Marseille at home

[StuartL]

I agree about the consequences for the Group though. I can see a draw against Dortmund, but regardless of our result Marseille will take care of Olympiakos at the Velodrome, so either way we now need to go to Greece with a proper side. No rest for the wicked !

I can quite easily see us still coming in 3rd place as Dortmund could win at our place leaving us sweating on beating Olympiakos and awaiting the other result to decide our fate.

[SteveO 35]

Just home after last nights game and frustrated doesnt even begin to state how I feel. I said going to the game last night that their performance would tell if they had really turned the corner or if they had become your typical 2nd tier team who on occasions can rise their game to beat the big teams but are neither good enough nor consistant enough to do it on a regular basis

Last night the players looked so lethargic it was unbelievable - I am sorry but playing a game every 3 or 4 days should not result in the sort of mass hypnosis that our players showed last night. Theo and gervinho were absolute ***** and I honestly felt that we could have taken them off and played with 9 men and be as effective as we were with them Unlike others I am willing to be more tolerant of players like park and jenks who are just into the club and have hardly played for the 1st team but c**ts like theo and gervinho should be shot imo. I really feel sorry for kos last night......on sat he was outstanding v the chavs only to be eased out to allow what is probably our first choice centre back pairing to line out together for the first time and I feel that is harsh on the lad

Finally a quick word at the atmosphere or lack thereof - normally I am a north bank regular but to get 4 tickets together last night I had to relocate to the clock end where I found the atmosphere especially shit The old "stand up if you hate..." got it's usual cringeworthy airings but in reality the marseille fans outsung us by a distance and the amount of empty seats was staggering

You booked the tickets hoping to see Abou didn't you matey ? I understand all the frustration.....

[Pascal Cygan AFC Legend]

My problem with Arteta is that I thought he came here as a playmaker, not a 'midfield general' kind of player? Song is more creative than Arteta! I'm not saying he's crap or get rid of him but we're crying out for creativity at the moment. Wilshere alongside Arteta however could be a very nice partnership!

I still think we could be in very big trouble in the CL if we lose to Dortmund and that is quite possible. We should have beaten a poor Marseille team and we didn't because of our inadequecies, not because Marseille were quality.

Strange because I've always seen Arteta as a general rather than the creative, flair player. He should deploy Arshavin in a more central creators role with any two from Arteta/Ramsey/Song doing the policing. I think the expectations from him are complete unrealistic with regards to being a new Cesc.

Agree.

Going on current form, we could try Arteta deeper and use Ramsey more forward where his runs into the box could be of use:

Song and Arteta deep midfield, alternatively breaking forward if relevant, with Ramsey behind the striker.

Gervinho and Walcott wide, swapping sides at times.

RvP up front.

It would give us a strong bench with Arshavin, Coquelin, Frimpong etc to re-inforce the midfield.

Then if we need a Plan B, try someone alongside RvP ; Walcott, Ramsey, Chamakh, Arshavin, Gervinho, Park would all bring different strengths, and weaknesses, to that role.

But surely we must try it i training, and even the last minutes of a Carling Cup game, to see how it works?

My problem with Rambo this season is that he's been playing far too deep and has not suited his game imo, so would welcome him being put in a more advanced position. I'd also say that Song should be the most deep of the 3, and should curtail his adventures up field, as lot of them seem to end in a horribly poor pass and our defence exposed!