Manager Watch: Ange Postecoglou

[thekneaf]

It would be interesting to see if a manager like Ferguson would make it in the modern game. Maybe Ferguson would have through sheer force of his personality. But most of the Premier League managers now have a distinct footballing philosophy from Klopp to Pep to Ange to Arteta to Poch, De Zerbi etc. There are not many I can think of who are in the mould of Ferguson or even Redknapp.

What do many people miss about Ferguson is that he understood this about himself. When 442 became redundant, he brought in young smart coaches and let them dictate the tactics, while he stepped back to manage. This was his genius. For all his bluster he was relatively humble about his influence. That kept this fresh, and when the game moved on, he just got a new no2 to bed in the updated ways.

Poch never got this, though I think he fancies himself a Fergie. However he surrounds himself with his stale mates and doesn't challenge himself.

Ange, although he has a clearer system, loves to work with new people, learn new things. Beyond playing to win and attacking I think he'd happily adapt his system if someone suggested something that did those two things better.

Management is a high wire act of inspiring confidence and motivating people, while being humble and open minded to better ways. Often managers good at the latter do it in a way that undermines the former.

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

If he does play them, the narrative will be that he isn't taking the cup seriously. You can't please everyone and I just hope we win.

This.

 

[Donki]

It seems to me there might be people on here who actually would like to call him that. I am sorry but it is really fucking weird to hear grown adults talk like that.

Who took the jam outa your donut?

 

[alfie103]

Who took the jam outa your donut?

Honestly, you don't think it is a little strange (at the very least)?

 

[Styopa]

If he does play them, the narrative will be that he isn't taking the cup seriously. You can't please everyone and I just hope we win.

I’m sure everyone here will be fine if Ange plays some of the youth and we lose.

 

[alfie103]

I’m sure everyone here will be fine if Ange plays some of the youth and we lose.

To be fair, I think if we do play youth players in this game then there would be a valid argument the cups aren't valued as highly as the league.

 

[Styopa]

Honestly, you don't think it is a little strange (at the very least)?

I think the point is that it was a joke, and no one is calling him or wants to call him daddy (apart from in your imagination perhaps).

 

[Styopa]

To be fair, I think if we do play youth players in this game then there would be a valid argument the cups aren't valued as highly as the league.

We’re not in Europe and we haven’t won the FA Cup for over thirty years. As I posted in another thread, Arsenal have won it nine times since we were last in the final. That’s just not acceptable for a club like us. I just don’t think there’s any excuse not to take the competition seriously, especially this year.

 

[alfie103]

We’re not in Europe and we haven’t won the FA Cup for over thirty years. As I posted in another thread, Arsenal have won it nine times since we were last in the final. That’s just not acceptable for a club like us. I just don’t think there’s any excuse not to take the competition seriously, especially this year.

I agree with you. I just think by the fact we have barely played any youth players in the league this year, if we then start youth players in the FA Cup, it could be argued we don't take the FA cup as seriously as the league.

 

[Donki]

Honestly, you don't think it is a little strange (at the very least)?

It’s strange you think I’m serious…

 

[Bluto Blutarsky]

Honestly, you don't think it is a little strange (at the very least)?

No, Daddy.

 

[Styopa]

Yep. Ange will know that top 4 status is hugely important to the club, but the best way to get top 4 is to be challenging for the title, then top 4 should take care of itself.

Yeah I think it sends the wrong message to start talking about finishing top four being like winning a trophy. It’s not like winning a trophy at all, and most of the time we are lousy in the Champions League anyway. For the fans the cycle of top four is no good if the football is boring and there is no glory.

It’s undoubtedly important for the status and finances of the club to qualify for the Champions League, but I want our manager to believe we can go all the way. Fair enough, if we fall short but I don’t like us talking like we’re defeated even before we’ve played.

 

[alfie103]

It’s strange you think I’m serious…

Haha fair enough, I apologise. I do think it is a little weird how personally attached people get to managers and players though.

 

[alfie103]

No, Daddy.

You can only call Ange Daddy

 

[easley91]

You can only call Ange Daddy

What about Daddy Davies?

 

[alfie103]

What about Daddy Davies?

Yes, that is weird. Even Ben Davies thought it was weird judging by his reaction.

 

[mil1lion]

It would be interesting to see if a manager like Ferguson would make it in the modern game. Maybe Ferguson would have through sheer force of his personality. But most of the Premier League managers now have a distinct footballing philosophy from Klopp to Pep to Ange to Arteta to Poch, De Zerbi etc. There are not many I can think of who are in the mould of Ferguson or even Redknapp.

You could say that about any past manager though. Different times and all that. Same for players who played with no offside etc. I imagine in the modern day they learn new methods and apply then to the current game. I'm sure Ferguson would have evolved with the times. One thing I think has really changed however is how managers are with their players. For example I'm not sure the hairdryer treatment would work on a lot of players today. They have to build relations with players and make them enjoy the game more today.

To be fair players seemed to love playing for Redknapp too and there's a bit of that with our players under Ange. I think when players have that freedom and are encouraged to go and play they are generally happiest. When they're put under pressure and challenged it can turn more toxic.

 

[jordibwoy]

It's interesting because disciples of say, Ferguson haven't done that well, but I think that's because the carrot and stick/culture of fear approach doesn't work when you're not already seen and revered as the main guy. When it's Bielsa or Cruyff or Guardiola you've got more than just your reputation to fall back on - you've got something that the collective can grasp and believe in.

brb I'm adding this to my manifesto.

I think the main reason is that Ferguson didn't really have very defining football principles. He's probably the greatest man manager that ever lived, but what are his defining footballing principles?

At the end of the day, the reason Cruyff, Pep, Bielsa, Michels, Klopp, etc have so many disciples is because they have a clear idea of what football should look like on the pitch and they had to impart that knowledge of positioning/movement/shape/structure to their players to make it work.

 

[Gb160]

I couldnt give a shite about Ferguson and his underlying whiskey nosed principles.

 

[mil1lion]

We’re not in Europe and we haven’t won the FA Cup for over thirty years. As I posted in another thread, Arsenal have won it nine times since we were last in the final. That’s just not acceptable for a club like us. I just don’t think there’s any excuse not to take the competition seriously, especially this year.

The most frustrating thing with the FA Cup is looking at the teams we went out too. Out to Sheff Utd, Boro, Everton, Norwich and Palace in the last 5 years. We just shouldn't be going out to either of them.