Solid Creativity Masks Soft Centre?
Jul 27th, 2010 by 'holic
On the day Arsenal played the final game of their Austrian training camp, the most significant news was possibly breaking in the north-east of England. Sol Campbell’s potential move to Newcastle has yet to be confirmed at the time of writing, but if and when it happens Arsenal will most definitely be considered short for the coming season.
That point was hammered home when Johan Djourou failed to complete the opening half an hour of the 4-0 victory over Neusiedl. It is unquestionably premature to be pondering the prospect of opening the Premiership season with just the options of Koscielny or Nordtveit to partner Vermaelen. Both need to improve before making that step up, but they may do just that, and there is still time to add another player to the mix.
Those inclined to premature worrying will also not have been helped by the inclusion of Manuel Almunia for half a match. The suspicious might suggest that he was put in the shop window this evening, but he was never going to be afforded much of an opportunity to impress against opposition of limited ability and ambition.
The positives to come out of the match mainly surrounded Samir Nasri and Jack Wilshere. They played the first-half as an attacking pairing in central midfield ahead of Emmanuel Frimpong and both showed some excellent touches and no sign of just coasting through the contest. That was welcome given any doubts surrounding the late-starting Cesc.
Wilshere’s clever dummy allowed Theo Walcott to open the scoring just two minutes before the latest of many combinations between Andrey Arshavin and Kieran Gibbs paved the way for Jay Emmanuel Thomas to double the tourists advantage.
There was a more solid look to the Arsenal line-up in the second-half and a brief flirtation with two defensive central midfielders, Frimpong and Nordtveit, behind Nasri. Two more goals followed under this format. Marouane Chamakh grabbed his first Arsenal goal from the penalty spot and Carlos Vela produced a trademark chip after being set free by Nasri.
A Vito Mannone penalty save denied the hosts a consolation, and interestingly there were not even cameo appearances from the bench for Diaby or Song as the match petered out. So has the Austrian sojourn told us anything significant?
Well, Frimpong may just consider he has a chance to push his claims to be Song’s understudy if he gets another ninety minutes in the sterner challenges that await this weekend. Nasri’s form suggests we can wait until Cesc is fully prepared to get his season underway. Gibbs seems to be ready to offer Clichy a real challenge for the left-back spot, and that competition can only be good for them both.
I know there are still obvious weaknesses, and it would be foolhardy to argue otherwise, but others bleat on about those day in and day out, and we have time to address them. I don’t think we are more than three, maybe four players away from having a squad to challenge, and one or two could just get another chance or two to prove us half wrong before the window closes.
‘He ain’t got a passport and his name is Edu’
After hitting the publish button on the report I ambled over to Arseblog, and as Snail has mentioned in the drinks the big fella has a great interview between Edu and representatives of Arsenal Brasil. Get over there and take a look. Grab a tissue for the end of it too. I had forgotten his last game at Highbury.
138 Responses to “Solid Creativity Masks Soft Centre?”
There’s always time for a drink – Pint of Theakston’s Pedigree please
Can I also add that the Brasil Arsenal supporters club have an excellent interview with Edu, available via Arseblog, so hats off to them for their effort.
Another pint? Go on then. Typing is thirsty work.
Cheers.
Cuba Libra por favor Senor.
15 year old Glenfiddich tonight
Agreed on all counts ‘holic…let’s accentuate the positives to come out to the game for a change. The metaphorical and real glass seem half full right now, not half empty and also another glass is on the way from the bar hopefully in the form of a few new signings..;-)
“I don’t think we are more than three, maybe four players away from having a squad to challenge”
that is a fairly strong admission at how far we currently are from being ready for the new season which is only a few weeks a way. i have no idea why it has taken so long to add the obvious players we need.
the players should have been bought already and and training already with the team.
we can only hope we are not waiting for the lat minute, because a bad start to the season will add even more pressure on them.
thought wilshire and nasri were great today, would be more than happy to see them start the season. thought chamakh was very quiet again, wasn’t interested in getting in the box, which is where his height and heading ability will be best utilized.
What’s the gen on Djourou’s injury? Not serious, I hope after last term’s experiences.
he is a walking injury and can’t be relied on.
Unrelated but important news:
Barcelona, according to news reports quoting management, had losses of more than £60MM last year. I know that football accounting is subjective and misreported, but it does seem that last year was terrible financially for Barcelona.
Add to that the significant cash flow problems leading to fire sales of players and and substantial accumulation of debt this year. Hard to imagine them prizing away a player of Fabregas’ talent and circumstance in the near future. They have bigger issues to focus on. Much bigger.
Amazing this is not being more widely reported.
A celebratory Dom, sire!
Cheers Snail. I was already there. What a player. The first to leave that Arsene wasn’t happy to lose, and there haven’t been many of those.
Dan, could not agree more. Why we have not brought the players in with less than 3 weeks to the start of the season is completely beyond me. Gallas offered a contract? He turned it down. Sol offered a contract? It looks like he will turn it down. So now we are looking for 2 centre halves just to bring us up to strength. Why?????
I hate to say it because I am normally Mr Positive but this smacks very much of last season, and the season before etc etc. The difference this year is that we have all been told that the money required is available.
I was so frustrated last year. With just a few additions we could have won it. I think we all feel the same this year. But as Dan rightly says, why have they not been brought in and why have they not been training with us for the last 2 weeks?????
Not seen tonight’s game yes as I am still at work. Will hopefully catch some when I get in. It will be interesting to see how many of those that played tonight make the final 25? Now, how fucking stupid is that rule? More knee jerk reaction from those who are meant to know better.
Keep the faith. Looking forward to Saturday now.
it is very concerning when wenger rightly pointed out that our problems are on the defensive side of our game and yet here we are two and half months since the end of the season and we have no new goalie, have got rid 4 centre backs (who can all go anyway) and brought in a complete unknown with littler experience and no new defensive midfielders, it really does defy belief.
what the heck is going on!!!
Hang on ‘holics. The transfer market for the big boys was never going to get kickstarted until the World Cup was over and holidays had been taken.
I’m as nervous as many of you about the current state of the squad, but asking why moves didn’t happen earlier assumes we can act independently of others. That simply isn’t so. Many potential moves depend on others falling into place, like a house chain.
