Arsenal match thread

[silverfox]

I'd say we need that in every game. Not just games like Saturdays.

Yep for sure.......it's just needed more against teams like Arsenal.......It may be the only way we can score apart from set plays.

 

[Foxy]

At least one of the 4 shots on target were AFTER the substitutions - at which point the only gripe from me was that the changes weren't made sooner.

Also, a 45 yard shot that a keeper bends down to pick up is classed as a shot on target so our 4 shots on target compared to Reading's 2 isn't necessarily a clear cut comparison of goal-scoring opportunities. Better to look at posession in the final 1/3, of which I'm pretty damned sure we didn't have much.

And yes, the players do have a bearing but I don't think that was quite what Sharpy meant.

I think your missing that I actually agree with you on the majority of your points, but see some parts in a different way

I just really don't see how a number of Blades paint Reading and Watford as some sort of footballing messiahs whilst labelling us the worst of the worst. They are ahead of us on points, but I really must be missing something if Readings play can be hyped up to this extent and be made to sound like they have a mass of chances when statistically, we have more.

I know what he meant, but I also can't see how the players can be faultless?, its a combination of players and management. Yes Warnock has overall responsibility of the team, but how can he and not the players be to blame over a full season?

 

[BV]

It's not that I think Reading and Watford are footballing messiahs, I'm just jealous that they are semingly attacking teams and scoring goals.
And as for the players, they're not faultless, but if they're not good enough they shouldn’t be on the pitch, that's the managers responsibility. They should know what there job is, that's the managers responsibility.

 

[Sensiblade]

At least one of the 4 shots on target were AFTER the substitutions - at which point the only gripe from me was that the changes weren't made sooner.

Also, a 45 yard shot that a keeper bends down to pick up is classed as a shot on target so our 4 shots on target compared to Reading's 2 isn't necessarily a clear cut comparison of goal-scoring opportunities. Better to look at posession in the final 1/3, of which I'm pretty damned sure we didn't have much.

And yes, the players do have a bearing but I don't think that was quite what Sharpy meant.

The substitution issue is my biggest gripe with NW.
Why bring a striker on with 1 min of normal time left?????
Whats the point?

 

[TonyAgana]

I think your missing that I actually agree with you on the majority of your points, but see some parts in a different way

I just really don't see how a number of Blades paint Reading and Watford as some sort of footballing messiahs whilst labelling us the worst of the worst. They are ahead of us on points, but I really must be missing something if Readings play can be hyped up to this extent and be made to sound like they have a mass of chances when statistically, we have more.

I know what he meant, but I also can't see how the players can be faultless?, its a combination of players and management. Yes Warnock has overall responsibility of the team, but how can he and not the players be to blame over a full season?

Fair enough but I'm saying the majority of statistics don't mean jack, league position however does.

And when it comes to "who's to blame" - which is a bit silly in itself - the majority of our players have given a good account of themselves. A lot of people think Warnock hasn't.

 

[Foxy]

And when it comes to "who's to blame" - which is a bit silly in itself - the majority of our players have given a good account of themselves. A lot of people think Warnock hasn't.

But thats the thing, when things are going well it is the players doing, when they aren't, it's Neil Warnocks doing

League position of course means everything, but like i said, we actually had more shots on target (however they happened) than the supposed free scoring and buckets of chances Reading

Hopefully we'll get on track and not need to worry about this soon though

We so desperately need that first win.

I have absolutely no doubt that should Mr McCabe think that Warnock is picking the wrong teams/tactics based on what is available, he will take action to remedy it before its too late.

 

[Sharpy]

Attacking free flowing football" =

2 shots on target
2 shots off target
2 corners

"defensive, out of depth" =

4 shots on target
1 shot off target
2 corners

Reading league position: 8th
points: 10
Goals: 8
Goals conceded: 7
Avg goals/game: 1.3
hots/goals: 46/8

Scorers
Doyle, K 3
Ingimarsson, I 1
Ki-Hyeon, S 1
Kitson, D 1
Lita, L 1

Sheffield united league position - 20th
Goals: 2
Goals conceded: 9
Avg goals/game: 0.3
Shots/goals: 53/2

Scorers
Hulse, R 2


Foxy, ive seen reading play live 2 times now this season and all the highlights, they are so much better than us its scary. Watford also may not have the best players but they at least TRY to have ago at teams, unlike us.

1. Why is it reading score more goals than us?

2. Why is it they are getting praise from pundits and press for the attacking football they play?

3. Why does Steve coppel have the balls to play 4-4-2 every game when warnock feels the need to change for other teams?

4. How have they suddenly become a far better team than us after only a few months?

5. Who would you rather have in charge, coppel or warnock?

6. Do you think neil has got the tactics/team selection mostly correct so far this season?

7. Do you think a different manager could do better?

8. Why are we so crap at the moment?

 

[Sensiblade]

Reading league position: 8th
points: 10
Goals: 8
Goals conceded: 7
Avg goals/game: 1.3
hots/goals: 46/8

Scorers
Doyle, K 3
Ingimarsson, I 1
Ki-Hyeon, S 1
Kitson, D 1
Lita, L 1

Sheffield united league position - 20th
Goals: 2
Goals conceded: 9
Avg goals/game: 0.3
Shots/goals: 53/2

Scorers
Hulse, R 2


Foxy, ive seen reading play live 2 times now this season and all the highlights, they are so much better than us its scary. Watford also may not have the best players but they at least TRY to have ago at teams, unlike us.

