Football (real)

[icedagger]

Redcafe in meltdown I think we should keep all our insightful analysis to the official match thread though.

In sadder news, RVP confirmed out for at least three weeks. Knowing him it could be a lot longer. Potentially missing him, cesc and walcott at camp nou then. Worst case scenario (barring any more injuries) I reckon

Chesney
Clichy-Kos-Djourou-Sagna
Song-Wilshere
Nasri
Bendtner-Chamakh-Arshavin

are capable of getting a draw there. I just can't bear the thought of rosicky playing.

[Lord and Master]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNDDDD... that's the first three points dropped by united! Thanks Chelsea!

Another 3 points to be dropped in the return fixture, and the title is Arsenal's for the taking.

Um... Walking into a trap as I expect I am... No, we got beat by *shudder* Wolves a couple of weeks ago...

Anyway, lucky Rooney goal, soft penno, denied clear Terry handball, &c &c but basically that Luiz is good but dirty little git and once Drogba came on they just believed they would win... Still our title though, easy... Arsenal won't last pace

Oh you cheeky bastard ice
You've raised the bar there son

[JoshyBoy]

Won't last the pace? We've held second pretty much all season... and there's only about 11 games left... lmao

In all honesty... a draw would have been the fairest result.

[Sniper08]

going into the game i knew united had a slim chance in winning at the bridge(we havent won there in 9 years) but that ref screwed us.i know ppl always blame the ref but i thought he was shit,all the big decisions went against united. the penno was very generous. United dominated the first half and i think we deserved a draw out of that game.We will get them when they come to Old Trafford.

Won't last the pace? We've held second pretty much all season... and there's only about 11 games left... lmao

In all honesty... a draw would have been the fairest result.

Chelsea were first and united second until about november if my memory is right.With that cup shock ,the way arsenal perform against Barca will tell us the fate of the rest of their season cause if they are shit against barca then the premier league will fall away also.

[JoshyBoy]

Yeah, sure. Whatever, dude.

[got tonkaed]

Redcafe in meltdown I think we should keep all our insightful analysis to the official match thread though.

In sadder news, RVP confirmed out for at least three weeks. Knowing him it could be a lot longer. Potentially missing him, cesc and walcott at camp nou then. Worst case scenario (barring any more injuries) I reckon

Chesney
Clichy-Kos-Djourou-Sagna
Song-Wilshere
Nasri
Bendtner-Chamakh-Arshavin

are capable of getting a draw there. I just can't bear the thought of rosicky playing.

That does not really look like a lineup capable of getting a draw.

[Sniper08]

just 3 in mid field against barca is suicide ,they will cut arsenal to shreads will their passing,unless arshavin plays as an attacking mid field instead on 4-3-3 they need 4-4-2 or 4-5-1.

Yeah, sure. Whatever, dude.

huh?

[JoshyBoy]

A 4-5-1 is what I'm predicting. Try and flood the midfield and control the game from there.

The problem is, that Arsenal cannot just sit back and defend for two reasons. One, Barcelona at the Nou Camp, over 90 minutes... are going to break through and score. Two, Arsenal don't know how to just throw 11 men behind the ball and only defend.

However, if Arsenal play an attacking formation, they will get hit continually on the counter and be destroyed.

Guess we should just forget about progressing in the CL and focus on the FA cup and the leauge.

[icedagger]

I have no idea what you guys are talking about. Arsenal have played the same formation every game for the last two years. It's not going to change

Chesney
Clichy-Kos-Djourou-Sagna
Song-Wilshere
Nasri
Bendtner-Chamakh-Arshavin

are capable of getting a draw there. I just can't bear the thought of rosicky playing.

That does not really look like a lineup capable of getting a draw.

Clearly you've forgotton to take into account fabregas coming off the bench to score a 94th minute equaliser

[Sniper08]

A 4-5-1 is what I'm predicting. Try and flood the midfield and control the game from there.

The problem is, that Arsenal cannot just sit back and defend for two reasons. One, Barcelona at the Nou Camp, over 90 minutes... are going to break through and score. Two, Arsenal don't know how to just throw 11 men behind the ball and only defend.

However, if Arsenal play an attacking formation, they will get hit continually on the counter and be destroyed.

Guess we should just forget about progressing in the CL and focus on the FA cup and the leauge.

true they cant sit back but they cant just go an attack either arsenal must find a balance if they are to progress.the biggest thing for them to do is to shut down messi and be quick to each barca player not to give them any time on the ball.if they do those 2 things they have a chance in progressing.

[diddle]

All this talk about Arsenal having a chance against Barca at the Nou Camp is ludicrous. I've been there and even though it was just a tour I left feeling like I had lost a football match.

