Manager Watch: Ange Postecoglou

[marion52]

In his after match he said he didnt want to switch Micky to full back because of his injuries

 

[ljinko888]

Still not convinced he has the tactical nous to solve the defensive problems we seem to be experiencing.

The defence is made up of about 150m-200m quids worth of recently purchased talent and yet they've been looking less and less capable across the season.

Valid concern.

We shouldn't be on such a wretched run of no clean sheets. I think it is now 2 in 27 league games.

I am hopeful that a clean break over the summer can rekindle that early season level of performance where we were able to camp in the opposition half and not worry much defensively. That's what we did in the second half today. It is how Man City defend.

But the worry will be that could be the anomaly and basketball style football where it is you attack - we attack is the norm and then we will hopefully win lots of high scoring games but mixed results. We'll be on the wrong end of some 4-3s and 3-2s next season even if we bolster attacking prowess if we get cut open as much as we cut the other team open. Our defenders are very good individually and they for the most part play well in games. We just need some structure in how we defend. Bissouma's form going on the slide after the Luton away game started the spiral in my view as there's no other profile of a number 6 for this style of play Ange wants at the club.

 

[Yiddo100]

Needs to stop being so stubborn with his selections.
Took long enough to realise VDV can play at LB & that Son at striker, wasn’t working.

Not stubborn but actually turns out he’s looking after player welfare.

 

[wpmcg]

But Micky can do it.
Got to be Vic
Drag Romero VDV
Porro Sarr Biss GLC
Madders
Johnson, Son.

 

[philll]

But Micky can do it.
Got to be Vic
Drag Romero VDV
Porro Sarr Biss GLC
Madders
Johnson, Son.

What tune is this to?

 

[greaves]

What tune is this to?

(Definitely shades of 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover)

 

[cookiemonster]

Trust it.

Points first season

Ten Hag. 66

 

[cookiemonster]

Still not convinced he has the tactical nous to solve the defensive problems we seem to be experiencing.

The defence is made up of about 150m-200m quids worth of recently purchased talent and yet they've been looking less and less capable across the season.

No defensive shape at all when attacking or defending

 

[king_yid]

Still not convinced he has the tactical nous to solve the defensive problems we seem to be experiencing.

The defence is made up of about 150m-200m quids worth of recently purchased talent and yet they've been looking less and less capable across the season.

Ye of little faith

 

[Cheltenham Spur]

Points first season

Ten Hag. 66

Kind of proves the point that you can't make a proper judgement on a single season. Whether it works out or not will only be clear in time.

 

[McFlash]

Kind of proves the point that you can't make a proper judgement on a single season. Whether it works out or not will only be clear in time.

Of course because it fails to account for what every other team in the league is doing.
"Oh, so and so got X points in their first season" is pointless because there are so many variables to be considered.

 

[cliff jones]

fault for the breakaway goals we concede does not typically lie with the expensive defensive acquisitions.

It lies with an fb being up the field and unable to get back in time after possession is turned over. Berge rode three unsuccessful challenges before playing the assist. Only Porro's was poor.

No way does he dribble through City or the Scum like that. Someone brings him down. The higher up the pitch the better to minimize yellows.

This is another key to improving defensively alongside protecting Vic at corners.

Basics, though, really- if you want to mix it at the top and particularly in Europe

 

[nico97531]

fault for the breakaway goals we concede does not typically lie with the expensive defensive acquisitions.

It lies with an fb being up the field and unable to get back in time after possession is turned over. Berge rode three unsuccessful challenges before playing the assist. Only Porro's was poor.

No way does he dribble through City or the Scum like that. Someone brings him down. The higher up the pitch the better to minimize yellows.

This is another key to improving defensively alongside protecting Vic at corners.

Basics, though, really- if you want to mix it at the top and particularly in Europe

On this occasion, it’s not the FB being too far up the pitch, it’s skipp caught ball watching and left a gaping hole in the defensive line, when he realized the WF has made the run it’s already too late.

But I do agree one of Sarr or Johnson should have clipped Berge. Hopefully it’s going to come with experience.

 

[cliff jones]

On this occasion, it’s not the FB being too far up the pitch, it’s skipp caught ball watching and left a gaping hole in the defensive line, when he realized the WF has made the run it’s already too late.

But I do agree one of Sarr or Johnson should have clipped Berge. Hopefully it’s going to come with experience.

Actually you're dead right on the first point. Just watched it back.

Davies may have been guilty v Saka, too, but the outcome may have been more down to falling for the feint.

Porro and Udogie do get caught up field a lot though, and tactical fouls can help us mitigate the risks of Ange's strategy- that's my main point.

Ange has enough experience and nous to get this into players quickly

 

[Liamyid28]

In his after match he said he didnt want to switch Micky to full back because of his injuries

So he has thought about using him at left back but is actually worried about his fitness! Who would have thought Ange knows more about his players than some on social media

 

[piedpiper]

Klopp's a nasty piece of work when things don't go his way, full of excuses and spite.
Good manager but he's a bully, not a decent bloke.

I have to be one of the only people on here that likes Klopp.... I've never seen anything wrong with him. Excellent manager mo different to any other in press meeti gs or in defending his team to the hilt.

 

[piedpiper]

We’ll probably finish 5th now, and very close to 4th. Most people would have been pleased with that at the start of the season after we sold Kane.

It’s not been pretty recently. But it’s like writing the first draft of a novel. You pour it all onto the page and it’s a mess. Then you rewrite and revise and you have something great, or at least you hope you do.

I still think Ange is capable of great things here.

Start of the season I had us down for 8th and 9th possibly. Losing our best player and all of it. So 5th isnt too bad.....well its great all things considered.

I hate how we easily opened up and I switched off mentally after that 1st goal yesterday.....ffs its Burnley. If we don't improve in that area next season. I won't be Ange out.... but I'll probably not bother watching similar to the end of AVB' s reign.

That last sentence........ naaah I'm not so sure.

 

[whenstevewentup]

Everyone is basing their opinion on Ange from the first 9/10 games . The next 27 have been a car crash , I’d be amazed if levy isn’t concerned about giving Ange the funds in the summer not only based on the football but the lack of effort from the players in that time . It’s one thing saying that the system isn’t perfect for the players we have , it’s another when you watch how lethargic our players look and this system needs energy as well as technical ability . It feels like Ossie all over again , fans desperate for it to work but a manager out of his depth . Desperately hope I’m proved wrong .

 

[NEVILLEB]

Looks like Ange has been telling porkies today re injuries with the Richarlison news. He got very shirty with a reporter who questioned whether what he said about dier being injured was actually true, wonder if the reporter will pull him up on this one.

His defensiveness is a concern.

Can’t take criticism and that’s a sign of weakness.

 

[WorthATry]

His defensiveness is a concern.

Can’t take criticism and that’s a sign of weakness.

Name me a top manager who isn't defensive