Football 2013-2014

[eFestivals]

Has to be worth it for this?

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/oct/19/david-ginola-hand-gesture-bt-sport

[Bobs]

That was rubbish from us. Made worse by BT Sport's coverage.

[Bobs]

As for todays results.

Impressive Arsenal and Chelsea today, not so convincing by Everton, but 3 points are 3 points, and credit to Hull who were hard to break town, and had a cracking 45 minutes, they got a lot of free headers, which had they been taken properly, could have seen them 4-1 up at half time easily, but dominant by Everton second half, and up to 5th.

I wonder how many Southampton fans will be sitting there scratching their heads wondering why they doubted their board back in January now? And i wonder how many will be sitting there thinking they'd take 4 points from Liverpool and United away? Moyes Negativity, which drove Everton fans mad for years was on full show today, this game springs to mind http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21482896, taking strikers off at Home to Southampton whilst winning is not an option for any team, and that's not meant disrespectfully to Southampton, they've got a great squad, but a side of United's calbre can't do that. Has any manager over the age of 50, with over 15 years of experience of not winning trophies ever been so Lucky? I think not.

Newcastle may of proved a lot of people that they aren't push overs today, or was it that Liverpool were poor? Either way, Sturridge and Suarez still look very strong, and holding off the team who were 2nd at the start of the day with 10 men for over half of the game is no easy task so credit really is due!

Sounds to me like Sunderland completely capitulated today in the second half and that needs working on.

Now, I can kick back, crack open a beer and be happy that we'll be in the top 6 at the end of the night... Slow Start, what? Up the Blues

[strummer77]

Newcastle may of proved a lot of people that they aren't push overs today, or was it that Liverpool were poor? Either way, Sturridge and Suarez still look very strong, and holding off the team who were 2nd at the start of the day with 10 men for over half of the game is no easy task so credit really is due!

[kaosmark2]

I don't think we'll ever be considered complete pushovers, the problem is that we can be truly awful when not in the mood. We're really inconsistent at present, with a number of bad individual errors costing us goals (MYM has been awful this season).

Excellent point though, really useful considering our next 4 fixtures, although hopefully Sunderland will carry their dire form into the derby!

[kaosmark2]

Anyone else seen Kiesling's ghost goal?

[pink_triangle]

I don't agree with Hansen that Walcott would be guaranteed a place in Arsenals first choice 11. He wouldn't make mine. Forgetting the defence where Monreal v Gibbs is the only real debate. The other 6 would be Flamini, Carzola, Wilshire, Ramsey, Ozil, Giroud for me. Its a squad game and the likes of Arteta, Walcott, Rosicky, Ox can make huge contributions in my opinion, but I wouldn't put any in the strongest team.

[pink_triangle]

. Also the 2nd goal is simply unbelievably bad defending from what should just be a routine clearance in my book and that's what cost us.

[kaosmark2]

I don't agree with Hansen that Walcott would be guaranteed a place in Arsenals first choice 11. He wouldn't make mine. Forgetting the defence where Monreal v Gibbs is the only real debate. The other 6 would be Flamini, Carzola, Wilshire, Ramsey, Ozil, Giroud for me. Its a squad game and the likes of Arteta, Walcott, Rosicky, Ox can make huge contributions in my opinion, but I wouldn't put any in the strongest team.

[pink_triangle]

Walcott's pace does give a different dimension, but why always start him when they don't need that? It's not like their other midfielders are slow and lumbering.

[Bobs]

Anyone else seen Kiesling's ghost goal?

[kaosmark2]

I imagine there will be significant rotation of the arsenal midfield over the season, I doubt Ozil will be rested very often though. Its hard to leave Ramsey out on current form, while Wilshire is getting better after a slow start to the season. Im still not sure where Ox will fill in when fit, unless there are significant injuries I don't see him getting much game time, I would put him bottom of the pecking order.

[kaosmark2]

I've heard about it, and it seems like an honest mistake, every player thought it was a goal except Kiessling, and thats not his fault that the goal was given. There's talk in Germany of the official being dismissed, how unfair would that be?

[RobertProsineckisLighter]

League Two is proper tight. Only 7 points off the top now.

[kaosmark2]

"

Gunners suffer pre-Christmas blues

• Historically, November is the worst month for Arsene Wenger's side. On average, his team collect 1.9 points per game
• Source: Opta"

Not a bad average for a 'worst month'! I imagine it's far lower for Chelsea...

[TheGayTent]

Cracking comeback from the violas today

[pink_triangle]

Another dodgy Man U result and performance.....

[pink_triangle]

Cracking comeback from the violas today

[kaosmark2]

Man utd have to be careful, they don't want to let that gap between spurs and Liverpool get any bigger. If they lose any of the 3 league games left between themselves and those 2 (Liverpool x 1, spurs x 2) teams. They are in danger of leaving themselves a lot to do.

[pink_triangle]

Starting to think they're competing for top 4 rather than the title now then?

I still think they'll get themselves together and improve. As has been referenced, they probably played similar quality football in the first 10 games last season. I expect them to make a major signing in January as well, while I'd be surprised if Spurs or Liverpool make any short of someone else leaving.

[kaosmark2]

Too early to say. Win 5 games in a row (as any top team can) then the league looks very different. They certainly have to be careful though.

[thetime]

I'm sure they can put that sort of run together, the question I've got is when they'll do that.

I'm amazed City are still favourites for the title though.

[kaosmark2]

City were very impressive yesterday though, there my favorites.

Still Uniteds to lose though.....Oh!

[pink_triangle]

I'm sure they can put that sort of run together, the question I've got is when they'll do that.

I'm amazed City are still favourites for the title though.

[pink_triangle]

but I think when it doesn't go their way they'll struggle a bit more than Arsenal and Chelsea.