Welcome Ange: To Dare is to Didgeridoo

[Bedfordspurs]

I agree with much of your post but I think we have to be careful using this sample as conclusive proof that Ange's system can work regularly at the top level. Villa aside the other 2 are not the high flying teams we've seen in previous seasons. I still feel our inability to become a solid defensive unit will make it difficult to achieve consistency at the moment. Especially in games where we tire or in all or nothing cup games.

Maybe the defensive issues are down to the personnel rather than the system
especially, yet again with depth being challenged with a third of a squad missing or injured

 

[harr1984]

I agree with much of your post but I think we have to be careful using this sample as conclusive proof that Ange's system can work regularly at the top level. Villa aside the other 2 are not the high flying teams we've seen in previous seasons. I still feel our inability to become a solid defensive unit will make it difficult to achieve consistency at the moment. Especially in games where we tire or in all or nothing cup games.

Whilst I agree we still have to work on consistency I don't know why you want to downplay beating Emirates Marketing Project twice, especially 4-0 away - how many teams have done that?! This season or any other? They are still second in the league, and are most definitely a top level team. And yet you make an exception for Villa who are below us in the league, showing the same inconsistency struggles as us whilst in the Champions League?

You are right, we need to find better consistency especially games after European matches. But the league is getting more and more competitive, and despite whatever grievances people have we are 3 points off 3rd being top scorers in the league and only a handful of teams have a better defence (for now anyway, fudge knows what will happen with Vicario out). That along with the eye test tells me it's some small margins that we need to iron out but Ange is showing a willingness to adapt in certain scenarios which is another positive....

 

[Gazza]

I think signing any young player instead of a ready made player is a punt, especially if they have not any experience at the top level. I’m sure the scouts have done their home work before any bid was made. So this of not a dig or a slant on the club so don’t get defensive about it. If anything I love a left field young player signing …

However will we see a time when we will go out and buy perhaps 2-3 top players that will start with the experience to get us across the line in difficult matches?

Or are we still operating on the assumption that if we throw enough brick on the wall some of it will stick?

I think we are not that far off having a ready solid team. For example pushing the boat out and signing Eze (not that I personally rate him) along with Solanke instead of some talented youngsters that may come good eventually, perhaps would have given us more resource that Ange needs today?

There has to be a balance of course, but we have had lots of windows signing young players … perhaps put that aside for a few windows and get the manager what he needs to get the monkey off our back and deliver the fans a manager backed with players for the now to see what can be achieved?

The mixed bag of results perhaps could have been avoided if Ange was given two to three players that would push for the first team not players that are fodder in Europe.

Ultimately I know some of us love levy and others can’t wait to have a dig, but it’s been a common theme of a questionable transfer strategy under Levy during their ownership. Yes they spend money … but do they spend it for success ? Do they spend enough of it directly backing the manager?

I always feel like our managers are hamstrung in this department.

 

[Robspur12]

Whilst I agree we still have to work on consistency I don't know why you want to downplay beating Emirates Marketing Project twice, especially 4-0 away - how many teams have done that?! This season or any other? They are still second in the league, and are most definitely a top level team. And yet you make an exception for Villa who are below us in the league, showing the same inconsistency struggles as us whilst in the Champions League?

You are right, we need to find better consistency especially games after European matches. But the league is getting more and more competitive, and despite whatever grievances people have we are 3 points off 3rd being top scorers in the league and only a handful of teams have a better defence (for now anyway, fudge knows what will happen with Vicario out). That along with the eye test tells me it's some small margins that we need to iron out but Ange is showing a willingness to adapt in certain scenarios which is another positive....

Don't get me wrong. I'm really happy with the result but let's be honest City are on a record breaking losing run. Utd are not great either. Villa are a decent team but not a top team yet. I am just urging caution with the comment that his system works at the top level. For me, that means beating an Arsenal or Liverpool who are on a good run and on top of their game and/or achieving some consistency. That we lose one week to Ipswich and next week beat City is mad.

I don't think I have a grievance. I just don't want to lurch from everything is great one week when we win, to conversely everything being awful when we lose. Trying to find a bit of balance. And I think it is a perfectly reasonable position to take.

 

[harr1984]

Don't get me wrong. I'm really happy with the result but let's be honest City are on a record breaking losing run. Utd are not great either. Villa are a decent team but not a top team yet. I am just urging caution with the comment that his system works at the top level. For me, that means beating an Arsenal or Liverpool who are on a good run and on top of their game and/or achieving some consistency. That we lose one week to Ipswich and next week beat City is mad.

I don't think I have a grievance. I just don't want to lurch from everything is great one week when we win, to conversely everything being awful when we lose. Trying to find a bit of balance. And I think it is a perfectly reasonable position to take.

I agree with your balanced stance mate, that wasn't what I was querying. Was just you challenging Emirates Marketing Project as a top team result, yes they are on record breaking losing run - due to us beating them twice I don't see how beating Arsenal is better than Emirates Marketing Project tbh beyond the fact they are our rivals city are still the better team. But regardless we still have work to do for sure....

 

[Robspur12]

I agree with your balanced stance mate, that wasn't what I was querying. Was just you challenging Emirates Marketing Project as a top team result, yes they are on record breaking losing run - due to us beating them twice I don't see how beating Arsenal is better than Emirates Marketing Project tbh beyond the fact they are our rivals city are still the better team. But regardless we still have work to do for sure....

I think currently Arsenal have an edge over City (sadly). That might change as the season progresses but it is looking at the moment like the league is a two way fight between Arsenal and Liverpool. City look spent. But tbh let's see how we go. There's definitely much to like from Ange and this team.

 

[SteveAWOL]

They created a lot of volume but not a lot of quality
When Leicester drew with us they had 2 chances that were worth almost 1 xg and scored one
They were outplayed but they got the result their quality of chance accumulation says they should have
But imo a lot of 0.1 chances doesn’t equate to 1 in 10 going in because the quality factor is so low (I know stats would counter that)

This. Better to carve teams open and create a couple of gilt edged chances to tap in from 6 yards out (like €iteh used to in their heyday or when we’ve been sucker punched by quick counter attacks) than to have 20 pot shots from range. Bit is a weakness in assessing xG tallies as you say.