… and Rosicky injured in the warm-up.
would rather see wilshire play anyway.
don’t agree with that, we have our own money and not relying on selling. if we really want jagielka or micah richards for example they were around all summer. we need to do what is best for us and get the players is asap and embedded in to the squad.
also the world cup finished two and a half weeks ago for two teams the rest earlier.
maybe wenger shouldn’t have spent a month in south africa commentating and spent that month getting us the players we need, it is his primary job!!!!!!!
No dan, if we really wanted Jagielka, Everton would have had to agree to sell him to us. You can’t moan about the cunts at Barca and then suggest we do the same as them.
you just know frimpong is the new cover for song and nordveidt for vermalen, it is so bloody obvious, we have all seen this over and over again.
Snail and ‘holic, thank you mates! Glad that you enjoyed it.
So it looks as if Sol has changed his mind and will sign for the black and whites to be closer to his nearest and dearest. Fair play fella, just don’t let her call all the shots. Where does that leave us exactly? Shorter than a short thing that has no peers in the short department. It kinda forces Arsene’s hand a bit, however don’t be surprised if Nordvelt is pushed up the evolutionary ladder so to speak.
Hey ho, fun and games it is then…
agreed, if they are not selling him then move on. you have proved my point, we could have and should have known that mid may after the season, not now basically in august and then left scrambling around.
My view of the defensive situation is a little more positive. Additions are:
1. Djourou – like a new signing 🙂
2. Koscielny – really a new signing
Substractions are:
1. Campbell
2. Gallas
3. Silvestre.
Senderos was not part of the squad, so does not count. For me that means one more addition in defense should suffice. Ideally someone that partners Vermaelen as a starter. Hopefully that will happen soon. It does seem that Arsenal is actively looking.
I do believe we need a new starting goalkeeper as well. We do need defensive midfield reinforcements as well, but someone that is a solid backup for Song. Else it would be an inefficient use of money and/or talent.
they need a ready to play goalie, centre back and centre midfielder to COMPETE with song, not as a back up. That is the problem with us players who have no competition. how hard is song going to have to work to have to play week in and week out if we don’t sign someone that is interchangeable with him.
top teams need top class competition all over the pitch.
I’m sure Attack & Midfield are sorted. Expect atmost 1 CB and 1 GK. Reliable sources e.g Cagliari publishing in their official website our interest in Marchetti and Wenger’s admission of his need for a defensive signing says it all.
Just keep your eyes open!
Rodrigo, you are welcome. When you next get over for a game drop us a line and we will go for a drink or eight!
So, what’s the point of homegrowing players if you all think Wenger *needs* to go out and buy players elsewhere? He needs to give the homegrowns a chance at some point. I think Wilshere is ready. Frimpong looks like he might be adecuate cover for Song… Nordveit seems like a good alternative in defense as well. Don’t get me wrong, I think we should get another CB now that Sol looks like he’s off to Newcastle. But, I also think Nordveit should be included in the squad and given his fair chance.
snail..MARSTON’S pedigree
Can’t say I’m too sad about Sol deciding to sign for the Geordies, it’s a good move for him and he should get lots more games. However if we don’t bring at least one quality centre half in then it could have disastrous consequences. I reckon AW has lined someone up, possibly Jagielka or Diakhate. GK, CB and DM are three positions we need to make signings in but I reckon we’ll only sign a CB and possibly Schwarzer. Ho-hum.
it is a juggling act of bringing players through and still being competitive and winning things. they both look decent players, but you need players who are ready to play if the 1st choice is out for months at a time which constantly happens to us.
ideally the 1st choice and 2nd choice are of very similar quality and that can’t be the case with all these young players.
as sad as it is at some point you have to say i need to play for the present. as it is we are trying to bring through, wilshire, ramsey, gibbs, djourou, vela, walcott, bendtner, koscielny, scezny,
you can only bring through a certain amount of players at a time.
mind you i do like the look of both of them!!!
sol not coming, surely forces wengers hand so agree with beast.
Antonio, fair points all, but we have been promoting the youngsters for the last four years now because of necessity. Our failure to finish two title challenges strongly enough in the last three years suggests we need a bit more ‘proven quality’ in depth.
I’m not suggesting our best kids don’t have a great deal to offer, but in 2008 and 2010 they couldn’t get us over the line when the big guns were dropping like flies.
But there were very good reasons why they had to be given the opportunity…
Must admit I tend to agree with Dan. If we want Jagielka then make a sensible offer. If it does not work, then move on. It can all be done honestly and above board. The same with Shwarzer. If we really want him then pay the money and bring him in. Let’s not argue over what is effectively a few pints at the Grove. That does not make us like Barca one bit. We all know that if Barca came in with an offer of 50/60 million then we would probably listen. But they want him on the cheap. Basic market forces of supply and demand.
I just firmly believe that we should have the majority of our squad in place by now. But we are still short in key positions and in my opinion we should not be.
agreed the schwarzer thing is really ridiculous, if we want him just buy him for their valuation, if they aren’t going to accept it buy someone else. this isn’t huge money we are talking about and a pretty second rate option at that.
I think the new Premier League law that you have to name a squad of 25 and that’s it until January is shocking, and does us no favours re the youngsters that we are trying to bring through. Where as we might have had the likes of a JET or Frimpong on the bench for the so called lesser games, this just wont happen now as they will struggle to make the 25. They actually had a chance of playing if we were well ahead with 15 to go. Now???? They have to wait for the Carling Cup.
Agreed with you Antonio. What is the use of all our home grown players if we cannot promote them especialy now that most of them are English.
Cheers for the report Holic, I’ll be scouring the net for highlights when I’ve got a little more time later.
Gentlemen, the younger players are not affected by the 25 squad member rule, this from the Untold Arsenal site:
The rules
Squad registration list must be submitted at the end of the transfer window: 31 August 2010, and then again on 31 January 2011.
Squad size limit – Maximum 25 players over 21 years. No limit for under-21 players.
Age definition – 1 January of the season’s starting year. 1 January 2010 for the 2010/11 season.
Home-grown (1) age – All club registrations before the age of 21 (at the end of the season).
Home-grown (2) home – All clubs registered with the English or Welsh FA.
Home-grown (3) length – Minimum period of 3 seasons or 36 months (continuous or not).
——
A pint of Cider for me please sir.
Has anyone considered that if we are really interested in Schwartzer that the hold up might be due to the fact that Fulham don’t have a manager at the moment rather than quibbling about price? If you apply common sense it should be obvious that there is more than one party in any transfer. The player has to want to come and their club has to want to sell at a price we can afford. It really is not like shopping at Waitrose or on championship manager for that matter.
