Woeful Performance But A Point Made
Dec 10th, 2017 by 'holic
The weather prevented many from getting down to Hampshire where the Arsenal took on Southampton, ironically untouched by the snow that swept across the rest of the country. As expected Per Mertesacker came in for Skhodran Mustafi but otherwise the Gunners first eleven remained unchanged. A major talking point was that Theo Walcott didn’t even make the bench against his former club.
Two minutes in Charlie Austin beat the offside trap and a lumbering defence to grab his customary goal against us. A goal down so early would hopefully sting us into action.
Southampton 1-0 The Arsenal
Astonishingly the same player found himself clear in the same inside-right channel just moments later. This time Petr Cech was equal to the effort. Mertesacker and Nacho Monreal needed to have a lot more communication. Luckily Austin was flagged offside when he burst clear in the inside-left position. What an awful start by the visitors. Only seven minutes on the clock and Austin again slammed the ball against the post although the offside flag again spared Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny’s blushes.
With so little progress in the opening quarter of an hour the ‘Jack Wilshere’ chants boomed out from the travelling support. Our first meaningful effort followed when Alex Lacazette got in between defenders to bring a save out of Forster. The French striker had a poor first touch when presented with another great chance a minute later as we broke with pace.
Midway through the half, “COME ON ARSENAL”. The Gooners in the away section were making their exasperation be known. On the pitch we were taking greater possession of the ball, but threatening little. Bellerin’s jinking run ended when van Dijk intervened. Back came the Saints and Cech was fortunate to punch a Ward-Prowse free-kick over the bar when he misjudged the flight. He made a more convincing save when a goalmouth scramble ensued.
Over half an hour on the clock and at last Aaron Ramsey’s fierce effort extended Forster who saved at full stretch, left-handed. Bellerin’s cut-back was blazed over by Lacazette who was caught late by Yoshida. Referee Madley saw nothing wrong in the challenge, incredibly. That should have been a penalty. Austin was sent scampering through the middle but Cech reacted quickly, sweeper-like to clear the ball to the touchline.
Forty-five turgid minutes, par for the course for us away from home these days, came to an end. Those that were still en route had missed nothing.
We started the second-half in complete control of the ball but totally unable to create an opening until a long-range effort from Ramsey eight minutes in skidded wide of the target. In a rare breakout Redmond brought a save out of Cech, but the Gunners re-established their dominance quickly. Granit Xhaka’s controlled volley when a corner was only half-cleared was blocked by the massed ranks of the Saints defence. At one point with the ball thirty yards from goal all eleven home players were between it and the target.
From nowhere Romeu, unchallenged twenty-one yards from the centre of the goal, smashed a drive against the crossbar. At long last the unfortunate Mertesacker was withdrawn from the firing line as the manager sent on Danny Welbeck and changed our shape. I too would have started the BFG, but it was apparent in the first-half he wasn’t at the races and I would have hauled him off a lot earlier. The travelling faithful once again responded with the Jack Wilshire chant.
We had a major escape when Tadic freed Bertrand but he chipped the ball wide of the far post. Sixty-eight minutes in we finally saw the inevitable arrival of Wilshere as a substitute for Xhaka. Ironically his first touch on the edge of the box was to concede possession, Alexis-style. The Gunners made a last change with the introduction of Olivier Giroud for Lacazette. Oh for the days, long gone, of leaving all the forwards on the pitch when chasing a game.
Southampton’s blatant time-wasting, and who could blame them, saw Arsene Wenger venting his frustration at the fourth official. That frustration was shared by the watching Gooners for an entirely different reason. It is hard to understand how a team that comprehensively outplayed Tottenham, and even Manchester United in defeat last week, could produce such inept performances way from home every other week. The best travelling support in the land deserves much, much better than this.
Romeu’s evil challenge on Wilshere earned a deserved yellow card but the resulting Alexis free-kick was punched clear by Forster. One for the cameras, that. The hard-working Austin was taken off to receive his deserved standing ovation with just over four minutes remaining. Then, finally, Alexis delivered a cross to the head of Giroud who glanced a delightful header inside the far post.
Southampton 1-1 The Arsenal
Having got back into the match could we snatch the unlikeliest of winners? Of course not. One last effort from Ramsey gave Forster the chance to waste more seconds and the referee blew the whistle on a thoroughly forgettable performance. This away form has to be sorted, and quickly.
110 Responses to “Woeful Performance But A Point Made”
That goal draws Giroud level with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for the most goals by a substitute in Premier League history. Top man. Much better result than Chelski’s yesterday. Onward.
