Wine And Robin’s Advisor Distract Me
Jun 28th, 2012 by 'holic
An unpredicted and untypical burst of half decent weather is a real problem for this particular blogger. I have been waiting all week to comment on the events of Sunday, but that becomes something of a problem when you get home in the evening after a full day of work to find the neighbours in the garden with a bottle of wine and a host of tales to tell. That, allied to my weak will, explains why the ‘holics have been the star of the show so far this week. Thank you.
There seems little point now in reflecting on England’s exit. I thought for 45 minutes the contest with Italy was even and absorbing. Thereafter it turned into more of a procession, unfortunately. How it went to penalties only Dennis knows. Unlike the game I watched just before attempting to pen this particular piece. The first semi-final, it has to be said, was not an advert for the European Championship in any way, shape, or form. Congratulations and good wishes go to Italy, who I suspect will face a sterner examination by Germany in the second semi-final. Also well done to Cesc and Spain. Dire though their performance was anybody who ends up sparing a major final from the theatrics of Ronaldo, Pepe, and Nani is ok by me. Lest we forget they are attempting to confirm their ranking as the world’s best minus David Villa, a significant reason why they hold that position.
On the Arsenal front we have added Olivier Giroud to the signing of Lukas Podolski. That is remarkably good early business regardless of what is to become of the skipper. The Robin saga has taken a bit of a familiar twist, with the favourite organs of one of his advisors letting it be known that details have been agreed with potential suitors. We have seen how the work of this particular advisor ends before, so let us hope for a different outcome this time around. I would like to believe nothing is settled yet, and until we know for sure there is no point getting all riled up about it. However, should the worse come to the worse, we have acted proactively to strengthen our attacking options already.
We will get our first little clues of what to expect this coming season as the pre-season friendlies arrive, and there was news on that front in the last few hours as well. Firstly, RSC Anderlecht have replaced Rangers in July’s Markus Liebherr Memorial Cup at Southampton’s St Mary’s Stadium. The first action of the new season will see the Saints, the Belgians, and the Gunners compete in three 45 minute contests a fortnight on Saturday. Yes, just two weeks! I think you can safely assume that the international players will not be heavily involved on that day.
Secondly the club has announced a prestigious friendly away to the Nigerian national side at the start of August. The hand of Kanu is undoubtedly involved here, but it will be a good opportunity for Arsenal’s many fans in Nigeria to get a look at a side that should definitely be taking shape by that point in the preparation for the new season. Hopefully the sporadic bursts of good weather will have turned into a prolonged decent spell by then, and I can set the match up on the laptop in the garden as I repay the neighbours hospitality.
Enjoy what remains of the week ‘holics, and thanks again.
441 Responses to “Wine And Robin’s Advisor Distract Me”
A new begining………
Hello!! Top three??
Amen 2 that, well writ ‘h, well in H2H
I would like to believe nothing is settled yet, and until we know for sure there is no point getting all riled up about it.
Wise words indeed.
From now until something concrete is anounced by the club speculation will be rife, rumours will take on the guise of gospel and every twat with a twitter will be tweeting “truths”.
The stonecold fact is that none of us are in the know, those who are are sworn to secrecy, so all we hear is nothing but speculation and conjecture.
I of course would like him to stay, but if he moves on it won’t be the end of the world, the club have identified their targets and moved on them quickly strengthening the squad and showing their intentions, they’ve also offered RvP a massive deal, I don’t really see what else they can do. It’s now entirely down to him, I just hope he decides quickly.
And minus Capitan and best defender Puyol too, but who’s counting.
The hand of Kanu – that’s got a ring to it/on it
O when the saints go marching in – IN 2 WEEKS TIME – blimey!?
I’m sure you touched on summat else ‘h – i’ll RsvP with a comment when it comes back to me
The stonecold fact is that none of us are in the know
Ain’t that the truth, H2H.
I have spoken to a couple who are, and got conflicting stories.
Que sera, sera, as they say.
Stay chilled.
“every twat with a twitter will be tweeting twuths” – H2H cutting to the ‘eart of the thing with the minimum of f as per. Well played sir!
Woah, quoted by the Guv’ and Rev’, it don’t get much better then that.
Gentlemen I bid you adieu, have one for the road on me and good night.
like many, posting before reading (hanging my head in shame).
A little unfair to call ’em twats.
You would be surprised what gets leaked by whom and to who.
A great deal of which is nonsense, but the poor sod getting the ‘info’ doesn’t know it…
Woo hoo! Arsenal and the Super Eagles, my two favorite teams in the whole wide world, and you can bet a lifetime’s supply of Guinness that yours truly will be at the National Stadium, Abuja, to cheer the lads on. This is especially great for me seeing as I just concluded plans to relocate to Abuja for a new job starting this coming Monday.
Have no fear drinkers, the ‘holics will be vociferously represented at the event. Hopefully, some of you will be there, and I can introduce you to Guinness Foreign Extra Stout, which is like the national drink in these parts. π
Pints of the black stuff all round, ‘holic.
Cor – The Law, what a post…i wanna go now…’holics on tour???
excellent, ‘holic. especially the robin bit. somehow i wish we could (a) eliminate all transfer gossip, or (b) find some algorithm that processes everything said and finds its center of gravity. then ignore it.
two weeks! i hope the cup games are shown on arsenal tv.
we can officially announce the podiaud captures sunday, yes? do we look to nigeria for them to feature?
lucky, law. what i’d give for arsenal in california. well more than i’d give for pints of gfes, and i’d give a lot for that, too. enjoy!
It’s The Law!
Excellent.
Good to see you here maestro. Hope it all works out.
I would love it if Arsenal came to Osaka…love it!
Top 20 gotta count for something, even if it’s close to the trapdoor…
CoR Keegan
Quality post Holic, I’m sure the owners of the star drinks @ 1000 & above from the last bar would like you to convey their thanks & gratitude to these neighbours of yours π
Once the tour to Nigeria was announced, I’d already made up my mind to be in whatever city was chosen, and once Abuja was picked, well, there hasn’t been a grinnier Gooner in the entire world.
@’holic, not getting riled up about the transfer speculation is the best advice you can give anyone. I remember the day we signed Sol Campbell. Internet in these parts was still spotty at best, so logging on to Arsenal.com to see we’d captured the Spuds captain and a monster of a defender, was an immensely pleasant surprise. To pull off a similar coup today with agents whoring their players out like never before and twitter and the web going bonkers for every scrap of rumour no matter how baseless, would be nigh on impossible.
It is difficult to stay calm in the raging ocean of absolute rubbish that passes for “news” today, where a swimmer can get slammed for taking a picture of herself in (of all things) a swimsuit, where Ronaldo cops amazing abuse on twitter for not taking a penalty as his coach put him down to take the 5th one (which could have had massive pressure riding on it and the coach presumably wanted his skipper to handle the responsibility). I’m willing to bet there are “fans” out there right now writing off Podolski and Giroud despite having never seen them play in the red and white, because we live in a world where everyone has an opinion, no matter how inane, and has the means to broadcast that opinion to the world.
Now, as for the tour, any drinkers who will be in Abuja can hit me up on my twitter @De_Law, and I’ll do my best to make your stay as pleasant as I can. There might even be a sale on bank accounts of dead dictators… π
Hang on, there were over 1,300 drinks in the last post?! Jaysus!
Regarding Rangers, are they going to vanish from the face of the earth? Seems like things are heading that way at the moment…
Hi holics,i always visit this bar but seldom drink,on this occasion i join you all in the drinks to express my joy at the news of The-greatest-team-the-world-has-ever-seen visiting my country,the dotcom says ticket info will be available by 4th of july so i will wait till then to know how my pocket will be affected,hopefully it wont be too much because come what may i will be cheering on behalf of Holics in Abuja on the 5th of August.
@CoR20, it is weird. Rangers have been a fixture in British football since forever, and now they’re going under because of unpaid taxes. The sad part is that none of the people responsible for ignoring the taxes until they got big enough to sink the club is going to face any criminal charges/jail time as a result.
Great post, ‘holic, and thanks for the opportunity to bag drinks #900, 1200, and 1300 in the last bar. These foreign trips are a blast to hear about, actually. Last year’s Malaysia and China trips and this year’s Nigeria trip are my vicarious foreign traveling for the time being so please keep the stories coming. My only question is will there be a Nigerian Gooner Ladyboys Massive to help with the entertainment? π
And I loved hearing about the drinking wine and telling stories in the garden. π
Holic – as usual, top post. I don’t think there ever was a bad post!
Would someone please show this to blogs?!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-IjPhFvCrw
@22: The Law, that’s the terrible thing about the whole situation.
The only people who seem happy about it are the ones in green and white….
Dear fellow patrons, to avoid my annual internal swings of emotion of years past during the summer transfer market, I have sworn-off News Now Arsenal for the summer…..this is my sole source for news related to Arsenal….so please don’t spread rumors, ha-ha…..I’ll have another of whatever Snir’s drinking.
Oh btw, I just know Ronaldo was the architect of that PK disaster today….wanting and hoping to have the match decided on his final kick…..the victory pose…..the international snapshots of his victory salute…..the new commercial endorsements for his hair gel…….one problem though…….
……Ronaldo mumbling to himself after Cesc won it…….I rewinded the DVR 25 times and determined that he actually mumbled what the jock said in The Revenge of The Nerds…..”That’s my pie”
An epicurian, metrosexual gem. Wolfie? No, Ollie (G.), actually:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2012/jun/26/olivier-giroud-arsenal
Thirty..
Ollie, congrats on the 1,000 in the previous drinks. And congrats to bt8b for the 1300. Collectors’ items both.
Cent @ 21: We may be calling you “Several Hundreds” by the time August comes around
π
I gotta get some of these fine ladies to help me on my next wax mission…
http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/elite-female-bodyguards-protect-players-at-euro-2012-in-ukraine-a-841005.html
Arseblog News tells me we are also going to Malaysia and China this summer as well as Nigeria. Globetrotting seems to be the order of the day. The Malaysian Gooner Ladyboy Massive may have had something to do with drawing the return visit??
@ (22) The Law & CofR (26)
While admittedly a fan of the βgreen and whiteβ on occasion–when not playing the Arsenal–I donβt take too much pleasure in Rangers actual demise. What I, and I think all AFC fans, should take some pleasure in, however, is the fall of a club that for years lived beyond its means; something which we know all too much about here in the EPL.
I can only hope a similar fate befalls Chel and ManC one of these days. Although a part of me feels true empathy for Rangers supporters I also canβt easily get over the fact that their clubβs recent success (trophies and accompanying bragging right) are a direct result of the same financial doping that threatens to ruin the EPL and football in general.
Cheers
@35: MAG, Good old Schadenfreude, eh? In this instance it’s a drink best drunk gold π
Seriously though, will the SPL now turn into a one-team league? I predict ex-Rangers jumping ship and sneaking into newly-promoted Premiership teams and Celtic being knocked out in every single group stage of the Champions League till we’re in adult diapers…
Cannons, Did you say Japan is your home or are you just visiting?
I’m living and working over here for the time being man. Planning a trip over here?
A new blog!!!!!! Wow!
I’ve never been anywhere in Asia so it all seems exotic. How do you like it?
CofR
Highly likely. I’m the first one to admit that the SPL at present isn’t very competitive–no worse then La Liga however!–and now that one of the Old Firm is out it will be very predictable. I would also imagine Celtic will continue to make any progress in the CL or even qualifying stages–Not sure but I think Scotland lost its guaranteed group status and not have to go through qualifiers.
