Originally Posted by
Power_n_Glory
We were talking specifically about a lack of investment in the squad and I think Tipsy's post addresses that. Ultimate responsibility wasn't part of the conversation and I think everyone has said the Board have played their part in our demise. That's not what this is about. I just don't agree with this idea that the Board have set Wenger up to operate on a shoestring budget. Has actions, words and the numbers suggest otherwise. I we'd have stayed at Highbury, we'd never be able to afford this. The wage bill has gone up and keeps going up because he's overindulged in this youth project. He's using his resources badly which is why disagree strongly with people that suggest the Board have placed limits in him.
I also think there is a double standard with quotes as well. You don't trust Wenger's words and think he's covering even though his actions, words and the numbers are all in line with his beliefs which suggests he wants to make this youth policy work.
Actions - He buys unknown young players and never spends over £15m on a player. That has been since Highbury even though we make a profit in transfer windows and income has risen. He has no problem spending big on young players like Walnut, Ox and Rambo...but passes up the opportunity to buy someone like Sessegnon, players with experience that won't cost crazy money. He pushed for the youth academy and thought it was important for the clubs future, he persists with the same players game after game even when playing badly. His actions from past to present shows that he firmly believes in what he's doing and he continues to pass up transfer opportunities because he doesn't want to 'kill' certain players.
Words - Speaking of killing players, how many times has he come out to defend our policy and criticise teams that spend big? He seems totally against the City and talks as if it's morally wrong and i can't imagine that to be some sort of smokescreen. How can you dismiss that sort of talk and say you don't know why to believe? Wenger can talk shit sometimes but he's pretty consistent with this and his words math up with his actions. If he says he believes in this squad and he proves it with his actions. I don't think he's covering for anyone. He admires the Ajax system, lives working with young players and decided to take a coaching job in Japan of all places. He's a humble guy in that respect.
Numbers - our contract situation. If the money wasn't there, we wouldn't be able to afford the players we currently have. We spend millions on rubbish and that's just bad management. Again, we gamble big on young prospects but hardly spend on little known experienced players these days. I remember Wenger talking about knowing about Ronaldo and Ronaldinho when they were kids but he couldn't sign them. He must think we have potential world beaters on our hands which is why he persists with them and throws money at them.
As for the Board, I think it's beyond them to come up with such a long term plan. They don't have the forsight and if so we'd have been a feeder club years before Wenger. They don't have enough knowledge about the game to think amble on youth like this. We need someone up their that knows about football to really push Wenger and keep him on his toes but that sounds more like a Director of Football role and I doubt that would sit well with Wenger. You here him when the fans booed the sub and his arrogant comment. For a director to question his supreme judgement....pff...the audacity! It would cause a problem and that's why he's comfortable here. I blame the Board for that and I hope they are starting to probe with uncomfortable questions because they should be able to spot the same patterns and excuses as we all have over the years.
Please excuse any errors - this was down my iPhone the key pad is a real bitch. Fixed now.
