As It Happened – The Gunners Win Away At Last
Apr 17th, 2017 by 'holic
Arsene Wenger swung the axe for the trip to the Riverside. Petr Cech and Laurent Koscielny returned from injury, and there were recalls for Rob Holding, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Aaron Ramsey, and Olivier Giroud. Out went Emiliano Martinez, Hector Bellerin, Skhodran Mustafi, Mohamed Elneny, Theo Walcott, and Danny Welbeck. There was pre-match speculation that the boss had opted to go with a back three. At kick-off that is certainly how we set up.
A couple of early crosses from Oxlade-Chamberlain came to nought and he was carded as early as the fourth minute for bringing down Fabio. Leadbitter followed him into Anthony Taylor’s book for a nastier challenge on Mesut Ozil. When Negredo threatened Holding was quick to clear the danger. Boro were perhaps surprisingly enjoying territorial superiority in the opening phase of play.
On the quarter of an hour mark Fabio bowed out of the contest with what appeared to be a knee injury and on came Friend, also a left-back. From Arsenal’s first corner Ayala hauled Giroud to the floor apparently unseen by Mr Taylor. Goodness knows how he missed it. Gabriel headed wide under pressure from Friend. Boro responded with de Roon heading home from a clearly offside position after the visitors new-look defence moved out impressively.
In the 28th minute the Gunners came closest to opening their account when Oxlade-Chamberlain’s cross was headed down by Giroud into the path of Ramsey who saw his effort headed off the line for a corner. That set piece ended with Alexis hitting a tame effort into the ground for Guzan to save comfortably. Was a fairly pedestrian affair springing into life?
A rapid break from Oxlade-Chamberlain just after the half-hour saw Giroud and Alexis thwarted by desperate last-ditch blocks by Boro defenders. Ramsey’s foul on Gibson gave the hosts the chance to lump the ball into the box again, but not for the first time Koscielny out-jumped everyone to head clear.
Clayton’s unpunished lunge into Granit Xhaka gave us a free-kick opportunity on the edge of the box. Alexis clipped a beauty over the wall and celebrated as it dipped into the corner of the net. With three minutes to the break we had the lead.
Middlesbrough 0-1 Arsenal
Gabriel picked up our second yellow card for a foul that presented Ramirez an opportunity to follow Alexis’ example, but he hit a tame effort straight into the wall. The travelling faithful, in much better spirits than last week, taunted the locals with a chorus of “How shit must you be, we’re winning away!” Cue the whistle. The back three experiment was working, it seemed.
However, the new-look defence crumbled in only the fifth minute after the restart. Alexis’ misplaced attempted pass was switched to Downing who raced clear down the right, cut inside Nacho Monreal, and crossed to Negredo who had found space in between defenders to head home from point-blank range. All square, would the mood change again?
Middlesbrough 1-1 Arsenal
We almost folded again when multiple defensive failings weren’t punished by Downing who blasted a good opportunity into row Z. Worryingly the slow, painful, sideways passing returned. Where was the speed of thought and pass? Whither the creativity? A set piece was half-cleared to Xhaka and his effort appeared to strike a hand. Was it Giroud or a defender. Tougher spot for the officials this time.
Credit the travelling faithful. A chorus of “Alexis Sanchez baby”, among other favourite chants, clearly an attempt to lift fragile confidence. Boro came within a whisker of the lead on the hour when Ayala’s header was kept out by a mixture of determination, blind panic, and Cech’s reflexes. Ramirez found himself one on one with, fortunately, Oxlade-Chamberlain. There was only one winner of that race.
Alexis and Ozil were denied by equally desperate defending as the game went into an end to end phase with both teams requiring all three points for different reasons. With just over twenty minutes remaining Ramirez made way for the pacy Traore. He immediately left Holding and Monreal in his wake before running into a blind alley in front of Cech.
Then a moment of inspiration when Alexis picked out Ramsey in the box and the Welshman chested the ball into the path of the onrushing Ozil who blasted the ball in at the near post before Guzan could react. “We’ve got Ozil” rang around the Riverside.
Middlesbrough 1-2 Arsenal
Ayala, at full stretch, just about took it away from Giroud who would otherwise have been clear with quarter of an hour remaining. Negredo forced Cech into another save, diving to his right, but Arsenal appeared to be in control at this point. Boro made their final substitution, sending on the lanky Gestede for de Roon.
