I Don’t Like Football, As 10CC Might Have Sung.
Jun 23rd, 2014 by 'holic
No football blogger should confess that he has yet to see a full game in the World Cup. No Englishman should own up to not having seen a second of our own humilation thus far. I should be casting an eye over potential signings and following the latest tactical trends, shouldn’t I?
A week of glorious weather has made the garden an unavoidable escape from a tournament that I anticipated little. That, a weekend in Cornwall, plus a day of golf, and the loss (hopefully temporarily) of all my documents and research have combined to keep me away from television and keyboard.
An unexpected drop of rain means I am right now watching Brazil and Cameroon exchanging goals in the opening half an hour. No, wait. Neymar has just made it 2-1. Decent enough game, but not holding my attention enough to keep me away from writing this overdue post.
My lack of viewing means I still hold to my pre-tournament tips and the Arsenal bias that had me tipping Germany to triumph and Spain to miss out. With a change in weather forecast I expect to be getting into the tournament more fully later this week, so looking forward to seeing those who qualify from the first phase.
As far as Arsenal are concerned the transfer department appears to be as well-manned as the customer complaints department at Carlsberg. Serge Aurier is close, I see some mention, and he may well be. The customary Salomon Kalou rumours have surfaced on Talk Shite (copyright @Arseblog). They do love a good sly chuckle at our expense. We have a fair few deals to push through in a short period of time if we are to go into the season with a full squad.
Into the second-half in Brazil, and like many of you I am praying the rumours of a move for Hulk are just that. Rumours, made up on a night out in the snug at the Sozzled Hack. Fred has put the hosts further ahead. The defenders left him unmarked and offside in front of goal confident that he could not score from a couple of yards out. A more un-Brazilian player you could not imagine, but he and Hulk owe Neymar their pay cheques after tonight. Any doubts about his talent are being answered in this tournament.
Tuesday is due to be another lovely evening so I may complete my clean sweep of missing England matches. It is astonishing how my feelings for the national team have changed. Inded the last ten days or so have shown me how much I have become an Arsenal supporter, rather than a football supporter, if that makes sense.
Have a lovely week, ‘holics.
509 Responses to “I Don’t Like Football, As 10CC Might Have Sung.”
It makes sense.
I’m still celebrating the FA cup.
And now for some chili peppers and beers.
Like you I have seen hardly any of this tournament, but the games I’ve watched have been stonkers. I’m more interested in the Arsenal Ladies game on BT on Saturday though 😉
Actually I’ll be out celebrating Armed Forces Day on Saturday.
Probably.
The World Cup used to be an event, now it’s just televised football to fill the gap for those that need it. I’d rather be watching darts.
Jesus H
It’s taken you this long to give up the ghost of English International Football past.
You are a better man than me.
qualifier.
time to read the post.
agree with ssy, though, about the fa cup.
Evening SSY.
‘Lo Cynic. I hera that. Hope all is well?
Evening Clive. I owe you a mail. Will catch up this week.
Take care all.
Hey scruz, evening.
I haven’t anticipated this tournament overmuch. I have been abroad on business and have seen bits of matches and always view them from an Arsenal perspective. I always found it hard to love players from rivals on even a temporary basis and some awful moronic behaviour at English games I watched at Villa Park and Wembley made me feel even more separate from some racist bigots who shamed our national flag.
On a different note Arsene stepped down from his TV duties tonight to meet agents to discuss transfers which might stem the stupid criticism of him for wanting to be at the centre of the football universe and not sitting back in Shenley watching it on the telly.I’m very dubious about our transfer activity but I think we are really trying to bring some talent in this season. That might be Balotelli which makes me very nervous. If we sign him there will be days when we regret it greatly . Let’s hope the days when we are deeply grateful to him outnumber them significantly. Sanchez would be very well received and young Griezmann doesn’t look too shoddy. But you can’t guess what Arsene will do on transfers. He has his own way of doing things.
Let’s wish LJW a good and uninsured game tomorrow and hope Joel Campbell continues to impress without steering England to defeat. But if he does I’m not that bothered!
Uninsured would be a disaster speaking as an insurance man! I meant uninjured!
I’ve been watching the World Cup in its entirety until this evening and the England games have had almost zero effect on me, a couple of games have been outright boring but the England games have certainly not galvanized me into thinking we ever stood a chance, sad or just a sign of the times?
I am far more concerned with affairs of the Arsenal heart and always had a soft spot for the Germans, mostly because they have more Arsenal players than any of the others bar England and partly because it will soon be where I call home, I hope to still hang out in the bar, guv’nor allowing.
Just a lot of packing to finish up when I can be bothered 🙂
Top 10 -trophyish. 🙂
I went to the old Wembley to watch England vs Brazil (the one where Lineker missed a penalty).
When at least 20 people around me ‘jovially’ sang ‘Get the ****** off the pitch!’ at David Rocastle, I couldnt have felt more disassociated. Have never cared about the national team since.
The old mans Welsh and Bale isnt at Sperz anymore so I think I’ll be following Ramsey and Wales from now on.
‘holic I must respectfully disagree with you, due to my own particular background of course, on the value of watching this World Cup. It has been an absolute smash and that fat little Mexican coach with the 75 dollar suit is becoming an international icon, I tells ya. 🙂
Evening, Holic.
I’ve also seen very little of it so far. Germany vs Ghana was good – other than that I seem to have developed some strange sort of World Cup Attention Deficit Syndrome.
I don’t know what the television directors are playing at but there have been altogether far too few glimpses of scantily clad Brazilian beauties in the crowds.
Speaking, or writing, of Fred, wouldn’t it be just great to have the opportunity of introducing him to the Arseblogger in The Tollie one day.
Imagine the bemused expression on the face of the recipient of the greeting as I/we were able to say –
“Fred, Bloggs”.
Sorry, it must be that Deficit thingy kicking in again. 😉
Hope you are well, H, and managing to enjoy some of the garden amidst all that inconvenience.
Depressedgooner,
Having lived there for a few months myself, albeit a fair few years ago, I can tell you you will enjoy living in Germany.
No, really, you WILL enjoy living in ze Vaterland, ZAT IS AN ORDER !
Orders ?
Whatever everyone else is having, pease.
And one for depressedgooner. 😉
The U.S. team of course never used to qualify let alone win any games at the World Cup so I learned to enjoy the cup devoid of nationalistic considerations, other than pretending I was rooting for this or that nation that is, which is more or less what I am still doing, so I do not have any feeling of a letdown if my national team does not do well. In this case, they have failed to not do well so far, but that is the background I mentioned in my previous drink.
Evening all.
I must admit that I have not watched as much of the World Cup as I would have liked due to various other commitments. But what I have seen so far I have generally enjoyed. I can’t fall out of love with my country. I was born in England and I am very proud to be English. I take pride in my country and what it has achieved over the years in all things. The national football team has for some years under achieved. To so called golden generation were nothing but a disappointment. But what I have seen this year had very much reminded me of my beloved Arsenal. A host of decent players who have given their all, but a team lacking in genuine quality in the areas it matters. The two games so far have been very even just for us to be outdone by genuine quality.
Some of the stuff I have read in the media and in the drinks have been bordering on the ridiculous. England just have not been good enough. Some of the criticism has since been ridiculous. I read on here that Gerrard was overrated and throughout his career had been average at best???? Really???? That was my favourite I must say.
There are many reasons why we as a nation don’t produce players of true ability. The fact that the FA and Premier League don’t get on is hardly helpful. Money has taken over. Look at the petro dollar boys. Who was the last player that Chelski brought through their ranks??? And Citeh for that matter? The coaching at youth level is quite simply a joke. Grass roots football is almost totally ignored. To get your A licence as a coach in this country costs the individual £5,500, plus all the time given up. That may explain why there is only 900 in England. Contrast that to Spain and Germany. Spain, up until 2 weeks ago were world and European champions. In Spain it costs the individual £500 to get your A licence. That may explain why there are 12,000 of them in Spain. In Germany it costs a little over £800 and they have 9,000. It’s not too difficult to see that changes may need to be made?
The transfer speculation is amusing. From reading people in the bar slaughtering each other because someone dared to read a media article linking us with a player we now appear to have gone full circle. Wish lists are now fuelled by constant press bollocks where some two bob hack will hope that the name he throws into the hat will be the one pulled out. Let’s be honest, a broken clock is right at least twice a day.
I have little to no faith in the current boards ability to make the right signings, or I make them early enough. I really want to be proved wrong. I really want those in power to show that over the years they have learned the lessons if their previous fuck ups. I want to believe that Arsene has taken a break from French TV to set up deals. I will await the outcome. My guess is that he is poolside enjoying some chill out time.
So, whilst Ivan and his merry men are busy sorting out the deals of the century I am going to sit back and enjoy the football. I will also enjoy the cricket and hope that the two do their upmost to ensure that Wimbledon and the soaps remain off my tele for as long as possible.
All is ok thanks, H. Apart from being terrible… 😉
Cricket worse than the football.
Cook out.
I said Cook ladies, calm down…
Cook out. Bails off.
Sounds like a South Carolina farce. 😉
I’ve only been following Arsenal since I married my English true love in 2001. I’ve loved the World Cup, much to my surprise. I thought I was only an Arsenal fan, not particularly a football fan. I have been supporting Germany and France, since they have the most Arsenal players. But I have been caught up by the US team, which is much better than I expected it to be. Thursday, I will be going to a local restaurant to watch the US/Germany game, and I will be hoping for a draw.
My daughter, in France for work for two years, is totally obsessed for the first time, and it has been wonderful sharing this all with her. She was in the Hague today for the Netherlands game and loved sharing in the excitement.
Lots of upsets, lots of goals, so many fans in silly costumes, what’s not to love?
News item: It appears judging by the Boa noite at the end of the first paragraph in this link:
http://www.fifa.com
That somebody at FIFA appears to have learned to say Good Night in Portuguese. Maybe they should make “Cultural Sensitivity” their new slogan, seeing how badly “Respect” failed them. 😉
Or was that the FA’s slogan??
@20: Not sure what paragraph you’re talking about there 8Ball, that link just takes you to the front page of the FIFA website which shows several links…
I see Wilshere will be starting tomorrow with maybe Lampard and Barkley in midfield. Should be exciting to see what they can produce! Come on Jackie-boy!
Steve T@16, I totally agree with all you just said. And especially when it comes to Arsenal and doing deals, just like you I really don’t have any type of confidence in them. Hopefully they will prove us all wrong.
Hulk, ‘holic? I hope not. He looks like a cart horse in a Derby field. Watching him I’m reminded of how long it takes an ocean liner to stop or change direction. Very over-rated player.
Just my opinion of course, and most here will automatically disagree with me.
I have to agree with Steve T re Gerrard. I’m mystified by how poorly he is perceived by so many. For mine he’s the perfect club player … a guy who only ever wanted to play for one club, rejecting all the transfer offers and financial rewrads that came with them. He joined his club’s academy at age 9 and still with the club 25 years later during which time he’s represented his country 113 times. I won’t bore you with the extensive list of awards he’s won, you can check for yourselves on his Wiki page … http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Gerrard#Honours
To say he’s rubbish is, well, rubbish and anyone who calls him that hasn’t a clue frankly.
Oh, and he’s also got something else no Arsenal player has ever won … a CL winners medal plus a man of the match award from the same game.
The only disappointing thing about him is he wasn’t born in Islington.
Öskar
Cannons. How dare FIFA change the lead story on their homepage! I was referring to a one paragraph summary of the day’s events, and I can’t find it any more but you will have to take my word for it, whatever it was.
cook out
bails off
root in
Oskar, sometimes I just don’t know about you, mate.
Don’t tread on me.
Ballance disturbed
Bell tolled
Jordan crossed
Moeen moaning
Broad brushed
Plunkett plonkered
Öskar
Say what, iLonestar? Nothing I have written was against you personally mate. Just my opinions. #27 was your first post in this round anyway!
Drinks are on the bar for anyone I unintentionally offend. 😉
Öskar
Isn’t Robson an Aussie, Aussie? I blame him… 😉
Öskar
Oskar @ 24: It is a matter of opinion of course, but Steven Gerrard has been an excellent servant for Liverpool, a very exciting PL player at his youthful pomp, but an overrated footballer by the English press. Just the way Rooney is overrated, and he already has won many more trophies than Gerrard did.
By overrated I mean despite the claims to contrary he wouldn’t be remembered along with the best of the midfield players (attacking or box-to-box or pivot, any position you choose) of his generation. Forget the greats who are just a few years older than him — Zidane or Figo or Rivaldo Or Vieira– but even the best players who are more or less his contemporaries, like Pirlo, Totti, Ronaldinho, Schweinsteiger, Xavi, Deco.
His international career has been mediocre at best, and with Liverpool he won one CL, couple of FA cups and one UEFA Cup in a career spanning nearly fifteen years. And anyway that is a bit of a questionable argument, Diego Milito won everything with Inter, would you remember him as a great world class striker of his generation?
How many many football players outside England would want to model their games after Steven Gerrard?
I described Gerrard as ‘the perfect club player’, Dr F, nothing more. The kind of player I believe is much need at the Ems. Zidane once said he was the best footballer in the world (at the time), but I agree he’d struggle to make a best-ever Liverpool team never mind an international side.
But for week in week out effort at a much higher than average level I’d have him in my club team any day.
Öskar
Oskar @ 32: Agreed. A great one-club servant. But in that same category, I prefer Totti. 🙂
Gerrard is a diving cheat and a hypocrite (for saying “English players don’t dive” when he couldn’t stop diving), who used to run around a lot but now can’t so attempts ridiculous 60 yard passes all the time.
But besides all that, he seems like a really nice bloke. 😀
P.S. I agree “one club players” like him and Carragher are hard to come by and should be appreciated, but surely he ultimately stayed at Liverpool because when Chelsea came in for him those years ago, Liverpool just threw mad money at him?
@25: 8Ball, I’ll take your cryptic word for it 😉
More excellence from the very promising Memphis Depay today. Looks a lot like RvP when he joined us all those years ago. Hope AW has his eye on him.
Öskar
@36: Öskar, I saw his cameo and he seems like a tidy player. With a name like “Memphis” he’s sure to become a “big” player in the future 😉
31 – Nailed it. UK press think anyone whose a prospect with a passport is “super quality.” Gerrard was a fine player when he had legs, very good in his league, but being a PL star doesn’t mean you are going to piss all over everyone else. A big part of playing the role of star on successful teams came from being surrounded by high quality imports.
Look at the hype surrounding Sturridge pre-tournament. Had a good season and rightfully made the team, but folks are kidding themselves if they think this inherently equates to a sign of quality on the world stage. Rooney is another. All the hype, but was never as useful as the foreign bloke scorn all the goals, whoever that has been. UK press blow up the homegrown hopes, then go looking for reasons why they don’t meet expectations. Problem is that expectations should never have been that high anyway.
All the pre-tourny talk of this being the time the country weren’t all expecting to win it has been blown up. They kept it quite, but are nashing now. England just don’t have the quality to be what the press want.
Oskar, what about a shout for those of us you intentionally offend.
if you only shout those who you unintentionally offend that would be reverse discrimination, which would be offensive to say the least.
its a complicated world out there Oskar, we live in a world where once proud aussie even play for England
cook out
root out
a top order collapse is on
Glad to see I’m not the only one with what Trev gloriously calls World Cup Attention Deficit Syndrome. Haven’t been able to watch a whole game yet. Will attempt this evening when Joel Campbell appears against England – but I doubt I’ll make it all the way through. I have a suspicion he’s another victim of press overhype.
Lol. Lots of once proud overseas born cricketers have played for England. As indeed have plenty of o/s born cricketers represented Australia. ussie plying his trade for England? Now there’s a twist! In the 26 years I lived in Aussie every second actor, singer, sportsman and woman I came across turned out to be born somewhere other than Australia. Including the following:
Born in England … Charles Bannerman, John Hodges, Tom Kendall, William Midwinter, Percy McDonnell, William Cooper, Henry Musgrove, Hanson Carter, Tony Dell and Andrew Symonds.
Born in NZ … Tom Groube, Clarrie Grimmett and Brendon Julian.
Born in India … Bransby Cooper and Rex Sellers.
Born in Ireland … Tom Horan and Tom Kelly.
Born n South Africa … Kepler Wessels.
Born in Scotland … Archie Jackson.
Born in Sri Lanka … Dav Whatmore.
