Every Christmas season, English football fans are treated to two matches in the course of three or four days. This season is no different as the Gunners face Charlton on Boxing Day and then Pompey on Wednesday. As my gift to you, I will preview both sides in two words…..utter crap!
I’m sorry, that was a bit harsh, but I watched Charlton and Wigan last weekend and saw one of the worst performances I’ve ever seen. The Charlton defense was on their heels the entire match and lacked any cohesion. Goals came off of horrid marking and lapses in communication. Kiely, who regained his starting position after an injury, is sure to lose it again. He retained his fearless attitude but the other essential qualities of a keeper, good hands and leadership, were missing.
Curbishley has always played a 4-5-1 or a derivative of that. Usually, Bent will be the sole striker and the sole counter man. It has worked to get goals as Bent is third in the league in scoring. Problem seems to be that it does not help anyone else. At Wigan, I never realized who that striker was and still don’t know if Bent was ever in the match.
Charlton went down 3-0 and answered alot of questions on how they dropped from the Prem’s top 5 to 11th. After a 1-1 draw to Chelsea they rattled off six straight defeats. After a win to Sunderland, they show poorly to Wigan. The monkey is not off their back and that extra weight should give Arsenal the win.
As for Pompey. Harry Redknapp is back and they are in 18th place. That is literally all I know of this club, as they have been absolutely dreadful and that doesn’t help to get you on the tele. They sold Yakubu and lost any semblence of an offense. Defensively they appear solid, for the pressure they are under. You have to score goals to win matches and I don’t see Pompey able to do this against the Gunners.
Arsenal 2-0 Charlton
Arsenal 2-0 Pompey
7 Responses to “Charlton/Portsmouth Preview”
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December 23rd, 2005 at 5:22 pm
How about fixing the **AYE CARUMBA**(censored) up on the news story below this one? It has been unviewable for 3 days now!
There’s no point asking for people’s comments if no-one can read them.
Happy Christmas
December 23rd, 2005 at 6:45 pm
The things that trouble me about these games, that wouldn’t have in the past 10 years, is that the law of averages suggest both teams are due better results! With Arsenal’s form at present, combined with a strike force possibly lacking Henry, V.P and Quincy, no natural left back, no tough guy in midfield, an out of form Fab-Gilberto-Freddy- Rob….it’s not going to be easy is it? Plus ‘Arry Rednap’s back at Pompey and he’ll know how to put one over on the Gunners. So I’m sorry to say I’ll predict two 1-1 ties! Hope I’m bloody wrong though!!!
December 24th, 2005 at 12:41 am
Hey!
I can post again… for the time being at least!
I hope and pray for the health of Thierry Henry. We have…. what…. 4 matches in like 9 days?
Is Henry supposed to play 90 minutes in all of them with a tender achilles?
That is TROUBLE.
I think our away form is so wretched and we looked bad at Doncaster, that I am going to go for a 0-0 draw at the Valley. We can’t score.
I think we’ll beat Portsmouth, because they are awful, but I don’t think it will be easy, because they’ll probably have everyone behind the ball. I think we’ll get a penalty against them, and will actually kick it directly at the net, as opposed to the Pires to Henry pass off a penalty.
1-0 over Portsmouth.
4 matches in 9 days with HENRY needing rest in reality. I would like to see Dennis get much playing time, Reyes is back, how about Lupoli… these 3 need to get significant minutes.
Hate to say this but, Cygan will HAVE to play in probably 2 matches, so will Flamini or Song. Gonna have to rotate some players. If Henry goes out at this point, FORGET about top 4.
December 24th, 2005 at 12:57 am
….I cant think of anything meaningful that #10 has done for us lately….can you?
December 24th, 2005 at 1:32 am
2-1 against Charlton and 3-1 against Portsmouth….against Villa 1-1 hopefully 2-1 and then on to the Man Utd game….
Lots of injuries again it seems but that has been the story of Arsenal’s season. January transfer window is nearby - AW must surely have his checkbook ready!
December 24th, 2005 at 11:45 am
Nope. Not recently.
But you can’t possibly expect Henry to play 360 minutes in 9 days… with a tender achilles.
Bergkamp / Lupoli / Reyes
These 3 will have to step up and play well.
We are weak up front with the injuries.
We are weak in the middle.
We are weak at the back.
We are weak.
Its put up or shut up time NOW.
These 4 matches are crucial.
We need about 8-10 points.
Other players are going to have to contribute besides Thierry Henry.
December 24th, 2005 at 1:03 pm
i am scared about both games, but these days that is the norm i think. i feel passionate as hell during the games, then just accept the result afterwards. it hurts. both games are scary unless SOMEONE steps up, or we get a shockingly good performance from a forward for a change.
having said that…
charlton 1 the arse 3 (late on)
arse 2 pompey 0 (early on, henry rested second half)
arse 4 villa 0 (then they get bought out)
arse 2 scum 1
how is THAT for blind optimism…