You said it all in the headline, H
I really don’t understand the slavish loyalty to certain players and a system that we abandon at the first opportunity.
For those of a reckless disposition, Skybet are offering 33/1 on Rooney to score from outside the box today. I’ve had some of that.
I must find something to exterminate ! Good old HFB. First ball into the box for ages . It puts us above Tottenham but nine goals away from home all season , five of which came in one game , tells its story. Time to play Wilshere instead of Xhaka. I thought Sanchez and Bellerin were pants
Thoroughly undeserved.
Arsenal are a substandard “top team” and will never improve as long as the existing manager is in place..
A sad performance, even in the second half, where was the drive and flair of last week?
Arsene needs to have a rethink on the side for Wednesday. No one today played well and with Rambo likely to be out for a while Jack will probably start. Not sure how he might set up the defence but should we start with a back four?
Very disappointed with our away form, just heard Gooner Malcolm has secured 3 tickets for the away game at Palace,beginning to wonder whether going was such a great idea !
Just an all round very poor performance. Basic errors again. At times we played as 11 individuals. Very few plus points. I thought Ozil tried to work his magic but had very little to aim for. Jack looked creative when he came on. He surely has to have some starts?
Sanchez had one his worst games in an Arsenal shirt. The communication at the back was woeful.
After last weekend we were told that the players were good enough and that any problems were not down to technical ability? Rather than debate the point I will just refer those that still believe that to be the case,to the 90 minutes played today.
Actually going to make the Newcastle game so they had better Buck their ideas up by then?
And the lack of width???????
How narrow did we play???? And how laboured??
Lacked width, left our best wide player out of the squad.
Switch to back four, drop Alexis, Xhaka, hell even Bellerin by the looks of it, start Jack, Debuchy..
Why was Theo not on the bench????? Does anyone know?
OG is there to switch things round,
Iwobi is there as a creative option
which only leaves 1 place between
Theo or Danny. Danny is the more
versatile and gets the spot ahead
of Theo.
the mersey derby is dull so far
kloppety makes some odd team
selections at times
Super quick report Maestro
I don’t want to repeat my self do from last drinks
Ozil, Wilshere and OG for the goal the rest of them totally useless!
Bellerin should be dropped he just doesn’t cut and feels too comfortable in his role at the moment! Sanchez terrible apart from the assist!
We got lucky as Kos should have been sent off!
Wenger these players were rested get your fucking act together and prepare them properly for the next game!
Rant over
After three plus years, you have to think that every PL club has enough video on Alexis to see that his game is completely predictable and they prepare accordingly. So this January is time to implement the addition by subtraction plan and get whatever you can by selling him. And for those who use his assist on OG’s goal as evidence that we’d be losing points without him, well, perhaps we’d be a more balanced side and more difficult to defend without his ball stopping, dribbling into blind alleys and giveaways.)
14 + 1
?
Meant to say I heard at my lunch on Friday that Ox is absolutely hating it at Anfield. That came from his Mum!
One lesson is start with impact . We were as sleepy this week as last.
Big problem this week was we lacked width because our wing backs were always turning inside or back. The Tank should be used as a stronger attacking weapon.
Ramsey will always be injured during a season . I’m surprised he has lasted this long. Wilshere apart our options are fairly pedestrian in midfield
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uS2nWLz-AbE
a back four tops
Iwobi is there as a creative option
Says it all about this current squad really, or at least about the manager’s thinking.
Shrek PK makes it 1-1 at Anfield into last ten minutes.
I’d be furious if that PK was
given against us hahaha.
But Liverpoo and Chavs dropping
points makes the result today
ok (not the performance of course)
@10, did you hear Hoddle on Thursday?
“Walcott needs coaching. He needs to be taught to hang out right, stay on the shoulder of his defender and not get off-side which is a very bad fault of his. Great balls in front of him to run onto and he should score thousands of goals”. I suspect he’s up at London Colney working on the basics that most kids learn in the playground…..or maybe not. Little sign that he has in the past decade. I live in hope.
And, of-course, Hoddle knows. Everything! 🙂
The most killing line in Tony Adams recent Gooner interview was where he said that if Hector Bellerin stays at Arsenal with the current coaches, he’ll be the same player in five years as he is now.
The amount of luck shitizens have is beyond belief
Cynic
For me that is a very sad statement on the current affairs. For me he has gone backwards he doesn’t commit into challenges any more looks to have slowed down too. He hasn’t had a decent game in a long time.
