Post-Match Wash Up - Arsenal

[kopdan]

Loads up Football Manager, goes to database screen and asks assistant to filter out unrealistic targets....

[Redspin]

Not sure. I would be gutted if that was happening.

Of course it was the Arsenal fans - the bloody cameras were on them at the time

[RedProf]

Well it's been a horror of a weekend hasnt it. I thought we'd win tonight after Saturday. I feel sick that we lost by 3 goals and worse that they scored 6. Suddenly fortress anfield has become more like a wobbling jelly castle after such a long run of being invincible here. There's a few thoughts knocking about my head at the minute.

First off Arsenal - I thought for a buch of kids they played really really well. At times the fluent back to front football they played was a joy to watch (or would have been if it wasn't against us). At times I just wish our team could play so fluently consistently. Dont get me wrong, we can do it, it's just that we do it in fits and starts.

Dudek - overstayed at Liverpool, ideally he should have gone after Istanbul, now his heroic status is being eroded with performances like this. I thought he should have done better on the 1st three goals. Goal 1 - if it was Reina I feel sure he would have been out quicker to head or kick it clear taking the man as well if necessary. I thought he didn't read it quick enough and hesitated slightly, just enough to give the advantage to the striker. Goal 2- come on at least ****ing move, even I would have thrown myself towards the ball. Goal 3 - he must have thought he was Jamo back in the mid 90s. Where was he going? A soft soft goal - if he goes for it he must get it, otherwise stay on your line and let the defenders deal with it. Penalty save - great save but he ****ing owed it us.

So we had a mountain to climb really thanks to some **** keeping.

Hyypia - needed more from him. Good goal but he needed to lead that defence and help Palletta a lot more than he did. Not enough from him in my opinion.

Palletta - I know people will rush to say he is ****e, but I think there's something in there. I saw a lot of good stuff from him, he just needs to toughen up and learn his trade. He shouldnt ever be pushed off the ball least of all by Jermain ****ing Aladiere, but he must learn from that and sort his balance/body weight out when running shoulder to shoulder with the attacker. I also saw him make some great interceptions, some good solid tackles, some good calm play at the back and distribution, oh, and a sweet cross onto Sami's head for the goal. Just give him time. If he's to be the next Titus Bramble we'll soon find out then we can bin him then.

Peltier - he had a tough night, though with the inexperienced Palletta on that side it was a good outlet for Arsenal. He did ok considering though.

Warnock - hmmm, a few decent crosses in the 1st half, but once again, he showed a bit of sloppiness defending especially with the line. Their 4th, I wasn't too sure if he played Aladiere on, and if he didn't, it was a close thing as he was definitely the last of the back 4. Wouldn't be too sorry to see him leave if we bring in better.

Aurelio - should not play CM. He looks too slow, too ponderous. Zenden every time for me there out the two - and thats saying something.

SG - thought he wasnt especially great, apart from his fantastic strike. But why should we have to look to him to bail us out of the ****e week in week out.

Garcia- thought he was poor overall despite his assist. Need more from him and less fancy back heels but we all know what we'll get with him - hot or cold.

Guthrie - liked the look of him, a tryer. Seems pretty intelligent, good one two with Bellamy in the 1st half to almost get us in. Maybe not so great defensively??Not sure.

Fowler - nice cheeky finish but Robbie's lack of pace lets him down - potentially great through balls just peter out as Robbie lacks that yard to be able to get to them, or if he does get to them, he's already closed down and the advantage has gone. I think we all know this his is last season for us anyway.

Bellamy - some nice runs but didn't think he performed brilliantly. Just ok.

Whilst it's extremely disappointing I think we've got to try and look at the positives that did occur. Besides some of the players that did ok, at least by the sounds of it so far, Gonzalez should be ok....at 1st I really feared it was his same cruciate again. Plus I reckon Rafa will definitely add to squad seasoned pro's this window. I think tonight showed that one or two players in the squad need to have a look at their futures here, and hopefully the right signings will see them buck up (eg for all Pellegrino was ****e he got Sami playing some of his best football in the last few years ). And we have now got to beat them in the league - it has to be a must win game, another defeat at Anfield by them is totally unacceptable and hopefully the players will be really up for it. Maybe these 2 defeats are a wake up call to us after a good run against mediocre teams. Maybe its a learning process and suffering some pain now can help us to toughen up and improve against the so called top teams.

