The St Totteringham’s Day Massacre
May 16th, 2016 by 'holic
“I’m Rosicky” “No, I’m Rosicky” A guard of honour forms
The morning after the night before. Ouch. The last match of the season invariably results in a tour of Highbury pre-lunch. It doesn’t get any less emotional with time. The old girl looked gorgeous, resplendent in the spring sunshine. Then on to join those who have shared a roller coaster of a season. They have been there through every gut-wrenching setback, and the rarer than usual highlights.
It being the last day there was one tiny ray of hope that we might have a St Totteringham’s Day to celebrate, but surely not? Relegated Newcastle surely wouldn’t see off their best team in over fifty years? Not happening, we largely agreed. Another pint? Yes please, thank you.
We arrived at the ground in time to see Tomas Rosicky being awarded with a gift to mark his ten years with the club. Pure theatre was about to follow for an amazing couple of hours. Olivier Giroud’s header from Nacho Monreal was an early indication of why the visitors finished rock bottom. Not that you would have thought that from the away support who cheered each shot and corner as if they were goals. Brutal irony.
Around the twentieth minute the roars started going up from both ends of the Grove. Surely not? The stewards in the tunnel looked up nodding and smiling. The stadium erupted, but surely they couldn’t hang on? We were being Arsenal, weaving pretty patterns in and around the box. Alexis and Jack Wilshire came close to what would surely be a killer second goal. It was a long time coming.
As half-time approached yet another low cheer spread into a joyous roar. The highly unlikely was unfolding in the north-east. That called for a little wine at half-time. After the break it was fair to say our play became a little less urgent, a little more lethargic. Then the collective groans that told a tale. The neighbours comeback was underway and Newcastle were down to ten men. Even more worryingly Villa were just a lucky strike away from completely ruining the day.
Jack Wilshere was withdrawn to a standing ovation having got over an hour under his belt. His replacement, Mohamed Elneny hit one of his trademark sighters over the bar. With around a quarter of an hour to go the slow crescendo returned. Surely not? With ten men? More euphoria and pleas of ‘Come on Arsenal’. They were about to be answered.
Olivier Giroud came out of his bad patch last week at City and completed his hat-trick by applying the finishing touches to chances created by Mesut Ozil and Hector Bellerin. “Tottenham Hotspur, it’s happened again” boomed around the bowl. Amazingly the ten men struck twice more, each greeted with as big a cheer in north London as in the north east.
Santi Cazorla (how we have missed him) and Mesut Ozil were withdrawn, again to standing ovations. Joel Campbell and Mikel Arteta came on. The emotion when Mikel’s fierce effort found the net via crossbar and goalkeeper was there for all to see and experience. The final whistle has rarely produced such scenes around the stadium. The dissent of recent weeks was pushed to one side (well done all) to show appreciation for the Premier League runners-up.
Tomas Rosicky came out to a guard of honour. He, Mikel, and interestingly Joel Campbell hugged each of their team-mates in turn. After the lap of honour Tomas went and stood in the midfield he has graced when fit in the last decade. The players children played on the hallowed ground. It was one of those moments you try to soak up. It made up for so much of what had gone before in this fractious season.
The queues to get into the pub post match told a tale. The mother of St Totteringham’s Day celebrations was unfolding. Twenty-one and counting, and the most wonderful people shared that celebration. Thank you.
257 Responses to “The St Totteringham’s Day Massacre”
HAHAHAHAHAHHAAHHAH!
Get IN!
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2nd Place!
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Spuds be here in 3rd!
π π π
Nice one Guvna. A remarkable achievement!
Still laughing here.
Thank you Arteta : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMKNP0e5dIQ
Thank you Rosicky : http://i.imgur.com/UTrDQ8p.gifv
!!!
Thanks for another season of super quality posting H. You really are the Bee’s knees. Well played sir. This one is a cracker to end on.
Super Tom is a legend. Nuff said.
MA8. I hope to see you back. And your perfect hair.
Reading that made me miss being around for the fun. I am winding down my fandom, as most of the regulars are aware. But yesterday reminded me how much I love the club. I enjoyed finishing above that bunch of silly billies one hell of a lot. Hilarious stuff.
It was also the first time I made the mental resolution to again pull on my GSD gear and be there to enjoy a post-game drink in the Tollie with as many holics as possible. Even if it is only lemonade. I look forwards to that day.
Virtual drinks on the bar. And a promise of real ones when we meet again.
Lots of love to everyone. Be happy!
I think we all had a great day didn’t we Holic! A great mate of mine, virtually teetotal texted me from the Cock at Highbury Corner at 8 several sheets to the wind !
I did something I’ve never done before going on a S***s forum, not to troll but just to see what they made of it. Clearly most felt there was the cruellest of jinxes on them but seriously they will never go through a season with so few injuries and yesterday showed what happens if they are under strength. That second place meant so much to their fans and they couldn’t deliver it in the most benign of circumstances .Yes it papers over the cracks but I was brought up to dislike the Spuds as we all were and we were true to our birthright yesterday . And we earned more than any other club in the Prem last season. Why on earth should Stan change anything? For one day I just didn’t care!!
But I will tomorrow !
Happy St. Totteringham’s one and all! π
It’s happened again, it’s happened agaaaaain! Tottenham Hotspurs, it’s happened again!
Mind that gap, lads.
I watched the game at home, and I’m sure my maniacal laughter when Newcastle made it 3-1 had my neighbours reaching scrambling to lock their doors.
It didn’t make up for what was a frustrating and disappointing season, but we ended it on, if not the mother, certainly the aunt of all highs.
Here’s hoping we improve next season, and so do the Spuds. After all, we know that the only way they’re coming second is if we win the league.
Nice one Holic. What an amazing twenty minutes and what an amazing season, very well chronicled and delicately managed by your good self. And Spurs, the joyous hilarity of it all, will they ever recover ? Ever, ever, ever ? So, so funny. New stadium, ehh, what’s the point ? Nice send-offs for Mikel (loved him, so honest, so smart) and TR7 (never really understood the massive adulation there tbh given his overall contribution). But I do hope we don’t forget the Flamster. He was the most useful of the three this season and he always gave 100% +, warts and all. Not his fault the old use-by date had sadly passed by. I was in the stadium for his cracker against our NBFs Newcastle (2008 ?) and his double against Spurs this year was kinda awesome. For a free he has been great value and a true club man. I assume he’s moving on of course… Second ? I still can’t believe it ! Mind you, could we have St Tott’s “Day” before 5 o’clock-ish last day next year please ? Not that I’m complaining, best ever probably. COYG.
And oh, lest I forget, a word for Enzo Cazorla as well. Silky skills, excellent ball control, superb technical ability, and he’s only 5 years old! I’d give Santi a life contract just to keep the kid around!
nice one ‘holic
and all done, i’m guessing
with the brutal hangover of the victorious
here’s to many more
UP THE ARSENAL
A happy St. Tott’s to you, guv!
Footnote: the ref who gave that game-turning pen against the neighbors vs. ten men Toon on a blatant dive was (drum roll) Anthony Taylor!
All is forgiven. For now, that is.
Wilshere in but Theo not… hope Jack uses this to gain some fitness for the coming season!
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π π π π π π π π π π π π
Thank you as ever ‘holic for making us far-flungers feel part of it.
Pure Magic.
Nice one H.
I thought long and hard about making travel plans for the last game and called it wrong – I just couldn’t see our neighbours managing to snatch defeat not just from the jaws of victory, but from the partially, already-digested contents of the stomach….we are truly blessed to have such comedic rivals.
