Troubled Times

Journalists are hardly the apple of the nation’s eye at the minute so writing a blog is possibly not the best thing to be doing. However I’ll persevere and stay clear of the voicemails, at least until I run out of things to say.

Thought I would have a look at the current situation which is escalating within the walls of the Emirates as Arsene Wenger’s vision seems to be crumbling beneath him.

Crossroads

Arsenal are the Premierships perpetual nearly men and possibly one the most frustrating sides ever. The footballing displays on show at times are mesmerising, with some of the top teams in the world chasing shadows as the ball sticks like a magnet to the feet of these technically brilliant players. However their continual failure to covert ability into silverware has left the red and white faithful beginning to lose faith in the man at the helm.

Arsene Wenger has developed the style of play football purists dream of. In a perfect world, every team would play in similar fashion. However we don’t live in said world and, unfortunately, sometimes strength beats ability leaving Arsenal vulnerable to the battlers they come up against in the Premier League, the likes of Stoke being a continual obstacle. Wenger’s refusal to invest in experience has meant they are the perennial underachievers, and it’s time now to lose that ‘In Arsene We Trust’ mindset and face up to the fact this team should be winning trophies and the manager has to be held accountable.

It’s a complex issue as he does have the track record to suggest that he can mould this team into winners but the question remains of how long he can go on telling the fans his young team will come good. The days of ‘The Invincible’s’ are a mere memory now but it is interesting to note that that squad had an average age of 27.6 whereas last season this was down at 23.6. Now I’m not going into Hanson mode but it does give a reflection on the lack of understanding of the game at the top level from the Arsenal squad. Putting a couple of experienced campaigners in that side would have done wonders for their title hopes this year. Investing in for example Shay Given and Richard Dunne, both out of favour at their clubs last year, would have in my eyes won the title for Arsenal, or at least run United a great deal closer. However the flat out refusal to change his philosophy of young is best has left the club’s supporters once again empty handed.

Confused Captain

It seems that the players are beginning to lose their never wavering faith in their manager as they’re queuing up to leave. The long running saga over the captain Cesc Fabregas is becoming tiresome and not beneficial to either party. It has to be set out in stone this summer that he will either be staying and seeing out his contract, or joining a side which is quite frankly being greedy taking on yet another quality player, in Barcelona. Although with Xavi reaching 31, it is not surprising they are seeking out his replacement. For the captain of your club to continually have his head turned is not helping anyone so it has to put to bed once and for all, if that means he leaves then so be it.

In demand

Another player seemingly on the move is Samir Nasri. A player in exactly the mould Wenger delights in creating and it is understandable he wants to bury his head in the sand and feel there is no reason for him to leave. But in reality there is. Arsenal are simply not able to match the ambition of their top players at the moment which is winning the Premier League and Champions League. They are not able to sustain their challenge throughout the course of a competition and it must be addressed immediately before they are left with a young team full of potential but with no stars who are keeping their heads above water, that is the top 4.

A host of players are scampering for the exits this summer. The aforementioned duo alongside Bendtner, Almunia, Denilson and Arshavin are all looking to join Gail Clichy in seeking pastures new. The talent that is possessed in the Emirates dressing room is formidable, I mean they beat Barcelona at home this year and were unfortunate to go out after the second leg but the sheer number of players looking to leave shows all is not rosy in Mr Wenger’s garden. Even today’s signing of Gervinho will not reassure the top stars and the paying punters everything will be alright. It is not the striking areas that need addressed first. With Van Persie, Chamakh, Walcott, Arshavin, as well as Nasri and Fabregas still being there, the firepower is not exactly below par. The almost stubbornness to bow to media pressure and sign a top quality centre half and goalkeeper could prove costly and mean his dream of a second wave of Invincible’s could clattering down in front of eyes. If he sees it that is.

Distant Memory

Don’t get me wrong, the loss of a few of these players aren’t going to mean Arsenal plummet down the league. But they do need to invest. The takeover by Stan Kroenke means Wenger wouldn’t be short of money should he want it and that has all ready been confirmed by the chairman Peter Hill-Wood. If he can swallow his principles and add to the fantastic squad he has at his disposal then the trophy cabinet might have to be prised open and the cobwebs cleared to allow the Premier League trophy to be placed inside. With talents such as Wilshire and Ramsey coming through the ranks they certainly have the basis of a team that will prove a tough test for those at the top of the game. So if Wenger can swallow his pride then Arsenal will be a major force next year. But going on recent evidence it may be that the burden will be thrown onto the shoulders of their young players once again, an attitude which is yet to bear fruit in the last 6 years.

