Top Guns Have A Game Of Two Halves
Dec 13th, 2015 by 'holic
Arsene Wenger opted for an unchanged starting eleven as Arsenal sought to claim top spot in the Premier League at Villa Park. Pre match the boss said that we would have to start in a positive way. However it was Villa who had the first on-target effort, Sinclair firing straight at Petr Cech from distance.
Olivier Giroud settled any early nerves a minute later slotting home his 50th Premier League goal from the penalty spot after the clumsy Hutton dragged Theo Walcott to the floor. The award was delayed as Kevin Friend apparently consulted with his assistant but they came to absolutely the right decision.
Aston Villa 0-1 Arsenal
In the twentieth minute Giroud beat Guzan to a cleverly-flighted free-kick but Villa had a couple of covering defenders on the line to clear the danger. At the other endΒ Sanchez floated a cross into the box and Cech was quick to palm it away from Gestede as Villa sought to lift the home crowd. Bacuna’s snap effort was skewed wide. In truth the Gunners had bossed the opening quarter without getting out of second gear.
On the half hour a period of intense Arsenal pressure ended with Laurent Koscielny just failing to get on the end of another teasing free-kick from Mesut Ozil. Then Aaron Ramsey’s cross to the far post narrowly evaded the incoming Joel Campbell. One-nil can be a perilous advantage, as Manchester City discovered yesterday. Arsenal were seeking the comfort of a second goal.
It arrived in breathtaking fashion. Ramsey started a rapid break winning a tackle deep in his own half. Seconds later he was on the end of a rapid five pass, three man, break and gifted an open goal by the generous genius that is Ozil. Walcott’s pass that returned possession to Ozil was simply sublime. The Arsenal were warming to their task, and so too were the magnificent travelling support.
Aston Villa 0-2 Arsenal
Villa’s muted response saw Hutton win a near post header but he directed it well wide. In the opening half it was clear what a job former Gunner Remi Garde has on his hands to instil some form and confidence into his shambolic charges. In the last action of the half Arsenal were denied a third goal, a spectacular drive from outside the box by Theo, only by the assistant’s raised flag.
A couple of minutes into the second-half Villa produced the first attempt on goal, but Veretout’s effort sailed over the bar, and from a Hutton cross moments later Gestede failed to get a firm head on the ball. Villa were temporarily lifted and Sanchez drew a save from Cech with an effort from outside the box. For the first time the Holte End made their presence known with cheers rather than jeers.
In the 56th minute Hutton picked out Sinclair but the Villa man’s header was over the top from the centre of the area. That was the cue for Garde to make his first substitution, sending on Gil for Gestede. For the first time in the match it looked as though we had applied ‘a little bit handbrake‘. The travelling faithful implored “COME ON ARSENAL”.
Bacuna galloped onto the ball on our unguarded right flank and curled a glorious effort just over the far post. It was Arsene’s turn to freshen things up. Kieran Gibbs came on for Campbell, and Theo made way for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Surprisingly Gibbs was next to go close, following up his own tame header, but Guzan was on hand to deny him.
With twenty minutes remaining Villa won a quartet of corners but were, as ever, unable to convert pressure into a worthwhile effort on goal. Arsenal, sitting back, looked comfortable defensively. The current back four appears to have been well drilled and look a more cohesive unit these days, although obviously a much sterner test lies in wait in eight days time.
On a rare foray Gibbs fired a cross into Guzan’s hands, and then Giroud earned his midfield some respite with a determined run down the left flank to take seconds off the clock. Back came Villa and Gil blasted a left footer just wide of Cech’s left hand post. Garde sent the recalled Grealish on for Gueye.
Less than ten minutes from the end Koscielny led a break out which ended with Oxlade-Chamberlain’s effort being deflected for a corner. That was the signal for the early ‘evacuation’ of large numbers of the home support. “We’ll never play here again” taunted the away section. Certainly a return visit next season looks hugely unlikely.
Ozil finally got the standing ovation and rest he deserved and on came Calum Chambers for the last five minutes. Villa used up their substitutions with Adama for Scott Sinclair. The matchΒ appeared to be sliding into oblivion, but credit Adama for a lively run down the right flank and a shot into the side netting. Arsenal responded with Ramsey chipping over the far post, and Hector Bellerin, of all people, directing a diving header straight at Guzan.
“We are top of the league” echoed around a half empty Villa Park at the final whistle, well for 30 hours or so until we know how Leicester have got on at home to Chelsea. The supporters made their way home at opposite ends of the table, and at opposite ends of any measure off mood.
Bring on Citeh!
164 Responses to “Top Guns Have A Game Of Two Halves”
Oh Theo
Favourite chant today. Down with the Chelsea! You’re going down with the Chelsea!
Cheers H.
Well earned, but hard fought three points. I think Villa were a bit fortunate to meet us after that same XI had started out in Greece midweek, we were visably tired and playing with the famed handbreak, on another day we would have taken them apart, because let’s be honest, they are awful.
Congratulations to Petr Cech who is now the PL’s joint “most clean sheets” record holder. Here’s hoping for many more.
Closely followed by “Jack Grealish; he drinks when he wants!”
Super summary Guv. Almost in real time?
This was a case of doing what we needed to do after a tiring but triumphant week.Apparently Piers Morgan is now crying for Wenger to be retained. That’s nice of him considering he’s said the opposite for years. I think we should sack him. After all we are only top of the league ,through to the last 16 in the group stages for the 16th year in a row and cup holders. I expect much more although I’m not sure what it is.( heavy irony?)
Cheers H. Another fine report.
I am ill. My team is well. Good of them to cheer me up.
Countryman: the Jack Grealish chant had me laughing (which my chest did not appreciate).
TTG.
‘Piers Morgan’ is quite good for anagrams. My favourite is ‘Sperming oar.’
Dunno quite what that says. But it probably says it all.
Closely followed by ‘Porn mirages.’
Ripen! Orgasm…
Gimp reason’r.
Moaner prigs.
Alright. You get the picture. I’ll leave cba to take us on to the hundred.
If he can release himself from the ‘Ramone’s grip…’
BOOM!
GSD
Almost right- Sperming whore?
Prime groans?
Oops. Correction.
‘Ramones’ grip.’
Prime groans is good TTG.
Although his groaning is more bargain basement than prime.
Waste of skin wankstain.
Not an anagram but apt all the same.
H2H knows.
Agreed GSD. Well done with the anagrams proper, but “Waste of skin wankstain” is hard to argue with.
A big 3 points after our Eurotravelling. Running on fumes in the second half but we held on. Only disappointment was the Ox failing to shed his tendency to run into blind alleys.
Hahahhhhahah…Spuds!
π
What a great end to the week. Totts lost to New Castle 1-2. Ha ha.
Spuds choke it up at the death vs. Toon 1-2.
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
Now Spurs lose (to Newcastle hahahaha), Liverpool drop two points, Utd lose yesterday, Still in the CL and top of the league. What a fucking week!!!!! Bring on City!
By the way – Chelsea now below Newcastle!
Liverpool 2 – WBA 2. Feel sorry for Lovren who had a horrific injury.
