Comments on: The Sweeper: Arsenal Creating History

By: Al

Al — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 18:22:00 +0000

I don’t understand this anti-Hamlett business.

Anywhere you go, people have an idea for a better lineup. But I don’t see anyone with a better lineup than what Hamlett’s putting out every game. Consider that he plays only who is available, who isn’t on callup or injured, plus he also rotates in reserves.
I just don’t see anyone “magical” sitting on the bench.

By: JOSUE

JOSUE — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 17:37:06 +0000

Your point about being close to winning a piece of harware also must be follow by the note that we had two players who had just come in from the bench kicking penalty kicks and they both missed. Why would you put a player who has not gotten a chance to warm up in that situation? You have a young player like Banner who had yet to score on MLS at thta point kicking a penalty shot after playing 2 whole minutes, REALLY?? that’s a good move by the manager?? compound that by taking Nyarko, who score that great goal, out and putting in Mapp who has been playing with no confidence this whole season and put him in that spot??? a good manager would not have put those two players in that situation……

By: Peter

Peter — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 17:08:27 +0000

Reminded me of this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrz92Z0SsDI

I think Johnny Rotten summarizes it nicely. I can’t really blame Arsenal for trying to keep pace in a world where commercial viability is priority one, while community is an afterthought.

By: Benjamin Kumming

Benjamin Kumming — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:56:03 +0000

I think, despite last night (meaning despite the win and despite the terrible first half), that Hamlet will be in charge for exactly as many games as are left in the Fire’s season and post season. The writing is on the wall, but since the team sit in good position, those in charge don’t want to risk the upset from firing him mid-season. Barring a title, which looks highly unlikely, the Fire will have a new coach next season, but no sooner.

As for Newcastle’s sale, rumor is that they delay is designed as a chance to sell more high earners to lighten Barry Moat’s adopted load. Problem there, of course, is that he’ll have to go buy more players to get out of the Championship – assuming that’s the goal, of course.

By: Football Fan

Football Fan — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:20:00 +0000

I think it’s just a matter of time. As Arsene says there results having been great since moving to the Emirate but once they have a few Champions League classics under their belt it will soon feel like it has more of a soul.

By: Tom Dunmore

Tom Dunmore — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 15:28:41 +0000

Well, we do have a Technical Director perfectly capable of doing the job on an interim basis, surely…

I agree expectations were high and an MLS Cup final appearance was a reasonable expectation, but you have to factor in the loss of players to injury/int duty throughout the year. We’re down to 3 fit defenders at this point for the DC game and our vaunted depth hasn’t quite been what was expected. A lot of that is not Hamlett’s fault. We also were penalty kicks away from a piece of hardware.

By: Bahns

Bahns — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 15:16:50 +0000

I don’t disagree with anything you’ve mentioned, but I still think a move at this point in the season would be risky unless the Fire front office has someone lined up to take his spot.

Anything short of an MLS Cup appearance (and perhaps win) will likely see him out. The expectations for this club have been monumental this year – but I don’t think they are unreasonable, as this is one of the most talented squads we have ever fielded. If we fail to produce even one piece of hardware it must be considered a massive disappointment.

By: Tom Dunmore

Tom Dunmore — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 15:00:00 +0000

Bahns — Denis has not managed to endear himself throughout the organisation at numerous levels from what I’ve observed and heard. A loss last night, on the back of the abject 2-0 home defeat on Wednesday night, just might have been enough, especially given he was one of the first coaches I’ve ever seen fined for a “confrontation” in a locker room with a player just two weeks ago (you have to say a public press release about it was a surprising move by the club and the motivation for that has to be considered).

I’m not saying I agree his job should be on the line, but it wasn’t far off in the sixtieth minute last night in my view.

By: Bahns

Bahns — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:52:03 +0000

Brilliant win last night by the Fire.

But, Tom, I’m just curious about the statement “what just might have meant the end of the line for head coach Denis Hamlett”… to which we could also add not only “well in playoff contention” but 2nd place in our division and 3rd overall in the league. How/when did this sentiment arise?

By: Pestilence

Pestilence — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:15:44 +0000

Hah! Awesome story about your friend’s proposal. He couldn’t have had a better moment. Toyota Park has been that crazy since John Thorrington chipped Joe Cannon in 2007.