*Official* English Football Season 2012-13

[Jager]

Originally Posted by Uppercut

I think a lot of these teams wreck themselves with the tempo they play at against big clubs. United looked seriously off the pace for 65 minutes but Southampton looked like they had nothing left at the end. Scholes coming on made the difference, WAFG.

Yup agreed there, we looked absolutely legless in the final 15.

[Pothas]

Inevitable as it was disgusting,

United really are an affront to humanity.

[flibbertyjibber]

Originally Posted by Jager

You a saints man, Flib?

Absolutely shattered tbf.

Na, just don't really like United. Always go for the underdog in a game like that.

[Uppercut]

Originally Posted by GIMH

I mean, look at carroll's performance yesterday. Came as no surprise to anyone who has watched him in his last dozen games or so but Rodgers wanted shut and will sure regret it.

I wonder if whoever replaces Rodgers next season will use Carroll. Not sure on the terms of his loan.

TBF he was bound to come good at West Ham, it's not like he was doing it on his own. If Rodgers was going to sign another fat striker like Vaz Te, a second-ball master like Nolan a bunch of massive hairy defenders to score goals from the set-pieces then yeah, might as well keep him. Or if you can't get a replacement. That was just dire.

Just watching the highlights, they look hilariously open, nice big spaces for Arsenal to attack into. Reminds me of the 3-5 last year against Chelsea, two managers too dogmatic to just follow the tried-and-tested Arsenal-beating template.

[Pothas]

To be fair to Arsenal they looked an awful lot more compact and solid than they have in the past.

Cazorla is class as well.

[sledger]

Really don't want to give him the kiss of death. And as Pothas said to me earlier, it's probably only a matter of time till he gets injured again. But Diaby was so good today. Was everywhere. Really was like watching a young Vieira.

[sledger]

Also thought Podolski had an excellent game. Took his goal well and combined well with Cazorla for the second. Not only that, but he got back to cover Gibbs every time he needed to. Something that Theo, Gervinho and (the worst of the lot in this regard - why hasn't he been sold?) Arshavin should take a lesson from. Really made a difference I think.

Great team performance though. Giroud will no doubt be singled out for missing those chances, but on the whole I think every Arsenal player had a good game. A few more performances in this vein and people will be talking about Jenkinson for England too.

As for Liverpool, you knew the game was up when they had to summon Shelvey and Downing from the bench. Felt sorry for Allen and Sterling, seemed like they were the only hope Liverpool had at times. Not helped by the fact that Suarez still can't hit a barn door of course. Don't much rate Borini based on what he's shown so far either.

[MW1304]

Originally Posted by sledger

Also thought Podolski had an excellent game. Took his goal well and combined well with Cazorla for the second. Not only that, but he got back to cover Gibbs every time he needed to. Something that Theo, Gervinho and (the worst of the lot in this regard - why hasn't he been sold?) Arshavin should take a lesson from. Really made a difference I think.

Great team performance though. Giroud will no doubt be singled out for missing those chances, but on the whole I think every Arsenal player had a good game. A few more performances in this vein and people will be talking about Jenkinson for England too.

As for Liverpool, you knew the game was up when they had to summon Shelvey and Downing from the bench. Felt sorry for Allen and Sterling, seemed like they were the only hope Liverpool had at times. Not helped by the fact that Suarez still can't hit a barn door of course. Don't much rate Borini based on what he's shown so far either.

Yeah he had a good game in nullifying the not inconsiderable threat of Sterling, even at his age, but I wouldn't go too far. Even though its not an area we're blessed in, there's plenty of solid guys who I would have thought are ahead of him in the pecking order. An excuse for a shameless plug for Danny Simpson, who has been consistent for a while now.

[sledger]

Maybe a slightly premature assumption, for indeed he looked uncomfortable in possession on quite a few occasions. But given his lack of experience I thought he did brilliantly to come into such an important game and defend as well as he did. Was really solid, don't recall anyone beating him all game.

I wonder if Steve Bould gas given all the defenders a kick up the arse actually. It seems awfully coincidental that the team's defensive record has improved considerably since he's had a key role with the senior side.

[Agent TBY]

Far more likely that they just focused on their defensive issues in pre-season.

[sledger]

Nah, **** that Srizza. We're hot **** and gonna win the league!

[Marcuss]

Originally Posted by Agent TBY

Far more likely that they just focused on their defensive issues in pre-season.

And who's decision would that have been? Begs the question why the **** we didn't do it do it for the past 4 pre seasons then.

[Agent TBY]

Originally Posted by sledger

Nah, **** that Srizza. We're hot **** and gonna win the league!

Do it for Cesc, Nasri and RVP!

Originally Posted by Marcuss

And who's decision would that have been? Begs the question why the **** we didn't do it do it for the past 4 pre seasons then.

Your guess is as good as mine, really. This year's Arsenal just seem to be showing far more signs of planning and foresight than in previous years, and this might be one area where it's actually producing results.

I'm still not convinced it'll actually lead to anything substantial, though.

[sledger]

Eagerly anticipating the trip to City in two weeks time. Is rarely a bad watch. Having said that, we'll now probably lose at home to Southampton next week or something stupid.

Edit: or not, stupid international break. Dire.

[duffer]

Originally Posted by Uppercut

Just watching the highlights, they look hilariously open, nice big spaces for Arsenal to attack into. Reminds me of the 3-5 last year against Chelsea, two managers too dogmatic to just follow the tried-and-tested Arsenal-beating template.

I thought we did to Liverpool what other teams have done to us in the past. Mature performance from the team.