We need a leader on that pitch, without no doubt, because Cork doesn't 'cut-it' by an stretch!!! But, do you need a leader to tell you to do the basics, i.e. to man-mark, not ball watch & to chase down balls as (Naughton) in the 1st goal, when the ball ran across goal along bye-line to Sanchez!!....
Arsenal enjoyed good luck but they worked for it. We got bad luck because of lack of discipline, lack of effort at the back and poor planning and application. If you look at the amount of goals we ship it is plain to see that bad luck is something we court.
I agree Arsenal worked hard and got more players in to the box than us but I wish people would stop saying you make your own luck. Luck is random and can't be planned for.
When Naughton scored it was more of a strike than an own goal. He was facing goal and turned the ball past the keeper if he was in the Arsenal goal area and he hit that it would be a good goal. So not very good defending and cant really be put down to luck more poor decision making.
I don't understand why he just didn't kick the ball out of play. I my take is that he's done a half hearted attempt, can't be arsed attempt at a block on he's cocked it up. He was poor yesterday. Outmuscled and out passed often. As old as he is, give me Rangel over Naughton every game, which makes RB a critical area that needs strengthening.
If you put £5 on number 29 in the casino and it comes in thats luck. With regards to sport i remember Jack Nicholas playing a tournament and he hit a tough shot out of a bunker and holed out. Someone in the gallery shouted "that was lucky Jack" and he replied its funny the more i practice the luckier i get.
"Luck" is a by product of commitment, endeavour, hard work, etc. Those who backslide on the above, are more than likely to blame bad luck for their shortcomings. Just my opinion, of course, and others are available. Now who was it that said, " Do you feel lucky punk ? Well, do ya ? "
If luck wasn't random we'd all be lottery winners. Back to more serious matters. I always enjoy Kammy's analysis on Goals on Sundays and those that say Arsenal.s first goal ,was lucky should have watched it. It was down to rank bad defending by us. First of all by Naughton jogging out towards Sanchez instead of closing him down with real intent. If he had been close to Sanchez when he slipped would have probably won the ball. Both us and Arsenal had four players in the box when Sanchez played the ball back in but none of our players was within six feet of the Arsenal players so too easy for them. Clements need to get our defenders motivated and organised and in quick time.
I'd much prefer him to bring in a new RB and 2 CBs. For me, we can criticise our defenders all night but the truth is that they are not good enough. But I agree, the defending was a joke for 2-3 of the goals.
Tbh Phil we can't blame all of the players. Its not their fault we signed them. Huw must shoulder ALL of the blame. He's the one that signs them when they aren't good enough.
My post alluded to the point that we needed to get smarter and that would've prevented the pivotal situations where luck swung against us. But I get your point and my post original post did have an element of agreeing with your point. But, however, I don't say that it's bad luck all the time. We were smashed by Bournemouth. Were undone by 3 great headers and crosses by West Brom. Were blown away by United and deserved to lose by more. We were beaten fair and square by Middlesbrough. We've been beaten fair and square twice by Hull. We've been beaten fair and square in too many games this season. But yesterday, against Arsenal, on this occasion, the actual goal-scoring moments definitely had luck swing in the way of the Arsenal. I'm not saying we didn't deserve to lose, but I'm saying that those deflections (both own-goals, and the two deflected assists for the other two goals) could've gone anywhere else on another given day. As has been mentioned already, we actually looked like a decent football team in that first half, and that quick passing move that ended up with Ki getting fouled was a beauty in particular. Fast and incisive.
"If only we hadn't been so quick to sack Laudrup"... we'd already be in the championship and wouldn't have to put up with Americans in charge nor would we have had the 'pleasure' of Bob Bradley in charge. I agree, we sacked Laudrup too soon
Luck is a moment's event , what's happened and happening to us is a long term break down in communication , confidence and leadership on and especially off the pitch . The longer it goes on , the harder it gets to break the mold . Even though we are only a point off , only one of three teams needs to get their sh1t together the next 5 games to put us in the boondocks .I hope I'm wrong but I see us with over a minus 30 goal differencial by the end of Feb , how many points we are from getting out of relegation will depend on others IMO .
Naughton turned and faced his own goal in the 6 yard box. Does anyone else not see this as a fault not bad luck? This is my point my only point which i have been trying to put over without success. Just look at the video.