Nice one, ‘Holic. At the kill, Ozil didn’t look once towards Ramsey for that superb second goal. Yet knew exactly where he was. I think Google has replaced his head with one of those 360 degree cameras.
Chelsea are 18 points behind us after 16 games. Would Wenger still have a job if position was reversed? Huge game for Chelsea tomorrow.
Fine report Guvna.
A massive 3 points for us especially as most around us threw some away.
Happy to be top for 24 hours until the Foxes grind the Chavs into the mire tomorrow.
Congratulations to two special players: Cech for equaling the record of highest number of shut-outs on PL, and Giroud for reaching 50 goals in PL.
Giroud especially deserves a lot of credit because every time he has a run of even a few poor matches all and sundry (including many Arsenal supporters) become very vocal about how he is not a world class striker and how we must upgrade. He is a fantastic player in his own right and quite unique in the combination of qualities — technical, physical, attitude-wise — he brings to the team and the tactical possibilities he offers. And in terms of pure number a very very good goal scorer, 72 goals in 159 appearances and 50 PL goals in 113 appearances. He has been PL’s most prolific striker after Aguero in the last three years. Those numbers would have been higher if like most #9s in the world he were taking penalties in his first few seasons.
Speaking of undeserved criticism, I hope Ozil’s one elegant masterclass after another have now convinced even the bitterest naysayers. I remember at the beginning of last season how even some of the patrons of this august establishment recommended we should have gone for Fabregas even if that meant getting rid of Ozil and how Cesc is so much more suitable to PL etc. etc. Ozil has moved forward a notch above the rest of the playmakers in PL and in terms of vision and ability to orchestrate a team and influence the key moments he is possibly the best attacking midfielder in the world today, kind of a combination of the finest qualities of Xavi (vision, long-range passing, ball retention) and Iniesta (close-control, operating in tight areas, spatial awareness, movements) at their best.
@28 … “number of shut-outs in PL…” π
Now Real want to buy him back agaibn, Dr F. Do they have a spare Β£100m I wonder…
Oskar
Not that I’d sell him now he’s playing so consistently well, consistency being the key.
We should have scored more today. ‘Professional’ the second half display might have been, but if they’d scored we could have ended with a draw and looking right mugs.
Congrats to Petr for equalling James’s clean sheat record … in 223 games less!
Now to end the year with an even better result next week.
Oskar
‘sheat’? Sheesh! π
You too Oskar? I had to correct myself @14 as well.
Guess we should both feel sheapish…
Just as you are enjoying a great w/end after topping the table,comes the sad news that Gordon Banks has had a recurrence of the kidney cancer he suffered some years ago.
He has already had 1 kidney removed,and now the cancer has returned in the other one.
Not looking good.
Wish him all the best.
‘The generous genius that is Ozil π
Trademarked @ Goonerholic.
The win today capped off a brilliant week for the Arsenal. Theo looked much sharper today and the dilemma for the manager in case Alexis is fully fit will be whom to drop out of Theo and Joel. It would seem most likely that Theo would drop to the bench. Both Alexis & Theo are high risk-high reward type of players who have tendency to lose the ball quite often owing to their adventurous pursuits. Having both Theo and the Ox on the bench gives the manager great options in case something needs to be changed during the game.
Joel Campbell has grabbed his opportunity well and the best thing about him is that he always puts in a shift and is always alert for his defensive responsibilities. A run of games has certainly benefitted him and one feels that the Ox needs a similar longish run of consecutive games under his belt to really come into his own. Despite so many injuries it is great to see competition for places in the side. The squad indeed is much deeper than it was being perceived by most. Full credit to the manager for retaining Campbell and persisting with him in the side even after a few rusty performances in the beginning of this run. The one purchase that we need to make in the January window is a defensive midfielder. Even If we don’t buy in any other areas (esp striker), I still think we can win the league.
Well that was a nice end to the week. I don’t think we could have actually asked for a better game after a long journey around Europe. It was all a bit of a stroll and on a more productive day it could have been a cricket score.
Rightful plaudits for the magician that is Ozil. As much as I love Ollie G I would so love us to find that world class striker both to ease the pressure and to give Ozil someone else to pick out.
I very much like Theo playing wide left. I have said for some time now that I think that’s his best position. I’m also glad to see Rambo in the centre. As wonderful as Santi is and has been in that position I do believe that Rambo is the future in that position.
Countryman@2. Loved that chant. Made me laugh. It was even funnier a few hours later at the shithole. The comedy spuds have it an airing, just before the Geordies took them to the cleaners.
Nice write up h.
Excellent result, and good to see when we needed the full depth of the squad that some of the ‘fringe’ players (Flamini, Campbell) can keep us ticking along while we get some injuries back and manage a marginally less trying set of fixtures. Obviously, that all comes to an end a week on Monday, and it will be great to see how this team fares against City. I’ve got a sneaky feeling we’ll win that one, but we’ll see….
Glad to see the authority that is Oskar has said it’s ok to now appreciate Ozil because he’s achieved consistency. I’d say Ozil has been remarkably consistent for 5-6 years now (even more impressive considering he’s a cerebral attacking midfielder; it’s much easier to be consistent as a keeper, centre-half, or striker at Barca!) He was pretty much the best midfielder in La Liga from 2010-13, and at Arsenal he has been sensational in the first half of his first season, the second half of last season, and all of this season – bloody amazing levels of consistency! It’s almost as if some people only deal in really ‘obvious’ things like goals and assists, or a media consensus, or a player running around like an all-action headless chicken that was Steven Gerrard’s schtick for a decade or so, before they can ‘believe’. But if you’ve actually scrutinised Ozil over the last few years (preferably in person), and seen the amount of running he does, the intelligence and efficiency of his passing, his set pieces and assists, you’d never question his consistency.
And for the UCL draw tomorrow….I’d be happy with Wolfsburg or Zenit; Real or Atletico would be tough, but winnable; only Barca would be the tie to avoid at this stage (though I’m sure they’re saying the same about us!)
JC ahead of Theo, ‘desi’? In your dreams. Having been forced to play OG and Theo together, and seeing how well it has worked, I’ll be very disappointed if AW reverts to plan A and has Theo as late sub for OG again. I have been saying all season that they should always be played together, OG at CF and Theo RW. Rest OG perhaps and start Theo at CF occasionally, but not against $iteh I’m thinking.
Oskar
Only this season has Γzil achieved the consistency demanded of any playmaker, Gregoire, never mind an Arsenal playmaker. In previous seasons he has been MIA in far too many games, and widely criticised for it (not just by me). To me it looked like he felt he’d made a mistake in signing for us.
Towards the end of last season, and now in this he seems far more settled, far more at home in his role, and in far better accord with the rest of the team. He now looks like the complete Arsenal player he always had it in him to be, imo.
Oskar
Morning all.
13 (correct me if I’m wrong) is an amazing number of assists at this stage for Mesut. Did anyone else see the side step and body feint to confuse the lone defender between him and Rambo to afford that split second’s worth of space for that 2nd goal? Personally I thought that was genius.
