***SPOILERS*** Football 7 May - 10 May 2011

Soldato
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I'm not saying we don't "rough" up players of even play to our strengths, but to say we can't mix it up is just daft, 5-0 at Wembley, not one from a set piece.
No offence, but there was one good goal in all those five. Three were decent punts from long range (with little to no build-up), and the last was a smart piece of poaching on a loose ball by Walters. Bolton were comically bad, they handed that game to you.
 
Associate
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No offence, but there was one good goal in all those five. Three were decent punts from long range (with little to no build-up), and the last was a smart piece of poaching on a loose ball by Walters. Bolton were comically bad, they handed that game to you.

i never stated they were good goals, i just stated they weren't from set plays.
Last Team to score 5 goals in a Wembley final ?
 
Caporegime
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And when were they most sucessful?

You need a mixure of players.

The skilful - Pennant and ethers.
The tough - Huth and shawcross
The work hard and never stop running - Walters and wilko
The specialist - Delap
The big man upfront - Kenywne

And they need to work as a team.

What about a team like Barca? They don't really have the "big man up top" I'd say they're all very skillful and just work very well together.
 
Caporegime
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There is always an exception to the rule, personally i don't think they would be half as good if they played in the premier league every year.

How much would you value you their team at?

Priceless. I don't think any club anywhere could afford the Barca team and manage to stay running.

Barca aren't "an exception" there are lots of clubs all over that don't have the mix and yet still function very well.

You're forgetting that this "mix" that Stoke have hasn't won you anything. Arsenal have a bit of a mix, but they're all mainly all very good skillful and technical players and they don't do badly.
 
Caporegime
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Stoke haven't won anything? They've finished lower then Arsenal and play much less attractive football.

While it is disapointing to get so close to a title and in a sense, be so close yet so far, I think Arsenal fans should be happy, another top 4 finish, they got to the League Cup final and (hopefully) aren't far away from being a League winning side.

Stoke got to the FA Cup final, and are at best a midtable side are they not?

No offence, I don't like Stoke, well the style of football but at times I do like it when they get the mix right, They've improved and are a much better footballing side this season tbh.
 
Soldato
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i never stated they were good goals, i just stated they weren't from set plays.
Last Team to score 5 goals in a Wembley final ?
You were using it to prove you had more to your game than just long throws. My point was that 3 long shots (every team takes long shots, even Arsenal try it now and again) and a poachers effort hardly proved that you're capable of mixing it up in Europe.

Don't get me wrong, I think Pennant's an ace player, he did well for your third that day, and there's absolutely no reason to assume you won't do well in the Europa League*, I just don't think that semi-final was the best example of any mythical Stoke Plan B.

*Contrary to popular belief, European football doesn't just consist of little Spaniards and Italians playing neat little passes to one another and falling over too easily, folks.
 
Caporegime
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I think we have very different opinions on boring football :p

I think teams like Arsenal, that play *almost* a style similar to that of the great Dutch side (total football and Cryuff), much like Barca do now (After his management at the club it really took off) just much more entertaining.

Fast, flowing, passing, positive, attractive football. Arsenal might be a bit "too" tippy tappy at times but when they get it right they get it right. Lots of teams are more then capeable of playing like this but opt for the more "rugged" English style. Which I don't enjoy as much.

'66 really didn't help the development of English football imho.
 
Caporegime
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But imagine if every team played like Arsenal, it would soon get boring - a bit like the French leagues.

I don't think it would tbh, I'd love to see two teams just openly attack each other with good football.

I get bored watching long ball lower league dross and I don't see why you should adopt it in the PL, or at least continue to use it, evolve.
 
Caporegime
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I don't think that's true though is it? Arsenal are clearly after winning things, in recent years they've gotten in to finals and ran United / Chelsea very close for the league title.

Well, they've done more then Stoke :p

I also, don't think *just* throwing money at teams is the right thing to do, develope players.
 
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I don't think that's true though is it? Arsenal are clearly after winning things, in recent years they've gotten in to finals and ran United / Chelsea very close for the league title.
yeah, the highest price season tickets in the country and they run them close?

Well, they've done more then Stoke :p
Not if you base it on club size (fan base money available etc)

I also, don't think *just* throwing money at teams is the right thing to do, develope players.
So if Arsenal spent 200m next year the arsenal fans would mind? they'd also have a better chance of winning things
 
Caporegime
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What do season ticket prices have to do with winning things? :confused:

"Club size" ... wait what? Really? Arsenal *are* a big club. Arsenal were in a Champions League final not *that* long ago, Stoke ever been there? They have fans ALL over the World?

Arsenal don't need to spend 200m, Arsenal are known for the lack of money spent so they wouldn't spend that kind of money in one summer spree. They're already almost winning things *thinks back to League Cup final*
 
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