Could it Be Twelve On The Bounce?
Oct 27th, 2018 by 'holic
Three pints of Abbot and a large cod and chips have raised the sprits, and delayed the preview! Apologies. After an extra hour of sleep Crystal Palace away kicks off on a Sunday-ruining lunchtime (or breakfast time if you are on the east coast of the USA and indeed worse than that in so many places where our great club is loved).
The only fitness update I have seen says that Petr Cech is fit to return, but surely Bernd Leno retains the goalkeeping berth until he suffers an injury or loss of form? We will be hoping that one of the left-backs has passed a fitness test, preferably Nacho Monreal. Unai Emery faces an interesting decision about who will be the central defensive partnership. Sokratis Papastathopoulos is probably a given and the experienced Skhodran Mustafi may get the nod over Rob Holding although the latter might be a more popular choice.
Provided we have a fit left-back expect Granit Xhaka and Lucas Torreira to be reunited at the base of the midfield. There was much to admire about the advanced trio of Alex Iwobi, Mesut Ozil, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang when they were briefly a thing against Leicester. Danny Welbeck would be unlucky to miss out. Alexandre Lacazette should lead the line again.
Unfortunately Benteke is ruled out for Palace so their chances of a first home league goal of the season are considerably improved. They are sitting just two points above the bottom three having taken just seven points from nine matches this season. They will however be properly prepared by Roy Hodgson and we should not be complacent about a potential tricky derby fixture.
The ‘holic pound
We’re in-form and in pursuit of a consecutive victory number twelve. I’m backing us to do just that and like the look of the market best 10/1 against a 0-2 away win.
I hope those going haven’t got a pylon-interrupted view, although most will sad to say. Like Craven Cottage, Selhurst Park is old school but not in as good a way. Those of us sitting in the warm watching in HD will be thinking of you. To be fair though it is always good to see the travelling faithful belting out the decibels where the home support usually create a half-decent atmosphere. Enjoy it, if you can.
Have a good one, ‘holics.
83 Responses to “Could it Be Twelve On The Bounce?”
Preview anticipation nearly had me.
Three pints of haddock you say? And I thought that was a liquid measure. Happy Halloween ‘holic.
Is that some kind of backhanded compliment?
Three pints of Abbot and a large cod and chips, ‘Holic? Breakfast of champions.
Awful pictures coming out of Leicester City tonight. :/
We should have enough to beat them easily but Selhurst can be intimidating if we start slowly and let them build up a head of steam,
I think it could be 3-0 if we develop some momentum early on. I like your idea of the side Holic . I’m sure Iwobi will start and I hope Auba does too
We’ve only lost four of our 43 matches (all competitions) against Palace, winning 28 and drawing 11. Of the 21 away games, we’ve won 12, drawn seven and lost two. We’ve scored two in eight of those 21 games, but only twice won 2-0, in 1971 and 2013. A 3-0 win is even rarer, TTG, once, in 1995 (but they did have Gareth Southgate playing centre half that day).
That helicopter crash looks horrendous. Can’t imagine anyone on board would have survived. Thoughts and prayers.
Nice preview H. Now I remember back when various patrons of this very bar were saying that we should do everything in our power to sign Benteke??? How times have changed.
It’s not going to be a warm one, that’s for sure. Let’s hope for another 3 points and continued progress.
A sad day for football in general with the horrific pictures coming out of Leicester and the news this morning about Glenn Hoddle. My thoughts are with all of those affected. Everything crossed for positive news that may come out of either situation.
So many reminders that our time on this Earth is short. Eventually our mortality starts to sink into our consciousness. Best wishes to Leicester City victims as well as Pittsburgh senseless shooting victims.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89X18FWMSI4
i fuckin hate these
amateur hour CLOWNS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wun5Cg-xr-s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oQGKjx1wHk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1VejyxM9yc
i think i should own up
“I have loved that there Arsenal this long an manys a year”
“Jeez boys the overwhelming child forgetting bar room joy ”
.
.
