I can't over the fact he looks like a cross between Pep and Jack Grealish.
Enzo Maresca - Chelsea manager - Sack watch
- Thread starter Carl
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) and Jamie (@Vault Dweller) review both the Everton and Bodø/Glimt victories at Old Trafford. Listen to the guys discuss 2 wins and 7 goals in the last week, analyse of the Amorim formation, focus on Amad and how he is playing, and also take a look at Hojlund, Rashford & Zirkzee – who starts v Arsenal?
Ole, Lampard?
The perception of last season is skewed because you were so far off for most the season but a late run of results somehow saw you go from 8th to 6th, and the previous season saw you 12th.
Mid-table may not be the right word but it seemed like a lot of fans felt a 7th/8th type finish was on the cards because a lot of people didn't seem to rate the manager and thought the erratic transfer strategy would mean you'd be a mess on the pitch because of the mess off the pitch, but it all seems to be coming together for Chelsea now.
How often do you see a manager with 'zero top leagues experience' have the likes of Palmer, Madueke, Neto, Nkunku, Joao Felix and Sancho to call on to change a game? And who will almost certainly get a good striker in January.
It has only been a few games and there's a long way to go for them, but Maresca is doing well despite the turmoil at Chelsea
I truly don't understand when some fans say EtH deserves more time given the (past) off pitch issues at United.
I would argue it's just as 'skewed' reducing Chelsea's efforts last season just into that winning run at the end and ignoring everything else.
It was the super slow start that really fecked us last season. We gave up way too much headway to the others in the battle for UCL places in those first 5-6 rounds of the season but from that point till the end of the season we gained more points than any other team in the league not named Arsenal, City or Liverpool.
I'm not saying we 'deserved' to be top 4 last season because across the full 38 games we clearly weren't good enough for that. But as far as the current season is concerned I would say last season's slow start and then building up more and more momentum as the season progressed gave me plenty of optimism for this season. And the start of this season has been quite promising indeed.
Sorry but it’s a country mile away from Artetas first season.
One had a pre season the other didn’t, one had experience of success management of a first team squad yes it was at Championship level but at a club whose structure was very much still PL.
Do I think we will finish in the top 4? That will be a challenge as it really should be but despite the turmoil that seems to surround Chelsea we were just one result being reversed away from being in this years CL and that was the 1-0 defeat at home to Villa.
There is no doubt that we aren’t the finished article but many of the players are a year older , a year more experienced and as a unit the majority have been together for far longer than was the case 12 months ago.
You have to hand it to the guys, Chelsea know how to attack. They're leaking goals here and there, but when they go forward they do it with intent. The narrative in the summer was that they're missing a goal scorer, who knew that goad coaching with good players could make a difference.
Incredible that Chelsea too have a better coach than us. Palmer and Madueke have been two very good additions in attack
Their attack is stupidly potent under him.
It's not his team yet, give him 3 years and we might see the start of what he's trying to do.
new manager bounce
He'll be gone by then
Well, technically he could win the Premier League this season or the one after and still be gone by then.
He won't, he'll get top 4 this season and then maybe be in the title race or get worse next season. Chelsea are better but they've spent record amounts to be about as good as they were after Conte left.
Ange effect mk2, people never learn.
Ange effect, as in doing a good job? You're taking like Ange has been sacked off after failing.
No, I am talking about people fawning over Ange when he came making him title contender or something. He is decent, that is all. Same happening with Maresca.
Doesn't seem to be as suicidal and pundits haven't started licking his arse, too busy licking Slot's
I mean, if we're top of the table after 10 games, I'd hope we're considered title contenders at that point too, regardless of how the season eventually pans out.
Thankfully, yeah. They shouldn't have let Poch go either.
Nobody made them title contenders. They were horse shit before he arrived, had just lost their best player and their goalscorer. Nobody expected a thing before he came and he's doing a good job. He's transformed their football though, and that's my main point.
Still very early days but I think Chelsea will finish Top4 and a lot of people will be eating crow.
To me, they’ve always had a good squad since last season. They just needed the right coach to bring it all together.
His only mistake so far since arriving is deciding very early on that Robert Sanchez is good enough to be our #1.
In terms of attacking play and and structure it’s night and day compared to Poch. Keep in mind that we are again the youngest team in the PL just like we were last season. So rough edges and mistakes will of course happen. But we are building a very, very good team.
In terms of attacking play and and structure it’s night and day compared to Poch. Keep in mind that we are again the youngest team in the PL just like we were last season. So rough edges and mistakes will of course happen. But we are building a very, very good team.
Bald Arteta for me.
All it will take is one game of dropped points or even a dodgy win and the narrative will revert back to the same crap of we've got 400 players and made a massive mistake sacking Poch (coincidentally 99% of the people I've heard say that support a team that smashed us and/or finished above us last season).
