Can't be arsed to translate but says he is p*ssed off at losing two points. Their goal was due to our back lads not communicating properly. He is having an MRI on his hip and hopes he's going to be ok for our upcoming fixtures...Thinks the French World Cup draw is OK.

-- Anonymous, December 03, 2001

Answers

In fairness, he actually says that it was poor communication that led to the goal not necessarily that of the back lads. I am worried about this hip although it would be interesting to see Olivier Bernard on the left.

-- Anonymous, December 03, 2001

I suppose I should read the article before giving vent, but tough cheese. How the hell does Robert have the gall to even comment never mind criticise team mates after his utterly pathetic second half contribution at Charlton. He probably had the time to think what he'd be saying in his next interview while literally strolling or standing in the opposition's half contributing absolutely feck all. Obviously I hope he comes good but recent form seems to suggest he's another Ginola .. but with an even more inflated attitude of his own worth. Shut yer mouth, talk to the other players about when and where you need service and knuckle down to some hard work you prima donna w@nk@r.

-- Anonymous, December 03, 2001

Loony, he IS injured, you know..

-- Anonymous, December 03, 2001

Having an MRI seems to indicate a real problem. I hope Bobby comes to his senses and rests the lad for a few of our matches. Is it better to flog him to the point he's out the rest of the season, or do without him for 1 match per week for the next few weeks if the rest will help him heal? From various reports on here it seems that we've got adequate cover in Bernard and LuaLua.

-- Anonymous, December 03, 2001

Hmmmmm maybe Dougs, but with an injury to what I wonder ? On Saturday I watched a player who was more than able to twist, turn & sprint when he had the ball at his feet but one who put little effort in tracking back defensively in the first half, thereby leaving Elliott yet again very exposed. From where I stood, in the second it was like someone had flicked a switch once he'd beaten a man and selfishly shot into the side netting from a tight angle when a square ball would have seen a first goal tapped in. After being screamed at by Al he didn't even work up a trot, less still make any sort of contribution. Why Bobby waited as long as he did to pull him off needs asking but IMO the sickest thing about Laurent Robert at Charlton was his appalling attitude when things failed to go his way. Regardless of how injured he may or may not be he has a poor team ethic and needs pulling up for it, as well as getting stroked for the good things he does.

-- Anonymous, December 03, 2001

Loony, I've said before on here that I have seen enough of him playing well to know he is the only potentially World Class player we have. Genius isn't like a tap, you can't just switch it on. He has been with us three months and we have had full value - he was involved in something like the first 8 goals of the season. All these comparisons with Ginola risk becoming a self-fulfilling prophesy. See it from his point of view: Shearer recently missed a pen that Robert had earned and could have taken himself. On Tuesday, Shearer practically shoved Lolo out of the way in order to score although Lolo could and would have scored..Shearer was just lucky that his selfishness wasn't punished. I'm not criticising Shearer here, BTW, I'm just saying that Lolo may feel aggrieved too.

-- Anonymous, December 03, 2001

PS. Loons, you may be right about attitude but I'm afraid I see too much generally crap attitude to pick on Lolo in particular: against Derby County last week, I think there were about 6 disgraces to the shirt. Likewise against Liverpool, Spurs and Fulham.

-- Anonymous, December 03, 2001

Give Robert to at the earliest March.

He's had about three months to get used to a new league, new style of play.

Henry, Vieira, Petit, Pires - All complete sh!t up unitl Christmas of their first season. Give him time.

Pires is the big example, he was a workshy donkey who Arsenal fans were beginning to tire of last season. This season he is a new man, scoring goals and working hard. Not as much natural ability as Robert which can only be good for us in the long run.

-- Anonymous, December 03, 2001

..... only if BR can sort out his attitude which is presently poor - irrespective of a slight injury, or that big nasty Al shouting at him, etc.

He is without doubt a fantastic footballer, a special talent, but unless he gets his head in gear I'm afraid he will indeed become another ten game wonder, a la Ginola.

