Adebayor’s hat-trick plus goals from Van Persie, Bendtner & Walcott earned Arsenal a 6-2 away win and moved the Gunners to within 4 points of Man Utd and Chelsea at the top of the table.
In the opening 20 minutes or so, Derby had a decent spell putting Arsenal under pressure. Things changed in the 25th minute when Moore gave the ball straight to Bendtner who put Arsenal ahead in the 25th minute after exchanging passes with Van Persie. Unfortunately, the lead didn’t last too long as a set-piece led to Derby’s McEveley tying things up (31st min). But Van Persie restored Arsenal’s lead with a right footed shot just before the 40 minute mark. Meanwhile, Robbie Savage did what he does best in the first half — play his version of Macho Macho man. Maybe his agent should ring up Guy Ritchie and see if there is an opening for Savage to play a kicking gangster sidekick to match the punching characters played by Vinnie Jones. Just a thought.
Adebayor came on for Van Persie at the start of the second half and scored his 22nd league goal of the season in the 59th minute. Prior to Ade’s goal, Arsenal served up some sweet football again. It wasn’t until the final 13 minutes that the goal fest truly started. After Derby pulled another goal back in the 77th minute, Walcott restored Arsenal’s lead 2 minutes later with a well taken effort. Shortly after, Adebayor scored his second of the night via a Clichy delivery. And in injury time, Ade wrapped up his hat-trick and improved his league goal tally to 24 goals, only 4 behind Ronaldo’s 28. Ade is also now 2nd in the goal scoring charts, two ahead of Torres.
Despite heading towards becoming the worst team in Premier League history, Derby fans turned out in full force to cheer their team on. Great to see their fans can still find a voice. And Derby did give them something to smile about when McEveley & Earnshaw scored only Derby’s 18th & 19th goals of the season. Interestingly Adebayor has more goals on his own than the entire Derby team.
Line-ups:
Derby: Carroll, Mears, Moore, Todd, Stubbs, McEveley, Savage, Sterjovski, Lewis, Ghaly, Emanuel Villa
Arsenal: Fabianski, Gallas, Toure, Eboue, Clichy, Cesc, Song, Denilson, Walcott, Van Persie, Bendtner
And then there was two..oh wait a minute, who is that 4 paces behind?
The media has written Arsenal’s title chances off for a few weeks now. Yet, heading into round 37 Arsenal are only 4 points behind the top two. If United win the early game on Sat against West Ham, then Arsenal’s title challenge will officially be over. But if United draw or lose, then Arsenal can move to within 2 points or 1 point of Manchester with a win against Everton on Sunday. Agreed there are a lot of ‘ifs’ regarding Arsenal’s title hopes but here in Canada, the Man Utd biased media had even written Chelsea off a day after Chelsea’s 1-0 away win to Everton moved them to within 2 points of Manchester. A day after the Everton game, The Globe and Mail said that Chelsea were “quickly running out of games”[Note: correction to quote added] to catch Manchester. And this was before Man Utd’s game against Blackburn. I can’t comment for the English or American media but for years here in Canada the media has had words only for Manchester.
Mid-week Champs League games:
Before Manchester can get back to the league, they have the small matter of facing Barcelona in the 2nd leg of the Champs League. Barcelona might not offer much but Henry may still want to prove something against Manchester, a team that felt his love on more than a few occasions. Henry’s second last goal for Arsenal was that beautiful last minute header that secured a 2-1 win for Arsenal and a league double over Manchester in the 2006/07 season.
100 Responses to “Derby 2-6 Arsenal”
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April 28th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Derby look to be the better side in the first 15 mins.
Fabianski with some good pucnches.
April 28th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
well taken by Bendtner. 1-0
April 28th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Goal from Bendtner, I only have gamecast so no clue how it looked live.
April 28th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Despite Derby’s early domination, Arsenal scoring first wasn’t the shock. It was the sight of Gunners gathering around Bendnter to celebrate that pleasantly surprised me.
April 28th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
1 to 1 flatters the Arsenal right now.
April 28th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
if you let derby score, while RVP missed a sitter for our 2nd, then you don’t deserve to win the league.
Poor defending. Poor concentration. Other than Fabianski and Song, it’s pretty much our first available XI… Poor.
April 28th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Looking forward to someone coming on here and blaming the first 34 minutes on the refs.
April 28th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Gorgeous ball from Toure. Horrendous defense. And, finally, RVP finishes!
April 28th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
we seriously need to work on NOT conceding goals. United scored 73, we scored 68 (incld this game), and Aston Villa scored 67. United is joint 1st, we’re 3rd and Villa is 6th. The difference? is the defense. Our GD is 17 or so behind United, unacceptable if we want to win the league.
Back to the game. Yes, RVP finally finishes in open play this year!
April 28th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Nice goal from RVP. Finally gets on the board. keep em coming.
April 28th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
And RVP is injured again. WTF!
Ade on, RVP off
April 28th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Alas, RVP is injured and needs to come off.
April 28th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Wenger is probably saving RVP for Euro2008. The commentators on ArsenalTV Online said the change appears to be more of precaution in nature than injury.
Hopefully they’re right.
April 28th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
great run by Theo (once again doing all the hard work) and Ade finishes.
April 28th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
American Benny Feilhaber on!
April 28th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
It should be 7 to 1; our finishing leaves more than a tad to be desired. Eduardo would have had a hat trick by now.
April 28th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
this defense is such an embarassment its incredible.
April 28th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Theo!!!!
April 28th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
another hat-trick for ade… but should have been 8-0. conceding two goals in a game to a team that’s only score less than 20 all season is embarrassing.
April 28th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
2:24am and I’m peacefully going to bed for once. Sad on the defending though..2 goals to Derby is bad. Sagna’s loss has been so big for a right back its incredible. Ade’s hit 30 goals overall…not bad..though it could’ve well been 40.
April 28th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
30 goals in a season, hat off to Adebayor. not too many strikers over the years be able to score 30 goals in all compeition in a season, I know even the former European of the Year winner Michael Owen never did. not too bad for a player who’s not really a natural finisher.
and it look more obvious to me now Bendtner is not a target man. He’s best suited as a withdraw forward, playing behind the main striker. I’d pick Bendtner as my MOM this game. Brilliant link up play, his passing and decision making was brilliant.