Certainly hope that Rangers don’t head south for the lure of EPL. Not sure if that would even be possible–then again Welsh teams play don’t they?–but I think they’d have to begin in the lower leagues below the Conference first, like AFC Wimbledon.
My main point, however, was that I’d be far happier if Chel and ManC suffered a similarly inglorious but no less deserved demise…what’s German for going down the shitter;)
Cheers
*that should have been Celtic WILL NOT progress out of the group or qualifying stages*
In short I agree with you CofR
@ 26
The only ones who seem to be happy about it are the ones in green and white
Not a bit of it Cannons. Not going to pollute these pages getting into a debate about the Ugly Sisters, but you couldn’t be more wrong. And for whoever said that the culprits won’t be facing criminal charges, don’t be so sure…..
Nice post Holic, btw.
@40: 8ball, it’s more normal than you think, but maybe it’s because I’ve been here for a while! I’m in Kansai so not as much people as up in Tokyo. People are friendlier and food is more delicious down here too, lots of football fanatics as well π
@43: Hey zico, do you mean that “Celtic fans aren’t happy to lose their derby rival” or “Many football fans (besides Rangers fans) are happy that Rangers are suffering”?
Cannons,
I have yet to meet one non-Rangers fan (including Celtic fans) who thinks that money comes before Sporting integrity.
There is a precedent here where other clubs have been summarily punished and demoted to the bottom tier of the game for the very “crime” of going into liquidation (that’s before we go into the systematic financial doping that Rangers have employed for over a decade by use of tax scams) and yet the new Rangers owner thinks they should just be able to carry on in the top tier.
As I said, I don’t want to debate this on Holics blog but if you want to discuss it offline, happy to do so.
No worries zico, maybe when I visit the Tollie later this year.
Let’s keep it Arsenal-related until then π
Cool Cannons,
you can bring Shaft and he can wax lyrical. π
Heh, will do once he’s not out on the hunt. He’s insatiable that one…
Meanwhile, I’ll shave my questions for later 8)
MAG: the SPL lost it’s guaranteed place in the group stages years ago (if they ever even had one? Can’t really remember.). Fact of the matter is also that after this season they will, barring an incredibly successful CL run by Celtic, lose a shitload of ranking points and Celtic (who will now be the only candidate to win the league, of course) will probably have to start qualifying one round earlier than this season. In fact, the situation is so bad that it is not at all inconceivable that in a year, the SPL UEFA Ranking will be lower than even the Swedish league – and trust me: that is really, really bad.
In addition to what zico said@43, it is worth noting that one of the things for which one of the Rangers crooks may go down is selling the 14 Arsenal shares that Glasgow Rangers had and then pocketing the money himself.
The Law and Cent: really happy for you both, and good to hear that the Holic bar flag will be flown proudly in Nigeria π
As for the main post, I’m with the Holic on not bothering about rumours about RvP until we hear something more official. I want him to stay of course, but if Man City offer us upwards of Β£30m for a player who is (let’s face it) most likely never going to repeat the season he’s just had and has only one year to go on his contract then I’d say bite their fucking hand off before they change their mind. Podolski and Giroud may not be able to score 30 goals, but I’d say that losing RvP today would be far from the disaster it looked like a few months ago.
Fires the Ace down the line, while giving the finger to Sheikh Mansur in the Royal Box π
Mansour* π³
Looks like Vela’s been sold for β¬3.5 million with a sell-on clause or will be sold very soon within the next few hours, see ya Mr Chips, take the party to Real Sociedad π
(This is from one of the guys I trust the most on things Arsenal on Twitter, the final acid test will be if M’Vila comes in the week after the Euros as he has been saying for weeks now)
Vela out Bevin in?
On RvP, he is not quite the lynchpin that Cesc was, but I think/hope he wouldn’t put us through the same agonies. If our choice comes down to sell him now or let him go on a free in a year, I think that this time they would take the financial hit, because the money isn’t worth the disruption. The problem would be if AW thought Robin wasn’t going to give his all. But even then, I don’t think he would sell to Man City – Robin staying on would buy us time to bed in our new star strikers.
Getting in OG and LP has worked out well because we’ve both taken the pressure off RvP and given him competition. The squad, the system and the financial deal are all in place so it’s over to you, Mr van Persie.
I think he is genuinely torn – he is a Gooner, but he is 28/29 and wants medals while he is at his peak, play with and against the top players of the world, as well as the chance to play football that he is proud of. That’s a tall order and limits his choices. He may be deciding where he is likely to get all of that. That’s why Man City playing attractive football, paying huge wages and winning trophies would be a triple threat. If Mancini convinces him that their style will suit him, Robin might convince himself that he is more likely to win trophies there than with us.
But then, what do I know? As you so wisely say, it’s all conjecture. LIke H2H, I will be sad if he goes, but I know that we will be fine come what may. We survived last summer and we are stronger now.
Roxette on Radio 6 right now π
AL@53
I’m glad you brought this up. I think it typifies everything that is wrong with the way Wagnar operates. In my client Bevin, Wegnar has a hugely talented home-grown (some might even say home-invented) boy who is practically begging (don’t ask me to go into details) to join the club.
Does the Arsenal manager sign him up, No! Instead he goes over to Yoorope and signs a couple of (whisper this) foreign players. And what do you lot in this bar do? Do you condemn him for once more turning his back on homegrown talent? No! You applaud him and speculate on what “this” will mean for another foreigner in the club, who, let’s face it, only scored 37 goals last season.
Honestly!
Another alter-ego?
I’m in two minds about this sort of thing.
Sue’em etc. – excellent. π
I feel the hand of Tabs at work ?
@ 55
Roxette on my case right now π
Not me Trev .
Sue em etc – Excellent π π
If I remember right, which is very far from a guarantee, Sue’em Grabbit and Run is actually Lonestar Gooner??
Having digested this article I predict at most one shot by Italy in the first half.
“This article” being: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18621113
I think that todays semis are really hard call, I would like to see Germans going through but Italy are (and I am surprised to say that) one of the more likeable teams too this year, so just hoping that it will be much better entertainment wise than yesterday.
8ball -doesn’t sound like Sue’em Grabbit & Run honour guarantees.
More exhilarating, open, all out attacking football tonoght then?
It should be the best, or second best match of the tournament but I don’t know if I am mentally prepared to take it all on again.
Safe returns for Per and Poldi will do me.
Nice post Holic.
England ? Meh.
Whilst the appointment of Roy Hodgson and the demotion of the racist from Captain to Private made support of the National side much easier than at any time in the last decade, ultimately they are merely a passing fancy, a mild flirtation, rather than a full-blown, singing cheery songs whilst skipping, infatuation.
I do of course blame myself for the ever-so-familiar circumstances of the defeat.For the first time in this competition, I decided to forsake my normal routine, to not be Grumpy Bollocks swearing animatedly in front of my television at the latest misplaced English pass.Nope,it was time to adjourn to the Pub, get with the programme, and wave my frilly St George knickers excitedly, in an atmosphere of heaving nationalistic pride.
I don’t know whether it was the drink,(Well I do actually, it was!), but during the mildly encouraging first half, I actually found myself shouting wildly inappropriate encouragement such as “Come on Boys!” and the patronising but nevertheless heartfelt “Well done son”. I even cheered when the racist got back to make a last-ditch tackle, and immediately had to order up a large scotch to stave off the self-loathing that had begun to stir.
Luckily for my own psychological well-being, normal service was soon resumed in the second half, as we displayed a level of technical proficiency not seen since Stoke entered a team into the Brazilian Beach Football Cup.
That we held on to make sure we departed the tournament in our traditional manner owed much to fortune rather than any real tactical awareness.
My reaction at Cuntley’s miss was one of both disappointment and sheer frustration at the stasis and paralysis which grips English football, (and by that I mean the National side). The feeling did not last long however, it was as nothing to my “end-of-the-world” reaction to an Arsenal defeat. By the following morning the over-riding emotion was one of relief that my hangover was nowhere near as bad as it might have been had an England win provoked an impromptu party in the pub.
To fully dissect England’s failings as a football nation would take a book, so I will content myself with one observation.
Often on my sunday morning constituitionals, I am greeted by the pathetically laughable sight of a three foot six seven year old patrolling the area of a near size pitch whilst he guards his full size goal. The children are exhorted to ever greater efforts from the touchline by their parents, to alternatively “boot it” ,”boot him”, “get rid of it”, or “don’t muck about”.
In this feverish atmosphere, it is of course the stronger bigger kids that prevail. The smaller, but who knows, perhaps more technically gifted kids, find something more interesting to do whilst the game goes on around them, like looking for worms or something.
Until that situation changes, until the technical is prioritised over the physical, any Englishman still cheering on his national side will forever be reduced to hoping that they will luck their way to a Final a la Greece in 2004, and will most likely, always end up disappointed.
Same as it ever was .
@ 64 Eandy
True. And odd, as you say.
@ 66 takeabowson
Spot on. Frustrating and sad. If we keep producing the players and Wodgson has the sense to use them, it could help. But the coaching system probably does need root and branch reform and for that to happen perhaps a new generation of suits has to take over the running of the game.
There is only one thing that matters and that is a resounding victory for Italy.
So I can get one over on that Lad Brokes. 8)
Germany though, have looked like they, at least, want to score goals, more than you can say for any of the other teams that got to the quarter finals.
Heh at Come on boys above, you just can’t keep that Wolfie personality at bay….
But that’s just it, Fun, I don’t think we (or at least the present system), does keep producing players. Since I’ve been watching football, you can probably count on one hand the number of technically proficient English footballers who have made an impact at International level.
Hoddle was by some distance the most technically gifted Englishman of his generation but was serially mistrusted by English managers in favour of the more reliable but altogether more prosaic Robson.
Gascoigne was beset by his own demons and a personality far more English than his talent.
Of the present lot, we only have Rooney and the potential of Jack and the Ox to demonstrate that we are capable of producing a technical footballer.
Footballers who can’t get a game for their National side – Arteta,Mata,Goetze – would,or at least,should walk into the England side .
Dr Z – He’s a monster, that Wolfie π
Afternoon all.
==
If we’re taking bets, then my money’s on the Rev’ having close ties to the good people at Sue’em Grabbit and Run.
====
Tabs, spot on about the coaching technique, or more precisely lack of, when it comes to teaching the youth.
Here in the Lowlands the kids are miles ahead of their English counterparts when it comes to the basics, ie simple ball control, technique and tactical awareness. The big kid is not the centre forward and the fat kid is not just stuck in goal. They’re taught how to love the ball and not treat it like it’s a lite molotov cocktail at a suicide bombers convention pass the parcel game.
Before some bright spark points out that England got futher then the Dutch, I do realise this, but this was just a bad tournament for the Oranje, where as for England this was the norm.
===
I think I should clarify my “twats on twitter” statement. I ‘m not going to apologise for it because I believe it to be a false media medium and dwelling place for far too many of the hard of thinking, but I do understand that not everybody that uses it is a twat and I wasn’t trying to offend those that can think for themselves.
Plus there were a lot of T words in the scentence and twit, twat tweet and truth, had a certain flow to it. π
===
Right, it’s 26 degrees outside and I’m off to a neighbourhood BBQ, Γ wouldn’t be too miffed if the thunderstorm (which is a coming) arrives in just a few hours so I can head back to the pub after a few bites and the customary hellos.
