Cripps match reports. :bow:
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Cripps match reports. :bow:
:doh:Quote:
Arsène Wenger faced the media after his team drew 1-1 with Manchester United on Sunday. Here's a transcript from his press conference:
on the match...
It was a quality game with a lot of intensity. I believe we were on top in the first half and it was disappointing to concede the equaliser the way we did. Why? Because it put us in a position in the second half where we had to completely open ourselves up and throw everything forward, and sometimes [we did that] more with energy than technique. We opened ourselves up for the counter-attacks where we could have lost the game. I feel that equaliser played a big part in this game because it put us in a difficult position. Overall I can only praise the players for the effort, the dynamic and the desire we put in. Let's keep it going like that and we will have a chance to be where we want to be.
on the value of the point…
If we win our other games it will be enough. I am convinced we will be there but there is no room for dropping points. But the other teams are in the same position.
on Sagna's part in the penalty…
No [he didn't tell me what was going through his mind]. He is very disappointed tonight, he is a boy who gives absolutely everything in every game. I think he made a bad pass, that can happen, and maybe after he panicked a little bit and maybe wanted to repair too quickly what he did, but he had time to tackle. He has saved us so many times that unfortunately it happened today.
on a fast start…
Our mental preparation contributed to that more than the guard of honour. If that would help us I promise you we will do one every week!
on the fans' reaction to Robin van Persie…
A little bit, yes [it is "disappointed love"]. Because when he was here he didn't get this kind of reception, they loved him. So today it was a bit disappointed love.
on Van Persie scoring on his return…
I don't think he scored, he scored a penalty! It counts, but it is not completely the same. When you buy a goalscorer you look always how many goals he scored on penalties, how many he scored in open play. But he took his penalty very well. I knew when he decided to take the penalty that there was an 80 per cent chance that he would score. He was our penalty taker and I know that he does that very well, he does a lot of things very well, Robin van Persie.
on speaking to Van Persie afterwards…
He is in our dressing room at the moment. Because our food is better in our dressing room than in their dressing room! People who play together for five, six years [get on with each other]. They fight, I think our defenders didn't make life easy for him at all, we played with great commitment. I feel our two central defenders played very well.
on Van Persie's non-celebration…
Yes, that has become basically another way to behave for the football players in England. I wouldn't be shocked if a guy celebrated because internally he is happy anyway.
on respect before and after the game...
We are rivals. Look, at the end of the day we decided to sell him. We are rivals. You want us to make a guard of honour and to respect the champions, then you have to accept as well that respect exists after the game. You want to give absolutely everything during the 90 minutes and after the game you can still talk to each other.
on the race for a top-four finish…
[We have] no room for dropping points. We are in a position where we cannot drop points, we know that.
on Sir Alex Ferguson's transfer plans…
I don't know but he will not sign them from us!
Well elaborate then!Quote:
Originally Posted by Cripps
Bang on! Then Stephen Hawkins will try and tell us that the Europa League is a real important trophy! LOL!Quote:
Originally Posted by cheesy bites
Who?Quote:
Originally Posted by Lord Nelson
Arsene Wenger (Stephen Hawkins) look alike. Mind you, Stephen Hawkins is intelligent.Quote:
Originally Posted by Grimandi's Perm
OK, I have no idea who Stephen Hawkins is.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lord Nelson
Quote:
Originally Posted by Letters
No shitQuote:
I feel that equaliser played a big part in this game
Wtf?Quote:
I don't think he scored, he scored a penalty! It counts
Couple of others but you get my point. He's losing it.
Didn't like the fact the **** (RVC not Wenger) was allowed in to our dressing room especially after trying to hurt Mert and then barging Arteta as he walked away from Mert. Arteta may be shit and widely regarded as our worst player ever to have played more than 50 games but he's our shit and I'll defend him against ****s all the time.
