THE WENGER THREAD

[BFG4]

But we don't lose "a large number of games" during the year.

Last year we lost to Villa, Stoke and Everton.
Everton are a decent side with a good manager. Admittedly shouldn't be losing there but it is hardly a disaster.
Stoke is widely recognised as a difficult place to go for all the so called big clubs. Admittedly our record there is not great and they appear to be our bogey team much like Bolton were a few years ago.
Villa was the first game of the season. We shouldn't lose to them and that is the one I'd be most disappointed about.

So that's three games lost apart from the top clubs.

Still not a strong argument is it?

It's a reality of life that sometimes you lose when you shouldn't. Did LVG become a shit manager midweek or did his team have an off night?

Losing to the big teams is no problem, but we were humiliated, and it wasn't a case of an off day that between the 5-1 defeat at Liverpool, and the Chelsea game we learnt absolutely nothing, and got humiliated again, how can you even defend Wenger when it is clear the man is a has been as far as being a credible manager goes? As for the argument that we are somehow punching above our weight, that is ridiculous, we are one of the richest clubs in the world, and yet our manager penny pinches, which is why we will not go and get a striker when everyone knows we need one.

[I Hate Hleb]

Wenger's comments today about 'everyone being entitled to an opinion, but that no-one ever comes back and admits their opinion was wrong' was cringe-worthy and it was crying out for a reporter to ask: 'Does that include you?'

[mcdowell42]

Thats part of the problem that not one journalist asks any hard hitting or proper questions,or actually puts him on the spot,but the same journalists who when back behind their key boards love to take the piss.

[begeegs]

Losing to the big teams is no problem, but we were humiliated, and it wasn't a case of an off day that between the 5-1 defeat at Liverpool, and the Chelsea game we learnt absolutely nothing, and got humiliated again, how can you even defend Wenger when it is clear the man is a has been as far as being a credible manager goes? As for the argument that we are somehow punching above our weight, that is ridiculous, we are one of the richest clubs in the world, and yet our manager penny pinches, which is why we will not go and get a striker when everyone knows we need one.

The problem with those matches from last year is that Wenger attempts to go toe to toe with these other big clubs whereas lower league managers and other managers in the Prem would go to those places where we got dicked at and attempt to play damage limitation. That is one of his biggest problems - a lack of tactical awareness (like playing a high line with Mertesacker in the squad), but does that mean that he is a bad manager? Not in my opinion. Would another manager do better - probably, but Wenger has his strengths, but tactics aren't really one of them.

I think that people defend him on this forum because there is so many who will not acknowledge when he does things well.

By the way - who claimed that we are punching above our weight?

[begeegs]

Thats part of the problem that not one journalist asks any hard hitting or proper questions,or actually puts him on the spot,but the same journalists who when back behind their key boards love to take the piss.

I would bet that they do not because they will be frozen out and someone will else will come in to not ask the hard-hitting questions.

Also, are those type of questions really necessary anyway? I mean, it is easy to say that these journalists should confront Wenger with past comments, but if you were in their shoes and face to face with what many claim to be a nice man, what would be the point other than to get many people pissed off at you (including fans at other clubs) - granted it probably would be good for ratings temporarily.

[mcdowell42]

Begeegs I'm a contrary fucker so hard questions wouldnt be a problem.I love a good ruck

[augie]

Begeegs I'm a contrary fucker so hard questions wouldnt be a problem.I love a good cock

[mcdowell42]

Begeegs I'm a contrary fucker so hard questions wouldnt be a problem.I love a good cock

Hello duckie

[officepest]

Begeegs I'm a contrary fucker so hard questions wouldnt be a problem.I love a good cock

[mcdowell42]

Begeegs I'm a contrary fucker so hard questions wouldnt be a problem.I love a good ruck

[BFG4]

Losing to the big teams is no problem, but we were humiliated, and it wasn't a case of an off day that between the 5-1 defeat at Liverpool, and the Chelsea game we learnt absolutely nothing, and got humiliated again, how can you even defend Wenger when it is clear the man is a has been as far as being a credible manager goes? As for the argument that we are somehow punching above our weight, that is ridiculous, we are one of the richest clubs in the world, and yet our manager penny pinches, which is why we will not go and get a striker when everyone knows we need one.

The problem with those matches from last year is that Wenger attempts to go toe to toe with these other big clubs whereas lower league managers and other managers in the Prem would go to those places where we got dicked at and attempt to play damage limitation. That is one of his biggest problems - a lack of tactical awareness (like playing a high line with Mertesacker in the squad), but does that mean that he is a bad manager? Not in my opinion. Would another manager do better - probably, but Wenger has his strengths, but tactics aren't really one of them.

I think that people defend him on this forum because there is so many who will not acknowledge when he does things well.

By the way - who claimed that we are punching above our weight?

What strengths does Wenger have? If you want him to make a profit, then he is the best manager in the world, but apart from that, he is tactically inept, is stubborn to the point that he will neglect buying players we clearly need, and constantly sells our best players. It was mentioned in earlier posts that we punch above our weight, by being up there with the other top teams.

