Next Manager Watch

[Trix]

That could drastically reduce the number of suitable candidates then. I can only think of Tuchel who has used 3 at the back.

I said all along this could be a problem and, quite frankly, I was astonished we spent 40m on Porro at a time when it was 50/50 (at very best) that Conte would be around to use him next season. If the new guy comes in wanting to play a back 4, let's just hope he can coach Porro and Udogie to play as full-backs otherwise we are adding to our list of unwanted. And in Porro's case, we have no chance of recouping our money, regardless of how decent a player he is, as there will be zero takers at 40m.

Just a snapshot of the muddled thinking at the top of the tree in my opinion.

Thing is both Porro and Udogie look like they could be extremely good PL players playing at wing back, it would be a shame if we can't utilise them in some way because we once again go off in a different direction. Surely though anyone that comes in will need to adapt to the players we have rather than forcing us into a back four though right?

I mean that is one of the biggest criticisms I read of Conte right now, in that he can't adapt to what we have. Surely if a manager comes in we'd want him to be able to do that wouldn't we if these players can't play effectively in a back 4...........

 

[Albertbarich]

I have a horrible feeling were going to waste months chasing De Zerbi for him to eventually say no.

 

[Thenewcat]

Thing is both Porro and Udogie look like they could be extremely good PL players playing at wing back, it would be a shame if we can't utilise them in some way because we once again go off in a different direction. Surely though anyone that comes in will need to adapt to the players we have rather than forcing us into a back four though right?

I mean that is one of the biggest criticisms I read of Conte right now, in that he can't adapt to what we have. Surely if a manager comes in we'd want him to be able to do that wouldn't we if these players can't play effectively in a back 4...........

Agreed but I think the concern is a little overblown. Udogie hasn’t played a minute in the PL, but Porro would fit as a full back in many systems - our peak Poch team was a flexible 3/4 at the back which gave the full backs license, Mourinho’s unbalanced full backs wojld work too (possibly not with Udogie as well).
Like you said, a good manager can work with what we have as long as there is talent

 

[14/04/91]

Thing is both Porro and Udogie look like they could be extremely good PL players playing at wing back, it would be a shame if we can't utilise them in some way because we once again go off in a different direction. Surely though anyone that comes in will need to adapt to the players we have rather than forcing us into a back four though right?

I mean that is one of the biggest criticisms I read of Conte right now, in that he can't adapt to what we have. Surely if a manager comes in we'd want him to be able to do that wouldn't we if these players can't play effectively in a back 4...........

Absolutely. I'd love someone to come in and improve what is already here as we have some very talented individuals.

I've not seen Udogie but certainly agree Porro looks good and I'd like to think he could be coached to play full-back. It can be done - look at what Poch did with Walker and Rose; both attacking players but he was able to shift from back 4 to back 3 using them.
I'd love someone who is tactically flexible enough to do this. Makes us less predictable too.

 

[piedpiper]

Another con was how long it took him to trust new players - it seemed to be months for them to get up to speed with his style of play.

Yes that drove me insane ....totally stupid on his part. I forgot that.

 

[Jamturk]

I found it a strange move when he left us before. I know he moved on from being a commercial director with us to be a CEO of an MLS side but was that really a step up? He was obviously well thought of here because IIRC he stayed on as a non exec director for some time after he left so must have still been friendly with Levy despite him leaving his position.

He has an account on here doesn't he?

 

[Tyler24durden]

Both Porro and udogie can be coached to play as rb and lb respectively.

players need to be able to adapt and play other positions.

Phillip lahm is a great example of this.

 

[Jamturk]

Thing is both Porro and Udogie look like they could be extremely good PL players playing at wing back, it would be a shame if we can't utilise them in some way because we once again go off in a different direction. Surely though anyone that comes in will need to adapt to the players we have rather than forcing us into a back four though right?

I mean that is one of the biggest criticisms I read of Conte right now, in that he can't adapt to what we have. Surely if a manager comes in we'd want him to be able to do that wouldn't we if these players can't play effectively in a back 4...........

You just know that this is going to happen don't you.

It's just the kind of dumb thing our board likes to do.

 

[robotsonic]

I'm really not sure that there's a world of difference between playing with attacking fullbacks and "wingbacks" to be honest, to the extent where an Udogie or a Porro couldn't understand the role if we wanted to play a back 4. We played for a long time with fullbacks that were charged with playing up high ourselves already, and other teams do this also.

The bigger ask is for the player(s) in the middle of the park able to drop in and cover when they go forward, imo.

