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Roberto De Zerbi *OFFICIAL*

will be interesting to see how dezerbi organizes the central attack

end last season, it was very loose, understandably because lots of energy was devoted trying to close down and defend central areas.
with fernandez and tonali, the no.10 role should be free-er of defensive duties and shift into attack.

yet in pre-season, it was rather haphazard in central attack, with no real discernable patterns - not even getting to crosses or end of long balls from midfield. yeah its preseason and maybe the focus is still build up play into the final third, however it is still disturbing that after selling johnson and kudus getting injured, we still don't have a threatening attack.

then again it is a comprehensive rebuild and probably a few more bombas in the front are key to improving the attack as mentioned by dezerbi. i don't think we will be totally ready for the start of the season, but who is except arsenal and maybe man U.
 
will be interesting to see how dezerbi organizes the central attack

end last season, it was very loose, understandably because lots of energy was devoted trying to close down and defend central areas.
with fernandez and tonali, the no.10 role should be free-er of defensive duties and shift into attack.

yet in pre-season, it was rather haphazard in central attack, with no real discernable patterns - not even getting to crosses or end of long balls from midfield. yeah its preseason and maybe the focus is still build up play into the final third, however it is still disturbing that after selling johnson and kudus getting injured, we still don't have a threatening attack.

then again it is a comprehensive rebuild and probably a few more bombas in the front are key to improving the attack as mentioned by dezerbi. i don't think we will be totally ready for the start of the season, but who is except arsenal and maybe man U.

Also can’t read that much in to these friendly games.
 
will be interesting to see how dezerbi organizes the central attack

end last season, it was very loose, understandably because lots of energy was devoted trying to close down and defend central areas.
with fernandez and tonali, the no.10 role should be free-er of defensive duties and shift into attack.

yet in pre-season, it was rather haphazard in central attack, with no real discernable patterns - not even getting to crosses or end of long balls from midfield. yeah its preseason and maybe the focus is still build up play into the final third, however it is still disturbing that after selling johnson and kudus getting injured, we still don't have a threatening attack.

then again it is a comprehensive rebuild and probably a few more bombas in the front are key to improving the attack as mentioned by dezerbi. i don't think we will be totally ready for the start of the season, but who is except arsenal and maybe man U.
We are going to be a work in progress this season. Depending on how the window finishes we should be on paper ready to challenge for a European place again. I wouldn't expect too much more as we have essentially ripped out the core and started again and that will take time to gel. It's also no certainty that each of these additions works exactly as well as hoped. Next season still needs to be a season where we have patience and give De Zerbi time to build towards something. We never going to be able to fix everything wrong with the playing squad in one window but we've made quite an effort at doing so.

I don't think we should be setting any strict targets but we should be looking to see continual progression.
 
We are going to be a work in progress this season. Depending on how the window finishes we should be on paper ready to challenge for a European place again. I wouldn't expect too much more as we have essentially ripped out the core and started again and that will take time to gel. It's also no certainty that each of these additions works exactly as well as hoped. Next season still needs to be a season where we have patience and give De Zerbi time to build towards something. We never going to be able to fix everything wrong with the playing squad in one window but we've made quite an effort at doing so.

I don't think we should be setting any strict targets but we should be looking to see continual progression.
16th is continual progression :)

i think we need to be achieving placings for a european competition at least.

not statistically accurate, but just for perspective, dezerbi got us 11 points in 7 matches last season.

That's about 1.6 points per game. Just using that without accounting for better quality players and preparation, extrapolating that across 38 matches gets roughly 60 points - not top four, but certainly 5th to 8th possible.

With the upgrades, personally i think the realistic target is to qualify for europe.
 
Do you know what? Anyone can do this stuff with the legends meet up and creating a cortege for a returning Porro. It really isn't difficult but is all part of the culture we need. What I think RDZ has over our prior incumbents is football management ability. You need that 24-7 for the entire calendar year as it takes many different talents. It's about being in the changing room at half time on a Saturday afternoon but it is also about sitting in your own house having breakfast on a Sunday morning and processing thoughts about what you're gonna do next. It is about how you interact with the different leaders at the club and how you build an individual relationship with all your players. It's how you operate with your tracksuit on etc.

I've really felt that prior managers had some of these key elements missing. In RDZ, I think we have the most holistic manager since Poch. Obviously, he has a history of self combustion so we will have to see whether all these year 1 good signs remain. I hope they do as it feels like a huge pressure has been lifted from the club since he walked in the door.
 
