No Time To Fudge The Issue – Three Points A Must Off The Toffees
Apr 15th, 2013 by 'holic
“If we’ve got any small chance of getting in the Champions League we need to get something out of this game and try and peg Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea back. For the last month or so we’ve been the big underdogs to be anywhere close to the Champions League but with the way we’ve been playing and the results we’ve been getting it keeps us hoping that there is a real chance.”
Everton have been known to err on the side of caution on visits to the Grove, but as David Moyes has made clear ahead of Tuesday’s match they need to catch the trio of London clubs ahead of them, and fast. That suggests at some stage they have to come and have a go, thus opening themselves up to our counter-attacks. That’s the theory, anyway. An away win would put the blue half of Merseyside on level points with Chelsea and Tottenham, just a point behind us.
We appear to have a decision to make about who plays in goal with Lukasz Fabianski rated as doubtful with a rib injury. Under normal circumstances you would think this was a great opportunity for Wojciech Szczesny to regain the position that he seemed to have nailed down at the start of the season. Normal circumstances, however, would not have seen Vito Mannone on the bench on Saturday.
At the back Per Mertesacker is available again after suspension, and may be a wise pick given Everton’s strong aerial presence. Tomas Rosicky is back in the squad and it will be interesting to see if he gets the start ahead of a recovering Jack Wilshere. Little Jack is definitely the future, but this game is all about the now. Rosicky would be perfect to exploit any gaps Everton may leave if they are adventurous.
Given the effect that both Lukas Podolski and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain had as substitutes against Norwich it is the front three that provides Arsene Wenger with his biggest puzzle. If they are fully recovered from Saturday then I would imagine that Santi Cazorla will retain the left-sided berth and Olivier Giroud will be retained as much for his defensive attributes as his attacking ones. That means the place on the right is up for grabs with Theo Walcott possibly getting the nod.
If history is any sort of guide then Everton are facing an uphill task. They haven’t beaten us for over six years, a single goal triumph at Goodison. For a blues win in front of the Arsenal faithful you have to go back to the Bruce Rioch days. 1996 to be precise. Their form this season suggests this will be a real test for us. Funnily enough their last away match was in North London, and to our combined delight they went home with a share of the spoils from the brown and sticky end of Seven Sisters Road.
The ‘holic pound is punted on the result we need, of course. The scoreline I have opted for assumes we have a Pole in the goal, and the combination of Mertesacker and Giroud negating the threat from set pieces. I’m on a 2-0 win at 10/1, but you will need to shop around as odds vary wildly.
To those of you going, especially those still recovering from Saturday’s session, I hope we put on a show for you. For those of us stuck with a mixture of networks or streams I just wish for three points, anyway, anyhow. That really is all that matters in the weeks that remain.
Have a good one, ‘holics.
350 Responses to “No Time To Fudge The Issue – Three Points A Must Off The Toffees”
Whatever has happened in Boston I hope all of you who are there are safe and well.
to three points.
and strength to those who need it in boston.
Interesting blog, I think moyes will keep this tight and try and knick a goal. However I agree I think we will win this one But I think a 2 1 score is going to be what it finishes as. With Walcott and Cazorla and Fellani for them.
I predict a draw. which will make me even more bitter about people who were ‘glad’ that Tottnum equalised against Everton.
I mean, the only way a draw was better than a Spu*s defeat in that game is if we were to lose to Everton. In which case we could be fucked anyway π
Richard, since he didn’t put a pound on it, I suspect 2-1 is more likely than 2-0 :p
Thoughts go to people in Boston, take care.
And you are indeed correct, ‘holic. I feel I am still recovering from Saturday’s session.
Goodnight.
G’night Ollie.
Welcome Richard. You may be right.
Evening scruz.
Fearing the Fulham game more than Everton tomorrow.
If Everton decide to attack us, which is the suggestion, we’ll pick them off comfortable. Anichebe will be in Vermaelen’s pocket and Koscielny won’t give Mirellas a sniff.
Theo is due a goal. And another Arteta pen methinks.
2-0 Goons!
Are you bored with life? Then throw yourself into Arsenal with all your heart, live for it, die for it, and you will find happiness that you had thought could never be yours…
And of course LuPo MUST play!
Prayers and thoughts with the people in Boston.
May God avenge their blood.
thinking of you, too, snir, knowing your proclivities and what you’ve told me of your history. yikes.
evening, ‘holic. definitely in need of a drink, or five. i’m going to say 4-0 to us, just because.
Rather curious story on the BBC website, under the headline “Andy Carroll move to West Ham ‘threatened by fair play rules'”, quoting Fat Sam as saying that FFP might prevent Wet Spam from buying Andy Carroll.
Setting aside whether or not such a purchase would be a Good Thing, there’s no explanation of why the deal might be impossible – one is left to assume this would put West Ham’s total loss over three seasons over the magic Β£105M mark. There’s also no comment on whether it might be quite a good idea not to allow clubs to run up enormous debts.
I guess the Beeb believe that the system that worked so well for banks should be applied to football clubs.
Did anyone say standards of journalism were slipping?
Right, H – this IP address should not be blocked, assuming your theory was correct, since I am back in the Seat of Kings.
Now to the post :
There was a session on Saturday?
How come one of the Feelgood Foundation was drinking water, then?
Big 3 points up for grabs tomorrow – I take it there is no chance that of it being on Sky?
Dreadful events in Boston. Thoughts are with all those affected.
Fine preview ‘H. I did wonder whether OG might be rested tomorrow, but I think the point you make about his defensive nous is a good one, and that he’ll play.
Think we’ll sneak it, but I have to say I’m nervous about this one. A nervy 1-0 to the Gunners.
From the last set of drinks, thanks for the kind ones Dr Z, Ollie and Ttg.
My heart goes out to all those affected in Boston.
Looking forward to 3 points tomorrow. 2 – 1 sounds just about right.
Still numb. Grateful for everyone’s show of support. Delia, saddened by your loss, take care dear Lady.
Why is everyone in the photo sporting a ‘tache??
Hope everyone’s friends and loved ones are safe and sound in Boston. That type of cowardice is appalling.
I think we will concede as usual tomorrow, so it will have to be a hard fought 2-1. An early strike for us would almost force Everton out, in which case a heartening 3-0 could be on the cards.
Please Arsene, no Gervinho tomorrow. His nicking the ball off Ramsey and giving it immediately to Naarrch as we attacked on Saturday was the last straw for me.
