*Official* English Football Season 2008-2009

[grecian]

Flamini the big difference between last year and this year IMO.

Agreed.

If I remember rightly, Roseboy was going on about Wenger being sacked even indirectly whilst quoting that prize tit, mourinho. That is why some went against our Caribbean friends comments.

There's no-one that sanely believes this Arsenal side will challenge for the title this year, but sacking Wenger won't and shouldn't happen. Arsenal are under many more financial constraints then the other members of the Big Four, because of the upheaval with the switch of grounds which they're still paying for.

He is showing too much faith in average players, IMHO, and certainly needs to buy, but the problem is if you want to buy established and proven players, they cost in the realms of 30 million, so he's hoping some of these current players will save him by improving immeasurably. It ain't going to happen, Denilson, Bentdner, Gallas are all a waste of a shirt, imho. I think Flamini and Hleb leaving has been hammer blows for him really, because it seems he can't even keep the players when they do step up. All rather depressing for a neutral as it seems you have to have countless millions behind you to compete in world football nowadays. Billionaires playthings or established brands are the only way forward which is faintly miserable.

Still, Even so, I agree with Aussie, I think this years Prem looks better then normal. Three genuine title challengers, and very few points covering the bottom dozen or so. I'll certainly be following it closely as I fear my team has peaked.....

 

[roseboy64]

Speaking of Mourinho, have heard he's not particularly fond of Italy. Not enough love from the press.

 

[duffer]

There's no-one that sanely believes this Arsenal side will challenge for the title this year, but sacking Wenger won't and shouldn't happen. Arsenal are under many more financial constraints then the other members of the Big Four, because of the upheaval with the switch of grounds which they're still paying for.

I think Wenger truly believes his team were challengers for the titke, some of his comments pre-season and early season showed him laughing off suggestions the team needed strengthening and tat he'd prove everyone wrong again. You may be right about the financial constraints but what irks me is hearing Fiszman and other directors bleat on about how much revenue they have now and how if Arsene needed 30m for one player they'd be more than happy to give it to him.

This leads me to believe that it's only Arsene's choice not to strengthen and thus I feel he hasn't done his job properly in the summer and panic buying in January could be disastrous. Surely losing Flamini, Gilberto, Diarra in the space of a season should've convinced him to sign someone other than Ramsey? Reading on a lot of Arsenal boards that many of the season ticket holders are feeling short changed by the club who fleece them with astronomical ticket prices yet refuse to compete in the transfer market due to some delusional principles.

Not saying Wenger should go but he must change his ways.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Michael Mancienne called up for England.

Who?

Spot the guy who's never played FM.

did any major club like the spurs/magpies have such horrific early seasons starts?.

Didn't they both have terrible starts last season as well? Not quite as bad but still pretty ****.

 

[Ponting Man]

Hail To Man Utd.

 

[roseboy64]

Don't think Wenger needs a complete 180 on his ideals but maybe go 45 or 90 as needed.

 

[TT Boy]

The Governor needs to get his finger out of his ass me thinks.

 

[irfan]

I think Wenger truly believes his team were challengers for the titke, some of his comments pre-season and early season showed him laughing off suggestions the team needed strengthening and tat he'd prove everyone wrong again. You may be right about the financial constraints but what irks me is hearing Fiszman and other directors bleat on about how much revenue they have now and how if Arsene needed 30m for one player they'd be more than happy to give it to him.

This leads me to believe that it's only Arsene's choice not to strengthen and thus I feel he hasn't done his job properly in the summer and panic buying in January could be disastrous. Surely losing Flamini, Gilberto, Diarra in the space of a season should've convinced him to sign someone other than Ramsey? Reading on a lot of Arsenal boards that many of the season ticket holders are feeling short changed by the club who fleece them with astronomical ticket prices yet refuse to compete in the transfer market due to some delusional principles.

Not saying Wenger should go but he must change his ways.

AWTA. As others have stated the lack of a quality replacement for Flamini is a major concern (Denilson just a pretty passer IMO), as well as not having a tall centre back to deal with dead ball sits. Farily certain we bought a German defensive mid over the summer but haven't seen Wenger roll him out yet - not sure why. Our poor form domestic form can also be attributed to a large injury list with Rosicky, Eduardo, Eboue and Adebayor, VP being out for important matches leaving the likes of Bendtner to lead the line.

Yeah would love to have a Gattuso, Mascherano type player to ensure we don't get outmuscled in midfield and to complement the pretty passing types. Astounded Wenger doesn't buy more, especially in the 25-30 range. It's all well and good to build for the future - but if half your developed players sod off to other clubs then you're gonna have to start rebuilding again. C'mon Wenger we don't want you to completely compromise on your youth policy, but gee one or two older, stronger players can't hurt.

 

[luffy]

Good to see the Spurs lose last night.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Michael Mancienne called up for England.

Who?

