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
*higher wages
Receding
Are you serious? OGS on a higher salary than Klopp. He’s come from a club that gets an average home attendance of just over 7,000.
“Are you serious? OGS on a higher salary than Klopp. He’s come from a club that gets an average home attendance of just over 7,000.”
Marc if i read correctly dude is on 7.5m a year, Klopp is on 7m a year.
Receding
If I get Cardiff relegated can I have £7.5 million a year?
“If I get Cardiff relegated can I have £7.5 million a year?”
Marc has Bamford called you an excellent manager yet?? If NO then we are not hiring sorry
Bollocks!
On the other hand he might decide that as I once won everything on Championship Manager I’m clearly better than Pep.
Joke Friday
Bamford goes to the doctor. Doctor checks him out and says “You have to stop masturbating.”
Bamford says, “Why?”
Doctor says, “Because I’m examining you.”
Oh dear.
Can see Bamford having a meltdown at some stage.
Pellegrini is on more than Emery too. Yeah seems like United are paying him 7.5 million. Seems like a missed opportunity to save some money and still get your man especially after they were paying Mourinho 15 million a season.
Marko
It’s more a case of how much compensation they’ll have to pay out again if he isn’t working out. Why not start him on less and then increase the money if he’s tearing the league up next season.
PierreMarch 29, 2019 07:30:07 Dream10 “Guendouzi and Torreira have been average in 2019,”Looks like Emery will be relying on the Wenger boys to see us home .Guendouzi,Torreira, Suarez and Lichsteiner only bit part players at best , Sokratis is the one new signing who has to start , very impressed with him , his fitness is vital for the club’s success over the coming months and next couple of years.“ So true. Emery is such a fraud for not benching all “Wenger boys “and letting his own signings finish the season. Can a team suit up only five players a… Read more »
That’s what I’m saying. They pissed away so much on Mourinho and his sacking that they could have saved some on OGS… and his eventual sacking. No way he lasts 3 years I’m telling you that now.
Chitom
I suggested sending Torreira to put his arse on a beach in Dubai for a week just after Christmas – he would’ve missed one match, as you say he’s come from a slower paced league and is used to a winter break but no Pierre derided me for not knowing tactics.
He’s an old cunt who’s ever post is either about having a pop at Emery or praising Wenger. He can’t even be honest about the fact.
Not many who last 3 years these days.
As it stands OGS is the ideal fit. With a few additions to the squad MU will be a threat next season.
Failing at Cardiff has no bearing on his present situation.
“Failing at Cardiff has no bearing on his present situation.”
Really? He might work out well for ManU and see the Cardiff period as a tough education on the other hand he might not be at the level that some on here have automatically elevated him to.
Maybe OGS’s contract has incentive and objective. We may learn later that OGS 3 years contract has the proviso that he must qualify them to the Champion’s League. Moyes got sacked the moment it was mathematically impossible for ManUtd to qualify for Champion’s league. They only pay the reminder of his year salary. Same thing with VanGal, who got sacked after the final because he missed his objective. The difference with Mourinho is that the situation was so toxic, he was sacked before it was mathematically impossible to meet the objective. So ManUtd had no recourse and was forced to… Read more »
To be honest, I find it quiet refreshing that we have a manager on the scene in OGS who has shown, with the right people around him and a positive and rather unassuming attitude, that results and positive change can be achieved.
He may fail but he definently won’t let his ego get in the way of things.
That is refreshing in itself. He knows that MU are far bigger than OGS, whereas a few other individuals, who I could name, unfortunately got lost in their own self-importance.
Marko
“I think they would.”
You think Juventus would be in for Granit Xhaka for 200k a week? Interesting.
I don’t think they’d even be interested in him at 80k a week.
And you misrepresented my views for the umpteenth time, btw. I rate Kane, I just don’t think he’s world class, i.e., first XI in the world or equivalent.
I can’t even remember what the other distortion was, but as always, it was incorrect — and dumb.
Hmmm, 7.5m in salary for Solskjaer. That’s pretty good. I guess he has thoroughly convinced everyone at United, including Sir Alex Ferguson (no chance he wasn’t consulted on the decision).
Sounds like they think he is an excellent manager.
