The Conte Thread

[El P. 1,354]

It's all looking great now, but... I don't think Conte plays 3-4-3 with this squad because he wants to. He plays that because he has to. If we get right players in summer, no way we will stick to this formation.

Some of fans are already imagining how would we buy some more players maybe for Willian replacement, or some new defenders, play Zouma/Christensen at back three, etc.

But are you seriously telling me that you think we will play 3-4-3 for good? In translation... You really think we will play with Moses/Alonso as wing-backs and three central defenders (if we ever get two decent CBs), with no creativity from middle whatsoever? That we will play with Azpi (our by far the best defender) as a CB who is average height, or ditch him because he is no wing-back material (too defensive)?

3-4-3 is good for now, but I don't think we can reach top team level with it.

And, in my opinion... That's why Mourinho never tried something like that - he wants all or nothing. Thing I really hate about him.

[BoyBlue96 990]

34 minutes ago, El P. said:

It's all looking great now, but... I don't think Conte plays 3-4-3 with this squad because he wants to. He plays that because he has to. If we get right players in summer, no way we will stick to this formation.

Some of fans are already imagining how would we buy some more players maybe for Willian replacement, or some new defenders, play Zouma/Christensen at back three, etc.

But are you seriously telling me that you think we will play 3-4-3 for good? In translation... You really think we will play with Moses/Alonso as wing-backs and three central defenders (if we ever get two decent CBs), with no creativity from middle whatsoever? That we will play with Azpi (our by far the best defender) as a CB who is average height, or ditch him because he is no wing-back material (too defensive)?

3-4-3 is good for now, but I don't think we can reach top team level with it.

And, in my opinion... That's why Mourinho never tried something like that - he wants all or nothing. Thing I really hate about him.

My thoughts aswell. If he gets all the players he wants he moves to 3-5-2 instantly.

[Unionjack 7,531]

25 minutes ago, El P. said:

3-4-3 is good for now, but I don't think we can reach top team level with it.

I dont see any reason why it wouldn't work against anyone given the right upgrades in some positions. Even take it to 3-5-2 but its a fluid formation.All we can do is see how it plays out. I can't see it being the ONLY formation the Don uses. Its not written in stone. But if you cant see that its working right now and it fits some of the players we have then youre watching different games to me.

The best thing that happened to Conte joining us was we aren't in Europe. The breaks and less games gives him time to practice and really get to know rthe lads strengths/weaknesses. Its taken some games but hes finding a working TEAM. It upsets me that we cant use Cescy but I understand it. I would like to give Chalobah a few games beside Kante in this 3-4-3 I think he could give us some creativity. Maybe play him against the Pikeys. Will be intersting to see the selections.

I cant see Roman having any problems with the Don specially after Sunday but it wouldn't suprise me one bit IF hes had chats with Simeone. Try to bring him and Griezmann in a double. But I persoinally think he just might goto Mounure or North London if Vinegar tits doesn't get his 2 year extension.

[El P. 1,354]

1 minute ago, Unionjack said:

But if you cant see that its working right now and it fits some of the players we have then youre watching different games to me.

 

42 minutes ago, El P. said:

It's all looking great now, but... I don't think Conte plays 3-4-3 with this squad because he wants to.

I see it's working now, don't worry, I am really pleased with performances. But I noticed that great number of our fans are sure we will play 3-4-3 for good, which I don't think is a case.

We will play whatever formation suits our players, which is great. But we will buy/develop good defender(s), I'm sure. And we will probably buy creative midfielders. And then - bye bye 3-4-3.

Just saying - don't get your perception as we will build squad around 3-4-3/3-5-2 formation. People don't use that formations often for a reason.

[akgw13 867]

I think it will be a mix of 352/343 going forward depending on who we buy, Conte favours both systems so i dont think you can say he prefers the 352 over the 343, with our team the 343 just works better but the formation accomplishes what Conte deems important. As @Unionjack said its all fluid, Conte wants his players to understand his philosophy and make it work on the pitch. 

Also I don't understand the knock on Alonso/Moses? They have done exactly what they are supposed to do and with great effort, what more would you want from your wing backs in the situation @El P.? We havent let a goal in, and our attack has looked pretty great lately.

[El P. 1,354]

4 minutes ago, akgw13 said:

I think it will be a mix of 352/343 going forward depending on who we buy, Conte favours both systems so i dont think you can say he prefers the 352 over the 343, with our team the 343 just works better but the formation accomplishes what Conte deems important. As @Unionjack said its all fluid, Conte wants his players to understand his philosophy and make it work on the pitch. 

Also I don't understand the knock on Alonso/Moses? They have done exactly what they are supposed to do and with great effort, what more would you want from your wing backs in the situation @El P.? We havent let a goal in, and our attack has looked pretty great lately.

I'm more than happy now, with what I see from wing backs.  From what we have, this is the best we can do, it's all good from that perspective.

[Unionjack 7,531]

6 minutes ago, El P. said:

 

I see it's working now, don't worry, I am really pleased with performances. But I noticed that great number of our fans are sure we will play 3-4-3 for good, which I don't think is a case.

We will play whatever formation suits our players, which is great. But we will buy/develop good defender(s), I'm sure. And we will probably buy creative midfielders. And then - bye bye 3-4-3.

