I think it's a bit of both.

Bakayoko doesn't offer the passing of Matic and Morata plays nothing like Costa.

Costa either drifted to the left or played on the shoulder.

thing is technically costa was terrible at times, moves constantly broke down with him, but he was such a good foil for hazard because he occupied defenders, and of course, could put the ball in the net.

The best head down runner of the ball I ever seen

*with the ball

comment by Firmino Can Karius {Proud owner of the 5 000 000th comment} (U2720)
posted 7 minutes ago
The best head down runner of the ball I ever seen
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haha best or worst depending on how u look at it. I think he must have gone past 1 person in 300 dribble attempts.

Once he got into his stride, I rarely seen him get bullied off the ball unless he was looking for a freekick. I love how it always looked like he just caught defenders in his peripherals and started throwing his hands around while running

Need characters like Costa in the league.

comment by it'sonlyagame (U6426)
posted 21 minutes ago
Didn't you play 3-4-3 most of last season and 3-5-2 most of this? If so, why is Conte so reluctant to try to play like last year with the simple switch of Morata for Costa? Or is Bakayoko for Matic the main reason you can't play the same way?
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3-4-3 is more of an attacking line up (Willian/Pedro - Morata - Hazard) if Kante + Cesc are played in the midfield. This system works against teams that tend to park the bus. 3-5-2 is more defensive, more midfielders and less attacking options, is designed to be effective against teams who are likely to dominate possession aka Man City. This system could work if we bought a good b2b mid to partner Kante and Cesc. Neither Baka or DW are up to the standards. Also, because we are involved in all competitions this season, we desperately needed to buy cover or upgrades on our fullbacks position. Zappacosta has been a letdown. I think Conte’s gripe with the board is that we have gone for the second or third cheapest target instead of his prime targets.

He's already been sent off in Spain. In his first league game.

conte I think given his lack of chances, zappa has been a better buy than drink and bakayoko

Conte'nt, so you agree with Conte going 3-5-2?

You went 3-4-3 when you beat City away last season, didn't you?

Showed it could work against strong oppostion too.

And do see see Barkley changing Conte's approach at all?

I think the press drove Costa out of the epl. He was portrayed as a bad boy, who was not afraid to use dark arts in order to be successful. So he is that kinda guy that needs constant appreciation, and he thought he wasn’t getting it in epl. Does he get scrutinised over in Spain as much I wonder ?

comment by it'sonlyagame (U6426)
posted 1 minute ago
Conte'nt, so you agree with Conte going 3-5-2?

You went 3-4-3 when you beat City away last season, didn't you?

Showed it could work against strong oppostion too.

And do see see Barkley changing Conte's approach at all?
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We went with 3-4-3 last season because, Pep’s team was not as good as it is this season. Don’t forget Man City spent £132m in acquiring fullbacks, which was their weakest area last season.

As I said 3-5-2 requires adept midfielders. Kante being the only one atm. Cesc legs have gone tho, could do with an upgrade on him and Barkley is not the answer I am afraid.

this is no surprise...standard procedure post being champions

we'll finish 4th & make CL...Conte will be off...spend a wedge in summer...start again

sort of thing goonz would give their right arm for

meanwhile between this...we'll have the embarrassment of the WC to endure

comment by Sheriff JW Pepper (U1007)
posted 0 seconds ago
meanwhile between this...we'll have the embarrassment of the WC to endure
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which should not involve any of our players bar Cahill

Does he get scrutinised over in Spain as much I wonder ?
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Did he? He used to have his own dedicated section in one of the country's biggest weekly football programmes.

And it's all pretty fair criticism, tbh. I think it's the theatrics that made it most unpopular over in Britain, but seeing as more or less everyone's at it to a greater or lesser extent over here, I think it was considered more for its comedy value.

I don't think it was the press, tbh. Costa simply comes across as the type of guy who feels much more at home in a Latin culture.

