People are criticising Villas-Boas for his negative substitutions, but I'm not sure that he had much choice. Defoe was totally anonymous, so I can see why he was replaced, but we don't have another striker available. Huddlestone for Lennon was a bit odd, but it got us the goal. Sigurdsson for Dembele can be questioned, but it's arguably an attacking substitution and he nearly killed the game off. I'm more bothered by our negative shift towards the end of games that we're narrowly winning or happy to draw. It's suicidal, especially when we're so light at the back at the moment.
Is it because we play on Thursday nights with a strong team? It is bloody frustrating either way. We need Kaboul, Benny and most importantly Parker back. I think he my be the main reason as he would battle right to the last.
Partially, perhaps. Our lack of options in various positions doesn't help either, in my opinion. Kaboul, Assou-Ekotto, Parker, Dawson and Bale all missing today, for example.
I know a few Liverpool 'fans' who started supporting their local teams and disassociating themselves from the club after their glory days. I guess the lack of success and not wanting to be part of a club that backs racists must have lead them to it. And losing to West Spam...wow...new lows...
Disagree about Parker. Alongside Defoe, Sandro's probably being our best player this season - I can't see Parker starting ahead of him and I wouldn't want to see the two playing in the same team at any stage of the match.
It's something you really need to sort out, because the danger is that it will affect the mentality of your team. Going into the last 10mins of games, they are going to be thinking, 'here we go again' and the nerves will set in. Do you think it's down to AVB's subs ? Have you got defensive players that he could bring on to see out games ?
PNP, its because he likes to try and hold onto a lead or a draw in negative fashion towards the end of the game and we sit deep and invite the opposition to attack when they are desperate to save the game. ade and defoe dont work so why not take ade off, play dembele behind and keep demps and lennon on the wing. instead we take off dembele and lennon for hudd and siggy so that to me is negative.
We were winning in the second half v EVERTON ... MANCITY ... WBA ....NORWICH .... CHELSEA and instead if 15 points from these games we've managed 2 We were winning in two europa matches in the 2nd half and only drew those too. And the same v norwich in the carling cup. That's 8 matches Seriously needs to be addressed or it'll become the norm...mind you it feels like that now!
I wouldn't swap Sandro for Parker but bring him on as well to tighten things up. He would suit AVB's hold on style approach. I think I support Barcelona now anyway.
He does bring on defensive players, the general consensus is that is where the problem lies, inviting teams to attack us rather than doing so ourselves.
Adebayor and Defoe hasn't really been given a chance, yet. I'd like to see it being given a few more tries before being written off, especially with a stronger side available. Dembele looked knackered, so I can see why he was removed. Not sure about taking off Lennon, though.
how can ade/defoe work when avb wants one of them to play behind and put pressure on? if we play 442 with ade/defoe then they need more support but we seem to struggle. overall this season our football has been negative and dour so its hard to give avb the benefit of the doubt when things go wrong.
I've been an AVB supporter but I'm seriously beginning to think that he's no use to us long term. We play Swansea next and who can say with any confidence what the score will be?
we had so many games like that at the start of last season as i recall . Chucking away games at the end when you are on top is a real bastard . Arsenal fans know the feeling.
It must be galling for you gunner that the only way that you can win is by penalties. Doesn't say much or your forwards does it?
whereas your defenders are ..............? touchy are we. I offered a bit of sympathy but .... never mind . did we get FIVE penalties when we played you or not ?
