Comments on: Dissecting Wenger’s interview

By: Oliver

Oliver — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 17:16:56 +0000

how is having a solid squad “a wonderful concept in theory but utterly unrealistic and unimplementable”

lets take a look at Liverpool:

GK: Reina (Carson)
RB: Finnan (Arbeloa)
CBs: Agger/Carragher (Hyypia)
LB: Aurelio (Riise)
CM: Xabi Alonso (Javier Mascherano)
CM: Sissoko (Gerrard)
RM: Gerrard (Pennant)
LM: Riise (Gonzalez) * [Kewell if he's ever fit again]
STs: Kuyt/Crouch/Bellamy (Fowler)

now there are some gaps in the squad – thats obvious, if there werent we’d be up there challenging for the premiership title – but thats why Liverpool will be looking to strengthen in the right wing and striker positions this summer

it also doesnt help Arsenal’s cause that – his brilliant youth policy aside – Wenger is a fucking moron and is directly responsible for playing RvP, TH14, William Gallas, Ashley Cole last season among others, before they were ready and fully fit to play, and injuring them as a direct result of his decisions.

he and arsenal supporters deserve no sympathy for their injury plight, unless its feeling bad that Wenger seems to be a masochist, intentionally playing players while theyre still injured to make his longterm season more painful

By: Karl

Karl — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 08:39:11 +0000

If the managers don’t give a damn about a cup, why should the players? If the players don’t, you will eventually end up a lot of frustrated, angry fans. If this is the ‘general’ view on the Carling cup, then surely everybody will be better off by abandoning it. Why not, it doesn’t mean jack if you do win it. Wenger’s comments prove it.

I feel the clubs should rather focus of getting the balance right of bigger squads.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but does not “sacrifice the …” have the same implication as “throwing the game”? Surely, even if its legality borders on a thin line, it should in the least be viewed then as immoral?

By: grimandi

grimandi — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 18:50:56 +0000

gunner, unfortunately your views are like communism. a wonderful concept in theory but utterly unrealistic and unimplementable. the article gets it bang on with it’s penultimate comment

“t’s difficult to keep a big squad happy if there are no injuries, but it’s hard to play with a lean squad if there are injuries. It’s a balance game and I think Wenger can handle it, even if that’s not his strength.
“

By: Gunner

Gunner — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 16:18:51 +0000

I disagree, with you and Arsene, It is nothing new that We play 4 competition, 3 of which are Major Trophies. We should not be prioritizing and sacrificing one competition for the other. We should build a team strong enough to endure the challenges of a full season, not just for one competition.

When people talk about signing new players everybody, including AW say there is now space, I Disagree, we should have at least 2 full team. i.e. we should have 2 player quality player for every position on the field. As it is now we don’t.

When fit we have a very good starting side, however, if we have injuries to certain position it is as if the team goes into a spiral fall. We need more players to survive “mid-week” games, more players to survive “cup replay”, more players to survive “fixture pile-up”.

More players… not less competition.