Those of us that remember the “baby faced assassin” have little or no doubt that he will remain humble, gracious and respectful, no matter what happens.
A true gentleman and a half.
Marko
“[Solskjaer’s] eventual sacking. No way he lasts 3 years I’m telling you that now”
Wait, so it’s too soon for me to believe that Solskjaer is an excellent manager — an opinion clearly shared by the men who run United — but Marko has enough data to guarantee he’ll be a failure? Interesting logic.
With his background in working for Ajax, I’d take a chance on Dennis if the club decided to move on from Emery. No reason why he couldn’t be our version of OGS if the club made this choice. Dennis has the same type of pedigree, he understands the club and he’s a proven winner and he has years working behind a successful set up in Ajax.
Marc I’m a new poster on here and have no history with anyone and I welcome differences of opinions. That said, I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone bragging about their football knowledge as much as this guy while at the same time showing signs of total ignorance. For comparison, Liverpool spent over 100m on Fabinho and Keita and neither one has played more ( much less in fact) minutes than Guen or Torreira. Midfield is the most demanding of all positions because you need to learn how to read the game and that rarely happens before players hit their… Read more »
BTW, a person should be able to come to Le Grove and state his opinion on this or that without having to deal with daily attacks from a Luteo.
People who are here simply to verbally abuse others should be binned. Sorry.
Hate MU but find OGS a breath of fresh air.
Football needs people like him.
Sir Gareth Southgate and OGS have brought some honour and respectability back into the game.
Long may it continue.
Leeds
Bergkamp is a complete no for manager – I love the guy by the way – for one simple reason he will not fly. You could have a mid week European match away in gods knows where and the manager would still be making his way home 2 days later.
It’s a nice notion but just would not work.
The Le Grove internet bully boys have turned their attention to me after Bamford didn’t rise to the bait… Chitcom “Emery is such a fraud for not benching all “Wenger boys “and letting his own signings finish the season. Can a team suit up only five players a game? Doesn’t matter. He should try anyway.” If I could understand what you are trying to say I might be able to give reasonable reply….I will try anyway I rate Torreira and Guendouzi , very good signings so I don’t know what your point is. Dream10 made the comment about them being… Read more »
“Sir Gareth Southgate and OGS have brought some honour and respectability back into the game.”
How exactly? Unless of course a complete lack of achievement is a criteria.
B10
This Luteo geezer reminds me of someone else that was on here at one time.
Can’t remember who though.
Marc
Are you really that ignorant?
JM won shit loads but that didn’t stop him from being an absolute tosser.
Pamford
Lighten up, didn’t you see how I prefaced it with “Joke Friday”?
Graham
Of course you have a bad memory.
Graham
“Are you really that ignorant?”
No it’s a valid point – yes Mourinho was a vile human being but OGS has steadied a sinking sink and hasn’t been a complete prick doing it. How’s that restoring honour and respectability into the game? As for Southgate – bland bland bland and will be a serial underachiever.
Are you really that ignorant to get caught up in the tabloid bollocks about “England’s gonna win it”?
Luteo
You contribute nothing here save insults and abuse. Pedro has stated many times that this kind of thing is not kosher. I am happy to overlook a couple of jibes, but this is all you do and it’s just lame. I will be asking Pedro to take a look at your commentary here, just as I did when you began (bizarrely) trying to find things out about me online. You’re a little obsessed, mate. Get a life; it’s fucking weird.
Pierre,
Two questions:
one- has Emery gotten anything right without fucking it up first?
two- have you ever been wrong about anything football-wise?
I’ve long maintained that as far as debate goes, there are others who cover the spectrum of opinion pretty well, you included, and I don’t find it necessary to beat a dead horse, so I keep a lot to myself. The debate you find so precious that you record in your diary whenever some faceless entity gives you “props” is mostly a tautological circlejerk, apologies to all involved, except the difference is that the rest of us, even smug assholes like Pierre, they understand it’s a tautological circlejerk. You? Don’t get me started. I try to be funny as I… Read more »
OGS, nice guy but as he is Manure manager I hope he fails terribly…..
Hmmm, 7.5m in salary for Solskjaer. That’s pretty good. I guess he has thoroughly convinced everyone at United, including Sir Alex Ferguson (no chance he wasn’t consulted on the decision).Sounds like they think he is an excellent manager.
