[Archived] Arsenal V Blackburn Rovers 2 April 2011

[thenodrog]

It can't be proven but I am adamant that if N'Zonzi was wearing an Arsensl shirt yesterday, he'd have got yellow. At most.

Song got away with foul after foul all afternoon until it was impossible not to book him. Compare that with Dowd sticking 3 fingers up to Hoillett and booking him after 30 mins.

[tonyoz]

I don't think there was too much Allardyce football on display yesterday. After the first 10 minutes or so, when I thought we were going to get murdered, instead of booting the ball aimlessly forward so that they could come streaming back at us again and again - we started to play the ball on the floor through midfield - or direct to JJ or Junior/Olsson to carry it forward. We haven't done that as successfully in many a long while.

Wasn't it deflating though to watch us create a good move, win a corner or draw a foul in a decent area and then watch Brett make a complete dog's breakfast of it? If any of my neighbours are reading this, I apologise for the bad language!

It was an amazing turn-around in midfield I thought; the most encouraging part of the performance. The Jones boys done good. Unfortunately, we still need to find a striker who looks like he might be able to put the ball in the net occasionally.

[USABlue]

For anyone not seen Olssons block or just want to watch it again

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZj2zRTYxEI

Someone mentioned earlier about what did Kean say to Nzonzi he was like a diffrent player motivted,going on dribbles which we havent really seen before?

Why not trying to take anything away from Kean but I imagine he was extra motivated as his parents were in the crowd

Kean impressed me today he proved he can set up a team more that one way, he noticed at the start we were sitting too far back and sitting off too much so intructed them to push up and pressure.

Holiett man of the match for me he terroised Arsenal all day and decision making was exceptional and hardly gave the ball away

Olsson best game he has had as a left back and looked like a proper left back today.

J.Jones- great game and has looked good in most games of the season he was driving the team forward.

P.Jones - really, really impressed me was that really his first start in 3 months!!, what an engine still chasing everthing in the dieing minutes.

Samba and Nelson expceptional won everthing looked really solid.

Salgado was really good too used all his experince and vital clear of the line

Robbo - Dare I say if he gets much better he will reach Friedal like levels?

Emerton - only weak link today in my opinon

I thought Emerton was quite dreadful, he just did not lookinterested at all. His deliveries were terrible and he never seemed to run at full speed, he looked lazy and lacklustre. I suppose since we were holding together very well Kean was reluctant to change it.

To be fair Chaddy specialises in sensationalising everything but the ref made some bad decisions today.

Sagna got away with a blatant yellow as did Song when already booked.

Countless times players went down and nothing until an Arsenal man goes down with Rovers on the attack and then we don't get the ball back, I have no problem with drop balls as long as they are used all the time.

Also Salgado got booked for far less than Song and Sagna got away with and N'Zonzi got a harsh red with the ref a good 30 yards behind the play.

100% correct, both should have been yellows especially after what he had already dished out yellows for. I did not understand Junior's booking at all, looked to me like he was being elbowed. Nzonzi's tackle by the letter of the law was a sending off but why does it seem like we are always on the receiving end of the letter of the law whilst others just walk away unpunished. I just thought he totally inconsistent throughout the match and Iwas fully expected 6 or 7 minutes to be added. The drop ball was balls, he stopped the game cos song went down, not for a head injury. Looked like we had a chance to break through and he pulls it back.

[Gav]

ironic that Blackpool 2nd half and yesterday mirrored Sam's approach.

Simple question, why have we changed the manager if 'Sam's way' is the evident way forward ?!?!

Complete and utter nonsense mercerman, if Allardyce had been in charge we'd have lost by al least 4 goals, probably more. At every opportunity we now look to pass the football, not hoof it down the channels or into the stands, that’s a major difference in style of play under Kean, do you actually watch games?

Lets the give the manager some praise for once, he got everything bang on yesterday, and clearly the players wanted to play for him which was good to see.

Well done Steve Kean, I have renewed faith.

[thenodrog]

quote imy9

It was the way we used the 4-5-1 Theno. Jones and Nzonzi bombing forward with Hoilett in support, great to watch too, it could not be described as the Allardyce way IMO.

Well it looked very similar to the Allardyce way to me. Anyway imy9 if Kean had simply to tweak the 4-5-1 'Allardyce way' why tf after pisspawing around for 3 months has he waited until ht v Blackpool to do it?

