The FA Cup

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Well, nothing on here much for discussion so thought this could begin.

At the moment Westisbest is probably pulling his hair out, whilst Wigan are marching on towards there second FA Cup in a row.

GSC wrote:

Dolphin Ziggler wrote:Theres very little worthy of a pitch invasion.

Promotion, Cup win sure. Maybe a minnow knocking out a major PL club.

But League 1 vs Championship. Was a tiny bit sad.

I remember Wee weeing myself when Preston fans ran on the pitch after they knocked Blackpool out of the JPT 1st round. It was literally their 2nd game of the season! Hahahaha!!!!

Only time I've been in a pitch invasion was when Bedford beat Chippenham in the 2006 Southern League Premier Division playoff final to get into the Conference South. It was at Chippenham and they knocked us out of the semi in 2005.

That was a decent performance, ox obviously motm, sanogo looked decent, koscielny and fabianski were quality

People think that this is a poor draw but, as you can see, there could have been a Merseyside derby but instead 2 top teas play each other, Sheffield derby is now very possible, the FA Cup final of last year and the other final tie. So, for a change, this might not be that bad, thankfully. I might enjoy the next round of the FA Cup. If only these ties would have come a little earlier. The FA Cup might have regained its shine a little bit more.

But, I think the FA Cup isn't going to be what it used to be now for years and it will slowly decrease in popularity just because its shine has gone over the years. As we can see, Swamsea more bothered about their EL tie. Why though? They have more chance of winning the FA Cup than the EL and they aren't going to get into European spots in the PL, so what do they have to lose? Its also lost its saying, "This is almost like a cup tie." That saying is slowly deteriorating because teams become less and less bothered about the cups now.

Dolphin Ziggler wrote:

NickisBHAFC wrote:I think there class tbh. Been involved in a few. Dodge the stewards, shout at the other players, walk over to away fans. 

The West Ham Millwall game a few years ago, now that was stupid. Idiots in football at there finest.

2-1. Stupid foul. Pen well taken.

But it was a big derby and they hadnt been able to show off to Millwall fans before, surely thats class?!   

Cant see why the Frak you'd do it unless it was a really big deal. I've been involved in one, and it was only so I could spit on the pitch, which I did, at Elland Road when I mate took me to a Leeds match. I'll happily do it last day at the Boleyn, but that will be a completely unique day at West Ham and it wont be for the sake of trouble and no one will give two damns about the away fans.

I can understand when West Brom did it their big survival year, I can understand for something like when Histon beat Leeds, but because you beat a side in the league above? Do me a favour

Yeah that's fair enough mate!

 

Trying to think of the pitch invasions i have been involved in, since this has come up in discussion.

Man City in the Carling cup, ran straight into Kasper Schmicheal both of us went down.

Stockport when we stayed up on the last day, being apart of the group to lift Russel Slade up, christ he weighed a ton. 

Dag and Redbridge when we got promoted. Rather drunk and don't remember much!!!!

Crawley vs Derby as well. Great live game.

The ref missed decisions both way, if Webb is the best ref in England that tells you what you need to know about the officiating this season. That being said Arsenal played well enough to deserve it, they defended much better. Flamini is such a big deal when he is out there for us. Ox and Fabiansky played great and so did Monreal for the most part. Another tough match up with Everton to look forward to. I am almost hoping we get rolled by Munich so we can focus on the league and the FA cup.

Was a very interesting game, Liverpool aren't the same team away from home and it showed. Wenger learnt from the 5-1 game well, not playing as high a line, Flamini was a big miss in the Premier League game. I wonder if Wenger would swap the results now though and take the league win?

Disappointed that the referee's decision will mar the game because it was a fantastic football match and very hard to call who would have won had it gone level with the second penalty. Sturridge was really poor, his movement is fantastic and he can obviously finish, but his decision-making is woeful, Suarez should teach him about instinctive finishing because he had three or four chances that a top striker would have taken. Suarez deserved a goal I thought, he's a nightmare for defences.

