Pochettino is the type of signing Abramovich would make so I'm happy with the appointment. It's no coincidence we've looked into and considered him for the role on at leat two previous occasions under the previous regime so hes highly regarded by the club.

This is a very good coach, you don't get the Paris job if you're not highly regarded. You also don't get considered for Real Madrid if you're not a top level coach. 

On paper it's a perfect marriage, young talented squad and a seasoned top level coach who loves building a body of work with young players. With emphasis on developing them to reach their potential. All whilst playing attractive, successful attacking football. Alongside a balance of a good defense and high pressing work rate. 

For me though the biggest cherry on the top is when he wins a trophy with us, it's the biggest flex on Spurs. If Jose and Antonio can't win silverware with Tottenham, but Pochettino can win with Chelsea. It says so much about the two clubs that I don't even need to elaborate further.

How long before the Chelsea newbie’s self entitled call for his head ?

One thing is almost a certainty in my eyes, there will be a point in the season like with Conte after that Arsenal defeat were changes need to be made. I’d go to the bank to say the same thing will happen with Pochettino as he is outdated now, the Premier League has moved on tactically, at least from the systems he had for Southampton & Tottenham, a lot has changed since 2019. Another reason for De Zerbi’s appointment, who with Pep & Arteta have the nous for it. However, despite that pessimism, I’m hoping that when the ‘Conte moment’ happens, Pochettino has demonstrated qualities for which you’d have confidence in him. If this doesn’t work out, we’ll get the fitness and squad building at a standard at the very least and he’s on a short term contract.

After the drama we been through this season, even the most inpatient fans would have a reasonable expectation. He's not here to win title next season, but to make us relevant again. Just get us in the right direction, points and performance wise, could not think he'd do any worse than ( even if he tries) this season.

Nice article from 2019 about Pochettino's time and methods with Southampton. 

4 hours ago, Term_X said:

One thing is almost a certainty in my eyes, there will be a point in the season like with Conte after that Arsenal defeat were changes need to be made. I’d go to the bank to say the same thing will happen with Pochettino as he is outdated now, the Premier League has moved on tactically, at least from the systems he had for Southampton & Tottenham, a lot has changed since 2019. Another reason for De Zerbi’s appointment, who with Pep & Arteta have the nous for it. However, despite that pessimism, I’m hoping that when the ‘Conte moment’ happens, Pochettino has demonstrated qualities for which you’d have confidence in him. If this doesn’t work out, we’ll get the fitness and squad building at a standard at the very least and he’s on a short term contract.

I was thinking the same thing, tactics have moved on. And yet I wonder if it really matters. If Fergie came back and played 4:3:3 with one of his better teams  I reckon they could still match with some other more modern system. i suspect wimbeldon's by pass the midfield tactic would also still be just as effective as it was then.

56 minutes ago, ozboy said:

I was thinking the same thing, tactics have moved on. And yet I wonder if it really matters. If Fergie came back and played 4:3:3 with one of his better teams  I reckon they could still match with some other more modern system. i suspect wimbeldon's by pass the midfield tactic would also still be just as effective as it was then.

It would be interesting to see how today’s players could handle Wimbledon’s physicality.  They’d have something to roll around for anyway, as for a head bang from Fash with a flailing arm/ elbow…

I don't really agree that tactics have wholesale moved on in any meaningful way. Virtually every successful team plays some sort of variation on a counter-pressing tactic since 2015, slow build-up and possession play seem to be out of fashion.

That said, what has changed markedly since around 2018 is that every club in the league is capable of playing this style and every club in the league has at least one quality attacking player which means that every team from bottom to top only needs a handful of chances to score a winning goal.

Every club in the league, except us of course - which is a much, much harder tactical problem to solve than simply shoring up a leaky defence. 

For reasons we all know and aware, tactically we were a mess this season. Ironically, the best cameos of the season was when Potter went back to the 343 the players all familiar with, and few players started to click together, we got a few good games in a row and scored a few goals. Then 2 bad results and the momentum were gone, Lampard went with a complete direction ( or no directions). Pochettino has his style of football, and I doubt it will be out of date via next season. He should ( and will) stick with it even the first 10-15 games not bring much results, and fans should do the same instead of just ripping into his tactics.

