Manager Watch: Ange Postecoglou

[arunspurs]

Nah come on that's massively overstating lots of this. There are very few 6s better than Bissouma in the league, especially if we're talking about the specific way the role works in our system.

No6 role in our system or any progressive ball playing team's system is
i) With Ball - Be Reliable to receive pass & make pass, Be available for ball to receive anywhere on pitch, Be press resistant...
ii) Without Ball - Be aware of threats, Track your runner, able to tackle/block/intercept as much as possible

Bissouma
i) With ball - Press resistant but not reliable at all on passes. Gives away possession even under no pressure sometimes.
ii) Without ball - last season showed time & again, he doesnt track runners. His defensive percentages should be average at best. No wonder even with a back5 we have, our defensive numbers are shocking.

Bissouma

i) Wont get into City or Arsenal squad
ii) Wont make into Villa or Chelsea or Newcastle XI over their current starters.
iii) Of the midtable teams, I am playing Wharton, Joao Gomes over Bissouma.
If we look at last season to this, David Luiz, Paulinha & Gross have left for far bigger teams . Bissouma wont get in before them 3 either.
United & Liverpool dont have great no6 currently....but even then, a fit Casemiro or Bissouma - Casemiro for me. MacAllister or Bissouma, my choice isnt Bissouma.

If Bentancur is fit, he is our best no6. Not Bissouma.

 

[spurs9]

I am bit pissed that the whole window , we didnt address the one issue we should have. I thought Ange would have addressed it. Thats no6.

I am still one of the biggest critic of Bissouma - for his lack of awareness, lack of tracking runners, inability to keep ball, giving away possession under no pressure...and so on. His best attribute is, his ability to wriggle out of 3 or 4 opponents around him - but then its useless if you are going to give it away seconds later when no opponent is pressing you.

I dont mind writing this on back of a game, he just scored his 1st goal. Bissouma is good player but a squad player. There are better no6 than him in atleast 10 of the PL clubs.

In above picture of player map, for this Ange formation to work, the best player in the side has to be a no6. Pep plays this style & it works for him because he has Rodri to do the job and keeping the ball and recycling.

Ange is trying to play similar way but given unreliable Bissouma or Bentancur who sadly only can play at his peak for 45minutes.

Gray has been tried but he is not a natural no6.

If we should splash the cash in Jan or next summer, it should be no6.

Of all the players in squad, Bergvall for me has the best temperament and ability to play no6 - he has done it in some of the games last season. For him to level up in PL, I hope Ange tries him as no6 than Gray. Gray IMO, is a better fit for no8 on right side than a no6.

Who should we have signed? Liverpool and Arsenal also need a #6 but haven't signed one as there aren't any decent #6s available.

 

[Trix]

Gray has been tried but he's not a 6? I suppose an hour or so at 18 years of age and in a new team is plenty of time to make that assessment thoroughly.

 

[spurs9]

No6 role in our system or any progressive ball playing team's system is
i) With Ball - Be Reliable to receive pass & make pass, Be available for ball to receive anywhere on pitch, Be press resistant...
ii) Without Ball - Be aware of threats, Track your runner, able to tackle/block/intercept as much as possible

Bissouma
i) With ball - Press resistant but not reliable at all on passes. Gives away possession even under no pressure sometimes.
ii) Without ball - last season showed time & again, he doesnt track runners. His defensive percentages should be average at best. No wonder even with a back5 we have, our defensive numbers are shocking.

Bissouma

i) Wont get into City or Arsenal squad
ii) Wont make into Villa or Chelsea or Newcastle XI over their current starters.
iii) Of the midtable teams, I am playing Wharton, Joao Gomes over Bissouma.
If we look at last season to this, David Luiz, Paulinha & Gross have left for far bigger teams . Bissouma wont get in before them 3 either.
United & Liverpool dont have great no6 currently....but even then, a fit Casemiro or Bissouma - Casemiro for me. MacAllister or Bissouma, my choice isnt Bissouma.

