The Flaw in Arsene's Logic



Nasri has called Man Citeh supporters more 'passionate' than Arsenal's.

 

Some years ago, when the Footy Fox was but a mere pup in the world of football, Russian oil tycoon and billionaire Roman Abramovich had a spasm whilst reflecting on the billions in his fortune. The result: he purchased a moderately competent club in Chelsea FC and injected enough cash into the transfer kitty that they were able to win the Premier League title, twice on the trot. It was that very moment that truly made the Premier League, long touted as an advent of modern football since its inception in 1992, the beast it is today.

Essentially what Manchester City have done is copy the Chelsea Project; buying a plethora of expensive and excessively overpaid stars, ensuring depth by having more players than truly necessary (Milner will be the first causality), and ultimately resting the pressure on the shoulders of a well-acquainted foreign manager (well several in the case of Chelsea, who have failed to learn from Man United’s stability until possibly this season).

With the purchase of Samir Nasri from Arsenal, Man City now possesses the individuals who collectively appear to hold the key to that elusive title. It isn’t clear exactly what the tactical plans are to accommodate Nasri, though a player of his calibre will always positively impact a club’s performance and, perhaps cause nothing but infighting amongst marginalzed divas.

The real shame though is that Arsenal has now boosted the attacking options for a club that was already set to surpass them. Why Arsene Wenger refused to sell to Manchester United is forgivable, given the rivalry that exists between the Gunners and the Red Devils, as well as the explosion of discontent that would emerge from the Arsenal fan-base.

Yet the sale of Nasri to City has been a massive tactical error by Wenger, or Le Professeur as he is known for his intelligent and philosophical approach to the game. Think for a moment of the ‘Big Four’ in English football and historically the names Man United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool come to mind. Liverpool is experiencing a resurgence in form under Dalglish and new ownership, while United and Chelsea continue to play strong football, and Arsenal remain a threat despite their current turbulence.

As for City, they’re the new boys that have tried desperately to squeeze their way into the ‘Big’ category, mainly through Chelseafication via an injection of cash into their transfer chest. But they are still relatively unproven, with a manager that is often hesitant to rely on an offensive approach and players that look more disjointed than they should considering the astronomical wages they’re earning.

Had Arsenal sold to Man United instead, they would simply have sustained an already credible club amongst another of the Big Four. That they refused to sell to an emotional rival, or even shop him off to another club in France, Germany or Spain, only to sell to perhaps an even more immediate threat, shows the error of Arsene Wenger’s logic. Don’t forget it was City that nicked Arsenal’s 3^rd place and automatic Champions League group stage spot.  

Prior to the signing of Nasri, Man City still was a club simply on the verge of realizing the possibilities before them. Now that Arsenal has sold him to the blue side of Manchester, they’ve directly assisted in expanding the number of clubs able to challenge for the title, as well as Champions League spots. In winning his signature, City have yet another piece of the puzzle, and Arsenal will suffer more than others for it.  

Putting Results into Context



Welbeck celebrating a smashing header v Spurs

 ‘Ello ‘ello ‘ello!

Yesterday, Manchester United handed Tottenham Hotspur a convincing 3-0 win at Old Trafford, with the reflections being punted around on that game centering mainly on the talent and poise displayed by the young talent of United. The United starting XI had an average of 23 years and one month, the second youngest squad in Premier League history.

To be sure, they displayed a remarkable sense of the game, passing well , moving into space with ease and commanding the play in either end of the pitch. Their attacking nature was never in question as they relentlessly sought the opening goal and, once had, they continued to attack in a manner befitting the title ‘Champions.’

A slight bias on my behalf you say? Sure I’ll grant you that. Having been raised a United supporter since the early 90’s, you might get away with that as a fair statement. But think for a moment of what last night’s match boiled down to: Manchester United fielding a squad largely comprised of young players who were relatively unproven, against a team that last season reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League by winning some highly impressive matches.

