A Midweek Ramble
Mar 30th, 2016 by 'holic
I see that Wednesday is now referred to as ‘hump day’. Presumably this phrase was invented during a recent international football break. For one reason or another they always give me the hump. The lack of Arsenal matches, the likelihood of injuries, and the ongoing civil war between Gooners makes for a miserable fortnight.
The England cricket boys did their best to lift the mood of the nation earlier today, but as usual the football team flattered to deceive by producing their customary pre-tournament impressive performance in Germany only to surrender a one goal advantage at home to the Netherlands.
Arsene had the opposing factions at each others throats on social media with an interview he gave to Bein Sports in which he assured anyone who wanted to know that he would still be in charge of Arsenal next season. Now I would hope he might reconsider if we fail to land the title that the Manchester clubs and Chelsea handed to us on a plate this season, but I do still fervently hope he is able to turn things around before leaving this club on a high rather than being hounded out by the baying mob.
As if to compound matters the Ladies team found themselves on the receiving end of a few controversial decisions that cost them dear in a 2-0 defeat at Manchester City Women. There were, however, positives to be taken from the performance and it appears even at this early stage as though the WSL title will be going to the wire with City, Chelsea, and Arsenal all looking strong.
Arsenal.com did their best to raise the spirits by publishing an upbeat interview with Nacho Monreal about what good the win at Everton has done to us. I had the good fortune to meet Nacho last June and not only is he a fine defender, but an excellent bloke as well. His form this season has been right up there but because he is not in the limelight he could lose out on the player of the season award. He would certainly get my vote as he has been our most consistent performer this season.
Last but by no means least a mention for a piece by Sam Wallace in the Telegraph about David and Ryan Rocastle. I see Ryan at most home games and can confirm he is a very likeable young man, and a proper chip off the old block. David always had time for those who idolised him and on the fifteenth anniversary of his passing (tomorrow, Thursday) you can guarantee that his best moments will fill Twitter and Facebook timelines.
It will be a day for remembering, with warmth and affection, the good times.
39 Responses to “A Midweek Ramble”
As if by magic….
….The neighbour appeared
Just read the Ryan Rocastle interview. I’ve got something in my eye
Evening Neighbour…
Evening H
trust you and yours are well.
Another pointless interlull over.
Time to get on with the real stuff.
Read the Tele article before coming on here,and was going to mention it,but i see your gimlet eye had already spotted it.
Lovely story,cannot imagine how my life would have turned out without The Old fella as mentor when i was growing up.
So all credit to Ryan and his sisters for making their Mum and Dad proud.
So ‘holic has a gimlet eye, The Neighbour has something in his eye… time for that Optrex sponsorship deal for the blog.
Cheers H! and the Neighbour!
The cricket today was fucking 100% A! Still pissed and lovin’ it.
By the way remember Ryan as mascot at Cardiff in 2001.
The Cricket? FFS I was taping it
Some top fucking boys in tonight. Thank you.
Evening gents.
Even Steve T. probably would have defended criticizing Mike Dean before the game so it is slightly more tricky now but I say attack Anthony Taylor with full force before the game because we will have no recourse after he makes a disastrous season spoiler of a call. Even if the FA rescind the call it would be of no help to us.
Alternative tack of course would be to score five goals in the first half and to allow Watford to score no more than four in the second. Assuming we keep a clean sheet in the first half, that is.
Good to see you, Hazza. 🙂
Interesting stuff, Guvna. 15 years since Rocky passed? Where did those years go?
I like the sound of the alternative tack first half, bt8.
Evening, Holic.
England are a constant disappointment indeed, and then we finally get a good performance and the team is full of Spuds. More and more reasons not to watch, culminating in the ridiculous appointment of James Milner as captain.
These sad anniversaries of Rocky’s death seem to come round ever more quickly. Off to read the article now.
Morning all. Like old times in here ..