If Bentancur is fit, he is our best no6. Not Bissouma.

Sideshow bob? Don't want a 37 year old CB playing as a #6.

Casemiro better, lol, even Utd fans wouldn't agree with that.

 

[spurs9]

Gray has been tried but he's not a 6? I suppose an hour or so at 18 years of age is plenty of time to make that assessment thoroughly.

I think you replied to the wrong post. I agree, pretty sure Leeds considered him a natural #6.

 

[Trix]

I think you replied to the wrong post. I agree, pretty sure Leeds considered him a natural #6.

I did indeed reply to the wrong post.

 

[stormfly]

Biss has an 100% win record for us this season. The guy is awesome!

 

[BorjeSpurs]

I am bit pissed that the whole window , we didnt address the one issue we should have. I thought Ange would have addressed it. Thats no6.

I am still one of the biggest critic of Bissouma - for his lack of awareness, lack of tracking runners, inability to keep ball, giving away possession under no pressure...and so on. His best attribute is, his ability to wriggle out of 3 or 4 opponents around him - but then its useless if you are going to give it away seconds later when no opponent is pressing you.

I dont mind writing this on back of a game, he just scored his 1st goal. Bissouma is good player but a squad player. There are better no6 than him in atleast 10 of the PL clubs.

In above picture of player map, for this Ange formation to work, the best player in the side has to be a no6. Pep plays this style & it works for him because he has Rodri to do the job and keeping the ball and recycling.

Ange is trying to play similar way but given unreliable Bissouma or Bentancur who sadly only can play at his peak for 45minutes.

Gray has been tried but he is not a natural no6.

If we should splash the cash in Jan or next summer, it should be no6.

Of all the players in squad, Bergvall for me has the best temperament and ability to play no6 - he has done it in some of the games last season. For him to level up in PL, I hope Ange tries him as no6 than Gray. Gray IMO, is a better fit for no8 on right side than a no6.

No6 role in our system or any progressive ball playing team's system is
i) With Ball - Be Reliable to receive pass & make pass, Be available for ball to receive anywhere on pitch, Be press resistant...
ii) Without Ball - Be aware of threats, Track your runner, able to tackle/block/intercept as much as possible

Bissouma
i) With ball - Press resistant but not reliable at all on passes. Gives away possession even under no pressure sometimes.
ii) Without ball - last season showed time & again, he doesnt track runners. His defensive percentages should be average at best. No wonder even with a back5 we have, our defensive numbers are shocking.

Bissouma

i) Wont get into City or Arsenal squad
ii) Wont make into Villa or Chelsea or Newcastle XI over their current starters.
iii) Of the midtable teams, I am playing Wharton, Joao Gomes over Bissouma.
If we look at last season to this, David Luiz, Paulinha & Gross have left for far bigger teams . Bissouma wont get in before them 3 either.
United & Liverpool dont have great no6 currently....but even then, a fit Casemiro or Bissouma - Casemiro for me. MacAllister or Bissouma, my choice isnt Bissouma.

If Bentancur is fit, he is our best no6. Not Bissouma.

That's a lot of words the day after Bissouma has come back into the team, had a great game, scored his 1st goal and apologised to Ange and the fans.

There is nothing wrong with his ability, all about consistency.

With an early season wake up call he can still be a really good player for us.

 

[spurmin]

I am bit pissed that the whole window , we didnt address the one issue we should have. I thought Ange would have addressed it. Thats no6.

I am still one of the biggest critic of Bissouma - for his lack of awareness, lack of tracking runners, inability to keep ball, giving away possession under no pressure...and so on. His best attribute is, his ability to wriggle out of 3 or 4 opponents around him - but then its useless if you are going to give it away seconds later when no opponent is pressing you.

I dont mind writing this on back of a game, he just scored his 1st goal. Bissouma is good player but a squad player. There are better no6 than him in atleast 10 of the PL clubs.

