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The 2017-2018 Football Thread
- Thread starter Lord Blackadder
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In my opinion, it's a value for Liverpool even though 1) we need depth and 2) if Klopp can get him to develop further he might turn out to be more useful than he seems. It's happned before though I won't hold my breath.
The fee is just incredible (as are most fees anymore).
He's good at running/dribbling but end product has been lacking which is why he only managed to displace Walcott in recent seasons. He's not really an improvement over what LFC already have either. If he's going to be on the bench it begs the question why leave Arsenal. Granted he's being played out of position but was still being played.
Meanwhile City agree a £60m fee for Sanchez.
Meanwhile City agree a £60m fee for Sanchez.
Nothing happening at West Ham today. Possible Sakho exit. Already agreed terms and medical in France without permission.
Seems the players have all the power.
Given our start to the season we could do with a good player or two.
But mostly the players that come in seem to under achieve.
Seems the players have all the power.
Given our start to the season we could do with a good player or two.
But mostly the players that come in seem to under achieve.
Thomas Lemar looks not to be moving. Arsenal with a pretty disappointing transfer window. Sanchez is still there but appears to wish he was anywhere else. Ditto Ozil.
It looks like Liverpool remain dead serious on buying VVD, though if Southampton sell (regardless of the price) it would be a humiliating climbdown for them.
Liverpool have spent a huge amount of money in this window (though still less than the biggest clubs), and to be fair they have undoubtedly strengthened the squad - but I would argue that the defense is still clearly not up to scratch. Bringing in Andrew Robertson appears to have been shrewd, but given that Sakho was allowed to leave the back line is still too thin in numbers and talent.
Just guessing, but:
It looks like Liverpool remain dead serious on buying VVD, though if Southampton sell (regardless of the price) it would be a humiliating climbdown for them.
Liverpool have spent a huge amount of money in this window (though still less than the biggest clubs), and to be fair they have undoubtedly strengthened the squad - but I would argue that the defense is still clearly not up to scratch. Bringing in Andrew Robertson appears to have been shrewd, but given that Sakho was allowed to leave the back line is still too thin in numbers and talent.
Just guessing, but:
- Work with Klopp/get away from Wenger
- CL football.
- Would rather play in midfield as an occasional sub than be a starter but playing as a wingback.
I’d heard all day that he wanted a move to Spurs to work with Poch. He’s happy to wait til Jan to get that move. He will be cheaper then too as he will have 6 months left on his contract.
Football has lost its marbles. The fans are no longer even remotely relevant and are just a means to an end.
I used to think Wenger was merely stubborn but after last season i now think there is some blind, obsessive-personality disorder mixed in as well. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over for the last 10yrs and expecting change. Despite evidence to the contrary continually building up. Its borderline sociopathic. And its allowed to fester thanks to the 'Krook'. Even now, the fact is Arsenal are still in profit with their transfers and thats all that matters.
Last season has also cemented the fact that only 2 people wield 'actual' power at the club. Arsene 'The fibber' Wenger, and Stan 'The Krook' Kroenke. Everyone else just has a fancy title and is there for their paycheques.
When Johny-United-Reject-Evans and Alex Oxalade-injury-prone-9goals/132apps-Chamberlain decide they're better than your club then you know something is wrong...well you would...if your name wasn't Wenger.
The Anfield and Stoke games were just manifestations of a 6yr old problem that our sage of a manager denies exist
Thanks Arsene, i'd hoped you'd escape with your reputation intact after last season. But you clearly have other ideas so good luck...you'll seriously need it.
As for Kroenke, i seriously pray Usmanov usurps him before its too late.
Once my BT sport subscription is up in 6 months i won't be renewing, my Sky package will also be dialled back significantly, i'm no longer supporting this farce of a culture any longer.
I used to think Wenger was merely stubborn but after last season i now think there is some blind, obsessive-personality disorder mixed in as well. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over for the last 10yrs and expecting change. Despite evidence to the contrary continually building up. Its borderline sociopathic. And its allowed to fester thanks to the 'Krook'. Even now, the fact is Arsenal are still in profit with their transfers and thats all that matters.
Last season has also cemented the fact that only 2 people wield 'actual' power at the club. Arsene 'The fibber' Wenger, and Stan 'The Krook' Kroenke. Everyone else just has a fancy title and is there for their paycheques.
When Johny-United-Reject-Evans and Alex Oxalade-injury-prone-9goals/132apps-Chamberlain decide they're better than your club then you know something is wrong...well you would...if your name wasn't Wenger.
The Anfield and Stoke games were just manifestations of a 6yr old problem that our sage of a manager denies exist
Thanks Arsene, i'd hoped you'd escape with your reputation intact after last season. But you clearly have other ideas so good luck...you'll seriously need it.
As for Kroenke, i seriously pray Usmanov usurps him before its too late.
Once my BT sport subscription is up in 6 months i won't be renewing, my Sky package will also be dialled back significantly, i'm no longer supporting this farce of a culture any longer.
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I feel for Arsenal fans, I think the club could be headed for a fallow period as they try to find a new post-Wenger identity. Getting rid of Wenger wouldn't solve much in the short term though; as long as Korenke hangs around I think the club will be held back by their ownership. Not sure Usmanov is a good alternative, either.
I was - and am, to some extent - a huge admirer of Mr Wenger, and really despised the petty and pathetic - undignified, and ugly behaviour - that some stupid fans indulged in last season.
Having said that, I really think the man - who has done so much for British football, let alone Arsenal - really does have some blind spots.
And, I think, @daneoni - you may well have a point - reluctant though I am to concede it - about a bloody-minded obsessiveness that goes beyond mere stubbornness.