[clockender1]

the press will only turn on wonga when they feel safe to do so - a loss on sunday won't be it. but if we lose 4/5-0 against city AFTER the deadline has closed then rumbling will start. another heavy loss to the chavs would start a pile on.

same as united v burnley - if they lose, the rumbling will start, if they follow that up with a draw or a loss home against QPR the press will go into "united without a win crisis" etc etc.

press are pack animals, they'll only go for the kill when they smell blood.

[begeegs]

The problem with those matches from last year is that Wenger attempts to go toe to toe with these other big clubs whereas lower league managers and other managers in the Prem would go to those places where we got dicked at and attempt to play damage limitation. That is one of his biggest problems - a lack of tactical awareness (like playing a high line with Mertesacker in the squad), but does that mean that he is a bad manager? Not in my opinion. Would another manager do better - probably, but Wenger has his strengths, but tactics aren't really one of them.

I think that people defend him on this forum because there is so many who will not acknowledge when he does things well.

By the way - who claimed that we are punching above our weight?

What strengths does Wenger have? If you want him to make a profit, then he is the best manager in the world, but apart from that, he is tactically inept, is stubborn to the point that he will neglect buying players we clearly need, and constantly sells our best players. It was mentioned in earlier posts that we punch above our weight, by being up there with the other top teams.

Wenger is very good at player development. He is a believer in youth, so he will blood them in, sometimes to his detriment, but not usually. Pretty good eye for talent - gets more right than wrong in the transfer market. Also, that same ability has allowed him to keep us afloat in a midst a stadium move. We didn't drop out of the CL during this time. That is an accomplishment despite what you feel about Wenger.

I think that most of your thinking behind being parsimonious may have more to do with that we didn't have finances and people believed the board. The thing is would Wenger have claimed otherwise? After all, they are his paymasters. I do know that the accounts do say other things, but no one knows what goes on behind the scenes, despite some being itk. I would bet on that money being ring fenced and Wenger was working with a budget. The board couldn't claim to fans to be patient while raising ticket prices either.

As far as selling his best players, he has money now, so for the past two seasons, we haven't sold anyone that we didn't want to.

I don't think that we punch above our weight at all. I think that we are punching at our weight right now. If we get 1-3rd, then we are.

[BFG4]

The problem with those matches from last year is that Wenger attempts to go toe to toe with these other big clubs whereas lower league managers and other managers in the Prem would go to those places where we got dicked at and attempt to play damage limitation. That is one of his biggest problems - a lack of tactical awareness (like playing a high line with Mertesacker in the squad), but does that mean that he is a bad manager? Not in my opinion. Would another manager do better - probably, but Wenger has his strengths, but tactics aren't really one of them.

I think that people defend him on this forum because there is so many who will not acknowledge when he does things well.

By the way - who claimed that we are punching above our weight?

What strengths does Wenger have? If you want him to make a profit, then he is the best manager in the world, but apart from that, he is tactically inept, is stubborn to the point that he will neglect buying players we clearly need, and constantly sells our best players. It was mentioned in earlier posts that we punch above our weight, by being up there with the other top teams.

Wenger is very good at player development. He is a believer in youth, so he will blood them in, sometimes to his detriment, but not usually. Pretty good eye for talent - gets more right than wrong in the transfer market. Also, that same ability has allowed him to keep us afloat in a midst a stadium move. We didn't drop out of the CL during this time. That is an accomplishment despite what you feel about Wenger.

I think that most of your thinking behind being parsimonious may have more to do with that we didn't have finances and people believed the board. The thing is would Wenger have claimed otherwise? After all, they are his paymasters. I do know that the accounts do say other things, but no one knows what goes on behind the scenes, despite some being itk. I would bet on that money being ring fenced and Wenger was working with a budget. The board couldn't claim to fans to be patient while raising ticket prices either.

As far as selling his best players, he has money now, so for the past two seasons, we haven't sold anyone that we didn't want to.

I don't think that we punch above our weight at all. I think that we are punching at our weight right now. If we get 1-3rd, then we are.

In fairness, as his time at the club has gone on, he has bought more and more deadwood, Gervinho, Chamakh, Squillaci, Park etc. Your comment about the board limiting Wenger's spending makes sense, except Wenger did the boards bidding by supporting their decision to continuously raise ticket prices. Do you remember his comments about going to the game, and then judging whether it was worth the money paid, all this while sitting on a massive wage himself. Also, you said he is spending money now, but again as we approach the end of the window, he is penny pinching about signing a striker, and this will end up fucking up our season.

[Theoperator]

In fairness, as his time at the club has gone on, he has bought more and more deadwood, Gervinho, Chamakh, Squillaci, Park etc. Your comment about the board limiting Wenger's spending makes sense, except Wenger did the boards bidding by supporting their decision to continuously raise ticket prices. Do you remember his comments about going to the game, and then judging whether it was worth the money paid, all this while sitting on a massive wage himself. Also, you said he is spending money now, but again as we approach the end of the window, he is penny pinching about signing a striker, and this will end up fucking up our season.

One could argue that the deadwood was bought when the budget was limited due to the stadium. I know thats been picked over endlessly but seems that recent purchases dont fall into the deadwood area. Early days but so far the 3 signings this window have given v good accounts of themselves.

We dont really know whether he is penny pinching at this time, seems he is saying we just dont need one- Fans arent happy myself included, but there are still a few days left (Also debated endlessly!)