My sauce references is metaphorical, but the sauce is The Ribman if you want it
This is Jonathan Blaustein’s monthly contribution to the community, follow him @Jblauphoto for his twitterings.
It’s March 27th, as I write this.
Yesterday, here in the Taos valley, it was 67 degrees Fahrenheit.
I can’t tell you what this is in Celsius, because for some reason, I’ve never been able to figure out how to make the translation.
Basically, it means it was warm and sunny.
Balmy, if you will.
But for the first time, I was able to ride the Kachina Peak lift at Taos Ski Valley, and found myself at 12,400 feet, on the very top of a massive mountain.
The lift only runs part of the year, and this season it was much delayed, due to the two tragic avalanche deaths off the same peak.
When I left my house in the morning, it was spring. The first shoots of green grass were standing perkily in the sun. The birds were chirping like they were onstage at Lollapalloza in 1997, giving it all they had.
But then, all of a sudden, I was in icy, snowy winter, like something out of Lord of the Rings, and I could see for a hundred miles in several directions.
(How’s that for the American perspective. Fahrenheit, feet and miles all in one column opening. Fucking arrogant Yanks!)
It’s a good feeling, to be able to see forever. And teetering between those seasons, spring and winter, is strange. But combine the two, (the distance and time of year,) and it makes for a particular perspective.
So let’s get into it.
At this point, I’ll mention another date: March 14th. That’s the last time Arsenal played a competitive football match. (I don’t care what happens in Dubai.)
Who did we even play back then?
Oh right, Rennes.
We spanked them 3-0.
And who did we beat before that? Manchester United.
2-0.
Say what now? Two clean sheets in consecutive massive games?
If any other coach had done that, while anchoring Arsenal in both the #Top4 and the Europa League, Londoners would be singing his name from the lamp-posts.
But something about the guy makes him seem less cool, less smart, less attractive, or less innovative than his fellow Top 6 coaches.
Be honest with yourself: it’s true.
During the huge winning streak, we were impressed but dubious, waiting to see what happened once the injuries mounted, and points were dropped in the depths of dark winter in December.
All along, it’s been wait and see, in particular in this very column. Now I’m suggesting that maybe it’s a subconscious thing, comparing Emery to Pocchetino, Klopp, Guardiola, Sarri and OGS.
Perusing the list, in late March, you’d say Emery has outperformed Sarri for sure, and OGS rode in on a white pony, so it’s too soon to say. (But he has the star-power thing down pat.)
We beat Tottenham once, easily, and really should have beaten them again. The draw felt like a loss, as we all know, because Auba missed that penalty.
But what happened in the next game?
Lacazette wins another penalty, and he gives the ball to his buddy.
I sat here on my couch, with my 11 year old, watching it two hours late on the DVR, and we both screamed “NOOOOOOOOOO.”
Take it yourself, Laca!
We need the win!
Are you insane!
Obviously, in hindsight, we were wrong. (Is it a coincidence that Laca is both of our favorite Arsenal player at the moment?)
That kind of scene, one teammate believing in another, is what sports is all about. It gives you chills.
And it’s real. You can’t pay for it.
Arsenal have that, and they also now have a manager willing to play all his best players at once in the same game. (Imagine that?)
The squad is in the perfect place for this time of year, and one way or another, we’ll soon know if they finish strong, finish brilliantly, limp to the line, or choke like the Atlanta Falcons in the 2018 Super Bowl.
Within a short span of time, we won’t be able to say “wait and see” any longer.
And let’s play what if, for a moment.
If Emery gets the team into the Champions League, he’ll definitely get more money to spend. Maybe a lot more.
He’ll have proven he can do the job, and that proof will have delivered more cash. Given our model of spend what you’ve made, that means more on transfers.
Some new names are intriguing, like Thomas, from Atletico. More money, better signings.
It’s clear that the manager is staring at a very binary outcome: he makes it in, or he doesn’t.