@Steve T: It will be interesting to see how many of those that played tonight make the final 25? Now, how fucking stupid is that rule? More knee jerk reaction from those who are meant to know better.
Quite a number of them won’t need to be in the list of 25. Theo, Frimpong, Vela (I think), Wilshere, JET and Nordtveit all count as Under-21’s for the 2010/11 season and will not have to be included among the 25. Of those that didn’t play tonight you have players like Szczesny, Ramsey, Lansbury, Eastmond and a few others who are eligible to play without affecting the list of 25. The rule does not limit a squad to 25 players, it limits a squad to 25 players who are not under-21’s, of which at least eight must qualify as home-grown.
I actually think it is a rather good rule, it makes it much harder to just stockpile players like Man City are trying to do (and only now, it seems, realizing they can’t all be part of the squad), and it makes managers/clubs really have to manage their resources.
@caveat emptor: I agree, that should be given much more media coverage. They have lived far, far beyond their means and could be heading for serious trouble and I hope that Cesc realizes that moving there could very well turn out to be a very, very bad move. And it is rather strange that Real Madrid are constantly being attacked in the media for having debts and whatnot while Barcelona can seemingly do just about anything and still be the media darlings. Can you imagine, for example, the uproar if the Emirates staff had turned on the sprinklers and soaked the away team after having been knocked out of the CL? Arsene would have been hung by the bollocks, but hardly one word was mentioned about it when the Barca cunts did just that after losing to Inter.
Pint of Boddington’s, please!
Spot on Passenal.
I’d only say that Fulham’s keeper should not cost Waitrose prices though 😉
I thought Emanuel Thomson can be much better option in the middle of the field then Diaby, he looks very comfortable with the ball strong determined skillful and can score goals to …but we have Song and Pingppong to never mind Denilson so we are not sort of defensive midfielders if you add Ramsay to it at some stage to . We only need a big tree in CD and a keeper ..
Or even Harrods – (apologies – us old farts cant resist an golden opportunity ). A pint of Dublins finest with a Black Bush to help it along – thankyou kindly.
well well, giving our homegrown players a chance to step up is really a wonderful and necessary thing.
The problem lies when we as team expect them to act like experienced players…doesnt work like that…the young boys must be developed in a enviroment with low pressure and patience, wich is clearly whats not happening at our club
Lets all say Song, Denilson, Diaby are injuried(not hard to happen) and we’re going to stamford bridge to play chel$ea…does lord wenger really believes Frimpong or Nordtveit (both could turn great players) can cope with the pressure??
Just an example that could be well aplied to the defence.
nevetheless i still believe this season we’ll win something
i think the 25 player rule will affect others more than arsenal! i wouldnt like to see a rule limiting the number of players under 5ft 8 then we really will be fucked! We’d give snow white a run for her money!!
i promise you wenger shops at lidl or aldi
not that i’m complaining :p
Cheers guys. Did not know it did not affect those under 21. Makes far more sense now I must say.
Truth or bullshit? No idea, but anyway:
Wenger moves for Mertesacker – John Cross
I’m sorry my first comment is not in sync with `Holic’s post but today is a great day for us!
An audit by Deloitte has revealed that Barca are literally drowning in debt and that the accounts had been cooked to make look not as bad as it is in reality, i.e. dramatic. To summarize:
– Gross debt: €552
– Net debt: €442M
– Season 2009/10: income €408.9M, costs €477.9 + 8 M, deficit for the season: €77.1M
So with the arrival of Villa, it’s not like their wage bill is going to come down. Their last €150M loan will cover the deficit for the last and the coming season but after that reality will bite hard. It may bite even harder and earlier if they don’t get the money from the football rights company that went bankrupt (mediapro).
We are witnessing the exact same thing that happened to the Italian clubs last decade. Winning everything bring barely more money than winning from time to time but requires astronomically more spending… Their decline will be slow but will take them equally a long time to recover.
Looks like Cesc will be with us for more than one season before they have saved enough money to afford him!
Holic, Passenal. Must admit I do not agree. In this case I do not think it make a bit of difference re the managers situation. If he has a price and we agree to it then job done. It is in Fulham’s best interests to conclude things as swiftly as possible either way. If they are to sell then they will want time to bring in a replacement, and I am guessing the search starts now rather than wait until someone new takes over. Fact is that if we offer what they want for him then it is a done deal.
My point is simply this. Offer the money or move on. Stop all of this mucking about. Every player has his price. We all know that. It is just a case of if we want to pay.
Silent stan. Thank heavens that someone is on the ball here. It was indeed Theakston’s Old Peculiar that was the guest ale.
I don’t understand the complaints about Arsenal negotiating at length to lower the costs of the transfers. We buy 2-3 players a season and we probably save 5-10 mils everytime that’s the wages of Wenger and Cesc combined. Why should we deprive ourselves of that money to please impatient fans?
I really do like that the club is well managed and doesn’t wilt under misplaced pressure.
@Steve T: Please explain why we should throw 5-10 mils a season through the window? Whether the players comes 2 weeks earlier or not doesn’t make any difference but on the other hand we will lose 5 mils in the case of Jagielka for example.
Why should we waste that money?
Matt. It is not about pleasing impatient fans. It is about getting a squad ready for the start of the season. According to Everton Jagielka is not for sale at any price. But as we all know, every player has his price and we all know how that can fluctuate depending on many things. Jagielka as I understand it has only just signed a long contract so that does not put us in a strong position unless we want to pay over the odds. I do not see that as a situation where he is going to be sold regardless and we will get the best price. We either put an offer on the table that Everton find acceptable, or we move on. Waiting until 10pm on 31.08 will not make a blind bit of difference.
I am sure that there are plans but I for one would want these players in place to travel to Austria. Not to suddenly pitch up and be told to unpack their boots because we are off to Anfield. Arsene told us all that he hoped to have all of his deals done before the world cup????
It is not being impatient Matt, in my opinion it is just far better preparation. And as they say…… Fail to prepare? Prepare to fail.
I think the 25 player rule will benefit us greatly. More to the point, the club will reap the rewards of its youth development over the last 10 years.
All clubs are going to have to turn to home-grown and under-21 players at some stage of the season, particularly as the injuries and suspensions kick in.
That is where I believe we will have a big advantage.