Danny once said he lack of awareness. I don’t think so. For a kid who’s 19, 20, his awareness and decision making has been outstanding.
As for Theo, now we see what he can do, when one day he improves his decision making. cos in terms of raw talent, this kid is awesome. His goal is a classic of example of - don’t think, just go with ur instinct.
April 28th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
so ade reaches the magic 30…..
derby are the very definition of the word incompetent. and that they scored 2 at all, especially one thru the middle is an absolute embarrassment.
lets try to win our next 2 games and finish on 83 points and lets see how close we can get to the top. if we are less than 3 points from the top at the end, that would be an achievement.
April 28th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
Spot on Andez. Bendtner star man. As I said a few weeks ago his intelligence levels match that of Fabregas and Hleb.
Of course, Ade gets his usual cheapass goals and walks off with the champagne and plaudits while Nicklas trudges off.
Ade would a brilliant super sub and congrats to him for the 30 goals.
Stick in there Nicklas. Your time is coming.
April 28th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
Andez, I agree - Bendtner had a phenomenal game in that supporting role. He looks much more comfortable there, but you have to wonder how much of a role their horrendous defending played.
I can’t believe we conceded two. Although I have to say that second was a pretty classy goal. Earnshaw deserved his little dance even though Ade and Eboue threw it right back in his face later.
April 28th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Congratulations Emmanuel Adebayor…….30 goals when you carried the teams attack ALL season is a fantastic achievement. He really is an awkward package for any team to cope with, if he can mesh with the right partner the skys the limit.
We seemed a lot more direct tonight, part would be due to the poor opposition……maybe part due to the absence of Hleb. Cue for much angst and nashing of teeth………!!
RvP…….comon boyo, half a game? Withdrawn as a precaution for Euro2008 - who gives a toss?
What this guy needs is serious game-time. He looks undercooked.
He is obviously our most gifted forward and next to Fabregas the most talented player in our team but all that counts for squat if he can’t stay on the park.
The linking between RvP and Bendtner certainly looked complimentary, although it needs to be tested against more exacting opposition. I agree Andez, Bendtner is more than a target player, he has intelligence. He looks a bit inhibited when playing a longside Adebayor…..shame.
April 28th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
bendtner is NOT a withdrawn striker. he cannot play that role against a PROPER team. against a team as mediocre as bolton he would struggle in that role. derby is the bottom of the barrel.
bendtner is an all out target man. yeah, he has intelligent link play…but the closer to goal he is the better for everybody.
April 28th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
ade’s “cheapass” goals is the MAIN reason we had a challenge at all this season.
there is comic irony in praising bendtner for his link up play against a WOEFUL derby yet mocking ade for getting goals against that same team…lol.
at least everybody on the pitch tried to have a shot on target…..unlike our icecream -lover who failed to have a shot on in the reverse fixture. lol.
our defense is still an embarrassment though
April 28th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
Kiwi, agree on the last part of ur comment. i think it’s not about against better opposition, it’ll be a bigger test for Bendtner when facing teams that pack their defence and sit deep.
cos when the game is open, things are bounded to be easier if u have good passing ability. that say though, at least Bendtner has proven that he got that “ability” to spot a pass or making the right decision.
personally, i start to change my opinion - i thought Ade and Bendtner couldn’t play together previously, as i thought both were targetmen who took up same position.
but now watching bendtner’s game more, i think they can form an useful partnership. and probably even better than the Van Persie / Ade partnership.
cos van Persie, despite being a good passer, and good decision maker himself, he’s still very much a “solo” player.
while Bendtner on the other hand, despite a reputation being cocky or arrogrant, he’s actually a very unselfish TEAM player.
that teamwork quality, together with his height, that will make him work well with all of our strikers - Ade, van Persie or Eduardo.
April 28th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
@27-Only because every single other striker was injured. Any half-decent striker being played in every single game in this team would score a hatful of goals. He uses he athletic gifts well against poor teams. Fair play to him. He would a brilliant super sub.
Bendtner/Van Persie, Van Persie/Eduardo, Eduardo/Bendtner are all better partnerships than anything involving Adebayor. Ade is a solo runner. It’s impossible for anyone to have a decent working partnership with him as he is a space hogger and doesn’t understand sometimes less is more in regards to movement. Any striker partnering Adebayor has a lean time of it.
Derby are a good first half an hour team. Ask Manchester United. Bendtner did the bizzo in the ‘hole’ and on the shoulder during that period. It’s amazing how he flourishes when he has understanding accomplices gving him a pass now and then.
April 28th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
With all due deference to Mazza @ 29, I believe that if Arsenal (read Arsene) had to choose between keeping Adebayor or Bendtner, he would not linger long over the choice and pick the Togonator.
April 28th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
Mazza, “Bendtner/Van Persie, Van Persie/Eduardo, Eduardo/Bendtner are all better partnerships than anything involving Adebayor.”
Sure, in your dreams.
April 28th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
Probably would VG.
Problem I have is that Adebayor is shaping up to be a career-killer for his fellow strikers.
Bendtner is by quite a distance the more intelligent player of the two- four years younger!- but he will most likely shown the door because he won’t ‘mesh’ with Adebayor.
What will soon become apparent is that Ade couldn’t mesh with a mashed potato so his strike partners wil go down like messerschmitts in world war two.
Bendtner seems inhibited by Ade. What’s new? So is Eduardo and most other ’selfless’ strikers. Only RVP, a solo player with a conscience(passes) can play with Ade without a care in the world.
April 28th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
you miss one factor Mazza - PACE & POWER.
in terms of technic, passing, and decision making, Bendtner may be better. but with the modern game, particular the English league, anyone has one of those two attritubes (pace and power) would have an upper hand. and if someone has both, he would be one of the top players in the game.
that’s what Ade has. and he’s one of the rare players who has them both. so that makes him an important asset to us.
his goalscoring record speaks for himself. yes he may have missed lot of chances, but his willingness and determination also earned him more goalscoring opportunities to make up for that.
take his goal Vs Man U, those was the position a more skillful, and flair player like Thierry Henry would not bother to run himself into. but not Adebayor, as long as he still got the legs, he would run everywhere.
therefore despite not being a natural finisher, he still got 30 goals. and that’s what it counts - productivity.
and this guy is our new big game and crucial time goalscoer as well. his two goals against Liverpool and Man U could have proven to be the winner had not because of our poor defence let us down. and i lost count how many goals he has scored against Spurs in the derby.
football intelligence of course it’s important, but let’s face it, he’s not that bad.
if we want to achieve a certain degree of CONSISTENCY, Adebayor is a must for our side.
the rest of the attacking combo would be far too lightweight to keep hold of possessions.
