The Big Question Facing Blackpool And Ian Holloway At Arsenal
Aug 18th, 2010 by 'holic
I wasn’t going to go to the game on Saturday, preferring instead to attend the first home game in September in order to view all the new signings currently negotiating with the club. Then a phone call required me to drop that plan, and Ticket Exchange offering a seat by the tunnel for the first home Premiership fixture clinched the change.
I’m pleased in as much as Blackpool are more attractive and interesting opponents than Bolton Wanderers. Like Burnley last season they hark back to this writer’s youth, and were pretty much a permanent fixture in the top flight as I was growing up.
The similarities with Burnley don’t end there. Both clubs produced top flight players in the sixties but were forced to sell to ensure survival. Bloomfield Road produced the likes of Emlyn Hughes and Alan Ball. Both clubs also started brightly on their return to the pinnacle of English football.
Another attraction is the fact that I will be sitting behind Ian Holloway. I suspect a fair few of us will keep an eye on the Blackpool manager, mad as a box of frogs but a refreshing change from so many of his peers. It will be fascinating to see how he approaches the game tactically.
I’m hoping he feels that by and large, parking the bus at the Grove by the supposed smaller clubs generally ends in a narrow defeat and a general feeling amongst home and away supporters alike that a great afternoon’s entertainment has not been enjoyed.
I’m hoping he will draw upon Hull City’s first visit a couple of years back, when an adventurous approach yielded an unexpected three points for the visitors. I wonder if his team’s excellent opening day drubbing of Wigan will have instilled a belief that his best chance will be to adopt, if not a suicidal up-and-at-’em mindset, then certainly a determination to look to get forward when Arsenal surrender the football.
I also wonder if he will be buoyed by the news of injury to Arsenal’s outstanding player in pre-season, Samir Nasri. Perhaps any optimism on that front may be tempered by the realisation that Nasri’s replacement just might be one Cesc Fabregas. This is what Holloway and Blackpool earned by their promotion in May. I hope they don’t leave the Grove regretting missing an opportunity this weekend.
Launch of Arsenal Fanshare
Nobody will be surprised, I would imagine, if I say I am cautiously welcoming this excellent initiative. In truth I haven’t had the chance to look at the detail as yet, and I can see why some suspect that a significant number of shares can’t be accrued by supporters of this scheme.
I’m not sure though that supporters will be worried about that when push comes to shove and they have an affordable opportunity to say “I have invested in the club that I love”. I speak as one who grabbed the opportunity to take a slice of a similar scheme at Stirling Albion this year. The scale is obviously vastly different, and nobody should regard this type of input as an ‘investment’, but it does provide another avenue to become involved in some small way with the club.
I suspect I will be coming back to this subject in the coming days or weeks as the details become clearer. Let me know if you have any questions you would like answered, and I will do my best to get you definitive answers.
The Hills Are Alive With The Sound Of…LAUGHTER!
I cannot let the moment go without reference to our friends and neighbours who almost bit off more than they could chew as they experienced the Wankdorf sensation last night. Seeing them being chased around by Young Boys for half an hour was, frankly, hilarious.
The visitors’ manager found his patience taxed to the limit, although I suspect dear old Harry is used to finding himself in a sticky spot away from home. Let’s hope their great European adventure doesn’t come to a premature end.
On the other hand…
86 Responses to “The Big Question Facing Blackpool And Ian Holloway At Arsenal”
The usual, please.
There you go mr d, a very tasty diet ginger beer đ
No mention of Squillaci? :s
Right I’ll read the blog now.
Herbal tea for me please.
Aaah!!
Eh?!
And you get to see the clock returning home ceremony and apparently new music as the teams leave the tunnel.
Coke zero im still at work
Ollie, did I forget to mention watching all of the new signings in September?
Heh!
although I suspect dear old Harry is used to finding himself in a sticky spot away from home.
Genius ‘holic!
Rumours circulating that we’re in talks with Squillaci, could be a reasonable buy I guess!
