Football (Soccer)

Started by RocasAtoll527 pages
RocasAtoll Senior Member

Originally posted by Alpha Centauri
Set pieces have always been Arsenal's weakness, I don't know why, especially when you consider that Gallas and Toure are two of the best defenders in the world.

-AC


They're both great defenders, but are too similar. Arsene should have kept Senderos and put him in with the on form defender between Gallas and Toure to give the back some actual height and willingness to head. IMO Djourou should be given a chance. He was playing well and gives Arsenal the height it needs at the back.
But the major concern should be DM. Denilson is not a DM, and putting him there is only stunting Fabregas.

Alpha Centauri Restricted
Originally posted by RocasAtoll
They're both great defenders, but are too similar. Arsene should have kept Senderos and put him in with the on form defender between Gallas and Toure to give the back some actual height and willingness to head. IMO Djourou should be given a chance. He was playing well and gives Arsenal the height it needs at the back.
But the major concern should be DM. Denilson is not a DM, and putting him there is only stunting Fabregas.

What does height do? As VVD correctly pointed out when we discussed it earlier; lots of teams with tall centre backs still concede from set pieces.

Ok, so Gallas might be weak on corners. So what's the solution? Replace him with someone tall who isn't half as good on the ground, where Gallas stops most shit? No thanks. Man Utd have Ferdinand and Vidic, tall, broad centre backs. They've conceded from corners.

As VVD also correctly pointed out; Almunia is the problem. He never comes off his line.

I incorrectly said that Fabianski's problem was that he comes rushing out to punch the ball, but that's what you need to do.

-AC

RocasAtoll Senior Member

Originally posted by Alpha Centauri
What does height do? As VVD correctly pointed out when we discussed it earlier; lots of teams with tall centre backs still concede from set pieces.

I shouldn't say just height. It's more the willingness and ability to fight for headers, which both Toure and Gallas are lacking in. Toure's best years were with none other than someone willing to get up and fight for a header, and so were Gallas.
Originally posted by Alpha Centauri
Ok, so Gallas might be weak on corners. So what's the solution? Replace him with someone tall who isn't half as good on the ground, where Gallas stops most shit? No thanks. Man Utd have Ferdinand and Vidic, tall, broad centre backs. They've conceded from corners.

The frequency is not nearly as high for Man Utd. It's not such a glaring weakness like it is with Arsenal. Djourou has shown himself from his performances so far this year to be a capable CB, and I would actually have him partner with Gallas over Toure.
Originally posted by Alpha Centauri
As VVD also correctly pointed out; Almunia is the problem. He never comes off his line.

I incorrectly said that Fabianski's problem was that he comes rushing out to punch the ball, but that's what you need to do.

-AC


I have to agree he is a part of the problem. But having two CBs who get outclassed by someone like Davies in the air is not promising.

Alpha Centauri Restricted

What do you mean "Willing to get up and fight for a header."?

I'm not saying they can't improve, I'm saying that there's not much certain people can do, and it's not worth dropping one of the best centre back duos in the country because they concede now and then from corners. If Almunia does his share too, it'll work out.

Going back to your willingness point; so are strikers. Owen outjumped Crouch once...Peter Crouch. Wanting something more doesn't always mean you'll get it.

-AC

Ya Krunk'd Floo Moving with the swell.
Originally posted by Alpha Centauri
...Gallas and Toure are two of the best defenders in the world.

Hahaha.

In other news, I'm delighted to see Tottenham doing so well. Those boys really are making a go of it for a top 4 position this season. Great stuff.

Alpha Centauri Restricted

You actually have nothing to say about Arsenal, you're not that stupid.

Silly man.

-AC

Bicnarok From Ganymede

Surely positioning & the ability to read the situation is more effective in defense than just height.

vandalworks Senior Member

arsenal lost to hull on saturday. going by some members of the press they're on a knife edge. what the hell? not being funny, but with a young telented team you can expect a little inconsistency, young players have talent but seasoned players are more consistant.

could be a good season though. man city wont win much or anything this year, but next year you'll see more.