In fact in the 26 years I lived in Aussie every second actor, singer, sportsman and woman I came across turned out to be born somewhere other than Australia. As was practically the entire production crew that worked for me on events, myself included of course. 🙂
As for offending people I follow the Salman Rushdie dictum : “What is freedom of expression? Without the freedom to offend, it ceases to exist”. The right to be offensive and the absolute right to free speech are two sides of the same coin. Which is why I offer a drink only to those I offend unintentionally. Those I intentionally offend must deserve it or I wouldn’t do it. They deserve nothing.
On the other hand I will happily drink with anyone who would drink with me. For whatever reason. Including yourself I hope? 🙂
Öskar
I have no idea wtf happened with my previous. Stuff I moved down the page also stayed where it was originally, and stuff I added in its place didn’t appear at all! Weird. The list of guys were in fact overseas born cricketers who represented Australia.
Öskar
Morning to all of the transfer interested supporters out here:
A French Journo by the name of Francios Piraux yesterday tweeted the following:
Arsene Wenger not on TF1 tonight because he have many meetings with agents about new signings. He will be present for France-Ecuador. #AFC
— Francois Piraux (@F8Piraux) June 23, 2014
The above statement is consistent with reports that Wenger was due to meet with Mario Balotelis agent on Sunday. Whether such a meeting will also include others from Arsenal, Wenger is now rumoured to be involved. Deals are never done until both player and clubs have agreed. A mooted medical is normally an indicator that a signing is imminent. However with the tournament still in full swing, players will be less available than usual and so therefore could slow things up.
I expect more speculation over the next few days and I expect positive news.
🙂
43 – Top work squire.
The Bison and Super Mario will not get away. Just like Vela to Sociedad, there are clearly deals done and near done that the useless UK gutter press have no idea about. AW is working it. What fabulous news. It gives succour to the foot soldiers. Now we must press on to consolidate our gains. Sanchez? Martinez? Greazyman? Caio? AW knows. All will be revealed shortly.
Woof Woof Big Ivan, Woof Woof.
Commandante Puno, Over.
#UTA
Cheers Holic,
An oasis of sanity amidst all the hullaballoo.
I really despise National football in general but I have to say, I’m really enjoying this WC. The standard of football has been great, the referees have largely decided to let the games flow a little and the pace and heat have been telling factors. I think the South American pace and heat will eventually catch all the European sides as the tournament progresses. I watched Costa Rica runs Italy into the ground for example. Pirlo got no space or time on the Ball. And Germany were made look vulnerable against the Ghanians who ran at them constantly.
From an Arsenal perspective, I’m completely with Blogs in hoping that we get Alexis Sanchez on board. What pace that lad has. And coupled with the return of Campbell who has turned out to be one of the surprises in the WC, we might well have two of its stars arrive this summer who’ll bring ingredients we really miss. The lad Aurier might be a little naive defensively at times, but for a 21 year old, he’s fast, he can cross and he’s built like a brick s**t-house. With a little discipline, he could be just what we need.
Wenger has 3 years left to bolster his legacy and he’s a lot of money at his disposal. This window is very important.
I love a World Cup. Outside of a few late round European glamour ties each year, it is the only football I take seriously. I rarely watch anything not involving Arsenal during the season. My best effort was 1994, when I only missed a single game. Last nights Mexico Croatia offering was as fine a game as you will see not including The Arsenal I think.
As someone said above, the Mexican coach is a true hero and I guess a walking billboard for the cartels finest. Product placement I think they call it. The Guardado fella for Mexico was particularly funky. Apparently ITV said the Croats had no “star names,” despite a midfield two that were the driving forces for the European and Europa Pot winners. No wonder they expect Wellbeck to beast on Chiellini. Idiots.
Anyway, back to youtube scouting these juicy transfer rumours. It is how I get my info, apart from a bit of World Cup scouting.
I suspect Big Ivan knows to.
UTA
El @44 – Cheers! Onwards and upwards, I say 😆
To those who haven’t been watching much of the World Cup, fair enough. But you’re missing out, so far it’s shaping up to be the best one since 1998. I hope we don’t see a switch to cagey football in the knockout stages is all. And I hope Portugal get dumped out on Thursday.
Echo Charlie!
Been a brilliant world cup, great to scout players too.
Can’t wait for the Italy vs Uruguay match and to see how Campbell fares against England!
😀
47 – I am afraid to even write his name…But, fucking hell, Alexis Sanchez eh? I won’t mention him again because I don’t want to jinx it, or tip anyone else who might be reading off, but isn’t he wonderful?
If we got Theo back, Alexis, Campbell, Balotelli all of a sudden we have the sort of movement and runners in behind that we need to really get the best out of Ozil and Wilshere with their eye for a through ball. We can get support around Giroud and have people to feed off his link play. We can counter attack again; it has been too long.
Time to bunker down and wait for the cavalry. When we see Big Ivan riding over the hills on a white horse then we move.
UTA
Ps: What about that holding player, gone very quite there???
Finally got time to read the blog! Fine sentiments H.
I have managed to watch a lot of the WC and there has been fine football and an avalanche of goals.
However I share your feelings entirely. I remain largely unmoved by the successes and failures I have witnessed. Indeed I am pretty bored by much of it and especially by the media prattling.
I have realised that if it ain’t Arsenal, I really couldn’t give a shit.
The fact it isn’t Arsenal is precisely the reason why I enjoy the World Cup – football without the stress of supporting anyone. I wouldn’t want that all the time, but as an occasional treat it’s very welcome.
Loved the last line of the post, i think that pretty much sums up a lot here including me. I am more an Arsenal fan than even a football fan because football to me only means Arsenal.
I have been watching the world cup though and i loved the smaller teams playing so well. I was stunned by Ghana’s performance against germany. same way as Chile were outstanding against Spain.
Overall i just hope all our players come back safe and sound and with no injuries, in terms of the world cup may the best team win and i hope it is not Brazil because they definitely are not.
@ Trev
Cheers bud, have one yourself….aw hell one more for the whole bar!
😉
El @ 50 say his name as loud as you please. The thing is, we appear to be further in with other targets. He is a popular target and is being mooted as a make weight in the on-going #Free Suarez case at present. If we are moving for him, expect more info to surface in the coming weeks rather than days. But you never know – We could get lucky! 🙂
Oskar @ 29, LOL, no I apologize for the confusion. “Don’t tread on me” was the rallying cry for American revolutionaries and popularized under the Gadsden Flag (I was trying out a new benediction in honor of Team USA).
You didn’t offend me, I just didn’t understand your praise of Gerrard contrasted with doubts over young Jack…any way we are good, mate.
As far as I am concerned, CoR nailed it in #34 (thanks for the guffaws). I forget the announcer who said during the England match that Gerrard was responsible for more opposing player assists than any other England international, but I laughed and laughed and laughed.
Don’t tread on me.
Oskar – I was having a joke mate and it obviously was not a very good one. I should have used one of those winking smiley face emotives.
Anyway – worth it just to see you go off and especially as you also named overseas people who played for Australia.
Classic stuff mate.
One on the house Oskar – you have kept me laughing through work most of the day.
News item:
Former male hooker appointed as rugby manager in northern England.
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-league/27992805
Where’s the moral fibre of days gone by? 😉
So much dsinterest/dislike/hate for the World Cup on here!
I echo Charlie, you fellas really are missing out on some fun, stress-free football of a pretty high quality. I’ve watched nearly every game and can’t wait for more. I’m also enjoying the fact that there seems to be less diving and players I’m not familiar with shining through.
More upsets to come than usual this time around I suspect.
I highly doubt Brazil will get to the final, and I feel another huge head may roll in the round of 16…
@56: Lonestar, was this you during the USA v Portugal match?
http://imgur.com/gallery/GVGgS2a
Have to say I’m loving the world cup, and as soon as England crashed out it was like, ‘oh good I can enjoy it with absolutely no distractions whatsoever’. It’s pretty goal-tastic.
I’m glad Brazil didn’t go out too. We think we’re passionate about it but as fans they make us look like occasional dabblers. Did you know they’re still gutted about losing the 1950 final? I’d be genuinely concerned about public order if they went out too early on their own soil.
As for transfers, I’m firmly with Steve T. The team at Arsenal have a hell of a job convincing us that they’re not a feckless bunch of disorganised amateurs, which means getting a half decent deal or two done in time for the first game of 14/15. More cojones in that area this time please.
Cheers, Cannons and Porco for your right and proper WC attitudes. 🙂
As for previously mentioned former male hooker rugby manager, his first quote reported in the media was “”Who knows, maybe we can sneak a few guys in that can start pushing in the scrum.”
Dear , dear. 😉
World cup not interesting? I beg to differ!
Evidence : http://i.imgur.com/GvykJub.jpg
Really enjoying the World Cup.
First one I properly remember in 1986. ’82 happened when I was six years old, I remember the general sense of tragedy at my family when Brazil went out — later watching videos of that Brazil team I can understand why — and I remember the final a bit. ’86 was a very good world cup and this one is the most memorable since then, though the overall quality of football probably was better in 1998.
Most number of goals per game since 1958, some of them spectacular, comebacks, underdogs winning, some good football, and quite a few enjoyable tactical battles.
About Brazil, I think if we should not be writing them off now based on their ordinary performance. They have a good spine in Silva, Gustavo, Neymar and two excellent full backs and all have been playing well within themselves. Scolari is a master at getting his team to peak at right time and I think Brazil will go far.
Would love to see the German gooners or Giroud (only one French Arsenal player! What happened to us?) lift the trophy though.
@63 DocFaust
If i am not mistake Koscielny played and is available for the French team.
Can’t say i share your sentiments about Brazil, the starting eleven looks uninspired apart from Neymar. They may have more on their bench that could start future matches though. They may come undone against a better attacking side.
Looking forward to some exciting 2nd round matches already!
So Jack Wilshere’s body goes on the line tonight in an attempt to regain some ‘respect’ according to the gentlemen of the press.
Really ?
If Jack comes through the whole pointless exercise unscathed and England win, it will only be because Costa Rica were already qualified and weren’t really trying.
If England lose, Jack et al will be dismissed as lacking the quality at international level and suffer mental, rather than physical damage.
Well, he has Smalling behind him, and Milner in front of him.
Good luck with that one, Jack.
The Ox already more injured than was originally thought – no, really ! – and Jack playing, trying to find some form, with the stiffs in a dead rubber.
Was someone wondering why I’m not terribly excited by it all ?
Waiting in great anticipation for our signings to come in : http://i.imgur.com/TjJuJ29.jpg
Told Mrs Poon that I’d dip my balls in tobasco if we sign Alexi Sanchez. She asked why? I said to pay homage to Big Ivan. She said who’s Big Ivan and why would he want you to put your balls in Tabasco, is he some sort of pervert? She had me there. True story.
#FREESANCHEZ
There’s at least one englishman who’s taking the costa ricans side :-
Scott Jardine, from Worthing, is in line for a £3,000 windfall after sticking a £5 bet on Costa Rica winning all three of their group matches at the start of the tournament at odds of 600-1.
The 41-year-old is believed to be the only person in England to bet on a hat-trick of wins for the rank outsiders.
😀
BB @ 64: Yes, Kos of course. How could I miss him? 🙂 My favorite player, at least one of them.
About Brazil, we will see. Oranje is looking very good indeed, but we have seen this movie before.
Can’t recall so many of the ‘holics boycotting South Africa in 2010. Maybe the idea is no World Cup held outside the Commonwealth is of interest?
Mind you, I do understand there might be good reasons to put a limit on the amount of football watched on TV. Not that I have come to grips with such a thing, of course. 😉
Re: Puno @67. Magnificent. An old Louisiana trick, that dipping the balls in Tabasco. The tried and true are the best. 🙂
Campbell ..nice shot.
Reckon more than half the costa rican team would be most welcome in the EPL. Or are England that woeful?!?!
Good to have a chuckle about the time the English press was pushing Joe Hart’s claim to best keeper in the world when Buffon is on the telly 🙂
72 – I’m ready. Big Ivan knows it. Anything it takes.
My perfect summer, version 53:
The Bison, Javi Martinez, Reus, Sanchez.
Bing. Bang. Bosh.
UTA
Balotelli 2nd yellow.. looks like a straight Red to me. I do hope we don’t get him, liability when it matters waiting to happen!
vela staying at real soc. for €11 million. not a bad piece of business for us.
maybe it’s a start on getting griezmann, too.
so as not to be rumormongering:
http://www.espnfc.us/story/1907869/real-sociedad-and-arsenal-strike-carlos-vela-deal
That’s that.. at least we’ll have Wilshere back.. not sure how fit the OX is though. Campbell either is being rested or having a bad game… probably both.
Suarez just bit Chellini in the shoulder lol
he is unbelievably stupid
bitey mcracist bites again. unbelieveable. truly. should have been sent off.
nine minutes for italy to come back down a man. can they do it?
Hahahhaha… Biter is back! 😀
Brilliant player but his bite is definitely worse than his bark!
nope, they couldn’t. italy and spain out in the group rounds, whod’a thunk it?
so one of the teams I tipped to win is out. Germany or France it is then.
Scruz.. would’ve added England to the list there.. but i guess some or most people were expecting that.
Maybe if Sturridge wasn’t eating so much ‘Subway’ he would be more clinical in his finishing. 😀
Well, finally watched a full match (almost). The mighty Ingerlund – our boys. Oh, how my breast swelled with pride at their performance, bringing back echoes of Admiral Lord Nelson, the Duke of Wellington, Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer, Churchill, Maggie, Twiggy, Janet Street-Porter and many many more. Especially that moment in the 84th minute when Phil Jones held off a marauding Costa Rican with strength, skill and determination, gallantly winning our boys a goal-kick. Land of Hope and Glory. Amen.
Still anybody want to tell me that it’s time to move on? That’s what I’ve been told last year after I said that I don’t want that diving, biting cunt at Arsenal.
The worst bunch of diving, cheating, biting group of players in the world football! What a disgrace!
Also underwhelmed by Campbell. Not a patch on the Ox – or Gnabry for that matter. I’d sell while the price right.
Looks like we got a fair enough deal on Vela. The sooner the WC has been flushed the better – then we can get down to the important stuff of the summer.
FIFA should really ban this cannibal. For ever.
Italy too much Catenaccio for me, but Uruguay.. Dirtiest team in the WC!
Sure am glad pool didn’t win the league.
@94 DK
Give Campbell a chance, he looks a little raw but his finishing is good. Of course Sanchez over him any day but then what’s the chance of that.
Like I said last summer:
How long will Suarez’ next suspension be? It’s easy to keep your cool when things are going well, but today we saw his usual reaction to being frustrated. If he ever does that again in the Premier League he’ll probably be suspended for 15 or even 20 games.
Lars @ 98: Before that FIFA might take steps to ban him for all forms of games for a period. At least they should, but with FIFA most likely Blatter will talk about how much excitement Suarez brings in to the game …
Would not have mind Suarez playing for us, judging by what he’s done last season, he seemed to have put it all in the past and then this happens again. Glad to admit i was wrong, wenger dodged the bullet there!
And no Balotelli too.. another powder keg waiting to blow!
BB – my point is he gives us nothing we haven’t already got. We need a top-class striker, preferable one who doesn’t bite. Campbell isn’t that – he’s been at L’Orient, Real Betis and Olympiakos and not exactly stood out. Expecting him to suddenly do it in the Premiership is a bit much. I gather he had a good game against Uruguay and he scored in the CL against United but so what.
I’m not a great fan of Rémy (don’t think AW is either – could have bought him the last 3 years if he’d rated him) but he’d be better than Campbell.
Sorry – Sell.
Suarez should never play the sport again. Period.
Three bites in about 4 years – he averaging meal a year almost.
And the racism incident. What’s it going to take?
He’s truly a sociopath. The man needs help.
Italy got hosed. The red card was dead wrong (no contact = straight red …?). And Suarez bites Chiellini, the entire world sees it but nothing happens to him. Ridiculous. Italy were not a great side, but they should be thru not those cheating Uruguayans.
Anyone denying the need for technology/instant reply now is kidding themselves. Long overdue.
Dr. F – my point exactly.
Blatter/FIFA are corrupt fools.
Suarez in cup = better ratings = more money for “non profit” FIFA.
Will be interested to see what happens now.
BB
I’m on the same ship. Mario, as brilliant as he can be on his day, is a ticking timebomb. He is in the business a while now and still acts like a 13 year old girl if things are not going his way. Really hope we’re not in for him.
I’d be very surprised if FIFA do anything about Suarez’ bite. They’ll most likely hide behind some excuse like lack of conclusive evidence, or they’ll take a leaf out of that other bastion of integrity and justice the FA’s book and say they can’t punish what the ref didn’t see.
Expect a fudge.