So this is what I gather from you that Ramsey being brought in on a free transfer to Juve makes him elite and that United making OGS makes him an excellent manager. Oh and Wenger winning 3 league titles and going a season undefeated in the first 10 years makes him just good. You are the gift that keeps on giving
Wait, so it’s too soon for me to believe that Solskjaer is an excellent manager — an opinion clearly shared by the men who run United — but Marko has enough data to guarantee he’ll be a failure? Interesting logic. Yep exactly. You are making a spontaneous and frankly silly appraisal of a manager after mere months while I look at the fact that they are on their 5th manager since Ferguson left and are in a dogfight with 6 teams for 4 champions league places. Oh and they demand good football too. I fancy that a few bad patches… Read more »
Graham
“Marc
Are you really that ignorant?”
If I was a gambling man then I would say it’s odds on that he is ignorant going by the amount of rubbish he posts on here…
Luteo GuenreiraMarch 29, 2019 18:16:49 You’re so disconnected with yourself, John. You play left wing American bleeding heart and have no problem advocating for censoring people you find annoying left and right, like a fascist. I have more respect for an actual fascist like Un for at least knowing himself than I do for you. —————- Bravo..!! Could not have put it any better. The man is a joke.He really needs to get a life. I can honestly say,in all my time on here,he is by far the biggest douchebag on here in living memory. And there have been a… Read more »
I’d take a chance on Dennis if the club decided to move on from Emery. No reason why he couldn’t be our version of OGS if the club made this choice. Dennis has the same type of pedigree, he understands the club and he’s a proven winner and he has years working behind a successful set up in Ajax. Not for me. I’d like him back in some capacity but he’s mostly worked with the youths and he was only an assistant to the senior team for a couple seasons before being released. Basically not enough experience and nothing to… Read more »
Sir Gareth Southgate and OGS have brought some honour and respectability back into the game…Are you really that ignorant?JM won shit loads but that didn’t stop him from being an absolute tosser.
I thought you were talking about their managerial abilities but now it seems that you were talking about demeanor and respectability moreso. Which is honestly strange to hear you say considering the stuff you say about Wenger
“Pierre,
Two questions:
one- has Emery gotten anything right without fucking it up first?
two- have you ever been wrong about anything football-wise?”
The answer to question two is no.
“I rate Torreira and Guendouzi , very good signings so I don’t know what your point is. Dream10 made the comment about them being average in 2019 , not me . Though I think Torreiras performances dropped in December when Emery decided that he wanted him to attack more , it is obvious that Torriera hasn’t got the legs or the engine to play that role” Has it occurred to you that this is Torriera’s first season in a faster league without winter break in a world cup year? Also, Guendozi is 19, he’s bound to go through periods of… Read more »
“If I was a gambling man then I would say it’s odds on that he is ignorant going by the amount of rubbish he posts on here…”
Sad little old man, it’s like having some tiny dog yapping away at you.
Of course you won’t respond to this you posses neither an answer or the balls but please enlighten me as to all the rubbish I post on here?
Mark
If you don’t rate England who do you think will win the Euros
azed
Guendozi was also playing in the French 2nd division 9 months ago. I mean let’s not give the kid a chance?
Hillwood
At this point I have no idea – I haven’t watched any of the qualifiers – can’t stand international football unless it’s a tournament.
I can guarantee that England will be all hype, make one ish decent performance and then lose in a match we should get something out of.
Marko
Bergkamp’s ability as a potential manager is irrelevant. He won’t fly which in the modern coaching world just isn’t on the cards for a club like Arsenal.
Would definitely love to see him back at the club in some capacity – I think even as Ass Manager could be made to work.
Mark
So you think the Nations involved in tournament football should just be invited to take part ?
Hillwood
I think the major nations should, the lesser nations should have to qualify.
The Euro’s next summer just won’t be as good if one or more of Germany, France, Holland, Italy, England or Spain aren’t there.
Ask Pedro what the marketing guy’s think!
Mark
Don’t think Bergkamp would like to be known as an ass manager
Hillwood
It could be worse!
