After The Lord Mayor’s Show?
Nov 1st, 2011 by 'holic
I suspect Arsene won’t be grabbing a lot of sleep tonight. He’ll be going over in his mind all of the possibilities that still exist after a goalless draw on matchday four of the Champions League. On the plus side a win in the next match at home to Dortmund puts us through for sure, but he may also be agonising over quite what to make of tonight’s performance, and how to address it with his team.
Despite the two points dropped there were actually some considerable positives to be drawn from the game. The side did respond to an impressive and energetic start by the visitors to take control of the hour or so that straddled the halftime break. What made that more impressive was that Marseille never looked to drop their workrate or determination to take something from the game. You could see just why we have been linked so strongly with Ayew and Remy.
In terms of individual performances it is hard not to be impressed by Carl Jenkinson’s performance against pacy and direct opponents. On the other side of the park his opposite number had a similar day to last Saturday, when nearly all of his best work was done in the attacking third. Alongside them Per Mertesacker and Thomas Vermaelen formed an impressive barrier and held firm from a number of lofted set pieces, so often our Achilles heel.
The midfield trio were again functional, although it did take them a good quarter of an hour to adjust to the pace that Marseille dictated from the first whistle. Ahead of them Gervinho and Theo Walcott frustrated and delighted in equal measure, and Ju Young Park found it just a little too intense. It was an interesting call by Le Boss to play him ahead of the skipper. Readers of my preview will know it is not a decision I would have made, but I have no idea what condition Robin was in after his exertions at the weekend. The Korean now has that experience under his belt, which should help going forward, and our inability to score didn’t necessarily hurt us.
The fact that we didn’t score owes little to the resting of the skipper. Aaron Ramsey, finding a couple of great positions, should have made more of at least one of his first-half opportunities. Walcott and Gervinho will also hit the target on nights when Lady Luck doesn’t forget to bestow her favours on them. Should we have had a penalty? Probably, but it was close enough to afford the referee the benefit of the doubt in real time.
The substitutions as the game ebbed away seemed not to have the desired effect and Marseille ended as they had started, looking dangerous but unable to open any significant holes in the Gunners defence. The match sort of subsided into the inevitable stalemate.
Other than the general disappointed tone I am sure I have conveyed I don’t believe any more severe recriminations are in order. Eight of the side that started tonight played the bulk of a pulsating contest only on Saturday. Playing at that level of intensity every single time is an unrealistic expectation. Take a step back. How likely is it in the weeks and months ahead that we will look back on tonight as anything other than one of those nights? Qualification, even first place in the group, is still very much in our hands.
It may not have been job done, but a side gaining strength from every unbeaten performance is closer to surprising a few people. Take the three points off West Brom on Saturday and we will all be looking forward with some hope again. That will do for now.
369 Responses to “After The Lord Mayor’s Show?”
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In off the post
URedS!
second again!
still be at clive agian!
I’m content enough with the clean sheet.
Well played ‘holic
Thought we looked a bit flat tonight – fairly inevitable following so soon after Saturday i s’pose. BUT on the plus side i wasn’t waiting nervously for our customary half-hour crisis of confidence when things were going against. This lot have got bottle and know-how and they seem to keep calm whatever – never seriously felt they were going to lose at any point tonight
pint on the bar please barman and one for yourself – i’m off outside for a snout with our man Santos
Up The (cough, cough) Arse!
oops, pardon ‘going against us’ URedS!
5 for the second time in a week – now for that fag
Also good to see TV5 get another game under his belt.
A pretty fair assessment from where we were sitting in Block 91.
A few tired legs after Saturday and without being too harsh on him,
Park was as disappointing tonight as he was promising against Bolton.
Just shows how difficult it can be to assess a player at different levels of the game.
Thought we were a little hesitant to drive forwards at times, but Marseille were very pacy and maybe the risk was too great.
What has happened to AA23 ?
AL – from last post – yes I re-read and got (!) the AA puns- excellent.
Catalan – don’t know if anyone else has already explained, but the AL ‘crosses in the box’ thing makes sense if the Pole becomes a ‘poll’.
Also very good, btw.
First…..
Of November.
Missed the game due to work but happy its a clean sheet. Seems like the defence is gelling at last!
Up the Arsenal!
Good play guys kp it up
ta Trev
Re Chamak a bloke down the fictitious chip shop tells me he continues to contribute to the cause by generously donating his hair-products to all, and so helping the team to gel.
Apologies – but refuse to cease basking following all recent results
UReDS!
AL – If Chamakh’s form doesn’t improve it could mean a parting of the ways. 😉
Sorry, that was dyeafollicle.
Dear sweet mother of God Trev, noooooooooo 😉
‘Tis true sadly Trev – he’s already becoming a fringe player
I’ll get my comb
UreDS!
Dyeafollicle?? Another long day at work then, Trev? 😉
Clean sheet ain’t nuthin’ to be sneezed at. Or on. 😀
Trev & AL
Hair today, gone tomorrow?
Well , I was going for the “After the Lord’s Mayor Show” analogy , but I see Holic has already nabbed that one , so , that was all a bit Boxing-Dayish wasn’t it . Nice report Holic .
Have to say that my own performance mirrored that of The Arsenal today . Far from the impatient skip to the Juicer on Saturday , the journey today was far more studied , Brendan Foster to Saturday’s Steve Ovett , if you will .
Have to say my journey was interrupted with frequent thoughts that I would no doubt be reminded of all that I had got up to on Saturday . This was a worry . Memories of Saturday were still somewhat flaky , and the uncertainty only added to the general feeling of uneasiness that prevailed .
Still , onward and upward and all that , there’s a game to be won , and I open the the Saloon door 33 seconds into the game . Bollocks , late , and it takes me at least 10 mins to get into the game , if I miss the handshakes , the Euro Anthem , and the kick-off .
“Hello love” says Marie ” You’ve recovered then ?”
“Tip-top” I say , with a confidence I don’t feel , and the knowing grin on Marie’s face only adds to the sense of disquiet .
So the game begins , and we make our usual slow start . Our midfield three look heavy-legged from the off , and whilst Song grows into the game and ultimately produces a fine lesson in how to shield the back four , Arteta and Ramsey continue to tread treacle , and the missed chances that fall Aaron’s way are testament to how much energy had been expended on saturday .
On the plus side , Vermaelen showed why he can never be left out when he’s fit and Per had a good game alongside .
Jenks , however , whilst displaying all the attributes which make him impossible to dislike – heart , commitment and energy – remains for the time being , slow in execution and wasteful in possession . Santos , on the other side , made one recall the words of Clive’s mate , Mr Subway Hammer , that he is a winger masquerading as a full back . John Robertson of Forest anyone ?
Up front , Theo threatened fitfully , Flipper had one of those nights , and Park struggled to make an impact .
Arsene played the right cards , VP on on the hour , Tomas on soon after , and AA given 15 mins to carve out a goal . It never really looked likely , notwithstanding VP’s attempted chip or his sumptuous cross at the death .
Final whistle . Muted acknowledgement .
So , a point and a clean sheet . A bit like a new jumper from your Auntie Ethel . Grateful , but unlikely to live long in the memory .
RVP and Koscielny rested. Jenkinson looking solid and pushing for a place over Djourou, unless TV5 takes a turn this weekend. Champions League qualification chances looking about the same as before the game. Clean sheet registered. All to the good then. 😀
All a bit muted tonight. The rumblings on my arrival centred around “why no RVP?”My views were that he should have played tonight and had a rest against WBA at the weekend. What tonight did demonstrate yet again is that we have no back up for him.
We saw virtually the same game holic. Jenkinson has come on so much I must say. Perhaps we should sign more Essex teenagers from Finland. There must be something in that combination.
After the Lord Mayors Show sums it up very well. We were very lack lustre, our passing was poor and we gave the ball away far too much. We just did not look as if we had any cutting edge. At one point you had to feel that it was the opposition that were more likely to score.
Great to see Tommy V back. He has a big part to play for the rest of the season. My final word goes to Mertesacker. He is a player that will go quietly about his business quite unnoticed. Rarely though do I remember a player reading the game so well. He just seems to know exactly where to be. Tonight I thought he stood tall and strong.
Boing boing baggies at the weekend. We need a day or two now to pick ourselves up and continue with another 3 points.
From the previous post. TS; sorry, did not pick up your post until after the match. Thanks for the thought. It would have been nice. Maybe next time?
Fungunner. If you can find the post you are more than welcome to use it. If not then drop me an e mail with exactly what you are doing and what you want and I will compose something. Holic, permission etc.
Onwards and upwards etc.
H and T
Apparently there’s no truth in the rumour that Arsene burst into training on Monday morning, found him in the lav and told him
‘Cham poo and set-off for pastures new – thanks’
i refer anyone who bothers to read this nonsense to my earlier apology – still basking
UReDS!
Holic, Tabs
‘Holic, tabs
Thanks for your reports chaps.
We saw the same game. Using the benefit of 20:20 hindsight, Saturday’s spectacular performance was always going to be a really tough act to follow.
I thought that our back 5 continued to grow in stature and TV showed again why he is impossible to drop when fit. For me, Santos continued to delight, he’s the reverse Clichy 😉
Still, no harm done. Four points from LOM is a good haul and I believe we’ll qualify comfortably.
The post match atmos in The Tollie was understandably a little muted.
Pre-match a modest ‘Holics gathering including Top Man Snowy, Esso
and West Stand Tone made for a great start to the evening.
Looking forward to 3 delicious points on Sat from Les Baggies 🙂
UTA!
Hair, hair*
Excellent summaries, ‘Holic, Wolfie and Steve T.
*I’ll get my hat.
An OK result, given the energy expended by all on Saturday. Thought the decision to rest RVP was the correct one, and actually thought that using two of from Arshavin, Rosicky and Benayoun from the start would have been a better choice, as Ramsey and Gervinho looked somewhat off the feed from the get go.
Arteta also looks like he could use a break; but when and with whom? Any thoughts?
By the way, once Sagna returns, for the really big matches, a backline of Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, and TV at left back should be the only choice.
