Time To Go Home?
Apr 3rd, 2012 by 'holic
You can tell it is a quiet week when the story the popular press are desperate to push is the post-match huff and puff that Marouane Chamakh took part in after the defeat at Loftus Road on Saturday.
I shouldn’t be surprised, I know, that Chamakh has said to have smoked his way out of Arsenal, although the same convoluted logic apparently doesn’t apply to his international team-mate, Adel Taarabt. The Rangers man bagged his first goal in 25 appearances this season at the weekend, so is presumably now considered to be in a rich vein of form, whilst Chamakh’s one goal this term came in the fifth of his 17 outings. In this world of black and white that puts him at the bottom of the food chain.
I was an unashamed fan of the striker who starred as Bordeaux reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League in his final season in France. His arrival at Arsenal coincided with another lengthy injury layoff for Robin van Persie. Given a regular starting berth he started strongly and netted ten times in his opening seventeen starts. The return of the Dutchman in December meant less opportunities for Marouane, and his form suffered as a result.
Sadly that form has continued into this season. He is trapped in a Catch-22 situation. Not trusted to start until his output improves, unable to raise his game in fits and starts. The one thing I can agree with the hacks about this week is the likelihood that this will be his last season in an Arsenal shirt. It’s nothing to do with him polluting his lungs though, and everything to do with the law of diminishing returns.
Chamakh himself is reported to have told the magazine Onze, “I left Bordeaux to improve as a player and I think I can continue for this club. My agents have been ordered to reject bids that come from other clubs because I want to prove I can be useful for the Gunners.” Whilst I have to admire the attitude Chamakh must surely know he will slip further down the pecking order should Podolski rock up at the Grove this summer.
Frankly I believe it would be best for both Arsenal and the player himself for Marouane to move on this summer. Maybe even back to Bordeaux, where he is still held in such high regard by the supporters. I still think there is a proper footballer waiting to surface given regular starts, but that clearly won’t happen with us anytime soon. That’s a shame.
215 Responses to “Time To Go Home?”
*trips
First?
Tripping well, H2H? π
Champions league Qualifier.
Holic.
Great write up and proves exactly what I’ve been saying.
You can replace the name Chamakh with anybody that in his job description is only a CF.
That means Giroud, Torres, et al.
Simply put, a player that cannot play on the wings, will not get his chance on this team, simply because RvP cannot be dropped if healthy.
True, RvP isn’t always healthy, but why would a player sign if he knows he can only play if someone else gets injured, no matter how hard he works in training?
Meaning – That for us to sign a striker, it would have to be one who could play on the wings as well as the lone man up front, so that when (or if) RvP gets injured, he could be trusted with leading the line, because he’s already gonna be sharp and not lacking match practice.
‘holic in getting so bored he feels he needs to write an article! π
I think this was half a Bordeaux-blog π
Glass of your finest Pomerol to celebrate, ‘holic π
Good points indeed, Snir.
I too think there is a good footballer waiting to resurface, but maybe that won’t happen at Arsenal. He’ll probably never get the game time he needs to find his feet again.
Heh, Ollie. π
There was to be a post last night until the server move cropped up. It was too big a chance for me to take, being both a jonah and a technological fuckwit!
Good points Snir. I had thought when van Persie got fit last season we might play him out wide and keep Chamakh up top. Looking back, that was never going to be.
Agree completely ‘holic.
Chamakh ain’t the only striker that needs to be sent to new pastures this summer though.
Good points Snir. Podolski it will be then.
Well said ‘holic – and I’d maintain that the player we saw in the first 3 or 4 months is his truer level. Short of us switching to a 4-4-2 or *(shudder) RvP being out for a spell he was never going to get that playing time required. An impact sub? Never on your life.
It’s all a shame as the chap can hold up the ball well and use it wisely, lead a line and win a good ratio of headers. I think he’s a decent striker and would net 15-18 in he played 35 games but it’s not seemingly going to be with us. Wrong club and wrong situation for him I think is the truth and when our benchmark is a striker who’s just had 15 months as great as they get he’s going to look very overshadowed.
I’d love to see him still leave a positive mark.
Afobe is the future
Yep, very much what Tim said.
bt8, when you arrive: goals after the final whistle don’t count π
Don’t lose faith, Holic. You write “He is trapped in a Catch-22 situation. Not trusted to start until his output improves, unable to raise his game in fits and starts. ”
You’re just wrong on almost all counts. Last season, Chamakh scored one goal for every 263 minutes he played for Arsenal in the Premier League. This season he has only clocked 146 minutes, compared with over 1800 last season.
Last season he showed he was not particularly a late game impact player, which is almost the only way he has been used this season. Last season Wenger said that Chamakh and Van Persie could not play together, and he rarely tried. No change this season.