[redsarebest]

I was scared ever since the pre-season friendlies - we were ripped apart at will by crap teams unless our first choice was playing

Dudek - shouldn't play again - he wasn't up to much even in 2005

Peltier - not sure: he isn't really a full back - not one to get excited about but not awful

Paletta - my God - he is too slow . I reckon he's the common denominator in our worst displays

Hyppia - any criticisms seem trivial in comparison to the rest of the defence

Warnock - he is not a premier league standard defender. Maybe could make it as a midfielder. His inability to understand offside led to two of the crucial first half goals. What would you say to him if you were Rafa?

That team should have been capable of beating these Arsenal players. its not Rafa's fault

[ARIMAN]

With our lack of fit players, maybe we should consider a recall for the loan players,

may I be the first the suggest the recall of the New Old New Viera Salif Diao....


Seriously though, we should recall Carson (Dudek an injury away from being number one ) and maybe be FSP, for pace down the flanks/upfront

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

Just logged onto RAWK.

Holy god.

[Marky]

**** sakes

Jesus christ what a shambles from start to finish

- Poor team selection
- Inept players (but i'm not blaming it on the youngsters)
- A poor captains performance, lack of responsibility and leadership shown by Steve, great goal though but overall you expect better
- Baffling substitutions, what the fcuk is the point in putting Carra on when we're 5 feckin 2 down with about 20 mins left, surely Crouch had to come on
- Incredibley poor defending, ball watching, lack of pace, dreadful
- Jerzy bloody Dudek, nice fella, good keeper on his day and will be fondly remembered for his performance in Istanbul BU he was shockingly bad tonight, decision making all over the place and slow reactions once again

Overall a complete embarrassement, everyone of those Players/Rafa/coaches involved need ought to be ashamed of themselves, they've let us all down.
A massive opportunity missed and whne you think we're just out of the FA Cup it's a ****ing DISGRACE.

PS Get well soon Mark and Luis

*heads for the nearest cliff*

[chilks]

The thing that worries me most is rafas subs
titutions.Shocking again tonight not bringing on crouch when garcia got injured as was sunday when he never brought on bellamy.

[AFII]

The thing that worries me most is rafas subs
titutions.Shocking again tonight not bringing on crouch when garcia got injured as was sunday when he never brought on bellamy.

That was the right thing to do IMO. We had already lost the game and Rafa probably didn't want us to concede 7, 8 or 9 nine goals.

[Owen20]

At the end of the day, the side that Rafa put out, were more than capable of beating the Arsenal kids - end of.

The fact of the matter is, we were shocking defensively.

Thank **** it was only the League Cup, (not that it doesn't matter to me, because it does), but had that been a league game, and we'd have performed like that, I'd be absoultely devastated!

I'm sorry to say this, but Dudek was absolutely awful, and Paletta was shocking!

Granted - Paletta is young and inexperienced, but he has to improve by about a million times, if he is going to have a career at Liverpool Football Club.

[joyno]

if a magic hand had appeared and managed to grasp just a little bit of the passion and heart off some of those great liverpool supporters tonight and sprinkled on the pitch we would have won 10-6. total respect.

[RedProf]

Not as much as Richard Key's and Paul Merson, giggling like school girls when Keys said we've got to beat Barcelona to rescue anything from the season

If anyone should bump into Keys, Merson, Tyler or Gray in the next few days, do me a favour and kick the **** out of them please. I and many others will be eternally grateful. If you get to meet all 4, do it in this order 1. Gray 2. Keys 3. Merson 4. Tyler.

I winced all the way through that ****ing sky programme whilst them bellends mocked and skitted us lot. They would never be so cutting and derisory of say, Charlton, if they were 6-3 down at home to Colchester.

By the way, I promise to send you some good porn whilst you're in the clink and I'll pay for a whore when you get out

[Lobbers]

please dont crucify me as its my first post, but sometimes to appreciate/enjoy nights like Istanbul and days like Cardiff you have to suffer nights like tonight........