All in all Mr Wenger isn't going to conform to his nation stereotype and fly the white flag over the North London club’s base just yet. He still believes in his philosophy and if it all comes together this season then we are looking at footballing perfection, much like the Catalan giants over in Spain have provided for us. However with mass uncertainty over who’s staying and going, and the continuing lack of proven winners at the club, the Frenchman has a tough job to keep the Gunner’s fans mantra of ‘In Arsene We Trust’.

Modern day fairytale

When Blackpool F.C. entered the promised land this season, many believed it would be a short lived journey amongst the big boys of English football. The incredible achievement of promotion from the Championship when considered relegation favourites at the start of the season seemed the pinnacle and a few tantalising trips away from the seaside and to Old Trafford, Stamford Bridge and the Emirates would be all they could take from a harsh season in the top division. However an already rollercoaster season has seen the ‘Seasiders’ delight their loyal contingent with high-profile wins, exciting football and the teasing prospect of being in the queue to buy their season ticket for the 2011/2012 Premiership season.

When Ian Holloway signed a one year deal to take charge of Blackpool, even ‘Ollie’, and his considerable optimism, could not have predicted what was to come. Avoiding relegation was the target set and a realistic one at that. A side with a limited budget even by Championship standards, showed grit and desire to see off their pre-season critics and rise up the league. Fast forward to the 23 May 2010, and the Tangerine dream had come true with a 3-2 win over the favourites Cardiff. An underdog story to rival the best and David would soon be facing Goliath on a weekly basis as the side stepped up to the next level.



Underdogs



The current Blackpool side have been a breath of fresh air in a time where money has become the be all and end all of modern day football. While the other clubs splash out millions on transfer fees and wages, Blackpool have relied on some aspects that are missed by clubs. Belief, Confidence, Organisation are all prominent in the Seasiders style of play and attitude towards their task. Coming up against the big spenders was never going to be easy, to put it in perspective it is estimated that Blackpool have a maximum wage for all players of £10,000 a week while an unhappy Carlos Tevez earns well in excess of £200,000. Therefore a tilt for the title was certainly a bridge too far from this small-time club. The gung-ho and fearless approach they have taken to the Premier League though has given hope to all lower league teams that the dream is possible and the millionaires can be beaten by the less affluent, unfashionable club from the North-west of England.



Breath of fresh air



The success can be nailed down to a few areas and their charismatic manager, Ian Holloway is certainly one of them. This man has lit up the game better than Blackpool’s illuminations themselves. When the great Jose Mourinho left these shores, a gap for a manager with a bit of humour was left and this man has certainly stepped up. When asked if he had any injury worries, the quick-witted reply was “No, I’m fully fit, thank you” and this is a measure of the man who I could quote all day. However a joker off the park he may be, but in-house he has worked with the players to create a side who are unafraid of their opponents and go into each match with the same philosophy of keeping the ball and creating opportunities. On the first day of the season, Blackpool turned up at the DW stadium expected to be Wigan’s whipping boys for the day, and showed the class and determination to leave with a 4-0 win and a crucial 3 points tucked away in their back pockets. This result sent out a message, that Blackpool weren’t there to make up the numbers and the loyal supporters had a season to look forward to.

That brings me nicely onto another factor behind the success which is the Tangerine Army who have followed their heroes around the country so far this season. They have created a tremendous atmosphere at each game they have attended and given their players fantastic backing even during games such as the 6-0 hammering at Arsenal. They have been rewarded for their support with two wins over Liverpool, the 4-0 thumping of Wigan among other brilliant wins and performances. The fans who arrive at Bloomfield Road each home game go there with the right attitude for a team newly-promoted and rarely is a boo heard ringing round the stadium. The results and league position they have achieved at this half-way stage of the season in just reward for fans that have toiled since the days of the great Stanley Matthews and are finally able to see their team successful again after many barren years.



Leader



Finally the players deserve enormous recognition for their performances guiding Blackpool to the top half and a vertigo-challenging 9^th place. A task led by the captain Charlie Adam in fine style. Since being bought for £500,000 from Rangers, Adam has reignited his career with the club and become a key man in the side. Having scored and created in vast amounts he has repaid the belief Holloway has showed in him, and is finally realising the potential many believed he had. He is ably supported by colleagues such as DJ Campbell, Marlon Harewood, Ian Evatt and Matt Gilks among a squad unheard of by many individually but known as a tough outfit collectively. The aforementioned players have stepped up to the mark tremendously this season, Gilks in particular whose performances led to a call up for Scotland although he remains uncapped at that level. They have all showed that quality will only get a team so far and with the right attitude, organisation and belief, anyone can beat anyone on a given day.

Overall, Blackpool have reached the January window in a position much higher than anyone could have thought. If they continue the form and effort they have put into the first half of the season, and maybe add a couple of quality names in the window then it is almost certain, when the illuminations are switched on next year, Blackpool will still be a Premier League club.