Manager Watch: Ange Postecoglou

[DannyNZ]

In the first half of least season, with the exception of Romero, Conte's first choice defensive options are now Ange's second / third choice, and we have seen in the last few games what that means. Defensively, "key players" for Conte would have been Emerson, Dier, Lenglet (who can't get a start at Villa) and Davies - it's an under appreciated achievement that he got us and kept us in 4th place.

And killed any enjoyment along the way.

 

[mil1lion]

Just had another look at the players we were missing today. I can't remember an injury and suspensions list like that at Spurs.... poor Ange

Romero
Van de Ven
Bissouma
Sarr
Bentancur (1st half injury)
Maddison
Perisic
Richarlison
Solomon
And 3-4 more...

It's insane.. ... and still we manage to deliver a very good and energetic performance. With some nice football on top. And with several players on the pitch during the game that don't fit Ange's style/ideas... that's a sign of top management in my book.

Also how he has managed the situation. Imagine how Conte would react to this many players out. He would be throwing out excuses and playing the victim. The mood would be so much more pessimistic. Ange hasn't made excuses. He's just said it means a chance for others to show what they have. He will want signings but he won't be complaining.

 

[Joely]

Just had another look at the players we were missing today. I can't remember an injury and suspensions list like that at Spurs.... poor Ange

Romero
Van de Ven
Bissouma
Sarr
Bentancur (1st half injury)
Maddison
Perisic
Richarlison
Solomon
And 3-4 more...

It's insane.. ... and still we manage to deliver a very good and energetic performance. With some nice football on top. And with several players on the pitch during the game that don't fit Ange's style/ideas... that's a sign of top management in my book.

This is the biggest thing for me. 5/6 of those are key players for us in the spine of the team. Having those missing coupled with being in the middle of a squad transition is really hurting us. I'm not too sure there are too many clubs around who wouldn't struggle under those circumstances.

 

[coys761]

couldn't help but feel a bit shocked and disappointed by the reactions here after the loss. It's disheartening to see how quickly some fans seem to forget the progress we've made under Ange.

Sure, the result wasn't what we hoped for, but let's not overlook the fact that we're dealing with a string of injuries. In spite of that, we could have easily clinched the game with 2 or 3 goals if we had been more clinical. It's frustrating, but let's keep things in perspective.

What disappoints me more is the knee-jerk reaction from some in our fanbase. Criticizing Ange is nothing less than unfair, especially considering the circumstances. We need to trust the process and understand that building a winning team takes time.

I was genuinely proud to see my 11-year-old son, who's usually devastated after losses, maintain his trust in Ange and the process. If a young fan like him can see the bigger picture, perhaps we should too. Instead of whining, let's rally behind Ange, support the team through thick and thin, and believe in the journey we're on.

COYS!

 

[philll]

I'm not about to start questioning Ange on selections, who does or doesn't come on off the bench or who is or isn't even on the bench. The one thing that he's always said is that he does what he does because he wants to win the game. I'm sure Donley will feature at some point but maybe Ange didn't want to bring him on for his debut in a game where everyone would be looking at him to be the difference-maker. Ideally you'd give him 10-20 minutes at the end of a game we're already comfortable in, just to let him find his feet. We shouldn't be throwing these kids on because we need them to do well, as a hail mary.

As for the likes of Tyrese Hall, he's literally just moved up from the U18s to the U21s. If Ange doesn't think he's ready to contribute for the first team, is a token inclusion on the bench just to fill up a space seen as a reward?

 

[13VanDerBale13]

Just had another look at the players we were missing today. I can't remember an injury and suspensions list like that at Spurs.... poor Ange

Romero
Van de Ven
Bissouma
Sarr
Bentancur (1st half injury)
Maddison
Perisic
Richarlison
Solomon
And 3-4 more...

It's insane.. ... and still we manage to deliver a very good and energetic performance. With some nice football on top. And with several players on the pitch during the game that don't fit Ange's style/ideas... that's a sign of top management in my book.

Yep there’s only so much he can do, he’s trying to get the best out of the fringe players, but unfortunately they are showing once again, they simply are holding us back.

 

[spursville]

Is there an EPL Manager of the month for working miracles sponsored by Silk Purse? If so, I nominate Ange.

