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Roberto De Zerbi *OFFICIAL*

Thought this was the most interesting part of the article as it relates to our struggles this season, haven’t seen it mentioned really in the press until today:

“Though there is research to show that managers make negligible difference to performance – the key metrics of success are how much you spend on your players and therefore the quality of your squad – data also has blind spots. The emotional unity of a squad and its alignment with the personality of the manager is vital and can make a significant difference. Yet it is almost impossible to measure and requires a human rather than a data-led judgment to decide whether this manager is the right fit. “Just because you can’t measure it doesn’t mean it isn’t real,” said one football data analyst.”

Lange may well have been one of the early proponents of a data led approach. But swinging so far in that direction is what has gotten us in this mess. My hope is that RDZ gets into the heads of the players as well as being a modern, data driven manger that can fit with the structure of the club.
With that in mind, it's been heartening to see this reported:
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I appreciate that there's the usual scepticism about the early positive messages with a new coach but this is pointing to a specific and focussed change that is being responded to well. As opposed to more generic reporting on vibes.
 
Just read this article on BBC Sport:

Given how the season has gone so far, I'm absolutely terrified of lines like these:

When it works, De Zerbi's sides turn possession in their own half into shots near the opposition's goal within a few seconds. It's an electrifying watch - but the level of potential attacking reward comes with great risk.

It's an electrifying watch - but the level of potential attacking reward comes with great risk.

De Zerbi's centre-backs often provoke opponents by placing their studs on top of the ball - a sort of psychological trick that causes a striker to leave their shape and engage.

The midfielders receiving passes are often tightly marked, and De Zerbi's advice for them this week was to take one or two touches.

the aim is to accept that intense pressure is inevitable and look for solutions through it, rather than avoiding it.

Brighton under De Zerbi accepted that risk, conceding the second-most high turnovers that led to an opposition shot (48) during his first season.

We're fudged, aren't we?
 
Just read this article on BBC Sport:

Given how the season has gone so far, I'm absolutely terrified of lines like these:













We're fudged, aren't we?
De Zerbi seems to have said that these next 7 games are NOT about imposing his style and philosophy, but simply being pragmatic and getting the best way through.
Summer is the time to start the more indepth personalisation.
Some journalists seem to be unaware that he has said this, or chosen to ignore it because it doesn't lend itself as well to sensationalist pieces.
 
De Zerbi seems to have said that these next 7 games are NOT about imposing his style and philosophy, but simply being pragmatic and getting the best way through.
Summer is the time to start the more indepth personalisation.
Some journalists seem to be unaware that he has said this, or chosen to ignore it because it doesn't lend itself as well to sensationalist pieces.
Journalists being sensationalist? Whatever next?!

But yes, some pragmatism would be great. There's a tune to be had from this squad, especially now that some of them are returning from injury.
 
Just read this article on BBC Sport:

Given how the season has gone so far, I'm absolutely terrified of lines like these:













We're fudged, aren't we?
Did someone forget, "There is a high prevalence of pointless, no-look passes from wide areas into the centre that are immediately intercepted and three seconds later lead to a high-percentage goal-scoring opportunity"?
 
I'm liking the snippets of training videos....

basically a strong focus on pass and move and decision making.(So lacking for ages) The majority of our squad are capable of this. Its largely a trust and belief thing.

The caveat being is if there are patterns and specific movements to learn...we only have 7 games.(Although in video above RDZ states he's not laying on the tactics to thickly)
 
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basically a strong focus on pass and move and decision making.(So lacking for ages) The majority of our squad are capable of this. Its largely a trust and belief thing.

I have found it so baffling that every player in our squad has known how to the do the footballing basics for years (you don’t get to this level otherwise) and has then appeared to either forgotten it completely or had it trained out of them.

For the past two seasons we have looked like a team of strangers instead of a cohesive unit. Utterly bizarre.
 
I have found it so baffling that every player in our squad has known how to the do the footballing basics for years (you don’t get to this level otherwise) and has then appeared to either forgotten it completely or had it trained out of them.

For the past two seasons we have looked like a team of strangers instead of a cohesive unit. Utterly bizarre.

I believe players are coached to play a system and not to think for themselves. Managers have always had a philosophy of how to play and picked the best players available allowing them a degree of freedom. Week after week we see lots of teams trying to play out from the back with players who are not suitable to do it and failing. In the managers dreams this works. I much prefer the Jol, Redknapp style of management let the players play. Football a very simple game pick good players, give them an equally simple plan and let them play. There's an industry been created for analysts (people with hindsight) to explain why teams won, I figure it out when I was 5 or 6, you scored the most goals.
 
I like him, there, I’ve said it! Liked his Brighton team as well.

I’m on board the RDZ train, such a change in style and mindset from Frank though, hopefully 7 games is long enough to turn round the tanker from that debacle of an appointment.
 
I like him, there, I’ve said it! Liked his Brighton team as well.

I’m on board the RDZ train, such a change in style and mindset from Frank though, hopefully 7 games is long enough to turn round the tanker from that debacle of an appointment.

Its currently coming over very well, I am taking a waiting brief given we have had every style and status of managers with varying impacts.

We have a bunch of sour faced underachievers currently, not much character between them, if he can pull them through then I will be advocating a statue, thats how little I rate the mentality of this mob of players.
 
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