Adebayor so far has been relatively injury-free. but when he does get injuried sometimes (touch wood), we will see his significance to our team.
April 28th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Mazza, why do you go on these manic trips down blind alleys?
April 28th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
We started off ooh so poorly but finished ooh so well! And played some scintillating football at times, Wenger ball at it’s best.
Two sloppy goals let in… yeah I think we can all agree our defence needs looking at, but why a 6-2 victory should be called an “embarrassment” regardless of the opposition is beyond my understanding.
Niklas was at his best today, granted the opposition was poor but give him his dues. He looked like the guy playing for Birmingham that I was excited about coming back from loan. I just hope you can be as consistent as he was at the beginning of his loan spell. If he cannot replicate that form against quality opposition and become less sporadic then he may not be much use to us. However I think Nik will make it but we need him to make it fast. I agree with Andez he is more than a target man, I have never seen as such, however because of his height and perceived aerial prowess he will often be utilised in that role, I don’t think he plays it that well, it is not a natural part of his game.
Ade and Nik linked well, I think Ade and RvP can work well also, just let them both hit form and watch fireworks fly, RvP awareness and vision is second to none, he has an eye for the incisive killer pass just like the old dutch master but he hasn’t the range of passing as Fab and (you will soon see) Meridia.
Walcott looks ready now, he really does… he has shown what we have been expecting from him consistently, for a few games now.
Mazza your predictable anti-Ade tirade is so ridiculous, he scores a good hat trick and you claim “He uses he athletic gifts well against poor teams.” First it appears you refer to his athletic abilities in a condescending way as if that’s all he got, like he ain’t got no brain. Watch him closely, you will see he makes some intelligent plays (then again… you won’t) although I got to admit sometimes he baffles me. Lastly Maz how may times will Fred have to quote that stat; 8 in 13 against the top four sides, so the “poor teams” arguement is old, stale, it has died the death, give it up Gringo!!
April 28th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
I thought Bendtner had a descent game as well. He had some bad first touches that Everton will punish but a good game.
Adebayor did what he does. Mazza, your bias against that guy is incredible. How could you hate on a guy that has carried the goal-scoring burden the way he has? Bendtner’s time may truly come but right now is Adebayor’s time.
I told you guys that Denilson is not the right answer at DM. He did win quite a few tackles and had a better second half. In fairness, he’s been out of the first team for a while.
Fabregas was outstanding. Two near perfect games in a row. His form is truly back. The only thing he hasn’t done is score.
We need to win out and hopefully one of the top two will drop points in both their last league games. Second place would mean no qualification games to interrupt our preseason. But Everton are going to want a win as well. We’ll see. Go Gunners!
April 28th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
actually eduardo has a good partnership with ade. he scored quite a few with him in there. so does a fit RvP. walcott also always plays well when adebayor is on the pitch.
leaving just bendtner….and there is nothing surprising about two big men not being a perfect partnership since they like to take exactly the same space.
so your entire point is lost.
April 28th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
That’s right Mazza@32!! whether you like of not Ade is the Dade!! As the Dade said Niklas is the “son”.
April 28th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
We will see in the next few years. I think another one of my ‘ridiculous’ and ‘extreme’ opinions well turn out to be quite perceptive as those years unravel. As this season’s have.
I’m not really hating on him either. I congragulated him on the 30 goals, on his physical gifts, and being a potentially great super sub.
I just don’t like him as a player and against the top teams his incompatibilty with our technnical players shines through. This is in general play for those who can’t quite comprehend football without a stats sheet ;^)
Random gripe about his game:
Against top level defences at home, that sit deep, Adebayor angles his runs too far from goal. He should stay more central, like players such as Rooney and Eduardo. Running with your body pointing towards the corner flag is cowardly IMO. That doesn’t hurt top quality opposition like United at the Emirates. Bendtner, despite his faults, is not afraid to stay central and make only slightly angling runs. So if he controls the ball he is through on goal. Unlike Ade, whose diagonal run leads to him passing the ball back to the supporting winger or full back.
April 28th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
Adebayor is a very clever cookie.
I well remember him coming into the Henry-fied world of Arsenal. Henry had, to borrow Mazza’s word, ‘burnt’ many an international-class striker, but Adebayor came in and showed the ability to play ‘for’ THE MAN. They got along, the partnership worked. That spoke volumes to me that he is a street-smart operator.
Another critical factor is the relationship he has with the other ‘key’ characters in the dressing room. You can see they like Adebayor, he’s popular and has their support. Contrast that to Bendtner.
Attributes like this sort the wheat from the chaff. It is ALL about can you make things work in your favour. Football is not gymnastics. There aren’t a row of judges assessing technical ability and artistic merit. It’s about the real contribution you bring to the team.
April 28th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
Arthur it isn’t top four teams dear boy. Fred thought he would conveniently leave out Chelsea and put in Tottenham to give Ade the best possible stats.
Terry and co have still yet to release Ade from their pocket attained during that game at the Bridge.
April 28th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
Nice for the team to have a good blow out. A reminder of their ability - to balance their disappointment and the negativity surrounding questions over players staying.
April 28th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
Mazza, please, please, please, give me some of that hallucinogenic stuff you have been taking so I can drift off into the nether reaches of pure pleasure without any regard for daily strife and reality.
How many players have scored 30 goals in major competition, especially in their 2nd year of top notch competition? Very few.
As with scorers like Van Nistelroy and Muller of old the separating factor is their ability to be in the right place at the right time. Otherwise called as “Having a nose for the goal”. Ade has that.Yes, he needs to improve his touch, decision making and shot selection, and if he did, he would have been a 40 goal scorer this year. I can take 30 any year, any season, any time without the bat of my eyelash.
Why are you not raising the roof over RVP missing some simple chances this game against Derby but continuing to flog Ade for SCORING 3 GOALS in 45 minutes. Please don’t tell RVP is still rusty as he as had more than enough chances to play himself back into form. Players being human have bad days regardless of the competition and Ade has had bad days. Ade has also has great days against top flight competition.