The two stand in goalkeepers both put great showings for themselves, Jones made a few really smart saves but his distribution is shocking, Fabianksi was fantastic, he's always had most of the tools to be a great goalkeeper just not the mentality or consistency.

Crimey wrote:Was a very interesting game, Liverpool aren't the same team away from home and it showed. Wenger learnt from the 5-1 game well, not playing as high a line, Flamini was a big miss in the Premier League game. I wonder if Wenger would swap the results now though and take the league win?

Disappointed that the referee's decision will mar the game because it was a fantastic football match and very hard to call who would have won had it gone level with the second penalty. Sturridge was really poor, his movement is fantastic and he can obviously finish, but his decision-making is woeful, Suarez should teach him about instinctive finishing because he had three or four chances that a top striker would have taken. Suarez deserved a goal I thought, he's a nightmare for defences.

The two stand in goalkeepers both put great showings for themselves, Jones made a few really smart saves but his distribution is shocking, Fabianksi was fantastic, he's always had most of the tools to be a great goalkeeper just not the mentality or consistency.

I wouldn't trade the league win for the cup victory, I think Arsenal now have a real chance at a major trophy in the FA cup. I just don't think we will win the league this year. The Ramsey and Walcott injury were not easily dealt with by the club. We still have a shot at league but our schedule combined with injuries and form would say otherwise at this stage in the proceedings. Next year with some more talent added up front, I think we can win the league. This year the FA cup will be our best shot. I still think we are contenders, but I have feeling we will fall short in league.

Not sure why Rodgers has been tinkering with the side recently. He's moved Suarez out wide leaving Sturridge up front but for me, Suarez needs to be up front as well. I appreciate we needs to be effective down both flanks but with Sterling's pace and guile it's surely more important to get the ball in the back of the net and taking our best player out of the equation seems folly. Just hope Sturridge isn't affected by, what for him, was a bit of a shocker yesterday.

Appreciate Henderson probably wasn't fit to start the game but I thought it was clear from early doors that Allen simply wasn't going to be up to the physicality of the game yesterday and should have been replaced at half time.

You can argue that if we'd got the 2nd penalty we'd have at least secured a draw. Even if Gerrard had been sent off I can't think of many opportunities Arsenal created after they'd scored the second.

BTW, it's a definite penalty if even Wenger says Arsenal got a bit lucky with the decision. Disappointed with Webb but the match was, again, an excellent advert for English football and it's to be hoped we can keep our heads up and keep focused on the League

A replay might have been the worst possible result for Arsenal as well so it's frustrating we didn't secure it. It would have brought the tie to Anfield where Liverpool are so much better and clogged up Arsenal's fixture list even more.

I totally agree on your statement on Rodgers, I think he was far too structured with the front free in the last game, normally they're allowed to roam and be fluid which creates an attack that is incredibly hard to stop but also allows the front three to put more pressure when defending from the front. Such a rigid attack meant it was less effective both offensively and defensively. Glad to see him go for it though with such an attacking first change.

I would like to see Arsenal win something this year if it isnt the PL and I would love to see Liverpool get top 4.

So at the end of the day a replay would have been pointless IMO..


Liverpool would give up the fa cup and a league cup to get back into the CL this year.


Good result really.

Both teams can crack on.

DAVE667 wrote:Not sure why Rodgers has been tinkering with the side recently. He's moved Suarez out wide leaving Sturridge up front but for me, Suarez needs to be up front as well. I appreciate we needs to be effective down both flanks but with Sterling's pace and guile it's surely more important to get the ball in the back of the net and taking our best player out of the equation seems folly. Just hope Sturridge isn't affected by, what for him, was a bit of a shocker yesterday.

Appreciate Henderson probably wasn't fit to start the game but I thought it was clear from early doors that Allen simply wasn't going to be up to the physicality of the game yesterday and should have been replaced at half time.

You can argue that if we'd got the 2nd penalty we'd have at least secured a draw. Even if Gerrard had been sent off I can't think of many opportunities Arsenal created after they'd scored the second.

