Tuesday 11 March 2014

Arsene All The Way?

The one thing Arsene Wenger must've been hoping for following his team's defeat of Everton on Saturday was that his team didn't draw Man City until the final. Well he's got his wish.


It'll be hard for the average Gooner to keep his mind from drifting back to 2011 and the League Cup catastrophe against Birmingham City - the last time the drought looked like ending. That was three years ago so it was probably more of a shortage than a drought. Since then there's been a proper hosepipe ban in place.


That was the occasion when Koscielny and Szczesny flopped around like tired pensioners after a day playing Twister and Obafemi Martins got the chance to do his floor gymnastics in celebration. This year all Arsenal have got to stumble past is Wigan and, probably, Hull. It has to be, M. Wenger...



Not that Wigan won't be a handful. They're on a great run of form in the Championship and if Arsenal can find a Martin Demichelis in their ranks, the Latics should have a great chance.



This was a Pellegrini purchase, remember, part of his old guard at Malaga. It must be blind loyalty that prevents the manager from seeing what the rest of the world can see - that this is a second-rate Steven Seagal impersonator masquerading as a professional footballer. He has the turning circle of a jumbo jet and the lumbering speed of a giraffe in splints. Lescott, who never does much wrong really, must be spitting feathers that the Argie lad partners Kompany on a regular basis.


Pellegrini says it would not damage his team's search for trophies this year, but given he's just lost one that's oxymoronic. He admits his players were complacent, and to tell you the truth I've not seen overconfidence like that since my Mrs insisted that she could handle a White Russian. (She can't by the way. Which makes you wonder why she had the second, doesn't it? NB I'm talking drinks here, not people.)


Given the 2-0 deficit against the Catalan Tax-Dodgers, you can't see the Champs League bringing any further joy this year either, so Citeh are left with the prospect of reeling in Chelsea. Not that Citeh fans forget their own. Rosler was given a truly wonderful reception and in turn Uwe refrained from whirling around like a dervish when the shock win was achieved. Sometimes football makes you very proud.




But can Chelsea be caught? Mourinho mustered yet another win from his fitfully useful side. One more bad decision at the Bridge - and some horrific defending at the end - gave Chelsea a laughably large 4-0 victory. It's ominous. United won the title last year playing a lot of scruffy nonsense, and Chelsea - Hazard aside - aren't much better this season. But both clubs are/were managed by blokes who know how to get the job done.


In the meantime, Citeh have lost their swagger, Arsenal are fraying at the edges, and Liverpool have a defence as porous as pumice. Even without a decent centre-forward - and Eto'o's celebration was a joy to behold on Saturday - Chelsea look very likely now.


Mourinho will keep insisting the Blues lead is a false one. I expect when he lifts the trophy at the end of the season he'll be shaking his head and telling the world that Citeh are still favourites. It's at times like these that the theatrical old stager resembles a cat on top of a wall, looking disdainfully down at all the yapping terriers who he knows will never quite reach him.


Ed Miliband recently spoke of a 'race to the bottom' in this country. (And when the head of an 'alternative' bank to the main players has a hissy fit cos the world's learnt that he gets rewarded for abject failure like every other fucker in that sector, you sort of understand what he means). In footy terms, it means panicky owners behaving like picky teenage girls in Top Shop, and constantly wishing they had a different top to choose from.


Jeremy Peace must be hoping he stuck with temporary manager Keith Downing - and there's every chance he'll resort back to him for the run-in, given Pepe Mel seems to be forcing a leaden-footed side to play a fleet-footed game.


The only contribution of note that Felix Magath has made is the adoption of black and white glasses. What he sees through them must be similarly monochrome. Doom. Fulham are down.
Cardiff, despite a frenetic victory over their nearest strugglers, will join them. No one will miss the Vincent Tan (that's when you bask in your own glory and everything turns a funny colour - frequently from blue to red).


Norwich have so may six-pointers coming up they could claim the league if they win them all. Their last four games look horrendous however. Palace are not so much goal-shy as goal-averse. Sunderland should rise from the mire but those Cup defeats will be tough to take. Be nice to have a North-East derby to look forward to again in the Championship. But nah. West Brom to join 'em is my best guess. Boing-boing.


