[rio1981]

Surprised to not see a thread on this already!

What's everyone's take on it? Haven't ever been Wenger's biggest fan so even if Pards did lord it up in front of him I couldn't blame him (especially after Wenger effectively called him a racist not so long ago )

Shame that it will detract from what was our best performance since the FA Cup Final - and what I thought was a well-deserved win in the end.

As for Arsenal, I'll say it until I'm blue in the face, why do they always want to score the perfect goal? With a bit of application I'm sure they would have created more chances if a) they didn't want to score with 100 passes and b) if they actually used the whole pitch, not just the middle bit!

On yesterday's performance I can't see Messrs Mascherano & Tevez staying for long...

[shane515]

enjoyed the game loved the result even more defo the best performance since that day in May...as to the confrontation....I think it was quite amusing to see a grown man refusing to shake anothers hand.....

Shane

[thfccambs]

Wenger should get a touch line ban from the FA,he's a disgrace not the 1st time he's acted like it either.

No dout Overkill will think it was all Pardews thought and he never see anything wrong with it.

[rio1981]

Can't say I'm surprised but on MOTD2 (sorry, just had to watch it again ) - but Dixon and Wright were saying he overcelebrated the goal

Every time the camera panned to the dug-outs though he was either complaining about something, moaning to Pardew, etc - he could have done a lot better to motivate his team who were lacklustre throughout.

I think Harewood's goal is on Youtube now, with part of the scuffle afterwards if anyone's interested

Refusing to shake your opponent's hand, especially on live TV, makes Wenger look like a right plank in my book...

[miceri]

Pardew has actually offered an apology to Wenger, hmmm. Bet that refused eh?

I actually met Pardew at a party, nice guy - Saw my kid running round and round the table, said that it reminded him of his training sessions!

[shane515]

Originally Posted by rio1981

Can't say I'm surprised but on MOTD2 (sorry, just had to watch it again )

I recorded and watched it live, then watched again last night when the wife went out......finished just in time to watch MOTD2 to hear the comments

[rio1981]

Originally Posted by shane515

I recorded and watched it live, then watched again last night when the wife went out......finished just in time to watch MOTD2 to hear the comments

It was the noise I wanted to hear again mate - was making too much of my own when we scored live that I didn't get a chance to hear just how much the roof came off when Marlon scored!

Given the circumstances I think it was even more impressive than being the last team besides Arsenal to win at the Library

[Steven]

Originally Posted by rio1981

Surprised to not see a thread on this already!

Because Pardew has apologised, and Wenger will reciprocate in private, and that will be the end of that

[rio1981]

Well Saturday's game will be a completely different kettle of fish, where we may even be expected to win; Middlesboro away.

Notoriously a crap ground for us to go and visit - another defeat and maybe Southgate will be feeling the pinch?

Ar*enal Whinger complaining ?

Whatever next? Night following day?

[po_man]

As much as love Wenger, i must say i was disappointed with his actions on Sunday. Okay, he reacted to Pardews, slightly in-your-face celebrations which probably was more amusing than it was disgraceful, but i do wish that he'd just shaken his hand at the end and that would have been the end of it.

One thing i must say is that; to be fair to Wenger, Pardews celebrations were no more than 3 yards away from Wenger and if he'd just celebrated in his own technical area and with his own people and NOT try to then, in the same breath, try and give his condolences to Wenger (which in my eyes is a right wind-up) then nothing would have happened. It was actually Pardew approaching Wenger.

Anyway, as i say - i was disappointed though that Wenger didn't shake his hand at the end and also fair play to Pardew for apologising (or trying to) because you can do no more than that.

[rio1981]

Originally Posted by po_man

Okay, he reacted to Pardews, slightly in-your-face celebrations which probably was more amusing than it was disgraceful

I would suggest his FA Cup Semi-Final dance was more amusing / embarrassing! Personally thought it was great to see the manager of the team I support feeling the moment so much...

All points taken there po man - Wenger just seemed to have a bad mood on all afternoon, seems like the man isn't happy when he doesn't get the 50-50 decisions (not necessarily match-changing ones)... and for the record, the ref blew up a lot in Arsenal's favour when free kicks could have gone either way on Sunday.

