Beauty, And The Beasts
Oct 8th, 2011 by 'holic
An early getaway to the coast on Thursday meant I missed the news of Arsenal Ladies progress in their latest European campaign.
I was delighted therefore to catch up with the news that the girls got through to the last 16 of the Women’s Champions League with a 6-0 win over Belarusian side FC Bobruichanka completing a 10-0 aggregate triumph.
After a four-goal win in the first leg, I’m told Arsenal manager Laura Harvey took the opportunity to blood some of the Club’s youth players. Angharad James, Bianca Bragg and Melissa Lawley were all awarded debuts.
Braces from Danielle Carter and Jennifer Beattie, along with goals from captain Katie Chapman and Jordan Nobbs, ensured the English treble winners a 10-0 aggregate win.
image courtesy of arsenalpics.com
Arsenal Ladies will play Spain’sΒ Rayo Vallecano de Madrid in the next round.
A Quick Word
Thanks all for your mails and comments about the Gooner podcast this week. I’m surprised Steve’s views came as a surprise to so many. I’ve said before that he has earned the right to comment on matters Arsenal for his support down the years.
Clearly though he doesn’t read many Arsenal blogs if he thinks this is the only one that isn’t anti-Arsene. The lads at the Gooner may also care to reflect on the wisdom of labelling some of their paying customers as ‘the nutters on the North Bank’.
I see a range of views expressed with patience and respect in the drinks. That doesn’t mean that people don’t question what is happening at the club we all love at the moment. It just means they appreciate the difference between debating what goes on in a rational manner, and hurling pointless abuse at posters you will never know.
If there is one thing I could change right now, it would be the antagonistic exchanges between Gooners. As Arseblogger pointed out in his excellent piece on Wednesday…
‘as depressing as I find it that people speak to each other online in the ill-mannered, pig-ignorant way they seem to think is acceptable, in real life the Arsenal fans I have met, and meet, are brilliant.’
Amen, Brother Blogs.
Have a great weekend, ‘holics.
65 Responses to “Beauty, And The Beasts”
1st?
2nd yeah!
Yesss 1st
‘holic – speaking for myself, as someone who less able to express my feelings in a clear manner (with or without one of Lars drinks), I have to admire the way that discussions take place on this blog
I do not like the slating of bloggers by others, just because they have different points of view, nor the slating of other teams supporters for the sole reason that they are as odd as they are, and can only admire what I see of your (normally) gentle control of this blog – long may it continue
======
I have not contributed to the hot discussion so far on why we are where we are at the moment, but would like to offer some questions, based upon things that were always being asked in business
A – Marketing questions (the 4 Ps)
Product – what is it these days – something that gets full stadia and large world-wide audiences, or a successful team which wins things
Price – Something that makes a profit for shareholders or covers the costs of running the teams (cant say any more on ticket prices as I live abroad)
Place – again is it England or as I suspect world-wide
Promotion – is it just being pleasing to watch, or should it include the press conferences where AW is either stirring things up or expressing his frustration (over the sales of Cesc, Sami..). We hear that stadium sponsorship is being renegotiated – good. Should we have to pay for Arsenal Player – not so good for pensioners(me) and juniors – its a necessary and trivial cost to fund that out of profits
B – Business Management
AW talks of his vision, but this is not necessarily Corporate vision for the future of the shareholders and the supporters , more Technical vision for the teams
Corporate strategies come out of the Corporate vision – so what is it if statements are made that ‘Arsenal can survive without Champions League’ but a negative tactic rather than part of the vision
I do remember from when I was working, when people in our company were instructed to follow the party line even if they were totally against board instructions themselves, to the extent of out and out lies being told to staff and customers, and is this what is going on over spending, staff pay, responsibility for transfers in and out
Does it help when directors give contradictory statements, and there is clear dissension on the board
Is it right that so much is the responsibility of AW, and is he showing strain because of it (I thought that there was a better division of responsibilities when Dein was around but those days are well gone)
He’s earnt his right to an opinion for sure. But when said opinion is firstly blatant lies and secondly cheap and insulting, he’s actually earnt the right to the square root of fuck all.
Which is my current problem. And one that is not going away.
A couple more P’s…
PRIDE: I’m so proud of the vast number of Arsenal fans who care so passionately for our club that we feel compelled to create blogs and post comments.
