Tomo

The tv deals plus our new sponsorships render FFP irrelevant.

Are you trying this reverse physchology thing because i swear you were equally pessimistic about our chances against Everton?

That's true, hopefully we can keep Tibo, Kante and Hazard throughout their prime years, would be hell of a foundation for success.

That's such an overrated cliche, how many players single handedly shift a teams form?

So did Carvalho and he did allright. Having a fullback in a back three offers balance as he knows when to drift wide in defense situations, Spurs had trouble with that vs Arsenal Dier didn't know when to come wide in defense.

Why the hell did a group stage game go to a shootout?

Not sure Shaw would either in this system, he is average going forward so wingback is out of the question.

After how wrong i got it with AVB I'm trying to remain cautious but he is making it almost impossible.

That was always a straw clutching narrative by fans who Couldn't let go of Jose. Thinking logically it was insane even as a thought, the Real players you could almost imagine it but the idea that our 15/16 lot who were widely critisied for lack of character and leadership would at the same time rebel vs Jose was just ludicrous. As much as i liked Jose there was a line, one that he not only crossed but shat on and sacking him for Antonio is probably the best decision we have made since we appointed Jose the first time.

If we still played a back four i would agree however he isn't good enough attacking wise to be a wing back. The only way he could potentially fit this formation would be left centre defense, but two full backs in the back three will probably somewhat affect the balance.

My only worry if we got Bale in hypothetical land is that he hugely relies on athletic qualities, technically he isn't that great and coming up 28 next year and with a dodgy injury record.... Maybe I let personal preference get in the way, but I do think the Real front three as a whole lack the pure technical element, already aluded to it with Bale and Ronaldo is similarly athlete more than technical player, of course it doesn't matter too much when they score at that rate they do, but I have felt the lack of creativity from the pair sometimes becomes an issue vs deep defenses or a team who cut out the supply line, compare to MSN who can do it on their own if need be.

Dybala would be perfect but i accept its very unlikely, him, Costa and Hazard interchanging would be 2nd only to MSN. Diegos movement pulls defenders all over the place, imagine Hazard and Dybala benefiting.

Just thought, Conte is actually covering the whole lineups weaknesses with this formation. Luiz can now go on his runs without consequence knowing there is cover. Cahill as limited as he is can perform in the right system and players protecting him, he's got that now. Azpilicueta doesn't now play in a position were he has a lot responsibility going forward, he can solely focus on defense. Alonso is an average left back, but with his endless stamina at wing back can get up and down and effectively act like two players. Moses, average winger, but now in a position were athleticism and pace are a kote important aspect than decision making, which he is average at best at. Kante can now get up and down like he did with Leicester, instead of holding. Matic doesn't have to babysit Cesc anymore. Pedro plays closer to goal and we see more of the movements and combinations we did at Barca, he no longer has to pick the balup deep and make things happen. Costa, playing with Haz and Pedro close to him, less isolated, he doesn't need to try and dribble past players anymore instead has passing options. Best till last Eden, more free role not confined to the left, due to Alonso covering the area of two players he doesn't have to defend as much anymore and its showing. He's literally playing to the whole current lineups strength.

If we finish 2nd the way we have been playing then no chance is happening, if we suddenly from a fortnight forward go all 10/11 and start producing stale rubbish and sneak 2nd through grinding undeserved results then he might be in trouble. I still get annoyed by this myth we keep sacking great managers out of the blue when we are doing well, aside from Ranieri (and Avram if you believe he was the gaffer in anything other than name) all our sackings have been with the team in a downward spiral, infact you could make a case for all of them surviving longer than they actually deserved.

If a player is signed who is better than Moses then all the better likewise Alonso, add to quality and competition. We should sign wingbacks who potentially could take their place keep them on their toes not just for back up. Darmain at United could be an option, he's a average fullback but by all accounts a very good wingback, and Jose always been open to selling to rival. Perfect wingback would be Danny Rose but that aint happening.

Getting 2 maybe even 3 quality wingbacks this summer at the latest is crucial, the reason we have overwhelmed teams so much is because Alonso, Moses and Kante are doing the work of two men. In the Euros Antonio always made in game changes at wingback and with hopefully CL footy returning next term we are going to need viable alteratives to Alonso and Moses that right now we simply ain't got. We can't do nothing to cover Kante he is one of a kind but we need our scouts all over searching for more depth at wingback.

They may have got a 1-1 at City but I wouldn't say they totally shut them out, the keeper saved two pens aswell as made what felt like 200 other saves, they got totally battered.

Liverpool are unreal going forward. Luckily tho they still have a pompus defense and over 38 games I cant see that not costing them.

Competition and alternatives are needed sooner or later, with hopefully CL nights next term. With two games a week wingback area will need heavy rotation. There is a reason Antonio rested both Alonso and Moses vs West Ham.

Is Alderwierld due back before our game with Spurs? If he ain't i reckon we will stuff them too, reckon Luiz and Azpi will be enough to nullify Kane.

Maybe the similarity in name and jersey colours scared us.

I said when we resigned him his attack is underrated and he shown signs of that first months but then we signed Cesc so we nullifed that side of the Serb to accomodate Fabregas. This season we are starting to see the Benfica player.

Us vs Basle in 2013

If only he was either 25 now or had Conte as manager when he was younger hey?

No, they should have gone head to head with us for Antonio, but thankfully they didn't think of him. Basically Conte is everything we were hoping Jose would have been when he came back.