COLUMNIST KEN BUCKLEY
From my seat: Arsenal (H)
Comments (22) : Arsenal started the quicker and looked for an early breakthrough but, apart from a couple of wayward or high shots, we were not troubled until Pienaar gave away a free-kick in a dangerous position and Van Persie, always capable from this range, stepped up but his shot cannoned away off the wall.
The Blues then had a very good 25-minute spell with Baines prominent making good runs down the left and getting in a few crosses, the most dangerous of which was a low one to the near post that the long leg of Fellaini looked favourite for until Gallas slid in and the best we got was a corner. Arsenal had another little flurry just before the break but nothing we couldn't see off and just one minute of added time brought the half to a close.
We must have done OK first half as most of the chat centred on the price of tickets and the cost of following the Blues in particular...
Second half was much the same as the first but with the Blues showing the more urgency; however, they had to be watchful of the Gunners' threat on the counter and, from one of these, Denilson fired high over. This came just after we had managed a goalmouth scramble that gave both Cahill and Fellaini a sniff but the Arsenal defence cleared.
At this point I was musing that we really should be pulling all the stops out to get a striker in as Cahill was being asked to do all the lone frontman job, which he did with relish but Fellaini in the support role just didn't look comfortable with it and at times looked a little unsure of his role. Cahill just behind a striker certainly looks a better bet but needs must. Cahill then coming from a little deeper latched onto the ball, burst forward in the box but ? to our Ooohs ? just found the side netting.
We didn't have to wait much longer for the talisman to get his 100th club goal in England. Some smart interpassing down the left between Pienaar and the excellent Baines saw the latter put in a peach of a cross that left Cahill with only the diminutive Clichy marking him; Cahill rose majestically above him, headed in text-book fashion the ball back where it had come from and the only job the flatfooted keeper had to do was pick the ball out of the corner of the net. The crowd roared and then gave the travelling fans a rendition of we really do only sing when we are winning.
Moments later, Ossie tried a fierce left-footed curler that beat both keeper and far post and drifted away into the mist. We were still having a good go rather than try to shut up shop and Cahill once again had a shooting chance that he hit with venom but it bounced off the keepers chest with an audible thud... a yard either side and game over.
Then came what I thought was a turning point when Cahill went down and had to be helped off, limping badly. This saw the introduction of Big Vic with just 5 mins left. For some reason, on Cahill's departure, we seemed more jittery, less sure of our passes... whereas previously we had outpassed the pass-masters.
3 mins went up on the board and we saw two of these out until a passage of play saw Pienaar put clear in acres down the left, everyone thought he would head for the corner flag and see out the seconds but for some reason he tried a killer pass to Big Vic which was easily cut out and sent Arsenal on the attack. Ossie held it up briefly but wasn't strong enough to withstand Diaby's tackle and then Diaby either put in the ball of the night or it was a lucky punt that Van Persie chested down expertly leaving Jags flatfooted and in one movement smashed a shot passed Howard.
Oh the disappointment... the exits were full to overflowing, it was just like Villa except we did get one point. My man of the match just had to be Baines who I thought had his best game to date.
Overall, I thought it was a good game to watch and our passing movements were better than of late, which may also have been due to the way Arsenal play. On tonight's evidence, I am sure both managers will be rueing having players out as both clubs have matchwinners on the treatment table. I thought over the piece we just edged it but many a neutral would have seen it as a fair result.
Man Utd next and you have to hope Cahill will make it and his limp off was merely a knock, but it did look reminiscent of the broken foot-bone limp-off... Still we will go with what we have got and another point off a 'big four' side would be acceptable... three would be utopia.
UP THE BLUES
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I know that Moyes cops a great deal of flak on these pages, but if you look at the team spirit and commitment, it looks to me like he is doing a pretty good job. Yes at times we struggle, but all teams do...yes, I would like us to score more, but i think we have the 5th or 6th best record in the league, so not bad for a team without strikers for the past god knows how long. It takes time to build a good team, and these days I think that it takes even longer, and Moyes should be given credit for keeping the core of the team together.
Now lets get a result vs Man Utd and then team the RS how to play at Goodison. Wish I could be there.....
The turning point was when Bendtner came in. He wasnt very dangerous but the balance did change, Lescott and Jagielka had three strikers to hold. So we should have brought Yobo in for Osman who was tired and not really in the game.
Then Moyes should have taken Cahill off, he was already injured. I would have put Jutkiewicz on, Anichebe?s attitude sucks. We somehow got through to the 90th minute but then the pressure and tiredness began to show in the form of three howlers.
