On the way to the ground yesterday the lad and I were wondering just what kind of atmosphere would be at Loftus Rd with the club already relegated. To be honest, we decided that we'd just be happy to watch Jack Wilshire and Adel Taarabt.............they were both on the bench!! Rangers lined up with Harry's favourite useless lump up front, Zamora in an out-dated 4-4-2. Within 15 seconds Arsenal were ahead. Traore plays a "thick" header in field instead of getting it forward. Then Walcott is left in acres of space inside the area. Although Green should have possibly done better with the low shot, he was terribly exposed by Rangers' pathetic defending. The rest of the half saw Rangers chasing shadows, especially Park, who was always a couple of yards off his man. Walcott found himself in acres of space again and forced a very good save from Green, the keeper pushing the ball against the post. Rangers' best move of the half saw Park blaze over from the edge of the box. The half ended with the crowd in good spirits and the Arsenal fans their usual quiet selves. The 2nd half saw Rangers make a change, with Derry replacing the presumably injured Mbia. At least, this half QPR were closing down the Arsenal players much more effectively, with Ben Haim getting a huge ovation for chasing the ball down until it went back to the keeper. An un-eventful 2nd half only had 12 minutes left when Redknapp finally decided that Taarabt may be a better bet than the awful Park. Immediately Taarabt's touch was more assured than Park's ever was and he kept possession well. Then a gorgeous piece of skill by Taarabt set up a chance for the out-of-sorts looking Remy. The Frenchman hit the ball first time and the ball seemed destined for the bottom corner, only for Szczesny to pull off a great save, tipping the ball around the post. Taarabt then started to try to do a little too much and was surrounded by Arsenal players which resulted in him surrendering possession a little too often. The game ended and we clapped the players who bothered to clap us and wandered off home. In conclusion, it is clear to me that Harry simply doesn't rate Taarabt. How else can anyone explain Park, who was God-awful, starting ahead of the Moroccan. 4-4-2 looked as out-dated against a fluid Arsenal side as Harry does!! Harry really rates Zamora.........says it all really! Player ratings and comments: Green - 6 - Could have done better with the goal. Made a couple of good saves. Ben Haim - 7 - Looked a good, solid defender, but no threat going forward, which is needed from the modern full back these days. Hill - 7 - A solid game from Clint and I believe he could do another season in the NPC next season. Onuoha - 6 - A bit more dodgy than of late. Traore - 5 - Terrible header at the start of the game and was pulled all over the place by Walcott and Co. Mbia - 5 - Really didn't do much at all. Jenas - 6 - Neat and tidy at times, but gave the ball away too often. Townsend - 8 - Always direct and gave Monreal a torrid time. Just needs to improve his end product. Park - 3 - Just terrible. Please retire!!!! Remy - 5 - Looks to have lost heart (Can't really blame him) Zamora - 4 - Won his one header of the game in the 93rd minute! A couple of decent chest-downs accompanied by terrible first touch after terrible first touch. Looks as mobile as a fridge!! Terrible!! Subs: Derry - 6 - Started well in the 2nd half, but was exposed a few times too. Taarabt - 6 - Lovely touch to set up Remy's chance, but only given 12 minutes by Redknapp!! Fabio - N/A. Thoughts?
Well Colin totally wrong about Park and even most in X block even cheered him on ... We tried signing but no one joined in and Arsenal did not stop singing for the first 45 at all?... What match was you at ? Air was all lighthearted which Arsenal picking out the odd lads near us who were dancing standing up Back to Park who run and run breaking up an excellent Arsenal Midfield ... He did an excellent job and put in a good shift ... Simple distribution and posdibly touched the ball most of any QOR player in the first 60 minutes if the match ... He did fade but covered more ground than any QPR player on the pitch . Ben Haim also had a solid game and looks a good prospect he is honest and strong on the ball The game was very much equal in fact as we did very well to first hold the Arsenal after getting caught cold and responded well. Arsenal in fact didn't get into the match until 60 minutes when they became stronger The game deserved to be a 0-0 and both composed teams in fact cancelled each other out . Hill has a very good game . Townsend also Adel came on at 75 and was frankly very poor however at half time warm up did the best bit of ball skill I have seen knocking it about ... A long high ball which he ran onto trapped then flicked on in one movement ... I haven't seen that before from any player ! ... Harold tell me why the **** these players are left out and not listening to your tactics? To be fair Jack Wiltshire was out as well
Thanks for the report. Good read. There are a couple of things I saw differently. I thought Onuaha was very solid and had a good game. Park has had worse games. I agree with you on Ben haim. Defensively he's not too bad. Going forward, he's awful.
Cheers Col. The way I saw it was like this. We conceded a ridiculously early goal that gave me flashbacks to the West Ham game. We felt sorry for ourselves for the next ten minutes before joining in and giving Arsenal a game and stopped them from having any really good chances after Green saved one onto the post. In the second half the Arsenal contingent went quiet, which paid testament to our efforts in the second period. Although to be fair, other than Remy's effort and Zamora's lazy lob we never looked like scoring. This game summed up our season in as much that, all though we were still in the game at only one goal down. We had no-one who could go above and beyond the call of duty to get us something. We have lacked that little bit of magic that can make a difference this season. No one in our team has stood up for us. Shocking really.