PASSION: I’ve had 3 marriages (don’t ask!) and the one constant throughout has been The Arsenal. For richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, for better or for worse this is one union that will survive to the grave!
Get in there Cognac!!
Morning Holic and Holics,
Still 04:00 hrs here so please keeper black coffee in bed.
Wow, that’s were all our success went the ladies are hogging it.
Truley credit to them and continued good fortune versus the Spaniards.
You’re right Holic there have been some pretty tough exchanges between gooners in the blogosphere lately. Sometimes I think it has as much to do with differing ideas of what a supporters role is as anything. But no doubt feelings are raw all around and when touched and prodded where tender reactions can be explosive.
Add to that the fact that we’ve basically had our noses rubbed in it by Sp*** fans on our own blogs. It sometimes is a dig too far and one simply loses the elastic frame of mind. I can’t figure why we don’t just auto-delete their miserable asses? I don’t go to Sp*** blogs why are they here? Then of course there is the length of the decline. 7 years since Patrick and Crazy Jens held up the FA cup. 8 for the league. A slow, withering, sapping away of our best talent. An eternal anti-osmotic exodus of our best players to be replaced by players who in truth have not replaced them an the constant injuries. Then there are the tactical issues. The non-working high-line and “zonal marking” which zone I sometimes wonder? Pasadena? Cucamonga? the DMZ?
It’s like some ancient mariner tale in a way. The day Eduardo’s leg got broken something happened to the soul of the team, to all of us really it plays itself out as “the lack of menatl strength” but it’s more than that. It’s bad Ju-Ju. I think the only way it can be overcome is by breaking someone elses leg in kind. I mean that sorry but I really do. Reverse the curse. My choice would be Shawcross or even better Alex Macliesh. I know how vindictive that is but mean-spirited S.O.B.s stand a much better chance in this world and on two un-broken legs. Before we bad-mouth this theory we ought at least to give it a try.
Oh well, at least we have a week to get it together for Sunderland so good luck to us or even better…break a leg.
i can stand my ground with the level of testosterone at the bar, thankyou very much. BUT this fair lass finds any derisive comments to one’s ethnic background or sexual preference’s offensive and totally not cool. it is my undying love for arsenal and all things arsenal that attracts me to this blog. that being said, i do appreciate a wicked sense of humor. te amo arsenal and long live barca!
This blog remains an oasis of relative calm and reliable common sense and ‘Holic, you are to be congratulated for setting and maintaining the tone.
Leftcoastgooner, I agree the day Eduard’s leg was broken was a watershed for the club. I do believe that team was on its way to winning the league that year and something in its ‘spirit’ died that day but our slow decline had begun before then.
Had that team gone on to win the league that season then that decline might have been arrested but it has continued. Whether it is due to something in the group psychology or dynamic of the squad we have failed to deliver throughout the season despite a heroic effort last season against the odds due to critical injuries. But when the shit hit the fan, the group mettle/psyche/spirit evaporated.
I can relate to the desire to kick back as well as the next man, believe me. However can you imagine the media shit storm that would erupt if an Arsenal player broke the leg of an opposing player? Especially if he was a local hero!
Bathgooner, but is it a foul to sneak up on an opponent and tickle him? guess i’ll have to do some research on that one. btw arsenal almost solved the RIDDLE that is barcelona last season…watch out messi and company!
Well then ladies for the 10-0 drubbing of FC Bobsyouruncle.
Arsa e barsa,
I am afraid that it is. It would yield a yellow card most times and risk a red depending on where you tickle. It would be interpreted in the same way as a slap or punch.
Indeed performed on a stranger who objected in the street or in the tube, it would be regarded as common assault.
As to the riddle that is Barca, I think we were beaten by an allegedly uncorrupt referee. I do not believe we would have lost had RvP stayed on the pitch at Camp Nou. We were well and truly stitched up there.
bathgooner, too bad then, no tickling tactic. you’re spot on what happened to RVP though, truly shameful. there has to be consistency with this whole red card business in general. no one has come up with why rinaldo did’t get booted when he assaulted pep in the classico, yet schneider saw red when making faces at the ref. BTW i’m arsenal all the way, i just feel barca is our only true worthy opponent.
bathgooner, one more thing that bothered me about that match, when ces inexplicably back heeled that pass…lord what was he thinking? perhaps an all out ban on that tactic when employed in front of arsenal’s goal is needed.