If Arsenal win the Europa League and get in the Top 4, or somehow miraculously overtake Spurs and hang on 3rd, then I think this guy will have money, clout, and a new aura.
The story will be that his tactical acumen is his special power. It won’t be that he doesn’t stick to a style, but rather that he’s so amazing at the details that he breaks the game down into phases, which explains all the halftime subs, and each game plan is unique because HE CAN.
HIS BRAIN IS THAT BIG. HE BREATHES AND EATS FOOTBALL.
Now, if Arsenal choke on both fronts, and end up in 5th or 6th, knocked out by Napoli in the Europa League, it will be very, very different.
He didn’t improve on Wenger’s performance, only the point total.
Yes, some advance was made in the Big 6 Mini-league, but the results weren’t enough. We’ll give him a modest budget, and a decent leash into next year, but there better be some major improvement, or we might be coach shopping this time next year.
Like I said, it’s binary.
And we’ll know soon enough.
From this odd vantage, winter and spring all at once, on the mountain top in morning and in the valley in the afternoon, I’ll say one thing:
I’m really glad the team is perched where it is, and that we’ve managed to put a whooping on some hated rivals: Chelsea, Tottenham, and Manchester United.
How great would it be if in the multi-verse, we end up with one of the happy timelines?
I wonder what I’ll be writing this time in April?
Remember, follow @Jblauphotoxxx
P.S. Take a bow son.
Granit Xhaka scoring a banger for Switzerland with his weak foot. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/gTdnj1tAaw
— Arsenal FC News (@ArsenalFC_fl) March 26, 2019
The annual payments for the Spuds stadium will be crazy, assuming the term is for 30 years.
When you compound the interest over 20-30 years, the could be in the hole for 1.5-2 billion dollars.
I read that they built a musuem at the stadium, what artifacts will they keep there…Gareth Bale’s hair band?
Sports Journalists just like glamorous stuff as well as the free lunches that Clubs serve them on match days.
BBC; Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has blocked the wi-fi at team hotels to prevent his squad from playing “addictive” video games.
Hasenhuttl, who faced similar problems at former club RB Leipzig, compared it to alcohol and drug addiction.
He just lost the Ozil vote.
Pierre wouldn’t fancy this manager for sure 🙂
How great would it be if in the multi-verse, we end up with one of the happy timelines?
Amen!
@Jamie, Yes the rate of broke former athletes is shocking in the U.S. But at least organisation such as the NFL or the NBA are aware of it and trying to alleviate it. I don’t think that anybody is looking at the problem in Europe. Clearly not UEFA and not local FAs. I think that you misunderstood my point. I am not advocating to dictate how people spend their money, but how they receive their compensation package. From the club perspective, most negotiations are done for the overall package cost but players don’t care about the tax element. That is… Read more »
@Dissenter,
Barcelona tried the same approach with Ousmane Dembele after he missed a few morning training session because he overslept after all nighter console game session.
During some past meetings at the French football center Clairefontaine Deschamps fined some players after they were caught using the center wifi after the official curfew hours. Everybody assumed that it was Dembele and Griezmann.
Based on our discussions on here a few weeks back, interesting article in today’s press about gaming addiction amongst professional Footballers.
Because I’m old school, I have to admit that, for the most part, I’m in agreement with what they say.
B10
The day OGS comes and and says ” No, me not deciding on my future is having zero effect on the team and its supporters” is the day I will say that Wenger is an equal.
Therefore, based on “the current moment” I agree, OGS is a better person and manager than( “late”) AW was.
It’s a no brainier.
Christ on a Bike.
A+ imagery right there.
