Modern coaching techniques proving less popular than ever

Following Arsenal’s sorry performance at the Britannia Stadium, Arsene Wenger has sounded like a man who is full of excuses but lacking in solutions. For the first time, Wenger’s status in north London is being seriously questioned, and this may have more to do with the current managerial climate of the Premiership than his shortcomings.

With his strict diets, motivational handouts and precisely designed training ground routine, the French Professor is the poster child for modern coaching techniques. Over the past few months, however, the new school of coaching appears to have become very old fashioned, while the traditional managers are enjoying a renaissance.

Think about it: Luis Aragones won the European Championships, Sir Alex picked up silverware here and in Moscow, Harry “just fucking run around” Redknapp and Joe Kinnear are

Fenerbahce/ Arsenal, ITV1, 7.45pm, Free £10 bet

[Roberto Carlos - unfazed by Arsenal’s visit]

Despite coming from behind to beat Everton, Arsenal are far from  their best and in recent years trips to Turkey have proven even more daunting than playing in the San Siro or the Nou Camp for the Big Four. Here’s why the betting genii at chickendinner believe Arsenal are in danger of being the latest Premier League side to come home from Turkey empty-handed…

» English clubs have lost their last four Champions League away games against Turkish opposition. Manchester United lost 3-0 in Fenerbahce in 2004-05, Liverpool lost 3-2 to Galatasaray in 2006-07 and 2-1 to Besiktas last season while Chelsea lost 2-1 in Fenerbahce six months ago.

» Despite starting this season slowly, Fenerbahce have only lost once at home, which means that in total they have now lost just three of their last 52 league and European home games.

» Their last European home defeat came in November 2005

Our brainy chums at chickendinner are backing Los Blancos

Once the sangria induced hangovers have cleared and the memory of Luis Aragones’ bumps torment is hazy, Spain’s footballing fraternity will have to stop basking in their Euro 2008 glory and look forward to kicking lumps out of each other in the new La Liga season. Because they care so much, here’s chickendinner’s guide to just about everything that’s going to happen in the sun-drenched nation…

» Real Madrid have secured successive La Liga titles but not since 1990-1994 (Barcelona) have any Primera Liga side managed to retain the championship three years in a row. However, the last time Real Madrid won consecutive league titles, they went on to win five in succession - 1985-1990.

» Celta Vigo finished sixth in 2005/06 and were relegated the very next season. Real Zaragoza ended the 2006/07 season in sixth position and also found themselves relegated a year later. That spells bad news for Racing Santander who were this year’s sixth placed side.

» In four of the past five seasons, the side that finished fourth in La Liga went on to struggle in the next campaign, finishing tenth or lower and on one occasion being relegated. Atletico Madrid may be in for a long season.

» Only two of the last ten runners up in La Liga have gone on to secure the title the following season - Villarreal were last year’s unlucky losers.

» In the last ten seasons, only one side has ever finished third and secured the league title in their next campaign. On six occasions

Giving ‘the bumps’ to a 69 year old isn’t a good idea, apparently

Luis Aragonés may be officially parting ways with the Spanish national side tomorrow, but that’s no excuse for the kind of abuse he received after the match last night.

The over-zealous Spanish players decided it would be a great idea to show their appreciation for their 69-year-old coach by hoisting him up in the air and giving him ‘the bumps’. The last time an old man had such a look of horror on his face was when Teddy Sheringham saw Danielle Lloyd’s ‘charming’ personality unfold in the Big Brother house. According to The Spoiler’s official club doctor, the shock of being repeatedly thrown in the air by a large group of brutish men could have induced fatal cardiac problems. The risk of dislocation or breaking a bone was also high, as men of his age tend to have weak and brittle joints.

Fenerbahçe would have been mightily unimpressed if the old racist had turned up to work in a wheelchair, or worse still, a coffin…