I think that was a pretty bloody good performance. We showed we weren't scared, and the fans were good. The first half, we were brilliant. Went at them, attacked them, and defended really well. Young Goldson was brilliant, can't believe it was only his second senior start! Their quality showed through and they dominated the second half, and the scoreline was, for me, a fair reflection of the performances. Thankyou to the Arsenal fans for their wonderful conduct on the night, staying and applauding us as well as your team . I thought that Gibbs, Coquelin, Miquel and Chamberlain were all very good and look to have bright futures ahead. Shrewsbury player ratings: Ben Smith: 7 - Some really good saves early on, and some solid keeping throughout, but he possibly could've done better with their first two goals. Connor Goldson: 8 - really good game, didn't look daunted and had to cope with the threat of Gibbs as well as Park and Benayoun! Jermaine Grandison: 8 - another accomplished performance from centre half, looks a changed man from the end of last season Reuben Hazell: 7 - Solid performance from the Gooner, nothing outstanding though and he did miss a decent half-chance Joe Jacobsen: 6.5 - was up against the dangerman Chamberlain and did O.K, but offered next to nothing going forward and his man was M.o.t.M, so... Lionel Ainsworth: 7.5 - looked a threat, had Gibbs playing well against him but put a shift in and was a danger Nicky Wroe: 7 - another tidy game in midfield with some great balls and good tackles Sean McAllister: 7 - put himself about, as usual, and was a solid player helping to prevent the midfield getting overrun Mark Wright: 6.5 - missed a good chance and offered relatively little. Worked hard and made no major mistakes, though Marvin Morgan: 7 - worked hard, as always, got an assist, but didn't look like he was on top form Jim Collins: 7.5 - was quiet, but worked hard and got a goal. Well done to him Of the three subs, only Bradders really had an impact, he looked dangerous and lively throughout. Well done to him. what did you Arsenal fans make of the game?
Err, I posted an article about Arsenal, interacting with Arsenal fans. One would assume that having that on the Arsenal board would be reasonable, if you don't like it then don't read it.
Thanks for coming over Lenny and sharing your above thoughts with us. Wish you and The Shrews a good season ahead
As I said in another post Lenny I thought you were very organised and professional. I think had we put either of our early chances away we'd have swamped you but you grew in confidence and got the goal you deserved. We capitulated for 15 minutes and seemed to be doing our damndest to help you score again! As you said though we slowly got back into it and looked far stronger as it went on. We had chances for more goals but, as you said, I think 3-1 was a fair reflection. Oh, and I thought for a big lad your no. 10 was a massive jessie! Seriously, he was down like he'd been shot at least 5 times and he was twice the size of any of your other players! He was so indignant every time too. If he wants to learn how to look like he's in pain when he's apparently not then look no further than Coquelin - I thought he was dead at one point! Great support from your fans though. Did they say how many were in your end (ooh er)?
Cheers mate, wish you all the best for the season as well. I'd like you to win the league this season, can't stand United fans in general and their success is just boring, Chelsea, Liverpool and City have spent ridiculous amounts and Tottenham, well, they just won't win it...
Tbh that's not what we tend to expect from Morgan, I think it might have partly down to his frustration. Also, maybe I just turn a blind eye to that kind of thing from any Shrewsbury player... And it was about 5500, about the same as our usual attendance for a home league match on a Saturday afternoon, including away fans! I'm pretty sure that's the most fans that've travelled to an away game for us in my lifetime, especially when you consider it's a good few hours away on a weeknight in the least important (not including the JPT) cup, you should take it as a great compliment.
This is posted also on the Shrewsbury board. Maybe those of you that follow Arsenal and find it annoying that an opposition fan who hadn't heard of a few of your players before yesterday hasn't rated them would be better off compiling a set of ratings yourselves; it's not my area of expertise. I've highlighted the players I thought played well, I'm not sure why I should be expected to do any more than that. The multi-board function is intended so that you can debate with other sets of fans as opposed to just other fans of your team, and that's the intention here; I've posted about my strong area, and given some feedback to Arsenal fans.
good post lenny, the shrews did my home town proud, well another great club on saturday er torquay. the gulls will have had a trio of awkward games, held by the millers 3-3 last saturday, a trip up the m5,m54 to the shrews this saturday followed by a game against morecambe the following week. top 3 opposition in 3 weeks. we could do with a win on saturday. pre match thread to follow let us see how the arsenal get on, on saturday, i had thought they were away to spurs, that must be the following week. i expect arsenal to beat bolton on saturday. 3 points may improve mr wengers humour and bring a little relief to some of the testier goon fans. anything other than 3 points does not bear thinking about. come on you shrews and up the arsenal
thank you all but i am posting on the shrews boards. i understand this post appears on both clubs boards, so you will just have to put up with me. i promised not to invade the arsenals boards except when you win. i suspect from now onwards aj may be a regular contributor to the gooners boards! i am off to the loggerheads now for a pint
Give or take one or two , you Arsenal fans are some of the most arrogant fans I have come across. For goodness sake we are a good league two team whos fans love our club as much as you do yours . This was a massive game for our boys and our fans and we enjoyed our trip . Give me the lower leagues any day, we didn't come to your huge stadium expecting to win, just to do our best and enjoy it, don't spoil it.
well said shrewsie, most clubs have 1 or 2 rude buffoons, but by and large i found 90% of the gooners most friendly in spite of constant bombardment of their boards by me over 3 weeks. but i learned a lot about the arsenal and their poor start to the season, but most must be quietly pleased about the performances sof some their younger players last night. anyway this was a good thread to put on both clubs boards, but while the night of 20th september will live for ever with the shrews players, i suspect the arsenal are fully focussed on the carling draw and their next opponents. good luck to the arsenal in the next round, and shrews sort the gulls out and please do not feed the gulls, just to annoy some of the moody gooners one more time. er floreat salopia, amwythig am byth, come on you shrews breath on 'em-- and come on you reds-there you are hate world especially for you ,now get off our boards!!!
Excellent post, Lenny. I must say it was rather a strange game and, had we been at full strength we may well have been able to hold them. The period when we were on top but did not get the second goal was crucial and their class told in the end. Goldson did well for me - he did not panic and was often up against two internationals in tandem. I would not have rated Smith as high as seven - yes, he made a couple of good reaction saves but he seemed to be at fault for both their first two goals and his kicking was poor.In the second half when we were under the cosh he often kicked the ball straight to their keeper or centre-backs so we immediately came under pressure again. Our MOTM for me would be Wroe - he was mobile and passed well under pressure. It was really a meeting of two different football worlds but it was interesting talking to some Arsenal fans on the train afterwards. They said Shrewsbury were a decent side and they were really surprised by the quality of some of our passsing. What I liked about the day best was that we did not change our style - we played exactly the same way we would have done against any League 2 opponents. From what I have seen this season I have become increasingly convinced that the great Graham Turner will lead us to promotion this year and then we will be able to forget the fact that we were cheated out of it last year.
Imagine the disappointment for the Town if the winner of this Arsenal V Shrews game got Aldershot next! Easy for Arsenal or hum-drum for us!
Don't know why there have been so many mean spirited comments by some of us, they are not all like AJ you know!