I don’t even like the man for what he did at the club for the last few years there but you lose so much credibility when you describe Wenger’s first 10 years as good and at the same time describe OGS first few months as excellent. I mean it’s a bit nonsense and it’s a prime example of people going overboard on the job he’s done so far
The extent of changes OGS has implemented at United to date: Move Pogba into a more advanced position, and remove the poisonous atmosphere around the players Mourinho installs in his second and third year. He still plays a Mourinho style deep defensive block and punches on a counter. If that’s what makes OGS a great manager then so be it, but there are probably a half a dozen ex United players who could’ve done the same thing with similar results. Also , during the unbeaten run under OGS they had a bunch of results go their way in part due… Read more »
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/47736883
This is awesome. About time a manager showed the balls to do something about this.
Ozil- you reading this?
Watch OGS struggle next season.
Guns of SF ,
I guess that’s one manager Ozil could never play for
Samesong
Already Pogba has gone from wanting to leave under Mourinho to wanting to stay under OGS to considering his options and fancying a move.
Lets see how he gets on in the match against City – a really poor result at home against your local rivals which could go a fair way to helping them win the title is not the performance of an excellent manager.
test
icle
Guns
Don’t get this. 4G notebooks and laptops have been around for a while.
They can still play, don’t need wifi.
Jay,
Ssshhh, don’t tell Hasenhüttl, he’s a bit behind the times!
True, but at least this manager is seeing a problem area and trying to address it.
How many coaches wander into this territory?
I like how he talks to players about this, and gets the dirt from his captain.
These players are primadonnas… need to be held to professional standards.
These millenials! ugh
Gen x forever
More links to Umtiti, this time on the Independent (which also mentions Alaba) as topping a “five man transfer shortlist.”
Any thoughts from the resident experts?
@Marc, I believe that most of the recent mention of Pogba angling for a move stem from an interview he did with his national team. Innocent Words were twisted, mistranslated, and misinterpreted. When a journalist from Marca asked him about the possibility of joining Real Madrid with MBappe, he said that he enjoyed playing with him and he did not know if he would ever play with him at club level. Suddenly that translated into Pogba wanting to join Real Madrid with MBappe. For the next couple of days, there was a frenzy of articles about MBappe and maybe Pogba… Read more »
Marko
“When have we ever signed difference makers? The only true marquee signings we’ve made over the years have probably been Ozil and Sanchez and they don’t hold up compared to others.”
I suppose Henry ,vieira, overmars, Bergkamp, pires to name but a few were not difference makers.
“Sometimes tabloid newspapers are more interested in generating click bait than presenting the truth.”
Funny this does not bother you when the click bait articles support your POV
Like when you went to town on Emery here based on nothing but click bait articles in French, you even went as far as saying he will soon be unemployable
“I suppose Henry ,vieira, overmars, Bergkamp, pires to name but a few were not difference makers.”
To be fair the most recent signing among that list was in 2000… nearly two decades ago..
Henry, Pires and Overmars were difference-maker signings? All started slowly and were on the receiving end of criticism for their inconsistent early form. Also, Overmars was signed around the time your were born, so you’re needing to go back a few years for ‘difference-makers’.
I suppose Henry ,vieira, overmars, Bergkamp, pires to name but a few were not difference makers.
Not in the way dream was talking about earlier. Bergkamp came after a failed move to Inter Henry was a winger wasting away at Juve and Vieira was playing reserve football at Milan. None were guaranteed game changers like what dream was saying when he referenced Dembele, Pepe etc they were very much wait and see prospects like what we’re very much used to.
Yamford
What’s this convulsion you have toward being so hyperbolic about everything? Yesterday you claim Le Grove is a platform for alt right propaganda…now Wenger’s first decade falls below OGS because he had a fair few months at United?
Is this from your habit of calling your 1 inch prick a 3 incher? Everything needs to be exaggerated? A defense mechanism for your manhood that spills over into every perception, every debate you engage in?
Was Nasri the last big prospect we brought in?
We should have been bringing in players of that caliber from France with far more frequency than we did.