As for Arsenal... well I can't help feeling the final will be a living Hull.

















113 comments:

  1. I like the fact that Arsene Wenger has bought the only German footballer who can't take a penalty.

    I'd love to see a Sheff U v Wigan final personally,but there you go.

    On a personal note Robbo,can I say how pleased I am you didn't mention the big game from Saturday.

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  2. I do like Wenger. But I was hoping for another trophyless season for him, so I can mock my Arsenal supporter friends that at least we won the Charity Shield!

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  3. Good stuff Robbo. I'm with Jacks, Sheffield v Wigan would be a dream final.

    If The Gooners have to be there, then Hull Tigers will permit the best chance of a chuckle.

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  4. Wow, third, oh by the way Jacks, Danny Grahamboro 2 Tractor Boys 0. There, I mentioned it as Robbo was two kind to do so. Powell gets the Spanish Archer so Chris Hughton is the only non-white Manager in English Football and even he may not survive two more defeats. Great Blog as always, Robbo.

    Spider

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    Replies
    1. Fourth after a photo-finish, damn you Trotts!

      Spider

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    2. I 'ad a tenner e.w. on mesel' Spider!

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    3. It's on the nose with me and, if you saw the size of my nose, you realise why!

      Spider

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  5. It heaps all the more pressure on Arsene to win the FA Cup now... If we dont then we have to change the definition of the phrase "golden chance"

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    Replies
    1. Is that the one Your Cock was on about last blog?

      Delete
  6. Well said as always, Robbo. But Chelsea, boring? Only to... yawn... all the... yawn... Our best hope of winning the title has less to do with Mourinho and Hazard than it does Dimichelis.

    And Sheffield Utd v Wigan would be great, but a Hull win works, though it would condemn them to relegation after spending next season traipsing across Europa on a thin squad. Maybe they could sell the spot to QPR?

    Not that anyone cares, but what happened to Altidore? I know the Eredivisie isn't the Premier League, but shouldn't he have more than two PL goals in two seasons? I know he's raw, but he isn't that terrible. Oh well, back to the MLS next season, unless a promoted side show interest. Even if he's frustrated, mouthing off about the Poyet probably wasn't the best idea.

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  7. It heaps all the more pressure on Arsene to win the FA Cup now... If we dont then we have to change the definition of the phrase "golden chance"

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  8. by 'eck, the Gooners for the cup campaign is gettin' serious if SS is back! Welcome back matey!

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  9. Robben should have taken up water sports, he's the best fucking diver since Greg Louganis. What a cheating arsehole he is... three dives in the area, one penalty, no yellow cards.

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    Replies
    1. Yes and not just him Martinez went down like a bambi on ice. Bayern just killed the tie.highly professional and pretty horrible to watch.

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  10. The Mighty O's kept their slim chance of automatic promotion alive with a 2-0 win over Blog's team. I'd like to say sorry mate but it wouldn't be sincere.

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    Replies
    1. I'd like to say the best team lost but that also wouldn't be true bo. Probably. Didn't see it. Maybe you got lucky....

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  11. it was a game of two halves and at the end of the day you just have to play for 90 minutes and there can only be one winner and the win was for the gaffer and the fans and we're just focused on the next game.

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  12. Cheers RR.

    I see Barca's efforts to get Demachilles suspension overturned has failed, he won't be available tonight so Citeh may be in with a chance.

    Last night the better team won, but dear oh dear, how wellthey are schooled in the dark arts. Guardiola always seems like a very likeable chap, well spoken, not arogant and his teams play some good stuff, but why do they always have to resort to the unsavoury stuff.

    How did his team get away with all the cynical fouls and, let's call it, gamesmanship? Except for Robben ofcourse, he's a downright dirty cheat.

    Oh well, at least we got that Wembley appearance to look forward to, that's if we'll have any players left by that time.

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  13. Stephen.

    Not that anyone cares, but what happened to Altidore?

