spirit_of_82

Wasn't a bad performance from us - just that Arsenal had too much, way too much when Fabregas came on. Had one of our first-half chances sneaked in it would have been a very different game. Second half we were chasing them around and got knackered. I agree with lots on here that Dunne, Cuellar and Warnock were v good. Ash Young was unlucky to be booked (and misses the Liverpool game) but he has a reputation for diving now, and that comes with the territory. WTF was Delph doing getting booked again? Everytime he plays he gets booked! And of course Song should have been sent off, but all in all the reffing was OK or at least I don't think it decided the match. No shame in losing to a very fine Arsenal team who may well win the league. Let's not over-react to this defeat. We lost 3-0 because we were chasing the game rather than accepting a 1-0 defeat. We were chasing the game because there is more confidence in the team now that we can get something. That's got to be good. Yes, we got punished for it today but I prefer that we have a go. Now let's give the scousers a caning!

Great performance and a very entertaining game. Gabby - brilliant, didn't put a foot wrong, terrified their defense, scored a goal. JC - brilliant, controlled with head, chest, feet, laid off, made assists, scored. Wow! Pity that thunderous shot didn't go in in the second half (shoot! shoot!). Milner - great workrate, some really good touches and skills occasionally. A real pro! Shite pen but well done for following up! NRC - looked very comfortable in the middle. Never seemed over-stretched. Ash - Scored and had an assist and a great free kick at the end, but, he wasted lots of crosses, maybe 9 out of 10 which is astonishing. I keep expecting the Ash of last year and he is not back yet. Fingers crossed that he will! Sidwell - hmmm, I don't see why many on here say he was good. Apart from one or two runs and a couple of tackles everything else was dire. very poor player, gave away lots of fouls too and on another day would have been carded. Surely Delph or Gardner would be better? Luke Young, Warnock, Dunne, Cuellar were all strong and confident. Nice to see. Great goal Carlos! Delfouneso and Delph looked bright when they came on. Really pleased to see them play though a bit longer would have been better. The Fonz won the free kick for Ash's late free kick by running and taking on the defense. Great to see that confidence! Great stuff guys!

I'm optimistic - but mainly because of the kids coming through. Barry was (is) a very good player but he didn't support the attack much. Delph clearly will. I can see a lot more goals because of that. Albrighton is fearless, Fonz has lots of skill. Of the regulars If Young, Gabby, Milner play well (rather than OK-ish) they will create lots of chances for sure. A lot depends on our ability to score goals. The difference between the top teams and the bottom is far more about goal-scoring than defense. I do worry that MON is too defensively-minded though and my heart sinks when plan A is to lump it up to Carew or Heskey and hope they win a foul. But hey, it's the start of the season, let's go for it!