The Football Thread - Season 2016/2017

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I'm not sure wenger can cope with modern football. He's still sticking to his old, old tactics. Wait until 70 minutes before making a change, even if they are getting outplayed, then change the striker, be it bentner or now Giroud.
Not sure why Giroud only gets 20 mins. Isn't he fit enough for more?

The players don't look like they believe in wenger. No commitment to the team, players ambling around not trying to tackle. The defence this season is awful, really not like arsenal who always built from the back.
Really weird, the spurs and the arse have swapped. Now it's spurs with the great defence, whilst the arse are just hoping they score one more than the other team.
 
And arsenal may finish 4th but it's not guaranteed. It's wouldn't surprise me if you didn't make champions league this year, and to be honest, that might be the best thing for you. It'll force changes
 
I am not the normal Arsenal fan that is never satisfied. I appreciate that only 1 club can win the title, and only one club can win the FA cup, but you at least expect to see us mount a challenge... This is why Arsenal fans get upset...



Since their last win in 2004, 4 other clubs have won the title.

Chelsea - 4 times
Man Utd - 5 times
Man City - Twice
Leicester - Once

But we haven't even got close to the winners on points, except maybe the 07/08 season.

2004/05 - Chelsea - 95
2005/06 - Chelsea - 91
2006/07 - Man Utd - 89
2007/08 - Man Utd - 87
2008/09 - Man Utd - 90
2009/10 - Chelsea - 86
2010/11 - Man Utd - 80
2011/12 - Man City - 89
2012/13 - Man Utd - 89
2013/14 - Man City - 86
2014/15 - Chelsea - 87
2015/16 - Leicester - 81

We have one of the highest paid managers in football, we have the highest season tickets in the country (my 2 tickets cost me £3k a year). We "can" play some of the most amazing football, we have the talent and the players, but the Manager is out of touch. He has been a great servant to the club, but he is past his sell by date.

The board don't help, Kronke himself has said "winning trophies isn't important". With a man at the top with that attitude you can understand why the players don't have the will to win....
 
Jelster said:
I am not the normal Arsenal fan that is never satisfied. I appreciate that only 1 club can win the title, and only one club can win the FA cup, but you at least expect to see us mount a challenge... This is why Arsenal fans get upset...

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This is the reason why he is one of the highest paid managers, he has won things and guarantees top four. He delivers trophies occasionally, but more importantly for his employers, he guarantees Champions League money as well as money for finishing high in the league as well as going pretty far in FA and League Cups most years. (you don't even mention the League Cup btw, you seem to be not interested in that trophy;) :LOL:) Can a new man continue to do that? Can a new man quickly deliver more? Ask Utd fans how the change can affect league positions. Ask Liverpool fans, from being one of the most stable of clubs for most of its history, in recent years have gone change manager crazy, and not finishing in the top 4, not even in Europe, and no league title for a whole lot longer than Arsenal.

It is OK to want the best, especially if you are paying a lot of money out personally, but some realism also has to be applied, Arsenal have been going up against 3 clubs with more money for most of the time they have not won the title bar the Leicester aberration. Like it or not, money makes a difference and for quite a lot of those years Arsenal didn't have the money, and while they weren't buying the others continued to buy and build large squads, they are coming from behind. Whether Wenger is the man to build the squad to take on the money, who can say, but his employers like him, and for him to be fired would take a major disaster of Moaninho / Chel$ki proportions, and while some may say they would be willing for that to get him out, (I never want my team to lose, no matter what) or him to decide he has had enough.
Jelster said:
Since their last win in 2004, 4 other clubs have won the title.

Chelsea - 4 times
Man Utd - 5 times
Man City - Twice
Leicester - Once

But we haven't even got close to the winners on points, except maybe the 07/08 season.

