FA Cup - Arsenal v Aston Villa | 29/01, 16:00 ESPN

[ferrarif50hunt]

Song's a very overrated player

:? Actually, I'd say he's rather underrated. He's not been great for the last few weeks, but that doesn't hide the fact that he's been immense for the majority of the season.

Edit: Oh, and that pass to Ramsey that resulted in the first penalty was exquisite.

 

[WengerFaithful]

Song gets some bad press on this forum and it is because people underestimate the way he plays the game for us and his job task. He is our box to box player and their fore is always their or their abouts when attacks break down (for us) or goals go in (against us) and due to the replay it looks like he had a harsh part to play in them - when in fact he is busting a gut to be their. Most of our successful defense comes from Song assisting the back four and most of his bad passes are due to him busting a gut to join in the attack and prob not steadying himself proper.

One of the first names on the team sheet and will be for a long time.

 

[mistaT]

Song is underrated in the sense that he's one of a few players on this team willing to do the dirty defensive work.

Song is overrated in the sense that he really doesn't do said work that well, he's immobile and looks much sharper playing alongside a mobile or well positioned player (Wilshere/Arteta) so they can minimize the space he has to cover.

He's at his worst when he's at the bottom of an inverted pyramid as there is far far too much space for him to cover.

 

[Shue]

thefadotcom TheFA.com
The referee has confirmed he saw the incident involving Robin Van Persie and therefore the Arsenal forward faces no further action.

 

[DJ_Markstar]

thefadotcom TheFA.com
The referee has confirmed he saw the incident involving Robin Van Persie and therefore the Arsenal forward faces no further action.

*dances around*

Great news.

 

[RUS arsenal]

Song is underrated in the sense that he's one of a few players on this team willing to do the dirty defensive work.

Song is overrated in the sense that he really doesn't do said work that well, he's immobile and looks much sharper playing alongside a mobile or well positioned player (Wilshere/Arteta) so they can minimize the space he has to cover.

He's at his worst when he's at the bottom of an inverted pyramid as there is far far too much space for him to cover.

Earlier in the season he would never allow players to get passed him so easily, perhaps the yellow card accumulation is affecting his play by making him hesitant? That's the only thing I can think of.


re RvP: not surprised at all since the referee would have to be legally blind not to see it from his position.

 

[Shue]

thefadotcom TheFA.com
The referee has confirmed he saw the incident involving Robin Van Persie and therefore the Arsenal forward faces no further action.

*dances around*

Great news.

Yeah, I hope McCleish ****ing choked on his sour grapes when he heard.

 

[Freagle]

thefadotcom TheFA.com
The referee has confirmed he saw the incident involving Robin Van Persie and therefore the Arsenal forward faces no further action.

That's great news! Thanks for the update Shue.

 

[DJ_Markstar]

Too right, hate the guy.

On a somewhat related note, isn't there supposedly a strong Scottish contingent inside the FA? Maybe he thought that being Scottish and annoyed might work in his favour.

 

[redwhiteAustrian]

Great news.


**** off McLeish.

 

[Stevo the Villan]

Stevo - good man, good to see you here (was wondering where you were). I'd actually take positives form that, and not just because it was 2-0 at HT. I liked some of the things these guys have going forward. In fact, except for that absolute &%#$*@ you have for a manager, I think you guys have reasons to smile - better than last time I saw Villa play.
What's your take on the big bad elbow?

Tough one on the elbow.

If I'm honest, and you probably won't like this, I think he meant it.
It's not a swinging elbow, but I think he sticks his arm right in Cuellar's face and knew he was doing it.

However, I'm not sure about it. I think it's unclear enough to give RVP the benefit of the doubt and pass it off as an accident, but I have a sneaky suspicion he's gotten away with one there.

Sorry, I know that will probably be unpopular but I'm just being honest.

And as I said, I'm surprised Dunne didn't get sent off so I suppose it balances it out. I'm certainly not outraged by it and can see why the ref took no action.


As for McLeish, we are improving, that much is clear. He's got Stephen Ireland playing and Keane is actually turning out to be a very good signing.
Both those players address the most serious issue I thought we had in the first half of the season, which was the gaping hole between our midfield and strikers. Both keane and Ireland help to bridge this gap and provide service.

That being said, I'm still not a McLeish fan. When I watch us I fail to see what sort of system he's trying to implement. We're not hugely defensive so we're not hard to beat. But we don't offer much in attack. Pundits say we're "counter attacking", but I really just see that as an inevitable consequence of how much pressure we invite upon ourselves. I don't believe McLeish sends out the team to play like that.

That's my biggest concern. Despite Ireland and Keane, if McLeish remains as our manager, I don't see things significantly progressing. We'll just remain as midtable bore draw specialists until something goes wrong and we get relegated.

Pessimistic, I know,

 

[yuvken]

Thanx, stevo. I liked your post (and agree with almost every word - certainly with your Villa analysis, more or less with the VP stuff; if you mean he aimed to sort of "clear the way", I had this suspicion too - I don't think he was aiming at his face, elbowing, etc. And yes, I think the outcome is fair).

See you around (hopefully with the same outcome next time; Sorry, mate. Fingers crossed you'll dump that disgusting manger of yours - you do deserve better).

 

[mistaT]

I personally think RVP knew exactly what he was doing....lucky to get off.

 

[RUS arsenal]

If RvP elbowed him with intent (possible but still a big 'if' IMO) then is there any specific reason for it? Did they have an altercation of some sort earlier in the game? Considering we were already winning that would've been a very weird time to act out just because of frustration (I'd understand if it happened when we were still down 2 goals).

 

[Stevo the Villan]

If RvP elbowed him with intent (possible but still a big 'if' IMO) then is there any specific reason for it? Did they have an altercation of some sort earlier in the game? Considering we were already winning that would've been a very weird time to act out just because of frustration (I'd understand if it happened when we were still down 2 goals).

Yeah it's a big "if", and what you've said adds to the ambiguity of it.

He's hardly the sort of player who has a history of doing that stuff, so as I said I'm happy enough to give him the benefit of the doubt.

 

[yuvken]

I personally think RVP knew exactly what he was doing....lucky to get off.

Exactly what he was doing as in - he was aiming the elbow to his face, standing right next to the ref without anyone between them, hoping to get away with it? didn't notice the ref? is plain dumb? thought the risk was worth it (see previous question)?
Or otherwise, he knew what he was doing as in preparing to win the jump by a stretched backwards hand to "clear the way" (thus risking very little)? I know it's impossible to settle this, it's anyone's hunch. But some things just look more reasonable than others.

 

[ebouenolike]

Personally thought RvP was guilty as sin.

 

[yuvken]

Same question to you , then, enl: how bad was the sin you convict him of committing?

 

[Jury]

I think RvP knew what he was doing, but was very cute about it. Infact, when you're as deft as that, you deserve to get off!

@Yuvken - He's done sillier things than that right in front of the ref before!

 

[RUS arsenal]

RvP hasn't done anything that stupid for a long time, last time I remember seeing it was when he stomped on a player when we had a player advantage and then Crouch scored but he is a lot more mature now than he was then.