@Receding, The reason why I have doubt regarding the Pogba rumours is that I watched the interview and press conference in French. Two days later, it was splashed on English tabloid referencing Marca. Most of the link that I have given are from reputable newspaper not tabloid like Marca. You and Marko, even trashed a link to arsenal.com that I gave a link to arsenal.com as a lie. Regarding Emery, I was stating that PSG was sued on employment tribunal and that Emery was named. You did not like that and accused me of lying. I gave you links in… Read more »
Marko comment was “when have we ever signed difference makers”….
And yes, Sanchez was a difference maker and some may think that the fastest player in premier history to reach 50 assists is a difference maker.
But then again, creating chances and making assists have never been of importance to many on Le Grove.
Strange how they have become more important when the assists are not so high.
The classic comment of receding “Ozil floating coward!y crosses into the box for Giroud to score” says it all really.
I don’t believe we’re interested in Alaba he said something nice about the club and the media have ran with it. Grimaldo and in particular Tagliafico represent more value for money anyway. The Umtiti stuff could be credible though. They would need to sell someone if they want to bring in De Ligt and he’s just coming off a knee injury. And the likes of Bayern, PSG and City don’t need him while Chelsea have a transfer ban and maybe United are looking at Maguire again. We could have a care free path to the player. Question then becomes how… Read more »
The only players who were marquee signing who were going to make a difference were Sanchez, Özil, fox in the box and Davor Suker.
None of them were as successful as we had hoped for.
Bergamp, Henry, Viera, Overmars, Kanu were rebound gamble.
I’d probably say that Pires was a game changer he was 26 and really already performing regularly. I’m not sure I’d class Nasri as a game changer at 20 when we bought him. Very much wait and see again
Marko,
I think that signing Umtiti, would represent a “Statement Defensive Signing” telling supporters that “we are sorting out our defence” – along the lines of VVD and Liverpool.
(I’m not really talking about their respective merits here, before anyone lambasts me with the riposte that VVD is obviously better etc.)
How effective he would be, I have no idea.
Also, I think we would need to secure a CL place to attract/afford him
You and Marko, even trashed a link to arsenal.com that I gave a link to arsenal.com as a lie.
No I just said the link you posted did in fact not prove that Steve Rowley was back at Arsenal on an interim basis. It sounds like Morrow and Cagigao are covering for the lack of a technical director and not Steve Rowley. Another lie we’ll add the Eboue stuff from earlier as another falsehood by you.
Umtiti have said that he was injured toward the end of the World Cup. He played under injection.
The result was his long injury layout for Barcelona. With Lenglet playing well during that period, Barcelona is tempted to cash on him.
With Bayern starting a complete revamp of their squad, he may end up there.
The main advantage is that Umtiti is a left footer which would be a perfect replacement for Koscielny.
The big question is the price. If it is above 50 millions (and it looks like it is), I doubt that we have the funds for him.
@Marko,
Distorting facts again.
You stated that Arsenal would never used Steve Rowley as a consultant. The link explicitly stated that it was what we did when he left.
You then came back, but the link does not prove that he is back. I never said that the link does. Just that he worked as a consultant for Arsenal after he left.
I think that signing Umtiti, would represent a “Statement Defensive Signing” telling supporters that “we are sorting out our defence” – along the lines of VVD and Liverpool.
I would say so too. I think he’d be an obvious upgrade on anything that we have or have had since Sol Campbell. He’d bring presence to a defence in need of one. Would still hope for Konate though if I’m honest I think he’d be an excellent signing for the future. Get him before his cost is too much
I don’t think we should sign Umtiti.
Good player, but injury prone. He’s not a defender who will transform a back four like van Dijk has. On the short side at a 1.82m. With the fee and wages we’re better off going to Germany to sign at least one of the French CBs that play there. Younger and more affordable.