Fantastic summary, goonerholic.
@ Steve T
I will look it up.
Whoops. Forgot to add “thanks”.
It was always going to be hard to follow up a 3-5 victory at the Bridge. I guess expecting superhuman performances every 2 or 3 days is a bit much for us at this point in time. I’m happy that we get 4 points of Marseille (2 clean sheets too), of course a win would be better but at least we’re showing a bit of consistency now…
By the way, what is the Lord Mayor’s Show?
*sips tentatively from a cup of cheap java and twirls ungelled hair*
Ollie – Why did Marseille fans have a palestine flag in their away section?
Do they have some kind of connection to palestine or did they bring it to wind up Yossi (I have a feeling that’s the reason because it happens all the time with Israeli teams/players)?
Far from our best performance, but we certainly created enough to have won it if we had just taken our chances better. A little disappointed, but then again if anyone had offered me four points from the two games v Marseille before the group stage started I would have taken it. The important thing now is for the players not to think “oh well, nevermind, we’ll get another chance in the next game” – they need to think “oh bugger, should have won it but let’s make sure we beat the next lot instead”.
And Lester, are you suggesting that Chamakh would perhaps be better off playing for Wig-an? I guess the only problem is that they probably won’t be able toupe him as much money as we do so he might not want to go there.
Chamakh has been pretty pore for a while but I’m confident that once his ability to score goals comes back in, he will jheri-mander everyone back onto his side perm-anently…
Well, game was a bit of a let-down, but otherwise a good night out. Nice to meet a couple of the regulars in the Tollie.
Fair write-up ‘holic.
I have a headache this morning but it is not alcohol-related.
Alka Seltzer please.
I am pretty confident Chamakh would have scored yesterday, but we’ll never know 🙁
No idea Snir, apart from the fact that there is a large Arab community in Marseille.
Which sounds like a more plausible explanation than the presence of a small ex-pat community of Englanders for a Come On Irons banner.
Isn’t that their nickname in France? I assumed it is when I saw it… Couldn’t think of a better reason for its existence…
If you had offered me 4 points out of 6 from Marseille, prior to the away fixture, I would have commenced dining on your fist there and then. And yet, following Saturday’s stirring performance, last night’s result and performance was something of an anti climax and disappointment.
No doubt there were positives – an Arsenal clean sheet these days is not be sniffed at, and the performance of the centre backs in particular is worthy of mention. Young Jenkinson had his moments too first half and he shows great promise.
Santos looks less fit than some of the forty-somethings in my Sunday sixes game. How can a professional footballer be so badly out of shape? (I like the guy, even if he has some frailties defensively, he offers us more than Clichy who had the defensive frailties with no compensation in attack. We have got to hope however that Santos physical condition improves over the season, or his inability to draw breath in the latter stages of games is going to cost us).
Arteta and Ramsay put in a reasonable shift, and Song was our best player in the second half with an excellent defensive midfield display. Walcott better than of late (Saturday was exceptional from Theo and not representative of his performances up to that point). I wrote once before that Gervinho promises to be the most frustrating Arsenal player since Kanu. I now think he promises to be the most frustrating player since Arshavin. I know I am probably in the minority here but he drove me to distraction last night. Sure he did plenty running (Alan Smith), but continually down blind alleys and I dont remember him once getting in behind the Marseille defence, always cutting inside. He would of course always be in my first 11, but boy he’s frustrating.
Which leaves Park. First time I’ve seen him, and I saw flashes of a player but in the main I felt sorry for him last night. Mainly because on at least a couple of occasions when he had ran off his marker and taken a good position, his team mates proved reluctant to pass to him. I think (and hope) he will come good. Until the Bodysnatchers give us the real Chamakh back, we need to pray he does.
A final word for the Marseille team, who proved not to be as shit as Ollie promised. I am in total agreement with Snir, their defence were very quick and alert to danger and snuffed out quite a few killer passes. So 4 points is a reasonable haul.
Now, where did I leave that half empty glass? 😉
Snir 36, heh, no, not at all.
Interesting Lars … Barbercelona might be an option – but could he cope with being so close to Messi?
URedS!
Hey AL, if he goes to Catalan he’ll be like a mousse in a china shop
AL, maybe as long as there are not too many scissor-kicks he might also sign an extension. I even think he’d find it a position worth dyeing for.
Holic – I think you covered everything above. I’ll just add that the more I see Artera in an Arsenal shirt, the more impressed I’m becoming.
Okay i’m off to work!
Lars and COR – well played gents, think you may have found the cut-off point … although if Chamak were to go that would trim our wage bill, and allow us to go for something up top with a bit more style – no?
UreDS!
AL: in any case he’ll never reach the heights that Liam Braidy did. But he won’t be as despised as Hairy Redknapp.
Or Keith Curle
Psed Lars hadn’t appreciated the full majesty of Liam Braidy – quality.
Anyway back to Chamak – a decent hair-dresser always asks –
‘Going anywhere nice for your holidays?’ – And I have it on good authority that our boy Marouane heads for Tonga regularly
UReDS!
Thanks for another balanced post Holic.
Great to see Tommy V back – he just brings so much solidity to that backline. His presence is essential for the remainder of the season – and for me, he brings as much to this team from a defensive perspective as RVP brings upfront.
Im with Zico on Santos. He seems unfit and overweight. And even though I see an improvement in Jenks – I generally felt we were exposed down both flanks and a better team would have punished us, especially as the game wore on.
For me – our midfield still doesn’t create enough. Up front – we were far too wasteful of chances when only simple, weighted passes were all that were needed to make the final difference.
And Steve T’s point about RVP is hugely important – if something happens to him – who will step up to the plate? A point not lost on Wenger as thats the primary reason he was on the bench last night I fear.
While I think we’re playing poorly – I do feel were improving as some players find their feet and the results are going our way. If we manage to stay in contention until the business end of the season and then begin to find some form – who knows what might happen!
Cheers Lester, I’m actually quite pleased I manage to come up with the Braidy one 🙂
…but I have to admit to not really getting the Tonga bit… 😳
Agree with all of the above, very disappointed with Park he was just making up the numbers and when he got the ball he often lost it. He didn’t even put himself about and close their defenders down. I can see why he was cheap.
Surprised nobody mentioned Szczesny – he is still rushing out unnecessarily (why do this when TV is there to take care of things!), and then decided at one stage to take the piss and have a dribble in his area rather than hoofing the ball into touch. He got away with it (this time) but unfortunately it looks like he will have to learn the hard way, let’s hope it doesn’t cost us points when it happens.
Positives TV back! the Kraut had his best game for us and Song was immense.
And finally fair play to Marseilles, they worked their socks off and have some decent players.
West Upper: I actually think Vermaelen was to blame for the almost-cock-up in the second half. Szczesny came running and was clearly shouting to Vermaelen to leave it to him but Vermaelen didn’t back off until at the very last moment. Szcezsny had it covered all the way but Vermaelen almost screwed it up.
And while the dribble in the first half was a bit over-confident, he did pull it off and the thing is that he pulls these things off almost every time and that is no coincidence. That is not just dumb luck, it is about being quick-thinking enough to adjust to the situation.
Morning all
Pun-tactic drinks re: Mr Shampoo-akh. I think his lack of current form has been well highlighted already. He can’t cut it in the first team right now. What happened to our al-a-peach-of-a player?
Zico – I see you’re not a member of the Santos Appreciation Society. Concur with your points, although I don’t think he looks that unfit, but for me, as a player, he really intrigues. He’s impossible to categorise but I continue to be impressed with his forward play, his touch and his tackling.
Esso – Likewise mate.
Steve T – One day soon hopefully.
Lars, Dr T & AL – To dye for, cheers! 😆
Drinks for all on the bar fellas.
Wasnt privy to last night’s proceedings but if I could just weigh in briefly on the Chamakh debate.
He appears to be shorn of confidence, but if he let his hair down once in a while he’d get back to his old slick form pretty sharpish. His play has been quite dull and lifeless of late, lacking hold and control but make no mistake, this kid has got what it takes to be Head and Shoulders above the rest. He just needs to be played up front, not at the back or sides, and do whatever’s necessary to get his groove back because after all the split ends will justify the means. You’ll see holics. One or two goals will have him ‘hairing’ onto defence-splitting passes before you can say “pink highlights”.
I am, by the way, here all week. I thankyou.
Lars when you have a defender of the quality of TV to challenge surely its better to stay back a bit and let the attacker have to beat 2 players rather than rushing out and potentially causing confusion and leaving an open goal.
Re the dribbling; all goalkeepers have to realise that they are the least skilful players with the ball at their feet on the pitch.
Lehmann had similar delusions and I remember him giving a goal away against Fulham (I think) by pratting about at the start of a game a few years back.
I like Szczesny but he is too impetuous, he should have been sent off against Chelsea at the weekend and we would have probably gone on to lose, we were lucky on that.
I will have to focus on getting some work now, but won’t quite put these hair puns on the back-burner just for that – it will be rather more like putting them on the side-burner.
Camberwell
Shampoo, set & match to you fella. Enough already 🙂
TS read my post again.
I like the guy, but his fitness beggars belief at the top level. Toward the end of the game last night, Arteta was forced out wide left to cover for him as he struggled to reach walking pace to get back.
I agree with West Upper and disagree with Lars on Woj. If it was Fabianski, he would be crucified. Someone needs to have a word.
But considering where we have come from, these are all minor grumbles, and you wouldn’t expect anyting less on a work day now would ya?
West Upper: he should most definitely not have been sent off. Cashley was not in control of the ball and it is therefor not an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. And what he did well in that situation once he decided to come for the ball was that he kept going, stopping half-way would have been a much worse decision. I agree he must get better at deciding when to go, but when he goes he goes 100% which is the right thing to do. He did it v Sunderland as well, and him going all the way towards the attacker forced the latter to take a detour towards the corner flag which gave the rest of the team just enough time to get back to cover the attempted cross. Had he stopped half-way out it would almost certainly have been a goal or at least a much more dangerous situation. Should he not have made the run in the first place? Absolutely. But as I said, once you go you have to go all the way and that is what Szczesny does well.