 

[max cady]

We as a club need to decide very quickly where we want to be as a club going forward. As long as we (the board) lack ambition it will never matter who manages us

 

[YB123]

I'm really not sure that there's a world of difference between playing with attacking fullbacks and "wingbacks" to be honest, to the extent where an Udogie or a Porro couldn't understand the role if we wanted to play a back 4. We played for a long time with fullbacks that were charged with playing up high ourselves already, and other teams do this also.

The bigger ask is for the player(s) in the middle of the park able to drop in and cover when they go forward, imo.

Spot on.

 

[spurs mental]

I'm really not sure that there's a world of difference between playing with attacking fullbacks and "wingbacks" to be honest, to the extent where an Udogie or a Porro couldn't understand the role if we wanted to play a back 4. We played for a long time with fullbacks that were charged with playing up high ourselves already, and other teams do this also.

The bigger ask is for the player(s) in the middle of the park able to drop in and cover when they go forward, imo.

Hojbjerg and Skipp should be able to do that dropping in role without difficulty. With Bissouma and Bentancur in front of them it gives us a solid midfield to progress the ball and with Porro and Udogie they should be quick enough to make the recover runs if the CBs are going to be left exposed.

 

[Guntz]

I’m not worried about Udogie and Porro being able to play in a back 4.

They’re both young enough and have the potential to be able to learn.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

Agreed but I think the concern is a little overblown. Udogie hasn’t played a minute in the PL, but Porro would fit as a full back in many systems - our peak Poch team was a flexible 3/4 at the back which gave the full backs license, Mourinho’s unbalanced full backs wojld work too (possibly not with Udogie as well).
Like you said, a good manager can work with what we have as long as there is talent

Exactly, I think it’s not in any way going to affect their development or ability. If anything they would be the ideal players for a lot 4 at the back managers. Personally i think looking at 3 at the back managers just because of those would be naive.

Just to take Gallardo as an example. I have posted a link to this article before and it has been discussed in detail in this thread but just specifically re full backs and taking into consideration he would usually favour a 433…

 

[Dakes]

Paul Barber should be our CEO, Spurs fan too.

Said it before, the biggest change I'd make at the top is having Levy just take care of commercial and stadium related things with Barber coming in as the CEO for the football side. He'd sort us out very, very quickly and we'd compete for silverware quickly too imo with our resources.

Unfortunately Levy probably doesn't have the self awareness or lack of ego to consider a move like this.

Barber is the best CEO in football and it's depressing that he's a Spurs fan but not with us.

Our football expertise is in the area of things that don't make sense. You're describing a well thought out approach. This is anathema!

 

[djhotspur]

Thing is both Porro and Udogie look like they could be extremely good PL players playing at wing back, it would be a shame if we can't utilise them in some way because we once again go off in a different direction. Surely though anyone that comes in will need to adapt to the players we have rather than forcing us into a back four though right?

I mean that is one of the biggest criticisms I read of Conte right now, in that he can't adapt to what we have. Surely if a manager comes in we'd want him to be able to do that wouldn't we if these players can't play effectively in a back 4...........

Haha but you know the fans think the next formation or way of playing is what saves us… or insert any player not getting a chance js the player to save us.

 

[Dakes]

Fabrizio said this on a livestream. Might seem like a throwaway line at the end, but he usually doesn’t say things like this unless there’s at least a bit of substance.

Tuchel is in keeping with Levy's MO, so it's very likely to be him. Only possible snag might be if the rest of the board are overwhelmingly in favour of another candidate. But Levy has the final say, so my money would be on Tuchel.

 

[parj]

I'm really not sure that there's a world of difference between playing with attacking fullbacks and "wingbacks" to be honest, to the extent where an Udogie or a Porro couldn't understand the role if we wanted to play a back 4. We played for a long time with fullbacks that were charged with playing up high ourselves already, and other teams do this also.

The bigger ask is for the player(s) in the middle of the park able to drop in and cover when they go forward, imo.

If your DM does their role right then it's absolutely possible. Dembele was excellent at getting across and covering Rose or Walker. Fernandinho was excellent at it for man city. You don't need 3 CBs, you can be stronger with 2CBs and a proper DM to break up attacks . This allows full backs to get up the pitch and support.

 

[Metalhead]

I have a horrible feeling were going to waste months chasing De Zerbi for him to eventually say no.

Is Nuno working at the moment?

 

[dude573]

The job is quite low risk for managers such as Mourinho, Conte and Tuchel. They come in here to battle for top four and when it inevitably goes tits up, they can point to the fact that no one succeeds here and move on. As an established name, you almost get a pass for being fired at Spurs.

We need a project manager. Someone who will feel like this job is the making of them and that their career depends on it. Not just another big name for Levy's ego, who will leave in a year or two with a huge payout.