Strange comment from Pochettino about taking a 'risk' on Ali ?

[7sisters]

That's not a risk old chap. That's a punt...
There is no risk on paying £5m on any player for a club of that size. If they don't work out, you move them on and pretty much cover your cost.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39956996

£40m on Xhaka.. Now that, was a risk.

[Sir C]

That's not a risk old chap. That's a punt...
There is no risk on paying £5m on any player for a club of that size. If they don't work out, you move them on and pretty much cover your cost.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39956996

£40m on Xhaka.. Now that, was a risk.

Presumably Arsene had seen a youtube clip of Xhaka passing a football? Zero risk. The man has a wand-like left foot and the vision of Steve Austin.

[redgunamo]

Presumably Arsene had seen a youtube clip of Xhaka passing a football? Zero risk. The man has a wand-like left foot and the vision of Steve Austin.

Yes. He also seems to have learned how to tackle from Steve Austin as well. NTTAWWI.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTtfVOyVsf0

[Luis Anaconda]

That's not a risk old chap. That's a punt...
There is no risk on paying £5m on any player for a club of that size. If they don't work out, you move them on and pretty much cover your cost.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39956996
£40m on Xhaka.. Now that, was a risk.

A risk that will pay off massively though - we're already seeing just how good he can be. Next year, we'll get the version that was at Borussia last season - you'll be impressed. He has leadership credentials as well - even if people want to slag off his performances don't think anyone can argue that he had hidden - always wants the ball and always the first player in the face of the referee when needed.

You're right about Alli not being a risk to buy - I guess the risk is in playing them and sticking with it. Don't think it has ever been tougher to blood a young player than it is now, due to the constant wave of criticism that exists in the game

[Luis Anaconda]

Presumably Arsene had seen a youtube clip of Xhaka passing a football? Zero risk. The man has a wand-like left foot and the vision of Steve Austin.

So we could have got him for six million dollars?

[redgunamo]

So we could have got him for six million dollars?

We certainly need a new fall guy.

[Luis Anaconda]

We certainly need a new fall guy.

Everybody thinks they have the prettiest stunt performer at home, red 622

[redgunamo]

Presumably Arsene had seen a youtube clip of Xhaka passing a football? Zero risk. The man has a wand-like left foot and the vision of Steve Austin.

Actually, it's a shame you started all this. I've just learned that Farrah Fawcett died of anal cancer, which is not really the sort of information you want springing out at you just before luncheon, is it :-\

[Luis Anaconda]

Actually, it's a shame you started all this. I've just learned that Farrah Fawcett died of anal cancer, which is not really the sort of information you want springing out at you just before luncheon, is it :-\

:( This is how Cheryl Ladd took the news

623

[Billy Goat Sverige]

A risk that will pay off massively though - we're already seeing just how good he can be. Next year, we'll get the version that was at Borussia last season - you'll be impressed. He has leadership credentials as well - even if people want to slag off his performances don't think anyone can argue that he had hidden - always wants the ball and always the first player in the face of the referee when needed.

You're right about Alli not being a risk to buy - I guess the risk is in playing them and sticking with it. Don't think it has ever been tougher to blood a young player than it is now, due to the constant wave of criticism that exists in the game

I read somewhere the other day that in his last season at Borussia they were playing a 3-5-2. Maybe this formation will bring the best out of him as well.

[redgunamo]

:( This is how Cheryl Ladd took the news

623

loooooooooooool.

[Luis Anaconda]

I read somewhere the other day that in his last season at Borussia they were playing a 3-5-2. Maybe this formation will bring the best out of him as well.

He definitely needs a bit of help due to lack of pace so this is a good thing. Best thing about the system is we have ball-playing centre backs so they can step forward. Really think Chambers could thrive in it as well. After he gets his hat-trick on Sunday

[Ash]

That's not a risk old chap. That's a punt...
There is no risk on paying £5m on any player for a club of that size. If they don't work out, you move them on and pretty much cover your cost.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39956996

£40m on Xhaka.. Now that, was a risk.

It was too much of a risk for Arsenal, who thought he was too expensive, according to Clive from the AV podcast, who seems to know football in and around the Milton Keynes area quite well.

