I didnt say Ade was good today, but to be fair his all round game was better than the previous few games. I agree with you about Ade not being in RvP's league but Bentdner is awful, a couple of sub appearences doesnt change that.
Weekend Football; 17-19th January - *SPOILERS*
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I didnt say Ade was good today, but to be fair his all round game was better than the previous few games. I agree with you about Ade not being in RvP's league but Bentdner is awful, a couple of sub appearences doesnt change that.
Eboue was poor today. So many misplaced passes, and if I'm not wrong (my Setanta coverage was getting messed up by the Wind) he made a mistake before the cross field pass for the goal.
He is a better player than he showed today, but is being carried by the team. He really should have at least hit the target with his chance.
Clichy was at fault for another goal, not really sure whats going on with him at the moment.
And as for dropping Adebayor, are you daft. The same amount of goals as RvP this season, and the second best (2 players above him are joint top with 8, he has ) assist record in the league.
Although I would play Vela, I'd drop Eboue.
He is a better player than he showed today, but is being carried by the team. He really should have at least hit the target with his chance.
Clichy was at fault for another goal, not really sure whats going on with him at the moment.
And as for dropping Adebayor, are you daft. The same amount of goals as RvP this season, and the second best (2 players above him are joint top with 8, he has ) assist record in the league.
Although I would play Vela, I'd drop Eboue.
Caporegime
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Eboue looked to comparitively lose more of the ball than others, because he was on the ball so much until he was taken off, you simply can't not take that into account. if he's on the ball 10 times more than say Nasri, and gives it away a bit more also thats expected. He also very rarely did the Adebayor "give it to me" hand waving his arms in the air just to get the ball and instantly with zero thought blast it directly back to whoever passed it to him. THat might count as a completed pass stat, but does nothing. Eboue is always, always pressing forwards, he tries throughballs and flicks it around people. Firstly throughballs and attacking play obviously is harder and gets completed less than the safe pass back to midfield, what do you expect. its just that with Hleb, Ade, Diaby, Theo for years we've had players so scared to make a mistake they take the simple pass back. Also we have incredibly static players, when people are moving Eboue makes great passes infront of them. Diaby, Denilson, Ade, these are players that tend to be very VERY static off the ball.
All in all the majority of the time Eboue had the ball he turned to run towards goal or pass it somewhere forwards, I won't fault him for that tbh.
WAtching the replay for their goal, I think CLichy was caught between covering the runner inbehind and it looks like he doesn't think he's being covered. But considering he's been one of our most consistant players this year I'm not gonna complain, I don't think CLichy, or the other defenders completely trust Djourou and I can kind of see why.
You also have to take into account how Bendtner played, the past two years, in games where he's not forced wide left, wide right, or played alongside Ade who just doesn't suit playing with him. Did you see the movement once Ade was gone. RVP or bendtner both running different directions pulling the defenders apart, once there was a second willing runner their defence was opened up. Ade gets goals, because he's a goal hanger and our entire team is focused on him getting goals, thats it. RVP has as many but spend most of the game working hard and setting the goals in motion for everyone else, Ade's a toepoking Penalty taking idiot who can't pass. Take out his 3 goals against blackburn(one was offside, he didn't win the penalty he took and didn't deserve the other one) and he's scored 5 in the prem in 19 games, with the whole team working for him, its pathetic.
Bendtner, playing injured apparently during his "bad spell" , has also been dropped after almost every scoring performance, no form, no confidence, when he does well, he's dropped for another 3 games, what the hell do people expect?
EDIT:_ Its also worth noting Eboue is playing with zero confidence, largely due to the fans and his being played out of position and dropped as a scapegoat frequently. If you think he's being carried by the squad, please go back and see how ridiculously happy they are for him when he scored, how his assist early in the year no one congratulated RVP, EVERYONE went to Eboue as they were exstatic for him. They all love the guy, know he's getting a rough ride, plays great and always gets zero credit from the fans. Play your heart out for 4 years for your fans to all but hate you and see if you play great every game. He's desparate to get the killer ball, too much so, it is making him give it away a bit to much.
All in all the majority of the time Eboue had the ball he turned to run towards goal or pass it somewhere forwards, I won't fault him for that tbh.
WAtching the replay for their goal, I think CLichy was caught between covering the runner inbehind and it looks like he doesn't think he's being covered. But considering he's been one of our most consistant players this year I'm not gonna complain, I don't think CLichy, or the other defenders completely trust Djourou and I can kind of see why.
