Another Swiss Roll?

As we're unlikely to see terraces again at football, this is the virtual equivalent where you can chat to your hearts content about all football matters and, obviously, Arsenal in particular. This forum encourages all Gooners to visit and contribute so please keep it respectful, clean and topical.
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1962er
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Another Swiss Roll?

Post by 1962er »

I have written before about the total ineptness of Johan Djourou, and his performance against England never showed this better. He was pathetic from start to finish, a total embarrassment, and I laughed continually at his total inability to have a clue how to defend.

He was so poor that Mark Lawrenson (in my opinion one of the best summarisers around) said that the Swiss central pairing was the worst he had seen at international level. Now if you like or dislike Lawrenson views, you must admit he knows quite a bit about centre half play.

I have never been able to get my head around Arsenal fans who think that Djourou is the answer to our poor defending, when so often he has been the cause of it. Sure, he had a couple of games where he looked okay, but invariably this was against teams who played with one up front, who was not particularly good, and was there for the taking. This however, was only if he was not big and strong in stature, as Djourou was left wanting every time in these circumstances, even against lower division teams in the cup.

Djourou is not up to Premiership football, and as Wenger will no doubt keep him, he should never be more than fourth choice. :x
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LDB
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Post by LDB »

Yes, 3 of them 8)
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mikeyb772001
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Re: Another Swiss Roll?

Post by mikeyb772001 »

1962er wrote:I have written before about the total ineptness of Johan Djourou, and his performance against England never showed this better. He was pathetic from start to finish, a total embarrassment, and I laughed continually at his total inability to have a clue how to defend.

He was so poor that Mark Lawrenson (in my opinion one of the best summarisers around) said that the Swiss central pairing was the worst he had seen at international level. Now if you like or dislike Lawrenson views, you must admit he knows quite a bit about centre half play.

I have never been able to get my head around Arsenal fans who think that Djourou is the answer to our poor defending, when so often he has been the cause of it. Sure, he had a couple of games where he looked okay, but invariably this was against teams who played with one up front, who was not particularly good, and was there for the taking. This however, was only if he was not big and strong in stature, as Djourou was left wanting every time in these circumstances, even against lower division teams in the cup.

Djourou is not up to Premiership football, and as Wenger will no doubt keep him, he should never be more than fourth choice. :x

100% agree. We are so used to seeing such shit we now think players like Djourough and song are great.
Both are average squad players that wouldnt of got 1 game back in older teams.
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kg1794
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Post by kg1794 »

He's had a dreadful end of the season, that's for sure. Since he did his shoulder he's not been the same but he is definitely not as useless as you seem to imply. Think he has been our best defender bar Sagna this year.
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goonerk
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Post by goonerk »

Totally agree. Despite having the required physical attributes, it's almost like he hasn't quite got used to working with his own body! For somebody who came as a midfielder, his distribution, touch and passing are awful. The often dwells on the ball, loses it and puts us in a heap of shit. His positional sense is non-existent and although big is quite simply a terrible header of the ball.

It amazes me when i hear fellow fans labelling him the next Tony Adams! The guy is the football equivalent of bambi on ice! As much as Kos has been at fault for his fair share of goals, he is ten times the defender Johan is.
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DUFFMAN
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Post by DUFFMAN »

100% agree. We are so used to seeing such shit we now think players like Djourough and song are great.
Both are average squad players that wouldnt of got 1 game back in older teams.
Bang on. AW has lowered our expectations so much in the last 5 years that we now cream over someone just because they have a couple of decent games. 7 or 8 of this current shower wouldn't have got near the bench a few years back
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QuartzGooner
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Post by QuartzGooner »

Do not think he is as bad as other posts make out.
Certainly not judging him since this injury, how fit is he really?

He is a "Not bad" defender with a good temperament.

I would not want him to be the regular starter at Arsenal, would prefer a top choice player to be bought to partner Vermaelen, but is at the level to be on the bench in my opinion.

Any criticism of Arsenal defenders as individuals must take into account that they do not seem to have had adequate coaching as a defensive unit for about five seasons.
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benglenton
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Post by benglenton »

useless player he's
and in total amount of players in this team we've more than 5-6 djourou
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Revgoon89
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Post by Revgoon89 »

To be fair here, without TV in the side I'd argue Djourou was the best centre-back we had in the side and he performed okay, although thats not saying much given what makes up our team. But it was clear he, like most of the side fell apart after the Carling Cup.

Wenger really has lowered our expectations the last few years, anyone remember Morrow, Hillier, Selly? etc.
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SWLGooner
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Post by SWLGooner »

QuartzGooner wrote:Do not think he is as bad as other posts make out.
Certainly not judging him since this injury, how fit is he really?

He is a "Not bad" defender with a good temperament.

I would not want him to be the regular starter at Arsenal, would prefer a top choice player to be bought to partner Vermaelen, but is at the level to be on the bench in my opinion.

Any criticism of Arsenal defenders as individuals must take into account that they do not seem to have had adequate coaching as a defensive unit for about five seasons.
This
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