 

[Sp3akerboxxx]

Actually he is better than needing a year to know if he has the players. He already knows.

unfortunately he is stuck with them until next few windows.

man’s he knows it ain’t gonna. Change in one window, but several.

Its a whole philosophy and culture that’s being changed

We've been a "few windows" away from achieving something for at least 15 years.

 

[RuskyM]

"We should've just bought someone for CB" + eighteen months = "why can't we get rid of this deadwood?"

The positive difference between Ange and previous, much more storied coaches, is I can see Ange actually having an effect, whereas with Conte and Mourinho it felt like they'd spent as long on preparing excuses as they had tactics. We're in a poor spell for entirely understandable, very obvious reasons. City haven't had de Bruyne for most of the season, and when they lost Rodri they really struggled; if they'd lost Stones, Dias and Silva in one half as well they'd also look shot. Yes, we've lost three in a row; one nightmare, one where we had about three days to put a team together and one against one of the best managers around. (It's not a coincidence we kept getting caught offside; Emery's Villa are really good at that). It isn't the sky falling and it isn't our chickens coming home to roost or whatever; it's just the other side of the coin we saw in games like Liverpool and Sheffield United.

If we play like we did today through these next few weeks, we'll be fine.

 

[coys761]

Winning games shouldn't be our priority and we shouldn't place excessive demands on Ange and the players.

The priority lies in fostering unity and a family-like atmosphere within the club. These elements are far more significant than securing a Champions League spot or trophies.
Let's appreciate the journey, support one another, and build a resilient and connected team.
We need to find a balance where victories contribute to our growth, but not at the expense of the core values that make our club special.

 

[coys761]

Can't wrap my head around how anyone could disagree with the view that our unique identity, family-like atmosphere, and playing style are more crucial than just winning games or trophies.

Even if we were to face 15 losses in a row, my support and belief in Ange's vision and progress wouldn't waver. It's about understanding the broader journey and staying committed to the process. Results may fluctuate, but the long-term development and identity of our club matter most.

We're not City; winning isn't the sole focus for us. Maintaining our club's DNA and trusting Ange's progress should take precedence. The joy of watching our team play exciting football and the unity within our fanbase matter more than just the result on the scoreboard.

Let's stay true to who we are, support the process!

 

[McFlash]

Bottom line is, that if we're still playing competitively while down to the bare bones of the squad, while having to rely on players we all know just aren't suited to the system...
Just think how good we can be with a squad suited to Ange.

We haven't been humiliated in any of the losses, in fact, we could've/should've won a couple of them.
The future is looking good under this management team and long may it be continued and supported by the people in the tower of power.
Ange doesn't need a fortune spent to get him the players he needs, he just need the right kind of player.

We'll be alright going forward from here, in my opinion.
Let's enjoy the journey.

 

[13VanDerBale13]

We've been a "few windows" away from achieving something for at least 15 years.

Sold Kane & yet we’re still told this

Crazy how much this squad, STILL needs overhauling

 

[Ghost Hardware]

The only place anyone should be complaining is the ENIC/Levy thread. Signing a single new CB during the summer when we’ve sold Kane is criminal given the fact that we have horrendous depth

How we didn’t get one was beyond ridiculous in summer and just as bloody ridiculous now. Literally zero excuse not to.

 

[coys761]

How we didn’t get one was beyond ridiculous in summer and just as bloody ridiculous now. Literally zero excuse not to.

We’re not City…we got VdV and that’s absolutely tremendous. We can’t go out and buy 3 cb’s. It doesn’t work that way for us.

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

Just had another look at the players we were missing today. I can't remember an injury and suspensions list like that at Spurs.... poor Ange

Romero
Van de Ven
Bissouma
Sarr
Bentancur (1st half injury)
Maddison
Perisic
Richarlison
Solomon
And 3-4 more...

It's insane.. ... and still we manage to deliver a very good and energetic performance. With some nice football on top. And with several players on the pitch during the game that don't fit Ange's style/ideas... that's a sign of top management in my book.

Fantastic post couldn’t agree more! All things considered we are putting in some incredible performances.

If this was Jose or Conte we’d be parked on the edge of our box losing games 3,4-0 without throwing a punch meanwhile they’d both be moaning 24/7 and throwing their toys out of their pram like little boy losers they are.