And yes, he should have just kicked the ball into touch yesterday, don’t get me wrong. But he pulled it off and that was not just dumb luck.
Lars @ # 57
You’re right. It wasn’t a clear goal-scoring oppty on Saturday. Torres was still on the pitch 🙂
Dr z @ #56
I did read your post fella and thought it was clear. Mine may not have been. Poss minor case of the *boilks*
Not sure why everyone is so concerned about Chamakh. Surely he can only be classed as a fringe player. At the moment there are others head and shoulders above him?
Good post ‘Holic.
on getting used to the big games…
I’m a bit disappointed with my display tonight but I haven’t played for two weeks so I’ll build on that. Roll on Saturday.
Roll on Saturday. Jenkinson is a Gooner indeed 🙂
I’ve got a pretty bad headache today.
I’m feeling drained of energy….
Trev – yep, AL explained the crosses in the box one – very good! Just a little too clever for us dim witted expats! 🙂
Afternoon Holics
I don’t get to the Ems mid-week, no late trains to my neck of the woods in Norfolk. Therefore my views are based on the TV coverage with the Arsenal Player commentary.
We were up against a very different side from Saturday . Tight marking in mid-field and a much stronger back line. I agree we looked heavy legged in midfield and perhaps TR7 should have started giving Rambo a rest. Had he been more alert I am convinced he would have put his best chance away, ( he who hesitates ).
I do wish my man Szczesny wouldn’t give me heart failure on such a regular basis but lets hope his luck holds. TV5 was immense ,my MOTM ,keeping Santos out of trouble on more than one occasion and Per’s distribution was excellent.
I am sure WBA will be set up in a similar way and it will be up to Gervinho and Theo to get behind their back line. Trust their crosses will be more effective than last night.
See you at the Ems on Saturday.
As always COYRs
My final words on Chamakh;
If he’s not a permanent member of the crew, cut him.
Delia
Thanks for your views, good write-up (again).
Will you be going to watch our boys visit your local team later this month?
Enjoy the match on Saturday, hopefully we’ll be baggie-ing 3 points 😉
A tenner to watch Arsenal vs Sh*tty in the CC Quarters?
We love you Arsenal, we do!
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/arsenal-to-continue-carling-cup-ticket-policy
I had the game on the box in the bar last night, but it was a bit busy with some non footy types, so I didn’t really catch the whole game and I couldn’t really get into it, so I can’t really contribute that much on the overal performance.
However, I’m glad that West Upper brought up the Woj debate. I love Scezer to bits, but sometimes he does scare the shit out of me, I admire his confidence, but that dribble yesterday was unnecassary, just boot the ball out son, why take the chance? His mix up with TV could be either of their faults, so I won’t dwell on that, but it was still scarey.
As for Saturdays incident, sorry Lars, I disagree, I feel he was extreamly lucky to get away with a yellow. If that had happened at the other end I would of been spitting bile and questioning the man in blacks parentage.
Please don’t get me wrong, I think he’s by far the best keeper we’ve had in a long while and I hope he’s with us for years to come.
I seem to be in the minority in tat I thought Flipper and Theo had reasonable games. The truth is that Marseille were very well organised and FAST in defence – so snuffing out opportunities that may have been fruitful against slower sides.
Drink, anyone?
So soon after THAT match at the weekend it was a bit inevitable especially when our attacking verve (and some good fortune) seemed to desert us the longer the game went on. As you mentioned Ramsey might’ve been the one again versus Marseille.
I think today (and when we look back on this group when it’s completed) that late late goal by Aaron in Marseille was the moment that changed our season in Europe and perhaps overall. We’d all be feeling very anxious today if we’d just drawn both games against the French side.
Now if only Carling Cup games were at weekends, TS ! 😉
Agree, CG, until they tired, they were causing Marseille a lot of problems. Five Forehead in particular. His touch let him down a bit though.
H2H, why should it have been a red? The rules are crystal clear, it has to be an obvious goal-scoring opportunity for it to be a red card and Cashley did not control the ball. In fact, after he touches it it is going away from goal and there were several players tracking back down the middle. The ref got that one spot on, in my mind.
IMHO it was a goalscoring opportunity Lars and Woj was the last player, the closest was Kos and he was behind the play, so by the letter of the law he should of saw red.
But he didn’t, JT fell flat on his knobface and we won the game, so let’s drink to that instead.
In other news;
Spurs playmaker Rafael van der Vaart has warned Arsenal not to get carried away with their win over Chelsea, insisting Spurs are still the best team in north London.
Full story: Metro
====
Ha ha! Well done Fanny Fart, you’ve just administered the kiss of death that down the years many a tiny tot has uttered. Recent efforts supplied by P Crouch, now a munster. R Keane, now in space (LA Galaxy) and J Defoe, still a useless cunt.
Back to the shadows with you.
Been away, but what joy to return to wave after wave after wave of hair pins, er – puns. Well played CG.
Lars@48 – he uses hair tongs therefore he is a tonger nee Tonga.
But on the hair-dos and hair-don’ts of hair puns – if you need to explain it, it probably needs to be cut
UReDS!
Ollie @ 71,
The final will be…..
74 he said ‘STILL the best team’, really? Heh.
I love it when people set themselves up for a big fall, especially LWCs.
It’s so bad that I almost feel embaressed for him.
Nah, fuck him.
H2H @79…. sideways and with a fish fork. Sympathy for LWcs? I’d rather eat my own ear wax.
Wading in to the Santos debate (i confess i’m a fan of the slightly bonkers Brazilian), and picking up on a point made by Dr. Z very late on the last post, re the lad maybe being a secret lover of the odd ciggy. As the Doc says it might help explain away the left-back’s lack of puff late on in games – and me, i think there might be something in this theory.
However, before anyone condemns the boy from Brazil for his (alleged) unhelpful habit, i would like to remind everyone that some of football’s greatest ever names were partial to a trip or two round the old ashtray: There was Garrincha, Johan Cruyff, Socrates, Nobby Stiles and Bruce Grobbelaar – a list of footballers you can only mention in the same breath – if you’re not a smoker. (Boom. Boom. Coughs. Splutters. Falls over).
Still basking!
UReDS!
TS agread, agread.
AL, Heh.
*agreed even.
AL @ 81
The “odd” ciggy? CMC ———–> that way!
2 saints though, is a 60 a day man, if not fags, then pies! 🙂
i think ’twas Dicko who reckoned on Radio 5 Live last night that Pele’s old side – Santos – is that nakered late on in games because he’s worked so hard constantly haring forward then getting back, earlier in the game.
Dicko suggested that he was of the Continental European/South American tradition of the wing-back – who’s overriding responsibility is one of getting forward fast on the overlap and adding to the attack.
He felt our new-boy needed to get more used to The Prem and work out when to stay and when to go.
Seems like fair comment – fag/fitness theory is more fun though
UReDS!
‘Tis true Zico – he could do with being trimmer (must resist lapsing back into hair-pun cuntree – oh fuck it! Santousled anyone?
UReDS!
Oops, pardon whose not who’s –
could i converstion going with myself all way to the ton???
oops, pardon – keep this – ahhhh! tpyos – the way froward
Be careful, notnottabs, could be lurking;)
Oh dear.
Who, me?
heh Dr Z
tabstime in 6.
5
4…..
3
2
assist
Santos
Team effort!
The Brazillian’s third goal? He’ll need a rest then…
…. and a pie
And a BM for the assist Holloway
and a ciggie
Cheers TS
It should have been tabs, it should have been taaaabs, TS got a century, it should have been tabs.
Darn – late for my appointment with myself – Santoast u 4 that TS
uReDS!
Good summary ‘holic and good call on Jenkinson. Coming along nicely. Doesn’t look like an athlete but hares down that right side at speed and did his defensive duties pretty thoroughly last night. Better him there than Djourou until Bacs comes back. The CBs looked good together after the first 5 mins and TV5 does add the organisation we have missed for the last wee while. But Santos, oh dear. Wolfie, I shared that memory of John Robertson on the arses last night. Exactly who he reminded me of. Not a LB by any stretch of the imagination. Although he does get the odd good tackle in, I am becoming increasingly surprised when a) he does and b) he’s in the right position to do it. Not the long term answer methinks.
Going forward we looked good I thought but the final ball just didn’t come off often enough and 4 points from OM is a satisfactory haul. Let’s get the same off Dortmund.
Well I am proud of our lads they showd spunk out there last night. Arsene showd is another masterclass of how to get the job done.
Whos this Seaman guy!! On Sky telling us that we have problems at the back?
Im off to the Glaziers for a jar Jack Daniels, as we begin to work together to undermine that Russian and the Sheak Yer Marney
Howdy Holics!!
Gee up White Fella we need to get back to the ranch !!
Heh AL @ #108 🙂
There was a certain Art-eta in achieving that century. Feeling a bit tired now, might have to go for a Szczzz. That’s the Theo-ry, anyway.
Hi Ho Silver away
I just felt it very important to point out since we were beaten by the Spuds we have improved a million times over and as soon they come to the Emirates we will thrash them soundly.
‘Holic,
May I respectfully request that you remove the Famous Grouse from bar service here and on the HT Mk II.
Too many of my fellow holics have imbibed on aforementioned libation and have decided to set upon players for the flimsiest of reasons.
Santos … he’s too fat – no good.
Chezzer… he’s pompous and a risk taker – some one bounce him on his head.
Park (after one CL game mind you)… is all buggered and no good.
Chamakh… he’s redundant; can’t cut the mustard; various and sundry hair puns.
Jebus folks, clean sheet; four points off Marseille; in seventh place in league; team appears to be coming together…
I guess these things mean nothing? Given from whence we’ve come, I’m pleased as punch. Now I’m all for keeping a fire lit under everyone’s buttocks (win the next match and all that), but let’s not go creating negativity around players where none is or should be warranted.
BMBD!