Forest will be a good test as they will sit deep and look to counter so I think Nkunku in for Jackson could be the way forward in this one. If we can wind up from that one and Anfield with 4 points I may startdeluding myself believing we may have a special season.
Forest will be a good test as they will sit deep and look to counter so I think Nkunku in for Jackson could be the way forward in this one. If we can wind up from that one and Anfield with 4 points I may start
They look clinical but behind that when you watch the highlights and look at the metrics behind these games they’re not that convincing. Saying that, absolutely nobody expected them to be 4th now so fair play. He’s got a tune out of their attack but the next few games will be against low blocks and Liverpool. Let’s see how they do…
I've got a feeling he might outshine (pun intended) Slot by the end of the season.
Which means he'll be sacked by February
Which means he'll be sacked by February
Ok but why is bald Jack Grealish so happy about it?
A few months in. Maresca has exceeded my expectations so far. Still relatively early but we’re about 1/3 into the season now and we’re joint 2nd.
Leicester fans sold me a version of Maresca that was stubborn, inflexible and completely married to his ideology come rain or shine. The Maresca I’ve found so far has been the complete opposite of that.
Some things to iron out still, especially defensively, but so far so good.
Leicester fans sold me a version of Maresca that was stubborn, inflexible and completely married to his ideology come rain or shine. The Maresca I’ve found so far has been the complete opposite of that.
Some things to iron out still, especially defensively, but so far so good.
fair play to him he's been far more adaptable than he showed he was with us last season, we have a Belgian defender that Enzo knows well you can have, just take him, we'll call it a thank you gift for the £30m for KDH ...
I’m glad to see it. I liked the idea of him but the feedback from Leicester fans had me worried, but he’s been so adaptable in his tactics I’m almost having to guess what he’s going to try next. Caicedo at RB, inverting into midfield in possession was not something I had considered at all as a solution to the lack of fit RBs and Enzo needing to start again. It worked fantastically.
Tbh I did expect Caicedo at RB to happen at some point as I felt some games Maresca will feel he needs all 3 midfielders but doesn't want to lose an extra attacker.
The move that did catch me off guard was his lack of hesitancy in putting Badiashille RCB when Fofana went off, even Pep and Arteta have shied away from putting a left footed player in that role.
What’s the expectations this season then, considering where you are. Top 4 minimum bar?
Top 4 feels like the floor - though honestly if we lose key players to injury and finish 5th or 6th with extenuating circumstances I'd absolutely keep Maresca. He's done an unbelievable job thus far.
I'd say so yes, and the conference league.
It's annoying me a bit City are having their rut this season (as I feel they will go mad in the window ala 2017 to fix it all for next time) as if it happened next year I'd genuinely believe we could have been the team pouncing.
I think top 4 is as always the minimum bar. They have specific plan in mind, and are even willing to take short term hits to keep it in place.
They want and expect to reach a certain level with their shirt sponsor. They want the deal with Jordan brand to finish going through.
Making CL is pivotal for those efforts.
Now, I think they are finally VERY happy with everything v about the coach. His he communicates with the organization, the “style” of play and adaptability… everything.
So, my personal belief is that if, for some reason, we did not make a CL spot… you would be more likely to see a change in the director positions or something like that rather than another coaching change.
They want and expect to reach a certain level with their shirt sponsor. They want the deal with Jordan brand to finish going through.
Making CL is pivotal for those efforts.
Now, I think they are finally VERY happy with everything v about the coach. His he communicates with the organization, the “style” of play and adaptability… everything.
So, my personal belief is that if, for some reason, we did not make a CL spot… you would be more likely to see a change in the director positions or something like that rather than another coaching change.
Fair enough - I’d have thought aims might be a little higher.
But you have had your tanking phase the past few years
They might not have the opportunity to fix it this time around. And even if they aren’t charged it looks like a much bigger rebuild is going to be required
I thought he'd be under huge pressure by now but he's impressed me with some decisive decision making.
Was wondering how he was going to keep all the attackers happy playing 4-3-3 but he's settled on 4-2-3-1 and quickly realised Mudryk wasn't to be relied on. Getting rid of Sterling was also a good decision rather than keeping him around the place.
Also impressed he dropped Enzo Fernandez for a couple of games rather than just continually playing him due to the price tag and he's responded with better performances.
There's a really good balance to the Chelsea 11 now. They won't challenge for the league but they'll be comfortable top 4 and they can build on that next season.
Was wondering how he was going to keep all the attackers happy playing 4-3-3 but he's settled on 4-2-3-1 and quickly realised Mudryk wasn't to be relied on. Getting rid of Sterling was also a good decision rather than keeping him around the place.
Also impressed he dropped Enzo Fernandez for a couple of games rather than just continually playing him due to the price tag and he's responded with better performances.
There's a really good balance to the Chelsea 11 now. They won't challenge for the league but they'll be comfortable top 4 and they can build on that next season.