In the 81st minute Giroud made a yard of space for himself on the edge of the box but placed his effort wide of the far post. That third goal was being sought but we were not attacking recklessly. Clayton’s cross into a crowded area was met by the head of Ayala, but again Cech was presented with a comfortable save. The ‘keeper was given a much sterner examination when a lofted free-kick gave Gibson a huge opportunity to equalise with less than four minutes of the ninety remaining.
That prompted a double substitution by the Gunners in the last minute. Francis Coquelin and Bellerin came on for the goalscorers, Alexis and Ozil. Huge respect to the visiting support for an immediate double rendition of the Hector Bellerin song in the wake of the club throwing him under a bus in respect of the supporter unrest at Palace.
They deserved to witness a win after making that long journey on a Monday night. All in all a better, if still slightly less than convincing, performance should raise spirits all round ahead of Sunday’s big day out at Wembley.
82 Responses to “As It Happened – The Gunners Win Away At Last”
Swing in…..
2nd. Mega trophy places
A report…so fast?
Guv’ are you a rabbit in disguise?
BMBD
Got to love the Nacho Man’s reaction to the winner.
Pashun!!!
I described Ramsey and Xhaka earlier to a friend as the Chuckle Brothers but that is the best Ramsey has played for a long time. He worked very hard but we need to shield our defence better. We are so easy to get at. Boro are useless but we made hard work of it. Props to Holding, Ox ( as a wing back ) and Ramsey. Sanchez was erratic but made the difference twice. Giroud is deceptive in terms of his pace. He is slower than he looks. Ox spoke well about the fans. I hope he stays
Nice piece from the Guv’nor, didn’t see it, but your summary provides me the very needed information. More like shoot & watch.
All the best to all who love the club.
Finally, change is good!
A win is a win… Was always going to be a scrappy game – a typical April away game against a relegation threatened side. And perhaps this arsenal team needed to win a game exactly like that. Hopefully the confidence will be restored to some extent. And Alexis as man of the match is a surprise. His free kick was a worldie but overall the Ox was by far the player who made the most difference.As a criticism, he should have passed it on the second last chance and buried the last one. But he was clearly the man of the match. And also a very good post match interview by the Ox. And a big thumbs up to the away support tonight. COYG
Ox was man of the match for me. Alexis free kick hard to beat though. Nice to get the win and see some smiles at last.
Nice report H. A win is a win. A game not brimming with quality but a win that was very much needed.
Giroud should have had a pen and the incident is a prime example why you need technology. How did the ref miss it? Easy really. The incident is nowhere near the ball. If the ref sees that then he’s not looking where he should be. Bring in technology and it’s a pen.
Defensively I thought we were a real mess at times. I’m not sure what was going on there.
Alexis I thought was a constant threat and a live wire. I also thought that Ramsey had a decent game as well.
Well done to everyone that made the trip. It’s a ball ache at the best of times. The away support in great voice and no negativity. Fair play to AOC for his comments in his post match interview.
On to Sunday and a totally different quality of opponent. What could possibly go wrong?
The fact is as much as we made it difficult for ourselves it’s a win so we shouldn’t be complaining too much, not sure what the celebrating was about by Alexis, however when Ozil scored Monreal’s face said it all do watch if you have chance again.
Not the greatest game by all means it has to be said especially at the back we look as if we played football for couple of months together still, let’s hope we can build up on this!
A win is all that matters at this point of the season. Seven more to get.
Thanks all. Hopefully now the atmosphere around Shenley will be more positive before Sunday.
The charm offensive at the final whistle tells you everything about how last Monday shook them to their boots.
Much improved effort tonight.
Kudos to the Boss for the intestinal fortitude to make so many changes after the Palace fiasco.
Heads had to roll after that disaster.
He thought they had turned the corner after the City and Hammers games,but they dropped him in the shit again at Selhurst.
For the record,despite dear old Cynic’s claims to the contrary,i don’t believe Wally was dropped for speaking out,he was totally invisible at Palace along with several of his team mates and paid the price.
What followed was a typical scrappy desperate affair between 2 teams at the bottom of the well in confidence terms.
For a change,we didn’t concede an early goal and the players at least showed some fight and desire.
Our first goal was a superb free kick,and i thought we just about deserved to go in at half time in front.
All undone within 5 mins of the restart by giving the ball away with too many players out of position,and kudos to Downing for a great run and cross for the leveller.
Cue confidence drain for a few minutes and some tippy tappy after you Claude passes,before we reasserted ourselves and remembered how to play football.
Our 2nd goal was well constructed and deserved and we could easily have added to it with a bit more composure,but we saw out the last few minutes for a very important win.