@bath e barca
Fitness, vision,positioning and a complete knowledge and command of the rules and regulations of the game are necessary prerequesites of any decent official. All of these can be taught except for the most important requisite…JUDGEMENT.
This I think is what is missing in all of the above mentioned calls or non calls.
As long as we depend on the human race as the source pool for referees(and I hope we continue to) I’m not sure these errors though grievous and painful can ever be completley erradicated.
well said leftcoastgooner, well said. bartender, a round of drinks for these wel-mannered gents, with their insightful views. i guess this lars character is good for the tab. cheers!
15 Lefty,
Are you advocating aliens for refereeing positions?
I always wondered about this guy.
@H2H
A strange looker but you had to admire perluigi’s judgement if not hairstyle.
Nice piece holic, any gooners I meet this side of pond are generally pro Arsene and board in that there seems to be no vitriol just a general quiet resignation that this situation was going to happen at some stage and like earlier years its just about riding it out. Can not argue with anyone who goes week in in week out as the right has been earned to air views publicly as your showing public support each week. I will say though that does not mean you are right. On a lighter note sons first birthday went off with a bang with a big fuck off Arsenal cake and a disgruntled Leeds granddad..Happy Days..
Noel, absolutely agree going regularly doesn’t mean one is right, given those who go every week cannot agree with each other!
Evenin’ Holic
Do you think the boys need lessons from the girls re: mental strength & a winning mentality?
Well in the Arsenal ladies. You are a true credit to our great club.
UTA!
Hi Holic. Seeing as you did rather well the last time I pointed you in the right direction at Dundalk, thought you might be interested in No10.
http://www.racingpost.com/horses2/cards/card.sd?race_id=539481&r_date=2011-10-09#raceTabs=sc_
Best of luck.
Wtf has happened to tabs?
This place has gone decidedly quiet of late…..and I normally rely on Wolfgang Smallballs to entertain me during the interlull….. TS, you did get him back safely from the shithole, right?
Having to pack my red and whites for a trip to the the Canary Islands on Wednesday, so all Happy Train enquiries should go to Professor Storey in the interim.
zico,
We both returned safely from their crumbling dump and enjoyed a couple of post-match beers.
The result totally sucked as did Bac’s leg-break. From our viewpoint, it was an overly rough challenge, designed to cause injury, by that thick, average LWC tw*t: Ar*ehole-Ricotta or whatever the f*cker’s name is.
Edwin says that he’s both ready and able to manage in Dr.F’s absence.
Safe travels, the pair of yeez! π
Cheers TS – have booked part one of the Everton trip so watch this space….
Why do I always miss the interesting posts?
Hey guys. I have a request from anyone going to the Sunderland game.
Could you please counter these people with pro AW chants?
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Arsenal-fans-plan-anti-Arsene-Wenger-protest-article809750.html
Evening all
Patient TABS remains in strict quarantine after over exposure to swamp virus thingies… I have prescribed regular and heavy doses of penicillin and tequila.
Seemingly more tequila than penicillin. Nurse Wolfie is taking wonderful care of him and assures me that he is coming on strongly.
I’m sure he is.
Pip pip, chaps, and nice post, Holic. Pre judging – a strange affliction of the scared…
Patrick, I remember only too well, bless ye. I look forward to paying for an expensive wee break as I trundle back across the south of England,
Thank you so much.
26 Snir Geuli! does miss manners detect a smidgen of sarcasm directed at our ever so humble discourse?
27 Snir Geuli, after insulting your honor, i find myself in the akward position of thanking you for bringing this scandalous bit of news.
one thing to bicker amongst ourselves, but to aire our dirty laundry for all the world to see and hear, dear god the media will have a field day with this one. but it is aw and the lads i worry about most. what a disgrace.
What on earth is that moniker about?
BMBD
Dr C –
Are you quite sure that Tabs is safe in the care of Nurse Wolfie ?
I have serious doubts about that woman and her ability to handle some of our more valued patients.
Only the other day I had to reprimand her for fiddling with my equipment, and she hadn’t even taken the precaution of donning the latex gloves.
