Well, what started as a very encouraging performance quickly turned into a nightmare afternoon. Who else was feeling confident at half time? I had this unexplained fuzzy feeling in my stomach I haven’t felt in a while. Apparently it’s related to enjoying watching your team play football and attacking the other team. I’ll just put that one to the back of my mind again and write it off as a strange day.
Bruce named a decent looking side on paper, with Lazaro and Rose making their full debuts. There was a lot to feel positive about other than the lack of striking options on the bench because as we’ve been spoon fed, there aren’t any better options out there than no fit forwards at all.
After a slow start conceding possession we really started to get into the game with Rose and Lazaro pushing forward much more than we’ve seen from our wingbacks in recent months. After 14 minutes we nearly took the lead from a smart corner when Lazaro dinked it to Longstaff on the edge of the area. Longstaff struck his volley into the ground but a wicked deflection wrong footed Leno and he did well to get across and save it. Then from the resulting corner Arsenal failed to clean their lines, Saint Maximin drove into the area but Joelinton hit the cut back onto his standing leg and the ball went out for a goal kick.
What then followed was a crazy open game that was much more enjoyable than watching our usual turgid, non-possession approach.
Joelinton’s hold up play was brilliant at times and as a team, our transition from attack to defence was much more cohesive and dynamic, although the decision making from Almiron and ASM was frustrating at times.
However whatever both managers said at half time had a profound effect that saw normal service resume, and Arsenal went ahead on 54 minutes.
A deep cross to the back post saw a horrible aerial mismatch between Aubameyang and Lazaro, although our on-loan Austrian international resembled me trying to tackle the biggest kid at school during interform rugby , (ie not really trying), and the Gabon international powered home a great header.
It was then 2-0 just three minutes later, with Lazaro again culpable as he was skinned by Saka, but there must also be questions asked as to why Pepe had so much time to finish from about 10 yards out.
It then became all to familiar with no real shape or purpose to the play, and after such a promising first half Joelinton looking completely isolated and demoralised.
Lazaro was mercifully withdrawn along with Fernandez for Hayden and Ritchie on 73 minutes (formation answers on a postcard please). Clark missed a big chance and, just seconds later, ASM crashed a brilliant effort off the post after a wonderful run.
There was still time for two very late Arsenal goals from Ozil, thanks to an uncharacteristic error from Dubravka, and a late Lacazette strike to give the score line a slightly flattering look from Arsenal’s point of view.
Despite this the capitulation and lack of answers was concerning in the second half.
It’s always the hope that kills you with this football club, I’ll admit that my excitement level to watch this match was about the same as it is for taking my bins out in the morning, and Arsenal away is never one that you’d back us to get anything from, it’s essentially a free hit of a game.
However, the first half gave hope and a sprinkling of enjoyment in the style of play. Arsenal were there for the taking, which makes a 4-0 defeat mainly due to poor decision making and individual errors a kick in the teeth.
Palace away next, and a defeat there puts us right back in the relegation mix.
This team usually gives us a reaction and need to again.
HTL!
Bruce says that today’s result shows why we can’t change the way we play. Wrong Brucie boy. It shows we must change the way we play. We played better in the first 30 minutes when we took the game to Arsenal than when we dropped back to all out defending.
Groucho(Quote)
So that is 30 hours of football for Joe without a goal. You can see there is some talent there but we need a better coaching staff than Bruce and Co to bring it out. He is not a number 9 and needs to relax but there is a player there.
Rose just couldn’t really be arsed at Spurs because Levy was messing him around. I don’t think he is fit so Ritchie should be ahead of him.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The one thing I have learnt with this team under Brucie is that we cannot go chasing the game. That doesn’t mean we have to set up with 9-0-1 from the start. It means we need a balance and that should be instilled by the Manager.
The more I see of Bruce, the more I distrust him. We have been very lucky. We have a talented squad. I would say more talented than West Ham who spent more.