Have a good one and if you’re wondering the Germans will toy with the Itie’s before putting them to the sword tonight.
@ tabs
You misunderstand me, I agree that England don’t produce the players, by and large. I meant “we” as in Arsenal – Wilshere, AOC and Walcott (not technically gifted but you get my point). If a critical mass of England players, or the undroppable core of players in the side has the technical ability AND as a result the England football team has more success, or at least gains English football more credit, a new approach might start to filter through. If kids in the playground want to be AOC or Wilshere, perhaps that will have some effect? Only perhaps. They’ve both got enough combative qualities about them to please traditionalists. But I am clutching at straws, I know.
If our two WERE trusted by Wodgson, might it have some effect, is basically what I was saying. It would be a powerful symbol. Joachim Low has changed the style of Germany completely and they are lovign it even though the new side hasn’t won anything yet either. At least they are good to watch and people can feel proud.
@ H2H
“Theyβre taught how to love the ball and not treat it like itβs a lite molotov cocktail at a suicide bombers convention pass the parcel game.”
Ha ha ha
****
And I’m still laughing at the Half-time Groomer. Well done to whoever it was who came up with that nickname.
Ooooooooooopppppppppppsssssssss…pardon!!!!
International tournament football invariably becomes tight and tac-tical in the knock-out stages.
It’s one of the reasons – i think – that British teams – oh, alright then – the England team ( ‘cos let’s face it, no other British teams get that far any more) fail at the knock-out stages of international tournaments.
We’re not sophisticated enough tactically to live with the top tier teams when it comes to the le crunch.
And i can’t help wondering whether our mentality as supporters/fans plays a part in contributing to that failure.
Quarters, semis, finals are rarely end to end goal-fests (though you can do it Ita/Ger), and probably haven’t been for maybe 30/40 years or so.
Yet more or less each time a tournament rolls around, and reaches the latter stages, and the inevitable happens, some British fans/media get fed up with the football fare on show and declare the whole darn thing to be a big ol’ borefest.
But the all-round quality – defensively and offensively – of both teams involved at this point in a tournament, and the high-stakes resting on each result means that teams will run their effin’ sox orf trying to deny their opponents time and space, while simultaneously attempting to implement their own fairly sophisticated (in relative terms) offensive tac-tical plan; looking to nick a fine margin or two, here and there, and edge in front of their clued-up opponents.
(Fair enough, for cheap thrills, it’s rarely as exciting as the premiership – and most of us probably wouldn’t want it any other way. Plus all of us here have an emotional connection with our team there, too – which adds to the enjoyment/sense of involvement we feel.)
But late stages International tournament football – like the latter stages of the champs league (again, often tight/tac-tical matches) – is often a different, higher-end, subtler performing kettle of top-quality sturgeony eggy stuff.
(Blimey, even Brazil – 30 years ago – bit the tac-tical bullet when they realized they were no longer winning tournaments in the same manner as they had done in the past. And if they can bite it, then surely we should consider biting it too.)
Sometimes, like last night – teams cancel one another out – but not becomes they’re rubbish – but rather it’s because they’re the opposite of that.
Of course, like last night’s, they’re not always great games (those come fairly few and far between in the premiership, too), but to my mind they’re very often fascinating ones.
And if i was in one of me more provocative moods – i might suggest that some of the moaners and groaners here and elsewhere – are maybe/sometimes expressing little more than a kind of small island football philistinism of the sort that p’raps contributes to holding back the development of our own international sides – but i’m not, so i won’t.
Alternatively, for those who profess to hate the thing they keep on watching – ermmm, you don’t have to…i don’t think – (or do you like it more than you pretend… hmmmm?!??).
On the other side they’re showing Wimbledon all week!? Though personally, since one of our great, home-grown sporting superstars and all-round nice-guys – Vinny Jones – stopped playing there, i can’t bring meself to watch.
Please can someone advise on the etiquette regarding the controvery above about my “true identity”.
Do I stand forth and proudly declare myself to be
Hah, just stopped myself in time.
Or do I stand back smirking while more and more incorrect suggestions are made, and fortunes won and lost at the bookies.
Do we appeal to the guv’nor to check his records of my (hidden) email address – I’m using my usual one.
Or what…
tabs you might be pleased to see what happened here at the end of May in that case…
http://gu.com/p/38v7x
Psed i’m nuffink to do with sue’em, h…mine’s on TS
And v. fine stuff for thought tabs, H2H and FG…looks like a debate might be in danger of breaking out
Empty in here today…I’ll just help myself to some more Suntory whiskey, seeing as it magically healed my aching gums last night.
Hopefully today sees lots of goals and lots of exciting play. These nil-nils are doing my head in :/
I think tabs hit the nail on the head at 69 there with this comment: Footballers who canβt get a game for their National side β Arteta, Mata, Goetze β would, or at least, should walk into the England side .
Gotta plan for the future, no time for short term fixes….Don’t know how feasible it is for an England manager to say “I’m not expecting to win anything until the next generation come through” though….
@ CofR
Donβt know how feasible it is for an England manager to say βIβm not expecting to win anything until the next generation come throughβ though…
Did Wodgson say that?
Italy to bore the world (ok Yoorup) to death and win on penalties and the zico Β£5 goes marching on……
Great drinks above by Tabs, H2H, AL.
As for Sue’em Grabbit and Run, I suggest claiming to be one of the three of them (Tabs, H2H, AL). How can you go wrong??
Fun, apologies for misunderstanding. Yes indeed, Arsene, as per bloody usual, the one shining light in our game, illuminating the way forward.
‘Fraid I don’t really share your admittedly wary optimism though.
Ze Germans,from the administration of their League to their production of players, are light years ahead of us imho.
H2H , heh at the molotov metaphor and enjoy the barbecue.Agree with you on Twitter btw and I say that as someone who uses it. With the exception of The Holics and a few other people on there, I generally find myself wading through an awful lot of detritus to find anything that makes me laugh, much less so, think.
AL – Good points but I have to disagree with you on the main thrust of your argument, (or at least as I understand it).
I’m not sure that the England team play the way they do -, a slightly more advanced kick and rush – because of any fan pressure or even media pressure. On the contrary, the merest hint of technical creativity is lauded to the heavens.
I think we play that way because by and large we are not good enough to play any other way.
Nor would I accept that the harum-scarum speed of the Premiership negates the advantage of technical skill. Technical players thrive in the Premiership.The problem is is that they are almost all with only intermittent exception, foreign.
To me, it is all about how kids are coached from the age of 5. Until kids are taught to treat the ball as a friend rather than a threat, our present position as the philistines of Football will continue, no matter what tactics we employ.
AL @76 – Cheers for the link ,well its a start I guess, only 30 years behind the rest of the world π And ta for the kind ones. Enjoyed reading your post so right back at yer.
My tuppence ha’penny re Sue ‘Em – I’m going for Joe .
Last two paragraphs of 83 have firmly placed the head of the hammer on Mr Nail’s head.
International football is bad for the collective Arsenal health anyway, let’s not forget, our players more often than not, come back all broke.
Cheers 8ball
Tabs – the thrust of my ‘umble offering is pretty much totally concerned with tactical approach, i think – (not sure i mentioned technique once – though i could be wrong. But i reckon that – the technique one – is a separate argument all together), and the response of a wider football culture to certain types of tactics.
Glad you liked the link though – better late than never…
Ah fair enough AL , looks like I got the wrong end of the stick (again! ) π
That said, can tactics and technique be separated ? Isn’t the former predicated on the latter ?
To an extent – yes, of course, one is predicated on the other – i reckon.
But in terms of analysis/debate/argument whatever you want to call it – i reckon it would be foolish not to separate the two.
Plus the best/most sophisticated teams can employ various tactical approaches depending on the oppo/circumstances within a particular match etc. I imagine they can only do that having analysed, then practiced said various tactical approaches
I’m tipping Italy to spill some Bolognese sauce today, in a big way. π
Nurse abb, I noticed you saying in the drinks yesterday that I was overlooking Italy. You are right, I assumed Germany were going to win and I’m sticking to it but a lot of factors make me think Italy will compete well, including experience and gumption. I hope the game doesn’t turn out to be a gummy experience though. π
Rooting for Germany tonight. Italy are a great team and good to watch but they do have Balotelli in their squad. The Germans are exciting and have two of ours. If Per is ever going to get a game, that is. So no contest, for me.
Great game in prospect. I do hope that is not the KOD.
Somehow I’m expecting a more interesting game tonight.
Is this a vain hope?
A classic kiss of death?
Heh. Amazingly FunGunner, I didn’t see your post, as last post was still 87 when I typed (I had open th page some time ago).
So one question: are you Lars in disguise?
AL – Yep, fair enough, good stuff.
ArsΓ¨ne on being asked if tonight’s winner will be the tournament’s winner:
‘not necessarily, as Spain seem to have a way to anaesthetise other teams without creating many chances’.
Correct.
that poor girl holding the ball looks supernervous lol
After yesterday’s many centuries, it’s really gone a bit quiet.
*reverts to route 1 tactics and punts ball forward from the goalkeeping position*
*giroudesque chest down to second wave*
Ok
Ciao Gooners, buona sera. Good advice Holic re RVP. More later, game has started!
Simple and efficient zico.
Proper English-style goal.
Oops, sorry π
Evening abb and well in zico:)
Minimalist Diego scores 8)
Balotelli, mama mia!
Brilliant team goal, there! Well in, Ollie, Eandy and zico.
Ooh, close for Germany there! Positive start to the game, methinks.
Whew! Pirlo to the rescue.
Never a Diegoal, zico;)
‘More later, game has started!’, she said.
Not MUCH later then ;D
Poldi showing direct approach, damn I cant wait to see him playing for us.
Andy, You know, Germany has had more time to rest, NOT FAIR!
GIgi not having a great start, abb.
Better save just there though.
So did Portugal for yesterday’s game, abb.
oh close!
ha, Ollie – no, I am not Lars. I am reliably informed (by snowy) that I am in fact Ivan Gazidis in disguise.
by the way is it only me or the pitch is really that terrible as it looks like?
There’s been more action in the first 15 minutes of this game than in all the 120 minutes yesterday.
Gigi might do time in the ‘big house’…
Decent goal by Zico @ 100, but Ollie’s effort @ 102 is far better I think 8) π
Nice chest-down for the assist Eandy! π
@ Eandy
It does look a bit tufty. Non-squirrel tuftiness.
oooooooooooooh close
Italy comign right back. Come on you Germs.
Italy not shooting blanks!
Looks like Italy have already taken more than the predicted one shot. Happy days. π
I told you that Balotelli was a wrong ‘un. Sigh.
Re: Abb, What big house would that be? π
YEAH GOAL< SUPER MARIO!!!
Bollox
Balotelli with the majestic headed goal, Cassano made that well.
Balotelli scores, cracking game so far!
Wind 119, I suspect you mis-read me at 102 then….
Break out the Asti Spumanti !
oh balotteli, well worked goal..out of the blue hehe, game on lads!
More ‘shit defending’ really, Wind 128
Back to not supporting the same team as abb, but happy to nick some of her Asti Spumante.
Gah..different czech commentator today getting on my nerves already, keeps pronouncing Podolski as “podolskee”. Wonder if Italians will continue high pressing game or the cattanacio will commence soon.
A proper contest seems to have broken out. Who could have guessed??
Come on Podolski’s team – stick together and don’t lose faith in yourselves.