Today’s performance was a microcosm of our season. Creating many chances but missing a lot, allowing stupid goals in defense, not able to protect our lead and finish off opponents early.
Having said all that, it was highly entertaining and our passing was a thing of absolute beauty.
Denilson was solid as the DMF, tackling and holding the ball well but his passing out of defense left something to be desired.
Eboue actually played well but his inability to convert chances ranks him even lower than Hleib in that category. Nickname, “The goaless Wonder”.
Bendtner played well especially in the second stanza when we went to 4-3-3 and showed that his set up skills are way better than his ability to strike.
Song was noticeably excellent in the air but with his pace and skills just seems so much more suited for DMF.
All in all a competent performance, albeit being against Derby and look forward to our Everton clash.
April 28th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Caribkid, Semisonic said its’ all about the chemistry, I’m saying it’s all about the compatibility.
Adebayor is a good/very good player. I do not think he is compatible for Arsenal. Arsenal are compatible FOR HIM though. Arsenal cater for all types, their selfless midfielders adapt for anyone.
RVP missed chances. Like he has done alot recently. But, he is compatible. As seen with Bendtner’s first goal. He had the mental clarity to return the favour to Bendtner. Simple but effective. The Arsenal way. Would have Bendtner got the return from Ade? I don’t think so.
That sort of teamwork from those two will serve us well when we are in the pressure-cooker situations against the top teams. Both players will know the other will be on their wavelength and pass to the guy in the best position. Ade will continue to try and win the golden boot. Like he did against Birmingham when Bendtner was calling for the ball.
April 28th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
@ mazza: actually i counted all the games…including the chelsea games….13 in total against the top 4 this season.
how many shots (not even goals) did hleb take in those 13 games. zero.
keep on hating on adebayor though
April 28th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
Mazza, the “cowardly” diagonal run as you cal it has opened up many a space for an onrushing Fab, Hleib and Rosicky. Also, many times Rooney, Tevez and Torres wander out to the wings in order to open up space and also gives problems for man to man marking.
April 28th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
#46- Time and place CK. Time and place. For me there have been too many of those sort of runs. Need to keep the balace right. Too much of that leads to tedious pattern of passing in front of defences because by the time Ade looks up the defence has already gotten back into position. The situation then becomes known as ‘territory’ to coin a Rugby term. Helpful at times but you don’t want to keep doing it over and over.
Fred, Adebayor has scored three goals against United, Chelsea, and Liverpool in eight games. Tottenham are in the top four last time I checked.
April 28th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
Not in the top four I meant.
April 28th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
Nice to see the Gunners totally dominate a match, even if it was against Derby. Four points of the pace… not so bad. Hey, ya never know, it could be 1 in a wee! West Ham have been Man U’s bogey team the last couple seasons and Newcastle are hot right now. Here’s to hope!
April 28th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
With optimism like that CG, I’m guessing you to be a North Sider.
April 28th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
Mazza, talk about reality.
If you relegate 30-goal 24 year old Adebayor in his first full season to super-sub he leaves.
Can Bendtner lead the line? Game in game out? How many people want our season to rest on him?
And who partners him in attack over a season?
Talk sense.
April 28th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
“Ade is a good /very good player” now? Mazza, wow! It seems you are a fan after all! back tracking bit by bit. Nicely cleared up Fred@45.
Mazza i will remind you you were just gloating how you predicted we would end up 10 points behind the leaders not too long ago. Scored 6 goals today without your precious ice cream loving, panic stricken, cowardly chicken and without master Rosicky either. Mazza you are not omniscient. Again using terms as criticims that are unquantifiable, hard to deny or verify. First you were talking about vision and awareness now it compatibailty. How about judging him by the bottom line, what he is paid for goals.
Mazza it’s either you really have a poor knowledge of football or your anti-Ade bias has
made you so blind you look like a fool. Any player that can score 30 goals within a team that is playing at the highest level is obviously compatible, compatibility is a two why thing stop trying to cloud the issue. You might as well give it up, Lone Ranger…
Ade is the Dade
April 28th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Well, my ’sense’ is different to yours so you can just disagree.
As for Bendtner leading the line ‘game in game’ out that wouldn’t be a problem if Hleb played behind him, or Van Persie played with him.
Specifically, my main concern with Adebayor is games at the Emirates when teams always sit deep. That’s where his deficiencies ruin our game.
Away from home, against mediocre teams, we can get away with Ade’s technical deficiencies and his strengths come into play.Like they did against Man City away.
Ideally I want more flexibilty from Wenger and different tactics and personnel depending on whether we are home or away. That way we may not conk out like an old car every spring, year after year *
Squad rotation needs to be used in the modern game. But that needs a large squad. Which is why Wenger’s preference for small squads is a big hindrance.
* On reflection, this ‘fatigue’ could very well be choking or bottling. In fact,in light of the last couple games, it probably is. Still, the flexibility could help.
April 28th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
Arthur, Ade is not compatible BECAUSE he lacks vision and awareness. So, I’m not back-tracking at all.
Before you try and be clever try and make sure you understand exactly what you’re responding to.
April 28th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
Arsene may want to consider using a 4-3-3 formation more often next season. I have seen 90% of Arsenal’s games this season and very single time we went to that formation we looked more dangerous and in most cases produced.
Normally Arsene reserves this formation when we are behind but used it today even though we were ahead and the results speak for itself. I have no idea at this time why the 4-3-3 has been better for us and it could just be a statistical fluke but we produce more chances and Fab and Rosicky when he was healthy seemed to impact the game more coming through the center in support of the 3 forwards.
April 28th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
nobody mentioned big 4. a couple of threads ago, we were talking about big matches…..whether u believe it or not, a spurs game is a big match in our season.
not that hleb bothered or attempted a shot in any of the 4 spurs games either. rolleyes!
baby walcott has attempted and scored more goals than him, its embarassing.
that play for the walcott goal is something hleb wont have attempted at all. yet with his skill set and ability he could master that easily. what a shame.
April 28th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
LOL!! Mazza you are so funny, you know… laugh at you, not with you type of funny!! Like Fred said you never answer points people make directly. Lousy attempt at trying to cover your back or should I say cover your back.. track.
