Just two words: fucked up.
Despite being two goals up, we had in many ways, been out-played by West Ham. If not in terms of ability, then surely in terms of commitment and professionalism. Where each and every West Ham player gave 100% (and I would say Carlton Cole and Diamanti for his short time on the pitch), I would say that at the very best, ours gave from 40-50%.
After being two goals up despite not being anywhere our best at half time, one would expect two things to happen with a team intent on taking the league by its balls. First, to shut up shop and take our chances to wrap up the game. Second, for leadership to emerge and one player to rally the troops. Nothing happened. This is where Cesc had another mediocre game. Mediocre games we can take, but mediocre instances of leadership is another thing.
Especially when others had tripped up, from Man U, to Spurs to Citeh, playing last at the weekend would've given the best of the best ther perfect opportunity to nail down the gains for the weekend. Again, nothing happened.
Wenger needs to do something if we're going to stop this disturbing trend. I wonder what adjectives he's going to use now. Naive? Accidental? What? What? What? Slack? Complacent?
What grates most is not when players play badly, what grates most is when players decide to give less than 100%. You could see it, and we were basically out-willed by West Ham when it mattered most, in the last 20 minutes. Pathetic.
Looking at the table, the result was no big disaster. But in terms of the mentality of the team, it think it has disastrous implications. Not sure how we're going to go into the game with Spurs at the weekend, knowing that we have weaknesses all too obvious for all to exploit.
So the first goal we gave away was a stupid schoolboy error from Mannone. (Equals out Green's equally bad error for ours). Not sure what he was thinking palming the ball straight across goal. The penalty we gave away also had a painful sense of deja vu. Of penalties we've given away at crucial moments. Most recently: Man U. In the past, Liverpool in the Champions League. Again, a lack of composure. Most teams now must know that when pushed, when slightly questioned, when our character is questioned, we'll likely fold.
How will that be addressed then? Not too sure, but it had better be.
Player ratings? Why not.
Mannone 6 - His adventure needs to end. Not sure what the deal with Almunia is, but I hope having him back is better.
Sagna 7 - At least looked like he played somewhere close to what he can in terms of commitment.
TV 6.5 - Can't fault him. But in times of pressure, and in this game it was just the last 30 minutes, that's when we need people like him most.
Gallas 6.5 - Ditto. Could've given away an earlier penalty with a clumsy trip.
Clichy 6.5 - Average-ish. Again, a few more errors than we would've liked.
Eboue 7 - One of those who showed he was up to it.
Diaby 5 - Not again...
Song 7 - I'd have scored him higher, but it was really his clumsy trip.
Cesc 5 - What's one to think? Maybe it's the whole family thing. But whatever. It sucks right now.
Arsh 5 - Bad too. Nothing from him today.
RVP 6 - Wasn't his usual best, and compared to the likes of Cole and Diamanti, paled in comparison.
Ah, F it. What a damn damn damn waste to make some ground up.
Who gives a shit, but we've got a Carling Cup game on Tuesday with Pool.
1 comment:
One problem is that Wenger doesn't seem to whack our guys enough.
I mean his comments to the press were simply ridiculous. He said something like how we can't expect to finish off games if we don't put in a third goal.
HULLO?!
Does that mean we're likely to let in 2 in every game? Does it mean if we're only 1 goal up we're likely to lose? What the heck.
He shd look to tightening up our defence. If he doesn't want to buy then he shd frick'n concentrate on getting our defensive shape right.
Conceding soft, stupid goals has happened so many times this season I feel like bashing through a lead wall.
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