And much appreciated, Doc. 🙂
Rocky, No player better summed up that Team and those times, By far my favourite Arsenal Team for a Myriad of reasons – Exciting, Enjoyable, Tough, No Nonsense and as far away from the Sky Media led bullshit of Today’s game than you could find – A real Player and A Real Gentleman Sadly missed but never forgotten,
Rip Rocky
Thinking of Rocky Rocastle’s family today. His son is a credit to him. What a gentle, charming, smiling man DR was. And what skills…such a perfect foil to Thomas and Davis. Rocky was almost always the highlight of my visits to Highbury in the late 80s when I lived in London for 4 years. We didn’t always win but things were exciting, gritty and unpredictable. Pitches weren’t great either and how he could have shown off his instinctive talent on pitches like today’s and with the pace of the game now. And he was part of that night in May 1989. I absolutely refuse to believe there will ever,ever be a better, braver, more thrilling Arsenal night, even if we do one day win the Champions League. RIP.
Eboue has been banned from football for one year, ending his Sunderland dream before it really began.
Might as well ban him as he gave up playing what people recognise as football when he was still with Arsenal.
I met David Rocastle once before a match at Villa. I was with two young nephews. He was courteous and charming to a fault and made them feel very special and then scored with a sumptuous lob from twenty five yards. How we got rid of him to chase Geoff Thomas I will never understand.
A gent and a true Arsenal man
Petr Cech and Jack Wilshere apparently back in full training.
????
Rocky lives forever, innumerable tales of the great man but then the best one was he crying in the car when i believe graham told him that he will be sold. I mean i get tears everytime i read that and wish we had more players like him at Arsenal. Rest in peace great man, you have us the iconic moments and summed it up when you said – ” remember who you are, what you are and who you represent”. I mean that sums it all up.
Watford over the weekend and as much as i have given hope on the league, the fan in me refuses to give up completely. Can the miracle please happen, just once please.
From the sublime dedication of David Rocastle to the ridiculous buffoonery of Nicklas Bendtner, with my apologies. Eboue story also noted, C_A_G_I_F_S.
Today’s Guardian says:
“Wolfsburg are hoping to end Nicklas Bendtner’s time at the club by terminating his contract 15 months early.
The Danish striker joined on a free transfer from Arsenal in 2014 but has failed to make an impact and has had several disciplinary issues this season, including being fined for oversleeping and being late for training.”
Who should today’s players choose as their role model?
We indulged TGSTEL far too much while he was with us. I never saw a proper player in him but he had such arrogance. It’s almost sacrilege to mention him and Rocky together as they are at quite opposite ends of the dedication spectrum.
There was a proper player somewhere in TGSTEL, Ttg. It was just that he could never be bothered to let him get out.
Who should today’s players choose as their role model?
http://i4.getreading.co.uk/incoming/article8280835.ece/ALTERNATES/s950/JS52871789.jpg
ὃν οἱ θεοὶ φιλοῦσιν ἀποθνῄσκει νέος
R.I.P. Ronnie Corbett.
Funny as two Ronnies:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cz2-ukrd2VQ
Or as one Ronnie:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAG39jKi0lI
i never saw rocky play, but remember when he passed. love the telegraph piece, ryan sounds like a great person…i got some of that dust in my eyes, too, darn it.
Great photo
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/03/31/11/32B2ED0E00000578-0-image-a-27_1459421246731.jpg
More here (Daily Mail link though)
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3517239/David-Rocastle-Arsenal-legend-death-shook-world-football-Rocky-remembered-15-classic-photos.html
Great Arsecast Holic I have enjoyed that one!
Same here as Scruz I never saw Rocky play which is a shame I think as I was adapting to English life at that time to be honest.
If this is a lull I’d hate to see what a total flatline would be like.
Don’t think Robin Friday wasn’t appreciated 🙂
He sounds like a Scouse bank holiday.
ATG
I’m still adapting to English life. It’s not easy?
What an all too brief pleasure hearing of the continued existence of Dr. C, chief engineer of the Happy Train, in the drinks yesterday. 😀
Just in case anyone missed it / is interested;
http://news.arseblog.com/2016/03/david-rocastle-and-me/
Tone’s piece on Rocky – Magnificent!
Nice one Esso 🙂 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>