Tottenham lacked a midfield maestro, with Luka Modric being at odds with Spurs over his wish to move on from the North London club, and this did have a negative impact on the style of play with which the Lilywhites played. But they also lacked in the striker position, as none could effectively challenge the 20-somethings of Jones and Smalling, while De Gea was tested from 30+ yards on occasion, which only showed the unimaginative and hopeful from a squad that should know better (tsk tsk).

What’s even more remarkable is how little the youngsters have been with Man United, and this shows the true nature of what the Club has been fashioned into under Sir Alex. Jones and De Gea are recent summer transfers from Blackburn and Atletico Madrid respectively, while Cleverly and Welbeck were on loan to Wigan and Sunderland (not to mention their previous loan spells), and Smalling has only had one year at Old Trafford following a move from Fulham.

That these players have settled into new(ish) surroundings, with training staff, methods and tactical approaches different from their prior experiences and have won with intelligent and robust performances speaks volumes. Sir Alex and his staff have ensured this group have completely fallen-in-line with the Manchester United ethos and expectations, and it’s already paying dividends.

Would the any of those players have started for Chelsea, Liverpool or Man Citeh on the weekend? Most likely not, and the risk of dropping points at any stage in the season is enough to terrify the most hardened of managers. That they were able to do so with United in a massive game is a fantastic indication of the ideology that Sir Alex has held for more than two decades as manager at United. It has served them well in the past and, based on last night’s showing it will certainly do so again in the future. The only real question that remains is what to do with the impending personnel crisis at United. We’ll save that for another time though. Jog on mate!

A Tale of Two Styles

Y’alright mate?

No, this isn’t an opportunity for you to reminisce about the days with Jose strutted up and down the pitch at Stamford Bridge looking like he was on the cat walk. Nor is it a conversation on the tres dashing and refined man who now manages that same club, who’s oft cited initials AVB sound like those of a hedge fund or multinational corporation. Sadly and yet sprinkled with a great deal of good fortune, those are not the styles we’re talking about, because we’d then have to talk about Tony Pulis – who I have nothing but respect for as a manager – and his godforsaken ball caps and golf shirts that he deems professional attire for the Premier League. No.    

Instead the conversation – and yes this is a conversation because were you here it would still be as politely one-sided as this – will focus on some fantastic fixtures this weekend in the Premier League, along with results giving an indication of the direction the league is headed for the remainder of the season. Two results that I would like to really focus on are the Queen’s Park Rangers 1, Everton 0 and Man City 3, Bolton 2. With regards to the former, it was important that QPR got off the mark with a win following their drubbing to Bolton a fortnight ago. Their goal was well worked and well earned, and while they were on the fortunate side of a Leighton Baines set-piece off that shook the woodwork, for the most part they showed a real defensive cohesion.

 For the remainder of the season there will be matches that are pure defensive struggles, where teams are either down a goal and turn the screw tighter and tighter with every through ball and corner kick. Sure QPR did attack when they had the opportunity to do so, but the weight of the game was well upon them, especially since they’ve only just returned to the Premier League against a side well versed in pressure football. This weekend’s draw between Norwich and Stoke is another great example of one side – clearly the underdogs – nicking a goal and suffering a tremendous amount of pressure for it.

Now the flipside of that is being a team who is maybe a bit stronger and more confident, they just have to go for the goals they need. Everton for all of their chances just couldn’t find the back of the net, and Stoke only did so in stoppage time, the same is true of the Chelsea game and dozens of other matches across Europe. But defensive discipline, combined with seizing that one glimmer of an opportunity when it presents itself, not only grit and determination, but intelligence in the game. It’s not the same quality as say watching Barcelona, Man United or Inter, but the idea is to be practical, not impatient.

As for the Man City v Bolton game, it was the opposite spectrum of play. Both sides went at each other in a way that signifies their intentions: Mancini and Citeh want the title (ha) and Bolton want to get into Europe with a touch of attractive football along the way. City is a side that wants to score more and concede less, while Bolton has a moderate approach to their talent-spread and loves to play positive football in the same manner. In the end both teams really went for it and the game was exciting, full of quality football and goals in bunches. So this game was a little more free-flowing than the matches already mentioned, with the two clubs trying to express themselves to their maximum potential.  