Chamakh is there for a run of games when Robin gets injured. I have no doubt that were that to happen, he would go back to his historic rate of production — which, if anyone cares, was better than Nasri’s rate of production last season. He is in form. He is reliable. He does what he does consistently. He is the reason Bendtner the inconsistent is at Sunderland.
Chamakh’s Catch-22 is that he is not one of the three best strikers on the planet, but plays behind one of them. His style is different than Van Persie’s, as well, so the team would have to change to make best use of him — none of this is criticism, but only more reasons why even the most idiotic of managers would select Robin over Chamakh if Robin could walk. Why it has to lead to abuse of Chamakh by people who pride themselves by self-labeling as Arsenal supporters is a mystery to me.
Holic – That was never gonna happen, because just before Chilleni shattered RvP’s ankle in November 09, he was starting to gel into the lone man upfront role, and was doing great.
AW always wanted him to fulfill that role.
Podolski, Campbell (if would do enough to warrant a place and get a permit), Afobe, and another striker that can play on the wing (Suarez anybody?), would be great options for our CF options along with RvP.
As for the wings, we’ll have Theo, Ryo (who’s lighting up the PL!), Ox, Gervinho, and Poldi.
Those are great options. Enough to win a title.
Man City have 44 points in the injury table, which is a point for each week a player misses.
We have 231 and Man U 263.
A lot of people have been under the impression that City have depth, but in fact they’ve played virtually the same side the entire year.
If they can do that, with such an average squad, then we can challenge with a great squad.
They have an average squad, because apart from their first eleven, their second options are poor.
Their midfield especially, compared to our 9 options in midfield.
In tonight’s big game, Swindon beat Barnet 2-0, extending their lead at the top of League 2.
I ask to see about Campbell. His loan period is being very very very far from successful.
Very nice article. It’s nice to read something positive about him for a change.
Ollie – I’ve heard that as well (was it from you? I can’t remember), but I’ve also read somewhere, that AW wants to give him a chance next season.
Good evening Holic and holics. Yes Holic, I think that for many of us, part of the joy of following the lads, is seeing how they improve, season to season. Pains me to see his game suffer so. I’ll be one of the first to wish him all the best, when he leaves.
Bt8b: well in for the 300 in the previous drinks, but as it was after the ‘Holic chevrons, does it count? One for the dubious goals committee, me thinks.
‘Holic, like you I thought Chamakh looked the part when he arrived. I hope he hasn’t done a Nasri in the sense of a dazzling half season that flatters to deceive. He clearly needs to be played as an out and out centre forward, of which there is little chance. He won’t be starting ahead of RvP anytime soon, and when he comes on as a sub, he has to play deeper. So he gets a double dose: irregular playing time and out of position. I also suspect he is one of those forwards who makes his chances by working hard, rather than drifting out of the game save for a moment of goal scoring inspiration. If so, that would make it even tougher for him now. He probably would be better served by moving on to somewhere he can play regularly.
Ahh, a Chamakh post. I’ve been a fan ever since he single-handedly put Wolves to the sword at Molineux back in 2010, a strike in the 1st minute and a strike in the 94th minute, comprehensive 2-0 win for the Arsenal while Robin van Persie was injured I believe.
I still believe that he can score like that, but he won’t start ahead of the Captain, its madness, I’m sure that Wenger knows this as well otherwise he would of done a lot more to flog him off in January.
Regardless, if he stays or if he leaves, I’ll still be a fan of the big Moroccan.
That game was anything but a comprehensive 2-0 win :).
Wolves were brilliant and Fabianski saved us on numerous occasions.
Wolves can go fuck themselves, especially since Frimmers got injured playing for them, all I remember is Chamakh scoring in the 1st minute, and scoring in the 94th when you didn’t think he or anyone else had it in them to score π
Chamakh is representative of all these players who should not qualify to wear an Arsenal shirt.
Look at Man Utd, they have lost Neville,Van den Saar,Ferdinand, Vidic,Ferguson. Cant be bothered with Berbutov, have had to bring back 38 yr old Scholes and Giggs, had to bring in new players that are no where as good as previous, yet they are still top even though they are no where like any of Man Utds teams for the last 25 years. Why, because they have one quality that Ferguson values,quite righlty,most “A fight to the finish never give in,never get knocked over,always chase and challenge your opponent spirit. Something nearly all players fancied by Wenger lack. Also he believes in tactics and picking the right players to suit according to the opposition. He even changed tactics against Arsenal by using long balls because he knew their defence could,nt cope. Like most teams v Arsenal he had his team pumping balls down the right knowing how unoprofessional Clichy was!
s j little –
well, I started off sort of agreeing with you, as I don’t think Chamakh has been prepared to put enough effort into his recent appearances. Whether or not he is match sharp or starting games, there is no reason why he, or anyone else, should not bust a gut for the team once they are on the pitch. It’s fair to say that, for whatever reason, Chamakh has not done that recently.