“Yamford What’s this convulsion you have toward being so hyperbolic about everything? Yesterday you claim Le Grove is a platform for alt right propaganda…now Wenger’s first decade falls below OGS because he had a fair few months at United?Is this from your habit of calling your 1 inch prick a 3 incher? Everything needs to be exaggerated? A defense mechanism for your manhood that spills over into every perception, every debate you engage in?” I think this deserves to be posted twice not a fan of Sancho myself, but you’ve got to agree he has utterly nailed this Branford character… Read more »
Umtiti might be less mistake prone than Koscielny, however, I don’t think he’ll be able to put out as many fires as Koscielny was able to when he was younger. He’s more useful in a dominant side where he’ll be less exposed. Remember, that even with Torreira in the XI, we’re facing more shots than last season. We don’t keep the ball 84% of the time like Barça, nor do we have
high energy balll winners like Kanté/Matuidi for France. Umtiti not the right guy for us
Distorting facts again.
No you said that Steve Rowley was back at the club. He isn’t. Posting an article about his leaving didn’t even prove that he did or does consultancy at the club. You continue to be one of the single biggest peddlers of bullshit around here. The Eboue stuff from earlier was a particularly classless move imo
@Dream10,
I agree with you that there are better value player. However Umtiti has one major intangible advantage. He is a leader. When Koscielny does not play, we need a leader at the back.
Somebody who can organise. Sokratis is better than I initially thought, but I don’t see him as an organiser. Maybe my view of him is coloured because he mostly played with Mustafi, because he was good with Holding.
Umtiti is 6ft. Koscielny is 6″1 while Sol Campbell is 6″2 so his height isn’t an issue. Unless you think an inch or two is a big difference.
@Marko,
I have already mentioned that I did not follow Eboué story. If Eboué had to deny having AIDS, it is because that was reported. I did not make that up.
I did not read about his denying of the HIV positivity. Even now if you Google Arsenal Eboué HIV, nearly all the articles are about him being diagnosed not his denials.
Still my point (that again you missed in order to score points) was about players being broke after their careers, and as far I know he is broke and his ex wife has all his money.
Valentin
Leadership is good. At the moment we have number of CBs in our squad who would be third choice on a really good team. Koscielny and Monreal are past their best, but our two best defenders. Mustafi has been average, but I don’t think Holding is that much better. People are vastly overestimating Rob’s ceiling as a player. Sokratis has been up and down this season. Decent for one more year.
Still don’t think Umtiti is worth it for us.
United appointing OGS was literally the best we could hope for,i mean it could have been worse, say they appoint Conte or Poch along with the amount of cash they’re ready to splash and we would be leagues apart
I predict reality will hit hard on OGS next season and will find his true level with United jostling for EL spots
Victorious
Thanks mate. Compliments will get you everywhere, you’re making me blush.
It’s an odd feeling though. Like how once in awhile, you walk by a trash bin and there will probably be some food that was thrown out recently that smells strangely appetizing even though it’s trash, and you’re disgusted with yourself for that moment.
Kinda how I feel right now.
Dream10 – interesting perspective on Umtiti.
Who are the candidates you prefer from an ability/leadership/ value for money standpoint?
Words on a Blog
Not.sure on leadership, but just hope we buy CBs who have the physical tools and at a decent age. We’re in a dilemma because we don’t have a proper transfer guy like Mislintat right now. He would buy players who are young with value. Raul has his contacts and Emery has 18 months left to earn a new deal, so he may have a preference for players he worked with, know his methods and hit the ground running.
@Dream10,
I think that we only need one world class defender if he is a leader and organiser. The other ones just need to be competent, ready to follow their leader and complement his weakness.
A good combination always make both players much better than they are individually.
I think us and Spuds will get the 3rd and 4th spots, in no particular order
Chelsea will win the Europa league to qualify for the CL.
I expect that OGS will be putting United through their paces on Thursday nights next season. They peaked too soon. They should have saved that wonderful run for the last 8 weeks of the season.
We broke their rhythm and they have to work super hard to regain that mojo again.
