Found this on an Udinese site, I have not double checked, taken at word. After 20 games each: Beppe has succeeded in improving us in every department except, perhaps, entertainment. Given that it's not 'his' team I'd say that is quite impressive. Zola ... 6 Wins Draws 7 Losses 7 For 30 Against 28 Clean Sheets 3 7 Blanks Sannino Won 8 Draw 7 Losses 5 For 34 Against 20 Clean sheets 9 Blanks 3
Agree that his record is quite impressive really, and does show an improvement - even the entertainment level has improved, unless you are comparing to last season's performances. Some of GFZ's games this season were dire - mind you, so were a few last season...
Last season GFZs team required some games to understand what was wanted and how to play together, this season Beppe has a team with no confidence and needed to make something from them quickly. I am interested to discover what the comparison is after Beppe has been at Vicarge Road for the same number of matches as GFZ was. If he stays that long.
It is hard to make the comparison as they had different starting points. GFZ was given a squad almost thrown together, and at quite a late stage so had very little pre-season. Beppe had the squad but just low on confidence and tactical awareness. Last season we almost ahd the 'we'll just score one more than you' attitude, but this season we didn't have the quality to do that (ie Vydra's goals) but GFZ didn't know how to play any other way. Beppe has got us more organised, and think our tactics now will more suit playing the opposition rather than just try and play our own way every game! Will be interesting to see what squad Beppe is 'given' in the summer. Do the owners go all out for promotion...
Agree with the stats, and I have no issue with Beppe, but I still have this feeling that Gianfranco would have turned it around. I just feel he went prematurely
The thing is, you can characterise the Zola style quite easily--purposeful possession, slick passing, quick and deadly counterattack, pace all over the pitch. But how do you characterise the Sannino style? Dogged defence (for 85 minutes) , slowness in the build up , goodish on the counter--he reminds me of Moyes at Everton -- which raises the question--give him better players, would he be any different? Or--give us a more gifted manager and with these players could we do better?
Wrote the above without any research, but GFZ's last 5 games - 1 point. BS Last 5 games - 9 points. Difference of 8 points would have us in 6th with a game in hand and an enormous goal difference.
I'll think he'll be here next season but can't see it being beyond then. If we go up, I think we willk change, and if we don't then they make sack him too I have a feeling he has a mandate of getting us up and that's it. The Italian model of having a team of coaches with one head coach makes that role very interchangeable
For me Beppe has made significant improvements this season and has given us a chance (only a chance mind you) of the play off's. Has Zola stayed i think we'd be worrying about relegation by now - his way of playing had been found out and he couldn't change it. Beppe knows how to mix things up and (to some extent) bolster a defense.