The Ox must wonder what the hell he has to do to get on the pitch while Gervinho bumbles and stumbles his way around.
Whoever plays though, COYRs.
It was played at the end of Movember, Wasp…
Word from all friends and family in Boston is positive. Thoughts for all of those there.
Looks like the spuds must have consulted the Arsenal physios: bale out an additional 2 weeks. Wobble wobble fall.
Come on Arsenal. We need a real performance to put the pressure well and truly on the week hearted.
And the weak hearted too. π
‘H, don’t think that you’ll have to put up with that dodgy stream. Looks like it’s on Sky …
http://www.live-footballontv.com/live-football-on-sky-sports.html
Nice preview H.
You’ve hit the nail on the head: 3 points any way, any how.
COYRs
NorCal,
I sent them some special “horse placenta” for Bale’s ankle knowing it was never going to do any good.
It was actually just a bit of old lasagna ……. π
glad to hear it, norcal. all clear here, too; my friend who usually runs has a new job and decided not to run it.
dr. t, oh, so that’s what they ate, not lasagne…no wonder they felt ill.
Evening all.
Another one of those must win games. 3 points on Tuesday will have a massive psychological effect on proceedings to come. The spuds and chavs will be even more on their knees and we will be flying. Anything less than all 3 will just open that door a little bit. Time to man up boys.
Re the keeper situation. I am sure AW said some weeks ago when Shezza was not on the bench that he rotated his reserve keepers. If he had a permanent number 2 then all they would do is sit on the bench collecting splinters. That may well go some way to explain the reason why Vito was on the bench on Saturday. Personally I do not get it. I would want my number 2 on the bench just in case.
I hope that Santi is not forced to play out wide. I would far prefer to see him play central where I think he is much more affective. I do feel the BFG will play as apart from Ollie G he is just about the only player we have over 6 feet tall. We may need his height against the likes of Fellaini.
Tomorrow will be tough but it is time for us to show just what it means to us. 6 games to go. Win 5, which we should be more than capable of doing and 3rd will be ours comfortably.
Is there a Tollie gathering? Work times and London Underground will play a major part in my making any pre match gathering. Hopefully I will get a chance to catch up with a few.
I am just watching the scenes in Boston. Words fail me at times. My thoughts and prayers to all in anyway connected.
From Wenger’s comments he won’t risk Jack and I hope he doesn’t.TR7 is the man who sets the tempo of our passing. I think the Ox changed the game on Saturday and we ought to start him tomorrow instead of Gerv. Mertesacker to come back and I think Ches will get the nod. Fabianski is a slow healer so we may need him in for several games.
Everton are physically strong and Fellaini is a beast. We will have to start fast and defend very solidly. I don’t fancy it much but that’s because the stakes are high. We can win,I pray that we do
First of all, thoughts to all affected by the Boston explosions. Awful, awful stuff.
I think Everton will be happy to sit back (though not at all on a Norwichian level) and hope for a counter-attack or a set piece. I’m not so sure they actually feel that they have to win this game, a draw still keeps them in it but a loss would put them in an almost impossible situation. In any case, let’s hope the boys in red and white have the right focus and determination because then I am quite confident we will win it.
Steve, a few of us will be at rhe Tollie. Trev said on Saturday that he’ll be there, Ollie will be the, I’ll be there and Snowy too if my beer-clouded memory serves me.
Let’s gladiate the Toffees!!!
Dr. T Bacteria in the horse placenta could pack an added punch, I have been told. ::
horse placenta punch, bt8b? will they *drink* that?
Heh scruz. “Cock”tails for the aforementioned undesirables, and drinks of choice for all the rest. π
I’m sensing a tense affair, and like Trev cannot see us not conceding at one point or another. Sorrowfully for the ‘holic pound I’d have to say Trev is on the more likely scoreline. 2-1 but a 3 points yielding 2-1 all the same!!
And I still can’t figure out what substance made me predict a 6-3 score against Norwich. Could Arshavin’s hair stylist have slipped me a mickey?
Has anyone tested the pies sold at WHL since the horse meat in food controversy? A strong flavour of placenta in them, so rumour has.
Losing against Everton wouldn’t necessarily be the end of our Top 4 road, but the fillip it would give, not to just Everton but Totts and Chelski, would be a real downer. Conversely, winning the match would put Everton firmly in their place, 7 points behind us and still more big games to play, while scaring the others witless and shitless.
Ergo this is a game we need to win to stamp our authority (to quote the poet Ox). So let’s have our strongest, most aggressive side please AW. My picks would be…
Sir Ches
Bac Per Kos Nach
Arteta
Santi Rambo
Theo OG Poldi
3-1
Oskar
I’m hurt Oskar by your write ups, it’s people like you that make Wenger feel he has what it takes to challenge for Titles. I exhort true Gunners fans to avoid this site like the plague, if you have not suffered enough, the rest of us have.
“At least 31 people have been killed and more than 200 others wounded”
That was just yesterday in Baghdad…but who gives a fuck, they are not people, right?
Oh,I forgot – COME ON YOU REEEEEEEDS!
I do understand, Victor, that spuds like you have had much to endure at the hands of Arsenal, I really do … and I have enjoyed every minute of it immensely! π But it is my considered opinion that you have not yet suffered enough. When that Holic Bar clock on the right shows 100 years (and STILL counting) perhaps I will allow a twinge of sympathy for your sad preoccupation with footballing mediocrity.
Then again, more likely I won’t!
Oskar
Ooops … I didn’t know TR7 was fit again. He comes in for Santi in my earlier.
Sir Ches
Bac Per Kos Nach
Arteta
TR7 Rambo
Theo OG Poldi
Oskar
With due respect Oskar @39, there’s no way we can leave out Santi at this stage of the season if he’s not injured.
Theo or Poldi would have to be sacrificed for the little man. Based on how Arsene has been setting up the team, it would be Poldi to make way for Santi on the left.
The monks at Castle Ned are forecasting a big win. 6-1. That would do the ‘Holic pound some good. But I’ll be happy with three points however wide or narrow the margin.
Per and Kos have to start. They are our best CB pairing. Woj between the sticks if fit and Fabianski not. Whether Gervais or Theo starts on the right, they must keep Baines pegged back. And Gervais off at the half if he does start and has another heavy touch day. TR to get us off to a flying start with Jack to come off the bench to get some match fitness, as was probably the plan for the Norwich game before Tomas dropped out. Arteta, Ramsey and Santi to round out the midfield with OG up front, Poldi off the bench for OG if we have a comfortable lead, or for a defender if we are chasing the game.