BTW, it's a definite penalty if even Wenger says Arsenal got a bit lucky with the decision. Disappointed with Webb but the match was, again, an excellent advert for English football and it's to be hoped we can keep our heads up and keep focused on the League

I agree with the second being a penalty but I also thought Skrtel got away with a penalty on Cazorla with a high boot, studs up hitting Santi's leg in the box, high and hard, while not making contact with the ball. Plus Gerrard really should have been booked 3 times in that game, Webb only gave him a card for what should have been his second yellow. That being said Arsenal did get lucky with the call and Webb did not cover himself in glory.

I find it ludicrous that Uefa won't allow FA Cup replays to be on the same night as the Champions League but the FA allow Sky to broadcast Premier League games live in direct competition with the FA Cup.

Exactly. 

250 mile trip up to Hull 48 hours after playing Wigan at home.

Just a joke. Who's really going to flick over from the champions league to watch hull vs Brighton? 
Even i wouldn't do that!

All-English clash or some nancy foreigners?

You know what I would choose!

Great finish from Ozil.

Sucker punch to Everton after a good start

But but Ozil sucks and Martinez is the messiah?!?!!?

Lol

Arsenal into their stride since that goal.

Everton need to be careful here

Pienaar perhaps should've done better. Great challenge from Sagna

Great game this, very open

Joel seems to be playing netball

Almost a stunning OG as Joel tips a cross onto the post

Incredible run and pass by Barkley

Everton finally finish off a counter

Great ball from Barkley, Mirallas manages to turn a tap in into the path of Lukaku

wow - what a ball..

Go Ross

Fantastic ball in by Barkley. He had been struggling a bit in the game so far but great awareness/ vision to pick of Mirallas. Not sure how he didn't score?

One little pet peeve of mine though is the over egging of runs when a player doesn't actually beat any players.

Has been a good game so far though.

Sanogo might not emerge for the 2nd half. Been a passenger so far

Looks like Ox had a late night last night

Even first half, Arsenal have probed and worked a few chances, Everton look dangerous on the break. Barkley in particular been a bit wasteful for Everton mind

Can someone teach Joel to catch?

"Barkley in particular been a bit wasteful for Everton mind"

well if it comes of once!! that's all that's needed sometimes..

As long as Arsenal don't score again then

Obviously he's a fine talent but you've got to accept the bad with the good. Can't afford to waste too much at the Emirates

Arsenal could do with upping the tempo

Sanogo got the hurry up at half time it seems

Arsenals corner routine is winding me up. Hasn't worked the previous 10 times

Vermaelen mistake and Lukaku feeds Barkley. Should've scored tbh. Another one goes begging for Everton

Good stop from Joel, going wide mind

Quality stuff. Arsernal's best game for yonks!

Giroud's tap in's have done the job.

John wrote:Giroud's tap in's have done the job.

That is what Cecilia Kay said.

18 goals in all comps this season John and still a lot of the season to go. You know I agree with you that Arsenal need some pace up front but you got to admit he is a good striker. Maybe not good enough to get Arsenal to the league title or CL on his own, but I would rate him as a good premier league forward.

As for the game people are being harsh on barkley, he gets the ball outside his own box drives the ball all the way to the edge of the other 18 and delivered a great ball. As an Arsenal fan every time Barkley had the ball I felt trepidation that something was about to happen.

Now to Arsenal, they played a brilliant match. They created so many good chances. Ox was great, Ozil was back to his old self, and Santi had a great match on both sides of the ball. I really loved that 4th goal by Arsenal, again one of the goal's of the season just fantastic football. Vermalean had a couple of bad mistakes one almost lead to a goal. Arteta was cool as a cucumber and every bit the captain today. Our fullbacks Gibbs and Sagna played great matches limiting their wide play and creating chances themselves on the other end. Arsene needs to bring Sagna back. For my money he is still one of the top right backs in the world. We didn't see any great crosses from Baines because Sagna kept him in his back pocket.

socal1976 wrote:

John wrote:Giroud's tap in's have done the job.

