Next game: The Arsenal

[Dameerto]

Zabs looks like he's closer to match sharpness at least.

[sidSmith]

Tells me Navas is crucial for us this season. We simply can't break quickly without him. Milner has to cut back more often than not, not his fault, but with pace to get in behind we have 2 in the middle to aim at.

[Cocacolajojo1]

so are we calling the goal lescott + clichey's fault there? Lescott was just hanging on kompany's shoulder marking nobody, and clichey let walcott run in behind.

We're calling the gap between defense and midfield and the lack of urgency from Fernan and Yaya.

to quote Ted: Gareth Barry.

[Cit.revenge]

With this front two Navas would look much better. Arsenal was not good at all but ref and our defense do a job for them. If we don't have Kompany wooow that would be worry. Dzeko should score that, that is good chance us can be. But all in all they playing on counter like QPR would play against us but with a better players.ad from time to time i wonder is Bob still on bench with that billion pass and return ball from wing when u have two big guys in.

[london blue 2]

so are we calling the goal lescott + clichey's fault there? Lescott was just hanging on kompany's shoulder marking nobody, and clichey let walcott run in behind.

We're calling the gap between defense and midfield and the lack of urgency from Fernan and Yaya.

to quote Ted: Gareth Barry.

This. When yaya plays that deep but doesn't actually defend its a bit frustrating

[Tru_Blu]

Milner lacks a footballers brain. yes he is hard working but he clearly doesn't know anything more than running and crossing the ball. Yaya must play defense or we are in a world of trouble playing 442. We still play to damn SLOW.

[Ted Hughes]

We are on another level to Arsenal at football but we are not balanced & defensively we are always likely to concede a goal, even without the defence playing badly. Clichy was sleeping for their goal, never should get caught by a ball inside, but the defenders have made very very few mistakes between them, it is the system which isn't working, Arsenal players are able to pick passes around our box with more time than they have around their own box.

Bayern had similar freedom & it cost us there. Yaya & Fernandinho are playing great stuff but they do not cover everything in those areas.

[Beefymcfc]

Apart from somehow wondering onto an Arsenal TV stream, not a bad half, apart from the obvious. We look very comfortable on the ball and Yaya's range of passing is sublime. Some of the football and movement is very good and I like the way we are constantly on the move.

What I don't like is this closing down business. It's OK trying to do a Barca in their own half but when you push too many players forward to get the ball back it opens too much space up behind. Some of the players don't look comfy with it and seem to lose themselves in the process as it's not co-ordinated enough, as in who is covering who. This, I think, is what led to Clichy losing Walcott as we're trying to force ourselves into getting the ball instead of possibly sitting and awaiting the right time.

And the ref, who the fuck appointed him? Wenger must've had him in the dressing room prior to the game giving him the gypsies. Some of those decisions were terrible, especially the Silva one when he'd forced it through to goal and even though I agree that Vince should've been carded, this is a friendly which we've already seen many not even being talked to.

Anyway, quite liked the set-up and the play but it just needs a more orchestrated approach. This is what pre-season is all about.

[kinkylola]

so are we calling the goal lescott + clichey's fault there? Lescott was just hanging on kompany's shoulder marking nobody, and clichey let walcott run in behind.

We're calling the gap between defense and midfield and the lack of urgency from Fernan and Yaya.

to quote Ted: Gareth Barry.

I agree, we need to be putting pressure in from mid ... but I don't think that is a pass that can't be cut out by a defense in position as well.

really i was just hoping to get carl fired up.

[Ted Hughes]

so are we calling the goal lescott + clichey's fault there? Lescott was just hanging on kompany's shoulder marking nobody, and clichey let walcott run in behind.

This is a prime example of why I feel the need to protect Lescott. To apportion any blame to him for this is absolutely beyond all reason.

edit: just seen it was a wind up, fair enough, got me.

[kinkylola]

so are we calling the goal lescott + clichey's fault there? Lescott was just hanging on kompany's shoulder marking nobody, and clichey let walcott run in behind.

This is a prime example of why I feel the need to protect Lescott. To apportion any blame to him for this is absolutely beyond all reason.

edit: just seen it was a wind up, fair enough, got me.

i think there is blame for the defense there as well, but they certainly aren't getting the protection that they should, and had probably become accustomed to.

[TheReturnOfTheSpecialOne]

Navas for milner and Negronkey will score.

Navas was warming up, just before half-time.
He'll make a huge difference - and Micah, too - as build-up was too slow down that right flank
Pity no Jovetic on the subs bench; or Kun

[Sideshow Bob]

Always going to be difficult keeping Walcott from getting behind back line. Was hoping to see more effective pressing game, however.

[TheReturnOfTheSpecialOne]

so are we calling the goal lescott + clichey's fault there? Lescott was just hanging on kompany's shoulder marking nobody, and clichey let walcott run in behind.

This is a prime example of why I feel the need to protect Lescott. To apportion any blame to him for this is absolutely beyond all reason.

edit: just seen it was a wind up, fair enough, got me.

So you're saying Clichy is blameless?

[Ted Hughes]

Apart from somehow wondering onto an Arsenal TV stream, not a bad half, apart from the obvious. We look very comfortable on the ball and Yaya's range of passing is sublime. Some of the football and movement is very good and I like the way we are constantly on the move.

What I don't like is this closing down business. It's OK trying to do a Barca in their own half but when you push too many players forward to get the ball back it opens too much space up behind. Some of the players don't look comfy with it and seem to lose themselves in the process as it's not co-ordinated enough, as in who is covering who. This, I think, is what led to Clichy losing Walcott as we're trying to force ourselves into getting the ball instead of possibly sitting and awaiting the right time.

And the ref, who the fuck appointed him? Wenger must've had him in the dressing room prior to the game giving him the gypsies. Some of those decisions were terrible, especially the Silva one when he'd forced it through to goal and even though I agree that Vince should've been carded, this is a friendly which we've already seen many not even being talked to.

Anyway, quite liked the set-up and the play but it just needs a more orchestrated approach. This is what pre-season is all about.

There's a Geordie bloke on my stream who loves us. Bizarre.

Agree about the pressing & the ref, but tbf it was a schoolboy error by Clichy who should have been yards closer to the centre & not leaving a gap between.

Classic Wayne Bridge/Garrido.

[Dameerto]

French Sam is starting the second half, and Richards, probably one or two others.

[Dameerto]

God's Own Son is on.

[Slim]

God's Own Son is on.

Micah?

[Ted Hughes]

so are we calling the goal lescott + clichey's fault there? Lescott was just hanging on kompany's shoulder marking nobody, and clichey let walcott run in behind.

This is a prime example of why I feel the need to protect Lescott. To apportion any blame to him for this is absolutely beyond all reason.

edit: just seen it was a wind up, fair enough, got me.

So you're saying Clichy is blameless?

Cichy was 100% crap.

[Plain Speaking]

Is Jovetic injured? Not on the bench.