Match Reaction v Barca (home) 15/16

[IBK]

You know, that's the first time I've noticed what a load of cheating twats Barca are. Diving at every opportunity, feigning being shot at the slightest touch. Do they really need to do that when they're that good?
Disappointing because it was mostly a good performance. Obviously we were outplayed but most teams will be, we were generally containing them, had a few half chances ourselves. Then one good breakaway and then a poor touch by Merts (who otherwise I thought played very well) and Flamini fouling Messi and it's all over.
Ah well, we were never going to beat them over 2 legs, play the kids out there I reckon and let's get our title challenge back on track.

This. I thought it was a decent effort for 2/3 of the game, and I thought the manager's tactics were sound. 2 mistakes - and Barca will kill you, and they did. Only issue I have is Wenger subbing the Coq. I think it was done with one eye on the Manure fixture, and this is what I don't like - play the game you are in, not the one you are about to play - particularly against a team like Barcelona. I'm sad rather than angry because I thought we deserved better than the result...

[IBK]

It really is ridiculous. It wasn't a horror show by the defence and we looked organised. Always thought he'd be the better option for this sort of game. It was at the other end where we had a serious problem and that's where the lack of pace and quality really showed.

I agree with this.

[Kano]

Obviously I remember those but the Chelsea one was hilarious because it was Chelsea.
The RVC one...that was just the ref cheating to be fair, not the Barca players.

When they play in a league where is it within the laws for one team to pay another as an incentive to perform better against their rivals, that is where the lines become blurred. So the incessant cheating is a knock on effect of the entitlement they believe they have to win and always be protected by the ref and authorities.

[IBK]

When they play in a league where is it within the laws for one team to pay another as an incentive to perform better against their rivals, that is where the lines become blurred. So the incessant cheating is a knock on effect of the entitlement they believe they have to win and always be protected by the ref and authorities.

Thought the ref was very pro Barca tonight, TBF.

[Kano]

Thought the ref was very pro Barca tonight, TBF.

It's a common theme and it's no coincidence that many teams across the years have been left feeling the referee has been their 12th man.

[Letters]

Thought the ref was very pro Barca tonight, TBF.

I didn't generally think that but that challenge by Coq which was perfectly timed, he clearly got the ball first.
But, of course, the Barca player rolls around like a fanny screaming his head off and it's given as a foul

[Letters]

Thought the ref was very pro Barca tonight, TBF.

I didn't generally think that but that challenge by Coq which was perfectly timed, he clearly got the ball first.
But, of course, the Barca player rolls around like a fanny screaming his head off and it's given as a foul

[IBK]

I didn't generally think that but that challenge by Coq which was perfectly timed, he clearly got the ball first.
But, of course, the Barca player rolls around like a fanny screaming his head off and it's given as a foul

Jodi Alba vs Giroud? The free kicks we weren't given? The Ramsey tackle that was deemed a foul....

[Marc Overmars]

For a while I thought we could nick a draw but the lack of incisiveness in our play was very evident. They all just seem consumed with fear, no one wants to take any responsibility as summed up by Giroud opting to pass when he had some space in the box to have a clear shot on goal. Even Alexis has lost his mind.

It's really rancid right now, you can't help but fear for our title challenge if this carries on. We can't expect to win anything with such a horribly out of form attack.

[Niall_Quinn]

For a while I thought we could nick a draw but the lack of incisiveness in our play was very evident. They all just seem consumed with fear, no one wants to take any responsibility as summed up by Giroud opting to pass when he had some space in the box to have a clear shot on goal. Even Alexis has lost his mind.

It's really rancid right now, you can't help but fear for our title challenge if this carries on. We can't expect to win anything with such a horribly out of form attack.

Change the manager today and we win the title. Don't change him and we don't win the title.