I agree with much you write as I too sit in that middle ground though not quite by you - I believe we need to spend a bit more now only because we have to correctn more mistakes more quickly that have been made as aresult of these policies of non-spending. I also as I am suree know alreadyTrevheff wrote:Sorry Sammy Mooner but your article is nonesense. I take it you are one of those people who believe there are just two camps for Arsenal fans; 1) Those who back Arsene to the hills and won't hear a bad word said against him or 2) Those who want Wenger sacked today? There is a middle ground of course and varying degrees of the middle ground. That's where I, like many, sit.
For the record I don't think a trophy every season is our devine right. I do however believe that a regular genuine title challenge, or at least one in the space of 5 seasons (capitulating with 4/5 games to go does not count as a genuine title challenge) is not too much to expect for a club with our resources.
I also don't believe that we need to go out and spend £30 - £40M. I also don't think we neccessarily need to spend an excessive amount on a single player in any position. I do however think that, having returned such impressive financial results and having such a clear weakness in our team that David Blunkett first spotted, a refusal to pay an extra £1M-£2M for a goalkeeper who Arsene identified as his top target beggered belief.
And once more I agree with you that throwing something/someone away the minute it doesn't work is not the way forward. But how long do you give it Sammy? How many seasons trophy hopes (5 and counting) do we allow to be frittered away because our keeper(s) are sub standard compared to our main rivals? How many big games should a Phillip Senderos, Fabianski or Manuel Almunia be excused for throwing away before Arsene should decide to replace them? How many games in a row against our closest rivals should we accept being bullied out of or torn to shreds on the break before we begin to question the physical make up of the side or the tactics employed?
I'm not calling for Arsene's sacking but I do believe he has lost his way. Not because we are not winning trophies, not because he won't spend big but because season after season he fails to address the most obvious and overwhelming of weaknesses and frailties which continue to undermine the many strengths we have elsewhere in the squad.
A true supporter is allowed to be critical Sammy and it makes me no less of a fan for doing so. The reason I show my disapproval is because of how much it hurts seeing our great club underachieving on an all too regular basis.
am not certain that there problems rest solely with the manager losing the plot.I also agree about true supporters to being able to objectively address concerns and criticize the Club or the Manager or, surpisingly enough coming from me, the Board. However don't be so sure that you won't be painted as troll supporting other clubs for doing so. Trust me I know...
