I felt compelled to do a quick article on this because a discreet pattern is emerging here. For all the stick Sarri gets about clinging to what he believes too tight, when the pressure has reached a point of turning toxic he's made subtle changes to relieve it. Three notable examples this season :
City (H) in the league - First time he adapted the style of play at all, favored Hazard over Morata or Giroud up top.
City in the Cup Final - Adapted the playing style once again, dropped Alonso, brought CHO & RLC on before anyone else.
Last night - Played the fans preferred starting XI for arguably the first time all season (maybe outside of Rudiger starting & dropping Jorginho).
Different fans will have different opinions on what's best for the club, many will argue it shouldn't take so much pressure for him to alter things in the first place, but that's neither here nor there. The fact is he has his own views on what's best for us, is very stubborn about those views, but when push comes to shove he's demonstrated a surprising willingness to compromise those views - but what's really notable IMO, is he knows which views to compromise on (e.g. he's not gunna drop Jorginho, especially to replace him with Kante, because in that instance he does know better than everyone else).
Just from my prospective, but this was always going to be a transitional season from day one. It wasn't about titles or league position, it was all about the football evolving. Now tbh in that respect we've failed, we know how to control matches but that's largely credited to Jorginho, we haven't managed to figure out how to be dangerous with the ball/use all that possession to our advantage, but at least we know this now and will have to act accordingly in the summer - whether that's signing more players than we'd have intended too (if the bans delayed upon second appeal) or sack Sarri. But if Sarri holds the same prospective, that this season is all about learning, it could be argued these subtle changes only when it's absolutely necessary is bold, courageous and actually very sound management.
Curious to see what others think about this?
Sarri's Stubbornness
posted on 4/4/19
I agree. While on one hand it is frustrating and annoying it has taken so long for some of these changes to come about also credit where it’s due, he has improved squaf rotation, and started to instil Emerson, CHO and RLC into first XI for league matches. It has been slow but it is encouraging as around winter time I would’ve been sure that all three, especially Emerson and ChO, would spend the whole season as back up to underperforming players.
posted on 4/4/19
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 4/4/19
Agreed.
I think some of the criticism has been unwarranted in regards to team selection. He has adapted and rotated players; it is very rare for managers to be making radical changes to a system through a season in general.
In regards to youth players, his position does very much sense - he does not want to push CHO into the deep end, as it's likely only going to hinder his development. He has also got to be pretty cautious with RLC due to his injury problems.
And I agree, I think our football has evolved in the correct direction. People seem to forget that Conte's tactics were largely built around possession - we always passed it out of defence, a lot of the time very unsuccessfully. Heck, I would say in the post-champions league win era, we've never been much a counter attacking team really. We have long term issues with being ponderous on the ball, lack of forward movement and being vulnerable in the turn over of possession. This season has seen a small step in improving some of these issues.
posted on 4/4/19
He had to start CHO eventually...there were no more reasons not to, and Rubes as well.
The more he plays the side from last night (& Rudi) the more success we'll have, we can slide on Pedro & Willian as super subs & they will have a good effect.
Kovacic & Baerklay need to be used sparingly, difficult to see what these two offer at times, Barkley was good for England to be fair, and is improving...Kovacic not so
Jorginho has incurred many a wratrh on here not least mine, he was superb last night, so credit where it's due...was it a one off...will the likes of West Ham give him that room....we'll see
For my money, i'd actually like us to try 3 at the back with Rudi AC & Luiz.....use Emerson and Azpi as wing backs....unlikely though
posted on 4/4/19
Good article OP - nice to see some compliments for Sarri where it is deserved. And good to see Sheriff giving vredit to Jorginho even though you are not one of his biggest fans. I feel for Jorginho - I feel that he is a victim of his colleagues' weaknesses. When players around him lack movement, he looks really poor. He is not blessed with speed, but it is his speed of thought that makes the difference to his game - and when he has to slow his passing due to lack of movement around him, he just looks really bad. Playing alongside Kante and RLC seemed to really make a difference - plus CHO and Hazard out wide.