    Nothing, that's what happened to Altidore, he was always poo. I was asked on here not so long ago what I thought of him as he was playing here for the local team, I've seen him live a few times, I even saw him get a hatrick in a game and remember going away thinking how the hell could the worst player on the field manage to get three goals!? He's big, but's he's slaow and clumbsy.

    The Ere divisie is a major step down from the PL, there would probably be quite a few Championship teams that could do more then hold their own in there. Not sure why you're surprised that he's only scored twice for Sunderland, if memory serves he had pretty much the same record for Hull the last time around.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Twice for Sunderland? I thought he scored twice for Hull and Sunderland combined!

      He plays rather well for the national team, but that may be relative to our other options up front. Have Dempsey and Donovan set him up and we're top of CONCACAF. I know that doesn't put us on equal terms with the top of Europe or South America, but we aren't ranked too poorly.

      Altidore is no Lukaku (who is no Drogba... yet), but somehow I thought he'd bag a handful of goals and hold the ball well enough to set up a few, as well. At the very least, he has the size, strength, and raw ability to be more productive. It would be nice to see another wave of Americans make a contribution in the PL now that McBride, Dempsey, and Friedel are gone and Howard is aging, albeit gracefully. Other than Guzan, who even stands a chance? Cameron is serviceable... and from there you look to the bench or Championship.

      Delete
    2. Just goes to show what an utter farce the FIFA rankings are.

      Delete
  14. Like H2H I'm looking forward to Wembley rather than back at last night.

    I'm not sure if it's Guardiola teaching the diving and dark arts. Maybe it's just more common on the continent in general - Italians generally are very clever with their "tactical" play for instance and the Portuguese seem to love to kick lumps out of each other. I think that the Premier League has different interpretations of the rules and the other countries adapt better to playing with these referees.
    If any of you think that English refs are pants then try watching Spanish La Liga. They seem to invent rules as they go along. Put one of them in charge of a CL game and they do as they please. They like to be the centre of attention.

    Come on Arsenal. Let's not let Chelsea bore their way to the title.
    Rastafairy

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    Replies
    1. You're probably right about that, foriegn refs interpretate the rules differemt then in the PL.

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  15. There appears to be some confusion over the spelling of the Citeh centre-back in this blog - is it Demachilles, Di Michaelis etc. So here is a definitive spelling we can all agree upon: D - O - N - K - E - Y.

    Save Sam the Chilean Eagle!

    Spider

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  16. good game tonight, full credit to Birmingham for clawing their way back.

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  17. still no english club progressing in CL? so i suppose, hopefully moyes+co can do it ... heh heh

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  18. If you've missed it:

    http://tenfactsabout.blogspot.nl/

    Our very own RBA's briliant daily blog with his unique view on things and stuff.

    Well worth checking.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. how the fuck do we sign up for it?

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    2. I just bookmarked it and check it every now and again. As far as I can tell it's one a day, Monday to Friday.

      Delete
    3. if it came to the "dashboard" it'd be better but I can't find a way to link it.

      Delete
  19. Nice blog, Robbo - pity about Everton, though - we could have seen the Manager of Wigan Past against the Manager of Wigan Present. Mind you, there's some that don't go in for Wigan-on-Wigan action...

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    1. Everton played well Saturday, the score line was a bit flattering for Arsenal, although we did deserve the goals they came about becayse Everton pushed everything forward trying to get back in the game.

      An excellent manager is Martinez.

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    2. Agreed, H2H. I'm the first to admit I had doubts about Martinez, but Everton have been good to watch this year.

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  20. Behind Bars in Munich;

    http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26562558

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  21. Arsenal will be without midfielder Mesut Ozil for at least four weeks after scans revealed he suffered a significant hamstring strain in Tuesday's Champions League exit at Bayern Munich.

    Ozil will miss Arsenal's trip to Tottenham on Sunday, as well as games against Chelsea, Swansea, Manchester City and Everton
    =======================================
    None of the important games then. Frankly, he would've probably lost his place to Ramsey anyway.

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    Replies
    1. I, for one, appreciate the fact you're not indulging in a bit of whinging on about how Liverpool won't get a crack at the Ozil-less Gooners. In that spirit, I will state that Liverpool will never never never never win the league this year.

