Book Review – Little Bit Silverware
Nov 18th, 2014 by 'holic
It is becoming quite a year for collectors of Arsenal books, and in the next week surrounding the Manchester United fixture I have three more to review. Tonight that week is kick-started with a look at an interesting concept, and a special discount for Goonerholic readers.
Did I say interesting? Well, it had to happen really. A popular Twitter account replicated in book form, so not your conventional read by any stretch of the imagination. More it is a book to be picked at when you have a few minutes to spare and don’t want to think too hard about a plot, a previous incident, or indeed acquiring knowledge. This is a book when you want a grin, a chuckle, or even the odd belly laugh.
For those who have tried Twitter and don’t enjoy the format, then you may as well head straight for the drinks and tell us all there. For those who don’t know it (where have you been?) Twitter is a social media site which allows people to communicate with pretty much anyone in posts of 140 characters or less. There are those who post there who have developed a personna, an alter ego if you will, and the author of this tome is one of the most amusing among the army of Arsenal supporters you will find there.
The tweeter known as @wengerknowsbest is followed by over 120,000 people and has become required reading for simply speaking fluent Wenger. Little Bit Silverware captures by way of parody Arsene’s sayings, mannerisms and catchphrases pefectly, and tells the story of Arsenal’s landmark 2013/14 season.
Dip into the pages of this book, for it doesn’t have to be read chronologically, and find revelations, secret discussions with rival managers, and the inside story on why Per Mertesacker is called the ‘BFG’. One of my personal favourites came before the September meeting with Stoke City.
“Do Stoke still play rugby? I don’t know. They use less rucks and mauls now, but still try to avoid forward passes.”
As the Mirror’s John Cross notes in his foreward to the book, “this is not in any way poking fun at Arsene Wenger”. It is however a reflection on the Arsenal manager’s quirky interactions with media, and therefore the club’s supporters, culminating in the FA Cup Final triumph over Hull City and the aftermath of a long overdue triumph.
“Am I still a ‘specialist in failure’? Specialist, no. Is Mourinho now an ‘apprentice in failure’? You have to ask him.”
I mentioned a discount for ‘holics. The deal is 10% off RRP of £9.99, so £9.00 with free P&P to UK addresses. The code to quote is LBS10. Orders will need to be placed by calling GBS on 01206 256101.
Arsenal supporters who remember and enjoyed the Colemanballs books will like this. I suspect a few ‘holics will appreciate it too.
Is it a book of exceptional quality? We don’t know. We don’t want to comment on speculation.
36 Responses to “Book Review – Little Bit Silverware”
Cheers H! Looking forward to Saturday here.
Me too mate. Got a feeling it’s our day. Don’t ask me why, but I’m not often wrong. 🙂
Third? Great book review Holic!
Watching Poland vs Swiss, Fabianski looks very comfortable!
4th Damn Flappy just let in a goal!
You’ve made it sound very intriguing Holic! I eschew Twitter and many who tweet , particularly those who tweet bollocks like Piers Morgan, Gooner though he is.
I’ve never believed you can convey much in 140 characters and the rise of tweeting has led to even more spurious and unfounded rumours than there was before. I may well delve into this book but I shall leave the Twittersphere well alone. But thanks for the interesting review
Twitter is far too modern for me. I’d rather send a letter.
Twitter has it’s good use lads trust me!
Sounds interesting, Holic, even though I’m not a Twitter user.
Cheers. 😉
Thanks for the review Holic. As Trev says, you do make it sound interesting but I literally have no time for Twitter.
With sralex a ghost memory, Manure’s aura in need of a good Silvo polishing and most of their first XI injured (while ours are coming back) there can be no excuse for suffering the usual capitulation at the weekend. Just go out and do them I say.
3-1
Öskar
Cheers Holic….another book for the Xmas wish list. Like other esteemed drinkers here, twitter ain’t my ting 😉
Some excellent play by Arsenal’s England men today, notably Jack and Ox. But Theo not used again, I hope he’s all right.
On the other hand good to see Cal not used either, the lad can use the rest.
Öskar
great stuff holic
@wengerknowsbest is very funny reading indeed
the book is a must for all true seasoned arsenal supporters
another recent small snippet from @wengerknowsbest on the recent England match
“Tonight’s cross from Wilshere and header from the Ox were exceptional. Although the move lacked maybe 20-30 passes across the pitch first.”
Wengerknowsbest is hilarious on twitter and usually is comical fun of looking at the serious stuff.
England had a good game yesterday and shrek played very well too. Jack was excellent and it again proves that if he is given time on the ball, he has the knack to pick a pass and a half. Again the protection of a Dm is what we need next to him or an Ozil.
Di Maria taking a knock thanks to nani had me in splits but knowing united, i am certain he will be fit for saturday.