Also, what Atlético achieved when he was there made him an automatic club legend. I think he realised it was unlikely he would ever feel quite as loved anywhere else.

comment by Conte'nt = eism (U20893)
posted 18 minutes ago
comment by it'sonlyagame (U6426)
posted 1 minute ago
Conte'nt, so you agree with Conte going 3-5-2?

You went 3-4-3 when you beat City away last season, didn't you?

Showed it could work against strong oppostion too.

And do see see Barkley changing Conte's approach at all?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
We went with 3-4-3 last season because, Pep’s team was not as good as it is this season. Don’t forget Man City spent £132m in acquiring fullbacks, which was their weakest area last season.

As I said 3-5-2 requires adept midfielders. Kante being the only one atm. Cesc legs have gone tho, could do with an upgrade on him and Barkley is not the answer I am afraid.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
They only play with 50m with of those fullbacks, so we can't keep using that as the yardstick.
It's simply that his approach has bedded in deeper with his players and that is clearly showing.

We had a working system that could have been improved upon with player acquisitions so that the alternative (3-5-2) would be relagated to use only when playing top class opposition. That's where my biggest disappointment is. Conte had the opportunity to reinforce a highly successful system but unfortunately chose to change it.

comment by Kuki (U6289)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by Conte'nt =eism (U20893)
posted 18 minutes ago
comment by it'sonlyagame (U6426)
posted 1 minute ago
Conte'nt, so you agree with Conte going 3-5-2?

You went 3-4-3 when you beat City away last season, didn't you?

Showed it could work against strong oppostion too.

And do see see Barkley changing Conte's approach at all?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
We went with 3-4-3 last season because, Pep’s team was not as good as it is this season. Don’t forget Man City spent £132m in acquiring fullbacks, which was their weakest area last season.

As I said 3-5-2 requires adept midfielders. Kante being the only one atm. Cesc legs have gone tho, could do with an upgrade on him and Barkley is not the answer I am afraid.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
They only play with 50m with of those fullbacks, so we can't keep using that as the yardstick.
It's simply that his approach has bedded in deeper with his players and that is clearly showing.

We had a working system that could have been improved upon with player acquisitions so that the alternative (3-5-2) would be relagated to use only when playing top class opposition. That's where my biggest disappointment is. Conte had the opportunity to reinforce a highly successful system but unfortunately chose to change it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
He probably wanted to improve on this, but it looks like he didn’t get what he wanted, which is why there are rumour of Conte leaving at the end of the season.

I don't think it's just the signings, tbh. Weren't there already rumours that he wasn't seeing eye to eye with RA even before the title had been won last season?

In all honestly, our board is one of the most positive and open minded on here. Believe me, I have considerable experience of, erm, contributing productively on other boards and I can say from.experience that we are a pretty chin up.bunch on here. Can't speak too much for the havenites but the main board is pretty honest.

Apart from you Mons obviously

comment by it'sonlyagame (U6426)
posted 11 minutes ago
I don't think it's just the signings, tbh. Weren't there already rumours that he wasn't seeing eye to eye with RA even before the title had been won last season?
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Conte has previous record of falling out with the club over transfer policies (Juventus). He said as much in one of the interviews this season, that he faced similar situations in his previous clubs. Also, the press are pushing this line too. So if Conte didn’t look eye to eye with RA, it was probably because of the transfer policies. Why else would he fall out with RA ? Conte is very demanding, but also gives you all he has in Oder achieve the targets, provided the club backs him for the targets he wants rather second or third best alternatives.

I still don’t get what Conte is so piiissed off about tbh. Plus this season seems to have been a write off for everyone who isn’t managed by pep Guardiola lol.

I don't know Ping-Pong,

Couldn't it be his own contract situation - either in terms of duration or £££, or both?

Or the degree of control he has over other football structures?

Or with other people he has to work with within the structure?

Just saying that if iirc the rumours started to surface before the end of last season, maybe it wasn't just regarding transfer targets.

comment by TheWhiteWall (U17633)
posted 8 hours, 39 minutes ago
"its funny, there seems to be a huge ar of negativity surrounding Chelsea again after a title win"

Not from you though, surely......
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😂