If any readers have a spare moment, please head over to http://cescandthecity.blogspot.com/
Shameless plugging I know, but i’m keen to make a successful blog as I enjoy the daily ramblings from gooners!
ooh number 6 đ
Here’s the headline for the day after the return fixture:
Young Boys Rape and Pillage North London
No preview of Saturday is complete without the best news of the week.
Elvis is dead!
With thanks to Red Action on Twitter.
The return of the ‘Holic Blog is the second best thing about the return of the Prem. Pipped to the post only by the return of the Prem and the new ambitions for Arsenal in a new season.
ermm….
Exactly how close to the tunnel and Mr Holloway ‘holic?
Lucky `Holic, Ian Holloway will certainly provide some quality entertainment.
I have one question: are there preconditions to buy the fanshares?
Too much tuscany white wine yesterday. I’ll go for that root beer…
That depends on how many empty seats there are in front of the one I have purchased, Jackster đ
Matt, I suspect the only pre-condition is that you pass ninety five shiny coins of the realm their way, but I will confirm.
Apparently Elvis is only concussed, and will perform at 2.45. Let’s turn up at ten to three so they get the message đ
I will be joining in with the clubs initiative and hope others do too as it might just insure the safety of our club if as many fans as we appear to have get involved too.
As usual good post holic. First time poster but long time reader and admirer.
Anybody familiar with this Squilaci (sp) fellow we are apparently about to sign ? Hope he is a good cover to Kos who was very impressive last Sunday.
Last question to you holic, can fans like me who reside outside the Uk eligible to purchase a share(fraction of) ?
Sam Adams for me barman
Ninety five shiny coins of the realm? Hope they’ll accept my hundred and fifty dirty notes from the empire…
@tv5: he is one of the national team’s french defenders, reached the CL final with Monaco and played in Europe consistently in the last 7 years or so, for Monaco, Lyon and Sevilla. He was well appreciated at Lyon when he was playing there 2 or 3 years ago.
It’s the kind of player you don’t notice too much on the field, plays it simple. Imho he’s slightly better than Mexes which isn’t saying much but not as imposing as Gallas, probably a good year or two left in him. He’s been injured a lot in the last 2 seasons so I guess he will fit right in.
MY FATHER’S PIGEONS ARE BETTER THAN ALMUNIA, SAYS ARSENAL TARGET KEEPER LEVROJI
(AP- MOLDOVA) THE Moldovan international goalkeeper Nilain Levroji has lashed Manuel Almunia, saying that the Arsenal keeper has “gotten worse” in terms of positioning since last season, adding that his father’s prize-winning pigeons are better than the Spanish international.
Levroji has played twice for the Moldovan national team but has been rated as one of the top young keepers in European football.
Levroji who is tipped to move to the Emirates from Moldovan club Iskra-Stal Ribnit is unlikely to endear himself to Almunia after his comments on his Facebook page last evening.
The page and the comments were removed this morning.
Levroji’s father Igor is the top pigeon racer in Moldova and recently won the European Grand Prix event in France â the celebrations of which forced his 23-year-old son to postpone his trial at Arsenal for two days.
However, Almunia and probably Arsenal will be unhappy with the manner in which the Moldovan stopper was outspoken about his potential squad colleague.
Posting on social networking site Facebook hours after Liverpool and Arsenal drew 1-1, Levroji blamed Almunia for the LIverpool goal, saying that it was poor positioning that allowed the the ball to get past him from a tight angle.
“The goal that he conceded is typical Almunia. He conceded a very similar one against Zlatan [Ibrahimovic] in the Champions League last season and if anything his positioning has got worse and not better.
“I know that I would offer much more stability to the Arsenal defence than he does. In fact, father’s pigeons flapping their wings wildly would offer more solidness (sic) than Manny Almunia.”
The comments were reported in Moldovan media on Monday afternoon and Levroji was refusing to make any statement about them. The deal to bring Levroji into the Arsenal squad in the light of the expected departure of at least two goalkeepers is believed to be almost finalised.
ends
ends
Thanks Matt. Sounds like he will be a good backup to Kos.