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  22. there's nothing better than a bit of back and forth between the reds and blues of Liverpool! Long may it continue.

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    1. Martinez is a decent bloke, hard to be a hater to any of his teams. And quite frankly, Moyes and Man U are making us happy enough, don't really need the toffees.

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    2. And I was being sincere! AH has stated he doesn't want to hear anything about "you-know-who" winning the "you-know-what," so I was trying to play along...until that "don't need the toffees" comment, that is! Not only will Liverpool win the league this year, Brendan Rogers will be the baddie in the next Bond film, with Suarez recreating the famous Richard Kiel "Jaws" role.

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    3. Scotty my good man, I meant we dont need the toffees to hate/mock this season, thereby allowing us to like them (that's probably pushing it, but you get the message).

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    4. Scotty - does that make Ivanovic the next James Bond?
      Terry as his sidekick, The Special One as "M" (see, it works!), and Sofia Viagra as the damsel in distress..

      Spider

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    5. I like the way you think, Spider! And AH, that's the way I took it, in all seriousness. The enemy of my enemy is my friend, and all that. :)

      Delete
  23. Here's the odds for the first comment on Robbo's next blog..

    Anon 3-1
    Anon with a name (Jedi, Rasta, Spider etc) 4-1
    Any Boro fan 5 - 1
    Jacks 6-1
    Blog 7-1
    AH, Stephen 10-1
    Named virgin poster 12 - 1
    Spit, H2H, Noel, Colch, Bo, Scott 15-1
    RBA 18-1
    Adam or any other Man U fan not included above 22 - 1
    Andy Smart, JDR, GazUTD, TommyB, 33 - 1
    Tommy Onions, RedPreacherman, WordsOfWisdom 50 - 1
    Me, Red Rum, George Best 66 - 1

    Others upon request.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. double carpet the first two and 38f-1 Pamela

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    2. I don't see Your Cock anywhere, Trotts...wa-hey! Or, as we'd say in America...Hi-yo!

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    3. Betting on Your Cock is not encouraged.

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    4. Dunno, Trotts. Your Cock is hard to beat.

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    5. I'm sure we can all count on Your Cock to ride to the occasion.

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    6. Just put my life savings on myself as first comment. Now just to sit here pressing F5 for as many weeks as it takes. You better pay out Trotts!

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    7. I have to say Noel,you were really shit last night.What's gone wrong?

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    8. are your life savings more than enough for a 25p each way bet?

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    9. 25p? Jeez, you're a high-roller Trotts. My savings are still in single digits.

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    10. Savings? As an American, it is my sworn duty to have my debts outstrip my yearly salary.

      Delete
    11. ok, well, i can stand a 9p on the nose at 15-1. That'll be a 1.35 win if it comes in.

      Your odds have now been cut to 6-4favourite and H2 moves out to 18-1 with RBA.

      There's a late jockey change though. Your Cock is to be ridden by Sofia Vergara

      Delete
  24. Tim Sherwood's public meltdown continues. Good to see.

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  25. No one we know, I hope...
    http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/middlesbrough-penis-attack-arrest-after-3238099

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    Replies
    1. fuckin 'ell, the Boro Bobbit? You alright Robbo? FBH?

      Delete
  26. RIP Shawn Kuykendall

    One of the best captains I ever saw play in person. Led the American University side a few years while I was there. Knowing how much most of the team hated each other (and how badly they fell apart after he graduated), it was a wonder they managed to win at all, never mind make it to the NCAA tournament. Nice guy, too. Many of our players were full of themselves, but he was humble and kind. Only managed a handful of matches in the MLS, though I do remember when DC United came to my hometown... I think I startled him that day. Everyone else was screaming for Freddy Adu. I had seats behind the bench and called out to him instead. He vaguely remembered me and stopped to talk a while, since I was one of the few regular (and recognizably obnoxious) fans at the university matches. The religious fervor is a bit unsettling, but to each his own. He was a good man, best I can tell, and if there is a better place to go, he's there now.

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/dcunited/shawn-kuykendall-soccer-standout-dies-of-cancer-at-32/2014/03/12/1058874e-a9e7-11e3-8a7b-c1c684e2671f_story.html

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  27. RIP Tony Benn.