First Arteta and Pienaar totally lost it in the corner. Then Anichebe passed the ball straight to Arse when under no pressure and finally Pienaar wasted another opportunity to hold the ball for the remaining 60 seconds.
Their goal was very well taken, I don't think Howard had much chance to save it. The problem was that Jagielka was already defending Adebayor and had to switch man so he didnt make it. If we had had Yobo there Van Persie might not have scored.
If we are to progress Moyes has to learn how to react when the other side makes changes.
All in all it was a good game from us, at times we really outplayed them. If we just could get a decent striker and a winger to replace Osman...
Anichebe could have made that ball or at least attempted to make it ? hence no pass through midfield and no equaliser.
The match was superb ? an indication of where we are going as a team... the only problem was Osman ? wholly off the pace yet again. What will it take for Moyes to punish a player for underperforming?
I could see that Arteta, Osman and Fellaini were ready to be subbed and we had NO ONE good enough on the bench ? they are either too young or not match-fit.
The new CEO wants capacity crowds for every game... a little investment and an infusion of decent squad members would definitely obtain his wishes. I just am very afraid of another end of season burn out. The players have been magnificent especially the defence, but they are over worked. Fatigue, injuries and suspensions will take their toll, unless we ?blood? some kids or get some new blood in. Get rid of VDM off the wage bill and give Valente (who I like) a free transfer, I'm afraid his usefulness is at an end.
DO NOT go after Smith or any other crock or nark. Get someone who can excite the fans.
We have absolutely no replacements for Arteta, Fellaini, Cahill, Howard and probably others. I don't mean stop gaps either, I mean good players who can genuinely cover. I will be glad when the Man Utd and Liverpool games are behind us.
I still remain unconvinced he is the real deal though.
2) Our 4-6 system loses cohesion when we get stretched by being too far forward in 4-3-3 mode. hence the number of goals on the break. Although it pains me to call Stevie G,BH world class, it takes world class players like him and Van persie to take advantage and do the damage. Pity Untd have some world class players.
3) Why oh why when we get to the edge of box don’t we shoot more often, even just for a bit of variation on the 1-2 wall pass walk it in the net plan A.
A detail about the goal conceded. Much has been said about Pienaar’s pass and Jags struggling with the long ball. I also think Tony Hibbert was way out of position, and should have helped cover the space outside Jags.
Details, details, but they cost points. Otherwise a very good performance.
However, does anyone else agree that Osman is well out of his depth when we play a top four side? The lad will always give 100% but this is never going to be enough against the top four. He is neat and tidy on the ball and can show touches of quality now and then but he never does this against the top four. Only when we play the other teams in the league and the quality of opposition drops he makes an impact. He is like a kid playing in a mans league when it comes to the top four.
If i had to pick a replacemant it would be Anichebe. Now i know he is not flavour of the month with some people but personally i think he did a great job against the shite especially in the league. He was joining in the battle alonside Cahill up front, he was causing their defenders nightmares with his strength, he was receiving the ball out wide then running at their defenders, he also showed he could deliver a decent ball into the box and not once did he get outpaced, outmuscled or pushed off the ball like Osman does. This is not the first time Victor has shown us he can do battle with the big teams and more than hold his own. I know Moyes might want to be less physical and play more football at home but i didnt see osman making any worthwhile contribution to our football against Arsenal it was all through pienaar, Baines, Arteta and Fellaini.
Victor does need to change his attitude but having played very well right mid against the shite i dont think it will help when he finds himself on the bench watching someone being outmuscled, outpaced and out on his feet in the same position.
I hope he gets a chance against the Mancs and the shite but only in place of Osman.
Your actually the third person in the last couple of days, to post a retraction after laying the blame at Vics door
Fair play to you and the other two - I think Tony Williams was one of them - you could easily have left it and given the amount of fingers being pointed no one would have noticed
Anichebe is a kid who needs confidence like you and I need fresh air, he has had enormous responsibility placed upon his shoulders, if he gets more than 5 minutes he’s invariably played out of position without any complaint.
Constructive critism is always healthy, but in 45 years of watching the game I have never heard of a forward be blamed by so many people for a goal that was conceded when he was in the other half.
You may be right Derek, maybe he wont be playing top class football in a couple of seasons time - although I disagree, but I was pleased to see you guys set the record straight
I feel total disgust towards these clowns who thinks its in Evertons interest to try to destroy a 20 year old
You have disgust at the expressing of opinions?....now, there’s a big fat surprise.
Anichebe has developed a dubious temperament...if he’s not standing there with his arms outstretched with a snarl on his face...he’s strolling about like a drunk..
