The Unbeaten In Manchester Season
May 17th, 2015 by 'holic
I saw talk before the match of Arsene setting up to go with an attacking gameplay having secured victories at City and United this season playing a much more compact game than usual. It was no surprise, given those two results, that once again we set our stall at Old Trafford to defend first and foremost, and look to hit the home side on the counter.
That approach requires more accurate passing than we could muster in the opening half. As early as the third minute Alexis overhit a ball for Olivier Giroud as we sought to pinch a lead. Then the Chilean broke clear himself only to be hustled off the ball by Blind, but these were rare forays into the attacking third by the visitors.
Surrendering territory and possession meant that United would fashion half-chances. Young blazed one over and Laurent Koscielny had to be alert to block an effort from Falcao, starting in preference to van Stapleton. When Mata hit a weak free-kick that David Ospina dealt with comfortably one wondered if they had any cutting edge in the absence of Rooney.
The answer came in the thirtieth minute when Young got the better of Hector Bellerin and crossed to the far post for Herrera to volley past Ospina at his near post, with Nacho Monreal drawn into a central covering role. The full-backs were otherwise excellent, and Ospina wasn’t unduly troubled again, but the damage had been done.
The problem with going behind when playing rope-a-dope is how and when to change things. Clearly either side of half-time the instruction appeared to be stick with it, and see if we can pinch an equaliser. Sadly though with the midfield collectively unable to string together the sort of passing moves that are their trademark, we found ourselves in the position of hoping not to concede a second goal.
Eight minutes shy of the hour we had our first shot of the match. Giroud set up Alexis but his effort was high and wide, much to the derision of the home support at the old scoreboard end. That could not be described as the turning point, which was surely reached twenty minutes later with a double substitution, but slowly Arsenal found a way into the game.
Giroud did well to hold off Rojo but couldn’t get sufficient power or direction to beat De Gea, then the increasingly influential Aaron Ramsey chipped the United goalkeeper only for Rojo to clear. The chances were coming, and Arsene decided to change our shape somewhat. Jack Wilshere and Theo Walcott came on for Bellerin and the unusually ineffective Santi Cazorla. Francis Coquelin was switched to right-back, behind Theo, while Jack joined Rambo in a new look central midfield.
Ramsey in particular, back in his favoured role, took the game by the scruff of the neck, and ten minutes after the double substitution we were level. There is no denying a slice of good fortune was involved as Rambo picked out Theo with a magnificent forty yard pass and the latter’s attempted cross was deflected in by Blackett. It was an equaliser we had undoubtedly threatened, and the Gunners went in search of a dramatic winner.
A minute later Giroud was inches wide with a near post flick into the side-netting, and the same player couldn’t quite find his touch when another chance came his way. At the other end United fashioned a last opportunity for their Dutch substitute, but Van Stapleton cleared the bar comfortably to the delight of the again-magnificent traveling faithful.
The final whistle left Arsenal considerably happier with the point than their hosts, although credit to van Gaal who said this afterwards,
“I believe that Arsenal are maybe the best team in the league but Chelsea can finish a game.ย We were better than our opponents for one hour, and we led one-zero, but we have to finish the game.”
For me the best team in the League is the one that finishes first, but every non-Chelsea fan knew exactly what he meant by that. Arsene too conceded that we had to come back from a difficult start to the match.
“The only regret I have is that we didnโt take the three points in the second half. We started the first half slowly, Manchester United were sharper at the beginning, and we were a bit stretched as well width and length-wise. The second half we were more compact and we took over. We showed a great response and got a deserved point.”
The result means that effectively a point from our two remaining home games should seal automatic Champions League group phase qualification, but to finish as runners up we need to win both and hope that Southampton can win at City next Sunday. Never say never, but that appears a tall order right now.
In the meantime let’s just enjoy our ‘unbeaten in Manchester’ season. They don’t come along too often.
200 Responses to “The Unbeaten In Manchester Season”
I hope he takes one thing from that game. Ramsey is not a wide player and playing him out there does him, and more importantly the team, no favours. If he has to drop Cazorla (or anyone else) to play Ramsey, drop him.
thanks, guv. I was surprised at the subs, but pleased with their effect.
let’s hope we start a different eleven midweek. I agree with cynic, and maybe even start theo in the right.
Cheers H!
‘He’ who can not be named Cynic?
He has a name. Arsene Wenger.
A man for whom I have great respect, mostly for what he has achieved for Arsenal Football Club. And I believe strives still to do.
He deserves to be called by his given name at least.
Also seems an odd decision to play him wide, knowing he will have to do a fair bit of work up and down the flank, when he was an injury doubt for the game.
Still, it sort of worked out in the end.
Although having said that Cynic the first four times that eleven played in that formation we took maximum points, but yes, Santi looked tired today and Rambo was different class when switched on the day. Hope all ok with you.
Fair point, Esso, but sometimes (believe it or not) it feels a bit disrespectful using just the surname. It’s ok with players, not many people would refer to them by full name after all, but “he” wasn’t meant disrespectfully and I sometimes feel “Wenger” sounds that way, particularly if the point is a critical one.
Does that make sense? I don’t know if it’s a class thing but I feel people who refer to others by surname alone are a bit stuck up and cuntish. Never did like being called by my surname at school, always got my back up.
No disrespect intended, honestly.
Interestingly the media guidelines suggest using full names the first time you mention someone in a piece, although thereafter revert to one name.
I don’t follow that for the twats we end up playing though. ๐
Another fair point, H, but the performances (Liverpool apart) weren’t fantastic.
Bugger it. Thinking too much about football. Sorry. ๐
Holic
I hadn’t spotted the Manchester landmark but it is a decent mark of progress. Very well- balanced report. I thought we ended much the stronger dude and I thought Ramsey and Wilshere bossed the midfield very effectively. Jack has come back looking very sharp. I also thought Theo had a very positive impact and deserved his slice of luck. Without the deflection it was still a very dangerous ball.
Don’t always agree with Cynic but he is right about Ramsey.he is a central player. I would start Jack on Wednesday and Theo too and rest Alexis and Cazorla. A big priority is to add a swifter striking option than Giroud .
I think I’m also now convinced that if we can get a top- class keeper we should and whoever suggested playing Ches in the next two games was right. But I bet he doesn’t .
content with a point particularly after the first half. progress is being made. having lost to swansea earlier in the week it was important to get something out of the game and get back on the scoresheet. still not convinced about the goalkeeper and we should still break the bank to get cech in during the summer.
You know what I think about saying sorry, Cynic ๐
By the way, for those who have noticed the absence of Uply, he has suffered a deep personal loss and is taking time out. He’ll be back when ready, and I know you will greet him as only you lovely nutters can when he is.
Cheers.
My mother used to apologise to me every day.
“Son”, she’d say, “I’m sorry you were ever born”.
๐
๐
If you want disrespect โฆ. this is either clever photoshopping or their site was hacked briefly.
NSFW image
http://tinyurl.com/obk5js3
Best wishes to Uply.
Chucklin’ at Sam ๐
sorry to hear that about uply…glenfarclas 105 laid on the back bar pending his return.
holic @17, that goes without saying, I think ๐
All the best, Uply.
My condolences to Uply. Sorry to hear that.
About the match: an away game against a fellow top four side where we have had a miserable record in the league for more than half a decade now, and coming immediately after a doubt-inducing home loss…so a draw is a good result, especially given that it all but secures the top three.