When the team are down and very nearly out, and at the lowest ebb i can remember for many a long year, as a true supporter you can do one of 2 things,you can argue with sensible debate about what is needed to put things right,or resort to foul and abusive utterings that show your true personality when things are going wrong.
We all get upset when the players don’t do the shirt justice,but let’s at least have some class about our responses to it.
As a prime example,Cynic’s final sentence in his post @48 in previous drinks.
Calling the man who has done so much for the club a Shitter.
I do hope Holic will have a quiet word with him.
Very impressed with what the ox said when interviewed after the game.his thanks to the supporters for following arsenal away at the riverside.he said that the team have not played well recently and the team are very aware of the situation. He made a point about what a privilege it is to play for arsenal.proves what a decent person he is .as a long term supporter,I salute you alex
Nice report H. Much as I saw it. After seeing the team I had to drive to the Twa Dugs to watch it. Whilst much of the match looked like it was largely a competition between twa non-pedigree dugs, a couple of moments of magic yielded the much-needed points. We were jittery at times but everyone put in a shift and as you observed Guvna the charm offensive at full time suggests a cold shower had been experienced. Why this doesn’t happen win, lose or draw is beyond me and one of the reasons for my disenchantment with the modern game recently.
Onwards
What did she wear?
Alexis free kick was amazing, but why is he doing all the gesturing to his teammates to calm down just before giving the ball away to send Boro on their merry way down the pitch? I thought Boro were going to score then.
Ok beside the game tonight, if anyone knows where I could a ticket for the game against City I would really appreciate it!
That was a remarkable show of togetherness at the end with Alexis particularly prominent. After our second goal Nacho was very pumped up and just as I have given them pelters in the past for their lack of spirit they deserve credit today for a decent win albeit against the least dangerous side in the league. In two games against us they’ve looked pretty dangerous and Traore is a talent as is young Gibson at the back.
I hope we can go on from here to Wembley and reach the Final. I’m very dubious particularly as I think he will revert to the usual formation at Wembley. We need a great performance on a great stage to lift our season . Above all we need to press and defend superbly all match. We should create chances against them .
I hope that’s allowed @17? If not I apologise and it wont happen again!
Not a problem Arthur. I hope you are lucky in your quest. Keep a close eye on Twitter. I think a fair few are changing hands.
Just realised I will have to miss the semi final. Ne’er mind.
Good to see we can still squeeze home against the second to bottom club in the Prem, a side which has scored the least number of goals of any club in any of the four leagues this season but naturally managed one against us. And could easily have had more with more shots at and on target than we did.
I’d like to say we looked good doing it, but we didn’t. I’d like to nominate a MOTM but none deserved it. Yes, a lovely free from Alexis, but most of his game was spent losing the ball back to the opposition, if not simply giving it to them. I can even recognise the novelty of a half decent game from Ox – the first half. Despite idiotically incurring a yellow early he managed to frighten the Mid’s left flank on occasions and his crosses were uncharacteristically useful. Sadly his second half was back to form, complete with missed chances Theo might have gobbled up.
Three lovely points but nothing to suggest we’re going to avoid the Europey League. Will this season never end?
Thanks for the Spurs clock back, ‘holic, I never really doubted you. 🙂
It wasn’t here again today but by clicking on everything in sight it returned in all its glory, although I’ve no idea which click did the job. May it remain for millennia to come. I’m on Google Chrome btw, not Mac.
Nice to get an away win again and not concede three goals.
I suggested here a couple of weeks ago that we use a back three – not sure why it took all that time for AW to read the drinks.
UTA.
The manager can be praised for changing his system. My feeling is he would not have done this for the FA Cup semi final and is trying desperately to find a new formula before then. It’s now all about the FA Cup as far as he is concerned. He even admitted we had to win every league match from now on for the dreaded 4 th trophy, which is of course way beyond us. He knows that. So basically every player (apart from Kos) has now been dropped at least once this season. The system has been dropped. Everybody and everything about the playing side is accountable except him. That’s incredible actually….that so many have been dropped due to form. Also, why oh why has Bellerin been played with an ankle injury ? Oh I forgot we sold Sagna for free, bought Deboosh for 10 mill and disenfranchised him. Jenks, he failed us or we failed him. Chambers (19 mill)..Wenger flogged him in his first few months until Jefferson Montero destroyed him (forever more it would appear). So Bellerin had to play all the time and his disintegration/destruction before our very eyes has in fact led in no small way to this strategic throw of the dice with 3 at the back. Bellerin has never learned how to defend and can now only ever be a wing back I assume. Another career hangs in the balance. Mind you, I definitely prefer 3 to 2 at the back ! What’s more, something has actually happened, a change. Praise the Lord. We can actually take an interest in this and see how it plays out. I was being bored to death as well as driven up the wall with the results. Who knows, maybe it could work..but not enough time for it to be down for big games I fear. COYG.
bed down for big games…
Well we secured 3 points and we should be grateful for that. I’ve had that helpless feeling since my trip to WBA and all the joy of following the club I have supported for 65 years has evaporated.