Dream10/Valentin,
Hmmm, I’m none the wiser.
Still at least I can console myself that, with Mustafi (please God) going, our goals against column will be at least 5-10 goals better off, regardless of who comes in!
The Umtiti story is just rubbish
Why would Barca let a 25 yer old world cup winning defender walk away? Umtiti is scheduled to have a long delayed knee surgery this summer and may miss most of next season.
Dream10
What about Alderweireld? He’s available for £26 million in the summer, PL proven and whilst a short term option he give us another solid CB without spending crazy money. In a couple of seasons the cash flow and salary issues should be sorted out.
Marc
Not sure how good Alderweireld has been this year. Spurs defensive numbers aren’t as good as previous seasons. He’ll get better offers than us. We need a CB who can play the left side. Mustafi, Sokratis, Holding all prefer the right side.
Dissenter
I reckon it’ll be us and ManU (in no particular order) the Spud’s have managed 4 points from the last available 15 and should have lost to us, they still have Liverpool and City away in the PL plus City twice in the CL, their remaining PL matches include Bournemouth away (always a tough match) and West Ham at home who will be well up for being the first team to beat the Spud’s in their new toilet I mean stadium.
Marc,
“What about Alderweireld? ”
You want us to keep recycling 30 yr olds?
We need to get a very good young central defender who partner Holding to anchor our defense for years to come. That defender could very well be playing in the championship.
Could it be Mavros?….He needs to play before he is even registered on the scale of potential.
Our current crop of oldies like Kosh, Monreal and Sokrates can hold the fort for now.
Dissenter
Monreal will be gone this summer – I’m just throwing his name out as a thought. If we can get a rough diamond who’s early 20’s fucking fantastic.
@Dissenter,
Umtiti has missed most of this season after his knee operation caused by him playing through the pain barrier at the World Cup.
His replacement Thomas Lenglet did very well, so they less rely on him. On the right of CB they have bought a Toulouse young CB as a replacement for Pique. So they are sorted with regard to their defense. Barcelona are broke and if they want to make big investment (they need a replacement/understudy for Suarez) they need to sell one major player. Countinho or Umtiti are the most likely.
The reason the tabloids ran with the “Real Madrid is my dream club” – Pogba stories is because he *almost* said exactly that. He said it was a dream club for all players. Presumptuous if you’re referring to players from Catalonia.. The problem with footballers is that most are thick as pig shit. If a journo asks about your future when the tape is rolling, the answer should be textbook – “I’m happy where I am at X club and am working hard to achieve our goals. I don’t talk about other clubs.” Instead, this is what he said when… Read more »
“The problem with footballers is that most are thick as pig shit”
And then there’s Harry Kane!
Barça are famous for crying broke, then somehow find money to sign a star. Linked with griezmann. They’ll sell a two or three players and buy Neymar again.
Valentin,
So,Umtiti has already had his operation?
If that’s right, and you’re right about Barca needing cash, then Umtiti is the one more likely to be sold – they’re very unlikely to recoup the amount they spent on Coutinho, which was off the scale, so selling him would raise cash but trigger a large financial loss.
Valentin
I think it’s Coutinho who is going to be sold, for a big loss.
He will improve United significantly and the ex-Liverpool factor is extra-incentive for United to sign him.
United do have to get rid of Sanchez, whom I believe they will pay off some of his contract to shift him to Italy, possibly Juventus.
Marc –
I see your Harry Kane, I raise you Tom Cleverley whose last name is a letter away from being tragically ironic.
Umtiti is yet to have his surgery..and frankly no one bar Wenger will spend big money on a player who’s being patched together to play. He’s had every possible conservative treatment to defer surgery.
