Another False Dawn

[Letters]

i saw a stat that said if season started on october 1st, we would be top level on points with united and city (i saw this last week so dont know what it would be like now but was before qpr game).

From October 2nd onwards Utd have got 3 more points than us, City have 2 fewer points so a table from then on would have us 2nd, 3 points off the top. This is not just a 'decent' run recently, it's long term consistency which only Utd have bettered.

[Power n Glory]

From October 2nd onwards Utd have got 3 more points than us, City have 2 fewer points so a table from then on would have us 2nd, 3 points off the top. This is not just a 'decent' run recently, it's long term consistency which only Utd have bettered.

Until we show that sort of consistency when we're actually competing with Man Utd for the title, it means nothing. It's a good record but we've had Wenger talk about such records in past seasons but it leads to nothing. Sort of like an F1 driver that can get good lap times in practice or Qualifying rounds but on GP day the pressure is too much and they always spin out of the race and never get on the podium. What good is the record if we always buckle when head to head with the big boys?

[Flavs]

From October 2nd onwards Utd have got 3 more points than us, City have 2 fewer points so a table from then on would have us 2nd, 3 points off the top. This is not just a 'decent' run recently, it's long term consistency which only Utd have bettered.

No pressure though is there

[Kano]

Until we show that sort of consistency when we're actually competing with Man Utd for the title, it means nothing. It's a good record but we've had Wenger talk about such records in past seasons but it leads to nothing. Sort of like an F1 driver that can get good lap times in practice or Qualifying rounds but on GP day the pressure is too much and they always spin out of the race and never get on the podium. What good is the record if we always buckle when head to head with the big boys?

exactly, those stats mean fuck all

[Joker]

But the season doesn't start from October, so this statistic is meaningless and is the sort of "spin" you'd expect politicians to use. In response to the question, yes this is very likely a false dawn because the good run we've had has occured when the team hasn't been under enormous pressure. Yes, some will say we were fighting for 4th, but in reality that's not the same pressure as challenging for the league, or in the knockout rounds of a cup compeittion. In the later two examples, we HAVE crumbled under pressure regularly in recent seasons, which I think is a true measure of a team's "mental strength". I remember how we put together an amazing run in 2001-2002, and didn't drop any points in the league since the end of February. That is a truly outstanding run of form, that happened just when we needed it, allowing us to win the league ahead of Man Utd. Do you really think a Wenger side would be able to recreate anything like that run of form these days, when the pressure is truly on and Man Utd are breathing down your necks? No chance, we buckled under pressure facing a poor Biirmingham side in the Carling Cup final last season, which says everything.

[Flavs]

Someone needs a WAAAAAAAHmbulance...

[LDG]

But the season doesn't start from October, so this statistic is meaningless and is the sort of "spin" you'd expect politicians to use. In response to the question, yes this is very likely a false dawn because the good run we've had has occured when the team hasn't been under enromous pressure. Yes, some will say we were fighting for 4th, but in reality that's not the same pressure as challenging for the league, or in the knockout rounds of a cup compeittion. In the later two examples, we HAVE crumbled under pressure regularly in recent seasons, which I think is a true measure of a team's "mental strength". I remember how we put together an amazing run in 2001-2002, and didn't drop any points in the league since the end of Febraury. That is a truly outstanding run of form, that happened just when we needed it, allowing us to win the league ahead of Man Utd. Do you really think a Wenger side would be able to recreate anything like that run of form these days, when the pressure is truly on and Man Utd are breathing down your necks? No chance, we buckled under pressure facing a poor Biirmingham side in the Carling Cup final last season, which says everything.

[Joker]

So you think this Arsenal side can cope under pressure? Despite our abysmal record in cup semis/finals in recent years, and our predictable collapses in the league whenever we've been in contention? Remember, since 2005 we've lost semi finals against Wigan and Tottenham in the Carling Cup, United in the UCL, Chelsea in the FA Cup. We've lost two finals against Chelsea and Birmingham, both in the Carling Cup. We have had end of season collapses when challenging for the league in 2007-2008, 2009-2010 and 2010-2011. That's not the record of a team that can be relied on to "go the extra mile" which is why I think this run of form is a false dawn, and will make Wenger and the board feel justified in the direction that they're taking the club, even though nothing has really changed this season. We still fucked up under pressure against Milan in the Champions League, and in the FA Cup failed to get past a relatively mediocre Sunderland side. When the pressure was on this season, we've buckled again, just like we have in the last 6 years.

[LDG]

So you think this Arsenal side can cope under pressure? Despite our abysmal record in cup semis/finals in recent years, and our predictable collapses in the league whenever we've been in contention? Remember, since 2005 we've lost semi finals against Wigan and Tottenham in the Carling Cup, United in the UCL, Chelsea in the FA Cup. We've lost two finals against Chelsea and Birmingham, both in the Carling Cup. We have had end of season collapses when challenging for the league in 2007-2008, 2009-2010 and 2010-2011. That's not the record of a team that can be relied on to "go the extra mile" which is why I think this run of form is a false dawn, and will make Wenger and the board feel justified in the direction that they're taking the club, even though nothing has really changed this season. We still fucked up under pressure against Milan in the Champions League, and in the FA Cup failed to get past a relatively mediocre Sunderland side. When the pressure was on this season, we've buckled again, just like we have in the last 6 years.

There are no certainties in football, but in order to win shit, you have to be consistent. It's what SAF has instilled at Utd. They're no better than us as a team IMO, but they slip up far less. Once you have a capable unit, as we seem to have now (a few quality additions aside), all you need is the right attitude, desire and consistency.

Broken record? Maybe. But it's true, else City would be ahead of Utd on talent alone.

So why is there room for optimism? Because we're getting some of the basics right. Start with a solid foundation and build on it.

It relys heavily, as many have said, on keeping hold of RVP. But build on what we have, and we're certainly going to be there or thereabouts next year.

As far as questions surrounding previous years go. Well, it's clear to me at least that players past, didn't have the bottle or attitude, or in some cases, quality.

Nasri - Good player. But no doubting what he's all about, the lesbo ****
Cesc - Heart wasn't fully in it despite having the desire
Denilson - LOL
Bender - LOL
Flamini - Again, about the money
Adebayor - Money
Clichy - Liability
Senderos - Prone to nerves

The list goes on and on.

Most of them were good players when looking at ability alone. But they lacked the mental strength, desire and attitude. And this is where it's different.

Guess I'll have to repeat myself

[Joker]

Guess I'll have to repeat myself

Fair enough, we'll see next season.