And Grant Shackleton wasn't £40m, was he? Bit harsh to add five to ten million onto a player's fee just to qunt him off. Are you Tony Cascarino?

[7sisters]

It was too much of a risk for Arsenal, who thought he was too expensive, according to Clive from the AV podcast, who seems to know football in and around the Milton Keynes area quite well.

And Grant Shackleton wasn't £40m, was he? Bit harsh to add five to ten million onto a player's fee just to qunt him off. Are you Tony Cascarino?

Well.. To you and everyone else that interpreted this as a slight on Xhaka, it wasn't.. My comment was simply that it was a far greater risk to spend 40m on a player, with no major track record in playing in one of the most competitive leagues in Europe, as opposed to taking a punt of £5m on a player from the lower divisions.
For the record. I like Xhaka. I like his spirit, a tad reckless perhaps but certainly a player that adds steel to the midfield. A good eye for goal and as SC pointed out, a very good passer of a ball.

[Ash]

Well.. To you and everyone else that interpreted this as a slight on Xhaka, it wasn't.. My comment was simply that it was a far greater risk to spend 40m on a player, with no major track record in playing in one of the most competitive leagues in Europe, as opposed to taking a punt of £5m on a player from the lower divisions.
For the record. I like Xhaka. I like his spirit, a tad reckless perhaps but certainly a player that adds steel to the midfield. A good eye for goal and as SC pointed out, a very good passer of a ball.

Ok, but if we are to "spend some fùcking money" as so many have been demanding, and especially in an inflated market, then that is going to involve risk by its nature. After all, the reason why we didn't spend the chuffing money for so long was because the club/manager thought it too much of a risk, at a time of austerity for the club.

Did Man Utd take a risk on Pogba? Yes, but it doesn't matter because they can probably afford a risk like that every year. We might be able to do that once, but we couldn't do that every year.

[redgunamo]

Ok, but if we are to "spend some fùcking money" as so many have been demanding, and especially in an inflated market, then that is going to involve risk by its nature. After all, the reason why we didn't spend the chuffing money for so long was because the club/manager thought it too much of a risk, at a time of austerity for the club.

Did Man Utd take a risk on Pogba? Yes, but it doesn't matter because they can probably afford a risk like that every year. We might be able to do that once, but we couldn't do that every year.

I suppose reducing the risk by signing *decent* players is out of the question?

[SWv2]

Ok, but if we are to "spend some fùcking money" as so many have been demanding, and especially in an inflated market, then that is going to involve risk by its nature. After all, the reason why we didn't spend the chuffing money for so long was because the club/manager thought it too much of a risk, at a time of austerity for the club.

Did Man Utd take a risk on Pogba? Yes, but it doesn't matter because they can probably afford a risk like that every year. We might be able to do that once, but we couldn't do that every year.

We have been spending money for years A - Ozil, Sanchez, Xhaka, Mustafi. None cheap.

Chamberlain, Welbeck, Perez.

[Monty92]

We have been spending money for years A - Ozil, Sanchez, Xhaka, Mustafi. None cheap.

Chamberlain, Welbeck, Perez.

SW, I need to PM you but don't know how.

How do you PM people on this Awimb?

[SWv2]

SW, I need to PM you but don't know how.

How do you PM people on this Awimb?

I think you click on the icon / name thing and go from there. Not sure it works mind you.

I look forward to your communication.

[SWv2]

Ok, but if we are to "spend some fùcking money" as so many have been demanding, and especially in an inflated market, then that is going to involve risk by its nature. After all, the reason why we didn't spend the chuffing money for so long was because the club/manager thought it too much of a risk, at a time of austerity for the club.

Did Man Utd take a risk on Pogba? Yes, but it doesn't matter because they can probably afford a risk like that every year. We might be able to do that once, but we couldn't do that every year.

Pogba, while a fine footballer, represented a club making a huge PR statement.

One of the 2-3 biggest clubs in the world yet seen by many to be in decline, albeit temporary. A club missing from the very top table of club football, the CL.

So what do you do, go out and remind the world who you are by signing the most expensive footballer in the world. He was a signing beyond the obvious impact on and ability on the pitch. A risk perhaps but an investment nonetheless.

