The question over Ange, for me, is not and never was 'is the bad football because of the injuries?' because that's obvious. Instead, 'are the injuries because of the good football?'
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I'm Ange in. Still, I'd agree that his football may contribute to injuries (additional sprints etc). I just think it's perhaps a 10-20% contribution, which should be compensated for through squad building, so that a few injuries won't snowball with fatigue. If in Europe need enough players, simple
For me the main questions over Ange are his team selections and in game management. As soon as Sarr and Johnson came on we looked so much worse. I think Bissouma and Oderbert coming on instead we would have got a second. Then he could rest Maddison, son etc
There is some precedent for congested fixture schedules being incompatible with otherwise 'good' Angeball. It looks like this is a problem Ange needs to solve. But there's nothing to say he won't try to adapt, at least. That he is dogmatic isn't true. He does iterate.
He does iterate. I have been the iteration narrator. But the lack of adaptation in the press to date is a pretty worrying indicator with regard to eventually overcoming this issue.
It's true, it's a bit worrying. But if Ange isn't doing something a bit worrying, is it really Angeball? But in all seriousness, has he had the need or the time to adapt? At what point does he satisfy himself something isn't working or needs tweaking before the change comes?
This is why I'm so keen to see season 3. More of the players he needs plus, having been able to id the issues, an opportunity to overcome them with a preseason and potentially new coaching staff (e.g. set pieces). I'm not sure he's had the right environment to adapt, yet. He's only been able to id.
An interesting question for me is does Ange adjust his style so it works with a league as deep as the Prem (with fixture congestion) or does he say “it’s maxed out at x-league” and stay in one of the other top leagues (I think it would work everywhere else)?
It's difficult to say. But I do know I'd feel a bit cheated if Ange isn't able to at least try, in the same way I feel cheated that Poch wasn't backed and instead sacked. I'll forever be left wondering. And that for me is a powerful enough reason to see how he handles S3.
My aunt, referenced below, said to me unprompted after the game “so many times one or two players were attacking really quickly, they had United on the back foot, but they’d stop or pass back, maybe because there weren’t enough players supporting from midfield.”
Tel gets power in the shot from little or no backlift. He didn't quite catch any of his shots on Sunday but when he does I think he's going to score a spectacular.
My big concern with Tel right now is he's obviously a striker and not a wide player and so now we have two pretty out and out 9s. There are worse problems to have obviously but I don't think he and Dom can play together?
If we have Europe it's very obvious and everybody can stay happy. Without it, might get a little messy but still remains a good problem and everybody can run really hard.
Without Europe there may be some conflict, but I think this is the best problem to have. You have two genuine options in the middle, and you effectively sub and rotate in the cups and are prepared for injuries.
Can't believe the stick he was getting online last night. I thought he was fine! Much better to be busily involved in the game and a bit imprecise in execution rather than having the game pass him by.
3 stages of new signings
1. Look at YouTube, get really excited.
2. Watch 1st few games, declare new signing will win us the league.
3. Lose home game, declare new signing isn’t fit to wear the shirt.
Seems some fans have skipped 1st two stages.
I don't think his effort was ever in question.
I did question his first touch a few times and his rushing of decisions but it's very very early. No need to panic.
Not just online. A few vocal fans in the stadium too. I don’t know what game they were watching. I guess they think it’s cool to be the “most-negative-opinion-haver”?
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I've always had high hopes for him.
1. Look at YouTube, get really excited.
2. Watch 1st few games, declare new signing will win us the league.
3. Lose home game, declare new signing isn’t fit to wear the shirt.
Seems some fans have skipped 1st two stages.
I did question his first touch a few times and his rushing of decisions but it's very very early. No need to panic.