Also the thing with Di Canio is we have a lot more than results to judge him on (post match interviews, touch line antics, being a ****ing nutter ) Though with a character like that, there's always a chance he could... "inspire" them to something.
Looks like Vermaelen is back: http://news.arseblog.com/2013/09/ve...gnews (Arseblog News - the Arsenal news site) Hopefully more players coming back soon. Anyone know how long Rosicky is out for?
I love what he's doing at our club. Media Witch hunt aside it's a fantastic ride. Players have fully subscribed to his methods, We're almost at fully fit as a collective squad (i can't remember the last time that happened.) Christ he's almost got Wes Brown and Lee Cattermole back to full fitness. So what's these touchline antics you're judging him on? Celebrating goals? Kicking every ball with the team? Getting on the touchline and letting his players know what he wants from them? I was acceptant of your views until the touchline bit. I can only assume jealousy of his passion for the game because he hasn't put a foot wrong on the touchline. If he has then I'm sure you'll enlighten me to the incident?
It will be interesting to see how Sunderland approach this game. If they elect to attack us it may play into our hands as we've had a slight change of emphasis this season on the way WE approach games. We've been playing counter-attacking football, something Ozil is particularly good at. If they try to sit back (unlikely) we will pick them apart with attacking and possession football. Should be a good game in any case.
I didn't say I judged him negatively for touch-line antics. I said it's something he can be judged on. So far I would say: 1. His results this season have been poor, including a piss poor home defeat to Fulham and the humiliation against Palace. 2. The things he says about his players are unprofessional. 3. His man-management skills are lacking (like banning them from this, that, and the other). 4. He's bought way too many players who have never played in this league before. 5. He's dispensed with players who have survived relegation in previous seasons. 6. My (subjective) experience of how "maverick" managers do in this league (relegation) makes me pessimistic about his chances. Despite that, what I said was I think he's a terrible manager, I didn't say I know he is. I accept there are arguments against my six points. Ultimately, more results are needed, but so far I see a lot of bad signs. Please don't see it as bias either because I have family from Sunderland and like the club... although on the pitch they're not far off Stoke unfortunately.
Fair play fella. I can see how you come to those conclusions. Lots of valid points which are perfectly reasonable for a fan of another club who has no vested interest. Few things on your points. 1. His results this season have been poor, including a piss poor home defeat to Fulham and the humiliation against Palace. The fulham defeat was not piss poor, we played exceptionally well that game playing a new style of football. They scored off a single shot on target and couldn't get the ball off us for the majority of the game. The problem with that game was our lack organisation from set pieces(which have continued to be a problem) and lack of creativity in CM (which we've made moves to resolve) The Palace game was pathetic but we were very much in the game at 1-1 when we gave away a penalty and dropped to ten men. Place were dead on their feet and we were turning the screw for the first time in the game. 2. The things he says about his players are unprofessional. Could be construed that way, but he's very close with the players and has an understanding with them regarding praise and criticism which the squad are happy with so there's only a problem with fans and non sunderland folk on that one. The Players are happy with it. 3. His man-management skills are lacking (like banning them from this, that, and the other). Again, he's created a unified non clique squad who spend long periods of time on team bonding. He's gives players lots of individual one on one time. Again the players are happy with the situation and only seems to be a problem to non Sunderland people and a minority of our own fans. 4. He's bought way too many players who have never played in this league before. He's head coach mate, He hasn't signed anybody. Besides, if you saw how small our squad was and the lack of quality we had you'd realise how many players we need it. The media also neglected to highlight the signings for the development squad so a lot of the players aren't even in first team contention. We've done the tried and tested method and ended up paying over the odds and almost got relegated. All of which is above Paolo's head as recruitment methods were down to Di Fanti and Ellis Short. 5. He's dispensed with players who have survived relegation in previous seasons. Like who? Titus Bramble, Matt Kilgallon and Danny Greaham? you do realise they were all on around or above 35k a week don't you? Player sales and loans have been out of Paolo's hands as Ellis Short made it a priority to cut the wage bill. Short made everybody available regardless of Paolo's feelings. 6. My (subjective) experience of how "maverick" managers do in this league (relegation) makes me pessimistic about his chances. Fair do mate. Only time will answer that on Paolo. Unless you're keeping upto date with the official site, Fanzines and local rags, then all my above point won't have been apparent to you which I understand. The National Press are telling a very one sided story most of which they are making up.
Non-sense. A 5'9 Sagna as good as he is will struggle against the leagues taller more athletic strikers. It's just a fact.. There's a reason most Top centrebacks are well over 6'0. Per is not the quickest but he is still massively underated.
Soo I dont think Ozil has been involved in full training yet so I doubt he will start. This game is starting to look a little more ominous.
We keep having players out through sickness recently! Someone keep an eye on the chef! So with current injuries we will probably have a team looking something like: ------------Sczc----------- Jenk---Sagna--Kosc---Gibbs ------Flamini---Ramsey----- Walcott---Wilshere---Cazorla ------------Giroud---------- Unless Ozil is feeling well enough to start in which case it'll probably be a Wilshere-Ramsey combo in CM and Ozil at AM. That's still a solid team and should be good enough to get a win. What does this leave our bench looking like though? Viviano, Monreal, Verm, Flamini/Ozil*, Miyaichi, Frimpong(?), Park *depending on if Ozil starts or not. Cover for the back is fine and we will have at least 1 top midfielder to bring in, but it's a little lacking in midfield and up front..
