Wenger's Winter Break?
- QuartzGooner
- Posts: 14474
- Joined: Tue Jan 29, 2008 12:49 pm
- Location: London
Wenger's Winter Break?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/footba ... eason.html
By John Percy and Mark Ogden
10:00PM GMT 22 Nov 2012
"The Arsenal manager believes the authorities should consider starting the season in January and finishing in November and follow the example of other leagues across the world, including Major League Soccer and the Chinese Super League.
Wenger hinted yesterday that the struggles of English teams in this season’s Champions League could be linked to a relentless fixture schedule.
Richard Scudamore, the Premier League’s chief executive, told Telegraph Sport last month that a winter break has been considered, with the possible option of ending FA Cup replays to ensure less congestion, while other established managers including Roy Hodgson, Sir Alex Ferguson and Roberto Mancini have backed the idea.
Wenger said: “I understand it looks completely strange as people have been educated the current way but I moved to Japan and the season was in January to November. We started training in January and after a while it was completely normal.
“The period of rest would be the same. It wouldn’t change the number of games. You would not be confronted with these situations when players are playing in two different championships. You would play during the summer period in the best period for football to be played.”
Wenger is one of only two Premier League managers guaranteed a place in the knockout stages of Europe’s premier competition, with the 2-0 victory over Montpellier on Wednesday night ensuring they joined Manchester United in the last 16.
But Wenger, who has guided Arsenal from the group stages for 13 consecutive years, said: “I don’t think we are getting worse.
"Maybe we have less room, less margin, than we had before when it was just a question of when we would qualify. Now German football has come up, Spanish football is there every year and some French clubs have come back like Paris
Saint-Germain.
"It looks less obvious for us. But I still think England is the best league, because there’s something more here. It’s not only linked with what you see on the pitch but how you experience football. And when I speak to the players they say exactly the same.”
While City and Chelsea have paid millions in a bid to achieve the ultimate prize, Wenger and Arsenal have been criticised for their wage ceiling, prudent approach and dedication to the Academy. But despite failing to lift a trophy for seven years, Wenger’s achievements in the Champions League still give him satisfaction.
Arsenal will announce the first in a series of major new sponsorship deals on Friday but Wenger is still reliant on success each year in Europe.
He said: “It is massive for us because I am so many times with my back to the wall, accused of not spending fortunes. To show that we can do it, with the way we do it, with the club in a good financial situation and with the players coming from our youth development, I think it is important for the game as well. There are many different ways to be successful and I am very happy that our way is one of them.”
Wenger, meanwhile, has claimed Manchester United will be “destabilised” when Ferguson ends his reign as manager at Old Trafford, regardless of who is appointed to succeed the Scot.
Ferguson, who passed the 26th anniversary of his arrival at United from Aberdeen earlier this month, is due to have his achievements at the club marked by the unveiling of a statue in his honour at Old Trafford on Friday.
With Ferguson due to celebrate his 71st birthday next month, the guessing game over his retirement plans has led to speculation linking both Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho to the United job when Ferguson ultimately announces the end of his managerial career.
But Wenger, whose rivalry with Ferguson dates back to his arrival in England in 1996, believes that United will find it impossible to replace the man who has delivered 12 Premier League titles and two European Cups to Old Trafford.
“I don’t remember anybody else being at the top, top level for such a long time.” Wenger said. “I think, of course, it is a fantastic thing — you can’t even describe the achievement unless you know what that means.
“In some ways it is scary as well because you think when this guy leaves the club, no matter of the quality of who comes in after him, it will be a huge hole.
“The club will be destabilised even if the guy who comes after him is top quality, because the print of everything, the life of everything, revolves around Ferguson so much at Manchester United. He has to be immortal so the club doesn’t suffer!”
Having clashed on numerous occasions with Ferguson during Arsenal’s status as United’s closes challengers in the late-1990s, Wenger’s relationship with his old rival is now less combustible.
And he admits he admires Ferguson for his ability remain at the top of the game after so long at Old Trafford.
“His commitment is always there, you never feel that his commitment is weakened.” Wenger said. “His demanding attitude towards his team is never weakened, his passion for the game has never weakened and that is something you have to admire because you could think, OK he’s done so much, he can take it a little bit easier.
“What I admire maybe the most in him is his forward-thinking. He is always ready to move with the times and never speaks about what he has done before.
“He knows when to renew the team, when you have to make changes, and that is exceptional because you can sometimes be a little bit lazy when you have so much success.
“He’s never been like that, he’s always on his toes and he can renew what is needed, when it is needed.
“It is a job where you need to dedicate your life to football and Ferguson has done that and that deserves massive respect.
“He has won absolutely everything and, of course, that is something exceptional.”"
By John Percy and Mark Ogden