Sheriff, I don't think your 3 at the back idea would work if you are using Azpi as a wing back. That is not his forte - he's getting slower all the time unfortunately.
Sideshow - I agreed with all your points. I hope Sarri is given the time that Guardiola was afforded - but we don't generally have that much patience. Ironically, if we do get a transfer ban, I think that might help to keep Sarri in the job for another season, as no other big name manager will want to come knowing they can't make signings. Could be a blessing for Sarri and our younger players.
On that topic - I actually think Sarri is doing a great job with the game time is is giving to younger players. For an 18 year old, CHO has seen a lot of first team game time - and i am a bit frustrated with his (or his agent's) continuing suggestions that he wants to leave. That's not what the fans want to hear. He is getting game time - and that is increasing as he improves and matures. I think that's what he should expect. I'd like him to show some loyalty to the club that has trained him for a young kid. Unless it is just to get an improved contract - in which case all is forgiven, and we should pay up.
posted on 4/4/19
Some people are saying he caved in but I think we have been proved right. Loftus-Cheek and Hudson-Odoi were excellent last night. We actually looked threatening for large parts of the game and had the thrust we have been missing for three months ... yes, we have been insipid for that long. Top four is extremely difficult for us, I just hope he's bold in his team selections and allows us to enjoy watching our team play for the six remaining games.
posted on 4/4/19
comment by BlueJ2 (U4630)
posted 1 hour, 26 minutes ago
Good article OP - nice to see some compliments for Sarri where it is deserved. And good to see Sheriff giving vredit to Jorginho even though you are not one of his biggest fans. I feel for Jorginho - I feel that he is a victim of his colleagues' weaknesses. When players around him lack movement, he looks really poor. He is not blessed with speed, but it is his speed of thought that makes the difference to his game - and when he has to slow his passing due to lack of movement around him, he just looks really bad. Playing alongside Kante and RLC seemed to really make a difference - plus CHO and Hazard out wide.
Sheriff, I don't think your 3 at the back idea would work if you are using Azpi as a wing back. That is not his forte - he's getting slower all the time unfortunately.
Sideshow - I agreed with all your points. I hope Sarri is given the time that Guardiola was afforded - but we don't generally have that much patience. Ironically, if we do get a transfer ban, I think that might help to keep Sarri in the job for another season, as no other big name manager will want to come knowing they can't make signings. Could be a blessing for Sarri and our younger players.
On that topic - I actually think Sarri is doing a great job with the game time is is giving to younger players. For an 18 year old, CHO has seen a lot of first team game time - and i am a bit frustrated with his (or his agent's) continuing suggestions that he wants to leave. That's not what the fans want to hear. He is getting game time - and that is increasing as he improves and matures. I think that's what he should expect. I'd like him to show some loyalty to the club that has trained him for a young kid. Unless it is just to get an improved contract - in which case all is forgiven, and we should pay up.
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Maybe Zappa and Emerson at WB then...unsure if zappa is quite good enough...mind you we thought that about Moses
posted on 5/4/19
On that topic - I actually think Sarri is doing a great job with the game time is is giving to younger players. For an 18 year old, CHO has seen a lot of first team game time - and i am a bit frustrated with his (or his agent's) continuing suggestions that he wants to leave. That's not what the fans want to hear. He is getting game time - and that is increasing as he improves and matures. I think that's what he should expect. I'd like him to show some loyalty to the club that has trained him for a young kid. Unless it is just to get an improved contract - in which case all is forgiven, and we should pay up.
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Best comment relating to Hudson-Odoi I've read in months
posted on 5/4/19
Sheriff - I agree that Zappa is not good enough. Next season I hope Reece James gets the job - he sounds like a great prospect.
Cheers Devil.
posted on 5/4/19
comment by BlueJ2 (U4630)
posted 1 minute ago
Sheriff - I agree that Zappa is not good enough. Next season I hope Reece James gets the job - he sounds like a great prospect.
Cheers Devil.
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If we have a transfer embargo we might see a lot of new things J2
We'll have to recall every loanee and re-evaluate them to start with.