Mmmmm, fudge…
@101 DK
Coudln’t agree with you more. We need top class. But it doesn’t seem like we’re getting any soon if past seasons are a benchmark. We’ll probably still be stuck with Sanogo as our only backup out and out striker. Hence he may be all we’ve got as a backup.
Still if we get say Sanchez or anyone of equal calibre.. then by all means let him ply his trade elsewhere.
As simple as 3-2-1 for sorry England as they exit with a whimper and not a bang
3 Games
2 Goals
1 Pt
Utterly pathetic, I switched to the Italy game at half time, more entertaining for all the wrong reasons and even the wrong bloody result.
@102 Homer
Can’t say i agree with the no contact red for Marchisio. Player definitely didn’t play the ball. That one the ref got right in my opinion.
I do agree with you on the urgent need for technology though.
Goonertown, you seen the stories about bids for Sanchez AND Balotelli comrade?
Appear to start in the usually reliable Telegraph Sport section 🙂 🙂 🙂
#FreeSanchez
Suarez just handed in his transfer request.
No attempt to hit the ball, knee-high, studs-first challenge. What else if not red?
Ok… we need a dentist (or a vet) to verify this :
https://twitter.com/BBCSport/status/481499449051869185/photo/1
Compare those marks with his chompers!
😀
So we are shit at football and cricket. Perspective people. Real life inflicts much worse…
So, Uruguay could yet finish up World Chompions.
If FIFA fail to make incisive comments, or take decisive action over Suarez, will it further dent-ure confidence in that most inchompitent organisation.
Will Suarez be made to shoulder some responsibility for his actions ?
Will FIFA make a dog’s dinner of it yet again ?
Suarez should be treated like the anenamel that he is. 😉
Trev @ 114: I was thinking to myself I should check the blog back in UK morning time to enjoy a pun fiesta about the Suarez incident. 🙂 Didn’t have to wait that long…
I don’t want this Suarez guy or Baloteli around my Arsenal please. I know some fans won’t mind Balotelli coming to Arsenal, but this guy is just not coolheaded enough for me. We will definitely be playing 9-10 men on the pitch all the time. Now if you can get me Sanchez, now you are talking.
I don’t want Suarez biting around my Arsenal either.
Thank you. 😉
Dr Faustus – well, just a few tongue in cheek comments. 😉
The Italian display lacked bite. Uruguay made quite a meal out of the match though! I am not holding my breath on Suarez being fined, FIFA are pretty toothless anyways. Suarez is despicable and devoid of any morals, though he has molars aplenty.
FIFA simply must not be toothless – they have to act with a bit of
gum-ption and root out this behaviour.
Gervs is just so erratic, so unpredictible for opposing defences because even he himself has no clue what he is going to do. If he ever pulls “Ramsey” and gets more composed, he could become some player.
Firstly I would like to confirm that I think Gerrard is overrated. He is an excellent player at club level but has never been good enough to dominate or even play well at a major tournament.
Even in the CL final they won he was putrid in the first half. Big difference between being good in domestic football and at international level. As for being loyal he wouldn’t have been has not some ‘ influential’ individuals in Liverpool leant on him not to leave Liverpool.
Secondly Suarez is beneath contempt and should be banned for half a season. Didn’t see the two games this afternoon but the evidence is clearly there.
Thirdly Sanchez would be a big asset but I would prefer a striker with less flakiness and more consistency than Balotelli. I think Mandzukic would adapt much better to English football and be suspended less.
Finally I have not been taken with much of the football I have seen. I watched the 1970 World Cup and it was much more interesting than this. Few individuals have excited me and the systems used with one striker tend to mean midfields are congested and there is little individual flair . It’s death by meaningless passing. I seem to be at odds with a lot of knowledgeable people on here so I guess I’ve watched the wrong games or am just an old grouch.
Looks like we dodged a bullet with that cannibal
We will agree to disagree then. Watching the reply, Marchiso had the ball so its not like he “came in” studs up. That’s simply wrong. True – looks like he goes over the ball and caught the Uruguayan with his boot. Grazed him but of course the Urguayan dives to the turf writhing in pain. Straight red? Ha … whatever. There are some dirty Italian players, but if memory serves Marchiso isn’t one of them. The ref was about 3 feet away, so surely he had a good view.
While Italy was uninspiring and their attack generally out to lunch, the referee decided that game and their run was coming to an end sooner than later. Nonetheless, abysmal officiating.
And for what its worth, I’d rather be giving our man Sonogo time on the pitch than Balotelli. At lest Sonogo tracks back and has some holdup play. Apart from a good headed goal, Balotelli did almost nothing except yell for the ball and stand around. And fall over a lot. There’s a reason Milan want to sell him, and it isn’t b/c he wears Puma.
I agree with you, ttg,
You are an old grouch. 😉
Seriously, I do agree. Must be my WCADS but I just can’t be bothered with any more of it.
Maybe the knockout rounds will be more engaging.
No doubt about it. The fourth time a player bites an opponent is the moment to decide he is crazy and not worth having in your team. 😉
Commentator: “little bit of Ross Barkley about James Rodriguez.”
Goal – Martinez
#Free Jackson
All we need to know about Balotelli was there in full view today. At a critical game in a world cup qualifying match he was substituted at half time. As Liam Brady, a man who has reported to Wenger down the years said on RTE, “If you have to depend on Balotelli, then your in trouble…”
I think thats all that needs to be said.
Gooal – Martinez brace
#Free Jackson
With Martinez and Sanchez we will win the league – No doubt about it!
Cu’mon Wenger 🙂
Martinez back in the picture, for a lot of clubs probably, with that brace.
As for Suarez, I have to say it would have been a better story if he had bitten Gerrard. 😉
Columbia vs Uruguay?! Should be interesting.. Colombians have to remember to get inoculated first! They’ll be no strangers to Uruguay.
Dirtiest team in the WC, although Godin is a top class defender!
Martinez looks quality and a much more stable individual than Balotelli. I I like the look of that young Ivorian …Gervinho. Perhaps we could get him?
Greece are through….wow…!
harsh, harsh, and so unnecessary for ivory coast. wow.
Transfer rumor (from the you heard it here first department):
AW didn’t buy Fabregas because he’s buying James Rodriguez and his smokescreen was we didn’t need another midfielder. 🙂
and with respect to the bitey mcracist puns, fifa are so corrupt, rather than punishing him they’re going to give him a plaque…
what an ending to Greece vs Ivory Coast game. Have to hand it to Greeks though, deserved victory even though I still hate the fact they knocked out pretty much best Czech team ever assembled in the Euro 2004 semis.
Joe@128, I would like Balotelli for the good areas of his game that he can bring on his best day, but just like suarez, he has a lot of skeletons in his closets and your comments about relying him on, are a valid and important point.
if we are going to spend big on the striker role, then I hope we just spend big on someone who we can rely on when it matters most.
Bitey McRacist really gnaws. Even Tyson only took one bite. Think of the children. Suarez must be excised from the game, not crwoned with World Cup (or Champion’s League or domestic) glory.
Don’t Tread On Me.
Argh, that should be “crowned” not “crwoned.” Puntastic failure.
Don’t Tread On Me.
You see bite marks in your link (#112), BB? I see red marks, in keeping with a clash between Suarez’s face and Chiellini’s shoulder. At best it looks like Suarez had his mouth open when contesting the ball and coming into contact with Chiellini’s shoulder. Hence Suarez checking his teeth were still all there in other photos. No surprise surely that a player has his mouth open when exerting himself in any conditions, never mind the heat of Brazil in summer?
To conclude that Suarez was deliberately biting is drawing a very long straw, imo. A straw Chiellini (a dirty player in his own right) was happy to exploit in an attempt to get Suarez red-carded, and which the media saw as manna from heaven in their quest for rabid dog headlines.
He has a history, no doubt about it, but I’d still like to see real evidence.
Öskar
Oskar, Oskar, Oskar.
Bite me once, shame on you. Bite me twice…
Third bite? You’ll get no benefit of the doubt. Two year ban.
Don’t Tread On Me.
You see one camera angle and draw a conclusive opinion, iLonestar? Shame on you.
Öskar
“Bite me once, shame on you. Bite me twice…” Shame on me (you)?
Lol, that doesn’t work mate. 😉
Öskar
Oskar, you would have made a solid and reliable high school debating team captain or even a decent criminal lawyer.
Heh, Oskar.
I actually didn’t see the game (work), but i did see one of those nifty gifs that sprang into existence ten seconds after the “incident.” But I don’t need to chew it over any more. Suarez is a cheating, racist, biter. How many more chances does he need to gum up the works?
Don’t Tread On Me.
Suarez has proved that he simply has some real emotional issues. i.e. he is a fruit loop.
there was little provocation, if any, plus his diving antics at the end are just plain ridiculous. he should borrow balotelli’s, “why always me’ shirt for his upcoming FIFA hearing.
lets hope that the candy coloured lot down at anfield don’t start sending him to childrens hospitals and showing the softer side of Luis.
Narrow margins. It just took one little bite to lower Suarez’ market value by a few dozen million quid.
This story just gets better and better. The referee’s name is Dracula??
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jun/24/luis-suarez-bite-uruguay-ban-world-cup
Don’t get me wrong, if it’s proved that Suarez lunched on Chiellini I will rofl with the rest, especially at the consequences for Poo (while uttering a prayer to Dennis for our failure to sign him).
I’m just waiting for something more conclusive than a single gif. We’ve all seen how different things can look from different angles. Hate him all you like, but he did get through the whole of last season without a single controversial moment. Guilty till proven innocent?
Öskar
A criminal lawyer, Aussie? Me? I’m more of an iconoclast or advocatus diaboli. There’s no such thing as absolute truth, but questioning everything will always get you closer than kneejerking.
Öskar
After serving his 10-game suspension, you mean. Nah, he’s been proven guilty several times over, mate.
It’s a pattern of behavior for me. As a matter of law (American – civil), any future employer of Suarez would have a hard time arguing they were not on notice of Suarez’s propensity for assaultive behavior. Hence, if he bit again (I mean, are we REALLY talking about an adult here? Not a dog, not a child, but a grown-assed man), the employer would have to rely on the argument that biting is not within the scope of Suarez’s employement in order to escape some form of vicarious civil liability. Such an employer would likely settle.
He is a complete disgrace.
Speaking of disgraces, when will referees start enforcing the simulation rule? I’m looking at you, Mueller.
Come on USMNT. I believe that we will win. I BELIEVE that we will win. I BELIEVE THAT WE WILL WIN.
Don’t Tread On Me.
Oskar – As for the bitey one, try watching the highlights on ESPN. The ball in nowhere near Suarez and Chiellini, Suarez ducks his head toward Chiellini’s shoulder, and it sure looks like Suarez tries to grab Chiellini with his mouth (or he was trying to headbutt him). No doubt that Chiellini plays it up like his arm was bitten off by a Great White, while Suarez flopped around pretending like his teeth were knocked out.
Whether Suarez was trying to bite, headbutt, or provoke Chiellini, it was definitely not in the spirit of the game. For a guy who has a history of biting and cheating, it is not hard for me to make the leap that he is guilty.
Just saying that I want to see other angles of the incident before reaching a firm conclusion, ecg. Some tackles which look like leg-breakers from one angle look quite different from others, we see that over and again. And vice-versa.
I have no idea what Suarez was trying to do, but neither do I see bite marks in Chiellini’s shoulder, just red marks indicating some form of contact.
Öskar
Yes he’s been proven guilty previously, Lonestar, but does American law say that makes him guilty every time he’s accused in future? Interesting perspective!
As is having a rattlesnake as a cultural emblem.
If I accidently tread on you I really don’t expect to die as a consequence.
Öskar
well, FIFA has opened an expedited investigation: https://www.yahoo.com/sports/blogs/soccer-dirty-tackle/fifa-announces-investigation-into-luis-suarez-bite-on-giorgio-chiellini-043116621.html
As they should, scruz. And if they’re satisfied he did the crime then a full 2-year sentence will be appropriate.
Öskar
Of course Suarez is innocent until proven guilty – in a court of law. I, however, have no problem finding him guilty in the highly esteemed court-of-my-own-mind.
He was frustrated. He bit Chiellini. Occam’s Razor.
American law by no means would conclude that Suarez is guilty every time he is accused of such behavior in the future. However, in a civil court, his prior behavior (especially a conviction for similar behavior) would be considered probative. It is a maxim that every dog gets one free bite (meaning, until the dog bites, it’s owner can maintain ignorance of the animal’s danger to others as a mitigation of, if not a defense to, civil liability. However, after the first time the dog bites someone, the owner is thereafter on notice of the animal’s propensity to bite and would, therefore, bear some culpability if he does not take reasonable measures to prevent a future bite).
Suarez has now gotten three bites. Chiellini should sue the Uruguyan FA (I’m only half joking).
As far as rattlesnakes are concerned (my undergraduate alma mater’s mascot is the rattlesnake, btw), well, you have a point there, but people die from accidents all the time…so, let’s be careful out there 😉
Don’t Tread On Me.
Hehe Oskar,
I can’t conclusively proof whether it was a bite or not, hence my call for a dentist (or Vet) to check if the marks were consistent with one.
However in my opinion, the benefit of the doubt should always be given to the player, even one with two other priors!
The video replay shows that Suarez’s head inexplicably made an incisive downward movement (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmBPDfT4DGM around 10-12s mark).
No doubt Suarez said that he wasn’t even fully fit when playing and was very tired during and after the game, which might be the reason for him nodding off midgame, an account FIFA might conclude after thorough investigation after all.
I shall leave it to the experts.
Lastly, Uruguay on the whole is still a dirty team and Italy still play Catenaccio which to me is wholly as attractive as last season’s West Ham under Fat Sam.
😀
Morning all. Take care.
Suarez – if you’re still in doubt, watch this:
http://a.pomf.se/phdzcy.gif
Conclusively proves Suarez’s intent – in my mind anyway.
Those of you on Twitter get tweating.
There’s absolutely no “going for the ball” in that. He’s going for the shoulder. He needs treatment but he’ll just go into denial again, as will Liverpool. The Uruguay press are alleging it’s a British press conspiracy but the commentators on Danish TV last night were shocked and disgusted, and it’s all over the Danish press today.
I don’t know what El Puno is going to do but Wenger has outright denied any interest in Balotelli. He foes play games but it also underlines how wrong and inaccurate some of what we are being fed with by the tabloids is. Martinez and Sanchez look much better bets to me
‘Holic pound miss an opportunity?
http://www.joe.ie/sports/betting/a-norwegian-punter-has-just-won-e2000-after-backing-suarez-to-bite-someone-at-the-world-cup-at-1751/
Haha NBN@166 – loved the first comment under that link.
Great news @165.
Just heard that the PVA have voted Suarez Vampire of the Year.
Nah, dkgooner, that gif proves nothing !
Suarez noticed a nasty looking bug sitting on Chiellini’s shoulder –
couldn’t reach to flick it off with his hands –
had been running around a lot and felt a bit peckish ( no pun intended!) –
two birds with one stone.
Ban the deluded little sod anyway. 😉
Proof that Suarez is indeed a vampire –
he didn’t marinate Chiellini’s shoulder in a garlic sauce. 😉
I bet Liverpool would jump at £40,000,001 now ! 😉
Good morning,
I am sure you have heard by now, that Wenger has supposedly labelled the Baloteli transfer story as pure invention.
I have not seen the quotes from Wenger myself but I can confirm that the source of the story is a quote from Italian sports pundit Matteo Bonetti on his twitter account.
Arsene Wenger says on our beIN Sports WC show that Mario Balotelli to Arsenal is pure invention. Absolutely NO truth behind any of it
— Matteo Bonetti (@TheCalcioGuy) June 25, 2014
Make of it what you wish. I still expect news surrounding Wengers meetings over the weekend.
Wenger himself is back on French TV tonight for the Ecuador v France game.
🙂
#Free Jackson, Sanchez & Aurier
No Balotelli… great news indeed!
If Suarez is proven guilty.. big If given that it is FIFA that decides..
Then pool may indeed want to offload him… but i wonder if barca is still interested, and hope they don’t offer up sanchez!
Arsene and Big Ivan again showing who is in charge. We do not chase players, they fight to come to The Arsenal.
Balotelli? Take him or leave him. Until he is scoring goals in an Arsenal shirt I remain unconvinced. Honestly, I think we would do the deal for £20mil. It’s a fair price for a back-up striker to develop with the associated attitude risks. More than fair. Over the last week Milan have been talking up the price in the press, the it was he isn’t getting sold blah blah blah. This only ends one way and isn’t us overpaying. Big Ivan don’t party like that. If they want to prat about then they can find someone else with £20mil cash to take him off their hands, good luck to them.
