See, if we had a PROPER striker

[redgunamo]

we could've won 1-0.

Funny old game :-\

[Peter]

we could've won 1-0.

Funny old game :-\

If we could finish properly we would have been 7-0 up at half time.

[redgunamo]

If we could finish properly we would have been 7-0 up at half time.

It is not basketball. Goals are intended to be a rare and valuable commodity.

[Peter]

It is not basketball. Goals are intended to be a rare and valuable commodity.

Sorry, but that is largely West Ham's fault. We tried to keep them in it in the first half but they were simply not having it.

[redgunamo]

Sorry, but that is largely West Ham's fault. We tried to keep them in it in the first half but they were simply not having it.

Fair point. They were so bad even Declan Rice scored.

[PSRB]

If we could finish properly we would have been 7-0 up at half time.

:nod: Saka should have had 4 before half-time

[Pat Vegas]

:nod: Saka should have had 4 before half-time

wasn't sure if he was going to score than penalty.

He's quite good a pens though doesn't seem a spectaular taker.

[Luis Anaconda]

Sorry, but that is largely West Ham's fault. We tried to keep them in it in the first half but they were simply not having it.
I knew you would still be miserable :)

[PSRB]

I wasn't confident. I thought Ode was our penalty taker.

[WES]

I wasn't confident. I thought Ode was our penalty taker.

And on another note, the boy Havertz did not put a foot wrong that I recall.

Looks a very different player than 10 matches ago or so.

[PSRB]

And on another note, the boy Havertz did not put a foot wrong that I recall.

Looks a very different player than 10 matches ago or so.

I thought exactly that. Will barely get a mention but thought he was superb.

[Pat Vegas]

I thought exactly that. Will barely get a mention but thought he was superb.

He just seems sad all the time. don't think I ever seen him smile.

[Pat Vegas]

Fair point. They were so bad even Declan Rice scored.

I am really enjoying that one of our big money signings is working very well. (Biggest big money)

Also he's great on set pieces.

[PSRB]

He just seems sad all the time. don't think I ever seen him smile.

He definitely smiled when Gabriel scored. I assume the cameraman thought he'd scored.

[Peter]

He definitely smiled when Gabriel scored. I assume the cameraman thought he'd scored.

He would have scored the first goal if Saliba hadn't got in the way. Nice little duck for the chance Trossard had saved. Touch inside for the fourth goal. Overall, he had a decent game.

Odegaard enjoyed himself as well. Hoping he finds his best form in the next few months as he hasn't quite been himself for a while.

[Peter]

we could've won 1-0.

Funny old game :-\

Last time we won away by this margin Ted Drake scored all 7. :-)

We never really replaced Ted....

[Luis Anaconda]

Last time we won away by this margin Ted Drake scored all 7. :-)

We never really replaced Ted....

Joe Baker, John Radford, Frank Stapleton, Alan Smith - we've had a few decent number 9s (and I'm not even going to mention Wright, Henry and Bendtner)

[Peter]

Joe Baker, John Radford, Frank Stapleton, Alan Smith - we've had a few decent number 9s (and I'm not even going to mention Wright, Henry and Bendtner)

You should be ashamed of yourself, LA.

You didn't mention Niall Quinn :(

Or Chamakh....

[IUFG]

Joe Baker, John Radford, Frank Stapleton, Alan Smith - we've had a few decent number 9s (and I'm not even going to mention Wright, Henry and Bendtner)

World's greatest striker :cloud9:

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/05/06/article-1177833-04D2B940000005DC-627_468x695.jpg

[redgunamo]

You should be ashamed of yourself, LA.

You didn't mention Niall Quinn :(

Or Chamakh....

Or Paul Mariner, the most under-appreciated of them all. Perhaps that's why :homer:

[7sisters]

It is not basketball. Goals are intended to be a rare and valuable commodity.

Message report to the WSL

[PSRB]

Or Paul Mariner, the most under-appreciated of them all. Perhaps that's why :homer:

Lee Chapman, the ****test of them all.

[Peter]

Lee Chapman, the ****test of them all.

I was too young to fully appreciate how **** he was.