The Bolognese sauce has already started spilling. π π
How should Podolski be pronounced?
Incredible indeed, bt8.
As ArsΓ¨ne rightly points out, there’s already been more efforts on target that during the whole game last night.
Hi to everyone lars, eandy, 8 ball , andy as in gorham, fun, ollie and Holic, too….whoa, gigi, good save! And big hi to wind and all the lurkers!
“Podolski” the “i” is short at the end ..basically as you hear it in “lu lu song”:)
also if you want to go with real polish sound to it as it should be you should “soften” the “L” too but not that important heh *language window shuts down*
thanks, eandy.
hiya, abb
Hello abb!
Doesn’t Montolivo have a left foot?
Silly boy.
Ollie @ 130, I presumed that @ 102 the joke was that it was an English-esque goal, but Zico’s scottish no?
And agreed @ 133, but what he did was impressive still.
Hey FG, Let’s do lunch!
This is a really entertaining game, in my factual opinion.
That’s my Gigi!
Oh, God. (sobs)
Er yeah, sorry Wind, I thought you might have thought I was late in my goal.
Oh fuck, Balotecunt scores again π
Bloody hell, what a finish from Balotelli!
GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL MARIO< TE AMO!
nice shot by Khedira
Whoooaaaaaaaaaawaaaa! Foot ballontelli!!!
Bah Balotelli…some finish from that guy O.O
I just knew it…the best food, fashion, their roads still hold up…vive Italy!
While Germans are sponsoring all that stuff abb hehe π
Lukas has been honking this half btw….
Is it Arsenal vs Tottnum all over again?
Ah, Poldi, Poldi, should have done better there.
psed – Cheers tabs @ 95
right back (lahm?!) to that boring ol’ footie
Hey abb!
What a goal and what a celebration from Balotelli π
But I wish Germany would get back into this game, Podolski’s touch is worrying me… π
Oh, he’s ‘Super Mario Balotelli’ now?
*turns sound off depite Arsène*
One back before the interval, Germs? How about it?
Ollie @ 152, I’d thought you’d rate me a bit higher than that level of thinking mate! π
Hey Wind, Poldi doing ok, looks confident and a worker. Glad we have him.
Grovelling apologies again, Wind. It baffled me.
I’ve realised that despite trying to pretend otherwise, I still hate any Italian team.
This is the first game in Euros I will watch replay!
Woohoo – Germans completely out-thought in that first arf – surely they’ll make a tactical change or two and try to come again…
Gammon!
I don’t know, AL, they’ve had some great chances to score.
It’s just that their defending has been abysmal.
abb @ 168, good points and I agree with all of them, hoping he can be more clinical so Low isn’t inclined to pull him off…
Ollie @ 169, no worries, be more receptive you π
Well who saw that coming? π―
Dear me.
These neighbours are Mr and Mrs Ollie Badinfluence.
When does the football start?
WTF’s happened to ze Deutsers?
Ollie, you didn’t KOD them did ya?
*Goes to back drink.
I want Holic’s neighbours to move in next door to me…
Sorry ollie but the italians have largely controlled things – i think. They’re playing to a plan; letting the germans come on to them, then breaking in numbers. The germans are a good team so of course they’re in the thing and making chances – but for me the better team – so far – lead
OK if Germany scores quickly in the second half they will go on and win it – but they are going to have to bring on Klose or Reus to replace Koos
π
In keeping with the theme at 180, GT, they wish they had Kos.
AL, I’ll buy you a drink and dinner. Good eye.
Nurse – i look forward to it – with my good eye!
Ha, Ha Al.
wonder what the odds are on mario foot-ball-on-telli to get a second yelllow
Poldi down…meh :S
Haa – lawrenson calling summat else a bag o’ wind!
No more Podolski?
Might turn the telly off.
Still hope Germany win. But don’t believe.
Very annoyed Poldi got subbed off, was following his game closely tonight >:o
What excitement!!!
Good from Bonucci!
germans stepping up the game, this is so far easily the most enjoyable match of whole tourney.
What has Diamanti just put down his shorts?
Cassano off, Di Amanti on. Dove Di Natale?
FG, I seemed to have missed that…
So agree Eandy. Yellow for Bonucci…danger, danger!
Splendid, Oh Gigi, mi amore!
Fuck this. Germany will never score.
Goodnight.
Glad I’ll miss the cunty final.
abb 194, er, they don’t need a goal so why would they bring a striker who actually scores goals?
Lofted ball over…
It is to early but, I would be more pleased if we got Reus instead of Podolski for the same amount of money at Arsenal.
way too early I suppose, Germans were not at it whole first half, drags individual performances down too.
Is that what is known as a self-assist, Wind? Or a cheeky solo effort?
Ollie, Tiramisu and expresso will be served in the bar after the game. Holic picking up the tab.
Di Natale. I do like him, I have to admit.
Balotelli off (great game) and my fav, Di Natale on. Good luck sir!
Yes Gigi, claim that ball!
Whoa, almost #3 for Italy…
Gutsy footie by Di Natale!
Miles offside?
Italians known for their defending, god bless um!
..the keeper 8)
FunGunner @ 203, cheeky solo effort of course lol π
Almost a coronary…oh Gigi!
Pelanty for Germany and one goal back but surely that’s too little too late?
Baloney…PK for Germany. Damm!!!
Ah. Well done Italy. Now go and beat Spain.
If only Lahm had put that chance away early in the second half…
Well played Italy.
When’s some smart-alec pundit going to make a remark about the Euro? I say 10 minutes at the most.
Yeah! Italy win!!!! Wonderful drama from Neuer…this is what I want Woj to aspire too, Gigi and Neuer, bringing out the good stuff!!! Headers from Neuer, so brave and gutsy. Goalies do rule!!!
Up the Ities best team won – i reckon!
zico knows!
final a repeat of my favourite game of the tournament so far – yee haa!
And ermm – judging my comparative results spread over the tournament as a whole – think that makes Engerland thired best. Who needs technique and tactical nous!!!
Shame but not bitter after this semis, great entertainment provided by both teams and I might strangely find myself cheering for Italy in finals (which I thought after world cup 06 final will never ever be possible).
My = by but who’s counting
Oh, look at that!
It’s the zico fiver waltzing into the Final.
Uber what Holic?
Easy money H2H?
Tits up, Wolfie?
As an aside, Luca Vialli speaks infinitely better English than twatspatula Shearer……
Balotelli and 5mill for RVP ?
Discuss .
Didn’t see that coming.
Well played Italy.
Never ever tabs, Balotelli might be gifted player but real trouble for dressing room atmosphere, no need for inflated ego like his.
Due to the wonders of modern technology (and a wonder bra), my tits are always up Dr Z. π
Heh, Wolfgang.
There are 70 drinking vouchers on the line – you’re not the only one who needs support π
Will you be bankrupting Lad-Brokes Zico when your massive wager comes up? Btw my dog speaks better English than that twatspatula Shearer. Maybe due to the geordies close proximity to bonnie Scotland it is enough reason on its own to go for independence.
Yeh,you’re probably right Eandy, just fancied being a bit controversial.
If RVP does go, I fancy we will lack for a No.10, rather than a No.9.
Ballotelli a complete fruitcake but what a player.
Italians deserved it tonight I thought.Germans unusually accepting of their fate for the last half an hour.
Hey, hey – well played Lurky the first greenshoots of the Poldi as deadwood campaign see the light. Truly the season doth near
In that case Dr Z I hope you win and look forward to helping you spend your vouchers in The Tollie π
AL @231 heh π
Heh Uplympian, you could be on to something there regarding our near neighbours.
@232 – win or lose, it’ll happen π
Looking forward to a twenty fluid ounce share of zico’s winning here too TaBS π
Forza Italia!
‘ere the football gods have been tough on preening ponsy types these last 48hrs: first the pouting portugeezer denied the winning penalty photo opp last nite; then beckham ignored for the 5 ring thing despite all the international flesh-pressing and forever saying the right, deeply uninteresting/PR oked blandyblahblah bullshitty thing – and now the germans, who played as though they seemed to believe that they only had to turn up tonite to waltz through to the grand finale – maybes. Oil well
5 ring thing, heh.
AL, ou kill me. π
Ou=you
8ball @ 61 –
You flatter me, good sir, but I continue to be a loyal associate of the venerable firm, Dewey Cheatham & Howe PLC.
Well done Italy. Well done.
So I take it that RvP is off, eh? (I know ‘Hols says to be cool, but I’m fatalistic). Let’s rid ourselves of the folks who don’t want to be here.
I want a team. A group of guys who are will fight for that last inch of dirt on the pitch. Guys oho are willing to bleed, to cry, to scratch, to die for that last inch…(that’s right, I’m channeling Al Pacino) because they know that when you add up all those inches that’s what’s going to make the difference between WINNING and LOSING…between LIVING and DYING.
For those who really want to get amped up:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rFx6OFooCs
BMBD.
Ozil looked so gutted after the match, like he would of been happier if he hadn’t gotten on the scoresheet π
But in light of recent events… Forza Italia!
Hey Lonestar! Well said. Leads to my defense of Poldi. Remember Snir provided that link about Lukas, how he supported the local community, good deeds, etc. Very telling, he’s what 26 or so? He chose Arsenal, WANTS to play for us. He’ll get the job done, Giroud, Theo, Ox and hopefully Robin, as a team.
Wind, Ozil always looks a bit ‘winded’ (sorry), but he sure is a joy to watch!
AL @236,
Au Contraire. Some of us preening poncey types are still very much thriving.
I have my own “5 ring thing” challenge this Saturday π
Puts it away with aplomb π
In that case Zee, mines a pair o’ Prides once you collect on Sundee. One to drink and one to spill o’ course
Hey Wolfie – am sure you’ll rise to it
AL π
Campari and soda it is for me then Dr Z π
italia, italia, italia…
dancing in the streets, let’s do that to spain…balotelli is scum for city, but an angel dancing on the head of a pin for italy!
italia, italia, italia…
Lonestar – who said RvP is off??
I’m in the “keep him at all costs” camp. Add to our squad and we will challenge. Replace and we will recover enough for third.
(lurking on subs bench, doing impossibly bendy stretches to try and catch manager’s eye) 52 comments to go…
abb @ 242, I’ll allow it π
Tabs, good work around @66 etc, and AL on the international tactics thing.
I haven’t had time to read all the drinks carefully but enough to know that I definitely agree with Tabs on the issue of the quality of future England teams.
AL, I imagine, has me down as a moaner and groaner/small island philistine as I have been pretty critical of what I have seen in the championships so far.
I do think that far too many of the games I have seen have looked surprisingly League One-ish, with a surprisingly poor level of technical ability for European international teams.
Many of the games have lacked goal scoring opportumities and ambition to go out and win the game from either team.
On that basis, I think many of the games have been dull and generally poor, and the spectacle is not improved by the honest fact that I don’t really care – other than England – who wins the games.
If that makes me a moaner and groaner then so be it.
‘Small island philistine’ I am not having though.
I have attended talks given by international sports people many times – including, say it quietly, Hans Segers who gave a really interesting view of Ajax and the contrast between the Dutch and English systems of youth development.
That essentially completely backed up a caller I heard on radio last week, who had recently passed his Level One football coaching qualification. He explained that in a 60 minute session he leads for his son’s team, the boys spend 60 minutes with the ball.