TBh, I didnt watch the whole game. All I saw after the goal was a confient, capable Arsenal side, doing just enough to snuff out anything we did. Far superior & dint evenm get out of 2nd gear. Dont know about Adel as i turned off by then. truth is. we've been woefull all season and have been exposed for the frauds we were in the NPC. A 1 man team with no back up plan or ability to play together. Lots of people must take the blame for this, but the players on show against the gunners were just going through the motions. i hope remy goes to Arsenal, as I'd love to see him in a good team in the Prem, rather than go abroad. Townsend is another so far out of our league & I still dont buy into the "straight back up" stuff. Would love to see it happen but its going to be major surgery again i think. New players will probably need a bit of time to "Gel"..
I think I was wearing black-tinted glasses (like the opposite of rose tinted).... my Arsenal mates, and the neutrals told me we played well and were unlucky. I couldn't see it myself....and I was sitting next to Finglas! A game in which I never thought we scored....and to be honest I never thought they would either. Shame I didn't come 20 seconds late....I could have been celebrating a glorious nil all stalemate. I crave, I long for a goal...I am desperate for that feeling we are out-of-reach and uncatchable....and so at the moment all is gray and depressing. Hill was shaky, Ben Haim was weak, Adel lost the ball, Park ran around like a headless chicken I need a break (we all do)
Park had a decent game and Hill was at fault for the goal, he charged past Walcott when there was already someone closing down the guy with the ball. Also Green should have saved it, it bounced over his hand. Hill needs to go, hes costing us loads of goals. So is Green for that matter.
Totally agree with your view about the game especially about Park and Tarbs. This was an even game and quite frankly I was very disappointed about Arsenal - not really a CL Team on that day. MOM for me was Townsend who showed all the skills many of the others lacked.
I wasn't there, but the TV highlights clearly showed me that poor old Clint Hill broke ranks to charge forward, break the advancing defensive line and leave Walcott in acres of space. Whoever was in the right back position was slower in coming forward than the rest and the only person keeping Walcott onside. I don't fault Green at all. As someone else said, it's not the first time this season that Clint has undone all his hard work by making the wrong choice and the team being punished, and it won't be the last. The best, most consistent players are in successful teams. Clint isn't one of those and I don't expect perfection from him. Players make mistakes. N
I agree totally with Flyer . Green made a few saves but each one we got lucky with ... I don't think he has got used to the ball ... He also takes 45- 1 mon to set a kick .... Everyone ready I will try and launch this to Zamora ... Are you ready Arsenal? ... Ok I will wait !
That's the most frustrating thing with him, was the same in Reading game. Result being 0 - 0, last minute of added time in a game we needed to win to have any hope, we have a goal kick and it takes Green 50sec to stroll on the opposite side of 6yard box, set the ball, aim and kick, and the game is over
Thanks Col. Funny thing was that I thought that was the best I seen Park play for us, nothing great, maybe a 4 or a 5, but he did seem sharper Saturday than I remember him, he did get on the ball and the opposition a lot, and got our first 2 chances of the game. As ever he didn't do a lot with the ball when he got it, other than the very simple, but at least he was with the pace of the game for about 60 minutes Saturday which he hasn't managed before. I thought the introduction of Derry for M'bia improved us a lot. Why Adel and Granero (after his improved game last week) didn't start instead of Zamora and Park is beyond me.
Well it's all about opinions and I agree that, having now watched the TV replay, that Hill was at fault for the goal by charging out of position. I thought he had a good game after that. I have been one of those who has stuck up for Park, but I maintain that he was awful on Saturday. Miles off the pace.........on what planet is he a better option than Taarabt? Harry played an out-of-date 4-4-2 against probably the best passing team in the division. If Wilshire had played we could have been hammered out of sight. I couldn't hear much from the boring Arsenal fans from S block Dave and I think you are totally wrong about Park. He did cover a lot of ground...but never got anywhere near anyone.
Park is obviously like those F1 tyres, the performance of which, 'falls of a cliff' once they reach the edge. Simply awful as he has been all season. I felt like thumping the Koreans in the crowd for some reason. Derry (and Clint Hill) deserve a 10 simply for having some passion for our club unlike so many. HR should not bother picking Remy for the last games. A performance like that doesn't deserve a shop window for his future career.
Blimey QPAAAAAGH, that sounds like the sort of thing that an emotional wreck like I would say, not a more sensible and clinical observer such as yourself.
I like park good honest man and a real heartbeat ... But I guess I maybe completely wrong ...? I need enlightenment
Park may try but he's well past his sell by date like many. Regardless of their efforts Park, Zamora, Johnson, Derry, SWP, Hill, Hulse, Bosingwa, DJ and Bothroyd are just either too old or past caring. A massive cull is needed and even if it costs us 2 or 3 seasons in the Championship we need a new team with young players. That striker from Peterborough would be a decent start, give them DJ and Hulse as part payment.
To be honest DT it's hard to see why you are confused given you have been having pretty much the same conversation with many on here since last July. Running round in the centre circle like a headless chicken but rarely coming near the opposition let alone touching the ball is not at all the same as being an effective midfielder. You only had to look at the effect that Derry (mistakes and all) had on the game to see what a proper 'heartbeat' player is all about.