We have bigger fish to turn into ceviche.
#FreeSanchez
#FreeReus
#LetTheBisonRoam
#WhereMeJaviMartinez
BIG IVAN KNOWS!
UTA
173 – First time I’ve seen that Jackson fella outside of Youtube, looks handy. Maybe we can free him to?
165 – Snachez all the way. Add him and Reus and wait for the parade in May I say.
From a more funny point of view:
Rooney and Iniesta meet at the airport in Rio. Pirlo shows up: “What are you guys doing here?”
“We wait for Ronaldo.”
@ 176 – It’s getting to that poin tnow where I reckon if we do not go for Jackson while we have the chance, it’ll be another Torres, Suarez, Higuain situation, where we go after them at a later date for more than we coould have bagged them before.
#Free Bender too
179 – An interesting choice they have to make. Giroud is only 27, improving, and probably going to age pretty well as pace isn’t really his strength. He will still get 35/40 starts you’d think, if he states fit, but needs less of the workload. Do we go for someone who steps in at a high level right now and costs more, or go younger with more room to develop?
Alexis Sanchez would seem to be both things, but Jackson, Cavani, Higuain last year all seem a touch rich price wise for a variation on Giroud but not much more than that imo. I could see the appeal of Balotelli, only 23, room to improve and available for about £10mil less according to horrible tattle men.
In a complete wet dream that leaves the ceiling needing a scrub, we’d go get Alexis and Reus and just flip one of them up-front when needed, or Theo. (Theo did look good up front last year, it’s an option.) Imagine a front three of Reus – Walcott – Sanchez when we fancy giving people a chasing at home. I’ll go get the mop.
Touch me Big Ivan.
UTA
For the life of me I cannot believe we/ arsene has done nothing in the tr cater market.
We are talking on here and sadly it’s probably all bullshit.
Surely he is doing something
How can we proclaim to have intent as a club when we have done sweet fuck all.
The World Cup delay is a bullshit excuse.
We win the FA cup, the then what do we do, go on holiday….
Arsene truly is the most frustrating stubborn football coach around
He is a ditherer and hesitant even when he has the cash.
He should be out there selling the shit players he has bought in previous dithering transfers and buying quality.
Someone on here earlier said we will hear all these potential transfers mentioned with arsenal, the next day they wi be bought by others
Another boring nothing transfer window for arsenal fans
Rant over…
@ 180 – I see your reasoning and I agree totally. With Theo fit and Campbell in the side, a player in the mould of Sanchez, Reus or even Greazyman would be ideal.
My thinking is that, even with what we have, Wenger has tried to sign Higuain, Suarez and even tried to keep Van Persie. Judging from Girouds own comments of recent, the idea is to get a high scoring alternative to Giroud, who can keep him on his toes and also help us rise our tally from 66 to 96. If everyone chips in, this shouldn’t be a problem. Plus we need that outlet who can lead the line. Relying on Sanogo and Campbell in their first seasons is expecting a little too much. Whereas a marquee striker, is expected to get the job done straight away. No disrespect to the other two lads.
So yeah, Ivan, Stan and Arsene, it’s purse strings time.
#Free Jackson
Me too, Aussie@181. I can’t believe that the club has done nothing in the transfer market. In fact I don’t believe it.
I do, however, believe that we haven’t actually _completed any deals_, but that’s completely different from doing nothing.
COYG
Roll up, roll up, get your shit players here…..
Come on Arsene, get out there and get flogging…..
“We cannot believe absolutely everything that is on the internet or in the papers. Sometimes it is created by agents or by press who need news.”
Arsene Wenger.
Well well well. Who would have thought that??? There’s me sat at home thinking we are signing everyone of the 127 players we have been linked with so far????????? What a disappointment.
Some would do well to listen to Le Boss. If it ain’t on dot com then it hasn’t happened. No doubt we will all have our views and wish lists but two decent games in the World Cup does not mean a player is now our saviour.
Onwards and upwards.
🙂
Oh yeah, Suarez. What a totally horrible and despicable individual he really is. A wonderful player but just a disgusting human being. Anyone still think we should have signed him??????
Trev@172.
They would probably bite your arm off now.
😀
Haha, Zico, get three for the price of two and five for the price of three 😉
lols at el puno @ 180
Happy to read that Wenger is denying the Balotelli rumors. Although, to be fair, he may only be deflecting attention from the deal. He’s done that before.
A great big “wait and see.” Just imagine how overblown the media stories would be if there was no World Cup to occupy them.
Nice one ‘holic, I fully endoarse the garden life, been doing it myself lately too, transfer speculation bores me silly. Have been enjoying the WC though, games up on the big screen everynight here in the bar, there’s been some great ones, plenty of twist and turns, oo and aahs, the good the bad and, with Suarez returning to type, the very very ugly.
Added bonus, is that Oranje are doing well, keeps it interesting here and is good for business.
Have to catch up on the drinks,(time permiting)
Cheers all.
Suarez – just ought to say “I told you so”, on behalf of H2H, who never wavered for a minute.
Seems he was right.
Going back a bit but fact is Gerrard is over rated as much as Rooney and for me both are basically media creation of greatness than truly being one. If they are so good why on earth can they not perform when it truly matters. Excuses is all i hear if not apologies. Everyone needs a hero and it is easy to make one.
Suarez is a joke, he is a fabulous player but then you cannot do what you have done and say i am sorry.If this results in a ban and if it gets his club career affected. i would be even more happy. Liverpool may regret either ways, hold on to a dynamite or who will buy him with this history??????
I am happy that Wenger has poured cold water on balotelli, never felt he will be what we need. We can do with Remy provided we buy a pacey winger, Cuadrado is the latest name but i am praying it is Sanchez.
World cup second round looks lop sided and it looks more likely that all the big teams will come through, Holland cup maybe??????
Sky reporting that Uruguay are desperate to play the Germans because Suarez has decided that he now fancies a shoulder of Lahm.
Just saying like.
😀
Shoulder of Lahm? 😀
Very interesting, the continuous loop of the three biting incidents, and how similar Suarez’ technique looks in each of the three.
There actually was a Scouser on Talk Spite this morning defending Suarez. Not a huge shock in itsself, but the arguments out forward were pathetic / sad / hilarious*. ( *delete as appropriate.)
“We have to remember that Luis Suarez comes from a pretty tough area and it was quite rough where he grew up……..
He’s worked hard and is a self-made millionaire …. so we shouldn’t be too hard on him …….
We shouldn’t punish him – we should feel sorry for him because he needs help …… ”
etc. etc. etc. as though they are actually valid justifications for biting people not once, not twice, but three times.
Scousers, eh.
*apologises for the generalisation, but ….. *
Vinay,
“Wenger has poured cold water on Balotelli …….”
and will no doubt now add salt and a handful of mint leaves, and simmer him for one and a half hours before serving to Luis Suarez. 😉
Now I’ve heard everything. Lonestar volunteers to represent Chiellini in exchange for a free vacation in Uruguay. New meaning to “Pro Bono Publico.” 😉
This sounds good:
http://metro.co.uk/2014/06/25/arsenal-considering-summer-move-for-molde-goalkeeper-orjan-nyland-4775346/?
I was googling Alex Manninger just yesterday, thinking he would be just what we need, but this is even better. I actually saw this kid play a few times in that Euro youth championship thing and he was ace. (Had a bet, that’s my excuse.) Absolutely nuts hot.
Nyland, Aurier… This is already shaping up into a fabulous summer. Massively shrood of Big Ivan to save the paper money for where we really need it. Basically flipped Vela, the tubby little hunk, for these two mega promising youngsters. Devine business. With that Cesc refund, the tubby little washed up twat, we are still in profit after buying 2 players and selling NONE!
Genius.
I reiterate my pledge to dip myself into hot sauce if we sign Sanchez and/or Reus. Getting both has become my new reason to live and I truly think Big Ivan can pull this off. Over.
UTA
As Wrighty wrightfully said:
” E’s like a man possessed. E needs elp!”
🙂
Word has it Suarez viewed the World Cup fixtures as a series of Uruguayan churrascaria eating opportunities, starting with Italian sausage links.
I was just looking at the fixtures.
Wiv a community shield against Shitty to play, what sort of side will we see in the Family Day Cup?
Hopefully some first teamers warming up for the Wembley show down. 🙂
Thanks for the assist by the way El. It was like a cross from Aurier!
😆
The Holic pound seems to have missed a trick.
A Norwegian gambler won £1,600 after backing Suarez to bite someone at the World Cup at 175-1.
Given a choice, what would you prefer:
A) Reus and Balotelli
B) Sanchez and Cuadrado
Answers on a postcard please to ‘Challenge Anika: The Big Ivan Special.’
UTA
203 – pleasure mate. They are wonderful crosses to.
Well done 8ball at 198. Everything I do is for the public good. I also liked the Lahm shoulder reference. Good job people. As has oft been said, “Jesus is coming…best look busy.”
Don’t Tread On Me.
Back drink done.
Not going to get involved in the wishlists, or speculation about who were gonna sign, as others have stated it wil all be on dotcom when it’s done.
If you’re not watching the WC then you really are missing the best tournament for years, but if it’s not your thing then I get that too, more power to ya.
I want to congratulate Trev on some top tooth related punning and thank him for remembering that I was never a member of the LS fanclub. He might of had a good season but he is a flawed individual, it was only a matter of time before his true nature came to the fore again and now he’s done it on football’s largest stage. The ball is in Fifa’s court now, they have to make a decision and they better get it right, literaly the whole world is watching.
Oskar.
I understand the whole innocent until proven guilty stance, but….. Really?????
I would of understood if you had posted that straight after the final whistle (apologies if you did) but according to the time of your post (1:50 am GMT) there would of been many angles of the incident shown, plus photos released that make it fairly obvious that Suarez’ sole intention was to bite his opponent. Even if you can only see red marks on Chellini’s shoulder, tose marks weren’t made because Suarez was trying to kiss him, the pictures Ive seen look awfully like bite marks to me, but hey, I’m no specialist.
If it was a ffirst, then maybe you could give him the benifit of the doubt, but it would still be a stretch, what would his defence be? “sorry, I slipped and sunk my teeth into his shoulder”
No, no, no.
This is once again a cowardly act from a man who has done exactly the same thing previously and if given the chance and is frustrated will do it again. It is clear that he lunges at the defender, whose reaction is one not of a man that has been tapped on the shoulder by a forehead, he felt the teeth pierce the skin. Suarez the coward then feined being hit himself going down clutching his face, but soon the tell tale signs of him feeling his choppers were there for all to see.
For futher proof watch his lack of celebration at the final whistle, against England hugs and tears of joy, after italy standing in solitude on the sidelines. He knows what he has done and it has started to sink in, just like his front teeth in the Itailians shoulder.
Is he guilty?
Yep, as guilty as a puppy next to a pile of poo.
It’s terrible, heinous, cowardly and at the same time hilariously sad, a pro biting a fellow pro in front of a global audience, from hero in one game to total villian in the next. You couldn’t make this shit up.
So Wenger says he is NOT in for Balotelli..This is Higuain all over again..
More frustration.
Sajit.
It’s only frustrating if you believe all the speculation and nonsense.
Doesn’t bother me in the slightest.
Balotelli not the right ingredient anyway.
Congratulations to Wind and Cent.
Terrible news in Nigeria though.
Break the bank for Di Maria!!
Just saw this :
Messi carrying Argentina, Neymar carrying Brazil… British Airways carrying England.
🙂
Not rubbing it in just the facts.
Classic Suarez and The Pool gang : http://i.imgur.com/Ld0YjVF.gif
😀
Phil Thompson. Desperate man. Complete walloper.
UTfuckinA
BB – Di Maria would be absolutely stunning addition, but I do not think Real is ever going to sell him.
I agree El Puno, the dullard Thompson I suspect has been lulled into thinking a deal is done for Sanchez when he has probably agreed terms with a number of clubs. Similarly I suspect we have agreed terns with Remy but may not buy him.
If Liverpool are in for him it gives them Sturridge, Suarez( ha ha) and Sterling as well as Rickie Lambert. That suggests Suarez may well have been sold anyway if Sanchez arrives.
Our man is Jackson Martinez. Looks a really good striker.
Like my other colleagues here I couldn’t care less about Balotelli
217 – Jackson Martinez eh? Interesting… What makes you think that?
UTA
Suddenly Bacary can cross the ball…
E.P.- I like his movement. His second goal yesterday was that of a quality striker,he turned the defender and finished beautifully. He has scored goals regularly domestically and in the Champions League and he has a good strong build, but clearly has pace. Our back- up striker needs to be quick. That is Giroud’s weakness. What’s not to like.? Probably the price. If he keeps scoring here we might be looking at £25 million plus.
I think I read somewhere he expressed a desire to play for us.
Allez les bleus! Just don’t let Ecuador win and we’re both fine 🙂
Eandy,
It’s just wishful thinking on my part to get Di Maria, but then one never knows.. look what happened to Ozil..! 🙂
Oh and stay off Higuain….. not impressed before and not impressed now!
Wow.. with 10men Ecuador are suddenly..Dangerous!!!
Sagna… that man can sure cross a ball. 😀
H2H @ 211, indeed.
Okay, H2H (#207), it looks bad for Suarez. No, I hadn’t seen anything here other than the early photos, now I have watched the actual game and seen it in context.
Suarez comes dashing up anticipating a cross and trying to get close to or past Chiellini. He gets his run slightly wrong and touches the Italian, who turns his shoulder into Suarez hitting him in the mouth. Suarez responds instinctively (for the Hannibal Lecter-type he is) and slams his teeth into Chiellini’s shoulder.
I just don’t believe he was out to bite the guy, just couldn’t stop himself after being hit in the mouth. I still don’t see any bite marks on Chiellini, just contact marks – as there are on Suarez’s cheek where he was hit first.
After that it’s just a field day for the media and all the Suarez haters. And a bit of a laugh for the rest of us. What FIFA will do is anyone’s guess, probably bow to pressure and give him a lengthy holiday.
Öskar
Turn it up Oskar! Even if it was an isolated incident, which it clearly isn’t, his intent was clear.
It isn’t an isolated incident, but it looks more like a reaction than an intention. He gets a shoulder in the face and strikes back, imo.
You might call it ‘clear intent’ in a kangaroo court, Down under Gooner, but others might find a little doubt. Not enough to absolve him as far as the judiciary is concerned, but perhaps enough to save him from the full two years.
Öskar
Reaction/intention. 3rd offence and a proven racist to boot. Ban him for life says the kangaroo court.
Oskar, kudos on that impressive work of fictional explanation. The way you see those events makes the repressed criminal defense lawyer inside of me jump for joy. I can hear the testimony now:
“Honest, your honor, I was just holding the knife. The complainant turned into me and I instinctively reacted by turning the knife into the complainant’s ribcage.”
Every video I have seen, from different angles, mind, shows Suarez diving into Chiellini’s shoulder. Marks or not, Suarez bit in anger and frustration, like he has in the past.
Don’t Tread On Me.
Waiting in eager anticipation for the next few matches. Hope the USA can get a draw against the germans but that’s a bridge too far??! Feel for them after the crappy equalizer, they have my sympathy.
Ghana look too good for portugal and i would wager they’ll edge it. They’re a team i would love to see in the next round.
So, best result? US beats Germany and Ghana thrashes Portugal by huge margins and they both qualify.. and we have a well rested Ozil, Podolski and Mertesacker back! 😀
Oskar,
If one’s reaction is to instinctively ‘bite’ someone after whatever provocation, then I can only envy their chompers! What strong teeth and gums they have, after all it’s really easy to lose them teeth, just ask Arteta! 😀
As for not seeing any bite marks on Chiellini, would have to disagree with you there, I know what a bite looks like on an Italian Sub.. and suddenly I’m hungry again..!
Apparently it’s a choice between us and the scousers for Sanchez
Ha.ha.ha
Don’t make me bloody laugh
Please!!
HAve I been watching the wrong videos? Chiellini provokes him FIRST??
Silly me… I must have been hallucinating when I saw the first Bela Luogosi neck SWOOP and nuzzle, followed (strangely enough) by an instinctive twist and shrugging off (he should have elbowed him) by the eaten one. Whether he actually made contact with Suarez or not is also up for debate.
But hey ho… that wouldn´t suit the contrary narrative would it?
Morning all! 🙂
The Suarez defence should get a turn at the Comedy Store.
I can offer two further options.
