Tuesday 12 May 2009

Smudger's spine surgery would result in a paraplegic Arsenal team

Seeing as silly season is almost upon us, added to the fact that there is no major tournament this summer, I felt the need to comment on some of the rather ridiculous players that we are already being linked to before it gets out of hand. This is a bit of a tirade against lazy journalism, whether that be on the TV, radio, in a newspaper or on a blog.

It's very easy to claim it's all down to a team's 'spine' and then list a few random players who'd have reasonable seasons, thus suggesting them as transfer targets, this is precisely what Alan Smith has done. Great player that 'smudger' was, he is one bloody awful pundit, combine his rather annoying midlands drone with the inane content and you have a recipe for tedium, added to this he is also frequently invested a long way up Sky's filthy ring piece. I'd take Dixon, Keown, Parlour or even the Merse over smudger any day.

Firstly he mentions Shawcross and Hangeland as potential targets, not awful suggestions by any means, I haven't seen enough of Shawcross to comment, while Hangeland doesn't convince me that he'd cut it at the highest level. It's one thing looking good for a mid table side, it's another to become a first choice player in a title winning side.

After a reasonable start Smith then rapidly loses the plot, he next suggests replacing Almunia with Green or Kirkland! Almunia has been absolutely brilliant this season and doesn't even need replacing in my opinion. Green is far more erratic and error prone than Almunia, plus he lacks the aerial power, while Kirkland has never been the player he once was thanks to a incredible run of injuries, the last thing we need is another injury prone player.

In midfield he suggest Marcos Senna, who at 33 would really struggle to adapt to a new and faster league, while the likelihood of him staying fit at that age would be rather slim. Then the name 'Scott Parker' is mentioned, firstly he is not a defensive midfielder, secondly he is small, and thirdly he is not good enough as he proved at Chelsea, how many reasons do you want? Finally Santa Cruz is mentioned, not a bad idea, as if we lost Ade then we would need another striker who could lead the line.

Smudger's piece just goes to show how very easy it is to sit on the sidelines and talk a good game, it's easy to sound clever as one's ideas are never put into practice, so people will only remember your good points, while your rubbish is quickly forgotten. In the world of football management your rubbish can result in millions being wasted on a player who can't even cut it in the Championship, no offence Franny Jeffers. The point is that you cannot hide from your mistakes, they will be there for all to see, they will turn up to training every day, embarrass you on match days and never go away like Mikel Silvestre for example.

The balance of our team is wrong, Manu Petit has commented on this fact recently, and this needs to change in the summer. As Stan Kroenke accumulates shares, the expectations of the board and fans will continue to rise, and signings will have to be made. As fans we must be patient and not start calling for cash splashing simply for the sake of it, the quality of player that will actually improve our side is not abundant. After all you have to very careful for what you ask for, Tottenham haven't shied away from cash splashing in recent seasons and look where it's got them? Precisely.

11 comments:

Rhinogooner said...

At this time, the only point I want to make is that we should identify the players we want and bring them in immediately. None of this drawn out saga for the entire window in an attempt to widdle down the price a few thousand or pick up the leftovers after Citeh, Chelsea, Man U, Poo and Barca have all picked through the best players available.

I'm not saying this because I want to save myself from the drama. I just think it's the best way to do business. Even if it costs a bit more. Get the players you want. Have them at the start of preseason so they can be fit and ready and have time to adapt to the new surroundings. And avoid getting involved in a bidding war with other clubs.

Chelsea have done this even before they had Abramovich. They go out and snap up the players they want right after the season ends.

So I hope Mr. Wenger will give Ivan Gazidas his wish list and then leave it to him to hash out the deal.

And while we're at it, how about getting Tony Adams on board as a defensive coach too? This could be more valuable than any players we sign.

1979gooner said...

I agree that we have to be slightly less fussy about how much money we spend.

If the right player is available and wants to come, then we should just pay what it takes.

If you csn get your hands on a Rio Ferdinand, Wayne Rooney, or a Michael Essien then they can be well worth the money.

WC said...