As for Barca, the only motivation the players will need is to watch a replay of Paul Mersons snigger on Sky Sports when Redders mentioned we could still beat Barca....stupid burnt out **** (merson that is)

[Rich]

Well it's been a horror of a weekend hasnt it. I thought we'd win tonight after Saturday. I feel sick that we lost by 3 goals and worse that they scored 6. Suddenly fortress anfield has become more like a wobbling jelly castle after such a long run of being invincible here. There's a few thoughts knocking about my head at the minute.

First off Arsenal - I thought for a buch of kids they played really really well. At times the fluent back to front football they played was a joy to watch (or would have been if it wasn't against us). At times I just wish our team could play so fluently consistently. Dont get me wrong, we can do it, it's just that we do it in fits and starts.

Dudek - overstayed at Liverpool, ideally he should have gone after Istanbul, now his heroic status is being eroded with performances like this. I thought he should have done better on the 1st three goals. Goal 1 - if it was Reina I feel sure he would have been out quicker to head or kick it clear taking the man as well if necessary. I thought he didn't read it quick enough and hesitated slightly, just enough to give the advantage to the striker. Goal 2- come on at least ****ing move, even I would have thrown myself towards the ball. Goal 3 - he must have thought he was Jamo back in the mid 90s. Where was he going? A soft soft goal - if he goes for it he must get it, otherwise stay on your line and let the defenders deal with it. Penalty save - great save but he ****ing owed it us.

So we had a mountain to climb really thanks to some **** keeping.

Hyypia - needed more from him. Good goal but he needed to lead that defence and help Palletta a lot more than he did. Not enough from him in my opinion.

Palletta - I know people will rush to say he is ****e, but I think there's something in there. I saw a lot of good stuff from him, he just needs to toughen up and learn his trade. He shouldnt ever be pushed off the ball least of all by Jermain ****ing Aladiere, but he must learn from that and sort his balance/body weight out when running shoulder to shoulder with the attacker. I also saw him make some great interceptions, some good solid tackles, some good calm play at the back and distribution, oh, and a sweet cross onto Sami's head for the goal. Just give him time. If he's to be the next Titus Bramble we'll soon find out then we can bin him then.

Peltier - he had a tough night, though with the inexperienced Palletta on that side it was a good outlet for Arsenal. He did ok considering though.

Warnock - hmmm, a few decent crosses in the 1st half, but once again, he showed a bit of sloppiness defending especially with the line. Their 4th, I wasn't too sure if he played Aladiere on, and if he didn't, it was a close thing as he was definitely the last of the back 4. Wouldn't be too sorry to see him leave if we bring in better.

Aurelio - should not play CM. He looks too slow, too ponderous. Zenden every time for me there out the two - and thats saying something.

SG - thought he wasnt especially great, apart from his fantastic strike. But why should we have to look to him to bail us out of the ****e week in week out.

Garcia- thought he was poor overall despite his assist. Need more from him and less fancy back heels but we all know what we'll get with him - hot or cold.

Guthrie - liked the look of him, a tryer. Seems pretty intelligent, good one two with Bellamy in the 1st half to almost get us in. Maybe not so great defensively??Not sure.

Fowler - nice cheeky finish but Robbie's lack of pace lets him down - potentially great through balls just peter out as Robbie lacks that yard to be able to get to them, or if he does get to them, he's already closed down and the advantage has gone. I think we all know this his is last season for us anyway.

Bellamy - some nice runs but didn't think he performed brilliantly. Just ok.

Whilst it's extremely disappointing I think we've got to try and look at the positives that did occur. Besides some of the players that did ok, at least by the sounds of it so far, Gonzalez should be ok....at 1st I really feared it was his same cruciate again. Plus I reckon Rafa will definitely add to squad seasoned pro's this window. I think tonight showed that one or two players in the squad need to have a look at their futures here, and hopefully the right signings will see them buck up (eg for all Pellegrino was ****e he got Sami playing some of his best football in the last few years ). And we have now got to beat them in the league - it has to be a must win game, another defeat at Anfield by them is totally unacceptable and hopefully the players will be really up for it. Maybe these 2 defeats are a wake up call to us after a good run against mediocre teams. Maybe its a learning process and suffering some pain now can help us to toughen up and improve against the so called top teams.

