Jack Wilshere had a great 45 minutes for England last week as a 'holding midfielder'.
My arse!
He played well, as he does for the Gunners but he didn't sit back as Crapello wanted. He was taken off at half time, probably at Wenger's request. So what did Fabio learn? Well after an absolute master class in how to play as a 'free' attacking midfielder who can hold back if required, against Wolves, surely the England 'manager' has to realise that a strict holding role for England does not suit the youngster.
Why on earth Fabio thought that a holding midfield role suited Jack is beyond me. He has apparently been watching Jack for a long time now so how often did he see him sitting back just in front of the back four? Hardly ever. Song plays in that position most of the time and shares the role with Jack and Cesc.
If anything, for England, Jack should have the free role as an attacking midfielder. The role that Gerrard or Lampard have shared, unsuccessfully together. Given the age and legs of Gerrard and Lampard and with Gareth Barry's experience as a defensive midfielder, surely they would be better in that role with Jack playing off one of them to spray the passes to the likes of Shrek, Theo and whoever else plays up front and on the wings. If Crapello can't see this then it just further enhances his tactical ineptitude as England manager. I've never been a big fan of FC but if he insists on holding Jack back then I shall be leading the Crapello out brigade.
At Wolves on Saturday, we won 2-0 which nowhere near justified the performance. It was hard to fault a single player. Even Theo, who missed a sitter set up by JW, had a great game. The whole team were immense and looked very solid. Great warm up for Barca on Wednesday.
It was great to see JD fit after the scare last week and he looked more confortable, controlled and fitter than ever!
Even Arshavin is looking like he is back to his best form. Working hard, running back. He looked interested again. Quite how his attitude has turned around I'm not sure? Did Wenger have words? Was it just because Wenger stuck with him? Was it personal circumstances distracting him? who cares. As long as he's back and doing what he does best.
Cesc and Robin are influencing things on the pitch as things are hotting up. They weren't there against Newcastle for some reason, driving the team on. Setting the examples to the others. But as we've already concluded; that was a one off freak of a game.
So it will be up to the likes of them to drive the team on against Barca.
Talk is that even Nasri may be back for Wednesday, which would be surprising and welcome as long as it's not a risk. But Wenger has already stated that it wouldn't be a gamble.
So although Wolves are no Barca (though they did beat Manure last week) - I still feel that Saturday's game was perfect build up for the players and us fans and we should feel confident about getting a good result at home. If we can take a 1 or 2 goal lead along with a solid performance into the Nou camp in a few weeks time then we should progress.
Many neutrals and euro-footy purists will say it's a shame not to see Barca and Messi, in particular, in the final at Wembley. But I think if we were to knock them out, most folks would say, Arsenal deserve to make it to the final and so we should!
Other news.
Rooney apparently scored the goal that won them the title on Saturday. Hmmm, I thought there were still 12 games left and we were only 4 points behind but I must have missed something. Some of these pundits and journo's just can't help but cream their pants over Manure. Pathetic considering that they're all supposed to be objective.
Granted, it was a good goal. Great technique and will probably feature in most top ten goals lists. BUT: I've seen goals like that scored in the lower leagues on many occasions. Here's a good one from an old Swindon Town FC game!
Quite frankly I prefer to see goals like our second. 5 one touch instant passes from defence to RVP with one touch and bang!! Now, that was a goal!
The chav's boss Carlo (only ever half surprised) Ancelotti has conceded that they are out of the title race. Duhh. They play Fulham tonight. Draw.
Spuds play ACMilan tomorrow but are missing Messi's long lost brother Gareth 'Monkeyboy' Bale (the future President of the USA, Pope, discoverer of a new planet that gives life to humans, designer of the space rocket that gets us there, inventor of time travel and all round best living human in the world since Ghandi - according to many pundits and spuds fans). So that means they've lost that one.
It's Valentines day today. So Happy Valentines all you hot single (and married) Gooners!
Roll on Wednesday and I look forward to an awe inspiring, headline grabbing performance that puts Barfa in the shade!!
My arse!
