack.

I have nothing against him, but Emerson is a huge problem at the moment from a chance creation perspective. Other teams are happy to crowd the middle and have multiple defenders on our attackers because they are willing to bet on Emerson not delivering any quality. He often is praised for "getting into great positions", but it's clearly because other teams let him, lol. We saw what Doherty could do under Conte, he needs to get a run of games again. Spence is probably worth a try too.

 

[HildoSpur]

I agree. I think Perisic is pretty good - we won't find anyone hugely better there...but Emerson has needed upgrading for a long time. Doherty surely has to get a run in light of our attacking ineptitude.

It is so crucial for us to get the first goal so we can sit back and spring counters. Our defending is very good. Our creativity is non-existent.

I would move Kulusevski to a central role and let him act as that pseudo linebreaker you mentioned, and then play Doherty over Emerson. That should liven up the attack.

I have nothing against him, but Emerson is a huge problem at the moment from a chance creation perspective. Other teams are happy to crowd the middle and have multiple defenders on our attackers because they are willing to bet on Emerson not delivering any quality. He often is praised for "getting into great positions", but it's clearly because other teams let him, lol. We saw what Doherty could do under Conte, he needs to get a run of games again. Spence is probably worth a try too.

Doherty clearly isn't fit enough yet to play following his injury.

 

[midoshairband]

Your final point makes is baffling considering myself and many others were calling for a creative player all summer but all the noise was that the Conte system doesn’t need one/ Conte didn’t want one. We blatantly lack a passer in the midfield. Tielemans was an obvious purchase with a year left.
Also the ‘we haven’t even got out of first gear and we’re still third’ line would be significant if we showed any sign of leaving first gear. It’s been poor, for the most part, all season. A shift in gear might not come.

its not even a 'creative' player. it's just someone who doesn't panic on the ball and shit themselves under a press.

 

[Typical Spurs]

Problem I've got and as I've said numerous times before, I don't particularly enjoy the way we play. When we win its fine because its 3 points. But when we lose, because of the style of our play, there's very few positives for me.

I can appreciate Conte's achievements in the game and I can also appreciate that the table since he joined would have us in the top 4 (I think).

But I'm really conflicted by this because I honestly don't like watching us. I think we're boring and predictable.

Because of this, for me he's got to get us over the line in something because otherwise we're still not winning anything but playing shit to go with it.

At least if we were playing good football and still not winning anything, we're having some entertainment and enjoyment watching us. As a fan I do value that.

 

[1882andallthat]

I don't think fresh legs is an issue, it's more about players knowing their role inside out.

Richarlison has adapted quickly, Bissouma hasn't. But then Perisic and Son haven't completely blended yet and in not sure Richarlison and Son together will work.

There's still questions for Conte to figure out.

When he does that, fresh legs will play a part.

I'm not entirely sure that I agree with the comment about Bissouma not adapting quickly. He's not really been given much of an opportunity yet to prove that either way.

He's only played one full 90 minute game and a few minutes here and there. I take your point that you must be alluding to the fact that Conte must be assessing whether he thinks Bissouma is ready or not based on what he's seen in training.

 

[wspur]

These are serious overreactions. We have been poor this season but neither Son nor Kane have kicked into form yet so it's difficult. Conte is to blame for lack of flexibility and all but come on, one loss since March and all hell breaks loose. Conte and the team deserve some patience, especially as this loss might not change anything.

Son and Kane will for sure at some point start scoring and we'll play more exciting football as we did in the second part of last season.

 

[mattspur1986]

None at all, if Jose or Nuno were in charge for this or our last few games there would be riots.

we’ve been horrific, don’t kid yourself

i agree we’ve been bad this season aside from 2 games or so, and agree if it was nuno/Jose we’d all be spewing, but don’t think it’s AS bad yet.

 

[spurs mental]

Took a bad performance and defeat for his Chelsea team to click. Hopefully this is the same.