At the end of the 2008/09 season our U18 side played Liverpool in the final of the FA Youth cup.
Over two legs we beat the best other youth team in the country 6 – 2 and totally outclassed them all over the pitch.
Those players were the Frimpongs, JETs and Wilsheres who are now impressing so much.
We do need another proven CB and a class goalkeeper – but I think the emergence of some of these youngsters is also going to be really exciting.
A half-full glass of red please ‘Holic.
Edu? Top bloke. I was in the North Bank that evening. Very emotional. Would love to see someone like him roll up at the Grove…….
For those of you, like me, who didn’t get to see the match, here are some brief highlights, enjoy;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WR30-euGVI
@Steve T: of course it would be nice to have all the signings ready for Austria but we have 2 out of the likely 3 already so it’s not that bad I would say… If the last one takes more time because of negotiations it’s not going to make us fail either. Having 3 CBs ready at the beginning of the season is not optimal but that should do it. But agreed with you the better the preparation the better the start.
Goes on to show how our club has fallen since David Dein left. Anyone who thinks just signing Kosclieny and Chamakh will make a difference to our team is delusional. The team largely remains the same as it was over the past 5 seasons. Most of the players will never turn out to be world beaters like we are told they would become.
We still need a goalkeeper, CDs and DMs and our problem is that Wenger thinks he knows it all. The team has had obvious flaws highlighted every season but he still comes back and does the same thing the next season. He always sets up the team for excuses like ” we are young and inexperienced” and ” we had so many injured players” which is all Bullshit when he does not listen and opts not to sign players when he should. Its common knowledge that the EPL is a sqaud game now. Vermalen will get injured or suspended at some time during the season and we need someone of similar quality to come in . We cant expect him to play all the games. SO we need to buy CBs. The same with the DM position with Song. As fo the GK, we dont have one at the moment.
We are being set up for another frustrating season, full of the same old tired excuses from the Manager and this cant go on forever. The team will never progress through bringing in 5 or 6 youngsters into the team.The EPL is unforgiving and our paper thin squad will be punished if we go into the season with the current squad.
Quite right jena. The club was nowhere near as unstable before the avaricious git lined his pockets and set his son up to engineer moves for Henry and Fabregas.
I don’t believe anybody anywhere has mentioned two signings will ‘make a difference’, but chuntering on with the same old mantra without bothering to read anything else doesn’t help anybody.
There are five weeks left to strengthen the squad, not five minutes. By all means spout your doom and gloom then, but keep it amongst yourselves in the meantime. Cheers.
‘Holic and ‘Holics Hola!
I blame wenger, my Internet misbehaved last night and couldn’t watch them game…ha!
Some body would be nice to tell me how good/otherwise was Frimpong? I hear Vito saved a penn – No. 1 jersey to him then? – (Didn’t believe that even as i typed it).
Anyways i think Arsenal fans need to loosen their panties alittle – i don’t know if that sounds right – ManYoo have an aging squad with NO money to buy, we have young guys who i think we can trust to do the job because otherwise our Academy is no use (I await stoning). Call me AKB or whatever but i think our manager is smart enough (even maybe the smartest) to know where we need strengthening.
Jena – I take it you have been kidnapped and forced to read a statement – don’t worry, they always make you read untruths.
Keep the faith pal.
Lars,
John Cross is normally quite near the Mark when it comes to Arsenal dealings so ive got some hope on that one !!
Blimey forgot what a good footballer Edu was (Bad Me) shame he left when he did as he was becoming a vital member of the side and a player that was only improving, Echo those thoughts on wishing we had a player of his ilk at the Mo, Loved the way he always played with a smile as tho he was living and loving every second of playing time and realising just how lucky he was to represent The Arsenal,
Holic,
Im not sure on this 5 week thing the season would already be under way so no time to blood them in slowly,Attacking players you can get away with but Defensive minded ones need time to build an understanding so Im With Steve T etc in that we really need them in and playing within the next week,
The Goalkeeping thing still remains a complete mystery to me and should have been sorted weeks ago some may say years 🙂 Anyway not long to go so thats a bonus !!
Up The Arse,
@ Steve T
I have to agree with ‘holic. We are being slow in relation to…whom? Apart from Man City, who else has bought?
Fulham not having a manager MUST make a difference to their selling/buying policy. Selling a player is a big decision which a manager would normally take.
Buying a player is like buying a flat – however much you love it you can’t just plonk down the asking price plus 50% on top and move in the next day – it takes at least 6-8 weeks even if there are no hitches and the seller wants to sell to you. Plus you should consider whether the defensive player Wenger is after is a first-choice or a back-up. Koscielny has already been bought, perhaps we prioritised that purchase because he is the first choice. If the other player is a backup, it makes even more sense to negotiate. £5 million saved is 5 million available to sweeten the contract of another important player, or to bring in a couple of youngsters into the first team.
If it takes up till the end of the window, so be it. It’s by far more important to get the right player at a price that is affordable for us. We have a lot more money than we had at Highbury, but we do not have an infinite amount of money and players and their wages have got more and more expensive.
And I forgot to say – we can’t only pay way over the odds this one time, or now and again. If we get taken cleaners once, everybody will expect us to overpay for every player from then on.
FG. My point is simply this. We need a keeper. We have needed a keeper for ages. Wenger finally came round to the idea I believe towards the end of last season. He has the best scouting network in the world. How long have Fulham been without a manager????? If Shwarzer is the one why was a deal not signed and sealed before the world cup? He was only a few miles away.
Lets compare it to yout flat analogy. You need a flat. You need somewhere to live and you have a deadline. But you are right, you do not plonk your money down on the first one you see and make some ridiculous offer. You do your homework and make a sensible offer. If it is not accepted you do one of two things. You up it or you look elsewhere. But the end result is still the same. You need a flat and the need becomes more and more urgent the longer you leave it.
Now you need to have your flat ready for a special party you are hosting. Is it best to have the flat a good few months to get organised, get everything in place and have everything just how you like it? Or do you buy it a week before hand and just hope that on the day it all comes together? As I said before, fail to prepare etc etc…
We also need another centre back and another holding midfield player. In my opinion anyway……
Keep the faith.
just quite amazin how bloggers try to defend Arsene’s management & transfer dealings etc…
i mean – do you guys get a cut for your PR initiatives ? how else could you think of defending our goalkeeping & defensive situations by saying “the transfer window closes in 5 weeks & not 5mts ”
5 weeks aint 5 months …
A Top club going through its pre-season training without a goalkeeper for the upcomin season is inexcusable
Sol going to Newcastle doesnt worry me half as much as starting the season with Fabianski or Almunia as number 1 does.