Also disappointed love? What does that mean?
its quite clear what wenger meant with the penalty comment
:haha:Quote:
Originally Posted by Cripps
Always find it very amusing when you do this, whether I'm in agreement to its application or not.
Sorry! My fault! Stephen Hawking! LOL! Fucked that up did'nt I.Quote:
Originally Posted by Grimandi's Perm
Disappointed love is when you wake up one morning and the old fella has gone grey and his features have thickened with early middle age. Hey van Persie, I'm talking about you, ya 45 yr old freak.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cripps
It's hardly racket science.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lord Nelson
That's just harsh. None of the players you mentioned had really bad games. We got a draw and United defended well in the second half.Quote:
Originally Posted by Niall_Quinn
Do! You! Speak! Like! This! As! Well!Quote:
Originally Posted by Lord Nelson
?
Yep, made yourself look a right hoop.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lord Nelson
Wilshire :bow:
When watching Sagna do that you find it hard to believe he isn't bent. Bloody ridiculous. I hope he fucks off in the summer.
Overall if you'd have been offered matching Spurs for points this weekend when they had Wigan and we had Manure you'd have probably taken it.
Still, we could have done better.
It's not even close to being harsh. Whenever these guys are presented with a challenge they fail. Check the history books. Can be Utd, just about anyone in the CL or your Bradfords and Birminghams in the cup. Failure guaranteed every time.Quote:
Originally Posted by Power_n_Glory
The team has no discipline. Just a matter of time before disaster strikes but whatever ****s turn it is to fuck us is arrogant enough to dismiss all warning signs. Sagna was like that today. Smooth dude, out of his depth but calm and collected about it. Didn't concentrate and then put himself in a ridiculous position because of his initial lack of professionalism. Mentally lazy bastard, they can run and run but thinking is a step too far unless they are thinking about money or press interviews. TV is the same, thinks he's a lot better than he really is. Same with almost all our outfield players with their stupid fucking flicks and tricks. They can't pass a ball 5 yards but they can almost backheel it in spectacular fashion, almost. But aren't they brilliant for having the audacity? Almost makes up for them not being able to pass or tackle or cross.Quote:
Originally Posted by Grebbo
that cheese string looking c*nt can fuck off to whatever shithole he wants to take his poxy girlfriend, preferably a prison, where he can get railed in the showers and left embarrassed on the floor.
It's not as if we lost the game. Theo scored the goal, had some good movement and didn't go into hiding, Rosicky was solid as usual and really aggressive with the tackles. Caz was more quiet but popped a few good long range shots. They have player worse games and we all expected a loss for this game. It was a solid performance. It wasn't shameful at all.Quote:
Originally Posted by Niall_Quinn
Another way to look at it is:
That was the easiest match to get 3 points against Utd we've had in the last 10 years.
And we fucked it up.
You can say this but when someone like RVP leaves you bitch and whine about "loyalty".Quote:
Originally Posted by She Wore A Yellow Ribbon
Football fans :haha: RVP did the right thing.