It’s outrageous that the Italian team contains such handsome beefy temptations to a poor, abused, put-upon, Anglo-Saxon witch-hunted, hungry waif like Suarez. What’s a boy to do when he finds himself a bit peckish on a field where beefy smelling, well groomed hunks of meat are just wandering around so close to one’s jaws hat you don’t even need a fork to get a taste – just lean a little further forward and take a wee nibble? 🙂
Also, when the coach said “Go beat them” as Suarez was walking out for the second half the crowd was roaring and Suarez thought he said, “Go eat them”. He was simply following orders. 🙂
bathgooner,
I prefer the more plausible, he was just really tired due to the heat and humidity and has not fully recovered from his operation, running himself to the ground against massive opponents England ( 🙂 ), hence he nodded off and inadvertently got his teeth stuck to the fabric of a player whose shoulder also happen to be there at the same time.
😀
Heh @ Baff and BB!
This world cup, and those defending Suarez, are hilarious ….. thanks all for the entertainment! 🙂
This is getting less like a discussion and more like a mob lynching with every post. Did I wander into a KKK meeting?
Öskar
Some people have been heard to say Big Ivan is the Frand Wizard of North London, but I think they had Ozil in mind. Over.
UTA
Frand wizard my arse, Grand Wizard obviously 🙁
Ps: Suarez obviously a dirty git an as much as anyone thinks through biting someone for the third time in front of thousands of people and TV cameras he knew exactly what he was doing. The Uruguayan efforts to make out that there is a European press agenda against him, or even that chielini had those bite marks already is just embarrassing. I have little faith FIFA will act in any meaningful way, but he should get at least the 8 game ban that was handed down for the last act of violent conduct at a World Cup IMO.
#FreeSanchez
Oskar, just admit you got it wrong. Suarez bit Chiellini, end of story.
And for those of you who may say “but is a bite worse than a head butt?”, well… he’s done that as well.
I don’t buy this “but he’s such a sweet family man off the pitch” line either. He clearly can’t control his impulses when under enough strain and he needs to seek professional help or things could potentially go seriously pear-shaped off the pitch as well.
Dear o dear.
Oskar
The kangeroo court jibe was pretty funny in context of a reply to a poster from Aus, however, to be likened to a lynchmob from the KKK for simply having a different opinion then yours is precious at best, and, considering the fact that we have many posters here from African origin, downright ignorant and insulting at worst.
This is not a media witch hunt created on Fleet Street, this is a worldwide condemnation of an individual that has crossed the line on numerous occasions, I’ve seen reports from a variety of TV stations in many different languages, they all have semed to come to the same conclusion, that Suarez, intentionally and with malice of for thought, bit an oppenant, surely they can’t be all just out to get him?
If you choose to defend what many see as the undefendable, then fine, that’s your perogative, but don’t be surprised if you find that you will be in a very small minority.
As for the Fifa acting just to appease public opinion, heh, that’s a joke. Anyone thinking that hasn’t been paying attention. This is an organisation embroiled in bribe scandels, rife with corruption, that watches mass protests in the cities where the WC is being held without batting an eyelid, ignores safety warnings, changes laws permiting the sale of alcohol where it was previously banned (again) for safety reasons and does nothing while migrant workers are dying in slave like inhumane conditions so their stadia, which will thereafter become white elephants, can be built.
You think they really give a toss about public opinion?
Please, Fifa will do what they think is best for Fifa. we should all find out what that is by the end of the day.
My Spies tell me Falcao is sponsored by Puma 🙂
Just sayin like 😆
H2H knows….
#Free Jackson
Agree with H2H – the KKK comparison was daft at best, outright tasteless at worst.
Suarez quite clearly bit Chiellini on purpose. I don’t happen to think it’s the worst thing I’ve ever seen on a football pitch (Neymar’s elbow on Modric in the opening game of this tournament, to give but one example, was just as pre meditated and at least as bad as Suarez’ bite), and the media hyperbole is god awful, but to pretend it was an accident is too much, and would be even if Suarez hadn’t already done this twice previously.
I say all this as someone who would still (just about) have Suarez at Arsenal.
I think he’ll get an internationals only ban of about six games, and that’s probably roughly fair.
What H2H said.
There are some real peaches in this Suarez compilation as well:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eF4kSWnY2Z8
Not posted on here for a long long time but have to say Oskars post of his version of events regarding the bitey racists latest feeding frenzy had me laughing out loud. You couldn’t make it up, oh, you just did !
Hello everyone,
I think people are being a tad harsh on Oskar and I for one agree with the sentiment that, it was just a bite — embarrassing that a grown man did such a thing, yes, but worthy of a 2-year ban, please…
He hasn’t ruined anyone’s career like other players we know only too well. And its not like he knocked someone out… ahem, like Paul Davis did way back when.
Not sure how many of the bar would be insisting on the same punishment if we had been successful in purchasing him this time last year.
He clearly needs to be punished, but let’s keep some perspective…
UTA
Agree with everything N7 just said.
This has been a fantastic World Cup -pretty much enjoyed all of what I’ve seen, and there has been much to admire – the team ethic of Chile, the exuberance of the Columbians, the brilliance of Neymar and Messi, and the stellar stand out games of Netherlands/Spain, Germany/Ghana, and USA/Portugal. I even enjoyed watching England for the first time for ages, despite our very obvious shortcomings.
But all that said, the most brilliant thing to happen so far is undoubtedly the latest Suarez chomp. It is hilarious. I have yet to decide what is making me snort the hardest – the fact that the little mental case thought it would be a good idea to have another nibble on the world stage, the media outrage (Danny Mills actually wants him locked up forever!! 🙂 ), or the myopic excuses posited in his Defence despite all evidence to the contrary, and which judging from the above, are not limited to merely Uraguay and Liverpool.
Fantasic stuff.
Switching to slightly cheerier subject matter…
Messi has clearly brought his A game to this World Cup, putting aside one of the major accusations thrown at him by his detractors.
I don’t think there’s much doubt remaining that we’re witnessing one of the greatest footballers ever to grace the field, but the question remains…. how far does Leo Messi need to take Argentina to be able to legitimately call himself the greatest of all time?
For me: he needs to win the whole damn thing if he wants to edge ahead of Maradona.
Can’t wait to see just how far he goes. Fantastic that both he and Neymar have really showed up for this – how often do the star names actually live up to the billing the way these two have?
@252 Matt
Not sure where you got the 2 year ban, as it is FIFA may even find him not guilty even! And no i won’t support any of our players if they are dirty, get rid of them, faster the better!
In other more palatable news, The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has suspended Sulley Ali Muntari and Kevin Prince Boateng indefinitely, meaning the pair are out of the decisive game against Portugal on Thursday.
May be time to revise my prediction on that Ghana win.
He cheats,
He dives,
He’ll eat your arms and thighs
Suarezzzzz, Suarezzzzzz…
Just saying like.
😀
Matt (2)
Can’t remember seeing too many here asking for a two year ban.
BB.
I wonder how much Ronaldo paid them for doing that? 😉
Matt 2, bit unfair to bring the Paul Davis incident into it, i’m pretty certain Cockerill said something to him that at the very least warranted a smack in the mouth. The reason i’m certain he made a racist remark to Davis is that i’d heard him make racist remarks to a couple of his own team mates in a reserve match at Highbury. Myself & a few dozen others heard the remarks loud & clear, he deserved a smack in the mouth that day as well. Not comparable with the Suarez incident at all.
I must say, you can’t go around eating (biting) people. If you cannot control the erge you must wear a muzzle!
Just sayin like 😆
The only solution, is for him to flee merseyside and leave those appalling scousers behind scrapping for ropey football, like they deserve! 😆
It’s the only way! 🙂
259 Glennw: I didn’t know that… Respect to Paul Davis. Great player, great right hook
Matt 2, correct on both counts 🙂
Oh to endure another round of Portugal and Ronaldo…
Come on USA! We’re relying on you, it’s now or never!!!
Found another pic of Suarez, that’s got to be a yellow in the very least :
http://i.imgur.com/d61nChj.jpg
😀
http://imgur.com/HIRE3Nr
Heh.
N7@254: I agree, Messi has to do what Maradona did and pretty much win a World Cup on his own like Maradona in -86 (and nearly in -90 where he was even more on his own) to reach his level. It is tricker to compare their club careers as Messi has been playing for such a dominant team whereas Maradona spent a large chunk of his career carrying Napoli on his shoulders but you’d have to be bonkers to not agree that Messi has shown more than enough to be considered one of the best ever.
Heh N7.
Surely this can’t be seen as accidental;
http://worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/suarez.gif
Ohh I missed that one N7, good one!
@268 H2H
It was accidental indeed, he was going for Chiellini’s neck!
@ 270 😆
Heh.
Fallen and forecast rain the story in today’s Germany v. USA. Pictures remind me of New Orleans in Hurricane Katrina.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2110382-world-cup-2014-weather-latest-forecast-for-fifa-tournament-in-brazil
Djourou the new FIFA star? Doth one game a star make?
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2014/m=6/news=swiss-defence-speak-after-first-clean-sheet-2386222.html
Suarez really on a caution now. It should delay his next bite by at least several months. 😉
Suarez banned for 9 games and four months including champions league matches
Banned from all football for four months. That’s all club football as well 🙂
The nine match international ban will no doubt extend longer than the four months, but he can’t do anything at all football-wise at any level until October and he’s also banned from stadiums, haha.
Sorry that’s all football for 4 moths
I must say, that Luis ‘barking’
😆
mad
Among all this discussion about Suarez, and both sides of the arguments — Oskar, that KKK remark was tasteless and somewhat offensive, and unnecessary — and the hilarity etc. I think we are overlooking the mental health aspect. I think Suarez should be mandated to go through some form of counseling.
N7, I agree with most of what you said but except for the assertion that Neymar’s elbow — however premeditated it might be — was worse or even in the same category as Suarez biting. It is not about the impact or the consequence, but the bizarreness of the act itself. It is singularly unnatural. Imagine that in cricket a batsman being frustrated by ultra-disciplined line and length bowling and close-in fielders continuously chirping in his ear jump a little forward and bites on the shoulders of the silly point or forward short leg fielder. Once, twice, thrice???
It is true a bite doesn’t end the career of the opposition player, but it is indicative of something so very wrong with Suarez that there may be a much worse accident waiting to happen.
There is little serious academic research into why adults bite. The literature is sparse and doesn’t seem to have got beyond classifying adult biting into three types: anger-impulsive biting, sadistic biting, and ego-cannibalistic biting. No idea which applies to Suarez but all of them suggest he needs behavioural or mental help.
Dr F, totally with you on Suarez been mandated to go through some form of counselling. LFC should have made sure he got some professional help after the Ivanovic incident but I guess they’re afraid it might make him lose his willingness to do whatever it takes to win games for them.
Can you imagine the headlines if Suarez had played against Paul Dickov and had decided to take a chomp out of him????
When Claudio Sulser, chairman of the Fifa disciplinary committee, says of Suarez’s biting, “Such behaviour cannot be tolerated on any football pitch and, in particular, not at a Fifa World Cup when the eyes of millions of people are on the stars on the field,” I assume he means, “Such behaviour cannot be tolerated on any football pitch and, in particular, not at a Fifa World Cup when millions of sponsorship dollars are keeping our pockets lined.”
Steve T, it is only a bit up from Norman Hunter bites yer legs.
Good point Ned.
I wonder how much the sponsers had to say about that ban, what with their products being splashed across the screen at every available opportunity.
KKK? Give it a rest fella.
My hilarity was directed at the preposterous statements of his lawyer, team-captain and the Uruguay FA blaming everyone but Suarez.
Suarez clearly needs psychological help though Liverpool ought to have given him that after the previously documented incident and if they did, it clearly failed.
The fact that there have now been at least three documented high profile incidents and it seems another probable failed attempt on Chiellini at last year’s Confederation Cup suggests that this is a deep seated and probably ineradicable problem.
A 4-month ban is appropriate but is no cure. The suggestion the other day that he be required to wear a Hannibal Lector-style mask the next time he plays would not be unreasonable. Suarez is clearly incapable of self control under stress and there is no guarantee that it will not happen again the next time he is desperate to win.
At the risk of offending some ‘Roundheads’, on another lighthearted note, I wonder what is wrong with the toilet habits of Cahill and Jagielka that there was no temptation to give them a quick lovebite to gain advantage in the England game?
Cent @ 283: Congratulations on Nigeria’s progress. Ahmed Musa looked a handful against the Argies.
Hope you and yours were not impacted by the recent sad events in Abuja.
The following quote from Arsene Wenger has been released by BeIN Sports in response to being asked about our interest in Balotelli:
“We cannot believe absolutely everything that is on the internet or in the papers.
“Sometimes the rumours are created by agents or by press who need news. But in this case, it’s not true.”
The wait continues 🙂
Maybe Ned but the headline “Suarez bites Dickov” made me smile.
Ouch SteveT!
Well this Suarez debacle has definitely thrown a spanner in the works of Sanchez (assuming we were really in for him!) Now pool has a reason to let him go and Suarez would be more than willing too. Sanchez + cash for Suarez, just as bad for us! 🙁
This Suarez stuff is the gift that keeps on giving. Love it!
No idea how it affects any deal for Sanchez, can’t see how we can possibly tell, so not gonna worry about it.
Right – who’s up for some Ronaldo tears?
BB.
One has absolutly nothing to do with the other.
Listen to Arsene, almost everything you read about transfers, unless on clubs official sites, is usually rubbish.
Well played FIFA. Again, showing that on the important matters they get it spot on. (Good for them if they make a few quid in the process, it’s only a game after all.)
Go on Ghana. Please don’t worry about the $3 million sitting in your hotel waiting for you, think about the score I lumped on you before I knew you were a bunch of greedy, mutinous gits.
#FreeSanchez
Steve, “Suarez heads Dickov” would in many ways be even more brutal 🙂
BB: I don’t think Suarez has to have any effect on Sanches. If he wants to go to Liverpool he’ll go there regardless, if he doesn’t he won’t. Barca can’t force him to go there anymore than we could force RvP to go to Juve. If anything Suarez being suspended would probably give Barca (or Real, for that matter) a much better negotiating position to bring the fee down.
I must say the Suarez ban makes more sense the more I think about it. He is a repeat offender, and while four months sounds quite harsh it is in effect less than three months. His previous suspension was ten matches, and this one amounts to 12 matches in the Premier League and Champions League combined. If anything I’d say that he got away quite lightly considering it was his third strike just for biting alone.
He will of course also appeal the decision so we’ll have to wait and see if the punishment stands. Not sure if it can get worse or if it’s a question of all or nothing when the appeal is tried but I guess we’ll know pretty soon.
El Puno: I have to disagree on calling the Ghanaians greedy. Refusing to play is their only leverage, and even if most of their players make a shit ton of money that is certainly not the case for the entire squad and it is money that is contractually and legally theirs that corrupt officials are trying to keep away from them.
Lars knows @297.
Only one in my office secretly supporting Germany 😉
Bang?
Ideally i would have loved to see Portugal go through.. but no way
Dr F, @289, thanks. Musa is a Gervinho 2.0, yesterday was the first time he’s had a productive game for us in a long while. Yesterday’s explosion in Abuja happened about 60 meters away from where I work. We just heard a sudden and very loud BOOM sound, the whole building shook violently and we immediately knew it was a bomb and did our best to escape harm. Nobody close to me lost their life but I reckon the casualties will be a lot higher than the official figures been quoted by the press.
oo Mert almost, Muller puts it in tho.
Well in Pangloss.
Que sera sera on Sanchez.
Balague says he spoke to Madrid and Barca this morning and both were still keen on signing Suarez this window despite the bite. He said Barca believed they have the advantage because of his links with the city and they want to meet the release clause of £85m with player add-ons mentioning Sanchez and or Pedro.
Whether the ban now makes a difference to that desire remains to be seen. I suspect the whole episode does probably make the Mickeys much more interested in selling him and probably reduces his value.
A cheeky £40,000,002 bid anyone? Just joking. 🙂
Why is my comment awaiting moderation?
So he cannot play till end october. Now i doubt if barca or real would want to bid for him, atleast not now, maybe Jan. Anyone who buys him now, will have a media storm to follow.Liverpool again may be the winner as he will come back afresh ala the season that went by and they do have the cover of Lambert. Sturridge and Sterling.
Anyone watching the Germany game? how is our magician playing?
Arsenal’s latest transfer set back seems to be Coleman who is set to extend his stay at everton, well thats that, Aurier it is then??????