They’ve been talking about the needed surgery all year and the goal is to do it this summer ans give him 6-9 months to recover. The club sees him as a long term investment.
https://www.barcablaugranes.com/2018/12/30/18160640/barcelona-think-samuel-umtiti-will-have-to-undergo-knee-surgery-report
Jamie,
In Pogba’s case , and many other similar cases, it’s probably not that footballers are thick as shit, although most unquestionably are, but that they’re told by their agents to always say nice things about the big rich clubs like Real in case they ever come calling for the contract of a lifetime.
How many times have you heard a footballer say something along the lines of “it would be a dream/honour to play at [Rich Club] but for the moment I am happy and giving my all for Real Dirtpoor….
The Umtiti story is just rubbish Why would Barca let a 25 yer old world cup winning defender walk away? Umtiti is scheduled to have a long delayed knee surgery this summer and may miss most of next season. Because they have Lenglet and Pique and are trying to sign De Ligt. Umtiti is yet to have his surgery I honestly don’t get people sometimes so let me get this straight you share a story about him needing surgery and is expected to be out blah blah blah from December 18 and totally disregard the stories from February 19 where… Read more »
There are many things I find amazing on here, not least the constant game of tennis between those folk who still hold a candle for Wenger and those others who turned off Wenger FM years ago. Nearly every subject discussed on here ends up being a “them against us scenario”. Look at the OGS argument. It seems that those that feel that OGS is a flash in the pan and will be found out, are the pro-Wengerites. On the other hand those of us that see him as being a breath of fresh air and the perfect fit are those… Read more »
Graham…if you didn’t want this narrative to continue, why do you bring it up so often? It appears that you enjoy this topic of conversation.
It seems that those that feel that OGS is a flash in the pan and will be found out, are the pro-Wengerites. On the other hand those of us that see him as being a breath of fresh air and the perfect fit are those that gave up on Wenger long ago.
That’s not true. I personally don’t rate either of them that highly. I’m an enigma
Anyone with a netflix account check out love death and robots. Amazing series to be honest.
Graham,
Not every view on here can be understood through the AKB Vs. WOB framework.
People’s view of Solskjaer on here is entirely independent of what they may think of Wenger.
Wenger spent nearly two decades at Arsenal and had a mixed record, so Arsenal supporter have passionate, but widely different views.
As manager, Solskjaer has only had a few months at United. He’s been successful, but it’s entirely understandable if people have different views.
Particularly people with no particular skin in the game who are Arsenal supporters.
Ah Thanks London! was honestly getting bored to tears to this never ending international bore
Not a fan of animation tho,would appreciate if there are other recommodations on mysteries/horror and real life tales
I don’t have a dog in the OGS fight, but I’m not convinced he’s going to propel Utd forward next season. I was as anti-Wenger as they came, so the ABK/Dubious of OGS argument doesn’t apply to everyone.. He failed to beat Emery’s Arsenal. He’ll probably lose to Pep’s City. Hardly progress from where I’m sitting. It’ll be interesting to see how much money they let him throw at the problems he inherited in the summer transfer window. Anything more than £70m and Utd should be making huge strides forward next season – the same standard by which Emery is… Read more »
Don’t see Umtiti as realistic option on fee he’ll transfer for.
What we reckon Umtiti will go for?
Then his transfering out likely hinges on Barca’s ability to get De Light, sounds like ZZ is pressing boat way out for Dutchman as well.
Graham “Is it jealousy born about by the fact that MU have solved a problem so quickly?Maybe it’s because no one really considered him as being the next manager at OT, when he actually turned out to be the real deal. In such a short period of time, he has shown us all that being a big name manager doesn’t neccessarily guarantee that success will be forthcoming. ” Complete nonsense. 1) Fixed the problem quickly – well they’re on their 4th manager since Fergie retired so it’s not as if they’ve waved some magic wand 3 months into Moyes reign.… Read more »
Marko
The article started that he has had conservative treatment like a knee clean out, not ligament reconstructing surgery.
