No coincidence better tidier and more disciplined as a team , you can’t afford to have a player give away possession as much as he does .
Strange then that we got a great performance away to Villa with Paqueta the best player on the pitch... Also strange away to Newcastle our other best performance of the season with Paqueta excellent... How come the same coincidence didn't occur in those games?
Haha, there you go again sticking up for one of your little favourites, he's had two decent games in about 18 months and you're all over it like a cheap suit. Have you given JWP any credit for his performance on Saturday?? Proper snide cսnt.
Re: Arsenal Vs West Ham | League | 22.2.25 | Match & Predictions
claypole wrote: ↑23 Feb 2025, 10:06
Is it a Coincidence we get that performance without the feigning fool Paqueta?
No coincidence better tidier and more disciplined as a team , you can’t afford to have a player give away possession as much as he does .
Strange then that we got a great performance away to Villa with Paqueta the best player on the pitch... Also strange away to Newcastle our other best performance of the season with Paqueta excellent... How come the same coincidence didn't occur in those games?
Haha, there you go again sticking up for one of your little favourites, he's had two decent games in about 18 months and you're all over it like a cheap suit. Have you given JWP any credit for his performance on Saturday?? Proper snide cսnt.
Re: Arsenal Vs West Ham | League | 22.2.25 | Match & Predictions
Posted: 23 Feb 2025, 21:30
by zico
Totally agree gents. The likes of Cresswell you ideally need to keep around so when their time is up he can get into a mentoring or coaching capacity at the club. As said below never given any problems and seems well liked so seems perfect for coaching the youngsters maybe. This is where the club has fallen down over the years. Well respected players with good personalities like Alvin and Galey should have been retained in some capacity. Cress fits that, a great servant.
Re: Arsenal Vs West Ham | League | 22.2.25 | Match & Predictions
zico wrote: ↑23 Feb 2025, 19:04
Doesn't quite deserve his own thread but a big shout for Cresswell yesterday. Has never let us down with his effort and commitment and whislt his ageing legs mean he isn't the player he was I really don't get some of the hate for him as he has been a loyal servant to the club and I am pretty sure that his experience will be a help to Scarles on that left hand side. Pretty sure Cress will be talking and guiding him in that left sided role.
I know Cresswell doesn't have the legs anymore but we really miss the quality of delivery he gives us on the left. Still has that ability to put a great ball in. I think it's a shame that most will only remember the Europa league mistake and his last few seasons where he has barely played and not the earlier seasons where he was a genuine England team contender. Great servant for the club, seems well liked, never caused any issues and I'm sure would be a great person to learn off.
Totally agree. I can see him getting a 1 year extension. We have a lot of squad places to fill, and he's shown himself to still be fit and more than capable of playing that left side centre back role....maybe not as first choice, but certainly in the squad.
Re: Arsenal Vs West Ham | League | 22.2.25 | Match & Predictions
Posted: 23 Feb 2025, 20:49
by Full Claret Jacket
zico wrote: ↑23 Feb 2025, 19:04
Doesn't quite deserve his own thread but a big shout for Cresswell yesterday. Has never let us down with his effort and commitment and whislt his ageing legs mean he isn't the player he was I really don't get some of the hate for him as he has been a loyal servant to the club and I am pretty sure that his experience will be a help to Scarles on that left hand side. Pretty sure Cress will be talking and guiding him in that left sided role.
I know Cresswell doesn't have the legs anymore but we really miss the quality of delivery he gives us on the left. Still has that ability to put a great ball in. I think it's a shame that most will only remember the Europa league mistake and his last few seasons where he has barely played and not the earlier seasons where he was a genuine England team contender. Great servant for the club, seems well liked, never caused any issues and I'm sure would be a great person to learn off.
Re: Arsenal Vs West Ham | League | 22.2.25 | Match & Predictions
Posted: 23 Feb 2025, 19:31
by Mike Oxsaw
We have no more "must win" games this season.