The first half was one of the worst half of football we played all season. Result wise we have had worse 45 minutes (Monaco first leg second half) but that performance was atrocious. However at the same time I kind of expected it. There would have always been some jadedness and insecurity but more importantly few of our key players for the last couple of games have shown that they can seriously do with a rest. Particularly Santi & Alexis, undoubtedly our two players of the season…they had a half of football game to forget.
It is kind of tricky to get the balance between maintaining consistency — especially the way we play football, relying on almost telepathic understanding of each others’ games — and freshness so one can understand why Arsene would have liked to keep the same team for the sixth game in a row. But on the other hand in the last game it was apparent injecting a bit of freshness would now help.
I hope Santi & Alexis are given a break (starting from the bench in the next two games would be fine) before the FA Cup final. Start with any two of TR7 (I would like him down the right with Rambo dropping in as CM), Jack and Theo instead. We probably would have seen some rotation already if one of Ox or Danny would have been fit.
Ozil too had a very poor first 45 minutes and in the second half once he decided to physically fight for possession in the middle when doubled-up he started to grow. Arsene should not feel that he is indispensable either.
Rambo my MOTM. Good game by the defense, was impressive to see how in the game Bellerin was learning to change his starting position and covering of Ashley Young (what has LVG done to the real Ashley Young and who is this flying impostor?) and in the second half our defense very much had them under control.
Cheers guv.
We weren’t in that game for a good (more like bad) hour, a Yanited of the past would have made us suffer, but they are now a bang average team missing their two most influential players (Carrick and Shrek), considering that could lead you to believe that we dropped points, but due to the utter rotteness of our performance in the majority of the game I suppose it’s a point gained.
Dwelling on negativity is not really my bag, so I’ll leave it at that.
Last 15 mins or so was pretty good though, save for the chance we gave to Mr Grecian 2000.
Best wishes Uply.
Some interesting comments in the last round.
More Feo. For sure.
Excellent report, Holic. Arsene started the team I’d hoped for and made the introductions I was calling for at 70 minutes – although I expected to see Santi and Alexis depart the scene simultaneously with Jack and Theo’s arrival. It was unfortunate that both of our better players of the season chose today to lose their touch so badly. I’d have taken a draw before kick-off. Never say never indeed.
I’ll take the draw when all’s said and done, but hoping we can get a bit of momentum going again in the final two games before the cup final.
Still, could have been worse, could have been Villa this weekend!
Condolences to Uply from all at Castle Ned. Thinking of you in difficult times.
ttg: spot on the 1-1 prediction. A far better result for us than them. Makes me regret more than ever the three points dropped to them at home.
I’m happy with the point after such an insipid first half performance.
For those who were puzzled with the decision to hook Bellerin and shift Coq to right back, I think it’s because Arsene doesn’t trust the Bellerin/Theo partnership defensively. Thus, he preferred to use the Coq’s experience and defensive nous to balance our right side when he brought on Theo.
I would like to see some rotation on Wednesday. Mr. Wilshere looked quite sharp and I think Theo needs a start. Cazorla and Alexis looked jaded and deserve a midweek rest on the bench. It would be good to see TR7 against Sunderland too.
COYG!
Uply,
If you’re looking in, all the best to you.
Look forward to your return.
Not a shot until past 50 minutes and not one on goal (if you can call the OG toe poke a shot) in the first hour … says it all today. Last week it was clear that the chance to rotate had been missed, and AW must have been bent on proving his selection then was correct again today. WRONG again.
Then HALLELUJAH, we finally got the midfield pairing I’ve been calling for all season (when available) Rambo and Jack instead of Santi and Le Coq. But why on Earth was the latter switched to FB where he was done like a dinner by Young? Belle wasn’t having the best of games but it was obvious he was a better bet with his speed than the clumsy Coq.
Thank Dennis the changes also saw รzil finally back on the wing (where he’s played his only good football for us this season) instead of dragging back the attack like a rusty anchor in mid-pitch.
But Alexis is still our biggest worry. He appears to have lost all faith in his playing partners to the extent he wants to do it all himself. This is so different to the way he played in the first half of the season. I hope he doesn’t lose the plot completely, he’s far too important to us.
Obviously I’m going to say it was good to see Theo. No real time (again) to get in a groove, but even though his first few minutes were poor it was clear he had the beating of the Manure defence and no surprise (to me and Cynic) when the goal came. Does he get an assist for that?? ๐
Let’s hope the subs get proper game-time on Wednesday and possibly the weekend. Then we might have a clearer idea of what our best XI really is. And I don’t think it’s the one that’s started the last six in succession.
รskar
Excellent report Holic.
Nothing worth adding about the game.
On a general level I think the games against Chelsea and Man Utd today have shown that we need greater physical power when playing the top teams, either in Europe or the Premier League.
We are too easily hassled, and often fouled, out of games where we just need to be able to stand up better to the ‘in your face’ approach. It would also help to have greater power so that we would have the option to run past massed defenders rather than having to resort to trying to pass endlessly around them.
Still, an almost certain third place and the FA Cup will be a fine end to a season that looked to be going down the tubes in November.
And as Impec has said while I was writing the above, I too hope TR7 gets a run. It may be the last we’ll see of him, quite apart from the fact he’s better than the rubbish dished up by some today in the first half.
รskar
Oskar,
It wouldn’t really matter how long and loud you called for Jack to play while his ankle was wrecked. Has it also occurred to you that we have played Man Ure before with Rambo and Jack and, well, lost.
I’d agree that Santi, Alexis and Mesut all looked very jaded today but we are two games from the end of the season so it’s not a great surprise.
Yes, they could have been rotated but they are currently the best we have and all three are top international players.
Easy for us to rotate them from our sofas but when you are picking the team that actually has to play away at Old Trafford maybe it’s not so straightforward, especially when the potential replacements have all had long term injuries.
The exception to that is Tomas Rosicky and his continued absence does bemuse me a bit.
Clumsy Coq ?
Sometimes I just don’t know where you get it from. That lad has played his heart out for us, taken a proper battering at times, improved beyond all recognition and probably rescued our season.
Oskar @ 29: We all have our opinions about our squad members but can we at least please try to express them in a manner less derisive of individual players and others’ opinions about them?
“Then HALLELUJAH, we finally got the midfield pairing Iโve been calling for all season (when available) Rambo and Jack instead of Santi and Le Coq” … before Jack was injured once again we played a few matches with them in the middle of the part and every time as a collective they were naive and ill-disciplined and had cost us point. If I recall correctly everyone then was saying how two of them together cannot work as the fulcrum of a balanced MF.
“clumsy Coq” … clumsy? Since he has been stationed at the base of the midfield — irrespective of his limitations which many are always so willing to point out — we have looked a far more assured team without and with the ball. Santi and Rambo had played much more freely, the full backs attacked with more regularity and when the passing game is not going for us or against very strong oppositions we played excellent counter-attacking football. Along with Matic and Schneiderlin he has been the prominent pivote/DM in the league in the second half. Clumsy, of course …
Theo does get an assist for that, by the way. And he looked sharp. The subs — as you had failed to notice — clearly identified why he started lesser number of games recently. Arsene simply doesn’t trust Pellerin-Theo defensively down the right as a pair. Hence Coq dropped deep and asked to stay there. As it was noted earlier, if Debuchy were playing regularly Theo would have seen much more game time since his return.
Trev @ 32 — sorry to repeat what you wrote. You posted while I was typing so missed that.
Trev @ 32: “That lad has played his heart out for us, taken a proper battering at times, improved beyond all recognition and probably rescued our season.”
Absolutely. Him with Giroud and Ozil returning were the key to our consistency in the second half.
