The Summer Starts Here
May 29th, 2011 by 'holic
The first blank weekend of the summer, well Arsenal-wise anyway, assuming you discount the ‘Legends’ event at Craven Cottage, where luminaries such as Paolo Vernazza, David Hillier, and Ian Selley avoided a charge under the trades descriptions act. The portly old Gunners were kept at bay by the portly old ten man defence of our friends and neighbours who were indebted to the likes of Graham Roberts, Paul Miller, and Justin Edinburgh. A reminder perhaps that it is longer than our friends would care to admit since Tottenham allegedly played the prettier football in North London.
Of course it hasn’t been an entirely football-free weekend. Our friends in the North did not get within a dodgy sending-off and a Bendtner finish of ending Barcelona’s interest in the Champions League. Hands up here to the team that won it at a canter. Barca did not resort to the sort of amateur dramatics that so often stains their fabulous performances. They were worthy winners, and smart punters were backing them with Paddy Power who offered a guaranteed money-back giveaway when, not if, they won in ninety minutes. I grabbed a piece of 3-1 and 4-1, got my losing stake back on 4-1, and trousered a few quid for good measure. Thank you Patrice Evra for your contribution to all three Barca goals.
Today I have got ready for the couple of months that follow with an afternoon of golf and cricket. I am cursing myself for not backing the draw in Cardiff, where five days of cricket was never a possibility at this time of year. Foolishly I also had a few coppers on someone other than the new world number one as Luke Donald triumphed at the first play-off hole at Wentworth. Now all that remains is to recharge my batteries by chasing a delicious chicken casserole down with a pint or two of refreshing chilled Guinness, and maybe a chaser or two, while watching the final games of the French season. They have even more teams capable of being relegated than we did on the final day, so it should be exciting.
Of course by the time most of you read this you will know whether or not Monaco beat the drop. We will also have heard more of the murky goings on at the meeting of the FIFA ethics committee. I am heartily sick of the excesses these parasites indulge in under the guise of controlling the world game, and take heart from the comments of Dick Pound. Whilst there have been rumblings of an FA withdrawal from FIFA there is too much at stake for any one Association to act unilaterally. Here’s hoping the big guns are getting around the table to at least discuss the options.
I have avoided further reference to the season that has just ended so I won’t be repeating myself when you hear my thoughts on what has gone on later this week in another place. I have avoided reference to potential transfer activity because I don’t have any concrete information and churning out the same old speculation day in and day out isn’t my bag at all.
What I do have for now is two and a bit packs of Guinness, a nice bottle of Cooley, and a choice of ten games in France. I suppose Monaco against Lyon will be the starting point. The home team will tumble through the relegation trapdoor if they lose this one. Lyon need a win to ensure they are not overtaken by PSG for third spot. Interesting stuff.
Have a great Monday, ‘holics, especially if it is a Bank Holiday where you are!
117 Responses to “The Summer Starts Here”
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All ready here, ‘holic but no drinks!
Would love to see a few of the national associations pull out of FIFA. Maybe England, Spain, and Germany could band together (France is probably too much under the corruption, I mean influence, of Platani to join).
You know it’s bad when The Economist joins in on the commentary:
http://www.economist.com/node/18744271
FIFA aside, here’s to a summer free of the interruption of international football (many thanks to whoever spoke wisdom to Jack Wilshere).
Now remember children, the only way to keep sain over the summer is: 1) Avoid newsnow, 2) Sky sports news and of course 3) Talkshite radio. The madness has allready started of course. I understand that since the end of the season we have allready been linked with 42 players. In one week!
This is for Tabs from the previous post.
Agree, but established internationals are not always big name stars (not to mention the huge overprice they paid for Rooney – I know he reached his potential, but potential alone should not cost 25M, just ask Aaron Ramsey).
Take a look at my wishlist and they are all (except for Samba, but he’s got EPL experience which is vital) established internationals but not big name stars, and I’ll do with that (Samba, Parker, Gervinho/Hazard, Striker).
