Boss Slaven Bilic has told his Irons squad to stun Chelsea just as they did Arsenal in last season’s opening fixture before new boss Antonio Conte has the time to create a Chelsea in his own image.
He understands the 47 year old has arrived to turn around a team which won the title two seasons ago but flirted with the relegation places in the last campaign before finishing tenth
Bilic said: “He is a great manager who did a terrific job with Juventus and Italy. He is one of them that wants to put a stamp on his team, not just to continue what the previous managers have done but change the way they approach the game, to change the principles and change the nature of the game.
“He is one of them, and that is why I rate his so highly.
“Is he going to do it straight away? It is more difficult, of course, to make an impact straight away, to change the long-term habits the players have — especially when they are big players at a big club like they are.
“But I’m sure he is going to do a good job there.”
He added: “We might do one more deal but I am happy with the squad I have now.”
I keep on saying it, and will continue to do so till I die!
Start fast, score early, and score again quickly, and you have the ascendancy (but not necessarily a win). In such a position, the onus is on the opponents to score, involving some risk taking. This gives us every chance on scoring the winning (3rd goal) via a quick counter-attack. We now have the pace and the finishing quality to achieve these objectives.
Last year was a very good season for us..
This season has the potential to be sensational!
COYI
Bilic says he is happy with the squad. Can he at least explain why he thinks Antonio is so brilliantly suited to RB, as opposed to playing on the wing?
There is an army of supporters who would like to hear the answer.
For someone who must rank as propably one of our greatest managers, I am completely baffled at what seems like Bilic’s blindness to this truly bonkers idea.
DS, DG or Gale, or Cottee etc are explaining it either.
The best explanation I can think of with is 3 across the back…but so far that hasn’t been the case.
Hazard v Antonio on Monday: Are there ANY supporters rubbing their hands with glee at the prospect? If so, please explain….
Should read: “DS, DG or Gale, or Cottee etc are NOT explaining it either.”….