Don’t blame Wembley pitch for defeat, Arsene and Fergie
Both Arsene and Ferguson have been surprisingly, very much in agreement of each other lately. They were at it again this weekend. Both commented on the quality of the Wembley pitch after their teams lost. They suggested it wasn’t fit for a game of this magnitude. Whether the game should have been played there in the first place is another point altogether. Personally, I think if you have a 90,000 capacity stadium you would want to use it again and again. But this neither here or there.
Admittedly the pitch was not the best. The most expensive stadium in the world deserves better, much better. Since Wembley reopened as a sporting venue in 2007, the turf has been relaid 5 times. That is a staggering statistic given that the turf doesn’t exactly go through the rigours of a full league season. Yet I don’t think the pitch should be highlighted at all.
I mentioned to my dad that Chelsea and Everton must have been playing on a completely different ground because they never seemed to have any issues with it. Hiddink also did make a good point about how it is far worse in some grounds in Europe and more so Africa. He should know. He’s manager of a Russia side that plays on fake grass. If he can get a side to play on that, then the bobbly Wembley pitch is a breeze.
Wenger and Ferguson should acknowledge that the game is loved by so many that they play it on almost any surface. As a kid I remember playing on concrete turf, where the slide tackle was completely out of the equation. I also recall playing in grounds where the grass had grown so thick sometimes that the ball disappeared in it only to reappear after toe-poking it several times. So if we don’t really complain about the pitch we play on, then why should they? These guys have players are infinitely more gifted than us. They are more than capable to adjust to a pitch that attempts to maintain its own appearance every now and then.
PS: I think those in charge of Wembley should have snapped up the guy who is responsible for the hallowed Emirates turf. Oh but he went to Real Madrid didn’t he? Well, erm, what about the guy at Ipwich’s Portman road? He is pretty good, he won a few awards.
OMG I can’t believe a gunner is accusing Wenger of blaming the pitch!
He SAID “the pitch cannot be used as an excuse”! so why do you say he did?? Fergie said ‘the pitc is the reason for my team selection”, yeah whatever to that, but do not blame Wenger, that to me is being incredibly judgemental, and seems as if you didn’t actually hear his interiew… if we aren’t going to defend him, WHO WILL!!!?
OH and he commented about the pitch mostly BEFORE?
Cause dude, it was SHIT, disgraceful that the FA can’t be fagged to get an actual turf with decent groundsmen…
Didn’t check the comments for this post until now. Actually I did hear the interview post match. For me I think Wenger should have been more up front about his team selection. That was the reason we lost the game. Wembley should have a better pitch than that but it wasn’t the worst.