Ange Postecoglou

Bwuk said:
Been the best manager in the league this season. Assuming Maddison & Son can stay fit, I see no reason they can't challenge.
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They've played some good football but they've had an easy run of fixtures and been quite fortunate at times.

They've played against the bottom four teams (Sheffield, Burnley, Luton and Bournemouth). They were fortunate to play Arsenal when we had an injury crisis and couldn't even win. They struggled to win again 9 men Liverpool. You could also argue that they were lucky to win against Man Utd and that it could've gone either way.

Let see where they are after a bigger sample size of games.
 
mathrait said:
They've played some good football but they've had an easy run of fixtures and been quite fortunate at times.

They've played against the bottom four teams (Sheffield, Burnley, Luton and Bournemouth). They were fortunate to play Arsenal when we had an injury crisis and couldn't even win. They struggled to win again 9 men Liverpool. You could also argue that they were lucky to win against Man Utd and that it could've gone either way.

Let see where they are after a bigger sample size of games.
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Similar could be said for Arsenal TBF, beat United but it was a lot closer than the score line suggests and could've been different had Garnacho not been offside, beat City thanks to a deflection and without Rodri, could've lost against Spurs and didn't look great overall there either, fortunate to draw against Chelsea where they were outplayed for large portions of the match.
 
RVN1991 said:
Similar could be said for Arsenal TBF, beat United but it was a lot closer than the score line suggests and could've been different had Garnacho not been offside, beat City thanks to a deflection and without Rodri, could've lost against Spurs and didn't look great overall there either, fortunate to draw against Chelsea where they were outplayed for large portions of the match.
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The difference is:
  1. Arsenal have a sample size of 38 games from last season to show.
  2. We've also struggled with injuries in these games (e.g., Saka and Partey missing against Man City; Martinelli, Trossard, Rice, Partey against Spurs).
  3. We've been slated for our slow start this season. Meanwhile Spurs are being lauded despite being on similar points and having an easier start.
I think Spurs played some good football and should be excited about the start they've had. They could be on track to challenge for top 4 barring any injuries to Madison or Son. Anything more than that is wishful thinking.
 
it's easy for him to be doing what he is when they have no mid week fixtures to deal with and get plenty of time on the training ground....PLUS they have Son up top who's fantastic and can get you a goal on his own
 
bosskeano said:
it's easy for him to be doing what he is when they have no mid week fixtures to deal with and get plenty of time on the training ground....PLUS they have Son up top who's fantastic and can get you a goal on his own
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Even with these caveats, your post sounds like something Paul Ince would write
 
bosskeano said:
it's easy for him to be doing what he is when they have no mid week fixtures to deal with and get plenty of time on the training ground....PLUS they have Son up top who's fantastic and can get you a goal on his own
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Son blows hot and cold, last season he had an overall poor season, the season before that he was on fire.

The big thing for Spurs is 1 game a week, given how weak their bench is, specifically at CB and in attack, that is massive for them. One injury to Son and they have Richarlison up top, likewise an injury to Maddison they have Lo Celso, which for me is a step down. But their CB position is easily the worst, Romero or VDV go down and they have what? Dier? Is that their only other CB?

I don't know how their bench is so poor after getting such a large xfer fee for Kane. That and so many players who do not want to be there and/or are simply not good enough on the books.
 
bosskeano said:
it's easy for him to be doing what he is when they have no mid week fixtures to deal with and get plenty of time on the training ground....PLUS they have Son up top who's fantastic and can get you a goal on his own
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I mean, I'm sure this will help them throughout the season. But up until October started they had one midweek game and we had two. Certainly this cannot be used to explain why they seemingly is a year into their development as a team (with a new manager) whereas we pretty much act like a team that never has played together before every single game. I think there's something more to it than just them having no midweek games..
 
There's a lot to be said for a) no European fixtures and b) no real pressure on league performance.

I still fully expect them to have a massive dip of form at some point (and end up in a fight for top four rather than the league), but they're obviously maximising potential at the moment.
 
Alex99 said:
There's a lot to be said for a) no European fixtures and b) no real pressure on league performance.

I still fully expect them to have a massive dip of form at some point (and end up in a fight for top four rather than the league), but they're obviously maximising potential at the moment.
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I was never expecting them to be in the hunt to win the league, I dont think anyone thinks they will be top at the end of the season, a top four fight will be an excellent season for them and Ange's first season in the EPL.
 