Quite how you then turn the piece into an attack on Arsene Wenger is a bit of a mystery.
All the players that you cite as being inadequate Wenger picks are exactly those that he has either sold or does not select any more.
And if Alex Ferguson’s choice of players is so failsafe, why has he brought back all his golden oldies?
Where you are correct is that Ferguson’s players do not get away with anything less than 100% effort, ever. That is one quality that could be improved on in our own team.
Oh dear,
Another one…
Nick, I tend to agree with your assessment. There is no way to really gauge Chamakh on 146 minutes this year as no player can get into any form with so little pitch time. If some think he hasn’t been giving the effort, maybe there is something to that, but I don’t recall thinking that was the case. He is just caught behind the best striker in the world.
His ineffectiveness at the end of last year had to do with his limited minutes and Arsenal’s style of play, which often times is to try and walk the ball into the net and he isn’t the best with the ball at his feet. He’s more like Bendtner who is better with the aerial game. I do think both can provide the aerial threat when we play a physical team like Stoke but both will soon be officially out of here.
Hopefully, Podolski or the next striker can play with Robin as we do need a compliment/back-up to RVP. Hope we are up for it this weekend.
I won’t lie, I was impressed by the Moroccan when he first came. I mean, how could you not be? He got us that goal in the first game at Anfield, bullied Samba when we played Blackburn and scored some really crucial goals during his first few months. I especially remember being through on goal, stopping to check to see whether he was flagged before scoring in one game or the other, class! The terraces even made a song for him in no time. Sagna doesn’t even have his own song as yet…
I don’t believe players just lose skill overnight and I don’t buy the “RVP coming back” excuse. I believe that an off the field incident caused his loss of form and I won’t get into details again for fear of getting the bartender in trouble. I’m hoping he recovers his mojo and gets on with scoring because I still rate him higher than Bendtner…
Chamakh maybe a good striker in some leagues, but, not EPL. Its too fast and aggressive for him. He needs time on the ball and lacks physical presence. I think he will move back to France or Italy next year.
As for Podolski, I hope he heeds Lehmann’s advise and work on it during the summer. Then he will be ready for the big time.
Chamakh just needs Jack in the side. Only Jack seems capable of finding his runs through on goal. Also watching Ryo swing those crosses in at Bolton I come to feel that only Chamakh is capable of getting on the end of them….but when all is said and done Le Boss will probably sell him in the Summer..
I’d like to see him go, he lacks pace, although he can do a reasonable job holding the ball up but he has never shown the predatory skills of a top striker.
In the striking department we are anorexiac apart from RVP, hopefully Park will go as well and Podolski plus one more will come in to provide some depth.
At first I thought Chamakh was going to be the Rockin’ Moroccan, but then what happened to him?
Re: Ollie and Ned and the 98th minute goal. I’ve never heard such sour grapes in my life. π
I hope we sell him in summer- more for his sake than anything. Arsenal were never a side built for his type of play, and throwing him on at the 80th minute doesn’t help him get his rhythm back. We played different football with him up front rather than Robin, and while we could switch back if necessary (God forbid the captain picks up an injury), it’s not our most natural type of play. Hope it all works out for him, as I cannot see him staying here next year (same as Park).
Bt8b@35: no sour grapes on my part. I just think Chamakh has been dealt weak hands most of his time with us. He showed at Bordeaux that he is a good player. Most in the bar would ageee with that. Like a lot of players he needs to find his team and settle.
I fully agree ‘Holic (and others). I was impressed with Chamakh when he arrived and carried us for several months at the beginning of last season when RvP10 and DB52 were out. He seemed to add another dimension to our attack and looked to be an excellent addition to the Arsenal. His subsequent decline has been a real disappointment and there seems to be little prospect of him turning that around. We do need more effective back-up.
‘Also he believes in tactics and picking the right players to suit according to the opposition.’
So . . . er . . . like all good managers then?
Too many people driving like cunts this morning.
In other news, very rich of Ibrahimovic, that cunt who dived to get a penalty against us in the previous round, to complain about referees and penalties.
I hate this arrogant hypocritical cunt.
He is a decent striker but doesn’t fit in the 4-3-3 system of ours
Plus on some occasions I have seen him not take a shot even if he was clear on goal. Not a good quality if you are a striker
Morning All, nice post ‘Holic
Chamakh is another Arsenal enigma to me. Such a bright start to his career, he really gave us an added dimension in attack with his aerial prowess. Today…. well it’s all rather unconfortable for him, the club and us supporters. One of those circumstancial things. Getting himself snapped in a smoking bar with Taarabt was not his finest hour either. However, should he move, I will wish him good luck.
Trev @ #28 – Very well said. Rodent logic from behind the skirting boards?
Ollie @ #41 – Also well said. He was the main reason I didn’t want Milan to go through, the big jessie. Can anyone stop Farca? ABC*, right?