I don’t know too much about Nordtveit or the new guy, so I can hope that they will be able to step up to the plate as far as the defence goes.
But in goal, well we already know what these guys are like.
Sorry to continue to moan about the goalkeeping situation fellow drinkers but it seems to me that if we don’t sort out that position it will be Groundhog day for the foreseeable future.
This time last week If AW had been honest he would have admitted that despite after the signing of Koscielny, saying that he hoped to bring in another centre-back, he would have been looking for a promising bargain buy rather than an established player of proven quality. After all, he was confident that Sol Campbell would be on board for a final season as cover, plus the return to fitness of Djourou would provide further back-up. However Sol has signed for the toon army, and last night gave him a sharp reminder when Djourou once again limped off, that the swiss defender cannot be relied upon one jot; hence the renewed stories linking us with Per Mertesacker, as it is evident we need an experienced quality defender as back up/rotation. Nordveit and Bartley may potentially be very good indeed, but are far too inexperienced to throw into the mix at this stage.
FG. When you get your flat, can we come to the party too?
Since Sol decided to join Newcastle I’ve been more relaxed about AW’s transfer policy, there is surely no way now he will not be signing at least one more centreback, probably two. If he needed Sol that badly he’d have kept him at the club. I doubt very much he’ll be depending on Nordveit and Bartley to step in if Vermaelen is out – certainly not in the big games anyway. That would be madness.
I wouldn’t be too surprised if one of City’s cast offs ended up with us too, maybe Ireland – although Richards would be my preference.
I would be lying if I said I wasn’t worried about our current squad’s balance. But what worries me more is that Arsenal are not in a position of leverage at all in any dealings. Every club and agent know our situation at GK and centre half, and they will have leverage in any dealings which will naturally lead to us paying higher fee or wages now since we left it late, and the club we buy each player from will undoubtedly have to look for a replacement immediately.
I’m worried about central defense and goalkeeper – frustrated even. I have a bad feeling about those positions.
Maybe Almunia can do a job, but who’s going to partner Vermaelen?
I’m worried.
I don’t think Djourou looks quick enough.
Djourou can`t be relied upon to be there at all!
Mancs and Chavs share the same frustration about the lack of signings. For the Pool fans the anxiety is of course even worse. Their respective managers claim youngsters will step up but they are all drooling ove our crop of young guns.
Once our new CB is signed we’ll be the best team in the league.
Evening Holic & Holic`s
I am a bit worried, when we brought Koscielny I thought he was one for next season to be fair. Sure the guy must have talent as the boss and his scouts don’t leave these things to chance.
But he has only one season in the French first division which I am led to believe he excelled but the rest of his career was spent in the lower leagues. Is he really ready to jump into the first team for games against Liverpool ect.
I had the feeling Arsene would blood him slowly so he has time too adapt and get up to speed in the premiership. As we all know anyone coming back from a long term injury suffers with countless niggles for a few months so I don’t think Djourou is up to partnering Verm in the centre as he has to find his game as well as overcoming the niggles we know are heading his way as proved yesterday after 29 mins.
I do believe the boss is hunting for another CB and I have lost count of the names being banded about, however it would be better to get someone in sooner rather than later when the player will have to form a partnership while playing in a competitive game which is not ideal. What happened to the I will get the players I need in prior to the WC ?
Maybe Arsene may play Song in the CB role as Frimpong has been impressive in the DM role as we have a nice few youngsters coming through who can take up that position ( but are they ready ) ?
Could anyone here help me with a question ? Dose anyone know how Ramsey is coming along and when he may be back ? I really really hope the Welsh Cesc dose get over his injury better than poor Eddie did.
@ catalan gunner
Everyone’s invited to the party!
@ Steve T
You misunderstand. You were saying, a) why are we quibbling about money and b) why haven’t we done this before now?
Regarding a). You are assuming that the delay is about money. It may not be. You don’t know how many clubs AW has approached or when he started approaching them. Maybe Schwarzer isn’t “the one” – maybe he was the fourth or fifth goalie on the list. You are not in a position to say Wenger is dragging his feet, because you do not know what has been going on behind the scenes.
“But you are right, you do not plonk your money down on the first one you see and make some ridiculous offer.” I didn’t say this – I meant all the money and goodwill in the world would not bypass the need to carry out the legal niceties and the time that would take.
Re b). Bad analogy. The party at the flat is comparable to the trophy we hope to win at tne end of the season, NOT the first day of the season. Signing a player is done for the long term, not to be ready for Liverpool FC on 14th August. AW did not think we needed a keeper until this season, so he can’t be accused of having put it off for years. (A supposed insider on ATVO said that the player we nearly signed in January was a keeper. No idea if this is true, but it was a good source. And no, we do not know why this transfer didn’t go through.) But we do know he genuinely believes that he has four excellent keepers. You don’t agree, but he has to act according to his judgment.
Transfers are not always about money. We won’t sell Cesc (or RVP or Ramsey or a whole load of other players) whatever Barca or anyone else offers.
Going by his most recent interview, he seems less interested in getting a new keeper. he said they have all done well in pre-season. It could be that he feels that throwing the no 1 spot open has been enough to galvanise Almunia (who performs better when he is under pressure) and give an incentive to the others who may have thought they were locked out of that position.
I’d like to see a new CB, no question, but if one doesn’t arrive, we’ll just have to get on with it.
True, Alex Song could play central defense.
With that thought, I can plausibly envision a non-disaster even without signings.
Evening all. I am so fond of work at the moment I would sell my soul for the six lotto numbers tonight 🙁
Too late, ‘holic.
My soul has been exchanged for them already.
Ahoy Arsem8s!
Where IS everyone??
Teh InterwebZ is broken, DubZ!!!!
Run for the hills.
You can still get in teh forumz, Dubz.
I’d sell my soul for a top class goalkeeper and go with what we have elsewhere.
That said, my soul is probably only going to be worth a David James or similar.
Heh,
We’d probably get Almunia’s Dad for mine, Tim.
Carlos Alumunia had very good distribution….
(shame he was a postman)
Took the sack well then 🙂
always near the box…!
tended to stamp on opponents also…
Picked up too many cards, I heard.