Mesut did not have a bad game, but not exactly stellar either, played his standard, few nice forward surging run and doing things with ease. Towards the end of the game his touch let him down, otherwise he would be in the clear goalscoring opportunity.
Ah, Bath@304 beat me to it – I thought the same thing about making a bid, just to get up Brenda’s nose.
I can’t see anyone being willing to meet an £85m buy-out clause now. Plus, not being able to train with his club or country during those 4 months may well mean that he won’t be properly match fit until a couple of weeks later.
And you can imagine the reception he’s going to get at away grounds in the UK next season, whether it be hostile or mocking. I can imagine that his desire to leave the UK will be too great for Liverpool not to let him move on.
The joke in all this is the Uruguayan FA’s attempts, and his own, to portray him as the victim. No doubt that’s how he actually sees himself and being surrounded by people who confirm that view doesn’t exactly auger well for his chances of doing something about his compulsion. No therapy is going to work if the therapee doesn’t acknowledge he has a problem.
I think FIFA have got the punishment about right and I’m glad that any appeal process will not affect the ban on him playing in the quarter-final.
Allo allo allo.
The Germans were playing a training match after the first 15minutes. But it was raining after all and no use getting injured when you’re through to the next round.
All credit to the USA, they did their best and almost got an equalizer at the end.
Good 2nd round match up! Looking forward to it, so far we have:
Brazil v Chile
Colombia v Uruguay
France v Nigeria
Netherlands v Mexico
Costa Rica v Greece
Argentina v Switzerland
No time for complacency now!
Scousers be lucky to get £40mil now. Any club paying over £50mil needs serious help. Can’t fathom how barca are going to pay the tax man and buy Suarez and I’m not sure Madrid will go for it. I lived in Spain when Mournino went there and fans were gutted about it, can’t see much to appeal to another renowned c&&t so soon?
Reus and Sanchez.
Just think about that for a couple of minutes.
UTA
Re: Suarez.
I’m not giving up on this end for time added on to the suspension for frivolous appeals.
Congrats to the meerkans.
Brazil Chile standout game and i hope the chile spice will be too hot for the samba boys. Costa Rica have been the team of the group stages so far, amazing and entertaining.
Suarez refuses to go away though officially he is supposed to have flown away to Uruguay. he is a bullet to bite or spit, pool maybe left with no choice but hold on to him which i think suits them just fine.
I cannot see him staying in football for to long for his predatory instincts will not allow his greatness to come through always.
Looks like we’ll see bitey at least twice next season.
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/games-luis-suarez-miss-suspension-150900307–sow.html
Of course, should we see him in any of the cups the biting opportunities will mount.
Let’s be honest, Mesut certainly has not been setting this WC on fire, insignificant really, Let’s see how if the knock out matches can bring something out of him. I hope Boss’s belief in his game proves to be true next season, as supposedly he turned down Cesc saying that he wasn’t needed now that we have Ozil.
I’m sad to see Ronaldo out Tournaments like WC need great players and he is one. Maybe he has an ego and looks kinda weird, but he is a great player. Still the Portugal team surrounding him are woeful, beyond awful really in the 2 games I have seen, so they deserve to be out.
The Strange case of Dr. Suarez and Mr. Suarez. Such talent for football and such talent for strange behaviour. Anyway, the WC will be poorer without him, imo!
Evening all,
Hehs @bath’s Suarez excuses.
Lars – just seen the video of Suarez behaviour. Blimey!
What an uttely objectionable little shit.
There was one thing that could guarantee Liverpool’s failure to match last season’s achievements in the coming campaign and Suarez has delivered it.
Maybe biting is not the most dangerous thing that anyone could do on a football pitch but it is something that human beings just do not do to each other. Kicking, elbowing, two footed tackles and the odd punch are unacceptable reactions, but normal, if you like, in the context of a football match.
Biting, though, represents a kind of animal savagery on a wholly different level. Suarez must lack some sort of reflex that inhibits the rest of us from carrying out such acts. It can’t have a place on any football pitch.
Brenda will have his work cut out justifying this one.
Some of the punditry on British TV has been pathetic. I thought Hansen’s criticism of Mertesacler was very unnecessary and to suggest that a nation of 250 million people almost held a German side who were patently in a different class suggests his retirement can’t come do on enough. Phil Neville is as drab off the pitch as he is on and only Brad Fruedel made any useful comments.
I must be watching a different tournament to most people. I think the standard is low and matches are generally drab. There are a few excellent players but it is far from classic stuff.
USA-Germany a candidate for most boring match of the tournament. Meerkans will have to play better than meerkats to beat the stinking rotten belchers.
Most boring match Iran-Nigeria.
Korea will have to go for it against 10 men Belgium, Algeria look lively but Russia is holding on due to that beautiful header by Kokorin. Giroud would have been proud!
Had high hopes for the Iranians to survive to play the Greeks, BB. 😉
Actually, I saw part of Iran-Nigeria and agree with you. Most matches have been highly competitive and attack-minded on both sides. Too bad Latins must eliminate Latins in the next round, except the Uruguayans who are most welcome to leave.
bt8,
Don’t even bring up the Greeks!
Be a real travesty if Colombia loses, they are a real exciting team.
Cracking game going on now with Belgium and South Korea!
thundertinygooner @ 320
Sorry but if you think the games have generally been drab so far at this World Cup I have to assume you’ve been watching the 2010 one by accident. If the knockout stages live up to the group stages, it’ll be the best one since 1982 easily. And not sure what the US population has to do with anything, unless you’re suggesting China should be world beaters at football?
Korea-Belgium looks like a proper EPL cup final, played at pace too!
Ger-Alg
USA-Bel
That rounds up the last 16!
Algeria and USA in the 2nd round but Spain and England out.
Just ..Wow!
Shame Coleman has extended his contract. He was the right back top of my wish list. He would have been ideal for us.
Oh well.
@318
Curious logic. The World Cup raises questions over Ozil (who is still in the tournament, starting every game for one of the strongest teams in attendance), so it’s worrying that we didn’t sign Cesc (out of the World Cup, could barely get a start for one of the most disappointing teams in attendance) and Ronaldo is a great player despite doing very little for his team (also eliminated) and missing a series of sitters earlier today.
four months……..
Liverpool are very lucky he will be back next season at all
they should thank you to FIFA for being so scared to punish him as deserved
Suarez following in the footsteps of Maradona as a tragic hero, apparently. Unfortunately corporate sponsors tend to shun them so good luck in the poor house, old boy.
But, I’m sure you’ll be able to bum a cigarette, a drink and a bite in the tango bars …
N7 @ 330: Was going to post something similar. It seems Ozil’s team-mates in club and country, Ozil’s managers, they must all be somehow under some kind of a voodoo spell, considering him such a key player.
When it is just not the Arsene Wenger or Santi Cazorla or Rosicky or Podoloski but personalities as removed from Arsenal concerns like Jose Mourinho (eek!), Jogi Low, Ronaldo, Rooney, Ramos all have nothing but the highest praise for Ozil, and he manages these amazing statistics no matter where he plays, I find it increasingly strange some of us hanker more after a player who fucked and left us three years back and is evidently past his best …
8 ball @ 332: I understand why you are saying that, but no comparison really. Not as a player, not as a personality. Except for the ‘hand of god’ goal Maradona didn’t really do anything offensive on the field. He didn’t abuse or hurt any fellow player. At his pomp in Italian league he was subjected to tackles that would be horrifying today but except for losing temper a few times didn’t retaliate on the field. All of his troubles outside the field make him not a role model, a tragic hero as you said, but his achievements in the Sport or his influence in the world of football and as an icon in Argentina is not something Suarez will come close to.
TTG @ 320: Here in US for the ESPN commentary team our old friend Stewart Robson is present. That man now has a pathological problem about Arsenal. Initially I thought I might be just paranoid, but he commentated on multiple Germany matches and each time didn’t miss a single opportunity to criticize Per and Ozil. Hummels scores a goal, “Hummels is as good a header of the ball as Mertescaker”. Gotze is replaced, “It is Ozil who should have been substituted.” Heh, Stewart, still hurts, eh?
Cent @ 302: Good to know you and yours have not been impacted. 60 meters, that was close. 🙁
Yours is a proud, strong and enterprising people and I am certain you will come through this period of strife. Stay strong.
@335: Hey Doctor Faustus, it depends what you mean by “didn’t retaliate” mate. On youtube are a few videos of Maradona jumpkicking players in Italy that have tackled him badly. It wasn’t as if he initiated the fights, but when it all kicked off he always got stuck in with punches and kicks, as most players did in those days
Hmmm. I never intended to offend anyone with the KKK reference, and apologise to anyone who took it that way. It was a response to what I saw, and still see, as a tidal wave of condemnation WITHOUT TRIAL. Video evidence is notoriously unreliable, yet that was all most seemed to need to immediately convict. And THAT is the response of a lynch mob, imo. If you don’t want to be compared to one, don’t act like one. Having an opinion is fine, but the predisposition to hang someone on suspicion is disappointing, imo.
I prefer to wait until ALL the evidence is in, and a court has reviewed it before convicting, and began by suggesting that. But I was immediately rounded on by a number of posters questioning my sanity apparently.
Now the verdict is in, and FIFA see it pretty much as I described it in #227 and #229, Suarez reacting to a shoulder in the face by ramming his top jaw into Chiellini. Not a bite as such, but using his teeth as a weapon. Just Suarez ‘going dental’ … again.
I was certainly not defending Suarez in this round, just calling for a considered opinion rather than multiple knee-jerks. The penalty seems about right to me, although some sort of therapy should also have been ordered, imo.
Öskar
Öskar, everyone saw this man clearly bite Chiellini.
How you could have possibly thought that people questioning your defence of Suarez as comparable to the actions of mobs that would drag innocent black men through the streets of Mississipi or Alabama is so infuriating I actually don’t know what to say, or even if I should stay on this forum.
Apology accepted for what’s it’s worth though.
CoR, having watched the actual match coverage many times in real time and slo-mo I still see no evidence of an intentional bite, just a reaction to Chiellini’s shoulder clearly hitting him in the face. The match footage is infinitely clearer, with different angles, to the gifs and vids linked to in this round.
I am not disputing that Suarez’s top jaw comes into contact with Chiellini’s shoulder intentionally, but it isn’t and never was a ‘bite’ any more than every headbutt is a Liverpool kiss. Perhaps that’s a quibble, but I prefer to call things what they are, not what makes them sound worst.
And I would also point out that I referred to a KKK MEETING (where calls to lynch were common), not to an actual lynching. Getting all fussed about that seems a bit precious to me.
Öskar
And getting riled up when people don’t agree with your opinion and calling them Klan members isn’t?
Oskar, once again you are the one being “precious.” Your precise words included wondering if this session of drinks had become “a mob lynching” and whether you had wandered into a “KKK meeting.” Your words, mate. You should own them. A qualified apology really isn’t an apology.
It’s statements like this and your general tendency to contrariness that leads me wonder if you are really a wind-up merchant. It’s a shame really.
And I fail to see how FIFA shared your view regarding the bitey-one’s latest incident. Clearly the administrative panel concluded that Suarez committed an offense worthy of punishment…nevermind, not worth it all really.
Oskar, I hope you enjoy playing the role of rhetorical heavy. It’s been my experience that the Devil doesn’t actually need any additional advocates.
Biting is absolutely primitive behavior. Breastfeeding babies learn not to bite. Believe me, they have sharp gums. The most devoted mother prefers her nipples not be chew toys. My one year old grandson is learning not to bite his parents. Parents of a biting 4 or 5 year old would be urged to take their kid for psychiatric evaluation.
Rationally what Suarez did was so much milder than a leg breaking tackle. But he violated an agreed upon taboo.
I am a social worker. Mental health professionals cannot cure deep seated personality disorders. He does not take responsibility for his actions, denying or minimizing.
CoR@338: Oh yes Maradona could look after himself in a fracas. 🙂 By retaliation I meant unprovoked leg-breakers or headbutting or sly elbows later in the game to someone who had earlier made him fly. Some of those tackles were truly brutal. The way Maradona single-handedly turned Napoli into a force against some of the best European sides in that time in Milan & Juve is an achievement at par with his World Cup exploits.
For a role model his off-the-field exploits are of course unpalatable and I guess unforgivable, but I think just as a player on the field he is so far ahead of Suarez in all respect that there really is no comparison.
Just finished watching the recorded Germany-USA match.
I thought Ozil was rather good in his understated clever ways. On that rain soaked field and under such heavy downpour his first touches were impeccable, he was involved in almost all of Germany’s good moves, the goal came from his post-corner cross that was headed by BFG, saved by Howard and then curled in by Mueller who really is mastering the art of finding himself at the right position at right time. There are multiple occasions Ozil quickly interchanged in the center, creating triangles to draw the defenders out and then nonchalantly drag them to a corner to open up passing lanes. In couple of those occasions early balls to Poldi, who made himself available in his favorite position in the penalty box, from Schweinsteiger or Kroos would have seen the net bulged. Ozil himself should have finished two of his moves.
I doubt whether Germany will continue to keep this formation against better sides or whether they will put Lahm for Howedes in the left back, get Schweinsteiger at the base of the midfield and use Poldi from the wing or Klose as the target man. Poldi had a couple of nice crosses and I was wondering if this were the old days of Poldi-Klose combination those would most likely have been converted in the near post.
I’m not the one getting riled, CoR. I’m the one whose opinion has been roundly ridiculed and my position on this specific issue misrepresented. I could easily be offended by a lot of stuff directed at me on different issues here, but I wouldn’t waste my time.
Öskar
Why always me? Right, Oskar?
I’m happy to own everything I write here, iLonestar. Less happy to have my words deemed offensive though. The KKK comment was an obvious exaggeration, and anyone offended by it needs to get a life. In fact I did apologise for saying it, only to have my apology deemed worthless. Well in that case I withdraw the apology.
As for the devil not needing any help, I demur. With all the sanctimony expressed here at times the poor chap needs all the help he can get!
Öskar
It’s not all you, iLonestar. You are a paragon of virtue.
Öskar
Witty until the very end, Oskar.
Oh well.
Back to football.
Oskar, I see where you are coming from, it’s just that this being the third time , people are not willing to give him a benefit of doubt. I really don’t understand how a grown man feels that he can just bite another fellow professional. It’s crazy, he is talented as hell, but men does this guy have serious issues.
Suarez has got exactly what he deserved, SAG. I would probably have given him longer because of the club he plays for. 😉
A great idea, iLonestar … back to the football PLEASE. This has gone way beyond what I intended.
Öskar
Apropos which my three selections for the WC have all won their groups … next stop the last 8!
Öskar
Faustus @335. Suarez and Maradona neither one the most savory character but Suarez is now trending about as unsavory as you might like. Unless the authorities start protecting the rest of the players, who might consider suing somebody for having to put themselves at risk of getting bitten.
Manchester City gets another DM and this time for the place vacated by Lescott . http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/28029224 . It is more and more likely that Sagna would be used primarily as a CD and for the RB position only as a cover for Zabaletta.
Or, Ya Ya Toure leaving?
Oskar: QF line-up prediction time.
My guess: Brazil-Colombia, Mexico-Costa Rica, France-Germany, Argentina-Belgium.
Shock result of round of 16? Mexico beating Netherlands. Looks improbable, but as an Oranje supporter I feel it is coming.
A well earned break day from the World Cup. Saturday’s two ties appear to be the standout games for me, although no Suarez diminishes the competition in that on a bit. (I fancy Colombia to get through, but that should be TASTY. Love a game with a bit of niggle here:)
Interesting to see the progression of transfer tattle. We are through the “ooh, look how good this one I’m trying to flog is” stage into the “nah, don’t fancy selling him…Unless… Say ten million more than he’s worth” stage. Aurier/Debuchy thing reeks of posturing. Remy seems to be our fall-back, “sod you mate, I’ll take my trade elsewhere” option. We shall see. (I’m still mad keen on Sanchez and/or Reus. That Jackson fella has some appeal as well.)
Suarez had his trial. The obvious was concluded, as we all saw he bit the fucker. No point being silly about it, otherwise we will end up with people in the witness stand being asked, “so you saw this, but was it proved at trial to have happened?”
Really enjoyed those snaps of Arsene playing beach footy in Rio. The man just oozes SWAG. Got it or you don’t. He got it.
Big Ivan don’t play beach football. He will punish you though.
#FreeSanchez
UTA
Mine are way different to yours, Dr F: 😉
Brazil – Uruguay
Netherlands – Greece
Nigeria – Germany
Argentina – USA
Uruguay will be fighting mad, the Netherlands just too classy, Costa Rica will be over-awed just to have made it out of their group, and the USA will have a better tactical plan than the Belgians.
