Dzeko (£28million) to Johnson (£8million) to Aguerro (£38million) GOAL. Ratings + Review

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Ahhh well. What can you say? It’s not like we hadn’t planned for this. Like heading into a fight with Mike Tyson, you know the outcome, all you can do is give a good account of yourself and hope you don’t get your ear bitten off. Sadly, there was no sucker punch from us, but I tell you what, we put in a spirited performance and gave a fantastic account of ourselves.

I know it’s a bit patronising, but we’re not dealing with any old team here. We’re dealing with a club that can afford to loan out a player they deemed worthy of an £170k a week contract, whilst footing half of the salary that our top earner would be lucky to take home. In fact, they’re so flush, they’ve got a player on £90k a week who can’t even be assed to go on loan. They’re  grotesque anomaly in the Premiership, so when our reserves go out and give them a good game, it’s something to be proud off. £35mill versus £119million.

There were some very encouraging individual performances we can talk about. I thought Coquelin looked fantastic on the ball and a menace going forward. He has an amazing ability to adapt to whatever role he is asked to play. He played superbly in the middle of park, popping up with crunching tackles, distributing the ball with a great range of passing. His pass across the face of the box early on found Park who looked certain to score but for a superb reflex save from a keeper whose name wouldn’t look out of place on a bottle next to the Vagisil in Tesco.

Chamberlain did his reputation no harm with a marauding performance out wide. Like Theo, he likes to cut in, but unlike his older team-mate, he has amazing composure on the ball and a footballing brain of a player 5 years older than his young self. Whether he was hitting the wing or cutting inside, he was threatening. He was unlucky the City keeper was in such great form. His rasping first time shot mid first half looked to be edging into the top corner until it was clawed out in spectacular fashion.

The whole team seemed enthused. We were pressing City in the same way Barcelona press teams. It was forcing mistakes and working to great effect in a game that was end to end like a proper old fashioned English cup tie. I think the only result both teams didn’t want yesterday was a draw.

Fabianski took time out to remind us why he’s number two with a tremendous flap for a corner. It’s good that he does that, it reminds you how good our number 1 is.

Nasri was being booed on every touch, he thought he’d been taken off early but the Mancini was actually taking off Kolorov and bringing on Aguerro.

The second half was a bit more of a cagey affair, City finally opened the scoring from the most disappointing of situations. We conceded possession from a corner. Dzeko fed in Johnson, he turned and played in Aguerro… from there, a low driven strike past Fabianski was the only outcome on the card.

Our night was over. The Argentinian superstar had buried us.

That didn’t stop us battling to the end. A late cross into the box at the death was marginally missed by Chamakh. Why haven’t I written much about him and Park? Mostly because they were anonymous. Neither took the opportunity by the scruff of the neck and they sum up quite nicely why bargain basement isn’t always the best way to go. If a striker isn’t on the January sales list… we could find ourselves in a serious bit of bother should Robin not be fit for the rest of the season.

Hopefully we’ll look at the goal record of whoever we buy, we obviously didn’t with those two and oh how it shows. Chamakh is an impressionist, someone trying to impersonate a top class striker, but hideously out their depth… struggling with even the simplest of lay offs. Park, well, I’m not sure what he does. It doesn’t help playing next to someone so bad, but he still didn’t do much for me. He needs to shape up if he wants to be taken seriously as anything other than a marketing ploy.

We lost, but for me, there was no shame in losing a game like that. I’m encouraged City had to bring on their superstars to beat us. I think their sheen is well and truly rubbing off. Hopefully a dip is on the way. They’re not that good.

How we react to this defeat will tell us what we need to know about this season. Wigan away, the place we ballsed things up last season. Let’s see what the character and mental spirit is like this time around!

Follow @LeGrove

Ratings

Fabianski – Didn’t really have too much to do. Quick off his line when needed, flappy by nature from crosses. 6

Koscielny – Super game from the Frenchman. Throws his all into everything. 7.5

JD – Better game from the big Swissman! Looked more composed on the ball, with a bit more confidence. 7

Squillaci – Very solid game from the Frenchman. Slotted in perfectly and gave a good account of himself. 7

Miquel – Was turned early on by Johnson, but grew with the game. Not really sure he’s built for full backery. 6.5

Frimpong – Solid game from our erratic but lovable defensive midfielder. No idea why he was allowed to take the freekick in the end. Had a bit of handbags at the end with Samir. 7

Francis Coquelin – Great game, really like him as a player, he has that terrier like attitude we all love. He also has composure and great passing. 7.5

Yossi Benayoun (c) – Not an amazing game but he kept the ball well. 6

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – Top performance after a slightly poor outing last time. Was at the heart of everything, busy, creative and hard-working. Could be a spectacular player after February. 8

Marouane Chamakh – He’s not interested. He really didn’t do anything to show the fans he gave a crap today. Bad control, poor passing and no instinct for the goal. What a waste of 3 seasons tracking. 4

Park – Nearly scored a tap in early on but was denied by a great save. Ok striker, but he really does look like £3million worth of player at the moment. 5

456 Responses to “Dzeko (£28million) to Johnson (£8million) to Aguerro (£38million) GOAL. Ratings + Review”

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  2. Keyser

    IvoryGoonz – The thing is we still made concessions for all those players, not one of them was the perfect player, watch Walcott now and how much he tracks back compared to previous seasons.

