Quote Originally Posted by Globalgunner View Post
I think the key thing is that we are literally in a death match with 3 teams that are patently better than us. We were so lucky last year that Chelsea found a perfect storm of AVB and RDM which left the door open for us to take 3rd. Even after we managed to overhaul the Spuds we still did our very best to throw it all away in the last 5 games. Who among Mancity, ManU, Chelsea are we better than. None? We are fighting just to make the 4th place our own. We cannot afford Wengers eccentricities if we are to maintain the last semblance of dignity left to us. Seriously..we are no longer interested in 1st place can we take 4th place for granted. The terrible form that saw us lose to Norwich this year also gave us demoralising defeats against Wigan and Swansea last season characterised by a system of play that is was both insipid and ineffectual. The Spuds who ran us close have improved their squad greatly while we have lost our greatest asset.

Wenger simply does not wish to change. He believes in his methods despite falling way below what were his previous standards. The club must be made to realise that the fans will no longer accept mediocrity as our lot. We only aim for CL in order to play 8 games in the competition, not to win it. As far as that competition goes, if Wenger never came close with his squad of 2000-2005 with Henry, Bergkamp, Pires, Wiltord, Campbell, Keown et al. to my mind the most talented group of individuals that ever played for this club, then he does not have a prayer with the sea of averageness that he now has before him.
Can't disagree with any of that. As for opinions changing - I am one of those who has finally 'lost faith' recently. As I explain on the other thread, I was prepared to live with the necessary re-building after the stadium project; prepared to accept that it is harder to compete with the rich boys; prepared to accept that project youth was tried, and ultimately failed, and to give the manager a chance with his post project youth reincarnation, and a change of coaching personnel.

I still believe that many of those calling for Wenger's head years ago were precipitous - and the fact that they had little patience then does not make them great sages now, in my view. But there is no evidence whatsoever that the fundamental issues with our style of play; the team's mentality and the tactical (or rather non tactical) decisions made by the manager and his players are being addressed, and every evidence that our manager is so stubborn and myopic that he will run us into the ground (relatively speaking) rather than fundamentally alter his approach.

The continual sales of our best players simply exacerbates the situation.

I believe firmly that the club is basing its entire approach on FFP and renewal of sponsorship deals. But even if a miracle happens and the playing field is levelled properly - will Wenger suddenly start spending money or stop taking stupid risks? Will the team suddenly become full of grit, determination and character? Will there be a tactical revolution? I think not, and I would prefer a fresh manager to be installed to take advantage of the situation in 2 years' time.