2019/20 Carlo Ancelotti

[dannyboy]

Depends entirely on our ins and outs and the culture change the manager wants to bring about.

It also depends on what others do unfortunately. We could be excellent next year and still mess out because other teams are getting their act together.

 

[Zatara]

Why is top 4 unrealistic?

Just look at the top four positions over the last ten years and at the same time look at the wage budget. They correlate quite well - which I assume you knew before. Leicester is obviously the outlier. Our opportunity for the top four depends on 3 of the top 6 clubs slipping on a banana peel. In addition, we have to compete with clubs like Leicester and Wolves. The only way we can become a stable top tier is to get a lot of money - even then it becomes difficult with today's rules.

Why would you call us 'winners' anyway for finishing 5-10th?

It was argued that results are all that matters - something I disagree with. I'd rather lose 3-2 than play 0-0. When you play football with your mates, you do not go for a barely 1-0 win. As a spectator, I'm also not interested in seeing two teams defending a 0-0 result. Or - the new trend - to play the ball backwards and sideways - with no direction.

Furthermore, I argue that our most likely position in PL is in the range of 5 - 10. Our median position is 8 - almost independent of the manager. So that's why I said that if we fall within this range by playing defensive football (catenaccio) then we are no winners. All we have done is achieve an expected position, and this by playing incredibly boring football.


I will always criticize CA for playing boring football, but that does not mean I do not recognize what he has achieved or that he is a good coach. I also think it is too early to criticize CA for his time in the EFC. But the football he stands for is unbelievably dull, and unappealing.

Right now, top 4 is about as likely as us being relegated. It could happen but it probably won't. Other teams are building squads, we look like we need to start again.

Liverpool and City are miles ahead of everyone else. United and Chelsea have got squads loaded with so much more quality than we have.

Then after that, although Spurs don't have a huge squad they still have far better players than us. You could argue it but Arsenal are the same. Look how one of their cast offs is a first team regular for us.

We are competing with Leicester and whoever rises to the challenge next year like a Burnley. To expect anything other than a top 10 finish is probably going to leave you disappointed.

I think defending can be an art form and depending on who we have in defence and how we play on the counter id be quite excited about that.

1-0 to me is better than 3-2 every game.

As for top 4 id say it depends. I dont think its beyond us to aim for that in 2 seasons time with an overhaul.

Were 15pts off 4th. Have no midfield, and only 2 good defenders + have been robbed points as well during an awful season.

I think if we give it 2 summer windows we will have a different team and be pushing the top 4.

 

[dannyboy]

I think defending can be an art form and depending on who we have in defence and how we play on the counter id be quite excited about that.

1-0 to me is better than 3-2 every game.

As for top 4 id say it depends. I dont think its beyond us to aim for that in 2 seasons time with an overhaul.

Were 15pts off 4th. Have no midfield, and only 2 good defenders + have been robbed points as well during an awful season.

I think if we give it 2 summer windows we will have a different team and be pushing the top 4.

We've hoped for that for a long time. It isn't just our improvement, we've got to hope the likes of Chelsea and United don't get better either. That looks unlikely to me.

I'm just praying for once we can get it right in the transfer market. Two quality footballers could transform my negativity. Something to build the team around.

 

[everton1953]

Pushing for the top 4 in the next 3 years would constitute a miracle performed by Carlo. More realistic is pushing for the top 6. Seeing Everton make the Champions League is fantasy.

 

[Sverre Takleifbotten]

I think defending can be an art form and depending on who we have in defence and how we play on the counter id be quite excited about that.

1-0 to me is better than 3-2 every game.

As for top 4 id say it depends. I dont think its beyond us to aim for that in 2 seasons time with an overhaul.

Were 15pts off 4th. Have no midfield, and only 2 good defenders + have been robbed points as well during an awful season.

I think if we give it 2 summer windows we will have a different team and be pushing the top 4.

It's your personal preferences, and that's fine. Don't argue against that. Some get wet by watching Greece in Euro 2004 in recordings, while others prefer to see Brazil from the WC in 1986.

I also don't think the top 4 is realistic in the near future, at least not until the differences level out. But we may be lucky.

 

[toffeeblue9]

That isn't how the DoF model works

There isn't a particularly specific way to how any DoF model works in all honesty

Our model is different to, for example, Man City, which is different to Ajax and so on

Personal opinion, but a DoF should be in charge of everything football related at a club - he should oversee the vision of the club and have a clearly defined style and (preferably) system which is played throughout all the age groups. Recruitment should be owned by the DoF, even if elements are delegated. He should even be the one who decides on the next manager when one is sacked/leaves and in theory the next manager should be appointed to provide continuity in terms of style and system, which allows transfer activity to not be adversely impacted by a change in manager too much.