I said you are back tracking because you said, I quote: “Ade is a good/very good player”, were as you have saying he is useless for a few weeks now. And I would like to again raise the point that you continually choose to ignore; compatibility, vision and awareness are unquantifiable criticisms that you cannot begin to prove especially as Ade the Dade has been such a success this year. Vision and awareness get you goals Mazza, without them you score very few, and a striker who is incompatible in such a team orientated sport can never be successful.
I reiterate Ade is the Dade.
April 28th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
i have always felt the 4-3-3 is our “natural” formation….but wenger doesnt agree.
and no its not a 4-5-1. because the 3 upfront are more central.
think finidi george and ronald de boer flanking kluivert … with litmanen playing AM supported by davids and seedorf. or barca 05 team of eto, ronnie, guily/messi.
we just need dribbler/runners who are reasonably wily and GOALSCORING.
if rosicky could keep fit - rosicky could be on the left and RvP on the right of a centerman.
fabregas could then be flanked by a flamini-like terrier and a bigger stronger, but slower DM. together they will mean less unnecessary defensive work for fabregas.
the thing about 4-3-3, it that when other “classic” teams use it, they cover the whole pitch completely and are highly “conterattattackive”.
if wenger can be FLEXIBLE for once, it should be a very useful system for us. it would also get rid of our need for playing wide men or specifically eboue at RM.
April 28th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
“And I would like to again raise the point that you continually choose to ignore; compatibility, vision and awareness are unquantifiable criticisms that you cannot begin to prove”
Well, that’s where a thing called opinion comes into play, and depth of knowledge regarding footballing dynamics. Some people see things that others don’t. Ade could score a goal off his backside, play poorly for the rest of the game, and people like you would come out with the old ‘ he did what he is paid to do’ cliche. No matter what I say, you won’t be able to discard that basic way of thinking so it’s better to just disagree.
If you actually read all of my points this season I have always conceded that Ade is a good player with pace and power. It’s your perogative if you choose to ignore that and focus on the times I colloquially refer to him as ’shite’ etc.
April 28th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
Fred, I have also noticed that Gilberto plays a better game when we switch to 4-3-3 because he plays slightly behind the other 2 mid fielders and has a better read of the game defensively.
April 28th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
So by your analysis, Bendtner, RvP and Hleb will shoot us to a title bid. That’s sense?
Sounds nonsense to me.
April 28th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
Bendtner may still yet make it as a very good striker one day but he is not an instinctive poacher and lacks that needed attribute that the greats have, pace.
He also needs to pay more attention defensively, especially on set pieces. Today he missed the header which resulted in a goal and last week failed to cover the far post on the six yard box which was his duty. Fortunately he was not punished for that error.
We could never count on Bendtner at this stage of his career to be one of our primary scoring threats if we are serious about winning some hardware next season. That would be as ridiculous as continuing to play Eboue as a right side attacking midfielder and counting on him to miraculously score goals.
April 28th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
I’ve been surprised by how easily Bendtner get’s pushed around by EPL defenders. But he is what he is, a young player trying to adapt his game to the higher level.
He lacks pace - which is going to be an issue. He also fails to get into goal scoring positions - which gives additional credence to Andez point about him NOT being a centre forward. But he does have a certain awareness of the play happening around him and shows a nice touch.
But overall, to be honest, I’ve been pretty underwhelmed by him this season. Not that I had high expectations, probably more that he was such an arrogant big mouth I expected him to front up with more.
Having said all that, I’m happy for him to sit and learn and shine Adebayor’s boots for another year
April 28th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
No, by my analysis Ade would be a super-sub. A role in which I think he could prosper. Eduardo would come into fore at some point to. I also said I didn’t mind Ade starting away from home against mediocre teams like Man City. This is relevant to the flexibility argument. Fabregas would also score more goals as the improvement in vision and awareness would lead to him being picked out more often.
Your interpretation of my analysis was indeed nonsense.
April 28th, 2008 at 10:13 pm
Like I said, revert to reality and not dreamy mind games.
1. 30-goal Adebayor will accept the role of super-sub and option player for mediocre teams - hardly likely.
2. Eduardo has a long-term injury, future unknown, likely impact in 2008/9 - low - chances of full recovery - 50/50?
3. Fabregas a regular source of goals - yes, but I would think more in the 5-10 region. He simply has too much responsibility already in this team to place a Lampard like goal scoring burden on him as well.
So let’s summarise, Bendtner/RvP/Hleb + Fabregas with 5-10 goals.
You won’t win a title in 2008/9 with this strategy Mazza, let alone a CL spot.
April 28th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
Mazza as I said “you have saying he is useless for a few weeks now”, in disregard to your “points this season”. I am focusing on what you have now conveniently called “colloquial” and RECENT reference to Ade’s abilities I cannot once recall you calling Ade anything like a good player.
As a enlightened individual recently said you are entitled to your own opinion but not your own facts Mazza. You judgment of Ade is in variance to the facts regardless of your opinion dear chap. Your “depth of knowledge regarding footballing dynamics” is clearly pretentious, your opinion is at variance with reality, 30 goals tells the story. How many goals did Ade score of his bum Mazza? Hmmmh… I would imagine that figure would be zero, right? I will imagine the vast majority of those goals were well taken or goals scored from simply being in the right place at the right time, which is a by-product of vision and awareness. “Some people see things that others don’t” in this case Mazza sees things that no one else does, what are you on young fellow? LSD, I doubt it not!
You complain about Ade’s first touch yet he has shown against the best of oposition (ManUre) that he can score goals reminiscent of the great Maradona ;-).
Mazza you are the only one that refers to Ade as ’shite’, the whole world is against you on this one. He is important to our side not just because of the goal he scores but of his work rate, his movement and his link can be very good at times, again… showing vision and awareness.
‘Arsene knows’ on this one, Mazza doesn’t…. It ends there. Remember, you are entitled to your own opinion, but you can’t have your own facts.
April 28th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
I must give it to Mazza he is a great debater. His witty little jibes like this one; “Your interpretation of my analysis was indeed nonsense.” brilliant!! LOL!! what a great retort.
Truly Mazza you are both entertaining (in an ironic kind of way) but you are also amazing, I have never met anyone who can defend the indefensible so well, someone who can argue in such a legible way despite having no leg to stand on. But….
you are extremely deluded though… I think you would make a great cult leader, only with your apparently soul destroying pessimism it would probably end up being a suicide cult ;-(
April 28th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
Kiwi, If Carlos Tevez can come in and out of the United team so can Adebayor.
