The 1st goal conceded tonight!

[proudtosaythatname]

I too cannot for the life of me understand why Almunia punched the ball. How many other keepers would have done that? OK it was Rose who put it back from whence it came, quite competently I hate to admit, but there were several more waiting Spuds who might have done the same. I don't care how far the ball went; anyone who watched Barcelona's Pedro lob the Deportivo keeper last night almost from the halfway line after a similar undisciplined clearance (though with his boot) will know exactly what I mean.

My understanding is that the punching idea instead of catching started (understandably) because the swerving modern ball coming hard at the keeper could be difficult to hold in the face of an oncoming forward - not the easily catchable, unchallenged cross like last night. I was dumbfounded with Manuel's poor decision even before it came back with interest. Wenger must replace him - can't we get hold of Joe Hart?

Or maybe even Pat Jennings. Big Pat would have caught that cross one-handed - even yesterday...

[franksav63]

Having now seen it on the new, it was a very sweet stike by the young Spud. Good tekkers.

I hate that phrase. That godforsaken piece of shit Saturday morning TV Soccer AM has a lot to answer for there.

What does it mean Digger? I can't stand Soccer AM, so in the dark mate.

[franksav63]

I too cannot for the life of me understand why Almunia punched the ball. How many other keepers would have done that? OK it was Rose who put it back from whence it came, quite competently I hate to admit, but there were several more waiting Spuds who might have done the same. I don't care how far the ball went; anyone who watched Barcelona's Pedro lob the Deportivo keeper last night almost from the halfway line after a similar undisciplined clearance (though with his boot) will know exactly what I mean.

My understanding is that the punching idea instead of catching started (understandably) because the swerving modern ball coming hard at the keeper could be difficult to hold in the face of an oncoming forward - not the easily catchable, unchallenged cross like last night. I was dumbfounded with Manuel's poor decision even before it came back with interest. Wenger must replace him - can't we get hold of Joe Hart?

Or maybe even Pat Jennings. Big Pat would have caught that cross one-handed - even yesterday...

Yes, he would have, good post.

[MK Gould]

Just come back from the game, was right behind the goal, thought that was AL's fault (sorry I am biased), but then exchanged the txt with someone. They thought it's not his fault!!

Ok, I admit it was my txt !

In my defence, it did look at great goal when first scored. It was only at looking at the replay (again, and again, and again...) that I agree that it was more keeper error than super skill.... Whether he should have punched is one question. But having punched he should still have been able to save the shot.... If he'd just have stood up straight he could have caught the bloody thing (or puched it again!!).

[digger]

Having now seen it on the new, it was a very sweet stike by the young Spud. Good tekkers.

I hate that phrase. That godforsaken piece of shit Saturday morning TV Soccer AM has a lot to answer for there.

What does it mean Digger? I can't stand Soccer AM, so in the dark mate.

Tekkers = technique. It's a kinda slangy/muppet word said by the likes of Danny Cipriani while trying to be down with the kids.

[Its Up 4 Grabs Now]

Sagna definitely knocked into the back of Almunia & impeded him slightly as he was setting himself for the shot. But either way it was weak & to punch that ball in the 1st when unchallenged says everything about the guy. That’s twice now he’s been beaten from miles out against that lot. “Wonder strikesâ€

[donaldo]

Almunia wouldnt be in the team if we had anything like a good number 2.The truth is Flappy is even worse.When it comes to keepers Wenger hasnt got a clue

Shay Given cost £6m

[Its Up 4 Grabs Now]

Almunia wouldnt be in the team if we had anything like a good number 2.The truth is Flappy is even worse.When it comes to keepers Wenger hasnt got a clue

Shay Given cost £6m

Doubt he’d have cost £6m if we’d gone for him though. City would have upped their bid again (& again…), plus even at Newcastle he was already out of reach for our (admittedly wanktastic) wage policy. Missing out on Friedel for £2m & probably £50k a week tops was the bigger mistake in my opinion. Either way Almunia has to be 1 of Wenger's biggest mistakes in his whole time with us. Maybe the biggest.