#36
i was gonna have a self imposed silence in the bar – well , to be honest , herself made the suggestion and i wholeheartedly agreed
i have a tendency to leave the computer on and walk away with ‘holic’s bar still on the page and she reads it – the odd time with an unpublished drunken waffly bullshit in the wee writey-box thing
i was being a bit ‘political’ she said
my comment to snir about “occupation not only meaning a job”she thought was an easy cheap shot
i tend to agree
but i’m sure he understands that , like me , politics isn’t something you “get into” or “have an interest in” – when you are up to your armpits in it , like it or not , when you just go out the front door
indeed his colourful comment about ‘god avenging their blood’ is testament to that
but i do agree with #36 SSY
people tend to pick and choose their horror and outrage
what happened in boston – which i’ve just this minute found out about is absolutely bloody awful but it had me in that old “competition” outrage – which i don’t like but i can’t help – “why aren’t people horrified by people dying in baghdad
outrage fatigue for certain areas ?
news stories going from page one to page seventeen in a matter of months
indeed – we had it over here – when , due in no small part to our recently departed grocer’s daughter’s naive policies – bodies were piling up in the streets
so
as a man who had suggested to himself , not to bring politics to the best forum on t’internet – i appear to have failed again
so apologies ‘holic and ‘holics
but we’re all at it at the minute with “We have become a dead grandmother” herself –
still in death dragging opinions out of even the most reluctant
so
anyhoo
sorry again ‘hol
i know you say the bar is a broad church but it was a love for the arsenal that brought me and all of us here and i do feel a bit odd wanking on about other stuff
so
anyhoo – anyhoo again
and in other news – in what might be a first – i’m not drunk writing this
WHAT HAVE I BECOME !
.
Impec1 (#40) … Santi has gone missing too often in recent matches, and either needs a rest or a wake-up call. It’s long past time Poldi was given a full game, and I see possibilities playing him in tandem with OG, providing two targets for the high balls … and with Theo popping up at the pointy end occasionally.
Also, Everton have some big players and we need all the height we can muster for defensive actions. I might consider Santi for Rambo, but the latter is coming into some decent form and looks a better bet against a team like Everton.
Oskar
can’t be arsed – My reply – May God avenge their blood is an honorific for the dead is Judaism. For dead that have died from anti-Semitic attacks. While most probably, most of the victims will not be Jewish, I do wish those responsible would be get their deserved punishment, for killing people who were at the wrong place at the wrong time.
As for your easy cheapshot I replied and said you cannot occupy what is rightfully yours.
As for why Boston is being covered more than Baghdad, there are a couple of reasons, the first being Boston is part of the world’s biggest powerhouse, the second is frequency.
The bombings in the Middle East are a lot more frequent than in the U.S. and that includes all the region. It’s evidenced by the decreasing coverage rockets launched into the south of Israel receive as opposed to 2000-2001 when the Qassams first started to rain down on the south.
Missiles are now being reported as a “by the way,” because of their frequency.
*would get
I exhort true Gunners fans to avoid this site like the plague
What a strange thing to type when you are making effort to bombard this site with your trolling nonsense with multiple daily posts of negativity.
Take your own advice pal.
People, let this be the only response to the plum. There are far more important things going on in the world.
Brilliant Vic. So you want Gunners fans to come to this site, to read your Spud ramblings telling them not to come to this site???? That’s pretty dense even by your standards.
Nurse. Multi boy needs his jab……
Sorry holic. I was typing at the same time as Bet Vic. I will have a monkey on the pony on the nose…….
Cheers H.
Holic – you’ve got mail.
nope
self-imposed non-confrontational anti-whathaveyous are in place
so
congratulations on your opinion snir and your placement at punditry college
may the stelling be with you
Morning holics. Really need a pleasant distraction … Saw David Moyes praising Arsenal on the tele. Means only one thing, they’re gonna come out swinging π Anyway, keep your comments coming, pretty please.
howdy abb
i’m living in the middle of a farm at the minute – spent half an hour gettin’ the muck off me creepers yesterday
just saw a wee friesian calf shite what appeared to be half his bodyweight
without breaking stride or stopping chewing
OH TO BE
OH TO BE
OH TO BE A RUMINANT
heh, quality musing from cba, as ever – clearly an expert in his field.
Now then, the Wigan game being changed to midweek is interesting.
In as much as there are more meetings in the City on a Tuesday/Wednesday than there are at 3pm on a Saturday π
and it’s a good morning moo to you too zicoo
π
See, cba and Zico made me π Steve, you too π
any woman who laughs in the face of a cow’s arse is alright by me
π
or maybe an inch or two to the left
these are expensive shoes after all
Trev 17. I can’t agree this time. Gerv was back to being Gerv on Saturday mostly, he’s had a few good games before.
Ox had a great impact when he came on.
He’s had a lot of shit games too, particularly when starting.
I’m happy either way, but I really don’t see the ‘what he has to do to get a start’ or last-straw Gervinho.
And don’t get me wrong, I think the Ox will be much better, and I prefer him too, but trying to be objective at this stage I think both can do a job.
there’s a field out the back
dunno if it’s the field that dare not baaaa it’s name
but there’s a huge shower of sheep munching away on turnips which are still growing in the ground
how buggerin brilliant is that
constantly growing dinner
acres of it
.
*starts work on a field of gin*
.
*cackles*
Moyes will set them up as usual despite the claim that they need to win to get a CL spot. He’ll be happy with 0-0. But he’ll aim to frustrate us for 90 mins hoping to catch us on the break or gain a decisive free kick or corner. And they will be very physical. An early goal or two for us would be delightful.
Per and TR7 have to start.
COYRs
Morning cba
morning ollie
fancy a turnip ?
Agree with all of that, baff. I am under no illusion about the ‘open game’ bandied around.
heh cba.
Nah, I’m off shortly. See some of the crew tonight.
You staying over? At Tollie after game?
ollie
if you are in the tollie tonight
can you ignore a few people for me
haven’t been there in ages
d’you know the one i mean
the proper ignore – where everybody knows you’re ignoring them
d’you know
proper like
and don’t tell them
while you’re ignoring them
that you are
as i am
from afar
.
yup
opened some poitin
.
bye
cba in deepest darkest donegal
.
in three d’s
.
cba3d
Ollie,
Fair enough. I thought Gerv had one good run near the beginning and then was, well, himself at his frustrating worst.
