It wasn't about Tactics

[StartingPrice]

I don't think we deserved to be 2-0 up. 1-0 definitely.

Sorry, I love Harry and his man management and what he's done for my club, but he isn't a tactician and that has cost us today. Not solely, but going 442 was always going to make today very hard, even at 2-0.

I would be more critical of the played 4-4-2 if we had played with Lennon on, and Bale actually playing wide (the Bohemian roamy-abouty-thang - it sounded nice, 'Arry, but give it up, already :-|).

 

[Spurvert]

I would be more critical of the played 4-4-2 if we had played with Lennon on, and Bale actually playing wide (the Bohemian roamy-abouty-thang - it sounded nice, 'Arry, but give it up, already :-|).

I was worried as soon as I heard we were going 442. It was never going to be easy, even as vulnerable as Arsenal appeared.

But it's one game. Hurts. Like hell. But perspective and beer are doing wonders right now.

 

[StartingPrice]

I was worried as soon as I heard we were going 442. It was never going to be easy, even as vulnerable as Arsenal appeared.

But it's one game. Hurts. Like hell. But perspective and beer are doing wonders right now.

Taking a deep breath and watching Cardiff come within a whisker of fooking the Scousers has restored my faith in football a bit.

But I ask again - if Bale stopped roaming about so much and played on one wing, and Lennon played on the other, do you think playing 4-4-2 would have been so disastrous :shrug:

 

[Spurvert]

Taking a deep breath and watching Cardiff come within a whisker of fooking the Scousers has restored my faith in football a bit.

But I ask again - if Bale stopped roaming about so much and played on one wing, and Lennon played on the other, do you think playing 4-4-2 would have been so disastrous :shrug:

Probably not, no. But I'd still go 451. You have to respect a team like Arsenal, no matter their current position or form.

 

[StartingPrice]

Probably not, no. But I'd still go 451. You have to respect a team like Arsenal, no matter their current position or form.

I know, but, as explained above, we could have been 3 up and the Goons dead-and-buried, and their first two goals conceded, all with our starting tactics. And they were not even remotely how I feel we should have played the 4-4-2.

 

[eddiebailey]

One has to wonder if Leds, VdV and Sandro were really match fit and sharp.

 

[Kendall]

I don't really see how you can say they returned from nothing?

They were dominating us all over. We scored before they settled and got a pen on the break. I couldn't believe our luck when we were 2-0 up because they were just coming at us at will. They'd already had a few good chances.

They didn't really change anything to get back into the game, we'd already completely played into their hands in the opening 20 minutes, they knew we were not playing well.

 

[Kendall]

I know, but, as explained above, we could have been 3 up and the Goons dead-and-buried, and their first two goals conceded, all with our starting tactics. And they were not even remotely how I feel we should have played the 4-4-2.

They could've been, but IMO, we had little right to be 2-0 up at that point, we were lucky and to be quite frank, we ran out of luck.

 

[StartingPrice]

I don't really see how you can say they returned from nothing?

They were dominating us all over. We scored before they settled and got a pen on the break. I couldn't believe our luck when we were 2-0 up because they were just coming at us at will. They'd already had a few good chances.

They didn't really change anything to get back into the game, we'd already completely played into their hands in the opening 20 minutes, they knew we were not playing well.

I do remember thinking, way before they sscored, that we would be lucky to keep a clean-sheet.

They could've been, but IMO, we had little right to be 2-0 up at that point, we were lucky and to be quite frank, we ran out of luck.

I agree, but that isn't the point I'm making.
The point is that we could have been 3 up, and the Goons dead-and-buried, and neither of their first two goals was specifically down to tactics but to utter shit play.
And, even if we were gonna play 4-4-2, Bale on the wing and Lennon would have been a more effective option IMHO, and maybe if we'd done that we could have played 4-4-2 without being so horrificly undone.

Hell, the funny thin is that their 3 second half goals, IMHO, were more tactics related - but, there again, we had brought Sandro on at half-time, and VDV...but no Lennon :bang:

 

[Kendall]

I don't even think at 3-0 they'd have been dead and buried.

 

[buttons]

Tactics were poor. They dominated us at the lane this year and we got lucky. They dominated us again today, we didn't get lucky.

As ontge ropes as they supposedly were, we had to match them up today.

 

[StartingPrice]

I don't even think at 3-0 they'd have been dead and buried.

That's your opinion, and you are entitled to it.

But I think it is just hindsight that is making you say that. After the penalty I specifically saw at least two of their defence dropping their heads. After a third, how many more would have wwent down :shrug:

Fact is that they got a goal at just the right moment for them, and, fair play to Sagna <INSERT VOMITICON> he showed some genuine fight and a bit of leadership after he scored, and the goal and that pulled them right around. But if we had got a third, the stream of play would have been different, and they wouldn't have got that goal then. They would have been 3 goals down, with a lot of heads down. So, in this instance, I disagree with your perfectly legitimate opinion.