1. Why is it reading score more goals than us?

2. Why is it they are getting praise from pundits and press for the attacking football they play?

3. Why does Steve coppel have the balls to play 4-4-2 every game when warnock feels the need to change for other teams?

4. How have they suddenly become a far better team than us after only a few months?

5. Who would you rather have in charge, coppel or warnock?

6. Do you think neil has got the tactics/team selection mostly correct so far this season?

7. Do you think a different manager could do better?

8. Why are we so crap at the moment?

Do you secretly support Reading

 

[Sharpy]

Do you secretly support Reading

er no, im highlighting the facts that reading have come up from the championship and have carried on playing in the same style. Us on the other hand change out tactics and style every single week to try and stop other teams from playing. Reading just dont seem to do this.

 

[Warnock=God]

We've had more shot's on goal than they do the big difference is that they have players who can finnish better than us not the fact that they are playing more attacking football etc etc.

 

[BV]

We've had more shot's on goal than they do the big difference is that they have players who can finnish better than us not the fact that they are playing more attacking football etc etc.

Or that their shots are coming from the right areas. Do you really think Reading have anyone that's a better finisher than Hulse? I don't. Football can't be measured on statistics like this, they're always debatable. How many of our shots came against Blackburn? I agree with Sharpy though that Reading look far in advance of us at the momment. And I hate them, before anyone says anything. Stupid small town team with no passion.

 

[Foxy]

1. Why is it reading score more goals than us?

So far, they have played totally different teams to us, Middlesborough, Villa, Wigan, Man City, Us and Man Utd. The only team you could really suggest it'd be very hard to score against is Man Utd.

In contrast, we've played Liverpool, Fulham, Spurs, Reading and Arsenal, many would say harder games.

It's obvious that they are scoring more goals, they are not however creating more chances so clearly its either a finishing problem or the fact we are playing against better defences.

2. Why is it they are getting praise from pundits and press for the attacking football they play?

Purely because of a number of factors, including their geographical location, they are media darlings. Nobody could have escaped this, especially last season. They were and still are doing well which will obviously bring plaudits (as it did for us), but there is without doubt that factor there.

We however have never and will never be. This stems from LONG before Warnock and will continue after he goes.

We've been getting praise strangely enough. After the Liverpool game we were widely commented as having that bit of extra quality than the other promoted teams and we were being tipped to stay up. This has now changed and will change again throughout the season, thats the way the media works.

We got plenty of praise from Arsene Wenger and Thierry Henry, yet this goes ignored whilst Reading praise speaks volumes.

3. Why does Steve coppel have the balls to play 4-4-2 every game when warnock feels the need to change for other teams?

I don't think its an issue of "having balls" its an issue of having the players available and fit and the opinion of the best way to attempt to win a match. Coppel has been VERY lucky in his time at Reading in regards to injuries, theres only really Kitson he's had problems with, this has a massive amount to do with their success.

4. How have they suddenly become a far better team than us after only a few months?

They are currently doing better, but I wouldn't say that they are a "far better team", they are definately carrying on where they left off, but it will be difficult to keep this up.

5. Who would you rather have in charge, coppel or warnock?

At this moment in time, Neil Warnock. If we don't turn it around soon then my opinion may change, but at the moment i'd prefer Warnock.

6. Do you think neil has got the tactics/team selection mostly correct so far this season?

I don't think he's been far wrong given our injury and fitness problems, theres some parts I'd disagree with, but there always is!

7. Do you think a different manager could do better?

I don't know, what other manager are we talking about?, who is there to replace him should we get rid? Which players does he get on with? Which would leave? Who would he try and bring in? How much money would he want?

One thing I do know, is that it's proven stability works, this is one of the reasons we'll do far better when we can name a stable and consistant teamsheet. Obviously this can't continue forever and I don't think it will if things don't start to pick up, but 6 games in with some encouraging signs isn't really the time imo.

8. Why are we so crap at the moment?

I wouldn't personally say we are crap, barring the 1st half at Reading and a 20 minute spell at Spurs I think we've done well.

 

[Sharpy]

us not the fact that they are playing more attacking football etc etc

No, it really is.

We will agree to disagree then foxy lol, personally i think we look a very poor side.

 

[Foxy]

We will agree to disagree then foxy lol, personally i think we look a very poor side.

Do you really think we looked poor against Liverpool or the first 60 mins at Arsenal?

 

[Sharpy]

Do you really think we looked poor against Liverpool or the first 60 mins at Arsenal?

Apart from odd moments, yes. Liverpool played very poor but we still didnt really look like scoring, same with arsenal.

