I thought about that but still its also an important game. Could have started them and maybe subbed them in the second half but i guess no point in what ifs/maybes now
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
2008-09 Football Thread - The Second Half
- Thread starter xUKHCx
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
- Status
I thought about that but still its also an important game. Could have started them and maybe subbed them in the second half but i guess no point in what ifs/maybes now
I understand the importance of finishing in the top 4, but it should be safe enough to have a 100% go at the FA Cup Semi-Final... I mean... COME ONE!!! The FA Cup Semi at Wembley, against Chelsea!
This wasn't the strongest line-up we could offer...
It's a game of chances:
1) What is the chance we can win the league?
2) What is the chance we can finish 4th?
3) What is the chance we can win the FA Cup?
4) What is the chance we can win the CL?
IMHO, questions 1 an 2 are too close to 0% and 100% to let it influence the outcome of questions 3 and 4.
And, let's be honest.... the real question for us was:
5) What is the chance we can win EITHER the FA Cup OR the CL?
The way this season is going, giving 100% in both these cups (FA and CL) is the only way for us to give us a slight chance in winning something....
Oh, I agree entirely! The thing is though, quite a few teams have demonstrated that the FA Cup is way down their list of priorities. Unfortunately, we're now in the position where finishing third or fourth seems to be more attractive than winning the FA Cup, due in no small part to the riches the Champions League offers.
It's a sorry situation, it really is.
That's the thing...
Money-wise, you're right. But losing an FA Cup Semi hurts, especially if you feel the line-up wasn't the strongest...
If we stay 4th in the PL, and if we don't win the CL, then do we have to admit this was a good season? FA Cup and CL semi's (maybe the Final..)?
Ask any fan.... you'd rather win the FA Cup, and fight a tighter battle to stay 4th, than loose a cup tie with a purposely slightly weakened team, and end up 4th comfortably.
And somehow, when you start to do these things (you know, play careful) the players respond in the same way: Play cautiously when they are sent into action... you don't want that. Always send the best team, when there's something at stake.
Another win for Chelsea...they have an annoying habit of that under Guus (the sooner he returns to Russia the better ).
Arsenal still has probably the biggest influence on the league outcome - they are probably going to finish fourth but Everton and Villa still have a chance. But if the Gunners beat Man Utd...well, they'll still win the league, but it will be a bit more interesting.
Gerrard is out for longer than expected, it's a blow but we rely on him too much TBH - hopefully this will give other players an opportunity chance to step it up and show some squad depth.
).Arsenal still has probably the biggest influence on the league outcome - they are probably going to finish fourth but Everton and Villa still have a chance. But if the Gunners beat Man Utd...well, they'll still win the league, but it will be a bit more interesting.
Gerrard is out for longer than expected, it's a blow but we rely on him too much TBH - hopefully this will give other players an opportunity chance to step it up and show some squad depth.
He's apparently a major doubt to face us given my predictions about us losing to the other teams at the bottom and getting points against the top clubs being correct so far, it seems all the pieces are falling into place.
1-0 to us, I reckon Carragher own goal.
1-0 to us, I reckon – Carragher own goal.
Hmm, I thought we eliminated the own goal problem when we got rid of Riise.
It won't happen, of course, but I'm looking to see Everton knock Man Utd. out tomorrow.
A good result for the neutral, I didn't want to see two top four teams in the final.
Didn't sound like it was a classic by all accounts. Best of luck to the "other" Liverpool side against Chelsea!
And a big shout out to USA's starting keeper Tim Howard, with two saves in the shootout!
Didn't sound like it was a classic by all accounts. Best of luck to the "other" Liverpool side against Chelsea!
And a big shout out to USA's starting keeper Tim Howard, with two saves in the shootout!
Chelsea are going to be a tough opponent, but perhaps the fact that Hiddink still has to think about the league and Champions League will give Everton a little edge. United are still a very good team but are wobbling at the moment, whereas Chelsea have returned to winning ways under Guus.
EDIT: I'm loving the photos of Fergie in an apoplectic fit after the penalty no-call. His head literally looks as if it's going to explode.
EDIT: I'm loving the photos of Fergie in an apoplectic fit after the penalty no-call. His head literally looks as if it's going to explode.
Didn't sound like it was a classic by all accounts. Best of luck to the "other" Liverpool side against Chelsea!
You mean against the "other" London side...
Indeed. With Mr M Riley (West Yorks) as the man in the middle, you would have had it down as a stonewall penalty...
A bit of clearing up maybe. It wasn't really a weak side.
Defense wise, Fabianski Gibbs Silvestre Toure Eboue is basically all we had, so that wasn't debatable. The problem is Fabianski was ****, Eboue isn't brilliant defensively, ditto for Gibbs, and Silvestre is totally crap - not to mention hideously slow.