10:00PM GMT 22 Nov 2012
"The Arsenal manager believes the authorities should consider starting the season in January and finishing in November and follow the example of other leagues across the world, including Major League Soccer and the Chinese Super League.
Wenger hinted yesterday that the struggles of English teams in this season’s Champions League could be linked to a relentless fixture schedule.
Richard Scudamore, the Premier League’s chief executive, told Telegraph Sport last month that a winter break has been considered, with the possible option of ending FA Cup replays to ensure less congestion, while other established managers including Roy Hodgson, Sir Alex Ferguson and Roberto Mancini have backed the idea.
Wenger said: “I understand it looks completely strange as people have been educated the current way but I moved to Japan and the season was in January to November. We started training in January and after a while it was completely normal.
“The period of rest would be the same. It wouldn’t change the number of games. You would not be confronted with these situations when players are playing in two different championships. You would play during the summer period in the best period for football to be played.”
Wenger is one of only two Premier League managers guaranteed a place in the knockout stages of Europe’s premier competition, with the 2-0 victory over Montpellier on Wednesday night ensuring they joined Manchester United in the last 16.
But Wenger, who has guided Arsenal from the group stages for 13 consecutive years, said: “I don’t think we are getting worse.
"Maybe we have less room, less margin, than we had before when it was just a question of when we would qualify. Now German football has come up, Spanish football is there every year and some French clubs have come back like Paris
Saint-Germain.
"It looks less obvious for us. But I still think England is the best league, because there’s something more here. It’s not only linked with what you see on the pitch but how you experience football. And when I speak to the players they say exactly the same.”
While City and Chelsea have paid millions in a bid to achieve the ultimate prize, Wenger and Arsenal have been criticised for their wage ceiling, prudent approach and dedication to the Academy. But despite failing to lift a trophy for seven years, Wenger’s achievements in the Champions League still give him satisfaction.
Arsenal will announce the first in a series of major new sponsorship deals on Friday but Wenger is still reliant on success each year in Europe.
He said: “It is massive for us because I am so many times with my back to the wall, accused of not spending fortunes. To show that we can do it, with the way we do it, with the club in a good financial situation and with the players coming from our youth development, I think it is important for the game as well. There are many different ways to be successful and I am very happy that our way is one of them.”
Wenger, meanwhile, has claimed Manchester United will be “destabilised” when Ferguson ends his reign as manager at Old Trafford, regardless of who is appointed to succeed the Scot.
Ferguson, who passed the 26th anniversary of his arrival at United from Aberdeen earlier this month, is due to have his achievements at the club marked by the unveiling of a statue in his honour at Old Trafford on Friday.
With Ferguson due to celebrate his 71st birthday next month, the guessing game over his retirement plans has led to speculation linking both Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho to the United job when Ferguson ultimately announces the end of his managerial career.
But Wenger, whose rivalry with Ferguson dates back to his arrival in England in 1996, believes that United will find it impossible to replace the man who has delivered 12 Premier League titles and two European Cups to Old Trafford.
“I don’t remember anybody else being at the top, top level for such a long time.” Wenger said. “I think, of course, it is a fantastic thing — you can’t even describe the achievement unless you know what that means.
“In some ways it is scary as well because you think when this guy leaves the club, no matter of the quality of who comes in after him, it will be a huge hole.
“The club will be destabilised even if the guy who comes after him is top quality, because the print of everything, the life of everything, revolves around Ferguson so much at Manchester United. He has to be immortal so the club doesn’t suffer!”
Having clashed on numerous occasions with Ferguson during Arsenal’s status as United’s closes challengers in the late-1990s, Wenger’s relationship with his old rival is now less combustible.
And he admits he admires Ferguson for his ability remain at the top of the game after so long at Old Trafford.
“His commitment is always there, you never feel that his commitment is weakened.” Wenger said. “His demanding attitude towards his team is never weakened, his passion for the game has never weakened and that is something you have to admire because you could think, OK he’s done so much, he can take it a little bit easier.
“What I admire maybe the most in him is his forward-thinking. He is always ready to move with the times and never speaks about what he has done before.
“He knows when to renew the team, when you have to make changes, and that is exceptional because you can sometimes be a little bit lazy when you have so much success.
“He’s never been like that, he’s always on his toes and he can renew what is needed, when it is needed.
“It is a job where you need to dedicate your life to football and Ferguson has done that and that deserves massive respect.
“He has won absolutely everything and, of course, that is something exceptional.”"
- DB10GOONER
- Posts: 62249
- Joined: Tue Jan 16, 2007 2:06 pm
- Location: Dublin, Ireland.
- Contact:
Re: Wenger's Winter Break?
Fuck no!
I'd go nuts with no football to watch during that time!
Modern footballers are fucking lazy soft as shite wimps pampered by arsehole managers!


