Manager Watch: Ange Postecoglou

[Trix]

He's only really been given these youngsters to work with by the board so great to see him blooding them in an important(ish) game.

He didn't have to sign off on any of them, and he certainly doesn't have pick them. I'm sure he wanted more(all managers do) but let's not make out he didn't want them and that these players have been forced on him at the expense of others.

 

[ajspurs]

I would say Bergvall is exactly that type of player. He's just raw at the moment.

I am not too sure yet. I see his skill set as one that is more suited to a traditional 8 at the moment, which is essentially the role he'll have, but I think Maddison and Kulusevski have more attributes associated with a traditional number 10 that enhances their creative output. I think Bergvall will be great at moving the ball along, progressively keeping things ticking and using his great footwork in tight spaces, but I don't see him as one to pick out those vital passes and be the sole creative source in a team.

Not saying he doesn't have a creative bone in him, because he certainly does, but like said, I'm not sure he's the type of player who could be the sole creator in a side.

 

[mil1lion]

I am not too sure yet. I see his skill set as one that is more suited to a traditional 8 at the moment, which is essentially the role he'll have, but I think Maddison and Kulusevski have more attributes associated with a traditional number 10 that enhances their creative output. I think Bergvall will be great at moving the ball along, progressively keeping things ticking and using his great footwork in tight spaces, but I don't see him as one to pick out those vital passes and be the sole creative source in a team.

Not saying he doesn't have a creative bone in him, because he certainly does, but like said, I'm not sure he's the type of player who could be the sole creator in a side.

Think it's far too early to say that. He has the right characteristics. Those final balls come a bit later in development. I think he was showing it in the videos a lot with his last team as well. He's still finding his feet and getting used to the tempo.

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

Presser for Brighton game

Could listen to him all day.

So pleased to have someone like Ange representing our great club from a football perspective but also from a life values perspective.

 

[talkshowhost86]

He didn't have to sign off on any of them, and he certainly doesn't have pick them. I'm sure he wanted more(all managers do) but let's not make out he didn't want them and that these players have been forced on him at the expense of others.

Sorry I didn't mean that the young players were forced on him (in terms of those we bought in).

I'm hugely supportive of all the young players we've purchased recently.

But they should be part of a more balanced squad experience-wise and I'm sure Ange thinks that as well.

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

Criticism and progress after these five wins, does it feel like good times now?

What's the date? I reckon it was 14 days ago where it didn't feel like that (good times), it's just the way football is. There's a fine line of people's perception of how you're going and that's why that can't be your guide. That doesn't mean you ignore everything because there's some astute observations as to how you're going and what some people see is important to us, but ultimately you have to rely on something else to where the spotlight is.

It didn't feel like long ago when people were questioning everything, nothing's changed 14 days later except the results.

It's not going to be a smooth road. We're not at the stage as a team where things click all the time. We will still suffer, that's important, otherwise you don't know how you'll handle it. We've handled it well.

He knows that Coventry match was absolutely massive for this project and the belief of the fans and media etc.

It should’ve be like that so early in his tenure but it’s the way of the world we live in but it did certainly seem like Johnson’s goal and then Spences were kind of Harry Kane deflected free kick vs Villa under Poch type sliding doors moments.

There will still be ups and downs from now on of course but had we lost in the first round of the Carabao Cup again after doing so last year and after selecting a weakened side and results wise having started slowly in the league, he would’ve very much been on the back foot.

Thank goodness we got over the line and now overall we are very much in a positive upwards trajectory.

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

He didn't have to sign off on any of them, and he certainly doesn't have pick them. I'm sure he wanted more(all managers do) but let's not make out he didn't want them and that these players have been forced on him at the expense of others.

I’d say from Ange and Lange’s comments that the club have wanted to move back to a younger signing profile again but also that Ange feels like having a lot of talented youngsters is beneficial for his project, for the identity of the club and long term and he likes to leave a bit of a legacy after he leaves clubs so he feels he’s left them in a better place overall with a solid foundation for success.

 

[ajspurs]

Think it's far too early to say that. He has the right characteristics. Those final balls come a bit later in development. I think he was showing it in the videos a lot with his last team as well. He's still finding his feet and getting used to the tempo.

Of course. I'm not saying that conclusively, I'm just going on what I've seen so far and what I foresee based off that. And in saying that I don't think that is any sort of negative at all if he's not that type of creative player, as I think he has the attributes to be an incredible player in the role I personally envisage him being best in.

 

[vegassd]

Sorry I didn't mean that the young players were forced on him (in terms of those we bought in).

I'm hugely supportive of all the young players we've purchased recently.

But they should be part of a more balanced squad experience-wise and I'm sure Ange thinks that as well.

There is a lot of experience in the squad though... we had VDV, Bentancur, Kulusevski, Maddison and Solanke all available and on the bench. But Ange chose to start the youngsters.

I don't think it's realistic to expect a first and second XI of experienced players, plus an entire XI beyond that of youngsters. We wouldn't be allowed to register them all for European football even if we had that.

Ange has said that he likes working with younger players because they are open to adopting his philosophy. Leaning on younger players is probably going to be something we see a fair amount of with Ange, and personally I'm all for that.

 

[Bluto Blutarsky]

It's become very clear that the stadium hasn't changed our approach much at all and that any manager we have will always be left short one way or another.

I am not so sure.

To really understand if we have changed our tune, we need to stick with a "project" and not sack the manager at the first sign of trouble.

I also think the long-term approach needs to follow the path we are on - not simply chasing player we think can play "right now". That is the approach Man United have taken - and it's a hodgepodge of players, and its really not working.