A lot of work to be done in the close season.
Who will we sign to cover for Wilshere after he predicatably gets crocked playing for international baubles???
Till August…… π
On another subject completely, it must be comforting for Chelsea fans to know that even at this early stage before he has begun his new job, their new manager has been declared in a legal and technical sense not to have been guilty of match fixing as the prosecutors had thought he was.
http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11668/10284537/antonio-conte-acquitted-of-doing-nothing-to-prevent-match-fixing
Not sure how they manage to find people like this in their hiring pool, to be honest.
Well, that was all a jolly good jape wasn’t it? What a laugh. As I said in the previous drinks, I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so much at a game of football in my entire life.
The pre match meet up was very welcomed. It was nice to see some old friendly faces and to debate things Arsenal. Even if we don’t always agree.
The whole place was quite relaxed. I think people were resigned to the inevitable. We would stuff Villa and the comedy boys would turn over the Geordies? After all, it is there year??? Where I sit, the news that Newcastle had gone one up was met with hilarity. When the second went in it was hilarious. The spuds pulled one back, Geordies had one sent off and it was oh well, I guess it was too much to ask. Then the biggest dive of the season followed and the spuds crumpled like a cheap suit.
Oh yes, that’s right. We were playing as well. To be honest I thought that we struggled until the second went in. It was all a bit uninspiring at times. Lack of width again made us too narrow and too predictable. Then the second goal came to ease the nerves, quickly followed by the third and everything in the world was okay again.
At the final whistle fitting tributes were paid to two worthy old servents. Injuries have robbed us all of the amazing talents of Tommy R. There were enough great moments to provide evidence of that. Mickey A was clearly emotional at the end. I’m sure the men in suits will record the last goal as an OG, but we all know it was his. Another player who has served us well. It would have been nice to have got him 2/3 years earlier.
So, back to a very crowded pub. Free sausage and chips along with plenty of ale. The atmosphere was fantastic. The whole pub singing Rafa songs and just basically laughing at the neighbours. At 8 the bar staff had the good sense to show the Newcastle game on the big screens. Each Geordie goal was greeted with rapturous applause and cheers as if everyone in the pub was a Geordie. The loudest cheer was when the penalty was awarded.
A long journey home followed by beer and MOTD resulted in a bit of a sore head this morning.
I have done a lot of soul searching and contemplating over recent months. It’s days like yesterday that make me remember why I go through it all. Season ticket renewal to be sorted this week.
Raises a glass to St Totterinham a all holics everywhere.
Enjoy boys and girls.
Holic, top stuff as always. Well done sir.
Although I’m disappointed that we couldn’t grab a real opportunity to win the league this year, I’m still loving the schadenfreude of Spuds collapse. Waiting for Holic’s post I spent some time reading the comments sections of a couple of blogs with bitter Spuds fans spewing forth. This was one of the funniest –
” Some Arsenal fans would love to win the title – but not if they can’t finish ahead of Spurs.” Seriously, you couldn’t make it up.
There was also a competition for a new name for Spuds – I rather liked Tottenham Bottlespurs.
The gift that keeps on giving.
UTA.
Re: “The gift that keeps on giving.”
In all seriousness, we could use a little bit more serious competition. π
Moment of the game- second goal, the whole team running up to mikel and rosicky and hugging them, there thats what team spirit and that is why i love this club like life. Yes a lot of clubs may do the same but i dont give a damn to them, my team did it and did it beautifully. Just a spontaneous reaction.
Moment of the game 2- Mikel Arteta holding back his tears. The man was a thorough professional. That goal against man city late in the 80th minute period is the one i remember the most but he has done everything asked of him and more. I sincerely wish he remains with us with the staff than go to city but it is his decision.
Spurs getting rolled over makes you wonder if they ever will finish above us. This season and yesterday was their best chance, even better when they were i think 10 points ahead of us under harry. Yet they did and that shows that they will forever be behind us.
Finally as the season came to a close, it leaves behind a disappointing note than one of happiness. Yes finishing above them makes you smile but we are not competing them, they are never in our league. We missed out on the league title and it is now 12 years and counting. if we were to have been far away then it is understandable but honestly this was our season and we again blew it with our own inconsistencies.
Good day to you all, I’m just back from counselling and feeling much better thank you
First things first, Holic,
huge thanks for another season of top previews and match reports, not to mention your interest in Erin’s wellbeing. It adds a lot to her day out to say a quick ‘Hello’ through the Tollie railings.
A day that started quietly with a sense of strangely detached resignation, ended as the funniest day I have ever experienced in football.
Surely they couldn’t, could they ?
Not only could they – they only went and done it !
Never mind padded, we could have done with spring-loaded seats at The Ems yesterday, so many times were we up and down celebrating goals from near and far.
The Emirates united in fun, fond farewells to Mikel Arteta and Tomas Rosicky – one of the great missed talents – (Flamster oddly absent) and a bewildering second place in the Premier League.
“St Totteringham’s Day”, “They’ve Spursed it up again”, “Spursday Night Football” ……..
Why do we say these things about our neighbours ?
Because we can ! ???
Good on you for dropping in, Dave.
Very brave.
Personally, I don’t text Spurs mates to gloat – these things can turn on you too quickly.
Oh, don’t read my 23 !
Trev, too late!! yesterday was possibly the most outrageous 90 minutes I have ever sat through(yes I was there, amongst the geordies) I am taking a positive view, Champions League next season is exciting. I had to laugh listening to so-called experts wondering aloud why Arsenal fans were celebrating,they haven’t got a clue have they.Anyway until next season when I have a feeling it will be our year…
I’m sure it will, Dave,
‘next season’ is always your year ??
During an incredibly boring first half ,the Villa fans partying up the corner gave us some entertainment, they were enjoying themselves much more than we were.
At half time none of us could have foreseen what followed during the second half, it was a climax to a season like never before. Sadly there was no bunting and the anticipation of the trophy being paraded but the scenes in the crowd when the news emerged from Tyneside that the Spuds had capitulated to ,YES, Newcastle was extraordinary. We dare not believe the early reports but as the goals flew in we were almost out of control with the impossible scenario of us being second, a real possibility.
Somehow a few passes were threaded together and the HFB had scored a hat trick. We were home and dry and we couldn’t quite believed it had happened. Tears of laughter were running down faces, folks of all ages were jumping about hugging and kissing, party time had returned to the HOF.
The down side to all this hilarity was the farewells to Tommy and Mikel, the knowledge that the 10 point deficit to Leicester was lost in games where we couldn’t hang on to a lead and the sad goodbyes to my various travelling Gooner companions who I will not see until next season.
Thank you Holic and Holics for the pleasure of your company this last term, drinks on the bar for everyone. I’m now off on holiday, see you during the Euros.
COYRs
What bt8b said @15 and Trev@23. Another top season, Guv’nor.
Seeing what happened to the neighbours without Alli and Dembele makes you wonder what might have happened closer to home if we had had Santi all season in our midfield. But such are the what-ifs. What if we had had Tomas Rosicky fit for a full ten seasons…
NBN @ 28: Or if we have TR7 fit even in the second half of this season along with at least one of Santi or Jack to inject directness and urgency in that run of unwatchable turgid performances. Not to to have any of those three available exactly at the time of the season when the team was crying out for more direct, penetrative forward play from the midfield was a big loss, and that was one of the reason Iwobi’s entrance into the fray was so refreshing.