I was quite disappointed by Ox yesterday, on two occasions, had he made the correct pass or the decisive disguised run, could have created and added two potential goals. He isn’t doing himself any justice yesterday. We do love the lad and I would love him to do well. Just not sure where’s his head on the pitch these days. I just hope it’s a case of rustiness.
Immense props goes to Rambo. Tackling, box to box running, simple effective passing and even some form of organising in the last quarter of the game; I can’t ask for more. Certainly wants to build a firm case for himself in the middle of the park. Again, in a previous drink, would like some form of rest management with him, we might not be able to afford to, but we cannot run him down to the ground again.
Especially if he seems to do that to himself anyway.
Big game next week, I hope I bring some luck with me to the stadium.
Cheers H!
Bring on Citeh indeed! Hopefully see you then for a quick hello through the railings.
Hi, Steve-o, I’m envying you some of that Singapore sun at the moment. Gloomy here.
Ox needs a run of games I think. While it’s great to have Theo, Ox and JC available while Alexis and Danny are out, JC would be my third choice of the three. Good to see him doing well though in the last three games.
Nice report guvna. Good professional performance from the team after Wednesday’s exertions in Greece. Hopefully now a good build up to next Monday’s big clash.
Meanwhile not long to the ECL draw. With 3 spanish teams and just 2 from elsewhere, odds on where will be going – let’s hope it’s not Barca.
Still not forgetting last years “easy” draw and how that worked out, so que sera, sera.
Of course it’s Barca again
Its a wrap then. Fucking Barcelona.. Oh well, we have the PL to focus on then.
So, knocked out in the last 16 round for SIX years in a row. That must be a record surely?
Don’t worry guys, there’s always next year. *sigh*
I don’t know why some of you follow the club. I can’t wait to see Barca in the flesh again. Especially when we beat the bastards. π
I’m not disappointed with the draw. It would have been nice to have had an easier tie but that’s cup football. We scraped our way through the group stages but even if we had performed how we should have done I think most would have felt that we would be runners up to Bayern. Again, if we are honest, I don’t know anyone that thinks we have a realistic chance of winning the competition so Barca is a plum draw. No one will expect us to win the tie and I can’t imagine anyone from Barca would have wanted to draw us.
Bring it on. Let’s enjoy it and who knows????? There has been more than one unpredictable result this season.
I see it like you Steve T
Barca are a top opponent but who knows. Maybe the stars will align come Feb – Mar π
We beat Bayern at home so why not Barca? We beat Barca at home on their last visit.
I’m also guessing that the likes of Akexis and Mesut amongst others, can’t wait to get at them.
I think my favourite part of yesterday’s telly coverage was Graeme Sourness being asked about Jack Grealish at half time and his response of, “Who? What has he done in the game that makes you think he is going to able do anything worthwhile in the second half? You must be as pissed as him if you think he’s a good player, he’s just a kid who thinks he is better than he is. What a cunt he is, and what a cunt you are for asking for such a cunt’s question”
I’m paraphrasing here.
Sunday might have been a rather dull affair but the Barca match is likely to be the highlight of the year at the Ems. The last 2 home games against Barca in the CL were absolutely terrific nights and unforgettable.
We beat Bayern and with a full squad likely to be available in February there is no reason to think we cannot do the same to Messi & Co. Can’t wait.
In the meantime let’s carry on the good work and send Citi packing with no Christmas cheer.
COYRs
I may be in a very small minority, but if Arsenal gets its key injury absentees back in time, could give Barca a real go. Actually felt that Atletico would have been more difficult; the only side I would fear is Bayern, and couldn’t face them this round.
And if you get by Barcelona, would have a decent shout at facing Wolfsburg Gent winner or Zenit Benfica winner.
Yess… Barca!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uv2mxzmVvdg
Arshhhhhhhhhhhhhhaaaavvvvvviiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin !!!!
Get In !!!
π
Brilliant draw..looking forward to it already.
π π π
Last week we might have been playing on Thursdays in the Europa Cup – but instead we’re playing Barca in the Champions League knock out stages.
Sure, it is probably the toughest draw we could get, but let’s be honest, they’re all tough games at this stage and they don’t come any bigger than Barca. I’m delighted we got this far and with a element of luck who knows what might happen? One things for sure, it’ll be a fantastic spectacle for any football fan. Everytime we’ve played them its been a great spectacle. And we have two months to bring back some of the walking wounded and a transfer window to bring in some re-inforcements – so we’ve no excuse not be as right as possible. That said, I’m on record here recently in saying that Barca’s recent drubbing of RM 0-4 (without Messi) and 1-6 to Roma produced some of the sublime football I have ever seen. I can’t wait to see how we measure up against them.
Thanks for the review Holic. 3 points is 3 points no matter who its against. If we can get a good result against Citeh – its sets us up nicely for a title tilt in 2016. I think Rambo has been magnificent back in the centre. I was also delighted to see Steve-O pick out Ozils dummy feint and side-step to create room for Rambo’s second. Its the little things he does that makes it such a pleasure to watch.
Faustus: I don’t know if the points you make regarding Fabregas & Giroud are being directed at me, but if so, I stand my ground on both fronts.
I know playing Barca always create a great atmosphere at the grove and if you are in the big league, you most likely would have to play the Barca’s of this world. I just want us to go past the round of sixteen. Its been a long while since we were able to achieve that. Not saying playing a lesser team that would have guaranteed that ( last year). Wont have had a problem playing Barca in a later round, after some big guns have knocked each other out. Hopefully by then most of our injured players would have been back, and maybe the boss would have added a new player to the mix.
Yes! Barca. That’s what it’s all about.
I’m sure I read somewhere that Arsa Beat Barca anyway…
Brillant draw! Our full squad is better than theirs.
Steve T – “I donβt know anyone that thinks we have a realistic chance of winning the competition” You know one.
Breaking news item: fiasco of the month. Who booked the Arsenal club Christmas party for the same time and place as Tottenham’s?
Cockup, indeed.
Great draw….should be a match to savour whatever the outcome.
In the junior European competition, our neighbours have also have a tough draw v Fiorentina whilst the most interesting has to be Fenerbahce Istanbul v Lokomotive Moscow – could it all kick off? Ideal match for Mike Dean to referee perhaps π
A certain Sanchez may have a point to prove in that tie π Then again so may Suarez – These are the games your in it for so bollocks let’s be having them :))
Up The Arse !
A very professional performance yesterday. Go there, get the three points with the least amount of energy possible expended and go home and have some rest. A really good week it has been for us with nearly every result going our way in the Premier League these last two weekends. The table is starting to look better and better, with us being four clear of ManU and seven clear of Totnum. Long, long way to go but at least we have put ourselves in a good position.
Barca in the CL? Bring them on. They are huge favourites to go through but you never know. A red card or some dodgy lasagna can hurt both really good teams and Tottenham.
No time, atm, regrettably.
Nice report though, Guv.
What everyone else said. π
Oilers will be travelling to Russia to play a match in front of no-one. We go to the Camp Nou to take on arguably the best team on the planet (having already beaten the other leading candidate this year).