I know I have been on his back in my previous drinks but you just can’t ignore it. He’s clearly not the player he was.
Cant believe some still want to see Theo in the first eleven. We have seen Theo play against organized defences (like the one we faced against Southampton today) countless times in the past 10 years and we all know how that show pans out – us playing with 10 men and a passenger. Iwobi plays the quick give and go style typical of Wengerball and he suits our style of play perfectly. Iwobi plays similar to how Rosicky used to play and whenever he is in the team our passing and movement in and around the box is always dynamic. He is a young player in his first couple of seasons as a first team member and like any youngster he will have his dips in form. His performance after coming on as a substitute against United was very good and he was one of reasons we created so many chances against United.
Bellerin and Sanchez were indeed poor today. Sanchez showed the difference a top notch player makes with his decisive contribution yet again in our goal. Precisely the reason the manager is always averse to substituting either him or Ozil even when they’re having a below par performance. Bellerin seems to have become complacent about his place in the side and an option to him apart from a central midfielder are the primary requirements for us in the next two transfer windows. But to suggest that he would not develop in the next five years under this coaching team is utterly laughable. Just look at how consistent and an all round defender other Spanish full back Nacho Monreal has become under the same coaching team. Bellerin himself has had some fantastic performances in the wing back role ever since we shifted to a back three and hopefully he will find some good form soon.
And as for quoting ex players – here’s from a player who played in one of the best Arsenal sides ever. It just highlights that the perception about the manager not being a tactical master or that he never studies opposition teams – often spread by lazy pundits and even lazier keyboard warriors is far from true. Here’s the link….
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/11/14/secrets-behind-invincibles-fighting-back-win-2005-fa-cup/amp/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoA6vV34Rak
Bellerin has had his head turned by our Catalonian friends who can’t offer their own progeny a career but are very happy for other clubs to do it and then tempt them back. Bellerin isn’t a great defensive back but he was exceptional going forwards. He certainly wasn’t that today. I think he is perversely better as a full back in a four rather than a wing back but if we are playing four at the back I’d pick Debuchy at present there.
Delia mentioned she was off to Palace after Christmas. So am I and I’m also at West Ham on Wednesday . I’ve no idea what to expect . I don’t see how anybody could with this team . I’m relieved we got a point and none of our rivals for a top four won ( Utd are being outclassed for the second week running) so the point was decent even if the performance was dire
Arthur. Have we got any players that you could say have developed significantly in the last few seasons????
Very few I would suggest.
Chel$ki lose easy away game, Yanited thumped at home. Bindippers draw with Fat Sam’s boys. Gunners gain hard fought point at Southampton. Good weekend. No pictures on the League Table. There should be though – that was a superb head flick from Ollie for the equaliser.
oh lord…
how far can too far go?
Everything seems to be going citeh’s way. Man Utd found out what it feels like when every shot seems to hit the opposing goalie.
Our exertions against United seems to have taken the edge off our game and credit that we got a point in the end.
We were denied at least two penalties against United and one today which makes all the difference between winning and losing.
(emit wind from the a*us)
roadrunner till i die!
SWOOSH!
roadgunner?
BtM. I admire your attempt at spin my old friend but no one believes it anymore. Most now have their heads out of the sand.
amoratoR!
(Never forget
Your brain is a bubble of water
And a blank sheet…)
He pep!
(idiot joy)
his prerogative in life it seems is living out an ad man’s dream…
the world is full of mourinhos and gladiolas
“heard it all before”
(2 (two) fingers in the air)
come on ArsenaL!
But to suggest that he would not develop in the next five years under this coaching team is utterly laughable.
Yeah because we’ve got such a fantastic record of developing young players into top talents, haven’t we.
By the way
Just look at how consistent and an all round defender other Spanish full back Nacho Monreal has become under the same coaching team.
That will be the Nacho Monreal who arrived at Arsenal with 200 odd senior games under his belt and who was already a full international
I remember those on here last season who said that we had “dodged a bullet” with Pep????? Blimey. I bet no one is prepared to admit that now???
I wonder if we will ever be a progressive club again???