On another news, one of our promising youth team members find his way back into PL. Good luck to Nordtveit, just not against us.
http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36301083
Congratulations to TTG for predicting 4-0 and a Giroud hatrick. Sure I read that yesterday.
I seriously do not get where all this Rosicky love is coming from.
We have a player who has been here for ten years, which by wide agreement at the time should have been curtailed two contract renewals ago (and don’t pretend there wasn’t widespread WTF? reaction to his new deals because there was) he has 28 goals in all competitions (2.8 goals a year on average, if you can’t work that out) has made less than 160 starts in all competitions, and has an injury record that makes Theo Walcott look like Superman.
It’s not like I hate the bloke but I don’t get it.
Bizarre. Chelsea get fined Β£150 000 more for the Spurs game than Spurs do.
Money means nothing to either club.
Cheers H! Great day all round.
Always loved Tomas. Played with joy in his stride. And scored Killer goals against Lily White Cunts. Count me in to the adulation.
I can understand the warmth but not the extent of it. All a bit Princess Di IMO, but fair dos.
Did anyone else read Tony Evans’ team-by-team season review in today’s Evening Standard?
I could almost taste the bitterness wafting off the page!
Dirty Spurs twat.
Nice one ‘holic and thanks for yet another season of top pre-match reviews and post-match reports!
St Totteringham’s Day wrapped-up for yet another season but certainly not with the usual arrogance and swagger of yester-seasons. Now onto the most critical and seminal post-season for Arsene Wenger in over two decades!
A tearful and sentimental goodbye, and thank you, to some wonderful senior players: Club Captain Mikel Arteta; French Terrier Mathieu Flamini; and last, but certainly not least, the Little Mozart Tomas Rosicky. You shall all be greatly missed at the Grove!
Only 15 weeks till the start of the new season on August 13th!
Up the Arse!
Good to see you back again Dave! Hard luck yesterday! Fortunately for your lads though, you won’t be meeting the Barcodes in the Champions League next season! π
Thank God for the NHS. All over the good parts of North London, people were admitted to hospitals, having thrown their backs out from laughing so hard, and from dehydration from taking the piss.
Whereas, on the bad side of North London, phones were ringing off the hook, people telling the black sheep of their families, “Don’t do it, it’s stupid to kill yourself over some stupid football team, it’s only a game!”
It is not only a game. It is, as Jim McKay used to say on this side of the pond, “The thrill of victory, the agony of defeat, the human drama of athletic competition.”
And yesterday may have been the most dramatic last day of the League season, at least as far as Arsenal is concerned, since 1989.
And ain’t the beer cold, ‘holic! On our side, anyway.
Firstly thank you Sancho I’m too modest to mention these things myself! Secondly I was remiss in failing to thank the Guvna for another superb series of previews,blogs and reports. Holic you have done a stupendous job,not only in keeping up a high standard of writing but in creating a bar full of proper Arsenal types who revel in each other’s company.
Having invested heavily on my prediction yesterday I am off to the Cayman Islands but will be back in time for our first game of the season away to Burnley!
Dave
I also forgot to commend your sense of decency. If we had both got more supporters with your class we wouldn’t enjoy days like yesterday so much! Top man?
Barack
Evans is a Scouser who like Carragher has no idea of London football culture . His review could have been written by a thick five year old with no knowledge of football ….in fact I think it was!
It was clear from the flashes we saw that, if only he could have developed some consistency, Tomas Rosicky was a special talent who could lift and drive a team from the minute he entered the pitch, be that as a starter or a sub.
Always quick, always positive, always hard working. Injuries deprived him of the consistency that could have seen us win a lot more than we did during his stay.
Imagine an attack of Fabregas, Rosicky, Diaby and van Persie…….
I know some of those names are now reviled but what a side that could have been.
So how will you all feel if Arteta ends up coaching at Spurs? He has three offers, he says, and apparently one of them is to go to The Shit.
Trev @42: Exactly! And I will also add Eduardo to that list. Diaby and Cesc as the foundation, TR7 at the top of the midfield, Eduardo and RVP playing off each other at the forward line…
The greatest compliment for TR7 is he almost always made the team look better the moment he entered the pitch. His great quality on the ball was complemented by an infectious enthusiasm, appreciation of the need for raised tempo and a great positional intelligence. Before he joined us he was a super player for Dortmund where he is still a hero.
His live for the club and the intelligence, decency and maturity in his public conversations about the club and the fans especially at a time when the fan favourites were turning against the club also endeared him to many, including myself.
TTG
Just to prove I am a smart arse !
From Friday
“4-0 to us I suspect- Hat- trick Giroud!”
? m’lud
? My Donegal friend!
Well said Trev and Dr. F. Count me in on the TR7 love.
The eye for that killer pass, hammer of a shot, always positive and always moves off the ball (something Jack and Aaron should study). And that 80s porn star hair to boot…? Fantastic.
Will miss the little Mozart.
Thanks again to the barman for making this the place that it is. And to all the drinkers drinkers as well.
Some fun from the spurs boards:
“Now I know how Brazil felt in 2014. Except they didn’t lose to an already relegated team”
“Well…the good news is we shook off all the plastics.”
“We basically just came 3rd in a two horse race. how the fuck does that even happen?”
“A sizeable contingent of our online fanbase was insufferable for the past couple of months, hope this at least brings you back to Earth.”
“Fuck everything about that game. I hope Pochettino recognises what finishing below the scum means to us. I hope he knows how embarrassed and livid every fucking one of us are. This can never fucking happen again. I am sick of this, I am sick of our seasons ending like this. ”
“Seriously, no one is going to remember this season but instead about how we fucked it up on the last day to a relegated team with 10 men. This is history right here, prepare to never hear the end of it.”
“I’ve never been more disappointed in this club. Our highest finish in the prem and it feels like failure.”
“Can some of you deluded morons finally admit we bottled it now? This is the bottle job to end all bottle jobs. You couldn’t even make up a bottle job like this. This bottle job is a bigger piece of fiction than LC winning the PL. ”
And my personal favorite: βThat definitely makes it harder because we know how much it means to the fans and how much it means to the club,β Kane said. βWhen people think Arsenal had a bad season and weβve had a good one, yet they still finish above us, it hurts.”
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/may/16/tottenham-harry-kane-arsenal
Cheers ‘holic – hope the head has cleared even if the sides are still sore from laughing. I’ve been humming the tune all day long, few people down here understand the significance and think I’m a bit strange π
Three certainties in life, death, taxes and spuds forever in our shadow.
Thanks to you for running this bastion of goodwill & sanity*( *well most of the time) through thick & thin – regretfully too much of the latter this season. May the glow of St Totteringhams remain with us for as long as possible.
Dr F@29: Indeed.
Ttg@39: Me thinks thou doth protest too much π But it has to be said, the Giroud hat-trick prediction was a thick layer of icing on the cakeβ¦
Trev@42: That is a generation of physios you would have put out of work there, not to mention the horse placenta merchants.
Matt@49: Have to join you in savouring the Kane comment. And a good reminder to ourselves that the glass isn’t half empty by default.
Matt @49,
Heh! π Now that’s made this season’s missed opportunity and failures a little more tolerable; but only just! Heh! π
Got to feel sorry for Brighton: lose out on automatic promotion place on goal difference and then be knocked out of the play-offs by a team that had 15 fewer points in the regular season.
Tip of the hat to Havard Nordtveit, formerly of this parish, on making it to the Premiership now he has been signed by West Ham. Twenty eight caps for Norway, too, though he never got a first team game for us. Hope he doesnβt prove to be βone who got awayβ.
