There was no value in the market the previous two transfer windows. None in the summer and none this January just gone by.
No strikers available unequivocally better than Giroud, and no DM's that would have been worthwile approaching to challenge Coquelin in our starting lineup, because you know you're only allowed one quality DM in the squad or the others may become disenchanted unfortunately.
Definitely none available in the market which would have enabled us to avoid having to field our veteran Flamini against the best team we will face all season TWICE, (mind you his brief contribution in the first leg did probably save us from believing we were still in the title at nou camp).
We only enter the market for 'special unique super quality' after all (whatever that means).
Maybe we'll find some to fill these holes in the next couple of windows, once barca/madrid are ready to offload a few.
No value in the Market
posted on 17/3/16
To be quite honest though I feel Wenger needs more help with transfers as everything seems to be done at a snail pace. I almost feel Wenger has so much control over everything that he can't keep up, over the last few years every aspect of his management has been getting poorer and poorer. If he does insist on staying then he needs help, but I doubt he'll allow it.
posted on 17/3/16
The striker issue has been there for 4+ years now. Welbeck was a good signing. I really don't know what theos future is. I'd be over the moon with £26 mil from west ham
posted on 17/3/16
Not only that, YKV, but for an economist Wenger seems to have a remarkbly poor grasp on how markets work.
It seems like when he says there is no value in the market, he means compared to prices 15 years ago there isn't.
It's easy to laugh at Martial for up to £60m but it only gets to £60m if he is part of them winning every competition and he himself wins ballon d'or - in which case £60m would be an absolute bargain
posted on 17/3/16
comment by Andre's Samba Scarf (U6253)
posted 2 minutes ago
The striker issue has been there for 4+ years now. Welbeck was a good signing. I really don't know what theos future is. I'd be over the moon with £26 mil from west ham
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£26m for Walcott? Oh my days please be true!
posted on 17/3/16
Yohan's Kebab Van
Yes, agree the summer (2014) was a disaster. Still not 100% convinced by Gabriel (temperament) and while BFG can be solid at times, he is just too slow (especially if AW wants to play a high line). Oil tankers can turn quicker…
Throughout Fergie’s reign at United, he often changed his backroom staff, and in particular his number two. I think this has been one of AW’s greatest weaknesses, in that he is so self-assured. When things go well, he can take the credit. But at present he (ultimately) needs to shoulder responsibility.
How much input does Bould have? We can speculate but given very few retirees have joined his coaching team I suspect Bould’s influence is limited. Recall Vieira mentioning this in an interview a while back.
posted on 17/3/16
comment by Chris H (U15205)
posted 2 minutes ago
Not only that, YKV, but for an economist Wenger seems to have a remarkbly poor grasp on how markets work.
It seems like when he says there is no value in the market, he means compared to prices 15 years ago there isn't.
It's easy to laugh at Martial for up to £60m but it only gets to £60m if he is part of them winning every competition and he himself wins ballon d'or - in which case £60m would be an absolute bargain
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I don't know, the no value in the market thing is probably just Wenger spin. I don't really take notice of what he says anymore, like he goes on about great mental strength and character every week even though it's non-existent.
posted on 17/3/16
How much input does Bould have? We can speculate but given very few retirees have joined his coaching team I suspect Bould’s influence is limited. Recall Vieira mentioning this in an interview a while back.
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Judging by how "The Bould Effect" faded after about a dozen games, I'd say Wenger cut his influence to being a yes man.
posted on 17/3/16
I think we can all agree that most feel AW’s time as manager is coming to an end. Whether he goes is another thing...
But was discussing on another thread that I believe the greatest problem with the club going forward is KSE’s administration. In that KSE's business interests supersede any desire to bring in silverware.
posted on 17/3/16
comment by Chris H (U15205)
posted 1 hour, 39 minutes ago
Not only that, YKV, but for an economist Wenger seems to have a remarkbly poor grasp on how markets work.
It seems like when he says there is no value in the market, he means compared to prices 15 years ago there isn't.
It's easy to laugh at Martial for up to £60m but it only gets to £60m if he is part of them winning every competition and he himself wins ballon d'or - in which case £60m would be an absolute bargain
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Too many ifs
posted on 17/3/16
comment by Yohan's Kebab Van (U8691)
posted 1 hour, 58 minutes ago
comment by What would Stuart Pearce do? (U3126)
posted 25 seconds ago
Yohan's Kebab Van
I don’t believe AW would (intentionally - and detrimentally) leave the squad short. His ethos has always been to look at internal solutions.
In regard to this season he obviously chose (as the club were unable to secure Benzema) to stick with the players available. IMO a mistake. But I can understand the thought process behind it.
When you consider Untied, who also were desperate for a CF, bought Martial for around £36m, (rising to near £60m!) it’s reasonable to understand why AW did not spend big on a CF.
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I used to think Wenger would never intentionally leave us short too but the last 2 summers especially have made me believe he has some sort of blind and misplaced faith in certain players. After summer 2014 we were left with just 2 senior CBs and no quality whatsoever at DM (Coq was barely rated then) and no top striker, after last summer we were left with no quality cover for Coquelin and as it's proved no real cover for Cazorla either, and still no top striker.
These have affected us quite badly in both campaigns, we were a mess at the back early last season and out of the title race by November, and this season Coquelin and Cazorla's injuries (mainly the latter) have led to large midfield problems, and our strikers have been in poor form for 3 months.
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Think you can't really seperate our midfield misery to our striker problem at the moment. There is a connection.