The fact that we were competitive last night is a step in the right direction. I expect the reaction of our away fans at Palace did more to shake the complacency out of our over paid squad than any” motivation speech” from the manager. The Ox did well on the pitch and in his TV interview after the game, the fans deserved that.
The 3 at the back system was a brave but desperate measure. It just about worked against a side who can’t score and hadn’t won a game since Christmas but even with another week’s “drilling” it’s unlikely to stand up to scrutiny on Sunday, we shall see.
I know the above is very negative but it reflects my current feelings. The boys will no doubt do their best to raise my spirits on Sunday and it’s amazing what a pint or two can do. Thanks Holic for another fine report.
Holic,
Do you mind sending a tweet out for me? Not on twitter anymore I’m afraid. Thank you kind sir 🙂
http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11694/10842151/harry-redknapp-relishing-challenge-of-guiding-birmingham-to-championship-safety
Will ‘arry’s relish and ketchup-stained nappies give the color of life to fading blues?
three more wins to go e i e i o
The Twa Dugs. So, you’re in Istanbul, Bath? 🙂
Graham Rix suffered a heart attack on April 8th. I know he had certain issues after leaving the Arsenal but I wish him a full a rapid recovery.
Even at the highest level the Referee and linesman are culpable for some terrible decision making.
CL semi in Madrid against Bayern,Vidal sent off for 2nd yellow after clearly playing the ball,and Ronaldo scores what could be the extra time winner from a clear offside position.
The Video review system cannot come soon enough.
Gonnersince54
Couldn’t agree more with you!
Bayern got the shaft but I feel no sympathy after the way their official Twitter account behaved after they beat us. Fuck them, I hope they get shat on every year from now on in the CL
Cheers ATG
Cynic old boy,you must lead a very miserable life if all you can do is find a reason not to feel sympathy for a tremendous team effort by Bayern.
I am pretty sure that if we had beaten Bayern 10 – 2 on aggregate our lot wouldn’t have been backward in coming forward on Social media,and we would have been inundated with dressing room selfies to boot.
Try and let some sunshine into your life.
Two words for you.
Arjen Robben.
Fuck ’em 🙂
Actually Cynic that’s 4 and a emoji,but let’s not be picky.
fantastic footballer.
serial diver,like most of them are.
We would have a few more trophies over the years with him in the team.
I can supply you with some happy pills to improve your dark demeanor,if you are interested.
No names no packdrill,highest quality.
Take one a day and you will never post a miserable/misbegotten/expletive laden/vitriolic/bile ridden post in the bar ever again.
Prescription for Cynic at the ready.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKI1r4VLfzc
I self medicate with this, which never fails to get me giggling
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHuLy0DT_84
39 & 40
Give you both of those.
Further help for Cynic, from the high priestess of the ’60s, Grace Slick … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyMtIwobqbI
I keep reading reports that Arsene will sign a new contract. I am now reading that all potential new signings are brought mg told that Arsene will definitely be in charge next season. Regardless of where you sit on the debate, if that is true then why not announce it and get all of the uncertainty over and done with? It might also put a stop to the Bollocks that we have to put up with every match day.
Potential new signings by the way is a new one on me. We have had next best things, the new ……… (fill in the blanks) and of course the returning, like a new signing. But never potential new signings?? More spin and marketing no doubt.
?
Question is, Will potential transfers be reassured by AW still being in charge, or put off by it? More important, I would have thought, is whether Alexis and Mesut will still be here.
I have no idea Chris. I’m guess it would be down to the individual. However, I would hazard a guess and say that any potential target would want to know who was going to be in charge before signing?
It’s all very strange.
I hope (and believe) our official twitter
account wouldn’t have mocked Bayern
if we’d won. Can’t see why we shouldn’t
enjoy their misfortune now.
I’ll certainly laugh if Spuds win nothing
this season too.
@45
Steve T,
I’ve been wondering that too.
