Carling Cup, FA cup and general views

The Spu*s game was a clear lack of concentration and switching off at the wrong time. I mean, it takes a lot to lose from a 2-0 position. The first goal was lack of cover against the counter attack. Clearly, with Defoe coming on as a Sub, Harry had changed the plan to attack with long balls and run behind the defenders. We know every team tries to do that against us. I was hoping one of Song or Denilson would keep up with the striker all the time. If Denilson saw his effort when he was tracking Bale for Spu*s' first goal, he should feel ashamed. The Braga game was one of them games, that we have seen a few times over the past five years. We do the playing part, they do the defending part and we end up losing on the counter. I know, we always go for a win even when the other team tends to play with a 8-1-1 formation. The most important thing in such circumstances is to mark the striker, the pivot of their attack! But what we do instead is let him run and pass! We can do better than that. Hell, that's what everyone is taught!

I seriously feel that Wenger can't teach defense. He should at the least hire someone to do that for us. Someone like a Keown or Adams will make someone like Denilson, Song, Wilshere and even Ramsey better holding mid fielders. Every time, I talk about our weaknesses in defense, with my friends, I can't help but mention Makelele. He wasn't the tallest person. but his positional sense was fantastic. He played with the high flying galacticos of Real Madrid. Even, Zidane acknowledged the fact that they could play attacking football thanks to the defensive cover provided my Makelele. That's exactly what we need, someone to do the job of a holding mid-fielder, if not a Defensive mid-fielder.

It looks like Wenger is going to allow RVP, Bendtner, Vela and Theo to get involved with the Carling cup. I find that very comforting. This year we have a big squad with a few of our reserve players, who are nearly good enough to make the first team squads. So it's a great time to make sure our actual first team players, who have a point or two to prove must play and push the other players.

Last night, Ramsey played for Notts Forest in their game against Leister City. He did alright. Didn't seem to have had any problems in the 30 minute run-in that he had. It will be good to seem him get match fit for out crucial run in. We often slip around the Champions League knock-out round. It would be nice to have some cover and possibly hoping Ramsey will push himself in to the starting XI.

The FA Cup is going to be a not-so-easy game as well. Leeds might have fallen down a couple of leagues now but the anticipation of playing a Premiership side will certainly motivate the Leeds' players. Talking of motivation, I wonder if our players are motivated enough some times, or its just something that Pat Rice and Wenger take for granted. Some of our players had a problem with Gallas but I feel we need a player like him who can shout at other players. The lack of shouting at each other on the field bugs me! I know, in this modern day and age when all players are professionals and what not, this is something that is frowned up on. But, that's something that I find will always motivate me!

As always, we stay positive and hope that we will succeed in at least one of the competitions that we are playing in, if not all. To be honest, I don't see us winning the Chmpns League but Carling Cup is achievable and so is the League and the FA cup.

If you reached this far, I thank you for reading this and as always welcome your comments. My wrong score predictions continue and not really happy about it. Thanks.