Bruce will take us down next year.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
It is sort of hard to assess a Manager when you only see them from afar. Most never win ANYTHING so you can’t judge on trophies. It is when you see them up close (at your club) that you realise their strengths and flaws.
Pardew was an arrogant Tw@t and that came back to bite him in the end.
I think Brucie wants to be everybody’s friend but he doesn’t have a plan or a system. He is fatally flawed and we need to get rid of him in the summer.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Second half was tripe, sat back and let them have the pitch to themselves, really frustrating considering how well we set about them first half.
What was said at half time I wonder, Bruce must of instructed them to play like that, they couldn’t all of collectively suddenly decided to drop off.
It shows a total lack of confidence in his players who surely can’t want to play like that. You cannot sit back and try to hold out for most the second half and hope you can have a go for the last 15 and hope to snatch a winner. I knew the second that first goal went in that we’d go on to lose 4.0, we just fall to pieces when we concede against top sides.
Miggy and Saint need to have better decision making, pace alone doesn’t cut it, as for Joe, his hold up play is good but number 9 he ain’t.
Really really should of gotten in a true number 9, if we had £34m to blow on a mf player then we could of gotten a decent forward from somewhere.
kimtoon(Quote)
Don’t expect anything from Palace or Burnley tbh if we continue in this way, far from safe and we will drop out this league next season if not this if we don’t get a change of owner and manager.
This club is stale as last weeks bread, it’s tired and needs a total revamp .
kimtoon(Quote)
This performance wasn’t really any different from any we have played this whole season. Saint and Almiron always get the ball so deep they have too much to do and end up losing it. It’s pointless and pathetic.
We will likely stay up but I can’t watch this **** every week. They will have to give another 10,000 free tickets away to get people to watch this ****.
Stuart79(Quote)
I would also likew to know who’s in charge of recruitment. Who is being held responsible for all these nonsense decisions? Bruce? Joelinton? Whoever gave the go ahead for these two alone need sacked.
Stuart79(Quote)
What we need is a winter break. A week to 2 weeks where the players get a bit of a rest and Bruce gets a chance to work with the players.
Before those game we were on the same points as Arsenal – that’s how bad Arsenal have been so far this season. Arteta came in and they’ve been drawing game – til they played us – we make teams look good.
Palace next, and the only team to have scored less goals than us this season is Palace – so if you are going, take a book ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
People talking about this being a free hit for us are talking shyte because Arsenal have been playing like shyte. We almost always lose to the **** but that meant we had a decent chance to get a result for once, because they have been playing shyte.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
This was not the Arsenal of Henry, Viera and Bergkamp.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Aubamayang THEIR BEST PLAYER wants out FFS.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Looking on the bright side of yesterday’s dismal display it may persuade Ashley to sell up. On the other hand potential buyers may say, “no way.”
Groucho(Quote)
Groucho: Four f@cking nil to THAT Arsenal team is not acceptable.
They are not very good.
So what does that make US?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Fat Mike is providing some funds but HE or his surrogates chose Bruce. Plenty of blame to spread around.
Bruce needs to be sacked in the summer. He is not good enough.
Our players are good enough for 10th or thereabouts I would say.
WITH A DECENT STRIKER 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
play Max c/f drop useless hole,good job teams below us are getting beat or we would be right in the ****,the pace of Max through the middle could be very helpful,its about the only choice we have imo
icedog(Quote)
That’s what I’d do Ice. Joelinton is a total dud. We just cannot go a whole season without a striker! I’d put young Allan in ahead of the dud.
georgio(Quote)
Ice, totally agree about the Saint, defo could do a job as CF, we could put joe in his natural position too.
kimtoon(Quote)
What is Joelintons natural position?
He cannot win a tackle . he is beaten for every challenge in the air and he fails to control the ball.
He spends most of the game aimlessly walking round the middle of the pitch with the occasional jog between opposing defenders.
After watching him play at the start of the season I suggested Bruce should put him in the under 23 squad.