Nah that was Hardy Kruger.
? cynic
must dig out my porridge dvds
Goonerholic: Best reports every year … Free!
Petr Cech: Golden Gloves 2015-2016 … Β£10m!
Mesut Γzil: Most assists 2015-2016 … Β£42.5m!
Tottenham bottling again … PRICELESS!!!!!!!!!!
I’m currently watching this, cba.
Opps sorry, can’t be arsed π
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnadDuSLZck
Best “spy” series ever. Very talky.
Ned @ 53
Not only that,but no team in the 2nd tier of English football since the first world war,has lost only 5 league games and not been promoted.
Cynic,
Not sure how long you have been following AFC,but if you don’t get the love and affection for TR,then you don’t yet understand the Culture and philosophy of the Club you support.
will give it a blast cynic
More years than I care to remember and I can think of a few players we’ve had who have given more to the club who were sent on their way with far less fanfare than Rosicky and, in some cases, given a good riddance for their trouble.
cba – on reflection it’s not quite as good as Callan but much more real. Written by a bloke who knew SIS inside out and disappeared in mysterious circumstances before the third series was fully written. Never found his plane or him.
Ok, Cynic….
I guess we’re all just overly sentimental –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8C9A-Qp56Q
Or, perhaps…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZD8c_J3cN34
we just appreciate the timing of the man’s contributions and regret what might have been.
It’s your prerogative to be contrarian…or, maybe I am once again missing your sense of humor.
BMBD
Cynic. You love me really!
*waves enthusiastically around at everyone*
*leaves a large sum of cash behind the bar*
Let’s keep this St. Tott’s Day celebration going everyone!
*starts a conga*
*laughs happily when Cynic joins in*
Lonestar @ 61: A few more
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cBSVcwmas0
@TR7 #62
Brilliant.
Thanks for that link, Dr. F.
My word, some of those clips are hard to watch…some of those faces, what might have been if only some of the potential had been realized?
BMBD
Lovely stuff Dr F, and no lucky goals either. Wonderful striking from a player not even playing as a striker. And some beautiful assists from Diaby, another who would have made a major contribution but for the Arsenal injury jinx. Sadly missed the pair of them.
There’s no humour involved, the guy is being given a more emotional send off than an Henry or a Bergkamp and he hasn’t come close to earning it in my opinion.
Still each to their own.
I’m with Cynic, this is over the top stuff, probably a bit symptomatic if you ask me. TR7 ; “Reliability problems and difficult diagnostics”. As I think my countryman CBA pointed out, not a patch on a TR5 or (my fave) the beautiful TR6. What “Top 4” club would have started 2015/2016 with TR, Mik and Flam on the books ? Before you cry no such thing (as in top 4) anymore, consider this – why did little old Leicester politely discard their great Argentine midfielder Cambiossa at the end of last season despite 33 appearances, 5 goals and many assists that season ? Because they got Kante in instead, that’s why. Same reason they dumped Pearson after an amazing run. Quiet, ruthless ambition as well as something of a fairytale for sure. We’re meant to be a big mean business machine too but then there’s this kind of contradiction at play. No, Little Mozart (is that lovable nickname part of this ?) does not have the stats to merit taking, what, Β£ 20 million plus out of the club AND getting all this tear jerking adulation as well. It is indeed symptomatic, just like keeping poor Diaby on for far, far too long. We can be classy, we can be traditional, we can even be “jolly nice chaps” (as Harry Enfield would say) but please let’s not over-do it. At this rate, the Flamster will have his own open-top bus through Islington..that is assuming our classy club haven’t simply forgotten to say Adieu to Mathieu…..
Oh, that’s right…I must have just imagined Bergkamp’s testimonial. Or Henry’s for that matter. Or the rapturous delirium after THAT goal against dirty Leeds. I guess none of that ever happened.
Nope. You’re the one. We all are just Rosicky sycophants.
Do take off your poo-tinted spectacles, Cynic…
BMBD
Jamie Carragher offers this advice to Spurs:
βForget this Arsenal thing.”
How many years have they been trying to do that already though, Jamie???
Err, Cynic. “There’s no humour involved”? Who are you? And what have you done with Cynic?
From my seat halfway around the world this season really seems to have got to you. I left the bar for 3 months and when i got back your posting had shifted gears. The old version who took the piss out of everything and couldn’t neck his shandy as his tongue was stuck in his cheek was a much better read. The new ‘our ten year veteran is more popular than I think he has earned’ version is all gallows and no humour.
I hope you enjoy your summer away from our seemingly depressing lot. If you can cheer up in time to take the piss out of England at the Euros I’d be thrilled…
Will the real Cynic please stand up?
Anyway. I reckon life is too short to spend it complaining. Especially about other people being positive about stuff they like. We all know where I stand. In my dinosaur costume. With my huge grin.
*joins SuperTom’s conga*
Well if you want to continually fail to understand that I find it a bit odd to give Rosicky a send off similar to the Pires “We are not worthy” and compare the impact of the two players and wonder exactly what Tomas did to deserve such treatment, that’s up to you, LG.
And it is not a complaint GSD, I’m just a bit bewildered at how someone who has done as little as he has, merits such an outpouring of gried at the end of what has been a spectacularly unremarkable Arsenal career.
But never mind.
*grief
Fair enough Cynic.
Still, why not come and join the St. Tott’s conga, eh? There is nothing that can’t be improved by joining a conga!
Boss. Could you sort out an in-house limbo competition to keep us busy till the Euros? With a sweepstake for the winner…
I’ll laugh when Cynic draws Trev. ??
Btw, just been reading more today about Flamini’s biotech company, GF Biochemicals. It’s expanding rapidly, gone global and employs over 50. Article speculates it could make him a billionaire, a facking billionaire ! Bigger fish to fry last sunday ? He speaks glowingly about his mentor Wenger too, I wonder what % of the equity AW is in for ?! Nice to think AFC is providing seed capital for a start up like this !! But fair play to Mathieu, he’s clearly some operator. It’s a Financial Times story, can’t get it to link here, worth reading. Doubt he’ll bother with the rumoured Boro bid…would you ?
If you love football – you love Tomas Rosicky…
End of all stupid arguments (can’t believe that Rosciky’s adulation would be questioned in a proper Arsenal forum but well you get all kinds…).
And Dr.Faustus@63 that video just sums up why Rosicky was a perfect match for Wengerball 2.0 – Amazing to watch. And as lamented by some earlier in the drinks – boy those youngsters could really turn up the style. If only…
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/row-zed/tottenham-fans-misery-compounded-hilarious-7984117
This will make you chuckle.
dino 71
there’s nowt less likely to get a person to do this
than asking them to do this
or
if this was never your intention
twas always sneakily that
then it’s anyone’s guess what that’ll get you
.
makes for a much more interesting life does that
i could of course be wrong about this
? steve T
and ? for ned’s little donkey story which i somehow missed before
Cynic. I under stand your Rosicky point, but can’t agree. Anyone that has seen him in the flesh and at full flow will tell you what a wonderful talent he is. It’s an absolute tradegy that both he and us were cruelly robbed of his talents because of injury. I’m convinced that had he had more luck with his fitness then he would have been spoken about in the same breath as the likes of Henry, Pires and Bergkamp. Yes, he was that good.
The fact that he battled such substantial periods of injury I think helped endear him to fans. It must be incredibly frustrating to keep fighting and fighting just to suffer setback after setback. When he did make his comeback he was magnificent. Despite being one of the oldest in the squad he was playing with the energy of a 21 year old. He was playing as if he was someone that was just grateful to be on the pitch and being able to play the game. He had the ability to raise the tempo of a game in an instant.
