If anyone had predicted before the match that the scoreline would at one time read like this, I'd have advised him to have his mental state checked out. It finally finished 2-3, but yes, that was the score at fifteen minutes to go for the final whistle. Only, Samir Nasri stepped up to reduce the deficit but it wasn't enough as we slumped to our first defeat(that too at home) of the season.
As I had cautioned in the preview, considering these scenarios:
- more than half of our first team were injured(Robin van Persie, Cesc, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Walcott, Bendtner, Ramsey and add to that doubts over Diaby, Rosicky and Eboue)
- we had a tough game in midweek, an away game at that, and what's more we played 120 minutes
There was a distinct lack of composure everywhere on the pitch. We were giving away balls cheaply, our passing was poor and our defending...the less said the better.
Almunia made three big mistakes(one he instantly rectified by saving the penalty, one when he stepped out in no man's land for the third goal, but the biggest one was the glaring failure to stop the shot for the second goal). Though he saved the penalty, the rest of the game was very forgettable and he might still pay for it by losing his number 1 status(incidentally, Almunia has been declared 'injured' for the Champions League match against Partizan Belgrade on Tuesday and Fabiansky -GOD SAVE US!!!- has been installed in his place). I can only hope that for some (or any!) reason Fabiansky cannot start and Szczesny takes over!!
I was surprised that the returning Diaby got the nod over Denilson for today's match. We could have really done with his passing range and ability today. Also, there is one thing I have noticed about Alex Song this season. He seems to go forward quite a lot this time. I think the complaints about his lack of goals has led him to push up the pitch much further than he did last season. And this has been his undoing so far this season and the reason why he seems to be less effective than the last campaign. Song is at his best when he is shielding the back four and stealing the ball from the opposition in deep positions. Though I have no complaints about his new hair do(and I would like to think his recent performances are not related to it), but it would be great for him and the team if he were to stick to his old task of staying back and helping recover possession rather than venture forward, misplace passes, get caught up high in the field and leave the backline unprotected. Leave the goalscoring to the others Alex, do what you do best, and stay back!
Still, all is not lost as our rivals Chelsea and Man Utd also slipped up. But this defeat puts a big pressure on us as our next league match is at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea. Hope Cesc and Vermaelen will have recovered by then.
I congratulate West Brom for playing well(though don't expect me to do this ever again) and not using the usual thuggery that some teams like Blackburn, Stoke, Bolton and even Man Utd do to stop us from playing.
A good win in the Champions League coupled with some good news on the injury front will hopefully rejuvenate our boys(and us fans) ahead of the derby at the weekend.
Till then, take care.