But I will say that Bergkamp does deserve to be known as a possible Assistant Manager.
All apologises.
Mark
Just from our brief conversation I don’t think you hate international football at all
But don’t worry I won’t tell anyone
Hillwood
During the world cup a mate told me that I wasn’t welcome in the pub unless I stopped slagging off England during matches.
Apparently cheering on the opposition and laughing at the ineptitude of England players and the manager didn’t go down well.
Mark
The opposition you were cheering on were still an international football team
Luteo What a bogus, disingenuous argument. Censorship? What a joke. Pedro has a “no abuse” policy. Asking him to enforce said policy isn’t “censorship”. As for my highlighting how right-wing and reactionary some of the commentary here was the other day, it’s Pedro’s blog, mate. I don’t think he would want his blog to be associated with such sentiments — sentiments that you yourself have characterized as fascist — so I don’t see what is wrong with highlighting this fact for all and sundry. So, sorry, but no. Finally, you clearly have an inflated sense of your own importance if… Read more »
Many sources reporting that we are in for 17-year-old Brazilian forward Gabriel Martinelli.
“Pedro has a “no abuse” policy”
Pedro – does that include self abuse?
Bamford
I heard that the other day – don’t know anything about the player but it would be nice to see us scouting South America for talent, even if we need a tie up with a Spanish / Portuguese club to help with the work permit side of things.
Baldford Do you ever see the irony in yourself? Screaming about how it’s Pedro’s blog, then proceeding to speak for him as if it’s your own. The bluster, trying so hard to convince yourself you’ve still got dignity to maintain when you’ve been running on empty for ages now. Embarrassing. Yeah I’ve seen how this plays out, I’m not playing your game. Just know I’ve only ever commented on stuff you’ve said, even when I asserted to your small cock it was half jokes cause obviously you probably most likely have a dick bigger than 1 inch (right?), and it… Read more »
By which I mean, stop staying stupid shit and watch how fast I’d have nothing to say about you.
Luteo GuenreiraMarch 29, 2019 18:16:49 You’re so disconnected with yourself, John. You play left wing American bleeding heart and have no problem advocating for censoring people you find annoying left and right, like a fascist. I have more respect for an actual fascist like Un for at least knowing himself than I do for you. Luteo Er what?? Fascist? Care to explain that one? The main tenants of Fascism oppose every ideological principle I hold. I’m all for small government and less starte control. I’m Anti war. I’m for the power of the individual and dead against group think. I’m… Read more »
Relax bud, I said I respected you. More than Bamford, at least.
So I was wrong, you’re not a fascist. Huh. Live and learn.
https://www-espn-com-au.cdn.ampproject.org/v/www.espn.com.au/football/club/bayern-munich/132/blog/post/3811002/gnabrys-emergence-as-a-germany-star-is-arsenals-loss-and-bayerns-gain?amp_js_v=a2&_gsa=1&platform=amp#referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&_tf=From%20%251%24s&share=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.espn.com.au%2Ffootball%2Fclub%2Fbayern-munich%2F132%2Fblog%2Fpost%2F3811002%2Fgnabrys-emergence-as-a-germany-star-is-arsenals-loss-and-bayerns-gain
The absolute profligacy of Wenger’s final years is pretty much laid bare with gnabry. The man chose to extend jenkinson’s contract, elneny s (lol) contract Etc etc . Yet the kid with the highest ceiling that has come out of the arsenal for a good ten years, let him just slip straight through his fingers…
Gnabry was a major blunder on Wenger’s part. Kept faith with Wilshere, Ramsey, Iwobi hell even Sanogo got a fair crack of the whip but Gnabry was shown zero faith
” I’m for Strict borders and Less government , favour the rights of the individual but I want to restrict the movement of others” You sir are a fucking walking contradiction, pretty much sums up the lunacy of the right wing. One can not have social policy and programs such as the police force, the fire brigade, the ambulance services, healthcare, the army, air force and the navy without a sizeable government. (Which are all socialist programs) the right wing and libertarians preach the right of the individual yet at the same time demand strict control over the right of… Read more »
