Wenger v Fergie Mind Games Thread

[michaec]

Might be one to keep going throughout the season?

Anyway, two months to go until the start of the season and Wenger's started already, saying Beckham's move could signal the break-up of the team.

http://www.football365.com/All_News/Breaking_News/story_9888.shtml

Soccernet with largely the same story, but lead with the suggestion that Ubited were done in the negotiations.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlinenews?id=270147&cc=5739

They can't help themselves can they?

[martymarts]

Well no defending AW this time. He is officially the starter of 2003/04 mind games and I can't help feeling it's a mistake? Did they catch AW after one too many Pernods at the Confed?

Is telling the world that Beckham was too cheap a good idea, when we're negotiating to acquire a bunch of new players?

[DallasGooner]

Thats exactly what I was thinking. You say something like that after you buy all the players you want. Plus while buying them you say Real overpaid in this weak transfer market.

But at least the Wenger v Fergie fun is starting and should keep us entertained.

[GeoffWessel]

The thing is, Beckham going to Real is one of those things EVERYONE is going to have a comment about.

It may be the start of the Mind Games 2K3+4, however as newsworthy as it is, it might be excused. George Best said something too, and he's not even really RELEVANT to the goings on in the game anymore despite his demigodhood!

--- Geoff

[Martin Daoust]

Well in this year's Mind Games, Wenger is already clear judging by reports that Fergie has instructed the board at ManU to resurrect its effort to buy one Patrick Vieira from Arsenal. Clearly Fergie is unnnerved by how the public has perceived the Beckham sale to Real Madrid and seems to agree with Arsene that it was bad business for United financially tactically and even spiritually(harmful to the team's spirit and chemistry), even as we are about to sign one of his targets in Harry Kewell by all indications. Fergie figures that by stating his club's intent to buy our Captain from us that he automatically re-establishes that Arsenal are inferior to ManU both in the public's perception and our own. It might have worked except:

1) No matter how cash-strapped we could be, we would not sell a player of that caliber to ManU and that is that.
2)Vieira has said not only that he would not play for another English team but has mentioned ManU by name as a club he would not play for. My guess is that if Wenger were there that might change, but it certainly won't as long as Fergie's there.
3)He is very close to Wenger and would not want to be under any other manager I suspect. So he WILL sign an extension. The length is really what to watch. If it is to 2006 Wenger is probably headed to Real Madrid. If it is beyond Wenger will sign an extension of his own. Vieira knows if he does not re-sign he cannot guarantee where he would be sold(If at all-hmmm...) and thus that he would end up with Wenger at Real.
So Fergie's reply in the mind games was woeful and pointless-everyone in England knows this is a non-starter adn simply will not happen. It was a weak attempt to intimidate Wenger and Arsenal. It failed utterly and was always going to. Fergie is slipping and failing now...It would have concerned me more if he was inquiring about Campbell or Henry or Pires to be honest. And it would've been smarter on Fergie's part. This was just pure publicity stunt. Publicity stunts will NEVER win the mind games...

[GeoffWessel]

Here here, to all of that, Martin.

Juventus couldn't poach Paddy away, Fergie sure as $h!t ain't gonna!


--- Geoff

[martymarts]

Sorry, I don't feel as confident as you gentlemen. I think we are in deep doodoo; Caught between a rock and a hard place. We need a new stadium to provide extra cash, but, we have to be successful to get the stadium, and to be successful we need top players, but, to keep top players we need the Stadium? Finely balanced on a knife edge.

Paddy has got World Cup, Euro 2000, FA Cup and EPL winners medals on his side board. All that's left is the CL. He is at the height of his career, his time is now and he won't get it again. If AW doesn't assemble a good enough squad he should leave; and we shouldn't blame him! He can't afford to be sentimental! I think this is what Pires is watching, Paddy is the key. If he doesn't sign neither will RP7; and he seems to be doing is saleability no harm at the Confed?

Over 2/3 of our squad seems to be available for transfer. Why, is it because AW will do whatever it takes to get the players that will keep PV4 at Highbury? The alternative is sell Paddy and Pires and use the cash to build a new spine to the team.

[GeoffWessel]

Originally posted by martymarts
Over 2/3 of our squad seems to be available for transfer. Why, is it because AW will do whatever it takes to get the players that will keep PV4 at Highbury? The alternative is sell Paddy and Pires and use the cash to build a new spine to the team.

Perhaps because losing Paddy and Pires would be making the team paraplegic, to use your "spine" metaphor?

--- Geoff