I would have paid big money to hear that over the moans of Stuart Robson's accusations of Arsenal cheating for the entire game. Disgraceful.
I really don't get Stuart Robson. He even accused Sagna of " making the most of the situation" and adding " I am not particularly happy with Sagna, it is a light challenge" on the foul that resulted on Baloteli's red card. I really wonder what game he was watching. What a joke.
He's an idiot. He was also claiming that City's midfield was dominating because Toure went off. First, other than a brief period at the start of the second half, City's midfield wasn't dominating anything. Second "because Toure went off" ?? Really?
For Citeh, that's the downfall of having too much egos on your team. On paper, their team is capable of beating anybody, but human nature will show you that it doesn't always work that way. I think Mourinho is the one of the manager capable of dealing with all these egos. Mancini is too soft; too many players have crossed him already. You could clearly see that there was no cohesion with that team yesterday.
I've heard Gary a few times and he is great. What feed were you watching because on FSC it was Champion+Robson. And for those who are moaning about Robson, I want to defend him. He generally reads the game well, knows our squad about as well as anyone you'll hear, and is way better than the vast majority of other color commentators. I agree that it's refreshing to hear someone call a spade a spade. And I think Robson generally does that. Yes he has a pet peeve about the diving/cheating that's rampant in the game today (I can't disagree w/ him). But I think Sagna was embellishing a lot, especially on the 2nd card for Mario. Bac was trying all day to get Mario booked or sent off, and he finally did. Not that Balotelli didn't deserve it. His assault on Song's knee was scary to watch. Anyone doing that with any intent, should be banned for a long time IMHO. But I don't think it's disgraceful for an ex-Gooner to call our players out for embellishment. I think it's just calling a spade a spade.
The problem with Robson is that he overcompensates when he is calling the games for the international broadcasts. He doesn't want to come off sounding like an Arsenal apologist, so he slams us to overcompensate. I actually think the analysis he does for Arsenal Player is pretty good. When he's not trying to cover up the fact that he is a Gunner he is a tolerable pundit.
I disagree that Sagna was embellishing much, if at all. Ballotelli's last tackle that garnered his second yellow was worth red on it's own, IMHO. It was quite nasty. The only embellishment comment that Robson made that I agree with was with regard to Santos late in the match. Plus, regardless of his familiarity with our team, I thought much of Robson's analysis yesterday was debatable if not outright wrong.
Totally disagree on the Sagna's comment. There was no embellishment there. Balotelli literally put a scissor on him. He could have received an automatic red card for it. Sagna was lucky to escape uninjured. I agree that Robson is pretty good with his tactical analysis on Arsenal player. I guess he is trying too hard to avoid any partisan label and by doing so, he is losing perspective and fail badly.
Robson was harsh during the Citeh game, but due to the fact that he is officially associated with Arsenal as an employee of Arsenal TV, he gets a pass from me. It's easier for Alan Smith commentating for American broadcasts because many Americans watching are not aware he's a top 100 Gooner and there are 6 "Alan Smiths" related to football with Wikipedia pages. Partiality breeds resentment, so I can respect Robson's attempt to distance himself a bit. More relevant than this hubaloo; I don't get Ramsey out left. Rosicky has proven he has stamina left, and a tad of pace to go along. I would've prefered to see Ramsey come in for Benayoun and then see Tommy switch with Ramsey. Found this on Youtube, great stuff: http://youtu.be/IqPLPxvYUUk
I think Rosicky has been too good in that central role lately. He's played himself above being moved out wide.
If Sagna had some kind of reputation for faking injury I'd agree (he's no Danny Alves). But you REALLY thought he enhanced the second card? Ballotelli went flying into him with both feet off the ground. Disgraceful 'tackle'.
Robson. Let's see, he said our players were play-acting, came right out and called Gibbs a poor defender, Santos was a liability. "Losing the midfield battle" several times, lol to that one. Blah, blah, blah. ********ing guy was outraged by the "play-acting" and went on and on about it, but only a couple of words for Balotelli's studs on Song's knee.
David Pleat gives a tactical breakdown of the Arsenal midfield. Gives Wenger credit for his coaching. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2012/apr/08/alex-song-arsenal-manchester-city
I have to admit that, while I knew Stewart Robson was a gooner, I knew virtually nothing about his time with the club. So I looked him up, and was shocked to find he's 7 years younger than I am! He sounds so old!
i think thebigman and i talked about it after another victory 8 out of 9 running together, can't remember which one about how good of a commentator neville is. one of my favorite color guys.
anyone catch the arsenal fans' chant for Carlos Tevez? "He plays when he wants, he plays when he wants, Carlos Tevez, he plays when he wants."
A bad tackle yes but I've seen much worse. Like the one on Song's knee! Don't get me wrong, I think Balotelli is a ridiculous headcase who happens to have some ball skill. He and Barton would fit right in. But I think Sagna did his best to get Mario booked. And Bac is one of my very favorite players on the squad, especially for his attitude. I doubt I've ever dissed him much if at all in the past. His embellishment I was referring to was not the diving kind, but the rolling around in agony kind. Your clip doesn't show that, but right afterwards he rolled over and over in apparent pain... about 6 feet from the infraction. For me that was a dead giveaway. When a player's truly hurt he doesn't do that... he drops right there... take when Bac broke his leg for example. And of course after Mario was sent off, Sagna was quickly & miraculously back to normal running/playing. I'm sorry that many of you disagree but so be it. I saw what I saw. As for Robson's comment about City bossing midfield, I didn't hear that. But if he said it in any kind of general way, that's stupid. We owned them on the day. Anyway, on to Molineux!!
I think this is it. He's trying to prove to naysayers that he's not a homer. Question is ... why? It's not like it's a pre-requisite nowadays
Not quite sure what you mean there mate. They set themselves up on a pedastal, that was, and still is, just waiting to be kicked from under them, much the same way as Chelsea did. We have risen above our troubles, and have, in my opinion, the strongest bond of unity that Arsenal F.C. players, have experienced for a good few years. I too, deplore what City have done, but it doesn't mean that we have fallen, does it??... I am guessing that you're referring to the 'buy a team' plan of Man City, which most certainly reflects on how the game has fallen. However, it most certainly does not reflect on how proud we should be of our team.