At a 60 minute session he attended, led by FA coaches – supposedly much higher qualified – the boys spent the first 15 minutes warming up by playing “what you and I would call British Bulldog”, and then started doing sprint relay races. They only got to play with the ball during 5-a-side games run at the end of the session.
From my own observations of coaching sessions at a local youth team, it is sadly all too believable.
My dislike of international football is born of it’s poor quality, the fact that there is far too much of it, and the disruption it causes to our league season and our player’s health and form. Not because I am a small island minded philistine.
Wolfgang @243. π
Well said Trev @ 251: Your final sentence sums up how I feel about international football perfectly. Maybe its because its I always ‘feel’ so at home in which ever country I am in – and I have spent extended time in several places – that I gave up the idea of nationality long ago. I have supported Holland for years ever since the great Netherlands teams of the 1970s when they should have won everything but didn’t. Every tournament I choose Holland plus one other. Last world cup it was them & Spain. This year I added Germany (a first for me)… For many years Italy was my favorite ‘other’ team – and its strange to see them win playing so well. I am happy for them, but it feels like if you ran into your ex only to find that she’s doing a lot better with her new husband than she ever did with you! Strange feeling…
Now we have Spain vs Italy on Sunday and I really don’t care who wins at all. I suppose I will be relaxed enough to actually enjoy the game ..
π
Trev251: spot on.
Spain v Italy will be a strange final. Two teams that haven’t really convinced yet have done enough to win regardless.
Terry, Ned, cheers.
Good points GT. I too lived abroad for short periods a couple of times.
That and the international nature of our own club side, plus the unpleasantness of too many of the current national side, does not induce me to go all nationalistic at the sight of a foreign team.
Daughter said she wanted to go to the swimming pool when the score was 1-0 so not inordinately caring about the game I went with her and seeing the result can only say “Bravo, Italia.”
I thought the Germans were good, provided us with entertainment but the Manager saw the italians coming, panicked, changed things around in the line up and ruined it all. This is what history does, the italians have an amazing record against the germans, and I think that was enough to put fear in them. the same situation with England’s history with the Penalties also played a part in the deafeat, every failed penalty shoot out adds more pressure on the next generations to come.
I can’t wait for the season to start, I have to say I’m bored watching neutral football, it does not excite me. i love the Arsenal roller coaster, can’t wait.
Thoughts anyone?
http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/photos-and-videos/videos/feature-the-making-of-van-persie.html
@80: Sorry about the late response Fun, I fell asleep with a whiskey bottle in my hand…drinks literally pour out of the bar when I’m with the Sandman π
I meant hypothetically. I don’t Roy has said anything like that. Too busy flattering the wig-wearer. I was just thinkging that if a national team manager were to come out and say something like that (e.g. Don’t expect anything for the next couple of tournaments etc) I figure people might be upset even if they felt it was true.
Snir, Either Wenger is being deluded again, or his confidence is well founded and RvP is staying in an attack force that could certainly challenge for trophies on several fronts. I wasn’t betting against Wenger last summer and turned out to be wrong, but I really wouldn’t bet against him two summers in a row, especially seeing the quiet confidence that he is emitting on this issue.
Oops! #260 was really courtesy of me. π³
8ball – Last summer he was extremely confident as well, but had his hand forced by the board who vetoed Nasri’s stay and forced AW to sell him.
This time, things are different.
Not only because it’s the 6th year after moving to the Ems (the “5 year struggling period” is over), but because we’re seeing AW being ruthless in the transfer market and the Club doing well as a whole in the last year or two by striking deals with Airtel, Indesit, Citroen, Carlsberg, etc.
If we get a trophy this year and keep our image (and not turn into a City feeder club!), we’ll be a powerhouse, and not because of our potential, but because our commercial deals are up for renegotiation next season.
It’s about time we get the amount we deserve.
Many seem to be close to saturation with international football so I hesitated (only briefly π before deciding to link to this interesting article about Belo Horizonte’s preparations for the 2014 World Cup.
Snir, This corporate sponsorship business leaves me cold. Tuborg, please. π
Snir, What I do like is your sentence, the β5 year struggling periodβ is over. I’ll drink to that. π
Snir: You and I have spoken about this a lot. Like you I believe that RvP will stay but I am prepared to accept him going too. I’d hate if he went to City. It would damage our reputation if he did. But if he’s just going to play out his contract and leave for nothing next Summer then I’d rather cash in on him now. I mean if he is prepared to ignore the wishes of his wife & mother; Arsenal Wenger & all the Arsenal players; millions of fans from around the world, then he really wants to go! If he really wants to go that badly then we will not get the best out of him next season anyway. Best to sell him with our best memories of him intact instead of running the risk that we will turn against him if he doesn’t pull his weight next season..
A touch of inanity before I turn in for the night.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeOXsA8sp_E
@258: Hey Snir, it could be just me but the way the Boss stressed in the Premier League seems to mean like we’re fighting against a transfer bid from a club overseas…
Like many of the others in the bar I think he’ll stay but, should he go I’ll be pretty disappointed (not suicidal though)
@267: 8ball, out of 10 I rate that drink an 11 8)
GT – If he wants to leave and he’s held to his last year on his contract, then he’ll have to pull his weight in order to get that fat paycheck that he’s hoping to get.
If he pulls his weight (which I believe he has to, to get a fat paycheck), then he is worth keeping as he is the best striker in the EPL.
In addition, if the club wanting him is City, I’d keep him at all costs, because that would definitely tarnish our image. Even if he stinks the place out next season. We CANNOT sell to City.
Trev @ 251: quite difficult to pick the bones outta all oβ that lot as I think youβre responding to a posting of mine, and one of tabsβ simultaneously – with some interesting personal experience stuff chucked in too. Sooo Iβm just gonna have a go at your last para, if I mayβ¦
*Your first point that your dislike of international football is born of its, in your opinion, βpoor qualityβ : I donβt think that was the case re this tournament, overall. Certainly there were poor games and even some poor teams too, but you get that lark in all sports, across all competitions; and that very much includes the premiership β every single weekend of the season. There were also plenty of excellent, cleverly tactical, highly technical games involving excellent, cleverly tactical, highly technical teams, and good ones involving good teams, too β often when there was a great deal at stake. Certainly the knock-out rounds got very tight and tactical β but then they usually do. And I think that often makes fascinating watching – though not always. But to my failing memory this been a much better/higher quality, more enjoyable tournament than the 2010 world cup. Myself, I was pleased to be pleasantly surprised by that.
*There is far too much of βitβ (international football). Is there? These international tournaments happen for players, at most, every 2 years (the ACNβs gone a bit bonkas – for one year only), and they take place in the close season (bar the ACN). And the qualifiers have to be gone through to get us there. Are they really that much of a burden? As a fan of footballing cultures coming up against one another on the international stage every few years, I donβt think so. Interlulls can be a bit of a bore but hey ho. And granted there are too many meaningless international friendlies in between times, but thatβs another (admin) issue altogether.
*The disruption βitβ causes our league season: As regards this tournament, it took place in the close-season so thatβs a moot point. Re-qualifiers Iβve already gone on about that above.
*It affects βour players health and formβ: Arguably the very definition of a somewhat parochial point of view, possibly. Itβs unfortunate when/if it happens, but players can lose form/get injured at anytime. Plus top-class sportsmen belong to their countries/national teams as well as to their clubs. Itβs a given of most top-level team sports β I think. The partisan club man or woman might not always like that fact β but we have to suck it up and get on with it, and be accepting of the broader/international picture, i reckon.
*I could possibly/maybe/pβraps suggest that the first four points you make in your final paragraph @251 could potentially be viewed as undermining the final point you make in that paragraph. But I wonβt β because I donβt think that ultimately that would be being fair to you. And by the way, I genuinely appreciate that you took the time out to respond to my ramblings @74 – so, ta.
Chow amigos β coffees all round. Please.
Psed β oops, pardon for any typos abvoe.
I see there was no last minute miracle after all.
And this morning I realised that I don’t really know who to support in the final. I’m not that convinced that I want to support Italy.
Anyway, it’s all academical, now I feel lucky that I won’t have to watch the cuntfest.
Not sure my backdrinking has been thorough, but may I be the first (at last) to congratulate Wind on number 200?
ALthough I guess FG’s203 might qualify.
AL,
Not convinced that players “belong” to their countries – unless they are prepared to pick up a players wages for the length of time that theysit out, having bern sent back broken.
If you care to disagree, just say so – I have to go to work today π
Interesting thoughts on tacticts/technique/national sides by several drinkers. My tuppenceworth is this: the reason I find tournaments like the Euros and often the World Cup to be generally quite boring (though for the most part Euro2012 has been rather entertaining in general, I’m with AL on that one) is that too few teams set out to win games from their own strength rather than waiting for the opposition to make a mistake. Even the Spanish have done that in this tournament, they do their tippy-tappy and call it attacking football but for me it’s just a variation of the parked bus tactic. They roll the ball around and wait for the opposition to make a defensive mistake and then score a goal and win 1-0. Italy-Germany was the complete opposite for me, both teams went for it and tried to score from their own creativity. Sure, Italy retreated a bit in the second half but no one can say they didn’t try to attack in the first half. They could have been 4-0 up by half-time just as well as level on 2-2.
AL: “As a fan of footballing cultures coming up against one another on the international stage every few years, I donβt think so.”
I totally see your point here and I agree to a certain extent, but today it would, in my mind, actually make more sense if the big tournaments were not between countries but rather between leagues instead. When international footie started, almost every player played in their own country (except for in Britain where loads of Scots played in England) so it made sense to see which federation had the best league and the best players. The best players in a league was pretty much the same thing as the best players in that country, and up until not too long ago that was still not miles away from the truth. African players, just to take one example, in European leagues were few and far between well into the 1990’s, but today we see them everywhere. Same with Russian players and players from behind what was once the Iron Curtain etc etc. I would therefor argue that a World Cup where the teams are not Italy, Spain, England and so on but the Premier League, La Liga, Seria A, SPL and so on would make more sense in that respect.
Havid said that, however, that would never work because for the foreseeable future, the semi-finalists in such a tournament would always be Serie A, Bundesliga, La Liga and the Premier Legaue unless they happened to be matched up against each other at an earlier stage in the tournament. But I don’t see it as a given that players belong to their national teams just because international football exists.
Anyways, a very interesting debate that certainly deserves to be celebrated with a few drinks. Barman, line ’em up please!
Totally different topic but I’ve been pretty curious as to what’s going to happen with Bartley, Lansbury, Eastmond, Watt and a few others of the academy graduates who are in limbo. Came across this blog about Bartley. Seems like a lot of people don’t really rate him…
http://themarblehalls.com/2012/06/25/kyle-bartley-we-drooling-raw-style-hard-hitting-tackles-fearless-attitude/
I had hoped he would’ve been able to step in as a 4th/5th choice CB but doesn’t seem likely…
So we’re sponsored by Indesit are we? That explains why Arsenal players are such ‘clean’ strikers of the ball.
I’ll get my training top.
Very interesting points by Lars@276.
I always feel that watching Barcelona and Spain isn’t all that interesting and that the dozens of 3-yard passes that they make do nothing to raise the heartbeat. Comparing that style to a parked bus very much hits the nail on the head for me.