I’ve been reading a lot of comments here on brexit. I’m a great advocate for democracy and the will of the people, but you don’t change the course of a nation’s entire history that has a population of 66 million people, with a swing of as little as 2 million votes. That is not democracy, that is lunacy. Have a two-thirds majority of the populous for either yes or no and I’m all for it. It’s absolutely myopic and cowardly to leave Europe, the English need Europe just as much as the Europeans need the English, what we should be… Read more »
“Finally, you clearly have an inflated sense of your own importance if you think I would care what you think of me” ———– Says the guy,that calls for sin-binning of other posters that are diametrically at odds with his viewpoint.The irony.. ————– “you do little more than utter mean-spirited insults” ———– Says the guy who calls other blogs who disagree with him “c**ts” and other derogatory names,should he lose the argument,or find his comments are placed under thorough scrutiny.. ———- “But clearly you think that your opinion of someone carries a lot of weight.” —————— Says the guy,who the other… Read more »
Regarding Gnabry; The article above mentioned how Bayern used Werder Bremen to make a px]foxy transfer; “Then the phone started ringing: Arsenal wanted to extend his contract, but Wenger was too late. Bayern had decided to take a punt on Gnabry and secretly cooperated with Werder Bremen to bring him to the Bundesliga. Werder paid £5m to the Gunners and then sold him on to Munich for an extra million euros or so a year later, when his improvement had continued at a steady pace.’ Bayern are one of the biggest cheats of all time…but then Wenger set us up… Read more »
One more thing
Our Wenger era scouts were very good. They did their jobs by getting Gnabry to the club, the rest was in Lord Wenger.
They connected us with some of the best youthful talent but Wenger’s famed dithering and mismanagement of the youth players in the club didn’t help matters.
How do you send a talent like Gnabry to Tony Pulis who just wants to play 9 men behind the ball?
We mights as well just promote Francis Cagigao to technical director.
Luteo “The bluster, trying so hard to convince yourself you’ve still got dignity to maintain when you’ve been running on empty for ages now. Embarrassing.” Very aptly put. PhD2020 “Comedy Central! Enough background material for a comeback of Blackadder.I kid you not.” I was thinking exactly that as I was reading through yours and Luteo’s posts. Normally I skip Banford’s and Pierre’s posts as enough references to their diatribes are made by the majority of interesting, sensible and far more intelligent posters. Ben Elton could do wonders with Banford’s blog character as Ricky Gervais could with the top 100 best… Read more »
amazed at the posters who are quick to bring up emerys failures in Paris but look at the Cardiff relegation as a learning curve for OGS. Once again arsenal fans have done it,big up the other teams while bashing every thing about the club they claim to follow.
Graham
As good as England are, do you honestly see them lift the euros or the WC ?
The first decent team they meet, they panic and spud it up. Nothing Gareth can do, it’s in the players DNA.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6864937/Denis-Suarez-make-start-Arsenal-against-Newcastle.html
I hope we do see him start. Will be interesting what the negative Le-Grove posters have to say.
Apart from the City game, I thought he has showed glimpses of what he can do, so now want to see a full 90 minutes from the lad.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6866655/Arsenal-beat-25-teams-signature-Brazilian-starlet-Gabriel-Martinelli.html
Seems like more traction to the Gabriel Matinelli story.
gonsterous
It’s not about winning the Euros or the WC, it’s about changing the culture and environment that has enveloped the national game since the beginning of mankind.
Gareth is changing our DNA. He knew the problems and is striving to make us into a formidable and competitive national team. Thanks to Pep, Poch, Klopp etc he has been able to mould a team and philosophy geared to producing skillful and confident players.
I’ve been accustomed to predictable failure for fifty years but now see only positives on the road ahead.
Interesting discussion yesterday on TalkSport in regards National sides playing Club teams.
Would, for example, England beat the top EPL sides?
Adrian Durham reckoned England would beat all but the top 2.
England now actually look quite scary.
All we need is a bit more creativity in the middle of the park( Foden?) and you never know, we may achieve something.
At least there’s hope.
As it’s the weekend and the clocks change tomorrow(ffs), I will not be discussing anything Wenger related today.
Gnabry was a talent, as has been proven. Well done to the lad for stepping up to the plate in Germany.
Just a pity we couldn’t show more patience with him.