(anyone know a late night inverted comma shop)
(hangin here)
GATHER ROUND
last momf i had a birthday
i said goodbye to the FIVES
i’m fuckin SIXIN this shit
etc
(weather permitting)
(he doesn’t like the cold)
.
so
.
i’d like some bastardin respect
and
cheese
I still look fantastic
I still am in this
I still am not un see able
when ye spot me
that’s all ye’ll see
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYeVL7K5mnA
looook !!!!!!
i only wince a little at the
(gathers self)
union jack
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HknzZr0uiOs
career gone
i AGINNN my will
appeared on telly
mostly i wrote stuff
but
if ye knew me
you’d think
tv’s loss
i am what handsome yeah Etc
.
so
yeah
big head
talking to yer fake self
.
.
if i existed
i’d be disgusted
?
yeah
any better than she ?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogypBUCb7DA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNJ9eWyxnZ8
.
.
nice try sooooozeeeeee
but
it’s a 10 from me for POLY
god rest her
a fuckin GENIUS
i’m still here though
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYeVL7K5mnA
.
.
SHUT UP
relentless pretend ……. twat
clive and chris have got the measure of me
anonymous twaddle to bolster a long since collapsed career
unfortunately
i don’t get paid by the word anymore
YE’d fuckin think I did though
no though
the mental vomit I create
.
goodnight
(and if cynic doesn’t look like Bernard i personally think living is silly)
Hey cba
Did you run out of home brew mate?
I’m glad the haddock, chips and ale went down well and permitted a timely preview. 2-0 to the good guys would be nice but you ignore our defensive frailties. I personally would choose Holding and Sokratis over Mustafi.
Interesting stats Ned. I didn’t have as positive vibes about our trips to Selhurst as history suggests I should have. Hoping we continue that dominance and this good run! Go win Arsenal!
As I am currently in the literally frozen North, my weekly fix will be the Scottish League Cup SF where the Dandies take on Gerrard’s Neo-Huns. Sadly I forgot my skiing silks. I hope the boys in red and white do the business at both Selhurst and Hampden.
COYRs
Baff. The clock marking the time of drinks has not yet changed after the rest of them went back. You (and possibly now me) are drinking in the future. At 1.30 can you nip back and tell us the first half score? I’m not knocking the Holic pound but I love a sure thing, me. ?
Cheers for the preview H.
I’ve got stuff on this afternoon which I might make excuses to be late for so I can catch the end of the game. Our boys have a glorious opportunity to win the first half by four clear goals, ending their run of slow starts to games and giving me the chance to leave my place at half time pretty confident we’ll get three points.
Come on you Gooners!
I saw the Leicester news and Glenn Hoddle’s condition when I got up today. My thoughts are with everyone affected. A sad day for football and for so many people connected by it. I hope there are positive updates today.
bath@40: of those 21 games at Selhurst Park, we’ve only won six by more than the odd goal so squeaky bum time is definitely the order of the day there.
What GSD said @43. Sadly, it looks like the news from Leicester is getting worse rather than better.
Indeed GSD,
Yesterday was a horrible day all round. The worst news on both sides of the pond.
cba, I’m going to tidy some of that up. Make of that what you will.
GSD @41 ??
GSD @43, well said sir. Sad day on both sides of the pond. A reminder that we all hang by a thread and should make the most of every second.
Carpe diem, muchachos.
Thanks for the preview Guvnor.
I’d want to see who’s playing left
back before I punted on today’s
score but hopefully 3-1 or 3-0
will see the boys home.
Basically,we need to stay tight on
Zola and we should be ok I think.
OM
Zola? You’ll get phenomenal odds on him scoring or assisting today… ?
Dino pound…
William Hill have got 20/1 on Lacazette to score, us to win either 2-1 or 3-1 and Palace to have most cards. That looks decent to me. I’m on it.
My afternoon meeting has been cancelled! Woohoo!
I’ll get to see the second half. So far this season they have been rather good.
Leno keeps his place, Xhaka stays at left back.
COME OOOOON!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptFegqTOYYc
Zaha v. Xhaka.
I wouldn’t want to watch it but I guess there is no other option.
“3 pints of Abbott and a large cod and chips” –
Sounds preferable to 3 pints of cod and chips and a large Abbot –
and a fine away win to follow … I’d love two … or make it a 0-2.