Ox off the bench might be good though if he comes on with Saturday’s determination.
See you tonight. I’ve postponed a bit of work so I can get there on time.
Morning cbhay.
Cow’s arses ? You should be logged on to “thrfightingcock”. π
she knows hay she is trev
mmmmmm
back young ollie up
i’m not gonna put words in your mouth but can i suggest starting with trollop
π
Cow’s arses?
Being a banjo.
That was meant to be ‘bring’ a banjo!
Re GK.. I hope Wenger will buy a more matured GK (like Man U bought Vd Sar), not a gem to be polished (like Ches). If we want to challenge the title, GK will have to win us 15 points per season (it seems Seaman said this), it is too much to ask for Ches at this age.
Walcott need to start to negate Baines. Walcott is as fast as Baines.
Monreal seems to play more consistent than Gibbs.
So my 11 :
Ches
Sagna. Per, Kos, Monreal
Arteta, TR&, Ramsey
Walcott, OG, Santi
Boys, get us 3 points !!!
COYG !!!!!!!!!!!
I’m hoping for – but not predicting – a win tonight. A negative result is overdue in the context of the season, and Everton is a fixture which always gives me the jitters. Ouch.
bath
clearly you couldn’t hit one on the arse with one
gimme a minute an i’ll lester flatt ye !
ya feckin earl scruggs , ye
Heh, cba.
Hoping our boys can leave the blues on the grass tonight.
*gets coat*
Good job all round not feeding the troll, chaps. See, give them no airtime and they quickly shrivel up and slope off back to their holes in the ground! (…or caves, if they support Stoke.)
I’m indecisive about how to feel about tonight’s game. One part of me says the momentum is with us (well, it actually is, isn’t it?), but I’m having trouble ignoring that part of me lurking in a dark corner of my psyche, that reminds me of the old capacity to cock it up somewhere, somehow.
Shame to have that fly in the ointment. A bit like having a retarded Stoke supporter in the family. When people ask, “How’s things at home?”, you reply, “Fine…” in an unconvincing tone of voice, as a flicker of pain and embarrassment register briefly in your visage.
Then you shudder uncontrollably.
75 drinks before lunchtime … what’s been going on ‘ere then?
Good to see Cba back in the saddle π Morning Sir.
In other important news, it’s only six hours ’til Tollie time. Hurrah!
On second thoughts, six hours is a long time. Time for a snifter.
Just to keep me going you understand.
Camberwell – Haha π
I don’t think Stoke fans move outside of their own circles. They like to keep it within the family, know what I mean π
Camberwell, momentum is very much with us but Everton are also on a good run and are a bloody good team on their day. I am expecting a very tight game and I am in no way banking on three points. We are, in my opinion, the slightly better team but not by much and if they mange to stifle the game (which, again, I think they’ll be quite happy to do) then I can easily see this one being a 1-0 for either team or a 0-0. And while three points would be absolutely massive for us, a draw would not be a disaster because that still leaves fourth in our own hands. That is not to say that I would be happy with one point because I wouldn’t, but this is a tricky game that we will need to peform well in to win.
βSometimes people say to me, βMikel, you can go forward, score goals and be in the headlines,β but we have a lot of good players who can do that already. Sometimes you need to know that if you can help in another position and make the rest better, that is the best thing to do.β
Ateta, recent interview courtesy of the London Standard. This lad has just been a wonderful signing. Alongside Cazorla – he’s probably the first name in the team sheet. What an attitude and what an example he sets!
I’m with Lars when he says tonight is going to be a tight game. I think the last time Everton gave us space we put 6 past them and its a lesson Moyes didn’t forget too quickly. We just need to play with the right attitude and application from the start.
(eighty) First!!
Woah, a lot of catcing up to do.
Afternoon ‘holics, have one on me while I wade into the drinks.
HK Gooner,
With you on Walcott. Baines may not dare venture forward quite so far and so often knowing that the speed king is waiting behind him.
Possible downside is that Theo is unlikely to do much useful defending.
In fact, I agree with your whole team – like anyone cared. π
Easy this managerial malarkey, innit ? π
Joe, why do people sometimes call you Mikel ? π
Heh @ 84.
I am biding my time on your barbed ageist comment in the last set of drinks, btw.
Don’t venture out alone. π
Good points there Lars.
I just hope we don’t find ourselves in a sticky situation because to my mind, if we draw, that would leave an pretty unpleasant taste in the mouth.
Thankfully, with all the attacking options we have at the moment, Wenger must feel like a kid in a sweet shop.
Still, if Everton try and bring the game to us, we’ll have plenty of space to exploit in the final third…it’ll be like taking candy off a baby.
And knowing our habit of finishing strongly (better than any other team in the Prem this season), we should be able to look forward to a sweet ending!
I’d offer to get my coat if I wasn’t genuinely proud of this effort. How sad.
On a side note, Chelski v Spuds will be on Wednesday 8th May.
CG @86,
Ollie said “tres bon bon”. π
How many points are up for grabs, Holic? Thee, I believe. π
An old lady at the cash machine just asked me if I could check her balance for her.
So I pushed her over. π
#90
trev
cow tipping ?
you’re in my house now , muchacho
YEEEEE HAAAAAA !!!!!!!!
ARRRIBBBBAAAAAA !!!!!!!
*cow-flavoured thud*
*thud*
only two were snoozin
drat and double drat
but
.
“adt meedniiite wee wonnnt neeed nno stteeenkiiinnggg mmbadges”
BURRO !!!!!!!!
Being away for one week really makes you miss quite a lot of good drinks. Well done to everyone that feels entitled to it, too many names to mention. Lots of good candyd opinions.
I believe we will beat Everton today, 1-0, but I have a fluffy dream that just won’t go away that says 3-0. Having that said – if any Evertonians are here reading this, don’t think that these Arsenal fans are in any way banking on the points here. The blues have, in apt Liverpool fashion, really earned the blue riband over their neighbours, being the fastest out of the traps. This can go either way.
Either way, it’s not the last game of the season and even if we were to lose whilst playing well it wouldn’t, for me, be the straw to break the carmel’s back, but of course I’ll end up looking like a sad bassett. This game will be a cracker, and I probably need to have some a beer and maybe a chaser of liquorice to get through it.