    Everytime one of those players leaves we’re expected to collapse and though it’s getting harder and harder we still go on. Same with Van Persie.

    What’s stopping us right now is that we can’t afford growing pains because we’re already behind.

  3. IvoryGoonz

    Keyser: and I’d suggest you ask him his tactics next time you see him at the party, at least we’ll know for sure.

  8. IvoryGoonz

    Keyser: IF Walcott play upfront with VP, and IF he had bought a left winger rather than playing Walcott as right winger and Gerv on his lesser side, we wouldnt be here.

  11. HumAnimal

    Carlito they were probably trying to take arsenal out of the game, to make it easier for them to win the league… Farfetched, i know but i wouldnt be surprised.

    IG
    too tru ;)

  13. IvoryGoonz

    Keyser: injury can strike even the fittest. playing VP and Walcott for 25 min wouldnt have taken much from them.
    and “we still go on” – with a stick and how far/high?

  14. Guvnor

    Spurs just conceded a VERY silly goal there and Gallas is playing!!! Gotta say was surprised to see him on the pitch, had almost forgotten about him!!! Somebody tell me is this game a dead rubber for Spurs?? FFS they are playing as if they’ve got 2 hand breaks on. In fact 2 nil down as I was writting this!!! I don’t wanna celebrate this if the defeat doesn’t mean much.. havent followed this Mickey Mouse cup at all so am clueless whos who in the zoo here

  20. Keyser

    IvoryGoonz – Look at the lengths you’d go to, to accomodate Gervinho, how about he learns to look up and pass when he has to or improves his shooting ?!

    If you think his problem is that he’s not playing on the right side and we need to change formation and put players in new positions just to help him out, then obviously anyone would struggle.

    Yet at the same time you prove my point about how efficient we need to be with players to get the best out of them.

  22. Keyser

    It’s Europa League week this week,all week, plus domestic Cup competitions.

    ‘arry’s said he could’nt care less about the competition, so extra games for Tottenham weighed against sharper squad players.

  23. IvoryGoonz

    Keyser: I’d say that about any right winger bought for the first team in this exact situation, and that would fit also Walcott. win win situation.

  24. IvoryGoonz

    Keyser: “Yet at the same time you prove my point about how efficient we need to be with players to get the best out of them”. really, that was your point? could have made it clearer, sorry for my misunderstanding.

  27. Keyser

    IvoryGoonz – When you think about the things that frustrate people about Gervinho I don’t think it matters what side he plays on.

    Also Walcott up front ? It’s just a punt, against Bolton he was sent clean through by Song, he had 30 yards of free space with which to run at and beat the Keeper, he sort of bottled it and took a shot from 20 yards out he hit straight at the keeper.

    It’s just one instance, but he needs to show far more authoritah with his finishing and forward play.

  30. IvoryGoonz

    Keyser: what frustrates you?
    you’ve been warned from the start about that.
    besides, he’s a winger. not a centre forward.
    I meant Walcott upfront WITH VP.

  33. sisi

    let us not be naive here. City were coasting most of the match and never got out of first gear. if they gave half a crap we would have lost by more

  37. frenchie

    moussa sow:

    “I have a contract signed until June 2013 and Lille want me to sign another contract but the negotiations have stopped,” Sow told French radio station RMC Sports. “I don’t accept the conditions or the silence from the club. That’s not me putting on pressure, just the truth.

    “I’m only thinking about football and it’s not possible to leave in January. But my dream is to play in the Premier League, because you progress as a player with the atmosphere, goals and game.

    “I watch the games with envy on TV. I desire to play there one day. Arsenal are a big club. But we will see.”

  39. Socrates

    Want Spurs to progress and stretch their squad a bit, they have to field senior players in the latter stages of the tournament regardless of what ‘arry thinks of the tournamnet.

  40. kwik fit

    How good is sow haven’t see a great number of his games.
    He seems to have a good finishing record last two seasons. Does he offer much in general play or is he an out and out finisher?

  46. Socrates

    Seen Sow in about half a dozen games, doesnt add much in all round play and without Hazard we probably would not have been talking about him.

  47. IvoryGoonz

    Sow hints at January move
    Lille striker Moussa Sow has refused to rule out a possible move in the January transfer window
    Sow was integral in Lille’s Ligue 1 triumph last season, topping the goalscoring charts with 25 goals after joining Les Dogues on a free transfer over the summer.

