oh ... one other point. There was a lot of strict security checks getting into the ground ... was a strict as the Arsenal match. I was wanded and patted down (arms, body and legs) and people had bags searched...this was not a football violence thing as there was never going to be trouble and I was at the opposite end to Rochdale fans so it was more than likely an anti terrorist ussue (after what happened in manchester last year) so how the feck did Rochdale fans get flares into the ground? Two were set off during the match.
So what happens with Nando now? He's not made the Prem squad for a couple of games. Surely bagging a treble will get him back into the squad? Is there even an argument to say we should try and accommodate him into the starting XI to see if he can carry on scoring?
Well the first half was certainly entertaining for the neutral. End to end football, poor defending, two teams really going for it and a bucket load of controversy. I was livid at HT, yes the VAR decisions were ridiculous but there were so many poor performances, notably Llorente, Winks, Rose, Dier and Sissoko. Son was lively and scored a fine goal but that penalty attempt was just so unproffessional and sheer stupidity. Much better second half and as expected Rochdale tired, our application was much better, and we played some lovely football in poor conditions. Lamela frustrates at times but his effort is magnificent. Lucas in Spurts was electric and finally Llorente showed us that he can finish and break a sweat to get in the box. As ive mentioned Foyth impresses me. Yes he's raw as hell but the plays with a real swagger and confidence. In time once his positional sense improves he could become a top top player. He has the ingredients. So pleased for KWP at the end, he was like a man posessed when he came on and scored a lovely goal. Hopefully one day he will get the chance to play RB again and prove what a talent he is. Huddersfield at Wembley on Saturday and then that mouth watering game aginst Juve. Hopefully Jan will be back as we will be facing the mecurical Dybala.
Didn't go tonight as I'm down the south west but I've always been strictly patted down at Wembley to be fair, mate. They do a right number on me, make twist around and everything. Probably doesn't help that - according to friends and family (including my beloved Mother) - I look like a casual but even so, you'd think I was Bin Laden's best mate the way they try touching me up before entry. Easy to get a flare in though to be honest.
I can just see those patterdowners winking at you and saying "hello sailor!" Our young center half has one weakness. He is great facing the opposition but a bit dodgy facing his own goal with the ball.
Sound bloke. I like him. Regardless of their position, they play football the right way, we could do a lot worse than sending a few of our lads down there on loan spells.
You know what baffles me about this multi billion pound industry? The lack of common sense....why couldn't they switch the ball to a red/orange one? Surely some thick **** will have recognised the likelihood of snow since its been pelting it down since yesterday allover the country
They probably gave them to their daughters. I get searched really thoroughly at every game. I must look like trouble? They asked my daughter how old she is? She said 14 and that's that. No search. It's the same every game, she's never been searched. Not once.
He even had a monitor that he could have checked himself, but couldn’t be arsed to even do that! The system is needed in some form, but not in its current form or with this quality of official.
I'm going to call Lloriente "the Routemaster" from now on, he is about the same shape, the same weight, is about as mobile as a London bus in traffic and you get nothing for ages then three come along together.
DH I respect your opinions and I would remind myself that I am making judgments by watching on TV whereas you are watching live and therefore have a much better overall view than I do. You may well be right I will my reserve my judgment on Winks until he has more time. When he first emerged he looked very good, playing in a simple but effective manner with hardly a misplaced pass. Since returning from his injury he has not recaptured that form, time will tell.
You're obviously irresistible to them, catnip. Still in the South West as it's just got a red weather warning? Keep yourself safe.
Hope the 10 of us that went have all got home safe and thawed out. **** doing that again, no wonder football never took off in the Arctic. All my fears over VAR come true in about 20 minutes tonight. Even before talking about the decisions, it's all wrong. It kills the experience for fans and from the looks of things, ****s up the players too. When you celebrate a goal, it's spontaneous, no one in the stand thinks about how they celebrate, it just happens. Sometimes you might need to have a cheeky look over at the lino but that's usually it. After the first couple of VAR decisions last night that all disappeared. Ball hits the back of the net and I'm scanning the pitch for the ref's ear, which I then have to concentrate on to find out if I have permission to celebrate. That's not what football should be like. Add in the decisions and it's clear there isn't the quality of refereeing to handle the system properly anyway. We're coming up to the semi finals and finals of the FA Cup with a system that is seriously flawed. They need to scrap the testing for these games, work out how they're going to solve the problems that have come up so far and try again next season. Anyway, it was good to see us looking more clinical and I thought everyone did pretty well last night. Even Sissoko, who usually looks awkward and scared of the football seemed to be relishing his role in midfield and looked very natural. Delighted for KWP getting his first goal, really want to see him get some more time before the end of the season, he looks like he'll become good enough for the first team soon.