2004/05 - Chelsea - 95
2005/06 - Chelsea - 91
2006/07 - Man Utd - 89
2007/08 - Man Utd - 87
2008/09 - Man Utd - 90
2009/10 - Chelsea - 86
2010/11 - Man Utd - 80
2011/12 - Man City - 89
2012/13 - Man Utd - 89
2013/14 - Man City - 86
2014/15 - Chelsea - 87
2015/16 - Leicester - 81

We have one of the highest paid managers in football, we have the highest season tickets in the country (my 2 tickets cost me £3k a year). We "can" play some of the most amazing football, we have the talent and the players, but the Manager is out of touch. He has been a great servant to the club, but he is past his sell by date.
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You have one of the best grounds in the country, which has had to be paid for, in the most expensive city in the country, and one of the most expensive in the world, and recently they have been splashing the cash on players. Obviously it is your choice to pay that money or not.

Jelster said:
The board don't help, Kronke himself has said "winning trophies isn't important". With a man at the top with that attitude you can understand why the players don't have the will to win....
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It's very hard to choose your owners, and even harder ones with motives that match your own exactly. ;) :LOL: I would want an owner to want to win things though. :(

I say this as an outsider looking on who has followed a team through my formative years that was the best in the country for decades, coming to terms with not continuing to win league titles and cups has been hard, but it has made me enjoy the successes, and I mean finishing high and sometimes competing for a the title by success, the cup successes are great bonus. Yes, Arsenal can be frustrating, but try being a Sunderland fan. ;) :rolleyes:
 
Read an interesting article by James Olly in the Standard last night, where he said if Conte was in charge at Arsenal, they'd wipe the floor in the league. Conte had around 6 or 7 games (the last one being a 3-0 loss at the Emirates) before he changed the formation and the way Chelsea play. Wenger doesn't seem either capable, or inclined to look at playing differently. You know that Wenger won't make a "tactical" change until after 65 minutes, you know he will always play possession football, and you know that Arsenal strikers are very unlikely to stake a shot outside of the box. Wind it back 15 years and we were playing very different football, Our defence was solid, the midfield had a true enforcer, and we would shoot from anywhere, often first time.

I know the game has changed, but Wenger hasn't, He is bereft of ideas, he can't organise a defence (we're still doing zonal marking at set pieces, and it has never worked successfully), and he refuses to listen to those close to him, such as Steve Bould and Thierry Henry (Henry was pushed out because he wanted to change the way we played in attack). His record on muscular injuries is the worst in the league, so what does that tell you? Potentially very good players have stagnated under Wenger (Walcott, Joel Campbell, Ox etc).

As a club we owe Wenger a great deal, but he is no longer the man for the job. New ideas, new methods, new tactics are needed, and I just don't think Wenger will ever change. The board are to blame though, they see "financial success" as meeting their targets, but for a football club, they also need to be successful on the pitch.
 
Chelski seemed a bit lucky to come away with a point today. Did they even have a shot on target in the 2nd half?
 
OldCarlos said:
Chelski seemed a bit lucky to come away with a point today. Did they even have a shot on target in the 2nd half?
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Not according to MotD2. ;) :rolleyes: Sign of champions though, get points even when you don't play the best.

They were talking of Dyche being one of the best managers in the league on MotD2. Mmmm, I like the chap, and he has done a great job getting them onto the Premier League twice, but his team have only one point away from home. :eek: I don't think so.

Great display by Liverpool on Saturday. :clap: About time. :( ;) :rolleyes: I don't think any player had a bad game, and made an in form Spurs team look quite poor. Saying that, I couldn't believe it when one Sunday newspaper gave a few players 6/10, including Lucas who didn't put a foot wrong. One broadcaster was considering him Man of the Match ahead of Mane. :confused: Opinions eh!

Doesn't look good for Leicester. I said to friends at the start of the season that it wouldn't surprise me if they went down, but it was half tongue in cheek. Their players need a big kick up the you know where. They have their place in history as the most unlikely and amazing league win, but virtually the same players could have a relegation on their CV 12 months later. Would sort of mar their achievement to some degree imho.

