On the Ball (new Football Focus)

[matthew123]

Those teams may challenge for 4th spot if any of the top 4 flounder. I'd say the biggest problem for Arsenal looking from outside is that they have too many players with an attitude problem, some of which may stem from them being brought in for big bucks as 'superstar' teenagers.

[Atila Reincarnate]

matthew123 Wrote:

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> Those teams may challenge for 4th spot if any of

> the top 4 flounder. I'd say the biggest problem

> for Arsenal looking from outside is that they have

> too many players with an attitude problem, some of

> which may stem from them being brought in for big

> bucks as 'superstar' teenagers.

Such as? Adebayor has an attitude, as does Bendtner and possibly VP but Theo, Vela, not sure you could accuse them of having an attitude. Gibbs had a great game on Sunday and kept Drogba quiet for most of the game. Name names matthew. Whilst on the subject of all things Le Arsenal, I think Theo should be sold as I think he has raw pace and little else, Bendtner however has won me over. He ani't the greatese but he's a handful, as oppossed to Adebayor who's a thimbleful, the mug.

[david_carnell]

I've a sneaky feeling that next season Bendtner might be rather good.

Adebayor though....pish. I suppose you'd have Eduardo back next season and that Vela kid looks good. Plus VP. Doesn't quite scare the opposition like Man Utd's front four though does it?

And Rosicky might be back in the midfield. A holding player might be called for though. A Makelele or Carrick. A Viera! But they don't come cheap. Nor do centre backs like Ferdinand and Vidic. What were they? ?30 million for the pair. I don't think Arsenal have that sort of money to spend.

[matthew123]

I was also thinking likes of Denilson, Song, Diaby and Nasri who seem happier just strolling around than fighting to regain possession. There must be something of an all round attitude problem if Wenger was willing to give Ashravin the Captain's armband the other week when he can speak neither English or French.

[Atila Reincarnate]

Denilson, I'd agree with, Diaby I'd say yes, but Song tries hard as does Nasri who is a a good player. Arshavin runs his nuts off and is a good player to boot. I didn't realise the ability to speak with a BBC accent was a prerequisite to captain a Prem side, that would rule out Terry, Ferdinand, Gerrard, etc. etc.

[Sandperson]

I'd agree with AG, I think the majority of the players at Arsenal seem to have the right attitude, they just sometimes lack a bit of weight and experience. I was suprised to see that noone went over to Toure after the unlucky own goal and gave him a word of encouragement. The Sky coverage went to a replay but they lingered on him long enough and I didn't see anyone commiserating with him. (I might have missed something though.)

[Sandperson]

No final for Fletch

poor lad

I thought it'd be difficult to get him out of it and the way he's playing we will miss him as an option.

[Dr Proctor]

red devil Wrote:

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> I think a lot of L'Arse's problems stem from David

> Dein leaving. = True, the ongoing battle for control of the club now that Lady Nina is open to offers, is also having an effect.

> Next year Citeh will also be challenging along

> with Villa and Everton, meaning Champions League

> qualification will get even tougher.

Can't see this happening myself, certainly not over the course of an entire season.

Arsenal have been very inconsistent this year, but they still got 4th at a canter, rest assured they will be stronger next season with (Super) Eduardo and Arshavin in from the start. Citeh are playing with fire, and will probably get their fingers burnt (just a hunch)

Everton certainly don't have the money to buy big name players and lack strength in depth.

Villa have done well this year, and if they continue their improvement then they may challenge for 4th.

But right now i can't see past the Gooners. They're the 4th best team in league by a long way.

[matthew123]

Switched on the telly during tonight's play-off semi final and was really surprised to see lots of empty seats at Brammel Lane. If Sheffield United cannot fill their ground for such a massive game then something is badly wrong.

[????]

....Sean Bean, Neil Warnock....enuff said

[ratty]

i hate the toon

[????]

yup - mightly piseed off they look like scraping it:(

[matthew123]

Hope they stay up otherwise it's goodbye to a guarenteed 6 points each season.. I bet 'Boro wish they'd actually tried now a few weeks back against Man U.

[SimonM]

>>Switched on the telly during tonight's play-off semi final and was really surprised to see lots of empty seats at Brammel Lane. If Sheffield United cannot fill their ground for such a massive game then something is badly wrong.<<

The current ground capacity is around 31K, and this evening's attendance was 26K. I don't know how many of the 5K shortfall was part of thePreston allocation. Wait til you see how many turn up for Wembley though!

[Atila Reincarnate]

Watched the toon game on Setanta, good game, fair result. Good luck to Toon, I'd rather they stay up than the Anti Football mob at Stoke, and let's hope the perma tan Allardyce acolyte leads his team to the championship!!

[red devil]

Hopefully Utd have league tied up before we play Hull in last game, Fergie rests all the players before Barca game, and Hull stuff us, goodbye Toon...

[Atila Reincarnate]

I'd rather Hull than Toon, but of all the teams, Stoke desrve to go down because of the way they play and approach the game.

[matthew123]

I'd rather Newcastle stayed up, same reason I'd rather Spurs stayed in Premiership rather than likes of Wigan, Bolton et al.

At least with Newcastle, however deluded they are, they start each season with the hope of challenging at the top half of the League table whereas likes of Hull, West Brom, Wolves, Brum, Bolton, Blackburn, Wigan seem more than happy to just avoid relegation each season.

[Jah Lush]

They do appear to be a pretty dull lot don't they, with the exception of Wigan where I think Steve Bruce is doing a fantastic job and they do try to play a bit of football. It would seem that those club lack ambition but it's also down to a lack of resources that they are unable to compete with the big boys.

[matthew123]

What's going on with Carlos Tevez?

Now his camp are saying United have made no offer for him (his contract to United runs out in 3 weeks time on the 31st May). Last week Tevez was saying he'd quit because he wasn't a first choice. Maybe both are true.

Either way, he wants to stay in England at a club challenging for League and Champions League according to his agent. Obviously Liverpool would therefore be a natural choice if they actually wanted him and agreed a fee. I'd usually say not a chance but the way Rafa chased the hopeless Heinze a few years back suggests that it's a strong possibility.

[Keef]

To be fair, Heinze was good back then. Personally, I think Liverpool could do a lot worse, but he'd have the same problem getting in to the first team, unless Gerrard changed position a bit. Don't think it will happen anyway.

[SimonM]

Hmmm...so the Championship Playoff Final is to be Burnley v Sheffield United. And Burnley won both of the league fixtures this season....and United lost in the Playoff final in 1997 & 2003......:(

[Mick Mac]

Crow

I assume PGC this was after Saturday lunchtime old firm victory? - I think you will now find Celtic are already back in their rightful place at top of the SPL.

Of course I owe you a double scotch though. Although Hibs might shock Gers tomorrow night. Saw the first half Saturday - to be honest I don't think either team is up to much and if this means Strachan will move on I for one will not be too disappointed, Celtic need to be more direct in their football, always seek to entertain, not to bore.

['bout now]

The Tevez situation is very strange and I think it is still down to his ownership. Mike Tyson used to keep siberian tigers as pets, rather extravagant I always thought but Kia Joorabchian keeping Tevez as a pet takes the biscuit. If Tevez was on loan from another club then the deal would have been done by now.

Something smells.

[matthew123]

It might be the case that United's owners, the Glazer family, are in serious financial meltdown. I am sure United would like to keep Tevez (providing the player is now willing to stay) but with 3 weeks left on his loan deal it suggests they're not going to take up option of paying the previously agreed price. Usually Ferguson is only too keen to let the media know there is not a problem about renewing a player's contract - but on this occasion absolute silence.