For the most part, that’s the nature of football and the Premier League, with teams sizing one another up and at the end of the day styles need to adapt to meet the opponent. Those that are a little weaker at times need to play with more discipline to grind out a result, while clubs that are stronger often try to impose themselves on the game, have their way with her, and express their true ability as a unit. Sure Mancini wouldn’t have been please with Bolton being allowed to make a game of it by netting twice, but at the very least he was able to field a team that netted a treble. A bit of time on the practice pitch and those little missteps from the backline will be smoothed out – at least one would think judging on the talent pool flooding the envious end of Manchester.

Having said that, it was a great weekend of football and though there is some real disparity between some clubs, it was lovely to watch tight results and close games. Today the real gem of Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United takes place, and if the season’s early results are anything to go by, then it should be a great game. Keep in mind as you follow the game – or the Footy Fox on twitter @thefootyfox – that within this game a third style is likely to emerge, one of absorb and attack that has long proven to be a key tool in the United arsenal. Jog on mate!

The Joys of Youth

Welcome to the Footy Fox, where all things football will be discussed, analyzed and dissected in a manner befitting the beautiful game.

Today the Footy Fox will reflect on something dearer to himself than WAG’s or his affection for La Liga bust-ups between Barcelona and Real Madrid (oh you), though those are sure to be made mention of in the coming days: opportunity. So often in football, as is the case in many professions, finding employment opportunities is a difficult thing to do. Employers look to maximize their results and efficiency while minimizing the need for training and development. We see this when young people look for work, only to be turned away for having a lack of experience; you can’t get the experience because it won’t be given to you because you don’t have it. Just follow along mate.  

As I’ve preached for a long while the nature of cup competitions should – with the right opponent and at an appropriate stage of the competition mind you – focus on youth opportunity. Being a supporter of Manchester United, in past years it’s always been great watching competitions such as the FA Cup, Carling Cup and Champions League allow for the Club’s younger talent to gain much needed competitive matches. Having said that, no one realistically expects reserves to take up positions against Barcelona or Chelsea in the more critical cup ties, but there should always be room for youth when possible.

In the Champions League for example, quick success in the group stages and an early birth in the round of sixteen can do wonders for youth opportunity and the club. So let’s say Barca were to clinch the knockout stage with 3 matches remaining in the group stage, that’s 3 games against European clubs of Champions League quality that younger players have the chance to line-up against.

A fantastic demonstration of this is today’s result for Tottenham Hotspur over Hearts in the Europa League, where the North Londoners thrashed the Scots 5-0. Sure, no one really cares for the Europa League except the fans of the clubs involved and Kyle Davis, but it was a lesson in presenting opportunity for young players. Jake Livermore (20) was named to start for Spurs, while in the 70^th minute Andros Townsend (20) was introduced and had an immediate impact. Both midfielders have been loaned out to other clubs 6 and 5 times respectively over the last few years, but here they were given an opportunity on the European stage in a squad that boasts tremendous talent in the middle of the park.  

With an eye specifically focusing on young English talent, if this trend continues with the likes of Tottenham, Birmingham, Fulham and Stoke City leaning towards blooding their youth in the Europa, it can only lead to good things. For starters, the young players get stronger and gain experience. Another plus lies in giving the members of the first team, faced with multiple cup competitions and the domestic league, much needed rest to avoid fatigue and injury. Finally, developing youth from a club’s academy has massive benefits in that clubs will then need to spend less on transfers and have players already moulded to the style and character of the club. I’ve nothing against loan spells to different clubs, since they’ve shown true value with the likes of Wilshire, Sturridge, Cleverly and Welbeck displaying their talents and gaining experience. Now it’s up to their parent clubs to put them to use, or risk wasting their potential.

So in as much as Europa is really a bit of a relegated and watered-down form of the Champions League, there is still plenty for a club like Spurs to gain from being there. Hopefully they have the intelligence to embrace a youth policy even further, and use the return leg of the playoff against Hearts to field a squad that’s younger and in much need of the experience. We’ll see.