Netherlands -Germany final.
Öskar
Still think the Netherlands won’t make it out of their group, Dr F? 🙂
Öskar
BBC World Service reporter Oluwashina Okeleji: Nigeria players have boycotted Thursday’s training. Eagles are demanding for World Cup round of 16 qualification bonus.
——————
Oh boy.. we all know how that worked out for Ghana. Looks like France is going to go through here..!
Brazil-Colombia
France-Germany
Netherlands-Greece
Switzerland-USA
I’d like that NBN!
Not all of it but especially the last one 🙂
*un-exiles self*
.
wot?
.
our resident “mick” sayer
in
“talks shite furore”
.
stand firm peaches
chin up
keep ostentatiously name-dropping
you’ll be grand
.
remember
your mantra
.
WHAT WOULD NICK FALDO DO?
.
After watching almost every game in the group stages, the one thing I have concluded is that every team is capable of a shock. Personally I see no real stand out team. NL, Columbia, Argentina and Belgium all finished with maximum points, but none of them are flawless. Of those four, I thought that maybe Columbia were the strongest, but that said Oranje had to overcome much stronger opponents.
I personally wouldn’t see it as a shock result if Mexico beat NL, as I feel they are pretty evenly matched, the heat may very well be a deciding factor in that one.
TTG.
I will agree with you on one count.
The punditry on the beeb is indeed substandard. Savage, Shearer and Hansen are dreadful, I find myself switching over to Dutch or Belgian channels even when I’m not in my bar. Maybe watching the games on mute or tuning into a foriegn language channel will enhance your enjoyment of the games.
Howdy h2h
how goes it big man?
Oskar @ 361: Well I got one right in that group, Chile. I thought Spain will at least get out of the group. Of course wrong I was. 🙂 But if I recall you had Spain in the R16 as well.
About Netherlands I just think that sooner or later their defense would be exposed by direct runs, De Jong will do something silly, come crunch time there would be exasperated looks between RVP and Robben and we would have had seen that movie before. The story since the 1988 Euro. Would love to be proven wrong.
Argentina has also deep defensive issues. And even Germany looks vulnerable to counter attacks with four slowish center forwards manning the entire defense. Maybe we will see Lahm back at left back (he can play either and Boateng looks fitter and faster than Howedes) and better balance as a result.
If Brazil and Colombia do not fluff their lines in the next round I think we are going to have one of those memorable QF encounters between them. I hope Cuadrado and Rodriguez and Martinez really stuff Uruguay.
Costa Rica was not overwhelmed against Uruguay or Italy, see no reason for them to suddenly get the butterflies against Greece. Our boy Campbell to shine. 🙂
I see Maradona’s been on the coke again.
Good day to you cba, sir.
Not too bad, thank you.
Busy, busy, busy arranging things and generally trying to get things done, while also sitting in the sun and supping beer and ofcourse watching the footy.
Rainy day and a break in the World cup will probably mean a very constructive day…..
If I can rip myself away from here. 😉
All’s well with you and yours I hope.
Funniest post of the back-drinking has to be Oskar’s “I still see no evidence of an intentional bite, just a reaction to Chiellini’s shoulder clearly hitting him in the face.”
Thanks for that one, mate – had me rolling on the floor.
Good stuff fella
.
cheers
alls well here
in deepest darkest donegal
.
hope its a
short and quick and continuous
trip from wallet to till
for yer patrons foldables
.
now
.
COME ON COLOMBIA!!!!!
I LOVE COLOMBIA!!!!!!
I LOVE COLOMBIANS!!!!!!
I LOVE COLOMBIAN!!!!!!!!!!
.
:-O
Not afraid of Belgium at all.
The Americans will be a tough out (to properly mix metaphors).
Don’t Tread On Me.
Agree with that Lonestar.
USA definetly got a chance againt my southern neighbours, who have yet to click as a team.
Arsenal Feminist nails it @345. The issue with the biting isn’t primarily the risk of injury. Not biting others is a deeply rooted behavioural convention pretty much anywhere you go, and Suarez’ inability to adhere to this tells of much deeper problems than just “he changes completely on the pitch”. For me that is no better an excuse than “well, he couldn’t help beating up that other chap, you know how he gets when he’s drunk”. He has an impulse control issue, and if he gets wound up enough to bite someone when he knows full well that there are literally billions of people watching him, what is he capable of out of the spotlight? He not only has three suspensions for biting on his CV, he’s also been suspended for racial abuse and he headbutted a referee in Uruguay and if anything I’d say FIFA were lenient towards him. If he had been a less gifted and less high-profile player he could very well have been suspended for life by now.
Anyway, he’s not our problem and I am quite happy with that.
Oskar: just stop digging, that hole you’re in is big enough as it is already. You fucked up big time with the KKK reference and offended a lot of people in here, just accept that you were in the wrong and apologise for it.
To be perfectly honest, to coin a phrase, I’m not sure Howedes could make the USA team as a fullback.
Re: H2H @366. If Mexico start winning and you want to be on the winning side, you might try watching the game on univision.com for a few hahas, singing announcers and stuff. 🙂
Re: Dr. Faustus @357. As the cognoscenti can tell us, Fernando and Fernandinho are variants of the same name, only the latter means “little Fernando.” Trivia question of the day then. Which one of the two is really smaller in stature? (Hint: It’s a trick question.)
Answer, from Wikipedia.
Both are the same 1.76 meters.
Sorry, I must admit to spreading false information in 379. Fernando is taller at 1.83 meters. Makes too much sense. 🙁
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fernando_Francisco_Reges
Brazil-Colombia
France-Germany
Mexico-Costa Rica
Argentina-USA
Brazil-France
Costa Rica-Argentina
Brazil-Argentina
Brazil
For such a well-meaning bar, where virtually everyone contributes with respect and due consideration, it always perplexes me why anyone with an opposing point of view or who maybe uses an unfortunate term can sometimes be shouted down so vociferously.
Can we give Oskar a break please — from what I know of him, he’s all right, a valuable contributor and certainly wouldn’t have meant to offend anyone.
@369 dkgÖÖner
Since when was he ever off it?! 😀
On another note, think the heat would play a big part in the next round, i do expect some upsets. Especially with the european teams.
USA against germany could be better if the US closed down teams faster but i guess they were more focused on not losing, do not think they will pose too much of a threat against Belgium unless they change tactics, then anything goes!
Nigeria i expect to give problems to france but for the latest developement. Brazil, chile, colombia, uruguay, it all depends on who turns up on that day, these teams all know each other. Germany should get past algeria easily. Mexico may have a slight advantage over the dutch, especially if it’s a hot and humid day. Greece to play anti ‘sparta 300’ football (ugh!) and beat costa rica. Argentina will beat the swiss or we will get messi.
On the other front about half a dozen players have been signed by our closest rivals already and yet nothing from wenger.. I’d like to think he wants to give them a head start, you know, to even the odds. 😀
I was going to leave it, but I can’t.
CoR, it would be a great shame if the actions of one were to force you away from this forum.
Oskar, I’d like to believe that the KKK/lynchmob reference was not meant to be inflamatory, as nothing you have posted over the years would suggest that you are in any way shape or form a racist, that is the goodwill and trust your repatation deserves, however, it has offended and an apology is warranted. However unintentional or misconsued it very well may be, the analogy of the lynch mob/KKK is a silly one to make, telling people who may well be offended by it to “get a life” doesn’t exactly cover you in glory either…….. Or am I being precious?
As for the incident that kicked all this off, I really can’t fathom how you fail to see that it was an intentional bite, not a coming together of upper jaw and shoulder(!?). LS swoops in and clearly nuzzles at his opponent, but hey, maybe the TV coverage is different in you’re part of the world. You seem to feel that it was a great injustice that many (most) were demanding sanctions against Suarez before there was a trail, this really shouldnt be too hard to understand, it goes back to what I mentioned in the previous paragraph: reputation. He has done it before, not once, but twice, the shadow of reasonable doubt is quickly removed.
I applaude your stance of wanting to know all the facts before passing judgement, but what other evidence were you waiting for? There is no circumstancial evidence, no money trail, no dna testing, no long lost witness to be called to the stand, no second shooter and no smoke eminating from a grassy knoll. I’m no lawyer, but this was about as open and shut case as you could possibly imagine. All the evidence was there, from multiple angles, in glorious colour, full HD, even in 3D (where available). The Fifa got to see exactly what we all got to see, an extreamly gifted footballer with a very short fuse and impulse control issues, plant his teeth intentionaly into his opponents shoulder, (AGAIN) however you want to slice it, that’s a bite.
Next round’s on me.
Echo H2H!
On another note, methinks you may be in for a surprise against mexico! I just hope there are no controversial decisions on that day. WC has been above average so far, let’s hope it stays that way.
Hi All
Just reading through some posts *not all* LS has no defence at all. He took a bite out of the Italian from any angle you wish to view it at. To be found guilty was the only out come, the phrase would be not a leg to stand on. Even if he was not known for this behaviour he would still be found guilty and his punishment was amblified proberly because of his previous behaviour.
How anyone would jump to his defence is beyond me. It is clear the man needs help and must have some serious issues to deal with. Being banned from football for 4 months seems a very good time to start addressing these issues and obviously going forward from there he needs to be monitored as this is just not acceptable in any walk of life. It is irrelevant that he is a footballer as this would not be accepted in any work place as im sure police action would also follow.
So he needs to use this time wisely and think that a 4 month ban and a £65000 fine is a let off. What he has done is nothing short of common assult and being found guilty 3 times would lead to a prision sentance in normal walks of life.
So I feel sorry for a man who has issues to deal with but dont feel sorry regarding his punishment. I just hope this time he gets the help he clearly needs.
He alone has the abillity to put this right.
Cheers
On much more important news, the greatest waste of career that ever played football officially leaves Arsenal. Let us give good old Nick at least that much of a credit. He knew how to throw it all away. Mastered that art.
Seems like a lifetime ago http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4-46ochjSc
Vidal. A transfer rumour only a mother of a bastard bin-bag protest could love. Next.
Colombia/Brazil
France/Germany
Holland (in a tough one)/Greece
Argentina/Belgium
Yawn I guess taking al the favourites, but I think this is what I am hoping for from a football point of view. I think this is the best set of fixtures we can get to watch, at least that’s my take for the sort of football I enjoy after 17 years of Arsene’s caviar. No sausage please. After that whoever is standing deserves it and I couldn’t predict/care who that would be.
#FreeSanchez
#LiberateReus
No need barman, I’m following Diego to the disabled toilet to hang out with that Mexican manager everyone loves and channel BIG Ivan.
UTA
I’ve not seen one quip about the Suarez bite and a “Hunger Games” schtick. And for that I’m sorely disappointed. All the focus these days on math and engineering … creativity being bitten off – or sucked out of … oh, never mind. That thought goes nowhere productive.
Brutally busy summer on this end and hoping for daylight soon.
Hope all is good with holics of the world, where ever they be.
When the online gambling companies start turning against you, it could mean you need a morality check. BBC news item:
“Suarez has also lost the sponsorship of online gambling firm 888poker who said it had “decided to terminate its relationship” with “immediate effect”.”
Miss timed it! : http://i.imgur.com/tACfS04.gif
It’s worth considering the Dutch will be up against this.
http://usatftw.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/untitled-331.gif?w=1000
@393
He’s just all charged up for his team : http://i.imgur.com/frnXxyM.gif
Love their enthusiasm.
BB/8 ball: I am sure Louis van Gaal has his own pants-dropping balls-showing riposte to that… 🙂
It would be a tricky match and NL may find the opposition’s resilience surprising. I think Mexico will target De Jong and Vlaar to cut the supply line to Schneijder, making Robben and RVP dropping deeper. No opposition has tried that yet and I would be interested in seeing how NL responds to that.
@395 Doc
Methinks that the dutch don’t like anyone who presses them but then that might be Van Galls’ Ballsy tactics to open up opponents on the counter. Then there’s the heat, am not sure where they are playing though so that may or may not be of concern.
Other than that El Tri just might want to show how much better than their neighbours they are. Still find it hard to believe england and spain are out and usa and mexico are in the 2nd round.
Here’s hoping Arsene is using his match-free day to get a bit of negotiation in with some promising future Arsenal stars.
* curves a long ball up the right wing for….. *
I am a social worker/therapist, and I am not optimistic Suarez can be “treated.” The mental health professions don’t have a good track record in treating psychopathy. They don’t even pretend to have it. God, a priest, an exorcist–I don’t know who could help someone who doesn’t acknowledge his problem and sees it as a vast conspiracy. Do you know what profession has the most psychopaths? CEOs.
Chests it down and flicks it into the box
I’ve never given up on a client, no matter how schizophrenic or manic. But what makes Suarez Suarez goes so far back into his childhood, into toddlerhood and infancy, that I doubt any therapist could reach it. My suggestion of a priest was not facetious. Shrinks don’t know how to do conversions.
Well in Fem. 🙂
I wouldn’t think so fast about a pastor to do this job. Check this out
http://www.eyeofthetiber.com/2014/06/25/uruguayan-pastor-bites-rival-priest-during-mass/
Interesting about the CEOs being best represented among psychopaths. Confirms my suspicion. Except for Wenger.
Just to reiterate just because the last World Cup was a disaster from the interesting football sense it doesn’t mean this mediocre and turgid one is good just because it is better than that. I refer anyone who doubts me to the 1970 World Cup. That had exceptional players, exceptional teams and exceptional games. There has not been one outstanding game yet and so what if there have been more goals-the football that created them is very ordinary. Don’t fall for the hype. Its not a classic World Cup yet, not even close- let’s hope it improves.
@404 TTG
Just because this WC may not be as good as the 70’s doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have any bite…
🙂
16 teams remaining so all games SHOULD be better than the first round games where the dross was sprinkled all around. Even then there was an abundance of exciting games despite what you say so tty keep on watching. Especially Colombia, who have great potential and who I would love to knock off the hosts.
Not good behavior to knock off your host, I should say. But when did that bother a bunch of young Colombians? Certainly not a bunch this talented.
It’s about the time when we start to wonder whether we should worry about the fact that most of our competitors for the title are stronger and we are weaker. Liverpool and United are continuing the rape of Southampton today and while I think Chelsea haven’t got value for money they have done significant business. Citeh have strengthened at our expense.
I never like it when we are linked with this many players. Most of the links are rubbish but it suggests to me that like last season Wenger is dithering and has not narrowed his focus. I have little faith in our transfer crew and we really need to be integrating players into the mix now rather than on August 31st.
Agree with you completely, TTY. Not sure what we can do about it of course but AW said before the World Cup that nothing would happen until after the World Cup so taking him at face value seems to be the only viable approach. I’m also not sure about how good some of the signings made by the rest of the top four will really be, but if Fernando is as good as Fernandinho for Man City, they will be very hard to contend with. Is Fernando a replacement for Yaya Toure though?? Speaking of Fernandinho I think the Brazilian coach is missing a beat by not including him in Brazil’s first 11. At least he did a great job against Arsenal last season.
Liverpool and United raped Southampton? Was it on the news??
Thank you BB@392. Just wonderful.
Some great pictures doing the rounds of Arsene playing beach volleyball and head tennis. He is looking in good shape for the new season.
Just remember the old saying. You snooze you lose….
Let’s hope he has already had the conversations that matter and that the press boys are just finalising the wording on their releases ???
H2H: you are so right. Never listen to commentary in a language you know.
DSW: for a Switzerland – USA quarter final, it requires two upsets against the form book in the Round of 16 but those two look the most likely candidates to pull them off. There are some dodgy defences in this tournament but Switzerland’s for one looks to be among the least dodgy.
Dr F.: if TGSTEL’s head had matched his heading, he could have been the TGSTEL he imagined himself to be.
Spot on TTG. Inching towards the new season fills me with a sense of foreboding, not excitement, it’s a perennial wait to see again how Arsenal can teach everyone how not to run a transfer window.
The transfer rumours of players we might sign are popping up all over the shop, meanwhile you don’t hear much about other teams (mainly because I’m not paying attention) until you find out the Chavs have signed Cesc, Manure and the Scousers are already getting them in for medicals and even little old Swansea have a new striker.
I’d keep my gob shut if I thought I was whingeing over nothing but can anyone truly ignore our past form in this area?
Guys, I have said it in the past and and will continue to believe the fact that we don’t have a good negotiating team. Maybe the problem is with Wenger, who can’t make up his mind on the players he wants. But please don’t tell me we can’t get deals done until after the World Cup. Next, we will have to wait till July ending. With all the excitement of winning he FA cup, they sure know how to deflate fans excitement .