"Nice to win" games? Yes, every remaining one, but the 3 relegation spots are now occupied and it would take (at least) one of those 3 teams AND Wolves to go on the mother of all runs to drag us down. Won't happen.
We're safe from Europe, safe from relegation.
We should be more relaxed, and potentially more adventurous in our remaining games.
Re: Arsenal Vs West Ham | League | 22.2.25 | Match & Predictions
Posted: 23 Feb 2025, 19:04
by fraser
Was just reading an Arsenal forum, they seem to hate Arteta, Odegaard and Rice..
Re: Arsenal Vs West Ham | League | 22.2.25 | Match & Predictions
Posted: 23 Feb 2025, 19:04
by zico
Doesn't quite deserve his own thread but a big shout for Cresswell yesterday. Has never let us down with his effort and commitment and whislt his ageing legs mean he isn't the player he was I really don't get some of the hate for him as he has been a loyal servant to the club and I am pretty sure that his experience will be a help to Scarles on that left hand side. Pretty sure Cress will be talking and guiding him in that left sided role.
Re: Arsenal Vs West Ham | League | 22.2.25 | Match & Predictions
Posted: 23 Feb 2025, 16:28
by honky cat
Stubbo
But nice to be going into that game with it not feeling quite so 'Must Win at all costs' as it would have been had we been turned over at Arsenal.
Its not a must win for points needed, but I expect Potter and the Team will be desperate to win for their credibility and to show the corner has been turned. Two wins in a row.
Isnt it great to be looking forward to Thursday (maybe just me). I think stick with the 3/5 at the backfor the next while, hopefully cresswell is up to it.
Re: Arsenal Vs West Ham | League | 22.2.25 | Match & Predictions
claypole wrote: ↑23 Feb 2025, 10:06
Is it a Coincidence we get that performance without the feigning fool Paqueta?
No coincidence better tidier and more disciplined as a team , you can’t afford to have a player give away possession as much as he does .
Strange then that we got a great performance away to Villa with Paqueta the best player on the pitch... Also strange away to Newcastle our other best performance of the season with Paqueta excellent... How come the same coincidence didn't occur in those games?
Re: Arsenal Vs West Ham | League | 22.2.25 | Match & Predictions
Posted: 23 Feb 2025, 16:05
by Solidbond1
claypole wrote: ↑23 Feb 2025, 10:06
Is it a Coincidence we get that performance without the feigning fool Paqueta?
No coincidence better tidier and more disciplined as a team , you can’t afford to have a player give away possession as much as he does .
Re: Arsenal Vs West Ham | League | 22.2.25 | Match & Predictions
Posted: 23 Feb 2025, 15:35
by stubbo
Sir Alf" wrote: ↑23 Feb 2025, 15:08
Related to a comment in the Squad Building thread, Ptfotter needs to devise tactics and set up to play at home especially against teams that will sit back and do exactly what we did against Arsenal and Brentford and Palace did against us.
This is where the squad limitations or weakness become a big problem. The lack of athletes in central midfield especially.
The home team ( us ) will need to stretch the opposition or find a way to get thru or around 8, 9 players sitting behind the ball. Having Ferguson should help but he needs to get up to full fitness and is still a way off and being "nursed" back. A target man that can hold it up. back to goal means we could go more direct and also look to get more crosses and aerial balls into the box. Ferguson could also look to feed Bowen and Kudus who would look to make deeper runs in and around the opposition penalty box if he can hold it. Because we are so vulnerable to pacey counters we need to avoid over committing players forward so it makes it tough. Arsenal showed patience needed but ultimately suffered from us quickly transitioning from one end to the other.
Liverpool often rely on the overhyped Trent to thread a ball to open up compact defences but have so much mobility across the team and midfield to create openings whereas we are more like Arsenal yesterday, when at home, too slow moving it and in our movement making it easy to defend.