[wlchuccc]

Just come back from the game, was right behind the goal, thought that was AL's fault (sorry I am biased), but then exchanged the txt with someone. They thought it's not his fault!!

Ok, I admit it was my txt !

In my defence, it did look at great goal when first scored. It was only at looking at the replay (again, and again, and again...) that I agree that it was more keeper error than super skill.... Whether he should have punched is one question. But having punched he should still have been able to save the shot.... If he'd just have stood up straight he could have caught the bloody thing (or puched it again!!).

That's alright, I know you are AL admirer

[Boomer]

Almunia wouldnt be in the team if we had anything like a good number 2.The truth is Flappy is even worse.When it comes to keepers Wenger hasnt got a clue

Shay Given cost £6m

Doubt he’d have cost £6m if we’d gone for him though. City would have upped their bid again (& again…), plus even at Newcastle he was already out of reach for our (admittedly wanktastic) wage policy. Missing out on Friedel for £2m & probably £50k a week tops was the bigger mistake in my opinion. Either way Almunia has to be 1 of Wenger's biggest mistakes in his whole time with us. Maybe the biggest.

You just have to look at the credability (or lack off) of Al's club history.

[franksav63]

Having now seen it on the new, it was a very sweet stike by the young Spud. Good tekkers.

I hate that phrase. That godforsaken piece of shit Saturday morning TV Soccer AM has a lot to answer for there.

What does it mean Digger? I can't stand Soccer AM, so in the dark mate.

Tekkers = technique. It's a kinda slangy/muppet word said by the likes of Danny Cipriani while trying to be down with the kids.

Oh.... I get it, it's a pretty shit word though isn't it.

[franksav63]

Almunia wouldnt be in the team if we had anything like a good number 2.The truth is Flappy is even worse.When it comes to keepers Wenger hasnt got a clue

Shay Given cost £6m

Doubt he’d have cost £6m if we’d gone for him though. City would have upped their bid again (& again…), plus even at Newcastle he was already out of reach for our (admittedly wanktastic) wage policy. Missing out on Friedel for £2m & probably £50k a week tops was the bigger mistake in my opinion. Either way Almunia has to be 1 of Wenger's biggest mistakes in his whole time with us. Maybe the biggest.

You just have to look at the credability (or lack off) of Al's club history.

Which has, unfortunately, been greatly enhanced during his joke of a tenure at our great club.

[Almunia is a clown]

For Wenger a top class keeper is not that important & he won't pay big money for one either. Perhaps keepers are not that important to his overall football vision??

Brian Clough said signing Peter Shilton was worth a dozen points a season to Forest, that's what a top class keeper does, saves important points during the campaign.

You can't win much without a quality GK!

What's the betting that AW still doesn't act during the close season??

[marcengels]

For Wenger a top class keeper is not that important & he won't pay big money for one either. Perhaps keepers are not that important to his overall football vision??

Brian Clough said signing Peter Shilton was worth a dozen points a season to Forest, that's what a top class keeper does, saves important points during the campaign.

You can't win much without a quality GK!

What's the betting that AW still doesn't act during the close season??

Welsom mate.

Where do you stand on Almunia?

[BT]

I think we all agree that he isn't good enough, that his positioning and distribution are woeful and won't improve at his age and that he is an average shot stopper at best. Even if he'd caught it and not punched it, what's the betting he'd hoof it into no man's land?

If rumours are to be believed (the Sorenson bid in Jan, the 'chest infection', Amy Lawrence on arseblog saying Wenger had lost faith in Almunia after the Chelsea home game but couldn't find replacement), then I think we are maybe seeing the back of Al this summer (god willing). Even the stats that Wenger loves don't support him.

How many times have I seen Gallas, Sol and Sagna shot him death stares this season? I can't believe Wenger is completely blind on this issue. Last night he said "Almunia didn't see it" which seemed like a thinly veiled criticism.