FULHAM HOME THREAD

[milesgooner]

Not the greatest performance and it's difficult to believe the team couldn't benefit from striking cover and maybe a young central defender.
It's fair to say that Giroud is out of form, but he did have a hand in our first goal. He does usually give us a different outlet and his role as well as scoring is too bring other players into the game. If we did spend big money on an out and out striker, it is difficult to see how they would be incorporated in the one up front that Wenger likes to play. Perhaps this is why he is looking at Draxler, who would fit into the current team fairly easily.
I remember watching Wrighty and Henry and while they were fantastic, the rest of the team spent most of the time trying to create chances for them. Then if they didn't play we often struggled (especially without Wrighty).
I think it might be better to have 4 or 5 players scoring 10 goals + than 1 scoring 25+ and others contributing with a few.
Podolski is not the man to play up front on his own, his best position is where he came on and played today, but I think there is still a question on whether he is fit enough enough to play even 60 minutes.
It know this is going to be controversial but I saw enough from Berbatov today to think he could do a job for us. The ball sticks to him up front, he's clever, skilful and would have no problem filling the loan striker Giroud role up front.
Wenger doesn't like splashing the cash mid season, so I reckon this might be the most likely to happen.
The usual questions over attitude and work rate aside, if it's the choice between him or no-one I'd give it a punt.
On another note it is great to see more of the team usually led by the BFG, Kos and Scz coming over to the north bank after the game to thank the fans. I wonder whether someone like BFG has made a conscious decision to try and get the fans more involved. Hopefully this will work both ways and more of us will stick around to the end! I'd love to see something like the players do at Dortmund where they all sit in front of the home end at the finish to join in the celebrations.
Anyway a win is a win!

[SteveO 35]

Just back from the game now. I can honestly say that young Gnabry apart, the first 45 minutes were the most tedious I've seen all season

Second half, different story. Santi turned on the style - when you watch the guy's footwork up close its just a joy to behold. If we had someone who could take a bloody free kick properly we'd score tons more given all the free kicks he earns us around the edge of the box with his trickery.

Thought it was more than comfortable - to be honest I'd hate supporting a powder puff team like Fulham. When they go 1-0 down away from home, they might as well walk off the field and get on the bus home.

Koscielny was absolute immaculate today - he's certainly shoved my Ligue Deux jibes down my throat. Thought Giroud was poor apart from in flashes and Ozil please please please please take a fucking shot occasionally. More than ever its clear that Jack can't keep playing through this ankle problem - he pulls up time and time again with the merest contact or the slightest heavy landing, poor lad

[armchair]

Kos is a very good player without a doubt and has improved immensely. I feel the criticism of him and his supposed "rash" challenges and "diving in" was unfair.
Prime example was today when he went in against Bent. He was using his great pace and covering for Mert I think. He does this regular. Especially covering for gibbs when he goes forward.

Fair play.

[SteveO 35]

Kos is a very good player without a doubt and has improved immensely. I feel the criticism of him and his supposed "rash" challenges and "diving in" was unfair.
Prime example was today when he went in against Bent. He was using his great pace and covering for Mert I think. He does this regular. Especially covering for gibbs when he goes forward.

Fair play.

I thought that fucker Bent was going to score against us AGAIN at the end. He missed another one that 'Arry's old girl would have scored. Must be the £30m price tag Augie has put on his head playing tricks with his mind

Remy must be worth £40m now he's scored against the mighty 'Ammers

[armchair]

Kos is a very good player without a doubt and has improved immensely. I feel the criticism of him and his supposed "rash" challenges and "diving in" was unfair.
Prime example was today when he went in against Bent. He was using his great pace and covering for Mert I think. He does this regular. Especially covering for gibbs when he goes forward.

Fair play.

