Re: Arsenal vs Liverpool / FA Cup 5th Round / 16th Feb

by ExtremistEnigma Sat Feb 15, 2014 1:06 am

If there comes a time when we'll have to choose between winning FA Cup and finishing in top 4, I'll be pissed.

I don't want to us go into the deeper stages of FA Cup since I don't believe we will possibly win this and this adventure will just be a waste of energy in our pursuit of top 4.

Having said that, we'll probably win this game given that BR will field our best XI as compared to Arsenal, who will field their second-string side.

by Red Alert Sat Feb 15, 2014 1:45 am

Henderson's in doubt.

by Red Alert Sat Feb 15, 2014 1:47 am

ExtremistEnigma wrote:If there comes a time when we'll have to choose between winning FA Cup and finishing in top 4, I'll be pissed.

I don't want to us go into the deeper stages of FA Cup since I don't believe we will possibly win this and this adventure will just be a waste of energy in our pursuit of top 4.

Having said that, we'll probably win this game given that BR will field our best XI as compared to Arsenal, who will field their second-string side.

Dude we play like 1 game a week and have players from injury coming back. We have depth.

The likes of Chelsea, City and Arsenal, etc all have to play 2 games a week through CL, sometimes even 3 due to the FA cup. Calma. T4 and FA is easily possible.

by McAgger Sat Feb 15, 2014 1:58 am

@EE

Don't think we'll be put in a situation where we would have to choose between the league and the FA Cup.

These are professionals who are built to play almost 60 high intensity games a season. We've only played 30 matches this whole campaign. Think Henderson is the only one who is played in every single one. Mignolet is second with 28 and Skrtel 3rd with 26. The rest are in the low 20s. Get past Arsenal and there are only 3 matches left in the FA Cup with the only other big team remaining City/Chelsea. Think we've got a great chance of winning it this year. No way you can say we can't handle it. Think Rodgers understands that as well which is why we'll go full throttle.

by Nishankly Sat Feb 15, 2014 6:26 am

ffs there are 10 PL teams left in the last 16 of FA cup.

8 play each other, The one left is Cardiff who play Wigan and Hull who play Brighton. If we win this, We'll have tops 1 ( 2 if we are so unlucky that we play both City/Chel and Everton/Swans) big team to play till we reach the end (final). We got this.

by Red Alert Sat Feb 15, 2014 6:35 am

Nishank, I swear to god if we loseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

by Art Morte Sat Feb 15, 2014 8:37 am

I've never understood why people extend the silent 'e' in their typing when it should be the vowel befooooooooooooore it.

Anyway, I wouldn't mind resting Henderson in this game, Allen's back but hasn't been used.

by Fahim89 Sat Feb 15, 2014 11:18 am

Red Alert wrote:Nishank, I swear to god if we loseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Agreed now Nish has to take the burden of the results! Also after recent accolade for him even MORE!!!

With power comes responsibility Twisted Evil

by Helmer Sat Feb 15, 2014 11:28 am

had Spurs been far off from us, I wouldnt mind taking FA cup seriously.
But I am equally up for us to win the FA cup, but just dont understand the obsession with starting strong XI...I think venga wont field a strong side and we should give chance to people like Tex, Aspas and Ibe, these players have shown good commitment till now and deserve at least a chance. It will be about fielding a reasonable side and getting results

by Fahim89 Sat Feb 15, 2014 11:29 am

HEIL MEIN REDS wrote:had Spurs been far off from us, I wouldnt mind taking FA cup seriously.
But I am equally up for us to win the FA cup, but just dont understand the obsession with starting strong XI...I think venga wont field a strong side and we should give chance to people like Tex, Aspas and Ibe, these players have shown good commitment till now and deserve at least a chance. It will be about fielding a reasonable side and getting results

Why waste some space in the Team Sheet?? scratch

by Red Alert Sat Feb 15, 2014 12:03 pm

Why are people so fast to form opinions ffs?

Kolo Toure was signed, played 2 games in fairness to him, and people were talking as if he was the best thing since Sami.

Aspas has hardly played for us in a CF role. He's only really played as a number 10, which isn't his position. Give him time before ruling him out.

by Red Alert Sat Feb 15, 2014 12:03 pm

Art Morte wrote:I've never understood why people extend the silent 'e' in their typing when it should be the vowel befooooooooooooore it.

autism

by Fahim89 Sat Feb 15, 2014 12:10 pm

Red Alert wrote:Why are people so fast to form opinions ffs?

Kolo Toure was signed, played 2 games in fairness to him, and people were talking as if he was the best thing since Sami.