I’ve got nothing left ‘holic….. 🙂
…but he was good at addressing various issues with his defenders whenever the ball was returned to Senderos.
Good delivery, Lars.
Some Liverpool fans dooming for a change, some fun and a bit of perspective:
“Never felt this low about the start of a season – not even when Souness was in charge”
“Arshavin will score again though.”
“In that case, what makes you think we wont lose to West Brom also?
– Because I don’t think Hodgson is so useless that he won’t be able to scrape at least draw.”
“Jesus, are we still scared of going away to teams like Birmingham?
– You need to get used to it. Hodgson will be out by October.”
“DOOM AND GLOOM , THE END IS NIGH , WERE ALL DOOMED , just carrying on with the census in the forum today…”
“its geting more and more fucking depressing each time i come on here, i dont know why i bother because it just puts me in a bad mood”
“Roy Hogson? Gerard Houllier mark II”
“I wonder if we’ll see a left back playing centre-mid this season. Actually I wonder if we’ll see a left back.”
“‘I’d like to see anything other than shite, English, no imagination, no chance of ever winning anything in any competition against managers of a higher level than Sunday League, stifling your best players, 4-4-2. How about 7-2-1?”
“From the 1st till the last minute it will be all out attack, his philosophy will be to score more goals than our opponents, Anfield will become a fortress and when we’re away opposing fans will applaud our cavalier attitude”
“Roy Hogson will be the least of our problems”
“Is it true Roy only won 4 away games in his two years at Fulham? looks like there will be plenty of spare away tickets…”
“Roy will make us play samba football!”
oh…we’re gonna go there….
His favourite players were George Male, Leroy Letter and Japp Stamp.
He never hit the post.
To relax he loved to watch any film with Terrence Stamp.
Thanks ‘Holic, I felt I had to contribute something post-haste.
Hodgson was hired as this doesn’t sound so bad in a post match interview:
“A poor wun of form coupled with wotten luck”
On a possibly not completely unrelated note, Fulham have now found a new manager – Mark Hughes.
Hughes accepts Fulham offer – The Guardian
that’s the funniest thing tonight….thanks Lars
‘Evening ‘squire, I’ll have a pint of Theakston’s ‘Sangre de Toro’ if I may ?
Your sol has already been sold, so the numbers are mine 🙂
@FG. Must admit I could disagree with you more. I really couldn’t. We have lost 3 centre backs all of whom were out of contract so that should be a shock to no one. AW has as good as admitted that we need a new keeper. Almunia always gives 100% but is clearly not good enough. Fabianski is not even close to being good enough just yet. The others are kids. AW knows we need a new keeper.
You miss my point re the money. No amount of cash will land Jagielka unless we go down the really silly amount route. That will not happen and I am pleased it will not happen. So let’s put it to bed and move on.
As I said, we have the best scouting network in the world. You can not tell me that AW has no idea of potential targets? Of course he does.
I want us to hit the ground running. However, if we get to the 31.08 and have no additions to the squad I genuinely think we will have problems. I would love to be wrong. We will wait and see what happens.
Last season I left several posts saying that I hoped the lack of investment did not cost us. In the end it did. Many reports have followed about how much money we have to spend. If we fail to make the necessary additions this season and again fail then I hate to say it but serious questions will be asked of the management team.
Where my seat is at the Grove most have been tolerant. Most have been accepting of the situation and realise that with the new stadium comes certain restraints. I think for most that now is the time to deliver (postman pun). And I will never understand why we take so long to make a decision. This is not your flat scenario. It does not take 8 weeks to complete a deal.
Keep the faith.
The Edu interview on a site that works. Goodinght
http://vimeo.com/13670208
@Steve T: It does not take 8 weeks to complete a deal -> I read it takes 4 to 6 weeks on average.
it really looks like we will get a new CB although I can see why all the players linked with us aren’t the perfect fit. When we definitively want someone we don’t waste time (TV, Nasri, Sagna etc) but it seems we don’t have this perfect target in our sight. In the end we’ll have to compromise and take some risk.
For the GK, your guess is as good as mine. An excellent or disastrous Emirates Cup will certainly tilt the balance one way or the other.
Hey, you guys are really pushing the envelope with all the postal jokes.
Pat on the back for you Tim.
John Cross (Daily Mirror) is an Arsenal fan who regularly appears on the Fans Forum on Arsenal TV. I doubt he would wind us all up with a piece of pure invention.
A bit of perspective on the transfer dealings.
Edu has been “in the drinks” a lot over the last couple of days.
How long did his transfer take to complete?
About 18 months if I remember rightly.
First off his passport was not in order, then I believe he had a family tragedy, but AW stuck with it and eventually he arrived. Those are just some of the things that can go wrong in these types of dealings.
I happen to know that Sergio Ramos was due to sign for us until, on the day, Real Madrid stepped in and he was gone, after weeks of dealings.
Trouble is ‘Holic, that having enticed us all into the world of ether, we all now expect instant responses to everything.
Arsene Wenger actually admitted at the end of last season that we needed to change defensively.
He has already let 3 CBs go, and that kind of suggests to me that he is, indeed, changing things, and believes he has better replacements.
Surely nobody can watch the man through the course of a match and believe that he isn’t bothered about winning.
Timing of departures and arrivals has become important now though, due to the new rules on squad numbers. He wouldn’t have wanted to sign a replacement for Sol, for example, only for Sol to decide he wanted to stay.
I don’t think any of us are Wenger sycophants, but I think the guy has shown enough commitment, desire and intelligence, for us to have a bit of faith in him.
Yes, some of the positions currently under discussion have been a problem for a long time – but so has finance.
Things have now changed, and there is still time.
Matt. You are missing my point. We know where we are weak. AW knows where we are weak. He has gone on record and effectively stated that he knows the areas that he wants to strengthen. He also has said that this year he has the money. The board have said he has the money. AW also said that he wanted all of the deals done before the World Cup????? Remember that one?
My points are simply these. If we know where we are weak then he must have identified who he wants to bring in as replacements. You would hope so at least. That being the case why are the players not at the club? I realise we do not do our business in public but 1 free transfer and 1 from the French League does not seem that industrious to me. I would have just thought that it would have been far better to make the effort and get the players in asap so they can integrate with the rest of the squad. Not leave it to the last minute.
For me it is all about maximising the potential of the club. At the moment I am just not convinced that we are actually doing that. I know there is still time and I firmly believe that we will bring others in. I just do not see why it has not been done already when the deficiencies are so glaringly obvious.