About Samba, I still think he ain’t the best around but he can sure help us with the Set Pieces, and that’s our weakness – More than 50% of our goals we conceded were from Set Pieces.
I actually believe this is gonna be one of those summers where we wont be let down by lack of transfer activity but rather it’ll have us believing in the current regime again. I fully expect significant comings this year and some must needed goings too. I’m excited personally.
Guiness please barman …..Spaten please barman…sambucha please barman..just to top off the night…thank the gods for nurofen plus. I hate football free days nevermind whole bloody summers..How can a team that won the league go into a CL final with Carrick and Giggs as the midfield. Seeing Barca win gave me no pleasure whatsoever..they have disrespected Arsenal too many times for me to focus only on their football.. now wheres this sun they are always banging on about..
This is potentially the most important summer in our recent history. We got it very wrong 12 months ago and can not afford to make the same mistakes again. Apart from addressing the obvious short comings I have always believed that decent new signings bring lots more to the club than just their playing prowess. It can lift the club, lift the fans and send out a real message to our rivals. I just hope that we don’t leave it to 2 days to go before we try and force through essential deals to try and save a few bob.
Arsene, we trust you. Now go earn some of that 6 million a year. Please….
Snir , my comment was not to disagree with your wish list , but rather the assertion that Sir Red Nose fostered young talent like AW .Don’t think he’s brought many through since the Beckham generation .
Rooney had already starred in a Euro Championships when he bought him. Aaron might be a wonderful player in the future , but his level is completely different to when Spud-Face signed for the Mancs .
No drinks, Ollie?
Guinnes for me, please!
Guinness and a bowl of Casserole please ‘Holic
You missed out Stephen Hughes the legend. I was disappointed the legend that is Kaba Diawara didn’t play.
Interesting read, thank you.
This Summer is going to make or break us I think. Barcelonas amazing victory last night kind of made me realise (Im a glass half full type) that although we crumbled in the run-in, we are trying to play the right way. Barcelonas style is the future of football, and its the style we aspire to.
Our defence is no worse than Barcas – if we worked as hard as they did, half the goals we conceded would never have happened. Set pieces really are our downfall, and Id like to see 2 players come in. A centre half (Chiellini, Zapata, Subotic, Sakho) and a midfielder (would love DeRossi! maybe Toulalan?) to compete with Song.
Our team has been lacking steel and bite since Vieira and Campbell left.
p.s. Mate of mine last night won a shedload, guessed the final score and score pattern perfectly. Dirty dog just booked a week in Spain. Why didnt I copy his bet??
When I watch Messi, Xavi, Iniesta and the rest it makes me feel privileged to be on the earth now to see how the game can be played at its best.
Trying to think of a metaphor for last nights euphoric Manure performance.
Charge of the light brigade?
Battle of the little big horn?
Stalingrad?
Fawlty towers?
http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01908/Sir_Alex_Ferguson_1908082c.jpg
Is anyone else pissed off today with the papers? Bit off track holic but I am a tad pissed off. I have come away to France for a few days with the family. Just settled down to a few chilled ones and a browse of the Sundays. All I see is how great Barca are. Okay, I can live with that. Mancs had 32% possession and 1 shot on target. All of a sudden it is ” well, they were playing the best club side ever, and how they were just the second best team I’m the world and unfortunate to be playing the best.” We Fucking beat them at home and as holic says above. But the media and press used it as an opportunity to beat us for weeks.
Wankers, I hate them all.
I couldnt really enjoy the spectacle of last nights humiliation because I was constantly comparing them to us.
Their work rate was just unbelievable, but the thing that hit me most was that when they pushed up, they pushed up as a unit, the back 4 held fast leaving the front 6 to do what they do best. I dont remember one time any of them were caught out of position.
I hope AW recorded the game on his betamax and makes us watch it 67 times to drill it home what work rate and discipline is all about.
Three lessons from CL final:
1. Play Nasri as a Messi ‘false nine’ with RvP in Villa role, Arshavin/Walcott as Pedro and Cesc as Iniesta.
2. Take shots from outside/edge of box
3. Mask weakness defending corners by not conceding any.
Enjoy the summer one and all.