Or could it be that some of the senior players have had a hard word with him?

[Gav]

I thought Emerton was quite dreadful, he just did not lookinterested at all.

Agreed.

[USABlue]

I dont think there is a conspiracy but the facts point to the "big clubs" getting the decisions. We neither have the support, the manager or the status to intimidate referees and we have seen that there are plenty of weak refs out there.

I do think there is something, funny we have had dodgy game changing results for three weeks in a row. As for big clubs getting decisons WBA penalties against L'pool, Wham two penalties against Man U at leat one each of the penalties was harsh. When the hell does that ever happen. Relegation candidate suddenly getting the benefit of dodgy decisions against the "top Four". No I know just co-incidence and my imagination running away with me.

At half time v Blackpool the team reverted to the Allardyce way, continued with it yesterday and don't we look more comfortable and solid for it?

Just a few observations...

Where was MGP? Is he injured?

The performance of Emerton was dreadful.

A harsh red for N'Zonzi who appears to be returning to some sort of form. I hope this won't hurt us and I'd expect an appeal to be going in although I'd bet we don't after Steve Kean appeared to side with the decision on the BBC interview.

Why on earth did Kean take RSC off? At the time he'd been bossing the Arsenal centre halves and Roberts just brought nothing to the party.

You mean with width and a willingness to have a go at times. Wasn't 6-2 yesterday or 4-1 was it, THAT was the Allardyce way Gordon. You've not done yourself justice with that comment. We drew, we all expected a mauling give SOMEONE credit but not bloody Allardyce.

4-5-1 with 3 players around the 6'5" mark, 3 essentially defensive central midfielders and Robbo launching longe range free kicks into the Arsenal box. If we'd stupidly tried to out football them as we would have early in Keans reign we'd have been murdered. I will grant you the fact that we had no long throw expert to utilise.

btw... If Samba had not collided with N'Zonzi we might be celebrating 3 points today from a goal straight out of the Allardyce 'hoofball' coaching manual.

I hazard a guess you know as well a every other person with any amount of recent footy knowledge that the errr hoofball, was to try to expose Almunia and his shattered confidence. Nothing more nothing less. I suppose this Allardyce love fest just won't go away will it.

[den]

You mean with width and a willingness to have a go at times. Wasn't 6-2 yesterday or 4-1 was it, THAT was the Allardyce way Gordon. You've not done yourself justice with that comment. We drew, we all expected a mauling give SOMEONE credit but not bloody Allardyce.

That's just simply ignoring the game and the performances of the two sides, in order to make political points USABlue.

Arsenal were poor by their own impeccable standards. The pace was far too slow and they couldn't raise it when needed. Who knows how Rovers under Allardyce would have done in these circumstances? You don't and I don't.

[USABlue]

Its not fair to blame Kean when we lose but then attribute good performances to Allardyce.

Not fair at all but it is very self serving and after all isn't that what it's all about for some. Some are just not going to give Kean credit regardless. For some folks the most important ting is to just prove themselves right. Sorta odd behaviour if you ask me but hey Im nuts anyway.

[thenodrog]

I hazard a guess you know as well a every other person with any amount of recent footy knowledge that the errr hoofball, was to try to expose Almunia and his shattered confidence. Nothing more nothing less. I suppose this Allardyce love fest just won't go away will it.

Do I try to tell you about rounders for men baseball USA? Do I try to tell you about netball for men basketball USA? No I don't. Do you know why that is? It's cos I know sweet FA about either sport. Do you get my drift?

[USABlue]

That's just simply ignoring the game and the performances of the two sides, in order to make political points USABlue.

Arsenal were poor by their own impeccable standards. The pace was far too slow and they couldn't raise it when needed. Who knows how Rovers under Allardyce would have done in these circumstances? You don't and I don't.

Yeah but ever body else does right. So go ahead let's blame Arsenal now for being poor that's much better isn't it. As for ignoring two sides to make a political (not sure how political it is but hey your choice) point, perhaps, I learn fast huh? Like some ignore the Blue side of my handle and focus on the USA part.

[imy9]

quote imy9

It was the way we used the 4-5-1 Theno. Jones and Nzonzi bombing forward with Hoilett in support, great to watch too, it could not be described as the Allardyce way IMO.

