Manager Watch: Ange Postecoglou

[Saoirse]

I think we can all agree Levy has dealed Ange a hand in regards to signings. It’s hard to know if Ange approved or not on what we got over the summer as public and private comments are two different things.

But in regards to team performances, what are people seeing that I’m missing? The odd result again a poor form Man City enough?

We’re playing poorly, the system doesn’t work, he hasn’t improved any players - I don’t see that we’re moving in a positive direction unfortunately.

It’s a shame I know - we all wanted a manager to get behind and stay for a while, but we’re heading for a mid table finish.

We have a mid-table squad (considering depth, injuries etc) and are headed for a mid-table finish, yes. Fix the squad, then we can talk about Ange if things don't improve.

 

[dontcallme]

Not good at all just singling out Werner imo.

Many of them were just as insipid including our captain

Werner doesnt deserve to be alone in public criticism because he miscontrolled that pass on the touchline.

Awful to just single him out, and especially when Ange said himself, just yestetday, that he'd never do that.

Watching the press conference and all he did was answer a direct question about Werner.

He said his substitution was tactical and he wasn’t playing well enough.

I think we’re reacting out of proportion a bit here.

 

[Rout-Ledge]

I’m neither surprised by tonight or strangely that bothered, it’s getting tired & predictable now.

Judging by the lack of post match comments in this thread, I don’t think I’m alone.

I didn’t see the game due to work Xmas do but pleasantly surprised we didn’t lose

 

[Wick3d]

Having just watched the video, he was directly asked about Timo.

Should just be smart about it then, no need to dig into the guy. Especially when he is on record from just the other day stating he would never do that.

Could easily pivot to saying it was a poor team performance, etc. He knows what he is doing there.

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

Not good at all just singling out Werner imo.

Many of them were just as insipid including our captain

Werner doesnt deserve to be alone in public criticism because he miscontrolled that pass on the touchline.

Awful to just single him out, and especially when Ange said himself, just yestetday, that he'd never do that.

Hmm yea fair points as always mate although he is only on loan and we are in a pinch atm and certain players maybe need reminding of the levels they need to reach.

He seemed to be having words with Porro after the game as well likely about his positional defending.

 

[dontcallme]

Should just be smart about it then, no need to dig into the guy. Especially when he is on record from just the other day stating he would never do that.

Could easily pivot to saying it was a poor team performance, etc. He knows what he is doing there.

Maybe we could be smarter by actually watching the interviews instead of overreacting to simplistic media reporting that takes a single quote out of context.

Already a narrative that Ange has singled out Werner has been created when that clearly isn’t the case.

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

He hasn’t been sacked yet because he’s a likable guy who wants offensive football. But result wise he’s no better than Nuno

I’d argue there is more of a gameplan than Nuno, at times under Nuno we had no one in the whole centre of the pitch and certain games we didn’t even have a single shot! It was pathetic and a complete mess.

That being said there are clearly weaknesses with Ange’s plan A and given there is no plan B or C concern are creeping in given 11th in the league and 1 win in 8, injuries are killing us yet again however.

 

[HildoSpur]

Mountain out of a molehill when you actually watch the press conference.

 

[Mr Pink]

Hmm yea fair points as always mate although he is only on loan and we are in a pinch atm and certain players maybe need reminding of the levels they need to reach.

He seemed to be having words with Porro after the game as well likely about his positional defending.

I get he's frustrated, just think he should handle it privately and start give more chances to the likes of Bergvall.

 

[Oh Teddy Teddy]

Should just be smart about it then, no need to dig into the guy. Especially when he is on record from just the other day stating he would never do that.

Could easily pivot to saying it was a poor team performance, etc. He knows what he is doing there.

I think what you meant to say was “I overreacted to a video clip I had not seen.”

That would have been the smart thing.

 

[mil1lion]

Who are these top players? Because I can’t think of many forwards who would work as hard as Solanke but score more than him. Or wingers that can trash full backs in 1v1s and still press like mad men for 90 min.
Or a defensive midfielder who’s a fantastic ball winner but also good progressor and passer (maybe Rodri?).
Rapid centerbacks that can sprint continously for 90 minutes as balls are played in behind, make zero mistakes and be great passers.
And finally full backs who are as good as midfielders as they are defenders, and also make sprint after sprint for 90 minutes.

Without even thinking what such players would cost, who are these players and where are they? Because I can barely think of any that fits the bill, and even fewer who are realistic transfers.

There are far better players than what we have at a cost. Always has been.

 

[freeeki]

Should just be smart about it then, no need to dig into the guy. Especially when he is on record from just the other day stating he would never do that.

Could easily pivot to saying it was a poor team performance, etc. He knows what he is doing there.

I assume you haven’t watched it

 

[fecka]

Totally get your points essentially saying the style of play is to blame and no players are able to sustain it all at this level but in terms of strikers, we could go and get Gyökeres, more realistically Jonathan David is a good pressing forward to add to the squad, Tammy Abraham too but doubt he wants to leave Milan, just a few examples.

In terms of wide players, Mbuemo, Semenyo, Mitoma from the PL and others.

But yea I get your point regarding the concerns regarding the style of play etc.

Gyökeres will cost over 100m, so I wouldn’t call him realistic. David is a good finisher but would we have control with him up front with wingers like Brennan and Timo?
Mbuemo, as much as I like him, thrives more on the counter than in possession and needs a bit of space to beat his man. Mitoma, great 1v1, but would likely be upwards of 70-80m.
Semenyo is another who thrives on the counter, and doesn’t have many standout attributes not unsimilar to Brennan.

As much as I want a takeover and investment into the team, if Ange needs the likes of Vinicius Junior, Bellingham, and Rodrygo in every position he’s the wrong manager for the club.

 

[Mr Pink]

Mountain out of a molehill when you actually watch the press conference.

Fair enough if thats the case, should of watched it first.

 

[Rout-Ledge]

He hasn’t been sacked yet because he’s a likable guy who wants offensive football. But result wise he’s no better than Nuno

Pretty sure he’s worse

 

[Rout-Ledge]

We have a mid-table squad (considering depth, injuries etc) and are headed for a mid-table finish, yes. Fix the squad, then we can talk about Ange if things don't improve.

The squad is better than what it’s showing currently.

 

[fecka]

There are far better players than what we have at a cost. Always has been.

Without a doubt. But would they do better in this shambles of a system?

I can’t say I have much faith about that.

 

[ikky]

Should just be smart about it then, no need to dig into the guy. Especially when he is on record from just the other day stating he would never do that.

Could easily pivot to saying it was a poor team performance, etc. He knows what he is doing there.

Yup, quite easily have said it was just a tactical sub and left it at that. If he really wanted to be critical he could’ve said something like “yes, he wasn’t playing well but to be honest he wasn’t the only one today”.

 

[okc1992]

I get he's frustrated, just think he should handle it privately and start give more chances to the likes of Bergvall.

He said Bergvall was going to start but wasn't well.

 

[okc1992]

Yup, quite easily have said it was just a tactical sub and left it at that. If he really wanted to be critical he could’ve said something like “yes, he wasn’t playing well but to be honest he wasn’t the only one today”.

He said it was a tactical change and he wasn't playing well. There was then a follow up question.