The Game

Oh please, not again! I can hear you scream that from a long distance and after Leeds, Ipswich and Huddersfield, well, I don’t blame you.

There is one reason why I’m so bitterly disappointed after today’s game and that is because our second string players have yet again demonstrated that they still need to work hard, very hard, to reach the level of the regular players. And what is really sad is that days after the Barcelona win, any professional footballer who is usually sitting on the bench would have given 101% out there. But our players, today, did not.

Actually, there was no need to think about last Wednesday’s game to find the right motivation, all our players had to do was to look at the way the Orient players were running, fighting and trying. I mean heck, these were League One players who were smiling after missing a chance(Alex Revell after meeting Dean Cox’s cross) or clearing the ball out for a throw in as if to say, “Wow, look how close I went to score against Arsenal or look what I have just did against the Gunners. Mum, are you watching?”.

Indeed, we didn’t turn up. Alex Song was clearly a man who didn’t want to be out there, he was shocking, from start to finish as was Marouane Chamakh who I’m afraid is suffering from some sort of problem, mental or physical, which is not easy to recover from.

The goal we conceded was a hybrid of inexperience and past mistakes. Ignasi Miquel and Kieran Gibbs were both excellent but when called to make a challenge to block Jonathan Tehoue in the 88th minute, a yellow card challenge if need be, they backed off, letting the Frenchman fly away and conclude with Manuel Almunia yet again showing why goalkeepers can cost you points and games.

Knowing how stubborn Arsene is, I’m not surprised he didn’t make any substitutions as he wanted to show that the so-called “reserves” can do the job without Cesc, without Samir and without Jack. Unfortunately, our manager should understand that you will go nowhere if your best players are not utilised even if what is in front of you is a team which lies 11th in the League One table.

By this I’m not saying that the line-up was not spot on as I was happy to see the regulars on the bench but after the first half it was clear that some of them were needed. They were not used, we gambled and we paid the price.

To conclude, it was great to see Carlos Vela do so well in the afternoon for West Brom and the goal will surely push him closer to his new fans and hopefully closer to a starting place with with his new Club. As it was the case against Manchester City, the Mexican gave something to his side and I believe this loan spell will indeed do him a lot of good.

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Match Video Highlights

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Player Ratings

Almunia: 5 – Had absolutely nothing to do until the 88th minute and although I understand Tehoue’s effort was from very close range, you would have expected something more from our ex number-one.

Miquel: 6,5 – I must say I was impressed with the 18-year old’s performance who was not shy to keep his cool in the penalty area and use his body in the rare occasions when the home side pushed forward. Unfortunately, all his inexperience was exposed when he opted to let the Orient striker go instead of blocking him and get a yellow. But he’s still young, I don’t blame him, experience will come with age.

Squillaci: 6,5 – I believe Sebastien did well today. Granted, he was rarely under heavy pressure but at least he made no wrong decisions and made a vital “face” interception.

Gibbs: 6,5 – Impressive when going forward but again guilty of poor defending at the back. Made two very good runs in the 12th and 34th of the game assisting Marouane who failed to take advantage in both occasions. But just like Ignasi, he made no attempt whatsoever to block Tehoue and if I can understand it from the Catalan, Kieran should know better.

Sagna: 6 – Quiet game for Bacary who contrary to Kieran failed to make any positive contribution when pushing forward.

Denilson: 5 – Not much from the Brasilian but I don’t expect much from someone who spends most of the time passing the ball sideways and jogging in the middle of the pitch.

Song: 3 – Terrible. But I don’t blame him. Abou Diaby will finally understand how silly and foolish his red against Newcastle was as he would have surely started today. Instead, we were forced to rely on a very tired-looking Song.

Rosicky: 7 – Dropped deep to help the defensive department, made himself available in midfield and made no mistake with the head to give us the lead. Very happy to see Tomas back on the scoring sheet.

Arshavin: 7 – Lazy at times but still managed to produce a very good performance the Russian. Made some nice runs but I don’t blame him for failing in the final third as those who were supposed to make runs to meet his passes where walking behind him.

Bendtner: 6 – Two problems with the Dane which easily summarise his season. One, he’s not a happy man sitting on the bench and the way he selfishly tried to dribble his way in the Leyton penalty area in the 16th minute clearly shows this. And two, he’s not a winger. He may have produced yet another assist but we have to stop using him where he doesn’t belong, especially when you consider how shocking Chamakh has been in the new year.

Chamakh: 4 – Thank you for letting us know that you’re not a goalscorer when the season started Marouane, but this doesn’t mean you have the right to miss an easy sitter like the one in the 34th minute. Also very poor with his attempted shot in the 12th minute after more good work on the left by Kieran.

(Subs)
What subs?