Extract 2nd November
Dear Diary
The day started with what can only be described as a mutiny by some of our Medical staff, suddenly anxious as they became aware of our recruitment drive for a Senior Medical Officer. Things have gone too far – Drs C and T, when they are not wired to the moon, have started taking a disproportionate interest in the Nurses. They are being egged on by that nut-job Smallballs, of that I’m sure.
I let them have their fun with one of the Medicine Cabinets, which they foolishly think is the single source of goodies on the Happy Train. I have the ingenious Prof Storey to thank for ensuring a significant number of stashes on board for Executive use only, so spirits were high when we started looking over the resumes of some of the job applicants; the standard of course is “Super Quality”
Three names are on our preferred list to interview – can’t remember their names but the girls are blonde, brunette and redhead. Equal opportunities of course, with some more equal than others, as George…..err, Best used to say………
Sent the train up to the Grove but couldnt attend so watched the game curled up with a bottle of Morgan’s and Roxette on hand to interrupt at every inopportune moment – why would I really care what colour of shoes she was wearing on Saturday night when there was a game on? Oh ball in the penalty box……. “does my bum look big in this?” Not paying attention I absent mindedly said “yes, dear” and paid the price.
At the end of the match, as I compared my waist line with that of Andre Santos, I decided that I may not be losing a rearguard action in my war with time and diet after all, and that there was time yet for Feelgood to win the Ferenc Puskas looky-likey competition.
And just as I was getting ready for bed, the phone call came……some blackmailing bastard has claimed to have found a copy, after all these years, of the Feelgood Tapes!
My word, as Butch Wanker Wilkins would say……
Ahh! TS a spot of Diaby, as we say in our ‘ouse, re an early evening snooze- D-ozing/R-elaxing on B-ed
UrEDS!
114Lonestar Gooner
‘Holic,
Santos … he’s too fat – no good.
(Just a little Portly)
Chezzer… he’s pompous and a risk taker – some one bounce him on his head.
(He loves a good soap down from what I hear)
Park (after one CL game mind you)… is all buggered and no good.
(Hey not fair he is my favourite)
Chamakh… he’s redundant; can’t cut the mustard; various and sundry hair puns.
This is very true, hes a right Snood
Jebus folks, clean sheet; four points off Marseille; in seventh place in league; team appears to be coming together…
Thats my feeling too ever since we were beaten by the Spuds we have just turned it all around
Do you like Rick Perry!!
Excellent drinks, all. A very enjoyable read.
Trev, I had one of those busy “work” days you’re always banging on about. Can’t say I see the attraction….
With you there Catalan. I’m getting the right hump with this new-fangled ‘work ethic’. (i.e. they expect people like me to do some. I’m supposed be providing experience!)
Anyway, evening people. I see you kept yourselves amused. Carry on.
Keep calm….
Who’s that Goonerholic fella, and what is he doing posting comments on this blog?
Oh.
Evening, Master!
Hang on, what the fuck is going on with French TV?
Tell me I’m getting something wrong.
TF1 is showing Lyon vs Real but Canal+ or Canal+ Sport is NOT showing Inter vs Lille?
Is that a new diktat from TF1 not to have competition?
I must look at the scheduling a little closer surely.
No way am I watching the cuntfest, commented on by cunts.
Another Ferguson love-in on Sky.
Sycophantic does not even come close……nauseating 🙁
Whoa, there Bob – I think you might just be short a few.
Politics is verboden in the bar, and rightly so.
I’m not at all saying that everything is blissful since the game at shite-hart lane, but the team is playing loads better. We should be firmly behind the team insterad of sniggering about on three or four individuals. That type of “support” is self-fulfilling.
I happen to believe that Chamakh will come good, but it’s less likely to happen if we all keep piling on.
Now then, have a drink with me, and let’s see what we can do to keep things mirthful.
BMBD!
No TV tonight then. Looks like the game is on Foot+.
I pay for fucking Canal+, I’m not paying some extra money for yet another channel that is off most of the time and only show the odd football game.
As long as we’re clear on that, Ollie! 😉
So which game do you want, Ollie?
I’m not bothered to the point I would watch it on a stream, ‘holic.
But thanks, as always.
Listening to your bezzie mates instead 😉
I’m still shocked RvP isn’t on the Ballon D’or list.
What more do you need to be in that list??? He scored the most goals in 2011 aside from Ronaldo and Messi and they’re not human.
You need to play in Spain or for Man U, Snir.
How is Mario Gomez not on that list as well?
Snir, we`ve no idea as we don`t know what their criteria is. Off the top of my head Batistuta, Henry and Maldini never won it. I`ve given up thinking about it.
Bird, I don’t mind them not winning it, because I truly believe that Messi is the Michael Jordan of football, nobody is even close (where is De Jong when you need him?! Cap the motherfucker). Not even close. He’s like a player on FIFA that changes the difficulty from world class to amateur and then keeps on playing.
But Gomez and RvP need to be at least nominees!
I’ve tried to think about it. Mueller didn’t win the German championship with Bayern so it doesn’t have anything to do with team achievements.
If it only has to do with personal achievements I really can’t understand how Gomez and RvP aren’t on that list.
I really really don’t know what Benzema has done to be in that list, Snir.
Snir, don’t bother thinking about it. I’ll bet you the whole process is like “ok, let’s look at the Barca and Real teams and pick the ones we want on the list and then just take a few random guys from other leagues so it looks like we care about other teams as well!”
The vital question of the day, which just occurred to me:
Should West Brom be Frimponged?
8ball – I think they should.
I think Song needs to be rested. 3 games in a week of that intensity is a lot and I’d rather rest him so he wouldn’t be “overused” or “Wilshered”.
I’m quite confident about our defense for the weekend. I just hope we’ll be able to break through W.B.A’s defense.
BTW, Holic;
Catalan Dad texted me the headline to this post 5 minutes after the final whistle.
Great minds etc….
Quite happy if Frimpong gets a chnace – he needs the matches. But we also have an interlull coming up, so Song can rest. Doesn’t strike me as the fragile type!
Catalan dad is aware of this blog ?
We’re getting world recognition 🙂
Geuli dad is practically a holic himself from knowing all the posts 🙂
not sure if he follows it, Snir – I’ve told him about it certainly.
At least everyone can agree that Frimpong works very well as a verb, if not an action hero. Quite possibly both. 😀
both
8ball – have you seen the latest rise of The Rollers?? Eat dirt, Strollers.
Numpties…. it’s a marathon, not a sprint 😉
Just read the scoring criteria for FFL for the first time. Who knew??! 🙂
Steve T@19, BJ @ 25: I would have considered starting with Park and Arshavin, with RvP and Gervinho to come on as a pair with 20 mins to go against tired legs, if needed. I suspect Park’s more out and out No 9 suits AA23 better than playing with RvP’s false 9, as he can play more inside.
With you on no-fuss Mertesacker. He plays everything simply and effectively. He doesn’t need last-ditch heroics as he is usually in the right place to start with. Also, that loping gate with those long legs make him look at lot slower than he is.
TV5 didn’t look as if he had been away. I must say that I am not one who thinks he should play left back. That isn’t the best use of his leadership or his defending skills, and I don’t see him bombing down the wing whipping in deadly crosses. Santos is settling by the game.
zicoinexile @ 37, WU @49 Quite right to give a shout out for Song. He was the pick of our defensive players when they all played well.
Gonertown @ 42 Arteta does wear the shirt to the manner born.
Joe @ 47, TGPTEL back in January?
Tim @ 70, Not to mention that we would now be second in the table and the Dortmund game would be whatever is the CL equivalent of a six pointer.
I am slightly apprehensive about the Dortmund game. They are all but out if they don’t win, and they are a better side than their results against us and Marseille suggest. If it does go pear-shaped going to Greece needing a win won’t be a cakewalk.
AL @ 81 Socrates used to smoke during half-times, and he could play a bit. Must be a Brazilian thing.
Wasn’t the greatest home game, easily forgiven after Saturday’s herculean efforts.
I’d hope Park and Gervinho having played against L’OM regularly last season would of had more of an impact but a point is a point, we’re still top 🙂
Hopefully we’ll do in Dortmund at home and Olympikaos will turn up against Marseille for us to finish 1st and avoid UEFA/FIFA’s lovechild…
COYG!
Exactly NBN, and not only was he a great footballer he was also a very slim lad an’ all. For as we, and all good ballet dancers know, a toke or twenty helps keep the weight off. Imagine the size of our lad Santos if he wasn’t puffing on a rasper between big bites of pie.
Psed – the unfounded rumours, re the lad’s bad habits, that some of us are making up and perpetuating on here, are fast turning this seemingly slightly loco one into a potential Gooner hero for me. Indeed I’d part with possibly several guineas for a shot of Santos with a meat filled pastry in one hand and 20 Superking in the other.
UREdS!
The newly coveted 150!
erm … gunning for glory, not that pitiful remnant of the past.
Dr. C, The FFL table for the current week appears to be heavily weighted toward those who had RVP as their captain, including Green Tin Rollers and quite a few of the regulars. 🙂 Q. O’Coe and Frozen Numpties on the other hand appear to be sliding backward quite rapidly. 🙁 Remedial action appears to be in order. 😉
I might have to put Kendo Nagasaki at centre forward. 😀
Catalan –
avoid the long working days at all cost. 22 years of osteopathic and soft tissue manipulation have now given me a mid-line hernia.
Cramming the work in now as it’s ‘under the knife’ time for me on Monday. Just time to get up to the West Brom game beforehand 😉
At least some enforced rest afterwards 🙁 🙂
Have to say I like Santos. Moments of scariness when he’s caught miles out of position, alternated with bits of sublime skill. Cult hero potential, methinks.
Entering the debate a bit late I know but I thought I would add my two peneth on the Shezza debate. Shezza is a typical Arsenal player. Bags and bags of potential but not there yet. Shezza is the prime reason why last year I would have paid the money for a Mark Shwartzer or the like. I am a great fan of both leaders and mentors. Shezza I would suggest gets no real guidance ay Arsenal from fellow keepers. If we had signed a keeper with bags of experience then there is someone to talk to him. Someone to give him that knowing word.