Stack said:
I was never expecting them to be in the hunt to win the league, I dont think anyone thinks they will be top at the end of the season, a top four fight will be an excellent season for them and Ange's first season in the EPL.
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I think a top four fight was always on the cards, especially with no European football. They've started very well though.

Will be interesting to see how Ange and the team respond when expectations inevitably begin to mount as the season progresses.
 
Krny said:
Ange is stubborn and consistently says he'll not change the system he's used over his career. It was one of his weaknesses in Europe for Celtic.
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The weakness in Europe was the weakness of Scottish football, not Ange's
The players simply arent good enough and neither of the old firm are able to attract enough players of the required level. they will attract the odd player good enough but cant attract the type of squad required.
 
Stack said:
The weakness in Europe was the weakness of Scottish football, not Ange's
The players simply arent good enough and neither of the old firm are able to attract enough players of the required level. they will attract the odd player good enough but cant attract the type of squad required.
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Not really true. Rangers were in a European final a couple of years ago and I’m sure made the quarters of the Europa League just before that. Celtic have been embarrassed in Europe at every turn.
 
I like the football they play but they'll be no better than third this season, unless they get incredibly lucky with injuries.
 
It’s so depressing as a United fan watching other coaches instantly install a style of play into their club in a matter of weeks. Not just that but the atmosphere surrounding the club and dressing room is so positive.

Meanwhile there’s nothing but excuses for our managers.
 
KD6-3.7 said:
It’s so depressing as a United fan watching other coaches instantly install a style of play into their club in a matter of weeks. Not just that but the atmosphere surrounding the club and dressing room is so positive.

Meanwhile there’s nothing but excuses for our managers.
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Tbf we had that atmosphere change positive when OGS came in.
We didn’t get a markedly better style of play, iirc.
 
Magnificent job so far. The way they recruited, their style of play, the way he handled the Kane exit, making Son the captain... Absurdly good until now.
 
I do think he's done a phenomenal job thus far tbf but let's not get ahead of ourselves. They're still spurs and Bayern are still Bayern. I would wager the end of the season will see us closer to the status quo than we are now.
 
izec said:
Very impressive so far, makes ETH look like a mug.
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A mug? Really...The difference between managing Utd and Spurs is huge. AP has literally got a free hit with a good squad of players. Has done great so far, but it's literally ten games into the season. The amount of shite ETH has had to put up with is actually ridiculous, on top of all the injuries. You have a seriously short memory anyway. Spurs were 3rd after ten games last season. How did it end up for them? Who will be the mug after 38? Laughable shite at this point out of you.
 
I get it’s a United forum but why does everything have to be turned into something to criticise the manager/club.

Ange is doing great (so far) he is making a lot of new managers coming into the league look bad.

His first season (so far) is looking better than Pep’s first season, never mind Klopp, Arteta and EtH.

But will he be able to maintain this standard for the rest of the season.

Will he be able to repeat it next season.

I highly doubt it, but let’s wait and see.
 
Joel Miller said:
Not really true. Rangers were in a European final a couple of years ago and I’m sure made the quarters of the Europa League just before that. Celtic have been embarrassed in Europe at every turn.
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Come on, we are talking about the Champions league.
You are blinded by your old firm rivalry to admit we are just awful with respect to the levels required to play consistently and escape the Champions league groups. We dont attract the numbers of quality players need to compete in the champions league at any sort of decent level on any sort of consistent level.
 
TrueRed79 said:
A mug? Really...The difference between managing Utd and Spurs is huge. AP has literally got a free hit with a good squad of players. Has done great so far, but it's literally ten games into the season. The amount of shite ETH has had to put up with is actually ridiculous, on top of all the injuries. You have a seriously short memory anyway. Spurs were 3rd after ten games last season. How did it end up for them? Who will be the mug after 38? Laughable shite at this point out of you.
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Laughable from you at this point.
ETH is a complete mug. He had a free hit in the transfer market and screwed it up completely. Compare his transfer budgets with Spurs budgets.
Are you watching how we play and how our best players are performing? ETH has got them and us going backwards.
 
TrueRed79 said:
A mug? Really...The difference between managing Utd and Spurs is huge. AP has literally got a free hit with a good squad of players. Has done great so far, but it's literally ten games into the season. The amount of shite ETH has had to put up with is actually ridiculous, on top of all the injuries. You have a seriously short memory anyway. Spurs were 3rd after ten games last season. How did it end up for them? Who will be the mug after 38? Laughable shite at this point out of you.
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Remember ETHs first ten games, at least 3 losses if I remember banged by Brentford, banged by Brighton and destroyed by city, ETH didn’t respect the league and it showed up early on, he looks like a lost child this year with no idea how to deal with the league
 
Doing a great job so far. Has a style of play already. Getting the best out of his squad and his new signings. Only thing that’s gonna let them down is squad depth.
 