That poteen is one powerful brew, judging by 91.
Heh @ 90 – one un-balanced soul maltreating another, I see. π
All a bit quiet in here. Bit of pre-match tension creeping in?
Off to the Tollie, and that famous Swedish wallet.
Good luck everybody.
COME ON YOU GUNNERS!
Hoofs the ball forward in the general direction of the goal …
Have a great evening at the Em’s,those of you going.
It’s off to the gym for me before I spend 2 hours on the couch.
Cheers everyone. Tight game tonight but we pour it on in the last 20 minutes to win 3-1. DΓ©jΓ vue?
Takes the pass from senor Tabs and Slaloms down the wing,
plays a one-two to my new friend Jose on the inside
Podolski-style hammer to the crossbar, return falls down in the six yard box…
Shamalamadingdong
neatly side passes back towards Mikel
Only for Pa Gooner to get his “Shamalamadingdong” out and steal my thunder…!!!!
Lucky shot in the dark!
Nice one PennKid. Enjoy the game all.
Wanger out? not me.
And apologies Joe! Will keep in in next time!
I believe that 4 points from our next 2 matches would be a good return and would set us up well for the run in. Obviously will take all 6 if on offer, but 4 would do.
Team for tonight, I’m hoping for a Pole in goal, Bac, Mert, Kos, Nachoooo, Arteta, Rambo, Santi, Poldi, HFB and Theo.
Bench packed with talent: the little Mozart, the Ox, Jackie boy, Gerv the Swerve, Gibbs, etc, all waiting to come on and win it for us in the last 20 mins.
It’s going to be a really tough game, but hopefully we can prevail (and then Everton can do enough to join us in the Champs League berths come May).
COYG
Cba makes me laugh out loud. π
The Premier League is devalued in allowing four teams to enter the Champions League. What incentive for a side to fight for the Title when a safety net of fourth spot is in offing. It gives succour to claims made by Wenger that finishing fourth is a Trophy. I’m afraid the lure of Champions League football has taken the competitive edge out of the Premier League and until the system changes the integrity of the competition will be compromised. Sadly Wenger and a few supporters have bought into the idea and continue in their Alice In Wonderland adventure.
At Sp*rs they count their gaps between championships in terms of decades. This is because they have lost track of the numbers of managers who have come and gone.
The Mad Hatter of London Town has spoken.
He has indeed. Thanks, Victor.
bt8b, they have as many champs league years as the highbury squirrel, too. their supporters have bought into the idea that a rare win over arsenal is worthy not only of a mug, but of a dvd. udderly (for cba) pathetic, small-club behavior. and yet their supporters continue in their “waiting for godot” misadventure…
News flash of interest perhaps only to Cognac and Ollie. We have a French manager, and as I recall he used to manage Monaco, why can’t we use the same tax laws that Monaco CURRENTLY have? I’m sure the lawyers are on this one, but here’s how the BBC describe it:
AS Monaco vice-president Jean-Louis Campora says his club will do everything in their power to fight the passing of a new rule that threatens to bring an end to their financial advantages.
From June next year, Monaco will be subject to the same tax laws as other French clubs and Campora said: “People want to bring us to our knees, but we will do everything in our power to fight this. It makes things difficult for us when it comes to the transfer market.
“To be able to sign players, we need to be sure of our future. If we don’t know our rights, we can’t agree costly contracts if we have to stop playing football in a year’s time.”
anybody got a good link for a stream?
@Arsenal: Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Arteta, Ramsey, Wilshere, Cazorla, Walcott, Giroud
Good question Homer, odd that wiziwig does not have us in its selection at all O.o
hmm, line up as expected zico, only surprise for me is Jack in instead of TR7.
My bus leaves for work 24 minutes after kickoff. How did they conspire to do this to me? π
oh there you go:) http://www.wiziwig.tv/broadcast.php?matchid=195968&part=sports
LuPo on the bench…again.
One of the best offensive players in the world warming his arse game in, game out. I don’t understand.
I just hope it’s not…
Good stuff ‘holic. I am not sure what to expect tonight, but seeing the difference in opinions of to who may be in the starting XI is as good thing, I think we’re almost spoilt for choice at the moment, there’s competition all over the field and this is a good thing.
Superb answer by tabs to the question posed to Cam and myself by Doc Faus in the previous drinks, beats the hell out of the “Γ§oz they is kuntz” answer I was willing to put forward. π
Various hehs above.
Does anybody know what our record is with and without Gervinho is in the starting eleven? Just wondering …
Wenger’s lost the plot how can he omit Rosicky.
You’d have to take into account, when Gervinho starts, how many times we’re not winning and end up doing so after he goes off if you want to make any kind of point about him starting. Plus how effective he is in the time he’s on – such as how many easy chances he missed, how many chances he created etc
But there’s this
http://espnfc.com/player/_/id/102192/kouassi-gervais-yao-gervinho?cc=5739
Hey Victor you clueless knobhead. I’ll think you’ll find its petro dollars and filthy Russian lucre that’s taken the competitiveness out of the top division.
as the say…esso knows.
@123. Thanks for the link.
*Furiously tries to compile Arsenal’s record with and without Gervinho for a rew moments but then gives it up as useless.* π
No it’s taken filthy lucre and petro dollars to make it more competitive otherwise the Mancs would clean up every year.
Come on Arsenal!! You have the opportunity to do great things today, so do them!!
Yeah, because we could never go up against the mancs could we?
We could never have actualy gone toe to toe with them……
Oh.
That is a no no nonsense team that AW has put out. Glad to see out best pairing at CB. Would like to have seen TR start over Jack but hard to argue that Jack isn’t first pick if fit.
Are those complaining that Poldi, TR and the Ox are on the bench the same ones who complain we have no squad depth?
COME ON YOU REDSSSSSSSSSS
NBN, well said. I may have my own ideas on who should start, but in the end, I haven’t trained with the squad the last few days, and as you say, having good players on the bench is what we always wants, so can’t really complain.
Hope they do us proud! I’m sure they will, win or lose. Feels like they are up for it.
Hope everyone can see the game. Nice touch moment of silence. Here we go!
Come ON you REEEEEDSSSS!!!
Hi all
Coyreds
3-0 to the Arsenal. That’s my prediction.
come on, ya gunners! let’s go!
woof. that was a letoff.