 

[SargeantMeatCurtains]

These are serious overreactions. We have been poor this season but neither Son nor Kane have kicked into form yet so it's difficult. Conte is to blame for lack of flexibility and all but come on, one loss since March and all hell breaks loose. Conte and the team deserve some patience, especially as this loss might not change anything.

Son and Kane will for sure at some point start scoring and we'll play more exciting football as we did in the second part of last season.

Nobody is overreacting. People on here are being made to feel like they’re rubbish fans for having concerns over what we’ve seen this season.

We’ve strengthened the squad hugely and dumped the deadwood and yet somehow our football has gone from being free flowing and exciting to turgid and uninspiring. Yesterday wasn’t just a one off performance. It’s par for what we’ve seen all season.

It is and should be treated as concerning.

 

[14/04/91]

These are serious overreactions. We have been poor this season but neither Son nor Kane have kicked into form yet so it's difficult. Conte is to blame for lack of flexibility and all but come on, one loss since March and all hell breaks loose. Conte and the team deserve some patience, especially as this loss might not change anything.

Son and Kane will for sure at some point start scoring and we'll play more exciting football as we did in the second part of last season.

I do think there are genuine concerns about how we play against patient, deep lying teams.
I actually thought we started both halves really well and that was by playing high up the pitch and pinning them back. Time & time again they conceded possession and (1st 10 mins) it had the feeling of an easy night ahead. But we dropped too deep as a team and we’re not suited to that, unless the opposition are throwing numbers forward which we can exploit on the break.
I don’t know why we didn’t continue with the aggression last night; I think we’d have run out easy winners had we done so.

 

[mattspur1986]

It’s not, I’ve struggled to stay awake to watch our games we look tired and lethargic every game there’s not an ounce of creativity in this team.

laughable, how poor we are actually name me a game this season that we dominated? Or looked good? Or controlled the game? Or created clear chances.

saints & fulham - we’re poor but we played well I those.

 

[wspur]

I only watched the second half but to me it seemed fairly balanced, with their only chances coming in the last few minutes (goals us the Lloris save). We couls have done with changes and Conte using the squad but this isn't a disaster I think. Its not that we are sitting back like under Jose or Nuno, but that our forwards don't create and score anymore.

I do think there are genuine concerns about how we play against patient, deep lying teams.
I actually thought we started both halves really well and that was by playing high up the pitch and pinning them back. Time & time again they conceded possession and (1st 10 mins) it had the feeling of an easy night ahead. But we dropped too deep as a team and we’re not suited to that, unless the opposition are throwing numbers forward which we can exploit on the break.
I don’t know why we didn’t continue with the aggression last night; I think we’d have run out easy winners had we done so.

 

[matthew.absurdum]

Yeah the performance was bad. But I think Conte's Euro record has always been much worse than his league/local cup record. We should have known this

(P.S. Inter reached 19-20 Europa final. But they were firstly knocked in the UCL group stage. Then due to COVID-19 Lockdown so after the round 32 the knockout stage becoming one-off games and no away games - all neutral venues)

 

[Archibald&Crooks]

These are serious overreactions. We have been poor this season but neither Son nor Kane have kicked into form yet so it's difficult. Conte is to blame for lack of flexibility and all but come on, one loss since March and all hell breaks loose. Conte and the team deserve some patience, especially as this loss might not change anything.

Son and Kane will for sure at some point start scoring and we'll play more exciting football as we did in the second part of last season.

One loss since March? Seriously? I didn't realise that.

There's been some really interesting and fair posts criticising because they are balanced and approach it reasonably. That's much more what everyone wants to see surely? Fair and thought provoking opinions and a back and forth of ideas based on that?

But fuck me, a small number of you, post after post after post just shouting down any positivity or balance. Literally you're only here to be sour and spiteful. Take a look at yourselves, you're stinking the place to bits out of all proportion to whatever value it is you bring to the place. Which isn't much if i'm being honest.

One loss since March. Fuuuuuuuuuuuuck me