In above picture of player map, for this Ange formation to work, the best player in the side has to be a no6. Pep plays this style & it works for him because he has Rodri to do the job and keeping the ball and recycling.

Ange is trying to play similar way but given unreliable Bissouma or Bentancur who sadly only can play at his peak for 45minutes.

Gray has been tried but he is not a natural no6.

If we should splash the cash in Jan or next summer, it should be no6.

Of all the players in squad, Bergvall for me has the best temperament and ability to play no6 - he has done it in some of the games last season. For him to level up in PL, I hope Ange tries him as no6 than Gray. Gray IMO, is a better fit for no8 on right side than a no6.

Number 6 Number 8
what a whole load of number 2.

 

[arunspurs]

That's a lot of words the day after Bissouma has come back into the team, had a great game, scored his 1st goal and apologised to Ange and the fans.

There is nothing wrong with his ability, all about consistency.

With an early season wake up call he can still be a really good player for us.

That’s the thing , isn’t it…
My views doesn’t change just because , Bissouma scored once against a 14 man fit squad of struggling Everton…

Just to remind you again, before his goal - he did give away possession needlessly (which whole stadium groaned) that almost resulted in a counter attack goal.

I guess people don’t want “bad” views on a player who just “contributed”. I don’t mind negative replies because I know in this specific case of Biss , majority will agree by end of season.

 

[spurmin]

That’s the thing , isn’t it…
My views doesn’t change just because , Bissouma scored once against a 14 man fit squad of struggling Everton…

Just to remind you again, before his goal - he did give away possession needlessly (which whole stadium groaned) that almost resulted in a counter attack goal.

I guess people don’t want “bad” views on a player who just “contributed”. I don’t mind negative replies because I know in this specific case of Biss , majority will agree by end of season.

There isn’t a single player in any league that doesn’t at some point give the ball away needlessly and under no pressure.
Trying passes and taking risks with forward passing is what the manager preaches isn’t it?
Stadium groans are always there. No one is exempt.

 

[arunspurs]

There isn’t a single player in any league that doesn’t at some point give the ball away needlessly and under no pressure.
Trying passes and taking risks with forward passing is what the manager preaches isn’t it?
Stadium groans are always there. No one is exempt.

I agree on crowd aspect but what I am saying isnt isolated things anyway. I am pretty sure , if you take your time to scroll the posts between Feb & May on Bissouma - you will see the same thing said from others. As I said, my view isn’t from 1 recent game.

Anyway, apologies for diverting attention to Biss on this thread.

 

[longtimespur]

I think Bissouma does deserve one final chance as there is a great player in there, he just needs to stay consistent, professional, arrive on time for training etc and not piss about doing stupid things like nitrous balloons. Interesting to hear that Ange has had concerns for a while, Conte was probably of the same frame of mind about him. Agree its make or break time for him, performances like yesterday on a regular basis and professionalism will mean Ange will want to keep him next season. Any more off the pitch screw ups /regular poor performances on it and he will be rightly out the door.

Ok let’s see how it goes.

 

[nicdic]

No6 role in our system or any progressive ball playing team's system is
i) With Ball - Be Reliable to receive pass & make pass, Be available for ball to receive anywhere on pitch, Be press resistant...
ii) Without Ball - Be aware of threats, Track your runner, able to tackle/block/intercept as much as possible

Bissouma
i) With ball - Press resistant but not reliable at all on passes. Gives away possession even under no pressure sometimes.
ii) Without ball - last season showed time & again, he doesnt track runners. His defensive percentages should be average at best. No wonder even with a back5 we have, our defensive numbers are shocking.

Bissouma

i) Wont get into City or Arsenal squad
ii) Wont make into Villa or Chelsea or Newcastle XI over their current starters.
iii) Of the midtable teams, I am playing Wharton, Joao Gomes over Bissouma.
If we look at last season to this, David Luiz, Paulinha & Gross have left for far bigger teams . Bissouma wont get in before them 3 either.
United & Liverpool dont have great no6 currently....but even then, a fit Casemiro or Bissouma - Casemiro for me. MacAllister or Bissouma, my choice isnt Bissouma.

