Igor the Interim

[braineclipse]

I think the pragmatic side is over played slightly, Brentford became a club that scored plenty, loads of 4-1, 5-0, 3-0 in their history under him, scored plenty of goals, outscored those around them. I think his route to getting where he wanted to was wrong, thats why he failed, but Brentford were far from solely pragmatic. Look ultimately he failed, but like you I think pragmatic is used wrongly too often and always conflated with being negative, when sometimes its just structured (I get Frank wasn't here before anyone jumps on that). But plenty of clubs in the world that are pragmatic in their structure and disciplined but very good to watch

That's part of why I brought that up, the word pragmatic is used in various ways and different people will have different associations to that word.

Very much agreed that the route he chose to getting wherever it was he wanted wasn't the route to take.

 

[Mr Gogolak]

Igor on his way with his own take on Poch’s lemons. An apple a day keeps the doctor away

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Ha! He chose his former team-mate as his agent! How lame is that? Still, he must be the first man in history to manage both Hajduk Split and Tottenham so, here's hoping his time here is a resounding success!

 

[braineclipse]

Ha! He chose his former team-mate as his agent! How lame is that? Still, he must be the first man in history to manage both Hajduk Split and Tottenham so, here's hoping his time here is a resounding success!

A lot of fond memories around having Croatian players here. Hopefully he can recreate some of that.

 

[braineclipse]

These tactics videos give me some hope, I think my main concern at the moment is with the injuries have we left him enough time to get a reaction? You would like to think so, but the next four or five games aren’t easy. I hope this stupid board of ours haven’t gone for this too late and not given him a chance.

Hopefully the timing can work to his and our benefit too. Almost two weeks off to the NLD, giving fatigued players some much needed rest. Then a week between games before there's a Sunday-Thursday turnaround. Time on the training ground, time for some of injured players to hopefully start returning at some point.

My hopes won't be high for the NLD, but Arsenal have a mid week game (against Wolves, but still). Time for Tudor to make it crystal clear that nothing other than effort and fight will be good enough while also perhaps working on some of the changes he wants to see.

Low expectations, but even a modicum of positivity on the pitch will probably see a good reaction from the crowd.

 

[DeanoAustin]

Seen a lot of negative coverage of this from fans, media and even Sheringham. Is it slightly xenophobic or at least a “I don’t know him so I’m not gonna think about this critically”.

The board can only make a decsion based on what they need and what they currently know so it is possible that this goes wrong.

However, for all the attributes you need for our current situation, this fella ticks all the boxes except PL experience. Personally, regardless of how it turns out, I think the board have made an excellent choice here on the face of it. Given the names I was coming up with as interim, this fella is a much better choice.

 

[braineclipse]

Seen a lot of negative coverage of this from fans, media and even Sheringham. Is it slightly xenophobic or at least a “I don’t know him so I’m not gonna think about this critically”.

The board can only make a decsion based on what they need and what they currently know so it is possible that this goes wrong.

However, for all the attributes you need for our current situation, this fella ticks all the boxes except PL experience. Personally, regardless of how it turns out, I think the board have made an excellent choice here on the face of it. Given the names I was coming up with as interim, this fella is a much better choice.

Very much agreed.

Had it been given to one of the "good old boys" (Dyche, Pulisic etc) the media would have their piece already written and probably been positive about it.

Him not having PL experience it's obviously a potential downside, but in terms of dealing with a situation like this I can't see any better candidates.

 

[braineclipse]

Yeah, the Tudor/Muani connection will be really interesting. Not sure who is first to return out of Kudus, Madds and Kulu but I'd still be thinking of those as 10's with Simons before I use Muani in that central area. His first touch doesn't seem good enough.

What was also interesting about the video was the exclusion of Gray. The guy was talking like Spence would get first chance at the RWB role with Souza on the other side. He likes his wingbacks high and wide apparently. I'd be surprised if Gray isn't accommodated somewhere.

It's gonna be tough for the injured players seeing their mates get opportunity to cement their places in Tudor's system.

Gray will be needed for sure. Would personally be somewhat surprised if Souza is thrown into the NLD.

Assuming it's a 3-4-3 not too dissimilar to what Conte did big asks of the midfield duo. Sarr and Gallagher should suit that, but not sure if the pair of them is the solution. Bissouma if another fresh start under another manager can get him going could be important. Would Gray suit that role?

I think Palhinha will end up being important in that midfield two. If we have two fit wing backs freeing Gray up from playing there I think I'd rather see Gray as a wide CB and Palhinha in midfield than the other way around.

Then again in the NLD perhaps it will be more of a midfield three with two up front, not too dissimilar to what we did against PSG in the supercup. Particularly if Palhinha is needed as a CB, two of Sarr, Gallagher, Bissouma or Gray would be asking a lot from that pairing in that game.

 

[harr1984]

Yeah, the Tudor/Muani connection will be really interesting. Not sure who is first to return out of Kudus, Madds and Kulu but I'd still be thinking of those as 10's with Simons before I use Muani in that central area. His first touch doesn't seem good enough.

What was also interesting about the video was the exclusion of Gray. The guy was talking like Spence would get first chance at the RWB role with Souza on the other side. He likes his wingbacks high and wide apparently. I'd be surprised if Gray isn't accommodated somewhere.

It's gonna be tough for the injured players seeing their mates get opportunity to cement their places in Tudor's system.

This was produced on something I was watching on Sky Sports - could at least be used as a rough berometer of returning players: