Project Rain
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johnmc said:
lmfao
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Kolo Toure [Merged]
- Thread starter lc-mcfc
- Start date
lmfao
Logical Gunner
Member
- Joined
- 28 Jul 2009
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- 6
hello said:Your not suppose to sat that if this deal looks like going ahead, you are suppose to says he shite,past it crap, useless, cant head a ball etc etc.
Anyhow how much of this 40m will Wenger use for your squad?
I can see past the qualities that blind some Arsenal fans. Hence the reason I picked the user name.
And I don't think Arsene will spend too much of it. Honestly its a big cloud surrounding all transfer activity. There was a point where I thought for sure Blaise Matuidi was going to come, but that all died down after the Ade transfer.
ARSENE Wenger’s nickname of ‘The Professor’ is entirely apt and not just because of his measured manner, Âundoubted intelligence, the economics degree obtained at Strasbourg University or his fluency in five languages.
He has accurately judged and stud ied his Arsenal players’ strengths and weaknesses and does so with an almost-religious zeal.
And that methodical, calculating process would have undeniably been a major factor in his decision to dispense with Kolo Toure’s experienced services to Manchester City – as well as the eye-watering transfer value of a player who will be 29 next March and was approaching the last year of his contract .
Wenger is an unashamed fan of the ProZone system, arguably the greatest advocate of the statistical Leeds-based company which provides detailed match analysis on team and player performances . So much so, that Wenger and Arsenal have extended their contract with ProZone into a 10th consecutive year, the longest standing association with a manager and club.
At the flick of a switch, following the installation of 10 cameras at the Emirates, Wenger can find out all he needs to know about a specific player, much more detail than who has run the most miles or a percentage of completed passes.
In Wenger’s methodical mind, he will be acutely aware of where the passes were delivered – forward or sideways – the time it took and, down to a decimal point, the speed.
And according to revealing Opta Premier League stats on Sky Sports for defenders last season, Toure ranked 67th in aerial duels, winning 44.4 per cent of his 72 challenges.
He was listed 28th in tackles – a success rate of 77.7 per cent in 54 attempts – and made 222 clearances to be 35th in that department.
Toure, who can also play in midfield, was ranked 16th in his passing accuracy of 83.2 per cent – in a list headed by Chelsea’s former City target John Terry on 90 per cent. Just last month Wenger said: “Football is a game of opinions and I’ve always tried to make the right decisions.
SEARCH FOOTBALL for:
“When you want to make a decision, you want to make sure you know as much as you can about the game and about the player.
“So I believe data does not make the decision , it helps you to make a better one. And it’s easier to know the player, his physical and technical qualities. And after that you transform it into your own knowledge and try to make the right decision.â€
Some seasoned Arsenal observers have speculated that Toure is not the force he was . But regardless, Wenger would have taken everything into account, including the remaining six potential central defenders he has .
And all the numbers, especially from a financial point of view in terms of excellent business and profit margins, have attractively added up for Wenger to bid Toure au revoir .
For a player who cost £150,000 from Ivory Coast club Asecs Mimosa in February 2002 and after 326 appearances and seven years at Arsenal, the expected £13.85million profit was too handsome to refuse.
Since Toure established himself in the title-winning 2003-04 ‘Invincibles’ team – when he made 55 appearances – the last two terms have been his lowest in terms of outings, 41 in each, with last season being his fewest starts, 38 in all competitions.
No matter that Toure is the last remaining member of Wenger’s unbeaten side – coincidentally the last season the Gunners lifted the Premier League title.
Like all the best and most successful managers , Wenger has to suspend sentiment, loyalty and personal friendship for the greater club good, what is best for his side .
It is why club legends such as Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira were sold and why the likes of Emmanuel Adebayor, Nicolas Anelka and Marc Overmars left – those five bringing in a profit of about £68m .
One of the areas which Wenger identified as a problem for Arsenal last season was their vulnerability in the air at the back .
And one of those men who could plug that gap from within the club, Johan Djourou, was actually picked out by Toure in April as a “really good and intelligent playerâ€.
Djourou, 22, and about 6ft 4in – bigger than six-footer Toure – is more than up for the challenge after making 29 appearances last season.
MORE PROOF THAT YET AGAIN I AM RIGHT. KOLO TOURE IS FINISHED.
He has accurately judged and stud ied his Arsenal players’ strengths and weaknesses and does so with an almost-religious zeal.
And that methodical, calculating process would have undeniably been a major factor in his decision to dispense with Kolo Toure’s experienced services to Manchester City – as well as the eye-watering transfer value of a player who will be 29 next March and was approaching the last year of his contract .
Wenger is an unashamed fan of the ProZone system, arguably the greatest advocate of the statistical Leeds-based company which provides detailed match analysis on team and player performances . So much so, that Wenger and Arsenal have extended their contract with ProZone into a 10th consecutive year, the longest standing association with a manager and club.
At the flick of a switch, following the installation of 10 cameras at the Emirates, Wenger can find out all he needs to know about a specific player, much more detail than who has run the most miles or a percentage of completed passes.
In Wenger’s methodical mind, he will be acutely aware of where the passes were delivered – forward or sideways – the time it took and, down to a decimal point, the speed.
And according to revealing Opta Premier League stats on Sky Sports for defenders last season, Toure ranked 67th in aerial duels, winning 44.4 per cent of his 72 challenges.
He was listed 28th in tackles – a success rate of 77.7 per cent in 54 attempts – and made 222 clearances to be 35th in that department.
Toure, who can also play in midfield, was ranked 16th in his passing accuracy of 83.2 per cent – in a list headed by Chelsea’s former City target John Terry on 90 per cent. Just last month Wenger said: “Football is a game of opinions and I’ve always tried to make the right decisions.
SEARCH FOOTBALL for:
“When you want to make a decision, you want to make sure you know as much as you can about the game and about the player.
“So I believe data does not make the decision , it helps you to make a better one. And it’s easier to know the player, his physical and technical qualities. And after that you transform it into your own knowledge and try to make the right decision.â€
Some seasoned Arsenal observers have speculated that Toure is not the force he was . But regardless, Wenger would have taken everything into account, including the remaining six potential central defenders he has .
And all the numbers, especially from a financial point of view in terms of excellent business and profit margins, have attractively added up for Wenger to bid Toure au revoir .
For a player who cost £150,000 from Ivory Coast club Asecs Mimosa in February 2002 and after 326 appearances and seven years at Arsenal, the expected £13.85million profit was too handsome to refuse.
Since Toure established himself in the title-winning 2003-04 ‘Invincibles’ team – when he made 55 appearances – the last two terms have been his lowest in terms of outings, 41 in each, with last season being his fewest starts, 38 in all competitions.
No matter that Toure is the last remaining member of Wenger’s unbeaten side – coincidentally the last season the Gunners lifted the Premier League title.
Like all the best and most successful managers , Wenger has to suspend sentiment, loyalty and personal friendship for the greater club good, what is best for his side .
It is why club legends such as Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira were sold and why the likes of Emmanuel Adebayor, Nicolas Anelka and Marc Overmars left – those five bringing in a profit of about £68m .
One of the areas which Wenger identified as a problem for Arsenal last season was their vulnerability in the air at the back .
And one of those men who could plug that gap from within the club, Johan Djourou, was actually picked out by Toure in April as a “really good and intelligent playerâ€.
Djourou, 22, and about 6ft 4in – bigger than six-footer Toure – is more than up for the challenge after making 29 appearances last season.
MORE PROOF THAT YET AGAIN I AM RIGHT. KOLO TOURE IS FINISHED.
Logical Gunner
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- 6
While the general consensus around the Arsenal fans is that Djourou is a phenomenal prospect, he wasn't the one carrying the defensive line.
Djourou lacks the aggressiveness of Toure and while he is quite strong mentally, he is prone to making big goal causing mistakes. Make no mistake about it City fans, Toure is still quite good. Not to mention he is one of the few winners in our squad. We are only willing to sell because Gallas is a superior player and the partnership between them never worked out.
Toure has about 4 or 5 good years left in him.
Djourou lacks the aggressiveness of Toure and while he is quite strong mentally, he is prone to making big goal causing mistakes. Make no mistake about it City fans, Toure is still quite good. Not to mention he is one of the few winners in our squad. We are only willing to sell because Gallas is a superior player and the partnership between them never worked out.