    Unlike the chancer Bob Crow,a man who put the Union movement back 30 years,a real Socialist and a man of honour and integrity.

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    1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-YYroSudUs

      Why is it called the welfare state? Is it cos it's well fare?

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    2. Right proper interview, mon. Respect, yeah.

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  28. World going dark... BBC websites aren't loading...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You can catch all the action on your phone, the mobile version of the beeb is still working.

      Delete
  29. Let's make things better;

    http://www.wsc.co.uk/forum-index/27-football/891925-football-s-fucked-a-manifesto

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  30. Well, the BBC Football website is working for me, but I wish it wasn't, because I skimmed about half of this...

    http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/25775979

    ...before bailing on the 'story.' I'm sure Bevan got a pat on the head for this in-depth analysis, but honestly, if I wanted to read charts of pointless statistics (Goals 'involved in'? Really?), I'd stick to baseball.

    Just another article that could have been reduced to a Tweet: Suarez amazing this year. Goals/assists up. Hope he stays in PL. Chance to be all-time great.
    (See? I didn't even have to use annoying shorthand like 'gr8' or '2 B')

    Or you could just watch Liverpool and enjoy.

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  31. All I had to do was mention the BBC website here and the next time I looked it was back up and running. Must've been Robbo's work.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Nicolas Anelka has said on Twitter that he has terminated his contract with West Brom with "immediate effect".
    =============================
    The journeyman's journey continues. Wonder where he'll end up this time. I think we can definitely strike Maccabi Haifa and Apoel Tel Aviv off the list.

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  33. In reply to Jacks, yeah we're pretty shite at the mo. It seems there is quite a bit of division in the squad. I think some are still pissed off that AVB was sacked, some don't like Sherwood obviously and know that he's not going to be there for long, and some that like Sherwood and play for him. Pretty bad state of affairs to be in really. Vertonghen in particular, despite being an absolute star of a player, seems to be a bit of a cunt (sorry Bells) when he's not getting his way.

    For mine, Sherwood isn't a manager yet. Get some experience in the lower leagues or abroad first. He's been praised for his results since he took over, but who have we played? All his wins have come against poor opposition. Every time we've come up against a decent side (like Norwich), we've lost the game. He's 'got the best out of Adebayor again'. No he hasn't, he's just playing him. He's tactically naive, constantly picks the wrong players, and insist on picking Bentelab just as evidence that he picks from the club's academy.

    I think it's just damage limitation until the end of the season now - try to avoid a total squad implosion. And if we can also avoid qualifying for the Europa next year, then we'll be looking good for next season, with a decent manager and what is already a very good squad (if we can keep it together). But now we face the prospect of a new manager wanting his staff and his players, so we again have a high turnover in the summer. Levy needs to pick a coach and stick with him for 3-4 years at least. But he won't. We're starting to look like fucking Chelsea. But without the trophies.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Stability does seem to be a dirty word as far as Levy thonks.

      I'm not sure what to make of Sp"rs this term, I will agree that Timmaaah is not quite ready for a job as big as the Spurs hot seat.

      I read so much about how wisely Spurs had invested in the summer, I was pretty sceptical that so many players could be integrated at once, didn't expect AvB to get the heave ho quite so quickly though.

      110 mil is a shit load of money for any club, even if a large chunk of it was offset with the Bale sale. What the hell did they spend it on?
      Take a look at the Spurs team that took the field against Chelsea last week, what do you see?

      I'll tell you what you don't see.....

      a single one of the summer arrivals in the starting XI .

      That tells it's own story, and it's not a good one.

      Still, there's always the NLD to focus on this Sunday, a win there and the gloom will be lifted around WHL, there may even be a nice DVD release to look forward to. ;)

      Delete
    2. AVB was keen on working with a Director of Football, but then didn't get the players that he wanted (the same happened the previous window when AVB wanted Moutinho and Hulk, and got Adebayor and Dembele). Sherwood seems to think that he needs to use his own players so show that AVB got it wrong. His team selections stink of ego. Playing Bentelab instead of Eriksen, or Kane instead of Soldado?

