That was a heck of a game of football! It was how the game was played 30 years ago! Full credit to Newcastle for the way they began the game and for the second half performance. After the first fifteen minutes, Arsenal murdered us for the rest of the first half. At half time, it seems to have been clearly decided that playing football would have been suicide - Newcastle aimed to out-fight Arsenal and were just about successful. We had some luck with Reyes' appalling miss and when Henry hit the post (although he did seem to be yards offside). The entire Newcastle defence was good - in particular Woodgate. Shay seemed to have solved his goalmouth problems by deciding to punch rather than catch crosses - his performance was greatly improved. Shearer hardly got free from his marker at all, but Bellamy put in a very energetic perfomance and had our best chance. Even Jenas looked interested in the game today. If we repeat the defensive performance on Wednesday, we ought to see off PSV.
I could only get PBP via text and it seemed to be exciting...can't imagine how good it was in person.
Again, was there a result, or did this game just exist as a fantasy in the minds of BS posters... Thx, Jay! (actually I looked it up 0-0 draw)
Yes, it was 0-0, and an excellent game. Not only a point, taking us level with Liverpool, but a clean sheet against the best attack in the league (albeit with Wiltord starting for them). If Charlton can hold Liverpool today I'll start being optimistic about that 4th spot. Even the crowd was up for it yesterday. It's a pity we get excited about so few games these days, but I hope for a repetition of the atmosphere on Wednesday against PSV.
A draw was what I was hoping for. Well, I wanted an upset, but against a potent attacking team like Arse, a draw is high expectation. They showed this match in FSW Canada. Do broadcasts over there replay on FSW US?
WideBoy, Were you at the game? I went. It was my first trip to St. James Park and I left a little disappointed with the atmosphere. Maybe my expectations were too high. I had heard such great things about the Toon Army, and their travelling fans are always very loud at Highbury. There were times when it got loud, but not very many. And with that ground, the sound is really amplified, so I thought it would be ear-shattering. But not so in my opinion. We Arsenal fans were given far too many opportunities to chant "Shhhhhh", "Shall we sing a song for you" and "Where's your famous atmosphere?" for anyone to ever call Highbury a library again. Help me out here if I missed something.
Aren't traveling supporters usually louder? I think you may have caught the home toon fans on an off day? Not that I know anything anyway.....
Yes, I was there - and I am sorry to say that Sunday was a good day. I am however also a regular visitor to other grounds as an away supporter and have been so for many years. The volume levels of home support at every ground I go to has fallen hugely since all-seater stadia were introduced. Away fans, on the other hand, are "up for it" and are by definition the more committed supporters of the away team. It also helps that they sit together. Since all-seater stadia were introduced, football has attracted a different sort of supporter, for whom going to the game is more akin to a visit to the theatre. The fact of everyone having their "own" seat means that those who want to make a noise can't sit together. I went to two Serie B games in Italy this season (at Verona and Fiorentina) and in spite of all-seater stadia and low crowds (10k and 25k respectively) the noise from the Ultras was huge. In these stadia, however, only the most expensive seats are reserved; even season ticket holders have to take pot luck on which seat they manage to get. The result is that those who intend to make a noise crowd together with the effect of a major increase in volume.