By the time I was old enough to judge we had signed Alan Smith :-)

[Luis Anaconda]

You should be ashamed of yourself, LA.

You didn't mention Niall Quinn :(

Or Chamakh....

It was Chamakh or Nic

You are right about Quinn though though shocking omission (and MacDonald and Sunderland deserve a nod)

[Peter]

It was Chamakh or Nic

You are right about Quinn though though shocking omission (and MacDonald and Sunderland deserve a nod)

Quinny was a good lad. Bumped into him in the Green Gate on West Green Road one night. I was too scared to go over and say hello because he was sat with Liam Brady!

I loved Quinny. He actually became a thoroughly respectable centre forward when he got a bit older.

[Luis Anaconda]

Quinny was a good lad. Bumped into him in the Green Gate on West Green Road one night. I was too scared to go over and say hello because he was sat with Liam Brady!

I loved Quinny. He actually became a thoroughly respectable centre forward when he got a bit older.

Yep - very good player with City and Sunderland. Once again though George saw an upgrade in Smith and was proved right (see also Seaman/Lukic and Marwood/Limpar)

Funny you should say that about Brady - remember seeing him in a restaurant on Upper Street. Wanted to say hi but didn't have the cojones

[redgunamo]

Yep - very good player with City and Sunderland. Once again though George saw an upgrade in Smith and was proved right (see also Seaman/Lukic and Marwood/Limpar)

Funny you should say that about Brady - remember seeing him in a restaurant on Upper Street. Wanted to say hi but didn't have the cojones

And the back four he inherited was decent too, but he went and put together an even better one.

[redgunamo]

Quinny was a good lad. Bumped into him in the Green Gate on West Green Road one night. I was too scared to go over and say hello because he was sat with Liam Brady!

I loved Quinny. He actually became a thoroughly respectable centre forward when he got a bit older.

Centre-forwards everywhere. What a time to be alive.

[redgunamo]

Message report to the WSL

Oh, right. Did they actually win the superbowl then?

[Peter]

Yep - very good player with City and Sunderland. Once again though George saw an upgrade in Smith and was proved right (see also Seaman/Lukic and Marwood/Limpar)

Funny you should say that about Brady - remember seeing him in a restaurant on Upper Street. Wanted to say hi but didn't have the cojones

Brady was like a God. No way I was going over there. Also, couple of guys trying to have a quiet pint. You have to respect that :-)

Alan Smith was a wonderful centre forward.

[Peter]

Centre-forwards everywhere. What a time to be alive.

Goalkeepers used to catch the ball. It was great :-)

[redgunamo]

Goalkeepers used to catch the ball. It was great :-)

Good point. I KNEW there was something wrong with David Raya.

[Luis Anaconda]

Brady was like a God. No way I was going over there. Also, couple of guys trying to have a quiet pint. You have to respect that :-)

Alan Smith was a wonderful centre forward.

No need for the like imo

And Smudger is the best proper No 9 I've seen in an Arsenal shirt.

[7sisters]

No need for the like imo

And Smudger is the best proper No 9 I've seen in an Arsenal shirt.

Surely, John Radford ? Did we leave out SuperMac ?

[Luis Anaconda]

Surely, John Radford ? Did we leave out SuperMac ?

Never saw Radford or Supermac live - just before my time, 7. Would still say Smith was better - two titles as top scorer both times. I do think Radford is underrated though - deserves a lot more credit. Still only three players with more goals for Arsenal

[Peter]

Never saw Radford or Supermac live - just before my time, 7. Would still say Smith was better - two titles as top scorer both times. I do think Radford is underrated though - deserves a lot more credit. Still only three players with more goals for Arsenal

On his day, Adebayor could be totally unplayable. He didn't have nearly enough days.

[Luis Anaconda]

On his day, Adebayor could be totally unplayable. He didn't have nearly enough days.

So could Chamakh - though he only had one day

[Peter]

So could Chamakh - though he only had one day

We are not mentioning, Giroud......?

[PSRB]

We are not mentioning, Giroud......?

Hugely underrated.

[Luis Anaconda]

Hugely underrated.

Cost us the league

[Peter]

Cost us the league

Great hair.

