I don't think an average manager would have kept us top 4 for so long or won 3 FA Cups in 4 years.
But if he was quite as good as we thought back in the day he'd have achieved more over the last decade.
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I don't think an average manager would have kept us top 4 for so long or won 3 FA Cups in 4 years.
But if he was quite as good as we thought back in the day he'd have achieved more over the last decade.
I'm not sure I agree, other clubs have chopped an changed and their managers have not been able to build like he has, when they've underperformed for half a season even they've been sacked, whereas he's really had no pressure on that front.
The clubs below us have generally not been able to attract the same calibre of player as they weren't in the CL, as it turns out (as we're seeing now) once you miss out it's quite hard to get back into the top 4, but if you are in the to 4 it's not too hard to stay there every season.
The uncertainty in those other clubs didn't help them, thing is though those clubs wanted to win major trophies, top 4 was not really the target so their managers would get sacked rather quickly, I also think the pressure on managers at other clubs made a big difference, when under pressure it becomes harder to deliver, Wenger hasn't had any of that from the board, he's been able to live in his own little bubble.
Actually his key weakness is his refusal to entertain anybody else's ideas. His dictatorship over everything is his downfall.
It's like any manager in any organisation in the world. You can't do it all, therefore you delegate responsibility with clear instruction as to what you would like them to do, and retain the things you are good at.
It's not a failure for him to turn around to a defensive coach and ask them to get the team disciplined.
Nobody is perfect, and in my eyes, he deserves credit for his successes as a manager, and equally criticism for his failures. That he refuses point blank to admit his failures is what is bringing him down, and has done for years now. If he's admitted and acknowledged his failures ten years ago, and accepted the assistance (offered willingly I'm sure) from his allies, he probably wouldn't be in this shitstorm now.
He could salvage something this year if he threw some money and thought into the equation. He just needs to ask Bould to organise his defence for him. Listen to his critics and take it on the chin. His time is up, but if I was him, back to the wall, I'd use my considerable influence at the club to get a fucking crew of people who know what they're doing, to do the job for him......
You say that once you're in the top 4 it's not too hard to stay there. Who else has done it so consistently? It's not as easy as it looks, there's not much margin for error.
But I agree that Wenger was a bit too pleased with himself about it and the board didn't put much pressure on to achieve much more.
Now that's revisionism. Maybe you're the odd one out, but the reason most of us were comfortable with certain players leaving and having such high hopes for project youth and the whole stadium move came back to holding a high opinion of Wenger's management skills.Quote:
Originally Posted by HCZ
Take the tactics out of the equation, he never was a great tactician but there was always a belief that he was the absolute best at developing players. That's the water to wine and I'm talking about.
Also, commentators weren't talking about a lack of a plan B during the Highbury years.
Man U, Chelsea, Man City and now Spurs are starting too and Liverpool look like they will too (obviously not all van be in the top 4 but all of those sides will challenge to get into the top for and one of them may drop out and swap with the other from one season to the other but it will pretty much remain the same).Quote:
Originally Posted by Letters
All of those teams are building teams though, I think there's a psychological thing about top 4 and those clubs are maybe starting to get over that, especially now they seem to have a more stable setup (which clearly plays it's part).
I think Wenger did make players better for quite a time. Did that mean he necessarily coached them individually to improve them....no. I have no doubt that Adams et al gave them the understanding of what it was to play for Arsenal. And in terms of defensive players I would say it’s pretty obvious that Wenger wouldn’t have an idea of how to improve them.Quote:
Originally Posted by Delusions of Grandeur
But the thing that Wenger did wasn’t complicated but he earmarked players with talent and gave them the confidence and self belief to either fast track their own development or rebuild their careers.
It’s said of Wenger that he believes his players are adults and they need to be given the freedom to work things out for themselves.
In a heavily tactical game where players work to specific game plans “listen to the calling of your heart” is probably not the kind of coaching or non coaching that works anymore.
Lee Dixon said on Monday - he never stopped and told you what you were doing wrong. Now I think that statement should be taken as Lee Dixon intended it as an observation not a criticism. There were certain things he was strict about like drinking and eating sweets but more with the younger players.
That just happens to be his style, and it’s wrong now
Arsenal Holdings PLC share price at a record high on the NEX Exchange of £33,500. A year ago they were worth around £17,250 each.
I don't get it, we're as bad as we've even been and yet our shares are at their highest? Wengers' definitely not going to leave now, it seems to me he doesn't have to do anything to make the club money, the shares seem to go up regardless of how bad we are.
I think you're missing the point. In the early years, early 2000, late 90s, were you saying what you've just said today? Was Adams and Co getting as much credit for coaching the defence?Quote:
Originally Posted by HCZ