Toure has about 4 or 5 good years left in him.
california blue
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the input LG - nice insight you've given
bluesince75
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- Joined
- 21 Mar 2009
- Messages
- 121
ANTMCFC..
Give it a rest son,we get the idea, now he's not even signed yet so chill out , and if he does, support him because he'll be a blue ..
Give it a rest son,we get the idea, now he's not even signed yet so chill out , and if he does, support him because he'll be a blue ..
One thing I do know is Arsenal will use the funds wisely.
Their business acumen has played a large part on ensuring they have stayed in the top four for sometime despite not nearly shelling out the money that Manure and Chelsea have in the past and we are now.
We certainly need strengtening in the back half if we are to challenge for a top six spot this season but be mindful of the fact that too many new faces will in all probability take sometime to gel.
I don't want to see too many more of last seasons regulars leave us now even if we get two or three new faces in defence from now until Aug 31.
Their business acumen has played a large part on ensuring they have stayed in the top four for sometime despite not nearly shelling out the money that Manure and Chelsea have in the past and we are now.
We certainly need strengtening in the back half if we are to challenge for a top six spot this season but be mindful of the fact that too many new faces will in all probability take sometime to gel.
I don't want to see too many more of last seasons regulars leave us now even if we get two or three new faces in defence from now until Aug 31.
ChicagoBlue
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- Joined
- 10 Jan 2009
- Messages
- 21,922
The thing we have missed most at the back is positional play and straight forward defensive smarts! I think Toure brings these things in bucketfuls!
For the last few seasons, we have had Richards not doing so well while DUnne was winning accolades. Last season, Ned's game improved dramatically (though STILL a bit green, with the pace to make up for mistakes) as Dunney's dropped to its lowest level for years. Add to that, the FACT that we have had some longstanding weakness in the full back positions, and it was clear that ANY TEAM that could get around the middle of the midfield was in with a shout and ANY team that could get a few corners, or free kicks in the last 30 meters, was in with a shout of picking up a goal. Given was a VAST improvement, as he commands his area by voice (too bad it was not by coming out and winning a few in the air!!!), but it would be EXCELLENT to get some QUALITY AND EXPERIENCE (BOTH TOGETHER!) in front of him. Throw Toure and Lescott into the mix with Ned and Dunne, and you have injury/suspension cover across the entire back line, with Zab, Richards, Bridge and even Ned (and Barry?!) fighting for the full back positions. Competition and INTERNATIONAL QUALITY competition at that can only be a VERY good thing for City!
For the last few seasons, we have had Richards not doing so well while DUnne was winning accolades. Last season, Ned's game improved dramatically (though STILL a bit green, with the pace to make up for mistakes) as Dunney's dropped to its lowest level for years. Add to that, the FACT that we have had some longstanding weakness in the full back positions, and it was clear that ANY TEAM that could get around the middle of the midfield was in with a shout and ANY team that could get a few corners, or free kicks in the last 30 meters, was in with a shout of picking up a goal. Given was a VAST improvement, as he commands his area by voice (too bad it was not by coming out and winning a few in the air!!!), but it would be EXCELLENT to get some QUALITY AND EXPERIENCE (BOTH TOGETHER!) in front of him. Throw Toure and Lescott into the mix with Ned and Dunne, and you have injury/suspension cover across the entire back line, with Zab, Richards, Bridge and even Ned (and Barry?!) fighting for the full back positions. Competition and INTERNATIONAL QUALITY competition at that can only be a VERY good thing for City!
journolud
Well-Known Member
Logical Gunner said:Make no mistake about it City fans, Toure is still quite good.
.
Quite good? If ever someone was damned with faint praise. I think I know what you are saying though. I'll be happy to have him at City, new lease of life and all that.
Biamp said:The deal should be concluded today.
He's having his medical today so I'd say either today or tommorow.
He's better than what we already have (Richard Dunne / Micah Richards) so I'm happy.
Those quoting his stats need to give it a rest to be honest. This is a new start for him so judge him on what he does in a blue shirt, not what he's done in the past few years. The fact he's the one remaining player from the 'invincibles' of 2003 - 2004 speaks its own story for me.
C_T_I_D said:Biamp said:The deal should be concluded today.
He's having his medical today so I'd say either today or tommorow.
