Qoute...Our squad can win things. And I know that it will be difficult for Manchester United to win.....Unquote....
Words from Arsenal's captain William Gallas before the game agst Man United.
I must admit this should be one off result and i dont expect Arsenal to perform like that again. But they are making a name for exiting cup competitions is style. 5-1 agst Tottenham and 4-0 agst Man Utd. The men i have the most sympathy for is Arsene Wenger and Flamini. Why Wenger? His players let him down. Why Flamini? When he came on, he was the only player who looked like giving his 100%. The rest of the squad was disappointing. Even the most ardent Arsenal fans should be agreeing with me on that. It seems that they were distracted by the Milan game(which i think they could win) and that Old Trafford pitch was atrocious.
Man Utd could have shown the world how to beat Arsenal. Get goals early and constantly press high up in the field. An onrushing Rooney is definitely not a pretty sight. The back four seemed to be uncomfortable with the pressing game. Another thing that we all could learn is the importance of the back four to ensure stability. Arsenal changed their fullbacks while Man Utd first choice back four looked assured thru the 90mins. I thought Wes Brown was playing particularly impressive. Another impressive aspect was Man Utd's fitness and workrate. Of course Arsenal down to ten man could heva helped that.
Arsenal set up 4-5-1 with Bendtner up front with Eduardo on the left. Yes i understand the cautious approach at Old Trafford but i couldnt help but wonder what would have happened if 4-4-2 was used with Eduardo playing his normal role. Gilberto and Bendtner looks out of sorts and i expect the Brazillian to be offloaded soon.
Some positives we can draw is that some star players were rested for the game agst Milan(Adebayor, Fabregas, Sagna, Clichy, Almunia, Flamini). With the thin squad at Arsenal now, maybe an exit could be a blessing in disguise. Now they can focus on two fronts. Less toll on the players. I believe this is the best chance for them to win the league and i think they can do it. The Champions League can go to anyone honestly due to its knockout structure.
Something i didnt like with the Man Utd performance was the arrogance of players like Evra and Nani. Yes u guys have won the game, but dont have to rub it in. There should be a level of professionalism in the game. I was telling myself that the arsenal players should just have whacked him down when Nani went on his juggling act(a good one too i must add). Imagine if Ronaldo was on the pitch? He might have broken the world record for most stepovers. I have lesser respect for the new breed of Fergie Babes(Nani, Anderson, Evra) for their arrogance. My utmost respect goes to the likes of Vidic, Giggs, Scholes. Aand yah i dont fancy Rio either. He's not as good as HE thinks he is.
Arsenal to win the league. Chelsea to win the League Cup. Man United to win the FA Cup. Champions League goes to God knows who. Everybody's happy. Oh yeah, Everton to get 4th place and Rafa gets the sack!
Sunday, 17 February 2008
Not Surprised
I know some of you, if any, especially those who just love to diss liverpool, yes i know who u are, are just laughing out loud after liverpool's exit. Fair game. The reds played poorly and they lost. Before i express views on the matter, i would to take this opportunity to...
CONGRATULATE PAOLO MALDINI ON REACHING HIS 1000TH GAME!!!!!!!
The ageless defender will be playing his 1000th game in his career this weekend. The Rossoneri captain made his debut an incredible 23 years ago on January 20, 1985 against Udinese in Serie A. I was two years old at that time. Amazing. It has been 8427 days since his first professional debut.
PAOLO MALDINI...THE BEST LEFT BACK IN MY BOOK...
Back to the fiasco, Liverpool is in the slumps. Hell yeah and i hate placing the blame but majority people would agree that rafa has been the reason. I need to check what they add to the drinks up there in Anfield because "In Rafa We Trust???". I heard boos at the end of the game and for once i was smiling; and a sinister one it is. "Maybe the fans have finally realised!", i said to myself.
Pako Ayestaran left early in the season and since then, Liverpool has been PLAYING poorly. Yes, they ve lost less than last season in the league but the performances have been sub par. Could it be that Pako was the master of puppet rafa???? Anyways, Man Utd just took a 2-0 lead. It looks like reserve game with both teams resting star players; losing the gloss of the game. Winner of that should be facing Chelsea in the final if draw permits. Good luck to both.
To the game itself. It just proves what i ve been saying all along. Rafa selection tactis are quizzical. My evaluation of Kewell, Kuyt are justified. Since the beginning of this blog' life, i have said, they should be going off. I am sticking my neck out and saying a certain Rafael Benitez wont be here either next season. Who to come in? God knows. But it will be a mighty task to lift this club at the moment.
Taking the best player off the pitch Babel was dumbfounding. Even Rob Palmer commented it was quizzical. Rob Palmer was the commentator for those who are wondering. Gerrard only to come in in the 75th minute? He is not Superman. That was just a sign of desperation from a desperate man. Another sign that he is playing on luck. Torres and Gerrard has saved Rafa's blushes too many a times. Did anyone see Gerrard's body language when he wanted to come on. He wasnt very up for it.