(*=Anyone But Chelsea)
ABCAR for me TS. I’d still want BarΓ§a to prevail over Real, but, as I said, BarΓ§a vs Real would probably be a horrible spectacle anyway.
So basically, Bayern for the Cup!
Sounds good Ollie! Deutschland uber alles π
Order of preference for the European Cup:
Bayern Munich
Barcelona
Real Madrid
The competition being abandoned for this season
Chelsea
Perfect, Charlie!
Heh! @ Charlie. Black armbands all round if the inhabitors of The Bus Stop win it.
My 2nd pref would be Real only because of the way we exited the CL last season and, of course, the way they handled the whole Fabregas move, the c*nts.
The only way Barca would be anywhere near the first places in some kind of list for me is if that list deals with wishing something bag on them!
Cesc is a jinx.
Bag=bad
Bag (h) dad
The headline for Lipton’s piece on The Mirror website reads: ‘Revealed: How Arsenal can help Benfica beat Chelsea.’
And what is this helping hand that Benfica can rely upon from the Gooners? Are they lending them Robin van Persie? Are they making a lasagne?
No. It turns out that Benfica beat Arsenal. In the European Cup. 21 years ago. Strong link.
But perhaps Benfica manager Jorge Jesus has invoked the win as a sign they can best Chelsea?
Jesus said: “It is not so important to look back at previous events, because we need to focus on this test.”
Oh.
The bit about lasagne had me in stitches.
Afternoon All ,
Nice post ‘Holic . Don’t disagree with any of it .
There is clearly a decent footballer there . I’d still have him in my squad over the serially lazy Prince of Denmark any time , both in terms of work ethic and technique .
That said , it’s really difficult to see where his next goal is coming from . Lack of opportunity has so shorn his confidence , that rather like Torres at Chelsea for much of this season , he is no longer even looking to get himself into goalscoring positions , and has now reduced his role entirely to that of a back-to-goal target man .
I have some sympathy with those that excuse his current form by pointing out his lack of game time , (footballers who can make an instantaneous impact from the bench are few and far between and off the top of my head I can only think of Kanu at Arsenal ) , but I think that such a rationale misses the wider point .
Why has a manager as astute as Arsene only given him very limited playing time when , even in a season in which RVP has been in such stellar form , there have still been opportunities for the Manager to play him more often if he had so decided ?
I have heard accusations of a party lifestyle by the “man in the know” down at the pub , not as salacious as many of the internet rumours doing the rounds , but in many ways more damning of his commitment to being a professional footballer .
Whilst I am uneasy putting unsubstantiated third party stuff into a public forum such as this , the Chap’s contact at the Club is very high , and Chamakh’s performances over more than a year now have done nothing to dispel the notion that something is badly awry .
Like you , I think on balance that it would be better for the lad to try and resurrect his career elsewhere . That said , given that he came on a free , he will be on spectacular money at Arsenal , so I wouldn’t be surprised if his departure took the form of a loan rather than a sale .
Good stuff above Snir , Tim and Trev .
Echo your words Ollie @40 on Ibrahimovic . He would definitely get in the World Cunts XI .
ABC for me too TS . Agree with Charlie’s order of preference @46 but I would also seriously consider inserting “End of the World” just above any preference for Chelsea .
By the way , is everybody writing off Benfica ? I have a sneaky feeling that they might turn Chelski over tonight . Value can be had at the Bookies for anyone so inclined .
Shhh, tabs. I was thinking that earlier today on a rare moment of optimism on a rather shit working day. But I am writing off Benfica because I don’t want to entertain hope π
Yep , you’re probably right Ollie , but there are some pretty tasty bets out there if anyone fancies the Portuguese .
Benfica to win 2-0 25-1
Benfica to win 2-1 13-1
Benfica to win in extra time 35-1 .
By the by …
World C*nts XI .
Reina
Alves , Puyol , Terry , Evra
Nasri ,Barton , Van Bommel , Ronaldo
Ibrahimovic , Suarez
Sub Drogba .
Manager : Tony Pulis .
I’m with Lars (from previous drinks) – I’d prefer Chelsea to win tonight simply so they have back to back games with Barcelona with a visit to the Ems sandwiched in between.
And ultimately, from what’s left, I’m with Ollie as to who I would “prefer” to win it although I think the Final will be cheating cunts versus other diving cunts. You can choose which is which.
On to the topic of the post – Chamakh can leave, as long as he returns the keys to the CMC π
Unlike TS above Dr Z , I thought Chamakh being caught with that world class Pipe probably WAS his finest hour ! π
Are you seriously saying ABC?
They won’t even get close to the finals.
Barca will absolutely shatter them.