I knew Everton would come off the block running. C’mon Arsenal!
per did well there down left with anchiebe. and brave by chez.
Good instincts by Woj!
get a grip you reds
gotta be a yellow soon for feallaini.
thanks Eandy!
Come on Arsenal!
nice move broke down…
again, but where were the followers for santi’s cross?
scruz, that has been a thorn for me as well. We need to anticipate those crosses.
yep, abb. we surely do.
Slow start for sure we look very nervous!
rough and tumble, jack down FUCK holding his ankle.
Kicking us up ..cunts
no quarter being given or asked for in this one.
We should dish out some too, just to show them that they are not going to impose themselves upon us that easy..
Thats better lads!
damn, fairly close gibbo..
jack getting the tar beaten out of him and not getting the calls.
that’s the trouble with the damn office fire wall.
On the bright side, credit to my IT guys. doing good work, though the only feed I can get looks like blocks and blurs, Atari pong style.
Ramsey really impressive again.
Bunch of Shreks!
finally, a yellow. gibson looks like a mong.
Fucking finally with the card.
About fucking time.
Power failure, what’s happening on thepitch?
Refree very lenient with pushes and shoves..I hope he will keep it same for both sides.
except for the constant kicking by everton, not a bad game of footballhas broken out.
Generator on, now watching
Too sloppy! Come on guys pick it up!
should be a second yellow for gibson. fucking ref.
Fucking hell.. They are bossing us. π
Arsenal’s movement off the ball looks nonexistent. Everton doing a job of jamming things up.
TR7 time. Bring the man on!
THat was a red ref you prick!!!
no attempt to play the ball, just a fucking big piece of gristle.
Gibson should see red for that block.Took the wind out of Theo.
blatant, yellow card worthy foul..
there it is. keep bringing out the cards, ref, that was clear as daylight on theo.
To think that RvP got a second yellow for taking a shot, one-on-one, against Barcelona, and he doesn’t get a second yellow for that. Fucking ref.
Pienaar ha.
Dipshit wanna be spud.
Finally finally
When did Everton become Stoke?
Very fiesty
Giroud dishing it out. There we go. They asked for it.
and sajit, they’re not bossing, they are trying to kick the shit out of us.
Think this style of play (rough!) might be better suited to OX and Poldi.
at least he didn’t flash yellow at gibbs or hfb for their pains.
great defensive work on a nice slip pass fo anchiebe.
I just turtled. π
ooooh, very nearly hfb…damn, nice cross aaron?
That was a sitter come on!
OOOOooooooooooooooooooooooo.
OOOH MYYY OG
a sitter atg? full tilt, full stretch? hmmm.
Yes it was Ramsey, terrific cross by him.
ohhh some lovely stuff by Jack…
oooh, santi, great work, great work jack, that was close. credit to jagielka.
pressure’s on now…
scores
finally getting some nice pressure!
get one in before the half, gunners!
But looks to be offside.. Fuaaak
aaron having another good/great game.
ht.
pienaar had best chance, then og. second half will be ours.
well played aaron, jack, santi. and the defense, by and large.
Tough & Rough.
Very much so Scruz. Ramsey with a few mistakes, he isn’t playing that one of a kind blinder, that some players seems to pull off at times, but he sure is playing well, never hiding, doing most things right, both in defence and attack.
Keep it up. Another yellow card or two Evertons way and they will have to calm down a bit. We’re not playing as well as I, as a fan, would like, but it’s easy to see that it’s a hard game out there and we’re not lying down in any way. Keep it up, lads.
Everton lucky to still have 11 men on the field, if that wasn’t a bookable offence then I don’t know what is, Gibson should of got his marching orders.
Still, still all to play for, we are the second half masters.
COYRRR’s.
A draw may not be the worst result.. But I think we wont get 3rd if we drop pionts today.. Might have to settle for 4th.
Any chance of a new ref for the 2nd half,one who might penalise these deliberate attacks on our guys which are attempts to maim and well beyond professional fouls
Agreed with that H2H, ref did let them kick and shove us around deliberately from the start. Dont get me wrong, I am no fan of players going down after slightest of touches but some of the stuff he let play on were fouls at least. And yes, if that block on Theo was not bookable offense, even for a player who is already on a yellow then I dont know what is.
Mirallas a bit of a handful for us, will have to kinda put it to him, I’m afraid π I can see the OX being able to making some head way here, if given the chance.
Graeme Sharp is a fat weedgie twonk.
Fuck off, you blue-nosed cunt. “Gibson unlucky to be booked for the first challenge.”
In which parallel universe was that not a card. Gibson should be off – referee bottled out of applying the rules.
Ref = BBT. (bottler big time).
Our defence has played well 1st half.
Distin looks gettable at…. made for Tommy Gun to run through him – bring him on Arsene.
Its time boys…lets GO
Come on Arsenal….
Scruz maybe not a sitter as I have originally thought π
second half. come on you reds!!! arrrsenal fc, we’re by far the greatest team the world has ever seen…
cheers, atg. looked a bit more challenging…:)
COME ON YOU GUNNERS
Apparently there was a tunnel fight between Jack and 11 Everton players.. And he fucked up every single one of them.
ooooh, nice work, then santi shot…oooh.
Better better better
Good shot Santi
again, better…not quite, though. come on!!!
@208, just observed you’ve never been an Arsenal fan. Just to phucken pessimistic. Pls go off this team. We’re picking all 3 points. We command, control & own the 2nd half -always.
heart pounding, good work theo down the right, credit to distin.
Ramsey brilliant…
Nerves kicking in
fuck. i hate free kicks from there.
whew.
Collective sigh of relief…
Ref got to be fucking kidding me..
Kos, by the way, really great today.
how is that a yellow on arteta? and not the “tackle” by throbbing gristle?
Is just me or is Per becoming faster?
since when did pienaar become such a fucking jerk?
oh … that’s right.
nevermind.
ooooh, almost on the break. a bit behind, theo…damn. nicely broke, though.
and again, great ball aaron.
Tom and LuPo in – Pronto, please.
dfsfs
did pienaar elbow bac as he went by, in the head? cunt.
Silly seond, i second the motion!
Agreed Silly Second Yella.
And an own goal for Giroud to claim π
aaron, just didn’t have the legs. damn.
where is theo?
arsene looking for a water bottle to throw.
I luv Sagna, but when is he going to learn how to cross a ball?