Do you know what? Anyone can do this stuff with the legends meet up and creating a cortege for a returning Porro. It really isn't difficult but is all part of the culture we need. What I think RDZ has over our prior incumbents is football management ability. You need that 24-7 for the entire calendar year as it takes many different talents. It's about being in the changing room at half time on a Saturday afternoon but it is also about sitting in your own house having breakfast on a Sunday morning and processing thoughts about what you're gonna do next. It is about how you interact with the different leaders at the club and how you build an individual relationship with all your players. It's how you operate with your tracksuit on etc.

I've really felt that prior managers had some of these key elements missing. In RDZ, I think we have the most holistic manager since Poch. Obviously, he has a history of self combustion so we will have to see whether all these year 1 good signs remain. I hope they do as it feels like a huge pressure has been lifted from the club since he walked in the door.

It's as you write but I think we'll have a better perspective at the end of the season (if he is still here). We've missed having a manager who gets the club and its fans. I my time we've had Nicholson, Burkinshaw, Pleat, Ardiles, Jol and Pochettino men you felt the club meant as much to them as it does to us.
 
We are going to be a work in progress this season. Depending on how the window finishes we should be on paper ready to challenge for a European place again. I wouldn't expect too much more as we have essentially ripped out the core and started again and that will take time to gel. It's also no certainty that each of these additions works exactly as well as hoped. Next season still needs to be a season where we have patience and give De Zerbi time to build towards something. We never going to be able to fix everything wrong with the playing squad in one window but we've made quite an effort at doing so.

I don't think we should be setting any strict targets but we should be looking to see continual progression.
Us vs the gooners for the league I reckon

That May game at the Emirates will be MASSIVE!
 
We are going to be a work in progress this season. Depending on how the window finishes we should be on paper ready to challenge for a European place again. I wouldn't expect too much more as we have essentially ripped out the core and started again and that will take time to gel. It's also no certainty that each of these additions works exactly as well as hoped. Next season still needs to be a season where we have patience and give De Zerbi time to build towards something. We never going to be able to fix everything wrong with the playing squad in one window but we've made quite an effort at doing so.

I don't think we should be setting any strict targets but we should be looking to see continual progression.
Us vs the gooners for the league I reckon

That May game at the Emirates will be MASSIVE
Do you know what? Anyone can do this stuff with the legends meet up and creating a cortege for a returning Porro. It really isn't difficult but is all part of the culture we need. What I think RDZ has over our prior incumbents is football management ability. You need that 24-7 for the entire calendar year as it takes many different talents. It's about being in the changing room at half time on a Saturday afternoon but it is also about sitting in your own house having breakfast on a Sunday morning and processing thoughts about what you're gonna do next. It is about how you interact with the different leaders at the club and how you build an individual relationship with all your players. It's how you operate with your tracksuit on etc.

I've really felt that prior managers had some of these key elements missing. In RDZ, I think we have the most holistic manager since Poch. Obviously, he has a history of self combustion so we will have to see whether all these year 1 good signs remain. I hope they do as it feels like a huge pressure has been lifted from the club since he walked in the door.
I think many different approaches have been shown to work. (Talking football generally)

That said the RDZ, Poch type approach is my favourite.

I don't think RDZ self combusts...I just think it occurs when his appetite and the path he sets is not in sync (or becomes out of sync) with his bosses.
 
I think many different approaches have been shown to work. (Talking football generally)

That said the RDZ, Poch type approach is my favourite.

I don't think RDZ self combusts...I just think it occurs when his appetite and the path he sets is not in sync (or becomes out of sync) with his bosses.

But more have been shown not to work when you look around the top 6 clubs. Arteta got there in the end, and of course Emery has done well. Arne Slot even won the league but then fell on his sword.

There is the new regime now in the PL. Arteta and Emery are the old heads and we have Maresca, Alonso, RDZ, Iraola, Carrick etc chasing them for same status. That 5 are a very likeable list of guys.

Should be an amazing season. The biggest risk to it not being that is Howard Webb's lot......again.
 
Pat Jennings; 81 years young. Fantastic!
I loved the photo from yesterday showing Archie Gray meeting Pat Jennings. So far apart age wise but with the photo hopefully capturing a young future legend meeting one of our established elder legends, and learning from that meeting what being a legend for this club means.
Or otherwise just having a great craic at lunch.
 
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