In Bissouma's case, the likeliest explanation is he hasn't gotten up to speed with the tactics and patterns yet due to Covid messing up his pre-season - although the quickest way to get him up to speed is to have him get involved in games even if it's a cameo, which is a decision that is made easier if Hojbjerg or Bentancur are on bookings
I can confirm conte runs his players into yhe ground and doesnt really like to rotate too much. Still first 2 years of his reign should be fine. I woule start worrying next season
I'm struggling to see what our tactics and patterns are at the minute, to be honest. Last season the plan was pretty straightforward: Use the CMs to move the ball wide or forwards pretty quickly, use the WBs to overlap the wide attackers and stretch the defensive line, then if the situation allowed for it, push one of Davies or Romero forward to join the attack and give us a man over. Kane would play across the line if the attacking phase was out wide, but would often drop deep into a 10 position if the phase was going through the middle - seeking out Son or Kulu playing off the shoulder or through the channels. I'm not seeing that this season, and I find it too convenient to blame everything on Kane and Son being out of form. The CMs seem to be turning into full-on box to box players expected to do all jobs at once; the WBs aren't overlapping the attackers properly, and there is no consistency to one of the CBs pressing forward. Nor for that matter does Kane seem to know where he is meant to be playing. I'm sure this will all resolve itself in time and especially so as players come back into form, but tactically I'm a tad confused at the moment and have been for much of the season.
In my experience all top coaches are very conservative when it comes to introducing new players. It's almost a mark of the top man. It's natural for us fans to want to see the new players come into the game to make a difference. Kulusevski and Bentancur were the exception because Conte knew he was short of squad numbers. Having said that if you look at our schedule from now until the world cup it's very likely that most players will be used and if they make their mark like Richarlison and Perisic have done then they will get game time. let's be fair Bissouma has not set the world alight yet has he?
He hasn't but if we're being brutally honest, whereas Hojbjerg's performances have been embellished by key contributions, Bentancur honestly looks like he's still on the beach. A faint echo of the player he was last season, so far.
From what I’ve seen so far, it seems too much is asked of a two. It’s not as if there is one of the front three who naturally drops back to help out. I speak from having observed how Utd have been overrun in midfield in recent seasons. Great formation when dominant but not necessarily so if the opposition is strong in that area
Haven't read all the comments, but what was the reason you let Marcus Edwards go? Tonight's game aside, he is an absolute nightmare to play against. I know this all too well because, when he was at Vitoria a few years back, he absolutely terrorised us in both games during the Europa League group stages. I'm sure he destroyed us a few times at youth level, too. His speed and dribbling trouble any fullback. An absolute menace on the counter. Technically gifted. And he's a clear goal threat. Very useful player to have. I'm sure he'll be back in the Premier League at some point, even if it's not with you guys.
He had attitude problems and was very unprofessional, according to various people. Pochettino said it in his autobiography and Farke said the same at Norwich. Turned up late a lot and had a problem with authority, by all accounts. He also switched agents and was running his contract down, so we sold him. The initial fee was low, but we kept a 50% sell-on clause, which has continued to Sporting. He's got a supposed €60m release clause now, so that would be a decent amount if he moved.
Yeah, that makes sense. I wonder if he’s sorted himself out now, as his career seems to be going in an upward trajectory. He’s clearly very loved by the Sporting fans after having only joined at the start of the year. Would be a shame for a player of his talent to ruin his career due to attitude, but wouldn’t be the first time it’s happened.
He obviously had a point to prove but he was a total handful. Surprisingly strong for a relatively small lad; even Dier bounced right off him at one point towards the end. His performance deserved a goal and that chance at the end of the first half made me realise why Poch compared him to Maradona.
Skipp not ready because of his injury Bissouma not ready because he’s not up to speed on the Conte way (Conte’s words not mine) White - miles off the standard required Doherty- just as **** as Emerson Spence- not ready either
Yup We got told we were too greedy when we demanded one in the summer. Dier got hyped up because his performance level went from 4/10 to 6/10. Cheap option taken with Lenglet because the main target Bastoni wasn’t available.
I think some of us are already aware of Conte's limitations as we do speak out against some of his decisions, or lack thereof! We know he's not perfect but as you say, maybe by next season we'll start becoming more vocal!
