We've debated this issue on here and it seems the players have been too. A defensive coach (as one has been lacking) can only bring about an improvement. For the players to recognise this and call for one is all credit to them. Steve Bould and Martin Keown are names that have been suggested. Keown is an intelligent man, who understands the game and has a wealth of experience. Bould is already in the set up at the club and also has vast defensive experience. It will be interesting to follow developments: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/new...ensive-coach-article801482.html#ixzz1YLRo6LKA
A) The players would want this to save their damaged reputations, sod the club and the results B) I wouldn't trust a thing the mirror writes.
Theres no quotes or anything. Made up. probably been reading everyone on here saying we need one and stole it as a story.
I agree about the Mirror, but do you really think the players would only do this to protect their own individual reputations??? I'd suggest it's more likely (if true) that they are doing it for the good of the club.
Sorry, Wenger's ego will not allow such a thing. To this day the club and Wenger still claim that Keown was only doing his coaching badges with us in 2006 when our make shift defence went on THAT run in the CL.
Wenger has said in the past that he would find it difficult to have people coming in doing parts of his job. But I think this is one area that he may need to concede that he needs some help with. I'd love to see Keown and Bould working as defensive coaches at Arsenal.
I completely agree, this is something we have needed for years, Wenger clearly does not know or no longer can instill a proper defensive mindset and have the team organised effectively in defence. That game really broke my alot peoples spirit in the team and perhaps even Wengers however he or we try and sugar coat it. Was pretty humiliating.
If Wenger was REALLY responsible for the *ucking shambles in defence for several years then how does he live with himself?
The Blackburn result was a really bad one, given the nature in how we lost it. The Utd result was bad, but at least there were some mitigating circumstances. Defensive errors have cost us so dearly over the last 2-3 seasons. I really think Wenger needs to bring in someone to work specifically on just this aspect of the game.
QPR fan in peace - I think that you are just missing Cahill (hopefully will join Jan), Samba and a defensive midfiled player in the Scott Parker mould. Wenger will probably have to pay £20 to £25 for the players for these areas but then you will be fine. 14 successive champs top 4 finishes...if you offered that to me for QPR I would have bitten your arm off.
Jesus Christ Piskie...some people obviously don't see through the same rose tinted glasses that you do. I think you're confusing pessimism with realism. We're ****ing awful.
pragmatic? he buys Oxo - like why? Refuses a couple of £million over our bid so misses players like Jagy and Cahill, Mata etc. Fiddles while Rome is burning more like. Sympathy with the man? - none left after about 4 years of weird attitudes, quotes, purchases and missed opportunities. Go now - you've lost it.
The point being that a realistic assessment of how we address our problems would be a pragmatic one, not a knee jerk one. Sacking the manager would simply plunge us into a crisis.
On OXO, Wenger seemed very keen to tell us how good he is. Here is what he said. Wenger normally plays down any hype but not with this kid. Can't wait to see how he plays on Tuesday.
I'm not calling for Arsene's head and it's not the way for him to go after so many years of faithful service and success. However he does seem to have run out of ideas and our poor form is all of six months old and continuing. If he does go ( under his own steam ), I wonder if a new man with new style and approach might not offer a breath of fresh air and optimism and thus re-energise the team somewhat.
Pragmatic would have been to pay say £20m each for the best 2 CBs we could get (ideally 2 yeas ago). AND ACCEPT months ago that Fabregas would go - AND accept 2 weeks earlier that Nasri would want out. The Premier's best ditherer is what we have.