Football Focus

[benjaminty]

kpc Wrote:

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> Listened on R5. With 30 minutes to go Lee Dixon

> said he wouldn't be surprised if ManU scored a

> couple more. He also boasted that he couldn't have

> done any worse in Arsenal's defence.

Think Lee Dixon said he could play in the United Defence .... that was the level to which they were troubled at that point.

I think the Chelsea Arsenal game could not have been better timed... Arsenal to pull their finger out and United have a damn good 8 days with Chelsea losing the points and game in hand!

[matthew123]

United did impress - but the ease at which they tore Arsenal apart on the counter attack is what you usually associate with relegation fodder. I reckon if Arsenal are not careful they'll soon be pulled into this dog fight for 4th spot. Next Sunday, Chelsea with Drogba back, will run through Arsenal like a hot knife through butter.

[kpc]

benjaminty Wrote:

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> kpc Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > Listened on R5. With 30 minutes to go Lee Dixon

> > said he wouldn't be surprised if ManU scored a

> > couple more. He also boasted that he couldn't

> have

> > done any worse in Arsenal's defence.

>

>

> Think Lee Dixon said he could play in the United

> Defence .... that was the level to which they were

> troubled at that point.

>

Fair point - must pay better attention!

[jimmy two times]

Good to say Wenger do his usual routine of refusing to give any credit to opposition when a result doesn't go his way. However, he doesn't mind crediting teams Arsenal have beaten. Very patronising. United were superb yesterday. Credit where it's due Vinegar face.

[SeanMacGabhann]

has he not given Utd some credit?

I'm pretty sure he has said a couple of times how well they played and singled out Rooney but yeah his focus is (rightly and unusually) on berating his own players for once

[jimmy two times]

If he did say it I'm sure it was brief and through gritted teeth. He should also take responsibility for defeat. Is Diaby injured? If not why is he not playing. He is a physical presence and a good player who can score goals. Also his refusal to bring in a proper striker. Arshaving is a number 10 type player, not a focal point for the attack. Bentner has not got the quality to lead the Arsenal line. The keeper is average as well. I don't understand why he doesn't go and get David James on a free? He's just brought Campbell in so age can't be an issue.

[SeanMacGabhann]

Funnily enough I'm with his philosphy of not going out and buying, just because. To allow young players to come through they must have room and time to play

What has happened with that however, is those players have not stepped up. To get spanked once at home is no great shame. But Chelsea and Man U keep coming to the Emirates and crucifying us. I applaud Wenger's faith in the players and I wouldn't retrospectively change much - apart from maybe getting a keeper in. Saying get James in is all very well but you don't have to have a vivid imagination to imagine him making mistakes in crucial games as well

On top of that, in the longer run Arsenal will be in rude health and Man Utd will be in big trouble financially.

When the time comes for Wenger to go (or get pushed) we will look back on seasons where we finish in the top 4 regularly with fondness

[????]

Sean I agree with your sentiment. But, there is a compromise position and it's not like Wegner hasn't pulled out the cheque book before. Strikers are expensive but you need a proper old fashioned hitman (well me and MM thought so) and a half decent keeper - just those two would make a difference and not break the bank. Wegner's philosophy although basically sensible sometimes does look like 'not getting that penny's worth of tar' on principle. Agree with you about young players not coming through as hoped, especially Walcott.

[jimmy two times]

I agree Sean with his faith in young players. But striker and keeper are crucial areas to gamble with. Mistakes in goal can cost you a game and it appears obvious that he doesn't have a striker with the kind of physicality and ability of a Rooney. Torres or Drogba. He went out and bought a good quality centre half when he purchased Vermaelen so he obviously realized this was an area that needed sorting. With regards to James, I thought he'd ironed out the flakey side of his game? Maybe I've got that wrong?

[jimmy two times]

Also he cerainly flashed the cash when he bought an overpriced Walcott for 12 million.

[SeanMacGabhann]

or Jose Antonio reyes for 13.5! And let's not even mention Franny Jeffers

I think it's not so much stubborness (although he has that to burn) but his experience of going out to spend money hasn't resulted in many successes so why do it now. And knowing us we could spend 60 million tomorrow and they would be on the treatment table for 6 months

That doesn't mean he is right, but I can understand his reluctance

Quids and jimmy - i agree with you both - a keeper and a good striker would have made the world of difference - I just don't think it's that easy to get them

[Keef]

Keeper definitely at fault for the first goal. If he'd left it, I think it would have flown over the top corner of the goal.

Fair enough, he may not have known that, but he gifted them the goal.

[SeanMacGabhann]

Almunia is a shadow of a man these days. he was never a great, but he was solid enough for 2 seasons.. now I hear he and Gallas won't even make eye contact. That situation is untenable for sure.

[Rhinestone Cowboy]

West Ham have completed the signing of South Africa international striker Benni McCarthy from Blackburn for an undisclosed fee.

[Mick Mac]

Celtic have bought all and sundry.

[ratty]

Pompey not sold anyone else yet, with only 13 minutes to go. Watch the fire sale really begin at about 4:59!!

[Mick Mac]

Mick Mac Wrote:

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> Celtic have bought all and sundry.

Robbie Keane on verge of Celtic move - again

[????]

1722: Robbie Keane is definitely heading up to Celtic Park as we speak to have talks about a loan deal from Tottenham. Perhaps Roman Pavlyuchenko staying at White Hart Lane today was a part of that decision.

BBC...there you go Mick

[ratty]

OMG we sold our keeper! Fook me!

[Mick Mac]

no thanks

[jimmy two times]

Keane is apparently a lifelong Celtic fan. I thought he was a lifelong Liverpool fan?

[matthew123]

Yes Liverpool are his team - although many Irish also support Celtic as a second team due to it's association with the Irish catholic community, hence why you always see Irish flag/scarves at Parkhead rather than Scottish colours.

[jimmy two times]

That's true Matthew and I'm aware of that as I'm Irish. However, you can only support ONE team.

[????]

or one a season if you are Mick Mack

[matthew123]

I agree... but I await the Mick Mac verdict ;-)