I am genuinely worried that she may not be quite who we think she is. Have you noticed that the disappearance of Tabs has coincided with that of the despicable, cowardly Cusop.
Could it be that Tabs has, in fact, been abducted by the vile swamp-dweller en route back from the crumbling dump ?
Even True Storey has been “posting” under a misspelled moniker since the Tottenham trip. I fear he may also be missing in action.
When did you actually last see the verifiable Tabs ?
What is the True Storey ?
Is this the new Great Emirates Stadium Mystery ?
Dr C, your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to destroy Cusop and return Tabs and TS to the blog π
Let’s not forget agent Ollie who also is mysteriously not present.
If any more of us go missing I’m calling in Scooby Doo and the gang.
Ollie’s currently in Madrid working. Having a hard time of it as well. He’ll be back, never fear.
Dr T
…. I may as well have a look out for PiK while I’m at it…!
I’m off to hatch a search and destroy mission.
Coffee first….
Dr.T
Fear not, tis I. The iStorey moniker is used when I’m posting from my mobile device, as zico would say: ‘feckin Apple’
Ollie was in Madrid last week, I believe.
Apologies Esso, should have read your post @ #35 before doing mine….
Heh – just switched on BBC website – head of Sport section:
“Paul Scholes on the Art of Tackling”… is it April 1st?
Re SG’s posting @27: Had a look at the facebook page of the group mentioned in The Mirror. Interestingly there is absolutely nothing Anti-Wenger in their stated aims – despite The Mirror’s sly slant and SG’s worries. As the smallish looking group’s name suggests their criticisms/questions concern themselves mostly with issues of emphasis re the club’s current direction. Anyway, have posted them below so that people can make-up their own minds, if they’re interested, before getting wound up by the media etc.
1.) We pay high ticket prices, so encourage reinvestment to improve the playing squad.
2.) We support the development of youth players, but worry there is an over reliance on youth, at the expense of older professionals whom the youth can learn from.
3.) We respect the social obligations and wider business interests of the PLC, but seek clarity that winning trophies remains the core objective.
UpTheARse!
Mind you plenty of postings on the wall of their facebook page are clearly anti-AW so – shite – SG and The Mirror have a point – panic AAAAAAAHHHH!
Shame really might have been interesting to see some fans exert a wee bit of pressure on the board to answer clearly some of the questions they claim to want an answer to, instead of going down the predictable, and unhelpful, anti-Arsene avenue as the new season gets into full swing. Interesting times and that. Still at least the gals keep on winning.
UpTheArse!
AL I actually didn’t read the article.
Go easy on me, I had just finished 25 hours of fasting man π
I’m pretty sure they’re the black scarf people (the ones who canceled their protest against Swansea) and from what I know, they say it ain’t about AW but let’s be honest, they’re not too fond of the guy.
Your fears were not misplaced SG – whatever they say their initial stated aims were this lot are clearly attempting to get rolling some sort of an anti-AW bandwagon – with the half-hearted help of some man at The Mirror – by unfurling a banner at The Groveg. Ah, bless the interlull for slowing down the sports news cycle – only the egg-chasing and the Rooney’s to rattle on about over here.
Still, something as ill-conceived and shabbily timed as this protest is quite capable of producing the opposite affect to the one it’s participants crave. Surely most gooners will want to get behind Aw and the team during these tricky times, which might help put this sort of bullshiit to bed for the time being.
And SG – fasting and suffering with the woes of The Arse – hope you’ve other pleasures at hand to keep you ticking over in the meantime.
UreDs!
@Snir
While you were at it I hope you atoned for our woeful marking on set pieces and inability to finish with the net wide open.
Shalom dude, and that I mean.
pardon – the Rooneys’ travails, betting slip-ups, sending-offs/downs etc to rattle on about
39 Dr. C LOL! kinda like a headline ”Joey Barton Proclaims he is Really an Introvert.” anyway, getting back to those supposed fans who plan to protest against aw, i’ve a punishment for those tools. we lock em up with CUSOPT in a dark room, no potty breaks, and play ‘We are the Champions of the World’ over and over again till they either come to their senses, or (shudder) are doomed to clean the latrines at White Fart Lane till the end of time.
