Comments on: Fulham’s day-after thoughts: We’re back in the title race as the Invincibles hold on for another year http://www.thegunninghawk.com/2009/09/27/fulhams-day-after-thoughts-back-title-race-invincibles-hold-another-year/ From a Gunner, to fellow Gunners Wed, 17 Mar 2010 06:02:57 +0100 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Bogdan http://www.thegunninghawk.com/2009/09/27/fulhams-day-after-thoughts-back-title-race-invincibles-hold-another-year/comment-page-1/#comment-17216 Bogdan Mon, 28 Sep 2009 15:50:25 +0000 http://www.thegunninghawk.com/?p=11350#comment-17216 LMAO... you're right...gallas is not the man for this...i'm afraid arsenal doesn't have a true captain now...it must be someone who is a true fighter with a lot of influence..and i don't know if that person exists right now.. mabe vermaelen will be later...he has made a big impact among his teammates since his arrival...they respect him...he reminds me of vidic sometimes...i agree with chriss...it's too early...will put pressure on him anyway...the team is the most important...hope we will crush the next 3 teams at home.. Go Gunners! And fabregas! everyone needs u right now! come on show everyone what u'r made off! LMAO… you’re right…gallas is not the man for this…i’m afraid arsenal doesn’t have a true captain now…it must be someone who is a true fighter with a lot of influence..and i don’t know if that person exists right now..

mabe vermaelen will be later…he has made a big impact among his teammates since his arrival…they respect him…he reminds me of vidic sometimes…i agree with chriss…it’s too early…will put pressure on him

anyway…the team is the most important…hope we will crush the next 3 teams at home..

Go Gunners!

And fabregas! everyone needs u right now! come on show everyone what u’r made off!

]]> By: beatup http://www.thegunninghawk.com/2009/09/27/fulhams-day-after-thoughts-back-title-race-invincibles-hold-another-year/comment-page-1/#comment-17203 beatup Mon, 28 Sep 2009 12:41:41 +0000 http://www.thegunninghawk.com/?p=11350#comment-17203 Yeah you are right that it would be a risk giving it to Tomas. Right now would probably be too early - its just that he seems to be naturally taking that role by ordering the rest of the defense and midfield around. I disagree on Gallas though. I dont think he is cut out for the role - perhaps he is not stable/strong enough mentally and cannot cope with the pressure. His form has increased immensely since Cesc took over as captain. Watching this, and seeing the expression on the other players faces further cements my idea that he is not the man for the job: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IcjiCPmnwk Yeah you are right that it would be a risk giving it to Tomas. Right now would probably be too early – its just that he seems to be naturally taking that role by ordering the rest of the defense and midfield around.

I disagree on Gallas though. I dont think he is cut out for the role – perhaps he is not stable/strong enough mentally and cannot cope with the pressure. His form has increased immensely since Cesc took over as captain. Watching this, and seeing the expression on the other players faces further cements my idea that he is not the man for the job:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IcjiCPmnwk

]]> By: Chris http://www.thegunninghawk.com/2009/09/27/fulhams-day-after-thoughts-back-title-race-invincibles-hold-another-year/comment-page-1/#comment-17191 Chris Mon, 28 Sep 2009 08:46:34 +0000 http://www.thegunninghawk.com/?p=11350#comment-17191 One of the things our squad lacks isn hunger for success. When you field young players like Gibbs, Ramsey, Wilshere and Denilson, their main objective is to do well on a personal level, not to necessary win. Granted, they hate to lose, so they will give it all, but first they want to impress on a personal level. Gallas is different. He knows that this is maybe his last shot at silverware with Arsenal and giving him the captaincy back may help his mission to transmit that hunger to the rest of the squad. The over-emotional reaction you are referring to was a clear example of someone who knew that with Clichy's mistake, our title hopes were over. It may not have been the reaction of a professional captain, but was the reaction of a human being who wants to win, and win badly. One of the things our squad lacks isn hunger for success. When you field young players like Gibbs, Ramsey, Wilshere and Denilson, their main objective is to do well on a personal level, not to necessary win. Granted, they hate to lose, so they will give it all, but first they want to impress on a personal level.