 

[spursandbarca]

theyll lose at anfield next week and hopefully we get at least a draw. 12 games and a fa cup left. lot to play for. wouldnt swap our season for theirs

 

[Spurs_Q8]

some decent arguement, but still, don't say each defeat down to tactics. Tactics won't win you.. we came back from 0-2 to win 3-2 last visit there with questionable tactics...

it's seem Arsenal always play better vs us recently, as someone stated that they almost score 2-2 at home, it's showed the problem about the player mentality when they are leading 2-0.

same to Fulham (A), Everton (H), Wigan (H) for example .. they looks like doing better when they are behind rather than taking a lead.

I'm sure we could manage more than 4-0 vs Liverpool...

not saying it's just the players, Redknapp is reasonable, as well as the board since not buying King replacement for ages, and yet to get good cover for Lennon or Bale or even behind striker.

 

[InOffMeLeftShin]

Arsenal seemed to have so much more energy than us, they played with more desire, more spirit and they probably had 7 or 8 players who put in their best performances of the season. I'm certain it was their best team performance of the season. It was like it was a do or die game for them, players, manager, club all were desperate for a win.

Even at 2-0 down they were the better side. We had caused them a few problems when attacking them and probably should have kept up at least a little intensity and tried to stretch them but after taking a 2 goal lead we reverted back to standing off (as we have in other games this season) and we were made to pay for it (which hasn't happened when we've stood off teams). Our negative turn was just the incentive the hungry Arsenal players needed and they didn't need to be invited twice. When they didn't have the ball they usually had 2 or 3 men after it, when they did have it their players were full of running and were finding spaces far too easily. They cut through us at ease and if they had scored 8 it probably wouldn't have been all that surprising.

Whilst Arsenal were flowing and energetic we were unstructured and chasing the game. Rather than forcing our play on them we were reacting all the time and despite knowing all about their defensive frailties we didn't really ask them any questions. I'm not at all convinced that VDV and Sandro were even half fit, both looked miles off the pace of the game. It seemed to be a move of desperation.

It hurts all the more because it's probably the first time that we have had a stronger squad and a better first XI for quite some time. But we've beaten them as underdogs in the past and we should know just how much of a tonic that can be for a side especially at a time when it seems all was lost for them.

Now we have to show real character, we have to bounce back from a thumping against our rivals and try to finish the season strongly. I hope we can get back to doing what we do best and attack our opponents relentlessly. Play with width, play with pace, play with flair and go out and enjoy the rest of the season.

 

[Andy]

do you think it would've been much different had we stayed with the 1st half lineup? arsenal were well on top before the changes imo.

they may have been playing the better football but the scoreline still read 2-2 at half time.
going to 4-5-1 with no one covering the right side, VdV not even in the game and Sandro seeming to appear lost out there, well the second half was 0-3.

tbh the team was poor, the subs were strange, if your taking off Krankie and a striker the next two on were Lennon and Rafa.
defensive mistakes cost us four of the five goals today.

 

[ultimateloner]

RVP just fired them up. It was an amazing individual performance; he did his part and got others to do theirs as well. He's looking like a real leader as well as top striker.

 

[Gilzeanking]

Arsenal seemed to have so much more energy than us, they played with more desire, more spirit and they probably had 7 or 8 players who put in their best performances of the season. I'm certain it was their best team performance of the season. It was like it was a do or die game for them, players, manager, club all were desperate for a win.

Even at 2-0 down they were the better side. We had caused them a few problems when attacking them and probably should have kept up at least a little intensity and tried to stretch them but after taking a 2 goal lead we reverted back to standing off (as we have in other games this season) and we were made to pay for it (which hasn't happened when we've stood off teams). Our negative turn was just the incentive the hungry Arsenal players needed and they didn't need to be invited twice. When they didn't have the ball they usually had 2 or 3 men after it, when they did have it their players were full of running and were finding spaces far too easily. They cut through us at ease and if they had scored 8 it probably wouldn't have been all that surprising.

Whilst Arsenal were flowing and energetic we were unstructured and chasing the game. Rather than forcing our play on them we were reacting all the time and despite knowing all about their defensive frailties we didn't really ask them any questions. I'm not at all convinced that VDV and Sandro were even half fit, both looked miles off the pace of the game. It seemed to be a move of desperation.

It hurts all the more because it's probably the first time that we have had a stronger squad and a better first XI for quite some time. But we've beaten them as underdogs in the past and we should know just how much of a tonic that can be for a side especially at a time when it seems all was lost for them.

Now we have to show real character, we have to bounce back from a thumping against our rivals and try to finish the season strongly. I hope we can get back to doing what we do best and attack our opponents relentlessly. Play with width, play with pace, play with flair and go out and enjoy the rest of the season.

Don't entirely agree with the bolded bit (clearly untrue re the teams on the day ) , but everything else is spot on .

 

[InOffMeLeftShin]

Don't entirely agree with the bolded bit (clearly untrue re the teams on the day ) , but everything else is spot on .

OK, first time we have gone into a game believing we have a stronger squad and first XI. I think most pundits and even Arsenal fans would have said the same.

 

[hodsgod]

OK, first time we have gone into a game believing we have a stronger squad and first XI. I think most pundits and even Arsenal fans would have said the same.

It looked like our players believed it, and that they only had to turn up to win.