1 hour ago, charierre said:

It would be interesting to see how today’s players could handle Wimbledon’s physicality.  They’d have something to roll around for anyway, as for a head bang from Fash with a flailing arm/ elbow…

I feel they would probably be similar to the Stoke that first came up. Would cause a few upsets at home but more often than not get comfortably beaten away.

12 minutes ago, icecoolguy22 said:

For reasons we all know and aware, tactically we were a mess this season. Ironically, the best cameos of the season was when Potter went back to the 343 the players all familiar with, and few players started to click together, we got a few good games in a row and scored a few goals. Then 2 bad results and the momentum were gone, Lampard went with a complete direction ( or no directions). Pochettino has his style of football, and I doubt it will be out of date via next season. He should ( and will) stick with it even the first 10-15 games not bring much results, and fans should do the same instead of just ripping into his tactics.

It is not about familiarity though. 

343 just suit this squad better, to be specific 343 hide our weaknesses the best. 

10 minutes ago, Argo said:

I feel they would probably be similar to the Stoke that first came up. Would cause a few upsets at home but more often than not get comfortably beaten away.

They'd be markedly worse. Almost all sides play long-ball tactics in attack and are structured to deal with them in defence, and refereeing is far stricter with VAR so they'd be playing at least a man short each game. The players are also so much fitter and faster than it really wouldn't be a contest anything north of non-league football.

27 minutes ago, SydneyChelsea said:

I don't really agree that tactics have wholesale moved on in any meaningful way. Virtually every successful team plays some sort of variation on a counter-pressing tactic since 2015, slow build-up and possession play seem to be out of fashion.

That said, what has changed markedly since around 2018 is that every club in the league is capable of playing this style and every club in the league has at least one quality attacking player which means that every team from bottom to top only needs a handful of chances to score a winning goal.

Every club in the league, except us of course - which is a much, much harder tactical problem to solve than simply shoring up a leaky defence. 

Agree, I don't think there has been a major shift in how team play. Like you said a more emphasize on pressing is probably the biggest change. 

In term of offense, pretty much all team attack in 235/325/343 shape. This is not new. You can even find clip of ancelotti doing it with Chelsea. 

In term of inverted fb or all kind of crazy positional shift. It is certainly interesting and it mean you can play many formation defensively (although most team still defend in 442 shape). But I am not sure it is a game changer though. 

 

 

10 minutes ago, Bob stark said:

In term of inverted fb or all kind of crazy positional shift. It is certainly interesting and it mean you can play many formation defensively (although most team still defend in 442 shape). But I am not sure it is a game changer though. 

Nothing really revolutionary there, other than fullbacks are required to do more in attack than simply get wide and cross on the overlap. 

I don't think too many teams will copy Guardiola's latest formation, but it basically boils down to ensuring 4 forwards, 4 backs and two mobile players in the middle playing in both halves - if anything, a reversion to older tactics and only works because Man City have an abundance of defensively-strong ball players like Silva, De Bruyne, Rodri and Stones. I think Man City will be hunting for new fullbacks come the transfer window to change their system.

16 minutes ago, SydneyChelsea said:

Nothing really revolutionary there, other than fullbacks are required to do more in attack than simply get wide and cross on the overlap. 

I don't think too many teams will copy Guardiola's latest formation, but it basically boils down to ensuring 4 forwards, 4 backs and two mobile players in the middle playing in both halves - if anything, a reversion to older tactics and only works because Man City have an abundance of defensively-strong ball players like Silva, De Bruyne, Rodri and Stones. I think Man City will be hunting for new fullbacks come the transfer window to change their system.

Agree, I am not so sure 5 attacker + 5 defender is easily replicable because I have seen us did something similar with TT.  

When city does it. They create 4 chances, score 5 goals. 

When we do it. We create 1/2 chance and score 0 goals. 🤣

 

 

 

Edited May 31, 20233 yr by Bob stark

3 hours ago, ozboy said:

I was thinking the same thing, tactics have moved on. And yet I wonder if it really matters. If Fergie came back and played 4:3:3 with one of his better teams  I reckon they could still match with some other more modern system. i suspect wimbeldon's by pass the midfield tactic would also still be just as effective as it was then.

