Manager Watch: Ange Postecoglou

[Finchyid]

We were lucky with some decisions but at 2-1 we had chances to kill the game off we didn’t and the goal was coming with how we defend set pieces..very enjoyable game though. 42 shots and 19 on target…

on another note I am convinced Son is done at this level. Sad to see

 

[Monkey boy]

Yeah, but we followed it up with yet another mixed bag performance & not being at our best.
We need consistency & fast.

and this is I fear what our problem is. This system will either make you look amazing or it will make you look second rate. It’s impossible for players to keep to the levels required to produce the amazing performance both physically and mentally game after game. We look absolutely out on our feet and Fulham will be licking their lips at the thought of doing a number on us this weekend.

 

[TOLBINY]

Many of us have said it for years, we need a proper captain on the field who can sense when the opposition are getting on top and take his team mates by the scruff of the neck verbally (or physically if needed) and shake them back into life on the pitch. Someone who will lead by example with his own performance.

I know Ange says it's not the way he wants to play but there was a period during that second half last night where we just needed to hold onto the ball and allow the team to move up the field as a unit - instead it felt like we were camped in our final third just hoping we could counter.

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

We wernt at our best tonight, and a mixed bag but got a point and we move on.

Onwards and upwards.

This all day.

I never understand all the over analysis and soul searching after getting a point against a good European opponent.

We’re 3 points off the top the league and it’s all in our hands. Not every time we don’t win does there need to be such a downer. Some of you need to get a grip.

 

[olithfc]

signing a left back/selling reguilon will really help Ange for the rest of the season

 

[TEESSIDE1]

It's exactly this.

I didn't like the performance but our main players are having to really work over time cause of injuries elsewhere and our defence is patched up.

it's unfair to go to town on Ange and not consider these factors

It is and it isn’t.

1) Yes the players are being run into the ground and can’t repeat the energy levels we saw against City every 3 days

2) However, Ange’s interview about the priority being entertainment is one of the most ridiculous things I’ve heard a manager say.

His constant stubbornness will be his downfall if he really meant that being entertaining ahead of picking up results is his priority.

 

[TEESSIDE1]

Many of us have said it for years, we need a proper captain on the field who can sense when the opposition are getting on top and take his team mates by the scruff of the neck verbally (or physically if needed) and shake them back into life on the pitch. Someone who will lead by example with his own performance.

I know Ange says it's not the way he wants to play but there was a period during that second half last night where we just needed to hold onto the ball and allow the team to move up the field as a unit - instead it felt like we were camped in our final third just hoping we could counter.

Funnily enough, Ange did this at times last season when he would bring Hojbjerg on to add both leadership, maturity and solidarity to see out games. This season the bench options are two kids in Bergvall or Gray, the latter who to date has only been utilised at full back.

The squad clear out was needed but you must replace what you’ve lost and we didn’t. This doesn’t mean 10 out, 10 in… versatile players and mixture of youth and experience, leaders etc but we only signed Solanke and a load of kids.

 

[mil1lion]

signing a left back/selling reguilon will really help Ange for the rest of the season

Not as much if we can't register them for Europe. They would need to be good enough to start in the league.

 

[ajspurs]

It's a shame as Spence and Reguilon deputising to give Porro and Udogie a rest doesn't sound like the worst of changes. Obviously neither are really in the picture at the moment and one is completely frozen out, but it would sustain good energy levels and have players playing in their actual positions.

 

[muppetman]

It's a shame as Spence and Reguilon deputising to give Porro and Udogie a rest doesn't sound like the worst of changes. Obviously neither are really in the picture at the moment and one is completely frozen out, but it would sustain good energy levels and have players playing in their actual positions.

Spence in particular in the league needs to give Pedro a rest for a game or two I think.

 

[Albertbarich]

I thought Gray was ok but I noticed time and time again they had a 2 v 1 overload on him, that’s not his thought.

Porro was like the team. Brilliant at times, poor at others.

 

[ginola99]

'Why can't we just be entertaining mate?'

The man is the embodiment of Tottenham Hotspur.

 

[Oh Teddy Teddy]

I thought Gray was ok but I noticed time and time again they had a 2 v 1 overload on him, that’s not his thought.

Porro was like the team. Brilliant at times, poor at others.

Thought Son was poor. Both in attack and defence.

 

[allatsea]

Funnily enough, Ange did this at times last season when he would bring Hojbjerg on to add both leadership, maturity and solidarity to see out games. This season the bench options are two kids in Bergvall or Gray, the latter who date has only been utilised at full back.

The squad clear out was needed but you must replace what you’ve lost and we didn’t. This doesn’t mean 10 out, 10 in… versatile players and mixture of youth and experience, leaders etc but we only signed Solanke and a load of kids.

I said we would regret letting Hojbjerg go. We miss his experience and the way he could steady the team for the last quarter or so of the game.

 

[sidford]

Thought Son was poor. Both in attack and defence.

Both our fullbacks badly exposed multiple times last night. Surprised to see it keep happening. Fullbacks did as well as they could given they were regularly against 2

 

[Ghost Hardware]

Not as much if we can't register them for Europe. They would need to be good enough to start in the league.

Could probably unregister Odebert and Bergvall for Europe tbh. Possibly Richy as well depending how bad his injury is.

 

[13VanDerBale13]

We’re 3 points off the top the league and it’s all in our hands. Not every time we don’t win does there need to be such a downer. Some of you need to get a grip.

I would understand this statement if we regularly won back to back games, however we’re so inconsistent, you can understand where the frustration comes from.

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

I would understand this statement if we regularly won back to back games, but it’s been ages since we’ve last done that …

Mate, it's the Europa league. We're in no immediate danger of being eliminated. It's just not that deep.

If we lose against Fulham at the weekend I'll understand the outrage but drawing against Roma (who were recent finalists of this competition) really isn't something to cry about.

 

[Donki]

That’s a good point, a back 3 does seem to fair well against our set-up.

Howe’s 5-4-1, Ipswich’s back 3, Palace had a back 3, I’m sure there are more examples?

I think it’s because teams can ping 50yard quick diagonal switches of play and have a 2vs1 against our exposed full backs and cross into a lot of space.

Certainly something we need to look at, although if we’d kept the ball better that would’ve also helped.

*kept the ball better* is the key point here, u keep the ball u limit the opportunities for the opposition. Probably my biggest concern from Ange is, if you 1 or 2 up keep the ball.

 

[13VanDerBale13]

Mate, it's the Europa league. We're in no immediate danger of being eliminated. It's just not that deep.

If we lose against Fulham at the weekend I'll understand the outrage but drawing against Roma (who were recent finalists of this competition) really isn't something to cry about.

I agree regarding the result last night & the overall picture.

I can also understand the frustration from some people, due to our recent inconsistency in the league, which is still fresh in their mind.

Let’s hope for some consistency in the PL, so not every result outside of it, gets highlighted even more.