What Backpool did do at the week-end was to close Wigan down
very quickly giving them no time on the ball. Smaller teams that’ve done this to us in the past have done well…for as long as they can keep it up!!!!! They’re expected to lose & no one would be shocked if they lost big, so I wouldn’t be surpised if they didn’t give it a go.
I’ve watched most of Squillaci’s appearances for France (this discussion board is the first mention I’m seeing of him possibly coming to Arsenal). In addition to playing for France, he’s been around for years in club football, going to the Champions League final with Monaco.
For France, he has had some bad performances where he didn’t look good enough (maybe playing injured?), and he’s had other performances that were fine.
If he does come to Arsenal, I would expect him to be selected ahead of Koscielny and Djourou.
Looks like Holloway likes Arsenal more than some so-called gunners:
“I’ve watched their reserves and I’ve watched some of Arsenal’s pre-season games and it must be a joy to be one of their players because for me, Arsene Wenger is an absolute genius.
“Whoever plays in his team knows exactly what their job is â they all look exactly the same and can all outrun everybody on pro-zone, they can all pass the ball â it’s just wonderful.
“I see their structure and how the players understand their jobs and I’m very envious and I want to do those type of things here.
“We’re going to go to the Emirates and I just hope we don’t get absolutely embarrassed â because that could easily happen.”
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3101870/Blackpool-boss-Ian-Holloway-hoping-to-avoid-Arsenal-embarrassment.html
It’s a good initiative from the Club by way of plurality, however it will not ‘stop’ a ‘takeover’ judging by this evenings ES. A single share is trading at around ÂŁ9,500 – the Club aim to split each share into 100ths (please check).
The positive side is that if it is successful Lady Nina may sell her shares this way if Arsenal allow her. Thus delaying a takeover.
From a Business point of view the Arse is very well managed and its debt is easily sustainable (and yes, you would leverage the purchase unless you were stupid rich).
Anyhow, Redaction are behind the proposal so it will have merit.
That should be AST not Redaction *smacks wrist*
Holloway is trying to induce complacency. If it was that incredible it wouldn’t be so easy to defend against. Let’s stick to the evidence of recent seasons past here.
I was unable to get on onto the site today (AST) for more info and when I did it was running so slow I decided to leave until tonight, so until then Iâll keep my powder dry, but this seems to be a real positive step if you ask me, however I being told from another site that the share’s don’t have the same voting rights i.e.
“There are a number of restrictions on your ownership of a Fanshare that are not present when you own a share of stock outright. You donât get to vote directly for directors”.
But this is only second hand info?
I must admit I am looking forward to Ian Holloway and his Tangerines at The Emirates. According to his calculation of their finances Blackpool will be struggling to park the Unicycle, The Oyston family have been linked with Blackpool since year dot, they know that they will be drip fed the Premiership megabucks, so why walk?Interesting. Anyways, back to Ian Holloway, that nutter will be sitting in the Arsenal dugout within five minutes giving grief to a disinterested Pat Rice, PaddyPowerdotcom have taken my bet and if Rice reacts I get my money back. lol
Holic, hope you don’t mind but Iâm placing a quote direct from the AST site on here as it looks like I was given some duff info previously who says you can’t believe all you read on the internet?
When you join Arsenal Fanshare, as well as playing your part in the custodianship of the Club, you receive an Arsenal Fanshare Certificate, a place in a ballot for a seat at the Annual General Meeting of Arsenal Holdings plc, the Chief Executive’s Shareholder email updates and a say on important votes on the Club’s future.
Further membership benefits include an on-line facility to view your Fanshares called Shareview and a new membership status granted when you reach 100 Fanshares (equivalent to an Arsenal Holdings plc share) which means that while remaining within the scheme that you have the automatic right to attend the AGM and exercise the sole voting right attached to your 100 fanshares.
100 FansharesThose who stay in membership long enough to have eventually bought 100 Fanshares will have their membership status converted so that you recieve a guaranteed place at the AGM and the full voting rights for one share, equivalent to being a shareholder.