Cunts vs. Cunts
ABC = Anyone but Chelsea , Snir , so yes that is exactly what I’m saying ! π
@ 58
As a source close to the zico household said :
“Never on my watch” π
Very good day to all. Some pretty nifty observations made about Chamakh from you guys. But at the end of the day, without enough play time…times awastin for him. We all want to see him regain his form, but it’s not in the cards for him at Arsenal. As for which team I’d like to see win the CL, see Charlie @ 46. My only concern is if Real don’t win, we’ll be seeing a lot more of the ‘special one’ come next season.
Only one manc in the cunts X1?
Rooney in for Ibracunt for me
I really don’t want Mourinho joining Bob Paisley as the only manager to win three European Cups, it would result in him becoming even more insufferable.
I’d keep Ibracunt in. Shawcunt would probably edge out Puyolcunt in my team. Not by much though.
π
I would have Adeabayourcunt in for Ibracunt
Heh @61 .
Harsha , Rooney in for Ibra ? That’s a pretty brave call . You’re right though , more room should be found for the Dirty Mancs . Nani in for Nasri ?
Abb , every chance he’ll turn up at City next season whether Real win it or not , I would have thought .
Charlie , is it actually possible for him to become “more” insufferable ?
Hehs @65 and 66 π
@56: Crouch should be on the bench as well for that team of cunnies! Hate that lanky plank
Tabs,
How did Evra get the LB position before Cashley??
Or should that be Crouching Cunt Hidden Prick?
Are we really forgetting Colecunt? It is probably harder for me to nail a Worl C*nts XI than a World XI. Then again I have been known to be a spiteful c*nt. π
As much as I hate Cashley cunt, and I really do, Evra has to be first choice there
Oh and Pepe. My god that guy is a mahoosive c*** albeit usually towards the Catalan c***s.
How can we have a cunts X1 without the LWCs? Any of their midfielders for Van Bommel. He drops to bench
Van Cuntlerooy could make the bench too
Ok I think we are getting close if we allow for the usual 7 player bench
World C*nts XI .
Reina
Alves , Puyol , Terry* , Evra
Nasri* , Barton* , Van Bommel , Ronaldo
Ibrahimovic , Suarez*
Subs: Drogba, Rooney, Cole, Pepe, Adebayor, Shawcross, Xavi
Manager : Tony Pulis
* Non-negotiable starting berth
Pepe out, Balecunt in Bearded π
Harsha@75 – While I can’t fault the idea, by that logic the entire LWC team should by definition be the starting 11. However, for arguments sake I think this starting 11 should be c***s whose c***ishness stands on their merit alone rather than the c***ishness of their team. For example I think Modric is a c*** but really only because he plays for the LWC’s.
Man we may have to create the 25 man squad for this π
Haha , step away for an hour , and upon my return , I find a real cuntfest going on here !
Well played Chaps ! π
CoR, Balecunt in goal? How devilishly fiendish of you. π
Yeah 8ball, I can’t think of anyone else I’d rather kick balls at for 90 minutes π
@AFCAMDEN: Jack Wilshere has ‘Tendinitis in the knee’ and all of his training has been pulled back. Not sure of what knee, or the timescale. #AFC
Harsha @75 , that’s a good point , but there’s no-one really to hate in their present team (apart from one of their loanees) , other than the obvious reason of the chicken on their shirts . Bale for his diving and Lennon for his cigars and his eyebrows I suppose , but its hardly cuntery at a world class level .
I remember the days when they had so many cunts , it was difficult to decide who to direct your abuse at first – Roberts , Clemence , Ardiles , Crooks , Archibald , Naylor , – all absolutely first class cunts .
It’s all a bit anaemic now , sadly .
Jeez , when will it all end Snir ?
That said , he was clearly not going to play much of a part for us this season , and it would be good to have a valid reason to keep him out of the Euros and the Olympics , if at all possible .
With tendinitis would Jack be out for even longer than the Euros and Olympics?
Sorry about that all,
Server moving comes with things like outages and loss of posts, but a much better future in a more stable environment.
Sorry for any inconvenience. Drinks are on the house all night…
Line ’em up ‘Holic π
Looks like we all get another stab at the century ! π
How about that epic poem I posted a few hours ago and have no other copy of. π
Do you really think Chelsea has a chance?
OK betting please.
How much will Chelsea get?
7-0 on aggregate? 10-0? 5-0?
Messi is gonna have a field day.
Chelsea… Lol.
Back open for business?
That took a lot of candles
To any Americans in the bar.
Happy opening night, and tomorrow Happy opening day.
Go Sox!
Ah! I found a copy of that epic poem:
I just wanna drink beer and watch the Arsenal.
(The end.)
Snir,
White Sox, you must mean. π
8ball – I have to say, you have a weird team allegiance in American sports.
Vikings, White Sox and what about the rest?
They’re not all from Minnesota or Chicago, or even CA (didn’t you grow up there?)!
I can find drinks in my email if we really need to.
I have a feeling they will be better from here on π
Having Jack go to the Euros or the Olympics would be madness. He won’t be match fit enough for an intense tournament, and only end up injuring himself again. Far better to rest up through the summer, undergo a proper full pre-season and be ready to roar out for us at the start of next season.
