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Would Bould suit Arsenal or Arsene as the new Number 2?

Handing out bollockings no longer part of the job description

10 May, 2011 10:00 19 comments
Would Bould suit Arsenal or Arsene as the new Number 2?

To Bouldly go where no yes-man need go anymore?

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It looks likely that Pat Rice is going to retire in the summer and that our glorious leader will be looking for a new (and mute) number 2. The popular choice amongst Gooners is Uncle Stevie Bould. Well, I don't want to burst too many bubbles but if you think AW will have anybody who could question his authority sat next to him, think again.

Back in the day when in charge of the reserves, Pat Rice used to shout, encourage and hand out bollockings when needed. But since being elevated to assistant manager his role is to sit passively, whistle at the subs, shake hands with opposition managers when AW won't and put out the cones on match days. He was neutered a long time ago and this season he has looked completely indifferent to the madness that has been going on around him. People have built up this fantasy image of one of Gorgeous George Graham's men at the back turning up at the Colney crèche (copyright M. Palmer) and tearing the spoilt brats a new a***hole for not being able to defend and then show them how a real man does it.

Think again. Wenger is Steve’s mentor as far as his short coaching career is concerned. The reserves play Wengerball under Bould. Our glorious leader wouldn't let anybody within a camel ride who would contradict or question any of his teachings and certainly nobody who would upset his babies by being nasty to them. We need someone with balls to stand up to Wenger, not another member of staff who owes his coaching career to him.

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19
comments

  1. Mike Winton

    May 13, 2011, 8:41 #6813

    I tend to agree. The name on my mind is Ray Wilkins

  2. Mosie

    May 10, 2011, 21:46 #6646

    Bring big Tony back from Azerbaijan. We don't bring him back because he is a legend, we bring him back because he is a good coach and an excellent defensive coach. Look what he did at Portsmouth.

  3. Frank

    May 10, 2011, 19:24 #6642

    What is all this hype about Bouldy becoming number 2.Take a step back will you.A couple of years ago the same people were saying it should be Tony Adams.Bouldy good man but a number 2 at a top premiership club no way.Bouldy will be another yes man.He is not going to rock the boat.Have you seen the Youth team play they are an exact replica of the first team 50 passes before they have a shot.When Wenger says jump Bouldy would say how high boss.We need a new number 2 to join a new number 1 nothing else will do because whoever does become number 2 Wenger wont listen to them anyway

  4. Henry

    May 10, 2011, 18:53 #6640

    People are suggesting Bouldy just because he has an Arsenal background.It smacks of the old boys club.He would just be another Pat Rice. Bring in a number 2 who was coach to the double winners last season Ray Wilkins.Just look what happened to Chelsea when he left mid-season.It would be an advantage that he has no Arsenal contacts.Someone said Niel Banfield have we really got that low that we are scrapping the biggest barrel.Fergie has had 7 number two's Wenger one that says it all

  5. GaryFootscrayAustralia

    May 10, 2011, 16:49 #6634

    We definitely need a "bad cop" no.2. The best going around now is Steve Clarke, but he's already with Liverpool. Fergie's always had a decent no.2, whether good cop (Quieroz), or bad cop (Kidd, McClair)...Brian Clough's career partly went downhill at the end because Peter Taylor wasn't there anymore to act as a counterbalance...

  6. dan h

    May 10, 2011, 16:47 #6633

    Why is he going to get a number two that questions him?He has had complete control over the club for far too long.For a seemingly intelligent man his failure to use anyones opinions but his own shows why he has become so stubborn.To hear some of his post match interviews this season & excuses have become painfull.Same system every game regardless of opponents home or away a good coach would be questioning this as lets face it a lot of us are!

  7. Graham Yates

    May 10, 2011, 16:11 #6632

    Boro Primorac should be his No.2. He is the chief Bollocker in training I can tell you and the one man who AW confides in more than anyone else. Been part of the AW backroom for 20 years.

  8. Whinger_OUT_NOW

    May 10, 2011, 15:30 #6630

    First off, as you have already pointed out the bottleneck is not the coaches or assistant manager. It's Whinger. He wants only yes men Secondly, what has Bould achieved so far as coach and head of reserve team? Players having come out from under him (Clichy, Gibbs, even a young Eboue, Denilson et all) display a shameful sense of positioning, atrocious defending skills and an obnoxious lack of heart. Great player, but has been a below average coach.

  9. Guy Morris

    May 10, 2011, 15:16 #6628

    Cant agree more but maybe Bouldie has balls!

  10. Matt

    May 10, 2011, 14:15 #6621

    What we need is a new manager - one who will shake up this bunch because Wenger won't for fear of upsetting them, Wenger is too stubborn, too comfortable in his position, too set in his belief of youth, too indifferent to what the majority of the fans want and need....and finally TOO LONG in this job!

  11. CD

    May 10, 2011, 13:43 #6617

    Simple answer I dont want a new number two to AW but instead a new number two to a new manager! As you correctly point out unless the new number two is as subservient as Pat Rice, and fullfils the role just as Phil Neal famously did with "Do I not like that" Graham Taylor then he wont get the job in the first place. The most important part of working for AW is a prayer mat so you can worship at the alter of the messiah and the only word you ever need to learn is yes!!

  12. Frank

    May 10, 2011, 12:48 #6611

    Totally agree.The big rumour is the new assistant manager will be Churchill the nodding dog.OH YESSSSSSSS

  13. Kev G

    May 10, 2011, 12:30 #6607

    Neil Banfield is the bloke they are looking at - the reserve team manager. Bould isn't even in the frame mate. He has never ever coached a first team session. No idea what Banfield is like but I doubt we will see any changes under him. I'd envisage the same frustrating, and boring game of one touch football from box to the other end then lose the ball outside the oppo area, then concede a goal with the first shot of the game

  14. Kevin

    May 10, 2011, 12:28 #6604

    I think just the way Bould looks would give our players the incentive to behave and bust a gut on the pitch. If you right a small article like this you should suggest someone who can come in and do the job.

  15. JamesLT

    May 10, 2011, 12:24 #6603

    The reserves don't play Wengerball or any other football under Steve Bould. The reserves are managed by Neil Banfield...

  16. Richard Ansell

    May 10, 2011, 12:14 #6602

    The whole set up at the club is just too cosy, with no one seemingly with the balls to critiscise anything or anyone. How I would love to see someone appointed that would stand up and be counted but Wenger would never allow that. Prepare yourself for yet another yes man.

  17. mr k

    May 10, 2011, 11:46 #6596

    Bring in Martin Keown. You can't tame that lion and he certainly voices his opinion. This is the guy who will make Le Boss wake up and realise we suck ass in the defence department.

  18. Surrey Gunner

    May 10, 2011, 11:42 #6595

    I dont have the widest knowledge of football. Given the last few weeks, I feel we need grit and someone abrasive, someone with both feet on earth and use to English football. So I would like Ray Wilkins, or Peter Taylor. I can't judge Bould as a coach, but it smacks of inbreeding. I can only say we need to change the dynamic of the club and peoples view of the club.

  19. Bob

    May 10, 2011, 11:35 #6594

    I agree that we need a number 2 who adds value. Think right back to the original double team, and the contribution that Don Howe made. I also agree that we don't want a closed shop - we need fresh blood, but we need it at the top of the shop. A new manager with someone like Bouldy or Tony Adams as an assistant would be the ideal solution.