@Steve T: You’re getting carried away a bit, AW never said he wanted ALL the transfers done before the world cup.
On April 18th he said he wanted ‘one or two signings’ done ‘within 6 weeks’ because he did not want to pay over the odds for player after the WC.
We signed Chamakh before the WC started.
On June 8th he said: “there will be something happening before the end of the World Cup – certainly on the defensive side”
We signed Koss before the end of the WC.
We have 2 out of 3 promised transfers that have been with us all summer to train. Whether they are free or from Ligue 1 has nothing to do with us being industrious (or not) to get them or maybe I did not understand what you meant by that. The last one is taking time and in all likelihood it’s a CB, so we have 3 of those ready to start the season which is very decent. Don’t forget we had to wait for the future of Gallas (and Sol to a lesser extent) to be decided before seriously inquiring on our potential targets.
Perhaps we’ll bring a GK depending on who’s available at which price and how our current crop performs during the Emirates Cup but I wouldn’t bet my house on it either way.
If you look at the transfer market, it’s very very quiet so far. Most high-profile targets aren’t released which doesn’t look promising for domino-style transfer chains. Our own transfer activity has to be put in context, so far none of the big clubs has been more active than us, rather less actually.
GRAHAM HUNTER what a Cnut!!
Did anyone hear the bollix he just said on sky spit news.
Matt. I do not think I am getting carried away and I am also one of those that does not really care what other clubs do in the market. I care about us, about maximising what we have and about what will make us best equiped to deal with what lies ahead. Nothing else. In my opinion I do not think we are doing that. As I said above, I hope I am massively wrong.
Nez, what has Hunter been saying now? He is another that loves the sound of his own voice.
On sky sports news saying cesc will say he want to go this weekend??
I know I took the bait!!! It was first thing I heard when I woke up!!!!
Morning all VERY LARGE JD and COCACOLA please Mr Holic it’ll calm me down!
I think Cesc may have realised by now that what he wants is not actually the primary concern here. My guess is it is Hunter just trying to get more cheap publicity. What a knob.
Graham Hunter is a smug, all unknowing berk!
Right, now that’s out the way, I’ll just mention that this has been an interesting read (worked wonders for my insomnia last night).
I keep asking myself, if it is such a straightforward process of ‘A’ (take 1 high profile team with disposable cash in the transfer kitty) + ‘B’ (open transfer window) = ‘C’ (strengthen those weak team areas in a timely fashion), then why have we not yet filled those required areas in the team?
Well I reckon it isn’t that easy. It is no secret that Arsenal are on the lookout for players. Deals are out there to be done and all parties have to be shrewd as well as patient. We still have some time yet before the transfer window closes.
I believe we will have another CB signed either before the season begins or before the window closes. Wenger is well aware of the challenge and has gone on record to so say. As a sidepoint, not forgetting Cesc will have been given assurances that the team will be strengthened. By which time the pre-season nerves will soon abate.
Keep on believing fellow Gooners 🙂
@Steve T: I am also one of those that does not really care what other clubs do in the market
But I don’t think you can afford to not care what others do if you want to try to understand why we do what we do. The transfer market as a whole has been remarkably slow this summer, not even ‘Appy ‘Arry has been on his regular shopping spree. Man Indebted have so far bought a Fulham bench warmer with 13 PL games to his name and a Mexican attacker who is one year older and consideraby less experienced than Carlos Vela. Chelsea have bought Benayoun and nothing more. Liverpool have signed Joe Cole but not much more of note. None of the hyped-up players from the World Cup has moved clubs yet either. Etc etc. To me there is no doubt that Wenger and Gazidis are working their bums off to bring in one or even two central defenders but the harsh reality may very well be that it is extremely difficult to find value for money right now and many clubs seem very reluctant to sell.
Completely agree with your 119 Lars. Let us not overlook that, as a whole, the overwhelming majority of the big name players did NOT perform during the world cup. So why spend a lorra lorra lolly on a player, only for him to underwhelm??
I politely suggest that ‘value’ has become the new black even in football, which for so long has been awash with cash coming from every possible orifice. Teams like Chels and Manchester U are only now doing what we have done for ages.
Man Citeh are a law unto themselves [only] but WILL, I promise, be forced to pay a price for their financial profligacy at soem point in the future.
Lars. Gazidis and Wenger working their arses off??????? Exactly my point. If the preperation is done as it should be then the ground work is complete and the rest is much easier. And what is value for players these days?????? A players price is not set in stone and is a matter of opinion. We have to decide if paying a price that we think is a bit higher than our initial valuation is worth it if it brings in the rewards. Speculate to accumulate I think the financial boys call it. If not then move on to the next target.
Steve, it seems you’re assuming that they have just started work on finding a defender, but doesn’t the fact that very few signings of note has taken place anywhere in the Premier League (except for Man City who are an exception in so many ways) indicate that it is very hard to find players at all? You say it’s just a matter of upping our bid and then move on until someone takes the bait, but is it really that simple? Everton have, reportedly, told us to do one and not bother coming back with another bid for Jagielka, OK, so we move on – and what if the next club won’t sell either? Or the third, fourth, fifth? We move on, but it will have taken a lot of time.
We as fans know very little about what actually goes on in any specific deal, but looking at the bigger picture I think it is pretty clear that many clubs are very reluctant to sell at all. Funnily enough, the way Arsenal have been so adamant about not even speaking to Barcelona may well have caused ourselves trouble because I wouldn’t be at all suprised if this has encouraged other clubs to try to take back the initiative from the players. For a number of years, the players have had almost all the power (“if you don’t let me go I’ll throw my toys out of the pram”) but maybe the clubs are trying to swing the pendulum back in the other direction.
There can be a million and one reasons for transfers not going through, and until we know exactly why things have or have not happened we can’t really judge anyone involved.
@ 121 Steve T. Value is indeed a moveable object. One can be in an over or undervalued commodity market. I assume it is currently much a case of the former which might have something to do with the post WC inactivity.
Yes you do move on if the targeted player is not available but imo you are proving the argument that these things take time. We cannot operate within our own silo….no matter how many scouts we may have dotted around the globe.
Not forgetting all the other clubs are now copying our recruiting template so it is becoming more of a challenge to remain ahead of the game.
Having said all that I still think we will eventually get our man. The sense of perspective is that there is still at least 4weeks to go until the transfer window closes.
