Ex-Manager watch: Antonio Conte

[WiganSpur]

He did.

Which is why he said it would take time right from the start, and why the plan was always to get things in place for next season. People really should have listened to what was said at the outset. Instead they built everything up and are now disappointed, when in reality things have panned out as expected.

Conte will have been well aware of how shit we were. Who actually thinks he didn't watch us extensively under Nuno before/just after taking the job? You could see we weren't good by sight and by stats. If he needed any convincing all he needed to do was watch Palace 3-0 Spurs and Arsenal 3-1 Spurs.

He would also have been aware that the same set of players struggled under Mourinho, and it's being proven more and more every day that Mourinho whilst clearly flawed was less of a problem than many thought.

 

[guiltyparty]

He did.

Which is why he clearly said it would take time right from the start, and why the plan was always to get things in place for next season. People really should have listened to what was said at the outset. Instead they built everything up and are now disappointed, when in reality things have panned out as expected. If (like me) you expected it to be a bit of a mess until the Summer, it's not really something that upsets you week in week out.

I would entirely agree as a concept. I didn’t expect miracles.

But with all due respect, the manager is not acting like it’s what he expected. In fact he’s talked consistently about it being a bigger challenge than he thought, bemoaning the targets being below what he’s used to, questioning whether he should even be in charge and not committing to being here beyond the summer.

So it’s hard to blame fans for being up and down when the manager is, publicly, entirely dependent on what happens. He behaves like a fan himself. He’s the orchestrator of it, he could dispel a lot of if he wanted to

 

[ralphs bald spot]

Honestly think Spurs to United is a sideways move at the moment, and that's not bigging up Spurs in any way.

not if he takes Kane with him

 

[dontcallme]

He did.

Which is why he clearly said it would take time right from the start, and why the plan was always to get things in place for next season. People really should have listened to what was said at the outset. Instead they built everything up and are now disappointed, when in reality things have panned out as expected. If (like me) you expected it to be a bit of a mess until the Summer, it's not really something that upsets you week in week out.

I was just responding to the point made. Like I have said I have to believe Conte knew what he was getting himself into and is up for the challenge.

I’m not convinced the constant press conferences are beneficial but have to be done.

 

[Wick3d]

Every single thing this man says gets twisted to generate a headline. If anything, it just goes to show what little attention span people have. Read the article first, read everything he said, and then tell me does it sound as bad as it is made out to be?

 

[Yantino]

He did.

Which is why he clearly said it would take time right from the start, and why the plan was always to get things in place for next season. People really should have listened to what was said at the outset. Instead they built everything up and are now disappointed, when in reality things have panned out as expected. If (like me) you expected it to be a bit of a mess until the Summer, it's not really something that upsets you week in week out.

Absolutely correct. This has always been a transitional season and I think the work done so far has been promising. I just hope the board deliver in the summer, otherwise it’ll be 2 transitional seasons and not just one. We get key things right this summer and I think we have the foundation to consistently start really pushing other teams.

 

[ralphs bald spot]

Even if that were true - its more an indictment of the weak mentality of the players than on Conte.

can't have that - if the manager spends time moaning about everything it sends the wrong message and it leads to poor performances and the general malaise players need to know that the manager is committed to the club and he is not doing that -

 

[WiganSpur]

Absolutely correct. This has always been a transitional season and I think the work done so far has been promising. I just hope the board deliver in the summer, otherwise it’ll be 2 transitional seasons and not just one. We get key things right this summer and I think we have the foundation to consistently start really pushing other teams.

As much as i've been banging the patience drum, anything less than a window which covers all weaknesses in the squad and Conte is out of here imo, and he won't hang around till the final day of the window either if 90% of it isn't done by then.

 

[BSG-75]

Sorry bud, but he doesn't need to work on his conduct and what he says at all.

It's how he's always been, and how we will always be.

We knew who we were employing, we knew how he conducts himself. Why the bloody hell would we want an absolute winner to change his mentality just to appease us simpletons?

It's the club that needs to change it's conduct, as do an increasing number of the people who claim to support it.