If you think we will win this thing through a series of fortuitous draws giving us an easy route then I think you are bonkers. And that you do not know the Arsenal way. This is the big league- you have to play with the big boys. If you are afraid of even the idea of doing that then you definitely don’t belong…
The last time an English team played Olympiakos needing a two goal margin of victory to go through was when a certain S. Gerrard scored a great goal for Liverpool. Anyone remember what happened to that English team that year?
BMBD.
I remember cringing before we played Real at the Bernabeu. We were in terrible form and they had a team of galactic is….and we played them off the park. That year we reached the final and nearly beat Barca with ten men.
Arsenal v Barca is the stuff of dreams. We may lose but we haven’t lost at home to them when we played them before and the two games were marvellous . We might have knocked them out if Van Payslip had not been dismissed by the jobsworth in black at the Nou Camp.
There is a breed of Arsenal fan developing who is a spoilt brat. They expect to win all the time and are not aware of how big the club has become and just how far we have come under Wenger. We’d been in the European Cup twice and never played in the Champions League pre Wenger. Now we express boredom because we might not win it as if we have a divine right to beat anyone on earth. My Palace- supporting friend was saying last week that we don’t know how lucky we are. He reminded me that Palace dream of playing in the CL once, that topping the league for one game would be a huge thing for them and that every year the prime target is to get 40 points and avoid relegation!If you go to Selhurst you feel their passion.
I can’t help feeling we have a lot of plastic fans who’ve never known the struggles of a crap team struggling through the season. That’s not something I would wish on people paying what we pay but so many Gooners have no idea how lucky they are. When we knock out Barca they will be giving it large, never admitting that they decried our chances.
I can’t wait for that match. The Grove needs great matches where the atmosphere seeps into the fabric of the place like it did at Highbury. Barca twice, Bayern a few weeks ago and a few of the big wins over the Spuds and Man U which are special memories. Let’s believe there is another coming up. A great way to celebrate our title season!
Completely agree TTG. One day, when Monsieur Wenger is long gone, and perhaps we don’t finish in the Champions Lge spaces anymore, we’ll look back with such pride and awe that we played in the Champions Lge 18 years running (and counting) and qualified for the knockout stages 16 years running (and counting). Only Real Madrid can rival this consistency of achievement across the whole of Europe, and with the greatest of respects, Spanish football and the TV deals over there are set up to sustain the Madrid-Barca duopoly, and Real haven’t had to finance and manage a move from a small stadium to a larger stadium in that period.
I say let’s enjoy going head-to-head against Barca. If you can’t appreciate the likes of Messi, Suarez, Neymar and Iniesta etc coming to town then there’s something wrong with you. And we’ve got at least a puncher’s chance of going through if we play to our potential over the 2 legs. I can guarantee we would probably have been Barca’s least-wanted tie of the 2nd place sides, perhaps along with PSG. And then IF we are knocked out, at least we know we have March to May free to focus on a title charge, but let’s at least enjoy this competition while we’re still in it….
Soixante neutral perfection @ 69, TTG.
Neuf not neutral, but you knew that anyway. Chelski getting thumped at the ground where the Gunners won 5-2 a few weeks ago. I’d prefer a draw but just love to see that bunch of bar stewards nearing relegation.
TTG & Gregoire above — great posts!
If the thought of playing a two-legged tie against possibly the best current club team doesn’t generate excitement and passion, then not sure what is the point for being so passionate about football.
Excluding the front triumvirate who can of course be unplayable at times, this Barca team has lots of weaknesses that can be exploited. Last time we had beaten them at home we didn’t have the genius of Ozil at his peak and the quality and spirit of Alexis. Koscielny was very good but he was yet to become his current imperious self. We didn’t have a left back of maturity and tactical nous of Monreal. Theo had added physicality, cleverness, finishing and composure to his speed which already used to frighten a somewhat slow back-line of Barca. We also have become an excellent team in scoring headers — Ozil-Giroud combination, but also consistently high quality of crosses from Monreal-Bellerin — and that penalty box physicality is something that the Barca team will struggle with. We have Rambo’s high-octane box-to-box game to counter any deliberate building and to force their front three to drop back.
I am excited about the tie and also optimistic. We owe them one lesson, after a few near misses.
Joe @ 59: Not at all. I don’t really associate monikers with opinions. Or other way around. I just remember that there has been a lot of criticism of Arsene for not bringing Cesc back, even to the extent recommending that Cesc would have fared better compared to Ozil etc. I just think he was spot on: Cesc had already started to show signs of physically not being at his best in the second half of campaigns when he was in Barca, and his football didn’t develop too far beyond, especially tactically which is why he was found surplus to requirements in Camp Nou. I think in combination of technical, physical, vision, and tactical Ozil is now miles ahead Cesc. We can disagree, but I think Arsene should be given some credit for building a team spirit and tactical set-up where the understated genius of Ozil can flourish.
About Giroud, once he stops playing for us we would value his contributions much more. He brings an all-round consistency and cohesiveness to our attacking game and a presence in the penalty box that is very very under appreciated.
If we can beat Leicester…we can beat anyone!
π
Off topic but is anyone else watching Ranieri seal Mourinho’s fate?
This Leicester team is a joy to watch, the ground is absolutely rocking they play like possessed men and go forward at every opportunity as fast as they can. Mourinho is squirming on his chair, even he is mesmerized!
@TTG/69: top post! Really looking forward to the Barcelona tie!
Vardy just clattered into Costa and couldn’t care less of the cunt’s threatening reaction. Straight after Mahrez scores an amazing goal. Mourinho looks beyond dejected. A joy to watch!
2 goals by Leicester tonight,that Arse/Barca/Bayern would have been proud to score.
They are the real deal.
Fabregas for Terry! 3 at the back for Chelsea, all or nothing for Mourinho. It gets better and better!
Leicester in contention for the title, no doubt about it unless injuries take their toll.
DR F
You are missing the point about Fabregas.
The decision to pass on Fabregas had nothing to do with his decline in physicality.
Even if Ozil hadn’t been at the Club,there was no way Arsene was ever bringing back a player who so comprehensively betrayed the Club in his desperation to join Barca.
History is littered with players who were lured away from the Arse by the filthy lucre on offer elsewhere.
The majority have gone on record to say it was the worst decision they ever made,and regretted it deeply.
@80: Thanks. Agreed.
I was in favor of not bringing back Cesc, and I think at that time Arsene had received a lot of criticism for that decision. Whatever be his reasons — footballing, team spirit related, being a traitor etc. etc. — I think he was spot on in terms of the overall consequences and the relative gulf in performance between Ozil and Cesc continues to prove him right in that respect.
Matt — In Mahrez they have a great in the making and in Vardy a competent striker in one of those runs. Ranieri did a lot to build the basis in Chelsea before the money gang took over, and that whole “Tinker man” epithet doesn’t do justice to his longevity and abilities as a manager.
However I think once the 40+ points arrive the Leicester run will fizzle out a bit as they would relax, not taking themselves that seriously as a title contender.
