Didn't mean to single him out - it was more that I think he's often been our best player and was shocked by his performance today, but he was no worse than most of the others. I don't think Friedel did much wrong but everyone else was way off their recent standard. Parker seemed rattled a couple of times by the quickness and hardness of Arsenal's challenges.
I already have posted on our very positive and great performance today, but the kind of cheating exhibited by Bale today should not be allowed to slip under the radar.
If you look back, you'll see I was saying when we were in front that we were playing way too deep, and inviting pressure. Very poor tactics from Harry. We should never have conceded so much space and possession. It was obviously his plan to try and hit on the break - blew up in his face spectacularly today!
Take your point PS - just remember how Benny became the scapegoat in the past for the (very) occasional error when others seemed to lead a charmed life. Friedel was ok but after that the list of plusses is pretty light!!
I think you took a very undeserved 2-0 lead and then thought it was over - agree with that - but from 30 minutes on there is nothing you could have done even at your best. That is the problem with Arsenal though, we can do that to anyone, but its way too inconsistent.
TBH we came up with the right sort of spirit for the day and stayed the distance. Coming back against a team that waited for and who can put away those sucker punches against our defence isn't easy. If Spurs do us a favour this season, it would be to restore belief amongst our players. Actually you could do us another favour - beat the other guys around us
By the way on the Bale penalty - I watched it in slow motion and it looked like Gibbs just caught his heel and knocked one of Bale's feet into the other so he was already going down as Szczesny challenged. It is not completely clear (it never is as there is enough time between frames to miss the contact), but I don't think it was a dive because Bale's feet definitely got tangled just after Gibbs' lunge and I don't think he would be clever enough to do that on purpose.
There's always some sort of excuse given for diving - it's just good for football that it didnt decide the game.
Agree you were very good today...but we were poor all over the park. I had a feeling you were going to tonk us. It might be just my paranoia but I'm not counting on Champions League football until I know we have it. March is an incredibly tough month for us. Man Ure at home, Everton away and Chelsea away. Things could be very different in a months time.
I'd still disagree. It was tactically inept. It was obvious from 1-0 that were sitting far too deep, and conceding far too much possession. It was no surprise at all to me when you scored - you could see it coming a mile off. We should have pushed up and played much further forward, instead of reling on pure counter attack.
Don't be so self-righteous. He went down easy but if you honestly think that RVP, Walcott or Riscky would not have done the same then you are deluded. Enjoy your day and move on.....
I would never excuse diving, but PNEawf is right. A touch which can't be seen on the TV is plenty to bring someone down at pace.
We'll move on after we have enjoyed the result. Nothing wrong with that - it's been a tough season for us and thrashing Spurs softens the pain we've experienced as fans considerably. I am sure you would feel the same if you had just done us 5-2. In fact you guys still use the 5-1 Carling Cup game to batter us with!
Its just too often with Bale now - he's creating his own diving hightlights reel - a la Rooney and Gerrard. He's not the only one - there are some Arsenal players guilty of it too. Its just an aspect of the game that I really hate.
The 'best XI' with 442 and Bale and Lennon on the wings usually doesn't work against a similar standard team playing 433 because we don't get the ball enough in midfield so the wingers don't get any service. Much like Man U on Thursday. I suspect VdV was not fully fit - he certainly didn't look at the top of his game when he came on. But I can't understand picking Kranjcar instead of Lennon and then playing 442
I hardly think we're mates, do you? As I mentioned on a thread yesterday, I was refereeing today. Just got back and watched the game. I cannot believe how dreadful we were. Even at 2-0 up, we never looked comfortable, and Arsenal looked like they could score with every attack. 5-2 flattered us, to be frank. I don't know whether this was down to the players not taking the game seriously, or Harry setting the team up wrong - probably a mixture of the two - but we've got to make a significant improvement on that before our trip to OT, or we we suffer an even greater humiliation, since United are a far better team than the Gooners. I'm feeling pretty gutted, because that was a chance for us to make a statement, and between them, Harry and the players have managed to take a step backwards. Harry for England? Really? Now, perhaps the hack-tabloids will understand why the FA always look abroad for their man, because Harry has - yet again, I am sorry to say - show how tactically inept he can be.
How meek and mild you sound today , bit different from you usual big gobbed rantings eh ? w@@@@@@@nker ! i used your quote in my sig , i knew you wouldnt mind.
