Which Failure To Strengthen Will Prove Most Costly?

Malicious_AFC · Post by **Malicious_AFC** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 9:55 am

goalkeeper, apart from during the ACN then its Defensive Mid and Goalkeeper, to be honest i'd be happier with senderos in goal

Gunnersaurus · Post by **Gunnersaurus** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 10:09 am

That's a fair comment Spud but I don't think he's been that exposed this season, last season maybe but this season the defence has looked a lot better yet we still sit here talking about what we think are his mistakes.

augie · Post by **augie** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 11:37 am

I find spuddys defence of average al quite admirable but I also see it as paving the way for any repeat performance from himself in the sunderland fans game again this season

On a serious level though spuddy how can the defnce be blamed for the pompey goal when kaboul headed the fcuking in 2" from the goal line ?

If he cant dominate just 2" from the goals then how the fcuk will he dominate the whole 6yd box much less the penalty area ?

To me his flaws are being heavily highlighted this season ironically cos the defence in front of him is playing so well that it takes any doubts of where the blame lies away from them and totally on his shoulders.

I have to say, and I know that I am going to get slaughtered here, but I find it both laughable and embarrassing that the departure of song is being viewed as a major dent in our aspirations this season

Again last saturday he was badly exposed in the 2nd half and improved him may well be but he still is not good enough and the fact that he is viewed by some is vital is a shocking indictment of how far we have fallen.

Overall, because of the shortcomings of both players I have mentioned, I cannot decide which of the two positions concerned will hurt us more but imo it is these areas which will cause me most concerns

littlefire · Post by **littlefire** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 11:42 am

Boomer wrote:
Where was Diaby standing? 6 yard line? Why didn't he come and claim it. A half decent GK would have!

I'm serially underwhelmed by Almunia myself but it appears (according to 'my own goal hell" in the bum) that Diaby did get a shout to "leave it!" from the keeper...

mike · Post by **mike** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 11:47 am

I also happen to think that we're short up top. People may not agree with me here but i think that when EVERYONES FIT that is the one area that i would say is weakest and i just can't see many goals coming from our strikers....Lets hope the midfielders keep scoring because if the goals dry up from the arshavins and cescs we could be bang in trouble.

Post by **SPUDMASHER** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 11:50 am

augie wrote:I find spuddys defence of average al quite admirable but I also see it as paving the way for any repeat performance from himself in the sunderland fans game again this season

On a serious level though spuddy how can the defnce be blamed for the pompey goal when kaboul headed the fcuking in 2" from the goal line ? If he cant dominate just 2" from the goals then how the fcuk will he dominate the whole 6yd box much less the penalty area ? To me his flaws are being heavily highlighted this season ironically cos the defence in front of him is playing so well that it takes any doubts of where the blame lies away from them and totally on his shoulders.

I have to say, and I know that I am going to get slaughtered here, but I find it both laughable and embarrassing that the departure of song is being viewed as a major dent in our aspirations this season Again last saturday he was badly exposed in the 2nd half and improved him may well be but he still is not good enough and the fact that he is viewed by some is vital is a shocking indictment of how far we have fallen.

Overall, because of the shortcomings of both players I have mentioned, I cannot decide which of the two positions concerned will hurt us more but imo it is these areas which will cause me most concerns

I'm shocked that you would think I would use Al' performances to defend my own. The forum has spoken quite clearly on their desire for me to not represent them again and I dare say that come match day they'll get their wish

I think Almunia is given a hard time based on those that have preceeded him. Any goalkeeper coming into the team in the shadow of Seamen and Lehmann (over-rated IMO) has a mountain to climb just to be accepted.

TeeCee · Post by **TeeCee** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 11:57 am

I think acceptance comes with performance................maybe that's why he's finding it difficult?

augie · Post by **augie** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 11:59 am

Spuddy having watched your performance in goals that day I can say with total honesty that I would rather see you in goals for Arsenal at the mo than average al

I will also say that I would be very disppointed should you lose your position for the rematch v the sunderland fans after 1 slight slip up - however, if like average al, you keep making mistakes then I would have to support any campaign for chunky to invest in a new keeper for the 2010/2011 season

jensenscores · Post by **jensenscores** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 12:01 pm

Good point Spudmasher,

He aint the best but having a look at the market I can't really see anyone available or at a sensible price.

So as a previous poster said we are stuck with him so we need to get behind him, giving him stick will only make him play worse.

Anyone reckon AW will spend in January? I have my doubts.

If he thinks the prices now are too much then they will be even worse in January.

I'm praying we don't have a mid-season injury crisis

Kiki · Post by **Kiki** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 12:58 pm

Keeper, keeper, keeper!!!!!!!!!

Bergkamp-Genius · Post by **Bergkamp-Genius** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 2:07 pm

What about strengthening the manager or the boardroom options...

I can't just pick out one from the list because we need a general addition of quality through the spine of the team, 3 from 4 of GK CB CM CF would have made me very confident we would do very well this year, 2 from the four would have given us a good chance, 0 from the four means we are going to suffer the same problems as usual regardless of how good we look in individual games or a run of games, our lack of the right kind of quality depth in our spine will be our undoing once again.

augie · Post by **augie** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 2:26 pm

Bergkamp-Genius wrote:What about strengthening the manager or the boardroom options...
I can't just pick out one from the list because we need a general addition of quality through the spine of the team, 3 from 4 of GK CB CM CF would have made me very confident we would do very well this year, 2 from the four would have given us a good chance, 0 from the four means we are going to suffer the same problems as usual regardless of how good we look in individual games or a run of games, our lack of the right kind of quality depth in our spine will be our undoing once again.

I thought the same but decided not to bother saying it - too tired to get into an arguement/debate about it today

Post by **I Hate Hleb** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 2:33 pm

SPUDMASHER wrote:....I think Almunia is given a hard time based on those that have preceeded him. Any goalkeeper coming into the team in the shadow of Seamen and Lehmann (over-rated IMO) has a mountain to climb just to be accepted.

TeeCee wrote:I think acceptance comes with performance................maybe that's why he's finding it difficult?

I was going to reply to Spuddy's post but this one summed up my feelings in one sentence, and more quickly than it would have taken me!!

Beautifully and succinctly put TeeCee.

Post by **flash gunner** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 2:39 pm

I went for defensive midfielder but i would kick out Average Al for a decent replacement just as quick

Post by **SPUDMASHER** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 2:47 pm

flash gunner wrote:I went for defensive midfielder but i would kick out Average Al for a decent replacement just as quick

I would too, but then I'm just pointing out that he isn't as bad as some would have you believe. The way people attack him I think he is lucky that Matthew Hopkins isn't alive today.

Which Failure To Strengthen Will Prove Most Costly?

Which failure to strenghten will prove most costly?