Cannot but agree with you SR@16 and will repeat what I said earlier
So what are the lessons to be learned from yesterday (apart from poor SAF who couldn’t raise a smile in defeat)
We must be better in front of goal (RVP excepted), and a front line of 3-4 when in possession which becomes a midfield of 6 when the ball is lost
We must tackle back properly not just run back occasionally to block passes
We must pass even faster than we do – positionally we are fine to receive the ball
Possession of 60+% consistently
All of this then who cares about defensive qualities
Wondering if Barca was playing a high back line yesterday as we do? Don’t think they were but the little guy was certainly called offside a lot. If they were, perhaps they’re just better at it…not to mention 70% possession certainly reduces their exposure.
Cognac, I’ve seen a few games where we’ve had 60% possession and have gotten beat by exposure to a high line…is it the high line or the inabilities of our back four to deal with the threats?….is it tactics or talent?….Barca didn’t really have any world-beaters in the back four…Masherano?
cognacgunner@18: agree with you on ruthlessness in front of goal, shape, tackling back and passing speed. Barca can pass into ridiculously tight spaces because they get the ball out of there again in a flash (and have the talent to do so. There was one pass Alves hit to Messi from about 30 meters, knee high and traveling like a bullet that Messi still laid off perfectly with someone on his back). But to SR@16′s point, they defend as a unit – or rather two, switching seamlessly between a back four or a back three and have Busquets as the key link between the defense and the midfield/attack. And the defense sees to minimise its exposure to set pieces. Only five fouls conceded all game and no corners, according to BBC stats.
Steve T – I hate them all too, but eventually you have to just expect them all to behave like arseholes, chill out and enjoy your holiday.
And enjoy the summer too. After all, it won’t be long before we’re all back suffering from hypertension in the new season.
I do think that last night’s game proved a bit of a point, in that it is not so much Arsene’s philosophy that is faulty, as much as the attitude and work rate of too many of his players.
As Matt said yesterday, EVERY one of Barca’s superstars works back for the team EVERY SINGLE TIME the opposition has the ball.
When we have actually done that, we too have beaten ManUre, Chelsea and Barca themselves.
Someone commented on Cesc’s recent reluctance to track back to the same degree.
To me, it seems obvious that he CAN’T keep sprinting back because of his dodgy hammies.
As such, will he fit into that Barca team even if someone does come up with the readies ?
Just as importantly, can we carry a jogging captain, not to mention a non-playing one ?
Just asking ?
Holic, If the summer time starts here please make mine a wheat beer. Cool weather today but it’s warming up tomorrow.
ummmmmmmmmm
yeah
(with extra etcs)
@ Steve T
Well said. We must learn from past experience. No longer can we
avoid substantial new blood coming in. As well as some departures.
For the first time in many a year, I get the impression that change for the better is on the way.
@Steve
That is, on your comment #7 not #15.
Looks like the barman will have to take the train West next season.
Think I might give that one a miss, Ollie.
Fair enough.
Just change at Bristol Temple Meads, if I’m not mistaken, for the simplest of connections. At least that’s the way it seemed 30-odd years ago. Swansea in summertime was a delightful spot.
Maybe you’ll be travelling East instead Holic?
Both penalties given away by Reading involved the sum total of zero brain atoms. Did they take Eboue on loan?
SHould ‘holic ever be tempted to go to Swansea, he might just, for once, wake up in London on the train back
Seems to be a timely move to keep abreast of the Welsh microbrews …
I’d stay where you are Holic! Although, a good point by BT8BBNN…
Cricket eh? Bloody Hell.
That Sri Lankan slump was reminiscent of an afternoon in Newastle, Catalan.
In other Arsenal-related news, daughter’s lemonade stand doing a brisk business today what with the weather having almost reached 80F here.
Right, recorded the end of season arsecast tonight with the man from East Lower, Gunnerblog, and Goodplaya. Not all suicidal, just most of it
Heh Ollie!