At this stage, I'd almost take bets on how many matches Arsenal will continue to permit the leakage of four goals per match before suitable steps are taken to arrest this silly - sieve like - practice.
Defence, midfield, and an inability to inculcate spine and confidence in a very expensive - and sometimes, very gifted - team; they all need to be addressed.
Silky, slinky, skilful forwards need a solid platform to be able to build from.
Personally, I would love to see someone who knows how to construct and craft a robust defence given the authority and autonomy to do so at Arsenal.
Having said all that, there is also a changing - and bottomlessly entitled mindset among some footballers; stratospheric transfer fees, insane salaries, a culture of vapid adulation where their every need is met, and complete insulation from the world that pays for them and supports them has meant that these talented if immature young men believe that nothing matters except their own career.
Older virtues, loyalty to teams, fans, locations, managers, a work ethic, belief in the team, professional pride, have all been eroded - the days of someone like Matt Le Tissier playing out his career at Southampton (regarded as strange even then), or Tony Adams doing likewise at Arsenal, will draw surprised and slightly contemptuous sneers nowadays, should an outrageously talented player express themselves content and happy in a given location and with a particular team.
And, in a way, that is a huge pity.
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He'd have probably got more rest by playing him in goal
An interesting PL transfer window, dominated more by who stayed, rather than who came in/went
Mahrez was apparently waiting in CDG airport after being allowed to leave his international duties, ready for a move. Would he have been a decent replacement for Sanchez?
Strange stories around Barkley, with Everton claiming a deal with Chelsea had been done, and a medical had taken place, where as Barkley's camp are denying this
Interesting piece by a chap called Simon Chadwick in today's Guardian which offers a thoughtful perspective on the inflated transfer fees of the summer.
Basically, he argues that they represent a form of 'soft power' on the part of certain states, - and polities - or political elites and systems - such as China and Qatar. Worth a look.
Basically, he argues that they represent a form of 'soft power' on the part of certain states, - and polities - or political elites and systems - such as China and Qatar. Worth a look.
And money.....
At least, Mr Wenger has integrity (and yes, that matters to me; I'm not a fan of corruption).
True! I'd forgotten about that!
At least your goal difference is better than ours! I spent my lunchtime explaining the offside rule to a couple of girls in the office with fruit. Think they got it.
Wenger is a great manager and a historic figure in the English game, and the unfortunate way he is wrapping up his career in England will not change that.
However, he has shown a pathological unwillingness to change or even acknowledge that change is necessary, and the club are using him as a shield against scrutiny; as long as Wenger remains Arsenal, he will draw criticism that would otherwise be focused on Kroenke, and Kroenke knows that. Once Wenger goes, he is likely to leave behind a club that is no longer consistently challenging for the league title and not playing in the Champions League. Whether his successor will have the means to compete with their usual rivals remains to be seen.
Wenger, meanwhile will hopefully have a good second career as a manager in France or in international management, where his shortcomings are probably not going to hurt him anywhere near as much as they do at Arsenal.
EDIT: And Wayne Rooney gets a DUI. Bad timing, as his PR had been pretty positive of late. It's easy to think of him as an old man since he's been in the public eye for 15 years, but he is in fact still a young man and clearly loves a drink.
However, he has shown a pathological unwillingness to change or even acknowledge that change is necessary, and the club are using him as a shield against scrutiny; as long as Wenger remains Arsenal, he will draw criticism that would otherwise be focused on Kroenke, and Kroenke knows that. Once Wenger goes, he is likely to leave behind a club that is no longer consistently challenging for the league title and not playing in the Champions League. Whether his successor will have the means to compete with their usual rivals remains to be seen.
Wenger, meanwhile will hopefully have a good second career as a manager in France or in international management, where his shortcomings are probably not going to hurt him anywhere near as much as they do at Arsenal.
EDIT: And Wayne Rooney gets a DUI. Bad timing, as his PR had been pretty positive of late. It's easy to think of him as an old man since he's been in the public eye for 15 years, but he is in fact still a young man and clearly loves a drink.
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Excellent, and fair-minded post.
And I agree.
I am a huge admirer of his, - and I respect and like him and what he has achieved - I really like his dignity and integrity - but I am truly saddened at having to acknowledge what you correctly describe as his "pathological unwillingness" - his obsessive stubbornness - to admit that some sort of change is necessary.
A great - and decent - man, with flaws that may yet prove his undoing. A tragedy - but one partly of his own doing.
I don't mind Wayne Rooney liking a beer or two; but yes, you are absolutely right; drink driving - especially when you can effortlessly afford alternative means of transportation - is unforgivable.
I agree, and even now it's hard to call him a failure. Look at it this way. EVERY professional manager gets sacked eventually. The idea of keeping one's job for a decade, let alone two decades, is more or less unheard of these days. Even if we were to subtract the last several seasons of discontent, Wenger still had a successful tenure at a top club that stretched far, far, beyond what is typical today.
Wenger is a successful 1990s/2000s manager who appears obsolete only because everyone else adopted his good ideas and he himself failed to remain constantly innovative for two decades. Name a manager that has been able to achieve the latter (hint: there isn't one).
No manager stays on top forever. Even Mourinho is looking stale these days; though his extreme safety-first approach remains more relevant than Wenger's possession-based game, it's less ambitious, less attractive and arguably never fashionable in elite footballing circles (people hire Mou because of his results, not his style of football.)
With all that being said, Wenger is not the innovator he once was, and the game has changed. Time for him to move on to the next challenge.
[doublepost=1504298397][/doublepost] EDIT: England beat a hard-fighting Malta 4-0; the scoreline really flatters England because they were a bit dull and only up 1-0 till Malta ran out of gas in the last four minutes, allowing England to score 3 at the very end.
Off for my Friday pint and to watch USA's WCQ against Costa Rica.
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