[PSRB]

Cost us the league

Meh, Henry cost us the CL and Auba the EL.

[redgunamo]

On his day, Adebayor could be totally unplayable. He didn't have nearly enough days.

Yes, indeed. In fact, everyone's new favourite Nigerian (I cannot spell his name) brings to mind La Bayor at his best. There's an awful lot to be said for simple, straightforward, high-powered running, especially from a BLU.

[redgunamo]

No need for the like imo

And Smudger is the best proper No 9 I've seen in an Arsenal shirt.

He's my favourite. I love everything about him.

[Luis Anaconda]

Meh, Henry cost us the CL and Auba the EL.

I wasn't being too serious :hehe: It is Fasching after all. But I do think that chronic lack of pace stopped him being a truly great striker

[PSRB]

I wasn't being too serious :hehe: It is Fasching after all. But I do think that chronic lack of pace stopped him being a truly great striker

His link up play was tremendous though. A scorer of great goals, etc, etc

[Fash]

I wasn't being too serious :hehe: It is Fasching after all. But I do think that chronic lack of pace stopped him being a truly great striker

How about Fashing?

[IUFG]

We are not mentioning, Giroud......?

I remember his debut - Sunderland? - missed an absolute sitter from 6 or 7 yards. I said "The new Chamakh" to my mate...

iirc - he did hit the bar from miles out in that same match.

[Luis Anaconda]

How about Fashing?

Great day to mark a legend - much better than that Pat Vegas bloke

[Peter]

I wasn't being too serious :hehe: It is Fasching after all. But I do think that chronic lack of pace stopped him being a truly great striker

He wasn't any use behind a defence and there were certain types of goals he didn't score. Made him a 20 goal a season man rather than a 30.

But he was a very good all round footballer.

Not in Alan Smith's class, obviously :-)

[Peter]

He's my favourite. I love everything about him.

His goal in the cup winners cup final. That is one of my favourite goals and one of my favourite nights.

[IUFG]

His goal in the cup winners cup final. That is one of my favourite goals and one of my favourite nights.

A lovely finish and a proper backs to the wall display... :cloud9:

What a team they had, though :yikes:

[Peter]

A lovely finish and a proper backs to the wall display... :cloud9:

What a team they had, though :yikes:

The only European trophy we have won in my lifetime. That is pretty shocking :-(

[IUFG]

The only European trophy we have won in my lifetime. That is pretty shocking :-(

The Galatasaray one irks me more than the Barca one.

It's Galatasaray, lads...

FFS! :mad:

[Peter]

The Galatasaray one irks me more than the Barca one.

It's Galatasaray, lads...

FFS! :mad:

Valencia :-(

[7sisters]

Valencia :-(

Yeah, that was painful. Hot on the heals of that Trevor Brooking effort too :(

[pjlincs]

A striker such as Olly G who can play in goal when your keeper is blue-carded would be an asset.

Otherwise: Raya gets blue card. Outfield player subbed, Rambo comes on. 10 mins later Raya returns. Either he or Ramsdale then plays outfield or if any subs and windows left, one of them is subbed for an outfield player.

[redgunamo]

A striker such as Olly G who can play in goal when your keeper is blue-carded would be an asset.

Otherwise: Raya gets blue card. Outfield player subbed, Rambo comes on. 10 mins later Raya returns. Either he or Ramsdale then plays outfield or if any subs and windows left, one of them is subbed for an outfield player.

We would end up with three goalkeepers on the pitch.

:-|

[redgunamo]

His goal in the cup winners cup final. That is one of my favourite goals and one of my favourite nights.

Elland Road, cup replay :cloud9:

[WES]

A striker such as Olly G who can play in goal when your keeper is blue-carded would be an asset.

Otherwise: Raya gets blue card. Outfield player subbed, Rambo comes on. 10 mins later Raya returns. Either he or Ramsdale then plays outfield or if any subs and windows left, one of them is subbed for an outfield player.

You're thinking about it too much, pj.

First of all given that blue cards are for cynical play or dissent the chances of a keeper getting one are pretty small. Other than taking a player down when he's through on goal, when was the last time a keeper got a yellow? They're pretty rare.

