No but as a whole I agree with Jayram on that. Even last Season we only beat the 'big teams' when we were expected to lose.(the United game spring to mind) The team has the ability but we need a few more 'strong characters' in there. (incidently one of the main reasons i think Podolski would be such a good signing for us)
I wouldn't disagree about needing a few more strong characters - I think Frimpong was exactly the type of player we needed in midfield and Podolski would also add some steel. BUT, this alone is not the reason why we falter. It's a bit too simplistic to say that it's all down to mentality. In both games against QPR and Wigan, they simply set up and played better than us. The improvement needed from us in those games were tactical ones. I think we still lack one or two players who shut up shop when needed. Hopefully Frimpong will be one of those players.
True, I personally think the issue lies heavily with our defenders. We've already conceded 43 goals league goals this Season. (For the second year running) In my personal opinion only Sagna and Vermaelen are up to the required standard. Koscielney - 6'1 and built like a marathon runner. He's great technically and extremely quick for a centreback but lacks upper body strength, consistantly drifts out of position and struggles against the leagues bigger forwards. He's also far too simular to Vermaelen to make a balanced partnership. Over the last two Season Koscielney has played the MOST games of any of our defenders and if you take a look at the number of goals conceded in this time its not hard to assertain that the guy simply is not of the required standard. Good player POOR defender.(and the stats back this up) Meretesacker - He's tall, good in the air and reads the game well. However he's extremely slow (the slowest guy in our team in fact - including the goalkeepers) and is somewhat technically lacking. I like big Mert but Im not convinced he's suited to our style or the Premierleague for that matter. Djourou - He's simply not good enough. His biggest issue is his concentration as he is constantly caught out of position. In fact I dont think we've had a top class defence since we had Toure and Campbell together. Gallas and Toure - lacked balanced as did Vermaelen and Gallas. We need a TOP CLASS partner for Vermaelen. A player with height and power but also technically skilled enough to play our brand of football. If It was up to me I would be after Matt Hummels or Vertonghen.
i think Wenger's play-one-way style is something of a problem. And his subs are often at 65 mins and SO predictable.
I would agree about the subs. He's always been poor with this. However I'm somewhat of a romantic and agree with the 'play our football' ethos regardless of who you are facing. It worked for Ajax, Brazil and Barcelona. (it also worked for us for many years)
I think we have to play to our strengths, which is as an attacking team. But we still need to know when to keep the ball, pack the midfield and basically shut up shop. Unless we're 2-3 goals to the good, you're never confident that this team can grind out a win . . .
Did anyone notice how, yet again, when Walcott played and stayed wide he was completely useless. Did anyone also notice how slowly we moved the ball. contrast this to how we played when we were winning, we've gone back to old ways. How anyone can say our problems do not revolve around mentality is beyond me. How do you then explain how Arsenal are able to "turn it on" when we are behind and chasing ?? It has always been about our mentality, taking it too easy, then doing what we need to do to score.
Should I read the last 5 pages of this thread or is it the usual post-loss bickering among the two factions of our fans Although if it is then I should read it anyway because it rarely fails to disapoint
Chelsea game is now a massive game - and a massive 3pts if we can get them. Are you going ? It's going to be an electric atmosphere at the Emirates