If you think anyone has the intent of ’destroying a 20 year old’..then you’re an idiot. We do however have the right to voice our concerns at the absence of effort put in by highly paid 20 year olds...Whether you like it or not..
it was a misplaced pass by Pienaar - but Anichebe still could have put a bit of effort in..
The goal may not directly be his fault...but the lack of effort certainly is.
Certainly our "love" affair with Pienaar is understandable -- his speed, workrate and ballwinning ferocity are appealing. But it’s also true that nothing much good ever happens with the ball at his feet, and his offensive contributions all look accidental. I think that last pass would qualify for the blunder of the year so far if it hadn’t been for Jags’ backpass.
And Derek, good call on the shooting. Arteta passed up a couple from just outside the area in the second half that I couldn’t believe. Pull the trigger, senor!
But as the most recent game is the topic here, it has been said by many that the draw did represent a good outcome, except it was the manner in which it occured that stands out more than anything.
Got home late Thursday morning and picked up some more details from only the scoreline that I had known previous. When I discovered that the opposition had equalized three minutes into added time, I was, to put not to fine a point on it, not pleased.
OK, everyone with an ounce of knowledge knows that Arsenal are a good, if not great side. The past decade Wenger has assembled a fantastic squad more often than not challenging for honours at the end of the season. They remain formidable opposition, despite a blip this season, and to hold them to a draw, in fact, be seconds away from a actual victory, with the players out we have is a fantastic achievement.
A good performance by the men on Wednesday night and so nearly the result we deserved. That?s two draws at Anfield and a point (seconds away from a win you have to say!), against Arsenal. It will be interesting to see what happens in the game tomorrow, if we can get something at Old Trafford with what we have in the way of fit players then that really will deserve recognition.
What really bugged me about the incident was ?Big? Vic: As the ball was slid through, you could see him thinking ?I?m not going to get that, so I won?t bother?. The result is no pressure on the defender, no pressure on the keeper (maybe to be hurried into a skied clearance), Almunia calmly collects the ball and rolls it out to Diaby (I think) and the rest is history.
My point is that were Cahill still on the pitch I am certain he would have put pressure on defender and keeper. He could move faster than Anichebe with a bruised foot AND and metatarsal fracture. Anichebe seems to show interest more in himself than the team. This is how he spends most moves on his arse looking for a free kick (taking himself out of the game for 3 or 4 seconds) rather than bouncing back up off the floor and trying to win it back. If Cahill was still on the pitch, we would have won that game on Wednesday. Frustrating.
It has been said before that Arsenal are a fine team, Arsene is a great manager, better than Chapman I am sure, but that is up for debate between their supporters, I don’t follow their side!
Hmm . . . not sure its young Vic who’s acting like a drunk.
Some people will never be able to determine the difference between an opinion, and vicious attacks designed to destroy our youngsters
Still what can you expect from someone who’s football knowledge leads him to believe we are employing wing backs in a 4-5-1 formation ?
No one intends to ’destroy’ the 20 yr old but he certainly should be expected to exhibit energy to at least match the man he replaced for the last few minutes of the match.
Cahill was all over that pitch the entire match - the man is possessed. Vic should enter the match with the intent of having to be carried off at the end.
Tell me something, do you see the wing backs too?
Last season I saw a young striker enjoy tremendous encouragement from the crowd, though still a teenager, he responded by producing some terrific performances in Europe. This season he has become the whipping boy... and surprise surprise, he?s struggling.
You see thats what happens with youngsters, if you encouraged them they are far more likely to succeed, it helps their progress. Be of absolutely no doubt, Idiotic comments claiming he?s playing like a drunk are designed to ridicule and destroy him.
Tim Kelly, that was my initial reaction, and I too thought Tim would have chased it down, however futile and forlorn the hope was of actually getting there and maybe there would be a gain from any panic the on rushing player could have put on the ball carrier.
I feel that this discussion and the way it is at the moment, being thoughtfully mulled over is an important one for both Vic and the Club, not like one other site where calling him lazy is seen by a few as a euphemism for the ?B? colour or the ?N? word...tossers.
His future and our potential saving of say £20mill to buy the player he may yet become is in his own hands....but I?m not holding my breath.
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1 Posted 30/01/2009 at 04:21:15
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Inexperienced decision making and he will learn by it or indication that he will never be fit for purpose.
I don’t know how long he has left on his contract and obviously he won’t be going anywhere this season or even next, but some how, without rapid progress in the next 18mths / 2 yrs, I don’t see him as having a long term future at the very top level.