A Case for the Defence

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BlueToff said:
I don't get this obsession with having to beat good teams in the cup.

I'd have loved us to get the ties that Arsenal have for the past three years running...
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Think as a general rule of thumb to win something you have to beat a good team at some point - but its the luck of the draw for everyone.
 
chazzle_dazzle said:
Think as a general rule of thumb to win something you have to beat a good team at some point - but its the luck of the draw for everyone.
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Yep granted.

To buck that trend though mate, it's the cup and anything can happen (proved by Wigan winning it in 2013...)

Arsenal in 2013/14 only had to beat us who I would put anywhere near their level, yet they still only just edged past Hull in the final.

Last year they had an incredibly lucky run.

I'd take league two sides all the way if it meant winning something! ;)
 

BlueToff said:
Yep granted.

To buck that trend though mate, it's the cup and anything can happen (proved by Wigan winning it in 2013...)

Arsenal in 2013/14 only had to beat us who I would put anywhere near their level, yet they still only just edged past Hull in the final.

Last year they had an incredibly lucky run.

I'd take league two sides all the way if it meant winning something! ;)
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100%
 
BlueToff said:
Yep granted.

To buck that trend though mate, it's the cup and anything can happen (proved by Wigan winning it in 2013...)

Arsenal in 2013/14 only had to beat us who I would put anywhere near their level, yet they still only just edged past Hull in the final.

Last year they had an incredibly lucky run.

I'd take league two sides all the way if it meant winning something! ;)
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We all would mate, but that wouldn't show we'd progressed as a team. It'd just show we were good at beating league 2 sides and were very lucky with the draw.

People bring it up about playing good sides, because other posters use the cup run as something to hold up as the manager taking this club forward. When in reality we went out very early in both cups last season, and this season went out as soon as we drew a decent side.
 
chicoazul said:
Five wins in seven games mate with the recent loss being playing with ten men for an hour.

Just think it's a little over the top all time demanding him to be fired, especially on the eve of a big game this weekend.
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Yeah, I don't see any point wanting him sacked before the end of the season, and based on our attacking prowess, I rather sadistically still want him to get another season, well funded as well.

For some reason I still harbour hopes that he will see sense and learn how to defend, stop treating the opposition like lepers and get the players to close them down, but where my heart says yes, this is great to watch, my head says.. well.. mostly unkind things about him.

Ultimately, he lost the last game, he lost a lot of games this season, he lost too many the season before, and through either his doing or the boards, I think its about time that ended. Sort it out Martinez!!

The crowd should give him one last push to the end of the season to give a final chance for a change of fortune, and to show what we can do, but I understand the boo's, I really do.. after all, its been a long time since we had to look over our shoulders, and a lot remember what its like not much further back from where we are now, and that's a very scary thought. It's almost impossible to conceive of us going further backwards... almost.. but its also hard to see us going on anything that resembles a prolonged run of wins, 5 in 7 is a good start though, but actual opponents that can kick a ball are coming soon and we look totally ill prepared to defeat them.

But even if he did go on a great run to the end of the season, right now that's hypothetical talk, with the money spent, and the squad he started with, we should be better than we are currently, any run of form, or style of play changes, or bad luck with refs, or injuries, or player errors, or excuses for results cannot cover up that we simply should be doing better than we are.

That responsibility lies with Martinez.
 

Little Ralphy said:
We all would mate, but that wouldn't show we'd progressed as a team. It'd just show we were good at beating league 2 sides and were very lucky with the draw.

People bring it up about playing good sides, because other posters use the cup run as something to hold up as the manager taking this club forward. When in reality we went out very early in both cups last season, and this season went out as soon as we drew a decent side.
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On the button
 
Toffeelover said:
Structure - HMM you mean what is afoot at Finch Farm or are we talking of structure of the team? and we have seen of late the results of that structure.

Finances are now recovering thanks to the promise of the new shareholder but prior to that they were still not clever unless you are thinking of the Sky money.

Squad development, yes with the players mentioned it could be said this is the case. But let me put in, Delofeu has hardly been given any game time, persist in using Stones as an extra CB in his 3 at the back plan or using him in place of Coleman for me that is a waste. Look at our other young players who has been given real game time only Galloway as as I can see so where is the young player development. Let me also add in the last couple of weeks, on the bench have been players not fully fit e,g. Baines - why was Galloway not there.

New talent - what talent apart from Galloway!

As for the lasting character and style of our football that has got us in 12th place is that something to be proud of? not mention some abysaml results like only 4 home wins this season.

I remain unconvinced.
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I agree with most of what you say.

On the point of squad and new talent though, I don't think there is any harm in having talented players (Deulofeu, Galloway, etc) battling to get into the squad. Not playing does not detract from their talents, it just means we're growing a bit of depth in squad which were not used to.

On the youth development, I think Martinez has done well here. It's not easy to break young players into the squad, but from our youth side Barkley has become pivotal and Galloway very promising.

Not from our own youth squad, but Rom is only 22 and Stones 21, together with Barkley they are three high profile players under 23, credit due to Martinez for that.
 

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