I get that a lot of people were angry at the subs at half time today, especially as we shaded the first half.
HOWEVER, I can see why LVG made the switches.
Herrera and Blind were leaving a lot of space due to our pressing and Arsenal were looking very dangerous exploiting this on the counter.
I thought Santi Cazorla was running the show, fantastic control of the midfield and set up a few attacks with his composure when pressed. He was my man of the match and I think LVG recognised that someone like Carrick could come on and help nullify him. Herrera also being on a booking, and the fact he has a combative style, probably swayed the manager into thinking we needed Carrick on to bring some control and shore up the midfield a bit.
Shaw, as highly as I rate him was not at his best today. Ox ROASTED him on several occasions and he was leaving a lot of space on his side for Arsenal to take advantage of. His passing was a bit erratic also. Maybe he hadn't fully recovered from his injury and it was a wise choice to take him off.
At the end of the day, we didn't lose this game because of the subs, we lost it due to individual PLAYER errors. Valencia should be crucified for that backpass and Di Maria ought to have a word with himself for acting so petulant. You can't get away with that behaviour and hopefully he has learnt his lesson regarding going down far too easy. Januzaj the same.
I really do prey we use this setback as motivation to secure a top 4 place. Arsenal have gained a big psychological advantage with that win.
We have scraped a few fortunate wins over Arsenal over the years, especially the Emirates match earlier in the season, so I have no shame in saying well done to Arsenal. I thought Wenger got his tactics spot on and their players played a very professional performance
The substitutions.
posted on 9/3/15
Ji I've largely been impressed with him but today wasn't his best showing.
He has a lot of attributes that a quality midfield needs. He is combative, neat and tidy and a good engine.
He could do with learning when to pick and choose when to press and working on his positioning a little. Its easy to see why many people felt he was best as the advanced midfielder and I feel that Carrick could be the best partner for him in a '2' because he'd have the security of Carrick mainly sitting and being disciplined.
Herrera has shown a lot of promise and I'm pleased he is our player. Him coming off did not lose us the match today.
posted on 9/3/15
comment by Ji Sung Park's Cousin - Long Ball is Long (U2958)
posted 2 minutes ago
Herrera is this year's Kagawa.
We all want him to live up to a repuation built in another league, but it's not really happening... Yet fans blame other players rather than admit that he was poor again. (As was Blind).
I think the timing to bring on Carrick was perhaps a bit hasty, but the decision itself wasn't as bad as being made out.
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How can you not see how it changed the mindset of the game. We were at home for fecks sake having one of those barnstorming games. That sub was for when we took the lead. Not at half time. What exactly did he tell them while making that sub? Be honest with yourself.
posted on 9/3/15
Blind is not a defensive midfielder.He's just a good solid all round player who could develop to a good Park Ji Sung type level,same applies to Herrera.
posted on 9/3/15
Redastomatoes I agree with the general tone of your comment and subbing him at half time would have hardly been a confidence boost, but a good manager reacts to what they see on the field and I felt LVG rightfully did that today.
Cazorla was running rings around Blind and Herrera today when they pressed him. I shouldn't say it, but I really appreciated how he did it and that kind of midfield performance is what we should be showing the young English midfielders of today. He was immense under pressure, never lost the ball and his use of it was exquisite.
Carrick was brought on to close the space he had to work in and would've made it harder for Arsenal to break us down.
It regretfully stifled our attacking play a lot, but on the whole, they looked far less dangerous and their goal only came via an unforced error.
Valencia was todays villain not LVG.
LVG like all managers has got things wrong this season, but he played the right line up today and made the right subs.
posted on 9/3/15
If we were going to have two holding players in CM the gap to fellaini was always going to be too big. In taking herrera off we lost the link between midfield and attack. It's so obvious it's unreal. Either take fellaini off and play herrera as part of a 3 or also take fellaini off and and bring mata on.
posted on 9/3/15
comment by Mumbai Madge - We have the best trainer-coach ever! (U3867)
posted 2 minutes ago
If we were going to have two holding players in CM the gap to fellaini was always going to be too big. In taking herrera off we lost the link between midfield and attack. It's so obvious it's unreal. Either take fellaini off and play herrera as part of a 3 or also take fellaini off and and bring mata on.
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Agree.
posted on 9/3/15
Fellaini was troubling Arsenal today, normally I would agree that he should be the one to make way if we have Carrick and Blind in mf because its too unadventurous and slow.
Fellaini was one of our better players tonight. Kept the ball well, held it up and actually set up a few good chances, the pass to Di Maria sticks in my mind.
The fact Herrera was on a booking and making silly fouls probably forced LvG's hand.
posted on 9/3/15
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posted on 9/3/15
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posted on 9/3/15
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