Gallas is different. He knows that this is maybe his last shot at silverware with Arsenal and giving him the captaincy back may help his mission to transmit that hunger to the rest of the squad.

The over-emotional reaction you are referring to was a clear example of someone who knew that with Clichy’s mistake, our title hopes were over. It may not have been the reaction of a professional captain, but was the reaction of a human being who wants to win, and win badly.

]]> By: pink panther http://www.thegunninghawk.com/2009/09/27/fulhams-day-after-thoughts-back-title-race-invincibles-hold-another-year/comment-page-1/#comment-17188 pink panther Mon, 28 Sep 2009 08:33:55 +0000 http://www.thegunninghawk.com/?p=11350#comment-17188 noooooooooo! look, when you make a volatile, over-emotional highly-strung frenchman captain once, maybe you can be forgiven. do it twice... noooooooooo! look, when you make a volatile, over-emotional highly-strung frenchman captain once, maybe you can be forgiven. do it twice…

]]> By: Chris http://www.thegunninghawk.com/2009/09/27/fulhams-day-after-thoughts-back-title-race-invincibles-hold-another-year/comment-page-1/#comment-17187 Chris Mon, 28 Sep 2009 08:28:18 +0000 http://www.thegunninghawk.com/?p=11350#comment-17187 I would be careful to hand it to Thomas though. He's enjoying a wonderful spell, maybe because he wasn't put under heavy pressure. The captaincy would add pressure, a lot of, after only two months with the squad. My perfect captain would be Gallas. He's performing well again, close to renew the contract and the captaincy would be an additional morale boost. I would be careful to hand it to Thomas though. He’s enjoying a wonderful spell, maybe because he wasn’t put under heavy pressure. The captaincy would add pressure, a lot of, after only two months with the squad.

My perfect captain would be Gallas. He’s performing well again, close to renew the contract and the captaincy would be an additional morale boost.

]]> By: pink panther http://www.thegunninghawk.com/2009/09/27/fulhams-day-after-thoughts-back-title-race-invincibles-hold-another-year/comment-page-1/#comment-17186 pink panther Mon, 28 Sep 2009 08:28:13 +0000 http://www.thegunninghawk.com/?p=11350#comment-17186 I know. Perhaps the same reason that Henry was given the armband - and that didn't work either. Can he really have made the same mistake twice? Given the 11 captains theory I don't understand why he doesn't rotate the armband until a natural leader comes along (like capello did with England) or just give it to the oldest player - like they do in Serie A, as I understand it. If he gave Cesc the armband to keep him, but the armband doesn't fit, then it will only have the opposite effect. I know. Perhaps the same reason that Henry was given the armband – and that didn’t work either. Can he really have made the same mistake twice? Given the 11 captains theory I don’t understand why he doesn’t rotate the armband until a natural leader comes along (like capello did with England) or just give it to the oldest player – like they do in Serie A, as I understand it. If he gave Cesc the armband to keep him, but the armband doesn’t fit, then it will only have the opposite effect.

]]> By: beatup http://www.thegunninghawk.com/2009/09/27/fulhams-day-after-thoughts-back-title-race-invincibles-hold-another-year/comment-page-1/#comment-17185 beatup Mon, 28 Sep 2009 08:24:44 +0000 http://www.thegunninghawk.com/?p=11350#comment-17185 Agreed on Henry, Gallas and Fabregas. Really, they weren't/aren't terrible captains (maybe apart from Gallas), and all had some sort of a natural claim to the armband, but all seem to have underperformed in that role. And in all cases it seems the role has drained something out of the players form. I imagine however that it would be a difficult task to strip Cesc of the captaincy and hand it over to someone else, even if thats what Cesc wants deep down. Early days yet, but the way things are going I would be happy for Tomas to become captain once Cesc leaves, or even earlier if an opportunity for a switch presents itself. Agreed on Henry, Gallas and Fabregas.
Really, they weren’t/aren’t terrible captains (maybe apart from Gallas), and all had some sort of a natural claim to the armband, but all seem to have underperformed in that role. And in all cases it seems the role has drained something out of the players form.

