I canât believe the pessimism being shown by numerous contributors over our lack of action in the last few days. Like most supporters I experienced the highs and lows of expectation as the deadline approached, but thatâs possibly where any similarities end. Unlike many, I am NOT disappointed with the addition of Bendtner to the squad as I believe this is an ideal opportunity for the lad to demonstrate his own well publicised self-belief. At 6â 3â+ he adds height to our lightweight attack and I would suggest his record of 58 goals in 205 cup & league games is better than anyone else in the current squad. Our pre-season flurry into the market brought a welcome mix of experience and potential and I for one am pleased that the management made these acquisitions in a timely and sensible pace, rather than scurrying around on the last day auction, with a complete disregard for the clubâs financial stability. Yes, I too would have liked to see us sign players to strengthen our well documented weak spots â particularly on the left side - but the reality is that we are NOT in a position to throw money around frivolously and we must accept that will probably always be the case. When I look at the current squad and compare with the group that ended last season, I see overall improvement with better balance, more experience and some very exciting potential waiting to burst on the scene. That sounds like progress to me and despite the bad start, itâs enough to keep my glass half full.
Nice piece Argus. I firmly nailed my colours to the Cisse mast, but in the cold light of day, maybe Bendtner is a better foil for Gyan. Bendtners goals record is decent, and becomes impressive when you take into account that few of the games have been played in runs, and fewere still were starts and 90 mins. His assists column is also very healthy indeed. He'll do well for us, i'm confident.
Agree with this. Am also glad we seem to have negotiated buy clause next summer which I wish we had been able to do with Wellbeck last season. Win win for us IMO
Good post Argus and I must admit o feeling a tad excited about the season, not expecting top 6 or to start winning every game but bit by bit we are getting there.
I didn't know we'd done this, but that's great news. If he does well, be a travesty to see him go, any idea on figures? And also the Anton fee? I was smashed by 11pm...
Guys its been confirmed that NO BUY OUT CLOSE was included in the deal, but apparantly further talks are to be conducted in January to discuss the possibility
I'm over the moon with Bendtner, and I think he will prove to be an invaluable addition to the squad...I also think that QPR have got themselves a real bargain getting Anton for 3 million, but the fact that he was fast approaching the time when he would have been a free agent, then it is perhaps understandable.
I agree, £3million is great value for them, but not a bad deal for us. It's £3million and probs another million plus in saved wages, so a good deal. We maybe could do with another CB in January, but then, young Laing is looking a real prospect, we'll have to wait and see.
Yes, sorry. Conflicting reports re this but it now appears there isnt a buy out clause. Out of interest, the figure quoted this morning was £8m. I think this is slightly different to Wellbeck, he's a bit older and I cant see him go back to Arsenal no matter how well he does with us.
I just hope it was'nt a knee jerk reaction to sign Bendtner (I remember Torre andre Flo), I don't think it will be as according to SSN the club knew by early afternoon yesterday that Crouch was'nt interested, with Bendtner we noe have a young very experienced striker, looking to resurrect his career, he may not score a bunch of goals, but I bet he'll create a few
Bendtner Arsenal career: 5 and a bit seasons (includin this one but not including his loan with Birmingham) Games Started: Premiership: 40 UCL: 15 Domestic Cups: 17 Used as a Sub: Premiership: 58 UCL: 12 Domestic Cups: 6 Goals: Premiership: 22 UCL: 9 Domestic Cups: 12 Assists: Premiership: 11 UCL: 2 Domestic Cups: 6 Shots: Premiership: 166 UCL: 34 Domestic Cups: 60 Shots on target: Premiership: 82 UCL: 17 Domestic Cups: 30 So looking at that in 5 years, he hasnt really been giving that much of a chance.
Bentner shuold be decent for us. Also I cannot see him getting back into the Arsenal team now, they have Chamakh, RVP, Gervinho above him - plus anyone else they sign. Difference with Wellbeck is he came to us for experience, Bentnder is coming because AW doesn't see him part of the Arsenal squad, and has been given ample chances to get in there.
I think if Bendtner comes good we have a bargain at £8m if not we look elsewhere but overall im pleased we got him and not Crouch. I also get annoyed with what i call modern day supporters as they are too quick to judge without giving the team time we are still a team where they need time to gel. Modern day supporters In General fans of all clubs 1. it has been known they leave games 20mins before the end if their team are struggling (never at Roker Park) 2. Expectations too high for some clubs 3. Booing players (which is going to give the team a great boost) 4. Sack the manager after 1 or 2 seasons before he gets a settled team (3 to 5 years at least a manager needs) These are just some of the things that piss me off
Bendtner is a good signing. Said as much back in January and again a few weeks ago but I still cant be convinced he was a realistic Bruce target until sometime yesterday afternoon. He was was an after thought and panic aquisition not a strategic long term target as the hurridly prepared Echo is trying miserably to spout on behlaf of an embarrassed manager and chairman today. That said, he will prove to be a good player for us as he does possess an eye for goal and can hold the ball up and be very powerful in the air. We do also have a cracking squad but my concern is having the right man to get the best out of it of course (Bruce should be our chief scout as he can unearth decent players but cant utilise that on a saturday afternoon). Thats where the negatives come from and games such as the derby no second half show, the simply awful cup exit and then the powder puff Swansea game havent filled me with too much hope (the understatement of the year for me). Time for Bruce to get his finger out of his arse and get the best team out for the next 6 or 7 games and restart the season. If he fails he wont be here in January if he suceeds he will. It cant be anymore simple for him than that can it? We dont want anymore lame excuses this time round. Its his team, his players, 3rd season now, plenty of money behind him so far. So, just deliver Bruce without excuses.
That’s all well and good mate but this is his THIRD season now and we are 5 transfer windows into the Bruce regime now and to date we have let 10 players go and brought in 9 in his 5th window? Hardly 'building' is it? More like 2 years of fire fighting and this is the problem? How many more years of fire fighting are we going to have? Would anyone be surprised to see 4 or 5 out and 3 or 4 in again in January? I wouldn’t. This creates the uncertainty and the lack of any long term plan and building such as Tony Pullis has managed to do year on year. The players may not be the ones you want but the cohesive plan has to be admired and they have grown in stature under him. Under Bruce we are still anyone’s guess as to where we may finish the season. Top 10? Bottom 6? Relegated? Europa League? Any or all are feasible but with so many changes year on year (transfer window on transfer window to be honest) we are less likely to succeed than we are to fail as it is always taking too long to gel them all over again every year.
Difference is, Tony Pullis brought Stoke up, its always been his team in the PL, and he has spent -79million in 4 years making the team how he wants it. Bruce inherited a team from Keane, which had a net debt of about - 70 million, he has made virtually his own squad at the cost of - 17 million over the 3 years he has been in charge. and for most of his tenure, our best Goalkeeper which Keane bought for 9 million has been crocked.
Cest i agree thats the main thing after 3 years we should have had a settled side with only 2 or 3 main signings its a make or break year for him