“Remember, you are entitled to your own opinion, but you can’t have your own facts.”
It appears you are just as guilty of presenting your opinion as fact Arthur:
“He is important to our side not just because of the goal he scores but of his work rate, his movement and his link can be very good at times, again… showing vision and awareness.”
Next time you may as well just display carling opta stats as that’s all you use to substantiate any point. Not much fun debating with a spreadsheet.
April 28th, 2008 at 10:37 pm
come on man, what kind of manager will turn his top goalscorer into a ’supersub’??!!
the way i see it, the only way Adebayor will become a “problem” is when he out injuried. His goal tally this season is more than our 2nd and 3rd top scorer combined together… and more than van Persie, Eduardo, Bendtner combined together.
in other words, we are relying too much on his goals. i doubt that Cesc will substain his scoring feat next season. cos if you look at the 2nd half of season, defenders now wouldn’t allow him as much space attempting a long shot. his scoring feat the first half of season probably down to the fact he was not known as a goalscorer at the past. and oppositions didn’t give him enough respect on this aspect of his game.
so nipuna and fred got a point, we need to buy someone who can score, regardless if it’s winger or striker. or we need someone else with this current squad to step up next season.
relying too much on a single striker is not a healthy thing.
April 28th, 2008 at 10:40 pm
Arthur, I can’t tell whether your being sarcastic or not with the compliments.
Anyway, I’m done for now. Even I am debated out! ;^)
April 28th, 2008 at 10:53 pm
“Kiwi, If Carlos Tevez can come in and out of the United team so can Adebayor.”
Wrong again. Tevez hasn’t come close to scoring 30 goals and Wenger and Fergie don’t follow the same management manual - we all know that.
Keep trying.
April 28th, 2008 at 11:29 pm
“Football is not gymnastics. There aren’t a row of judges assessing technical ability and artistic merit. It’s about the real contribution you bring to the team.”
SUPER!!!
April 28th, 2008 at 11:32 pm
enough of the argument between who’s better - Adebayor or Bendtner
Bendtner is an Arsenal type player (intelligence, technical, good passer), and Ade is not (pace & power). That’s why we’re so good earlier this season because Ade represents the edge that we lack when playing opposition whose tactics is to frustrate and pack the defense to not let us play.
When times are good (when we’re in a groove and our opposition wants to play ball), the “arsenal type” players can do their thing and we can enjoy the beautiful football
When times get tough, we need Ade’s industrial work rate and physical presence to nick us “cheap” goals.
We need them both, so that we can have different qualities available when the situation calls for their service. We need to keep more players (and buy more), not trying to define who our best striker is.
April 29th, 2008 at 12:18 am
Guys, please stop beating a dead horse. The whole world knows Wenger won’t drop Ade and the whole world knows (by now) that Mazza will criticize Ade. So why do we keep arguing it all the time?
A game like this is not the best to assess how well players have done, but there were some things we can still talk about.
Bendtner looked good. He passing is neat and he does combine well with others. He is still slow and also needs to get into goal scoring positions more. But it’s good to see his ability in action and to see others passing and celebrating with him. Let’s see how he does against Everton (hope he starts).
If Eboue can’t score in a game where we scored 6 and every other attacking player scored, it shows how bad he is offensively. He has two chances - Walcott’s pass which ultimately led to Ade’s goal and Ade’s pass which he couldn’t connect with. I don’t think there is much hope for him as a RM (except when we are trying to be defensive). A backup role is best for him.
If you concede two goals against Derby, it doesn’t bode well for the defense. I thought this was the perfect game to try Song in DM, but Wenger persisted with him in defense. The results were not so great. Neither Song nor Gallas jumped on the first goal. Bendtner did, but missed. The second goal is not something Gallas would like to see again. We can’t let the opposition cut through us like that. Defense remains a concern.
When Walcott plays on the right, he always cuts outside and crosses/passes the ball. When he plays on the left, he cuts inside and shoots/scores. He needs to improve his left foot or else the opposition will wise up to him. Otherwise, he is progressing well.
I am not sure we can play 4-3-3. You need a lot of pace in such a formation to break open opposition defenses and we lack it. Bendtner, RvP, Cesc, Hleb are all very slow. If we can get that pacy attacking players, we can think about it.
April 29th, 2008 at 12:31 am
Neova, there is no argument - Adebayor is better in reality. Bendtner is better in Mazza’s head.
The praise of Bendtner is inflated and ridiculous. This often happens after Mazza has a rant. The bar of rational thinking moves temporarily until everyone gets a dose of reality again when the ‘next great answer’ takes the field.
Bendtner has underwhelmed this season and achieved nothing of note - he needs to prove his quality. His arrogance has made him unpopular and that alone may lead to his ejection from the club.
Adebayor has been immense. “Cheap goals” - show a bit of respect. Many of his goals have been excellent both in design and execution. Perhaps the most exciting thing about Adebayor is that you can’t generalise about him. He can do almost anything - and does. He’s way off the finished product, but at 24 and having only had one season as 1st choice - what do you expect. The comparison with Drogba is a good one - how did he shape up at 24?
Yes we need options, but no we don’t need to treat Adebayor like a retarded battering ram that we wheel out for certain games.
As for him not being an ‘Arsenal-type player’. What is the profile of an Arsenal-type player these days?
- easily injured
- lacks pace
- aversion to scoring
Adebayor has proven to be a fantastic contributor this season, and has made excellent progress in his game. Contrast that to your Arsenal-type players.
April 29th, 2008 at 1:36 am
We just beat an team away..6-2 and all I can see is a endless argument on who is better ..Ade or Bendtner….Some of the opinions are so obviously prejudiced that you just need to see who the poster is and you can predict with 100% confidence what is coming in that post.
Please guys can we just end this comparison thing here…or can I request the mods to open a separate thread where all those who want to indulge in individual player analysis and comparison can do so to their heart’s content. I know such a discussion is required sometimes..but the way this discussion on Ade/Bendtner/Hleb/Rosicky is overshadowing every single thread being put up is just getting ridiculous….and in the process the team called ‘Arsenal’ is lost somewhere in the background.
