Who?ll win the FA Cup Final 2014?

[David Johnson]

Well, I guess few would have predicted that score.

1. Be careful what you wish for Cockneygeezer. Wenger is a genius given his net spending since he became manager and the results achieved. You wouldn't want to end up with a Moyes-like manager would you?

2. Max, what game were you watching? Arsenal were by far the better side and had two stonewall penalties turned down. I doubt if they would have got a penalty from the ref if they had carried on playing til midnight. About the same odds as Sonogo scoring a goal. If you judge a forward entirely on how many goals they score, Sonogo (0 goals) is no better than my gran.

3. If Ramsey, Walcott, Wilshere, Oxley-Chamberlain (all key players) hadn't had the injuries they had over the season, we would probably be praising an Arsenal double.

[Essex Lad]

David Johnson wrote:

> Well, I guess few would have predicted that score.
>
> 1. Be careful what you wish for Cockneygeezer. Wenger is a
> genius given his net spending since he became manager and the
> results achieved. You wouldn't want to end up with a
> Moyes-like manager would you?

He is staying so no need for speculation.

>
> 2. Max, what game were you watching? Arsenal were by far the
> better side and had two stonewall penalties turned down. I
> doubt if they would have got a penalty from the ref if they had
> carried on playing til midnight. About the same odds as
> Sonogo scoring a goal. If you judge a forward entirely on how
> many goals they score, Sonogo (0 goals) is no better than my
> gran.

Agreed. Arsenal were by far the better side had three penalties turned down. I was worried if we didn't score in extra time cos the way Lee Probert was refereeing he wouldn't have allowed us to take any penalties. Something of the Kanus about Sanogo.
>
> 3. If Ramsey, Walcott, Wilshere, Oxley-Chamberlain (all key
> players) hadn't had the injuries they had over the season, we
> would probably be praising an Arsenal double.

Can't disagree with that and don't forget Osil was also out for a couple of months and Diaby for all season.

[Essex Lad]

cockneygeezer2009 wrote:

> The result was more relief than anything else. Time to move
> upstairs Mr Wenger and bask in the eight major trophies you
> have won.
>
> Bizarre 1) Some Arsenal players were wearing a pink boot on one
> foot and a light blue boot on the other foot.

Yes, Sagna and Cazorla were. People took the piss out of Bendtner wearing pink boots so perhaps they thought by wearing one blue and one pink they'd look half hard.

> Bizarre 2) Was someone really carving Arsenal's name on the
> trophy before the game had finished?

Yes.

> Bizarre 3) Er why was Thomas Vermaelen lifting the cup when a)
> he didn't play and b) can't even get into the main matchday
> eleven.

Because he is the club captain and to be fair he did offer Arteta (match day captain and club vice-captain) the chance to lift the trophy. It is also probably his last appearance for Arsenal, with a year left on his contract. UnlessArsenal are introducing a Ryder Cup-style non-playing captain...

> Bizarre 4) How did Gibbs manage to boot the ball over the bar
> when the goal was more open than a prostitute's legs. (Gibbs
> also nearly managed to score an own goal too but thankfully
> missed!!).
>
Not sure about the own goal but it was a shocking miss.

[max_tranmere]

I was making reference to how both teams did, relative to the quality of play normally delivered by each and also by what was expected. As Hull are mino's and Arsenal are giants you wopuld have thought the latter would have done better than being taken into extra-time by the former and also to only win 3-2. The least said about Arsenal going down 2-0 in the first eight minutes the better - as far as Arsenal are concerned - but brilliant for Hull. I watched East Yorkshire TV news here in London on Sunday, I can get it on my TV, and people were saying in Hull "the team did us proud!". And I agree.

[max_tranmere]

Read this. It shows how skint and hopeless Hull used to be. Not any more though. This from Wikipedia, about Hull's old stadium Boothferry Park:

"The stadium became affectionately known by supporters as "Fer Ark" in its later days, due to the lack of finances for maintenance which meant that only those letters were illuminated on the large "boothFERry pARK" signage. Before this it had been known as "Bothferry Park" when one of the illuminated "O"s fell off. It was also known simply as "BP"."

They now have the amazing KC Stadium, the team is in the Premiership and in Europe now, and they got into the FA Cup Final for the first time in 100 years. Hull are going from strength-to-strength.

[Arginald Valleywater]

The City of Kingston Upon Hull, to give its full title is still an absolute hole, a close cousin to Middlesborough as Grimsville UK.

[cockneygeezer2009]

"Hull have come a very long way in recent years."

Yes but where will they be in 5 years time? Finished 4 points off relegation, don't you know.

[David Johnson]

Hull would be one of my candidates for relegation next season. They are due to play in the Europa League which usually has a big effect on injury, overall performances etc. in teams with a relatively small pool of players.

[Sam Slater]

Classy comeback.

[Essex Lad]

I love it when lefties fall out ? do carry on bitching about each other. Can't tell you how much joy it gives the rest of us to see you two coming in handbags swinging...