Welcome Ange: To Dare is to Didgeridoo

[harr1984]

The squad is plenty deep to finish top 6 & balance playing in the cups.

Respectfully disagree. Even without going through our squad which is imbalanced and thin on the 'quality players right now' segment - there are now too many good teams not playing in Europe each season who can beat those who are playing in Europe - this year Forest, Fulham, Brighton, Saudi Sportswashing Machine, Bournemouth are the clubs who can. We need to have a better/deeper squad than we do currently to match them whilst playing midweek aswell.

Our team might be better than them at face value, but once injuries and tiredness of all the extra games sets in we are lacking up against those teams who are fresher and also have more time to tactically work on the weekends games....

 

[Kompakted]

Nope. Ffp was brought in 2011. De bruyne joined chelsea 2012.

Gray will turn 21 in march 2027. It will be during his 3rd season with us. So he'll qualify as club trained. Think the cut off is in jan.

"Financial Fair Play" was a UEFA set of rules and it was agreed in 2011, originally supposed to be brought into force in 2012 but wasn't fully brought into force until 2015. It governed clubs being able to play in UEFA competitions. PL PSR rules came in for 2013/14. De Bruyne was bought by Chelsea as he was a ridiculously outstanding young player. Chelsea have had an extremely good academy and youth recruitment set up for years. Its always been a key component of a successful club. Think about all the truly legendary club teams in history - they've often featured a core of players that have come up through the youth recruitment and academy structure together, whether that's Fergie's United, the Barca team with Xavi, Iniesta, Messi, Ajax in the mid 90s, etc.

Even our best team of recent years featured Kane, Walker, Rose, Alli, who were either academy products or bought as teenagers. They were supplemented by Dier, Eriksen and Lamela who were all bought at age 20/21 and they all developed together into a monster of a team.

 

[Finney Is Back]

Son tries to defend
He also tries to attack
His efforts there
But he can’t keep up with the pace

I’ve noticed him ‘cheating’ recently (like when Lloris called him out under Mourinho). He is making runs and continuing them even when obvious the defender will cut the ball out so that he doesn’t have to challenge for the ball. Also starting runs to track attacking opponents late so that he is wrong side and, again, doesn’t have to challenge for the ball. Maybe he is carrying an injury?

 

[Bedfordspurs]

I’ve noticed him ‘cheating’ recently (like when Lloris called him out under Mourinho). He is making runs and continuing them even when obvious the defender will cut the ball out so that he doesn’t have to challenge for the ball. Also starting runs to track attacking opponents late so that he is wrong side and, again, doesn’t have to challenge for the ball. Maybe he is carrying an injury?

Hmmmm
I’m struggling to argue with you but id like to wrong
He isn’t ticking the bravery box for me, that for sure
And he does seem to move at the same speed all the time
People will laugh at this but I think he is technically weak in so many aspects of his game that are just more apparent now. His passing always seems to be short and his first touch is erratic
I rough his finishing has changed and that’s elite but his weak timid shots lately straight at the keeper worry me

 

[Muttley]

Hmmmm
I’m struggling to argue with you but id like to wrong
He isn’t ticking the bravery box for me, that for sure
And he does seem to move at the same speed all the time
People will laugh at this but I think he is technically weak in so many aspects of his game that are just more apparent now. His passing always seems to be short and his first touch is erratic
I rough his finishing has changed and that’s elite but his weak timid shots lately straight at the keeper worry me

I'm definitely of the opinion that we're not getting the best out of Sonny with this formation and tactics.

Don't really have a problem with that because there are few systems that play 2 up top that allow him the freedom to play how he wants to. He doesn't like the defending, doesn't want to be a winger and he doesn't want to lead the line either. He still has goals to offer, and a decent sub.

I find his contract status intriguing as well.

 

[Bedfordspurs]

I'm definitely of the opinion that we're not getting the best out of Sonny with this formation and tactics.

Don't really have a problem with that because there are few systems that play 2 up top that allow him the freedom to play how he wants to. He doesn't like the defending, doesn't want to be a winger and he doesn't want to lead the line either. He still has goals to offer, and a decent sub.

I find his contract status intriguing as well.

He would need a lot of changes for him to play in an 2 and his lack fl physical prowess would make us even less effective

 

[monkeybarry]

Yeah, but wouldn't pay the wages for the likes of Neto, Eze....but instead bought the likes of Odebert, Bergvall and Gray. I'm sure the wages of the ones we got were comparable to the wage demands of the likes of Eze, Neto...right?

Also, are you telling me if it was a case of you can have Werner or Neto, Ange would have chosen Werner?

That'll be Neto that went to Chelsea - a club that have shown in the last few years they'll write what are akin to blank cheques.