Invariably it'll all blow over... until the reverse fixture at the Grove (sorry, not calling it the Emirates), which could be a little bit tasty

[po_man]

Originally Posted by rio1981

I would suggest his FA Cup Semi-Final dance was more amusing / embarrassing! Personally thought it was great to see the manager of the team I support feeling the moment so much...

All points taken there po man - Wenger just seemed to have a bad mood on all afternoon, seems like the man isn't happy when he doesn't get the 50-50 decisions (not necessarily match-changing ones)... and for the record, the ref blew up a lot in Arsenal's favour when free kicks could have gone either way on Sunday.

Invariably it'll all blow over... until the reverse fixture at the Grove (sorry, not calling it the Emirates), which could be a little bit tasty

Absolutely agree Rio. The Semi-Final jig was disgraceful and he should have been on a disripute charge!

Again agreed that we didn't look happy all afternoon and think that perhaps (from a rose-tinted point of view) that we deserved at least a draw. Full credit to Pardew though for sticking on the two strikers when he did. Really did change the game.

[rio1981]

Arsene Wenger has broken his silence, after the incident at Upton Park on Sunday. Looking emotionally drained Wenger, 79, spoke as Arsenal arrived back in North London.

"I was disgusted at the treatment we received at West Ham. Our players are used to playing in a quiet, respectful atmosphere (Al Qaeda Stadium) in which we can discuss tactics, compare our nice gloves, and scream loudly to let the referee know we've been tackled and need a free kick.

The atmosphere at Upton Park was little short of hostile. The opposing fans sang, shouted and cheered in a manner we are not used to. Almost all of them stayed for the whole game, too. This was strange to us; it doesn't happen back at the Al Qaeda Stadium.

In addition, our bag man left the team's glove bag back at Gonfraburton Grove, meaning that many of our players were playing with cold hands, and some of them cried.

My dispute with Alan Pardew was over his comments following their goal.
"Did you see that?" he shouted. This was insulting. He must know that I see NOTHING on the pitch, unless it is a poor decision against Arsenal. I hope the FA realizes what bad feeling this can cause at a game and can have Managers and hopefully players banned from celebrating when scoring goals. I was very disappointed to see him celebrate like that, it was almost as if he wanted us to lose. He did offer to shake my hand at the end but without the gloves my fingers were tres cold, and I didn't want to move them from under my armpits."

- surprised it took until Tuesday for something like this to surface, in all honesty!

[rio1981]

Originally Posted by po_man

Again agreed that we didn't look happy all afternoon and think that perhaps (from a rose-tinted point of view) that we deserved at least a draw. Full credit to Pardew though for sticking on the two strikers when he did. Really did change the game.

Through my own rose-tinted ones (I own some too!) I thought if any team deserved to win, it'd be us, but a draw would have been a pretty fair reflection.

The thing is, I'm sat in the front room watching on the edge of my seat, safe in the knowledge that a nice move from Arsenal could cut us to ribbons in seconds, and apart from the Rosicky chance in the first half it just didn't happen... what would worry me if I was a Gooner though is that I can't honestly remember the last time we kept a clean sheet

And agreed, kudos to Pardew on this occasion - only a minute after Wenger brought on Adebayor... obviously with the benefit of hindsight it's only ever a masterstroke if it works

[po_man]

Originally Posted by rio1981

The thing is, I'm sat in the front room watching on the edge of my seat, safe in the knowledge that a nice move from Arsenal could cut us to ribbons in seconds, and apart from the Rosicky chance in the first half it just didn't happen... what would worry me if I was a Gooner though is that I can't honestly remember the last time we kept a clean sheet

Surely you must have cacked yourself when Hleb played that one-two and was then hacked in the area!! Also, i honestly thought Toure had scored with that thunderbolt, 30 yard strike. I was jumping in the air with joy until i realised it was wide!!! "sit down" they cried!!

[rio1981]

Originally Posted by po_man

Surely you must have cacked yourself when Hleb played that one-two and was then hacked in the area!! Also, i honestly thought Toure had scored with that thunderbolt, 30 yard strike. I was jumping in the air with joy until i realised it was wide!!! "sit down" they cried!!

I think on both occasions it was more in hope than expectation, I honestly thought Spector got a piece of the ball when I saw it live, then Toure's shot... think I was in the middle of saying "you can shoot all day from there sunshine, you'll never score!"

