FA Cup Final - Pre-Match Thread

[Richard E]

I was feeling quietly confident about this one, on the basis that "it's our year" until Sunday but then I heard our result and all of my optimism circuits burnt out, to the point that at the moment there is a bit of me that almost (almost!) doesn't want to go on Saturday*. It probably did not help that I had just come out from hospital in Truro having visited my seriously ill father in law. Can somebody please help me to "man up" and regain the faith??

*disclaimer - this does not mean my ticket is open for offers.

[Chipsticks]

I was feeling quietly confident about this one, on the basis that "it's our year" until Sunday but then I heard our result and all of my optimism circuits burnt out, to the point that at the moment there is a bit of me that almost (almost!) doesn't want to go on Saturday*. It probably did not help that I had just come out from hospital in Truro having visited my seriously ill father in law. Can somebody please help me to "man up" and regain the faith??

*disclaimer - this does not mean my ticket is open for offers.

[Richard E]

I was feeling quietly confident about this one, on the basis that "it's our year" until Sunday but then I heard our result and all of my optimism circuits burnt out, to the point that at the moment there is a bit of me that almost (almost!) doesn't want to go on Saturday*. It probably did not help that I had just come out from hospital in Truro having visited my seriously ill father in law. Can somebody please help me to "man up" and regain the faith??

*disclaimer - this does not mean my ticket is open for offers.

Cheers! Bring it on!!!

[amfy]

That's great isn't it? I love watching it.

From Delph's goal v Albion onwards, it totally kicks in.

[Ron Manager]

All I want,even if we lose, is that we play well. So well that the media and other teams supporters are very impressed with us as they were up and until the last two games. I want this club to be respected and not just by our support.

That is what I want.

[Chipsticks]

All I want,even if we lose, is that we play well. So well that the media and other teams supporters are very impressed with us as they were up and until the last two games. I want this club to be respected and not just by our support.

That is what I want.

Me too, my biggest fear is another Sothampton performance - it'd be a long, long summer if so.

I actually have a feeling we're going to score first, Arsenal might be expecting us to park the bus but all indications sound like Timmy's going to go Kamikaze.

[Jimbo]

For us to win the cup we're going to have to deliver our performance of the season. Our defence is poor and everybody knows it, so if we're not firing on all cylinders going forward it could be a disappointing day. Arsenal are no Liverpool; they have the players to hurt us. The last two games have shown us in a very unflattering light, and although I'm sure we can be a lot better than that, I hope beyond hope the Wembley factor gives our lads a lift. We really need to get at Arsenal from the off. Rattle them early doors and we can set the tone for the rest of the match; allow them to stroke the ball around and we'll be ripped apart.

What I'm trying to say is: fuck the fuckers.

[Can Gana Be Bettered!?!?]

All I want,even if we lose, is that we play well. So well that the media and other teams supporters are very impressed with us as they were up and until the last two games. I want this club to be respected and not just by our support.

That is what I want.

Me too, my biggest fear is another Sothampton performance - it'd be a long, long summer if so.

I actually have a feeling we're going to score first, Arsenal might be expecting us to park the bus but all indications sound like Timmy's going to go Kamikaze.

TS is going to play to our strengths, which is going forward. You could argue Arsenals weakness is their defence, as is ours. Are we capable of doing what Swansea did at Arsenal the other day?

I'm not saying go all out attack, but it does seem to be our best chance.

We're going to need a lot of luck on Saturday because, in all honesty, Arsenal are a very good team who are much better than us. We need to be at our best, them not to be and have some luck. Then we might win.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

For us to win the cup we're going to have to deliver our performance of the season. Our defence is poor and everybody knows it, so if we're not firing on all cylinders going forward it could be a disappointing day. Arsenal are no Liverpool; they have the players to hurt us. The last two games have shown us in a very unflattering light, and although I'm sure we can be a lot better than that, I hope beyond hope the Wembley factor gives our lads a lift. We really need to get at Arsenal from the off. Rattle them early doors and we can set the tone for the rest of the match; allow them to stroke the ball around and we'll be ripped apart.

What I'm trying to say is: fuck the fuckers.

Try not to worry too much about Arse Jimbo.

F**k 'em!