In the summer of 1978 as a young American traveling in England with a month-long rail pass I got to visit a number of great places including Norwich and Swansea. Then in the winter of 2004 I returned to England with my wife, who gave birth to our daughter a few months later. Not having checked into match tickets ahead of time, we decided to take our chances and see what game we could see the Saturday during our trip, and it turned out to be Fulham v. Bolton played at QPR’s Loftus Road ground during the renovation of Craven Cottage. There you have my tenuous connections to the three promoted clubs we will be facing next season. Better those three than many other clubs, for my own sentimental reasons.
Got back home last night after a weekend in London, and for anyone who is interested there are some photos from the footie tournament at the Emirates on this link:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150206493483139.334837.541758138&l=2c3e3837c8
(have to say I am not really that happy with the quality and sharpness of some of the pics, I seriously need to get myself a new camera)
It was a great afternoon, the pitch was not in perfect condition (there had been tournaments like this one for the past two weeks) but it was still in better condition than any pitch I can remember ever having played on.
BtM and zico will be pleased to hear that the whole thing was won by the Scotland team, who also knocked my team out in the semi-final. Us getting that far was a big surprise to ourselves, but we actually managed to go through the group stage without dropping a single point in six games! We scored nine and only conceded one in the process, but were then thumped 4-0 by the Scots.
Oh, and if anyone wonders which one is me, I’m the one with white socks to the left in the front row of the team shot (pic #63).
Cup of tea, please!
Nasri @40 – it took you minutes, took her nowhere?
Haha, Catalan,
Heaven knows, she’d have taken anything!
Completely comprehensive summary of our finances here : http://swissramble.blogspot.com/2011/05/arsenals-transfer-budget.html
Lars…. just going to settle down and have a peek at your photos….
we have summer here too in Montreal , after a long winter and a long month of spring full of rain.
those guys must go
Denilson
Bentdner , definitely he must go .
SQ18
Alu
Rosicky
Next year will be a very tough year .
Lars @ 41 – it is hard for me to contemplate any representative Scottish team scoring 4 goals – well done them, I’m sure the standard was top notch
I meant to say “I’m sure the standard of opposition was top notch”
Separate subject – anyone know (or care to speculate) what the little difficulty re Nasri’s contract is all about?
well, zico, in all honesty it was a combination of them being really good and us starting to tire and being so surprised at actually reaching the semi-final that we lost focus a bit.
Great pictures Lars, it looks like a great time was had by all. With your generous reputation and the parsimonious reputation of the Scots, did the losers buy the winners’ drinks?
Hello everyone.
I haven’t listened to the Arsecast yet, so maybe ‘Holic HD already touched on this topic, but talking to an actually decent spud at the pub where I watched the cl final got me wondering: what was the best memory of the season for holics? And what was the worst one?
For me it’s simple: my best memory of the season was the 4-1 win at SHL; it was just pure joy, and not even beating Barca at the grove provided me with that feeling.
As for the Worst memory of the season: well losing at home to them after being 2-0 up is about the worst I felt since losing to Barca in the cl final all those years ago, and in a season of monumental cock-ups (coughNewcastlecough) that game was by far the worst i felt all season.
Predictably enough the sp*rs fan’s best and worst moments of the season involved those two games as well, only for different reasons…
What about YOUR memories ‘holics?
Holic, I reckon BT8BBNN will work it out, as long as the boy keeps swinging.
Zico@47 – Deniro / wonga / cash…. I’m talking ’bout…
bt8bbnn @ 49
Watch your step Redneck
Back to the secure unit for me. Yes, I’m a low-down redneck but the other comments are scandalous.
8ball, actually we did not buy drinks for the winners. We were all given one free drink in one of the Club Level restaurants (see, the club can be generous at times…) but before long we were all told it was time to leave. Guess they didn’t want a full-on binge drinking session on their hands.
And it was indeed a great afternoon, it really was an amazing feeling to be out on that pitch playing football.
Don’t worry Nas, we can still supply you in the secure unit – just put your order the way of Monsieur Storey – you can even put it on my tab
RvP: best moment/memory was the second goal v Barca.
Worst? Newcastle at home. For me by far the worst game of the season for so many reasons.