[Sniper08]

All this talk about Arsenal having a chance against Barca at the Nou Camp is ludicrous. I've been there and even though it was just a tour I left feeling like I had lost a football match.

lol ive been there aswell only on a match day and i still say its no better than old trafford on a match day(was there when we beat arsenal 2-1 in 08 ) but arsenal do have a chance if they play to their best.

[JoshyBoy]

Robin out for a month, missing the Nou Camp.

Jackie and Cesc should be there though, so it's all good.

I caan't wait for the game on Tuesday! Big night out win or lose.

[Lord and Master]

ARSEnal 0-0 Sunderland

eeee that's smashing

[Gypsys Kiss]

Liverpool 3-1 MANURE

IN OTHER NEWS STOCKPORT WON A GAME!

[Lord and Master]

County won? Bloody hell...

Man U will still win title anyway, despite reports of bookies apparently installing Arsenal as faves now... What the thinking is there I cannot fathom; Arsenal draw against Sunderland whilst we lose to (and I shall deny ever having admitted this) a club who not so long ago (year or so) were considered to have real prospects of landing the league and somehow this makes Arsenal faves? When we're still 3 points clear? Anyone?

[Royal Panda]

County won? Bloody hell...

Man U will still win title anyway, despite reports of bookies apparently installing Arsenal as faves now... What the thinking is there I cannot fathom; Arsenal draw against Sunderland whilst we lose to (and I shall deny ever having admitted this) a club who not so long ago (year or so) were considered to have real prospects of landing the league and somehow this makes Arsenal faves? When we're still 3 points clear? Anyone?

Few reasons:

1. They see Arsenal as having an easier run in
2. Nani may be injured for awhile
3. Arsenal deserved to whoop Sunderland and were very unlucky, while United were awful
4. The teams are still to face each other at The Emirates

That all said, I think United will win the title as well.


Also, you're a United fan, yet you call your team Man U? Do you realise that Man U is used as an insult by Man City, Liverpool and Leeds fans regarding the Munich disaster?

[Lord and Master]

Fair enough some of those reasons do pierce the gloom of incomprehension somewhat but then you go dropping clouds of fog everywhere again; what are you talking about? Man U is a fucking (nice tip ;P) ubiquitous abbreviation and seems to me fairly robust and non-offensive

[Royal Panda]

Fair enough some of those reasons do pierce the gloom of incomprehension somewhat but then you go dropping clouds of fog everywhere again; what are you talking about? Man U is a fucking (nice tip ;P) ubiquitous abbreviation and seems to me fairly robust and non-offensive

I agree, but a load of United fans take great offence still at it... explanation from a fan:



An early example of its usage is this chant by West Brom fans: "Duncan Edwards is manure, rotting in his grave, man you are manure- rotting in your grave". The origin of "Man u" is a song to insult the dead Duncan Edwards.

Liverpool and Leeds fans copied this with their own man u versions to insult all of the lads who died at munich.

"Man U Man U went on a plane Man U Man U never came back again"

and..

"Man U Never Intended Coming Home" (if you combine the first letter of each word you get the word "munich")

[Lord and Master]

Well you live and learn... Cheers for the heads-up man, though tbh I think taking offense at a particular abbreviation just 'cos it was used by opposition fans to wind us up might be going a bit too far. Once you allow your enemies to dictate what you can and can't say you're on the slippery slope!

[Lord and Master]

Hope Spurs get through tonight, be a shame for there to be no North London team left, especially as the finals at Wembley...

[JoshyBoy]

The reason Arsenal are now the bookies favourites is not only do we have a game in hand, but also have an easier run in to the end of the season. Man U still have to play Chelsea again. Any points dropped there will hand Arsenal the title, as long as we don't do the same.

[Lord and Master]

The reason Arsenal are now the bookies favourites is not only do we have a game in hand, but also have an easier run in to the end of the season. Man U still have to play Chelsea again. Any points dropped there will hand Arsenal the title, as long as we don't do the same.

Your account of the CL match is conspicuous by its absence... I still say Arsenal won't last the pace; their weak mentality and growing injury list, allied to the anger/despair at the defeat by Barca will prove too much...

[JoshyBoy]

The CL match? It was a horrific game in all senses, except Messi's amazing goal.

[Lord and Master]

The CL match? It was a horrific game in all senses, except Messi's amazing goal.

Arsenal had 0 shots. ZERO. Not one. NONE.
According to OPTA anyway, personally I think they're being a bit harsh, Van Persie had that abortion of a shot about 12 feet wide just after the ref blew whistle; and subsequently sent him off...

Any predictions for Sat's FA cup match? I'll go for a close tight game with United winning 3-0