By Myles Palmer
What’s missing from ANR right now is something that reflects how fans think.
I get phone calls and emails from Gooner friends that remind me of how fans think.
Having been a journalist for all these years, and supported various clubs, I find it hard to think the same way as a lifelong fan.
My pal Tim Cooper, a showbiz reporter, sent me this the other day, so I asked him if I could put it up here.
And use his name.And he said, “Sure, use my name if you want”
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THOUGHTS FOR NEXT SEASON:
* I still think Taylor should be first choice goalie, though we need another one… in which case either Shaaban or Warmuz must go
* I think we would benefit by selling (and replace like with like) the following:
Pires (never regained pre-injury form, seems a bit tentative in the tackle,lost a yard in pace, never takes on last man any more)
Bergkamp (high wages and, apart from the golden spell in the double season,has had less than 10 good games in four seasons – and ain’t gonna get better now)
Kanu (obviously, and on 42k a week for 2 more years… I would try a swop deal with Bolton, offering them Kanu and, say, Wiltord for JJ Okocha – Allardyce would surely fancy that)
Wiltord (always tries, but only has form for first and last 6 games of the season)
Van Bronckhorst (useful squad member but never gonna be more than that)
Stepanovs (time to bring thru Sanderos)
I think we should hang on to Parlour at all costs (the biggest heart in the club – and I think we lost the league because not enough players had that spirit) and Jeffers (unless he’s a crock).
If you made a league table of the players with the most passion for the team – the will to win, the readiness
to lie down and die for a result – my top ten would be like this:
1. Keown
2. Parlour
3. Ljungberg
4. Vieira (but not as much as in his red-mist days),
5. Cole
6. Kolo Toure (makes him a bit impetuous)
7. Van Bronckhorst
8. Wiltord (always runs his heart out)
9. Cygan (never seems phased by mistakes)
10.Edu.
I think Sol’s got it but he’s not very inspirational. Sadly, it doesn’t include Henry, Bergkamp (don’t mistake petulance for passion), Pires(loves winning but doesn’t seem to give a shit when we lose) or Gilberto (never looks like he’s on the same planet).
* I think we should buy:
Kewell (or Okocha for same job)
Another striker if we let two go and don’t promote the youths/reserves (I hear some of the players told Wenger we should get John Carew – otherwise another mobile target man in the Vieiri style. if only we could afford him!)
A goalie (obviously!)
Don’t know enough about Paul Robinson’s allegedly fluctuating weight, etc but his stats are impressive – however I’d be equally happy to get David James)
A centre half – preferably William Gallas (who has the Premiership experience) or Terry or Mexes (or Stam – great wind-up for Fergie!)
* I think it is vital to see some of the youth team get into the squad and play some bloody football: particularly Jermaine Pennant (time to find out if he’s top class or not), David Bentley, Jeremie Aliadiere, Jerome Thomas, maybe Voltz and Svard, and eager to have a look at Sanderos and Adam Birchall (10 goals in 14 games last year).
Look at Man U – all their home-grown players (Beckham, Giggs, Butt, Scholes, the Nevilles) were getting first-team experience in their teens (and winning trophies!)while
Wenger loves buying teenagers but never gives them a chance til they’re 21, by which time they want to leave… like Upson!
We’ve had Pennant since he was 15 and it’s taken him six years to start a game!!
If Pires goes, I think he should be replaced with Nedved if at all possible.
Or possibly Mendieta after his lousy season in Italy – typical Wenger move to take a class player who’s lost form after a move to Italy (eg.Bergkamp, Kanu, Henry, Vieira)…
Gentlemen, I rest my case!
22 June 2003