You also have to take into account how Bendtner played, the past two years, in games where he's not forced wide left, wide right, or played alongside Ade who just doesn't suit playing with him. Did you see the movement once Ade was gone. RVP or bendtner both running different directions pulling the defenders apart, once there was a second willing runner their defence was opened up. Ade gets goals, because he's a goal hanger and our entire team is focused on him getting goals, thats it. RVP has as many but spend most of the game working hard and setting the goals in motion for everyone else, Ade's a toepoking Penalty taking idiot who can't pass. Take out his 3 goals against blackburn(one was offside, he didn't win the penalty he took and didn't deserve the other one) and he's scored 5 in the prem in 19 games, with the whole team working for him, its pathetic.
Bendtner, playing injured apparently during his "bad spell" , has also been dropped after almost every scoring performance, no form, no confidence, when he does well, he's dropped for another 3 games, what the hell do people expect?
EDIT:_ Its also worth noting Eboue is playing with zero confidence, largely due to the fans and his being played out of position and dropped as a scapegoat frequently. If you think he's being carried by the squad, please go back and see how ridiculously happy they are for him when he scored, how his assist early in the year no one congratulated RVP, EVERYONE went to Eboue as they were exstatic for him. They all love the guy, know he's getting a rough ride, plays great and always gets zero credit from the fans. Play your heart out for 4 years for your fans to all but hate you and see if you play great every game. He's desparate to get the killer ball, too much so, it is making him give it away a bit to much.
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Eboue neither contributes to assists or goals, he consistently miss-passed when playing simple triangles. I just cant see how you keep defending him when he rarely has a good game, same with Bendtner, you just blame others for them being crap.
I just don't understand how he can sit here defending Eboue claiming he's had good game after good game, yet constantly critise Adebayor a player who offers far more to the team than Eboue has and ever will.
Anyone can slip up from here on in, and the leading club will change numerous times before the end of the season, all of the top 3 have got a good chance (although I still think Chelsea are a one trick pony in a sense, and Stoke didnt have the personell to capitalise yesterday)
Its pretty equal between the top two, either one could drop unexpected points or have a vital injury (or even a transfer out/in) - Utd have done what they needed to do and put all the pressure back on Anfield, and they may talk a good game but it will be interesting to see how they cope in the weeks and months ahead
Major problems at Chelsea whatever big Phil says - better prepared/skilled sides than Stoke should be able to give them a few shocks before the end of the season, and they may be lucky to hang on to 3rd (potentially even 4th if Arsenal are able to go on a run of good results)
AV will miss Ashley Young a huge amount in the next three games - I dont think they deserved to win yesterday at all, Sunderland where very hard done by, they should have got at least one point imo - but in general they are easily worthy of being in the top four
Arsenal have some really decent quality, but just as they go and win a decent game relatively easily (like yesterday for example) they go and ruin that by losing the next game, or struggling to a draw, I will happily hold my hands up come May if they end up challanging for the title - but I just cant see that happening right now
There may only be a 3 or 4 points between the top two come the end of the season, and possibly another 6 or so to third come May, but 3rd -5th may well be very close and come down to the last couple of matches
Its pretty equal between the top two, either one could drop unexpected points or have a vital injury (or even a transfer out/in) - Utd have done what they needed to do and put all the pressure back on Anfield, and they may talk a good game but it will be interesting to see how they cope in the weeks and months ahead
Major problems at Chelsea whatever big Phil says - better prepared/skilled sides than Stoke should be able to give them a few shocks before the end of the season, and they may be lucky to hang on to 3rd (potentially even 4th if Arsenal are able to go on a run of good results)
AV will miss Ashley Young a huge amount in the next three games - I dont think they deserved to win yesterday at all, Sunderland where very hard done by, they should have got at least one point imo - but in general they are easily worthy of being in the top four
Arsenal have some really decent quality, but just as they go and win a decent game relatively easily (like yesterday for example) they go and ruin that by losing the next game, or struggling to a draw, I will happily hold my hands up come May if they end up challanging for the title - but I just cant see that happening right now
There may only be a 3 or 4 points between the top two come the end of the season, and possibly another 6 or so to third come May, but 3rd -5th may well be very close and come down to the last couple of matches
Anyone who defends Eboue's form (at least playing as a right winger) is an idiot.
