Matchday 30

[WealstoneRaider]

I can't forget it. If we finish 6 or fewer points behind Leicester in 2nd then that will have effectively been the game that decided the title. We had some poor draws early on and we've missed a couple of opportunities in the last week or so but that is the pivotal game so far this season, had we won it we'd a point clear on top.

You can't look at games that far back in the season and say they had an absolute direct result on where we sit now. Its complicated, but there is some kind of scientific theory that explains the further back you go, the less impact it has on the present. Actually that's not complicated - that's common sense!

 

[Latro]

The only current day Arsenal players who would definitely start for the Invincibles are Cech and Koscielny. Doubt Ozil plays instead of Bergkamp. Maybe Alexis over Freddie.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

I just question why this is a topic at all....

 

[kangaspurs]

You can't look at games that far back in the season and say they had an absolute direct result on where we sit now. Its complicated, but there is some kind of scientific theory that explains the further back you go, the less impact it has on the present. Actually that's not complicated - that's common sense!

I usually agree, I don't buy the notion that those drawn games early in the season will cost us the title. But that game at the Lane was a classic 6-pointer, and would have made a massive impact if the result was different.

 

[kangaspurs]

It's still a learning curve. It took about the first eight games for them to gel. So far it's a lot better than was expected.

I agree, pretty much no matter what happens from here I'll be delighted with this season and like you say, it's a lot better than I ever expected.

 

[Cruyff14]

I'd grudgingly agree with that re Pires. Think the Invincibles would likely go close to what they'd achieved in the current league, although with most of the top twelve having at least one or two game changers there might be a banana skin or two.

Yep, agree on this.

That side was pretty much flawless. Kolo wasn't world class or anything but excelled perfectly in that system, and next to Campbell.

We probably wouldn't go undefeated, but I think that side would win the league fairly easily.

 

[Hawkforce]

For the record, this is from Fifa/FA:

Offside position

It is not an offence in itself to be in an offside position.

Offence

A player in an offside position is only penalised if, at the moment the ball touches or is played by one of his team, he is, in the opinion of the referee, involved in active play by:

• interfering with play or
• interfering with an opponent or
• gaining an advantage by being in that position

Vardy wasn't interfering in play, wasn't interfering with an opponent and did not gain an advantage prior to the Newcastle defender playing at the ball unchallenged. Once the Newcastle player played the ball unchallenged, Vardy was no longer offside.

It all depends on what you consider to be a "phase" - and it seems clear to me that when the ball is played in Steven Taylor has to head the ball to negate the threat of several defenders, including Vardy, who is standing in an offside position.

I like the phase interpretation of offside but in this instance Vardy's, in my opinion, affecting the decision making of the defender and is, therefore "active". He also gets the very next act in the next phase. So where do you draw the line?

Why officiating is so hard I guess.

 

[SM]

It all depends on what you consider to be a "phase" - and it seems clear to me that when the ball is played in Steven Taylor has to head the ball to negate the threat of several defenders, including Vardy, who is standing in an offside position.

I like the phase interpretation of offside but in this instance Vardy's, in my opinion, affecting the decision making of the defender and is, therefore "active". He also gets the very next act in the next phase. So where do you draw the line?

Why officiating is so hard I guess.

I wouldn't have said he was interfering with a defender, thus he isn't influencing play and not offside.

 

[Tulip]

The only one he's right about is Lehman, he was nowhere near World Class. As erratic as Gomes.

 

[Cruyff14]

The only one he's right about is Lehman, he was nowhere near World Class. As erratic as Gomes.

Wow? Really? He was ****ing crazy but Jesus Christ he was a bloody fantastic goalkeeper. Won us games on his own.