I take you point, I'd never thought about it that way.

 

[daveduvet]

I would entirely agree as a concept. I didn’t expect miracles.

But with all due respect, the manager is not acting like it’s what he expected. In fact he’s talked consistently about it being a bigger challenge than he thought, bemoaning the targets being below what he’s used to, questioning whether he should even be in charge and not committing to being here beyond the summer.

So it’s hard to blame fans for being up and down when the manager is, publicly, entirely dependent on what happens. He behaves like a fan himself. He’s the orchestrator of it, he could dispel a lot of if he wanted to

Maybe because the challenge is bigger than he expected; additionally I wonder whether he’s saying this to appease the fans after the yo-yo performances/results… in addition, the players aren’t used to such a winner mentality and, therefore, the consistency required is something they’re bewildered by & still getting their heads ‘round.
I don’t necessarily disagree with your post, just balancing out your opinions… It’s been said by those at the club; those in the know; and us as fans that a shake up has been required for many seasons. Now that the shake up appears to be starting we’re picking at the thread of that process. Course I get peeved at poor performances and results; but until the summer window is completed with Conte at the helm, I’m not gonna get too shook up myself with the rest of this season. … and before the old argument of ‘we say this every summer’ is churned out, the difference this year is that Conte is our manager - the first elite like manager we’ve had since I can remember

 

[Trix]

I would entirely agree as a concept. I didn’t expect miracles.

But with all due respect, the manager is not acting like it’s what he expected. In fact he’s talked consistently about it being a bigger challenge than he thought, bemoaning the targets being below what he’s used to, questioning whether he should even be in charge and not committing to being here beyond the summer.

So it’s hard to blame fans for being up and down when the manager is, publicly, entirely dependent on what happens. He behaves like a fan himself. He’s the orchestrator of it, he could dispel a lot of if he wanted to

That's probably because he tried to stem expectation both with the fans and media and yet they didn't seem to listen. Many fans, the media, and pundits alike, had us for that 4th spot as soon as he came in just because of who he was. He very clearly said "This can not be fixed quickly and in one transfer window". He's obviously found there were more players that were an issue than he originally thought, and likewise players he didn't think were going to be up to the long term task that actually might well be. He's actually not said a lot different to when he originally got here(apart from the post match after Burnley), it's just being interpreted differently.

If he gets the backing he's been promised he stays, it really is as simple as that. As I've been screaming since day one, NOTHING IS GOING TO CHANGE UNTIL THE SUMMER, and that has always been the case.

 

[Trix]

As much as i've been banging the patience drum, anything less than a window which covers all weaknesses in the squad and Conte is out of here imo, and he won't hang around till the final day of the window either if 90% of it isn't done by then.

From what I've been hearing all along at least 4 players will be coming in that improve our starting 11, and more depending on outs. It is not tied to CL qualification and Conte has been fully aware of the situation since day 1.

 

[Archibald-CPH]

He did.

Which is why he clearly said it would take time right from the start, and why the plan was always to get things in place for next season. People really should have listened to what was said at the outset. Instead they built everything up and are now disappointed, when in reality things have panned out as expected. If (like me) you expected it to be a bit of a mess until the Summer, it's not really something that upsets you week in week out.

He is so good a manager, that a preseason should be enough to learn his system. Even more if get 4-5 firstteamers in the summer plus Sarr.

So I don't get that he dosen't play to the current squads strength.

The way it is run now dosen't give the squad a winning mentality and confidence.

It seems like he has a hard way adapting. It is only his system which is the right path..... for him. Not the squad.

