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.
dvbrisgooner1 wrote:I'd be more than happy with Woodgate - he's available and we NEED a centre-back. Anyone that can head the ball will do - even if they come from the lower divisions. The fact is we need a stopper - he doesn't have to be a "footballer".
dvbrisgooner1 wrote:I'd be more than happy with Woodgate - he's available and we NEED a centre-back. Anyone that can head the ball will do - even if they come from the lower divisions. The fact is we need a stopper - he doesn't have to be a "footballer".
We have one of those.......Senderos!
And it don't work!
Senderos is NOT a stopper centre-back. A stopper is an old-fashioned knock-down, drag-out stopper. I'm talking about the sort of guy who wouldn't be bullied by the likes of Drogba and Jason Roberts. A player like Darren Purse would do - we're only talking about a 3rd or 4th choice player after all.
dvbrisgooner1 wrote:I'd be more than happy with Woodgate - he's available and we NEED a centre-back. Anyone that can head the ball will do - even if they come from the lower divisions. The fact is we need a stopper - he doesn't have to be a "footballer".
We have one of those.......Senderos!
And it don't work!
Senderos is NOT a stopper centre-back. A stopper is an old-fashioned knock-down, drag-out stopper. I'm talking about the sort of guy who wouldn't be bullied by the likes of Drogba and Jason Roberts. A player like Darren Purse would do - we're only talking about a 3rd or 4th choice player after all.
Oh so really what your saying is a big lump!
Well fuck me why didn't Arsene think of that........the answer is simple!
Titus Bramble!
Oh please!
There is no place in the modern game for a "old-fashioned knock-down, drag-out stopper" and if there was we may as well sign Chopper Harris or Norman Hunter!
In the same way as when central defenders of Tony Adams and Terry Butcher's style were prominent there was not much call for the Kolo Toure's of this world!
Why? Because the game is quicker, the Mark Hateley's, John Fashanu's and John Hartson's of this world are centre forwards of the past! Today is about speed and agility!
I agree we still need strength inthe air but the day we go down the big lump at the back route I will be shocked!
Senderos is not the answer whatever way you look at it we agree on that! However I would take him over some 15 stone unit anyday simply because at least he has been coached in how to play the gamme the right way!
Why do you need to get sarkey? Talk to the likes of Sammy Nelson, Charlie George and they'll tell you exactly what we need. Titus Bramble - he is no different to Senderos. I'm not talking about a lump, I'm talking about a strong, powerful guy - look at Vidic, not the greatest "footballer" but a fine centre-half. Jamie Carragher and John Terry are the epitome of what I'm talking about.
Jesus I had the whole summer on virtually my own trying to convince all and sundry on here that a centre half of the class and style of Gallas was the way to go when so many was writing him off!
What I am saying is that we are Arsenal and we play a certain way that we believe in and the players have to fit into that mould!
I would love Vidic as I think he is class, mainly because there is a bit more about him than being just a stopper or whatever! The class modern defenders have so much more about them than that!
All I am saying is lets not compromise and let us buy true class instead! Cheque book out time!
I love the Niall Quinn's, Willie Young's and Pascal Cygan's (ok maybe not Pascal) of this world! Do I want to see there type in an Arsenal shirt again?
NOT THAT BIG A FAN OF LESCOTT BUT HE WOULD DO AS A THIRD CHOICE.
HOWEVER, IF ARSENE WASN'T PREPARED TO PAY THE TRANSFER FEE WANTED FOR LESCOTT WHEN HE WAS AT WOLVES, I HARDLY THINK HE WILL DO SO NOW - ESPECIALLY AS HIS VALUE WOULD UNDOUBTEDLY HAVE INCREASED.
augie wrote:It's funny that while nikman is dreaming of a strong line up for next season I am afraid that we will see cesc gone to one of spains big 2, diaby gone to get regular football in his preferred position, gallas gone in protest of no signings and departure of cesc, plus eboue will be gone to one of the massive clubs after him and it's only a matter of time before one of europes elite come knocking on our door with £100m for ade our priceless striker
Funniest thing I've read in ages - augie, you know previously unimagined levels of pessimism.
