Gooner Spy

20 Kilos eh?

I inderstand the point, but believe me, whatever the supposed end game, sitting there watching a second string get humped by your most bitter rivals aint any fun whatsoever

Agreed 100%.

I suppose you could argue that we led for the most part, were in it until 4 games till the end, and finished 4 points behind, that we're further down the road to where we need to be though?

Would you be happy with that?

He'll have to fight with Rosicky for Physio attention, but where do I sign?

Does he have limbs of balsa wood, held together with sticky back plastic?

I think we're probably the best team in the world at getting there, its that last little bit that seems to outfox us every time.

Is the correct answer.

What, like Chelsea? I dont think style is a factor, we played pass and move to death, and where did it get us?

Thats the key I think, some people get so defensive that it makes debate impossible. I wont even waste my time on Arsenal forums (fora?) as the majority of people there are, frankly, c***s. FWIW, I wouldnt change our man for anyone else in the world, I love what he has done, and I love even more what he is trying to do, and if he succeeds in his current prtoject, it will be the sweetest title of any won in my time as a fan. But that said, he is far from perfect. He made big mistakes in the past 12 months, January in particular, that cost us the title. He should take the blame, something he is not good at, and we as paying punters should, and do have the right to criticise him. And its the same with you guys and Rafa. He's not perfect, and despite comparitively limited resources, he's doing a bloody good job. His progress is more measured on his development in the European arena, whereas our improvement was most apparent domestically. Makes no odds, I think they're both bloody good managers, and I think both sets of fans should be bloody glad to have them. I know I certainly am.

You're surely having a laugh?

Only finished 4 points behind United. Therefore it cant really be said that we were done until we lost there, April 13th, 4 games before the end. Had we won there, which we arguably should have, we would have been well in the hunt till the end. As it was, thats the day it ended. To say that we were out by March, or even before, doesnt stack up. To stay in the hunt until 4 games till the end to me constitutes a decent title challenge.

Hmmm, I didnt want to be the first to question that. I think Cech is the best keeper in the Country, Defence is debatable, I think Chelsea have the best, Mascherano has a long long way to go to be the best in the world in his position, Gerrard is closer but still not the best around. Passer - not sure Alonso is the best, think Scholes or Fabregas might argue. Torres the best in the coutry - no doubt.

But like I said before, I was just outlining, following earleir posts comparing the 2 situations, the differences. Our first team is there or thereabouts, and will be stronger IMO for the Hleb/Nasri deal, so long as Flamini is well replaced. We need to beef up the backup. I think your backup is more than strong enough, but the problem lies with what it is they are actually backing up. To put it another way, over a 38 game season, our first 11 with your backup, would kick ass. Your first 11 with our backup would struggle, big time. Of course completely hypothetical, but just to illustrate the differences.

Its not, though is it?

It was more of an illustrative point rather than bemoaning our luck with injuries. Its wierd though how Man U have breezed through the past 2 seasons without major injuries, except 1 or 2 long termers. Had we had that fortune, I believe we would have been champions. But, as someone so beautifully put it elsewhere, 'if my Auntie had bollcoks......'

I think a big difference between the two, and this is purely my opinion and I'm fully expecting mass disagreement. First eleven to first eleven, ours at the start of the season was the best in the league, certainly better than Chelsea and Liverpool. We got fecked when we lost Eduardo, Sagna, Rosicky, van Persie for the run in. We don't have the backup to cope with that, and thats where we need to work. You guys have more strength in depth, but lack that bit of quality (not a lot though) in the first team that enables you to break down teams you would normally expect to beat.

Because my sanity wouldnt last. No ownership of any football club could, would or would want to piss sky off, as they are the lifeblood of the premiership. Not Prize money, not even fan's money, but Sky.

I agree to a point, I have never gone into a season expecting to win anything. I expect to push as close as we can in the league, and to have a stab at the other cup competitions as well. The rest is down to a bit of fortune along the way, a comoddity we lacked big time this season. It certainly isnt a level playing field, but the cannier managers, of which Benitez and Wenger certainly are, should be able to bridge the gap to a large extent.

Why would you?

FWIW, Although he has all of the loyalty of an abused cat, he can definitely offer any team something. However, to even mention him in the same breath as Torres is madness. Torres is 10 times the player Owen is. Whatever the exact stats, Torres is a deadly striker, the only occasion I can remember him slipping up was the 1st leg against Chelsea. I dont think Torres and Owen would be a particularly effective partnership though.

No, we're just not as obsessed by it as some are, as we have had championships to break up the trophless spells along the way.

Touche.

Not at all, winning a cup competition doesnt make you a great team.