Premier League 9th-11th April Discussion Thread

Impressively, it's still 2-0.

It is nice to see us being so direct. Makes a change. Obviously, Blackpool are letting us be.

Diaby still hasn't developed a brain. He stupidly punts the ball away after conceding a free-kick and gets booked. If anyone should know the dangers of getting stupidly sent off it's him. Blackpool almost score as well, with the ball somehow scrambled off the line.

Is having one of his better games today Diaby. Still taking too long on the ball, but at least he's not taking the piss like he often does.

We need a couple more at least to be safe. If we concede one, we'll cocede two. Great finish by Eboue.

Lehmann would have conceded a penalty, but the ref plays advantage and Blackpool score immediately. Wilshire deservedly booked as well. Credit to the ref for two excellent advantages in the same move. Shite defending from Arsenal, Clichy I think was miles behind the rest of the defensive line.

And they might have a penalty straight after as well. God, Arsenal are so ridiculously lightweight and vulnerable at the back. Koscielny really walks a tightrope sometimes as well - he concedes so many rash penalties and could have added to the count today.

1-3

Another swift counter-attack and van Persie had the easy finish. Squillaci made a great tackle in the Arsenal box to win the ball back, Diaby rolled the man in the corner and played it to Cesc who flicked a ball into the channel for Walcott to set up van Persie.

Lee Mason loves his drop balls.

Yet another lapse in concentration from Clichy, but Lehmann smothers the shot. Aside from the foul for a penalty just before their goal (and there wasn't a great deal he could do there) he has looked pretty secure so far, and not as rusty as I was anticipating.

Definitely coming round to the idea of Vermaelon playing left back next year.

Clichy ..... he never fucking learns.

Hope Blackpool stay up, even when thy lose they are entertaining to watch.

That stops the rot at last. Very nervy at the back (and lucky at times), but we cut Blackpool apart with ease going forward. Not a bad performance, although the usual vulnerabilities weren't far from the surface.

Would Arsenal fans bring Almunia back into this side? I would be happy to keep Lehmann in the team; he looked much more assured than Almunia.

Colo starts in midfield. Chinteresting

Read the other day from an Arsenal blogger that Almunia refused to train after he lost his place. Thoroughly unprofessional and if so, i'd let Lehmann stay in.
He should only improve, and hopefully he doesnt have to rush from his line too much.

Kimbo wrote:Colo starts in midfield. Chinteresting

What you think the score will be today. 2-2

Kimbo wrote:Colo starts in midfield. Chinteresting

I looked at your lineup and couldn't work out formation. That explains it..

We're mostly unchanged from Everton. Petrov for Coker the only difference.

Oh, for 3 points. Would be perfect timing as bottom 4 all lost and Brum-Blackburn drew.

As Sheff has said, that ends our poor run - this is the first time we won since Leyton Orient in March - and a useful 3 points. Jens grew into the match but I'd still be cautious before choosing him over Manuel - he had very little to do throughout the match; we were lucky we didn't concede pens, at least for Koscielny's foul and he could easily have had himself sent off as well. Next week we'll be up against Suarez and Carroll, not Varney and DJ Campbell.

Szczcney was supposed to have a scan on his finger last week after which he'd have known whether he was out for the season or not. I suspect he will be and that might have had something to do with Jens playing today.

Are we really going to play with Coloccini in the midfield? I know we are really short of options, but I think Coloccini has been our best player this season and I don't agree with moving him about the pitch, and to me it is a little mindless to consider that he's capable of playing there just because he has good technique - he reads the game like a centre-back, likes being able to stand off and make interceptions, and lacks pace. I only rate Barton as a right-sided player and think he's our fourth best central midfielder, but I think I'd have moved him or even Gutierrez inside instead, and started Ferguson on the left; or we could have gone with a 4-3-3 and played Ferguson or Donaldson higher up the pitch. My impression is that Coloccini will not make for a good midfielder, but we will see how it goes.

This is a big chance for Ranger to impress. I feel he has to really stand out before the end of the season, or he may go elsewhere.

Brian2468 wrote:

Kimbo wrote:Colo starts in midfield. Chinteresting

What you think the score will be today. 2-2

1-0 to us after a horrible deflected goal, and it will be a sob on the Rea.

Collins header to take lead. He owed us one

Nice dive from Young for that freekick.

I'll see no more complaints now Kimbo. ONSIDE!

Kimbo wrote:Nice dive from Young for that freekick.

Biased much? Worse than di canio.

Is that Dobby from the peep show doing the voice over for the sky ad?

Could've been a pen there. Bent played for it, but Taylor played man not ball.

Newcastle getting away with all kinds of let-offs

Now Coloccini doesn't get booked. Despite clear persistent fouling, going right through back of player.

AND doesn't give a corner AGAIN. This is diabolical.

Newcastle never get decisions though

Barton just got cleared out by Dunne and Villa repeatedly handballed in the 1st half, we can both play this game.

The Dunne challenge was totally clean. Spectacular fall, but it was a 50-50 tackle that Dunne won.

We still really need a 2nd. Been dominating this half, but we've wasted way too many leads in late stages this season.