Well Dr F I’m not so sure we should count on the fizzling. Once they reach 40 they’ll fancy their chances.
Chelsea surely out of Europe now bar a miracle. 6 pointer vs Sunderland next week, they should edge it but who knows?
Mourinho’s face is worth being 2 points behind Leicester π
TTG
@69
Second paragraph.
First sentence.
Absolutely nailed it.
Chavs do not disappoint in their relegation battle…..
…. real Champions(hip) material there!!
π
@Dr F: Here’s why Leicester will not take their foot off the gas: https://i.imgur.com/YfL09wd.png
Leicester don’t have a big squad. That will be their issue. Effort and quality won’t be. They are really good with the ball and without it- I’m very impressed.
Whenever Mou has a dig at Wenger it is Le Prof’s consistency, rather than title haul, that is used as rebuttal. Perhaps the special one may be gaining some insight into quite how impressive that achievement is. Some of the bang average squads that Wenger has guided into Europe wouldn’t come anywhere near the Chavs’ current assortment of multi-million pound signings on paper.
But it is amazing what a top manager can do…
Wenger and Ranieri. The last gentlemen in football. Salut.
TTG@69 and Gregoire@70: top posts. If you canβt appreciate a game against Barca, whatβs the point of being a Gooner, or any sort of fan, come to that?
Matt — I don’t think we should count on anything except for our own performances. π You may very well be right and Leicester may be fighting for the title until the very end, but I think they won’t have enough drive (or knowhow in the squad) to recover sufficiently from the first inevitable run of poor performance they face.
I hope their squad is not poached in January, especially Mahrez. Would hate to see him play for any of the other big boys in PL.
Glad, too, the draw gave us the home game first. Second-leg away games with it all to do seems to draw the best out of this team.
Fair point Ned. But I’d still take a 6-0 win in the first game. Wink.
I hope and pray we can win this league but if we can’t I’d love to see Ranieri win it. What a delightful man and a true gentleman
TTG @69 and 92 – gear,hear.
Gregoire, Joe – good stuff.
Arsenal vs Barcelona or Tottenham vs CarrierBag – you choose.
Or even, hear, hear. ?
Can’t help seeing a lot of Alexis in young Mahrez. Imagine the pair of them as our wingers…
Oskar
Of all the teams they might have been drawn against I imagine Barca would have been hoping for anyone but us. They know we’ll beat them one day. We beat them it with a lesser team than we have now at home in 2011, and would likely have won the tie on away goals had the last minute chance fallen to RvP (who had been sent off earlier). Instead it went to TGSTEL…
We whould also have won the 2006 final if Jens hadn’t been sent off in the first 15 minutes. We played with ten for three-quarters of the match and led until the last 15 when fatigue (and Messi) took their toll.
Whoever said getting Barca will make it easier for us to win the EPL should get a large L tattooed on his forehead. I’m not back-drinking to see who it was and anyway you know who you are. π
I love your optimism, Delia, about having a full squad available in February. I hope your crystal ball has a full quota of woman’s intuition.
Oskar
Whenever Wenger has been asked in interviews as to what is the hallmark of a truly good manager, he has always replied saying that good managers are the ones who are able to minimise the bad runs of the team. He never mentions silverware etc when he is asked this question. Looking at the plight of Mourinho right now and more importantly at our own past when we have secured 3rd/4th place with squads full of youngsters, those words of Wenger seem prophetic. The remarkable consistency of Wenger’s managerial regime seems an even bigger achievement when seen in that context. Top top top quality.
The draw against Barca is an exciting one indeed. We beat the Guardiola Barca at the grove and nearly won the tie. This Barcelona side is also a very good one but is nowhere close to that Guardiola team. We have a better chance this time but obviously that would take 2 very very good games from every single individual stepping out on the pitch for Arsenal. In defence – we would need our back five plus Coquelin or ahem a new efficient defensive midfielder, I don’t think Flamster can do it against Barca. In attack we most definitely will need Sanchez, Ozil, Walcott, and Ramsey. If any one of their front three is missing especially either Messi or Neymar and our full squad is available (I know I know…) then it really becomes a very even tie. Either way can’t wait for the real exhibition of football in that tie. Bring it on…
Ironically Oskar, contrary to your point that fatigue and Messi won Barca the Champions League final against us in 2006, Messi wasn’t actually on the pitch that day! If you look at the team below, and if memory serves me correct, Henrik Larsson was the unlikely match-winner for them, setting up the late goals for Eto’o and Belletti….
Barcelona: Valdes, Oleguer (Belletti 71), Marquez, Puyol, Van Bronckhorst, Deco, Edmilson (Iniesta 45), Van Bommel (Larsson 61), Giuly, Eto’o, Ronaldinho.
Subs Not Used: Jorquera, Motta, Xavi, Sylvinho.
In other news, McNulty at the Beeb has produced another piece of his insidiously anti-Arsenal diatribe by stating that if Arsenal don’t win the Premier League it will be a “desperate missed opportunity”, before going on to state the Man City will win it because they’ve got the pedigree, the money and the best squad. Well, which one is it then Phil?! Presumably against his assessment of City, a title win for Arsenal would be an immense achievement and a surprise rather than a let-down. At least we’re in the mix year after year unlike certain bigger-spending clubs (Man Utd, Chelsea, Liverpool)…
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35098742
The devolution of moaninho.. now that he acknowledged that top 4 is out of the question… it’s top 6 target now….
Later the target shall be…. staying in the premiere league… hahhahahhah!
We beat Leicester…we shall beat Barca! Remember Arshavin!
π
In for the ton?
GSD@91: One of the tantalizing aspects of an Arsenal vs Barca tie is that both sides have it in them to beat the other 6-0.
Mourinho knows no humility: “One possibility is that I did an amazing job last season and brought the players to a level that is not their level and now they can’t maintain it.”
Quite right Gregoire, Messi was hamstrung in 2006. I stand erected. π
Oskar
Chelsea v Sunderland …Epic relegation battle not to be missed !
π
Moaninho.. moaning away into the Championship!
π π π
NBN @101. True. But only WE have the ability to lose the second leg 7-0 and go out anyway! I kid, I kid…
βOne possibility is that I did an amazing job last season and brought the players to a level that is not their level and now they canβt maintain it.β
Another possibility is that they have stopped playing for you because they think you’re a prick.
Hazard last night, for example. Unless he tore a muscle going down, I doubt he was injured enough to have to go off, after the lightest challenge you could ever wish to see. But off he went. Then he was sent back on, and walked off the pitch and straight down the tunnel without a glance at the manager, after a non existent attempt to collect a pass.
Hazard is also the player who went down cheaply in the incident that saw the eventual departure of Carneiro, with Mourinho partly blaming him for it all by staying down simply because he was tired.
He’ll be gone by Christmas.
Bring it on. We nearly knocked ’em out last time but for a dodgy ref giving RvP a ridiculous second yellow and reducing us to 10 men in the Nou Camp game and TGSTEL mucking up a heavenly chance from LJW to score our ‘winner’.
Let us finish the job this time, gentlemen.
Some great drinks above.
