Match Reaction vs Hull City Tigers (home, FA Cup)

[Niall_Quinn]

Bit perplexed as to the general reaction following Coquelin's and Campbell's performances.

Coquelin was okay, solid enough but certainly nothing out of the ordinary. I think we've reached the stage where we're confusing good play with what a player should be doing by default. We make so many mistakes we think it's a good performance when we make less mistakes. The fact Coquelin dived in like a maniac and should have been sent off, which maybe would have put us under pressure, is enough to mark his performance down. That was a leg breaking lunge and we have been suitably horrified when dirty bastards like Taylor and Shawcross have done the same. That moment shouldn't be overlooked so easily. It shows we currently have more of a liability than an asset on our hands. That could change as he plays more, if he plays more.

As for Campbell. This was his first game in ages. His biggest sin was not quite being on the same wavelength as his team mates - very understandable. Otherwise he linked the play well, was solid with his passing and displayed an encouraging tendency to want to go forwards rather than backwards. It was another solid if not spectacular performance.

The real weak link was Bellerin. Good going forwards, a skilful player. But he can't defend. He was caught out of position several times and that would have cost us against a better team.

Cazorla and Alexis were the two best players on the pitch, but even they put in hot and cold performances. Some very good stuff from them, but also a fair bit of sloppy passing and wasted possession. Again, it would have been harder for them against a decent team.

Fact is, we did what we needed to do but against a very poor and unambitious opponent. If we can keep the ball and distribute it as well against a better team then that will be progress.

[Letters]

we think it's a good performance when we make less mistakes.

You said 'less' not 'fewer'

[Niall_Quinn]

You said 'less' not 'fewer'

It's so childish the way you go on with stuff like this

[selassie]

Bit perplexed as to the general reaction following Coquelin's and Campbell's performances.

Coquelin was okay, solid enough but certainly nothing out of the ordinary. I think we've reached the stage where we're confusing good play with what a player should be doing by default. We make so many mistakes we think it's a good performance when we make less mistakes. The fact Coquelin dived in like a maniac and should have been sent off, which maybe would have put us under pressure, is enough to mark his performance down. That was a leg breaking lunge and we have been suitably horrified when dirty bastards like Taylor and Shawcross have done the same. That moment shouldn't be overlooked so easily. It shows we currently have more of a liability than an asset on our hands. That could change as he plays more, if he plays more.

As for Campbell. This was his first game in ages. His biggest sin was not quite being on the same wavelength as his team mates - very understandable. Otherwise he linked the play well, was solid with his passing and displayed an encouraging tendency to want to go forwards rather than backwards. It was another solid if not spectacular performance.

The real weak link was Bellerin. Good going forwards, a skilful player. But he can't defend. He was caught out of position several times and that would have cost us against a better team.

Cazorla and Alexis were the two best players on the pitch, but even they put in hot and cold performances. Some very good stuff from them, but also a fair bit of sloppy passing and wasted possession. Again, it would have been harder for them against a decent team.

Fact is, we did what we needed to do but against a very poor and unambitious opponent. If we can keep the ball and distribute it as well against a better team then that will be progress.

I find myself agreeing with you more and more these days

I especially agree with the part I have highlighted regarding Coquelin. I would have him in the team instead of Flamini but that isn't really saying much and I certainly don't think Coquelin is the solution. He's too rash and gives the ball away too much IMO. I think he has played well over the past few games all things being considered but he has a long way to go before we can consider him a first team starter and we really should be bringing in true quality in this position.

[Bumble]

I find myself agreeing with you more and more these days

I especially agree with the part I have highlighted regarding Coquelin. I would have him in the team instead of Flamini but that isn't really saying much and I certainly don't think Coquelin is the solution. He's too rash and gives the ball away too much IMO. I think he has played well over the past few games all things being considered but he has a long way to go before we can consider him a first team starter and we really should be bringing in true quality in this position.

Don't worry I am getting scared that NQ is making a lot of sense these days. Also agree that probably Coq would be ahead of Flam in the team, but both aren't great and there is a reason Coq was on loan at Charlton.

We now have a nice week between games so that some players can return and also the cheque book can go into over drive although its probably online banking now as opposed to cheque book.

[Power n Glory]

There wasn't a good reason to send Coquelin out on loan. If he should be ahead of Flamini, why send him out on loan when he can also play at RB?

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

To be fair NQ's footballing opinions have always been quite astute

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

There wasn't a good reason to send Coquelin out on loan. If he should be ahead of Flamini, why send him out on loan when he can also play at RB?

Because Wengers pecking order for players isn't based on ability it's based on weekly wage

[Power n Glory]

Because Wengers pecking order for players isn't based on ability it's based on weekly wage

I get the feeling that has something to do with it. But I also think he doesn't like when players say they should be playing in the first team.

[rodders]

During the second half we did our best to throw it away but narrowly failed to pull it off.