Afternoon Playmates ,
Sorry for the unexplained absence , but last week was a week when real life rather overtook , and it meant no visits to this esteemed Bar .
The upside of that was a marathon read of all the drinks yesterday after which I quite needed a lie down . So late to the party , but I thought I’d stick my twopennyworth in with regard to a theme that has run through the Bar this week .
Firstly , Holic , thanks for pointing out the ongoing success of the Ladies . I’ve said it before , and I’ll say it again , in the Women’s game you won’t go far wrong with a midfield of Little White Nobbs .
Now to the vexed question of The Highbury Spy and their podcast . I haven’t listened to it and I won’t be listening to it . I appreciate Holic’s reminder that he has earned the right to an opinion , but I have to say I am in Esso’s camp . When an opinion such as The Spy’s becomes so entrenched that any dissenting voice is ridiculed , when it is so rigid that opinion suddenly becomes “fact” , and when “facts “become so embellished or even invented , simply to suit an agenda , not of a successful Arsenal , but merely of being proved right , then that opinion is frankly worth fuck all , no matter how many games the chap has gone to .
Though I have rarely visited The Gooner Online , I pretty much bought every Gooner from its inception to about 18 months ago . Why did I stop buying it ? The change of Editorship marked a slide into articles that were ill considered , ill informed and badly written . From that criticism I would to a degree excuse The Spy . Though I seldom agreed with him on anything Arsenal , and found much of the politics that he seemed unable to ignore in his articles repugnant , I always found that he often made me laugh , and that his writing was a cut above most of the writing that The Gooner was then attracting .
I was therefore taken aback when our collective attempts on this blog at peurile but at the same time vey funny poetry during the early stages of what became a very fraught summer attracted a violent diatribe from The Spy in which he questioned our commitment , our knowledge and our support of Arsenal , in language that would not looked out of place amidst the childish ranting of Le Grove .
It is a mark of both The Guv’nor and those that frequent the Bar that Holic’s request not to respond to The Spy in kind was universally respected . However , I remained staggered that someone who had built a kind of Kudos through The Gooner should resort to such vituperative abuse of fellow Arsenal fans .
And then here’s the thing . I remembered how I felt when I wrote my first Holic drink last march on the anniversary of David Rocastle’s death . Holic and one or two others were kind enough to say they had enjoyed what I had written . Wow ! My opinion mattered and people were agreeing with me . Of course , my opinion matters no more or no less than anybody else but the feeling at the time was unmistakeable .
Now think of The Spy . In the pre internet age there he is , writing the most popular column in the most popular fanzine . Multiply the feeling I had a thousand fold . People give him a nod of recognition , they buy him a drink , they tell him how good his stuff is . He becomes in his own mind , the voice of Arsenal fans , lauded by those that agree with his knee-jerk views and indulged by those that don’t ,” heh its only The Spy and he’s pretty funny ” .
Now fast forward to the Internet age and every man woman and child can see their views in print if they so choose . He is supplanted on all sides . Wit and humour ? Arseblog knocks him into a cocked hat on a daily basis making him appear about as funny as Syd Little in drag .History ? Seems to me that Holic’s got that one covered pretty darn well . Rational analysis ? Any number of Bloggers and indeed contributors to those Blogs have a greater insight . Quality of writing ? Again there are any number of contributors to these drinks alone whose command of the English Language is far greater than the Spy will ever manage .
So where is he left to go if he wishes to maintain his pre-eminence ? Simple . The only outlet is to become some sort of poster boy for the festering children of Le Grove . Too bad for you Mr Spy . Your opinion matters not one jot more than anybody else . Time to get used to that salient fact again .
He has a right to an opinion , but we have the right to tell him that his opinion is utter tripe , that he is not in the majority ( never will be ) , that his years watching Arsenal have given him very little insight into either the game of football or what makes the club tick , and that his abuse of proper Gooners whose only “crime” is to be more moderate , more rational and more informed than him is a continuing stain on the fanbase of this great club .
I remember in the autumn of 2001 , we lost at home to Charlton and shipped 4 goals . The defeat was obviously followed by The Spy’s ranting . Defence ? too old . Henry ? lazy . Viera ? His heart isn’t in it . Wenger ? The man’s lost it . The subsequent unbeaten run which swept us to another Double saw a U-turn so sharp and so violent that The Spy’s arse ended up in his mouth . It would appear he’s been talking out of it ever since .