That is what Cecilia Kay said.

18 goals in all comps this season John and still a lot of the season to go. You know I agree with you that Arsenal need some pace up front but you got to admit he is a good striker. Maybe not good enough to get Arsenal to the league title or CL on his own, but I would rate him as a good premier league forward.

Nothing wrong with him today, he got in the positions & finished off the two chances, albeit tap in's. He's a decent performer, nothing more than that. 18 goals in all competitions is pretty standard, seeing as he's playing in front of such creative forces as Ozil, Cazorla, Wilshere, Walcott, Ramsey, Rosicky & Ox. He's doing a good job but, as we agree on, Arsenal need to purchase a level or two above Giroud, in order to achieve their trophy targets.

Avoid City in the semi-final & it's pretty much a guaranteed final.

John wrote:

socal1976 wrote:

John wrote:Giroud's tap in's have done the job.

That is what Cecilia Kay said.

18 goals in all comps this season John and still a lot of the season to go. You know I agree with you that Arsenal need some pace up front but you got to admit he is a good striker. Maybe not good enough to get Arsenal to the league title or CL on his own, but I would rate him as a good premier league forward.

Nothing wrong with him today, he got in the positions & finished off the two chances, albeit tap in's. He's a decent performer, nothing more than that. 18 goals in all competitions is pretty standard, seeing as he's playing in front of such creative forces as Ozil, Cazorla, Wilshere, Walcott, Ramsey, Rosicky & Ox. He's doing a good job but, as we agree on, Arsenal need to purchase a level or two above Giroud, in order to achieve their trophy targets.

Avoid City in the semi-final & it's pretty much a guaranteed final.

The first one as a little trickier than a tap in as he did have players around him and it was a bang, bang play and a good one touch finish near post. But I do agree that to overhaul teams like City and Chelsea for the league title they will need an upgrade at the striker position. Question where would you rate him in terms of premier league strikers. I don't see him as top 5 for certain but I do rate him as top ten. One thing that will be in our favor is that City will have a very heavy fixture list since they have had a game cancelled for weather and like Arsenal didn't play this week. If we get Ramsey back and in form for that matchup I think we will have fighting shot in that one if it comes to pass. Our midfield was immense today against a team that boasts a strong midfield itself.

I only saw the first half, but Barkley was immense. Just the sort of player England need in the middle of midfield for their counter-attacks.

And I'm falling in love with Oxlade. I just hope Hodgson is as well.

Duty281 wrote:I only saw the first half, but Barkley was immense. Just the sort of player England need in the middle of midfield for their counter-attacks.

And I'm falling in love with Oxlade. I just hope Hodgson is as well.

I agree about Barkley and Ox. I think people are pretty harsh with him saying that he didn't have a good game. I felt every time Barkley got the ball that something would happen and he missed one golden chance but no one is a hundred percent. He created one goal pretty much single handed with his 60 yard run and the quality of his cross.

Ox, is a great player, loved his desire to get on the end of everything. He blasted a couple of good shots from distance as well and worked extremely hard when he didn't have the ball. So glad he is back and playing well. I want to see an Arsenal lineup with him and Theo in there. Theo at striker, Ox at right wing, Ozil out left, Aaron and Jack in the middle with Flamini as the destroyer in midfield. Unfortunately, that lineup will not be able to materialize this year.

Arsenal can't screw this up can they? On a plate for them to win the cup now.

Come on Sheffield United! Im annoyed at Charlton for wrecking a potential game of the season match!

Ultimately Everton and Barkley in particular, kept wasting great positions on the counter. In a game that was 1-1 for a while before Arsenal sealed it late, that's pretty crucial.

Barkleys a fine prospect but right now his final ball and decision making need work before I'd consider taking him to a World Cup.

If Barkley doesn't go to Brazil, im changing my nationality.

Ok Juan