Posted in match review on Jan 31st, 2010 81 Drinks »
Sunday 5.30 am, wake up with Montezuma’s revenge. This is not a good start to the biggest day of the season thus far. I manage a couple of hours of dozing before I am ‘evacuating’ again. The omens aren’t good. Arse finally settled I am in a taxi at ten heading for the station where […]
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Posted in match preview on Jan 29th, 2010 101 Drinks »
Manchester United, at home. It doesn’t get much bigger, does it? Indeed for the first half of the ‘noughties’ the fixture probably shared a billing with ‘El Classico’, so dominant were the two clubs in the Premier League. It is amazing how many memories that matches between the pair are in the forefront of the […]
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Posted in match review on Jan 27th, 2010 115 Drinks »
So the ‘big four’ becomes the ‘threatening three’ after what was, let’s face it, a bit of a damp squib at Villa Park. The point means we have now won seven and drawn three in the Premiership since that last defeat to Chelsea. Expectations were higher, I am guessing. In the end neither side could […]
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Posted in match preview on Jan 26th, 2010 52 Drinks »
Wednesday, Villa away, to be followed by Manchester United at home, the bus stop in Fulham away, and then Liverpool at home. If you can’t get up for those four in a row, then you have no blood in your veins. It will be no different for the players I’m sure, nervously anticipating the test […]
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Posted in match review on Jan 24th, 2010 102 Drinks »
Well, first things first. Did Arsene want to win the FA Cup? The selection of Cesc Fabregas and Denilson in midfield, and the strength of the bench, said yes. The performance of some of the makeshift side said otherwise though, and it pains me to say that. I’ll hold up my hands and admit to […]
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Posted in match preview on Jan 22nd, 2010 56 Drinks »
Arsenal Television on a Friday night is a good place to get a clue about what sort of side will be appearing at the weekend. In particular, Nigel Winterburn seems clued-up and careful with his comments whilst dropping some little hints. His nervous disposition this week suggests a very young side will take to the […]
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Posted in match review on Jan 20th, 2010 112 Drinks »
Oh my, what an unbelievable game. I doubt anybody expected Bolton to roll over, and we weren’t wrong. In fact to give credit where credit is due, the Coyle effect was in evidence rather earlier than expected. Remember George Graham using nominally defensive formations to attack and surprise? I don’t know why we seemed unprepared […]
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Posted in match preview on Jan 19th, 2010 47 Drinks »
For the second time in four days we find ourselves looking forward, if that is the correct expression, to doing battle with Bolton Wanderers. The prize up for grabs is the leadership of the Premier League, but so many times this season big clubs have dropped points to lesser lights that nothing should be taken […]
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Posted in match review on Jan 17th, 2010 65 Drinks »
The Reebok has often been a difficult place for visitors, and this afternoon was no different. Lifted by the arrival of a new manager in the shape of Owen Coyle, Bolton started both halves brightly and produced the expected battle against a superior force. Not since Julia Roberts married Lyle Lovett has beauty been so […]
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Posted in match preview on Jan 16th, 2010 38 Drinks »
If there is an advantage to playing on a Sunday, a day after your title rivals, it is that you know exactly what is required by the time you get to kick-off. That may not be much of an advantage this week, having just seen the bus stop in Fulham and the Salford Bankrupts run […]
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