[Chipsticks]

For us to win the cup we're going to have to deliver our performance of the season. Our defence is poor and everybody knows it, so if we're not firing on all cylinders going forward it could be a disappointing day. Arsenal are no Liverpool; they have the players to hurt us. The last two games have shown us in a very unflattering light, and although I'm sure we can be a lot better than that, I hope beyond hope the Wembley factor gives our lads a lift. We really need to get at Arsenal from the off. Rattle them early doors and we can set the tone for the rest of the match; allow them to stroke the ball around and we'll be ripped apart.

What I'm trying to say is: fuck the fuckers.

Try not to worry too much about Arse Jimbo.

F**k 'em!

Fuck the BBC, Fuck the FA, Fuck the Fuckers, Fuck the Arsenal, and Fuck the Albion. Claret and Blue ribbons are going on that cup.

[itbrvilla]

Can we sing this with 'Fuck the BBC' in it?

Why can't I get the fucker to work?


PWS: Some youtube links are https, delete the "s" so as it is just http.

[Ron Manager]

For us to win the cup we're going to have to deliver our performance of the season. Our defence is poor and everybody knows it, so if we're not firing on all cylinders going forward it could be a disappointing day. Arsenal are no Liverpool; they have the players to hurt us. The last two games have shown us in a very unflattering light, and although I'm sure we can be a lot better than that, I hope beyond hope the Wembley factor gives our lads a lift. We really need to get at Arsenal from the off. Rattle them early doors and we can set the tone for the rest of the match; allow them to stroke the ball around and we'll be ripped apart.

What I'm trying to say is: fuck the fuckers.

What we are forgetting is that Arsenal's defence are nowhere near the standard of what they once had. In particular the centre half and whichever goalkeeper Wenger picks. I hope Sherwood decides to go at them from the whistle for about half an hour. Assuming he picks Bacuna (who was awful on Sunday) he will need to get his crosses in with power and accuracy for Benteke to get on the end of. If we get a two goal lead Sherwood may bring Sanchez on to stiffen the midfield and Hutton to terrify Carzola and Wilshire. We also need Vlaar to hit his top game because when he does he is very very good.

[Matt Collins]

We can definitely get at that arsenal defence and they lack proper cover in midfield against the runs of grealish, cleverly and delph

But our defence has been so bad - I think probably worst in the league by some distance over the last few months? - and nobody is properly fit back there. I could envisage the game being over after 25 minutes unless we can manage one last push and better concentration. If we can, I genuinely think it's winnable.

[Jimbo]

For us to win the cup we're going to have to deliver our performance of the season. Our defence is poor and everybody knows it, so if we're not firing on all cylinders going forward it could be a disappointing day. Arsenal are no Liverpool; they have the players to hurt us. The last two games have shown us in a very unflattering light, and although I'm sure we can be a lot better than that, I hope beyond hope the Wembley factor gives our lads a lift. We really need to get at Arsenal from the off. Rattle them early doors and we can set the tone for the rest of the match; allow them to stroke the ball around and we'll be ripped apart.

What I'm trying to say is: fuck the fuckers.

What we are forgetting is that Arsenal's defence are nowhere near the standard of what they once had. In particular the centre half and whichever goalkeeper Wenger picks. I hope Sherwood decides to go at them from the whistle for about half an hour. Assuming he picks Bacuna (who was awful on Sunday) he will need to get his crosses in with power and accuracy for Benteke to get on the end of. If we get a two goal lead Sherwood may bring Sanchez on to stiffen the midfield and Hutton to terrify Carzola and Wilshire. We also need Vlaar to hit his top game because when he does he is very very good.

In order to fuck these fuckers, we must find alternatives to 'cross to Benteke'. Against Liverpool we were at our best during the interplay between Grealish, Delph and Benteke. Bring Cleverley into the mix and we'll have a more diverse armoury at our disposal. When Norwich went two-nil up quite early on yesterday, it seemed as though they would hold out with ease. If Villa go two-up I'll spend the rest of the match, knees knocking like a shithouse door in a gale, waiting for the inevitable.

[ez]

I think we'll play well. My fear is silly defensive mistakes spoiling a good performance.
My other fear is the fact that i won't be there haunting me for the rest of my life after we win it. One spare please anyone?