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=blurt
or…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLg_YlQqnl4
Cynic @40 – That would also be the same Nacho Monreal whom Kieran Gibbs was keeping out of the side for a good eight to nine months after he signed for us. But when he got his chance to feature for a regular length of time he grabbed his chance and developed his game to suit the premier league. Also playing in the centre back position helped develop his game further. If you’re pointing at his 200 earlier senior appearances as the sort of experience it takes for a player to develop then by the very same logic Iwobi should be playing more games to develop further. And if a player being a full international is concerned – hasn’t Theo been a full international since a long time? Anyway not surprised at all with your shifting goal posts – I remember your completely discrediting Arsenal, Wenger and our youth coaches for the development of Cesc & Hector simply because we signed them when they were 14 or 15 and according to you they were already developed fully by then!! Apparently Barcelona re-signed Cesc and want to sign Bellerin as well….
TTG … in the last drinks you said you’d kill for a point. Did you?
Matt … did you not observe the difference between Danny and Theo in midweek? Chalk and cheese mate. Theo should always start ahead of Danny – especially if you want goals.
Desi. Whilst we have certainly played a part in the development of both Cesc and Hector, both joined at 16 having spent 7/8 in the Barca academy. Neither were the finished article but I would suggest that we were more like a finishing school to them and their development.
Hector does need a kick up the arse at the moment. He has hit a period of stagnation. Perhaps he is hankering for a return home?
Arsenal have conceded 32 Premier League goals away from home in 2017. Only West Ham (35) and Stoke and Watford (33 each) have shipped more.
For 8 of those 12 months we’ve been playing 3 at the back. FFS, AW, get back to 4.
Or … instruct your wingbacks on their defensive duties and at least play a central defender with more speed than a snail on Prozac.
Oh yes, and what was it I said after the Manure shite? … “Pretty simple tactics really. Go for the jugular early, score a goal or two, and then park the bus. Certainly works when you’re playing a charity organisation like Arsenal who regularly begin games by giving away presents like it’s Christmas. Why do we never learn?” http://goonerholic.com/2017/12/early-christmas-present-for-the-gunners/#comment-639845
Still pissed off with Wenger or whoever is charged with sending our players out with the right mindset.
I hate everyone who hate THE arsenal
That is pretty simple tactic, I believe
3 – 5 – 7 formation
Steve T agree that Bellerin does seem to have stagnated recently although I hope it isn’t because his DNA is playing up…
3 – 5 – 7 formation, Yella? That would be some kind of Rugby?
Rugby?
Who’s that?
oh you mean the fella who –
give me back my mic…please?
hellooooo…
One step forwards, then one step backwards (yet again). Same old same old. ? ?
These players “are good enough”. It’s their “focus” and “work ethic” that isn’t good enough, as always. Why is that? ?
AFCOF! ?
Klopp pretty much sums it up here with his rage! What more and more Gooners feel at least once a week whilst following Arsene’s modus operandi.
http://www.skysports.com/share/11165622
Just swap Craig Pawson for Monsieur Wenger. ??
Salut! ?
Chris
I think you are onto something about four at the back away from home but until last week we had won 12 games in a row at home with 4 at the back. Maybe we flex between the two systems depending if we are home or away. Maybe the Valium before we go out might be stopped too.
I’m worried about Koscielny. He is going to have to be used sparingly or we sort out his Achilles properly .
Chris,
@45
I was just answering Steve’s
question. Personally, I probably
wouldn’t have picked that team
or that bench.
However, one good game for
either player doesn’t prove anything.
The world must be short quite
a few goats, lambs and other
sacrificial types with that late
goal. I honestly thought we
weren’t going to score in a
month of Sundays.
I agree the performance was
poor in many ways but we did
at least keep trying – I didn’t
have any problem with the
work ethic just the execution.
Focus and Work Ethic go “together” in my book, otherwise you make schoolboy errors in execution. Quod Erat Demonstradum! ?
See how schoolboy errors happen?! Quod Erat “Demonstrandum”. ?
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/dec/11/jose-mourinho-fracas-manchester-city
???
Late to the party after a speedy report from the Guvna.
However it provides the benefit of perspective. A point at the Saints’ after a truly dire performance from most of the team (exceptions Cech, Ramsey, Xhaka, Lacazette and Ozil with honourable mentions for Jack, Danny and in particular Ollie) looks ok given the subsequent results for the Dippers and Manure.
I agree with Chris about the mental preparation in the dressing room. Surely we have to change the music from Brahm’s Lullabye to Wagner’s Ride of the Walkyrie to ensure a degree of mental sharpness among our defenders during the first 15 minutes or so?