So everyone will be assuming that Leicester at home will now be an easy 3 points. It probably wont. They will sit deep and counter using Albert Steptoe as an outlet up top. Potter will need to avoid the 4 at the back, slow 2 in midfield he did first half against Brentford but work out a way to get behind them on Thursday. Ultimately this problem is not solved until summer and via recruitment but we may get a better idea of Potter's tactical nous if he can solve it in some way with the squad limitations we currently have ( thx to Moyes, Sullivan, Lop and Steidten).
Tend to agree with you. It's become more and more a feature in the league...and is of course the natural counter to the high press high line.
Easier said than done though, as it will need artistry and talented wide players.
Todibo being back gives us some cover at the back with legs, which helps, as does Scarles.
In a game like that Alvarez can be a bit of a problem...not great from a distribution perspective, and prone to get caught out of position and without the legs to recover.
But it's the team attitude that needs to change the most...along with the supporters to some extent. Patience is a virtue....move the ball, shift the defence around, stay patient, wait for someone to not do their job, then take advantage.
We're not conditioned like that though...the crowd want us to attack attack attack. The players are used to trying to play a killer action with every possession. But it needs clever movement, patience, talent out wide, and incisive quick one touch passing.
I expect us to beat Leicester....they're garbage and worse teams than us have turned them over. Plus they'll be seeing us as a game they can win which means they might be a little more adventurous. But your point stands with respect 'teams that sit back'.
Be interesting to see what he does. Paqueta is still missing, and we don't have another playmaker. Soucek is largely pointless in a game like that. I'd be thinking a midfield of Irving, Ward-Prowse and Soler....all much better pass and move players who nurse the possession well.
But nice to be going into that game with it not feeling quite so 'Must Win at all costs' as it would have been had we been turned over at Arsenal.
Re: Arsenal Vs West Ham | League | 22.2.25 | Match & Predictions
Posted: 23 Feb 2025, 15:08
by Sir Alf
Related to a comment in the Squad Building thread, Ptfotter needs to devise tactics and set up to play at home especially against teams that will sit back and do exactly what we did against Arsenal and Brentford and Palace did against us.
This is where the squad limitations or weakness become a big problem. The lack of athletes in central midfield especially.
The home team ( us ) will need to stretch the opposition or find a way to get thru or around 8, 9 players sitting behind the ball. Having Ferguson should help but he needs to get up to full fitness and is still a way off and being "nursed" back. A target man that can hold it up. back to goal means we could go more direct and also look to get more crosses and aerial balls into the box. Ferguson could also look to feed Bowen and Kudus who would look to make deeper runs in and around the opposition penalty box if he can hold it. Because we are so vulnerable to pacey counters we need to avoid over committing players forward so it makes it tough. Arsenal showed patience needed but ultimately suffered from us quickly transitioning from one end to the other.
Liverpool often rely on the overhyped Trent to thread a ball to open up compact defences but have so much mobility across the team and midfield to create openings whereas we are more like Arsenal yesterday, when at home, too slow moving it and in our movement making it easy to defend.
So everyone will be assuming that Leicester at home will now be an easy 3 points. It probably wont. They will sit deep and counter using Albert Steptoe as an outlet up top. Potter will need to avoid the 4 at the back, slow 2 in midfield he did first half against Brentford but work out a way to get behind them on Thursday. Ultimately this problem is not solved until summer and via recruitment but we may get a better idea of Potter's tactical nous if he can solve it in some way with the squad limitations we currently have ( thx to Moyes, Sullivan, Lop and Steidten).
Re: Arsenal Vs West Ham | League | 22.2.25 | Match & Predictions
Posted: 23 Feb 2025, 15:01
by Helmut Shown
Mike Dean says that the referee's decision to send off Lewis-Skelly was correct. The point I make is who gives a fuck what that pompous little prick makes, sitting in his little box on Sky. The amount of fuck ups he made as a referee (usually at our expense) leaves him totally unqualified to voice his opinion. I still think he has a lot of sway with the cabal of northern twats that infest the PGMOL, that might explain the amount of controversy there is about a lot of their decisions. Shame on Sky for hiring this charlatan.
