The Conte Thread

[Antonio8 736]

for the first time in this PL i saw diego costa suffering yesterday..

never in match, and hazard too..

i think that's time to ask cesc's help and game vision..

[Chelsea4 1,521]

The only people compaining are Hazard fanboys and Fabregas fanboys.

[Special Juan 27,422]

Loved his double fist pump....come on!!

[Jase 43,479]

Don't want to jinx it but this highlights the job that Conte's doing...

 

[manpe 10,861]

7 minutes ago, Jason said:

Don't want to jinx it but this highlights the job that Conte's doing...

 

 You can count on us to spoil their party.

[Peace. 4,352]

Playing Azpilicueta at RWB would be a terrible mistake.

Azpilicueta is a quite good passer of the ball for a ("central") defender — yet he would be a very bad passer for a midfielder. Additionally, Zouma is a terrible passer of the ball (whatever his position).

The best thing produced by Conte's shift from a four-men defense to a three-men defense is that it has allowed to play Azpilicueta next to Luiz ; meaning we have, out of three defenders, two who are able to participate to the game construction, and more importantly who are able to start our offensives (or the building up). This has been critical to our success — just has it is critical for all the best teams out of there (Barça, Madrid, Juve, Munich, etc.). Leaving out (of the defense) Azpilicueta for Zouma would just undo all the good work Conte has done and we would be back to square one : a defense that has little usefulness when we are in possession of the ball — and no, one player (Luiz) out of three is not enough.

Not only this move would worsen our defense but it would also worsen our midfield. Our biggest weakness over the last seasons (especially under Mourinho) has been the lack of ability on the ball displayed by our midfielders. Actually, this is by far our biggest weakness today. Do you imagine a midfield composed of : Alonso - Matic - Kante - Azpilicueta ? Oh my Goodness, it would be a sore to the eyes. Moses is not Iniesta neither I am his biggest fan, but in all seriousness, he is technically better equipped to play in midfield than Azpilicueta is.

We do not need more denfensive quality — we do need more offensive quality. If people are so obsessed with Azpilicueta lack of aerial ability, then the solution is in front of him ! Why are opponent players are allowed to take in good crosses ? This is the real problem !

And to be honest, with the players we have at our disposal, this is the best we can produce and there is little room — nay none — for improvement. The only change of (positive) significance we probably could make would be to play Fabregas instead of Matic — that is, an offensive change. Otherwise, we will have to wait for the summer transfer window for any major change ; and even then if you bench one of our defender, it has to be Cahill and not Azpilicueta (playing the spaniard as a CB as been the best move that Conte has made so far). To play Zouma in defense while shifting Azpilicueta to midfield would actually be more problematic than going for the ultra defensive approach that Mourinho mark II adopted in his first two seasons, respectively after Stoke and after Tottenham — funnily enough, this is once again after a defeat against Tottenham at their ground and on the very same date (two or three days of difference) that people started to advocate for an ultra defensive move.

 

P.S. On top of that, Azpilicueta is significantly a better defender than Zouma, the latter being better than the former only in the aerial aspect... which is a very meager upside in comparison to the many downsides.

[BoyBlue96 990]

50 minutes ago, Jason said:

Don't want to jinx it but this highlights the job that Conte's doing...

 

Arsenal have two points too much as they shouldn't have won that home game against Burnley recently. That game proved what's wrong with refereeing these days.  

[Tomo 21,733]

15 hours ago, Jason said:

I know the 3-4-3 has gotten us results over the last few months but can't quite understand Conte's reluctance to switch to 3-5-2 in the big games. We have seen the side getting overrun and coming under huge pressure in matches and he's always brought on Fabregas and every time, we've seen him help us control the games better and even start to create some really good opportunities. So I don't get why Conte doesn't go with that from the start? There's no point playing 3 upfront if the guys behind them can't keep possession and create any chances.

On a slightly more positive note, this squad has so many flaws and it needs some serious operation if we are to challenge big time again in Europe, never mind the Premier League. But somehow despite the flaws, Conte has managed to build a strong unit to challenge for the title and sit 9 points clear after 23 games. IF we do end up winning the league, we should consider building a statue of him outside the Bridge.

