What's so gutting is that we all know that we are a far, far better side than what we showed against Arsenal, this afternoon. We were a shambles, and probably played as badly as I have seen this season. We can point to missing players, and VDV not being 100%, but we should have done much better than that! We were hopeless, and the more I think about it, the more of the blame I heap on Harry's shoulders. I cannot help but feel that he is letting the England job get to his head, and we are suffering as a result of it. And god help England if that's how Harry is going to set up and England team to face the likes of Spain or Argentina! So, with a game against United next on the agenda, where do we go from here? It's a game we absolutely must win, not to push for the title - because I think we can all now stop kidding ourselves that we stand any chance of challenging, not after that pitiful display - but to cling desperately on to 3rd, and not get dragged into the lottery for 4th spot, because I really would not fancy our chances with that. Yes, the players have got to examine their own consciences and find out why they looked so disheveled, especially in defence, but more importantly, Harry has got to explain to both the board and to his players what the hell went on! Harry for England? Any more displays like that and some fans will begin to question whether or not he ought to remain at Spurs.
Cheers HAIG...good to see something not over reacting and well thought out...but I still plan on on drowning myself in the toilet .... I mean .... 5 FECKIN 2... FIVE .... we even made Walcott look good for FECK SAKE!
The game was won in midfield - and 5-2 actually flattered Spurs I thought. On the day Rosicky, Song, and Arteta were too much for Modric and Parker. I though Redknapp made a mistake bringing on VDV - as soon as he came on Spurs looked totally lifeless. What was amazing to me was how hard the Arsenal team worked - continually winning the 50-50 challenges and springing attacks. They seemed to want it more - for us this year that is unusual. It shows how much talent we have, and if it could be allied to work rate like today , week in week out, I would be very confident. Unfortunately we've shown that we can be still be totally lazy off the ball even after proving to ourselves just what a difference it makes to work hard.
Cardiff have showed more guts than us, today, against (for them) far tougher opposition. It's gone to penalties, as I write this.
I said before the game that, presuming Kranjcar and Saha would go off the pitch, it should be on the hour (for Lennon and VDV) We'd thrown away a 2-0 lead and the momentum in the last five minutes of the first half, so our solution was to bring on a second defensive midfielder - inviting them to attack, rather than taking initiative - and VDV may be a match-winner but when we need to regain initiative Lennon would have been a far better option, not least because he would've offered us width that we needed.
Agreed. It was a fatal decision by Harry to not use Lennon. If there is one thing we know about Arsenal, it is that they are great on the ball. Setting the team up to defend was asking for trouble. We needed width and pace on each wing, and we need to hit them hard on the counter-attack. There was always the chance that they were going to score, and we had to set ourselves up to score more than them. Holding back invited them to hurt us. What disappointed me most of all, though, is just how inept we were in defence. We played like a pub team, at times. It was embarrassing.
Quite possibly the worst penalty shoot-out I've ever seen. However, it keeps up Liverpool's "impressive" record of not winning a single trophy in open play since the 2001 UEFA Cup final.
How to ruin a birthday, I hate the goons even more now if that is possible. However, we're still 7 points in front of them with only two really difficult games to come. Sandro is fit again and with a bit of luck Harry learnt from this game. We need to put this one behind us and move on.