Defending wont keep us up, reading have figured that out.

 

[Foxy]

Apart from odd moments, yes. Liverpool played very poor but we still didnt really look like scoring, same with arsenal.

Defending wont keep us up, reading have figured that out.

Why is it ALWAYS the other team playing poor? not us doing well?

Defending won't no, but my arguement is that despite apparent popular belief (barring a spell v. Liverpool) I don't think we have played particularly defensively, we've tried to attack, just with little success.

Do you agree that Reading on paper seem to have had an easier start than us?

 

[BV]

Do you really think we looked poor against Liverpool or the first 60 mins at Arsenal?

I think we did. We defended well but rarely looked a threat. I don't think that constitutes playing well. I know it's overly critical due to the opposition, but at the end of the day if you don't create many chances, you're going to find it hard to win games. Other than the goal against Liverpool, we don't even look dangerous from set pieces.

 

[Foxy]

I think we did. We defended well but rarely looked a threat. I don't think that constitutes playing well. I know it's overly critical due to the opposition, but at the end of the day if you don't create many chances, you're going to find it hard to win games. Other than the goal against Liverpool, we don't even look dangerous from set pieces.

I have to disagree with looking poor, based on what I saw at the match and then from watching the whole game again last night.

I agree we struggled to make a lot of clear chances, but we got in and around the box and had a few (which realistically, we can't expect more than a few chances against defences such as Arsenals). I agree that we need to start creating a lot more and hopefully this will happen in the next few games (its got to come very soon!).
Our disallowed "goal" came from a set piece, which for the record I don't think should have been disallowed, especially in comparison to the near identical happening in the first few mins involving Wright.

 

[Bladesman]

I wouldnt say liverpool were on top of there game when we played them but apart from that one chance we put away. We didnt look like scoring after that and its gutting to see the chances we do waiste when we do attack. Only game this season where have really played well for most of the match was blackburn and that ended up a draw. I mean its alright defending well but it isnt much good if we cant take our chances when we do attack.

 

[Sharpy]

Do you agree that Reading on paper seem to have had an easier start than us?

possibly yes buts thats not what im getting at, its the way they play against every team no matter who they are. Do you think we will play 4-4-2 against Man u at home if warnock is still in charge?

I dont get it, when we played prem teams in the cups when in the championship we went at them and attacked (remember villa at home) but now we are in the premiership we seem to have the complete opposite mentality. It gets INCREDIBLY annoying to hear neil just go on about how great it is to be here and how great the stadiums, atmosphere etc are. It sounds like he is here jsut to enjoy himself, we need to stay up because of the money we will get next season (new tv deal). I just dont think neil is the man to do it.

 

[rotherhamblade]

the way they play against every team no matter who they are. Do you think we will play 4-4-2 against Man u at home if warnock is still in charge?

ive got to agree

 

[Linz]

Sorry to interrupt kids...

Arsenal match pictures are HERE

And if you'd like to direct your attentions to THIS ONE, you might take some time out of sniping between yourselves and aim some of your bitching towards the opposition fans for a change

Arrogant tossers...

 

[silverfox]

I dont get it, when we played prem teams in the cups when in the championship we went at them and attacked (remember villa at home) but now we are in the premiership we seem to have the complete opposite mentality. It gets INCREDIBLY annoying to hear neil just go on about how great it is to be here and how great the stadiums, atmosphere etc are. It sounds like he is here jsut to enjoy himself, we need to stay up because of the money we will get next season (new tv deal). I just dont think neil is the man to do it.

I think the "bigger" teams sometimes don't give it all in the cup matches. But we do a performance like the one against Villa to give the players and fans a bit of belief.

If we don't start picking up points soon I'm sure McCabe will have his say.

I take everthing Warnock says with a pinch of salt.

 

[rotherhamblade]

great pics there linz! another job well done!

 

[BV]

Alot of people have compared the situation we are in now with Bassett's Blades. I'm not sure that's fair. I do think though that if we'd gone up via the playoff's in 2003, Warnock wouldn't be suffering the same level of critisism as he is now. Perhaps the weight of expectation that came from some memorable cup performances, and the feeling of failure in 2005 and 2005, along with the fact that performances in the Championship were, arguably, not great in 2006 is adding to a very dificult situation for Neil. We're not expected to do well, but when we're not doing well we're being hypercritical. Or that could all be rubbish and we're just shit and need a new manager.

 

[Come from away]

We have a realistice chance of finishing 17th. We can beat Watford, Charlton and maybe Wigan or Man City. This being the case why are we expecting a winning record? We are competitive and can stay up, and I for one am enjoying all I have seen.

 

[rotherhamblade]

winning 3 games isnt gonna keep up up though is it

 

[Come from away]

It's not the three games it's the season. Across the season there are about 6 teams likely to have our type of season, I believe we can finish ahead of them; possibly leaving to fall Watford, Wigan, Man City, Boro or Charlton.

 

[Linz]

Good so can we expect our 1st win now?

Yes... next question