-- Anonymous, December 03, 2001

There were times last season when I though Ameobi's attitude smelt very bad indeed, playing as if he couldn't be arsed.

From what I've seen this season he has improved this aspect of his game. However, I firmly believe this is because BR has deflated his head a bit, making him realise that he isn't a first team regular and has to work for his place.

Obviously it's a different situation with Robert, but maybe Bobby should let him know that one too many bad performances will let Bernard or Lua Lua in.

It's a tricky one, because he's French and could go off in a huff. Not really his fault, more just the French mentality, but surely BR knew that from Domi and Goma?

I still say give him time to learn the language.

Imagine playing in Italy if you can't speak Italian, and your club's captain starts shouting at you aggresively and you haven't got a clue what he's saying. If / when he does learn the language, he will understand what "get back and defend" means. At the present time, if someone shouts that at him he will probably answer "sept heure et demi".

-- Anonymous, December 03, 2001

Dougal, take your rose coloured specks off pet. Lolo is a great player, but rapidly IMHO joining the Nobby class. Bags of talent but can't be @rsed half the time. Like Loony, I haven't read the full article (perhaps I'll wait ti; Dan "translates" it for us) but if his comment about the defence was not countered by a recognition that he should have passed to any one of three unmarked players in the box instead of shooting from a very tight angle, then I'm afraid Monsieur Robert is fooling nobody but himself ( and perhaps you ;-) )

And if he's injured, then wtf doesn't he tell YBR to leave him out? Yes, perhaps we were short of cover on the left with Bernard being in suspenders but there were options - Lua x2, Bellamy out wide or even Diego for half a game after his (apparently) good performance on Thursday.

I don't only blame Robert for this. YBR has to shoulder some of the blame too. Interesting on Sky tonight they commented on how bold (and successful) HT subs were for both Everton and Spurs. I've said it before and I'll say it again (and again) that this is an area where I believe YBR could learn. Old dog?

-- Anonymous, December 03, 2001

I've said it before and I'll say it again (and again) that this is an area where I believe YBR could learn. Old dog?

Her name's Dougal, Screach. Have some manners.

Anyway...you couldn't make it up:
You made null match Saturday with Charlton 1-1 whereas you lead to the score at seven minutes of the end of the prescribed time. For you, is this a point of gained or two points of lost? We lost two points. There were occasions and one did not know to concretize them. We missed success, one did not ensure the last master key or there was always a foot to deviate our shootings. Moreover, a a little stupid goal is taken. Solano is all alone and there, I think that there was a lack of communication. It could be turned over quietly to control the balloon but it preferred to release. The adversary returns the balloon of the head on the level of surface, a player of Charlton sees his countered striking but McDonald recovers it, car and mark. If somebody had spoken in Solano, I am persuaded that this goal would not have been taken. In any case, they equalized and we let escape two points. Did Ca have to put a good to you small blow at the moral one? Yes, that hurt us. And for all to say, that to you really made chier! Ca makes thirty now matches that Newscatle did not gain in London whereas we could have stopped this series. It is a pity. How is your hip? I have always badly. I was replaced five minutes of the end and this morning, I was still with the care. This evening, I pass a IRM to see wide damage. We play again in displacement at the weekend in Ipswich and I must know where I am physically. One will thus see this evening. It should be hoped that there is nothing low register because you have a program in charge in the month of December and Newcastle will need you. It is clear, there will be large posters. Moreover, out of Cut of the League, we go met Chelsea in quarterfinals. A word on the hard copy of the World cup. I think that it is a good hard copy. After, all the teams which are qualified are not there by chance. It thus will be necessary to pay attention and take our adversaries with the serious one. Concerning the eighth of finale, one is sure to fall on a large piece. But good, France is not badly either. Hello.