If Bentancur is fit, he is our best no6. Not Bissouma.

I think that's an incredibly harsh perspective on Bissouma. In the 6 in Ange's system, the biggest thing is to be able to receive the ball under pressure, and play through the press. He's one of the better players in the league at doing that, and keeps trying to do it whether it comes off or not. Every player makes bad passes sometimes, and sometimes under no pressure. But I think you're massively overstating this in Bissouma vs others.

Your biggest criticism of him is giving the ball away, yet his passing accuracy is petter than the others that you mention. Maybe it's just that you notice it more with Bissouma because you watch him more regularly?

 

[HildoSpur]

No6 role in our system or any progressive ball playing team's system is
i) With Ball - Be Reliable to receive pass & make pass, Be available for ball to receive anywhere on pitch, Be press resistant...
ii) Without Ball - Be aware of threats, Track your runner, able to tackle/block/intercept as much as possible

Bissouma
i) With ball - Press resistant but not reliable at all on passes. Gives away possession even under no pressure sometimes.
ii) Without ball - last season showed time & again, he doesnt track runners. His defensive percentages should be average at best. No wonder even with a back5 we have, our defensive numbers are shocking.

Bissouma

i) Wont get into City or Arsenal squad
ii) Wont make into Villa or Chelsea or Newcastle XI over their current starters.
iii) Of the midtable teams, I am playing Wharton, Joao Gomes over Bissouma.
If we look at last season to this, David Luiz, Paulinha & Gross have left for far bigger teams . Bissouma wont get in before them 3 either.
United & Liverpool dont have great no6 currently....but even then, a fit Casemiro or Bissouma - Casemiro for me. MacAllister or Bissouma, my choice isnt Bissouma.

If Bentancur is fit, he is our best no6. Not Bissouma.

I'm glad you aren't on our scouting team.

 

[Archibald&Crooks]

We should really start a Bissouma thread.

 

[SuperLuka]

Why have a Bissouma thread when there's a perfectly good Ange Postocoglu thread?

 

[dontcallme]

For me, much of the success of this season hinges on existing players stepping up.

I think our back 5 is very good but we need the backup players to step up when called on.

In midfield if Bissouma or Bentancur can stay fit all season and play at their best our midfield is transformed.

If Maddison can perform and stay fit all season our creativity is greatly improved. Kulusevski finding his role will also massively help.

Solanke and Richarlison should be good for leading the line. If Son and Johnson can play to their level there is a lot of goals in that front 3.

 

[rossdapep]

Micky mentioned it but I was thinking it too on Saturday.

I liked how we went long a couple of times to add an element of surprise.

Also Deki getting into those half spaces adds another level of complexity for the opposition to deal with.

Last season, the opposition had figured out if they sit compact and let our CBs have the ball and limit space between lines then we found it really difficult as our main contributer was Maddison finding space.

Deki was fine to leave out wide and all you have to do to stop Son is make sure his first touch is away from their goal.

By Deki operating where he has been, Son drifting rather than hugging the line and looking to come in as Odobert holds the width (Johnson opposite side) means that the opposition can't just sit compact and watch one or 2 players.

They now have to be conscious of quick balls behind, switches of play and players drifting into spaces. They have to be more active and that can leave gaps.

Thought we dragged Everton around brilliantly for first 15-20.

If we can do that to most sides at home and sharpen up our finishing we should blow teams out of sight before 30 mins.

The problem is when we miss certain players or come up against opposition who are much more dangerous on counter attacks.

 

[teddy1066]

I’m pro Ange he seems a decent man with none of the bullshit our previous two mangers came with. But and there is a big but, we need to see him get a tune out of the side for 70 plus minutes not the 30 or so we have had since the first ten games last season. The side is talented but switches off to often either at set pieces or when we are on top in a game. I accept we can’t dominate for the whole game in the premiership but we rarely put two consistent halves together in the same game.