CG, I was just about to post that link but noticed you did. Excellent piece with the final figure being 50M to spend.
Came across these quotes today from ashburtongrove.co.uk (apologies if someone already posted them)
Wenger on Arsenal’s 2010-2011 season:
“I was upset. We though we could win all the trophies, but we failed due to a lack of character. It is the most frustrating season I’ve had to go through.
“The team played some of the best football I saw at Arsenal, but failed to reach the top when needed. It is frustrating and questionning. We need maturity.”
On potential signings, Wenger said:
“We will try to buy players who could gave us what we need. It’s a difficult task.
Firstly, we have to enforce defensive line. We lost points against teams who play the natural English way of football, with long balls and physical struggle.
“So we need players who know how to manage this kind of game, which means English players, or players who know the Premier League.”
About the possible departures of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasir, Wenger said:
“Fabregas will not go this summer. Last summer,Barcelona made offers, but on this one there is no offers at all. He’s the best midfielder in the world, we built the team with him around him. He’s our captain, we want to keep him at any cost.
“Regarding Nasri, one thing is absolutely sure, that we will not sell him to Manchester United. We have a financial disagreement with the player, and I will work on it during the summer, to ensure he will extend his contract.”
Regarding Arsenal’s rumoured interest in Karim Benzema, Wenger said:
“As far as I know, Madrid doesn’t want to sell the player, which is understandable. And the fact that Zidane is now close to the club will reinforce possibility of that Benzema won’t move.”
On his philosophy for next season, Wenger said:
“Only world class players can reinforce our team, because we already have a world-class quality football. The target is to keep our qualities, strengthen them and get rid of our weaknesses.
“We still have to improve offensively, because we are an offensive team.
There are people who ask me to change our way to play, but I think we have to keep going with this style of play.”
On his plan to travel to South America on holiday, Wenger said:
“I will spent my holidays there, scouting players and meeting people in South America.”
‘Holic – may I congratulate you and the other boys on a superb Arsecast – it was so refreshing to hear informed debate about what went wrong and what needs to be done , without resort to the shameless knobheadery which occurs elsewhere on the net .
Lars @41 – Great pics – a touch of the Gattuso’s about you peut-etre ?
Dr Z @47 – I think the stumbling block is Nasri’s refusal to do more interviews with his girlfriend – I understand Arsene took quite a shine to her and wishes to help her in her chosen career path . Unfortunately other footballers are refusing to give her an interview , unless they also get to shag her .
Btw many congrats on a superb and comprehensive outline , a couple of posts back , on the requirements of the HT mark 2 . Very little to add , except perhaps an educational facility in the rear carriage , where misbehaving travellers can be taught the rudiments of Greek Philosophy .
RVP’s Right Foot @50 – Best memory Barca at home – the first truly great night at the Emirates , where we all dared to dream . Let’s hope it’s the first of many .
The worst – at my juicer of choice for the away game at Newcastle . Disappearing outside at HT for a crafty fag and remarking to my fellow tabbers how nice it was to be entirely relaxed at ht , knowing that the points were already assured . I like to think I’m a pretty calm sort of chap , but i was angrier at full-time than I’ve ever been as a result of an Arsenal game .
Catalan – thanks for the article – that will take some time to digest methinks !
Snir – thanks for the quotes – this summer’s gonna be interesting that’s for sure .
I think my memory of the season was Chelsea at home, not just because of the performance, but because of the hope that our performance instilled. Therefore it is my best and my worst memory because of course that ‘hope’ imploded in a 2011 armageddon.
Listening to the collective oratory orgasms of sports commentary on the radio today about Paul Scholes was puke inducing of the highest order. Every cliche ever invented was spewed forth, yet not one mentioned the fact that he was a dirty fuckpig of Shawcross proportions.
Tabs @ 58 – thanks – I will probably resurrect said list when we get to the serious business of planning the timetable for season 2011-12 – your additions are most welcome
Stone @ 61 – I’m with you – good riddance to the horrible ginger Scrote.