@33 … Not “Pellerin”, Victor or either, but “Bellerin”, Hector … ๐
We have all too often lost to Manure whoever has played wherever, Trev, so the Rambo/Jack pairing losing against them proves nothing. Sorry if my hallelujah sounded like I might have spotted the Second Coming, I was just pleased to see my fav centre pairing together again after the injuries, if only for a brief cameo.
I agree Le Coq has played better than most expected, but I still don’t see him as a permanent solution. Or even a preferable one to present options as stated. He’s certainly a whole-hearted competitor but he also has a habit of giving away unnecessary fouls and occasionally finds himself out of position against counter attacks. Which is why I prefer to see better attacking options and to have the defence tighten up in consequence and resist pouring forward on both flanks so often. Ideally I’d still be searching for the elusive quality DMF we’ve needed since PV5 left.
I also agree that Santi, Alexis and Mesut all looking jaded is no surprise just two games from the end of the season, but so they did against the Swans, so even more reason to have rested them today – or last week indeed when we had an ideal opportunity to give the subs some game-time in which to find some sharpness. If, as Dr F says, Theo looked sharp today we can only imagine how much sharper he would be if he’d had more than the average ten minutes a game which is all he’s been getting for weeks now.
รskar
Despite the upturn in finances and the calibre of players we now have at the club, our steady league position has barely improved as weโre still fighting to secure automatic Champions League football.
Analysing our rivals and giggling at their troubles is fun, but stagnation in the Premier League only leads to one thing โ regression. Ask Newcastle United.
Latest figures show that we recorded a net spend of ยฃ160.7m during the course of the season and through calculations where that figure has been divided by our current points total, each one of our points is worth ยฃ2.295m.It means that after Manuel Pellegrini and Louis van Gaal, Wenger is the least productive with the finances available to him. A complete sea change to where he wouldโve been positioned had this list been constructed a few years ago.
The tone from board-room level has shifted too and their calculation arguably mirror those made in theDaily Mail. Ivan Gazidis recently said that a second place finish and another FA Cup win would not satisfy him (via theย Daily Mail) and while it may sound rather dismissive, our chief executive is obviously speaking from a financial standpoint and making a judgement based on our outlay during the season.
There could be a number of conclusions, and objections, to be drawn from such analysis but one thing Wenger must address this summer is buying players capable of strengthening our first XI.
Outside the fab forty? I’ll concede that gladly for one fortunate point at Old Toilet. Result!!!
Oskar – Luckily for Arsenal (and their fans), it is Arsene Wenger who picks the team and not you.
If indeed we finish third, only two teams in England will be better than us.
Both funded by mega rich, borderline criminal (or worse), individuals.
Trev, Dr F — excellent posts in response to Oskars latest diatribe.
Good manners and polite disagreement live!
Drinks of your choice on the bar for you both, and one for Oskar.
Play nicely.
Oh good heavens … Really?
I read in the daily mail that it turns out that am david beckams love child. Wot…then where the hell is my bentley?
Waiter!…WAITER!!!!
How are you defining ‘net spend’, Remedy? Looking at the most recent published accounts, I am struggling to see where you get that figure of ยฃ160.7m from.
I cannot understand many of the negative comments on here,The EPL is a doped league…
The Arsenal is managed on a financial model lauded by FIFA/UEFA,but its like athletics cheats prosper we have 3 clubs where money is no object.
Could The Arsenal pay big money for Falcao(for no return).NO
3 clubs that will always be stronger,if we finish third it will be real progression,how much did our squad cost? and the cheats squads?
Oil money and debt fuels the EPL
I distinctly recall being told repeatedly over the previous ten years that net spend doesn’t mean anything. Amazing to find it’s now being used (with bogus figures to boot – our net spend in the last two seasons, and indeed the last decade, is circa ยฃ100m) to fuel further criticism.
Good result yesterday. Automatic qualification and another cup win will do me quite happily this season. I assume most Newcastle fans would have your arm off for that.
COYG
Diatribe IF? It’s an opinion, nothing more, and not one I’m alone with. Did you not see the difference when the subs came on today? More go-forward and an end result. A bit lucky perhaps, but you make your own luck.
Are you also saying that Le Coq is good enough for the DMF position next year? That we don’t need an upgrade? To suggest we can find better does NOT mean he hasn’t played surprisingly well in what has been a breakout season for him and we should be very thankful for it. I just think we need a level higher if we’re to challenge for bigger prizes.
In fact we could do with upgrades through the entire spine of the team – keeper, CD, DMF, playmaker and striker. We won’t be getting all of them, but a keeper and DMF are essential, imo.
รskar
Great report Holic.
We got a lucky point after a very poor performance.
I think we tried to play a counter attacking game in the first half – but with Rambo and Giroud we had no pace to trouble Manu. The players we really missed yesterday were Oxlade and Welbz.
We insist on playing one of the finest box to box players in the league on the wing to accommodate others. For me, Ozil should be put onto the left wing, Santi should play at 10 and Rambo return to 8 alongside Coq. When Rambo switched to the centre yesterday we started to dominate. How Sanchez stayed on the field is beyond me. He had a mare.
A point even against the poorest of Manu teams, while playing very poorly ourselves, is a good result. Get the other point to consolidate a top 3 position and rest a few players ahead of the cup final. I do hope Wenger makes a big stack of his transfer money and buys 1 or maybe 2 players and makes sure that they’re in the Alexis / Ozil mould of quality.
I wish we could play TR7 and Theo walcot it will give that attacking drive the team needs
Good stuff, Joe, agree with nearly all of that.
IF the outcome was lucky (big IF in my opinion as I think we were unlucky not to win it – we missed several good chances in the last 20 minutes) then there’s some karma involved.
Recall the home game v Manure when we were totally dominant? Fellaini pushed Gibbs into Sczez. Sczez injured. Gibbs on the ground. Manure played on. Rooney crossed NOWHERE near the net. The ball cannoned off Gibbsy. One nil down.Manure had one shot on target and we lost 2-1. I think I prefer yesterday’s outcome ๐
Thoughts are with Uplympian.
The rest is just….football.
Oskar can you please take your paws of the anti Arsenal drum you keep banging….The noise is getting tiresome.
A good point away from home…….could/should have won it.
PS no credibility if you have to resort to quoting the Daily M**l
Tayside Gooner? Just across the water from us Fife Gooners?
Impressive @ 42
” If indeed we finish third, only two teams in England will be better than us. Both funded by mega rich, borderline criminal (or worse), individuals : ”
Yes they are .
All this lead us to a question :
Should we behave like them ?
Should we get rid of our players and buy proven world class players ?
Every one of the players on the field on Sunday do, have or will play for their countries, Montreal. How are you defining “proven world class players”?
Uply, if you are reading I wish to offer my condolences.
I’m quite happy with the point seeing as we started the game so poorly. It is always good when you can grind something out of a game even when things aren’t working quite as you want them to. Santi had a mare, and Alexis too. I can, however, see why Alexis was kept on for so long because we all know that even on an off day he can find that one moment where he gets a goal or an assist out of nothing with a moment of genius – and he always provides an amazing work rate.
I’d rotate quite a bit for Wednesday. If Woj is supposed to play the cup final, I’d start him in both league games and with the intended back four in front of him.
Ramsey and Wilshere is not a combination that works very often but it might against Blunderland, who are frankly the worst team in the league. How they have escaped getting relegated is beyond me. Burnley are a far better side, QPR at least have some attacking nous and are capable of playing far better than they do. Newcastle are a decent squad currently coached by someone who the players wouldn’t run through wet tissue paper for, and owned by a bloke who wants the cash above all else.