Usual rumblings about transfer continue over Hummels but i honestly doubt we will go for such a high spending transfer in jan. Expect another loan deal or a decent buy.
The only problem with sending a letter is you have to wait for a reply.
On the plus side you don’t get trolled. Usually.
On the minus side you have to actually know someone first.
Diddn’t see the Scotland game, how did Welbz look coming off ? What with a fatigued Alexis, a naughty out of favour Poldi, Theo not quite there and Campbell in the wilderness, I’m having awful flashbacks to home Utd game in 2012. Arshavin, “You don’t know what you’re doing” etc, etc. Hitting “form” with those 2 goals for France U-21s this week could mean only one thing…. Please no, please. Talk about how to let a shambolic Man U defence off the hook. I wouldn’t rule it out.
Specially for Cynic;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=425GpjTSlS4
Maybe it has already been posted, sorry I don’t have a time to backdrink, if someone has spare time it is worth a read.
http://grantland.com/the-triangle/arsenal-arsene-wenger-champions-league/
It basically says that this years Arsenal (17 points) are maybe even a better side both offensively and defensively (chances created and shots conceded) than the last years Arsenal side (25 points) at the same time.
I hope Błaszczykowski won’t be fit to face us next Wednesday, he had a bad injury and has now resumed training.
Looking forward to the Mancs preview Maestro!
Cynic, can you afford the stamps these days? 😉
Cynic
If you were on Twitter, ‘Grumpy Cat’ would face fierce competition. 🙂 Meow xx
I’ve read every drink, so don’t think any of YOU can back peddle now 😉 Ha ha xx
cba and Steve T, might we be granted a visit SOON (some of us holics not getting any younger, hint hint!) ☺
abb, love you, not getting any younger 😉 cba and Steve T, I agree entirely! 🙂
Love is all around us 🙂
For cba …. http://youtu.be/qkvUbgmzDB8
Abb. Are cba and Steve T on a quest for the fountain of youth? Ponce de Leon watch out! 😉
Another Arsenal book you say? Nice one, will add it to my wish list and read it over the holidays.
I hope the Interlull has amplified everyone’s desire to watch club football again as it has mine. Can’t stand the stuff. Good to see Oxlade-Chamberlain scoring though.
COR – how right you are !
this may have been the most boring break in the history of international breaks
Holic – Waste a stamp?
NSFW
http://youtu.be/6uLmVJDDFQ4?t=2m18s
Cynic….multiple hehs. Haven’t listened to D & C in quite a while.
We need this kind of goalie : http://i.imgur.com/SAQPGiJ.gifv
😀
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20141120/team-news-who-s-fit-to-face-man-united-
BB @30 Heh?
Daley Blind injury situation a mite confusing. Van Gaal’s communication skills or lack thereof coming through?
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/30128792
So the real question is who plays right back on Di Maria this Saturday?
Options as I see it are:
1. Chambers @ right back with Oxlade staying tight to provide some assistance on the wing with Monreal staying in the Centre (i.e. the Swansea formation) or
2. Bellerin to start at RB and either Chambers or Monreal in the centre.
3. Gibbo & Monreal to start on both wings and Chambers to play in the centre.
My gut feeling is 1 with Oxlade to support Chambers on the wing and stay tight on Di Maria. While 3 is also an option – I just can’t see Wenger playing Chambers in the middle against RvP and Rooney where any mistakes will be punished severely. So while many people give out about Monreal at CH – thats where I think we’ll see him again on Saturday.
Elsewhere: Rambo & Arteta in front of the back four with Jack at 10. Oxlade – Alexis and Welbz up front.
Joe @ 34: Di Maria doesn’t like to drop too deep and unlike Alexis or before that Tevez is not fond of running through the middle. He is at his most dangerous when he is getting good balls fed in a relatively advanced position from the midfield.
I think our game plan should be around maximizing our strength, which is nous, quality and experience in the midfield and pace and skills in the final third.
We should sit deep, use both Arteta and Flamini to ensure the flanks are ALWAYS protected even if the play is switched, and then use a more direct-energetic-creative player as number 10, which would be Alexis with Welbeck/Theo as the ones to run behind. Man U defends higher up the pitch but if they plan on dropping deep as well we may want to bring Giroud on later in the game or ask Welbeck to stay central and advanced, on the shoulders of the CD pair.
For the two flanks I would choose craft and experience, who can cut in and congest the midfield and control possession and create spaces for Alexis as well as wing backs to move up (hence Arteta-Flamini sitting deep). I would play both Santi and TR7 who will give us an immense advantage in ball control and tempo-setting department over the United central defense of Carrick/Flamini/Blind and would force Rooney to drop deeper and deeper.
However I am sure Arsene would not choose both of Santi and TR7 to start.
Another book review 🙂 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>