Shezza has chanced his arm on more than one occasion. I don’t think Saturday was a sending off, but no one would argue that it could have gone either way. There have been other Herculean charges from the box that so far he has got away with. The fucking about in his area on Tuesday he just about got away with. In my opinion he would benefit massively with that old wise head on the training ground and in the dressing room.
That does not just go for Shezza. I actually think that in signing players of a certain pedigree has to benefit other. Kos is a prime example. He is another with bags of potential. Playing next to Per I think he has come on a lot. His decision making is a lot better and he gets caught out a lot less than he ever did.
Just my opinion of course.
Bad news for certain regulars in the bar, it looks like:
http://news.yahoo.com/mexico-soldiers-seize-catapults-used-fling-pot-215555395.html
But where there’s a will there’s a way. 😉
Dr. T: Take care of yourself and recover quickly!
NBN – Suits him more than that navy shite he used to wear!
So Guardiola pipped to overthrow the boss on the Balon D’ore. Shame his his patchy head can’t look as good as our neatly groomed pitch at home!
😆
…someone call Benny’s wife to sort Pep out with a haircut!
um ah!
…right I’m off to sleep
I must admit to being a Santos cult member since the game against Olympiakos. He adds excitement in many ways. 😀
Cheers 8ball 😉
Trev @ 155: Santos, the new Eboue?
Steve T @ 156: Casiilas was thrown in at the deep end as a youngster and he turned out to be one of the best. Woj will be the same.
Guys, I love you, but see you in like 6 months.
I’ve just downloaded Football Manager 2012…
Guess I won’t have time to do anything else then 🙂
Santos “The new and improved left-footed Eboue”
Re: Santos and Eboue, What Turkey giveth, Turkey taketh away. 😉
Look closely for a view of Eboue in action for Galatasaray on Sunday night:
http://www.galatasaray.org/en/futbol/superlig/haber/1506.php
Most of the website is in Turkish, so I wasn’t able to investigate whether he has a cult following over there yet. 😉
Hello holics,
I agree with you, Steve T on Big Mert. My mate who is a long time Arsenal fan doesn’t rate him too highly because he is too slow for the English game. I think he is. Even still, he seems to be at the right place all the time. He has had one bad game until now and that’s Chelsea.
Forgot to check how my team is doing in the FPL. Surely I’m first now? (excluding Numpties and Diab’Holical who of course, don’t count 😉 )
Oh and Chamakh needs a combination of comb-ittment and comb-posure to get back to scoring goals
@156: Hey SteveT, I totally agree with you about having an experienced keeper around to aid and mentor Szczesny. If we were to offload Almunia and Fabianski, do you think a good experienced keeper would come knowing that while needed he would just be number 2?
Trev – sorry to hear that, and good luck.
Although, got to say you clearly have been taking things easy – I was under the knife for bilateral inguinal hernias after just 4 years of working!
From memory (loooong time ago), I was back working (gingerly) after 2 weeks. Driving after a week.
Enjoy the pre-op…. 🙂
Morning ‘Holics
Dr.z – Great diary extract. Keep ’em coming please, it’s the only way I can keep track of Edwin these days 😉
Dr.T – I trust you won’t be admitting yourself to The Quackery for your procedure. Good luck and heal quickly!
LCG @ #167 – Well put. A cult figure for sure.
Steve T @ #156 – Fair assessment.
Have a good day all.
TS @ 174 – Hello
That is all. No time to backdrink.
Blimey CG.
Had a single inguinal hernia (admittingly quite big) and it took me 4 weeks before I could even consider driving again.
The worst though was having to walk back in horrible pain to hospital after a few days when I realised the surgeon had forgotten to prescribe me painkillers.
Codeine please.
8 ball – I agree on santos, I liked him from the game v blackburn, although it was a defeat (he dances with the ball and puts in a decent block here and there. He’s better than that crap running up the left flank at the camp nou)
NBN- I agree with you on the woj analysis. There are not too many other keepers with his experience bossing his area the way he does. A drink to you on that one.
Ollie.. at of curiosity, at which point “after a few days” did you realise that you had no pain medication???? It hadn’t occurred to you before then?
🙂
COR – apparently AW we placed a 20 mil bid for Reina some time.
I wonder if one of these alleged so-called big money bids we make were actually to become successfully complete, naysayers would get off le bosses dick about spending money?
Have a good day le gooners, i’m off to piss all over camp nou!
Heh CG. I do realise I was a bit naive. Just assumed he knew what he was doing and that if he hadn’t prescribed any, none was needed.
I also had some leftover painkillers from wisdom tooth extraction that lasted me a few days.
You can say I realised when all my ‘mental strength’ didn’t feel like enough to withstand the pain.
Good luck Trev. (coughs nervously in a male bonding type of way).
What is an inguinal hernia? Sounds painful judging by Ollies account…
Catalan, be careful when referring to Trev as “pre-op”. We don’t want Smallballs to get the wrong idea here, now do we? 🙂
Good luck Trev – hopefully after your procedure you will be able drink full pints!
TS @ 174 – Edwin is indeed a busy man, a trooper in fact. Dr F passes on his regards for sending on the 3 fillies, and, so impressed was he, he is inviting them all back for a second “interview” 😉
Lars:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hernia#Inguinal
Good luck Steve T
Or rather ‘good luck Trev’.
Ollie, I think I understand now. And I also understand why it can be painful…
GT – are you in my neck of the woods today??
Steve T – coughing in a manly way is the last thing Trev’s going to be doing for a while! 😉
Ollie – thou art stronger in ze mental strength than I. Super quality mental strength, no less.
Ollie @135 – he’s played for Real Madrid; that’s enough 😉
North B Ned @164 – we can only hope not !
Catalan – “bilateral inguinal hernias” – that’s the bollocks! 😉
Many thanks all, for the kind wishes. Just have to hope they have Swedish nurses, although my problem is well clear of the inguinal area.
No TS, definitely not having it done in The Quackery – I’d have to operate on myself apart from any other considerations.
Trev @ 189
And not for the first time either 😉
Lars – inguinal hernia is a tear in the muscle that lines the abdominal cavity, just above the groin line.
The inguinal ligament runs along the line of the groin and basically keeps your top and bottom halves joined together.
At the medial end it attaches to the pubic bone, which is why a tear in that ligament will cause discomfort in the nads when the abdominal cavity is strained by coughing.
Right, that should have everybody asleep, and I’m supposed to be off for an hour, 🙁
Lars – bugger!
Just noticed Ollie had already put a link up!
Does everybody else just hang around in this bar ALL day ? 😉
Catalan @178 – 🙂
Work for me. Laters.
Any sign of tabs? 😉
You always know you in a special place when the doctors start comparing “war wounds”…..
It was always my impression that no man voluntarily went under the knife unless he was having a vasectomy………..or a “mid-line hernia” 😉
In which case I take some reassurance Trev that you are at least performing the procedure yourself. You don’t want some prick making a balls of it…..
On a serious note – hope it all goes well…!
A return ‘hello’ Ollie to help us stride towards 200 🙂
Szcz to Santos, Santos to Ramsey….
A lofted scoop over the defence….
Crosses into the box…
Top corner, straight from the right wing. He didn’t mean to do that, did he?
Did Ronaldinho mean to do it? Doesn’t matter Ollie – bask in the glory.
And then claim you meant it…
Cunning, you said? 😉
Dr T
cc Staff Nurse Wolfie, Nurse ABB, junior nurse Helpa
bcc Snowy (Dr’s Friend)
I understand that you are going to be absent for a while. May I wish you luck, and of course, please feel free to take whatever you think you may need from the CMC.
Of course, you may choose to go down the same route of mental fortitude as Ollie, but I can’t say I’d recommend it. Why give up a legitimate excuse for drugs???
I fully endorse your decision to outsource the operation – much better, I feel, to entrust yourself to someone with more experience in, erm, well, in holding a scalpel! Besides, I wouldn’t want to stitch you up.
Be assured that, together with our new ally Snowy (Quackery exec manager??) we shall keep The Quackery working (management patients excluded).
Nurse Wolfie will, I am sure be along to lend you a helping hand with bed baths etc. Perhaps you’d prefer I sent along Nurse ABB? Could be time to play the sympathy card. Always the chance of a happy ending.
Now then – what to do about the management and their idea of someone to “oversee” us? Clearly this must not be allowed to happen. Dare I mention “patient audits” etc. More to the point “medical stock audit”??? You can appreciate the dangers.
Sending Patient Ganggoolie FIFA 12 was a masterstoke. If nothing else it’s going to save us a shed load of sedatives. I propose waiting a day or so until he is fully addicted and then taking it away from him. We shall also deny him his meds.
With him running around the HT berserk, I am confident that the management will soon come begging for our expertise. And Staff Nurse Wolfie’s paddle.
If that doesn’t work, I am quite happy to sit here in The Quackery ingesting the CMC, treating select patients and watching the world go by. Come the January window, Ganggoolie’s mania will be at an all time peak. Will be interesting to observe (from a safe distance).
I shall await your return to the fold with eagerness and a half pint of beer ready for you.
Yours in confusion….
Ollie – not quite what I said, but similar!
Morning Holics
TS 66
Have first refusal on girl friends Norwich ST , having promised not to turn up in my Szczesny shirt, keep a very low profile and buy the very late lunch at the Adam and Eve. An afternoon in the Barclay keeping my mouth shut is going to be just a little difficult!
As always COYRs
Internal Memo (status Private) to Prof T E Storey
Good man, snowy.
Good luck Trev. I haven’t been able to get comfortable all morning just thinking about your op. I’ll never be able to eat linguine again.
D L Ltd
________________________________________________________
To : Prof T E Storey
From: Dr Feelgood
Subject : Militants
________________________________________________________
Professor,
I hear that one of the Quacks is going to be indisposed sometime soon. Time to assert ourselves and introduce your new “security” measures.
I would help but I’m err……interviewing.
I am actually going to see the quack this afternoon.
Trev – I forgot to add my good wishes with the operation.