I also like the idea that international competitions should be between leagues rather than countries. So doing would absolve the FA from the need to teach children to “Love the ball” as was much talked of earlier in the Bar. At first sight that seems like a bad idea, but since the Premier League, who would be representing England in the competitions (sorry, all you non-English gooners out there) wouldn’t be restricted to players educated by the FA that wouldn’t matter. Indeed, as the FA are demonstrably incapable of producing a environment that allows skillful players to develop, for (potential) England supporters it wouldn’t matter.
It might also serve to defuse some of the rabid xenophobia of teh English press – I don’t imagine that if Dudu had been eligible to play for a Premier League side there would have been quite as much vitriol launched against him in the wake of the Champions League qualifier against Celtic a few years back. (That incident was the last straw for me as far as being more than slightly interested in England’s performances.)
The “problem” about the predictability of the semi-finalists could be overcome by any nation that cared enough, by throwing money at their league in the way the FA have done for the Premier League. I’m not happy that this should be so, but it’s the way the world works.
Of course, holding international competitions between leagues rather than countries will never happen, so it’s all moot anyway. Isn’t it π
Ollie @ 273, why thank you my good fellow, delightful assist as well, didn’t see it until the last.
The rest of you pricks (bar FunGunner @ 203) can feck off! π
Up yours Wind #FFF
278 CG …..that’ll put a new spin on it!!
I’ll get my track suit bottoms & jog on. βΊ
Good morning chums.
Today I (and Dr C) will be dodging the showers to whack a little ball around the finest English countryside.
Meanwhile, hopefully, some parolees will be getting whacked around some of London’s finest real estate.
It’s another Lords Friday, and I’m missing it π
Anybody knows the weather forecast for Dorset this weekend?
Today I (and Dr C) will be dodging the showers to whack a little ball around the finest English countryside.
At least that should get you away from the neighbours, ‘holic π
http://www.football365.com/news/21554/7850995/AVB-Expected-To-Be-Named-Tottenham-Boss
You DO remember you read it here first π
Actually ..if that happens it concerns me a bit Ollie, AVB actually has vision and skill to pull something off for Sp*rs
Well Eandy he had vision and skill to pull something off at the Bus Stop, didn’t he?
I am not overly fussed yet, and as I said, we learned the thing about his mother a few weeks ago now.
Of course, I’d prefer they went for someone like water-carrying dwarf cunt, but perhaps he’ll take over France after his mate.
Well he didnt get too much time at Bus Stop plus he had to work with the likes of Terry, Lampard and co – all thinking of themselves as half-coaches…lets just say that I wouldnt want that guy to work with LWCs..
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/winner-announced-for-giroud-s-signed-shirt-
Either the entries were very poor, or they chose the winner randomly.
I assume ‘much deliberation’ is a typo and they meant ‘much libation’.
Glad to see our corporate machine putting up an article on the intranet on our Optical networks for the coverage of Euro 2012 and acknowledging some people who contributed zero, while totally overlooking others who no doubt did more (like me, but not just me) as they are no longer in Optics thanks to the powers that be.
Fuck’em.
New edition of Arsenal Magazine.
http://www.francefootball.fr/fonctions/preview.html
Oops, sorry, no, it’s France Football.
With the Henry reference in the quote, and the Nasri/Gallas spat, it sure is an Arsenal-themed cover.
284 Dorset weather forecast is Ollie is mediocre Today & tomorrow cloudy and showers. Sunday cloudy and maybe…just maybe…that yellow spherical object might make a cameo appearance.what’s up?
There’s a Portuguese in the final and it won’t be Ronaldo.
The ref has been chosen (thankfully it won’t be Howard Webb)
@ 251 Trev, also tabs
This is the message we get – coaching and development needs a totally different mindset from top to bottom.
@ 259 Cannons of Rhetoric
ha ha. I see your point, was being a bit literal.
@ 287 Eandy
I agree – AVB at Sp*rs is not good news.
@ 290 Ollie (not G)
I suspect most of them were too salacious to publish.
Cheers Ups.
heh FG π
Off for lunch.
*kicks ball, Carlos-style*
Times his run…
Bang!
Scotland Lurkers 1 – Holland Lurkers 0. – well in Zico.
hopefully not yet linked piece on OG π http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2012/jun/26/olivier-giroud-arsenal
Heh, Uplympian.
The question is
Can I do it on a cold Tuesday night at Stoke?
Of course. 8)
Heh Zico….I guess only Roxette can give the answer to that!
Where’s your mate Diego Maradona – “resting & recuperating”
at the local Priory clinic perhaps? βΊ
Zico, that’s because a cold Tuesday night in Stoke is around the same tempreture as a hot summers day way up your way,. π
Well in though.
Eandy….that’s a good article in The Guardian..seems like OG’s head is in the right place…unlike most modern footballers where it is firmly up their own arse..nal.
Correct @ 304 and 305.
Roxette however advises me that I would arrive too early……whatever could she mean?
Eandy @ 302
I’m looking forward to seeing Olivier the epicurean – if he likes to go to a good tasting session it’s only a matter of time before he makes it to the Tollington….
Tabs:
Wonderful comments at 83 & 66. There is a lack of technical coaching throughout the British Isles and not just England. Until that changes, nothing will change.
You’ll appreciate Chippy’s comment last night on RTE, when he described Pirlo’s performance as a masterclass of control and technique in midfield saying that the only thing he was missing………was a cigar!
And as for “Sue em Grabbit and Run”, not me I’m afraid!
Zico:
14/1 looks good now !
I have a soft spot for the Italians. Despite the fact that the Italian league has been suffering, they are a very proud nation and rightfully too. They’ve a wonderful keeper, superb defenders, a midfield maestro and two potent forwards in Balotelli and Di Natalie.
Spain are all about possession in midfield and do not even play with a striker at times. As a result, their defense is rarely tested.
Of course, they have already played each other in this tournament and while Spain pressed them hard, the Italians still managed to create chances. The final will be two teams of contrasting styles and it should be an intriguing affair.
Trev,
I take and agree with all the points you make in relation to coaching and technical ability. In fact, I always enjoy you reading your contributions and points because they always seem to make such sense
With regards to the standard of football – I would agree as well. I think Wenger is on record as saying that in 99% of cases, International football is of a lower standard by comparison to club football.
And I’d be the first to say, and indeed I said it from the start, that the little green Isle did ever so well to even qualify, let alone expect to qualify from a group that included the two finalists. We just do not have the players.
That said, I have really enjoyed this competition. While, like every competition there have been poor games and poor teams, some of the football has been wonderful to watch. And, contrary to the PL, I cannot remember a tournament where there has been a pretty high level of refereeing that has not had a direct impact on end results (if we can except the goal line decision against the Ukraine).
German precision again from zico at 300.
zico 308 I can confirm that Olivier will be in the Tollington many times next season.
Heh Olivier,
Can you bring the one who doesn’t have red ‘air? π
Afternoon Wild-side Walkers,
Fun @249 “Bendy stretches” – wearing pink boots and showing your pants I presume ?
Trev @251 – Good stuff and cheers for the kind ones. I have to say that I have enjoyed the Euros far more than you it would seem, though I would largely agree with your last paragraph.As regards the coaching in this country, my views are already out there. I couldn’t agree with you more.
Snir @270 – Sorry mate, but you haven’t convinced me. I too desperately want RVP to stay, but crucially only if he himself wants to stay. If he wants to be somewhere else, we simply don’t get the same player. He does not need to “pull his weight in order to get a big fat paycheck”. People have seen what he can do. A mediocre season won’t put them off especially when they will be getting him for free. It’s a no-brainer for them.The only thing RVP will have to worry about is keeping fit.That is bound, even its only subconsciously, to affect him.
Secondly if we keep him to his contract we face a whole season of constant speculation. The effect on the dressing room being led by a Captain who wants away should not be underestimated. We’ve been down that road before.
Agree with GT, even though it will hurt in the short term. If he doesn’t want to be here, bank the Β£30mill, and use it to replace him. Plenty of great players out there.
Let’s hope however he comes back from his hols and tells us all how much he loves us and puts pen to paper.
AL @271 – Agree that this tournament has been much more enjoyable than the last World Cup, although I would maintain that International football can’t hold a candle to top level club football.
I have to say however I think you’re on far dodgier ground defending the amount of International football.The ridiculous and meaningless International friendlies which punctuate the season should be banned forthwith. I would also argue that a good percentage of Qualifying games are meaningless money-spinners. England vs San Marino ?
The minnows such as San Marino,Scotland ( π ) etc, should have to play qualifiers to get into the qualifying if you get my drift.That would cut the games by at least a third.
Lars @276 – Good stuff. Can’t see your League vs League comp taking off though.
Ollie @288 “water-carrying dwarf cunt” – Inspired π π
I think the copyright lies with ‘holic, tabs. At least for the ‘dwarf’ bit.
Also regarding your point about qualifiers, remember next Euros will have 24 teamsm. So San Marino vs Scotland might be decisive for qualification to the main tournament in fact!
As for RvP, unlike Cesc I don’t think RvP particularly wants to be somewhere else. It’s only Darren Dein who really wants that.
Agree on the need for an extension though, I don’t at all like the idea of ‘he’ll stay but not sign on’, or even ‘he’ll stay and will reassess after another season’.
I think the club are doing/have done their bit. So now, Rob(y)n, Show Me Love.
After backdrinking, I came across the International competition for leagues suggestion.
After not much thought at all, I have decided that I would be very against such an idea, even the thought of it makes me feel quite ill. What you’d basically get is a Mercanarys Cup. the best players go to the leagues that offer the best wages, they have no particular love or link to the country they’re playing in, but the dosh is good. Look at Carlos Tevez, but not for too long ‘cos his ugliness would turn Medusa to stone, he makes millions has played in the UK for ages, yet hardly speaks a word of English, Wayne Rooney the same.
The competition would only work if it was between England, Spain, Italy and Germany, the other countries wouldn’t get a look in. There are teams in the Championship that get higher crowds then a majority of teams in some other county’s highest leagues in Europe.
The βproblemβ about the predictability of the semi-finalists could be overcome by any nation that cared enough, by throwing money at their league in the way the FA have done for the Premier League.
This could/would never work in smaller nations or nations with smaller populations. You can throw all the money you want at a club in a smaller league, but what would be the point and how would you get even a small part of your investment back? It’s not for nothing that Billionaire Sugar Daddy’s aren’t lining up to take over control of clubs in, Ireland, Iceland, Poland or even traditionally strong footballing nations like the Netherlands.
But as Oxon pointed out it is indeed a moot point, yet like it or not, international football is not going anywhere. As Arsenal supporters we demand the highest level of performances from the very best players we can attract to our beloved club….. And thats the Catch 22, the best players are inevitably going to be picked to represent their countries, a team that wants to challenge for honours is a team who’s going to be full of Internationals, it’s just the way it is.
If it irrates you to the point that you can’t take it anymore that our players are away for international duty then may I suggest that you turn your interest to a team in a lower division or Stoke City. π
Cheers for the kind words Joe, and yes I certainly would have appreciated listening to Chippy.
The BBC pundits (don’t even get me started on the ITV ones), have been slowly cooking my noodle.
Amazing that the standard of punditry on the Beeb has only been enjoyable when the foreigners have got involved. Klinsmann, Vialli, and Seedorf have all highlighted just how tired and cliche-ridden the usual suspects of Hansen and Shearer are.
It would appear that it is not just on the pitch that we are sadly miles behind .
Ollie 315.
Nice early 90’s House reference. Me likes.
By the way, forgot to mention, Villas-Boas told me that he’d make Tottenham great, I said Liar, fuckin’ fuckin’ Liar !
