Football 2010-2011

[ampersand]

well having a look, theres two games that they have come back late on. one a win against west ham and a draw against liverpool. and they've also had the opposite against sunderland.

arsenal can't dig deep like man utd can. as you say, it's called fergie time for a reason.

[eFestivals]

Utd are unbeaten in all competitions this season and have had some off field distractions too, and injuries. Difference is, when Utd play shit as they have been doing, they rarely lose. Arsenal don't have that resilience.

Yep, Utd are unbeaten - tho that's been more the 'luck' variety this season than 'resilience', I'd say. But that's not really a part of what I was saying. What I was saying was this...

They might rarely lose - but when they do, they've failed to 'dig deep'.

That's no different a failure to 'dig deep' than was the case with Arsenal on Saturday.

I agree that Utd are much better historically at 'digging deep' than all other teams, no argument there.

What I have said is that the results so far this season show that Arsenal have got better at 'digging deep' than they've been in recent seasons, and that they've been able to do that despite some of their bigger and better players being out thru injuries. With them able to field a stronger team from here onwards (providing they don't get hit with more injuries of course) they should be even stronger from now than they've been up-to now.

[eFestivals]

well having a look, theres two games that they have come back late on. one a win against west ham and a draw against liverpool. and they've also had the opposite against sunderland.

what you will find tho is a lot of their goals coming at the end of games. It's ultimately the same thing, cos you don't win a game by 'digging deep' at the end if you don't score.

[ampersand]

what you will find tho is a lot of their goals coming at the end of games. It's ultimately the same thing, cos you don't win a game by 'digging deep' at the end if you don't score.

[The Nal]

Anyone else think David Silva is starting to look like hes finding his feet? He quickly realised he doesn’t have as much time on the ball in the Prem, and his passing is improving. The two passes for the goals yesterday were sublime, the 2nd in particular, an absolute sand wedge.

[TheGayTent]

Brum were awful on Saturday. Only tactic was hoofing to Zigic. Pity it worked.

Sublime performances all over the pitch bar Ilunga, Upson, and Green.

Should have had a pen too.

Need 6 points out of the baggies and pie muchers now.

[eFestivals]

i can see where you're coming from, but ultimately, man utd and chelsea do it better over a season. and the table should show this in may.

I certainly wouldn't argue that Utd do it better over a season.

I'd have to check (and I'm not going to) to see if Chelsea do it too - I'd have thought off the top of my head that they go behind on far fewer occasions than Utd do, so don't have the opportunity to do it.

[eFestivals]

Anyone else think David Silva is starting to look like hes finding his feet? He quickly realised he doesn’t have as much time on the ball in the Prem, and his passing is improving. The two passes for the goals yesterday were sublime, the 2nd in particular, an absolute sand wedge.

Yep, I said as much a week or two back. He's going to be an excellent player for City.

[ampersand]

digging deep is about turning a draw into a win as well though, not just coming from 1-0 down to win. least for me it is anyway. depends what your definition of digging deep is.

[ralph250]

Anyone else think David Silva is starting to look like hes finding his feet? He quickly realised he doesn’t have as much time on the ball in the Prem, and his passing is improving. The two passes for the goals yesterday were sublime, the 2nd in particular, an absolute sand wedge.

[ralph250]

Yep, Utd are unbeaten - tho that's been more the 'luck' variety this season than 'resilience', I'd say.

[ralph250]

digging deep is about turning a draw into a win as well though, not just coming from 1-0 down to win. least for me it is anyway. depends what your definition of digging deep is.

[eFestivals]

All had some quality and composure about them in the finish or the buildup.

.... or as Steve P said last week in relation to Gerrard's hattrick, defensive mistakes.

I agree that what Utd have done is much the same as they always do, but there's something which is a little less convincing about them doing that this season compared to previous ones, I'd say.

The only way we'll get to find out for sure is how it goes thru the whole season.

Edited November 8, 2010 by eFestivals

[The Nal]

Final note: Its a gas when you read the constant praise for 'Arry in the press. LFC have had the worst start to a season in a lifetime and we're on the same points as Spurs? Yet 'Arry is still the person most feted for the England job. Crazy. Anyone who bet on them being in the top four this season is onto a bumsteer.

[eFestivals]

Its hilarious yeah. Spurs are going to win the Champions Leagus this season arent they? And Liverpool are defo going to be in a relegation battle!!

the way things are looking right now, I'd say that Liverpool are in with a more than decent shot of finishing 5th, or even perhaps 4th.

It's worth remembering that out of the "top" teams they're the one that have played the most games against the other "top" teams. That means that all of the other "top" teams have more points that they'll defo drop before the mid-way point than is the case for Liverpool.

Of course, there's no guarantee that Liverpool will pick up points in the easier games - but it DOES mean that the teams they're chasing are in a catchable position.

[strummer77]

Lucas has only misplaces 8 passes in his last four games. He's also been the best player on the pitch in the last two. Glad that the know-nothing journalists and fickle fans are beginning to notice what sensible Reds have know for a long time- Lucas has a lot of ability.

[The Nal]

Lucas has only misplaces 8 passes in his last four games. He's also been the best player on the pitch in the last two. Glad that the know-nothing journalists and fickle fans are beginning to notice what sensible Reds have know for a long time- Lucas has a lot of ability.

[strummer77]

I think everyone knew that but he has been poor mostly, but yeah, lots of ability there. Hes only 23 and its rare a centre midfielder is consistent at that age. He just looked a totally different player yesterday, confident and composed. Seems to be maturing now with every game.

[eFestivals]

Hasn't been that poor really. Last season he was one of our more consistent performers whilst other bigger names struggled. Always been used as a bit of a scapegoat and his errors have really been a lack of experience.

His errors have been 100% down to Rafa playing him in a role he's not able to do particularly well.

On the couple of occasions that Rafa allowed him more freedom he's shown he has far more to his game than he's been allowed to show most of the time.

[Cardboard Box City]

The legend that is Stuart Ripley's son was on the bench for us on Saturday.

[strummer77]

His errors have been 100% down to Rafa playing him in a role he's not able to do particularly well.

On the couple of occasions that Rafa allowed him more freedom he's shown he has far more to his game than he's been allowed to show most of the time.

[Steve P]

Well back in work today so will post thoughts from Sundays game.

We deserved everything we got on Sunday, back to our very worst. Can't remember seeing us create fewer chances in a game. Going forward there was no real energy, everything was far too slow and we made it incredibly easy for Newcastle in the end. Newcastle had 1 effort on goal and scored, another poor mistake from Fabianski. His only action in 90 minutes was picking the ball out of the net.

Fabregas obviously isn't properly fit, and it really showed. So many misplaced passes and flicks which just isn't like him. Why we brought van persie on as well is a mystery. Although Chamakh wasn't doing well, at least he was fit. Very strange.

Here's hoping for a massive reaction against Wolves tomorrow as we've got a very tricky run of games caming up, probably season defining.

[TheGayTent]

Since the inception of the Premier League, which player has conceded most fouls?

[ampersand]

Since the inception of the Premier League, which player has conceded most fouls?

[Steve P]

Kevin Davies?