I suspect visits to the Bar this week will be necessarily brief , if at all , so have a good week Gooners , and a round of drinks for all and a toast to the hope that the Sunderland game marks the start of a change in our fortunes .
Cheers for the Ollie info, Esso.
Hey tabs, good stuff, welcome back mate.
Second for the Romford Pele. At 7/2 not an each way punt. Never mind. Got a good run for my money.
Cheers again Patrick.
tabs, great post.
Haha I backed that to looked the winner 2 out but got outstayed – Either that or it was on the sauce like it’s namesake π
Welcome back TaBS. π
Kapow! – see what a little R&R can do for you? I’d like to take full credit for TABS’ recuperation. But I can’t.
π π
Cheers ‘Holic . π
H2H , Lars , thanks for the kind words .
Dr C – mark it down as yet another success story for The Happy Train Quackery department π
Drinks on the Bar fellas .
Welcome back TaBs,
When I heard you were in the care of Nurse Wolfie I began to dread a long Vermaelen-like absence. However, I see you have quickly recovered despite your attendants.
Heh LCG , managed to give the old girl the slip . π
Dr Z , I’ve just read you’re off on your hols . Have a great one mate , and don’t forget to pack your Speedoes π
A quick word to say thanks to BtM and Steve T for some wonderful posts over the past few days. A joy to read and I don’t think I was the only one nodding in appreciation of both views.
Nice to have you back Tabs.
Thanks Joe , and I would echo your appreciation of the recent posts of both BtM and SteveT .
Tabs –
great to see you back. I hope that whatever has intervened in your life has not been too painful, but there are times when footie blogs, however excellent, have to take second place, as I have been experiencing myself of late.
That post above is class and echoes my own thoughts exactly.
If you’re able to make the Sunderland game, it would be a pleasure to share a pint – yep, I might even manage a whole one! – with you beforehand.
“surprised Steve’s views were a surprise to so many.” I thought you meant me for a moment?
Quick word re the ladies. My daughter plays in a girls team. They run 3 sides at different age groups. Last year they contacted the club for a group outing to watch the ladies play. The first surprise was a generous group discount. Then the club offered the girls the chance to be ball girls for the night. In addition 2 would be lucky enough to be mascots for the night and to lead both teams onto the pitch.
At the end of the game the players stayed to chat with the girls, pose for pictures and sign autographs. No one left until everything was signed and every last picture was taken. A great evening and a thoroughly refreshing view of football.
Go ladies. You will always get my support. A charming bunch one and all.
Dr C –
call off the search for Tabs. But you could still destroy that LWC Cusop. Is Kickemard available ? If so, tell him to do it slowly π
Steve T –
I’m not sure the ladies would want my support, but if they need anyone to sweep out the changing rooms . . . π
Hello Trev ,
Yep things a little tough this week , not so much for me , but for an old friend , so just trying to do my bit .
Not sure if I will be able to make Sunderland this week , but will keep you posted . Would certainly love to knock back a pint with you , so if not this weekend , then certainly in the near future .
Hope all well with you , all things considered .
Evening SteveT .
Gents, I have also just returned from alien abduction, The Management has forced sunnier ‘climes upon me.
I have also had to agree that AFC does not rule *everything* that our family unit does.
*heh*
So, we might be in a dark place, but we are The Arsenal.
Maybe you need to be over 50 to realise what that means π
Clowardly I am not. Anyone who knows me will know I have never been accused of that one. But I did decide to leave you all to get on with life in the Hurly Burly of getting a little cheer from the Arsenal Ladies
And the ensuing misery of facing up to the awful reality that you are truly in the shit.
Dr T please try to undesrstand I am here only at the pleasure of Mr Holic. He does not even have to ban me a simple email would suffice.
But then again if thinking me a coward somehow gets beyond your trauma. Then one happys star is happy in the light. Just remember it’s always Lilly white.
By the way V Perisil is leaving, have it excellent authority;)
Interesting Sunday coming up.. You should not lose to Nice to see yer, I’ll get me coat Bruces befuddled land .. 3 points in the bag. We have a slightly stiffer test in the Barcodes who either are the second coming or just had the run of the green fixture wise. But 3 points will be ours