      Of course, integrating 7 new players at once is a crazy idea. I don't think we needed to make 7 signings, and some were bought expressly with the idea of reselling at a higher price. Of the 7 signings, I think Eriksen should play every week and the team be built around him, Chiriches should play every week when fit, Paulinho is a very good player who will be excellent once he has a full season under his belt, Chadli is a squad player at best, Soldado I'm still hoping comes good, but needs to play in a system that suits him. Huge confidence player. Lamela can't be judged yet as he's hardly played (but with a 30m pricetag, people will judge him anyway), Capoue is a very good player, but we already have Sandro in that position.

      So I'd say only Chadli is a poor transfer so far, Capoue is great cover for Sandro who is pretty injury prone, Lamela, Soldado and Paulinho will be better next season, and Eriksen and Chiriches have been successes when played.

      H, How do you see van Gaal or de Boer doing, if either one got the job in the summer? I think VG would just be there for two or three years, just to tick the Premier League off his leagues to manage in list. Then we have to replace him, his staff and his players again. DB might be able to use his Ajax connections to get the best out of Eriksen and Vertonghen.

      Delete
  34. Some good comments since I was last here, cheers guys.

    Trot, my odds are way too short (15/1), I've never been within coo-ee of of 'First", I don't get out of bed until half past blog.

    There are probably worse things than having your dick cut off but I'm fucked if I can think of any.

    AH, Liverpool have the PL sewn up this year, don't sweat it.

    As for Martinez, if Wenger decides to pull the plug in the near future, Martinez would be a great replacement.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No Bo, you operate in a different time zone and Robbo has some Filippino friendly posting hours these days, you could well be in with a shout

      Delete
    2. Fair enough mate, Put me down for a thousand pesos each way then.

      Delete
    3. how much is that in old money?

      Delete
    4. A couple of family sized Dominos with a litre of Coke thrown in.

      Delete
    5. you're on 15,000 - 1,000 and 3,750- 1,000 for the place (1/4 odds) in Pilippino pizza pesos.

      and you're now evens favourite.

      Delete
    6. Great, now I can put the real money on Anon, whose price must have drifted.

      Delete
    7. irregular betting patterns will prompt a thorough investigation.

      Delete
  35. Great display by Dion Dublin there...Mourinho and his team losing their heads at the end. Never mind Mo' you knew you weren't going to win the League any way.
    Don't fuck it up tomorrow now Arsenal, I'd hate to be cheering Chelsea losing for it to come back and bite me

    Rastafairy

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    Replies
    1. Wait, what? that wasn't Dion Dublin? I should have known when I said "great display"....but they do look ever so slightly similar (if I'm allowed to say that without it sounding a little bit racismistic).

      Delete
  36. You know you're getting old when you have more hair in your ears and nose than you have on top of your head.

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  37. Noel/

    Van Gaal would do ok at Spurs, he wouldn't take no shit from Levy though. He's the kind of guy that you love to hate, comes over extreamly arrogant, that's just the way he is, plus he doesn't suffer fools gladly so I'd be interested to see what kind of relationship with the British meedja. His record at club level speaks for itself, he's won stuff everywhere he's been, even managing to win the ere Divisie with one of the less fashionable clubs (AZ Alkmaar).

    Can't see De Boer going anywhere yey, especialy not to WHL. He's got a good partnership going with Bergkamp and there's no way he'd go to the wrong end of the Sevensisters Rd. They'll probably win the title this year again and it won't be too long before one of the big boys (no disrespect intended, well not too much) come in for him.

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    Replies
    1. *what kind of relationship he'd have with......

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  38. Well played Liverpool, but Yanited were dire.

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  39. I don't know if I've ever grinned this wide before. I dont know what I'm enjoying more. 2 penalties at OT (not counting the 3rd from Sturridge's dive)? A midfield and defence that kept Mata, Rooney and RvP completely anonymous? Back to back 0-3 away victories at Southampton and OT? Pure awesomeness.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You outplayed them in every department. Enjoy.

      SAVE DAVE

      Delete
  40. As for the Gunners....

    A different kind of away display, not classic Arsenal by any stretch of the imagination, but a solid defencive displat and a hard fought, ground out three points, I'll take it and smile like AH.