I was fortunate enough to meet Tomas once, even if it was briefly. He was an absolute gent. He was one of those players that realised that you didn’t play for Arsenal. You play for THE Arsenal. He got it.
Fans I think took him to their hearts for all of the above reasons. He may not have the appearances, goals or medals of others. But he had a heart as big as any Arsenal player, he had ability in abundance and above all else, he got it. He got what being part of The Arsenal was all about. That is why he was loved and adored by many.
Just on the point of the fans reactions for players like Henry, Bergkamp and Pires. If you think that they have not been lauded as almost royalty then you are mistaken. Bergkamp is a god. He is Dutch Royalty. Check out his final appearances to see. TH14 only has to take a seat in the stands to get a standing ovation. The reaction he got when he made his comeback still makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Bobby P? Anyone else remember when he returned with Villarreal? The last 10 minutes was just a continual chorus of “Super, super Rob.” So much so that he almost looked embarrassed.
Fans are often criticised but a resounding response to returning Heros is something we do very well. Anyone else remember when Tony Adams returned as Portsmouth manager?
Morning CBA.
Steve T. Spot on mate. Spot on.
cba @78.
Sorry but you’ve strayed past ‘cryptic’ and into ‘I don’t understand what you’re saying’ territory.
Usually when I ask people to stand up, they stand up! But maybe that works better in person…
Last time I teased Cynic I left off the obligatory wink emoji and you read me as going for some sort of highbrow reverse putdown. Fortunately he didn’t.
My posts are always pretty straightforward. And never designed to be negative in any way. Not my style at all.
Now, I’m always up for an interesting life. And a tombola (another summer game for us all H?) What does this post get me? WINKFACE!
Well said Steve. Every word..
twas a general comment
not cynic related
i find things entertaining
often cos they are something i’m not
so
i take what i’m given and expect nothing more
you don’t get to pick which sorta beachball the seal balances
or somesuch cryptographic tripe
?
in the interests of completeness
? should end the fourth line
but
to be completely honest
i was just talking in circles
in an effort to blend in
?
cba.
Beachball. Seals. Genius.
Well blended, ?
nice of you lie
?
we’re a good lot , us gooners
oops another omission
“nice of you TO lie”
.
could i make the ton
with fake boo boos
let’s see if can
*red faced*
“let’s see if I can”
nope
lunchtime
cheerio
Pish, man.
Get back in here for the toon. (See what I did there?)
If you don’t then I will…
Uncorrected mistake @94.
I assume you are having ‘cheerios’ for lunch.
Or a tiny lunch, I suppose.
All this lunch talk is making me hungry.
Lays it on a platter for…
*tapes fake goal to the back of the net*
Too soon ?
?
don’t worry about being an accessory, dino
it’s ok
i’m allowed
it’s like maureen doing a cunt joke
?
Looks like being a long summer.
The Rosicky “love” wasn’t over the top at all to begin with……. and then ……
let’s criticise everyone who wrongly “loves” him, so that we can then argue with everyone who doesn’t.
Oh dear ……
YES, IT’S VERY TR7ING…how’s that for silly season.
Did Arsene Wenger make this statement, yes or no?
βNo one takes a βwhat great economic resultsβ banner to the stadium.β
The answer will follow in a separate post in a few minutes.
No.
Sevilla’s sporting director is the man. Interesting article in the Guardian about him today:
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/may/17/sevilla-monchi-liverpool-europa-league-final
Fans of clubs owned by Stan Kroenke loathe him as is evidenced by these articles:
http://www.arsenalnewsreview.co.uk/we-get-emotional-about-sports-teams-but-ilent-tan-doesnt/
I have broken the clip/strap thing at the back of my torch. This is the one place that I cannot shine a light on to see how I should fix it. Oh, the irony.
UTA
Good day Mr Holic and happy be the times that you all have joy and great mumberlings. Yet again the Goons have dodge the bullet, yet again Mr Wenger leads you all to the promised land which is no mean feat. And how it must be joyous to cover the spuds in Totty gravy, but this year the goons came another step nearer to the realization that rather then gloat at tottenham you should look to the fact that you beat Leicester twice.. which is the most distinguished feat of any prem club.
We now enter into a period where we can all happily watch our beloved England, the worry that will fall upon you all is yet again the spine of your club has failed to produce an English player of any worth and yet again you have to rely on buying another crowd pleaser.
I often mention to my fellow Spurs that its become a reality that Spurs are the old Arsenal and Arsenal are the old Spurs. It grates both camps but it has become true. Our teams flatter yet deceive. but rather then become melancholy about 2nd versus 3rd
Both clubs should be thrilled that the Chavs have failed, a nasty evil bunch of over paid slugs with section of the support who are truly dislikable. They will never learn that the real rivalry is and always has been in north London and its not all about trophies but more but history and families.
I find it funny that both Spam and the Chavs now want bragging rights over their rivalry with Spurs, but in fact is as always, I have thought and still think that the Spammers rivals are Millwall, and Fulham obviously the chavs..
Leaving us in the north to continue our unbound hatred of each others clubs. For no other reason then it makes us giggle!! See you in the CL well done for getting there for the umpteenth year, I hope our appearance goes as well as our last one.. we had some great nights
C
SteveT@81: Says it all.
Just sign Higuain.
Push the boat out.
Make it happen.
If not now, when?
Fair points, Steve T. Still don’t think he merited everybody getting dossed up in Rosicky shirts though.
Moving onβ¦
I liked him a lot but am inclined to agree cynic. I imagine that the shirt stunt was a mollification for not getting another game. I did think it was slightly OTT and a bit of an insult to MA8.
welcome to the dark side baff
have a pint of the dark stuff
have two for the nonchalance
with which you used mollification
.
am sipping a homemade dark rum clone
black treacle and raisins the root
drop of blackcurrant in herself’s
liquorice lightning
.
.
mollification – show off ?
Where have all the hippies gone?
Gone to Ireland everyone…
*plaits love beads into nose hair*
Love is everywhere
even in the air
All of Ozil’s 19 assists in PL this season
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XGGx9hCtR8
I thought the Rosicky shirts were an appropriate gesture of appreciation to a great servant of the club. No bah humbug from me.
Guy Clark for this household into the night
another sad day
.
good evening all
https://www.youtube.com/#/watch?v=sa7EkXpy8jE
King Edawards, sorry to have not been around when you were here, and Dave too. I can empathise entirely with what happened on Sunday and what it meant to both sides of the divide.
You are both two of a small but valued group in my life. We escaped a bullet this season, no doubt. I hope we will emerge from it stronger, and actually, as long as you stay in line I hope you do too. π
You know it will be difficult though. Yes, the tv money is huge, but all get it, and you still have to fund the rebuilding of the tenements at the Lane. West Ham are about to be our rivals. You should have fought harder for the free stadium in Stratford.
Anyway, onwards. Let’s keep the pretence going next season. You are both lovely fellas. Thank you.
King Edawards @109,
Welcome to the bar!
I have to rather begrudgingly say, that your man Pochettino’s gonna be taking alot of the credit if Engerland go far this coming Euros. He has over his three and half seasons in the Premier League with both Southampton and your lot, accounted for the coaching and nurturing of over half of the squads recent young debutants; and probably half of the starting line-up in the summer will be players that will have been coached by him at some point since he moved to England from Spain. Fair props to him for that!