Hull? Crap Home and Away (Ailsa reference for Arseblog fans) ๐
I think I would rest a few though, if we’re saving players for the Cup Final. I’d definitely hook Cazorla and Alexis, would probably play Flamini instead of Coq especially as serial wankpot Cattermole will be playing. Last thing we want is a Coq injury *ahem*.
There’s room for changes on Sunday but if we’re not going to play silly buggers with the team for Wembley and will instead play our best side, and that includes not dropping the keeper by the way, rotation is necessary for two matches. If someone comes in and gives a selection headache to the manager, all the better.
37
followed by
38
.
*chuckles*
.
says it all really
.
mind you
respect to yer subconscious
for that wee self critique
.
๐
Great piece ‘holic. Thanks.
Credit where it’s due, the following piece of ‘skill’ is special. Not to mention, farking hilarious:
http://gfycat.com/SingleUntriedBudgie#
Heh @ 59.
I agree to a lot here who said Sanchez had a nightmare. He was poor beyond measure and it should be an indicator to rest him for the next two games so that we can have him have one final hurrah for the season against villa.
No comments about Giroud? sorry he was poor, worryingly poor. He needs to know for all effort if there is no substance, it will hamper himself and the team. He has been good no denying it but being just good is not good enough.
Ozil and Ramsey had poor first halves and only bettered it slightly in the second. Ozil did set up a couple of good chances for Giroud but apart from that looked knackered. Ramsey once moved to the centre did play well but falls back on his habit of holding on to the ball way to long.
Bright spark as always, kos. Reduced falcao to tears and the little kid was no where to be seen bar one chance. Kos remains the boss.
My big disappointment was we did not play to win but rather played not to lose. Seems so much like chelshit and thats an insult for a great club like Arsenal, tactics and nuances aside.
Commiserations and best wishes to Uply. Hope to see you back soon.
Goonerholic is an broad football church and it needs to be!
I have to back Trev up re the criticisms of Coquelin. He is a hugely improved player and nay we’ll be at Schneiderlin’s level next season with a full season behind him. I thought he was better than most yesterday and his attitude is excellent. Bellerin was standing off Young too much and Coq’s physicality was a decent shout to control him better. Clumsy he ain’t .
I thought Wenger deserved credit for flexibility in his substitutions. Ramsey’s switch saved the day for us, Jack was very effective and Theo’s pace and finishing power were always going to cause them problems. He gets stick for obvious substitutions then criticised for eccentricity in his choice of subs. Flaming fir Sanchez indicated a point was vital for us and anyone with any sense would have done the same. He would have been crucified if we’d lost the game striving for a win or another goal( Monaco, Dortmund H last year, Swansea) .
Agreed Ttg about AW’s good substitutions yesterday. They were well thought out in my opinion. At least I could understand the rationale for them and that’s not something I can always say. The positive result of the substitutions was there for all to see.
My condolences to Uply for his loss and I hope to see his return to Goonerholic soon and in due course.
Fine report Guvna.
A very big point won there.
Several very tired minds and legs on display look to be in urgent need of R&R.
Condolences to Uply. Look forward to seeing you soon.
Thanks, ‘holic for a fine match report and for highlighting the unbeaten in Manchester season, a detail that I had overlooked. Next season maybe we can aspire to an “unbeaten in London” season? ๐
Cheers H and hello to all.
I was lost to a hangover for much of yesterday but I have recovered somewhat and muddled together a few impressions…
We were rubbish in the first half. I have never seen Santi play so many poor passes. We did not panic though and pulled it together for a good last half hour. We could have won it at the end but a draw was fair. It is a much better point for us than them. And ‘unbeaten in Manchester’ sure sounds good. I’m with 8ball about ‘unbeaten in London’ though!
The defending for the goal was not great. Ospina did not make a mistake but, in my eyes, he did miss the chance to make a big save. I looked at Swansea and Man City play before us (I did not manage to give it enough attention that I can claim to have ‘watched’ them) but I do remember a real ‘save of the season’ contender from Joe Hart. A header from a corner back across the goal and he somehow gets to it and pushes it over. Super save. I think it was at 2-2, so important as well. We have not had many of them this season. A good goalkeeping standard from us certainly but not a great one and an area I think needs looking at. How good is Martinez?
I agree with whoever it was in the last bar who pointed out that a couple of less than stellar performances and results may freshen up in the manager’s head what this team still needs and how significantly the right additions could improve us. I am definitely all for more physicality. We need a bit more height and power in the middle. But, generally, things look good as we draw the season to a close. We need a result at home against Sunderland next. Third place secured. Then a final league game of season home win. Then a comfortable day (just for once, oh go on) at the end of May, wrapping up a beautiful defence of our cup and then we can all start thinking about the summer and next season.
If we can sign Schneiderlin, Aguero and Neuer I reckon we’re in business. Wink.
Gunnersaurus. I saw two equally excellent saves by Hart yesterday, one in either half if I remember correctly, and imagine one of them was the one you saw. Ospina would have had to make an unbelievably good save though to stop Herrera’s goal. I think that goal is more down to poor defending, and even wondered if Sanchez could have done more to get back and keep that ball away from reaching Herrera.
Hi All
Slow start in the 1st half by us which I was a little shocked by taking into account the very very slow start against Swansea. Thought the boys would be more up for it, thats not right they did look up for it but very poor passing let us down. Very rare is the day you can say Santi/Alexis had bad games.
For the ManU goal i would have to put Alexis at fault as Monreal had no option but to track Mata, Alexis should have tracked Herrea`s run.
If you offered me 3rd and the FA cup before the start of the season I would have taken it hands down. Once again we have had some very long injuries to key players and still did well so you do the best with what you have and I think AW has done that.
If you want to see how money is distorting the game everywhere in football, look at Margate. They have just won promotion from the Ryman Isthmian Premier to the old Conference South via the play-offs. A new owner put ยฃ2m into the club with much the same promised for next season โ huge sums for non-league football. He hired the manager who got Wimbledon from non league football into the Football League and bought in a big squad of players from higher divisions, and is already talking of splashing the cash on new players for next season. Got to feel sorry for Hendon who lost to Margate in the play-off finals having had to play for more than a hour with 10 men but, more significantly, having themselves gone bankrupt after a sugar daddy ran out of cash, re-formed as a self-sustaining supporter-owned club and got themselves back on their feet despite losing their old Claremont Road ground (they’ll again have a new home of their own next season). This season, despite being able afford a squad of only 17 players, they finished second in the league, just three points behind the winners, Maidstone, and 10 points ahead of Margate who had come third. Hendon also only lost only five out of 46 league games against Margateโs 11 defeats. Yet the Margate moneybags go up and Hendon stays down. Sometimes there is no justice in football.
NBN
Thanks for that insight into Margate. My parents moved to Broadstairs and I followed their results with interest for a while and they nearly went to the wall as a club. So from that perspective its good to see them survive but that’s no consolation to Hendon. You, of anyone would know but I thought Margate were our nursery club in the thirties?
I hear today that UEFA are going to ‘ relax ‘ FFP and effectively allow cash injections to be converted into equity. Apparently the Italians , Spanish and French are concerned that with the new TV deal here they won’t be able to compete.
So the self- sustaining model looks to be likely to be subsumed by the ‘ pump as much money as you wish in ‘ model and all those warnings about levelling the playing field were do much hot air. Can’t see much difference between Platini and Blatter myself
ned 70
ye are a dab hand
at these
.
brilliant
(not for margate obviously)
.