BMBD
The Chelsea meltdown is extraordinary and their position should be three points worse because of Costa’s cheating against us. If the FA’s retrospective action had been taken by the referee at the time they would have played with ten against our eleven and one surmises we may well have beaten them.
It’s one of the worst and most rapid declines I have ever seen and sums up exactly the mindset of a certain type of star player with egos bigger than their talent and so up themselves. Hazard’s body language was a picture.
I hate to give any praise to the loathsome Terry but his decline is the most important reason why the team is imploding . He was phenomenal last season but has faded this and the other big reason is that he drove the key players into the ground last season.
I loved the embrace between the managers at the end. Typically showy from Mourinho(‘ look what a generous guy I am’) but look at the expression of Ranieri. I sensed delight, disgust and indifference. Perfect emotions when contemplating the ‘ Special One’.
The other interesting thing from the weekend was the reaction from Klopp to Pulis after his team were Pulised into submission at Anfield. I wonder if the press will take Pulis’s side as they did against Wenger even after Ramsey was ‘ Shawcrossed’. Somehow I think not, Klopp is the new media darling
The Chavs fall from grace is all down to the demise of John Terry from where I sit. While everybody rightfully loathes Terry for the person he is, he genuinely was a superb centre half and the rock upon which this Chelsea team were built. Put him in the centre of players of the calibre of Cech, Cole and Ivanovich and you have a serious defensive unit. Today JT looks a pale comparison to the player he once was and as a consequence their defensive solidity has vanished.
Of course, good management is being able to identify that and then arrest it. And the precise way to exacerbate an already precarious situation is to throw your players under a bus and to sanctimoniously point fingers at everyone else except yourself. Whatever you do, don’t take any responsibility yourself. And it is utterly hilarious to watch. The self conviction and flagrant arrogance that has caused Jose to win so much, are precisely the same attributes that has led Chelsea to where they find himself today. And no matter what happens to Chelsea, Jose is such an odious and contemptible individual they both deserve everything they get and so much more.
I see that Barca drew 2-2 at home with Deportivo someone or other this weekend.
A win at home and 2-2 away would do us nicely I think.
Chelsea – ha ha ha.
UTA.
headline in google news guardian
“john terry arrives in moscow for syria talks”
yup i read it all wrong
but what a wonderful opportunity for peace lost
right there
π
Referees in our games over Christmas/ New Year
Citeh
Andre Marriner
Southampton
Jon Moss
Bournemouth
Roger East
Newcastle
Anthony Taylor
Taylor is amazingly highly rated in my view. Ox and Gibbs should introduce themselves to Marriner before the game.
Barcodes gameplan against the spuds really worked, did their homework by reading the manual they did.. : http://i.imgur.com/tkAVa3e.jpg
π
BB ?
.
“is there a doctor in the house?”
“advanced punning required”
in the meantime
interesting looking doc
edwyn collins tonight 11.25 film4
not remotely arse related
but when has that ever stopped anyone ?
Barca is a game no one wanted but now that we have it, let us give it our best shot. Yes the front 3 they have is the best in the world but then our team is not bad either. What sort of a form we go into that game may tell us how we will fare. Right now everyone in the team will say bring on barca but come feb-march when the fixtures pile up and we then have to face this barca team, the mood maybe sombre. I believe we have a chance but then even if we win at home, the away fixture is daunting. I am not unduly worried about the result, the league is where the real hope is and if we are closer to it, then this game is a bonus, irrespective of the result.
Chelsea lost and it is so sweet to see the real specialist in failure suffer. May it long continue and i wish he relegates the team and gets sacked.
Leicester on the other hand have been excellent. They are top of the league on merit and in vardy and more so Maharez, they have two players playing at the top of their game. Go on Leicester, second place is all yours, we will take the first thank you.
Messi, Neymar and Suarez can’t get a game for UEFA’s CL team. How good can they be? π
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35104275
Beware of schadenfreude. Chelski are only four wins out of a Thursday night league place. This terrible run of theirs will come to an end at some point, unfortunately, probably after the January transfer window when Mourinho clears out his old and dead wood. His defence is ‘a little bit gone in the legs’. His teams are built on not conceding goals. Once he has that sorted out with some no doubt expensive young legs, the points will start coming again.
ahhhh
come on ned
chelsea’s collective boots letting in water
is a great enjoyment for the now
so
let’s watch ’em roll around in it
summore
?
the feckin shower o’ shite
and
very well said all above
who didn’t shite their bags
at champions league draw
bring on barca big bollocks
it’s what it’s all about indeed
UP THE ARSENAL
merry christmas everyone
jose an ex-chelsea is
.
*groans self*
?
.
“one fer all you christians out there !
great ta see ya !”
hey ho
let’s go ho ho
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4Y5GtaTrPHM
Win lose or draw away from home,what is the one thing the players must do at the end of the game. ?
Go and salute the travelling fans who have cheered you on regardless of how you have played.
What did the Chelsea players do.?
All bar 3,barely shook hands with the Leicester players before scuttling off the pitch without a backward glance at their Supporters.
Courtois/Ivanovich and 1 other,were the only ones with the right stuff,that went over and saluted the fans.
Those 3 also stayed on the field long enough to congratulate the Leicester players.
So kudos to them.
No leadership from the Manager,he couldn’t get out of their quick enough either.
On the subject of falls from grace,perhaps Ned and the Monks can enlighten us as to whether there have been any other similar spectacular falls from great heights since the PL began,of a team going from winning the title one season, to battling relegation before Christmas the next,and where they eventually finished up at the end of the season.
Leicester’s TV rights revenue at the end of last season was 71M. Assuming they finish in the top 4, they’ll get around 145M plus at least 30M from CL, so basically a 100M bonus.
On the other hand Chelsea will earn around 110M vs 100M (due to TV rights inflation) and will lose 40M from CL TV leaving a net loss of 30M.
Now everyone else in the league will earn at least 30M more with the new TV rights deal (close to 50M for Arsenal and City), except maybe Manchester United if they fail to make top 4.
So next season Chelsea will have a net comparative disadvantage of 60M minimum to every team (bar the promoted) up to 100M for the top ones!
On top of that the team is fighting relegation, the ambiance in the dressing room is gloomier than the waiting room of an euthanasia clinic and the manager is loosing is marbles and/or having a go at his players live on TV every other week.
Everyone is flush so why would players (not even world-class ones) choose to sign for Chelsea given many other better options?
They’re deep in it and for a long time. Forget about Chelsea they’re the new Liverpool.
so, matt, you’re saying we *should* go out and celebrate, then. π
itching, i say, i am itching with anticipation for barcelona at the grove in the new year.
Apparently, Eva, ever the consummate doctor, gifted the chavs with a rather apt book of recipes , http://i.imgur.com/gNdalEP.jpg ,
….legend has it, that their nutritionist has been using it ever since on their team and that the moaning one has grown to crave it to no end, often helping himself to seconds indeed!
π
Matt … The last team in England’s top division to go from being champions one year to being relegated the next was … Manchester City, c1938.
