Manager Watch: Ange Postecoglou

[Jedspur]

I think that statement from Ange about the substitutions is one of the most stupid things i have heard a manager say in a long time. I don't think it helps him either with the fans and the media. I am not ange out either but come on that is just stupid.

 

[13VanDerBale13]

This response explains so much. Today wasn’t the first time his poor in game management has cost us and going by that response it won’t be the last. At least it clarifies that it is deliberate. Whilst I somewhat understand what he is reaching for I must say it is a rather idealistic, if not naive and fundamentally flawed, view.

Just listen to his pre match interview I posted earlier, the guy is as stubborn as it comes.

 

[parj]

And it’s not Madders or Romero’s fault that ange doesn’t seem to think substitutes play a role in changing momentum. He was most to blame for today, it was clear we needed to change things at 2-1, blinding obvious at 2-2 and beyond comprehension that we still waited another 15 minutes at 2-3. I don’t want to hear him calling out anyone else if he isn’t capable of analysing his own decision making

Romero can't be bothered to mark Wellbeck is going to be cured by subs?

 

[Mr Pink]

Exactly how I saw it too.

They raised their levels, in turn, so too did the crowd.

We simply didn't. It was a very poor reaction.

Now the question for me is:

1. Was that because we simply switched off and lost composure. Thinking we were Billy big bollocks?
2. Was it because of the midweek games and not having enough cover in certain areas (Udogie just coming back from injury, prob not up to speed)?

Time will tell us that.

However, I do want to see Ange do something when he sees players drop a level.

He needs to change it to at least show players they cannot let up.

We should have cruised that second half today by ensuring we got a 3rd early on. In fact, I was expecting us too.

We lost heads and lost cool.

Until we address that we are not going to compete.

I have largely expecting our league form to be a bit hot and cold, in fact, I said it last week.

I want to see us have more composed games and do well in the cups.

Too many games like today will only set us far back.

Its because we still have a weak mentality mate - when the going gets tough.

We need leaders who are going to fight back, and compete.

We just accepted it really. It was pathetic to watch.

Until we address this fragile mentality we're not going to progress.

We play pretty football, but we cant handle the ugly side of the game....something Arsenal have compromised in order to progress.

But Ange has to instil and direct this or nothing will change

 

[rossdapep]

Not that the criticism isn’t valid up to a point buuuuuut…….IMO all of this is a tad over the top. Again people presuppose changes would have had the desired effect. Had he made the changes at the ‘right’ times would it really have sparked a turnaround?

Obviously we don’t know maybe it would maybe it wouldn’t. I’d have liked to have seen something done earlier but I’m not going to give it the this is ‘on’ Ange thing, that, for me isn’t the case.

Far too many are ready to be "Ange out" or declare that he won't win anything.

You know what?

Our fan base deserves fuck all.

Look at Liverpool.

When they had set backs and bad days under Klopp hardly any of them doubted him or asked for him to go or made bold predictions. They mostly got behind him and stated he was the second coming.

That makes a difference because ot ensures unnecessary unrest doesn't build.

Far too many of us pay too much attention to rival pundits and Rory Jennings and that's like that.

Those rivals want Spurs to fail so of course they will help to feed the narrative that "this coach isn't good enough".

For once, we need to be patient, brave and not bite. Wait to see.

If we are still doing this later in this season and get knocked out of the cups then perhaps its mot meant to be but there's a lot of self sabotage because we want to rip things up quickly.

Far too many people want to be 'right' instead of just going a long for the ride.

Another bad second half shouldn't have us reaching for the panic button.

We need to get better at what's holding us back (Ange too).

Only time, patience and a little faith can do that.

 

[TheVoiceofReason]

I think that statement from Ange about the substitutions is one of the most stupid things i have heard a manager say in a long time. I don't think it helps him either with the fans and the media. I am not ange out either but come on that is just stupid.

totally agree: “But I think if you do get something out of the game, you're falsely rewarded and I don't want to get falsely rewarded.”

What the fuck is he talking about?

 

[felmani26]

This response explains so much. Today wasn’t the first time his poor in game management has cost us and going by that response it won’t be the last. At least it clarifies that it is deliberate. Whilst I somewhat understand what he is reaching for I must say it is a rather idealistic, if not naive and fundamentally flawed, view.

It's also a big slap in the face to the players on the bench.

The underlying message, whichever way you want to cut it, is that in that moment, you weren't trusted to make a tangible difference.

 

[Impspur1]

This response explains so much. Today wasn’t the first time his poor in game management has cost us and going by that response it won’t be the last. At least it clarifies that it is deliberate. Whilst I somewhat understand what he is reaching for I must say it is a rather idealistic, if not naive and fundamentally flawed, view.

Quite! You simply cannot manage a team that has aspirations to be challenging for top honours and say this. Surely the whole point of investing in the squad is to add quality for exactly moments like this. Also not sure what message it sends those youngsters on the bench, when the manger won’t get you on when he openly admits he knows the starters were crap! I’m a little perplexed by some of his press conferences following a bad defeat or performance.