Hey youΒ΄re back up.
I was worried there for a bit.
——
Glenda Hoddle as media consultant for the Cunt XI.
Let no minority go unabused, Ron Atkinson can hand him the mic, with Keys and Gray doing sound checks.
Goal!
BC@80: or even a league.
Well in, SG. Showed the server a clean pair of heels there.
If Jack is ready for the pre-season he’s gonna have to go to the Olympics, as it is the same time and we have to release players to the Olympics if they’re called up.
Four candles, neighbour π
Ready to greet our old friend Samir on Sunday?
Garbage Snir, I scored that century first, bathgooner knows… π 8)
4-1 seems to be the best odds available now on Chelsea knocking out Barca. You can only get 8-1 on the Chavs winning the whole thing. Has the world gone nuts or did I miss a memo?
SG @103: *deep sigh*. The world has gone nuts.
Wind@105: you’ll be legend. The lost century…
Can’t wait ‘holic.
I named my second born after him and he does that?
The goal by wind is like Romario counting his friendly goals.
Re: Snir. I don’t really like the White Sox, I like the SF Giants. I was just getting on you about the Red Sox. And I don’t like the Vikings, it’s the 49ers. I guess I’m just a fake Minnesotan/Midwesterner.
Re: ‘holic @97. I hope you are right. π
TS @43 – cheers old chap.
Charlie @46 – spot on, esp No 4 !
Tabs @53 – usual good stuff.
8ball, now that sounds better.
NBA would be what? Not the Lakers (please)?
NHL?
Right with you @57 Zico.
As for the CL and the C*nts XI –
I find I really can’t be bothered to watch the CL games when they arrive even though, as a football fan, I’ve actually been looking forward to them.
C*nts XI – too many to choose from, but I would like to amend the Management Team to a triumvirate of –
Tony Pulis, Mark Hughes and Phil Brown.
Is there a sick bag behind the bar, anyone ?
Snir, I liked the Lakers for a long time. From the age I could figure out who they were (the 1965-66 season) until someplace around the Shaq/Kobe era when I realized they weren’t worth it. Now I don’t really support anybody in the NBA or the NHL. I guess that place in my fandom has been replaced by the Arsenal.
Hey Snir and yet Sfar,
what is the NHL – the National Help Line, for what ? π
8ball –
I’m glad your fanny, or whatever, has been completely filled by Arsenal. π
And Trev, I think NHL stands for Needful Hot Ladies. π
G’night you lot.
You are all special.
Thank you..
As in special needs, ‘Holic?
NBN @ 108, damn right! π
Snir @ 110, FUUUUUU! XD That’s pretty cold man :lol:, but at least its been acknowledged that it (the goal) happened π
How on earth is Cashley not a guaranteed starter in the cunts XI?
Wind, in the barman’s immortal words, Keep Calm and Drink Up.
good write Holic i dont think it is a shame though,i think that is life of a footballer and they should be aware of such things as im sure they are.
A Cunts XI without Shawcunt??? He must at least be on the bench…
Only 125 drinks? For a moment I thought I had stumbled into the wrong bar.
Now it makes sense (after backdrinking)
Lars, 24 hours later and you’re still my hero!
The Scene : Feelgood Mansions
Dr Feelgood moves around stealthily, in the vain hope that he won’t disturb the sleep of the long-suffering Roxette, but alas……
Roxette : “What time do you call this?”
Feelgood (defensive) : “You don’t understand. Β I’ve been wandering around lost, in a vacuum, shouting out loud and no one could hear me or at least no one was shouting back…..”
Roxette : “Pathetic. Β You’ve been in a bar.”
Feelgood : “Well, yes, but it was Goonerholic’s bar…..and the reason I’m late was the server went down on me…….”
Roxette : “Don’t they have Swedish barmaids there…..?”
I can testify to Wind’s lost century as claimed @ 105.
Another ‘goal that never was’?
Here’s to a smooth performance from the new server ‘Holic.
Excellent stuff Dr Z π π
Morning All .
We probably need video technology to confirm these goals…or at the very least, to make sure whether or not they were self-assisted or not…
Heh, thanks Snir π
Dr Z: massive π
Dr F, IΒ΄m confused.
A Swedish barmaid went down on you while you were surfing?
ItΒ΄s all a bit hazy here on my end (oo-er).
Oh yeah, morning all.
H2H
obviously more confused than Roxette, “for sure” π
I’m completely baffled. I’m seeing different versions of the drinks depending on where I view from.
I need a drink…
Me too – have posted on both π
Zico, Heh.
Β΄holic, have a Guiness on me sir.
In fact, itΒ΄s *brunch time, letΒ΄s all have a swig.
* beer + lunch.
