The tide seemed to start to turn when Aluko was brought off and Maguire sent on. We obviously already had two central defenders on the pitch, that had a clean sheet at that point, and it appeared that H was asked to play just in front of them. We had one less outlet in Aluko which appeared to invite them on to us, and consequently make the end of the game less comfortable than it should have been. We're at the top of the league and through the to the next round in the cup so Bruce us obviously getting the majority of things right, I just don't understand why he persists with this particular awful strategy when every time I've seen him use it it's never looked to improve us.
Dont you think that might be a good bit of playing education for Harry? Bruce can bring them all down. Hammer em for conceding a goal against lower opposition. Demand more from them against serious rivals. Managers need a way to cajole more from them, bollock em encourage em. Educate them. I've just had a quick scan and against Burnley, QPR and Cardiff. Guess what the manager did? And how did they turn out? If some statto wants to go over the season...
No it dont dopey Thats what he does, like it or not. He wants the players to defend properly, they didnt. 3-0 up with 5 minutes to go against Bury!!! He wanted a clean sheet, cos he didnt get it. He'll lay into them. Keep em on their toes.
My, that was fun and lovely weather. Freezing and just got home, thought I needed a coffee to warm me up, but a beer and glass of red with then rump steak are doing the job nicely. Looking forward to the draw as we have a very capable squad and no one will fancy drawing us in the next round.
Junior went to see his Dad when he saw them debating who would take the penalty and ran up to Dawson who told Meyler to give it to Chubba. He did well to keep his cool and score.
Anyway. Will it be the next round when Bruce starts playing our best eleven and so ****ing up our promotion prospects, or will it be the quarters? Semis?
There were loads of changes but after Harry came on (the final change) the team was: Elmo Dawson Bruce Clucas Taylor Meyler Maguire Huddlestone Hayden Akpom Now Akpom had a great game but he isn't a hold up player so of course it kept coming back with him on his own. This is all old ground, it happens every time. Not one of those midfielders is an attacking player in which compounded it. We genuinely came close to blowing a three goal lead in the last 5 minutes. They barely threatened before that and suddenly with us in ultra negative mode they were all over us. Whether Mourinho does it or whoever else, fact is it seriously doesn't work for us. It just doesn't work and there's no need for it. We can see games out without completely surrendering the ball.
He went very defensive, Clucas came on left wing, then dropped to left back when Tymon went off, we finished playing 4-5-1 (and Akpom can't play lone striker) and nearly ****ed the job up completely, we were coasting before the changes. Bruce does it all the time and it ****s me off every time, how the **** he can't see it's stupid thing to do is beyond me.
Tymon played really well but Bury started getting the better of him late in second half and all their attacks were down that flank. Think Bruce thought he was tiring so took him off which was fine as Clucas was managing OK until Aluko came off and that invited the pressure even more.
Glad to hear Akpom played well How's he been for you guys overall? He had a lot of potential when he was in the Arsenal reserves, has he shown any signs of being a top player in the future? And what about Isaac Hayden? Do you guys think he could make it at Arsenal? Best wishes for the rest of the season.
Chubby seems to have an attitude problem. He'll be buzzing after today no doubt, but when things don't go right for him, he tends to throw his toys out the pram. Still he's young and has plenty of time....No, he'll never make it for Arsenal. Hayden's doing really well here and could be anything really. I hope they both have great things ahead of them.
Sorry, I now know it's Sunday having checked FA site and this is what they said on radio this afternoon, but 5 Live tonight on the way home from Bury were saying it was Monday on the One Show.