The guy is semi-decent RB cover for Sagna, used anywhere else he is garbage.
I was at the game where he got boo'd and whilst I think that's wrong, I've never seen a worse performance from one player. It was like he was on a mission to lose the game for his team, constantly giving it away.
The guy is semi-decent RB cover for Sagna, used anywhere else he is garbage.
I was at the game where he got boo'd and whilst I think that's wrong, I've never seen a worse performance from one player. It was like he was on a mission to lose the game for his team, constantly giving it away.
To be fair, for that game he was just back from a very long lay off and wasnt expected to play more than 10 mins or so at the end if required. I felt sorry for him that day, its the other days where he hasnt been up to scratch. He does offer more than our central midfielders on the right though, doesnt say much for them lol. We really need Walcott back and some backup on the right.
Did anyone else think that was a little harsh? We've seen tackles loads worse than that get yellows and when you see it from the other side it's not two footed at all, his other foot is under his own calf. He is however off the ground, but i'd have thought a yellow and a stern talking to would have sufficed, especially since it wasn't a dirty game with bad tackles flying in everywhere. Could have gone either way really and he didn't get the benefit of the doubt this time. Even the sunderland players seemed to think it was harsh.
We may miss him, but maybe it's time for Delfouneso to get a short run in the team. We've rode our luck this season so far but that's another excellent 3 points ground out yesterday when in years past we'd have lost 2 or 3 nil. Keep it coming
yeah fair point he'd been out for a while, but if Wenger didn't take him off he would have cost Arsenal 3 points there's no doubt in my mind about that.
I used to really rate him as a right back as well, such a shame he's lost all his confidence and he never gets a game in his best position. I felt sorry for him as well, you could tell it got to him and tbh fair play to the lad to keep playing.
I thought Ade had a decent game. Took the goal well, is touch was good (it can sometimes be a bit iffy), and di a good job of keeping posession especially when dropping a bit deeper at times.
Did anyone else think that was a little harsh? We've seen tackles loads worse than that get yellows and when you see it from the other side it's not two footed at all, his other foot is under his own calf. He is however off the ground, but i'd have thought a yellow and a stern talking to would have sufficed, especially since it wasn't a dirty game with bad tackles flying in everywhere. Could have gone either way really and he didn't get the benefit of the doubt this time. Even the sunderland players seemed to think it was harsh.
We may miss him, but maybe it's time for Delfouneso to get a short run in the team. We've rode our luck this season so far but that's another excellent 3 points ground out yesterday when in years past we'd have lost 2 or 3 nil. Keep it coming
He didnt deserve the red by any means - but then Sunderland deserved a clear penalty also
edit - Is it the ref's "descretion" if there are several fouls in quick succession (without a whistle being blown) as to which to "react" to once the whistle is blown
One penalty yesterday was clearly outside the area to start with (with a very high foot) - yet the ref blatantly ignores the "first " bit of the foul and awards a penalty as it concluded inside the box
That kind of decision is what makes diving so hard to irradicate, as that will only entice players to con refs more
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That chance he missed that would have made it 2-0 is the sort of opportunity you'd expect a proper midfielder to tuck away 9 times out of 10.
Still, it's not entirely his fault that Wenger seems to think he is adequate cover for Walcott.
Soldato
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Although it was hard on Stoke today Chelsea deserved their win as at least they tried to win it instead of hoping to get half chances and throw ins but it was all too familiar when we went behind after having easily the best of the game, when we get into the habit of scoring first regularly the jitters will stop.
It's been good the last 2 games (ok only v Southend & Stoke) as the whole team has played with great commitment and spirit, just shows you can't afford passengers like Drogba and Deco when things get tough.
Gutted that Joe Cole is out for the season, he's probably the only regular we have who can add a bit of genius when he's in form but if that means Kakuta gets on the bench more it might not be a bad thing long term.
Lampard 400*
I only got back from football myself to catch a stream of the last 15 minutes of the game. I was gutted when I saw we were losing but I wasn't that surprised (even though I felt the win at Southend would pick the team up a bit)
We were all over them and thoroughly deserved the win in my opinion. My mum decided to call in the last couple of minutes and I think I made her jump when I shouted "****ING GET IN!!" when Lampard scored
What? Winning the match, Not conceding, going top just after christmas...yes, suppose you're right!