Solids are for softies, H2H π
Indeed, much harder to digest too, all that chewing malarky….
Have the drinks split into multiple personalities ?
I know the feeling .
Bar exists in parallel universes — official.
It would be better if the personalities split into multiple drinks – Swedish style ;–
Am I known as Holland2Holloway on the otherside?
Huh? Hey! Yo 8ball, I think there is a conspiracy ‘brewing’ at the bar against us yanks. Hmm (lol). Tis a shame, being as I’m such an Anglophile. My reward, however is Holic @ 104. Holic, what a nice way to describe my Sammy. You’ve made my day (eh, eh).
Goonerteetotaler
Zicoinhishomeland
UntrueStorey
giveacurtsydaughter
Wow what a wierd place.
Not forgetting Clock End Ned π
H2H, I’ll have whatever you’re sipping, just make mine a double please. Well, it’s official, judging from my inbox, I’m a bonafide City fan. Trying to cajole their fans into visiting the bar meant I had to jump through some hoops first. Oh what I won’t do for Arsenal (sigh).
NBN @ 124, I’ll try…
bathgooner @ 130, I knew you’d have my back π
abb @ 145, heh, you could say that there is a conspiracy brewing against me in the case of ‘the lost century’ (its epic :)), maybe pertaining to an ‘oldies’ comment made on Twitter a week ago or so…
Accused, you know yourselves… π
Hey Wind, they’re just jealous of your awesome powers. Sorry I missed your goal, but like Messi and RVP, there’s plenty more in your future.
H2H @146 π
Thanks abb @ 150 :’)
Am I in the parallel universe drinks? or the real one?
does that mean we are still in the title race? cesc still with us?
what’s my moniker?
‘Notsoharsha’?
*…Finds the door to the bar open… sneaks in hoping the bouncer doesn’t see him… *
Re: Nurse abb @145. Anglophile? I’m not really sure what the word means, to be honest, but it must have something to do with our pathological attraction to the culture of a relatively unimportant country whose people have genetically implanted memories of empire. π
You say they’re plotting a conspiracy against us Yanks? We’ll have to send out Lonestar Gooner in his battleship again. π
What a day.
I’m so excited for opening day, Maccabi (basketball) is playing game 5 of a best of 5 series against our hated rival Panathinaikos for the chance to qualify for the Euroleague Final Four.
AND, I’m already warming up for Sunday!
Na na na na na na na na Samir, you’re a cunt, you’re a cunt, Samir, you’re a cunt!
Been a very busy day, but it went OK (bar some hardware failures but I was prepared for them).
And very Indian, started one hour late, finished two hours late.
Now that was the last meaningful contribution I did to that Business Division. It feels bizarre.
However, I have only now realised something extremely funny about the boss of my future department, who is based in Swindon (I won’t be based there, don’t worry ‘holic ;)).
His last name is…..Wiltshire. Seriously, you couldn’t make this shit up, his family must have lived there since the dawn of Times then.
Boy, I turn my back just for a couple of minutes, and the ole faithful have arrived. Snir, that’s the spirit son, Nasri really has turned into a bit of a bore. 8ball, your’re a lot braver then me, but go for it. What’s a red card anyway. Catalan, the barkeep has eyes in the back of his head (and so does Roxette, Zico). Harsha, you sound a bit disoriented, which I personally think is a plus here at the bar. Wind, ‘Rumour Has it’, you’re on the right ‘track’, lad.
Nurse abb,
She does?
How can you tell with that bag over her head?
Surely a good omen, Ollie. Now how is your record with trains and City games…just kidding (smiling).
Zico, why must you make me laugh whilst I’m shaking my head back and forth. Dr Feelgood has gotten the better of you, but I kinda like it.
Dr Feelgood has got the better of me.
Again.
Oh go on then, mine’s a guinness. 8)
Dr Z
Surely not a double bagger? (One for her, one for you in case her’s falls off).
Heh Catalan,
She ever walks in here, I’m dead meat.
You could always hide by putting a bag……..
Nevermind.
abb, I think I’m unbeaten vs City. which means we’ll probably lose π
@ 165 π
Nah Ollie, I forsee your unbeaten run continue. WeΒ΄ve been well up for the games against the so called bigger teams this term (except Man Poo) and also against the big cunt teams (again except Man Poo).
Man Citeh, a team consisting of cunts, in the top four should bring about a great performance from us.
Righ, over 13 hours in office today after yesterday’s late evening so well, I’m off.
Abb, I hope that doesn’t mean you gave me a red card. π
abb –
a bit of advice – laughing while your head goes back and forth seldom has a good outcome π
zico – good stuff from the Mansion π
Are these the real drinks or the other side?
Well, yes and no.
I guess you must be right.