I would recommend that we loan him out to a League 1 or league 2 club for next season and with us paying his wages on condition that he gets game time.
sidekick(Quote)
Sidekick – Joelinton has won the 2nd most aerial duels in the PL so far this season – only Haller at WH has won more (that includes defenders by the way).
The lad tries week in week out, but is 1) not a natural CF – and we knew that coz his record in the German league. 2) rarely has a player within 20yrds of him. 3) players as a lone forward in a team who are happy to surrender 2 thirds of possession to the opposition.
Could he do better – yeah, he could bust a gut to get into the box more often. He could work on his finishing.
But come on!. It must be so disheartening week in week out for the lad – who has become a bit of an easy target in my opinion.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I think either Stu or Eric have said this already this season – but this has to be the weakest league since the PL was formed.
Just watched the Chelsea v Man Utd game and it was really wasn’t good.
Add to that, Arsenal, Spurs and Man City – who imo have been the poorest they have been for a long time – and it’s nee wonder Liverpool are walking this season.
Take nothing away from what Liverpool are doing, coz they are winning their games – but they have no competition at all this season.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sidekick, Joes hold up play has been pretty good and as Sharpy has kindly posted, he does work hard and wins most of his duels. He is young and learning, it’s not his fault Jabba blew £40m on him ( if we actually did ).
Whilst it’s true he is not a cf, it’s hardly his fault Bruce insist on playing him there. Villa fans always moaned that Bruce liked to put square pegs in round holes. Bruce will also be under pressure from Jabba to play his new pet i’d imagine .
Kimtoon(Quote)
Regarding Joelinton, the only odd thing I see is the fee we supposedly paid. He’s done nothing in his career to justify such a huge fee and it smells really bad to me. Why is Ashley all of a sudden eager to pay so much for so little? I still suspect dodgy business in this deal. Joelinton is a 22 year old Average player who is likely worth in the order of 10 million tops. Unnecessary pressure is now heaped on him from the massive fee, and the fact we have no real back up to help him. All other striker options are crocks or not up to it… ideally, he needs some bench time, but as we have no one else he ends up playing week in week out. I’d play Allen or Sorensen, or Toure, or one of the under 23s … they cannot score less than zero goals, and may be eager to impress rather than have the pressure Joelinton now has.
Dubai Toon(Quote)
A perfect summation of where we are at with Joetinton Dubai Toon.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Agree with all that .
Kimtoon(Quote)
Read in the Chronicle today that Bruce is hoping to have other strikers back for Palace game. Why does that even matter? Gayle, Muto and Carroll have got zero PL goals between them this season! It’s irrelevant whether they’re available or not.
Stuart79(Quote)
Funny that we had a 4-0 loss and the 1st 75 minutes were more enjoyable than 24 of our other PL games this season.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Very true Eric! The first hour was the best most attacking performance this season. If only we had a striker. I’d try ASM up front. We just can’t continue with the dud ambling around – It’s soul destroying. Bit disappointed in the three new boys. I saw no improvement over Matty, Willems and Hayden at RB.
georgio(Quote)
If you had to pick a couple of games that would likely be borefests for a neutral it would be our next 2 against Palace and Burnley. On the plus side, if we win one of them then we are highly likely to stay up.
West Ham are in big trouble now.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric, given our current trajectory in performance I don’t see us winning either. It really isn’t a good time for our performances to get worse. As impossible as that is to believe.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stat Attack: I am sure that Brucie has won more PL games as Manager than Nuno Espirto Santo and definitely scored more as a player than Joelinton.
Just pointing out AGAIN how stats can be manipulated. OR NOT when it comes to Joe at the mo.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Hope to see Gayle start at CP. I think he is a natural goal scorer who reads the game well. Much better player than some give him credit for.
Groucho(Quote)
Gayle has to play when fit , he is our only striker who can get into the box when Almiron or Saint Maximum carry the ball forward.
sidekick(Quote)
NEW THREAD
https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2020/02/21/crystal-palace-a-pre-match-thoughts-team-news-predicted-line-ups-2/
Palace preview!
Olly Hawkins(Quote)