I also agree with those who suggest that the profitless account for Sr. A. Sanchez is heavily in the red and that we should liquefy (rather than liquidate, TTG) the asset in January. Frankly I’m fed up watching him jigging around persistently hogging the ball and slowing down attacks only to lose us possession most of the time.
bibo ergo sum
hell, i could go all night
or
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHE8_IAE1tw
? x [? + ? + ? + ? + ?] = ?
Yeah, sorry Matt, I was skimming after coming in late to the drinks. According to the commentators Theo was injured in the Manure game, a calf strain or something. Probably just an Arsenal 3 weeks so he could be back by April Fools Day…
Enough of this football, it’s depressing.
Rory Gallagher is/was the opposite of depressing. His singing was a bit naff, but check out the guitar solos at 1.45 and 4.00 … pure genius … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lROruo8G7Yo
Didn’t know that about the calf
strain Chris.
It will be an interesting first
10 minutes at Wham on Weds
night. Let’s hope focus, work
ethic and execution are all
tickety boo.
Personally, at 17 points back
from Shitty I think it’s time
to start looking at some of
the younger current fringe
players. Rob, Calum, Ash M-N
are at a stage where we should
be deciding whether they can
make it at AFC.
Nice report Guvna, it must be becoming increasingly difficult to find different words to use when describing groundhog day 🙂
Have to laugh at BtM’s description. Hard fought point? What was you watching? Up until the subs I saw 11 mannequins in Arsenal shirts. No off ball running or providing options, no thrust, just side to side passing.
Sterile Possession I think Arseblog called it, pretty apt anyway.
Sanchez now too greedy and unable to pass.
Not convinced Lacazette is actually any better than Walcott now.
Wellbeck, Bellerin, well… too many to mention just not putting in the shift.
I can’t see that the 11 that started against Bate would have done any worse than that piss poor show (again).
It’s Ostersund in the last 32
apparently of the Ropey League.
Ostersund of Sweden were founded on 31 October 1996…after Arsene Wenger took over at Arsenal!
Full draw:
Borussia Dortmund v Atalanta
Nice v Lokomotov Moscow
Copenhagen v Atlético Madrid
Spartak Moscow v Athletic Bilbao
AEK Athens v Dynamo Kyiv
Celtic v Zenit St Petersburg
Napoli v RB Leipzig
Crvena Zvezda v CSKA Moscow
Lyon v Villarreal
Real Sociedad v Salzburg
Partizan Belgrade v Viktoria Plzen
Steaua Bucharest v Lazio
Ludogorets v Milan
Astana v Sporting
Ostersund v Arsenal
Marseille v Braga
Avoided Naples and Marseille and the hike to Astana. So that’s all good.
If only Lars were still posting I imagine he could tell us all about Ostersund …
In his absence this must suffice I suppose …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Östersund
Clearly, we have hit the big time:
“With a total population of 44,327 (2010) Östersund is the 22nd most populous city in Sweden, the 46th most populous city in Scandinavia, and by far the largest inland city in Northern Sweden.”
I wonder if they do Lapp dances.
… “the winter climate is much warmer than most locations at similar latitudes.”
like the North Pole?
From last year but still interesting profile of Ostersund’s manager, Graham Potter.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/apr/02/ostersund-sweden-winter-city-football-graham-potter-english-manager
His team switch seamlessly between 3-5-2 – a rare formation in a country where 4-4-2 still reigns – and playing with a back four. So far it has proved a winning formula.
Perhaps he can give AW some tips.
Also, Ostersund beat Galatasaray in the qualifying round and have only conceded two goals in their six home games in the competition so far, so they shouldn’t be underestimated.
Sorry, I will stop now.
Thanks for the link bt8, looks
a charming place from the photo.
The heart of Sweden and we’ve had
many famous Swedish players –
Freddie, Anders, Stefan and er the
other ones.
Come on, bt8b, Ostersund is south of Trondheim.
bt8,
What’s more it’s famous for
Nordic sports apparently and
I’m sure Lapp dancing is a sport.
Ned,
Thanks for the article and the warning.
I read the article but the warning was
too late as I have already completely
underestimated them.
On the subject of how bad our coaching is, the proof is in one simple fact.
Year after year we lose games, goals and or points to the same errors, giving away the same sort of bad goals so often that even those with their heads still in the sand (or up the manager’s arse) see fit to point it out, in exasperated tones.