Oh and my tuppence worth –
Best – Arshavin’s winner against Barca – a goal of the type scored regularly by the Invincibles and in the context it was scored, well like others, I was ready to believe.
Worst – can’t decide between losing a 2 goal lead to the LWCs at home or Newcastle 2nd half – I was driving through heavy traffic for the latter (having smugly turned off my stream at half time) listening to 5 live, and as the 3rd and 4th goals went in I was very near to adding to the lamentable list of road casualties on Britain’s roads
I think my addiction to the Happy Pills originated about then.
Guinness for me please Barkeep, plus whatever the usual suspects are having (oh and some chewin tobacco for BT8BBNN)
Afternoon all (or evening depending where you are). Some great drinks above.
Best moment – 2-1 against Barca. They played brilliant football, and we beat them.
Worst moment – Ridiculous red card against RvP at Camp Nou. I wonder if winning that tie would have given us the confidence to push through the end of the season and win the title.
Did someone say happy pills? Where do I place my order?
Holic – you have a ready supply – you just need to ask True Storey where he left the keys to the MC.
I haven’t listened to the Arsecast yet, are things THAT bad?
Dr Z – Can we have a sweet counter in the new HT – all served up by your lovely girl from Sainsburys , ( unless you plan on keeping her too busy for till work ? ) , I’m thinking Bovril crisps ( Smiths not Walkers ) , Refreshers , Tutti-Fruttis , Black-jacks , and Curly-Wurleys .
Good call Tabs – also Texan bars (remember them?), (a finger of) Fudge, Lion Bars, Golden Cups (will bring a nice symmetry to the silver cups pursued by the team) and any other sugary confection that takes yer fancy.
Oh and the blonde from Sainsburys – has gone missing – hope she’s not run off with some Catalonian she met in the Balearics…
Zico, Sorry to hear about the blonde from Sainsbury’s. Is she replaceable? Thanks but I’ll have to bypass the chewin tobacca (note the final “a” in the pronunciation) for fear I may have to be removed from the secure unit to the naughty corner, or the dreaded rear carriage with sundry cats and dogs deemed too unsavoury for pleasant company.
zico, I thought you said TS had the keys to the medicine cabinet. Seems like it’s unlocked at the moment…
Fear ye not Dr Z , she’ll be back ! Probably popped off to the Costa Del Sol for an early summer all-over tan .
As regards the confectionary , i like your thinking , Lion Bars and Fingers of Fudge , both hugely memorable , little bit hazy on the golden cups however …
Joshua, he does – remember though, I had custody of the keys for a brief spell – who knows what I salted away for the long close season?
Tabs picked up on this early doors
Confectionary – I remember broken cigarettes. That really ages me.
Stone – call it wisdom.
Back to the Gunners – window opens tomorrow – how many players are we gonna sign, are we going to get our shopping done early (with AW in South America seems unlikely)?
Dr Z – ha ha
SR – one day the sweet fags , the next a packet of marlboros … talk about being led inexorably to a smelly , expensive , addiction . Still every cloud … at least they stop me from jogging .
Joshua – I’d recommend some of the Californian Green , left over from PIK’s last visit .
I’d say 6 out , Rosicky , Bendtner , Clichy , Schillaci , Denilson and Almunia .
4 in . Names no idea .
All of the above dependent on fab and Nasri agreeing to stay .
zico, I expect us to jump out of the gates with three signings right away. Unfortunately, they will all be 17 year olds with loads of potential. I also expect that when the Nasri contract get’s squared away it will be “like a new signing.”
Going back to the discussion on highs and lows, another big positive for me was a relatively injury free season for RvP.
Arsenal car boot starts tomorrow- like all other car boot sales you wonder how much crap you’re gonna be able to sell and how much your gonna have to take back home! Sigh we’re gonna struggle to offload Bendy at £10 million – come on Harry – do us a favour you wheeler dealer, you!
Just back from a weekend in Mallorca. Met a nice Scottish girl there. Kept talking about a special offer on melons….
Re: Tabs @ 71 That is very reassuring about the blonde. I can almost see her now, as a matter of fact, since you paint such a delightful picture.