-- Anonymous, December 03, 2001

I'm not sure Monty Python could make a finer translation. Quality :-)

-- Anonymous, December 04, 2001

Clearly, BR has a problem with Robert - I'd be very surprised if he didn't realise it. However, I'm sure he also realises that he needs to handle this man management issue very, very carefully. Given Robert's gallic temperament, if Bobby mishandles the situation it could rebound very badly on us.

If Bobby were to haul Robert off and he felt he had been humiliated, then it is likely he would take the froggy huff. If Laurent's relationship with BR was fractured in this way we could lose his committment permanently. Whether we like it or not, we have paid a pile of money for another star with the gallic temperament.

Nevertheless, I really feel Bobby needs to weigh the needs of the team with Robert's attitude, and really I don't think taking him off with 3 minutes to go sends him the correct signals.

Against Ipswich recently, for whatever reason he essentially gave up with about 20 minutes to go. I really think that provided Bobby with the opportunity to take him off and replace him someone who would have worked hard for the team for the remaining time. That would have also set up a private discussion (unfortunately also with the required interpreter!) wherein Bobby could have discussed the reasons for him switching off, and the problems that creates for the team.

Sooner or later Bobby will need to do something positive to address this situation.

-- Anonymous, December 04, 2001

Well, girls and boys, the PSG fans would joyfully pay us £20 million to have him back.

-- Anonymous, December 04, 2001

We knew exactly what we getting ourselves into with Robert. He has a proven track record of being tempermental and egotistical. I've got no problem with either characteristic providing we get the goods. Which of course is the thing...maybe his niggling injuries are causing the problem. And I've no doubt YBR has all the experience and tact to deal with the matter effectively. Have faith, Clarky :-)

-- Anonymous, December 04, 2001

.....I certainly think he is better equipped than most, Bobby.

-- Anonymous, December 04, 2001

" he is better equipped than most"

Never realised you knew him in the Biblical sense, Clarky ;-)

...pith helmet, dinner jacket, grande porte...joue le taxi!

-- Anonymous, December 04, 2001

YBR may have the experience and tact to deal with it. But at this stage, it seems to me that Robert is a bit of a prima donna. There was talk on here (not that I believed it) that he has a "right to play" written into his contract. I can't see YBR falling for that one. But I also think he has to be used more selectively. As I said, I think YBR is poor at making timely substitutions which can affect the game. If he were t single out Robert for early substitution, that indeed is likely to send out the wrong message. But if he did it with (say) Solano, Shearer or Lee (senior pros), it would indicate a more balanced approach and that Lolo was being treated exactly the same as the rest.

How he can slag off Solano and the rest yet not acknowledge his own failing in sealing the victory indicates a lack of team spirit on his behalf (ce n'est pas ma faút, Guv). Had we scored when he blasted into the side netting, the game would have been wrapped up nicely and the "mistake" by Solano would not have mattered.

-- Anonymous, December 04, 2001

Thing is, we're woefully lack of cover for the left wing. Basically, even if Robert has a shocker of a game, he'll stick get picked for the next 'cos there's no-one else! Is there any player coming through the reserves or acadamy sides who can put some inkling of pressure on Robert?

-- Anonymous, December 04, 2001

I'm waiting until the winter turns cold before I judge Robert. I've seen signs of a bad attitude but he's in a new land, he doesn't speak the lingo, he's had a family death and he's been playing with assorted injuries. He's also only got six months to make the world champs world cup squad. FFS he must do it for us or he will not be going.

-- Anonymous, December 04, 2001

Well, there's a couple of options once (if?) Dyer comes back. Play him off Shearer and Bellamy wide left. Or play Dyer down the right and Solano on the left. He'll come inside on his right foot, but then he drifts inside anyway even when he's playing down the right flank.

You see how too much Championship Manager simplifies your thinking?!

-- Anonymous, December 04, 2001

If Robert isn't doing it on the pitch he must be taken off. He must come to expect that either he does the biz or he'll be replaced.

The challenge is getting the balance right between the substitution humiliating him - as say taking him off at HT would - and having no effect whatsoever - ie. the current practice of taking him off with 3 minutes to go while the Manager stands on the touchline encouraging the crowd to applaud him for doing nowt.