 

[Impspur1]

It's also a big slap in the face to the players on the bench.

The underlying message, whichever way you want to cut it, is that in that moment, you weren't trusted to make a tangible difference.

Literally just said the same thing

 

[RuskyM]

totally agree: “But I think if you do get something out of the game, you're falsely rewarded and I don't want to get falsely rewarded.”

What the fuck is he talking about?

That he’s looking for something sustainable - ie through the blueprint - rather than throwing the dice and scrapping the plan on the fly, hoping that the players adapt. Lots of managers do this.

 

[Impspur1]

That he’s looking for something sustainable - ie through the blueprint - rather than throwing the dice and scrapping the plan on the fly, hoping that the players adapt. Lots of managers do this.

But replacing underperforming players for players you have bought to fit the “blueprint” you created isn’t ripping it up is it?

 

[rossdapep]

Its because we still have a weak mentality mate - when the going gets tough.

We need leaders who are going to fight back, and compete.

We just accepted it really. It was pathetic to watch.

Until we address this fragile mentality we're not going to progress.

We play pretty football, but we cant handle the ugly side of the game....something Arsenal have compromised in order to progress.

But Ange has to instil and direct this or nothing will change

Exactly.

I can forgive Udogie ( age) his mistake led to Brighton's crowd being able to get up for it.

But we have a lot of older heads who lose their cool.

Romero flying about and not holding his position.

Maddison who completely disappears.

Werner was invisible in the second half.

Bentancur struggled although, he probably needed help.

One thing I will say is, perhaps Ange looked at the bench and felt that of he changes it too soon only Moore can be used as an attacking weapon.

I would have taken Maddison and Werner off and brought on Bissouma and Sarr - switching Johnson to the left and Deki on the right, that would have made us hard to play through

But I suppose if you do that, you only have Moore as an attacking option to change approach back to all out attack.

Having Odobert, Son and Richy available and I'm sure Ange would have made a changer much sooner.

 

[Jedspur]

totally agree: “But I think if you do get something out of the game, you're falsely rewarded and I don't want to get falsely rewarded.”

What the fuck is he talking about?

Exactly surely a manager wants his team to win at any cost.

 

[phillipjpalmer]

I've said it before, this style of play will get found out from time to time.
Attacking players get so much time and space against us if they break the press.
The prem is stacked with quality attacking teams, which probably have a high conversion rate than us.
Its a recipe for disaster.

It may win us a cup in a run of isolated games, but no way are we consistent enough to do anything in the league.

 

[RuskyM]

But replacing underperforming players for players you have bought to fit the “blueprint” you created isn’t ripping it up is it?

What players that he’s brought? Gray and Bergvall?

It’s not unreasonable that he thought the players who had us 2-0 up would be the ones to get back control of the game.

 

[dricha1]

That he’s looking for something sustainable - ie through the blueprint - rather than throwing the dice and scrapping the plan on the fly, hoping that the players adapt. Lots of managers do this.

What’s the point of having a big squad or a better bench then?.

if he was trying to make a point to the players he could have made it at a 2-2…made the subs and if we’d had got a result, shown the players he removed why they were removed…don’t just lose a game to prove a point…

 

[13VanDerBale13]

Whether it’s Ange or someone else, this is who we are as a club. Mentally WEAK.

 

[TheVoiceofReason]

That he’s looking for something sustainable - ie through the blueprint - rather than throwing the dice and scrapping the plan on the fly, hoping that the players adapt. Lots of managers do this.

Throw games to send a message? I’m not buying that. At least try and draw the game. Is this kind of comment not very concerning and contradictory to all the bullish things he says about success? I love the way Ange sets up teams and really hope it starts working, but hearing this kind of thing from him just makes my heart sink, it sounds like a poor excuse from a man who doesn’t have the answers.

 

[Impspur1]

What players that he’s brought? Gray and Bergvall?

It’s not unreasonable that he thought the players who had us 2-0 up would be the ones to get back control of the game.

Yes,absolutely they are players he deems good enough to be on the bench gray cost £40m so not exactly bargain basement. He has repeatedly stated he sees them as not just players for the future but for the present too.

 

[Misfit]

Why is he like this ffs

Were you tempted to make your subs earlier as the game was turning?

Yeah I could have. But... all these things... are totally irrelevant to me. Substitutions and all those kind of things. If you're not competitive, it doesn't matter what you do, you're not going to get rewards, you don't deserve to win. We didn't deserve on our second-half performance, irrespective of subs or anything else, to get something out of the game. But I think if you do get something out of the game, you're falsely rewarded and I don't want to get falsely rewarded.

If you have Citeh's/RM's/et al squad then fine I guess but this is simply not connected to reality. There's no manifesting outcomes through sheer force of will in professional sports with all the economic and competitive disparities that occur naturally. You also have to use some smarts every now and then when needs be.

This comes across as wilful naivety and self-sabotage tbh.