This season should just start. Its taking us soooooo… long to hear from ‘Holic.
Have we signed Messi yet? Heard he can’t fit in with the Barcunts cos he’s all midgetty like the rest of our squad.
….. And now the positive “Even though I’m a Barca fan, I’m also a gunner, so it’s difficult” spin starts to emerge.
Good news.. it can only mean one thing.
Who cares what United and Chelsea are doing it us im worried about, they have finished above us for the past few seasons and given us a tonking more often than not so are in less need than us at this present moment, Defensively they were alot more solid than us last year and yet we are weaker than previous at this moment, whilst they havent brought they havent weakend either,
In my view this will be our last chance for a couple of seasons as Man Citys money will eventually tell and they will do a Chelsea for a few years so weve got to make the most of this chance and with a couple of additions we could have a real do at it
Up The Arse,
Hey Trev
Found that article I told you about – with the injuries starting already it is quite topical.
In a nut shell – players (in Aussie Rules) getting chiropractic treatment AND best medical care missed just 4 matches (3.6%) with lower limb muscle strains. Those receiving just medical care missed 21 matches (27.6%).
There was also a difference in hamstring injuries (4 matches in comparison to 14) but this is not considered “statistically significant”.
Enjoy! http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2474/11/64
Oh, and knee injuries; (1 game missed, in comparison to 24).
All in all that adds up to quite a few extra games a season for a full squad.
Apologies all, work is manic this week. Back tomorrow evening (UK time) with probably a preview of the weekend….
….and our three new signings tomorrow, of course 😉
Catalan, even if the sample size is not large enough to draw statistically significant conclusions it is one hell of a strong indication.
Catalan –
Interesting stuff. I’ll go back and read it in full, but the conclusions are pretty convincing, if not surprising.
Here’s just one recent example from my practice which backs up the theory.
Lady, aged 50, presented last November, with severe pain in the whole of her right hip and leg, and to a lesser extent in the left hip and leg.
An orthopaedic surgeon had diagnosed (without X-ray or scan) damaged discs “in the lumbar spine” and told her NEVER to run again.
She had only relatively mild pain in her back.
To me, her symptoms did not suggest disc damage.
Long story short – manipulation to correct her twisted pelvis and deep soft-tissue work, naturally, especially to all upper leg, pelvic and lower back groups, and improved orthotics, meant she was running 15 miles (3 x 5 miles) per week by end February, and 18 miles (3 x 6 miles) per week by end March.
She completed a 10km road race 7 weeks ago, and as of Monday this week, has no pain.
This is why the number of recurring injuries suffered by our players drives me mad.
Can they really be missing things like this, and overlooking the type of treatment detailed in your article.
With a man of Wenger’s knowledge you would think not – so what is the problem?
How does Johann Djourou have a year out with injury, and with all of Arsenal’s resources to help him get fit, leave the field with a hamstring injury after less than 30 minutes of a pre-season friendly.
Please not another season like 09/10.
Thanks for the article Catalan.
A strong Night Nurse please ‘Holic.
@Trev and @Catalan: I have an idea, why not write a joint comprehensive letter to Colin Lewin our physio summarizing everything that you’ve presented here in the last few weeks backed up by some research?
I’m not saying at all you should tell him what his job is but he looks like a nice bloke, I’m sure he’d be interested if you provide him with helpful information backed up with research articles.
And if indeed it led to less injuries you would be the unsung heroes who tilted the balance in our favour in our first title in 6 years!
@Trev and @Catalan: Wouldn’t this article be relevant as well?
“A comparison of 2 rehabilitation programs in the treatment of acute hamstring strains.”
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CBIQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jospt.org%2Fmembers%2Fgetfile.asp%3Fid%3D1964&ei=pCtSTNCHDsyTnweSncy2Aw&usg=AFQjCNFve7NOTxpiNmeUtrPZ3U1s1hkXLw&sig2=murvgdwPqtVp-6AdivQIlw
@chippy: in short you only care when the competition buys players, when they don’t (or more accurately they can’t) then you don’t care anymore?
This season has all the ingredients to be the most competitive league in decades, possibly ever. Hopefully once we bring in the new CB you will reconsider your opinion because the league is already pretty damn exciting even before it’s started!
Ferdinand is constantly injured, Scholes and Gibbs won’t save the day this time so yes United aren’t as competitive as last year and that’s what all their fans are saying.
Same for the CSKA team that looks more like AC Milan every season with many players on the wrong side of 30 (and no more Ballack).
So yes they are both weaker than last year. They may not plunge as fast as AC Milan but they won’t match last season’s performance without a bunch of transfers that won’t happen.
@134 when did we sell Gibbs to ManUre!!!! Did I miss something??? Ha ha
@Matt 133
Yes it is. I do assume that they do core stability work as it is essential. I hope to Denis that they do, anyway!
The frustration is that these things are relatively easy to apply. But who knows if they have investigated it or not.
I know over here that Barca and Espanyol have chiropractors working with them, but not sure if in the same intensive context as AC Milan, or just to ‘help out” if and when.
Cup of Tea please… Don’t worry about us ‘Holic – we’re just toddling along quite happily!
In related news:
HA HA!! @ the spuds http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jul/30/tottenham-hotspur-villarreal
Matt,
in short you only care when the competition buys players, when they don’t (or more accurately they can’t) then you don’t care anymore?
Youve lost me on that one? If i understand your question correctly, no i dont care that Chelsea and United are not buying players they are not as stretched as us at the back and are alot stronger in that department than we are and have been over the past few seasons until we address that area of the pitch we can play beautiful football till the cows come home but will not win either of the big comps untill we can defend,
United missed their 2 centrehalfs for the majority of last season and at times they were both out together yet finished above us Chelsea had one of Europes best right backs as well as one of Europes top centrehalfs missing for a large part and yet still conceded less than us Ballack wasnt a vital member of that side and in any case Essien will be back this season,
Yes another centrehalf will make me less nervous but that still wont solve the problems we have with the keeper or back up to Song,
Wenger admitted at the end of the season we conceded way to many goals and its pretty obvious he identified the Keeper and defence as areas to be strentghed at this moment we are weaker than last season in my view,
Yes the league will be more competive than at any stage since the formation of the Premier League so why not have a proper good go at winning it, Im not advocating trying to sign the likes of kaka or Messi i would just like a couple of players that would really give us a steadying influence,