And reading the link Ollie posted and a few others made me automatically move myself into a position of protecting certain centrally located body parts…
Joe@196: you mean you are worried that the surgeon will cock it up?
Interesting link for the Santos debate
http://www.zapkam.com/blog/index.php/2011/11/andre-santos-exposes-an-english-blind-spot/
Doesn’t mention his 60 a day habit though 😉
Laptop purloined by the Mad Doctor again, folks!
Nice article, thanks Dr F
Excellent Dr.z @ #212 – Great ‘lateral’ thinking 😉
Lars, Joe, et al – Are you angling(-of-dangling) for a ‘knob gags afternoon’?
Delia @ #206 – Sounds great! Expect another great match report by a ‘Holic on the spot. Try sitting on your hands when your team wins 5-3 at The Bridge!
Catalan and Trev, you have mail.
Returns nose to painful grindstone… 🙁
Catalan – I’m just on me lunch break fella.
Good luck Trev
Liked the article Dr Z
GT – so you can piss on Camp Nou from the UK? Mighty impressive!
Are we back to knob gags Dr.C @ #219? 😉
Knob. Gags.
Veering dangerously into Wolfie territory, TS!
D L Ltd
________________________________________________________
To : Dr. Feelgood
From: Prof T E Storey
Subject : Security Measures
________________________________________________________
Doctor,
The systems that we have discussed are ready to be deployed. Carlos K and his team are already foaming at the mouth.
Unfortunately, I am not sufficiently briefed in the terms of The Geneva Convention to make a call on whether we can ‘press the button’, so to speak.
Could you please prod our legal eagles to give it a once over before deployment? I believe at least two of them have kept their snouts out of the CMC today.
Regards, Edwin
‘Holic @ #216
Get well soon! The Quackery won’t help you though unless you’re willing to experiment with substances to numb the pain 😉
I don’t think patients need to be willing to deal with the Saw Doctors in the Quackery, TS.
Indeed, they prefer the alternative from what I can gather.
@223 – heh! This is how rumours start…
Afternoon doctors and gentlemen.
Trev, good luck with your procedure.
Zico, nice article, although it kind of raises more questions then it answers. e.g. Why would AW knowingly play a winger as LB in a defense already considered shaky? Or does AW plan to play Gibbs and 2saints together done the same flank in the future?
===
Some stiff competition for the knob gags. I’ll be the bigger man and rise above it though.
H2H – why would AW play TGSTEL as a winger?
The prosecution rests, your Honour. 8)
Excuse my ignorance your honour. But what is TGSTEL?
Nicky B, the Greatest Srikah that Evah Lived
(courtesy of Arseblogger).
that should have been strikah (as in striker)
Oh god, feckin Apple
Ah, cheers Zico. I can’t believe I missed that, I must of been sick, or even worse, sober, when that one was wheeled out.
Good point though, but I call for a mis-trail on the gronds of, eer, well, eeeer…. that I probably can’t win.
😀
Have a BM on me, good sir.
Good luck Trev
Dr.F @ 212 re the link, our very own L. Dicko suggested something v similar re the Soth-American wing-back theory on Radio 5 Live on Tuesday night – butt unfortunately the sports reporter doing the interview was unable to drag anything out of Lee re the possible Santos ciggie thing.
UReDS!
Dr C @204 – absolutely superb 🙂 🙂
‘Holic – “linguini” 🙂
Thanks all, once again. This is, for clarification, a paraumbilical hernia – and that is, for clarification, just above the ‘belly-button’.
NOT, as seems to be suggested here and there, anywhere near the other things. 😉
AL – punning again @ 233 !
Surprised that got through ‘Holic’s filter.
Got to work now but will join in later.
CG. It was said in jest. Never funny if you have to explain it.
😉
Rain rain and more rain.
TGSTEL still sounds like a telecomms company.
I see Kos is in the France squad for the needless interlull.
As it’s friendlies, he’ll probably play a part.
One more potential injury to worry about. Damn you, Larry White.
Steve T – my response too! So I guess I’ll take your advice as well!
Maybe we’re better at downing a pint? 🙂
Evening chums. Taking the management back to Reading tomorrow so will take the ‘hPad2 with me and hopefully get a sober preview up a little earlier than usual.
Shame about our neighbours losing tonight. If they don’t qualify in the top two do they go into some sort of third tier of Eurotrash 😉
Unlucky Maccabi, a late goal not quite enough to get them a point against the Potteriescum.
Holic, a sober preview, is that wise?
Hope we don’t have to be sober to read it! 😉
The Scene
D L Ltd – Human Resources Dept – Interview Room 1
The room is sparsely furnished, there is merely a long rectangular table, a chair at either end and somewhat inexplicably, a chaise longue. There is also a 1980s television with an old-fashioned video recorder on the floor, attached in a rather haphazard manner.
Professor Storey rushes into the room, with a bemused expression on his face, and heads to the top end of the table where an expectant Dr Feelgood sits with a glint in his eye and a massive grin:
Edwin: “The applicants have arrived, Dr F, although I have to say, none of them look typical “medical” types, they look pretty young. In fact some of them look uncannily like err…bar staff material”
Dr Feelgood : “How patronising of you, Edwin, these applicants have exactly the credentials we need for this crucial position, and it’s just a case of ensuring we make the correct choice from a very strong line up – send the first one in and then I’ll err…..take it from there. You can then go and brief Carlos on the Security detail.”
The Professor leaves and returns with a stunning brunette and ushers her into the chair at the far end of the table, and then, on his way out, whispers into Dr Feelgood’s ear…
Edwin: “The others have gone…..there’s only her.”
Feelgood, nonplussed but attempting to regain his composure, says
“OK, thanks Edwin, you can leave us now” and turning to the brunette attempts to speak in what he believes to be a professional manner:
“Well thank you for coming in, err… Joan, is your name really Joan Terry?”
Joan: “Of course, Doctor, there are no embellishments on my CV, what you see is what you get” and she winks.
Feelgood is again momentarily flustered…..
“OK, well, as you will have been briefed by Professor Storey, this is a competency based interview, and we’ll soon find out which of us is competent – hopefully its you, heh”
*Feelgood turns on the old TV and a film is running, showing a footballer in red and white, who flashes a sumptuous volley past Fabian Barthez.
Feelgood: “Do you know who that is?”
Joan “Well, that is Thierry Henry scoring one of my favourite goals for my one true love, the Arsenal”
Feelgood: “Excellent Joan, big tick in the box,…… now, can you go over and lie on that couch and just, em, let me look at you….in profile?”
Joan: “Of course, but I thought the role was for a medical position?”
Feelgood: (patronisingly) “Ah, aren’t you the sharp one……you are quite correct”
*Feelgood crosses the room and opens a cupboard and invites Joan to peer in*
Feelgood: “So, what’s that?”
Joan: “Doctor Feelgood, I do believe you have a skeleton in your closet!”
Feelgood (under his breath) “More than one my dear…….”.
“Excellent Joan, that’s the medical qualifications verified…..now then are you familiar with Rizla, rolling tobacco, and herbs?”
Joan: “I was at my last joint” (she winks again)
Feelgood: “Oh Joan, I have never felt more right about a prospective employee – the job is as good as yours – how about you come up to the Executive Suite tonight at midnight, to sign the contract?”
Joan: “Oh no, I don’t think I can do that. Before today, I was ready to take the job, but just before you called me in, a very strange man came through the door dressed only in swimming trunks and 6 inch platfom boots. The other 2 girls ran away screaming…..”
Feelgood (groaning) “Oh god, what did he say?”
Joan: “He said “I am Wolfgang Smallballs, and I’m going to be your new Boss – let’s swap mascara”. Very odd he was…….
Feelgood is left with his head in his hands, as Joan demurely leaves the room…..
Oh my God.
I’ve created a monster 😉
Only one? 😉
Zico @ 244
Great Stuff.!!
Viz a Viz the HT.
Can you please confirm at the next Board meeting that my previous request for confirmation that there will be a Non Smoking/No Alcohol Carriage attached for future trips,will be raised.
I have been very disappointed with the Board’s silence on this issue.
There are those of us who live a clean/healthy and sober life,that like to mingle with like minded souls on the HT excursions around the UK and Europe.
To date we are forced to mix with the ‘ anything goes mob ‘ and have no choice but to inhale all manner of noxious fumes emananting from
said Mob’s top and bottom orifices.
Some of us have been quite overcome in this fashion and it can take days to recover ones senses fully.
As you can imagine,with HT excursions quite often occuring every 3 days,there are times when one cannot fully recover from one trip to the next.
This quite often leads to the unhappy circumstance whereby some of us ‘ cleanskins ‘ can appear to be pissed/stoned,without having imbibed either substance.!!
This cannot go on.
I await your response.
Kind Regards
Clive Waterman,aka The Sweeper,
Chairman/MD/CEO/COO
The Clean Healthy Living Society.
*’Doctors’ Friend’ catches up on drinks, panics, starts typing document entitled “Current Issues Relating to Corporate Reputation: Strategies to Manage Potential Crisis Situations Arising from Existing Employment and/or Environmental Policies”*
Clive, how many of you Clean Skins are there?
Not four by any chance? 😀
Good man (?) Wolfie! re 244
Excellent work. I do believe management has bitten off more than it can chew this time (insert gag).
Good to see the Exec Snowy (Drs’ friend) has clocked in at last. Bit of a situation old chap. One man down (easy, nurse!) but we’re fighting a rather good rearguard action. Wolfie! For God’s sake man, calm down!
We’re going to lock the doors to The Quackery again in preparation for taking away patient Ganggoolie’s FIFA 12…..
Patient Holic. Have a drink of this black stuff, that’ll sooth your nerves. Repeat as necessary.
Next!
Gah! Beaten to the “4” joke by Zico!
Trev- Good luck mate. Hope all is well.
Holic – I hate Stoke, I hate Stoke, I hate Stoke….!!!!!!! At least Maccabi’s basketball team beat Real Madrid.