Just saying - don't get your perception as we will build squad around 3-4-3/3-5-2 formation. People don't use that formations often for a reason.

Pep used 3-4-3 at Bayern.

[Jase 43,479]

16 hours ago, MrExcalibur100 said:

http://www.squawka.com/news/everything-jose-mourinho-got-wrong-against-chelsea-and-how-antonio-conte-exploited-it/806865

The JM bit reads like stuff some of us have been saying for years.

It says a lot when their best attacking threat on the day was Antonio Valencia. We might have stopped them from creating any meaningful chances and perhaps we shouldn't be surprised but it's still rather shocking that they were so clueless in possession. All they did was (1) shoot from distance and (2) give Valencia the ball to put in the crosses - that's like us last season with Ivanovic, hoping that one of his hit-and-hope crosses will come off.

[Unionjack 7,531]

29 minutes ago, Jason said:

It says a lot when their best attacking threat on the day was Antonio Valencia. We might have stopped them from creating any meaningful chances and perhaps we shouldn't be surprised but it's still rather shocking that they were so clueless in possession. All they did was (1) shoot from distance and (2) give Valencia the ball to put in the crosses - that's like us last season with Ivanovic, hoping that one of his hit-and-hope crosses will come off.

Ive read and watched alot of pundits and online reporters   cunts going on about Mounure either being shite or unlucky or the game woulda been totally different IF 1. Luiz was sent off or 2. We hadn't scored so quick. Theres hardly any thats been pro us or saying how good we played.

I'm quite used to all that shit tho as its the normal crap we get and it makes a nice change being the underdog and being on a good streak. But it would be nice now n then for the lads to get a good pat on the back and more than Eden to be written as playing well. Ive hardly seen N'Golos name mentioned and he was the dogs.

[the wes 7,212]

Mourinho is a joke pulling conte this is a manager who disrespect Paul Lambert and Roy keane by trying to shake their hand before the final whistle of a game

[kellzfresh 7,229]

I found this video on MOTD of how our centerbacks cover for each other in the wide areas due to their speed. And how Conte has made them fluid at it. 

https://streamable.com/e49s

[jernej93 565]

Both Payet and Mahrez should be available in january transfer window as their clubs are in very poor form I would love one of them on right wing 

Just bring some quality players, we don't need quantity

[Unionjack 7,531]

5 hours ago, jernej93 said:

Both Payet and Mahrez should be available in january transfer window as their clubs are in very poor form I would love one of them on right wing 

Just bring some quality players, we don't need quantity

We need quality backups for our important positions . I cant see who we would use instead of Alonso or Moses and we should iupgrade our RAM eg Willian/Pedro

[Sideshow Luiz 2,310]

1 hour ago, Unionjack said:

We need quality backups for our important positions . I cant see who we would use instead of Alonso or Moses and we should iupgrade our RAM eg Willian/Pedro

I think that Willian would be quite a good RWB.  Another attacker on the right would kind of let us cover 2 positions.

If Alonso goes down with an injury this season, we're kind of screwed.  Next year, we should have Baba and Kenedy back from loan.

[Kieran. 6,317]

5 minutes ago, Sideshow Luiz said:

I think that Willian would be quite a good RWB.  Another attacker on the right would kind of let us cover 2 positions.

If Alonso goes down with an injury this season, we're kind of screwed.  Next year, we should have Baba and Kenedy back from loan.

I guarantee Kenedy will be back in Jan Watford loan has been a disaster.

[Unionjack 7,531]

5 minutes ago, Kieran. said:

I guarantee Kenedy will be back in Jan Watford loan has been a disaster.

I like the lad too BUT if he cant make a Watford team..................

Where would we play him? We got SUPPOSEDLY Christensen coming back. Happy trying to get fit with more playing time. Aina trying to get in team And I can see us TRYING to buy a top CB as well 1st chance we get..

And his contract runs out in June I cant see it happening. Same with Traore too I think sadly.

[-Kaplan- 410]

4 hours ago, Unionjack said:

I like the lad too BUT if he cant make a Watford team..................

Where would we play him? We got SUPPOSEDLY Christensen coming back. Happy trying to get fit with more playing time. Aina trying to get in team And I can see us TRYING to buy a top CB as well 1st chance we get..

And his contract runs out in June I cant see it happening. Same with Traore too I think sadly.

Christensen is a CB, primarily. I think he played as a CM on the rare occasion. Kenedy would be a LWB competition for Alonso. 

[manpe 10,861]

14 hours ago, kellzfresh said:

I found this video on MOTD of how our centerbacks cover for each other in the wide areas due to their speed. And how Conte has made them fluid at it. 

https://streamable.com/e49s

Can't watch the video now, but fluidity and covering is something I have noticed too. With 3 at the back, we have great defensive solidity, area coverage and also have the option of one of them pushing forward when it's safe/necessary to increase numbers in midfield. Azpi and Luiz do that occasionally.

We are better in possession too because the backline can afford to push higher up now without Ivanovic holding them back while the most dangerous areas are covered.. and instead of having 2 options to pass at the back, we have 3 and that is harder for the opposition to press because they would need to commit more players forward leaving them more exposed. We are using the confusion to our advantage at the moment, it's a matter of time before others start adapting their plans to our new shape and we need to be prepared for that.

Honestly, the more I think about this formation, the more I realize how clever it is and how shit 4-2-3-1 was.