    His stellar performances have attracted the interest of several top European sides such as Inter Milan, Arsenal and Sevilla.
    Sow refused to give a definite answer on whether he will move in January, saying in a press conference: “Only God knows what will happen in the future.
    “Right now I represent Lille and I want to remain focused on my club, but anything could happen before the end of the season.”
    The Senegal international is reportedly valued at €18million and has a contract with Lille until 2013. However, talks to renew his contracts have recently stalled.

  53. IvoryGoonz

    Socrates says:
    November 30, 2011 at 21:11

    Seen Sow in about half a dozen games, doesnt add much in all round play and without Hazard we probably would not have been talking about him.
    —-
    agree.

  66. Socrates

    A draw would be the best result for Spurs game, means they’ll have to go all out for a win the last group game.

    Bale is on…

  82. OPG

    If United don’t win it might be best if City and Liverpool avoid each other until the final, might aswell engrave their names in if they get each other in the Semi’s I can’t see them messing up against a lower league side in the Final surely.

  103. OPG

    So I guess Pogba isn’t impressing?
    United Reserves Guvnor meh, it would mean 2 PL Clubs left who I can’t see messing up. How long has it been since Liverpool won a trophy?

  112. OPG

    5 years then and they have the most league cups although only 2 in the last decade, but they have that luxury with no European games midweek.

  117. IvoryGoonz

    kwik fit says:
    November 30, 2011 at 22:20

    From jack

    Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, #Spursday, friday, saturday….sunday!
    —–
    +2 :)

  129. Guvnor

    Can’t decide who I hate the most, Kenny D or Mancini?? No chance of the two Championship sides taking the Carling Cub but shit, I don’t want Kenny taking this coz he’ll start running his mouth and I don’t think he deserves it but then I also don’t want Shiteh winning squat coz of Na$ri and their tapping up of players. As for the Premiership, if Shiteh’s yesterday’s performance is anything to go by, it’s not a done deal yet, exciting times becon.. Those fuckers can be undone!!!!

  131. OPG

    City vs Liverpool in the Semi’s may well be the decider, such a missed opportunity though. Cup games are a one off you can have your bad games, still go through or go out and your good games go through or still get knocked out.

  138. albo

    Haha. Hilarious night. Can’t believe I wasn’t able to watch any of it! (Tho on the bright side, also had to miss yesterday’s game…)

  139. jon (incesc)

    shame man city got forwards in to score goals and arsenal got a free cunt (chmACKH) and an asian guy to sell toothbrushes and mugs

  141. OPG

    Going out in the quarters or earlier is easier to take perhaps, losing in the semi’s is so near yet so far and in the Final is just painful.
    I’ve seen people saying we don’t need to sign Gotze but many ppl on twitter people seem to have their rose tints on though..

  143. Bade

    Mowahahahahahaha…….

    I was cracked yesterday, fabulous to get up and find out Mancs and Spuds lost at home……

    Hahaha, that already made my day

  144. Bade

    Hah,

    Spuds need to win their last game and pray for Kazan loss, and they need a goal difference of +6 to their favour in both games in order to advance

    Well, I’d say Chamakh scoring a hatrick from long shots distance much more probable! :lol:

  146. Bade

    One thing I forgot to mention about our game, is that we looked great in the 442 old fashioned format….

    I thought we were the upper hand in possession and controlled the middle, and had played a normal strikers, we would have won the game.

    But as stated so many, we played 4-4-0

  148. Bade

    The sad thing is, We’;re going to lose the Spudsday very soon

    What a bummer…. How would we call that day that comes just after our CL nights?

  149. Bade

    I would go back to 442

    Theo/Gervinho up front with Robin,
    Arteta and Song, as holding midfielders (I’d prefer a more mobile DM, if you can get one in January Arsene), Or we can play the diamond with Jack, rambo and Arteta, and Gervinho or Arshavin or Yossi in the whole behind the strikers

  150. Bade

    Arsene,

    You said the other day you need to rebuild and for the short term now. I do respect your partial admission of failure, albeit I would rather a full admission

    But the other part of that, is rectifying wrongs.

    So sell Chamakh, bring a striker that won’t get jaded for two seasons only after good three months.

    Sell also Rosicky, Diaby, Denilson and Bendtner. Squillaci and JD should be shown out the exit door, albeit JD might be kept until Sagna is back and given last chance saloon until the coming summer….

    Bring another creative midfielder and another defensive midfielder. And LB too. Loan Gibbs, when fit. Loan Frimpong too. He needs to go the Jack track.

    If we get a considerable DM, then we can loan the fantastic Coquelin too. Those boys are great potentials, but they need to sharpen up and play more regularly, especially that now we’re out of the CC training tournament.

    If you don’t want to bring LB, then bring in another CB, and Vermaelen can cover that position with Santos. But we are short.

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