April 29th, 2008 at 1:57 am
actually i don’t mind the “cheap goals”. remember Titi and Dennis used to be accused often trying to score the “great” goals? in a way, the criticism was justified. as the pair rarely got in the box and coverted a easy “tap in” stuffs like that.
and i recall once upon a time we often got criticsed for having no player in the “box”. when our wide players got in the position to make a cross, all u needed was someone there to meet the cross, yet our strikers tended to hang around near the top of the penalty box instead of getting into the six yard box.
now we have player who actually wouldn’t mind to run that few extra yards, personally, i m very happy about that.
April 29th, 2008 at 2:24 am
Mazza@70 a bit of both ; - ).
April 29th, 2008 at 2:24 am
Just saw replay of the goals again. Ade put away the final goal with such ease as if the pitch was perfectly smooth like at the Emirates but the pitch was soaking wet and it is one of those situations where the ball might not have flowed well or when Ade rounded the keeper, the ball might have gotten stuck and slowed Ade down. Yet, he rounded the keeper and put the chance away in a nice smooth manner. Good to see him increasing his goal tally for the season, regardless of the opponents.
Arsenal 4 points from the top, Ade 4 away from the top of the goal scoring charts. But only 2 games left.
April 29th, 2008 at 2:53 am
When was the last time Arsenal had a 30+ goal scoring striker? Probably the last time we finished in the top 2. Compared to the last few seasons, this is progress.
It takes more than just a good footballing brain to win a championship. I could have an excellent basketballing brain but if I’m only 5′2” is it going to matter? I know, it’s so unfair.
Bendtner also has the advantage of being at the Arsenal academy since he was like 15. What was Ade doing at 15? I don’t know, maybe kicking coconuts barefoot in Togo. However, he still has this ability to get into great scoring positions. The only problem with Ade has been his finishing sometimes being dreadful.
As someone already mentioned, Ade came to Henry-land, aka. Arsenal, and respected the mayor. Henry was the first player Ade met and Thierry asked, “are you ready to score some goals with me?” Ade said yes and the rest is history.
When Ade moves into a wide area, CBs go with him. That causes defenses to lose their shape. Also, CBs like everything in front of them. They don’t like when things are happening that they can’t see. They also like their fellow CB along side them.
He’s a finalist for PFA player of the year. He’ll probably win African footballer of the year next year. He was on the PFA team of the year. He’s the only one of our strikers with pace to stretch defenses. No defender has the pace and power to stop him 1v1. Ade has got to be the tip of the Arsenal sword. Bendtner, however, will never lead a top team in scoring. There is absolutely no minus to having Ade in this Arsenal team. Sorry I wrote so long.
April 29th, 2008 at 2:55 am
Ok, deep sighhhhh, don’t want to talk about Ade and Bendy….
so what do you want to talk about?
April 29th, 2008 at 3:04 am
Andez, I like cheap goals too, my point was that ******** scores all sorts of goals, not just cheap ones. Some of them are jolly amazing for a guy of his height and size.
Josh, I like your comments on ******** and ********.
April 29th, 2008 at 3:55 am
How about this? Sendy has not played since the Liverpool game. That’s 3 games now. Do you think Wenger has lost faith in him? I mean, if Song plays three games in CB, when both Toure and Senderos are fit, there must be something happening in the background. I know Sagna and Hoyte are injured but anyone can play at RB. How come Song doesn’t play DM? I am quite mystified, but I think it will all lead to some new defensive signing - CB or DM.
April 29th, 2008 at 4:08 am
Also, on Stubbs’ free kick, Denilson did not charge the shot. When are we ever going to learn to defend a free kick properly? That’s one of the areas we will sorely miss Flamini.
April 29th, 2008 at 4:26 am
Hmmm, not sure why Toure continues at RB. Perhaps a story in that. Like you say Nipuna, Toure at CB, Song at DM and anyone at RB would seem more logical.
Maybe Wenger has lost a bit of confidence in the Gallas/Toure combo. Or maybe he just wants to blood Song at CB in these end of season games.
Isn’t part of the problem at set pieces physical? Like height? So Song doesn’t really address that does he, he comes from the Gallas/Toure factory of mobile shortish CB’s.
April 29th, 2008 at 4:32 am
Gallas holds the key for me. With the less than ideal Gallas/Toure p’ship and his ‘mixed’ showing as captain Gallas is a wild card.
Ideally we want him to stay. But he’s an awkward customer and won’t bend easily. How would Wenger address the captaincy if he wanted to change it? How would Wenger re-arrange his CB combo? Letting Gallas go may be the easiest solution.
April 29th, 2008 at 5:10 am
I thought about the same thing. Replacing Gallas with a top class aerially gifted CB might seem the easiest solution. Still doesn’t explain what Song is doing at CB. Even if he succeeds in the short term, I don’t think it will solve the problem in the long term (kind of like Toure himself).
We are a lot better off trying Song in DM. How come Wenger isn’t blooding someone there since both Gilberto and Flamini may leave? Or does he know something we don’t (like Gilberto will stay)?
April 29th, 2008 at 5:20 am
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_city/7370698.stm
Can you believe that Man City are sacking Sven???
April 29th, 2008 at 5:21 am
Read a report somewhere where Wenger was saying that Hleb is staying since he has 2 years remaining on his contract…whereas he is not sure about Flamini.
Did some research on the Webster clause and apparently apart from the player compensating by paying the equivalent of his wages for the remainder of his contract…the new club which he joins may also be held liable for compensation. To be exact ..this is what the report mentioned regarding the new club
“A player’s new club can also be liable for compensation. However, if a club is found to have actively induced a breach of contract they can be hit with sanctions, such as a ban on registering new players for two transfer windows.”
So apart from the Ice-cream incident and the subsequent declaration of thier interest in the player..I think Arsenal would have sufficient grounds to prove that Inter induced a breach of contract if they go for Hleb ..just think that it may be quite possible that Inter have cooled their interest after Wenger threatened to report them to FIFA.
April 29th, 2008 at 6:28 am
That’s interesting, thanks for that Wayne. I have to say that if Hleb went, it would be pretty much back to the drawing board for Wenger Mk3. With RvP and Rosicky glass, and Hleb gone the grand plan would look a little wobbly.
You may well be right, Wenger’s public warning may well be the shot over the bow the Hleb situation needs. Still, this Webster clause sound like a pain in the ****. we have enough hassle with other big clubs snooping around after our gems…..we don’t need them having an easier time getting them on the cheap.