He's better than what we already have (Richard Dunne / Micah Richards) so I'm happy.
Those quoting his stats need to give it a rest to be honest. This is a new start for him so judge him on what he does in a blue shirt, not what he's done in the past few years. The fact he's the one remaining player from the 'invincibles' of 2003 - 2004 speaks its own story for me.
Indeed. Well Richards will be used as a right back, so I don't count him as a centre back. But then we have Nedum. But still without any doubt he is better than what we have at the moment, there's another key thing he'll add to our squad which is his experience.
bluemoonmatt
Well-Known Member
AntMcfc said:MORE PROOF THAT YET AGAIN I AM RIGHT. KOLO TOURE IS FINISHED.
An article presumably from one of our friends in the national media, does not constitute "proof" it constitutes an opinion. Here's another opinion. You are a boring cretin. Change the record.
Lomas has a lob on
Well-Known Member
i hate slating fellow city fans but i gave up on that ant twat last night, imo we gain toure we lose ant, great deal 4 citybluemoonmatt said:AntMcfc said:MORE PROOF THAT YET AGAIN I AM RIGHT. KOLO TOURE IS FINISHED.
An article presumably from one of our friends in the national media, does not constitute "proof" it constitutes an opinion. Here's another opinion. You are a boring cretin. Change the record.
Lomas has a lob on said:i hate slating fellow city fans but i gave up on that ant twat last night, imo we gain toure we lose ant, great deal 4 citybluemoonmatt said:An article presumably from one of our friends in the national media, does not constitute "proof" it constitutes an opinion. Here's another opinion. You are a boring cretin. Change the record.
Best 16 mil ever spent.
I'm actually not going to slag Ant off. That is his opinion and I respect it but I disagree entirely with it.
All I will say is that time will tell and that there is no point getting on his back already before he has signed and before he has played in a blue shirt. He's more than welcome @ the club in my opinion. Lets face it though, whether you like it or not, Kolo Toure will be a Manchester City player by the end of the week or at the latest the start of next week.
All I will say is that time will tell and that there is no point getting on his back already before he has signed and before he has played in a blue shirt. He's more than welcome @ the club in my opinion. Lets face it though, whether you like it or not, Kolo Toure will be a Manchester City player by the end of the week or at the latest the start of next week.
TheMightyQuinn
Well-Known Member
Have to laugh really.
The media spin these things to make us look bad, they've been doing it since ADUG took over.
Ant does seem like a special kind of guy, he possibly wears a rubber helmet for his own safety I don't know. I'm aware he thinks he is a footballing genius, he may well know his stuff, maybe, but I'm a footballing freak and I know my shit too brother.
The media spin these things to make us look bad, they've been doing it since ADUG took over.
Ant does seem like a special kind of guy, he possibly wears a rubber helmet for his own safety I don't know. I'm aware he thinks he is a footballing genius, he may well know his stuff, maybe, but I'm a footballing freak and I know my shit too brother.
The Doctor
Well-Known Member
It really does beg the question.............Do all the negative posters have no faith in Mark Hughes or trust his judgement?
IMO he is building a sound solid team with a target of two good players for each position so when injuries or suspensions or World/African Cups impact on his squad he has solid cover.
He get enough flak from the negative/jealous media who see their beloved Big Four being attacked he doesen't need nor deserve backstabbing from within. He is building a team we will be proud of let's all give him a break!
IMO he is building a sound solid team with a target of two good players for each position so when injuries or suspensions or World/African Cups impact on his squad he has solid cover.
He get enough flak from the negative/jealous media who see their beloved Big Four being attacked he doesen't need nor deserve backstabbing from within. He is building a team we will be proud of let's all give him a break!
bluemoon1078
Well-Known Member
moomba said:For what they are worth, these are the stats from Sky spoken about earlier.
Aerial Duels
Position - 67th
Aerial Duels - 72
Duels won - 44.4%
Tackles
Position - 28th
Tackles attempted - 54
Success rate - 77.78%
Clearances
Position - 35th
Total Clearances - 222
Mins per clearance - 10.3
Passing
Position - 16th
Passing accuracy - 83.2%
Would be interested to see stats for the previous seasons as we know he wasn't at his best early last season, A bit unfair of ssn that, how about his stats when they went unbeaten all season?
More negative spin!