@ First glance it all seems very similar to my works Share save scheme, that works very well.
a place in a ballot for a seat at the Annual General Meeting of Arsenal Holdings plc,
Ermmm sorry that aint enough. I already spend fortunes following my Club and always will, but a place in a ballot for a seat? That is bollocks. If I do start buying my shares, I want to be at the AGM, not being offered some kind of fiddled lottery ballot! I do not want your crap prawn sandwiches, your watered down wine or your false felicitatons at attending your grandiose AGM. All I want is answers. Great idea and welll done AST, but sorry, I want to be at the AGM, not buying a lottery ticket.
Really hope that all is tosh about us signing Squillaciâs is just that, why would we need a player of his stature @ the club surly we have just let two similar players in Mikael Silvestre & bless him Philippe Senderos go just a few weeks ago, we cannot be in this situation can we?
Jaygoooner:
Not ideal no but if you have the odd ÂŁ10,000 knocking around you can go straight in & take your seat & Iâm sure there would be a nice crisp prawn sandwich with your name on waiting for you…..
The Squillaci rumor originated with Canal Plus in France – not known for completely making stuff up (unlike significant portions of the English press), and according to the data on Soccernet, if I’m reading it right, he was not in tonight’s squad.
I just want to say that no matter what happens I’ll still believe we’re the best team in the EPL.
I just think we need a CB and a GK to make it easier on us.
For everyone who’s criticizing AW just take note in the fact that he knew a month ago our first fixtures before the window closes and I’m sure he knows what he’s doing and he WILL drop the price down.
Sometimes I think that people will still criticize AW even if by the 1st of Sep. we’ll have a new GK and 4 CB’s in our squad, I don’t get it, do they have fun doing that ?
I don’t mind getting a new GK and CB by the 31st of August and I’m sure AW will and then no one would be able to criticize him for nothing.
This is SO our year.
oh shit, the evidence seems to be mounting up, so we let a top rate English defender with another year or two in him walk (for wages) & we get a 2nd rate frog in rtn, if this happens it’s just wrong…….
It’s not wrong, we didn’t let him walk, we offered a deal, and he chose Newcastle cause of his new wife.
Snir Geuli:
I so hope your right about the 31st, sorry not sure is me you think “whoâs criticizing AW”?
Only thatâs really not my game & never has been but if this CH business with Squillaci comes off I don’t know how you can its good business?
Come on Snir Geuli I know Sol’s a bit of a tart but even he would not choose Newcastle over us cos they are skint so no money up there, you can’t believe that do you, unless the wife’s got really big rolling pin to hand that could have been the deciding factor I suppose?
Lee……
great response, My spare ten grand, when I win my bet on Ian Holloway losing the plot at the Emirates will be spent on The Mighty Arsenal doing the UK double, then I will double up on Champions League victory, I know I am a pessimist, but it will be fun to look at my personalised prawn sandwich and ask Arsene….Where did it all go wrong? EIE GOONER FOR LIFE lol
You do know who he married, right đ ?
He married Fiona Barratt, of Barratt Homes fame, She is from Norhumberland and it is no surprise she persuaded Sol to move north, of course the yids will never shut their mouths about Sol’s sexual persuasion. but the couplle look happy and I would suggest the spuds have a problem with their own sexuality. End of the day day gay straight bisexual? Does it realy matter. Hope Sol loses his weight and has a good season for Newcastle, Much respect to the big man.