Quote Of The Week
“I thank Blackburn Rovers, the fans, fellow players for making my one season there seem like a decade” – Yakubu escapes to China.
Heh, classic Yak.
tabs 319 :thumbup:
@316: Not even Stoke is safe mate! Walters played for Ireland against Spain….shudder π
tabs@313 and H2H@316: as I said, it would never work and I am not in any way advocating such an idea. Like H2H says, it would be a Mercenarys Cup. I just used that to try to put international footie in a context which is not considered too often.
Last week Shearer was berating Balotelli, taunting him with the ol “he hasn’t won anyting in his career” jibe, when even at the ripe old age of 21 he has achieved more then the gormless Geordie.
Last night he had his tongue so far up his arse it would of been impossible to decypher where one of them stopped and the other began. Terrible, terrible, terrible so called expert punditry, it really was quite sickening. But MOTD did redeem themselves a little by having Vialli and Klinsman on the show to add a bit of class to the preceedings, it was also nice to finally have guests who had a command of the English language.
it would be a Mercenarys Cup
Well, great idea then indeed.
Have a Qatari, Emirati, etc buy the rights to each ‘country’.
Fucking keyboard.
Then fill that specific league with your Adebayors, Nasris, Tevez, etc. so we can enjoy the League with footballers who love football.
Hmmm, that wouldn’t work would it?
Ollie @320 heh π
H2H – Exactly !
Totally agree with tabs on his comments regarding RvP @ 316.
Unfortunately, his appreciation of fish lacks the finesse required of such a slippery subject (as BtM will confirm). π
135 minutes until the Guinness dash……
Dr Z, eh ?
What’s fish got to do with it ? π
I thought I was on Rock solid ground there.
Joe – many thanks for your kind words, and very much likewise back at you sir.
And please don’t think I was having a go at countries like Ireland who, as you say, simply don’t have the players.
More on that later when I have a bit more time.
H2H – various bits of good comedy and sense above, as usual. π
Zico, Tabs – more puntastic fishiness ? There can’t be any left to do? π
Cheers tabs and Trev.
May I be the first to offer all a Friday tipple.
Draught Amstel is being poured for those who are so inclined.
Agreed, by the way, on the foreign pundits.
Guess you can only talk about what you know, and the Germans said, after the last World Cup, that it was very quickly clear to them that the English players had not cottoned on to their tactics. (see, some teams have them, some don’t).
If, as players, our pundits have never learnt the finer points of tactics and technique, they can’treally be expected to explain a lot about them.
Hansen, Lawrenson and Shearer sound, to me, like men who know a lot about British Bulldog and running round the pitch.
@ 329
Sorry, numerically challenged.
I agree with tabs on his last two paras @ 313.
My fly comment about fish stands though. π
And I also agree with his comments on RvP…..
Feck, Guinness, please.
Now. π₯
Cheers H2H – i’ll have mine as soon as the last back and neck manipulations of the day are complete.
Folks seem to prefer it that way. π
Your flies always look fishy to me, zico. π
Work. π
One of the dishes on offer for lunch in the canteen was a fish I’d never heard the name of.
Sadly I’ve already forgotten what it was, and I think I made a mental note that it wasn’t punnable.
Not that I would know the English version of it, mind.
Well wikipedia is my friend (you can have ‘list of fish names’) so here it is:
http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brosme_brosme
Given the various names they give in English, it seems more punnable now.
Trev,
Get off your perch…. π
Park is in the South Korea Olympic squad: better than Beckham.
Dr Z , your preoccupation with fish is, of itself, fishy.
I have a healthy respect for the fish, but I don’t get carried away with “fish-love” as you chaps north of the border appear to do.
I am of course a recent convert to the pleasures of the fish. In a moment of drunken weakness, I allowed myself to be lured into the Holloway Rd Fish Bar after the Norwich game.
Who can really say what mystical processes had been unleashed which led me to their door ? Perhaps it was the oily skin and fragrant “chippy” smell of Michelle, chief potato peeler.
Whatever the motivation, the experience left me with a profound and deeply-felt regard for the fish. I now find I go weak at the knees at the sight of a cod, I find myself constantly surprised by the intelligence of the Plaice, whilst the charms of the Haddock send me into paroxysms of pleasure.
But I don’t go on about it like you chaps. That would be silly.
http://www.groover.fr/2012/06/29/giroud-henry-example/
Giroud’s France Football quotes.
Alright Snir, you promised us some rumours a couple of days ago.
I have been holding my breath ever since and am beginning to turn blue.
Spill the beans mate !
I heard a rumour:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YP-ZUbSmkRM
Rumour
Everyone needs good neighbours
haha Dr Z
Ask a silly question … π
Right , outta here .
tabs @ 342, haha! π
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/six-young-gunners-sign-professional-terms
Brandon Ormonde-Ottewill.
I hope he makes it.
On top of the amazing name, I wonder if he will be the first player it’s all right to B.O.O…..
*gets coat*
Ollie – many hehs! Over the last 15,000 drinks. π
Oh you beautiful languid temptress,
You black and white beauty,
Let me get my hands round your body, both hands….
Oh yes, DRINK
Tally ho, chaps! See you on the other side of madness……
You’ll need a Guiness after that ….. π
Tabs, I asked if people want rumors and nobody replied:)
Apart from the regular Mvila rumors, we’ve bid for Emiliano Viviano as a backup GK, for Dzagoev and interest in Dempsey is rising.
AL –
Thanks for not being unfair to me at the end of your @271, ‘cos that would have been, well, unfair.
You’re just going to have to take my word for it, that I am not a small island minded philistine. Over time I have been involved in football, skiing and tennis coaching, and have always had a keen interest in how those at the top of the various sports have gone about their business.
In the main they have been foreigners who I have been keen and happy to learn from, so there is no small island mentality I can assure you.
It seems others here have found the Euros more entertaining than I, and Imust concede that I did not watch many of the early games due to work. I apologise if I have been too harsh but I have to say that the episodes of head tennis and mis-control and long balls i saw in the earlier games,put me off watching too much of it too.
Tactics? Not sure.
To me, there seemed to be a few Tactical Emporers directing operations in their shiny new clothes,but too much of it boiled down to crowding out the middle of the pitch and chasing long balls over the top.
Some have been very busy on the touchline, but to what end.?
Rafa Benitez often looked like a bookie who had been wired into the national grid during his Liverpool reign, but what great tactics did they have. Maybe we see what we want to see, or not.
If you are lucky enough to enjoy international football, then I genuinely wish you all the best with it, but it does interfere with the league season to too great an extent, imo.
You cannot say that international friendlies are a completely different matter, ‘cos it’s the same countries taking the same players. And it’s for two weeks every month at the beginning of every new season, just as teams are trying to bed in their new players and find some form and consistency.
Players who have played inthe Euros will miss large parts of pre-season which impacts on them and their teams and, therefore, us, the supporters who are ultimately paying these guys to play for us.
I’m not trying to change your mind AL, or make you agree with me – well maybe just that I’m not merely being small minded.
Guiness on the bar for you mate. Lars’ tab.
Snir, that’s because people want rumours π
http://www.football365.com/
I have to give the general link as it is now, as when you click on the corresponding article it’s not the actual title:
‘Jogi: Bear with us’. I wonder if they’ll include themselves in Mediawatch for this one.
Re: Ollie @341: I am confused. Is Beckham in the South Korean Olympic squad. If so, I say Tally Ho, Kim Chee, and other such tripe. π
Well no he isn’t. That’s why Park is better, duh. π
Trev at 356,
You are trying to much, mate:) Let it go. Sometimes it is just not worth it:).
Did I mentioned that I am with you that this Euro was not that interesting as some proven football pundits with experience make it to be.
Lot of defensive tactics, there were goals, but the main philosophy of many teams was not to score but- not to concede. Like watching Chelsea against Chelsea.
Lack of archetypal star players, guiding their team every game (if you count our old mate Pirlo there, you are making my point).
Especially lack of new players, hungry for success, new role models for the next generations (is Balloteli that sort?). Reus has been very close to that if only he was given more minutes.
But what do I know, as I thought yesterday that Podolski had a bad tournament, and that was immediately translated to deadwood in some language I am unfamiliar with.
Interestingly, some guy usually known as Blogs, sad the same about Podolski this morning as I did. But, what does he knows, anyway.
Kisses ALL
It’s very quiet here.
People don’t realise I won’t have another drink until sunday very late or monday.
Well, I will probably have some real drinks for a change.
Good point, lurky:
Like watching Chelsea against Chelsea
*shudders*
Less anguish has driven people to suicide.
Hi honey, I’m home. Any drinks to worry about?
In brief, I didn’t come anywhere close to winning the North Wilts Gooners Invitational, and England have battered our colonial cousins in a one dayer at Lords.
I am also puddled.
Carry on…
I’ve got an Arsenal transfer rumour for you all ( well mite of a theory)
RVP (and or agent) is holding out for an offer from Barca as they need prolific striker to cover Villa (not including Messi)
Meanwhile M’Villa will be announced as an arsenal player before the end of July and we may sign Vertoghen if Djourou is serious about moving on.
The M’Villa deal is stalling because Rennes were hoping to increase his value due to the Euros but the player who wants the move did not do wonders. Rennes are considering larger offers from other clubs but the wants to dign for Arsenal for footballing reasons. Therefore negotiations continue.
The situation is similar for Vertoghen minus the Euros. The offers Ajax have recieved fo not meet their valuation. The player tried to force a move to Spurs under the impression countryman Hazard and tax fraudster Arry would be there. His urge cooled when both player and manager realised what a shitehole Haringey really is. However if they can convince a half decent manager to work in the borough of H then V may continue causing problems for Ajax. On the other hand if we free up a space the Belgian may feel it is worth forcing a move to fight for a spot at the glittery side of N.London. His transfer fee is not an issue for Arsenal so we’ll see how that one pans out.
Right who else?
My spidey senses tell me that this is the current state of play.
Top that Snr!!!
Drink anyone?
Sorry no spelling or manoeuvring control to check spelling from I-phone 4
I’m sorry. What can I say?
Re: GT @365. It is very difficult to prove in the international media that a story is factual. But even more difficult to prove that a story is rumorial, to coin a word. π
*pops in for a quicky*
Benny goon will be returning to the Chavs soon, I’d like to thank him for the professionalism he showed and the contribution he made when called upon.
Good luck wherever you may land Yossi.
8 ball
Yh true
H2H (serious name by the way)
I would take Yossi on a perm in a heartbeat!!!
G’ Town.
I know he played for the Mickeys, but I’m not sure if a perm would suit him.
My name may be serious but I hardly am. π
I guess ‘holic is a bit quiet this evening because of the Who night on BBC 4? Quadraphenia just starting if you hurry barman.
ollie@339, i know i am a bit late for that fish schooling, but thank cod you showed me that wikipedia page. the morue show us about french culture, the more i feel we’re in the chips at afc with our new giraud. of course, i could always say “the halibut”, and forget about our french contingent, but i wouldn’t want to start a roe.
OK I read every single drink since my own last evening: That’s a couple hours I will never get back FFS
1). Seems like I am the only one who agrees with AL’s idea of wanting to see a Confederation’s Cup between Leagues replace Internationals.
2). The perfect usage of the English language goes to Lars. Thank you for a wonderfully cohesive post sir!