.
ye must have those monks
frazzled
are ye sure ye don’t outsource ?
Thanks from here for the report on the Isthmian League playoff, Ned – a broad church indeed. I was interested to hear of Hendon’s recent travails as I grew up around several corners from them. Back in the day, they were known as the highest paid amateurs in the game, so I’m not sure how much sympathy they deserve, but I guess it was rather a long time ago.
COYG
Have been doing some whirlwind traveling in the last two weeks; been out of contact and have not watched Swansea or ManUre, but thanks to you Holic for the match comments.
And I see that OTD at 37 and 38 is taking being repetitious to another extreme.
hendon’s fans
must make for effervescent company
recently
poor buggers
.
yer right
summat wrong
in fubble
.
Pangloss@73: Players like Mike Pinner, Laurie Topp, Miles Spector and then John Swannell, Peter Deadman and Rod Haider in the next generation would have been worth every penny they werenโt being paid. ๐
cba@72: not at all. we just don’t get out much. ๐
what do you do
when you live with
a complete chronic
.
sheesh
.
i drink
but god
.
.
deary oh
.
.
anyhoh
shout fer the red ones
if not
shout fer the yellohs
.
yeah
bla
Christ Ned, My uncle John played for Hendon when Palace let him go. I played against them at Claremont Road. I had no idea they had lost it. Remember all of those names you mention. Hendon and Enfield were Wycombe’s main rivals in the old Isthmian League. Between them they produced a host of England amateur internationals. Great days for non-league football from the 50s to the 70s.
oops
life splurge
.
won’t happen again
.
though
strange existence recently
“Arsenal anger Villa fans with FA Cup final victory parade plans”.
Oops, we did it again.
Systematic abuse.
sorry for sayin sorry ‘hol
.
catholic guilt innit
.
or is it , innit
.
course it is , innit
.
cos
i punctuated
in it
.
WHERES ME TRACTOR OUTTA HERE
*in it*
Fabregas has always had a touch of the thug about him (remember when he was caught WEARING CLOTHES?) but since he went to Chelsea, he’s added stupidity to it.
Ned/ Pangliss/ Holic
I too remember those days and possibly even before. I think I mentioned seeing Hendon winning the Amateur Cup in about 1960/61 beating Kingstonian at Wembley with two very late goals.
I was a Sarf Londoner and my amateur fare was Tooting and Mitcham who almost knocked Forest out of the Cup the year they won it and Wimbledon( I wonder what happened to them?) Wimbledon coped at every level they got to. I remember them, as a non- league side beating Burnley who were Division One 1-0 at Turf Moor. Tooting are down the pyramid playing at a very modest level but they were the equal of Hendon, Enfield , Kingstonian, Sutton and Barnet in the late fifties and early sixties
Football clubs are remarkable things. They are hard to extinguish because of the history and memories which fans refuse to let die . Look at Bournemouth this season. So Margate may rise again although it would be nice if they weren’t just a rich man’s plaything. But frankly how realistic is that in this day and age ?
F the chavs!
Get In Brooooooooooomieees!!!
๐
BB knows
Buster & Judge.
dunno
always had ye for
crystal tips and alistair
an
you were the lift
.
Alistair Cook?
na
.
twonk
in other news
.
‘holic monikers brilliant
.
love to know
why
where
.
i used to pollute another arsenal site
lost the will
and
couldnt be arsed
.hence
so
.
trev
.
front and centre
.
whats yer excuse
eh?
i’m interested
if nobody else is
i am
.
but herself typed
a rough approximation
of my words
๐
‘Holic@79: Claremont Road was hallowed ground. Still remember the first time I played there. If your uncle was John Swannell, then you are related to gods. Every one in the bar must read the May 28th post in this: http://www.hendonfc.net/News?method=archive&month=4&year=2014
There are lots of Hendon-Arsenal connections. Herbert Chapman lived in Haslemere Avenue, Hendon and is buried at St. Mary’s Church. Denis Compton, a Hendon boy, played for the club before Arsenal. And in 1951 Hendon beat Arsenal 1-0 in the London Challenge Cup at Highbury in the first floodlit cup tie in Britain.
Here is the match programme on eBay, with an image of what Highbury looked like in 1951 when there were no stands behind either goal.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Arsenal-v-Hendon-London-Challenge-Cup-1951-2/201348637099
Highbury was a happy hunting ground for Hendon. They won 4-2 in another London Challenge Cup tie in 1964-65 and beat Finchley there there 4-1 in a FA Amateur Cup semi-final.
Hello everyone, just popping in to thank you all for your kind messages which are much appreciated at this difficult time. Sadly just before Christmas, totally out of the blue, my wife was diagnosed with an aggressive form of terminal brain cancer. She passed away peacefully at home with her family at the end of April. We were married for 47 years
(yes I am that old) and fortunately have a million happy memories to keep me going.
It won’t be too long before I re-join you in this wonderful bar – as the guv’nor says you are the mutts nuts. Also look forward to seeing some of you in person next season.
Cheers everyone.
dunno
bla
onny an idea
.
i do love the nom de ‘hols though
.
howdy uply
.
Evening everyone
long time no visit,for many reasons which i won’t bore you with.
But have popped my head in the bar occasionally to see whether the usual suspects are still keeping Holic afloat.
I see though that there are several absentees from the good old old days,when this site was a laugh a minute with assorted nutters,including myself,escaping from the stresses of our every day lives,giving and receiving good natured banter whilst mulling over the performances and direction of the Football club that for better or worse,rules our lives.
It is not the Site it once was in it’s heyday,and probably never will be again,but kudos to H for keeping the flame alive.
i will try and post more often in the future,and hopefully there will be enough of us left to make the big fella think it worthwhile to keep coming up with consistently top notch posts,which after all,is the main reason we all keep tuning in.
regards to all, [ even the absentees ]
cheers
The Sweeper.
Clive@99: there is karma in this bar. We we just talking about Claremont Road and the apparent revelation that John Swannell is the Guv’nor’s uncle. Then you appear.
*wallop*
tabs.
it
.
but
.
zico said it earlier
.
Uply: Deepest condolences. I can scarcely imagine what you loss is like. I am only relieved that the end was peaceful. Prayers and thoughts with you.
my timing is shot
.
up
.
thinkin of ye fella
.
.
.
.
21 mooo salute from the girls
.
.
GOD BLESS FROM DONEGAL
Uply,
Just to repeat my very best wishes to you.
Be sure to let us know when you are up to a visit next season again.
Joe, good stuff – way back there somewhere.
Ned, thanks for some very interesting non-league posts.
cba,
Just noticed your post on monikers and why mine is so unimaginative.
Well, having been a long time reader I decided to get involved and contribute one day – a sympathetic post for a young Niklas Bendtner, before he decided he was, in fact, The Greatest Striker That Ever Lived.
He had just had an absolute nightmare against Blackburn – I think – and missed half a dozen absolute sitters. Given the abuse he had received in the ground, I expected to be shouted down, never to risk contributing again. Therefore, there was no need to waste the effort required to come up with an inventive moniker, so I just used my own name.
To my surprise the post was well received and so I had to use the same name to thank those who had bothered to read it.
Having enjoyed the involvement I simply kept the name going.
A story as uninteresting as the name itsself.
Just cos I ain’t never said, no, nothing worth saying
Never ever, never ever, never ever
Things ‘ave got read into what I never said, ’till me mouth becomes me ‘ead
Which ain’t not all that clever
And it’s not not saying one thing nor another
Neither, either is isn’t anything I haven’t said, whatever
And it ain’t not proving that me mind ain’t moving
And I answer to the name of Trevor, however.
https://youtu.be/eiulgP9kR7c
Clive, good to see you.