 

[shelfboy68]

It wasn't so much a missed opportunity as it seems. Liverpool were exceptional and have won the competition numerous times. They only just lost out on the title that season and it would have been a travesty had they not won anything. I think its unfair to consider it was down to us to win. The better team won and it was the same team that racked up close to 100 points in the league and then won the title the following season. Same goes for England who lost to an Italy side who were long unbeaten, have won more as a nation and were clearly the best team of the tournament. It's not as simple as saying we have to win those games. It's incredibly difficult to win finals against top teams who have won titles numerous times. We maybe need a bit of luck to get over the line, or even a lucky finalist like when Arsenal faced Hull and Everton in FA Cup finals. It's also why I wish we would push hard for a European title as Sevilla have done over the years. It's very difficult to beat City, Liverpool or Chelsea to titles and then you have Utd and Arsenal who have a number of title wins which helps. The biggest opportunity was the season Leicester won the title because it really was a one off where the top teams were all off it. Other than that it was back to the top clubs winning titles again. Fair play to Leicester though on winning the title back then and getting an FA Cup win against Chelsea though. It certainly can happen but often times the better team wins the final.

I don't agree that because Liverpool have won the CL a few times before that they had to or deserved to win it.
We have had a few opportunities to win something and never taken it the club doesn't believe in itself enough for some reason.
Anyway at least we can say we made the final once in our lifetimes at least we can have that over other clubs.

 

[Trix]

He is so good a manager, that a preseason should be enough to learn his system. Even more if get 4-5 firstteamers in the summer plus Sarr.

So I don't get that he dosen't play to the current squads strength.

The way it is run now dosen't give the squad a winning mentality and confidence.

It seems like he has a hard way adapting. It is only his system which is the right path..... for him. Not the squad.

It's IMO why we have stuck to it this season even when at times it's not worked. He wants those here next season to understand it fully so it's easier for the incomings to slot into a side that understands the system.

Again that's just opinion but fits what I was told early on.

 

[Yantino]

From what I've been hearing all along at least 4 players will be coming in that improve our starting 11, and more depending on outs. It is not tied to CL qualification and Conte has been fully aware of the situation since day 1.

I’m going to assume this is going to be two wing backs, another centre back and another midfielder to add to Bentancur, Skipp and Sarr.

be nice to add another striker too.

We do that in the summer and I think we will
Be in decent shape. But we have to get those wing back positions nailed. They are key to the success of Conte’s system.

 

[spursfan77]

He did.

Which is why he clearly said it would take time right from the start, and why the plan was always to get things in place for next season. People really should have listened to what was said at the outset. Instead they built everything up and are now disappointed, when in reality things have panned out as expected. If (like me) you expected it to be a bit of a mess until the Summer, it's not really something that upsets you week in week out.

I agree, but I didn't think we'd be this inconsistent based on how we did in his first 9 games. I do think, however, that with one game a week coming up now we will hopefully be able to put a good run of results together if our key players stay free of injury.

There was a reason he said patience about 20 times in his interviews in the first week of joining.

 

[Trix]

I don't agree that because Liverpool have won the CL a few times before that they had to or deserved to win it.
We have had a few opportunities to win something and never taken it the club doesn't believe in itself enough for some reason.
Anyway at least we can say we made the final once in our lifetimes at least we can have that over other clubs.

Indeed, we have gotten to these finals and then the players just haven't turned up. That's not Enic or Levy's fault, and I'm not sure if that's the fault of the managers(plural) which have gotten them there either. It's pretty much the same group of players and moving a good number of them on for those with the right mentality is what is needed. Give him this next window, and if nothings changed even I'll be calling for Levy's head.

 

[Trix]

I’m going to assume this is going to be two wing backs, another centre back and another midfielder to add to Bentancur, Skipp and Sarr.

be nice to add another striker too.

We do that in the summer and I think we will
Be in decent shape. But we have to get those wing back positions nailed. They are key to the success of Conte’s system.

As of right now one wing back, one CM one CB and an attacking player. As I have said could be more on top depending on outgoings. I'm not including Sarr in that list who I think will go out on loan for at least another season.

 

[Oh Teddy Teddy]

Every single thing this man says gets twisted to generate a headline. If anything, it just goes to show what little attention span people have. Read the article first, read everything he said, and then tell me does it sound as bad as it is made out to be?

Agreed, I’ve found it very helpful after the headlines are generated, sound bites shared etc to watch or listen to the actual pressers.

Changes the feeling/meaning of his words vastly, particularly the one after the Burnley game. Didn’t sound as bad coming straight from him as it did on social…