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[Albion] Roberto De Zerbi - JOINS AS NEW HEAD COACH (4 year contract)













B-right-on

Living the dream
Apr 23, 2015
6,722
Shoreham Beaaaach
Excellent news. Interesting that he was the No 1 target and the only one that they actually spoke to. Shows that Tony and Barbs think very highly of him.

Now we know why there was the friendly vs Chelsea behind closed doors match on Saturday. "Hey Potter and Bonely, you royally shafted us, the minimum you can do is come round on Saturday and have a friendly so we can showcase the team to your potential replacement". "You bunch of tossers."

Well maybe not that last bit, but sort of makes more sense to why Chelsea and the behind closed doors friendly
 






Johnny RoastBeef

These aren't the players you're looking for.
Jan 11, 2016
3,471
So there are 2 camps - a lot of general opinion is that this is a great appointment. There is also an undercurrent on NSC that says he sticks rigidly to a style of play which will get destroyed in the PL.

What to think ?

I'll be optimistic that the former are correct - but please don't let him be a Hyypia.

I had reservations about how our squad would handle the new managers style, in particular our defence. But, upon reflection, they should be able to adapt without too much trouble.

Much of De Zerbi's system will translate easily from Potters.

However, De Zerbi doesn't like his FBs to advance beyond the halfway line. Nor does he like his CBs to go on marauding runs.

Dunk should be ok, but Webster will need to rein in those line breaking dribbles.

Joel Veltman and Pervis are both defensive full backs with a decent touch under pressure, so will suit De Zerbi's system. Neither really excel as overlapping fullbacks, but Tariq Lamptey will need to adapt. My guess is he will probably be converted into a winger as his blistering pace will be wasted if he cant run at the opposition.

One player who will love the new system is Alexis Mac Allister. As will Billy Gilmour. From what I've seen of him, he loves to draw pressure from the opposition, inviting players to commit to a challenge before turning away effortlessly and laying off the ball. That game against England he was sublime.

I've gone from sceptical to opptomistic and think this season will be a lot of fun.
 
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GT49er

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Feb 1, 2009
49,181
Gloucester
I had reservations about how our squad would handle the new managers style, in particular our defence. But, upon reflection, they should be able to adapt without too much trouble.

Much of De Zerbi's system will translate easily from Potters.

However, De Zerbi doesn't like his FBs to advance beyond the halfway line. Nor does he like his CBs to go on marauding runs.

Dunk should be ok, but Webster will need to rein in those line breaking dribbles.

Joel Veltman and Pervis are both defensive full backs with a decent touch under pressure, so will suit De Zerbi's system. Neither really excel as overlapping fullbacks, but Tariq Lamptey will need to adapt. My guess is he will probably be converted into a winger as his blistering pace will be wasted if he cant run at the opposition.

One player who will love the new system is Alexis Mac Allister. As will Billy Gilmour. From what I've seen of him, he loves to draw pressure from the opposition, inviting players to commit to a challenge before turning away effortlessly and laying off the ball. That game against England he was sublime.

I've gone from sceptical to opptomistic and think this season will be a lot of fun.
I'll wait and see.
 


macbeth

Dismembered
Jan 3, 2018
4,172
six feet beneath the moon
I had reservations about how our squad would handle the new managers style, in particular our defence. But, upon reflection, they should be able to adapt without too much trouble.

Much of De Zerbi's system will translate easily from Potters.

However, De Zerbi doesn't like his FBs to advance beyond the halfway line. Nor does he like his CBs to go on marauding runs.

Dunk should be ok, but Webster will need to rein in those line breaking dribbles.

Joel Veltman and Pervis are both defensive full backs with a decent touch under pressure, so will suit De Zerbi's system. Neither really excel as overlapping fullbacks, but Tariq Lamptey will need to adapt. My guess is he will probably be converted into a winger as his blistering pace will be wasted if he cant run at the opposition.

One player who will love the new system is Alexis Mac Allister. As will Billy Gilmour. From what I've seen of him, he loves to draw pressure from the opposition, inviting players to commit to a challenge before turning away effortlessly and laying off the ball. That game against England he was sublime.

I've gone from sceptical to opptomistic and think this season will be a lot of fun.

it's mitoma i was thinking of he loves wide players to stick tight to the touchline and puts a heavily emphasis in one-on-one duels
 








perseus

Broad Blue & White stripe
Jul 5, 2003
23,461
Sūþseaxna
Maybe we will go out and buy and play a proper winger?
 






Garry Nelson's Left Foot

Well-known member
Jul 7, 2003
13,527
tokyo
Welcome Roberto...

de zerbinator.jpg
 


Seaber

Well-known member
Oct 20, 2010
1,130
Wales
Welcome, welcome.

I'm not sure how much of a tinker RDZ is between games, but if he sticks with a 4231 I'd imagine:

Welbeck
Trossard Mwepu Lamptey
Caicedo Mac
Pervis Webster Dunk Veltman
Sanchez

In that system I think March and Lamptey will be used as attacking players more than FBs.

I hope there is still a place for Gross, as his lack of pace may be shown up in a team which relies on explosive pace.
 




AmexRuislip

Retired Spy 🕵️‍♂️
Feb 2, 2014
34,752
Ruislip
Well I'm happy with this news, now we can get back on track with our season.
All is well again on NSC :clap:

PS...chocks away [MENTION=616]Guinness Boy[/MENTION] :wink:
 




Guinness Boy

Tofu eating wokerati
Helpful Moderator
NSC Patron
Jul 23, 2003
37,339
Up and Coming Sunny Portslade
Well I'm happy with this news, now we can get back on track with our season.
All is well again on NSC :clap:

PS...chocks away [MENTION=616]Guinness Boy[/MENTION] :wink:

I’m not flying it MYSELF. :lolol:

Have a good day today yourself mate :thumbsup:


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 


Perfidious Albion

Well-known member
Oct 25, 2011
6,367
At the end of my tether
Great news…. The club say he was their first choice and they believe his playing style to be what we want. He has some time during the break to settle in albeit that many of the squad will be away…
Edit… I am glad we have not stolen somebody else’s manager, I guess the fans of Shaktar Donetsk have other things to worry about.
 
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