Conte has basically set up a system and squad mentality that is mince meat for teams outside the top six, compare to the likes of Benitez, Wenger, Klopp, Ancelotti and you could even argue current day Mourinho who allow complacency to creep in which means a lot of games against the lesser sides especially away are made more difficult than they should be. Look at how Arsenal turned up last night all relaxed like they had a right to beat Watford, that would NEVER happen under Antonio. The Italian takes Hull at home as serious as Liverpool at Anfield, if not more so, and when you play the lesser sides and match their motivation and commitment to the occasion 19 times out of 20 you will beat them.

Tevez said Conte shares alarming similarities to Fergie, and while we unfortunately are unlikely to get 26 years and 13 titles out of Antonio, it's quite clear why Tevez has that view.

[Jase 43,479]

1 hour ago, Tomo said:

Conte has basically set up a system and squad mentality that is mince meat for teams outside the top six, compare to the likes of Benitez, Wenger, Klopp, Ancelotti and you could even argue current day Mourinho who allow complacency to creep in which means a lot of games against the lesser sides especially away are made more difficult than they should be. Look at how Arsenal turned up last night all relaxed like they had a right to beat Watford, that would NEVER happen under Antonio. The Italian takes Hull at home as serious as Liverpool at Anfield, if not more so, and when you play the lesser sides and match their motivation and commitment to the occasion 19 times out of 20 you will beat them.

Tevez said Conte shares alarming similarities to Fergie, and while we unfortunately are unlikely to get 26 years and 13 titles out of Antonio, it's quite clear why Tevez has that view.

I don't question Conte's winning mentality. It's the reason why he was so successful with Juventus and Italy. In fact, I'm extremely pleased to have a manager with this mentality and it's arguably the main reason why we are where we are now. I just question his inability, might be the wrong way of putting it but I think you get the point, to perhaps tweak the formation to give us more control of matches and not coming under heavy pressure, like I explained to Henrique (see below). I'm just concerned this will come back to bite us in a key moment/important game in the run-in.

7 hours ago, Jason said:

3-4-3 or 3-6-1, it doesn't matter. The point is we only have 2 midfielders in there and I wasn't only talking about the game yesterday or the one at Spurs. It's the recent games - Hull, Stoke, Brentford etc. Sure, we may have won those games but we struggled to control those games and could have easily not won had the opposing teams have more quality.

 

[Fernando 6,453]

7 hours ago, Peace. said:

Playing Azpilicueta at RWB would be a terrible mistake.

Azpilicueta is a quite good passer of the ball for a ("central") defender — yet he would be a very bad passer for a midfielder. Additionally, Zouma is a terrible passer of the ball (whatever his position).

The best thing produced by Conte's shift from a four-men defense to a three-men defense is that it has allowed to play Azpilicueta next to Luiz ; meaning we have, out of three defenders, two who are able to participate to the game construction, and more importantly who are able to start our offensives (or the building up). This has been critical to our success — just has it is critical for all the best teams out of there (Barça, Madrid, Juve, Munich, etc.). Leaving out (of the defense) Azpilicueta for Zouma would just undo all the good work Conte has done and we would be back to square one : a defense that has little usefulness when we are in possession of the ball — and no, one player (Luiz) out of three is not enough.

Not only this move would worsen our defense but it would also worsen our midfield. Our biggest weakness over the last seasons (especially under Mourinho) has been the lack of ability on the ball displayed by our midfielders. Actually, this is by far our biggest weakness today. Do you imagine a midfield composed of : Alonso - Matic - Kante - Azpilicueta ? Oh my Goodness, it would be a sore to the eyes. Moses is not Iniesta neither I am his biggest fan, but in all seriousness, he is technically better equipped to play in midfield than Azpilicueta is.

We do not need more denfensive quality — we do need more offensive quality. If people are so obsessed with Azpilicueta lack of aerial ability, then the solution is in front of him ! Why are opponent players are allowed to take in good crosses ? This is the real problem !

And to be honest, with the players we have at our disposal, this is the best we can produce and there is little room — nay none — for improvement. The only change of (positive) significance we probably could make would be to play Fabregas instead of Matic — that is, an offensive change. Otherwise, we will have to wait for the summer transfer window for any major change ; and even then if you bench one of our defender, it has to be Cahill and not Azpilicueta (playing the spaniard as a CB as been the best move that Conte has made so far). To play Zouma in defense while shifting Azpilicueta to midfield would actually be more problematic than going for the ultra defensive approach that Mourinho mark II adopted in his first two seasons, respectively after Stoke and after Tottenham — funnily enough, this is once again after a defeat against Tottenham at their ground and on the very same date (two or three days of difference) that people started to advocate for an ultra defensive move.

