*Official* English Football Season 2010-11

[Uppercut]

Originally Posted by neil pickup

i have woken up to this news this morning and am absolutely shattered by it. Stanno was an absolute legend, a truly hardworking, committed, loyal player who never, ever sold himself short, never gave up a chase or stopped running for 90 minutes or until he physically couldn't take another step. The number of times he played one up front and ran himself into the ground... Words fail me right now. If the england squad all played like stanno then we'd never be in the state we're in now.

rip adam stansfield 1978-2010

rip.

[Craig]

Originally Posted by Neil Pickup

I have woken up to this news this morning and am absolutely shattered by it. Stanno was an absolute legend, a truly hardworking, committed, loyal player who never, ever sold himself short, never gave up a chase or stopped running for 90 minutes or until he physically couldn't take another step. The number of times he played one up front and ran himself into the ground... words fail me right now. If the England squad all played like Stanno then we'd never be in the state we're in now.

RIP Adam Stansfield 1978-2010

See my new avatar.

[duffer]

Thoughts with you grecian. Tragic stuff.

Re Barazite: Never going to make it with us but did well on loan at Derby. Should be ready for the Scottish League and a great move for him. Wish him well.

[duffer]

Seriously might as well just pray for the best this season because we're not signing a keeper and any centre back we get is going to be particularly underwhelming. Third year in a row Arsene and the board have talked about bringing in top players before season ticket renewals and looks like the third where they have not improved the team. Seriously poor form from Arsenal. Third is our ceiling.

[roseboy64]

Hard to see which decent CB you can bring in. Wenger might be able to work some magic but you guys really need one.

[Uppercut]

There are plenty of decent centre backs around though. Same with goalkeepers. Arsenal don't need to buy the best, they just need to buy someone solid to shore up a huge weakness in the side. Brede Hangeland, for example, or Ryan Nelsen. They're not world-class players but they'd make a big difference.

[vcs]

Arsenal's defenders individually are good enough IMO (except the goalkeepers who're all rubbish). It's the collective defending that's a problem. I'm beginning to lose faith that Wenger can ever organize a good defense. Of course, that involves everybody doing their bit in defense including the midfielders when they aren't in possession. But too many players are caught in front of the ball when they lose possession and teams rip through them with ease.

[Uppercut]

They've never adequately replaced Flamini, imo.

He in turn was merely an inadequate (although still really good) replacement for Vieira.

[Marcuss]

Song has been massive to be fair. We just have massive problems with fitness and consistency. Looks we could be heading to Anfield with Wilshere and Frimpong in the side lol.

Also what somebody said about our back four. Clichy isn't what he was in 07/08 and Koscielny is anyone's guess. Wish we'd hurry and make TV5 the vc. Bit of a farce that after everything said, Almunia could be captain on Sunday.
Tasci has said he wants to come, he'd do

[Nnanden]

Originally Posted by Uppercut

There are plenty of decent centre backs around though. Same with goalkeepers. Arsenal don't need to buy the best, they just need to buy someone solid to shore up a huge weakness in the side. Brede Hangeland, for example, or Ryan Nelsen. They're not world-class players but they'd make a big difference.

I'd argue that Hangeland is world class.

[cpr]

Yeah, Utd had to launch foster this summer, Chelsea will probably have to ditch either Turnbull or more likely Hilario due to the 25 rule (think Turnbulls Englishness will win him if that becomes a two way battle). Plenty of half decent keepers eyeing up new clubs, even if its a steady no 2 (for when Almunia is having a rubbish month, he does peak and trough a bit) Arsenal bring in, they need another keeper.

[Uppercut]

Originally Posted by Nnanden

I'd argue that Hangeland is world class.

Bit unproven though. Looks like he could potentially be world class, but you couldn't really compare him to someone like Carlos Puyol.

[vcs]

The funny thing is, no one actually seems to rate Puyol too high defensively.. even though he has won everything there is to win at club and international level. It seems Barcelona defenders are destined to go through life being underrated just because their team enjoys so much possession of the ball. What people seem to miss is how big a part their defenders play in their ball retention.

[GingerFurball]

Originally Posted by vcs

The funny thing is, no one actually seems to rate Puyol too high defensively.. even though he has won everything there is to win at club and international level. It seems Barcelona defenders are destined to go through life being underrated just because their team enjoys so much possession of the ball. What people seem to miss is how big a part their defenders play in their ball retention.

People under-estimate how fantastic Barcelona are defensively. From the front, they absolutely suffocate teams. Occasionally they'll get caught out by a really basic looking ball in behind the defence, but that's always a risk for a team that plays with such a high defensive line and which presses the ball so relentlessly.

Partly because in this country, we regard good defending as the John Terry "heroically lunge in desperately at the last minute, putting everything in the way." If Terry had the first clue about how to position himself, he wouldn't need to throw himself about.

[vcs]

Originally Posted by GingerFurball

People under-estimate how fantastic Barcelona are defensively. From the front, they absolutely suffocate teams. Occasionally they'll get caught out by a really basic looking ball in behind the defence, but that's always a risk for a team that plays with such a high defensive line and which presses the ball so relentlessly.

Partly because in this country, we regard good defending as the John Terry "heroically lunge in desperately at the last minute, putting everything in the way." If Terry had the first clue about how to position himself, he wouldn't need to throw himself about.

Agreed. Their defensive record last season was the best in Europe. Spain's defensive record in the WC wasn't too bad either. And while everybody can see how good Pique is at bringing the ball forward from defense, Puyol's ball-skills are also very underrated.