I thought that fucker Bent was going to score against us AGAIN at the end. He missed another one that 'Arry's old girl would have scored. Must be the £30m price tag Augie has put on his head playing tricks with his mind

Remy must be worth £40m now he's scored against the mighty 'Ammers

Fuck knows how much Bentekes worth now after scoring against the Mickeys today?

[BFG4]

I think in a team like ours, who we have as our Centre forward dictates the type of performance we are going to see. With Giroud up front, any player who gets the ball knows that they cant play a through ball to him, as he has no pace. This leads to our midfield passing over and back, and going nowhere. With a proper player up front, it would improve the performance of most of the team, but when Wenger rates someone, they stay in the team, no matter what

[SteveO 35]

I think in a team like ours, who we have as our Centre forward dictates the type of performance we are going to see. With Giroud up front, any player who gets the ball knows that they cant play a through ball to him, as he has no pace. This leads to our midfield passing over and back, and going nowhere. With a proper player up front, it would improve the performance of most of the team, but when Wenger rates someone, they stay in the team, no matter what

One other thing about Giroud that pisses me off is the theatrical reaction when he's down injured, waving his arm around like a little girl who stung herself on a nettle. Barely a minute later he gets up and gets on with it

Maybe he likes giving everyone that 20 second reaction of "Fuck.......is Park going to have to come on"

Didn't see SQ Park warm up again today. I'm struggling with the concept of his existance

[armchair]

I think in a team like ours, who we have as our Centre forward dictates the type of performance we are going to see. With Giroud up front, any player who gets the ball knows that they cant play a through ball to him, as he has no pace. This leads to our midfield passing over and back, and going nowhere. With a proper player up front, it would improve the performance of most of the team, but when Wenger rates someone, they stay in the team, no matter what

This is a well thought out and quite a good point. Until you realise we did exactly the same shit when we had RVP on fire up front for us.
I reckon Theos pace and threat would have made a difference today.

[augie]

Not being funny but am thinking that park should have got a run out today for the last 10 minutes - we have to seriously prepare ourselves for the possibility/probability that w*nker is not going to sign a centre forward so the likes of park might be needed yet

[armchair]

Didn't see SQ Park warm up again today. I'm struggling with the concept of his existance

I was criticised because dont reckon Wenger signed Ozil............
I also dont believe he signed Park.

Wonder if the Wenger supporters or #flipfloppers will take issue with me about SQ Park? Whoooooo?

[SteveO 35]

Not a single fucking chorus of There's Only One today

Miserable bastards - be careful what you wish for the lot of you

[BFG4]

I think in a team like ours, who we have as our Centre forward dictates the type of performance we are going to see. With Giroud up front, any player who gets the ball knows that they cant play a through ball to him, as he has no pace. This leads to our midfield passing over and back, and going nowhere. With a proper player up front, it would improve the performance of most of the team, but when Wenger rates someone, they stay in the team, no matter what

This is a well thought out and quite a good point. Until you realise we did exactly the same shit when we had RVP on fire up front for us.
I reckon Theos pace and threat would have made a difference today.

In RVP'S last season, Song set him up plenty of times by chipping the ball over the top, and now we have a striker who cant reach the ball unless its right in front of him. Serious questions have to be asked, as to how Podolski cant get in the team, im not suggesting he is the answer up front, but is most certainly an improvement on Giroud.

[BournemouthRED]

I'm struggling to get my head round where this team is at. We lack a ruthlessness and a world class striker.

However we are keeping clean sheets, winning (ugly If need be) and we are top the league!

Fuck it, I like boobies and the Arsenal!

[markyp]

Berbs is a bell end but he doesn't half use the ball well,in a team like ours hed score a hatful of goals,he makes everything look so easy, although some people see this as lazy unlike Giroud who makes everything look so bloody difficult at times.

[northbank123]

Not being funny but am thinking that park should have got a run out today for the last 10 minutes - we have to seriously prepare ourselves for the possibility/probability that w*nker is not going to sign a centre forward so the likes of park might be needed yet

I'd rather play Flappy up front. I really would.