Very nearly famous last words!

[joffy1780]

Just to follow up on Lee Dixon and Ian Wright on MOTD2.I thought it hilarious when they discussed the Hleb Penalty incident.The defender did get a touch on the ball,which they acknowledged,but then to say the ref should have given it,because he didn't have a good view of it and from where he was it would have "looked like a penalty" was one of the stupidist comments I've heard on MOTD for a while.
If he doesn't see the incident clearly he can't just think it was probably a penalty and give it anyway .

[rio1981]

Originally Posted by joffy1780

Just to follow up on Lee Dixon and Ian Wright on MOTD2.I thought it hilarious when they discussed the Hleb Penalty incident.The defender did get a touch on the ball,which they acknowledged,but then to say the ref should have given it,because he didn't have a good view of it and from where he was it would have "looked like a penalty" was one of the stupidist comments I've heard on MOTD for a while.
If he doesn't see the incident clearly he can't just think it was probably a penalty and give it anyway .

I have to take media coverage of West Ham with a bit of a pinch of salt in all fairness - there wasn't much on MOTD2 about how well we played (they didn't even show the goal again), it was more to do with Henry's sulking, the bust-up on the touchline, Arsenal's not-given penalty.

It was a similar scenario at Highbury where we won 3-2 last season - can't dare give the Hammers any credit, it was all down to Sol Campbell! And in similar circumstances none of the pundits seem to notice Nigel Reo-Coker just getting a toe to the ball prior to Campbell's air-shot!

We might get credit for a win, one of these days

[po_man]

Originally Posted by rio1981

We might get credit for a win, one of these days

Hey Rio, i'll give ya some credit!!

[rio1981]

Originally Posted by po_man

Hey Rio, i'll give ya some credit!!

You've been a very gracious Gooner mate, and for that reason the credit is returned

(we're so set up for a proper ol' fashioned kicking in the return game now, by the way! )

[overkill]

Originally Posted by po_man

Hey Rio, i'll give ya some credit!!

Ditto.

West Ham fought hard, and yes the refs hate Arsenal, but even if they do, if West Ham were poor they'd still have lost. The smaller clubs never get credit for beating the 'big boys' and the highlights are embarrasingly skewed to show how 'unlucky' the 'bigger' team was. See Reading v Man Utd, Bolton v Liverpool for this, as well as the Hammers v Arsenal game.

[mrtbag]

Originally Posted by overkill

The smaller clubs never get credit for beating the 'big boys' and the highlights are embarrasingly skewed to show how 'unlucky' the 'bigger' team was. See Reading v Man Utd, Bolton v Liverpool for this, as well as the Hammers v Arsenal game.

I've just realised why you didn't mention the Spurs v Chelsea game. I didn't see when I first read it that you were talking about the smaller clubs only.

[overkill]

Originally Posted by mrtbag

I've just realised why you didn't mention the Spurs v Chelsea game. I didn't see when I first read it that you were talking about the smaller clubs only.

Sorry MrT, you've lost me this time? Did you post then cancel it? Anyway, I hardly think even the most one-eyed Arsenal fan would think Spurs were a 'small club'.

Except in the trouser region........

[RMCF]

Reading through this post, and indeed seeing other touchline bust-ups over the years between opposing teams/managers, an old thought came back to me that is a wacky idea but it just might work.

Why not put the dugouts on opposite sides of the pitch, both at the halfway line?

Would this work?

[Clatter]

In all the fuss about Arsenals penalty, it appears to have been forgotten that West Ham had a blatent penalty dismissed earlier in the game as well.

[rio1981]

Originally Posted by RMCF

Reading through this post, and indeed seeing other touchline bust-ups over the years between opposing teams/managers, an old thought came back to me that is a wacky idea but it just might work.

Why not put the dugouts on opposite sides of the pitch, both at the halfway line?

Would this work?

Only if you gave both managers projectiles to throw at each other, say... javelins?

[po_man]

Originally Posted by rio1981

Only if you gave both managers projectiles to throw at each other, say... javelins?

I was thinking more ... air pistols? Can produce quite a nasty sting if hit on to bare flesh, perhaps the knuckle area?