I’ve never wrapped a St George’s flag around myself or even considered painting my face.
Though I once waved a Union Jack at the silver jubilee in 1977.
graham
it’s not about winning the Euros or the WC ? Sorry what ? How does Gareth change the DNA if he’s not going to win those ? Or is this another of those “trophies don’t matter” bs.
gonsterous
Why so aggressive?
Based on your communications today I sense you have little or no idea what’s it been like supporting England these past fifty years.
As for your “trophies don’t matter” jibe, I think your looking at things far too seriously and it seems, with your Arsenal hat on.
gonsterous
Please don’t bring up the usual FA Cup rhetoric.
Auba
My wing man this morning.
Cheers.
I hate seagulls.
Three days of sun and the bastards are out in force.
Jenksinson has some very complimentary things to say about Emery in a recent interview. “I’ve got a huge amount of respect for the manager. The analysis before is always in-depth. After a game, its not, ‘You’ve done well’, thats the end of it. I sit down with Carcedo & we go through clips. Its such an education. I’ve learnt an awful lot about positioning. Of course, I’d love to be playing more regularly & I’d be playing better if I was playing more regularly. But for someone who has not played as much, the fact I’m saying how much I’ve… Read more »
auba
we don’t have a national team, hence why the break is boring as hell.
graham
you are absolutely right, I have no idea how supporting England Is for the past 50 years cause I’m not English and I’m not a day over 29. My point being, England always fks up but you guys are out in force like an English renaissance is taking place.
Tell me gonsterous, what do you see that’s different with England since GS took over?
Even though you’re only 29, you must remember as far back as 2000.
“The problem has always been that your players hasn’t been good enough technically ”
Spot on – the other factor has been the players we do have who are decent are praised as being “world class” by the press. They get special treatment from ref’s and then wonder why they can’t compete on a level playing field.
Marc
I agree with you on that.
So many of our players were overhyped by our media.
Looking forward to see Liverpool smash spuds tomorrow
That will be the time they start dropping off from the pack.
Then Palace will apply some lube before they get done again in their new stadium
Southgate identified that you could progress in a tournament (or any knockout cup competition) by being tight at the back and strong when attacking from set pieces, as well as having a tight and mutually supportive team spirit. This is what England did at the WC and it proved successful for them. The rose tinted spectacles then came out and proclaimed that Southgate had launched a revolution in the national team. It’s not what I saw. England players are still tactically naive, struggle to control the ball and hold on to possession. They played to their traditional strengths of height,… Read more »
There is also a huge problem in England with the team being variously overhyped (we’re going to win everything easily) to slammed (we are shit and can’t do anything). This adds far too much pressure to the players, most of whom are undereducated, lack experience of playing overseas, spoilt and a bit simple. As a result they crumble when the crunch arrives.
Fucking hell me and Graham agree on something!
That didn’t take long
Freddie, the FA is composed of rank amateurs and journeymen. It’s been in thrall to the power and money of the clubs for years. The Premiership and the money it brought into English Football ironically was one of the most significant factors in the weakening of the national side. When other countries like France and later Germany were looking to professionalize their youth and junior national set ups, the FA guys were having tea and biscuits and desperately trying to avoid getting crumbs down their blazer front or wanking each other off through towels in the steam room. They had… Read more »
Moray
Again 100% spot on. We got to the semi final – great but who did we play. Not only that but we didn’t exactly breeze past the opposition either. Outside of the Panama match we were laboured and mostly shit.
The FA is rebranding itself as ……..
The English FA
Fucking Amateurs…they make Arsenal look well run and transparent.
Reading the comments on here about England and what we have needed for a long time , it appears that we have been lacking in technique, intelligence, composure and craft . Our attitude has always been spot on but , the team will run all day until they drop, no tackles will ever be shirked . However , we have been missing someone who is prepared to put their foot on the ball and dictate play and play with patience and intelligence….Southgate his credit is giving the players freedom to express themselves and we are seeing the benefit. This brings… Read more »
Oh shut the fuck up Pierre. No one here is against intelligent skillful players, most have a problem with paying someone 350k a week that just isn’t very good or influential, doesn’t score or even assist much anymore, can’t play away, hides against the big teams, etc etc.
Fucking troll.