COYR’s
Looking leggy
Jack needs to go down really ..for his and our good, still not match sharp.
too close from miralles.
subs we need subs!
No one warming up for us either.
Time for subs we need some fresh legs in there
we loose the ball too often! Come on!!!!
Agread Eandy, he’s still slightly off the pace.
There he goes, Ox on.
fuck you gibson. you shouldn’t be on the pitch.
and ox on for jack. good sub. now lupo for theo, also good.
Jack had to go cmon Ox and Poldi
Feo for Poldi.
COYR’s
sometimes AW is stubborn $uckhead.
for gawds sake put in TR7. And Poldi.
Ok OX and Poldi, lets boss em!
god, can we put in a cross? one that doesn’t get blocked?
well done poldi, corner.
nice cross bac, finally. corner.
Keep up the pressure!!!
breaking…
how the fuck did we not score there?
ox, take the shot!!!
Oh OG….
Put it home OX
AAaaaaaaaOOOooooooo.
Why didn’t he shoot??
HOW IS THAT NOT A GOAL?
Cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeessssssssssss
ffffffuuuuuuuucccccckkkkkkkkk…og. come ON.
0 for 3 OG
agonisiiiiiiiiiiiiiing
my god, that was nice ball control by santi.
Santi’s fucking majic!
another corner, via poldi.
scruz now that was a sitter! π
poldi active as hell down the left.
fucking diving fellaini.
Gedo kindly fock off!
lol, yes, it was atg. shoulda had it.
well kept aaron, way to hold him off.
Nice one Poldi
another corner, courtesy of poldi’s work. well played…
good game, eh h2h? π
Heh, we are definetly watching the same one, scruz. π
now let’s both see a 1-0 arsenal victory in the last minute…
Where do I sign?
oh, god, heart in mouth, fingers shaking… we’re so close to taking this.
nacho on for gibbs. the cheeeeeese!
Why didnt Arteta just shoot?:(
three more minutes, now everton time wasting.
One or two more chances left
bac the warrior.
Not happy with a draw tbh!
nacho yellow, weak card.
That was daft Nacho.
come one, one more chance, have it…come ON…
game over. a draw we didn’t need, but could be worse.
We should have won this had the chances OG had three
well fuck.
shame, had chances to win it, still not world ending result against strong everton side.
atg, they should have been down to ten after 20.
now it’s not in our hands anymore. damn.
Must say that if that had been Gervinho missing the ones OG did, he would have been crucified.
A fighting effort, cant fault the spirit. Got to learn to shoot more though and not be so wasteful in front of goal, other then that we were the better team and the only one who looked like winning.
It is what it is. Everton did well, think we would have won with a slightly less lenient ref, but well done to them, well done to us. Good game of football overall. Let’s win the next game now. Really only Utd left as a form team now. We should be fine.Toby
gotta get to work folks, thanks for sharing. drinks on the bar, plus some northern california treat in the cigar box…
Heh, I have no idea why my drink ended with “Toby”
first, we cannot finish FOR SHIT.
second, leighton baines … was he even on the pitch?
third, Ramsay was all over the place and the big shagy mumpty in blue … was it me or was he anything but his [allegedly] dominating self?
a draw sucks, lads. it really does. could be worse.
scruz, it’s still in our hands. Chavs and LWC’s still have to play each other.
We really need a centre forward with that extra bit of quality. I like OG but if he won’t even do the easy things, like attack the six yard box as he failed to do nearly all night, we’d be better off with a hatstand up there.
No complaints. They all worked hard and didn’t get much from the ref.
Fulham now looks a must win, and that’s going to be very tough.
Thought Ramsey did great again, the defence were excellent and Arteta put in a huge shift and was probably MOTM.
We had the chances to win it, we didn’t take them. On we go.
COYG
Tough game.
Great effort from the lads – Ramsay, Kos, and Arteta in particular.
No complaints from me – apart from the ref bottling his only real big decision.
Could have, should have. But didn’t.
Tense game. First half Everton was too physical, red let them play that way. We took it to them in the second. Really could have won. It’s done. Time to look at next game and get the points at Fulham.
H2H, you’re probably right, more or less, but mathematically, there are combinations that mean we don’t get fourth if Spurs and Chelsea win all their games except the game they play each other. So no, mathematically, not in our hands. But we’ll be fine. Might not be third anymore, though.
My hunch proved correct. A predictable draw.
Arsene is so stubborn sometimes. The moment I saw the starting line up it was evident we are going to struggle to create. Lets just hope this is not going to cost us.
Ramsey MOTM.
Spirited performance against a tough team. Some warriors out there fighting for the cause but not quite enough in front of goal. Ref let too much go in the first half. All the other teams around us have a tougher
programme than us, so still very hopeful of ECL next season.
Some not exactly wrong but still bad decisions made in front of goal. First OGs chance was 50/50..full speed, full stretch ..could go in or as it ended. The Ox really should have shot and then OG should have square it to Poldi instead of trying to blast it in by his right foot.
Other than not scoring, I have absolutely no trouble with what every lad shown, effort, urgency, everything was there and the fact that we did not lend the ball to Everton in last 15 mins speaks volumes.
Aaron MoTM for me again, followed closely by Kos and Santi.
Two points dropped in the greater scheme of things. Chances were there to take all three. But just as we got the breaks on Saturday we didn’t get them today. Can’t fault the shift the team put in. Arteta and Ramsey were outstanding. So were the BfG and Kos behind them. Somehow never felt that we would lose. Surprised TR didn’t get on, though.
A bit disappointed but not hugely so. This is one of those results which will look better or worse depending on what happens this weekend.
abb.
I know you are the chair person for the Gerv’ fan club and I luv you for it, but he’s not good enough to be an Arsenal player in the starting XI. To be brutaly honest, based on the last two months, I don’t think OG is good enough to lead the attack either. Way too many silly flicks that go nowhere. Plus, he doesn’t have that knack of being in the right place at the right time.
Let’s not get too carried away and throw the baby out with the bathwater, we took a hard fought draw against a team that is in good form and is also fighting for a CL spot. Fuck Spurs, they are a one chimp team and he is in re-ape-bilatation and probably won’t play for a while. We are still in it and we shouldn’t let our heads drop.
Arsenal Bloody Arsenal!!!
I can’t fault our effort tonight, but is Giroud going the way of the Chamakh?
What a game! Great effort by the boys, they are all my MoTM.