Ange isn’t complaining he’s sucking it up and getting the absolute most out of every player, even ones who clearly aren’t suited to this style of play, it’s what a top class manager should be doing, really proud to have him as our manager and will just keep rolling with the ups and downs of this process especially whilst we have one of the worst injury and suspension records I can ever remember any club having right now, talk about hands being tied and yet we still put in a scintillating performance for the most part today.

The next few games and how the table could look might be a bit rocky/rough but let’s grin and bear it as from after City we get Romero back, we’ll have Biss back for City and then possibly Sarr and Bentancur not long after that and possibly Richy too + I think we will do some early January business to help us.

The situation can’t get any worse so let’s dig in and come out stronger the other side.

Proud to support our club again no matter the results right now, thank you Ange.

 

[tommyt]

Shout-out to all the 'square peg' players who know their time at the club is almost up and the manager able to motivate them. Fantastic commitment and maturity - hopefully that continues to rub off on our fans!

 

[k1cks77]

i hate to moan about our fanbase as its a game of opinions, but I have to say im surprised at a fair few (albeit still a minority) comments as to disappointment towards ange. For years we have moaned that our club motto is ‘TO DARE IS TO DO’ and we finally have a manager daring to be brave no matter the consequences and he is being called out for being ‘naive’.

Lets not let the incredible start ange had cloud your judgement into thinking we are underperforming now… we have been a club on the decline for the last 4/5years playing garbage football with a mediocre squad. Yet ange within the space of 14 games has gotten everyone singing from the same hymn sheet. We complained under mourinho and conte that once you get passed the starting 11 we are toast… yet today we have half the squad missing and our players who have been constantly chastised under previous managers like locelso, gil, davies, hjoberg etc, all step up and give a performance well worthy of three points.

Imagine if arsenal lost gabriel, saliba, odegaard, rice, and whoever else their other first team cm is, lets see how they would fair… and to top it off why not destroy their bench options too like ours have been destroyed. Lets be honest, last season they lost one player in saliba and collapsed, yet here we are giving it a good go with half a squad under ange. i hate to use the phrase ‘trust the process’ but arsenal had three years of turbulence under arteta, yet we have three bad results, (not performances) and some have started to moan.

i’ll be honest enough to admit i thought ange would fail as i knew very little about him and thought this job would be be above him… but im glad to be proven completely wrong, and i saw that after 2/3 matches, and my faith is even stronger after today. So lets just wait for the squad to heal and come back stronger whilst we stay positive. COYS.

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

i hate to moan about our fanbase as its a game of opinions, but I have to say im surprised at a fair few (albeit still a minority) comments as to disappointment towards ange. For years we have moaned that our club motto is ‘TO DARE IS TO DO’ and we finally have a manager daring to be brave no matter the consequences and he is being called out for being ‘naive’.

Lets not let the incredible start ange had cloud your judgement into thinking we are underperforming now… we have been a club on the decline for the last 4/5years playing garbage football with a mediocre squad. Yet ange within the space of 14 games has gotten everyone singing from the same hymn sheet. We complained under mourinho and conte that once you get passed the starting 11 we are toast… yet today we have half the squad missing and our players who have been constantly chastised under previous managers like locelso, gil, davies, hjoberg etc, all step up and give a performance well worthy of three points.

Imagine if arsenal lost gabriel, saliba, odegaard, rice, and whoever else their other first team cm is, lets see how they would fair… and to top it off why not destroy their bench options too like ours have been destroyed. Lets be honest, last season they lost one player in saliba and collapsed, yet here we are giving it a good go with half a squad under ange. i hate to use the phrase ‘trust the process’ but arsenal had three years of turbulence under arteta, yet we have three bad results, (not performances) and some have started to moan.

i’ll be honest enough to admit i thought ange would fail as i knew very little about him and thought this job would be be above him… but im glad to be proven completely wrong, and i saw that after 2/3 matches, and my faith is even stronger after today. So lets just wait for the squad to heal and come back stronger whilst we stay positive. COYS.

Barely any are moaning, the vast majority are well behind him, there will ALWAYS be some moaners, that will never change.

Focus yourself on your own view if that is indeed the positive view on Ange and what goodness he is bringing to our club and ignore those who either can’t see and understand it or who are destined to always moan.

InAngewetrust.

 

[bubble07]

Ange said we had 4 full backs and 4 wingers starting. Does that mean he still considers Son a winger or was he referring to GLC?