He played well, as he does for the Gunners but he didn't sit back as Crapello wanted. He was taken off at half time, probably at Wenger's request. So what did Fabio learn? Well after an absolute master class in how to play as a 'free' attacking midfielder who can hold back if required, against Wolves, surely the England 'manager' has to realise that a strict holding role for England does not suit the youngster.
Why on earth Fabio thought that a holding midfield role suited Jack is beyond me. He has apparently been watching Jack for a long time now so how often did he see him sitting back just in front of the back four? Hardly ever. Song plays in that position most of the time and shares the role with Jack and Cesc.
If anything, for England, Jack should have the free role as an attacking midfielder. The role that Gerrard or Lampard have shared, unsuccessfully together. Given the age and legs of Gerrard and Lampard and with Gareth Barry's experience as a defensive midfielder, surely they would be better in that role with Jack playing off one of them to spray the passes to the likes of Shrek, Theo and whoever else plays up front and on the wings. If Crapello can't see this then it just further enhances his tactical ineptitude as England manager. I've never been a big fan of FC but if he insists on holding Jack back then I shall be leading the Crapello out brigade.
At Wolves on Saturday, we won 2-0 which nowhere near justified the performance. It was hard to fault a single player. Even Theo, who missed a sitter set up by JW, had a great game. The whole team were immense and looked very solid. Great warm up for Barca on Wednesday.
It was great to see JD fit after the scare last week and he looked more confortable, controlled and fitter than ever!
Even Arshavin is looking like he is back to his best form. Working hard, running back. He looked interested again. Quite how his attitude has turned around I'm not sure? Did Wenger have words? Was it just because Wenger stuck with him? Was it personal circumstances distracting him? who cares. As long as he's back and doing what he does best.
Cesc and Robin are influencing things on the pitch as things are hotting up. They weren't there against Newcastle for some reason, driving the team on. Setting the examples to the others. But as we've already concluded; that was a one off freak of a game.
So it will be up to the likes of them to drive the team on against Barca.
Talk is that even Nasri may be back for Wednesday, which would be surprising and welcome as long as it's not a risk. But Wenger has already stated that it wouldn't be a gamble.
So although Wolves are no Barca (though they did beat Manure last week) - I still feel that Saturday's game was perfect build up for the players and us fans and we should feel confident about getting a good result at home. If we can take a 1 or 2 goal lead along with a solid performance into the Nou camp in a few weeks time then we should progress.
Many neutrals and euro-footy purists will say it's a shame not to see Barca and Messi, in particular, in the final at Wembley. But I think if we were to knock them out, most folks would say, Arsenal deserve to make it to the final and so we should!
Other news.
Rooney apparently scored the goal that won them the title on Saturday. Hmmm, I thought there were still 12 games left and we were only 4 points behind but I must have missed something. Some of these pundits and journo's just can't help but cream their pants over Manure. Pathetic considering that they're all supposed to be objective.
Granted, it was a good goal. Great technique and will probably feature in most top ten goals lists. BUT: I've seen goals like that scored in the lower leagues on many occasions. Here's a good one from an old Swindon Town FC game!
Quite frankly I prefer to see goals like our second. 5 one touch instant passes from defence to RVP with one touch and bang!! Now, that was a goal!
The chav's boss Carlo (only ever half surprised) Ancelotti has conceded that they are out of the title race. Duhh. They play Fulham tonight. Draw.
Spuds play ACMilan tomorrow but are missing Messi's long lost brother Gareth 'Monkeyboy' Bale (the future President of the USA, Pope, discoverer of a new planet that gives life to humans, designer of the space rocket that gets us there, inventor of time travel and all round best living human in the world since Ghandi - according to many pundits and spuds fans). So that means they've lost that one.
It's Valentines day today. So Happy Valentines all you hot single (and married) Gooners!
Roll on Wednesday and I look forward to an awe inspiring, headline grabbing performance that puts Barfa in the shade!!
Hey, you remembered us 'married' too! That deserves an RT! Good post as always.
ReplyDeleteAnn P :)