Finally found the goalkeepers’ save ratios for last season. Almunia’s performance took a dive needless to say. Interestingly enough Shwarzer did better than Given:
1. Brad Friedel, Aston Villa – 80% of 157 Shots
2. Marcus Hahnemann, Wolverhampton Wanderers – 80% of 128
3. Edwin van der Sar, Man Utd – 80% of 61
4. Joe Hart, Birmingham City – 79% of 181
5. Huerelho Gomes, Tottenham Hotspur – 79% of 99
6. Thomas Sorenson, Stoke City – 78% of 141
7. Craig Gordon, Sunderland – 77% of 117
8. Mark Schwarzer, Fulham – 75% of 143
9. Jose Reina, Liverpool – 72% of 118
10. Tim Howard, Everton – 70% of 147
11. Shay Given, Man City – 70% of 135
12. Petr Cech, Chelsea – 70% of 81
13. Boaz Myhill, Hull – 69% of 177
14. Robert Green, West Ham – 68% of 176
15. Paul Robinson, Blackburn Rovers – 68% of 141
16. Jussi Jaaskelainen – 67% of 184
17. Manuel Almunia, Arsenal – 67% of 88
18. Brian Jensen, Burnley – 66% of 200
19. Chris Kirkland, Wigan Athletic – 65% of 144
20. David James, Portsmouth – 61% of 106
Source: http://www.plainsoccer.com/2010/04/epl-rankings-gk-save-percentage.html
I question the timing of the fanshare opportunity .Why now not a few years ago ? Is there a takeover in the offing. ?
Someone must have an idea if Ian Holloway Road is a renamed street in Islington đ
Matt, interesting stats above. I have always had a theory that Americans make good keepers as all thier main national sports are hand related as opposed to feet. On the top of my head I think we have had at least 5 in goal with various PL clubs in the last 4 or 5 seasons.
Matt what I find interesting in the stats is that the Top 4 are the ony teams that had shots against in double figures. Just goes to show how important the defence in total is when protecting the goalkeeper against the number of shots they have to take and save.
No more Red Bull for you Snir đ
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ANCHOR TEXT: STADIO GOAL
Snir… I’m on hols at the moment so I’ll have to leave that decisive letter to Trev!
Not sure anyone (other than referees) can prevent Gerrard kicking lumps out of Sami’s knee though.
Weirdly had dinner next to Gavin Hastings the other day, which to any England Rugby fan is like being sat next to SAF!
All due apologies (sort of) to Zico, BTM and other sweaties…
The injuries just never seem to end – according to YoungGuns, Frimpong has torn a cruciate ligament and is out for the season.
A pint of John Smiths, please.
I really like Ian Holloway, I used to be an avid reader of his blog on the beeb, a very funny down to earth guy.
“Mad as a box of frogs”? Indeed, but we should have nothing but respect for him, what he achieved at Blackpool last year is nothing short of a miracle, pre season they were almost all the “experts” hot tip to crash out of the championship, yet here they are in the giddy heights of the PL, I wish him all the best. (except for against us of course)
As for Nasri, yet again another injury. Grrrr. I don’t wish to sound pessamistic, but, we must be doing something fundamentaly wrong, I can’t think of another team who gets so many injuries, it’s quite depressing really. A four week absence is actually tantamount to a six a seven week lay off (incl rehab etc). Anyways come back soon Samir!
Finally, I just saw this;
1139: Fulham may agree to sell goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer to Arsenal in exchange for striker Carlos Vela and cash.
Full story: goal.com
Mark Hughes must be on the crack again, no wonder they call him “Sparky”.
Pint of Cider for me please guv.
Cheers.
Ian Holloway being mad as a box of frogs sounds just the kind of opposition manager who can be susceptible to a well-timed incantation so here goes with all apologies:
Eye of Newt and Toe of Frog
Arsenal to beat Blackpool
Allowing nothing like an N’gog
Sad for Frimpong… I think someone needs to do a tidier second search of the Emirates for the f’ing voodoo doll hexing all our players on the rise. Our only ‘convenient’ injuries seem to happen to keepers.
Cold water, please.
Ditto about Frimpong. That’s 2 injuries this week. Does that beat our average yet?
Catalan @ 50 – I feel your pain. Just don’t call me a “sweatie” – it’s (almost) as bad as being called a Spud!
Lars @51 – wtf are we doing in training – martial arts?
Evening Holic & Holic`s
Not even a full week into the new season and the A&E also known as the injury list grows even bigger, after such a bright start in pre season Frimpong has been cursed and struck down with one of the most feared injuries to all footballers.
I am not aware that the Emirates was built on a old indian burial ground or used the building materials from stone henge. What is going on again ?
So who will play along side Verm at the weekend ? who will be fit to play in midfield ? We will have to play one up front as the other strikers are injured or not match fit.