RocasAtoll Senior Member

Originally posted by Alpha Centauri
What do you mean "Willing to get up and fight for a header."?

I mean someone like Campbell, someone who is domineering in the air.
Originally posted by Alpha Centauri
I'm not saying they can't improve, I'm saying that there's not much certain people can do, and it's not worth dropping one of the best centre back duos in the country because they concede now and then from corners. If Almunia does his share too, it'll work out.

I don't see them as one of the best duos. Both have problems with looking shaky at the worst possible moments and both play exactly the same style.
Originally posted by Alpha Centauri
Going back to your willingness point; so are strikers. Owen outjumped Crouch once...Peter Crouch. Wanting something more doesn't always mean you'll get it.

-AC


What I mean by willingness is that both Toure and Gallas are timid in the air. Neither have the kind of work rate in the air that IMO is needed to fix the problems with being beaten by crosses and set pieces.

Alpha Centauri Restricted

Originally posted by RocasAtoll
I mean someone like Campbell, someone who is domineering in the air.

He was no longer good enough, so he was signed away.

Originally posted by RocasAtoll
I don't see them as one of the best duos. Both have problems with looking shaky at the worst possible moments and both play exactly the same style.

In the air, maybe they aren't that great, but there isn't a defensive duo hugely better than them on the ground.

Originally posted by RocasAtoll
What I mean by willingness is that both Toure and Gallas are timid in the air. Neither have the kind of work rate in the air that IMO is needed to fix the problems with being beaten by crosses and set pieces.

Well what do you work on? Desire to get up? Ok, say they do that. Then what? You still get beat now and then.

-AC

Bicnarok From Ganymede

Well Arsenal thumped Porto 4:0 last night, that should shut any doubters up for a while.

That sort of score in the CL is impressive by any team

RocasAtoll Senior Member

Originally posted by Alpha Centauri
He was no longer good enough, so he was signed away.

I agree. But he's still the archetype for the type of defender Arsenal needs.
Originally posted by Alpha Centauri
In the air, maybe they aren't that great, but there isn't a defensive duo hugely better than them on the ground.

Yes. But that's not where the opposition goals are coming from.
Originally posted by Alpha Centauri
Well what do you work on? Desire to get up? Ok, say they do that. Then what? You still get beat now and then.

-AC


Yes, they will beaten. But they won't be conceding at the same rate or at the worst times.

Kovacs86 Senior Member

So... the European Cup. LFC 1- 0 PSV. Dirk Kuyt strikes again!

Also:
Atletico 1- 0 Marseille. This group is surprisingly uncompetitive. I expected it to be wiiide open. I guess I underestimated Atletico, though they did lose to Bolton last season...

Slay Skyhighatrist

Originally posted by Kovacs86
So... the European Cup. LFC 1- 0 PSV. Dirk Kuyt strikes again!

Also:
Atletico 1- 0 Marseille. This group is surprisingly uncompetitive. I expected it to be wiiide open. I guess I underestimated Atletico, though they did lose to Bolton last season...


Atletico right now are better than Liverpool.

Kovacs86 Senior Member
Originally posted by Slay
Atletico right now are better than Liverpool.

Ah... can they defend this season then? They bought Ujfalusi and Heitinga, right?

Alpha Centauri Restricted
Originally posted by Slay
Atletico right now are better than Liverpool.

They lost Torres and gained Aguero, must be tough to take.

-AC

Deano Senior Member

and how long with aguero stay? not long

Alpha Centauri Restricted

I dunno.

David Villa stayed at Valencia and they almost got relegated if I recall, bearing in mind he had a lot of clubs after him.

-AC

Bicnarok From Ganymede

A true loyal to his club player then, which is rare nowadays.

Kovacs86 Senior Member

So, anyone want to predict the results for the 3 o'clock kick offs in the Premier League?

I'm thinking...

Man City 0-1 Liverpool
Chelsea 1-1 Aston Villa
Tottenham 0-1 Hull City
Everton 1-1 Newcastle
Portsmouth 2-1 Stoke City

It looks like West Ham are screwed already. They're 2-0 down at home to Bolton...