Re: Best and worst moments of the season, I must agree with Zico @63. Very fitting that our worst moment cannot be defined clearly since there were more than one of them.
Ah Catalan, you tease – I think she’s in Ibiza. And I’m not even sure she’s Scottish. Spot on regarding the fruit though
Catalan – your last comment betrayed a certaln smugness … send her home , poor chap may have to go to Asda …
Should have gone to Specsavers had it been the one I met. Good job the real blonde was in Ibiza….
I don’t believe you lot. You are different class
zico (and Catalan, as he seems to know) – does the girl from Sainsbury’s keep her melons in Golden Cups or Silver Cups ? Just wondered.
Can only speculate Trev, but I’d say large silver cups – so elusive them things
Snir – you have mail.
Blonde melons with bulging silver cups. Doesn’t really mean anything, I just thought I’d enjoy writing that …
Morning Nasri, morning all. Now then where were we…??
BT8BBNN – just a random thought, what happens to your moniker, should Nasri take someone’s 30 pieces of silver?
It’s been quite amusing at the bar, I see
I suspect that someone has obtained duplicate keys to the MC..
At this point it’s safe to say that the MC is unsafe
Since it’s open, I’ll help myself to some leftover Californian green..anyone?
I’ll join you Harsha – looks like a looong day ahead. Talking of the medicine – where’s PIK?
Catalan, and where is True Storey? It seems he’s left the MC unattended for a bit too long…
Or there could be an alternate supplier
zico, I hope that by “alternative” you don’t mean “competing” – we don’t want a turf war here at the bar!
Maybe Guido The Killer Pimp is making a move on TS’s patch?!
Dr Z – further thoughts on the HT mark 2 .
The Games carriage quite rightly contains a Dartboard with Evra’s ugly mug attached .
Can I also suggest Subbuteo ? I think , if i raid my mother’s loft , I can provide World Cup goals with coloured nets , replica FA Cup , one Grandstand and assorted terracing , corner flags with a hole in the base for increased aerial lift , Diving Goalkeepers , St Johns Ambulance Men , and plastic surround fencing . Manager on the Touchline may need updating – from memory i think he was dressed in a sheepskin coat . Baggsie I’m Arsenal .
Would also suggest ” Striker ” – lacked the celebral tactical nous of Subbuteo , but players do get to enjoy the more animalistic thrill of stoving your forward’s head in in order to kick the ball .
In other news , I don’t want to add to the escalating ” turf war ” , but the new CMC is expected today so will report back later with full Spec when it arrives .
Have to echo some of the fine sentiments I’ve already read in the drinks and add my tuppenceworth (or should that be ha’p'orth, seeing as our fine ship was somewhat spoiled for that price?).
Best: had to be doing Barca at the Grove. Unbridled joy and jubilation.
Worst: Sp*rs at the Grove. Unadulterated depression, embarrassment and anger at the thought of their despicable, classless fans coming over all smug. Yuk.
Lars @ 92, if TS ain’t here to defend his turf, that’s his problem – supply and demand, mate, supply and demand.
(Speak to my silent partner Tabs, if you are interested in any of our wares btw…..)
Tabs – great idea – will put said activities in the “games” compartment (not to be confused with the “adult games” compartment)
I think I may have some subbuteo “fans” somewhere in the attic – these ones don’t have any state of the art booing facility – you need to add your own sound effects!!
Catalan #89 You ask a very interesting question, and one that has also occured to me in my deepest darkest moments recently. Since I wasn’t able to resolve it, much the same way as an all-star team of bloggers on the Arsecast were not able to pinpoint the dilemma of what Arsene should do this summer to resolve Arsenal’s non-crisis of a crisis, maybe I should wait to see who our long-awaited blockbuster signings are or aren’t before I attempt to give you the answer. Silver cup full of woman nectar please, barman.
Silent Partner Dr Z – I like the sound of that – there was I thinking i was a mere supplier of the hardware .
We should make full use of this opportunity – TS’s silence makes me think he might have ventured into the Marshlands without his Bio-Suit , and we all know how dangerous that can be . Tread carefully , old son , and the world is ours !