augie wrote:It's funny that while nikman is dreaming of a strong line up for next season I am afraid that we will see cesc gone to one of spains big 2, diaby gone to get regular football in his preferred position, gallas gone in protest of no signings and departure of cesc, plus eboue will be gone to one of the massive clubs after him and it's only a matter of time before one of europes elite come knocking on our door with £100m for ade our priceless striker
Funniest thing I've read in ages - augie, you know previously unimagined levels of pessimism.
I wouldn't want Lescott even as third/fourth/fifth choice after his awful England performances, I doubt his ability at the highest level. Looked Bramble like on his debut and gone down since with England
Number 5 wrote:I'm pretty sure he doesn't have 2 poisonous brothers acting as his agent, filling his head with idea's of fame and fortune though. He's a level headed young man with a lot of faith in Wenger. As long as we can prove we can still challange at the business end of the table, which currently we are, he'll be around for many a year.
Agreed on the brothers thing!
However as we all know, with our board money talks!
Is that right? I'm not so sure. I cannot think of a 'Big Money' transfer in recent years which would qualify under that statement. Anelka wasn't sold because the offer was too good to turn down, it was because he told Wenger, to his face he, did not want to play for Arsenal anymore, and as Wenger has said many times he will not keep a player who doesn't want to stay. Other big money moves have generally been astute business on our part as few quite reached the hights they had when here, think Overmars, Petit and to a lesser level Vieira, Henry (so far). For many years we resisted the overtures for Vieira in his prime, Henry too, and add Bergkamp, Pires, Freddie who all could have been sold for big money over the years. If money really did talk to the board they'd have all been sold for handsome profit. Vieira and Henry? Easily double what we got when we eventually sold. Pires and Freddie? got basically free transfers when either could have gone for around £10-£15 mil in their prime. I would say the board follow the manager on who comes and goes, not the other way around.
Number 5 I think you will find that neither PV4 or henry left before they did was down to them and not the club - it was a late change of mind from both players that saw them play for us one more season. On both occasions the club had resigned themselves to their departures and were happy to take the money and run - yet another example of how we have always bowed down to these bigger clubs.
Magic Hat wrote:I wouldn't want Lescott even as third/fourth/fifth choice after his awful England performances, I doubt his ability at the highest level. Looked Bramble like on his debut and gone down since with England
Did you ever see Tony Adams Vs Holland?
Lescott is a quality player make no mistake he play in all back 4 slots
augie wrote:Number 5 I think you will find that neither PV4 or henry left before they did was down to them and not the club - it was a late change of mind from both players that saw them play for us one more season. On both occasions the club had resigned themselves to their departures and were happy to take the money and run - yet another example of how we have always bowed down to these bigger clubs.
This is the point I'm trying to make re Anelka. I agree that the players might have wanted to leave and that Wenger would allow them to leave if they wanted to. This points more to player power than it does us bowimg down to bigger clubs. If you can find me an examle of us selling a player for massive profit who didn't want to leave in the first place then I'll conceed that point, but it just ain't gonna happen because it hasn't happened. The latest example of this will be Diarra going, not because Pompey made an offer too good to turn down, but because the toe rag wanted to leave and AW didn't want him to stay if his heart wasn't in it.
But the point I was trying to make Number 5 is that if these players played for the likes of real,barca,milans etc and were an integral part of their teams but decided they wanted to leave could you honestly see those clubs just rolling over and playing dead for any player There is a huge difference on talking about being a big club and showing that you are a big club and the 2 biggest factors in determining this are performances on the pitch and performances in the transfer market - sadly on the 2nd point we are nowhere near
There is a huge difference on talking about being a big club and showing that you are a big club and the 2 biggest factors in determining this are performances on the pitch and performances in the transfer market - sadly on the 2nd point we are nowhere near 