The only reason I can see is that
Ivan / AW can’t agree yet on the structure
for next season but in the current
playing situation have put off any
discussion so that AW can focus on
getting the team back in order.
That would make some kind of sense
to me but if that’s right then why
not just say so openly to the fans.
We said so about the Mesut / Alexis
contracts and personally i thought
that was reasonable.
If we pride ourselves on running the
club as a solid business our corporate
communication with the “customers”
should be much better.
Morning all,
Arthur, apologies, but I am taking a short break from Twitter too. The combination of our worst season in over 20 years, and the impending only one winner election, will make that place a cesspit. ☹
3 points and boy did the team, the manager and the world wide arsenal fans needed it.
Our defense though is shambolic. Be it 3 or 4 or even 10 at the back, we do not get this zonal marking and are a disaster waiting to happen. I like Kos, he is our best defender but he is not the best defender around. We are either rushing him too often or we just need to accept he defends way too deep or he needs a far more authoritative defender next to him. Our best CB pairing was him and Per and per is someone who is done here. Gabriel must rank among the worst defenders we have had in Wenger times and that includes the silvestre, squillaci list. Mustafi hasnt got his bearings right and for me only Holding looks the one who can sustain over the long run. Whoever be the manager next season, defense is the one that needs to be revamped completely. Please include the GK as well.
Ramsey/Xhaka will not work. Aaron is too casual and not defensive enough to play CM and xhaka is left horribly exposed. What has Elneny done wrong is beyond my understanding. Xhaka is our B2B and not Ramsey, so we need to have a proper DM next to him than Zidane, opps Ramsey.
Alexis, Ox and Mesut are the only ones who should be offered a new contract for they are ones who can influence games in a positive way. if they are holding out the club for ransom, then let them go but if otherwise, let us get them to stay.
city in the semis and why do i sense we will win it. just a gut feeling but also have a horrible one that spurs will beat us in the finals. Well, lets beat city first and then my gut can go take a fly ———–.
Gooner since 54
Agree with your posts on Refs decisions I reckon and have no proof but think the real reason Refs want to leave is that at the highest levels of echelons as exposed via Seb Blatter and Co, there is an underbelly of dark where decisions are already made and Refs are asked to follow through.
Unfortunately the media is embargoed from investigations and reporting on it. A number of sports are now plagued.
How many times have other teams a player sent off to favour the big?
These are not coincidences!
Bad news for Jack as it’s confirmed that he has a slight break to his leg. Season now over. To make matters worse he has now been told that he will have to return to Arsenal for his treatment????? Talk about kick a man when he’s down!!
?
Good call ‘Holic.
Genuine question for those of us who are travelling into Wembley from the West by train on Sunday – anyone daring to try using the new line direct from Oxford to avoid using the tube?
Can the world be saved through a boycott of Twitter? Dunno for sure but I’ve a feeling it is worth a sustained try. Of course I am not the best judge not being a a twitchionado meself.
Chris, re Grace Slick: HIGH priestess, indeed. Always was.
Am cautiously optimistic for Sunday, especially if Alexis continues his Wembley form (five goals in three competitive appearances). Also expect to see Theo with the start, given the big pitch and City’s dodgy backline which will give Guardiola something to think about.
Too many tweets make a twat.
Don’t ever forget it
I want an Italian defensive coach please. Are you reading this Stanley?
Alegri pleaseeeeeee……
You’re going to get this kind of coaching next season.
“Go out and attack. If we have to defend a corner, work it out for yourselves”
Did Silent Stan gift him the kit ? As if things weren’t bad enough…
https://www.yahoo.com/news/donald-trump-apos-son-spotted-160311592.html
As well as Juve defended, and they defended well, Barca got just one shot out of 19 on target, which is pretty pathetic for that attack.
BJ@59: Make Arsenal Great Again.
Watching Juventus defensively was the antithesis of our defending. A team where everybody knew their role and defended really well. I’ve wanted Allegri since I took the view that time was up for Arsene. It’s a forlorn hope.
The Arsenal fan base are being played and the eventual consequence will be a very cynical fan base, zero trust in the board or management and sadly a situation about three months into next season where there may be an even worse situation than we see now. I get a sense the Board are completely out of their depth.
There is a chance to reach a sensible and classy conclusion but I guess Arsene is keen to carry on and Stan either doesn’t realise how difficult things are or just doesn’t care enough. Either way I think things are going to get worse before they get better. If they can get better with Kroenke calling their shots. Interesting to see that he ‘ donated’ $1m to Trump’s inauguration fund. In no way can that be construed to be a bribe of course.