It’s still beyond me why some of these guys want to leave this side when they are so jolly good. I mean, isn’t there a balance between money and glory? Who wants to play for a broken down old nag like Inter went you can play for a coltish stud like Arsenal? I know ego comes into it, but when they’re on such ludicrous money, does an extra 10% or 20% compensate for NOT being in the most admired team in Europe?
April 29th, 2008 at 7:01 am
Kiwi, of course, what I think Wenger should do and what he WILL do are two different things. So quit with the stupid parroting of the Wenger manual. I know the deal already.
Carlos Tevez has 18 goals floating in and out of the team. He didn’t play every game like Ade. He also has more goals against the top three in the league than Adebayor! What a stat! Can’t argue with that. MORE GOALS than Ade against the TOP 3 in the league. Can’t dispute the stats. That must prove Tevez is better in pressure situations.
April 29th, 2008 at 7:49 am
Nice to hear from you again Mazza
But we’ve probably shared our thoughts on this one enough for today. Or at least I have!
I like Tevez, nice package, he’d have been good for Arsenal. Bit of competition for RvP, another option, and seems quite a robust type, although I haven’t sussed his injury record. I thought Fergie had made the wrong choice having both Rooney and Tevez - too similar - just shows the ole bloke knows a thing or two.
What do you think will happen with Gallas?
April 29th, 2008 at 9:11 am
ANR puts it nicely -
“In some respects this was a microcosm of Arsenal’s season - Van Persie showing early promise and going off injured; a lack of defensive concentration; failing to keep the lead after going ahead; missing a host a chances; four offsides given that clearly weren’t; scoring some fabulous goals; and winning neutrals over by entertaining football.”
Note that this is not Myles Palmer, but Ian Grant.
April 29th, 2008 at 9:22 am
I think Gallas will keep the captaincy for one more year. Then it’s cescy baby.
April 29th, 2008 at 9:24 am
I only caught like the last fifteen seconds of that interview Hleb did last night on Premier. It was right before the game started so I guess he’s still in Germany after the Bayern/Stuttgart game on Sunday. The only part I caught he was talking about the difference between Arsenal and Vfb and how much he likes Arsenal. His German is actually quite good compared to his English. I didn’t catch the part Wayne was talking about though.
April 29th, 2008 at 10:43 am
Mazza, you really are comical.
Tevez has scored ONE goal against the top 3!
And even counting the top 4 that is two goals.
Ade has appeared in 34 league games this season and started 30 of those and scored 24.
Tevez has appeared in 32 league games this season and STARTED 29 of those games. He scored 13 league goals.
So your statement that Tevez “floats in and out of the team” is completely NONSENSICAL !!!
damn mazza, do you have to twist the truth so much just to back up your argument? you are incredible.
April 29th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
I think NB will be just fine. All that big hullabuloo about him being a loner got thrust down the drain. Not saying its all hunky dory its just that people of totally different temperaments get along at work and behave professionally irrespective of hating each other’s guts at times. What stops NB to be the same way and Arsenal to treat him any differently; of course subject to him contributing??
One more thing: At the moment??? Ade >>> NB .. no doubts. At All. 3 years later when NB is 22?? I wouldn’t bet on it being a very very close race if the big Dane can keep his head on his shoulders long enough. I think Bendtner has a brain which is better than Adebayor no doubt — but his other attributes as of now aren’t enough to displace the big hearted Ade who never stops working. But 3 years?? I think NB will displace him..anyone notice how much he wins in the air?? … if he improves other areas of his game and stops vanishing after 60 minutes.
April 29th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
The blog below states that it is confirmed we have signed Dimitrov for 700,000 pounds. Dimitrov is a 20 year old left midfielder who plays for Sofia. Hopefully this is not one of the two quality signings Arsene has been saying he will make for next season.
http://highbury1913.blogspot.com/2008/04/confirmed-arsenal-sign-dimitrov-for.html
April 29th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Hey Carib, thanks for the link. It’s funny that I was actually thinking about that kid yesterday but couldn’t remember his name. For some reason I kept thinking Nikolai Volkoff, who was a bad guy I used to watch on wrestling when I was a kid. They have the same first name so that must be it. I’m horrible with names.
April 30th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
That link on Dimitrov is BS and also the originator (Arsenalgunz) is BS. Sofia Echo denies ever reporting this signing. Remember Palacios. If we are really interested, then he won’t come until 2009 when European Union work restrictions end.
I didn’t see the Derby game but watched the highlights. 6-2. Are you impressed? I’m not impressed. Derby were a joke when they gained promotion and failed to upgrade (put their money where their mouth is). None of the other so-called “big four” allowed Derby to score more than once. Forget wet dreams about strikers and midfielders, if we don’t get better on defense (a recurring theme over the last 3 seasons) then we are not winning s**t in 2008-2009 All show and no dough. The goals we gave up to Derby gives me real ‘confidence’ going into the Everton game. I’ll give you two names, just two little names: Lescott and Yobo. Yeah, you know what I’m talking about.
The least impressive defender this season IMO has been Senderos (only kidding), has been Gallas, the captain, the ‘anchor’. How many scenes have we watched with opposition goal scorers and Gallas ,in scene, arriving a day late and a dollar (euro, pound) short. Too many to count. His allege pace has really become a figment of our imagination. We really need 2 CBs, not one. We have no CBs down on the farm ready to come up.
The debate over the lack of quality in our 30 goal scorer is asinine. You cannot buy 30 goal scorers, you grow them. I say again for the hearing impaired: YOU GROW THEM. Bendtner is growing boy. Walcott is growing boy. Adebayor is a full grown man (and an excellent dancer).
Mowbray claims he’ll be looking for a “few gems”. Does that mean an all-star roster filled with the ‘best’ of the rest from teams that didn’t gain promotion. Mowbray, your best players are Greening, Gera and Methuselah (Kevin Phillips) and you’ll end up being another pimple on the EPL’s ass. A cheap shot I couldn’t resist with all the hoopla over who is coming up.
Will anyone care about broadcasting the Sunderland game? The season ends with a whimper.
I wish Fulham could switch places with Birmingham City.
Eduardo, get well soon and please don’t hang out with Ronaldo after rehab.