I imagine however that it would be a difficult task to strip Cesc of the captaincy and hand it over to someone else, even if thats what Cesc wants deep down.

Early days yet, but the way things are going I would be happy for Tomas to become captain once Cesc leaves, or even earlier if an opportunity for a switch presents itself.

]]> By: Chris http://www.thegunninghawk.com/2009/09/27/fulhams-day-after-thoughts-back-title-race-invincibles-hold-another-year/comment-page-1/#comment-17184 Chris Mon, 28 Sep 2009 08:19:47 +0000 http://www.thegunninghawk.com/?p=11350#comment-17184 Well you know, many believe Cesc was made captain so as to prevent him from joining Barcelona. Others believe Wenger gave him the captaincy to show that his youth system works and someone who started so young with the club can go on to even become captain at a young age. I agree with you: Cesc doesn't possess that "something" which is required to captain such a side and he may be feeling the pressure when wearing the armband. Last week I thought he was injured when he didn't celebrate the goal but last weekend he started and aside the amazing through pass to Robin for the goal, he was totally anonymous. Worrying. Well you know, many believe Cesc was made captain so as to prevent him from joining Barcelona. Others believe Wenger gave him the captaincy to show that his youth system works and someone who started so young with the club can go on to even become captain at a young age.

I agree with you: Cesc doesn’t possess that “something” which is required to captain such a side and he may be feeling the pressure when wearing the armband. Last week I thought he was injured when he didn’t celebrate the goal but last weekend he started and aside the amazing through pass to Robin for the goal, he was totally anonymous.

Worrying.

]]> By: pink panther http://www.thegunninghawk.com/2009/09/27/fulhams-day-after-thoughts-back-title-race-invincibles-hold-another-year/comment-page-1/#comment-17182 pink panther Mon, 28 Sep 2009 08:07:29 +0000 http://www.thegunninghawk.com/?p=11350#comment-17182 Curse of the Arsenal captaincy. Much as i hate being critical... if Arsene Wenger has a flaw it is in his choice of captain - which is slightly odd given that he apears to have an excellent insight into the human condition. But I thought Henry was a mistake, Gallas was a mistake and now it appears Cesc as captain is a mistake. Vermaelen was already captain on Ajax and looks like a natural leader on the field. He plays with his head up and positive approach. I wonder if cesc is already beginning to feel overshadowed in the dressiong room. Cesc, for all his ability, sometimes appears broody - even sulky and depressed. I don't doubt he has his reasons, but the role of captain involoves being able to lift your team - not just with your performance but with your entire personality and demeanour - not just when things are going well, but when they are going badly as well. Especially when they are going badly. I wonder if, deep down, Cesc even wants the armband any more. But having been offered it he seems tied to it and it appears like a lead weight affecting his performance. It's not good enough to talk about having 11 captains, we don't 11 captains, we have one. If I was AW I would be taking Cesc aside and seeing what I could do to help, leadership on the pitch begins with leadership from the coach. Curse of the Arsenal captaincy. Much as i hate being critical… if Arsene Wenger has a flaw it is in his choice of captain – which is slightly odd given that he apears to have an excellent insight into the human condition. But I thought Henry was a mistake, Gallas was a mistake and now it appears Cesc as captain is a mistake. Vermaelen was already captain on Ajax and looks like a natural leader on the field. He plays with his head up and positive approach. I wonder if cesc is already beginning to feel overshadowed in the dressiong room.

Cesc, for all his ability, sometimes appears broody – even sulky and depressed. I don’t doubt he has his reasons, but the role of captain involoves being able to lift your team – not just with your performance but with your entire personality and demeanour – not just when things are going well, but when they are going badly as well. Especially when they are going badly.

I wonder if, deep down, Cesc even wants the armband any more. But having been offered it he seems tied to it and it appears like a lead weight affecting his performance. It’s not good enough to talk about having 11 captains, we don’t 11 captains, we have one. If I was AW I would be taking Cesc aside and seeing what I could do to help, leadership on the pitch begins with leadership from the coach.