For the United games in the CL I think the priority has to be to get rid of Silvestre at CB as that is where we are being horribly shown up (and in goal, but there's nothing we can do there). Song can play CB, I'd probably be happier with him there - or Sagna if he recovers in time. I'm just desperately hoping that some miracle will happen and somehow some of Almunia/Clichy/Djourou/Sagna will be fit for the United CL games. Gallas is beyond miracle wishes. Ugh, its a mess. The rest can be perfect, but with that defense, I'm afraid we're a bit ****ed against United, or Chelsea, or anyone decent.
Midfield yesterday was a bit odd, the general consesus is that apparently Nasri was feeling weak or something? And Arsene chose to start attackingly with Walcott Ade and RvP - not Arshavin. He put Diaby in to add some strength to the midfield. Diaby was unfortunately ****. Song shouldn't have been rested I think, Denilson had a bad game too. Adebayor tends to have **** games but score so that's forgotten, see Wednesday.. yesterday he didn't score.
Uggghhhh I hope something changes before the CL games, everything is on those (and finishing fourth but that SHOULD be okay now).
It might not exactly be the ideal situation, but aren't there any promising youngsters on the cusp of the first team who could be drafted in?
Apparently even Moyes thought it could have been a penalty. Well Alex, you win some, you lose some.
Arsenal is still pretty suspect at the back IMO, and I expect United to exploit that. But you still have a world class attack, one that is capable of knocking goals past United's best on the day. I'm expecting a higher scoring pair of ties as a result. I think Arsenal can get it done in the semis though.
Hmm.
It seems that a plan to expand the English Premier League is going to be discussed by the current set of club chairmen later in the week. Essentially, the proposal is for a two-tier Premier League consisting of 18 clubs each, with only a single spot at the foot of the second tier available for promotion from and relegation to the Football League. A salary cap could also be incorporated into the new system.
It seems that the main objective would be to insulate the middish-level clubs against relegation to the Championship, and the loss of revenue that entails. However, the aspect of the proposal that really sticks out is that Scottish giants Celtic and Rangers would be invited to join.
So, what do we all think - an exciting evolution of our domestic leagues, or the latest cynical attempt to keep the cash at the top level while pulling up the ladder to Football League clubs? Personally, I'm with the latter opinion.
Fuzzy - I'd be particularly interested to hear a Scottish perspective on this.
It seems that a plan to expand the English Premier League is going to be discussed by the current set of club chairmen later in the week. Essentially, the proposal is for a two-tier Premier League consisting of 18 clubs each, with only a single spot at the foot of the second tier available for promotion from and relegation to the Football League. A salary cap could also be incorporated into the new system.
It seems that the main objective would be to insulate the middish-level clubs against relegation to the Championship, and the loss of revenue that entails. However, the aspect of the proposal that really sticks out is that Scottish giants Celtic and Rangers would be invited to join.
So, what do we all think - an exciting evolution of our domestic leagues, or the latest cynical attempt to keep the cash at the top level while pulling up the ladder to Football League clubs? Personally, I'm with the latter opinion.
Fuzzy - I'd be particularly interested to hear a Scottish perspective on this.
The top teams in the Premier League will reject it, so it is a non-starter. Simply will not happen.
Sadly, there's your answer. No doubt that even more TV rights would be sold to yet another PPV TV station all in the name of giving football fans even more "choice".
Indeed, it's highly unlikely that the big four clubs will agree to a move that could potentially weaken their domestic dominance and income. The question is if the mid-tablers can get enough support from other clubs to push things along. Of course, even if the majority of clubs agree then the plan will need the green light from the English and Scottish authorities, and I'd like to see what the Scottish FA have to say about it!
I'm doubtful it'll go any further than discussion, but stranger things have happened...
I'd be blown away if it happened. I'd imagine the top clubs would boycott the league in favor of some super league.
Well apparently not. Gibbs is that promising youngster. I'd prefer an unknown 18 year old to Silvestre to be honest.
Sagna is fit which is good. Now in my opinion the best back 4 we can play has to be:
Gibbs - Song - Toure - Sagna
The problem being Song - Fabregas has worked well in the middle, and Denilson - Fabregas doesn't seem to. Only other option then might be:
Gibbs - Sagna - Toure - Eboue
I can remember a Carling Cup game where Sagna played CB and was pretty decent. He's a top defender. But then the problem here is Eboue at RB is suspect, and even if Sagna adapts it's not ideal in the centre. Song filled in well there last season, and I think he might even play CB for his national team? He certainly has played there a fair bit before.
Unfortunately all I can imagine happening is:
Gibbs - Silvestre - Toure - Sagna
Pleasee not Silvestre.
I think if this was a CL semi final, Ade and RvP would both be making the trip. The league is a little bit safer now and I think Arsene believes he can afford to rotate and not risk anyone who's got a slight injury. I imagine Bendtner will start, which sort of signals our intent for the game. And Arsene has hinted Sagna won't start as he's not totally ready, so I imagine the same defense as Saturday. Which all points to a not very convincing performance/loss.. not the end of the world I guess.
I think he played at centre back in last year's African Cup of Nations. Might be wrong, though.
A bit of a headscratcher for Wenger, me thinks.
- Status