Manure, psychology and quota

Dear Gooners

It has been a busy 3 months for me as my family and I prepare for the arrival of baby Gooner number 2 in December. However, thanx to the FSI crew, we have managed to keep up to date with the majority of Arsenal’s matches. My little girl screams just as loud when Arsenal scores, so I guess she is moving in the right direction.

Although the match was 2 days ago, some Scottish Sir keeps mouthing off about how they have the psychological edge, we are not English enough and the ref is biased. I wouldn’t dwell too much on how bad referee’s can be sometimes because it can also work in your favour. So I will take whatever good fortune that comes our way because I know it could just as easily work the other way. But I will say that referee’s have been doing Manure favours at OT for years. All of a sudden, that old man thinks referees are biased towards Manure.

As for psychological battle, I believe the pendulum swung in Arsenal’s favour more than they did Manure. That old man knew Manure lost the chance to hammer into Arsenal’s confidence and character. I truly believe he is doing his best to try and hide his disappointment more than anything else. Even some Manure sites have fallen for this. Comments like ‘the celebrations in their (Arsenal’s) dressing room like they have just won a Cup…’ is a classic. Of course any club would celebrate especially after coming from behind against a team renowned for doing just that onto others.

More importantly, it strengthens Arsenal’s conviction and belief against all the doom and gloom spewed out by the media that without Henry, Arsenal will be nothing. The players have shown that they are better without the great man. Outplaying Liverpool and not giving up against Manure. Last week’s matches against Liverpool and Manure have consolidated Arsenal’s belief more than anything else. The young players needed that. It is a mark in a season every team needs to move onto the next level. This will be our catalyst for this season.

That old man and Canadian thinking he is English can say whatever they want. In the end, we have shown strength and character. They know it.

The comments about having a quota are irrelevant in modern football and globalisation. That old man’s remark is just to get at AW. If that old man were righteous about the development of English football, in his 21 years in charge, why is it that his only English product ended with Scholes, Beckham and the Neville sisters? Don’t even start on Ferdinand, Rooney, Hargreaves and Carrick. These players were bought at inflated prices, with the exception of Hargreaves. Prices no one outside of top 4 would be able to pay.

I love the fact that UK is in the EU. All this useless rhetoric by Sepp Blatter is just that, useless rhetoric. Further, having a quota does not guarantee increase in quality. It breeds mediocrity. English players know they can get in to the team because the team needs them more than they need the team. It is a double edged sword. If the rule ever gets implemented, would the clubs reduce ticket prices in line with the potential reduction in quality? I think not.

The comments coming from Manure quarters supporting their old man on this is laughable. AW may be protecting itself by challenging Blatter’s move for a quota. But are the supporters losing out in terms of quality? Thing is, Arsenal was never set up for the purpose of improving any national teams. It was set up for the purposes of Arsenal supporters. If that old man is so righteous, why not breed and buy and play all English players for the good of the England team. Then only, can he stand next to Blatter and scream what he believes in.

I believe that the current English players do not have the quality to play for the top 4 or those that do have the quality do not come cheap. Why should Arsenal become a feeder for England? Why stop short at quota? Why not do what NHL ice hockey in the US does by allowing lesser teams to take players from top teams so that top teams cannot monopolise talented players and keep them on the bench?

Blatter is short sighted and have a political agenda. If his quota plan goes through, I believe football would be the biggest loser and England will be filled with moderate players. The bar has been raised by foreign imports. The English players should strive to meet it. Not by moving the goal posts. If English players have always had the quality, they would have been snapped up by top clubs already. In the end, it is not nationality the old man, AW or even Jose Maureen looks at, but quality.

Going back to players like Pennant, Bentley and Sidwell. They may have the quality, but they sure didn’t have the character or patience to wait. In short, look at Walcott. He is willing to knuckle down and wait. His development is for all to see. Bentley couldn’t wait for Bergkamp to retire. Sidwell had Paddy and Petit ahead of him. Pennant had Ljungberg and Pires ahead of him. Walcott seems smarter and is prepared to work for his place. Pennant, Bentley and Sidwell may have more Premiership games under their belt, but Walcott looks certain to jump ahead in international recognition. Do we need quota, or do we need reality check for the English youngsters?

Gunner6