[Monty92]

I think you click on the icon / name thing and go from there. Not sure it works mind you.

I look forward to your communication.

Done.......

[The Insider]

I know why he has said this. It is not related to his talent on the pitch nor his price.

[Luis Anaconda]

Well.. To you and everyone else that interpreted this as a slight on Xhaka, it wasn't.. My comment was simply that it was a far greater risk to spend 40m on a player, with no major track record in playing in one of the most competitive leagues in Europe, as opposed to taking a punt of £5m on a player from the lower divisions.
For the record. I like Xhaka. I like his spirit, a tad reckless perhaps but certainly a player that adds steel to the midfield. A good eye for goal and as SC pointed out, a very good passer of a ball.
I did but fair enough and yes, you are right in that respect. Xhaka had an inordinate amount of **** this season (eg Cascarino's jibe). He has been underwhelming but far the useless player he is made out to be

[Ash]

We have been spending money for years A - Ozil, Sanchez, Xhaka, Mustafi. None cheap.

Chamberlain, Welbeck, Perez.

I wasn't saying that we hadn't been. My point really is that the risk is inversely proportional to the monies you have available.

[Ash]

I suppose reducing the risk by signing *decent* players is out of the question?

I should hope not, and I've often said that I'm more interested in how good a player is than how much he costs. My objection is to the spending-money-as-therapy meme, as if people prefer shopping to watching good football.

[Ash]

Pogba, while a fine footballer, represented a club making a huge PR statement.

One of the 2-3 biggest clubs in the world yet seen by many to be in decline, albeit temporary. A club missing from the very top table of club football, the CL.

So what do you do, go out and remind the world who you are by signing the most expensive footballer in the world. He was a signing beyond the obvious impact on and ability on the pitch. A risk perhaps but an investment nonetheless.

"Sending a message" :-(

Sorry, but I just can't get behind that idea.

[redgunamo]

I should hope not, and I've often said that I'm more interested in how good a player is than how much he costs. My objection is to the spending-money-as-therapy meme, as if people prefer shopping to watching good football.

#WengerOut then. He seems to have lost a little bit the confidence in His own coaching abilities lately, doesn't He :-(

[Ash]

#WengerOut then. He seems to have lost a little bit the confidence in His own coaching abilities lately, doesn't He :-(

I dunno. Iwobi and Bellerin have come through. And isn't our goal-scoring maestro a better player now than when he arrived?

[redgunamo]

I dunno. Iwobi and Bellerin have come through. And isn't our goal-scoring maestro a better player now than when he arrived?

We certainly had a better team before we began signing thirty million pound players from Barcelona and Real Madrid. Perhaps the money went to His head.

[SWv2]

I dunno. Iwobi and Bellerin have come through. And isn't our goal-scoring maestro a better player now than when he arrived?

I am sure a person who knows the inner workings of our club better than ours may point at other coaches, further down the chain, who have been more pivotal in the footballing growth and development of messer Iwobi and Bellerin than Mr Wenger who has simply noted their progress and given them a chance to play and train with better players thus catalysing said progress.

As for Sanchez being “better”, perhaps so or is he simply the same player he always was but now surrounded by relative shít****s whereas at Barcelona he was lesser to others and was not seen as shiny. His stature certainly has grown because of his period with us but not sure he is better.

He still appears to lose the ball a lot, one of the major criticisms of his time in Catalonia.

[Luis Anaconda]

I am sure a person who knows the inner workings of our club better than ours may point at other coaches, further down the chain, who have been more pivotal in the footballing growth and development of messer Iwobi and Bellerin than Mr Wenger who has simply noted their progress and given them a chance to play and train with better players thus catalysing said progress.

As for Sanchez being “better”, perhaps so or is he simply the same player he always was but now surrounded by relative shít****s whereas at Barcelona he was lesser to others and was not seen as shiny. His stature certainly has grown because of his period with us but not sure he is better.

He still appears to lose the ball a lot, one of the major criticisms of his time in Catalonia.

Thanks Nic

[SWv2]

Thanks Nic

The above post which was attributed to me was hacked and amended.