3). I love TABs and I don’t mind broadcasting it on Goonerholic. The reason is 99% of the time I agree with everything he says. That’s a better average than I have with my wife…so putting one & one together… ergo it must be love innit?
As for the rest of the drinks. Let’s put it this way: if this was one of those saloon scenes in a Western Movie then a nice punch up – with a shooting, glass breaking, heavily made-up whores running every-which-way, tables flying, windows crashing in etc – would improve things a lot!
FANK YOU
* its OK I know where the door is thank you! I was leaving anyway * π
P.S. Honourable mention to Goonertown for his Rumour Theory π
excellent article:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/06/29/1104289/–There-are-no-black-Italians
though balotelli as ali…not so much. very touching history of his i knew nothing about.
Thanks for everything you did for us this season Yossi, you’ll always receive a warm welcome at the Emirates π (Unless its with T*ttenham! π )
Re: Ollie @360. No doubt I should have thought of that. But I am sorry for the spice boy’s sake that he’s missing out on an opportunity for some abundant kim chee. π
Re: Scruzgooner @375. Balotelli would be cool, if he weren’t a despicable Manc. π
Seriously, if he gets his temper under control he could go on a magnificent run, he is so talented. And I enjoyed reading about his Ghanaian/Sicilian background.
… although Balotelli’s Wikipedia entry says he was born in Sicily, but his foster parents are Italian Jews from Brescia.
i don’t think that’s a problem, bt, he was born of ghanian parents then raised by italian jews from brescia. i didn’t know *any* of his story.
scruz:
I didn’t know *any* of his story either, but it is a remarkable one. It is also remarkable how many Premier League players are of specifically Ghanaian origin, not to mention the other African players. They never talk in great detail about this on the TV coverage I see, and it wasn’t pointed out to me until a Ghanaian friend went down the list of Ghanaians with me. Balotelli was not mentioned at the time because he was not prominent yet, this conservation occurring about 3 years ago.
Funny, that, bt. Have Ghana ever won ACON?
Another Balotelli article, this one covering the Italian racism angle more fully:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/jun/29/mario-balotelli-black-italian-hero
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Africa_Cup_of_Nations
scruz, quiet clearly, they have. Many times.
Thought not recently.
Right, I must off. Have yerselved a good weekend.
I might iDrink now and then when I have wifi on the iPod.
quite clearly, even
Boilk…
@ 386
I’m sure the neighbours have something for what ails you π
Bit of sketchy bleary-eyed boliky back-drinking.
Zico – like it or not – players do still belong to their naional teams/football federations etc. It’s a given. And players and clubs and, i s’pose, us supporters have to abide that FACT! A fellow/lass might not like it – but there you are
Lars inter league comps – interesting idea, indeedy. Players though are still generally brought up through their own home-grown football culture and many don’t necessarily go abroad thereafter. And nations still have very strong singular identities when it comes to playing styles/tactics etc. – which is part of what makes internationa footie so fascinating and relevant – i think – for me.
H2H wise ones all the way @ 316 – as per
tabs errmm – i wasn’t for one syllable defending friendly internationals…
And ta for the guiness trev. Am glad you didnt think i was being unfair. Agree, re the newly despised spain, teams crowded the mid and went long – but maybe if you’d been able to see more game you may have seen more, and indeed more varied, tactical approaches – they was there. Psed not a guiness man me – prefer to get puffed on pride. One coming your way.
FG so done to death (fortunately) is the England need to improve coaching etc debate thingy – that they spent plenty of time talking about it on ITV and the BBC during Euro 2012 –
Southgate is involved in officially getting things sorted AS word’s even reached the English FA, too. At 76 on here there’s an article outlining their new policies/change of mindset. Late maybe, but not never, luckily
oops “international” seems i slipped into foreign there
Psed – on a personal note – laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!
i’ve been involved in youth-team/schools coaching for about 10 years. Pro coaches have come along – boys and girls – from pro clubs (west-ham, orient, millwall and charlton – mostly – i know, i know). And their outlook and ideas have always been what you might call enlightened, and along the lines of the kind of stuff h2h outlined re his adopted lot e.g. first touch, on the deck, spatial awareness stuff.
And they work hard to get about and spread the word. So i don’t think it’s entirely doom and gloom, it’s all shite, let’s start again from dot stuff.
There are parallel sporting cultures at play out there – which partly explains why we’ve always produced some v highly skillful supa-sophisticated players along the way too – i s’pose.
Rite – hangover, your fate awaits – a fry-up then maybes some fighting fire with, ermm – firewater.
First firewater on me AL, I suggest mixing it with a red beverage of the tomatoey ilk.
In fact a pitcher of BM on the bar for all boilkers, dig in fella’s.
That big yellow glob in the sky is radiating warmth, the beer garden will by the prefered spot de jour, should be able to sweat out all the toxins from last night by noon enabling the Saturday consumption to resume, aaaaaah summer.
At last – there is a sight of a chance of a possible LANS !!!
Who can it be ?, I hear you ask – no really.
Apparantly we want back DENILSON !!!
Expect celebratory posts from Bergkamp’s The Man heralding the return of the Samba Rhythm King, and from others celebrating the return of “oh no not Denilson”.
Sao Paolo seem to want him back but can’t afford our asking price, so are enquiring about another loan.
It’s only from Sky Sports News text service, but they do quote the Sao Paolo president ???
Trev,
Think Snir’s title of Seer Genius is safe for a bit, yet. π
zico –
most of his rumours are Sheer Goolies, π
Gents, you should google Goonerholic, then click on images, and enjoy the first one π
Oh dear, that’s why I never have my photo taken !
It was a good day tho’ π
At least it was the right way up π
Re: Trev @392: Doesn’t Denilson’s return to Brazil correspond to a marked decline in BtM’s participation in the drinks? If so, what can we expect as a result of Denilson’s return? π
… to England, that is.
Cassano!
tabs it.
Dr. Z: Cassano sounds like something Harry Potter would say when trying to zap his enemies. Just sayin ….
Who’s that in the photo holic? Lars with the pint I think I read before?and the other lad?next time all u meet up u should have a team photo so we can put faces to all the gang,would be greatful,I’m intrigued to see what ollie tabs and zico look like.have a vision of zico as the cigar chomping golfer from Spain miguel angel himinez..
garsguns,
Only the wallet of Lars has been photographed, and on these very pages too, but not the great viking himself.
Oh, and I don’t do the cigar thing…. π
π dr Z,hope this shagging smiley thingy works..
Would the screen have to be super size in order to fit Lars wallet?
Garsguns, here you can find a picture of zico (left) and the Holic (right) and also the hand of tabs to the far right:
http://goonerholic.com/2011/09/you-know-when-you-have-been-zicod-on-lars-tab/#comment-71340
(guest stars in the picture are Sir Arthur Guinness, an Abbott and a guy called Glenn, last name Fiddich…)
Sunny in Weymouth
Heh @ Lars,
I forgot I lost my head that day π
Done the google thing and the first pic is ‘demographic of goonerholic. Popular in South Africa, apparently
@ 410
Scroll bar issues? π
Did i hear ‘bar’?
Can’t believe that photo was only 3 months ago !
Zico – are you down for Aug 18th ?
I’m working on a cunning plan, Trev so hopefully, yeah.
Lars @ 407 masters of disguise ;-)recognise arthur and Glenn thou:-)
Trev @394 – sheer goolies eh :)?
French Google is very, very strange…
Le Goog?
Mai oui, Raquel, mai oui.
Scroll down in this article for video of all of Giroud’s goals last season for Montpellier.
http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/video-new-arsenal-signing-olivier-girouds-goals-montpellier-20112012/
Based on that video, Giroud looks skillful, strong, dynamic and enthusiastic. Not to mention unstoppable. Or is that last word going a bit overboard? π
418 Zico, Heh.
Be careful when Dutch farmers are pronouncing google, you could end up with half a ton of flem in your hair.
Hello ‘holic & holics,
am a Gooner from India and going to be in London form 24th to 28th August. Will be at the Tollie for the Stoke game on 25th.
Hope to bump into some of you fine holics there and share a pint or two if its not too much of a bother.
Drinks for everyone around.
interesting concept, imissbergkamp, “too much bother” to share a few pints with fellow gooners.
Welcome to this bar, and have a pint on me.
Thanks Oxon.
A pint right back at you.
@ 423 Welcome! Dinner, movie, and a drink on me (smiling). Hi OG. Italy to win the big prize, don’t you know (shaking her head up and down, while chewing gum!).
Thanks ABB…hope to see you and many more holics there.
Have a drink on me π
Hi abb. I’m sorry, I can’t join in the general Italy love-in. Whenever I watch a team set up to defend I can’t help but remember how the Arsenal were reported back in the day when we were a great defensive team.
Somehow, a team that attacks well and defends badly is always better reported than one that attacks badly and defends well. That probably ought to mean that I support Italy but I guess the twenty-odd years of bitterness always gets in the way.
That said, I can’t find it in my heart to get behind Spain either.
Roll on August 18. π
Excellent find 8ball. (420)
Some very tasty goals in there. That overhead kick was a screamer.
Wolfgang Smallballs, this is for you!
http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m6b2isUm471qh018b.gif
(that, by the way, is supposed to be Giroud@430)
Vai Italia! I don’t wanna see Spain win the Euros tomorrow, their brand of football sucks. End of π
I’ll be 18 by the time the season begins, hope to get to the opening Sunderland home game and meet you rowdy lot over a pint/lemonade at the Toilie and come on all π³ π over the first time face to face meeting π
Hey there Wind, I see you are trying to chat up Sagna’s missus on Twitter π
Hey Wind, that’s the spirit lad. La dolce vita and carpe diem, all in one. If Italy comes out fighting, they deserve to win. Spain so rehearsed, robotic…Icker and Buffon, both top notch, interesting side story there, for sure. Evening holics (where did I put my manners…).
@398 – indeed 8ball, good spot.
What we can expect on Denilson’s – possible – return is lots and lots of square passing. In the interests of fairness you have to say ‘backwards passing’ too. π
Imissbergkamp – the Stoke game on 25th of August is an ‘away’ fixture.
So unless there are wrecked ‘Holics still lying under the tables from the week before, you may be unlucky there. Shame. Always good to meet new, far flung ‘Holics.
Good news Zico – hope to see you then. π
Making my way north via a number of distilleries. Tasted Dalmore, Clynlish and Old Pulteney today. Now sitting in a bar with a fine after an excellent Benromach. The first three would be a bit delicate for ‘Holic’s finely developed taste for peat. But I do think he would appreciate the last two. The DB10 and TH14 of whisky. Hoping we can add Der Pod and Le Giroud to the list of Arsenal greats. Slainte to all Holic’s regulars.
+ Bunnabhain
Bunnahabhain*, ahhhhhh Bunnahabhain. Islay malts…. bring ’em on.
*Spelling courtesy of Wkipedia
Slainte bath,
I think I will dip into my ‘delicate’ Black Grouse I picked up on special at Sainsbury today π
Now then ‘holics, time to win yourself a 2011-12 season review dvd.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Lars @ 433, haha what can I say, she’s such a beauty π Ecstatic she responded to me first though on the Q&A out of everybody though π
abb @ 434, agreed, it would almost be a travesty for Spain to win it, robotic is a bit much to describe them bit itworks, Italy are like the finest handcrafted items, their defects give them their charm, Spain are the industrial production line, mass production, injection molding and the like… Its just not good π
Many cheers to I-Bathgooner in Thurso who I believe is having the perfect holiday. π