Last week I wrote a thread showing how some of our players were quite inexperienced at finals and winning things and how this competitions would be perfect for them to win. So what have we learned about our team then? Those who stood up to be counted. Ok so the commentator on sunday was really living in fantasy land talking about thier big striker who hardly did a thing. Skertl really really stood up and showed what he's made of. He was what some would call heroic, while others didn't deliver he did his job and more. Skertl man handled that guy, bossed his position and never looked in doubt. The other guy for me who really showed what he's made of is the quiet man, the guy who never gets much praise and thats Glen Johnson. He defended well covered ever blade of grass and really showed what he was made of in stepping up to take a pen when others shook in their boots. Never put a foot wrong either One special mention has to be given to downing who seemed to relish the big day and performed better than expected, i was a bit disappointed in him going wide right but thats a tactical switch as their OAP looked there for the taking. he took a pen to add to his performance so thats something to just put in the back of our collective minds, downing could be the type to rise to an occasion. Those who frooze on the day. I would like to say first that young men should be forgiven thier nerves and its best not to give them too much stick ESPECIALLY when you took the pot in the end. But two players really did freeze. Henderson i think will learn from it and get better, he's young developing and to be over critical is wrong.... then again running form a good wing poistion towards the centre of the midifled (backwards) before offloading is rather annyoing at 0-1 so I can understand why a few might have a go. Having a medal and an learnign expereince can only stand to him. The other guy was Suarez who was simply shocking. It suprised me greatly how bad he was to be honest. Shades of 1988 I am just old enough to remember 1988 and wimbledon and being the same heavy favorites for a cup and filing (and ruining a double) Yesterday was looking bleak at times with that in mind so I was quite relieved to see skertl put one in. I don't mind getting well beat but to hockey a side in all stats but the only important one and end up hanging on for 12mins, conceeding and seeing them miss 3 pens is not so good. our last FIVE cup finals FA cup 2001 Uefa cup 2001 CL 2005 FA cup 2006 Carling cup 2012 these all have one thing in common... DRAMA.. if we are lucky enough to reach another final this year please for the love of god lets just win it handy for once.. It makes it a bit sweeter to win after the rollercoaster days but seriously..... I had a stress headache after yesterday. Team flaws I think we've learned that no matter what we say this team has the same flaws its had all year and there's still quite a bit of work to do i nthe summer... which is fine we shouldn't get carried away with one trophy but should enjoy that and kick on from it with i hope a weight off some players, others more exerienced and a knoweldge of what we need to improve on longer term.
Really good article mito. Skrtel was immense and definitely motm for me although the Englishman who got it was also immense (at last). Henderson was overawed and should have come off at HT if not sooner for Kuyt. Bit surprised you picked out Suarez for freezing and didn't mention Carroll who looked like he was playing stuck in the mud for much of the game. With what Suarez has had to put up with, and unfortunatley there were boos again yesterday, the size of the occasion and it being Wembley an all - I think he was ok - not what we know he can do but as I say he's under the microscope so for me would haev liked him to score obviously but a quiet game and no headlines for him can only be good atm. If this is Kenny steadying the ship, I'm all for it
I was really pleased with Downing. It's not his quality of service that has annoyed me this season as much as his lack of confidence in taking on the full back. At least by committing the full back it stretches the opposition. Hoping that he can carry that confidence and form into the next game, as Arsenal's full backs are there to be got at.
There was booing for his first few touches. Suarez was pretty decent. Had some mazy dribbles, tested the keeper a few times, and Sktrel scored when his header came off the post. He did misplace a few passes though.
never got to congratulate you yesterday,due to the debacle of my own team...so well done and at the end of the day you had a great day at wembley and a trophy to boot...for a fan..it gets no better regardless of how other fans try to belittle the CC
our last FIVE cup finals FA cup 2001 Uefa cup 2001 CL 2005 FA cup 2006 Carling cup 2012 dont forget the champions league final we lost against ac milan or were you refering to the last 5 finals we have won?
O.A.P??? super Kev (kevin mc naughton )is all of 29 ,and is one of our best and most loved players( don't let the grey hair fool you ) that aside just want too say congrats and well done was a great day and a amazing game
I did leave out the CL final 2007 and also the calring cup 2005. AET loss to chelsea i nthe calring and the 88min goal form kuyt i nthe cl final... all in all those two i kind of left out even though they had the same drama.