Not the same
Marko
https://en.as.com/en/2018/12/02/football/1543768351_313125.html
Conservative treatment, not surgery
Due diligence is reading what’s available. Just had to belabor this point.
Not sure I’d pay out a big fee on a guy who’s just had / is having ligament reconstruction when we have a lot of work to do with limited funds.
Victorious – I am not sure if I recommended this before or not but Haunting of Hill house on netflix is terrific horror/drama tv show.
Second jwl recommendation
Another article from December dissenter? Man you’re not getting it. Here’s one from February which says he’s had surgery and is back in light training and not waiting for surgery in the summer and bed ridden with open sores
https://www.90min.com/posts/6285786-barcelona-defender-samuel-umtiti-returns-to-light-training-following-knee-surgery
As an Arsenal fan I would like to see Ole Gunner Solk fail abysmaly in his new job and get them relegated
Please don’t respond with some article from December 1994 or something
With you there Hillwood.
Graham
Not to pile on but must disagree with you there, in fact your take is painfully simplistic and colors someone who allows their emotion to affect their judgment.
Don’t think OGS is all that, and I don’t think even once I’ve thought of Wenger in my assessment of the man.
Time to find another lover, old boy. Don’t let the old missus know she’s hurt you so badly.
Graham just don’t say what you said about Arsene and Ole. It’s so naive actually. Even the last 10 years of Arsene we qualified 8 times and won FA cups. What had Ole done -like Dissener said he may be playing on EL next year.
PSG signing up Tuchel to longer and improved terms mere months into his reign after being knocked out of cup competitions by United and Guingamp in embarrassing fashion tells you that there’s fuck all decent managers available out there anymore
Jonathan Blaustein you’re so boring mate. DON’T fly emirates. DON’T visit rwanda
Marko,
No,they signed him up because he is the embodiment of Christ on a Bike – the king of special sauce managers.
Results? So last year….
Marko subject: Valentin “No, you said that Steve Rowley was back at the club. He isn’t.” Rowley was apparently retained as a consultant, but you are right that Valentin said the above and that the above is not true. More peculiar, though, is how Valentin framed his claim originally. Valentin said: “I have been told that Steve Rowley is back at the club.” Why would you say “I have been told” as opposed to “I have read”? Valentin – Why did you phrase it that way? Do you have contacts at the club? Were you implying that you have contacts… Read more »
Marko
“PSG signing up Tuchel to longer and improved terms mere months into his reign after being knocked out of cup competitions by United and Guingamp in embarrassing fashion tells you that there’s fuck all decent managers available out there anymore”
Arteta?
Don’t ban me Pedro – Bamford made me say it!
Marko “but you lose so much credibility when you describe Wenger’s first ten years as good and at the same time describe OGS first few months as excellent” Except that I didn’t describe Wenger’s first ten years as “good”. I said that he was a “good” manager during those years. Those years themselves — i.e., those teams, those players, the way in which they played, their accomplishments — were excellent, often fantastic. Wenger himself? Good. Very good. But those teams and those years were excellent/fantastic in large part because of the particular players Wenger had in those sides, players who… Read more »
Imo, Santi Carzola was the last difference maker we signed. From earlier convo… Secured our midfield after injuries to the usual suspects. Scored 12 goals that first season and we went on to win FA cup the following season.
The Mirror is reporting that Madrid are now favorites to sign Rabiot.
Bamford Wenger did have his faults – 99.9% of the population do but you do him a disservice by saying the players he had covered up his weaknesses. Who identified those players? He was lucky in inheriting a back 5 that had been brilliantly well trained and drilled but he added some amazing flair and then replaced the famous back 5 with new players that achieved something that hasn’t been replicated in modern football. Should they have won the CL? Of course we’d all say yes but I know Spud fans who think they are unlucky not to have won… Read more »
Bamford
Taking the preverbal pinch of salt on all transfer rumours but it does look like Zidane has managed to get Madrid to agree to my way or no way.