Oskar
Yes, both for a tantalizing game against Barca and Chelsea’s lasting demise π
Ooops, sorry, my previous was in response the Clive at #122, not Matt.
Oskar
@Oskar: no need to be greedy, Chelsea finishing mid-table is good enough π
Just so long as we annihilate the chavs in our home game, Matt. If we lose that one as well – perish the thought – it will be humiliating, and The Specious One totally unbearable.
Oskar
anyhoo
while the leviathon oil tankers
attempt a sub 48 hour
out to sea
manoeuvre
of reconciliation
i’m off to watch edwyn
cos
just like the four tops
i can’t help myself
Clive@122: In the Premier League era, seven champions retained their title the following season, eleven dropped to runners-up, two fell to third (both us) and two to seventh. So Chelsea’s fall from grace could be unprecedented.
TO SCOTLAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!
.
.
.
“GON YERSEL BIG MAN”
I keep reading and hearing that this season is spectacularly unpredictable etc., etc.
This may be so, but I don’t believe it is entirely unexpected. Consider the three factors that appear to be unexpected:
o Chelsea have been in free fall.
Certainly curious. But many people have been expecting the Mourinho bubble to burst eventually. If anything, it’s surprising that it;s taken so long.
o Manchester United are not nailed-on certainties to finish in the top 4.
Surprising, yes, but there is no tradition of clubs changing their squads massively from one season to the next in the Premiership, so there was actually no reason to _expect_ ManU to get back to the levels they were at under Fergie. Furthermore, van Gaal didn’t tear up any trees last season.
o Leicester City are top of the table.
Most seasons, one or two “unfashionable” teams have a good run at the start of the season. Leicester City’s run has been a little better and has, so far, lasted a little longer than usual.
So, all in all, three unusual events. Now, it’s _very_ unusual, for three unusual events to happen in the same season, but “unprecedented”? “Spectacular” ?
I’m not convinced.
COYG
As for positions at the end of December in the season following a title win, ninth is the lowest (Blackburn in 1995-96; final position: seventh). Almost without exception, such teams are at or within a place or two of where they end up.
Matt,
Love your “Chelsea down the tubes” scenario but diubt very much it will come to pass. Don’t forget they have tremendous depth – or rather Abramovich’s pockets do. Just like Man β¬ity they will find a way of using more of his money to buy their way back to the top.
Our best hope is that the owner keeps faith with his pet reptile for another season or two and completely destroys the fabric of their squad.
Joe put it really well above when he said that the very qualities of Mourinho that brought him so much success, are exactly the ones that have dragged him into his present mire.
A fairly short while ago, I wanted to see the back of the repulsive little turd as soon as he could be dumped outside their ground.
I’ve changed my mind in the meantime though. I’m so enjoying his discomfort, squirming and desperate chucking around of blame in all directions, I just want it to go on and on.
Had his implosion already crept into his subconscious at Wembley for the Community Shield ? His desperate, hypocritical attempt to attach himself to success by flamboyantly hugging every Arsenal player with their medals, was weird indeed.
As has continued to be the case this season, that peculiar action accompanied a complete shunning of his own team of losers.
Nice man. Great leader. Not.
Pangloss,
Not unpredictable ?
I beg to differ.
Who would have thought that Bournemouth would beat Chelsea away from home and Man Utd at home in successive weeks.
And if you’re still not convinced, don’t forget it’s now mid-December and Tottenham haven’t sacked their manager yet.
Incredible ! ?
Pangloss@134: The last (and only) time a team that wasn’t Man Utd, Man City, Chelsea or us won the Premier League was Blackburn in 1994-95 and you still have to go back to Liverpool in 2008-09 for the last team outside the Big Four to be leading the league at the end of December, and to Leeds in 1999-2000 before that, so, if not unprecedented, its is certainly unusual.
Thnks Ned
as a matter of interest,EPL only,
Can you ask the Monks to find out where teams in the top 3 at Christmas,finished at the end of each season.??
Jaysus Clive,
The next thing y’know the bleedin monks will be ironing your shirts…! π
Trev,
I think the thing that kills Mourinho most is how someone like Wenger is held in such high esteem and universal respect despite the fact that he’s objectively won less than the special one himself.
In this context I feel Wenger is so right when he says that what he will be remembered for most, is the brand of football he brought to Arsenal. Its such an artistic and intelligent perspective. And I think thats the kernel of the man. I’m sure you all probably saw the recent interview in l’equipe. I thought it was superb. My immediate thought was that if someday someone was to write a book on Wenger, this is the way it should be told. The article captured his artistic views and gave an insight into the depth of his intelligence.
Best Christmas film of all time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-_P-DoBe6E
Well it has snow in it, what more do you need?
As a failed Christian Joe,i thought the Monks would do anything to get me back on the right path.
They don’t realize i am too far gone down the dark side,to ever be allowed back.!!
By the by,i don’t own any shirts,
Sackcloth and ashes me.
I find the ones that have failed are always the more interesting! I guess some people are just beyond redemption Clive and all the more happier for it too…!! π
Good reposte though. And all in good spirit. May the monks of Castle Ned be with you forever!
Watched a replay of Leicester Chavs, mainly to see what it is that Leicester is doing to keep their lofty status, and I was underwhelmed. They are cohesive and have two players who are performing out of their minds, but any decent back line would have stopped their two goals. John Terry was a statue on their first, and Azpilicueta watched Mahrez take forever to set his shot up. Just can’t see Leicester keep it up.
Joe,
I have loved the way Mourinho’s obsession with Wenger has shone throughout his meltdown.
His constant jibing at Wenger’s “lack of success”, unique, unconditional job security, “lack of pressure to win anything”, and being a “specialist in failure”, has been met by Arsene with, well, nothing. Silence. Unflappability. Consistency.
AW refers repeatedly to consistency being the most important quality in achieving success. In his first ten years at Arsenal, Wenger had world class quality at his disposal and gave the club it’s most successful period since Herbert Chapman.
His second decade was spent mostly strapped for cash and reliant on comparatively poor squads. Despite that, he has achieved 18 consecutive years of Champions League qualification and 16 consecutive years of progress through the group stage.
Having pissed everyone off in his first two years at each club, Mourinho has then moved on to his next big money spinning project. He cannot even survive three years at a club, never mind implement a strategy and ethos to carry a club through two decades.
Vastly expensively bought bits of silverware apart, Mourinho is intelligent enough to realise that Wenger betters him massively in every other way.
Sit back and enjoy the results of his imploding inferiority complex.
The season is certainly unpredictable and I’m betting there’s more in reserve. In addition to all the surprising results:
– Klopp manager of Liverpool!
– The next england manager sacked after 15 games
– Mourinho still at Chelsea
@Trev: I totally echo your sentiment on Mourinho, the same way I’m for a life sentence rather than death penalty. Still I think they’ll pick themselves up at some point.
But money won’t solve anything. When the top clubs will have the choice of the best players to recruit Chelsea will have to pay over the top for the next ones in line, the same way Mancheter United and Liverpool have had to do. There will be more Pedros and less Hazards in Chelsea’s next transfer windows. And by the way good luck keeping Hazard in the summer….