We don't do all of the above, so you're right to say that isn't how our DoF model works (we wouldn't have appointed Ancelotti if the above had been done), but every model is different.

 

[Rooney_Tunes]

In 1 thread people are saying put Baines in midfield, in another somebody is saying he's finished and he should retire.

What a ride this forum is.

That's just you!

 

[Ring master]

SOME OF THE ANCELOTTI PRE MATCH SOUTHAMPTON P/C


Mason Holgate update
Carlo Ancelotti says Holgate is out for Soutahmpton game

Theo Walcott available
As it says

Fabian Delph latest
He is still doing individual treatment.

IWOBI
Alex Iwobi to be assessed

Sidibe ready
He is not 100% but he is quite ready. Close to the top. I think he can start."


Ancelotti on criticism
Ancelotti on midfield criticism: Against Tottenham all of the team could do better. I already analysed the game with the players and already told the players to move onto the next game


Midfield reinforcements
At the end of the season we are going to analyse the season together and going to try and improve the squad. Now is not the time to judge...at the end of the season we have time to prepare the new season.

Saints praise
Southampton are really well organised, plays with a lot of intensity. They defend really well, really high with a lot of pressure

European qualification
We still have chance, It’s really important to win the 3 home games if we want to qualify for Europe.


On Spurs Game
Our disappointment was the performance, was how we expected on the technical and tactical aspect. We could show more intensity but we could improve our knowledge, our spirit, our intensity. We competed, but we could compete differently

Transfer hint
We are going to improve the quality of this squad, 100%

Missing the fans
Without supporters, without crowds, it's a different game. Football is emotion, passion and the fans have to be there

Five subs
Carlo Ancelotti is not a fan of having five substitutions, he thinks three is enough

 

[Jim Hopper]

SOME OF THE ANCELOTTI PRE MATCH SOUTHAMPTON P/C

Transfer hint
We are going to improve the quality of this squad, 100%

That’s Sigurdsson and Davies gone then. Oh Happy days.

 

[AussieToffee11]

With Walcott back then he has to start him and Gordon on either wings.

Give the Gomes Davies combo another go with those two either side - we then have genuine pace with the front four.

 

[zook]

SOME OF THE ANCELOTTI PRE MATCH SOUTHAMPTON P/C

Saints praise
Southampton are really well organised, plays with a lot of intensity. They defend really well, really high with a lot of pressure

This both gives me hope and also a huge sense of fear. Hope, in that it will allow space in behind for us to exploit but also a horrible sense of fear, as putting any pressure on us when we have the ball forces basically all of our players' legs to liquidise.

Sigurdsson absolutely cannot play because their press will eat him alive and it'd be tempting to drop Coleman for this game for the same reason.

 

[Ring master]

This both gives me hope and also a huge sense of fear. Hope, in that it will allow space in behind for us to exploit but also a horrible sense of fear, as putting any pressure on us when we have the ball forces basically all of our players' legs to liquidise.

Sigurdsson absolutely cannot play because their press will eat him alive and it'd be tempting to drop Coleman for this game for the same reason.

Sigurdsson has scored five Premier League goals against Southampton, his joint-most against an opponent. - at least he can do something right lol

 

[ProZ]

Transfer hint
"We are going to improve the quality of this squad, 100%"


You can't get any worse, bringing me in on a Bosman would be an improvement.

 

[everton1953]

Carlo is quoted as having belief in Everton players which was long since been extinguished amongst the fans. He knows more about football and footballers than any of us, and yet I find it hard to accept that he is right. Maybe Everton fans have been let down so often and for so long we cannot see any merit in a good number of our present squad. It would be great if he is proven to be correct and he can make sufficient improvement in a number of players this forum routinely rejects.

 

[rochdaleblue]

With Walcott back then he has to start him and Gordon on either wings.

Give the Gomes Davies combo another go with those two either side - we then have genuine pace with the front four.

I’d go even further. I’d play Richarlison on the left Walcott on the right and a front two of Kean and DCL. I’d play Gordon alongside Gomes and just tell Gomes to sit deep. Before people say oh but Gordon isn’t a central midfielder- he isn’t but siguardsson, Davies and Gomes have all stunk the place out since the restart. He can’t be any worse.