You’re right, of course. This place has become as serious as it used to be fun. Humourless tub thumping and a grim determination to win every argument have replaced the madness and invention that used to make for unmissable fun amidst the serious discussion.
Jokes these days are lost or ignored in the dogma. Some of us do try to keep going out of richly deserved loyalty to the Guvnor.
Ned,
Good old Mr Dury. I have that album.
๐
@110,
There are, of course, some good, kind folks still here too, to be fair.
Trevor is a good name
.
imagine trying to board a plane
with
SURNAME – ARSED
FIRSTNAME – CAN’T BE
.
difficulty could ensue
although
trevor
would be a beneficial name
if
say in
1970
ye wanted a dwelling
where i am from
.
*hears drums*
.
iffin yer red haired
.
move in now.
..
.
otherwise
.
NO
Evening Ned
Just backread the posts about Hendon and the good old Isthmian league.
I lived at the bottom of Claremont road,and went ‘ up the hill ‘ to Clitterhouse Junior school,and walked across the road from my house to Whitefield Secondary Modern for my Education.
Used to catch the train from Brent station to go to Highbury with the Old fella,and in between times would sneak into Hendon Football club which was only a 5 minute walk up the hill,to watch them.
That was late 50’s to early 60’s,more than half a lifetime ago.
On another more important football matter,
I see we are confirmed in pot 2 for the CL next season.
Only Group 1 has been changed to league winners,all the other Pots are still based on the coefficient system.
So we are in pot 2 alongside Real and Athletico Madrid,Porto,Man City,Utd if they win the qualifying round,and a couple of others still to be decided.
Pot 1 is confirmed as Barca/Bayern/Chelsea/PSG/Juve/Benfica/Zenit and PSV Eindhoven.
So we would hope to draw Zenit/Benfica/PSV to have a chance of finishing top of our group.
Which 99 times out of a hundred gets you an easier round 16 tie.
Cheers
The Sweeper.
Uplym,
So very sorry to hear of your loss. There are no words of comfort. My very best wishes. 47 years is such a wonderful achievement.
Clive,
It’s great to see you back. Hope all is good with you – your views are always interesting!
Btm,
Agree with you in relation to the karma. Still can’t hide my disappointment though – we are such a better team than this Manu side yet still manage to make such hard work of beating them. I thought the point van gaal made afterwards about “finishing games” struck a real chord with me.
go on
bitta politics wiff your panties
Clive,
I can’t decide whether there’s a bit of Celia in that last post.
I mean, how exactly do you pronounce “Clitterhouse” ?
Especially if you say it quickly !
๐
Thank you cba and BJ for pointing out 37 and 38. I have no idea how that happened, but spotted it at the time and posted a 39 asking ‘holic to delete one of them. Apparently he deleted 39!
But of course if something is worth saying it will always bear repeating, aye. ๐
(awaits obvious retort)
รskar
I wonder if “hit me with your rhythm stick”
is
Cba’s
coda
for
iambic pentameter?
๐
is that really
mr waterman .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
howdy
ya bollix
hows things
Thank you Uply and Clive. Don’t mind admitting it is moving to see you both posting again. Indeed it was more of a craic then.
John Swannell isn’t my uncle, although he was an outstanding ‘keeper. He was a generation later than John Faber.
Yes, the fun has almost been overtaken by the combative, such is the nature of online discourse.
Know you are both regularly thought of and missed here.
Oskar – yes,diatribe — an opinion is one thing – when repeated 3.7 million times, its a diatribe – to me at least.
To all re Hendon — I used to go there every other week with my Grandad (when Arsenal werent playing at home) . It was much more “home made ” than Highbury of course but great fun none the less. I,like Goonerholic,am gobsmacked to learn that Claremont Road is no longer thier home.
(thats what happens when you dont live in Blighty for 28 years–you miss stuff)
I knew Laurie Topp when they lived in Burnt Oak/Edgware too.
A thought occurs – since it appears that many contributers to this great site are from North London, what are the chances of one or two of us actually knowing each other? As we use fake names and not real ones I guess we will never know. Be strange to think that we could be conversing with a school friend (or enemy).
Anyway, for what its worth (nothing!), I personally believe that the only way this Arsenal side have a realistic shot at overhauling the Chelseas, and City’s of this world is by FFP actually being implemented!
We await Plattinis latest superplan with trepidation.
Hi Trev
It seems some folk are never happy unless they are criticizing,no matter how the team are performing.
It is a very long tough season in the PL,and is certainly not for the faint hearted,adding in Cup and CL games + Internationals,no wonder the players cannot maintain the high level of intensity required for virtually every game these days.
The old adage of win as a team and lose as a team,seems to have been abandoned for the targeting of a few players who don’t seem to have played consistently enough,often enough,for the vocal minority.
I for one though have thoroughly enjoyed this season,
Chelsea far and away the most consistent,with Man City 2nd best,and us not far behind,and still a shot at retaining the FA Cup.
Just a few lapses at crucial moments which have cost us vital points in the league,along with too many injuries again,have seen us fall short.
But avoiding the qualifying round for CL next season has been a blessing.
With the summer break being very short for next season,
There is a Euro Champs round mid June, so the players will barely get a month off,with the Emirates tournament scheduled for last week of July,and the Charity Shield 1st August,and the new season starting on August the 8th.
With a couple of quality additions in the off season,we may well give the league title a real shot next season.
But remember we are the Arsenal,so anything could happen. !!
But isn’t that why we love them . !!
cheers
The Sweeper
oskar
you know i like you
i think yer smart and funny as fuck
to be honest
like all ‘holic regulars
.
‘holic’s bar
if
ye can’t stand yer corner
ye either lose it
or
bore people into
a
blllooo
ooooooopp
De doop
.
welcome to drdleooopdenoo
‘Blunderland’ may be the worst team in the Prem, Cynic but they haven’t quite avoided relegation, yet. In 16th position they are only 3 points ahead of Hull in 18th and with a poorer GD. If they lose to us that diff will be even worse, meaning they will be passed if Hull wins their final game and they lose again. It would also require Newcastle, currently in 17th, to also win their last … but less likely things have surely happened.
So regardless how poor Sunderland may be we have to assume they will be up for Wednesday, and if we bring our Swansea and Manure attitude to the game we may find ourselves with a ‘must win’ final game against the side which thrashed the chavs today.
Yes we should (relatively) easily account for both, but I’d still like to see something more positive, if only to get morale in the right place for the Cup.
รskar
A tip of the hat to you CBA.
Glad to see you reversed your decision to leave the Bar.
It is Vertical nutters like you,that still give the Bar a sense of irreverence which sadly seems to be the exception these days rather than the rule.
Long may it continue.
Hi H and Joe
thnks for the kind words.
To Uply
I have shed a tear,more than one in fact.
Cannot imagine your grief
Vale Mrs Uply.
oskar
a blind man
on a galloping horse
could see why
‘holic left yer double post
.
he
.
subtle
.
he
.
style
.
.
I just took the piss
.
๐
uply, my deepest condolences. i come from a family of long-married folk, and have seen the depths of their pain when the other has departed. i am glad to know it was peaceful, and that she was, and you are, surrounded by family. rest in peace, mrs. uply.
Thank you my friend cba. Your lyrical disquisitions always inspire me. You get more Dedalusic and au courant with every drop of Green Spot.