I’m of the opinion that Mourinho will continue to stank their ground if allowed and if not his replacement won’t be Guardiola nor Ancelotti either. Maybe Avram Grant will be available.
Then the competition will not stand still, there’s a lot of good teams with big potential and very good managers. Klopp, Pocchetino (who’s doing a Wenger at the Toilet Bowl), Pardew (yes I know), Hugues, Martinez are all a few players away from having a great team and they’ll have the money to do it in the summer.
There was an interview of Terry by Carragher where he said one the most impactful change this season for Chelsea was that once they lost the first few games every single opponent started having a real go at them instead of folding under pressure. Each game has become a hard-fought battle, something they were not used to.
If Manchester United have been struggling to get back in (and as it seems stay in) the top 4 what are the odds of Chelsea suddenly doing better? And at the moment the most likely scenario is that Manchester United will struggle to finish fourth with the Van Gaal idyll turning sour.
Here’s my reasonable dream:
– We win the league
– Leicester second (if the injury gods keep ignoring them)
– City third
– Liverpool 4th (rather than Spurs although objectively they’re strong contenders)
– United in meltdown again
and cherry on the cake Chelsea relegated (barely escaping will do too).
Oh another surprise: I’m looking forward to Saturday’s relegation fight and on top of that I will be rooting for Big Sam π
Sackcloth and ashes, Clive? Bloody luxury. Tissue paper was all we followers of the Church of Richard Dawkins wore during winters spent huddled together on the Yorkshire moors. We’d have converted to scientology for sackcloth and ashes!
Oskar the god
@BTM
Don’t be envious mate, its monsoon season in these parts so the sun peeks out every few days. You gonna be at the Citeh game?
Matt@147: good point about Chelsea losing the fear factor. Same with Man U post-Fergie. Once other teams stopped walking on the pitch not expecting to win, games got a lot harder for the Chavs and the Mancs to win, and referees stopped giving them the benefit of any and every doubt.
Clive@143: Your saving grace is that you are beyond redemption.
“If you are a big player, and paid like a big player, you must play like a big player and behave like a big player.”
————–
No, I do not miss Fabregas.
That i am Ned
Are the Monks on the job,re info requested. ??
Clive@139:
(So this means, there were 12 seasons in which the leader at the end of December went on to win the title, four in which they ended up second, four in which they ended up third, etc.)
Leader at end December
Final place: First 12 Second 4 Third 4 Fourth 2 Fifth 0 Sixth 1
Second at end December
Final place: First 8 Second 10 Third 2 Fourth 2 Fifth 0 Sixth 1
Third at end December
Final place: First 2 Second 4 Third 8 Fourth 5 Fifth 3 Sixth 0 Seventh 1
Monks are asking if you will iron their shirts….
Ned, I think Clive has a pressing engagement π
Good stuff well said about the demise of the Moany One by Trev, Joe and Matt to name a few. I am enjoying the implosion immensely, and like Matt I think Chelsea coming back to being a top team isn’t as foregone a conclusion as one might think. Abramovic has been bleeding money into Chelsea for years and with the new TV deal it will take enormous amounts of money from his own pockets just to keep up with the Joneses, nevermind creating a team capable of winning the league. The thing is that Chelsea aren’t just one or two players short, they may need five or even six players who can go straight into the first eleven and that is of course going to cost copious amounts of money. Is he ready to do that? We’ll see, but I am not sure.
Thnks Ned
Based on those stats,our next 3 games are massive.
Given Leicester have Everton and Liverpool away,and City at home,they look the most vulnerable.
City have Sunderland at home after us,then the trip to Leicester.
So our game with City looks even more crucial.
We then have a tricky trip to Southampton,followed by Bournemouth at home.
So probably need a min of 7 out of 9 to stay top 2 by end of year.
Uply,
Behave yourself. !!
Mourinho angling to replace Wenger at Arsenal. Sadly, for him, the closest he will ever get is having coached Cashley and DNA man.
Forget chelshit, may the suffering long continue. I am looking forward to monday. Battle between two teams/managers who play to win. Aguero apparently back for this one but then so is Alexisssssssssssssss. It will be a classic contest as both teams knows this is the game of not just 3 points but more so setting the marker for the rest of the season. I sense the game going the same way as the 2-2 last season but which defense holds on better maybe the clincher, for attacking wise both teams are equally good.
Henry saying Arsenal will have their real test against city, sorry titi city will have their real one against us, they will have their hands full against a team which seem to have found the belief back and those are the thin margins that will differentiate the winners from the loser. Come on Arsenal, time to lay down the gauntlet.
I can understand where the opinion that Chelsea will start putting a winning run together soon is coming from. I myself had thought that after 4 or 5 defeats, the first
thing that Mourinho would do is shut up shop at the back and stop conceding. That is the one thing and perhaps the only thing his teams do well generally.
But his heavy handed approach with his players – dropping major players like Terry, Fabregas, Matic, Ivanovic or subbing some of them at half time along with his off field comments seems to have really divided the squad into cliques. Recent comments by Fabregas where he says that if you are a big player then you have to behave like a big player also allude to certain players not fighting for the team. Jose has dug a deep hole for himself. Also as mentioned aptly by Matt and others in the earlier drinks the fear factor has completely evaporated for the opposition teams and they are playing fearlessly against them now and are reaping rich rewards. There are no easy games in the league anymore. That coupled with the fragmented dressing room might make it very difficult for them to put a winning run of 4-5 games together. Without that kind of a run it seems improbable that they would finish anywhere beyond mid-table even if they do fight hard and have an exceptional January transfer window.
I sometimes wonder if Abramovic is not sacking Jose because he himself is enjoying seeing Moaninho squirm!! The sad part is he might get bored soon…
@desi
Abramovich a sadist? Nah, couldn’t be. π
He is.doing a nice job of pulling the strings on his puppet Mourinho though.
Uply@155: π
Maybe Mourinho is right.
Maybe he actually coached – or scared – his players to heights, last season, that they would not normally be capable of reaching. Maybe, after a couple of seasons of the Specious One’s particular brand of intensity, the players are now fed up with his posturing, ranting, manipulating and constant whining.
Amongst all the “maybes” there is one thing for sure though. The triumphs of his first tour of duty at the bus stop were achieved with a squad whose nucleus was built by Claudio Ranieri.
Petr Cech, John Terry, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba
(recommended by Ranieri, if not actually signed by him).
Love ’em or hate ’em, they were the players that made Chelsea what they were – dangerous and extremely hard to beat.
They’re all gone now though – apart from Terry, who is clearly a year past his Use-By date. Much as I detested him, they have not come anywhere close to replacing Drogba – the player who turned their 0-0s into 1-0s.
Makalele, their version of our Gilberto Silva, or latterly Le Coq, and Essien have also gone, leaving their back four as exposed as ours looks without a truly defensive midfielder, turning their 0-0s into 0-1s.
The truth is that Mourinho has never stuck around anywhere long enough to repair a situation like the one he now finds himself in. Looks like we’re finding out why.
Whole week, not hole weak! >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>