Why would Neto choose Spurs over Chelsea?
For game time? Then the wages argument becomes irrelevant.
For a solid contract length and loads of cash? You choose Chelsea ahead most clubs in the world.

That'll be Eze that didn't move to anyone. Palace sold Olise - it is highly likely Eze simply wasn't available.

We operate in a transfer market, not eBay.

It's false to suggest we don't back the manager - we spend big transfer fees.
We also get a lot of those very wrong;
Regullon £30m
NDombele £60m
Richi £60
Bissouma £30
Etc etc

But you know what, fans were all in favour of most of those signings.
Reggie was a potential new top class LB.
NDombele could (should) have been Eze
Bissouma looked like he'd be the next Kanye

 

[Muttley]

He would need a lot of changes for him to play in an 2 and his lack fl physical prowess would make us even less effective

Nah, if he could play laterally with a number 9 as the point of the sphere he'd be just fine. I'd have no problem him turning up on the left one minute and then being on the right the next. He'd still not be an orthodox 10, but he would be slippery for the defenders if he played to his best.

 

[Mikey10]

I’ve noticed him ‘cheating’ recently (like when Lloris called him out under Mourinho). He is making runs and continuing them even when obvious the defender will cut the ball out so that he doesn’t have to challenge for the ball. Also starting runs to track attacking opponents late so that he is wrong side and, again, doesn’t have to challenge for the ball. Maybe he is carrying an injury?

Might have come to think this system is not for him and is quietly opting out?

 

[Muttley]

Might have come to think this system is not for him and is quietly opting out?

Again. Just like he did with prior managers prior to them receiving their P45's.

Example, Sonny completely quit on Jose at the end. Absolutely refused to track back in that 4-3-3 system.

 

[Robspur12]

Respectfully disagree. Even without going through our squad which is imbalanced and thin on the 'quality players right now' segment - there are now too many good teams not playing in Europe each season who can beat those who are playing in Europe - this year Forest, Fulham, Brighton, Saudi Sportswashing Machine, Bournemouth are the clubs who can. We need to have a better/deeper squad than we do currently to match them whilst playing midweek aswell.

Our team might be better than them at face value, but once injuries and tiredness of all the extra games sets in we are lacking up against those teams who are fresher and also have more time to tactically work on the weekends games....

I need to respectfully disagree too mate. There are very few things I disagree with you on, but on this I definitely do. I think it's letting Ange off the hook somewhat.

I'll start by saying we are definitely short up front. We have no cover for Solanke especially as Richarlison appears to be permacrock. We are also short of at least 1 CB. But...

We have at least 2 FBs for each position Porro, Udogie, Spence and Reguillon. I can't remember a time when we have such a variety of quality in midfield Deki Bentancur, Maddison, Sarr, Biss, Johnson, Bergvall, and Gray. That's a good number of combinations there. It's up to the manager to make best use of that.

I think Solanke is quality, and the 3 CBs are decent. We lack a game changing world class player. But that team is not 11th place in the league quality, winning mainly against other teams that are in crisis.

I get it's difficult to manage 2 games a week. But Ange is an experienced manager, I might expect him to drop a bit in terms of league form while his team gets used to the extra demands but the points per game in the league is really poor. And the form predates us being in Europe. So one could have predicted he would have particularly struggled this season with the extra games.

In the end, BMJ managed it and finished 5th when he had to combine Europe and League. So did Harry. Poch managed it, AVB managed it in his first season. It can be done. It requires a system that doesn't put such great demands on the players and Ange is not willing to compromise on this.

 

[Bedfordspurs]

Nah, if he could play laterally with a number 9 as the point of the sphere he'd be just fine. I'd have no problem him turning up on the left one minute and then being on the right the next. He'd still not be an orthodox 10, but he would be slippery for the defenders if he played to his best.

Have you seen his shorting lately? My mum would save most of his suits and she is dead
The add in he would be man marked and he hates that. He would end up deeper than our CBs

 

[Bedfordspurs]

I need to respectfully disagree too mate. There are very few things I disagree with you on, but on this I definitely do. I think it's letting Ange off the hook somewhat.

I'll start by saying we are definitely short up front. We have no cover for Solanke especially as Richarlison appears to be permacrock. We are also short of at least 1 CB. But...

We have at least 2 FBs for each position Porro, Udogie, Spence and Reguillon. I can't remember a time when we have such a variety of quality in midfield Deki Bentancur, Maddison, Sarr, Biss, Johnson, Bergvall, and Gray. That's a good number of combinations there. It's up to the manager to make best use of that.

I think Solanke is quality, and the 3 CBs are decent. We lack a game changing world class player. But that team is not 11th place in the league quality, winning mainly against other teams that are in crisis.

