TOPIC:

Just wondering how anyone else found the first weekend of the new Optus Coverage, that is if they changed over now that Foxtel have dropped out.

I have the fetch box set up and although I got to see the Man U v Bournemouth game it did have a few problems..

1. It took quite a while to negotiate the set up menu/on demand/live panels and actually find the live game, so I missed the first 10 mins or so - but now that I have it sussed out should be fine.
2. Picture quality was a bit weird, seemed a bit fuzzy - like watching a You Tube Video, but was OK I guess.
3. Picture froze about 3 Times during the game for a few seconds or so and it became obvious it was not live and was on a slight delay around 30 seconds.

Benefits are the huge amounts of on demand games , as well as highlights packages and preview panel shows. Far better than Foxtel.

All in all seems ok , but has a few minor issues to iron out.

Baz: thanks for that. I think aboutit over the next few weeks. I might be able to manage just watching SBS, which as you know, has one game a week. Ironically, I can watch my own side on Foxtel as they are in the old 'division two'.

Grassy: what does the chippie thing refer too? I am a bit shy to say whom I support because they are infamous with some people. I will give you a name, however, and with your knowledge of English footy you will have it in a flash.

Don Revie

We are irrelevant today; I don't expect to see them in the Premiership again. In fact, as you know, if they do not win tonight, the manger Monk, may be sacked after just three games.

Liverpool? you gave Wenger a bad headache the other night. Was it a good game?

arkroyal I am an Arsenal supporter and my view is while Wenger was an outstanding manager for the first 10 years of his tenure, he has long since past his use by date. The club has refused to move him on with the result that Arsenal have not been serious contenders for the EPL title for a number of years now despite making the top 4 every season. All football teams need fresh ideas and approaches from a new coach or Manager periodically. Coaches also need new challenges and that's why they move to new clubs. For example, Malthouse and Worsfold both recognised this fact after 10 successful years each at the Eagles

Grassy: thanks we can all live in hope as supporters.

Have you seen the movie on Revie, Cloughie and Leeds United?

"Damned United"

If not, you must: it is about Clough and his short tenor as Leeds's manager in 1975.

mikeh: thanks for your post, sorry for the slightlly late reply. I am a bit torn on Wenger and the Arsenal to be honest. Certainlly, as you pointted out with aplomb, during the first decade he was the best manager in England; he went 49 games undefeatted, includding an entire season, won everything else domestically, went very close to winning in Europe, he has won 57 per cent of all his league games (better than Revie, and Shankley, he played the best football in the country, all of which, when taken together, places him in the top bracket of managers in the history of the game.

Having said all that, the two FA cups aside, it has all been down hill, the club accepting it seems fourth best or 'fourthism', as I refer to it. Admittedlly looking from a very long distance away, but listening to interviews from people, such as Pat Vieria, Wenger appears to like his players too much. Vieria claimmed that his greatest strength was his 'loyalty', but asked to identify a weakness, he also said 'loyalty'. In simple terms he allows sentiment to rule him. I have never heard Wenger criticise any player in public. Revie was similar: he got most of his side young, gave them rub downs, made them socialise together, even going so far, as to give presents to the wives of the players on their birthdays; but by 1974, when he needed to dismantle the side, he could not do it and left for England. This kind of attitude was alien to Sir Alex Ferguson, whom, among other things, according to former players, such as Dion Dublin, putting it nicely, would intimidate his players both mentally and physically, and, would ridicule them in public referring to them as 'boys'. In a way, I think this process of victimisation of his players allowed Ferguson to almost have to renewal by accident: either the player would leave or he would sack them, especially the experienced foreign players from Holland whom were less intimidatted by him.

When John Todd coached he always said : 'players will hurt you if you let them'; Wenger and the Arsenal have lived this tale.

Back more directlly to the last ten years under Wenger, I think they should have made more of an attempt to win it for their fans. Two examples that stick out for me are the cases of van Pursie and Fabragas; both should have been paid extra money to keep them at the club while they were in their prime, irrespective of the feelings of the lesser players in the team. If a few did leave because of the new wages policy, for the most part, Arsenal would have had the financial where with all to re-build. Even last season, they should have won the league: they were top in January and they beat Leicester twice, but, as we know, bottlled it.

In sum, sorry for going on a bit, I would always have him -- Wenger -- among the great managers, but I would agree that the club has missed quite a few opportunities because of Wenger's personality and the willingness of people higher up at the club -- even some fans -- to accept 'fourthism' When Wenger does finally go, whom do you think would make a good replacement? What about Plligrini, the former Man City manager?

My turn to apologise for not replying sooner Arkroyal. Thanks for a very interesting and thoughtful perspective on Wenger from a non Gunners supporter. It has been sad for me to see Wengers legacy being trashed by many supporters because of his apparent inertia in the transfer market and his refusal to bolster the team in perceived areas of weakness( striker and central defence).

Arsenal supporters have split into two groups, people that defend his actions, point to the record of the team having qualified 16 consecutive years for Champions league and although he does not spend money like other big clubs, he has landed some quality signings such as Ozil and Sanchez.

The second group are hostile towards Wenger often mocking him online ( Inspector Clouseau is often used as a nickname) and openly demonstrating against him at home games. These two groups will often clash during matches ,which then creates a negative atmosphere at the Emirates. It doesn't help that season ticket prices are the highest in the UK. Many supporters are frustrated that the club appear to be taking their money and using it to fund the American owners businesses instead of improving the club.

Some of the older supporters yearn for the Highbury days where they say had a lot more atmosphere and Arsenal felt like a football club rather than a multi national company. This is probably an indication of where the EPL is now. Most successful clubs are owned by very rich men and managers of these clubs have unlimited funds to buy the best players.

Wenger has in the past refused to get into the transfer market in a big way, preferring instead to develop young players who often are snapped up by other rich clubs, Nasri was a classic example of this. He has been forced to change his approach somewhat to appease the fans but you can see he is not comfortable with splashing money around like Jose Moriniho.

My view is that Wenger has not moved with the times tactically. In the late 1990's he was innovative, fresh and everybody tried to copy him. If you look at him on the sidelines now, he looks frustrated tired and frowns continuously. This attitude must rub off on the players to some extent and was in stark contrast to the excitement evident in Jurgen Klopps approach on the weekend.

As for a replacement when Wenger goes, I would like to see an Arsenal person, Viera, Adams or Henry, someone with passion for the club and who isn't afraid to show it.