A bit early to be dismissing Giroud as the next Chamakh surely.
And a Drinky for H2H.
Spurs are not going to run the table and Chelsea’s fixtures are tough as well. A hard fought draw against a good team that came to play. Stay behind the team. We still have momentum and can keep the pressure fully on spurs with a win Saturday.
Five games, 15 points left to go for. Looks like the Mancs now have to be beaten.
Here’s what’s left:
Arsenal
Fulham (A)
Man U (H)
QPR (A)
Wigan (H)
Newcastle (A)
Chelsea
Fulham (A)
Liverpool (A)
Swansea (H)
Man U (A)
Tottenham (H)
Aston Villa (A)
Everton (H)
Tottenham
Man City (H)
Wigan (A)
Southampton (H)
Chelsea (A)
Stoke (A)
Sunderland (H)
Chamakh is lazy, OG is not him. I will never fault his effort, he works his balls off, that’s why he has so much credit with the fans (unlike Gerv’ abb) but we need a killer in the CF position, I’d like it to be him, but I don’t see it yet.
Tough Team they haven’t won away from home since january 2, mug punters
Cheers NorCal.
I’m sipping on Amstel at the mo’, and I’ll pour a new one. π
ITC
Don’t think we have to beat Man Utd, if we were to win all the other games. Though a point or three from them would be very welcome! I’d set a target of 12-13 points from the remaining games.
Not faulting OG’s work rate, I see what he does. But his finishing is glaringly lacking, H2H π NBN @ 326 QPR, we should have no probs. Can’t remember when we beat Manu last. Wigan scare me. Fulham will be another Everton, but not as tricky. Newcastle open game.
Also, let’s not forget Chelsea have two games against Basel and a possible Europa League final (which is between their final two games) to play as well.
About your first scentence, I can’t disagree, abb.
We beat Man Utd two years ago, Ramsey. I think we can beat Wigan, they’ll have FA Cup final hangover then as well.
Waiting at the station with an overall feeling of disappointment. We had the opportunity to win the game but did not make Howard work. I like Ollie g but he is not clinical enough for me. We looked a far better side when Santi moved central.
2 dropped for me.
H2H π Thanks Charlie, racking me brains and I honestly couldn’t remember. Btw, not worried that Wigan will beat us. Rather good at holding us back, though.
Win the game at the weekend and we’ll be fine.
Neither Chelsea nor spurs will win all their remaining games. There’ll be plenty more twists and turns.
No problem at all with OG. Works his nuts off every game. He’ll end the season just under 20 goals, which is a perfectly good return. Next season will tell us a lot more about him – he’ll be settled, will know the league and his team mates. 20-25 goals should be his target, and preferably some of them in big games. His work rate and overall contribution at both ends merit a bit of patience.
That’s fair N7.
Mystifying why TR7 didn’t play ahead of a Jack who is still quite a bit off full sharpness. A must-win match against Everton is surely not the time to get someone into match fitness when there is a better alternative on the bench.
This was reminiscent of early season draws against Stoke and Sunderland. Lacked creativity and accuracy in final third. Giroud should have scored the first half chance and for the second half one from Ox’s pass he should have noticed Poldi, but Ox should have taken a shot to begin with.
Of course Arsene knows ‘things’ that we don’t, but from outside it appears to be that we are going to repeat the mistakes of Cesc-era in the coming years, over-reliance on Jack.
And thanks to Ollie, Tabs, scruz and others from the previous drink: all our friends are fortunately safe in Boston. Some were near the finish line but had left earlier. We took the day off, took our baby out for a walk and there were many like us. It is a resilient city, and even though any type of overt violence (of even the ordinary criminal type) is not common in much of the city and hence the shock in the aftermath is pronounced, there is enough intelligence and humanity to not overreact and make it any worse.
Hi Holic, all!
Great effort today, collective defending in particular was solid and we always looked in more control than our well organized opponent. For me, two things stood out the kept us from the three points- TR7 and OG. Not that everything should lay on their shoulders, but Tomas is the only player of late that really lifts the speed of play. We had so so much 2, 3, 4 touch play in the offensive third where quickness may have broken them open. And OG has great qualities (his hold up play and headed flick ons are so consistent), excellent effort, but scoring where he has to do some of the pre-work is not. We simply don’t have an out n out striker on the squad, save Poldi who I’m not so sure that is still his best position. A striker we can sign. Quicker play with more movement in the box… now that’s tough to understand why we rely on Tomas so much for that. When he comes on, all the players around him quicken as well, and seem to love it. Why not without him?
Guinness, please. Cheers.
My guess is he didn’t want to stress TR7’s hammy. He has missed years due to hamstring injuries and felt jack would be better this time. He was still off the pace unfortunately.
Saturday needs either Santi or TR7 central. Ox and poldi on the wings. Theo off the bench. We need a minimum of 4 wins in our last five. Fiona be tight.
In other words than ‘TR7’ and ‘OG’, I might substitute ‘quick passing and pressing’ and ‘shot creating/ taking’.
Glad you and your family are safe, and together, Faustus.
Fiona be tight? WTF is that an autocorrect for?
Fiona be tight? WTF is that an autocorrect for? π
Fair point N7. I would never fault his effort or work rate. But Giroud is not quick enough it clinical enough to be the main man. He brings a lot to the table but we lacked Sharpness up front.
I have no idea why TR7 did not feature.
Thanks PIK.
NorCal @ 345: Don’t blame the autocorrect for such an obvious Freudian slip. π
NorCal @ 342: I agree this could have been simply protective, but past history with senior players does tell us that this may be TR7’s last season with us, and as he had shown last time he played for us he is no less of a player than anyone else in the Arsenal team now. Anyway, I admit being a fan — my favorite players of the Emirates-era are him and Cesc — and I was hoping for a grand farewell performance as the season ends.
N7 @ 338: I am with you about Giroud. He needs marginal improvements in two areas: better pace and a bit of trickery while running with the ball and finishing while tightly marked and from acute angles. But as you pointed out, 20 odd goals in the first season is good enough and it is indeed the next season that would tell us more.
Even though he tends to overdo the flick-and-lay-off just a tad bit, I think him dropping deep significantly and contributing to midfield battle, aerial and on the ground, has been a key when we played well. Some of his release passes to Theo and Poldi and Ox have been excellent. In other words, he is not really playing as a true #9, he cannot afford to prowl continuously.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>