This season seems to have shades of last season already. I hope Arsene has banned the players from going out in bad weather as with are luck they will all get struck by lightening.
Dear footballing gods as a life long Arsenal fan could I please ask you to pretty please turn your attention to another team for a while as are physio`s are unable to cope with your wrath which has drag on a little to long now and its just not funny. We at Arsenal apologize for playing the best football seen on these lands ever and will tame down are footballing prowess if you lay off the injuries.
On a more serious note I am very glad that we have made a bid for a CB Squillaci, a very experienced player who has played at the top level in France and Spain. Just hope he could be signed by Saturday.
Given or Schwarzer ? I am hopping for Given I have always rated him very highly over his Newcastle years and hoped we would have gotten him prior to him signing for man shitty.
I pint of the black stuff please bar keep.
Sticks and stones….
Awww fuck!
I’ve been a gooner since ’74 and I cannot in all that time remember a continuous injury plagued moment, season after season like this – it beggars belief.
I didn’t think we needed cover in the defensive midfielder area – we do now.
How far away is Eastmond – anyone?
‘holic we are sharing a block on Saturday (Block 32 is my newly minted season ticket). If you find yourself anyway near row 20, seat 994 I’d love to shake your hand and maybe swap e-mail addresses. I’m large, bearded and of a similar vintage to yourself!
Countryman
Sky say Gallas to have medical at Sp*ds tomorrow!!!! ha ha
Benedict Gallas?
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=815685&sec=transfers&cc=5901
@48 – 1974 – I’m not sure I get it… đ
Who among us can honestly say they ever really liked Gallas anyway? He scored some big goals and stopped others for us and he did a commendable job generally, but is the man likeble? Far from it I must say, and this does nothing but stoke even greater dislike for him and Spurs in me.
Snir – all that excitement in post 36!
How far away is Eastmond?
Sorry 74, he had fallen a long way behind Frimpong in the pecking order. Having said that this time last year you would have thought it was the other way round.
For now it looks like Song and Denilson are back for Saturday…
1974 – I’m excited cause I really do believe this team is the best. And I’m tired of everyone talking up Chelsea and Man U based on their victories against us.
In 3 out of 4 matches with these teams, we played with Arshavin up front, they parked the bus and waited for a misplaced pass and the rest is history, how can you possibly breach this kind of defense with AA up front?
Let’s see what happens this year with (hopefully!) RvP and Chamakh up front and doing all the movement.
Zico… am I mistaken – do you not reside north of the border?
Or do you mean that “sweaty” is too harsh? My apologies either way for any offence!
Hey Snir – don’t lose that excitement!
You have a valid point – with RVP & Cham up front it will be a whole different shooting match.
I am staying positive – more half full than half empty đ
Hey ‘Hols – it’s like a fucking revolving door!
One cripple walks in one out heh!
The only thing that makes me disappointed is the fact that the medical staff is still so useless.
I had huge (not big, huge) hopes for Frimpong and now this happens. Colin Lewin should be axed faster than Almunia, and they should appoint Trev and Catalan :D.
1974 – I sincerely believe we weren’t part of the title race last year cause it wasn’t Arsenal playing, it was Arsenal backups.
I came across an astonishing stat that says we didn’t play with Nasri, Cesc, TV, Gallas, Arshavin and RvP together on the same pitch the whole season! Not even one game (Not that I rate Gallas but you get what I mean)!
How can you win a title like that ? Let’s see this year.
With all due respect to –
Essien, Lampard, Malouda, Anelka, Kalou/Benayoun/Mikel, Drogba or
Fletcher, Carrick, Nani/Valencia, Scholes, Berbatov, Hernandez, Rooney
Our front six are always 8 times better.
Song, Diaby/Nasri, Cesc, Arshavin, RvP, Chamakh with so many options on the bench (Wilshere, Rosicky, Walcott :\, Ramsey, Bendtner, Vela, Denilson etc’) that United and Chelsea will only dream about.
I wanna see Chelsea and United deal with THAT kind of offense.