Re: Arsenal Vs West Ham | League | 22.2.25 | Match & Predictions
Posted: 23 Feb 2025, 13:01
by Django
Must a have quite a few years ago when we started 6 English players.
Re: Arsenal Vs West Ham | League | 22.2.25 | Match & Predictions
Percy Dalton" wrote: ↑23 Feb 2025, 11:27
Thought Ward Prowse had an excellent game looked a completely different player than when dinosaur Moyes had him.
Like I said he would.
Anything you've said that hasnt played out exactly as you described?
Re: Arsenal Vs West Ham | League | 22.2.25 | Match & Predictions
Posted: 23 Feb 2025, 11:45
by Keep dreaming
claypole wrote: ↑23 Feb 2025, 10:06
Is it a Coincidence we get that performance without the feigning fool Paqueta?
I think it is. He's been pretty good lately, apart from being played as a forward and acting like a queen a few times.
Swap Soucek pr Alvarez with him with last night's setup, and we would improve even more.
Re: Arsenal Vs West Ham | League | 22.2.25 | Match & Predictions
Posted: 23 Feb 2025, 11:40
by Takashi Miike
Re: Arsenal Vs West Ham | League | 22.2.25 | Match & Predictions
Posted: 23 Feb 2025, 11:27
by Mad Ferret
Percy Dalton" wrote: ↑23 Feb 2025, 11:27
Thought Ward Prowse had an excellent game looked a completely different player than when dinosaur Moyes had him.
Like I said he would.
Re: Arsenal Vs West Ham | League | 22.2.25 | Match & Predictions
Posted: 23 Feb 2025, 11:27
by Percy Dalton
Thought Ward Prowse had an excellent game looked a completely different player than when dinosaur Moyes had him.
Re: Arsenal Vs West Ham | League | 22.2.25 | Match & Predictions
claypole wrote: ↑23 Feb 2025, 10:06
Is it a Coincidence we get that performance without the feigning fool Paqueta?
Think it's pretty hard to say that.
Since Potter arrived he's been pretty much our best player.
I'd still far rather see him in the lineup than Soucek...for all the guts and determination yesterday, we lack guile and craft and that's what Lucas brings to the side. And he's not lazy either.
Personally think no matter how you look at the squad, our best XI will always have Lucas Paqueta in the line up, and I'm always slightly sad when he's not in it. It's not for nothing that Man City would have signed him for big money 18 months ago.
I don't understand it when I read 'faked an injury' or desperate not to play again this season' he's inconsistent, but never hides and always wants to play.
Also we had a great team performance at Villa when he was motm... So saying we can't play like that with him is utter bollocks
Re: Arsenal Vs West Ham | League | 22.2.25 | Match & Predictions
Posted: 23 Feb 2025, 10:21
by stubbo
claypole wrote: ↑23 Feb 2025, 10:06
Is it a Coincidence we get that performance without the feigning fool Paqueta?
Think it's pretty hard to say that.
Since Potter arrived he's been pretty much our best player.
I'd still far rather see him in the lineup than Soucek...for all the guts and determination yesterday, we lack guile and craft and that's what Lucas brings to the side. And he's not lazy either.
Personally think no matter how you look at the squad, our best XI will always have Lucas Paqueta in the line up, and I'm always slightly sad when he's not in it. It's not for nothing that Man City would have signed him for big money 18 months ago.
Re: Arsenal Vs West Ham | League | 22.2.25 | Match & Predictions
Posted: 23 Feb 2025, 10:18
by stubbo
Re: Arsenal Vs West Ham | League | 22.2.25 | Match & Predictions
Posted: 23 Feb 2025, 10:06
by claypole
Is it a Coincidence we get that performance without the feigning fool Paqueta?
Re: Arsenal Vs West Ham | League | 22.2.25 | Match & Predictions
Posted: 23 Feb 2025, 09:56
by goose
Was looking at the league table & trying to work out where we could finish if we went on a decent run…….. answer is not very far! Everton, spurs, Palace & Brentford are all finding decent form.