I'd go nuts with no football to watch during that time!

Modern footballers are fucking lazy soft as shite wimps pampered by arsehole managers!


- flash gunner
- Posts: 29243
- Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2007 6:55 am
- Location: Armchairsville. FACT.
Re: Wenger's Winter Break?
I'd love summer football 

- DB10GOONER
- Posts: 62249
- Joined: Tue Jan 16, 2007 2:06 pm
- Location: Dublin, Ireland.
- Contact:
Re: Wenger's Winter Break?
Seriously! Fuck them!
They wanna try playing on the fucking rock hard pitches I play on in the pissing cold rain and fucking cyclone type winds!
Some of them would actually drop fucking dead, I have no doubt!
How pampered do modern players need to be? The ball is softer, the pitches are softer, the boots are softer, proper tackling has been outlawed. For fucks sake.
Fucking shower of ladymen.




How pampered do modern players need to be? The ball is softer, the pitches are softer, the boots are softer, proper tackling has been outlawed. For fucks sake.

Fucking shower of ladymen.



- DB10GOONER
- Posts: 62249
- Joined: Tue Jan 16, 2007 2:06 pm
- Location: Dublin, Ireland.
- Contact:
Re: Wenger's Winter Break?
Fuck yeah!flash gunner wrote:I'd love summer football

Make these kúnts play 50 weeks a fucking year. I do.

- QuartzGooner
- Posts: 14474
- Joined: Tue Jan 29, 2008 12:49 pm
- Location: London
Re: Wenger's Winter Break?
Voted yes.
But for me what is essential is a mid-season beak, whatever time of year it is.
A fortnight or three weeks where players can rest and get physio and osteopathic treatment to iron out any niggling injuries.
But for me what is essential is a mid-season beak, whatever time of year it is.
A fortnight or three weeks where players can rest and get physio and osteopathic treatment to iron out any niggling injuries.
- DB10GOONER
- Posts: 62249
- Joined: Tue Jan 16, 2007 2:06 pm
- Location: Dublin, Ireland.
- Contact:
Re: Wenger's Winter Break?
They have a break. It's called "summer".QuartzGooner wrote:Voted yes.
But for me what is essential is a mid-season beak, whatever time of year it is.
A fortnight or three weeks where players can rest and get physio and osteopathic treatment to iron out any niggling injuries.


- rodders999
- Posts: 22804
- Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2008 1:59 pm
- Location: Diamond Club
Re: Wenger's Winter Break?
Football is my only means of escaping the in-laws around Chrimbo time. Take that away from me and I'll only end up carving up the mother in law along with the bastard turkey
p.s. I voted no


p.s. I voted no

Last edited by rodders999 on Fri Nov 23, 2012 3:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Wenger's Winter Break?
Why cant the
concentrate his efforts at improving the performances of his own team instead of trying to change the footballing landscape ?
Listening to him or reading his quotes is really beginning to grate on me
That being said if I thought that summer footie would break the grasp the gaa holds over here then I would absolutely be for it - these fcuking c**ts are worse than any mafia and think that they should run our country




That being said if I thought that summer footie would break the grasp the gaa holds over here then I would absolutely be for it - these fcuking c**ts are worse than any mafia and think that they should run our country