Aspas has hardly played for us in a CF role. He's only really played as a number 10, which isn't his position. Give him time before ruling him out.

by Red Alert Sat Feb 15, 2014 12:12 pm

No seriously, what's Aspas done wrong when played as the CF?

by Fahim89 Sat Feb 15, 2014 12:16 pm

Red Alert wrote:No seriously, what's Aspas done wrong when played as the CF?

That would broaden the answer i would rather ask, what has he done?

by Helmer Sat Feb 15, 2014 12:20 pm

Red Alert wrote:
Art Morte wrote:I've never understood why people extend the silent 'e' in their typing when it should be the vowel befooooooooooooore it.

autism

wtf was that!!!!
Btw, Fahim, Aspas has to be given more chances...not everyone is Gerrard to play any position being asked and perform hmm

by Red Alert Sat Feb 15, 2014 12:20 pm

He hasn't had the chance to do anything because he hasn't played as a CF. I think he's only played 1 game properly (he's came off the bench in the last month or so for 10 mins) in that position where he's started and that was against Oldham where he was MOTM. Granted, they're not the best opposition but it's both way too harsh and dissapointing to rule him out if he's not given the opportunity/chance. Just look at the passion he showed when Gerrard scored the last minute winner, he wants to be here.

by Fahim89 Sat Feb 15, 2014 12:24 pm

Position, understanding and whatever are very deep terms but my concern has been predominantly his contribution as in touches runs & all other very fundamental footballing skills. Which I have found very disappointing.

Plus BR of all people is not a manager who would not give chances to one's who deserve it. hmm

by Helmer Sat Feb 15, 2014 12:36 pm

In face I was also the one to criticize his basic footballing skills before. But in the Oldham game, he showed he can play that CF role and in fact his touches to set up other players, in closed spaces, in that game were brilliant. As I have said on the other thread, we should wait for 6 months in next season, hopefully where he will get chances to prove himself and then we will see if he decent enough for us

by Red Alert Sat Feb 15, 2014 12:49 pm

BR is always going to play whoever's the best "fit" into the team. Suarez and Sturridge are comfortably better and we're not in Europe so we don't have to play 2 games a week.

Aspas is fine for a third choice, and definitely doesn't deserve the abuse he's currently getting. Not just in GL but in general. Give him time, which he most likely will get next season (knock on wood we don't f*ck it up) when we're in Europe to actually get a fairly understanding where he's at. He hasn't been given a chance this season.

by Nishankly Sat Feb 15, 2014 12:50 pm

Aspas reminds me a lot of Jovanovic. Not a good thought.

by Red Alert Sat Feb 15, 2014 12:54 pm

No but seriously, with all due respect that's just stupid and not well thought out.

Jovanovic was well past it, and showed absolutely nothing. Most importantly, he was actually GIVEN a chance; Aspas hasn't been given any real game time.

by Red Alert Sat Feb 15, 2014 12:54 pm

Pre match facts stolen from RG :coffee:

•The two sides have met in the FA Cup in 12 previous seasons, with the Gunners coming out on top seven times (including winning two finals), with the Reds winning one final and progressing on four additional occasions.

•Arsenal have lost just one of their last eight FA Cup matches against Liverpool, winning four, drawing three with that defeat coming in the 2001 final.

•The Gunners are yet to concede a goal in the competition this season and have kept three clean sheets in their last five FA Cup games.

•Arsenal have only lost one of their last 36 FA Cup home games, against Blackburn last season, with their previous FA Cup defeat on home soil coming against Leeds in 1997.

•Liverpool have won just two of their last six away FA Cup games, losing three and drawing one.

•Santi Cazorla has netted in both of Arsenal’s games in the competition this season.

•Of Liverpool’s last eight appearances in the Fifth Round of the competition, the Reds have made it through six times, although they have failed in two of their last four attempts.

•Arsenal have kept 11 clean sheets in their last 12 competitive matches at the Emirates Stadium.

•Liverpool have not lost any of their last nine competitive matches; winning seven and drawing two.

•Daniel Sturridge has scored in eight successive appearances for Liverpool (nine goals).

•Sturridge has netted in 17 of his 21 competitive appearances for the Reds in 2013-14.

by Nishankly Sat Feb 15, 2014 12:57 pm

Red Alert wrote:

No but seriously, with all due respect that's just stupid and not well thought out.

Jovanovic was well past it, and showed absolutely nothing. Most importantly, he was actually GIVEN a chance; Aspas hasn't been given any real game time.

It was more of a thought than a statement.

by Red Alert Sat Feb 15, 2014 12:58 pm

One more stat is that "SAS" failed to score at the Emirates earlier this season. That was the only game where they failed to score in a game when both were on the pitch this season.

by Fahim89 Sat Feb 15, 2014 12:58 pm

After the last game and how it spanned out i guess for our games against Arsenal stats are not of much consequence Razz

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