People do realise 1 game per week is a manger’s DREAM. They can work on drills everyday without needing to have rest days (max light training), or 2/3 days opposition analysis.
 
Stack said:
Laughable from you at this point.
ETH is a complete mug. He had a free hit in the transfer market and screwed it up completely. Compare his transfer budgets with Spurs budgets.
Are you watching how we play and how our best players are performing? ETH has got them and us going backwards.
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Just to be absolutely clear here before I say anything. I am not saying ETH is the second coming of Christ for Utd, ok?
He didn't have a free hit. He wanted Kane. Got Hojlund. Seems like he wanted Mount. Jury is out. Wanted rid of Maguire and McT. Ended up with Evans and Amrabat (on loan). I'm pretty sure he didn't even want Casemiro last season either, but the thought of playing McFred for the season would fill any manager with dread. He was a panic signing that the club made, not him (imo). Free hit? Give your head a wobble. Our budgets are bigger than Spurs because we are a way bigger club than them. Are you being deliberately stupid? Look at our wage bill compared to theirs for clarity.
christy87 said:
Remember ETHs first ten games, at least 3 losses if I remember banged by Brentford, banged by Brighton and destroyed by city, ETH didn’t respect the league and it showed up early on, he looks like a lost child this year with no idea how to deal with the league
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Can't argue with what you said. I have my doubts about him as well. Hopefully he will turn it around. He's a fairly dogmatic coach. If he doesn't have his preferred first 11 on the pitch, it seems he will change his whole approach and tactics to suit the team on the day.
 
When we played them last season and this season, I found their fullback option are so good, especially on the right side.
 
DownRiver said:
People do realise 1 game per week is a manger’s DREAM. They can work on drills everyday without needing to have rest days (max light training), or 2/3 days opposition analysis.
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We realize. He’s still been very impressive.
 
Stack said:
Come on, we are talking about the Champions league.
You are blinded by your old firm rivalry to admit we are just awful with respect to the levels required to play consistently and escape the Champions league groups. We dont attract the numbers of quality players need to compete in the champions league at any sort of decent level on any sort of consistent level.
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It’s still a valid point. Look at how Celtic got on when they dropped into the Europa, or the conference league. Postecoglu had some really bad results there. So you can stay it’s a scottish thing in general when another side has faired much better in European competition. The guy who said he’s stubborn and comes undone in Europe as a consequence of wanting to stick to his style was absolutely correct. Personally I can’t stand the Old Firm.
 
If we don’t win the league (we won’t) then I hope Spurs do. We need some variety in terms of title challengers which might set the tone for a more balanced fight up top in the seasons ahead. Sick of a couple of teams having a stranglehold over the title challenge.

But Spurs being spurs, they will likely cede the title fight early on to City and Arsenal.
 
He's clearly doing a fantastic job, although I didn't realise they spent as heavily as they did in the summer.

Brennan Johnson (40m), Pedro Porro (30m) and Van de Ven (30m), as well as making the Kuluzevski signing permanent, are all quite hefty signings (albeit signed with Kane money).

On the pitch Maddison looks brilliant and Son is relishing his role as the main man.

I bet Ange says mate at least 500 times a day.
 
Joel Miller said:
It’s still a valid point. Look at how Celtic got on when they dropped into the Europa, or the conference league. Postecoglu had some really bad results there. So you can stay it’s a scottish thing in general when another side has faired much better in European competition. The guy who said he’s stubborn and comes undone in Europe as a consequence of wanting to stick to his style was absolutely correct. Personally I can’t stand the Old Firm.
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Sorry,
Scottish football simply doesnt produce or attract the numbers of players required for a squad to be in any way meaningfully competitive in Europe. Any successes have been very very few and far between. We simply dont produce enough players. Celtic won the European cup when I was 5, we wont see one of our teams win it again in my lifetime. The results in Europe are more related to the quality of players we produce or the quality of players we can attract. I also hate the old firm, they are a massive part of the problem with the lack of depth of quality in Scottish football.
 
DRJosh said:
But Spurs being spurs, they will likely cede the title fight early on to City and Arsenal.
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They will drag it to the final day and bottle it against a relegated Sheffield United or something like that.
 
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