Palace are looking poor. The Fat Sam effect doesn't seem to have happened, which I can't say I'm too unhappy about, as I can't stand the man and the media love affair with him. I do like Palace though and feel for their fans. They are paying the price for the club being too loyal to Pardew.
 
And yet again we are out in the last 16. While Ospina may not have been to blame, it is yet another crazy decision by Wenger in dropping Cech. Its clear that Cech is a better keeper, so why play a weaker one in a key game? The likes of Loris, De Gea, Courtois, Neuer, even Schmichael would not be dropped. Its more proof if needed, that Wenger has lost the plot.
 
cambsno said:
And yet again we are out in the last 16. While Ospina may not have been to blame, it is yet another crazy decision by Wenger in dropping Cech. Its clear that Cech is a better keeper, so why play a weaker one in a key game? The likes of Loris, De Gea, Courtois, Neuer, even Schmichael would not be dropped. Its more proof if needed, that Wenger has lost the plot.
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I heard people on the radio today saying that Cech should have been dropped weeks ago as he has been playing badly. I've only seen him in highlights though, so don't know one way or the other.
 
redhed17 said:
I heard people on the radio today saying that Cech should have been dropped weeks ago as he has been playing badly. I've only seen him in highlights though, so don't know one way or the other.
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Sure he makes the odd mistake, keepers do, but ospina is not as good. If he was bad then give ospina a run in a different game.
 
nickEnackEnoo said:
Ranieri given the boot then.
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I'm a Leicester supporter born & bred in the county before I moved north 6 years ago.

This is very very sad, what a lovely man and what a change from the typical myopic moaning premier league manager who seeks to blame everybody ( ref ? ) for his teams poor performance.

Sadly this was inevitable, the LCFC owners are businessmen who promote their 'King Power' brand via football. To lose their place at the 'top table' and the financial benefits therein will scare them sh**less. There has been no sentiment in football for many many years, even the fairy tale that was Leicester last year cannot change that.

Hope they build a statue of Claudio because what he achieved with this 'journeymen' team of players (Kante excepted) will never happen again.
 
It is quite sad for Ranieri. :( I doubt what he achieved with Leicester will ever replicated, but the closer they got to the bottom of the league, and the fewer games till the end of the season, with little if any improvement in form can only lead to something like this. The alternative was to do nothing and their poor run of form possibly continue. I feel they have left it too late for someone to come in and make a difference, but Ranieri had to be given as long as possible to try improve things given what he achieved last season. Leicester are banking on a new man hopefully having that new manager improvement in form to at least save them this season. It is a long shot. Their players should be ashamed of themselves imho.

I thought they may have got a bit of confidence from scoring the away goal in the Champion's League, which may have seen an improvement against Liverpool on Monday. As it is, this may motivate the Leicester players to put in a performance to make up for getting their manager sacked.
 
Please take Big Sam off us... please...
 
badlywornroy said:
Be honest now, what were you thinking when he was appointed ?
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Mostly 'oh god, not Big Sam'.

He's a good manager, but it's too soon after the England job. His heart's not in it and he'll take us down (as would Pardew). We needed someone who would get the players going - we've got an OK squad, they just need to perform. Instead we've spent a fortune adding more players to a squad who don't care.
 
Llamaman said:
Mostly 'oh god, not Big Sam'.

He's a good manager, but it's too soon after the England job. His heart's not in it and he'll take us down (as would Pardew). We needed someone who would get the players going - we've got an OK squad, they just need to perform. Instead we've spent a fortune adding more players to a squad who don't care.
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I always had a grudging respect for Sam before the England debacle sadly no longer.
Some people are mentioning Pardew for the Leicester job which I suppose indicates the paucity of available candidates.