You're confusing two entirely different things which are not mutually exclusive. It's possible to demand loyalty as well as competency. And, of course, RvP did not do the right thing. He did the lucrative thing, again there's a difference.Quote:
Originally Posted by BOBN
Sagna has been largely competent during his time here. This season, or this game hes been pretty poor and look at the reaction. I think people like RVP and Cesc see the treatment of some of the other players and think "that could easily happen to me under different circumstances". We dont deserve loyalty so they dont consider giving it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Niall_Quinn
Sagna HAS been largely competent but therein lies the problem. the whole team has been largely competent, but rarely exceptional. This has been the story of Arsenal ever since the invincibles team was broken up. Competent but not excellent. Yesterday was just a microcosm of what this team is all about under Wenger. An ethos of adequacy. of 4th being almost as good as 1st and miles better than 5th. Sagna had already threatened to do his calamity thing 5 mins earlier, which led to the point blank save by Chesney. He then made sure by passing to RVP. Thing is we always do this. In the reverse game it was Vermaelen obliging RVP again for an easy goal.Quote:
Originally Posted by BOBN
Another poster said that Sagna reminded him of the Clichy howler in the 4-4 aginst the Spuds, where he wet himself just because Jermaine Jenas was 1m near him and simply slipped and Jenas romped away to score, that made it 4-3 and invitably it became 4-4. Look at the PL history of almighty collapses from 4-0 up to hanging on to 4-4 at Newcastle to winning away at pool with 60 seconds to go and Benayoun equalises, and invariably we are part of it. We have a poor mentality and it is an endemic trait. You can pass it off as all part of the game but I see it as a character defect that can only be remedied by removing the single consistent factor in all our calamities
Wenger favours players with weak mentalities as this allows himself to be the dominant personality in the club. He hates anyone having a mindset that challenges him in any way. This is not going to work in an ultra competitive enviroment like the EPL with an indefatigable terrier as Ferguson leading the pack. That is why for all his faults I would like to see Mourinho back in the EPL, because without him SAF would probably have chalked up 8 straight titles since 2005
He's also made noises about not wanting to extend his contract and leave this summer, it's not just about how hit he's been although I would imagine that's a large factor in why he has been.Quote:
Originally Posted by BOBN
He has also broken his leg twice in three years.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeebus
Ya know. Just a little thing.
Doesn't excuse yesterday, but cut the guy some slack. He's been one of our best players for a number of years.
I don't disagree with you, just pointing out why some might not want him here anymore.Quote:
Originally Posted by LDG
I still think he's a decent RB and one of our best players when he's switched on.
Also, he's clearly been struggling for form most the season. Not excusing what he did yesterday, but why the fuck does the manager keep picking him when Jenks has looked good every time he's played.Quote:
Originally Posted by LDG
More and more now I find it hard to get angry with the incompetence of the players. Its the manager who buys them, selects them, coaches them (lol), motivates them (even bigger lol).
Wenger, its sad to see, but just go now.. Please. We might nick 4th place, we might not. But one things for sure, we are not progressing.
There is two differences between the two sides that played yesterday.
One is RVP. Someone world class who can turn games like yesterday into three points.
The second is purely down to management. Organisation, dicipline and desire.
Aside from RVP, they aren't a great deal better than us.
Wtf has happened to Wazza btw?
Used to be a time he used to give us so many problems but he just didn't give a shit yesterday. He's gone this summer.
Cheeky bid?
Dear God no.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cripps
There was no difference really between the sides in terms of quality.
As soon as Sagan fucked up we never recovered and managed to raise our game again. Then United just snuffed us out as they always do and teased us with a threat on the counter.
They couldn't be fucked and we still couldn't beat them.
Awful against the top sides this year. Plain awful.
As I said earlier, this was the easiest 3 points against utd in ten years, and we fucked it up.
Pathetic, it really is.
Yeh we would've taken a point before the game, we all thought we were gonna get butt fucked. But when you see how poor and switched off utd were for the majority of the game, a point just seems lazy, disappointing and not good enough.
Where was the desire and the will to win? I didnt see it past the 3 minute mark, then we resorted to the tippy tap around the edge of the box again. Fucking boring game tbh.
We'll probably do better against the top sides next season but lose to Hull or Derby or whoever is coming up from that pub team league.
Our inconsistency is the only consistent thing about us.
Well maybe you are right maybe I am right, but either way it's not a good state of affairs. Which is why I don't pay £100 a pop to watch these guys any more and I'll be ditching my Sky sub too. So in my case everyone concerned wins. The players (who didn't know I am alive anyway and wouldn't care even if they knew) can get on taking the money from those willing to throw it away and I can get a dog (that will probably be a better footballer)Quote:
Originally Posted by BOBN
Don't think I will cut him any slack. There's a mistake and then there's a school yard, first time I ever played footie blunder that's completely unforgivable.Quote:
Originally Posted by LDG