Eventual consequence TTG???
It has been like it for years. We are a cash cow for whoever Stanley wants to invest into next Stateside. If anyone thinks that its anything no more than money for Stan then I would suggest that you are sadly mistaken.
On the other hand, I took all four of us to the Forum at Kentish Town tonight to see Kasabian. We had a bite to eat, a great view and several beers whilst watching a great band live. All for a lot less than it would cost me to do the same at The Grove for a game that would be available to watch somewhere.
So, basically, up yours Stanley. I’m not buying into this shit anymore.
TTG @62. Your last sentence is quite ironic I expect but I would make that Bribe with a capital B. These people know no other kind of transaction.
Of course Trump gives his son an Arsenal kit, BJ, we’re the only club that threatens real fire power in its name. Next closest would probably be BURNley or BURY in League 1. 😉
Congratulations to Serena Williams who announced her pregnancy meaning that she MAY have to miss the next three major tournaments. 🙂
Congratulations to FC Monaco for reaching the Champions League semifinals, and while averaging fewer than 10,000 fans at home games. Maybe it helped playing without the presence of thousands of whingeing and moaning fans?
I didn’t watch either semifinal but the Barcelona-Juventus nil-nil draw has the sound of being a momentous end of an era result, especially as the home side managed only one shot on goal at the Nou Camp. I certainly cannot remember when Barcelona was so impotent, and in retrospect they were quite fortunate to get past PSG.
Messi turns 30 in a couple of months and as I once heard, time stands still for no man. Now, of course, he will probably score five goals next week.
Kroenke has got to go.
Give me a choice between getting rid of Arsene Wenger or getting rid of Stan Kroenke and I will get rid of Stan Kroenke all day, all year, and all my life.
@Steve T @63
Admire the alternative entertainment idea greatly, but – Kasabian? Are you fucking sure?
Saved up my pennies for Sleaford Mods mate. Got tix for Brixton and Brighton.
CANT
FUCKING
WAIT
If a business made a loss of £110 million on sales of £3.6 billion, there would be some hard questions asked about its viability. That is what the Premier League clubs did collectively in 2015-16, according to Deloitte’s latest reckoning.
Steve T@63: Kroenke’s ‘pay’ for consultancy services works out at £57,692 a week, more than Gabriel earns but less than Gibbs, and barely half of what Theo gets. I’ll leave it to you to decide who offers the best value.
Defender Ciaran Clark yesterday on his move from Villa to Newcastle and his new boss. I’d happily take Rafa for us I must say. “It has been a total change for me. He’s a real man-manager and he wants you to get involved and learn. He wants to teach you and improve you as a player. If he does that then it improves the team. He works hard on defensive shape and positional stuff. It’s something I have probably not had as a player in my career. I feel like I am learning so much and hopefully I can keep doing it. I feel like I have learned more about the game.” COYG.
Ned. I would rather see Gibbo or Theo run the club than Stanley. I’m still don’t know what Gabriel adds to this team so perhaps he can serve the tea and biscuits.
Esso. I saw the Sleaford Mods when they supported The Libertines. Enjoy. It’s been a good year so far gig wise. Long may it continue. Far more enjoyable than modern day football.
Just given my Semi ticket to a pal so he can take his boy. I have got to the stage where I really can hardly muster up any enthusiasm anymore. The thought of having to traipse all that way on a Sunday afternoon fills me no enjoyment whatsoever. The Leicester ticket will probably go the same way.
In other news it’s being reported that Arry Yap Yap will earn £2 million a year at Birmingham. That’s £2.7 million after tax.
Just saying.
If they don’t get relegated, that is, which I hope they do.
I’ve never liked that club, going back years. Trevor Francis, Barry Fry, the Porno Daves, the previous owner, their fans and their chant of “Who are ya?” at subbed players.. utter shites.
The best thing about them was their old 70s shirt with the penguin stripe.
SteveT@76@77: 🙂
We haven’t lost an FA Cup tie to Man City since 1904. Admittedly, we have only played two ties since then: the 1932 semi-final that we won 1-0 at Villa Park with a Cliff Bastin goal; and the Fifth round tie in 1971 at Maine Road when a Charlie George brace delivered a 2-1 win.
But talking of 1932, this is how media used to be done:
https://youtu.be/CR_epiI64Ow
Sorry it’s running at snails pace today. The technical team are working on the problem.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
You have a technical team? I assume that’s you in a change of shirt?