And I'm sure the rule would be nothing more than if the keeper gets a blue the team has to elect an outfield player to take the 10 min off.

[PSRB]

You're thinking about it too much, pj.

First of all given that blue cards are for cynical play or dissent the chances of a keeper getting one are pretty small. Other than taking a player down when he's through on goal, when was the last time a keeper got a yellow? They're pretty rare.

And I'm sure the rule would be nothing more than if the keeper gets a blue the team has to elect an outfield player to take the 10 min off.

Saka on Sunday.... :-)

[Peter]

Elland Road, cup replay :cloud9:

When was that?

[Peter]

You're thinking about it too much, pj.

First of all given that blue cards are for cynical play or dissent the chances of a keeper getting one are pretty small. Other than taking a player down when he's through on goal, when was the last time a keeper got a yellow? They're pretty rare.

And I'm sure the rule would be nothing more than if the keeper gets a blue the team has to elect an outfield player to take the 10 min off.

Wow! Your last sentence.... :-)

[Peter]

You're thinking about it too much, pj.

First of all given that blue cards are for cynical play or dissent the chances of a keeper getting one are pretty small. Other than taking a player down when he's through on goal, when was the last time a keeper got a yellow? They're pretty rare.

And I'm sure the rule would be nothing more than if the keeper gets a blue the team has to elect an outfield player to take the 10 min off.

Keepers regularly get yellow cards for time wasting.

[WES]

Saka on Sunday.... :-)

Which part of 'when he's through on goal' did you not understand, PRSB? :-)

[WES]

Keepers regularly get yellow cards for time wasting.

I'm unconvinced that time wasting would get a blue card

[redgunamo]

When was that?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qp_QSYA9yHk

[Peter]

Which part of 'when he's through on goal' did you not understand, Peter? :-)

Apart from the fact that I didn't write that, good point. :-)

[WES]

Apart from the fact that I didn't write that, good point. :-)

What are you on about, PRSB? :hide:

[Luis Anaconda]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qp_QSYA9yHk

I was there :love:

[Peter]

What are you on about, PRSB? :hide:

On a serious note, is time wasting not a cynical attempt to stop play?

When a team is really out to run the clock down the goalkeeper is often the worst culprit.

[Luis Anaconda]

On a serious note, is time wasting not a cynical attempt to stop play?

When a team is really out to run the clock down the goalkeeper is often the worst culprit.

Jens used to be a master of it :)

[WES]

On a serious note, is time wasting not a cynical attempt to stop play?

When a team is really out to run the clock down the goalkeeper is often the worst culprit.

Yes, but not sure it will be seen as significant as someone getting cynically hacked down in a good position.

I'd be surprised if time wasting was a blue card.

[Luis Anaconda]

Yes, but not sure it will be seen as significant as someone getting cynically hacked down in a good position.

I'd be surprised if time wasting was a blue card.

As would I. I am a (cautious) supporter of it. But they do need to clarify certain things

[Peter]

Yes, but not sure it will be seen as significant as someone getting cynically hacked down in a good position.



Well that is a yellow card currently (unless it is Rodri). Introducing another layer of complexity seems dangerous- is a mistimed tackle cynical?

I tell you what I would do, specifically in home games. I'd have the ball boys wait until opponents were about to take a throw and then lob another ball on the pitch :-)

[redgunamo]

As would I. I am a (cautious) supporter of it. But they do need to clarify certain things

Right. Like, how many blue cards lead to a yellow or a red.

[redgunamo]

I was there :love:

I saw it on Match Of The Day. Proper cup tie.

[PSRB]

I saw it on Match Of The Day. Proper cup tie.

Can't believe BBC & ITV have lost the FA cup rights, I despise TNT Sport

[redgunamo]

Can't believe BBC & ITV have lost the FA cup rights, I despise TNT Sport

Shocking seens. Who's got the rights in Europe?

[pjlincs]

Can't believe BBC & ITV have lost the FA cup rights, I despise TNT Sport

TNT to share with a free-to-air broadcaster that is tba.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/feb/15/tnt-sports-agrees-four-year-deal-for-live-fa-cup-coverage-from-2025-26-season