รskar
welcome back, clive. @114, i do wonder if you learned linguistics at your junior school.
trev @110, it’s a rare time i wish karma would run over dogma…
green spot ,clive ?
laphroaig?
.
go on
yeve two hands
.
Great to see ye back big man
.
๐
I agree with your 123, Clive. I too am delighted with the progress made this season. My plaint relates solely to the lack of opportunities afforded certain players, while others have been given more than their performances merit. Obviously it’s a matter of my opinion, which many are welcome to disagree with, but in a long hard season it seems to me that not giving the bench sitters more game-time may have something to do with the inconsistencies you mention.
But I’m sure no-one wishes to hear an argument they patently disagree with aired again … even if a number of drinkers in this round now seem to be saying the same thing with calls to rest key players…
รskar
oskar
buddy
come on
.
ye are way up the list of why i love this place
‘holic has sorted out a good shower o people
.
said it before
cant bastard wait to pre or post match gargle tolliewise
with people i count as frends
unless they’re scottish of course
.
mind ye
.
if they tape there heed on
.
howdy fellas ๐
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=or1QAqkOL1U
gon yersel big man ๐
I mean, how exactly do you pronounce โClitterhouseโ ?
Tried to look it up in the dictionary to be sure of the pronunciationโฆ. but I couldn’t find it.
๐
Condolences Uply.
Cheers Uply and CWGS54. Giants of the Goonerholic pantheon. ๐
So sorry to hear about your loss Uply.
What bt8b said @138.
Welcome back, Clive!
As for stories about names on this site, mine is about as boring as Trev’s as I am simply using my first name.
Some catch-up for all lapsed Greens’ fans and those who never had the pleasure: http://hendonfc.net/History
Uply- you have my best wishes.
Ian Drury you say – there ain’t half been some clever bastards, some of them even post here.
Still in New Zealand, still raining and only the hilarity of DNA boy’s red card to lift the mist. Twat.
Hat trick for Giroud and three lazy points from Red Stripe boys please.
Back in Noosa for the cup. Sunny days.
UTA.
Two pages on George Eastham in the season closing edition of The Gooner, as well as a page by Brian Dawes on Doug Lishman and an inteview with Alan Smith.
For the nostalgia minded among you.
Condolences to Uply. Terrible news, hang in there mate.
Noosa. Another update for Uply and Clive. A higher proportion of the drinks these days seem to originate in New Zealand. I don’t mind that though. ๐
I’ve had the pleasure of treating a few Sp*rs fans over the last days and they seem quite unanimous that they could well do without another season in the Spursday Night Europey League.
They admit that they have been so poor lately that it looks as though they are trying to slide far enough down the league table to avoid qualification.
“I think we’ll probably chuck it against Everton so we don’t get in”, one of them said yesterday.
So, how funny would it be if we were to win the FA Cup and, because qualification would then go an extra place down the league, stuff them straight back in it.
Another season wrecked before it begins ! ๐
Re: Ned. Interesting stuff even if I’m not a lapsed Hendon fan, never having been being one at all. Just one question. Would an exhibition match between Greens and Nottingham Forest be an environmentally friendly friendly (EFF)? ๐
Uply, we’ve never exchanged comments before but I know your name well having seen it involved in many a fine discussion down the years. I used to contribute from time to time but haven’t for ages as I enter perhaps the busiest stage of my life (that’s why you may have never seen my name).
Anyway, just wanted to extend my condolences. Your candour is just another example of the calibre of contributor in this community.
Theo figures prominently in the 17 photographs on arsenal.com of the training ground activities ahead of the Sunderland match. Most interesting is #10 of 17 in which Theo and an unidentified teammate of the approximate stature of Alexis perform mutual palpation of the kidneys and noggin respectively. Theo’s expression as he is palpated in the kidneys is either of pain or enjoyment, not sure which as the caption again proves insufficient.
Kudos to Trev and Lars for the manly act of self-identifying by real first name right from the off. It’s been years and I haven’t introduced myself properly. Paul is the name. ๐
I should really consult one of the medical team before declaring the exact location of the kidneys. The identification of the exact area of the body should be left to experts.
Bt8ball,
Whoever’s hand that is on Theo, is approximately just above the splenic flexure of the colon. That is a sharpish bend where the transverse colon turns downwards into the murkier territory of the descending colon.
From there it is all bad news as it continues into the sigmoid colon, a sort of S-bend that ends in the rectum. Far too much information, I know, but you started it !
The kidneys are a bit lower than the mystery hand and a bit further round towards the back, and we all know what they lead to – as I was assured by my anatomy tutor, Dan Glebitz.
Picture #6 in the training shots is clearly a fake, btw, ‘cos it shows Mikel Arteta doing actual running !
I mean, what do they take us for ……… ?
๐
howdy 8paul
.
cheers trev
that’s lunch postponed right there
๐
Picnic amongst the cow pats ?
๐
jeez
i’m done with dung
the shites shite all day and night
they don’t even stop the eatin for the shittin
.
i’ll feckin’ moo ye
ya big black an white bollixes
or
would that be bollices
.
oskar spellaging territory now
cba, thank you. I could be in the deepest of troughs and you would make me laugh my plums off. Never change. ๐
*chuckles*
.
cheers boss
.
๐
Heh ! cba,
What smells and sounds like a bell …… ?
๐
DUNGGG !
Fell out me pram first time I heard that. ๐
I’m with Lars and Trev.
I just used my real name.
watta loada crap , trev
๐
gsd
clearly
cba, Thanks for the name. ๐
Trev. Thanks for the medical correction. I had a faint suspicion my anatomy was crap. ๐
8paul, I mean
yours is one of the best
not least
cos of
the knowledge that
them that abbreviate
yer whole name
have to say it slowly
in their head
to achieve
bt8bbgfg
.
*just did it meself*
Uply
I was deeply sorry to hear of your loss. I have three friends who have lost their wives suddenly to cancer this year, after many years of marriage. I am so sorry for your and your family’s loss and hope this bar can be some small comfort to you.
Clive
Lovely to see you back. Both you and Uply add enormously to the quality of the proceedings here.
8ball
.
a bit like
big american cop shows
where the shorter version
of gun shot wound
is gsw
which takes longer to say
Again, condolonces Uply mate.
Wecome back Mr Sweeper.
And Hehs @ cba.
My monniker easy to explain, born in Holloway and live in Holland. Simple………….. like me.
Here’s something you may not know though, Holland is not, as many believe, a country, it is a province, actually two, North (Noord Holland which includes the cities of Haarlem and Amsterdam) and South. (Zuid Holland which includes the cities of Rotterdam and The Hague). The name of the country is Nederland, or The Netherlands in english.
So now you know.
howdy h2h
i loved my time
in the first h of yer two
.
spot the gooner
.
cliche
well trodden
paddy moves to london
.
i moved to The Arsenal
.
๐
h2h, it’s all dutch to me…
H2H – As one who fancies himself a talented amateur smartarse, is there another Dutch province apart from Limburg?
H2H, I’ve been meaning to ask you about that: I knew Holland is not the name of the country (though I only learned it a few years ago, in school we were taught that Holland and the Netherlands was just two names for the same country) but I have heard Dutch footballers talk about “playing for Holland”, so is this confusion common even in the Netherlands?
hup holland hup
lars
oi
h2h
abandon the 5skin doobie build
and
answer the hugely stereotypical reminder
maaaan
๐
Anders Limburg
Tony Edams
Patrick Vera
Teneri Henry
Kenne Sansom
David Seascape
Charolais Nicholas
Tomme Rosicky
Carry on cheesing.
jolly gouda cynic
tally ho
trev’s territory this
the man’s brain
is a fuckin pun machine
ak47s them
.