Well it looked very similar to the Allardyce way to me. Anyway imy9 if Kean had simply to tweak the 4-5-1 'Allardyce way' why tf after pisspawing around for 3 months has he waited until ht v Blackpool to do it?

Or could it be that some of the senior players have had a hard word with him?

the system is similar to Arsenals too Gord, its how you use the players within it.

When we played 4-5-1 under Sam we had MGP and Diouf on the wings, neither with any pace and would not ever attempt to beat a man. We also did not play with a proper box to box midfielder.

Yesterday our defenders played high up the field. Nzonzi and Jones played as attacking midfielders with Hoilett beating people on the wing and Olsson over lapping too. Massive difference in the approach to away games. The one I saw at Birmingham earlier in the season was hoofball at its best and there was little intention to play football, it was 'lets get the ball in the box as quickly as possible'

Also the same senior players Gord who have supported Kean in private and in public, its clearly reflected on the effort being produced on the pitch, now we need results to go with it.

[USABlue]

Do I try to tell you about rounders for men baseball USA? Do I try to tell you about netball for men basketball USA? No I don't. Do you know why that is? It's cos I know sweet FA about either sport. Do you get my drift?

No I don't why don't you just say it. WTF has rounders and netball got to do with anything, oh silly me you must be referring to an American thingy of some sort. You mean like Soccer in America was predominately a girls sport that sort of thing. And if you are saying I know nowt about footy Drog, I grew up in Accy playing the bloody game. Obviously I am not as omniscient as yourself about he game, but hey we all know that Drog know best

[den]

Yeah but ever body else does right. So go ahead let's blame Arsenal now for being poor that's much better isn't it. As for ignoring two sides to make a political (not sure how political it is but hey your choice) point, perhaps, I learn fast huh? Like some ignore the Blue side of my handle and focus on the USA part.

Don't be silly. The point is that you can't say how this game would have gone if Sam had been in charge. This certainly wasn't the Arsenal we've played in the past at the Emirates.

Rovers were good by our recent standards. Arsenal were poor by their recent standards. Undisputable I would think.

[thenodrog]

You mean with width and a willingness to have a go at times. Wasn't 6-2 yesterday or 4-1 was it, THAT was the Allardyce way Gordon. You've not done yourself justice with that comment. We drew, we all expected a mauling give SOMEONE credit but not bloody Allardyce.

Not fair at all but it is very self serving and after all isn't that what it's all about for some. Some are just not going to give Kean credit regardless. For some folks the most important ting is to just prove themselves right. Sorta odd behaviour if you ask me but hey Im nuts anyway.

Nuts? You are absolutely certifiable if you believe that crap that you write! Keane is miles behind Allardyce in points per match in charge. On their respective points per match if either had been in charge all season, under Allardyce we got 21 points from 17 matches and we'd be on 38 points and equal 10th in the table whilst with Keane we've got 13 from 14 matches and would be on 29 points..... and 3 points adrift of Wigan at the bottom! Go figure it yourself.

Now I'm not saying Allardyce is the best manager in the world (even though for a Prem club with no money he probably is in the top 3) what I am saying is that booting him out and replacing him with Keane was just base folly.

[imy9]

Don't be silly. The point is that you can't say how this game would have gone if Sam had been in charge. This certainly wasn't the Arsenal we've played in the past at the Emirates.

Rovers were good by our recent standards. Arsenal were poor by their recent standards. Undisputable I would think.

That wasnt a typical Rovers team at the Emirates- obvious as we finally got a point!

We played further up the field, played with attacking players who wanted to get forward, this stiffled Arsenal for large periods, down to personnel and tactics but you're right Sam may have gotten the same result (oh yeah 10 games vs top 4 away Sam got ZERO points )

[Tom]

To be fair ince sometime played 4-5-1 does that mean we should have give him credit when Sam won with it?

The football yesterday had very little resembelence of a Sam team other than the formation which many teams use.

Let's not hen pick times to credit Sam I imagine if we played the same formation and got beat 6-2 the same people wouldn't be saying it was due to Sam influences although I imagine others may have done.

Sams way was very effective a lot of the time but it wasn't infalliable as his away record at the big 4 showed.

I have to credit Sam in his demeanour since he's left though, handled himself with dignity and like a true gent considering the way he was bumped off.