Sounds good, if a little conservative.
Talking of little conservatives- where’s cba today ? ?
Clean sheet please and a win, of course. But how successful Xhaka is in stopping Zaha/Townsend will probably decide this match.
‘holic
as dino suggested before
it’s all part of my even less than thinly veiled attempt
to leave under a jet black cloud
so edit/redact like there’s no tomorrow
it’s all fuckin shite anyway
?
.
UP THE ARSENAL
???????
God bless all here
even dorset M
(the “drinking that delicious small brewery swally” bugger)
(the “not so much as a free half for me” fucker)
(((I bet it’s fuckin Deeeelicious – but I wouldn’t know , would I )))
?
??
mmmmmmmmmmmm
beeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrr
anyhoo
Happy Sunday
?
moooooooooooooooooooooo
The ref, Atkinson, would be another major influence. He doesn’t give penalties to us and let’s the opposition kick lumps out of our players.
Zaha hits the post after Townsend beats Xhaka for pace. This is followed by another close shave after some beautiful football by Palace. Our defence looks so vulnerable again.
Lovely move from Palace. Could/should have one down.
Unai Emery’s Mint Green Army.
Dear God Puma.
GSD – must be revenge for our deserting to Adidas ?
1-0 to Palace. Mustafi with a howler conceding a penalty. Not going right and we have not looked convincing at all.
Palace lead deserved.
We are fortunate not to be down by 2 goals.
Should never have got to the penalty – Holding had his shirt ripped to bits and should have had a free kick before the corner.
Atkinson, naturally, doesn’t spot that one – useless tosser, as ever.
Cancel the dressing room selfies, lads.
Second halves are our speciality. Don’t cancel any selfies yet.
Now missing both first choice full backs. Not good.
XhakaBOOM!
Absolute banger by Xhaka!
Same old Arsenal etc but who cares.
Palace are really well. Lucky not to concede again.
Welbeck on for Ozil, which is a surprise.
Not surprised he took him off as he’s been poor. Not quite as poor as his reaction to being hooked though.
Mesut subbed off, spits the dummy.
Now a 4-4-2 with Laca, Auba and Danny all on.
I’m more than a bit nervous here.
F… Off Atkinson
Another penalty for Palace.
Dive.
We had a lad in our primary school class who tackled like Xhaka. We used to have a good laugh at him.
Really poor from Laca at one end and a classic Zaha dive at the other, although Xakha made a stupid chllenge. But after the handball we can’t complain.
And neither can Zaha if people call him a fucking diver.
That was a bit of a dive but we’re lucky with our second too!
One day I’ll learn to spell zhxakhahahaha
I’m not really sure how anyone can moan. Regardless of what might have gone on before they were two ridiculous challenges that resulted in both penalties. Both incredibly stupid and niaive in the extreme.
No excuses.
Spot on, Steve. I only wonder how these two continue to be picked.
I appear to be in a tiny minority on Twitter but I thought both pens nailed on.
Ayew should have been sent of long time ago, whole different game then
Do you know what? After 3 games in 6 days I’ll take that. Missing both full backs.
I thought Zaha outstanding
Injuries BtM. That has to be the only explanation.
I’m with you Countryman. If we had been on the receiving end and they hadn’t been given we would have be ordering the public execution of the officials.
Xhaka made a silly challenge but it is still a dive. I think that can be pointed out without it being moaning.
And I have no idea how anyone can claim we were lucky with our second goal. The replay clearly shows Lacazette having his shirt pulled. It is a penalty. The order of events is 1. penalty, 2. handball, 3. goal. VAR would not have awarded a handball. It would have awarded a penalty. Clear as day.
Still, I love that we are in a position where an away draw is something we hope to do better than, rather than a nice change from losing away games as per last season.
Scrappy, scrapping game. Not a lot of quality on either side to transcend it. Draw probably the right result on the balance of play.
Spot on Ned.
Not a bad point.
We had two shots on target all game. One was a free lick and one was from 6 inches out.
Zaha is adept at what in basketball is called drawing the foul. A more seasoned left back than Xhaka might not have left his leg out for Zaha to take advantage of.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Free kick???
Sounds like a good Saturday night out???