Arsenal thoughts - Part 1

By rwakeley1/8/2021 09:46Sun Aug 1 09:46:14 2021

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Something strange - I could not get into that game at all. It felt to me somewhat peculiar. An odd's vs even's kinda experimental feel. If I'm being honest, I don't think it was a very good game. Us, by not turning up in spells, them by effecting changes. I left feeling how I would imagine a Hampton fan leaving the ground Monday night.
I go back to our central midfield. I don't think Hampton had much of one Monday night. I recently praised our distribution from the back - and wow, was that evident on Friday. Despite our dominance in the second 45, I don't recall one creative movement or penetrative run through the middle. Despite the lack of cohesion, we do carry a real threat, but I worry from a defensive, being over-ran notion. It's the Dorchester, Hartley types who would love this stuff.
I have a notion on our opening spell. All distributed out the back from the young blonde lad - Reminded me of a young, Willie Young. We struggled to cope. Again a trait of the top sides in our division. Noticable, their no 8 and Willie going walkabout in the second 45, we had more of the ball.
I'm toying with the notion of Tommy Brewer in the middle. I think going alongside Corks is a difficult marriage, so maybe a switch. The relationship with Forbes, and who goes where needs sorting. The loss of Matt Ball leaves for me a hole which needs shoring up. Over to the Gaffer.

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Re: Arsenal thoughts - Part 2

By rwakeley1/8/2021 10:01Sun Aug 1 10:01:17 2021In response to Arsenal thoughts - Part 1Top of thread

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Regarding Joe. I recently touched on that as well. I should be in the dugout! Seriously, what bad timing. This is my qualm with 3 up front. All components need to be firing. Liverpool down to Hendon all have this elephant in the room to deal with. What teams have is a plethora of wide players. I agree with Lee, I believe Brooksy can slot in. Sean is looking great. I usually have a conventional problem with Liam in his role behind Joe. I think this shape contributes to our midfield quandaries. I do think this leaves us short on the counter-attack. Attacking wise, I think it can work great.
I do think this is why we see second 45s end to end. I think we maybe improving - time will tell.
Elsewhere, the lad Hamza reminds me of Daniel Uchechi, really impressed with Toby. The CH pairing is up for grabs. I presume Lee is thinking Quba for ariel stuff, Tommy equally, there's an interesting dynamic to be resolved. I like what the young lad Toby offerers. He reminds me of Lucas in his decision making. I think you need that around the box. Like Lucas he knows when to go in. Very rarely giving away free-kicks.
Our goal, and presumably, going forward without Joe for a while, reminded me of England. The one time we cut inside on Friday we scored. Our goal was England-esque. I think we are of a similar disposition. I can envisage a scenario where, ironically through adversity, we may get more freedom. We can really express ourselves.
My post match thoughts are getting longer and longer - Somebody said to me post-match how much talent the Arsenal had - my response was "so have we!"

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