Excellent result, clean sheet and a point against what is ultimatley a "top top club, who have top top players". I thought the back four did a decent job and Geoff Cameron look half decent in the centre of the park although he seemed to drift out the longer the game went on. Kightly was lively again and looks to have been a decent signing, carried the ball well and looked a threat on goal. Pennant did OK and gave balance to the side, made a few decent crosses and looked a threat when he got forward, possibly could have won a pen. Crouch looked isolated but won pretty much everything in the air and held it up well. Walters, was awful and I'm being polite. Several times when through to run in the channel just kicked it out of play, gave the ball away and is awful when through on goal! Subs! Well we didnt see the game out with 2 wingers (Shock). Cameron Jerome on for Pennant with TP's love child dropping to the wing. Shotton on for Crouch (which I was suprised - I though a straight swap for Wilko who was living dangerously on a yellow) and heho, Walters back up front! Palcious gets his tradional cameo and Whelan made way! Aresnal were at best average and didn't look like scoring, we didnt look like scoring either but I just feel that we are still just to negative. 40% possesion, 7 shots (4 on target) and not 1 corner won probably says it all. Plus side we are unbeaten and have 2 points on the board, but I have yet to see any improvement on last season.
Just got back from the game Smither's.. Pretty much agree with all of that you have said! I though Whelan was **** but Geoff Cameron debut game did really well. The easiest pt we've ever got v Arsenal. On that form I doubt they will make the top 4 but, not all sides have Huth and Ryan who we're magnificent all game. Another (Huddlestone)? midfield player and I would be OK with that. WHY Crouch came off I know not and for Shotton, that amazes me tbh. A bit more composure and Walters SHOULD have scored 2nd half. NOT sure I've only seen it at the game but Pennant was knocked for what looked like a pen but will see it later on MOTD. Arsenal ? Thought that Carzola spelling looked brilliant BUT Podolski didn't look that great. Having the ball means noting if you don't score and Arsenal hardly did, apart from Wallcott and the Ox coming on they made a difference. All said, well happy with a pt and OH for ONE more decent ball player.. is it me or was Whelan WAY OFF the pace today? WELL done the lads and the fans too! PS felt sorry for Kightly he had NO ONE in front of him but I thought he did very well over all. Tony, please just one or two player's before the month is out. AND WHY all the negative comments on P and G Smither's? We're never going to out play Arsenal but I'm pleased with the stats possesion wise around 60/40 or even better I think? in favour of Arsenal.. But they didn't really create that much. Well pleased today
I said I would be happy with anything that kept us ahead of them in the table, from what I heard Cameron sounds a good player, so i'm happy all round.
It was an odd game really. Neither team threatened, most of the match was played in the middle. Both teams happy with the point I think.
That's probably the worst I've seen an Arsenal team play at the Brit in terms of creating clear cut chances, and so it is disappointing that we only came away with a point. I'm concerned about the number of chances we created too. I can't see where our goals are going to come from. I think you're being a bit harsh on Whelan Potts. I know he gave the ball away a couple of times, but apart from that I didn't think he was too bad. I was impressed by Geoff Cameron - he looked composed on the ball and did well when he wasn't in possession. Like you Potts, I cannot understand the Crouch/Shotton substitution, TP must know something about Shotton that we don't. Still, two games and two points which is probably a couple more than I thought we'd get. Hopefully by the end of the week there will be a couple of new faces and a few players moving on to pastures new...
Smithers i couldnt agree more .. absolute garbage to watch with no invention or flair to be seen ?? The tactics are dire at best sittin with 4 fullbacks to cover ! that = no wingers And since when at home ...... do we start tme wasting from the 1st minute !!! gotta say it that was crap and very uninspiring to say the least. Walters o dear o dear ffs just not good enough Its startin to wizz me off now just watchin him run round and round and round ... no end product
I think that would be fair and it might do Walters some good. TP did this with Creswell until alot of fans resented him - its not the players fault they generally always try.
I didn't think it was the players fault, after all he doesn't pick the team and I don't know what his brief is from TP. I can't fault his trying but we don't get many goal chances and need to maximise the conversion to goals. I like Walters but we need the goals.
No I agree, Walters is an excellent servant, works his nads of all of the time but he is just not good enough to play in the prem evrey game for 90 minutes.
It may improve his game, not having the pressure of performing beyond his capability, week in week out.