While I agree it's one thing to look good at Fulham and another to look good in a CL club you cannot deny that Wenger has certainly missed out on some defensive gems who can perform at the highest level. Jagielka came from a relegated Shaffield Utd and to be honest he would have been one of the answers to Arsenal's defensive problems. Lescott as well was from a Championship Wolves team and would also add steel to the backline of any top team. So discrediting Hangeland may be a bit premature.

Really though we need to be more efficient and Wenger needs to stop being kind. There's waste in the team and he needs to come around to that and deal with it. Diaby is not the next Vieira, he's not even the quality required at the club. Ade is not the next Henry, he's barely even Anelka. He looks disillusioned and lazy, but please never ever mention Santa Cruz. The only thing he's good for is keeping Rosicky company in the injury room. He couldn't even make it on a mediocre Bayern team.I liked it better when names like Edin Dzeko or Karim Benzema were linked with us.

Summer is basically upon us and Wenger already put himself in a corner saying he realizes we need experience so he'd be hard pressed to go against his own word. All the fans and the players expect some top quality signings to come in and re-shape the team and elevate the ambitions.

1979gooner said...

Hangeland look decent, I just wonder how good he really is, I haven't seen enough of Fulham to say really.

In the small chunks I have seen he doesn't look the most mobile but my look has been rather limited.

I wouldn't say I'm writing him off, just expressing my opinion that I'm not sure he's good enough for the Arsenal.

It would be interesting to know what Arsene thinks and what our scouts reckon.

Anonymous said...

Giovinco!

Uncle Mike said...

Good evening, A.A.Blogger. I only got into "football" at the start of this season -- growing up a stone's throw from the Meadowlands and equating this sport with high school, college and the old New York Cosmos will do that to a person -- so technically I'm still a Gooner rookie.

But your blog (and a few others -- sorry for cheating on you) have helped me to understand what's going on, both on the field (excuse me, "pitch") and in the front office. It's a scary place, much more so than the pitch.

Even more importantly, I love the way you write. You have the wit of someone cold sober and the passion of a man half past his third pint. If Arsenal had played the way you write (and, at times, they did), this upcoming game would be the title decider.

Looking forward to a better season, if only Le Boss would just realize not everybody can play everywhere!

Rhinogooner said...

Welcome Uncle Mike! I visit many Arsenal blogs but this one is the best to leave comments on and have dialogue with others in my opinion.

1979, Ted and Obsinho all write well balanced and thoughtful blog entries and are rational blokes.

So feel free to chime in with your thoughts :-) It's a painful time to be an Arsenal supporter but stick behind the lads - things will turn around for us soon...

1979gooner said...

I wouldn't agree that the pieces are balanced!

Personally speaking my passion often clouds my judgement, sometimes I write more like a man on his tenth pint.

Thanks for the compliment Uncle Mike.

I think it's going to be a very long close season this year, we should think of some way to pass the time without speculating on transfers?

Any ideas?

1979gooner said...

I wouldn't agree that the pieces are balanced!

Personally speaking my passion often clouds my judgement, sometimes I write more like a man on his tenth pint.

Thanks for the compliment Uncle Mike.

I think it's going to be a very long close season this year, we should think of some way to pass the time without speculating on transfers?

Any ideas?

Anonymous said...

Great point Rhino about getting in players right off the bat. It will be good to focus on the team and next season rather than reading the Sun and whatever else for false rumors all summer long.

-rahul-

Si said...

It's very tricky to even look who to go after at the moment. I think the biggest problem is the missed oppurtunities in the past two seasons. Jakielka - would have been peanuts, as would have been Richards, Green... But not now. Almunia had a good year for sure and we should show some faith in him, it is the least he deserves.
Alonso ( I know, I know), we should have bought him when we had the chance.
Santa Cruz, yeah he's great, when he's not dead/injured.
Fuck it, make a bid for Villa! If our new board members want the fans on their side, put up proper dough and demand a change in transfer policy, because sadly, although it is ethical and morally correct, it doesn't work at the level we want to be playing at.
A hugely dissapointing seaon, not beacuase we were totally awful, but we wasted oppurtunities. Semi final V Chelsea anyone? Man, that was a monster truck fuck up.
Any ol' shite, here's to next year, I look forward to your smelly company Another Arsenal Bloggers! Until then.... Your mum!