Dr C – It isn’t FIFA 12 that I’m addicted to, it’s Football Manager 2012 I’m addicted to. I am no longer addicted to FIFA, the addiction is now back to its natural Football Manager…
I was so addicted to Football Manager that I even used to work for Sports Interactive as the Head Researcher for Championship Manager 4 and CM03-04 when it used to be Eidos and not Sega.
*reads recent drinks, realises this is going to be a challenge, tries desperate diversionary tactic to buy more time… *
Hey look, isn’t this cute?:
http://wimp.com/puppyice/
*continues typing furiously, muttering expletives*
…and let loose the Goolies of War…!
Goonertown @ 157: And let me offer you a drink back. And to any regulars who might be in at this early/late/middling hour.
I’ve seen some of Woj at Brentford and you could see the presence and the promise there.
Trev @ 188. Indeed. And hope all goes well under the knife.
H2H at 226. A lot of left backs start out as wingers. Gibbs and Santos are but two examples.
BTW, Snowy (Drs’ Friend), old chap.
May I say what a pleasure it has been to see you embrace our (mostly) happy little locomotive with such style and eloquence?
A sneaky G&T (old school) on the bar for you….
Evening All ,
Dr Z @ 215 and @144 – Fantastic stuff , 🙂 🙂 Get yourself a large one .
To all those who went in for the hair puns , AL Lars Camberwell and TS , I like your style .
Ollie , thank you for your continued assistance on the centuries . Sorry I wasn’t around to take advantage , loved the song though 😉
Best wishes Trev for monday . Hope all goes well and you’re not indisposed for too long .
Dr C – Great work above . Wolfie has assured me of his continuing full support for the medical team , once you let him out of the cupboard ! With Dr T indisposed , Nurse Helpa nowhere to be seen , and Nurse ABB seemingly busy on other matters , it could be all hands on deck to repel what Feelgood throws at the medical department . Wolfie assures me he has a masterplan . It would appear Feelgood and Prof TES will be relying on Carlos Kickemhard for security . Wolfie tells me he Knows Carlos rather better than the Board of Directors 😉
TaBS – does he have video evidence? Would be mighty useful….
Dr C , let’s just say all eventualities have been covered . If the Board doesn’t fall into line soon , with promotions and pay rises for all medical staff , Feelgood might find that his over-used pecker suddenly becomes even more exposed than the ubiqitous Katie Price .
Clive , great work 🙂
Snowy , I think the med team need your considerable powers of persuasion to broker a deal ( in which the Board caves in on every point of course ) .
Dr C – why thank you. And one for yourself good sir 😉
The mere mention of the phrase “old school” has reminded me…there are of course security cameras on this fine locomotive.
The issues management strategy has therefore written itself. Or perhaps the term ‘filmed itself’ may be more accurate. On reviewing same, a certain ‘willingness’ in participation in the activities of the HT Mk II may safely be assumed.
The typewritten ‘Strategy’ can therefore go hang. We have the video evidence.
The DLL Board may sleep soundly tonight. As far as I’m concerned, the corporation’s spotless reputation remains intact.
🙂
Zico @ 249
Very Droll.
Actually there are 2.5 of us.
Myself,one other and a Dwarf.
I also forgot to mention that we will need a seperate Bathroom attached to our carriage.
This will allow us to relax the Hygiene Protocols currently in place,of full face mask and Latex gloves when using the facilities that are in situ.
Yours on Behalf of the CHLS
Clive.
*lights up a f*cking huge cigar, feet onto desk and hums a few bars from Vivaldi whilst tapping his cubital fossa……*
As does the spotless reputation of DLL employees, of course.
I really don’t think either side actually wants wider circulation of the security tapes….
😆
Tapping one’s cubital fossa …
I would not touch that one with a ten foot pole. 😉
8ball @ 264 – medicolegal counsel has pointed out this action can be viewed as a simple physical relaxation technique. Much like yoga.
Dr C has clearly had an extremely busy day in clinic, and is attempting to relax a very tired arm.
Nothing to see here, move along please, thank you, thank you all.
😉
Good to see you all here. Just watched the first two episodes of Frozen Planet. Awesome stuff by the OU and BBC.
I’m getting increasingly concerned by the healthy types here. One of you medical bods should point out to the sweeper that Dr T is a non-imbiber and guess who is going under the sawbones, er, saw?
Answer me that one, eh?
Evening folks, great stuff as usual.
Off to see Thierry Henry play at the LA Galaxy in a few. Guinnei will be had whilst in my seat. What a way to spend an anniversary eh. Lucky me.
Quite right ‘Holic, quite right. I have a perfectly good study here, produced by Lambert and Butler, published in the Youngs weekly pub round up, that smoking and drinking are actually positively good for you.
Hence we are in the prime of health, and young Dr T is a moaning and a groaning on the slab.
Snowy – 😉 Your understanding of Yoga is quite, quite excellent.
YDWTBHL – lucky boy! Enjoy…..
Holic
Make that 3.5 then.
But contrary to popular opinion,i am sure there are many other
Non inhalers/imbibers out there,who are too scared to ‘ come out ‘
for fear of ridicule by the ‘ permanently off their heads mob ‘ who have taken over the Asylum.
It does make life very difficult,when one is surrounded by the likes of
the Doctors A-Z,the Lunatic in Speedoes et al,
Now i see they have added a new member to the laughable
‘ Medical team ‘,who seems to have been appointed with unseemly haste,whilst i find my application to join the Board to add a voice of reason,and to promote good health,was used to light the Cigars of the current members,without as much as a by or leave.!!
Disgraceful behavior.
But i will not give up the fight.
Yours on behalf etc etc .
Clive
@ 259
Et tu, Brute?
Who has the Feelgood Tapes?
Clive aka The Sweeper
There is a bit of a power stuggle underway at the moment, but The Board will get to you, eventually.
And your dwarf.
Clive, Here’s to your health!
*glug glug glug* 😀
Speaking of sobriety (for once), here’s a presumably sober (quite a lot to presume, granted) assessment of this Saturday’s match from Mark Lawrenson:
“You cannot yet say Arsenal are back as the team we used to know but they have started to play well and they are on a really good run.
I still think they have got innate problems defensively, though, whatever their form suggests. Their left-back Andre Santos is a good footballer but can be got at and I am totally unconvinced by Per Mertesacker in the centre, so having Thomas Vermaelen back fit is a big plus for them.
West Brom rolled over very easily against Liverpool last week. Baggies boss Roy Hodgson was unhappy with the penalty decision that led to the Reds’ first goal but I think he will probably be just as unhappy about the way his side played.
Injured striker Shane Long, who does the work of two men, is a big miss for them at Emirates Stadium and I cannot see them getting anything from the Gunners.
Prediction: 2-0”
Zico
thnks for your prompt response,
Mr and Mrs Dwarf said to say hello.
He/She suffers from MPD,and quite often is not sure if she is a he,
or he is a she, or as per above, he/she is both.!!
Yours, confused.
Clive
BT8
I trust that is Orange Juice you are imbibing.??
Clive, I find grapefruit juice to have a sharper better taste, giving me at least the illusion that I am consuming a higher quantity of Vitamin C, which in the quackery they call acerbic acid. 😀
Just a touch of vodka in the grapefruit juice to settle the nerves and properly balance the disposition, as my physician likes to say. 😀
Cheers Snir, Tabs, NBN 😉
Tabs, do I sense an upcoming episode of “The Feelgood Tapes” as a possible successor to “BTA”. 😉
Clive The Sweeper – great stuff @various 🙂
zico – @244, excellent 🙂
I do wonder, like to imagine, even, what the expression on most faces must be when they wander into the drinks for the first time, expecting to read enlightened comment on matters football, and Arsenal in particular, on such an esteemed interweb organ.
Today’s “drinks” must be exactly what you imagined this blog would produce ‘Holic, when first you stepped into the world of online publishing . . . 😉
Thank God for it, I say. It’s brilliant, makes supporting The Arsenal twice as much fun, and has made friendships both virtual and real.
And that is in no small part due to the way that it is governed 😉
Dr C –
so your own method of distraction relaxation is a tap of the cubital fossa . . .
I usually find myself pensively stroking the mandibular ramus . . .
just saying . . 😉
Stroking did you say?
And what is this about an interweb “organ”?
Clive, Is there no news of the Voluptuous Cecilia to warm our hearts??
Too many Doctors.
Not enough malpractice suits.
What the quackery needs is a good attorney.
No, two.
@Trev (way back at#191)
Good God man, how could one sleep after that discriptive an explanation?
Aha! Actual Arsenal news, almost a week old but it’s news to me and my question is, did Frimpong carry through on the promise?:
http://www.adifferentleague.co.uk/p6_1_10788_frimpong-tickled-pink-after-arsenal-triumph-against-chelsea.html
Most of the usual lurkers are probably sleeping so a cheeky move on 300 could be a possibility this evening?
…just kind of thinking out loud, of course.
Frimpong axes down Fletcher but the referee waves play on …
Quick pass to Ramsey …
Out to Gervinho on the wing.
He’s got some space.
Can he beat Evra to the touch line?
He sends an excellent cross into the area…
And Manchester United have been Frimponged!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bullet of a header into the top corner.
Nothing De Gea could do about it.
His pink or red hear was a streak coming into the penalty area and no defender picked him up.
Before the game they were all saying Frimpong would at least be impossible not to see, but the pundits were all proved wrong …
Hair not shown pink or red in this picture:
http://www.soccerhairstyles.com/emmanuel-frimpong-hairstyles.html/emmanuel-frimpong-mohawk-hairstyles-picture
Let me suggest red, Emanuel, if you haven’t gotten it done already.
A better shade to go with the uniform, of course.
Was that easy or what?????
leftcoast, Thanks for the assist @282. 😉
BT8
You shameless Hussy.!!!!
I think that’s taking Playing with Yourself to a whole new level.!!!
cheers
Clive
Trev @ 277.
Thnks buddy.
Good luck for the OP.
I know what it’s like,having spent 8hrs in Theatre for a Back Operation in 92.
cheers
Clive
Ah 8ball, that was shameless! Next you’ll be taking people for tours around the bar and receiving payment for that too ;D
Careful you don’t grow hair on your palms or go blind after playing with yourself in the bar 😆
Did anyone catch that BBC article asking whether the LWCs is currently the best team in London? I’m still loling…the Beeb is the newest tabloid it seems. How can you take them seriously???