These days I really find it difficult to 'love' football !
 
badlywornroy said:
There has been no sentiment in football for many many years
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The biggest change was when Sky bought the game.

badlywornroy said:
I always had a grudging respect for Sam before the England debacle sadly no longer.
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He was great in his day @ Bolton, but always thought he was a bit dodgy even before the England debacle.

badlywornroy said:
These days I really find it difficult to 'love' football !
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Same here. I enjoy watching the odd game on TV, but gave up going to watch my team several years ago.
FAR too much money in the game these days & not as much fun as it used to be.
 
Hard luck Southapmton. We'll never know if the disallowed goal being given would have gone to a victory for them ... but that's football for ya
 
nickEnackEnoo said:
Hard luck Southampton. We'll never know if the disallowed goal being given would have gone to a victory for them
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The disallowed goal and Lingard not getting sent off. But then if they gave the former, the latter may not have happened. :rolleyes: But to have two game changing moments go against must be difficult for Saints fans.
 
Well, that was an interesting game. Bournemouth must be quite chuffed, but ashamed of Stampy Mings.
 
About to explode ffs!!!!

Away to a key rival, and you drop your 2 top scorers, and Sanchez is arguably the best in the prem. What sort of logic is that????
 
cambsno said:
About to explode ffs!!!!

Away to a key rival, and you drop your 2 top scorers, and Sanchez is arguably the best in the prem. What sort of logic is that????
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Wenger didn't have a clue. When you went two down, it was obvious your midfield was being swamped. Changes needed to be made early. Sanchez made a difference when he came on.
 
No logic in dropping Sanchez, and I cant see how Iwobi is ahead of Walcott. Didn't turn up for first half, more poor defending and looking lazy and uninterested. No doubt it will be the fault of the pitch/referee/playing at night or something...

Hate to say it but hope we finish 5th, get beat by Lincoln and finish behind Spurs, at least then he may go!
 
Byker28i said:
Wenger didn't have a clue. When you went two down, it was obvious your midfield was being swamped. Changes needed to be made early. Sanchez made a difference when he came on.
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Told you there was someone more stupid than Trump!!!
 
My lot have had the worst week ever and after recent events that's saying something.

Just so proud of the youngsters who are doing their best to keep the O's in the league. Won 4-0 today with a hat trick from 18yr old Josh Koroma and a debut goal from another 18yr old Steven Alzate.

These teenagers have been thrown in at the very deep end and are giving their all, no matter what happens these lads have earned so much respect.
 
cambsno said:
About to explode ffs!!!!

Away to a key rival, and you drop your 2 top scorers, and Sanchez is arguably the best in the prem. What sort of logic is that????
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There seems no logic Simon, but in a way, he didn't make changes he would be in the dog house too. It's just not working, and we have players who have shown their potential getting wound up because donkey's like Giroud, Elnenny and Iwobi all seem to be higher up the pecking order. What Perez has to do to get a start in the league I don't know... Rumours are that he's due to sign for another 2 years... I can't take it anymore :(
 
tijuana taxi said:
My lot have had the worst week ever and after recent events that's saying something.

Just so proud of the youngsters who are doing their best to keep the O's in the league. Won 4-0 today with a hat trick from 18yr old Josh Koroma and a debut goal from another 18yr old Steven Alzate.

These teenagers have been thrown in at the very deep end and are giving their all, no matter what happens these lads have earned so much respect.
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Did you see Slade got sacked yesterday.....

I've been quite enjoying being at our U18s and U23s matches. Both top of their respective tables, the U23s still in two cups. Although they had a blip today and only managed a draw against 2nd from bottom Palace. We have shipped off quite a few key players out on loan though.
 
kelack said:
Did you see Slade got sacked yesterday.....

I've been quite enjoying being at our U18s and U23s matches. Both top of their respective tables, the U23s still in two cups. Although they had a blip today and only managed a draw against 2nd from bottom Palace. We have shipped off quite a few key players out on loan though.
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I did see Slade has gone, another payout after my lot, Cardiff, Charlton and Coventry, easy way to make a good few bob.
Been enjoying watching our youngsters, shame it's in the first team though although they are growing up fast.