SAG@416: I think we will have to wait until 31st August to know whom all we have signed. It is only natural as that is when the window closes. 🙂
Anxiety has a tendency to invent its own reasons. Nothing worthwhile has even been achieved out of anxiety. Well, maybe Woody Allen movies.
I have my reasons to “think” that come 1st September we would all be pleasantly surprised with the shape and depth of the squad. But it may simply be because my optimism too invents its own reasons.
I think we fans tend to forget a simple fact though: the transfer business is not the real competition, some early signing just to keep fans happy is not necessarily a good idea, and the only thing that matters is how the squad copes with the competitions by the end of the season.
If anyone is going to pay attention to the transfer rumors once the world cup ends and take all Arsenal related bits seriously, you are going to be in for a hair-raising ride. It will be scary until you realize it is all silly. It was murderous before the last season when we were told that even the Spurs had shown us up about how to “do the deals.” Well eventually we learned that Spurs had superbly demonstrated how not to waste 100 million quids.
Don’t let the click-whores seduce you. 🙂
Best thing I’ve read on the Suarez incident http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/columnists/donal-og-cusack/donal-og-cusack-suarez-is-just-another-crazy-mixed-up-kid-not-a-bad-person-273535.html
Hmmmm. I see you’re still dishing it out, cba, but cannot take it apparently. I have yet to receive any acknowledgement of my http://goonerholic.com/2014/06/sweet-sixteen-new-signings/#comment-464740 … 27, 28 and 29. Or to my hand of friendship in that and http://goonerholic.com/2014/06/uber-alles/#comment-468385
Man up, ffs.
Öskar
No, Dr F, I never picked Spain. My winner in 3 was Brazil, Germany and The Netherlands. I did suggest England might surprise by actually getting out of the group, and they did show promise of doing so early. But the loss to Italy was unfortunate and all downhill after that!
Öskar
Arturo Vidal is a brilliant player, El Puno (#389), and would be a great acquisition. I just don’t think we need him as much as we need other positions filled and would prefer to see such a large sum invested in what we need.
Give me at least one of Reus, Varane, Hummels, Moura, Di Maria and Aurier before Vidal.
Öskar
Cent. Suarez doesn’t need lame jokes? Who knew? 😉
Fair enough viewpoint though.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/worldcup/must-watch-arsene-wenger-does-his-best-robin-van-persie-impression-on-beach-in-brazil-by-recreating-astonishing-diving-header-9567625.html
Wenger in complete control. 🙂
I have just heard on the radio that a 9 year old schoolboy has been banned from football for wanting to be like Suarez and actually biting an opponent. I wish this was a joke and that I was about to deliver the punchline. Sadly I’m not. So if anyone, wherever they may be in the world is still trying to defend the sewer rat then please think again. Not only are his actions wholely despicable but they are now influencing kids.
4 month ban???? For a third offence he got off extremely lightly in my humble opinion.
The sad fact is that too many young ‘uns nowadays try to emulate their ‘heroes’ in sport. Thus a ban is definitely in order….
I do not think pool would want to be associated with LS any longer, too much of a liability and yes we did indeed dodge the bullet over him!
Switzerland has the least dodgy defence in the tournament, Ned (#413)? Based around that great Arsenal duo Senderos and Djourou?? Why ever did we let them go????
Öskar
421 – I meant more in that it is never, ever, forever-never happening. Total myth making from the tattle rags that can’t be taken seriously and I love a bit of made up tattle to get excited by.
NBN@ 413
Did you see the Swiss against France?
Anyone who wants to go back a pretend that we got done what we needed to last summer because we finished ahead of the scum and nailed our traditional fourth place is suffering from seriously diminished expectations imo. We obviously made a hash of that window and it bit us, hard, when we had to run our played into the ground for 5/6 months before they all hobbled off injured.
Period of being stadium handicapped is over. Club keep saying it and even a layman’s reading of the numbers after we get our new shirt/stadium sponsorship deals confirms it. Big Ivan don’t lie. We need to be looking at finishing first, not those mugs up the road we left for dead a long, looooong time ago.
Some interesting World Cup stats here:
http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/jun/27/leroy-fer-world-cup-lionel-messi-brazil
The last few paragraphs all seem to suggest what was has been apparent from the Champions League the last few years: you have got to be athletic to have success at the moment.
#FreeTheAsenalCounterAttack
#FreeSanchezFreeReus
Even the stars are copying him now : http://i.imgur.com/hzIois9.gif
😀
Interesting article, El Puno (#431). I found the following particularly relevant:
“Italy and Spain are right at the top of the tables for possession (61.4% and 57.6%), pass success rate (85% and 82%) and total passes (2071 and 1859) yet they will watch the last 16 from home”
Stats alone can be misleading, as I sought to convince certain members here during the past season about Arsenal players they thought a lot more of than I did.
Öskar
Glad to see FIFA getting back to the really important stuff:
FIFA to Investigate Neymar’s Underwear
FIFA is investigating Brazilian star Neymar for wearing prohibited underwear against Cameroon, according to UOL.
Neymar’s Speedo underwear was exposed after the player swapped shirts with a Cameroonian player. Speedo is not on FIFA’s sanctioned list for clothing brands.
FIFA will investigate if Neymar purposely exposed the Speedo brand on the underwear’s waistband.
The star came under fire during Champions League matches for Barcelona for repeatedly showing the Lupo brand on his underwear against Atletico Madrid. During that game, Neymar exposed his briefs’ waistband five times, showing the brand.
NBN
Agree pretty much with that though our CB’s are a little suspect. Djourou was out of position almost the whole 2nd half and lucky to stay on against Honduras. Von Bergen who got Girouds boot in the face is already back home and had surgery.
We will see what comes out soon I guess 🙂
Cent @ 418,
Nice link to a great article on Suarez – one that at least asked questions, proposed solutions and tried to understand the situation.
I might briefly mention to those who may not know who the author ‘Donal Og Cusack’ is in this country. We have a national “Gaelic” game in Ireland called hurling. Its a little like Ice hockey except its played on grass – its a very fast and athletic game. Donal Og Cusack was one of the best players to play that game. He was also the first to publicly “come out” in what was always an alpha male sport. He has also gained a lot of respect in this country as an intelligent sports commentator.
433 – That was exactly the passage I had in mind Oskar.
Holland managed to average 39% possession and take a bunch of domestic league players with an attack stapled on the front flying in to the knock-outs…
Thanks Cent for the Irish Examiner article.
All true. He needs help. The problem is no-one can help him when the man himself is in denial – “I just fell with my mouth open” ffs.
If he’s going to get help, he must first recognise that he needs it. Going to a shrink under pressure is a waste of everyone’s time.
If Liverpool sell Suarez, I guess the fans will just have to say fangs for the memories.
I’m predicting Brazil will beat Chile but hoping Chile beat Brazil today. The game should be eminently watchable, as should Colombia v. Uruguay. In that one I’m predicting and hoping Colombia win. In any case, Latin America will win out.
Eye, eye!, dkg @439.
It’s ironic that Suarez makes such exaggerated use of his incisors but shows so little wisdom……
Oh well. 😉
Neymar has revealed how Pele helped persuade him to turn down a move to Chelsea and stay with Santos four years ago.
—————–
Good ole Pele!!
Luis Suarez told Fifa’s disciplinary panel that he did not deliberately bite Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup, the Associated Press (AP) is reporting.
AP says Suarez outlined his defence in Spanish in a letter dated June 25, one day before an independent disciplinary committee banned him from all football activity for four months.
“In no way it happened how you have described, as a bite or intent to bite,” the Uruguay striker wrote.
“After the impact … I lost my balance, making my body unstable and falling on top of my opponent. At that moment I hit my face against the player leaving a small bruise on my cheek and a strong pain in my teeth.”
However, the seven-strong panel dismissed the argument.
——————————–
Ah so the bruising on Chiellini’s shoulder’s were indeed marks from Suarez’s chompers as admitted by the man himself.
Maybe the next time he could run without showing his incisors, just saying, you know to prevent future accidental gnawing!
Still one has to admire his strong teeth.. just look at poor Arteta!
😀
El puno@430, I am with you in regards to the transfer window. I still don’t get how some fans believe that waiting till the last month or last week is the best way to get transfers done. Let’s be real, we have a sorry ass team when it comes to negotiating including Wenger himself, I must add. Can someone realistically tell me remy would not have made a huge difference if we had bought or loaned him in January. They can’t get a deal done without any world distractions and you want me to believe they will get it done with a WC. I guess we will have to wait and see, hopefully am proven wrong, though I doubt it. Does anyone see Wenger buying 4 players? That’s the minimum amount we need.
use “mick”?
dick !
.
use “mick” with a “mick”?
double dick!
.
selective vision
selective hearing
selective apologies
.
three dicks and you’re it
.
.
(end )
.
.
.
now
COME ON COLOMBIA!!!!!
SAG, if we end up with 2 half decent additions I will have to force myself to be happy with it. There’s no other way when everyone knows that even if we do actually land 4 players, chances are that 2 of them will be shite, and turning up at 12.30am on September 1st, unable to believe their luck at getting into a team that’s way beyond their level.
what a goal by Sanchez
Yes Eandy. A big moment in a big game: he had to take that chance, and he did. And that flick a couple of minutes later. What a player
444 – I hear you brother.
#StopDickingAboutAndFreeSanchezNOW!!!!!!
These crowd shots look more like Sweden are playing than Brazil :/
Chile looking very vulnerable at the back. They need to shape up or this could be a lopsided scoreline. Fred should really have scored there
Good thing for Chile that Fred and Hulk are in the starting 11. That’s two now Fred could have put away
How did Chile not score that?? All offense this game. Whichever team can figure out how to defend in the second half will win this one. Makes for fun viewing though
Is it just me or does Fred look like Howard Moon?
It’s not just you. I had that thought already. Though Howard Moon might have taken one or two of those chances
Sender’s and Djourou? As in we should have kept either? Seriously?
Wind up alert.
Don’t Tread On Me.
Only a brave punter would put money on Chile in this second half. Unless Brazil keep the ball away in their own half.
The “V” in Vidal’s haircut. At first I thought that stood for Vidal but then figured out it’s for Victoria Concordia Crescit. 😉
Good move by Scolari, by the way, dropping the Paulinho scum in favor of Fernandinho.
Well that was one tremendous half. Brilliant game.
And then ……. Hansen, Shearer and some monster creation from the Hammer House of Horror sat on the end of the row.
If it was possible to completely kill the excitement generated by a terrific 45 minutes, those three muppets achieved it to perfection.
Slurring, stuttering, boring bollocks.
A licence fee, BBC ? Really ?
Chile looking stronger in the second half. I’d love it so much if Brazil went out. Don’t think it’ll happen though
Still Luis Gustavo and Alexis Sanchez for me.
Is that greedy ? 😉
:Looked hand ball
Brazil have some superstars in Neymar and Oscar, and Fernandinho looks strong. But the fringe players will need to contribute something if they want to win this tournament. Fred and Hulk have done little to nothing so far. And their defense looks very porous at times. Chile could conceivably win this
Oh man, just as I typed that Hulk gets one disallowed. But I think that’s the right call by Howard Webb. He controlled that ball with the help of his arm. Nice to see some calls going against the hosts for once.
Porous or Fredbare ? 😉
Good decision.
Both, Trev.
And yes, that’s absolutely the right call by Howard Webb. I don’t know why it’s even up for discussion. It’s a pretty simple rule: you can’t use your arms to control the ball. Scolari can do one.
Webb needs to keep an eye on all this malarkey ….. 😉
If he cann ….. 😉
Look I know we like to hate on Howard Webb here but I think he’s doing pretty well in this game. He’s been very even-handed and he’s not backing down to the enormous pressure from the host nation. Restoring my faith in the integrity of the tournament. Well, maybe not quite that. 🙂
Though I guess I should withhold final judgment till after the final whistle.
Brazil playing for extra time. Chile playing to win. If this was a boxing match Chile would be clear winners.
Brazil eaten lasagna at halftime?
If so, I hope they’ll take another helping before extra time starts. 🙂
With 20 to go, I thought Chile looked as if their legs had gone. Long balls were just giving the ball back to Brazil. However they got their rapid pass and move back for the last few minutes so hopefully they are not dead. Yet I do feel that Brazil are more likely to win this now.
Ch- chi- chi- chi- chi- chi- CHILE
Come on Alexis – show us why you are a great buy for Arsenal!
It would be fine with me if Brazil would just have a few platefuls of feijoada. 🙂
Alexis does like to show off those thighs, doesn’t he?
Great 2nd half by Alexis.
Ian Darke just said that Ronaldinho was getting “a little long in the tooth.” Just passing that along
did not think I would write this about any player during this World Cup but Arséne/Ivan, break the bank for Sanchez, seriously he is the missing piece of the puzzle.
Completely agree, Eandy. Sanchez, Bender, Aurier, a back up keeper. If Vermaelen does leave, a center half.
I hate myself for typing that.
Lucky lucky Brazil.
Wow. That’s twice the woodwork denied Chile, who deserved to win I felt. Unbelievable game.
Ooooo – don’t know abaht that Sanchez bloke.
‘e ain’t got no bo’le.
Sanchez …’nuff said!
Just don’t ask him to take a pen, dk. He’s the dog’s bollox. Would add SO much to our team.
Wish we had enough balls to go for Sanchez and actually sign him. Oh well I can only wish, wish and wish.
http://www.arsenalstation.com/2014/06/28/sanchez-schneiderlin-will-join-arsenal-reports-in-france/
Make of it what you will.
Poor Chile. The were done for when that shot hit the crossbar at the end. Somehow always the same, miss your chances or the key bounce doesn’t go your way and you are done for.
Nasty side Brazil. Hope Brazil absolutely take one from Colombia, who win today with over 3 goals in the game and 8 bookings plus a red card 😉
Good to see the transfer wish lists flowing freely. Trev you are very reserved with your two player list mate, go to get in the mood a bit. Make your next one a double perhaps?
Victor Valdes (Free) Aurier (9mil) Luis Gustavo (20mil) Alexis Sanchez (30mil) Reus (40mil) – Vela (10mil) Cesc (5mil) = very much within our budget.
Go do your thing BIG boy.
UTA
Must say I always thought that Luis Gustavo was overrated. Schnederlein a complete beast. Different gravy to that hipster ‘tasted McMugget from Brazil.
Big Ivan always KNEW.
UTA
Interesting link Steve T.
I so hope it’s true but then as you’ve observed before, it’s the hope that kills you.
So I’m following N7’s advice and am so far into zen that I am floating off the floor in the lotus position.
Que sera sera.
Don’t get my hopes up SteveT… (But LET IT BE TRUE pls…!)
In fairness boys there is still over two months to the 31st August so it’s probably all made up???? There is no way that we are ready to make a purchase. Still way to long to go yet.
😀
Even an old grouch like me enjoyed Brazil v Chile. It had the intensity of a Premier League game and Brazil just about edged it although Chile coaxed some great performances out of some people who are not even household names in their own household.
Neymar is the only really stellar talent Brazil has and I can’t imagine they will be good enough to win even in this very ordinary tournament. I’m now settling down to watch Jackson Martinez and will be on the phone to Arsene if he does the business
WHAT A GOAL
Forget James Rodriguez… we can’t afford him already!
What a fantastic hit.
Rodriguez looks the player of the tournament. I think Porto have got a better scouting network in South America than we have.
You think he might be slightly better than the likes of Wellington and the boys??????????
Boom! Sanchez!
is Colombia new Brazil? They are definitely playing with a confidence and a swagger I would expect from the hosts.
I am half expecting them to beat brazil!
Interesting first half. Columbia are definitely good to watch. Uruguay seem a bit toothless up front. They definitely lack a bit of bite.
Then again this Uruguay is toothless without Suarez!
😀
James Rodriguez cost Monaco £37.6m last summer…
So that puts him about as expensive as Suarez then. Pity.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
That cavani is wonderfully elegant, but he only touches the ball twice a game?
That Irish Examiner article made me rethink some of my harsh opinions about Suarez. My husband also told me about a discussion he had with an office mate from Uruguay. I suspect Suarez is deluded enough to believe his version of what happened. His delusion is reinforced by his entire country. Watching Uruguay’s manager today, I couldn’t help thinking how little help he ever would have been. The article mentioned Suarez had worked with a psychiatrist this season. The psychiatrist was with the English team at the World Cup. He would need long-term treatment with a therapist as talent in her field as he is in his.
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