2020/21 Carlo Ancelotti

[Shibbywiggles]

I honestly don't think the football is as bad as people are making out. Our defending is excellent and we are getting up the pitch regularly enough. Its often getting squandered by a poor final ball, which can be frustrating, but the intent and desire is there.

Yeah, just look at the goals we’ve scored. Richarlison’s goal in the derby was a beautiful through ball from James, his goal against Southampton was the same but with a Sigurdsson assist, these are the kind of goals that a Wenger team used to score.
In years gone by when we had a defend first attitude it was keep it tight and pinch one (usually from a set piece or long ball) but right now it’s keep it tight and try and create chances when we turn over possession.

 

[Shibbywiggles]

I'd love to know what he really thinks about these players. I mean, last night he actually came out and said Iwobi played well. lol He can't be impressed seeing Holgate on the right, Gomes constantly passing the ball to the opposition or Bernard playing like an under-8. Of course we'll never know, but I'll assume he has some strong feelings about some of the players, heh.

Lol I remember last season after a horror show from Sigurdsson, Gomes and Davies as a midfield three he said he was happy with our midfield... he then went and bought three midfielders!

He’s throwing out nice sound bites to keep Iwobi and co (who can be useful but almost certainly aren’t the future as much as Carlo managed to turn around players like Davies) but we will absolutely be in the market for a RB and a winger this summer, in fact if you believe the stories we’re already going for Aarons at Norwich.

 

[Brisan123]

You need to let it go Kev.

He has levels of persistence equal to @davek at Brands and Moshiri

 

[COYBL25]

He has levels of persistence equal to @davek at Brands and Moshiri

He`s genuinely never got over Allardyce getting the boot.

It`s all very odd.

 

[arch stanton]

I honestly don't think the football is as bad as people are making out. Our defending is excellent and we are getting up the pitch regularly enough. Its often getting squandered by a poor final ball, which can be frustrating, but the intent and desire is there.

its almost as if Carlo is playing the (season) long game, players will be bit fatigued, some with niggly injuries, is he looking after them short term, putting out sides that are (just about) good enough to do the job so that he can start to reintroduce players for a final push? This may be the case if we see some players return for the Chelsea game. Win that and it's on!!

 

[blue to the bone]

Do posters watch any other football?
We may not be setting the world alight with our football but we are getting results to put us in the mix.
Of the teams we are fighting with Chelsea are on a good run. They rest are dropping points as well and playing poorly on occasion.
United have drawn with west brom and Palace,
Leicester lost to arsenal drew with Burnley,
Spurs until the last 2 were on an awful run and just about beat Fulham,
West ham have been doing well but when they play a big team usually lose ,
The Rs are currently a laughing stock and are struggling to get a shot on target.
We won't win every game until the end of the season. But either will the 6 or 7 teams we are fighting with .
We have probably the best manager of them all though. Let's enjoy the ride.

 

[Seathestars]

How Carlo does it I’ll never know, I still worry I’ll wake up and it’s all been a dream

 

[Death]

Its a bitter sweet season. We are having a great one so far. But its a season that has really brang out the freaks. I know its not a majority but its enough to make me worry.

 

[Thomasc]

Like I said earlier in the week, I honestly don’t care if we play garbage for the rest of the season and sneak another 6-7 1-0 wins.
I’m used to the fact we aren’t Real Madrid or Barca in their pomp, I have enough years of evidence of that.

I actually feel more confident at the back now, we just seem more resolute. I know we have come close to conceding in both games this week late on, but I guess chances are always going to happen over the 90, whether that’s in the first minute or the last.
Then knowing we are a bit more solid in MF with Allan and Doucoure who are a million miles away from other midfielders we have had over the years, with either JRod or Gylfi in front of them creating the odd bit of magic for Richy who is on fire again.
Should be an exciting run in.

 

[KaiserEFC]

Pragmatism is so refreshing when you’ve come from a manager who won’t even bother against the bigger teams, a manager who stuck to a philosophy that was outdated, a manager who didn’t care and preferred to play golf, The Gravy Goblin and whoever that bloke we had before the Don was

 

[maccavennie]

The football isn't enjoyable to watch why are we trying to make excuses for it? The last two have been absolute garbage to watch. Does it matter if we win? No it doesn't the 3 points is the main thing but lets not kid ourselves here.
I have no doubt that Ancelotti doesn't want to play this way either but due to personnel and injuries he's making do so It's nothing to write home about yet, If we're playing this way next season then it'll become a serious issue.
WBA and Southampton pass it around better than we do.

I was thinking before though, who do we change to improve the football massively? Does a right back instantly make us play free flowing football?

I think the following players are a shoe in when fit

Pickford
Keane
Godfrey
Digne
Doucoure
Allan
Rodriguez
Richarlison
DCL

That leaves question marks over rb and maybe another athletic midfielder.

But the above list that's a lot of players who won't be going anywhere and sometimes this lot struggle to put 5 passes together.

Its definitely something we've got to be looking at and the reasons why we've had a lot of games where the football has been of a poor standard imo.

Hopefully we bring in another 3 quality players, rb, right sided forward/winger and another energetic box to box midfielder.

I also think our levels performance wise drop off a cliff as soon as we start having to use back up players such as Iwobi, Bernard, Gomes etc and shows you our lack of depth.

I don't always agree with the rotation of Ancelotti but you can't knock him the way he's trying to keep everyone fresh and avoid fatigue injuries. He's certainly trying to look after his players and keep them as fresh as he can in preparation for the run in.

 

[kenada_blue]

I honestly don't think the football is as bad as people are making out. Our defending is excellent and we are getting up the pitch regularly enough. Its often getting squandered by a poor final ball, which can be frustrating, but the intent and desire is there.

Absolutely.

Last night should've been out of sight if it wasn't for poor quality. Missed James (who would've at least put one on a plate) and had to rely on Iwobi and Richarlison running into defenders or fail to cross a ball into the box

 

[JLW]

We lost to West Ham, Newcastle and Fulham, fans moaned.

We tweaked things a bit and manage to beat Southampton and West Brom (after WINNING AT ANFIELD!) but fans still moan?

We’ve had continual disruption with injuries, I’m really not surprised we haven’t been able to play flowing football for a while.

Even if we miss out on top 4 by 5 points and blame the Newcastle/Fulham results, EVERY team has lost games they should’ve won this season.

Carlo’s 3 point blues.

If you swap the Newcastle Fulham (Normally two home wins) with Liverpool away and Spurs away (Normally two defeats) then we are exactly in the same position.

 

[maccavennie]

Is his press conference today or tomorrow for the Chelsea match?

 

[UptheTofees]

The man is here to stay and lead ha to glory

Hope we are patient and commited enough to give him the support he needs