]]> By: Nelson http://www.thegunninghawk.com/2009/09/27/fulhams-day-after-thoughts-back-title-race-invincibles-hold-another-year/comment-page-1/#comment-17176 Nelson Mon, 28 Sep 2009 06:08:38 +0000 http://www.thegunninghawk.com/?p=11350#comment-17176 I am very pleased to see Mannone doing so well. He has waited, and deserves his chance. I still think Almunia is ahead of him though, just because of the experience factor. As far as Fabianski goes, well, he's a bit like the goalkeeping equivalent of Diaby. We love him one moment, want to sell him the next. Consistency, which is what Mannone and Song have demonstrated in their short spells, is what is required by Fabianski/Diaby. Song is such a changed player since we first bought him. How does Wenger do it? With a fully fit Rosicky, Diaby should drop to the bench (and even further behind when Nasri returns). I see Song doing the lion's share of the defensive cover, while Fabregas and Rosicky pick apart opponents' defenses with their creativity. That doesn't mean they shouldn't defend too, of course they should. I just wish Arsenal would return to the days when we were fearless and carried the attack to our opponents all the time, overpowering them rather than worrying about what they did in return. Think 01/02 or 03/04. Sure Vieira or Gilberto or even Parlour would anchor the midfield while Pires, Ljungberg and Edu scored freely. Pires, Ljungberg and Edu, (or at least Ljungberg and Edu!) still helped out defensively, it just wasn't such a necessity. I must acknowledge though, the standard of the Premier League has risen so this might sound too Utopian. That said, currently Barca play with Toure/Busquets as the holding midfielder, while Xavi and Iniesta do the attacking. Why can't Song do the holding, while Fabregas and Rosicky push up? We don't need two holding players like Song and Diaby/Denilson at the same time unless we're closing out a match we've already taken control of. The return of Walcott's pace will bring a touch of X-factor off the bench, and hopefully he will remind everyone why he is better than Aaron Lennon who has usurped Walcott as England's #1 right-winger. Talk about annoying, England overuse Walcott during the break, get him injured and then open the door for Lennon (barely a shadow of a fully-fit Walcott) to waltz in and steal his place. Hope we win Wednesday! Eduardo and RvP to star! I am very pleased to see Mannone doing so well. He has waited, and deserves his chance. I still think Almunia is ahead of him though, just because of the experience factor. As far as Fabianski goes, well, he’s a bit like the goalkeeping equivalent of Diaby. We love him one moment, want to sell him the next. Consistency, which is what Mannone and Song have demonstrated in their short spells, is what is required by Fabianski/Diaby. Song is such a changed player since we first bought him. How does Wenger do it?

With a fully fit Rosicky, Diaby should drop to the bench (and even further behind when Nasri returns). I see Song doing the lion’s share of the defensive cover, while Fabregas and Rosicky pick apart opponents’ defenses with their creativity. That doesn’t mean they shouldn’t defend too, of course they should. I just wish Arsenal would return to the days when we were fearless and carried the attack to our opponents all the time, overpowering them rather than worrying about what they did in return. Think 01/02 or 03/04. Sure Vieira or Gilberto or even Parlour would anchor the midfield while Pires, Ljungberg and Edu scored freely. Pires, Ljungberg and Edu, (or at least Ljungberg and Edu!) still helped out defensively, it just wasn’t such a necessity. I must acknowledge though, the standard of the Premier League has risen so this might sound too Utopian.

That said, currently Barca play with Toure/Busquets as the holding midfielder, while Xavi and Iniesta do the attacking. Why can’t Song do the holding, while Fabregas and Rosicky push up? We don’t need two holding players like Song and Diaby/Denilson at the same time unless we’re closing out a match we’ve already taken control of.

The return of Walcott’s pace will bring a touch of X-factor off the bench, and hopefully he will remind everyone why he is better than Aaron Lennon who has usurped Walcott as England’s #1 right-winger. Talk about annoying, England overuse Walcott during the break, get him injured and then open the door for Lennon (barely a shadow of a fully-fit Walcott) to waltz in and steal his place.

Hope we win Wednesday! Eduardo and RvP to star!

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