So even if you think we are the greatest team in the world for developing talent (we’re not) or that we are in ideal finishing school (we’re not) the inescapable fact is that our coaching sucks sweaty balls.
an, not in
Hi again, don’t post much in here these days (not for any particular reason, I’ve sort of just drifted away!) but got to comment on the EL draw 🙂
Östersund is not a very easy place to get to, I presume most flight are already full so that leaves train or car. From Stockholm this is about 5-6 hours by train and 7-8 by car. Very small stadium (just over 8K) so the away allocation will be some 400 tickets.
It should also be noted that the Swedish league season is from late March to early November, so Östersund will be in pre-season and playing against us will be their first competitive games of the season (or possibly second, there is a cup competition roughly similar to the FA Cup which may or may not have started by then, I really have no idea). They are also likely to lose one or two of their best players in January. This is a team we should beat quite easily even playing a heavily rotated team.
Lars. Greetings my old friend. I hope all is well in your world?
Cheers for the updates.
@35 or up their arses in the land of cynicism and bleat?
The match takes place in February? The players (and us!) will have some adapting to do, as we should expect temperatures between – 10 and -20 degrees Celsius up there.
Here’s an interesting read about Östersund and their manager:
http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/41902664
Lars@80: Good to see you drop in. Thanks the local savvy. There are a lot of teams we should beat easily.
A real shame about landing Östersund then, when we could have drawn somewhere with more equable weather like Napoli, Atletico Madris or Marseille perhaps?
Personally I would ensure Özil and Alexis were picked for the away leg…
*Madrid even.
So we are playing a virtually unknown Swedish team who won’t have played competitively for months and may lose players in the winter window. They play in a shoebox and it will be heavily sub-zero. Only those with enormous numbers of away credits need apply.
Should be an absolute doddle….but of course it won’t be. And they are trolling Arsène about his coat.
This tie might attract more interest than the usual last 32 Europa League skirmish.
I listened to TalkShite this morning who were talking up the chances of the Totts and Chavs in Europe and just assumed the other three English clubs would sail through. I think Arsene will still rotate heavily for this one so it depends who is fit in February after an awful concentration of games and who we sign in January.
We have got to be quite pleased with this one especially playing the second leg at home
Temperature forecast of -20 degrees Celsius? At least it should make us run faster than usual.
Are you there on Saturday BtM?
Lars, Thanks for the lowdown on Ostersund. I’ll impressed if they can get 7,000 to come out their front doors in the middle of February. 😉
https://apnews.com/41104e70f22e459782b5e7fa4ed23df1/France-names-winners-of-anti-Trump-climate-change-grants
“Make our planet great again” 🙂
Merson prediction:
Southampton 1 Arsenal 3
Result:
Southampton 1 Arsenal 1
Merson prediction:
West Ham 1 Arsenal 3
Result:
I really don’t know but suspect a pattern could be developing.
The good Arsenl will turn up and it will be 5-0, or not.
Lars,
Great to hear from you! ??
Hope you didn’t stay away because of your credit card ? statement ?
Even Merse has to be right sooner
or later………
Everything you could ever want to know about Ostersunds, and a bit more.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QStgFib_HdY
Astro-turf?! ? Great! It’s Oldham all over again! ?
‘old ’em Oldham
But the fake pitch might suit
us more these days
Slides a slide rulish ball into the stride of the galloping …
Osaka Matt, who wins it after
a polite 30 minute wait.
Although i didn’t have any legitimate
comment to make.
I’m enjoying the fall-out from the
manc derby post match petulance.
Maureen seems to be getting roundly
coated in the press and I’m hoping
a chavs style meltdown is to follow.
Steve: all well here. Been a bit busy since the draw yesterday, took about five seconds before the first “how can I get a ticket to the Östersund game?” emails started dropping in 🙂
Chavs style meltdown increasingly likely.
The main question seems to me to be how many others will he take with him.
Just to put an answer to your implied question, OsakaMatt. 🙂
Check out AW’s wry smile at the start of this clip. The Mourinho derby fracas seems to have taken about 10 years off his age. This is the most refreshed AW has appeared in years, reminiscing about his love for Japanese sumo and such. 🙂
The clip: (Sorry for forgetting the most important part):
http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/42324844
Stoke fans at the railway station crying out for increased supervision:
http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/42320836
Good tidings and holiday cheer from the BBC:
“Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld will be out until February with a hamstring injury, manager Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed.
The Belgium centre-back, 28, has not played since limping off with the problem in the 3-1 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League on 1 November.
In that time, Spurs have only won twice in six Premier League games.”
“Fatigue” given as the reason Morata did not make the Chelsea bench. Very interesting.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>