Snir – you’re like our very own beacon of hope – way to go pal.
Up the Arse!
Our reserves outclassed Indebted 2-1, goals from JET (MOTM for most) and Wellington Silva: http://arsenalyouth.wordpress.com/2010/08/19/wellington-hits-the-winner-as-arsenal-beat-united-in-platinum-one-challenge/
@Horsham Gooner & marbellon: the shots numbers are interesting. We’re pretty close to Chelski and if the players hadn’t played with the handbrake on once the chase was over, we would likely have been level with them. Our defense wasn’t that bad after all.
@Holic: Eastmond was injured during the preseason, I’m pretty sure he is still in AW’s plans for this season.
1 game, 2 injuries with one disabilitating the player for the season. If the trend keeps steady we will win nothing again bar a miracle.
Djourou, Song(maybe), Denilson(maybe), Bendtner, Nasri, Frimpong, RvP(fit to start ?), Fabregas(recovered ?), Arshavin(if he isn’t injured, what the hell was he doing at Anfield) – 1 game into the season – what the hell is going on at our Training Centre ?
The above list does not, of course, include the mentally scarred members of the squad, who can be observed on a weekly basis standing between our goal posts – if they haven’t gone racing off after balls they have no hope of getting to.
It has been mentioned on this blog that I am a generally optimistic contributor. It is Thursday night, we have a game on Saturday, and still no sign of a new goalkeeper, and half a sign of what would have been our only fit, reserve centre-back.
Our injury list is growing faster than a 14 year-old’s todger at a Lady Gaga concert, and the biggest piece of news out of the club today is about buying shares.
Ok, sorry ‘Holic, rant over, medication taken.
The good news is that Agent Gallas appears to be making good progress in his quest to infiltrate and destroy the Spuds from within.
By Christmas, he will be out for the rest of the season, and the rest of their squad will all hate each other’s guts. Go William.
@Trev: Let’s just say that Arsene’s and Ivan’s pledge to reduce injuries this season is not looking good.
Not that it will make you feel reassured but both Eastmond and Nordveit had a very good game against Indebted although i doubt they would be fit in time for Saturday’s game, at least not as starters.
On the GK front obviously the negotiations are going on with Fulham as we had a second bid for Scharzer rejected and they were daydreaming that Vela could be part of the deal.
We still can field a pretty decent team though:
Whoever
Sagna – Djourou – TV – Clichy
Eboue – Diaby – Rosicky
Walcott – Chamakh – Vela
I’m dying to see Walcott and Vela in the same lineup which is probably why I’m still not overly worried.
Woa…I’m late’Holic. Enjoyed it but is this a new trend, previews on Wednesday?Here’s how I see it. I’ll need to retune my clock end.
Saturday sees Blackpoolâs Beach Boys take their first Premier League Surfinâ Safari from wave lashed Lancashire in search of continued Good Vibrations on the back of last weekendâs Wigan wasting. Will they sound a sweet four-part harmony, or suffer their first flat note as the Seafarersâ surfinâ comes to nurfinâ? Will they be Heroes or Villains?
Will Blackpool Tower and leave Arsenal in the shade, looking like the rear end of the donkeys on the west sands on a rain-soaked wet Wednesday during the Glasgow Fair Fortnight in July? Or will they flounder like flatfish and melt like strawberry ice-cream sundaes as the sun sinks low over a red-hot, red-clad, Red Action array of gleeful Gooners.
Will Holloway Prison Arsene in a cockle clad straight-jacket, eating Porridge in a single cell of despair, Mister MacKay? Or will Le Boss make out like Ronnie Barker and soar like a seagull supping Fruits de Mer as the Shell Seekers get the bird and itâs an Albatross round their necks? Will Holic see a hell of a game or a shell of a game? Will the shell be a crustacean like Snail (or even Mrs Snail) or a Howitzer left over from Second World War fisticuffs when barrage balloons soared like candy floss above Ken Dodd cracking funnies on Blackpoolâs North Pier?