I remember the trouble your lot had ground sharing, saw us play a cup game at Palace in 1990 and looks like you have a few problems now, hope it all gets sorted out well.

Football has gone crazy, really do wonder what will happen at the smaller clubs with all the money being at the top and nothing filtering down.

Wouldn't publish it here, but we do have a fighting fund and looks like we may need it to keep the club going in one guise or another. Sad times for London's second oldest team, all undone by a lunatic who is bored with his latest toy.
 
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tijuana taxi said:
I did see Slade has gone, another payout after my lot, Cardiff, Charlton and Coventry, easy way to make a good few bob.
Been enjoying watching our youngsters, shame it's in the first team though although they are growing up fast.

I remember the trouble your lot had ground sharing, saw us play a cup game at Palace in 1990 and looks like you have a few problems now, hope it all gets sorted out well.

Football has gone crazy, really do wonder what will happen at the smaller clubs with all the money being at the top and nothing filtering down.

Wouldn't publish it here, but we do have a fighting fund and looks like we may need it to keep the club going in one guise or another. Sad times for London's second oldest team, all undone by a lunatic who is bored with his latest toy.
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I hope it gets sorted as well, the atmosphere around the ground is not very pleasant! I can't see how the FA will come down like a ton of bricks on little stuff like Piegate but won't step in with clubs like Blackpool, us, you, Coventry and Leeds to name a few. The protests week in week out, the disruption of games and it seems that the FA don't even care!

Not sure what the fallout will be from the protests in Belgium at the weekend, I'm sure he will find a way to punish the fans
 
Jelster said:
I am not the normal Arsenal fan that is never satisfied. I appreciate that only 1 club can win the title, and only one club can win the FA cup, but you at least expect to see us mount a challenge... This is why Arsenal fans get upset...



Since their last win in 2004, 4 other clubs have won the title.

Chelsea - 4 times
Man Utd - 5 times
Man City - Twice
Leicester - Once

But we haven't even got close to the winners on points, except maybe the 07/08 season.

2004/05 - Chelsea - 95
2005/06 - Chelsea - 91
2006/07 - Man Utd - 89
2007/08 - Man Utd - 87
2008/09 - Man Utd - 90
2009/10 - Chelsea - 86
2010/11 - Man Utd - 80
2011/12 - Man City - 89
2012/13 - Man Utd - 89
2013/14 - Man City - 86
2014/15 - Chelsea - 87
2015/16 - Leicester - 81

We have one of the highest paid managers in football, we have the highest season tickets in the country (my 2 tickets cost me £3k a year). We "can" play some of the most amazing football, we have the talent and the players, but the Manager is out of touch. He has been a great servant to the club, but he is past his sell by date.

The board don't help, Kronke himself has said "winning trophies isn't important". With a man at the top with that attitude you can understand why the players don't have the will to win....
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Well said. Wonder who here still backs Wenger?
 
jonneymendoza said:
Well said. Wonder who here still backs Wenger?
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Don't get me started... I was impressed with Theo & Ox last night, but the way the team just capitulated tells me that there is something wrong inside the club. We should have seen growth over the last 2 years, but we have gone backwards.

Kronke & Gazidis are to blame, they should be taking action, but no, "Silent Stan" want Wenger to stay.... FFS, they can poke their season tickets, I'd rather spend the money on a week away with the Mrs....
 
Yeah, no matter how dissatisfied Arsenal fans are, imagine what it's like being a PSG fan right now.
 
StewartR said:
Yeah, no matter how dissatisfied Arsenal fans are, imagine what it's like being a PSG fan right now.
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Gutted in a different way, but the record books will show a 6-5 defeat rather than a 10-2 one.
 
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