    It's hot at the top boys and Bells.

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  41. Taking in todays game, plus the last few, I think Levy was a little too quick on the trigger to get rid of AvB.

    Spurs were not exactly exciting under him and didn't really carry much of a goal threat (that hasnt changed much), but at least they were solid in defence and had something resembling a game plan.

    How are they better off under Sherwood?

    He plays Adbayor, who blows hot and cold at best. That's about it.

    Tactic wise they have regressed, Timmy seems hell bent on proving AvB wrong by continueing to play Bentleb. Townsend brings nothing. Erikson is misused and the game plan seems to be straight from Moyes playbook, ie cross the ball into the mix and hope for the best.

    I'm not going to tempt fate by saying that a top four finish is out of the question, but they are not making it easy on themselves.

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    Replies
    1. 100% agree. If only because I said most of that about 20 comments ago! ;)

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    2. Top 4 is well out of the question, so now I'm hoping we can drop far enough to avoid the Europa. If Everton win their game in hand then they're in 5th.

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    3. You'll be glad to hear they have two games in hand.

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    4. Even better. If only Utd could be relied upon to take 6th from us too, just to be sure.

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    5. for what its worth i thought spurs were much the better team. what a goal by koscielny. whens he off to barca?

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    6. His name is Rosicky.

      He won't be sold yet, not until they make him captain.

      Delete
  42. I only saw the second half at WHL H2 and for a while I thought I was watching the Hammers in an Arsenal strip playing Spurs. Their tactics seemed to have come straight out of Big Sam's book and from the first sub, and the two that followed, it was obvious Wenger had given up on trying to kill the game off and was going to hold on to the goal advantage. It worked, obviously but it suggests to me that Wenger doesn't have much confidence in our attacking options. Nevertheless a win is only worth three points whether you win ugly or with style and I also happily accept it, especially when it's against Spurs.

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  43. It doesn't get easier for Un**ed, West Ham next Saturday followed by Citeh on the following Tuesday.

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  44. man united can't seem to win at home these days... home-phobia?

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  45. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  46. Getting interesting now. man city dont look quite so invincible without aguero and now theyll be without kompany for however many matches.

    Man utd - isn't is great to see the nation united in schadenfreude? rooney and rvp play like they hate each other and wont pass to each other on principle

    Arsenal. SHould have offered £80,000,001 for suarez.

    Liverpool. surely not? can they? they just might. this team has got stronger and stronger, stirling looks like the missing piece in a frightening foreward line and at the same time a remote prospect that we wont be COMPLETELY humiliated at the WC.

    I have utmost respect, apart from his groomed eyebrows, which are fundamentally unmanly, for Buck Rodgers - Good time to be a Liverpool supporter. He really knows what he's dong doesn't he old Bren - he served a proper apprenticeship, worked with Mourinho and scholeri, travelled extensively around europe to learn from the best teams, speaks spanish fluently and studied his craft... a proper manager in other words not just a local hero parachuted in from the tv studio or some foreign geezer with funny glasses who achieved success in timbuktu 15 years ago

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    Replies
    1. Suarez woulda been worth that money, as I've been saying all along,
      any of the other 3 would easily win it if he was in there team and Arsenal had such a good chance because he wanted to come...ah well..

      --BeeZee

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    2. No, he didn't.

      He wanted a move to spain, but one didn't materialise so he stayed in mickeyland.

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  47. forgot chelsea...easily done...snore...still think theyll edge it though

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  48. Bo/

    Arsenal should of put that game to bed in the first half, they didn't, Spurs upped the tempo in the second half.

    Behalf from the Woj fumble, I didn't really think Spurs were going to score, unlike in the past where that kind of presure would of seen us crumble.

    I think the gameplan (in the first hour) was always to let them come and pick them off on the break. After the hour mark it was we hold what we have, which was evident in the defence minded substitutions. Maybe not the prettiest game to watch, but a solid defencive performance and a good three points.

    Plus a first ever clean sweep against the Tiny Totts in the PL and FA cup. (3 wins, no goals against).

    What's not to like,

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