Will Blackpool LiLo? Will they be as far out of their depth as Chinese cocklers in Morecambe Bay when the tide comes in? Or will Arsenal take the bait and fall hook line and sinker, like we did when Hull and Phil, the Brown Stain on the underpants of the Premier League, first sojourned south from the depths of the Chamionship?
Will Frimpong play ping-pong rather than DM now that his knee is cruciately knackered? Will Samir toss balls to him for knackered-knee company? Will Felipe Melo parachute in and answer my prayers of mid-field power play?
From his posh seat by the tunnel, a promise of a perfect view of the back of Hollowayâs bald head, complete with a new clock and new music, awaits our own hero, Brave Holic. Will our new clock get polished or will we polish theirs? Will the new music be Blackpoolâs own George Formby singing âYouâd be surprised by the things you see, when youâre licking windowsâ? Will Holic sing along or will he be tempted by Guinessâ finest and pen a Holic pist rather than a Holic Post on Saturday Night and Sunday Morning?
Half-time and tide at Blackpool wait for no Gooner, âHolics. Itâll be Sunday before we know it. And our bold leader will be back with answers to all of the above and more in a Goonerholic post filled with more twists and turns than a pie and mash fueled roller coaster on Blackpool’s Pleasure Beach.
See you all then, as we fly our kites on a vinegar-soaked westerly wind, as the good ship Goonerholic rides the waves toward supremacy and pole position at the top.
A little Douce Coup of Blackpoolâs finest cocktail, barman, welk in cider topped off with a smidgeon of Speckled Hen in a dirty bingo hall glass.
I was going to post somthing, but how do you follow that???
Pure poetry BtM, pure poetry.
Wednesday preview not a regular thing. Just doing two this week so I could devote a a bit of space to Holloway and what must be going through his mind. Shrewd fella, for all his foibles.
Tonight I’ll be back post press-conference with more on the game, and of course the destination of the ‘holic pound, already one down!
BTM
after that amazing blog at 74,i think you need to spend a couple of weeks in the ‘ Secure Unit ‘ where i spent the summer.
I was only released last week,so there is a vacancy.
The ‘ White Coats ‘ will take very good care of you.!!!
regards
clive
I’m a regular at the Secure Unit, Clive. So much so that I have a season ticket for club level in there and my own seat with my name on it. I like the feeling of security both provide and free beer at the turn is a big bonus.
Ah. Holic, you’re working in increasingly mysterious ways, or maybe I’m just rusty and should have anticipated one more pre game.
I had tickets and was supposed to be flying today. Unfortunately, the fates decreed that I need to play full back at the desk. Pity, I was really looking forward to the first home game. I have tickets for Bolton and WBA, not prime choices, but travel plan compatible.
I’ll look forward to tonight’s post, but I’ll need to save the rest of my Blackpoolisms for my post game wanderings from the Security Unit.
Any US Gooners know if we’re on TV or if there’s a stream?
Catalan @ 67 – quite correct that I live 15 miles north of Edinburgh.
Incorrect that I took any offence though – I was just joshing. If you insist on Cockney slang though, can I suggest “Blackpool Rock” – or “Massive C**k” – one of them might suit me better đ
On a separate note, can anyone suggest a good site to obtain a stream from tomorrow?
Gentlemen, myp2p is always a great source for streams;
http://www.myp2p.eu/index.php?part=sports
Zico @79 … That’s ok then.
Think I’ll start taking Holic’s advice re apologising….!
Is kick off at 3pm UK time tomorrow? Got to work out if I can make the journey back to Barcelona in time to watch it!
BTM,#78. Arsenal v Blackpool game on ESPN2 “live” at 10AMEST in the US.
BtM, You almost tempt me to change my name to Frimpong’s Ping Pong partner. Your time in the secure unit seems to have done you good.
@zicion 79
myp2p – download sopcast – setanta ireland is one of the best if you want english commentary!
BTM I believe the game here in the US will be broadcasted on ESPN 2.
finally a match of ours on espn 2 so the other americans here can finally watch our attractive brand of football since they dont have fsc , etc… a drubbing of blackpool could attract us many new followers here, even though they may provide a tricky test