-
- Posts: 4701
- Joined: Wed Jun 27, 2007 7:08 pm
Re: Wenger's Winter Break?
Is he talking about just the English leagues doing that, or all the leagues across Europe? Cant see the countries where the sun isn't rationed to 2 weeks a summer wanting to play week-in week-out in stifling 40 degree weather. And if the PL was on a different timetable to the rest of the major European leagues surely that would create a conflict for the CL/EL schedule? When does the world cup or european championships get played then?
"Ooh but we did it in Japan and it was normal." I bet you bought dirty soiled panties from a vending machine in Japan and tugged one out on the Sky Train while sniffing them through a Pokemon mask as well you kinky bastard but don't expect to be able to do that at Highbury & Islington.
Unless ds is still knocking about.
"Ooh but we did it in Japan and it was normal." I bet you bought dirty soiled panties from a vending machine in Japan and tugged one out on the Sky Train while sniffing them through a Pokemon mask as well you kinky bastard but don't expect to be able to do that at Highbury & Islington.
Unless ds is still knocking about.
- DB10GOONER
- Posts: 62249
- Joined: Tue Jan 16, 2007 2:06 pm
- Location: Dublin, Ireland.
- Contact:
Re: Wenger's Winter Break?
Where's SuperfanJD with his you cannot insult Arsene moral outrage?Its Up 4 Grabs Now wrote:Is he talking about just the English leagues doing that, or all the leagues across Europe? Cant see the countries where the sun isn't rationed to 2 weeks a summer wanting to play week-in week-out in stifling 40 degree weather. And if the PL was on a different timetable to the rest of the major European leagues surely that would create a conflict for the CL/EL schedule? When does the world cup or european championships get played then?
"Ooh but we did it in Japan and it was normal." I bet you bought dirty soiled panties from a vending machine in Japan and tugged one out on the Sky Train while sniffing them through a Pokemon mask as well you kinky bastard but don't expect to be able to do that at Highbury & Islington.
Unless ds is still knocking about.




-
- Posts: 4701
- Joined: Wed Jun 27, 2007 7:08 pm
Re: Wenger's Winter Break?
Where's the insult? We've all been there & done that at some point, haven't we?DB10GOONER wrote:Where's SuperfanJD with his you cannot insult Arsene moral outrage?Its Up 4 Grabs Now wrote:Is he talking about just the English leagues doing that, or all the leagues across Europe? Cant see the countries where the sun isn't rationed to 2 weeks a summer wanting to play week-in week-out in stifling 40 degree weather. And if the PL was on a different timetable to the rest of the major European leagues surely that would create a conflict for the CL/EL schedule? When does the world cup or european championships get played then?
"Ooh but we did it in Japan and it was normal." I bet you bought dirty soiled panties from a vending machine in Japan and tugged one out on the Sky Train while sniffing them through a Pokemon mask as well you kinky bastard but don't expect to be able to do that at Highbury & Islington.
Unless ds is still knocking about.![]()
![]()
![]()


- flash gunner
- Posts: 29243
- Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2007 6:55 am
- Location: Armchairsville. FACT.
Re: Wenger's Winter Break?
and more importantly where's ds with my inviteDB10GOONER wrote:Where's SuperfanJD with his you cannot insult Arsene moral outrage?Its Up 4 Grabs Now wrote:Is he talking about just the English leagues doing that, or all the leagues across Europe? Cant see the countries where the sun isn't rationed to 2 weeks a summer wanting to play week-in week-out in stifling 40 degree weather. And if the PL was on a different timetable to the rest of the major European leagues surely that would create a conflict for the CL/EL schedule? When does the world cup or european championships get played then?
"Ooh but we did it in Japan and it was normal." I bet you bought dirty soiled panties from a vending machine in Japan and tugged one out on the Sky Train while sniffing them through a Pokemon mask as well you kinky bastard but don't expect to be able to do that at Highbury & Islington.
Unless ds is still knocking about.![]()
![]()
![]()



- northbank123
- Posts: 12436
- Joined: Fri Jun 01, 2012 12:05 am
- Location: Newcastle
Re: Wenger's Winter Break?
Fuck summer football! Last few years I've been pretty glad to see the end of a dismal season as we stumble over the line to the Virtual Trophy with nothing else to play for from Feb/early March. The summer is a nice detox avoiding any shit international football unless it's World Cup summer and then I can come back with some optimism ahead of the new season that will normally be sucked out by the first international break. It wouldn't be the same with fuck all to do at weekends in the miserable cold dark winter.
-
- Posts: 18463
- Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2008 6:19 pm
- Location: ireland
Re: Wenger's Winter Break?
You reckon there might be a few companies out there that might want to sponsor the 4th place trophy 