That was as shameless as having Rooney as captain in your fantasy team. Oh 🙂
Haha! Touché 😀
RVP for captain of the universe!
Hey holics,
Let’s say AW does buy Podolski (hypothetically speaking for now of course), do you think he’ll stay with the current formation, move to 4-4-2, put Podolski on the wing or put RvP in the DB role?
Interesting…
bt8, no glory in posting consecutive posts at 3am.
Boooooooooooo.
…Pissing it down out here at the moment!
Hopefully tomorrow will be better for the lads to perform;)
😉
Sunny day. It seems very binary at the moment.
Monday was sunny. Tuesday it pissed down. Wednesday sunny. Thursday, the skies opened, and today it’s sunny again.
Oh and con- fuck-u-lations to the spuddies for their impressive result last night. Cheers!
Ollie – nice to know 🙂
Raining here too. You know how on cuntbook, ‘I love the smell of rain’ would get ten thousand likes? Well, I hate rain.
Snir, he will do neither because he won’t buy him 🙂
Deluge of biblical proportions in Barcelona…!
Sunny Spain, my arse.
The destruction of Barcelona is starting, CG? 😉
http://www.francefootball.fr/#!/news/2011/11/04/175254_aliadiere-j-etais-au-fond-du-trou.html
Alialialialialiadière itw
Ollie – proof, if needed, that God is a gooner.. 😉
Holic – you have mail
@BT8BBGFG#301 Glad to be of help.
@Harsha#306 Caring means sharing. It’s raining here too… and the surf sucks, and the mother-in-law is over. Yuk.
@CG #316 Would that be forty days and forty nights?
On to footie, who will play at the back this weekend? BFG has got to have a day off. Can TV5 go three consecutive starts or will we risk the pairing of JD and Kos? Is Gibbs back or are we on for Jenkinson and Santeboue?
Random non-Arsenal related story of the day.
One of the guys who I normally play 5 a sides indoor football with (when fit, heh), has won the World Technology Award 2011 in Telecomms.
Wow.
Re: Harsha, Who did you say has Rooney as captain of their fantasy team? 😉 Due to lack of performance he has finally been dumped. But if he goes on a goalscoring rampage this weekend, I would hereby like to proclaim I was the first to predict it (sort of). Thanks to all who recognised my shameless, and depending on your point of view, (in)glorious run at 300 last night. Glory to all in the highest. 😀
I can’t believe I’m still so low in that league (I checked for the first time on monday), with RvP as captain.
Come on Robin, score 10 goals tomorrow.
8ball…. welcome to the side of righteousness… can we assume that all other evil players have been discarded?
@ leftcoast
I think Vermaelen will play with one of either Kos and Per. If Per is “dropped” it will purely be to give him a rest.
I expect the team to be
Woj, Jenks, PM, TV5, 60 a day.
Ramsey Song Arteta
Walcott, RvP, Flipper.
4 hours till (real) pub time…….
A drink for everyone in the bar as it’s my B-Day today! Lars Credit Card is behind the bar so help yourselves Holics 🙂
Many Happy Returns, Arthur
(and thanks Lars) 😀
Afternoon ‘Holics
Some great work up there from The Four Doctors, The Speedo Massive, Snowy, Clive and all the usual suspects. Well, all apart from you 8 Ball and your triple century antics… Booooooo! You’re self-soliloquy, although highly amusing, was reminiscent of a certain Kanadian Komrade that once frequented this bar 😀
Clive – As Obermeister Gruppenführer of The CHLS I would have thought that ‘early to bed and rise’ would have been part of your life-style mantra but notice that were a 3:57 am poster. Or are you going to tell me that your substance free lifestyle powers you on to need virtually no sleep at all? If I recall and according to The VC, you’re an early riser too 😉
Dr.z – I hear ’60-a-day man’ is trying to become ’45-a-day man’ in recognition of his current first-team status. Whilst the rest of the team will sport a ‘powered by poppies’ logo, his remains as ‘powered by pies’. My view of him, however, remains highly rose-tinted and I bet he sneaks one in tomorrow, a goal that is. Might even be worthy of a Storey pound.
LCG – I think Dr.z’s team selection is pretty much what I would field too, although I’m thinking Park might get to start again and that we’ll bring Robin on with 20 to go to bang in a quick hatrick and Baggie all 3 points.
All together now, ‘Who’s that team they call the Arse-nal?….’
Happy Birthday ATG. 21 again?
http://www.101greatgoals.com/videodisplay/the-arsenal-fan-called-bully-15646622/
Dunno if its been posted here before, if so -my apologies.
Here’s a video of the fan who got RVP’s shirt last Sat. Sky finally caught up with him I guess!
Classic: On why he changed his middle name : “I didn’t want to carry on having a name similar to Teddy Sheringham” heh!
TS
21+13 aint that bad I suppose!
Thank you all for birthday wishes! Another round is on me, my card behind the bar this time, thanks Lars! 🙂
Ollie it ain’t that special to have RvP as captain when the whole league has got him as captain 🙂
You gotta have a different x factor!
Heh, true Snir, i figured that, but I heard so much talk of Shrek as captain above……
My policy of no Mancs of either hue, no Stoke, no Spur, no Chelsea, no Liverpool is a risky one.
My other (fairly involuntary) policy of no transfer might not be much good either….
Afternoon ‘holics. Hope all are having a good day, including birthday boy ATG 🙂
Top posts as usual. But 8ball I think you’re on the naughty step for that one, tsk tsk 😉
So who’s heading to the HoF on the morrow?
Arthur, congratulations and, err… thanks for the drink, I suppose 🙂
Baltimorean, great clip!
Sorry Arthur, just noted that you have now placed your own card behind the bar 🙂
Many happy returns, Arthur, provider of the LWC’s clock.
Cheers Arthur. A virtual pint of peroni after the two post 5-a-side ones enjoyed last night.
Still in your early/mid 30s I see, the best years lie ahead of you 🙂
Woo-hoo! Cake & beers? What a great way to celebrate.
That took some baking and topping, I’ll tell you Arthur. 😉
Change of plan team. The management steadfastly refused to be knocked out so we are home in time for me to do my normal Friday in the pub.
Hence it will be a 5/6/7* (delete as appropriate) pint preview later this evening.
To Arthur!
Time Lords live forever TS 😉
Or die in the attempt…..
Yay, 3 cheers for the 7 pint preview 😀
And a very good afternoon to you too Snowy @ #335.
Please help the boys bring back 3 points tomorrow.
If necessary, perhaps you could tempt Santos into scoring with a prawn sandwich bribe? 😉
Enjoy the game!
Pre preview beers, now.
See you in the next set of drinks, chums. 8)
Aye Dr.z 🙂
Happy Birthday Arthur!
And heh at the failed attempt of sober preview 😉
First pint nearly history 🙂
Thank you Holic and Holics
Great bunch of Gooners what else can you add? Absolutely nothing!
Looking forward to your post Holic 🙂 and I apologise for any drunken comments in advance.
Have a great evening everyone! Off to a meal with the family!
Drinks on my tab all around!
Are you going to give us a pint countdown/up tonight then, ‘Holic? 😉
I down 7 to go 🙂 Holic, Holic, Holic…..
One clock is enough thank you! Second Guinness sliding down too easily.
Arthur is a Goooner
Arthur is a Goooner
Howdy ‘holic’s.
Many happy returns ATG.
8Ball, a 17 post assist? Ingenius and shameless in equal measures, grab yourself a drink as reward and spill it on yourself as punishment.
What’s all this I’m hearing about healthy living, tee-totaing and other such gobbledeegook? I’m not having any of that, It’s the HT, HAPPY Train, not the Healthy Train.
History tells us that if you give the non smokers one carridge, before you know it they’ll have the whole damn train.
Mandatory BM (without the green crap) and vodka shots all round. Also spark up and smoke ’em if you got ’em. 😉
Happy Birthday, Arthur :). The clock is genius
Looking forward to the 7 pinter ‘holic
I’ve been having a hard time posting from my laptop over the last 24hrs or so. Please the layout of the site sometimes appears differently. Anyone else having this problem or is my computer in meltdown?
*Please = plus
Layout hasn’t changed Maestro. I am resolutely keeping the same old boring set-up until it is lauded as a retro classic 🙂
Cheers “holic, problem must be on my end.
The page switches between the normal lay-out, with the burgendy backgrond, to a texst sheet format.
TS @ 344 – you are a cheeky sod, and have just gone to the back of the list of future recipients of prawn sandwich freebies as come my way from time to time 😉
Other ‘holics may join the queue any time they like. So long as it’s in front of TS 😉
As for tempting Santos, a wheelbarrow full of tapas and 40 Rothmans should do it…unless he gets distracted by AA’s delivery from Gregg’s.
Dinner poured, feet up, the working week is done. Bliss.
😆
Wow, that Goonerholic site truly is a retro classic.
That clucker did not die in vain. Absorbed into the finest satay sauce known to man it is now preparing to re-enter the food chain.
Pint number six is poured, and we shall commence scribbling.
Wish me luck.
Tee Hee
Guinness and a slice of Arthur’s cake please, maestro. Snowy, I just hope the naughty step is not as cruel and unusual a punishment as the naughty corner. 😀
Cheers and here’s to the 7 pint pre-preview, a new ‘holic tradition. Let’s hope the ‘holic pound is as good this week, not to mention the preview itself, of course. 😀
That cake looks amazingly tempting, I must say.
Slice for Clive, before he does his 80 laps.
Good luck, ‘holic.
‘holic @ 362 😉 good luck Maestro…
8ball @ 364 – it’s very cruel and unusual I’m afraid. Original protocol devised by the good Dr C, with additional instructions in red crayon (or perhaps it’s lipstick) that looks suspiciously like Staff Nurse Wolfie’s handwriting. Brace yourself 8ball … 😉
It is done >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>