Excellent post

[Oberon]

Well it's been a horror of a weekend hasnt it. I thought we'd win tonight after Saturday. I feel sick that we lost by 3 goals and worse that they scored 6. Suddenly fortress anfield has become more like a wobbling jelly castle after such a long run of being invincible here. There's a few thoughts knocking about my head at the minute.

First off Arsenal - I thought for a buch of kids they played really really well. At times the fluent back to front football they played was a joy to watch (or would have been if it wasn't against us). At times I just wish our team could play so fluently consistently. Dont get me wrong, we can do it, it's just that we do it in fits and starts.

Dudek - overstayed at Liverpool, ideally he should have gone after Istanbul, now his heroic status is being eroded with performances like this. I thought he should have done better on the 1st three goals. Goal 1 - if it was Reina I feel sure he would have been out quicker to head or kick it clear taking the man as well if necessary. I thought he didn't read it quick enough and hesitated slightly, just enough to give the advantage to the striker. Goal 2- come on at least ****ing move, even I would have thrown myself towards the ball. Goal 3 - he must have thought he was Jamo back in the mid 90s. Where was he going? A soft soft goal - if he goes for it he must get it, otherwise stay on your line and let the defenders deal with it. Penalty save - great save but he ****ing owed it us.

So we had a mountain to climb really thanks to some **** keeping.

Hyypia - needed more from him. Good goal but he needed to lead that defence and help Palletta a lot more than he did. Not enough from him in my opinion.

Palletta - I know people will rush to say he is ****e, but I think there's something in there. I saw a lot of good stuff from him, he just needs to toughen up and learn his trade. He shouldnt ever be pushed off the ball least of all by Jermain ****ing Aladiere, but he must learn from that and sort his balance/body weight out when running shoulder to shoulder with the attacker. I also saw him make some great interceptions, some good solid tackles, some good calm play at the back and distribution, oh, and a sweet cross onto Sami's head for the goal. Just give him time. If he's to be the next Titus Bramble we'll soon find out then we can bin him then.

Peltier - he had a tough night, though with the inexperienced Palletta on that side it was a good outlet for Arsenal. He did ok considering though.

Warnock - hmmm, a few decent crosses in the 1st half, but once again, he showed a bit of sloppiness defending especially with the line. Their 4th, I wasn't too sure if he played Aladiere on, and if he didn't, it was a close thing as he was definitely the last of the back 4. Wouldn't be too sorry to see him leave if we bring in better.

Aurelio - should not play CM. He looks too slow, too ponderous. Zenden every time for me there out the two - and thats saying something.

SG - thought he wasnt especially great, apart from his fantastic strike. But why should we have to look to him to bail us out of the ****e week in week out.

Garcia- thought he was poor overall despite his assist. Need more from him and less fancy back heels but we all know what we'll get with him - hot or cold.

Guthrie - liked the look of him, a tryer. Seems pretty intelligent, good one two with Bellamy in the 1st half to almost get us in. Maybe not so great defensively??Not sure.

Fowler - nice cheeky finish but Robbie's lack of pace lets him down - potentially great through balls just peter out as Robbie lacks that yard to be able to get to them, or if he does get to them, he's already closed down and the advantage has gone. I think we all know this his is last season for us anyway.

Bellamy - some nice runs but didn't think he performed brilliantly. Just ok.

Whilst it's extremely disappointing I think we've got to try and look at the positives that did occur. Besides some of the players that did ok, at least by the sounds of it so far, Gonzalez should be ok....at 1st I really feared it was his same cruciate again. Plus I reckon Rafa will definitely add to squad seasoned pro's this window. I think tonight showed that one or two players in the squad need to have a look at their futures here, and hopefully the right signings will see them buck up (eg for all Pellegrino was ****e he got Sami playing some of his best football in the last few years ). And we have now got to beat them in the league - it has to be a must win game, another defeat at Anfield by them is totally unacceptable and hopefully the players will be really up for it. Maybe these 2 defeats are a wake up call to us after a good run against mediocre teams. Maybe its a learning process and suffering some pain now can help us to toughen up and improve against the so called top teams.

Pretty fair IMHO. h:

I mean what can you do against 4 breakaways a decent free kick and a hand ball?h:

Sod it at least I don't work with any gooners!