I think the ” adult games ” compartment should be adorned with suitably graffitied pictures of crouchy , bale , VDV and Gomes , whom you may remember were the first ladies of said carriage and who perished in the Derailment .
Finally , the first transfer of the summer is complete – the new CMC has arrived – hurrah !
Spec
1. Protected by 3mm outer steel casing
2. Can be fixed to the floor or wall-mounted , according to height of partakers ( those schoolchildren and Richie Powling can be a pain ) .
3. Two keys ( one for your good self . I’ll see what TS has to say for himself before handing the other one over ) .
4. Spud detection facility with automatic self-locking device .
5. Storage Capacity for Green Tins
6. Inner Secret Compartment which can only be opened by voice recognition. I suggest we keep the really dangerous stuff here ( PIK’s Californian Green ) to be used only in times of overwhelming celebration or alternatively desperate adversity . I note with some alarm that we have not heard hide nor hair of Joshua since he was pointed in the direction of the Californian Green last night .
In other less great news our middle-man , Lady Robbie Savage , has been let go by the Columbian Cartel . Although they rather enjoyed electrocuting Robbie’s penis , it seems that his constant whining and endless drivel got them down and they felt they had to let him go . Robbie has run off into the sunset to live happily ever after with Carlos Valderrama , so everyone’s a winner , ( except for Carlos ) .
Tabs, remember I have the Spanish for Dummies manual for the really complicated stuff.
TS has indeed gone quiet – very unlike him – assume he has taken a vow of silence until the transfer window closes (some hope)
With the opening of the transfer window , news of imminent transfers are rife .
Goal.com are reporting that Arseblogger has made an illegal approach for TS , although the amount of daily arses TS has to post may yet prove a stumbling block .
‘Holic , meanwhile , is quoted as saying that he will do ” everything ” to keep him , but the wider blogging world are unsure whether a couple of freebies at the bar and a new title of Chief Barmaid will be enough to tempt TS into staying another season .
Meanwhile , the man himself has gone to ground , although fuzzy pictures in The Daily Star have emerged , which clearly show a sun-tanned TS aboard Blogs’ yacht in Monaco , being fed grapes by a nubile blonde who has been identified as Renata Mactavish .
Ms Mactavish said – ” TS has shown me a world i could only dream about , to think i was behind a till only a week ago is amazing ” .
Sainsbury’s declined to comment .
Tabs, quite amusing. The plot seems to be thickening, or did I confuse it with something else in the vicinity of Renata’s knickers? At this rate TS may never return to the comparatively mundane pleasures of MC management.
Say it ain’t so, Joe (Tabs)
Nasri – the photo clearly shows that Renata is not wearing any knickers !
Sorry Dr Z but the evidence appears conclusive .
Hope the MC has some Bromide for Nasri….
All types of sedatives here Dr C …
I bet he went into Sainsbury’s in that damned Bio Suit – how’s a man to compete with style like that?
Is that the Bio Suit that emits special aromas rendering attractive blondes powerless to resist?
More like unadulterated bribery Nas.
I’m still gutted.
Like Arsene, I guess I will have to turn my attention to other targets. It’s been nearly a full day – have we not signed a new team yet?
Wouldn’t worry Dr Z , stick some bromide in his beer next time he’s in , lace the Bio Suit with itching powder , a bit of Caledonian charm , and Bob’s your uncle , she’ll be calling you Renne , before the night’s out .
apologies , should have read Renee
Took me a minute Tabs, but I have to say, I am very concerned about the music that is on your jukebox. Renee and Renata?
Keep your iPod in your pocket, so to speak.
On a more serious note, does anyone know what has actually happened to Storey, is he on holiday? Not like him to miss his daily fix at the Holic bar.
Dont know , not been around since the wknd i think
Dr. C, Do you have any bromide of the relaxing kind?
Bt8bbnn – yes sir.
Deposit your funds somewhere discreet and speak to my man, tabs.
Or alternatively, drink a gallon of Guiness and go to sleep