Watching Jack Nicklaus talk about golf gives you goosebumps…
Evening gents and any lasses too shy to say hi. First on the agenda is too cheer Ollie up pronto, Zico, I hope you’re taking notes. 8ball, Rest assured I have no inclination towards booting you out of the bar(rolling her eyes up towards the heavens)!Now Trev…it’s not FFF yet. It”s not fair you getting a head start without Gooner Terry present. Gosh it isn’t easy following Holic, even if he is going on about GOLF!
Hi abb.
Love Masters weekend. Shame I will probably miss the last day as I’ll be coming home from Arsenal…
Hey Holic, Well enjoy what you can then. We are all praying you come home from Arsenal a very happy fella. And please tell Ms. P. I say hello from across the pond.
Taking notes?
Damn right.
Especially in denominations of 20 and 50 thanks. π
π
I hate Panathinaikos even more now.
Heartbroken.
86-85.
3-2 in the series.
Fucking refs didn’t call a clear foul with 4 seconds left, but the same happened in game 2, so it evens out.
Maccabi not in the final four.
This weekend didn’t start the way I wanted it to start.
*BOILK*
Goodnight ALLL
G’night Ollie…
et moi aussi
Holic @ b176: “Watching Jack Nicklaus talk about golf gives you goosebumps⦔…but not half as much as watching him play…I always loved watching that guy…
Nurse ABB: Trev and I have now teamed up – we are now partners in the fight for proper grammar! No use the two best FFF proponents slugging it out against each other for everyone’s amusement when posters (you bums know who you are) are destroying our beloved English Language..
btw: where’s Dapper DanC?
Ollie, out before the double century? Sleep well. Evening everyone else. The c*^!fest earlier was a gem born of thin air- beautiful work.
Free drinks, Holic? I’ll start witha sidecar, pleaz…
Oh, sorry GT- make that ‘please’.
PIK, It’s only fair to tell you that when you were on your hiatus, a few of the regulars speculated that you were consuming a bit too much of your own product. I think Dr. Feelgood expected a bit more product to arrive at his house. π
Snir, I noticed your team made a rapid move up the FFL table last week, and one of your players is Ryo. Which brings up the question, Should players get bonus points for having FOUR Arsenal players in their team?
I think they should, as there are people here who don’t even have the minimum three!!!
(not to mention having players from one of the six disallowed teams…)
Sorry, meant maximum three.
But besides, some people don’t have any Arsenal players, that’s a sin!
GT & Trev@185: sign me up to fight the good fight.
Could it really be all-Spanish finals in both the CL and the Europa League cups?
Floats a long diagonal ball hoping NBN or Snir can run onto it …
…wonders if a ball has to be long and diagonal to float…
…but paddles after it anyway…
Sees that Ned has latched onto the ball and runs into the Channel hoping for a return pass …
Ned, Based on my calculations the Spanish clubs have a 3 out of 4 chance of winning the Europa. The Iberian clubs as a whole can’t miss.
Didn’t Atletico Madrid win it recently? They seem to be making a specialty of it.
*notes that PIK must have returned to smoking his own product*
Unlucky self-assist, bt8b. Take your pick from one of these as your penalty: http://girlonaterrace.com/2012/03/16/top-10-weird-football-merchandise/#more-538
Sigh. So much for the sneaking around the back left back goal…
@ 8ball- Yea, the California specials don’t do wonders for our football!
And the Arsenal Garden Gnome is a sure winner.
Woke up from my slumber, and the party was over.
Ok, back to the musica…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGU_JJroVms
8-ball with his first self assisted goal!
What?
Oh
*belated own-goal celebration consisting of smoking one of PIK’s virtual reefers and contemplating the Arsenal Garden Gnome*
*experiences hallucinatory vision of the Garden Gnome smoking a reefer*
12 50 AM Jamaica time and time for bed. Just spent most of the evening watching past videos from TED. Wonderful stuff. Before I go though I want to say to PIK that my fight isn’t against bad manners it against bad grammar..
Comrade NED welcome aboard – the more the merrier..
8thBall you have gone stark raving mad if you believe that that flagrant self-assist is not going to draw the most stringent of penalties from the disciplinary committee. The only way to avoid censure is to voluntarily take the Chelsea Ice Scraper offered by NED and insert the rounded end into whatever orifice that it will fit and do not remove it until we have reached the triple century.
Happy FFF to the rest of you…Good night.
I think we’re going to have to relieve 8ball of one of his 8balls for that self-assist offence there π
Did I mention *boilk* ?
Today, definitely, I won’t stay late at work.
GT @ 185, feck off old son, I bet you can barely keep your patois in check on a daily basis π
bt8b @ 188, π
@ 199/200, disappointing, good sir. *swiftly turns back with a Hmph!* π
I’m with GT @ 209, one of the if not the head/s of the self-assist disciplinary committee, do the time for the crime *raises hands with a oo, oo! chant* π
Good Friday.
GT
Before I go though I want to say to PIK that my fight isnβt against bad manners it against bad grammar..
Ahem.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>