As i ponder into the future, i will not be surprised if Rafa gets the boot and players come out to the media grumbling about the spaniard's reign ala Woodgate wrt Southgate.
Liverpool needs a lot of work. Rafa's reign should end and rebuilding should be done slowly. Back to basics. As a fan, i dont see the title in the near future. Not even in the next five years or even more. The Arsenals and Man Utds are to continue to dominate. Liverpool's hey day has pass them. Its time for Arsenal and Man Utd. A shout out to Sir Alex for his ability to ensure continuity in his team. Arsenal was not a powerhouse back then when ManU and Liverpool were dominant so its about time they take their turn. They have the potential. Sidetrack....Rooney is on fire in the 'reserve' game. A football clinic by ManU....
I ll end this here for now. Again KUDOS TO PAOLO!!!
CONGRATULATE PAOLO MALDINI ON REACHING HIS 1000TH GAME!!!!!!!
The ageless defender will be playing his 1000th game in his career this weekend. The Rossoneri captain made his debut an incredible 23 years ago on January 20, 1985 against Udinese in Serie A. I was two years old at that time. Amazing. It has been 8427 days since his first professional debut.
PAOLO MALDINI...THE BEST LEFT BACK IN MY BOOK...
Back to the fiasco, Liverpool is in the slumps. Hell yeah and i hate placing the blame but majority people would agree that rafa has been the reason. I need to check what they add to the drinks up there in Anfield because "In Rafa We Trust???". I heard boos at the end of the game and for once i was smiling; and a sinister one it is. "Maybe the fans have finally realised!", i said to myself.
Pako Ayestaran left early in the season and since then, Liverpool has been PLAYING poorly. Yes, they ve lost less than last season in the league but the performances have been sub par. Could it be that Pako was the master of puppet rafa???? Anyways, Man Utd just took a 2-0 lead. It looks like reserve game with both teams resting star players; losing the gloss of the game. Winner of that should be facing Chelsea in the final if draw permits. Good luck to both.
To the game itself. It just proves what i ve been saying all along. Rafa selection tactis are quizzical. My evaluation of Kewell, Kuyt are justified. Since the beginning of this blog' life, i have said, they should be going off. I am sticking my neck out and saying a certain Rafael Benitez wont be here either next season. Who to come in? God knows. But it will be a mighty task to lift this club at the moment.
Taking the best player off the pitch Babel was dumbfounding. Even Rob Palmer commented it was quizzical. Rob Palmer was the commentator for those who are wondering. Gerrard only to come in in the 75th minute? He is not Superman. That was just a sign of desperation from a desperate man. Another sign that he is playing on luck. Torres and Gerrard has saved Rafa's blushes too many a times. Did anyone see Gerrard's body language when he wanted to come on. He wasnt very up for it.
As i ponder into the future, i will not be surprised if Rafa gets the boot and players come out to the media grumbling about the spaniard's reign ala Woodgate wrt Southgate.
Liverpool needs a lot of work. Rafa's reign should end and rebuilding should be done slowly. Back to basics. As a fan, i dont see the title in the near future. Not even in the next five years or even more. The Arsenals and Man Utds are to continue to dominate. Liverpool's hey day has pass them. Its time for Arsenal and Man Utd. A shout out to Sir Alex for his ability to ensure continuity in his team. Arsenal was not a powerhouse back then when ManU and Liverpool were dominant so its about time they take their turn. They have the potential. Sidetrack....Rooney is on fire in the 'reserve' game. A football clinic by ManU....
I ll end this here for now. Again KUDOS TO PAOLO!!!
Saturday, 9 February 2008
Friday, 8 February 2008
Sunday, 3 February 2008
Questions over the weekend games
1) Why was Carragher on the right? Is Hyypia better than Carra at central defence?
2) Why was Lucas, a defensive midfielder, on the left hand side?
3) Was it me, or is Gerrard looking unmotivated and lethargic?
4) How does Wenger buy the right players majority of the time? (Eduardo)
5) Will Eduardo drop out when Persie returns?
6) Did anyone see how good was Tottenham?
7) Why did Fulham buy Litmanen?
8) Will it be Arsenal this year?
9) Werent Man Utd lucky to get that draw?
10) Did anyone see Carrick in the game?
11) Will Fulham get out?
12) Will Derby get into double figures? points that is...
13) Did anyone know Reading has lost 6 in a row?
more when it comes into this mind of mine....
2) Why was Lucas, a defensive midfielder, on the left hand side?
3) Was it me, or is Gerrard looking unmotivated and lethargic?
4) How does Wenger buy the right players majority of the time? (Eduardo)
5) Will Eduardo drop out when Persie returns?
6) Did anyone see how good was Tottenham?
7) Why did Fulham buy Litmanen?
8) Will it be Arsenal this year?
9) Werent Man Utd lucky to get that draw?
10) Did anyone see Carrick in the game?
11) Will Fulham get out?
12) Will Derby get into double figures? points that is...
13) Did anyone know Reading has lost 6 in a row?
more when it comes into this mind of mine....
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