I would guess that every team feels like they are "short" after a transfer window closes, and that they missed out on an important transfer. But, we are spending money. We are building a core group of players that we can build around. Yes, we have had to start over from the Kane-era. That was inevitable, and it takes a little time. We are probably still another couple of windows away from having a league title winning team.

But - look at yesterday. We heavily rotated for a Europa League match - and it barely registered. The back-ups were capable of playing the same style as the preferred XI. They are just a little younger, and less experienced. But the style of play was seamless. Think back to recent years, when heavy rotation usually meant a poorly played game, and a loss.

I agree that it's ok to be skeptical - we need to see how this plays out in the next 12-18 months. But, it feels like the club are all on the same page, and that we are executing a plan - not simply flying by the seat of our pants - which is where we were when we chased Mourinho, hired Nuno, and then Conte - just hoping for a bit of magic.

Lets see how the plan works.

 

[Thenewcat]

He knows that Coventry match was absolutely massive for this project and the belief of the fans and media etc.

It should’ve be like that so early in his tenure but it’s the way of the world we live in but it did certainly seem like Johnson’s goal and then Spences were kind of Harry Kane deflected free kick vs Villa under Poch type sliding doors moments.

There will still be ups and downs from now on of course but had we lost in the first round of the Carabao Cup again after doing so last year and after selecting a weakened side and results wise having started slowly in the league, he would’ve very much been on the back foot.

Thank goodness we got over the line and now overall we are very much in a positive upwards trajectory.

Totally agree about the sliding doors element. After the Newcastle game I was pretty positive, thinking we outplayed a top 4 contender away without Mickey or any of our centre forwards, but then after 87 mins of the Coventry game you start thinking maybe it’s not bad luck at all and it’s just who we are - a team that doesn’t create or take enough chances and concedes enough cheap goals to always disappoint.

the truth was always somewhere in between but the encouraging thing for me is the tweaks Ange has made (together with the return of Solanke giving us a focal point in attack) made a clear difference. It’s a small sample and we obviously went on a great run at the start of last season and couldn’t sustain it but the signs are positive. Last night was also the first time under Ange that we’ve picked a severely weakened team and actually deservedly won a game. That speaks to the fact that we have more players who suit the system and the youth coming through

 

[Mannnos]

He's much more confident (in front of the press) these days, no coughing and a lot calmer. I actually think with his TV duties over the summer has helped him relax and not worry too much.

He speaks (as he always has) so well, his answers are so crisp and straight to the point.

When he talks you lean in and listen, not like Poch where you lean in and try to work out what the hell he is going on about or Conte with his bitterness etc..

It's hard to see a weakness, the way he presents himself, the football he plays, development of youth (this season), the whole package.

You know he's been coaching for 20+ years & doing press conferences every week during all of it... go watch the first interview he did here. Its the exact same

 

[SuperLuka]

I wonder, and this is not a criticism merely a thought, if his usual second season uptick is as much about him learning and finding out about his squad and his system as it is the players?

The system itself seems to have been bedded in well enough last season but now we're seeing tweaks from Ange etc.

Either way, if we can get a win against Brighton we'll have set ourselves up for the other side of the international break with some tricky fixtures looming in the month after.

He has said there are elements to his system that he will introduce in the second season so we may be seeing that.

 

[EastUpperDK82]

"Part of Spurs' new resilience has been their defence...

Last season they conceded 61 goals in the league but so far this campaign only Liverpool have let in fewer goals than Postecoglou's side. Their expected goals conceded of 5.11 is the best in the league."

 

[mill]

"Part of Spurs' new resilience has been their defence...

Last season they conceded 61 goals in the league but so far this campaign only Liverpool have let in fewer goals than Postecoglou's side. Their expected goals conceded of 5.11 is the best in the league."

Obviously that’s good but watching us it still feels like we’re too easy to get through and then are chaotic and scrambling to get back and cover but if over the season we keep that up who am I to argue

 

[McFlash]

I think the transfer window showed we were interested in doing a lot more but were unable/unwilling to do so. I simply don't buy that Ange wasn't looking for anything more.

As for my general level of misery about the club I was supportive of Levy for years whilst we were told sacrifices had to be made to get the stadium sorted but then it would all be okay.

It's become very clear that the stadium hasn't changed our approach much at all and that any manager we have will always be left short one way or another.

Doesn't mean we're a disaster or anything but...I simply don't see us competing regularly for trophies under Levy and that was, supposedly, the aim.

That's a completely fair response and I do agree to an extent.
We were, once again, left short in the last window and that is frustrating but I do think we've got enough quality coming through that it may not be a big issue.
The last thing we needed to do was to buy for the sake of it and block the pathway of the kids.
It's always a fine balance.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

It's become very clear that the stadium hasn't changed our approach much at all and that any manager we have will always be left short one way or another.

To be fair
1) we do spend quite a lot now
2) the stadium ended up costing a lot more due to factors outside of anyone's control/prediction i.e. covid etc.
3) we still have the debt to repay, and are in the process of doing so - once that's clear, we'll have more free cash

So I do think it's a game changer, but it's not like it's the flick of a switch - it'll take time

 

[EastUpperDK82]

Obviously that’s good but watching us it still feels like we’re too easy to get through and then are chaotic and scrambling to get back and cover but if over the season we keep that up who am I to argue

I get it. Agree... ... a bit more security in what we do at the back. But the stats are fine... cut some of the unpunished mistakes away... I doubt our style will change. And it shouldn't... a few tweaks here and there... and even more quality in the future. It's looking good IMO.

 

[Pochemon94]

found some new signature material, thank you!

holy shit, what a freaking quote

 

[longtimespur]

So people can't criticise whether we win or lose? It seems to me to be almost cult-like on here at times where criticism will not be tolerated and everyone must be relentlessly positive at all times.

I never said that. Just some people can’t wait to do so.