Well with Savey Davey letting in a goal tonight, Cech is outright winner of the Golden Glove. It’s not much, but we’ll take it.
Dapper,
Pochettino can take good players to the next level, he is young and full on. What he may achieve with Ali, Lamela and Eriksen, is exciting.
Hollic
a good friend of mine who is at the Emirates every Saturday, explained to me the crazy offers that were available at the olympic stadium where season ticket holders were offered ST between 9 and 16 pounds if they had kids that could fill the seats. I think you will surprised by the paid for spaces that will appear at the new stadium.
Its not all it seems at SPAM! But if you wish to see West Sperm as your new rivals good for you. My old Nan would have been please to hear that!!
The vast sums of money coming in will enable clubs to approach the new season very differently.
but a player that would have cost Bournemouth 1-2 million will now cost 5-6 million and Sturridge will now cost you 60 million.
Money has gone up and it has given all the teams a more level playing field but clubs who cannot guarantee being in the league will not be able to afford high wages if they think for a minute that they will be relegated.
Scgooner@68: It’s never good to twist the facts to serve your agenda. If you do your research, you will see that Cambiasso rejected Leicester and not the other way around. So ruthless Leicester didn’t axe waning Cambiasso, while compassionate, overly emotional Arsenal kept injury proned Rosicky on the books and gave him an over the top send off at the end.
Top stuff Steve T @81.
TR7 is a classy player. Loved watching him in full flow. He deserved his send off. I really think his colleagues did the shirt tribute because he played once this season and was left out of the squad on the last day. Nice touch in my opinion.
Old No. 1
Adios…
Cynic @124,
Cech = Golden Glove = Another Kick in Bollocks!
I’ve made a Mid Year Resolution. No more watching ESPN FC. Never.
After a full season of lampooning and writing us off (with never a single mention of our dead and wounded littering the Physio Room during critical times), and right to the end belittling our eventual 2nd place (Apparently Spurs were way better than us) I have had it. The best they could do (when clearly miffed about the final placings) was to ridicule AW for his end of season spinning and to mock our celebrating St Tott’s Day. Apparently ignorant of what inter-club rivalries are all about Craig Blarney claimed that beating Tottenham was more important to us than winning trophies (mocking gesture by him to camera) – and I’m quite sure he meant it. π WE were the underperformers of the year, according to ESPN FC. Not because the other expected contenders had infinitely worse seasons than us while we we beat all but one team in the Prem (no mention of us beating the winners home and away of course), but because the title was handed to us on a plate and we muffed it. Alice in Wonderland stuff!
Get a life ffs, Burley. Beating the neighbours is a minimum requirement,not a primary one. Forgive us please if the season’s denouement proved irresistibly funny to anyone with a soh you clearly don’t possess. It was a moment of pure emotion in a season of general frustration, NOT a celebration. Why would anyone celebrate an everyday occurrence so wildly otherwise?
Sorry, but I will no longer be tuning in for your ill-informed (if not indeed intentional) biased obiter dicta. I’d rather stick pins in my eyes.
…and block my ears with superglue.
Chris @ 130: Or as they say nowadays — haters be hating! π
It is almost certain that had we won the league the same pundits would have said that we just won by default and others handed it over to us.
Exactly. π
Paparazzi photos of certain celebrities of this bar celebrating Newcastle’s 4th goal getting viral on twitter.
Brilliant way ro start the day π
Chris@129: You hear a constant and I suspect unconscious dismissal of Arsenal across the TV networks. I think it stems from network execs with little knowledge of the history of the game who had only heard of ManU, Liverpool and Chelsea when the game was starting to take off on TV. Thus those became the untouchables as far as TV went, and not to be upset by any alternative narratives that might remove the glamour from the chosen few (a narrative sustained, Warren Barton excepted, by pundits who make those on UK TV appear almost intelligent). But it is not just US TV. In the wrap of the last day’s games on the BBC, 2nd-placed Arsenal were dismissed as not having it in them to win the title, whereas 3rd-placed, 10-of-their-final-12-points-dropped Spurs were lauded for having the bright future.
I gave up on ESPN Press Pass long ago.
Craig Burley – a nothing footballer.
Shaka Hislop – ha ha ha.
Some latino guy – who?
Some American guy – who?
And an idiot ringmaster.
It makes Jersey Shore look intellectual.
UTA.
Oh – and sometimes Steve Nicol who is still bitter about Anfield 1989.
Tossers one and all.
UTA.
Burley is a moron with a very large chip on both shoulders. Ignore him at every opportunity.
Shaka Hislop is a genuine rocket scientist, don’t you know.
Ned @134 – eggzackerly. ?
Lots of Man Utd and Spurs fans amongst the media types too.
And apparently you have to have a scouse accent to get on the telly these days – Owen, Mcmanamanamanaman, and Carragher ?
Impec1 @126. Thanks for the comment. I know plenty about Cambiossa (who I never said was “waning”) as I work with Inter Milan supporters, who follow his progress extremely closely. He left Leicester for the same reason Sagna left Arsenal. Both players were “wanted” in theory but the contracts offered, as is often the case for older players (he’s 36 this summer) were not attractive relative to what’s on offer elsewhere (Greeks bearing gifts). The wad is god, didn’t u know ? Ranieri was convincing at the time about wanting his old friend to stay but the big money wasn’t there/offered I am told. Maybe top Management at Leicester, who look pretty damned shrewd to me, preferred Kante for CM, rather like Wenger was eyeing up Debuchy (bad) and nurturing Bellerin (good, kudos to the boss). And do you not think the club was ruthless in disposing of Pearson after the greatest relegation escape act of all time ? I certainly do. Also, I have no agenda against Tommy R, he seems a very nice guy, I sympathise with his injuries and mysterious illnesses and I agree he buzzed around very effectively when on the pitch, scoring a few nice goals too. 170 Prem games (when he played 50 odd times for the Czech Republic btw) in 10 years does not make him an Arsenal great IMHO. Perhaps we’re just very short of highly prized and well-loved “leavers” from the second phase of Wenger’s reign because we seem to hate so many of those that were good (eg, Cesc, RVP, Nasri, Cole, Adebayor…even Arshy to a certain extent) and so many were just plain crap (not even going to bother listing the 20 plus signings that didn’t work out). So no TR agenda but I admit my last stuff there is a bit critical of Arsene Wenger, Act II. Sorry to bore everbody solid with more TR7 stuff. Regarding Wenger, I’m quite happy to shut up about that after the paying customers endorsed him going forward. So “agenda” seems a bit harsh Impec mate, not that I’m hurt ! Cheers.
Cambiasso – Cambiossa.
Are we talking about the same player?
I get so confused these days. Why can’t people have names like Charlie George or Tony Adams anymore?
And why are some players allowed to have names on their shirts that are not really their names?
And before someone jumps on me for xenophobia, one of my best mates at school was Jomo Lawani – now that’s a good name. Hello Jo if you’re reading this.
Ted Drake, Alan Ball, Peter Marinello, Terry Henry – all good names.
Still laughing at Spuds.
UTA.
Who let Cambiasso switch vowels? Isn’t that akin to match fixing? π
Switching vowels – is that like moving bowels?
Is there a doctor in the house?
UTA?
Noosa. UTA. π
shaka – now that’s a name
his actual first name being neil
neil hislop ?
Hislop N. (Barnestoneworth United’s star keeper)
Doh. It was I, trouble with my worms. Must be a totally different bloke !
