Wow! What a game it was the weekend, playing a team like Arsenal and giving them a run for their money, given a bit more luck I think we had a good chance at winning the game but that is football for you. We can however take a good amount of positives from the game, the fact we managed to deal with their pacey and deadly front line time after time in defence is a really good thing, especially looking back at recent years when our back line have been about as strong as a paper bag in a rain storm! Our midfield looked strong and we passed the ball very well, I for one am over the moon that we have players that run at the defenders no matter the team they play for, plus, the talk of the town Andy Carroll played very well, given a bit more time to gel with the other players, I expect a good amount of goals and assists to start flowing in from the big man.
The only real issue I could see from the match was our full backs left our defence exposed from time to time due to going forward, I’m a big fan of the full backs and wide midfielders linking up down the flanks, but Big Sam should have made them aware of the pace Arsenal have on the break, especially when Theo Walcott came on, apart from that I was happy with the performance so well done lads!
So who is next? We have a 2 week break until on the 20th when we play Southampton. This is a game I’m nervous about, my gut tells me it will be a tough game and 2-2 pops into my head when i think of the final whistle. If we can keep the form up it should be 3 points in the bag though and our defenders should be more aware than any in the league of what lambert is able to do after last season! Is there any other predictions for the game readers?
One final thing, which popped into my head when he came on as a sub against Arsenal, is it possible Carlton Cole has been played out of position (in regards to correct formation) for all these years? Instead of being played as the holding striker because of his size, could he infact be the perfect goal poacher for getting on the end of Carroll’s first touches? I have always noticed he scores most of his goals inside the box so maybe all these years of him being seen as the big man up front have been badly managed, me personally, would give it a shot and see what happens, it could well be a move as effective as putting Spector in midfield a few seasons back! Who knows though, only time will tell.
Also a special message in regards to Dylan Tombides – After being diagnosed with cancer at such a young age, then to bounce back in less than 2 years to make his first team debut is a wonderful and inspirational achievement, on the whole world should take note of inside and outside sport. I feel he deserves to be put up for a sports award of some sort, if you agree please let’s get together to try our best to make it happen!
As for now, enjoy the 2 week break and bring on the Saints! COYI!