Was called in yesterday's paper before the squad was announced, so I can confidently say he's a Chelsea youngster on loan at Wolves, but had never heard of him before then either.

Mind you, Don Fabio doesn't seem to be adverse to the odd maverick pick for friendlies, he called that Peterboring 'keeper up for our post-season tour too.

Struggling to see their current side dominating anything, however much experience they gain. There's the potential there to work with, but Wenger seems far too idealistic atm, they need a couple of ball winners in there before they can even think about dominating anything, however many years pass and experience gained in those years.

Even if they do sort these problems out, they'll only be a consistent force, they're never going to dominate because the other sides all have too much money to be dominated over a period of 5-10 years - that's not to say that Arsenal can't win the league, just they won't monopolise it like United in the 90s.

Yeah, as grecian said I don't think anyone seriously thought we'd win the title this year; the big surprise was how close we went last year before we tailed off post-Eduardo's injury.

We need three players ideally: keeper (don't rate Almunia), a big centre-half with physical presence (Alex would be a great signing for us, what with him largely bench-warming at the Chavs, but don't rate our chances of getting him one bit) & a proper ball-winning midfielder. Wenger dropped a big bollock letting Diarra go, he obviously thought Flamini would stay but as he hadn't signed a contract it was too big a gamble to take with other clubs & bigger offers in the market for him.

 

[Craig]

Bring back Patrick Vieria

 

[Barney Rubble]

Mancienne being picked seems a bit left-field, but to be honest, he's not going to play. Fabio has obviously earmarked him as a potential international player in the future, and wants to see how he adapts to the England environment. It's one thing being with the England squad in training, quite another to be picked.

 

[Neil Pickup]

Pretty sure the ref cant play advantage then go back and send someone off - Cannot play on if such a hugely influential decision needs to be made.... If he's done that then i'd be worried, should've stopped play as soon as the advantage ended and sent him off then.

Ref can't play advantage for a direct red card offence... don't think a second yellow sending-off counts in the same way.

 

[cpr]

Hmm, got a bit of a beef with the whole 'Arsenal have no money' argument here.

What did Arsenal do with Highbury, did they sell the land to developers or are they doing it themselves?

Just because dad was delivering there last week, and teh apartments being built there are going to rake in millions each. Reckon the money from that and this god knows how long sponsership from Emirates will pretty much have paid for the new stadium

Add to that we built 80% of a new stadium over the last 10 years before Edwards sold up, dont see us whinging its holding us back

 

[BoyBrumby]

Hmm, got a bit of a beef with the whole 'Arsenal have no money' argument here.

What did Arsenal do with Highbury, did they sell the land to developers or are they doing it themselves?

Just because dad was delivering there last week, and teh apartments being built there are going to rake in millions each. Reckon the money from that and this god knows how long sponsership from Emirates will pretty much have paid for the new stadium

Add to that we built 80% of a new stadium over the last 10 years before Edwards sold up, dont see us whinging its holding us back

Yeah, it's bollocks. Fiszman said as much. Wenger has £30m to spend whenever he wants. Linky.

 

[grecian]

Fair enough, and as I said, do think he needs to bring players in. I still don't think he has the spending power of Chelsea or Man U. I also still stand by my thinking that Robinho amd Berbatov are hopelessly over-priced. I wonder if Wenger doesn't wish to make transfers in an over-inflated market. He may have to, eventually.

 

[Neil Pickup]

Just turned Everton-Boro on to see a free kick hit Yakubu on the shoulder and fly in. Quality football to level it up.

 

[grecian]

Just turned Everton-Boro on to see a free kick hit Yakubu on the shoulder and fly in. Quality football to level it up.

to be fair the match hasn't been as bad as you'd expect Everton-Boro, to be......

 

[BoyBrumby]

Fair enough, and as I said, do think he needs to bring players in. I still don't think he has the spending power of Chelsea or Man U. I also still stand by my thinking that Robinho amd Berbatov are hopelessly over-priced. I wonder if Wenger doesn't wish to make transfers in an over-inflated market. He may have to, eventually.

Agree with all of that. We aren't as flush as ManU or the Chavs (or Citeh now either I suppose), but we're probably on firmer footing as a business than either because our (admittedly sizeable) debt is secured against New Highbury and a fair portion will be wiped out when the flats made from the old marble halls (still don't much like the idea, but hey) are sold. The Glazers attached a massive debt to United when they bought the club and, as a lot of it was borrowed from hedge funds, it's at exorbitant interest rates & yer Chavs are obviously knackered as soon as their rich Uncle Roman wearies of them.

I do think Wenger does have an issue with bringing in established stars tho. Seems to prefer to grow his own.

 

[Woodster]

Big game for Man City today away at Hull, having lost 5 of the last 7 games. Robinho has been made captain in Dunne's absence. Would have preferred to see Hughes give SWP his right-wing berth back, and play Hamann alongside Kompany in midfield. Instead Vassell plays on the right.