*Official* English Football Season 2011-12

[cpr]

So was the referee correct or not?

Basically no, because

A) Evra was in no danger, was not deliberatly infringing the rules, and was trying to rectify the situation (ie, almost had the boot back on when the ref blew)

B) from how I read that, its a drop ball, whereas he gave a free kick

 

[roseboy64]

Yeah, putting on a player who's scarcely played a competitive first team game in his life at a crucial time in one of the biggest games of the season, fantastic idea.

Rather that than play Chamakh though?

 

[roseboy64]

Basically no, because

A) Evra was in no danger, was not deliberatly infringing the rules, and was trying to rectify the situation (ie, almost had the boot back on when the ref blew)

B) from how I read that, its a drop ball, whereas he gave a free kick

According to Carrick, United were expecting Bilbao to kick the ball to them to regain possession but they played on instead and caught us out.

Saying that though, despite the 2nd and 3rd goals for them being dodgy, it was a deserved win.

 

[TT Boy]

Messi just scored as many goals in 90 minutes than Torres has in his entire Chelsea career.

Scored more hat-tricks this season than Torres and Carroll have scored goals as well.

 

[TT Boy]

According to Carrick, United were expecting Bilbao to kick the ball to them to regain possession but they played on instead and caught us out.

Saying that though, despite the 2nd and 3rd goals for them being dodgy, it was a deserved win.

Still wouldn't have been a goal (the 3rd goal) if Rafael was not in zombie mode. He had yards over Muniain. 2nd was borderline but the same goes for the Manure pen which should have been a free kick instead.

 

[Nate]

Yep.

eg. Wolverhampton-Liverpool Live

Maybe not got the stats you are looking for but ZonalMarking always worth a look.

442statszone has it all as well.

Thank you very much! Been doing some analysis, been difficult since Guardian Chalkboards went down.

 

[Uppercut]

Still wouldn't have been a goal (the 3rd goal) if Rafael was not in zombie mode. He had yards over Muniain. 2nd was borderline but the same goes for the Manure pen which should have been a free kick instead.

I thought he was quite clearly in the box, or at worst on the line. IIRC it looked almost as if he reached inside the box to handle it.

 

[cpr]

According to Carrick, United were expecting Bilbao to kick the ball to them to regain possession but they played on instead and caught us out..

Never got that. Drop ball, play for it and win it. Its our possession 2/3rds of the way up the pitch - why let them pass it back to our keeper. Especially if were losing at home with minutes on the clock.

 

[roseboy64]

Was madness from the awarding of the foul to Rafael switching off. Play shouldn't have been stopped and the goal could have been avoided with better defending.

 

[Furball]

No **** Sherlock.

 

[Neil Pickup]

Still wouldn't have been a goal (the 3rd goal) if Rafael was not in zombie mode. He had yards over Muniain. 2nd was borderline but the same goes for the Manure pen which should have been a free kick instead.

No idea what pictures you were watching. Even with my clear and obvious hatred for United, that was a stonewall penalty. How you can blame the referee when some ****wit has tried playing netball there is beyond me.

 

[sledger]

Was thinking about this whilst walking home last night, and have decided that the Arsenal number 9 shirt (under Wenger's tenure anyway) must be cursed. None of the players who have worn it have had any prolonged success, they've all flattered to deceive, turned out to be arseholes, been crap or in the case of Eduardo been ruined through injury. Not quite sure how Park will fit into this...but doesn't look at the moment that he's going to set the world alight.

 

[Furball]

Was thinking about this whilst walking home last night, and have decided that the Arsenal number 9 shirt (under Wenger's tenure anyway) must be cursed. None of the players who have worn it have had any prolonged success, they've all flattered to deceive, turned out to be arseholes, been crap or in the case of Eduardo been ruined through injury. Not quite sure how Park will fit into this...but doesn't look at the moment that he's going to set the world alight.

Merson-Anelka-Jeffers-Reyes-Eduardo-Park. Anyone I've missed?

 

[sledger]

Suker. He may actually be the exception that proves the rule. Was by no means crap, just old.

Oh, and Baptista. Though his Carling Cup thrashings against Liverpool and Spurs were most amusing, means I remember him favourably, despite him being a disappointment overall.

 

[Furball]

Arsenal should sign Llorente in the summer. Been thinking it for a while now and his performance against Man Utd has convinced me I'm not bonkers.

 

[sledger]

Would break the bank though surely?

 

[Pothas]

It's just not going to happen though is it? Even if Arsenal are going to start spending Bilbao will fight hard to keep him, given their own unique restrictions it is not as if they can just go out and get a replacement.

Can't see Arsenal playing a system in which he and Van Persie would really fit together anyway, would be a replacement. Van Persie is the perfect striker for Arsenal, they need to keep and build around him.

 

[Furball]

Would break the bank though surely?

Arsenal are pretty cash rich. There's still plenty of cash from selling Cesc and Nasri that hasn't been touched. If Bilbao wanted stupid money then I wouldn't go for it but if I was Wenger I'd be willing to go up to €30-35m.

Llorente as the focal point with van Persie, Podolski if he signs and Ox playing off him looks quite ***y to me. Llorente would also give the option of a plan B with his arial presence and holding up of the ball.

Eden Hazard is another on the wish list, particularly as I'm not convinced signing Podolski is a particularly good idea.

 

[sledger]

I think signing Podolski is a good move. Even if he's not as good as he's cracked up to be, I doubt he'd be a flop. And quality aside, he's a big name, and big name signings are what Arsenal need. Would send out all the right signals I think.

 

[Furball]

It's just not going to happen though is it? Even if Arsenal are going to start spending Bilbao will fight hard to keep him, given their own unique restrictions it is not as if they can just go out and get a replacement.

Can't see Arsenal playing a system in which he and Van Persie would really fit together anyway, would be a replacement. Van Persie is the perfect striker for Arsenal, they need to keep and build around him.

The way van Persie plays, I reckon you should be able to fit in a more traditional target man alongside him. van Persie's movement is tremendous but he so often picks the ball up in areas where your number 9 'shouldn't' be. Could potentially be interesting.