It was probably that extra Β£58 bet that got DeMichelis in the end.
http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36323842
Evening all. Just to let you know I am taking a short break to recharge the batteries and plan how to fill the summer days. I’ll be back with a new post on Saturday.
If you are interested in these things I will be on the ‘A Bergkamp Wonderland’ Google Hangout tomorrow (Thursday) evening, rambling on as ever.
Still laughin’ π
Emery has proved himself a very canny manager tonight and overcome Klopp’s gegenpressing with shrewd tactical switches. Liverpool looked all over the winners at half time and Sturridge scored a wonderful goal but Seville have outplayed them in the second half.
Emery might be a dark horse to succeed Arsene eventually
happy short hol ‘hol
well earned
and
the 4 nil photo is a cracker
?
oh very
4 – 1
*does numpty face*
Holic
Some suggestion for the summer;
Cricket
Drinking
The Euros
More drinking
Sun, sea and sand
Even more drinking
Golf
Laughing at Tottenham
Er that’s it
Enjoy!?
Anything but fucking tennis.
nother string to yer bow , m’lud
holiday planner/ life guru to the rich and famous
bitta money in that
the Guv is minted
Liverpool … ha ha.
And the most over-used, misunderstood (and dumbest) word ever is gegenpressen. What the fuck does that even mean….
bullenshitten
Thank you fellas. You are the mutts.
Jose Antonio.
He’s won it five times. π
take up homebrewing ‘holic
80 pints black treacle stout
set to bubblin’ today
bottle in a week and a bit
hide a few months
drink
delicious
.
kitchen cupboard has 48 litres apple juice
lidl reduced
gonna get zapped on their alcoholic way tomorrow
.
fuckin love it
??
The injury rankings for last season
http://dailycannon.com/2016/05/newcastle-win-injury-league-arsenal-fifth
With our injury prone regulars I’m amazed we didn’t take this one!
Can’t be arsed
And you sir are a career counsellor! Especially to people as minted as the Guvna ?!
Homer
Gegenpressing is running around like headless chickens while people pass through you. Simples!
thunder T
i’ll always be the elderly street urchin
nose pressed against the window
as the Guvs and Beaks of this parish
dine on fartridge and peasant
.
.
YA BASTAS !
If your appel joose is only a lidl reduced, you need to boil it a bit longer, mein herr
?????
Can’t be arsed
Fartridge and Peasant are even more expensive than Fortnum & Mason, but they’re still my favourite shop. Only place to buy quails eggs don’t you know. Often see Peter Hil-Wood there buying some sausage for Lady Nina.
?
load a baloney !
@TTG: I was under the impression we were in the middle of the pack which is were we need to be if we want to win the title. Hopefully with Arteta, Rosicky and Flamini gone there will be more progress on the injury front next season, although with repeat offenders still in the team the improvement may be slightly incremental….
I really like Klopp but it’s a tough situation Liverpool find themselves in. Out of the european competitions might help them fight for the CL spots next season but on the other hand attracting and keeping players this summer might become difficult. Sturridge is ripe for the poaching….
Fartridge and Peasant was the original stage name of Mike and Bernie Winters.
Not a lot of people want to know that.
eeeeeeeehhhhhhh chooochie face !
fuckin ‘ell
all the youngsters are in tonight ?
by the way cynic
watched 1st episode sandbaggers
wordy,tiny budget, well written
nice one
gonna watch on
Only fifth in the Physio Room League, TTG? I’m surprised Craig Burley* didn’t deride our failure to win that one either.
Although the stats don’t tell the whole story, like who has his feet up watching the game on telly there … players like Jack, Santi, Alexis obviously more of a loss than fringe squad players.
* ‘Burley’: Fish bait. (You can make your own from a mix of old cat food and other dubious detritus retrieved from supermarket dumpsters, according to a fishing mate)
You will like it I think but series three suffers because the writer vanished and the scripts don’t quite work, but still worth sticking right to the end if you can. If it’s all online that is.
It’s got a bitter wit I really like, especially between Burnside and the secretary.
By the way, regarding youngsters… I almost said Flanagan and Allen instead of Mike and Bernie Winters π
i intend to indeed
that fella could write
shame he disappeared
great easy style
even though each show script
musta weighed a ton
ye can’t fool me
ye were a max miller staff writer weren’t ye
I like the girls who do, I like the girls who don’t.
Maxie, you say? π
i’m in me big floral suit as we speak, ‘hol
?
And the girls that say they never will, but look as though they might?
Have a good break, Guv’nor.
What a class act you lot are. π
Enjoy your short break guvna. Maybe catching up with the first test match – in between the forecasted rain / showers.
Still chuckling:-)
After that season, we’re all in need of a rest cure. Any chance of converting the byre into a spa in time for this June cba?
Have a good breaklet, Guvna.
Maxie you say..
Mary had a little lamb, she also had a bear..
UTA.
Still laughing.
? baff
.
The Donegal Spa and Hooch Emporium will ride again
once Daisy and the gals uniforms get back from the cleaners
it’s shocking how filthy they get
they’re like fuckin animals
but one bat of those big “milk me” eyelashes
all is forgiven
so gird yer loins
there’s cow pat face masks wi all yer names on them
pack wellies and a spare liver
complimentary dungballs on every pillow
.
.
#when will we be paid
#for the work we’ve dung
.
.
Re: TTG @161.
It is interesting that the reaction of three of the clubs in the top five of the injury league was to sack the manager: Newcastle, Everton and Liverpool. Did the board think sacking the manager would improve the injury situation? The other two clubs in the top five (Man United and Arsenal) had many fans calling for the manager to be sacked, but none of those fans was pointing to the number of injuries as the reason why the manager should be sacked.
As to Chelsea (14th position in the injury league table): What was their excuse??
Oh oh !
*senses a revolt in the fields*
the pastures will run white before this is over
?????????
Sounds good cba. Looking forward to an udder massage and a hoof across the pasture. π
Now you’re just milking it you load of heffers. π
Exactly, Uply. Pull the other one, cba. π
such bad vibes
peace and love , man
just accept we’re all different
consider the friesian cow
black and white living together as one
how happy would the world be
if there was less negativity
and more cow’s arsery
.
man , that’s deep
?
or
FUCK AWAY OFF , THE PAIR O’ YE !
?
194. Ye Oirish do have a quaint way with words π
Still havent stopped grinning over loserpool’s loss. The ideal final should have been dortmund sevilla but bvb self destructed. Never mind, pool lost and apart from the media and their fans , majority will agree that the better team won. So the heavy metal goes silent for sometime now right.
Granit Xhaka fee being haggled is the latest news and in other news, we are close to sign kante. Well the former maybe true but signing 2 midfielders is unbelievable for me, which means not happening. I am not sure who is needed among the 2 and is that an absolute necessity. Again may i be proven wrong and we get a fantastic player who will turn us into world beaters. The other transfer news that makes we wish for is Mkhitaryan. Again this maybe total bull shit but boy if we can replace theo with him, we have a winner.
Lastly, Mesut spending time with the kids at a relief camp in jordan; the man is magic and a true champion.
Teat palpation.
@Vinay- what do you think about Reus replacing Theo? Give me Reus and Kante, add a striker and my summer is made.
I make you people look good, you know this…
Odds are the Euros will change the identity of everybody’s top three prospective signings. Little baby chicks cuttin’ some mighty cool licks.
Beware the one season wonder.
I’d rather have Kroos than Reus by the way, but I don’t suppose he’d be available
Maxie ?
I inherited some great LPs from my grandad ?
