tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25555967.post830303699748261871..comments2024-02-09T08:07:26.090-08:00Comments on Dodgy At Best: How Hard Will Arsene & Sir Alex Try Tomorrow?Kanuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02959256951835399304noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25555967.post-39339660470625243652008-02-16T00:07:00.000-08:002008-02-16T00:07:00.000-08:00Interesting take- I feel the opposite. I think bo...Interesting take- I feel the opposite. I think both managers see Tue/Wed CL matches as more important, and they would rather be cautious here and stronger there then shoot their wad and take a tired team into Europe. I think there will be omissions on both sides, as each manager will try to get away with it, and then adjust as the game goes- if they need to then the'll bring a few dudes on at halftime or for the last 30 minutes. Just a hunch.<BR/><BR/>Actually Wenger does have a history of doing what I described. The Iinvincibles of 2004 lost the FA Cup semifinal to ManUtd in a very similar circumstance to this- he did not play his strongest team and got knocked out of the cup because he had a CL QF 48 hours later, leaving us to think if playing his strongest team that day might have made enough of a difference as to give the Invincibles a chance for a double {and Arsenal a chance to win 3 FA Cups in a row, which then would have been 4 FA Cups in a row after they won it again in 2005}.<BR/><BR/>And Myles of ANR believes that more than anything SAF wants a 2nd CL title to cement his legend/standing in history, as that would be more than Busby and put him way up in the clouds of coaching accomplishments, whereas he already has won tons of EPLs and FA Cups, so one more isn't quite as important for him.<BR/><BR/>Agreed that neither coach wants a replay tomorrow at Old Trafford, so I think it will be caution and holding back, and then if they think it can make a difference then bring on some of the big guns to run their asses off for 20-30 minutes, which should still leave them fairly fresh for Tue/Wed.<BR/><BR/>We'll see in about 9 hours I suppose...<BR/><BR/>As far as The Pool, I don;t watch them week in and week out, but I see them a fair amount and see FSC highlights and read about them occasionally online. My personal take is that Rafa seems to buy overvalued players who are good but not great, and then the world is expected of them and they disappoint {he also spends shitloads of money, and then when his team still sucks he complains that he needs more money- weak sauce}. And there's the constant tinkering. I don't know.<BR/><BR/>Agreed that Stevie G and Torres are the stars, and I would throw Mascherano in there too. Those three are all pretty badass. Maybe even Carrachger {sp?} too. The rest are like I said good not great and overvalued players- never been convinced by Kuyt, and Pennant seems more interested in living the selfish arrogant baller lifestyle than becoming world class, always has since his time in the Arsenal youth and reserve teams.<BR/><BR/>But when you're playing Barnsley, who cares? ;) Well, from your perspective, 1) as we all know anything can happen in a cup competition, an although they have their troubles on their day Liverpool can knock off any of the other big 3, and 2) after tomorrow only 2 of the other big 3 will be left, and if the draw is kind and those 2 get each other, then you may get a nice wide, smooth road to the final.<BR/><BR/>We'll see how it all shakes out. Good luck tomorrow, not that you'll need it. Although shit, now that I think about it, The Pool did go 0-1 and 1-2 down to Waterlooville ;) BUt you'll be fine.<BR/><BR/>CL round of 16 should be GREAT. Looking forward to it...Kanuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02959256951835399304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25555967.post-22213696240258273082008-02-15T18:39:00.000-08:002008-02-15T18:39:00.000-08:00I think they throw everything at this game - both ...I think they throw everything at this game - both of them - without being reckless, of course.<BR/><BR/>Ferguson has referred to this team as "special" all season, and they're showing signs of cracking. He's looking to get the psychological edge down the stretch - and a quick pick-me-up for now. They need it.<BR/><BR/>Wenger's DNA just doesn't allow him to let up under any circumstances. He won't be foolish and play anyone that's not match fit, but he'll throw everything he can at this because he <I>knows</I> this team is special.<BR/><BR/>This is a setup game, IMO. If it's a draw, the replay will be a total letdown - whoever gets the short straw has to play more FA Cup. That's why I think they'll get after it tomorrow - shoot their wad, so to speak.<BR/><BR/>And of course I'm left to look forward to the 'Pool vs. Inter (which could be really good) and hope for more lucky FA Cup draws. <BR/><BR/>What happened? Everyone said we needed to start well. Check. Then we just draw ourselves right out of contention. Torres has been incredible - and consistent - which I really didn't expect. But aside from the Golden Boy and Stevie G, we've got nothing!beast in 'bamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07562281321749885044noreply@blogger.com