*is not jealous of a brain un-addled by swally*
.
ya basta
cba. I once met a man with the last name “Chatters” which described his personality exactly. Are you related perhaps? ๐
Chattering in a pleasant way, he was. ๐
by the way
‘holics
don’t come to my birthplace
iffin ye want a gay cake
.
nope
.
confectioners
and
cake bakers
(hard as bastard nails – traditionally)
will say no
.
hillbilly nation ๐
.
*checks scripture for pastry references*
8ball
.
in real life i shut the fuck up
.
no shit
i’m more a member of
the battering classes
Pangloss.
There are 12 province’s that make up Nederland;
Drenthe, capital Assen
Drenthe is a mainly rural province, with some industry around Assen and Emmen. It is also home to 53 of the Netherlands 54 hunebedden, or dolmens โ megalithic tombs.
Flevoland, capital Lelystad
The newest province, created largely on post WWII land reclaimed from the sea. Itโs flat and full of farms. Flevoland has the highest unemployment rate in the country.
Friesland, capital Leeuwarden
Fryslรขn, to give the province its name in the local language, is the biggest Dutch province if you include water as well as land. Frisians who move away โ and there is no university in Friesland โ are ferociously proud of their roots.
Gelderland, capital Arnhem
Gelderland may be one province but its folk divide it into three areas: the Betuwe known for growing fruit, the Veluwe with its national park and Achterhoek โ literally back corner, which stretches to Germany. As far as Amsterdammers are concerned, people from the Achterhoek are stereotypical country bumpkins.
Groningen, capital Groningen
Groningen is largely rural โ with huge empty expanses of black earth โ but has large natural gas reserves in Slochteren. Extracting this gas is causing parts of the province to sink. Beerta is the only Dutch local authority area to have had a communist mayor.
Limburg, capital Maastricht
Limburg is pretty well surrounded by Germany and Belgium and is home to the Netherlandsโ highest hill, the Vaalserburg, which is 322.7 metres high. The capital Maastricht is notorious for giving its name to the Maastricht treaty,
Noord-Brabant, capital Den Bosch
Nearly all of Noord-Brabant is above sea level, which will probably be handy in years to come. As a province, it is big on farming, especially mega pig farms. Nor should we forget Eindhoven, home to Philips, and Kaatsheuvel, home to the Efteling ,the biggest theme park in the Benelux.
Noord-Holland, capital Haarlem
Amsterdam is the national capital, so Haarlem gets the province, although it stretches right up to Den Helder and has sneaked hold of one Wadden island โ Texel.
Overijssel, capital Zwolle
The one province everyone forgets, Overijssel means lands across the river Ijssel, and it stretches from the German border to the former island (and fundamentalist Christian hotbed) of Urk.
Utrecht, capital Utrecht
The smallest and most central of the provinces, Utrecht is also home to the Utrechtse Heuvelrug, or hill ridge, former healthland now largely covered with pine plantations.
Zeeland, capital Middelburg
The most western province, made up of a string of islands and largely below sea level, Zeeland has the lowest jobless rate in the country. It is a hugely popular destination for tourists, particularly from Germany.
Zuid-Holland, capital The Hague
Zuid-Holland is one of the most densely populated and industrialised areas in the world, thanks to the industrial sprawl of Rotterdam and its port. The southern part of the province is made up of a number of islands, including the strangely named Goeree-Overflakkee.
————
Lars.
Indeed it is.
I had a discussion on the bar a few months ago with a local yokel (so glad I moved) I was trying to explain the difference between British and English, ie you don’t have to be English to be British, he wasn’t getting it. So as an example I said that it was the same as being a Nederlander, but not being a Hollander, He was horrified at the suggestion.
I asked for back up from others on the bar, yet suprisingly (to me) half of them couldn’t grab the concept either. They would agree that someone from Friesland wasn’t a Hollander, probably because the Fries speak a different language, but couldn’t grasp the concept that someone from Brabont, was a Brabonter and not a Hollander. The discussion went on for a while, until eventually they all had to admit that my arguement made more sense and that they had gone through life as pig ignorant sheep shagers…….. Ok, maybe not the last bit.
Funilly enough one of there major arguments was that during the World Cup all the fans sung Hup Holland Hup instead of Hup Nederland Hup. Like I said, I’m glad I sold up and moved.
Well done Cynic.
Hehs (again) @ cba
so
big black an white
hoof in each corner
mooers are dutch
friesians
.
thought i caught a few o them tokin’ once
but
lotta hooves on the pass around
all put behind their backs
as if butter wouldn’t melt
.
it’s all becoming clear h2h
.
respect
Thanks H2H, I guess that’s the difference between a talented amateur and a professional.
wages too
pan G
.
i used to command a considerable wedge
.
i now don’t
.
telling people they were vacuous
talent piggy backing
clamber over each other
back stabbing pointless pricks
put paid to that
.
couldn’t be happier
.
*puts other half of pea in fridge for tomorrow’s dinner*
Ugh ! You should never pea in the fridge. ๐
cheerio
.
off for some ramones
Cheers H2H, that’s quite astonishing to be honest.
Haha @ 188. Errol Flynn used to tell a story of when John Barrymore stayed at his gaff for three weeks. At the time, Barrymore was deep into his alcoholism and would always piss out of the window rather than use the toilet. After he’d scorched all the varnish off the sill, Flynn finally lost his temper and told Barrymore to find somewhere else to relieve himself.
So he promptly walked across the room and pissed into the open fire.
H2H. I wouldn’t want to live in an overgory place. Overflaky I could put up with. But with all due respect I must question whether the one province you say is the only one everybody forgets. Windmill Tilters. ๐
Made the best of the blogs on dot com, complete with van Stapleton references! ๐
WayHay! Well in H.
Well done, H !
I bet they don’t read the drinks ! ๐
Congrats ‘holic and well deserved. ๐
Graham Poll is quoted as saying this about the Fabregas red card:
‘It struck Chris Brunt on the head – Law is clear; that is the same as Fabregas striking Brunt with his fist โ and so the Spaniard was dismissed.’
I say if Fabregas has done something as bad as striking another player with his fist his three game ban ought to be increased. Do we want incidents like that marring other games. Where is responsibility????????
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
As some may know I have written for the Gooner for many years. Many fans have deserted the rag because it has been generally critical of Wenger, Kroenke, Gazidis, the Board and the club in general. But basically Wenger.
It is interesting to note a marked change in tone from the letters and other contributors in the latest issue which came out today. Several people in the letters section effectively say’ Wenger has been responsible for naive and weak tactical play, but he seems to have learned. This season we have been better and we could even win the league next season’
It’s been much closer to Le Grove than Goonerholic for some time although there is a range of views among contributors with me being about as pro- Wenger as any ( not unashamedly so) . The thing is if we had discarded Wenger for Klopp/ Martinez/ Laudrup/ Conte ad infinitum we might be rueing the consequences of a season outside the CL rather than a third place and hopefully another FA Cup.
Getting rid of a manager is a big call when he has delivered regular qualification for the CL and when you’ve done it you can’t undo it. I won’t let anybody suggest Wenger should go without nominating a successor ( one who is feasible unlike say Mourinho) who is guaranteed to outperform Wenger. I’ve yet to hear a compelling argument for anyone else.
It’s a very good issue with lots of nostalgia.
Tees it up for 200, just for the lols.
Takes it, ๐