 

P.S. On top of that, Azpilicueta is significantly a better defender than Zouma, the latter being better than the former only in the aerial aspect... which is a very meager upside in comparison to the many downsides.

So I see that your not a big fan of Zouma. Good me neither, he never had a good passing range. And if we want to be elite in the CL we have to move away from these type of defenders. I guess Zouma can be good to have to shut down shop. But definitely should not be ahead of DL and Azpi. 

Now I'm interested since most of us agreed that Cahill needs to be upgraded, what is your thoughts on Ake? Do you think he has a shot in his position?

And what are we going to do with Andreas next season? 

I do like to give a chance to this younger players but I would still advocate to buy at least one experienced CB like virgil Van Dijk or someone from the Serie A that Conte likes. 

[xPetrCechx 13,563]

1 hour ago, iceboy said:

He is at West Ham vs Man City.

what a fancy glasses

[BoyBlue96 990]

19 minutes ago, iceboy said:

 

Something Pep is of course very jealous of after those spells at Bayern and UEFAlona.

[BoyBlue96 990]

Please let it be....

 

But please not another John Stones/ Koulibaly saga that takes way too long.

[Jase 43,479]

37 minutes ago, BoyBlue96 said:

Please let it be....

 

But please not another John Stones/ Koulibaly saga that takes way too long.

There should be a summer spending spree regardless of whether we win the title or not. This highly flawed squad needs to be tweaked in the summer!

[BoyBlue96 990]

There should be a summer spending spree regardless of whether we win the title or not. This highly flawed squad needs to be tweaked in the summer!

Absolutely. New signings on every position needed. Backup goalkeeper. Can't have Courtois leaving for Madrid.
New wingbacks. Moses and Alonso as subs is good, as starters they aren't definitely not if we also play UCL. Midfielders that fit Conte's play style such as Bakayoko or better known Verratti. And a new striker as Diego will most certainly leave.

[Henrique 9,133]

At this moment I'm more concerned about Liverpool and City than Arsenal and Spurs. The fixture is ultra unbalanced. I just realized that after facing Liverpool. Arsenal and Chelsea in a row, City 7 remaining games are ones they are supposed to win. To other side, after facing Arsenal, United and Everton, Liverpool 8 remaining games are also games they can easily win.

Thats pretty stupid. I don't remember the last time I saw a Premier League table where the teams that are supposed to fight for the top 4 have such easy run in final stages of the competition. Game against Arsenal will be a tough one, and everything can happen, but we can't afford to lose a single point in the six games after that, before we face City:  Burnley (A); Swansea (H); West Ham (A); Watford (H); Stoke (A); Crystal Palace (H). Then in our 7 remaining games we will have 2 very difficult away games (United and Everton). I think if we win 6 of our next 7 games, it will really really hard to not win the trophy at the end of the season.

[BoyBlue96 990]

51 minutes ago, Henrique said:

At this moment I'm more concerned about Liverpool and City than Arsenal and Spurs. The fixture is ultra unbalanced. I just realized that after facing Liverpool. Arsenal and Chelsea in a row, City 7 remaining games are ones they are supposed to win. To other side, after facing Arsenal, United and Everton, Liverpool 8 remaining games are also games they can easily win.

Thats pretty stupid. I don't remember the last time I saw a Premier League table where the teams that are supposed to fight for the top 4 have such easy run in final stages of the competition. Game against Arsenal will be a tough one, and everything can happen, but we can't afford to lose a single point in the six games after that, before we face City:  Burnley (A); Swansea (H); West Ham (A); Watford (H); Stoke (A); Crystal Palace (H). Then in our 7 remaining games we will have 2 very difficult away games (United and Everton). I think if we win 6 of our next 7 games, it will really really hard to not win the trophy at the end of the season.

Do not forget that Liverpool will almost certainly drop points against shite opponents as will ManCity. Both sides already proved to be very inconsistent and ManCity will have Champions League games coming up. 

Liverpool on the other hand have no more cup games...

[Antonio8 736]

10 hours ago, iceboy said:

 

pep i love how you lose..