[imy9]

To be fair ince sometime played 4-5-1 does that mean we should have give him credit when Sam won with it?

The football yesterday had very little resembelence of a Sam team other than the formation which many teams use.

Let's not hen pick times to credit Sam I imagine if we played the same formation and got beat 6-2 the same people wouldn't be saying it was due to Sam influences although I imagine others may have done.

Sams way was very effective a lot of the time but it wasn't infalliable as his away record at the big 4 showed.

I have to credit Sam in his demeanour since he's left though, handled himself with dignity and like a true gent considering the way he was bumped off.

Cynic in me is saying more to do with a clause in his severance package.

[Tom]

True as that may be its still nice to see, he seemed genuinely forthcoming with praise yesterday especially for the young lads whilst it must pain him to see someone take over where he left off with jones and olsson.

[USABlue]

Don't be silly. The point is that you can't say how this game would have gone if Sam had been in charge. This certainly wasn't the Arsenal we've played in the past at the Emirates.

Rovers were good by our recent standards. Arsenal were poor by their recent standards. Undisputable I would think.

I know this and I agree, but I just thought I would join in to help point out how off some of the comments are. I thought Arsenal started very brightly maybe some of it, just some of it was down to us. I think that with us showing a willingness to go forward it put them off their game plan a little. They really expected us to sit back and have them come at us all afternoon by 25 mins we had the crowd out of the game and after that I think we deserve a great deal off credit.

I think I'm done with this all Allardyce Kean thing. Did I like us under Allardyce NO, hel no. Did he get results yes. Was I losing interest in watching a club I've loved since a young boy YES definately. Should we have fired Allardyce YES. Did we handle it wrongly YES. We should have got through this season and hired an experienced manager.

Am I worried YES, am I encouraged YES, have I enjoyed the games YES. I love this club and I will regardless of our division.

So on to Brum, nervously.

[imy9]

True as that may be its still nice to see, he seemed genuinely forthcoming with praise yesterday especially for the young lads whilst it must pain him to see someone take over where he left off with jones and olsson.

If you watch him carefully he had to read the names off a sheet of paper in front of him!

[tony gale's mic]

Should we have fired Allardyce YES.

And that's precisely why your every opinion on this club should be disregarded.

[Roversider]

Nuts? You are absolutely certifiable if you believe that crap that you write! Keane is miles behind Allardyce in points per match in charge. On their respective points per match if either had been in charge all season, under Allardyce we got 21 points from 17 matches and we'd be on 38 points and equal 10th in the table whilst with Keane we've got 13 from 14 matches and would be on 29 points..... and 3 points adrift of Wigan at the bottom! Go figure it yourself.

Now I'm not saying Allardyce is the best manager in the world (even though for a Prem club with no money he probably is in the top 3) what I am saying is that booting him out and replacing him with Keane was just base folly.

I actually think that you should give Steve Kean some credit, of course you may be talking about the ex-manager of Ipswich and Sunderland or you may just find it impossible to spell our manager's name correctly.

Great result and I applaud the team and the management team.

[USABlue]

Nuts? You are absolutely certifiable if you believe that crap that you write! Keane is miles behind Allardyce in points per match in charge. On their respective points per match if either had been in charge all season, under Allardyce we got 21 points from 17 matches and we'd be on 38 points and equal 10th in the table whilst with Keane we've got 13 from 14 matches and would be on 29 points..... and 3 points adrift of Wigan at the bottom! Go figure it yourself.

Now I'm not saying Allardyce is the best manager in the world (even though for a Prem club with no money he probably is in the top 3) what I am saying is that booting him out and replacing him with Keane was just base folly.

Can't argue with that, who was discussing point per match? So the only plus for Kean is he knows how to play Arsenal at the new library better than Sam did. Just been taking the ridiculous and meeting it with more. Allardyce tactics, really Gordon? A few long balls? WHen the men with white coats come and get me would you like us to pick you up on the way to the home

I think you'll find I agree with that else where. Time to move on really.

[Paul Mellelieu]

I actually think that you should give Steve Kean some credit, of course you may be talking about the ex-manager of Ipswich and Sunderland or you may just find it impossible to spell our manager's name correctly.

Great result and I applaud the team and the management team.

Kean will get credit when or if we don't get relegated. Not before.