How many times did Ramsey . .

I gotta say I think SOME of the criticism Ramsey comes in for from Arsenal fans is way overboard!

I'm not saying he had a great game yesterday and I'm certainly not saying that any player is above criticism. But half the problem, specifically regarding Ramsey is he position he often plays.

I was delighted to see him churn out a belter at the Ettihad last Sunday and I'd go as far to say he was one of the best players on the pitch. Doing what he's good at. Playing a fast tempo, offensive game, utiling his superb passing ability and bringing others into the game.

What Ramsey does not excel at is playing a holding role, or any type of 'sitting' midfield position. He lacks the defensive instincts and ballwinning skills that are fundamental to playing such a role.

This was a chalice bestowed on the young Welshman for much of last season and unsurprisingly it reaped very mixed results.

He's a tactically good player and can play pretty much anywhere in the midfield, but over a season and certainly against top notch opposition (like yesterday filling in for the perma-crock Diaby after he limped off) it's fair to say such a responsibility is not playing to his strengths and decent opponents will take full advantage.

Ramsey is a very good player in my humble opinion and given time for further development, playing in more offensive positions with the right players behind him he could, POTENTIALLY go on to be a top, top player.

He played well in the first half, our 3rd best player imo.
Went to shít in the 2nd though, one misplaced pass and he seemed to lose it. Tried a 40 yard pass that was awful, then couldn't complete a 2 yard pass.

But he was by no means the worst player on the pitch.

Some people seem either blind to, or just ignore, bad performances by the likes of Vermaelen, Koscielny and Arteta, and would rather slag off Ramsey and Gervinho after every game.

Ramsey did give the ball away too much, but I'm not sure that was really the critiscism last season. Last season his passing % was good, he just held onto it for too long and slowed the play down, as long as he's being active and sharp with the ball at his feet, I can live with the odd mistake.

I'm going on Wednesday and I'm starting to worry that my experience will be ruined by Gerv/Ramsey/whoever bashers after ONE bad performance, who will sit there griping and moaning, not singing, taking it for granted that they can go to the Emirates every week. It's my first CL game and I am just greatful for being able to go.

Now it seems we have another victim. This time its Ramsey. <Doh>

He had not his best of games yesterday. True. He put a lot effort in his performance and he was by far not so bad as you try to make out of him.

Unless they've changed the rules, might be worth having a few swift ones before you go into the ground, not been to a champs league game for a couple of seasons and you can't drink in the ground on those nights...

Agree that Ramsey isn't any kind of a holding midfielder, which is why I've said elsewhere that Coquelin should have replaced Diaby when he went off.

Wait a minute - Coq was on the bench yesterday wasn't he?

And with Diaby now out for 'at least 3 weeks' surely Coquelin must start?

I'd be a liar if I said I know the player inside out, but he's more suited to winning the ball than any other available player and he's hungry like the wolf.

Ramsey played crap y'day, but didn't lose us the game. Koscielny y'day was the main culprit along with TV. Them two lost the game. Not Gervinho or Ramsey as crap as they were.