In the end of the day the most important thing is player. 

Who do you choose to play and who and how do you want to get the best out of? This is far more important than 433/343/442.

Just look arse, the moment they lose Saliba, it is a completely different team. 

 

 

Tactics haven’t moved on coaches are still using philosophies from the 70/80/90’s it’s just that some coaches have the ability to exploit other coaches players/systems better than others which is what makes them elite.

If tactics have moved on Jose wouldn’t be reaching finals anymore nor Carlo. 
There is some evolution in tactics but it’s still essentially the same make people outperform the opposition.

1 hour ago, El regreso said:

Tactics haven’t moved on coaches are still using philosophies from the 70/80/90’s it’s just that some coaches have the ability to exploit other coaches players/systems better than others which is what makes them elite.

If tactics have moved on Jose wouldn’t be reaching finals anymore nor Carlo. 
There is some evolution in tactics but it’s still essentially the same make people outperform the opposition.

Football itself is the same. The way players want to play is different. Managers biggest problem still lies in getting his message through to players. 

I bet most coaches know the best system to a squad. Making them implement it together so it translates into victories is the difficult part.

I bet if Jose was given one of the top jobs he'd be very succesful.

2 hours ago, evissy said:

Football itself is the same. The way players want to play is different. Managers biggest problem still lies in getting his message through to players. 

I bet most coaches know the best system to a squad. Making them implement it together so it translates into victories is the difficult part.

I bet if Jose was given one of the top jobs he'd be very succesful.

Playing out from the back wasn't a tactic years ago. And it shouldn't be now.

Also we now have a lot of aimless , possession based football, watch The big match revisited and the football now is vastly better , players are fitter and the game faster.

But basically it's still about sticking the ball in the net , which we find almost impossible!

Welcome to Stamford Bridge Mr Pochettino.  We'll be 100% behind you next season hopefully roaring our boys on to some memorable victories.  Fitter players, coherent team selections, meaningful substitutions, a bit of excitement plus every player giving 100% is all we ask for.  Let everyone have their little gloat, we'll ram it back down their throats when August comes around.  Onward and upwards!  Up the Blues!!

I am just looking forward to seeing who can’t be bothered to run so we get move them on so we are left with players willing to run for the badge.

The owners need to leave him & his coaching team alone and give him the authority/ autonomy he requires to implement his philosophy etc. 

Secondly the squad size needs reducing drastically with still more players to arrive.

Of those potential arrivals a proven goal scorer and goalkeeper are a must.

Of course we the fans must get behind Mauricio regardless of his Spuds connections.

The last point is the only one us lot can affect, its up to the stoopid yanks to ensure the first three. 

 

 

16 hours ago, SydneyChelsea said:

Nothing really revolutionary there, other than fullbacks are required to do more in attack than simply get wide and cross on the overlap. 

I don't think too many teams will copy Guardiola's latest formation, but it basically boils down to ensuring 4 forwards, 4 backs and two mobile players in the middle playing in both halves - if anything, a reversion to older tactics and only works because Man City have an abundance of defensively-strong ball players like Silva, De Bruyne, Rodri and Stones. I think Man City will be hunting for new fullbacks come the transfer window to change their system.

They already are though; Arsenal & Liverpool and even Brighton have already adopted it, and I can see a few other teams using it next season.

Pep isn’t in the market for fullbacks, Bayern have decided against signing Cancelo permanently and they are trying to sell him this summer. 

Pep is ripping rewards this season by playing a defensive focused fullback, I doubt he will buy a Chiwell or Davies. As good as Cancelo going forward, his poor defence has cost City in the first part of the season. Even Pep is playing a bit safe in the second half of the season. It's a back 4 on paper, but easily turn to a back 3 when defending.

I do think players are fitter and more physically able these days. Training science and diet have continued to progress. Pitches are better year round and on average. Its the same in all elite sport and why athletic and swimming records continue to be broken. And draws attention again to the need to have a really quality medical and training staff setup.