-- Anonymous, December 04, 2001

There is an obvious option for Lolo. Olivier Bernard can play either LB or wide left MF. Maybe not as accomplished as Lolo but appears to have a better attitude. A fit Robert would always be my preference but Bernard deserves his chance soon.

-- Anonymous, December 04, 2001

Only thing about that is it closes down the option of resting Robbie Elliott (unless you're going for a full change around, putting Distin, Hughes or Quinn at LB). Oh, to have Stephen Glass on the bench.

-- Anonymous, December 04, 2001

Well that was just about the only position he got to represent us in wasn't it ?

;O))

-- Anonymous, December 04, 2001

He was first on the teamsheet in the Medical Room XXXI at the time ;-)

-- Anonymous, December 04, 2001

Bobby, in answer to your question of a replacement for Robert the answer would be maybe. If Robson would only try Bernard in that position for a decent period of time and not five minutes from the end then we could assess his prospects. To back this up ,however, he does deserve the chance after his appearances as a sub have, like lua (x2), provided glimpses of his style of play. In Bernards case this is a willingness to attack the opposition and provide nice balls into the box. Generally passing to the players in a B&W shirt. Deserves a chance to impress.

-- Anonymous, December 04, 2001

Maybe, but the think about Bernie is that he's really a left back, or certainly a midfielder, not an out and out winger. What we've lacked for years is service from the left. Now, I'd rather have a player with proven ability (see earlier this season) than take risks with Bernie in a role that clearly doesn't fit his bill.

I'm not saying that he hasn't a place in the side, but I don't think he'll ever press Robert for the left wing spot. That's my point. There is a real problem in cover / pressure for Robert's position.

-- Anonymous, December 04, 2001

Bobby - as has already been suggested on here bt someone with more tactical nous than me, can we really afford to play with two wingers, especially at home? Perhaps the option of Bernard under those circs might be better than forever giving the ball away and not covering back??

-- Anonymous, December 04, 2001

Maybe, but we've played with one winger (Nobby) before, and saw only sporadic results. Unless of course, Robert takes up the roving and threatening wide player, and we have 3 in midfield, in which case Bernie can take up the left side. But I don't think that will work...we're 442 all the way

-- Anonymous, December 04, 2001

Let's remember gang that Laurent Robert is a fantastic player. We don't need to replace him, we need management to sort out his head and get him making a full contribution to the team.

Olivier Bernard looks a canny player, but he isn't in the same class as Robert as a left-winger.

Let's also remember that we also have a bit of a problem at LB, where Robbie Elliot is struggling to make the grade at Premiership level, and where Bernard is already pushing for his chance. Horses for courses and all that.

-- Anonymous, December 04, 2001

Give him time man, as I've already said use Pires as an example.

-- Anonymous, December 04, 2001

I'd prefer to use him as a ship's anchor

-- Anonymous, December 05, 2001

You're all mad.....we get a world class player and then proceed to rip him to shreds for having a couple of off games regardless of the fact that he's playing whilst injured and is still only just settling into the country!

Pick on some of the useless twats we've got in the team instead...

-- Anonymous, December 05, 2001

Gav - sorry if I gave the impression I'm picking on Robert. Well, I am actuayyl to a certain extent - Robert Robson. I believe quite a bit of the "problem" with Lolo right now is his fitness. I think we are playing him too much with too much dependency on "a moment's inspiration". IMHO, this is not the right policy. Play him more sparingly, either taking him off earlier or keeping him on the bench to hit the oppo hard when they're tiring. That way, he might make a bigger impression and boost his and his colleague's confidence. He clearly has the talent - we're just not seeing it as consistently as (say) @rse are with Pires or Paintbrush.

-- Anonymous, December 05, 2001

Although, Screach, as has pointed out on here before, Pires was w*nk for most of his first season at Arsenal.

-- Anonymous, December 05, 2001