Just watched the video of the game and was very pleased to see that we were never tempted to play a long ball.

Matches in the last few months where we have been perhaps struggling a bit have sometimes resulted in a long ball - wasted possession in most cases. Apart from an early Robbie Elliott customary boot up the pitch, our football was neat and tidy, patient passing up the pitch - European style if you like - but it was pretty good to watch, even as Arsenal attacked we still tried to play proper football.

Last season I can't remember the number of times I have gone off my head shouting at people like Barton or Rob Lee who would play a long ball that would come off maybe 2 times out of 1000. To witness the transition to a team that plays proper football is refreshing to say the least.

Long balls = bad Patient build up = good!

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2001

Answers

Always Pretty

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2001

You're being harsh on Rob Lee, Paul. He looks for the long pass, but I certainly don't recall him being a hump and hope player - or least, only as a last resort.

Remember, we had minimal movement in the team last season, making it difficult for the defenders and midfield.

-- Anonymous, December 21, 2001

A Chelsea fan said that to me and Screach after the WC game - basically that we were about the only team to go to Stamford Bridge and try to play football and he even made a commendable joke about us getting a new pitch and the Makems praying for a new sky!

Having said that, we are actually terrifying poor at long/high balls now: Liverpool showed us up in that regard but it was a bit scary to see how much better Chelsea were in the air than us...

-- Anonymous, December 21, 2001

Maybe I am being harsh on Rob Lee, but I remember watchin patient build up play only to see Lee with a sideways pass to Barton which was then booted out of play for a goal kick to the other side.

I'm slightly under the influence at the moment as we've just broke up for the Christmas holidays so this might be a bit undecipherable.

Still chuffed at the Arsenal match, I've got a big smile on my face hust thinking about it.

-- Anonymous, December 21, 2001