I get it's difficult to manage 2 games a week. But Ange is an experienced manager, I might expect him to drop a bit in terms of league form while his team gets used to the extra demands but the points per game in the league is really poor.

In the end, BMJ managed it and finished 5th when he had to combine Europe and League. So did Harry. Poch managed it, AVB managed it in his first season. It can be done. It requires a system that doesn't put such great demands on the players and Ange is not willing to compromise on this.

The 3CBs comments when they are available
Your 2 full backs includes a player no one wants in any top league in Reggie… no one even took him on loan this summer which is something you have to think about why
Midfield is an area of strength and why I don’t think we have suffered injuries there, but the mix could be better

 

[Muttley]

The 3CBs comments when they are available
Your 2 full backs includes a player no one wants in any top league in Reggie… no one even took him on loan this summer which is something you have to think about why
Midfield is an area of strength and why I don’t think we have suffered injuries there, but the mix could be better

Do the club encourage loans when there is one year left on the contract though? Wouldn't surprise me if the club was looking to offload him and couldn't get the right match for club and player. Reggie probably did a Hugo and waited until a deal was right for him and his family.

I would say clubs will take him on the right terms and would be a bit surprised if he's here at the end of the month.

 

[Bedfordspurs]

Do the club encourage loans when there is one year left on the contract though? Wouldn't surprise me if the club was looking to offload him and couldn't get the right match for club and player. Reggie probably did a Hugo and waited until a deal was right for him and his family.

I would say clubs will take him on the right terms and would be a bit surprised if he's here at the end of the month.

Yeah the club just want rid of his wages as opposed to keep him here and waste the money
People forget his kart heater start here was April 22

 

[Robspur12]

The 3CBs comments when they are available
Your 2 full backs includes a player no one wants in any top league in Reggie… no one even took him on loan this summer which is something you have to think about why
Midfield is an area of strength and why I don’t think we have suffered injuries there, but the mix could be better

You don't know that. We arranged loans in previous seasons no idea why one wasn't agreed this season. He is certainly good enough as cover in the PL.

 

[harr1984]

I need to respectfully disagree too mate. There are very few things I disagree with you on, but on this I definitely do. I think it's letting Ange off the hook somewhat.

I'll start by saying we are definitely short up front. We have no cover for Solanke especially as Richarlison appears to be permacrock. We are also short of at least 1 CB. But...

We have at least 2 FBs for each position Porro, Udogie, Spence and Reguillon. I can't remember a time when we have such a variety of quality in midfield Deki Bentancur, Maddison, Sarr, Biss, Johnson, Bergvall, and Gray. That's a good number of combinations there. It's up to the manager to make best use of that.

I think Solanke is quality, and the 3 CBs are decent. We lack a game changing world class player. But that team is not 11th place in the league quality, winning mainly against other teams that are in crisis.

I get it's difficult to manage 2 games a week. But Ange is an experienced manager, I might expect him to drop a bit in terms of league form while his team gets used to the extra demands but the points per game in the league is really poor. And the form predates us being in Europe. So one could have predicted he would have particularly struggled this season with the extra games.

In the end, BMJ managed it and finished 5th when he had to combine Europe and League. So did Harry. Poch managed it, AVB managed it in his first season. It can be done. It requires a system that doesn't put such great demands on the players and Ange is not willing to compromise on this.

It's cool to disagree, think weve already discussed before we see the quality of our squad differently. You referring to the likes of Harry and BMJ, that was a different time - more mid level and lower teams are far richer and way more competitive, it is much harder to balance Europe and league now because of the strength of 'lesser' teams.

Back then it was Bolton Wanderers, Wigan, Reading, Blackburn Rovers that were around the mid table spots whilst the usual top 4 teams playing European football were up there year after year. Now it's a big 6, plus Villa and Saudi Sportswashing Machine then competitive teams like Fulham, Brighton and more who are well run clubs who can compete with European standard teams. It's chalk and cheese in comparison, balancing Europe and the Premier League is tougher than ever and our squad is a few players away from being able to do that with or without an injury crisis OR at least some of the younger players needing a couple more years to mature/get more experience....

 

[Bedfordspurs]

You don't know that. We arranged loans in previous seasons no idea why one wasn't agreed this season. He is certainly good enough as cover in the PL.

I’m guessing because no one had an injury crisis and was desperate

 

[NaijaSpurs]

I look at all these injuries, especially at the back, and I feel for Ange.

 

[braineclipse]

I look at all these injuries, especially at the back, and I feel for Ange.

Me too. And not just at the back. The lack of options in the forward line and even in midfield have been real issues too.