Yeah, shaping up to be a good FA Cup this year. It's much better without the Manchester teams, I reckon.
Well that wasn't a great match was it?! Still, at least we can play more naturally at WHL - then it's Bolton. Impressed with Nelsen, Rose and Livermore. Not so impressed with Defoe - barely featured and his first touch was poor whenever he did get it. Still - full credit to Stevenage: Worked hard and fully deserved a replay.
Again, if they are fit, and well organised, it's very difficult to break down. Remember, they don't have to be that talented - they are not trying to create anything - just stifle the opposition. It's always easier to destroy, than create.
The worst way is to set up against them is to line up with a pair of defensive midfielders, and spend the first half hour tonking it downfield and increasing your workload as a result. So it was a tad infuriating to see us do exactly that, especially Dawson. Why did ITV keep harassing Stevenage's manager at random intervals? Do they think it's a bold new broadcasting strategy, or is it because they would've interviewed both only to be told to eff off by 'Arry? Not sure what their formatting was for the match, either - I kept thinking we'd hoofed it out for a throw in, because the camera wasn't showing as much of the pitch and, as a result, it didn't give a good view of the game. I kept thinking we'd hoofed it long for a throw in, until Rose or Bale suddenly appeared at the end of it. Also, ITV failed to grasp in the last five minutes that The FA would hate to have Stevenage in the quarter finals. They wanted a Manchester derby in the final, but there's two reasons that won't be happening this season...
Slip these lower club managers a few grand and they'll do it happily. Stupid though, the coaches aren't going to give any great incite when they're trying to concentrate on the game. They're better off cutting to the failed managers they call pundits.
If only they did that and, mid-sentence, the manager had a reason to go ballistic at something happening on the pitch. Not only would Ofcom have a field day, but then ITV would be scrambling about for the replay.
ITV trying something 'a bit different' with the manager 'interviews' during the game, but different is often not good. This was awful, a bad situation with poor questions. NB also thought the questioning of the players and Harry after the game was poor too.
Just 2 replies which sum up why this place will be better when you're banned. Grow up Ensil/Noah/KK/Philip.
Harry looked fairly miffed, during his interview. Not surprising really, as the idiot interviewer (like that twat, Roy Keane) gave absolutely no credit to Spurs for playing on a awful surface, at one of the worst grounds in the entire league, against a very useful, up-coming side, nor that we should be odds-on favourites for the replay. The presenter was trying to be clever, looking for an angle that simply wasn't there.
youll be hard pressed getting praise from Keane...however he is a man who knows what mentality is required to succeed...that doesnt mean hes a good manager..but as a player he certainly knew how to approach games...and thats the perspective he gives on individuals and teams..and i for one agree with alot of what he says when he questions player attitudes.
He started with "well you must be relieved" to which 'Arry paused while he searched for words that weren't "no I'm not ****ing relieved that we couldn't kill off a League One side so now we have another unnecessary game to cram in, you twat".
ITV tend to try that crap every time - a couple of seasons ago when we took the lead against Fulham they kept banging on and on about a potential offside, despite replays from numerous angles telling them otherwise. They seem to be terrified of the possibility of a game of football speaking for itself, and instead need to manufacture talking points for the pundits panel.
Am well pleased we're still in the Cup (as favourites), and so pleased the people who thought it would be easy and would have fielded a weakened team aren't in charge of the club.
I'm sorry, but pro players just have to deal with the odd bad surface, even in the PL. Is this the excuse the England manager is going to use after an iffy result on a poor East European pitch in qualifiers. Just doesnt wash with me, no carpet surface and it all goes to pot...rubbish.
Instead those in charge of the club... 1.) Took to the pitch with a formation and system that the team have never used 2.) Fielded two defensive midfielders in Parker and Livermore, restricting our creativity (as I said it would) - as if we were defending an aggregate lead in the second leg 3.) Waited more than an hour before changing the system 4.) Watched Dawson hoof the ball for most of the first half 5.) Played Bale out of position If you want to use the forum of a North London club where their fans troll each other constantly, you know where to go...
Half a teamfull rarely does. It resembled a team put out in the EL, just not strong enough. With a couple more familiar faces it needn't have been as difficult as it was.