Had to finish what ‘Holic started – for thise who might not know –
I like the girls who do,
I like the girls who don’t,
I like the girls who say they will
And then they say they won’t.
But the girls I like the best,
And I think you’ll say I’m right,
Are the ones who say they never do,
But look as though they might !
‘Ere ! ?
Well if you get bashed over the nut with a stone frog⦠no wonder he croaked.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-36330451
Even I would like Reus for Theo, SAG, but I can’t see AW rushing to reduce his homegrown quota. On the other hand no one else likely to leave would command as big a transfer fee and he may need to bring cash in to buy the right players.
Perhaps we could swap Γzil for Reus? That would speed up our counter-attacking no end, and perhaps allow Theo to find some form again. π
Not exactly max Wall, but I did hear that…
If you wanna get inside ‘er
Get a cider inside ‘er inside…
…with a double vodka added.
Chris – One OX and one Gibbs = one Theo
Mind you all plans will change after June, if we exit the EU. That will be the transfer excuse to end them all. “I couldn’t buy anybody because of Boris Johnson”
Reus comes up every Summer.
He’s showing absolutely no sign of wanting to leave Dortmund, he extended his deal last year and even if he were to go, there would be a queue of clubs round the block for him, headed by some of Europe’s giants.
We’d all love Reus, but he’s not a realistic target, and he also doesn’t play in the positions we desperately need to fill.
Centre forward, defensive midfielder, centre back, please. In that order of need. Granit Xhaka would be a good start.
COYG
Deus Reus , adiuva me
jeez chris
maxed out
Miller not enough
yer on the Wall now
?
“Where’s me stooooool ? “
timely though ‘hol
yer gonna have to higher a few turns
keep us entertained
see us over the summer hump
early spoke for a flea circus ?
and let’s not forget
me and me brothers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7wCfttJVnQ
(reasonable rates – always a favourite)
there’s many a ‘holic i’m sure
hiding a light so bright
their bushels blush
so
rally to the flag , boys
get out ya yas out !
n7 come on
what can i put ye down for ?
i can squeeze ye in
between
Trevinator the Amazing Punerator
and
Cynic and his Disapproving Tuts
no takers ?
?
Esso’s door policy a tad strict ?
.
sssshhhhhhh !
Mr Memory Ned is on …..
“How far from Winnipeg is Montreal ?”
Cba – I’ll be running the karaoke tent this summer. Located next door to the zen garden
And speaking of Xhaka Khan: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/may/20/arsenal-close-granit-xhaka-signing
grammar police arrive
*cba fumbles*
“Yeah , i know it’s , “get yer ya-yas out” , ”
but
“The Hangin’ Judge is writing the cue cards
and his spill chicken laid one on me ”
.
.
.
“HOW FAR FROM WINNIPEG IS MONTREAL?”
.
.
.
*puts up sign*
.
.
CLOSED DUE TO LACK OF INTEREST
.
.
.
.
*The Sweeper sweeps up*
?
Cynic and his Disapproving Tuts
Good job you’re not a New Zealander, cba, I might get the wrong idea…
Monkeys dancing again. π
Never fails me. π
monkeys to you you bt8
ya coarse cunt !
proinsias , fiachra , ultan , our mary and yours truly
are the apples of our misty eyed mother’s eyes
if God spares her to Christmas
she’ll be 40 years dead
this Easter
Told a mate we were signing Granit Xhaka and he just sat there. Stone faced.
all the two’s
2
2
2
Yeah, why don’t we swap Ozil for … wait, what the fuuu???
Surely you jest cynic. Yes, that must be it. Silly season is well here and in full swing it seems.
ah cynic – howdy
sayin’ as yer there
half a dozen sandbaggers in
diane keen ?
makes me more
.
cheers boss
Glad you’re enjoying it.
Wikipedia says granite has poor primary permeability, but strong secondary permeability.
Wonder how that relates to the qualities of a defensive midfielder …
We won’t get him anyway if we’ve really low-balled a bid for him of Β£19m, when his club wants Β£35m
Our rumoured interest in Moussa Sissoko does nothing to ease my fears over the transfer business we’re going to be doing this summer
cba@214: there are multiple steps in recalling the answer to that, cba. π
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/517205/Picture-Special-Granit-Xhaka-poses-Arsenal-kit-first-time
Either he has an extremely thick line of hair running down the centre of his body and the material is flimsy, or that shirt is dirty or it’s a shit bit of design.
Thanks for the link though.
Special ambassador to aged pensioners and retiremement communities?
http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36320583
Concrete Xhaka.
Should we need further confirmation of the Xhaka deal these pictures should quell any doubts!
https://mobile.twitter.com/N44M/status/733991315944419328
With this deal being completed I would be surprised if we also signed Kante although he would be a marvellous buy at Β£20 million. If we did also sign Kante then I suspect that Ramsey will be on his way . I also think a deal for Mhiktaryan is unlikely unless we were to sell Walcott or even Sanchez , excellent player though he is.
We need a CB and a striker of quality and a deputy for Nacho if Gibbs leaves.
It’s so crazy how Xhaka pics got leaked. I have never seen an Arsenal signing, be it pics or comments ever being leaked without a Comment from Wenger first. Strange times fellas, strange times.
Well done to the club – decent signing, in a position we’re short. Good start to the summer, and hopefully a signal we’re in for more of a 2014 and less of a 2015.
Granit…let’s hope he’s made of the right ballast.
π
Well, it sure does look like Granit Xhaka will be an Arsenal player next season. That’s a good start to the transfer business.
Appalling refereeing by Clattenburg. So one sided, it’s like he’s channelling Mike Riley
Clatterer also going to ref the CL final it seems….!
π
We need to win another FA Cup to disassociate ourselves from the filthy Man United who drew level today for record number of cups won. ?
Looks like Mourinho IS taking over at United, so we can all hate them again instead of not caring because they’re too shit to worry about.
Impressed with Sokratis at Dortmund.. would fit right in!
Moaninho and Pep… get ready for some eye gouging..!
π
If they thought Van Gaal could slow the game down just wait until they see Mourinho park the bus.
With Mourinho at United it’s a good opportunity to grab some the young players he will never play. I’d love to see Rashford play for us.
The ultimate indicator of a club that knows it needs a short-term fix.
Hire Mourinho.
Manchester United have sunk to a new low.
Morata should be our target as well..!
Sharp strike!
@bt8: Manure are adjusting their class level by taking it another notch down to fit Mourinho’s by sacking Van Gaal during the FA cup victory party.
@Matt
Any club that signs Moaninho are showing their ‘class’ ..or lack of!
π
….and where does Mata go next?! haahha!
I’m sure Mata has plenty of good things to tell the Manure players about Mourinho… That said he takes after Van Gaal, with more of the same coming their way the players may rebel even faster than they did at Chelsea.
Crap final, two crap teams, crap referee but two good goals
If the rumour leaked at the end of the cup final about Moaninho replacing VaG is true then Manure have demonstrated a loss of class that mirrors their loss of quality on the pitch. Shocking news management and an even more shocking appointment. Hopefully it will end in tears faster than the second coming at Chavski. I am confident the style of play will be even less satisfying to the denizens of the Old Toilet.
bath@254: good news management, to my mind. Immediately negates any attention that might have been paid to van Gaal’s success in winning Manure’s first trophy since Fergie left. By leaking it, the board will be kept out of it until they announce something everyone will already know. None of which makes Manure any more admirable.
All going spiffingly for Manchester New York City, Patrick Vieira and his elderly team I see.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36352180
Morning chums >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>