A Giant Stride Forward At A Time For Looking Back
Dec 11th, 2011 by 'holic
There is something about an anniversary. We look backwards, predominantly, and invariably that leads to teary moments. I don’t mind admitting to shedding the odd droplet at the unveiling of the new statues on Friday. Recorded somewhere on film are the tears I shared with Thierry Henry and a host of other observers when flesh and blood met bronze replica. It was a moving moment, but not my first of the day. The moment Herbert Chapman’s latest tribute saw daylight I was reminded of the ‘holicdad telling me of the day Alex James took him in out of a downpour in Avenell Road for a cup of tea and a towel, and the great man was there.
Twenty-four hours on I took my seat far earlier than I would otherwise do. The legends were presented to an adoring crowd. There was polite applause for those who I first saw winning things in the red and white (or yellow and blue of course). Even a decade ago I would imagine Charlie George would have warranted a rousing chorus of “Born is the king of Highbury”. The vociferous at the Grove are of a younger vintage. As the likes of Charlie, John Radford, Sammy Nelson, and Frank Mclintock were introduced my mind wandered to George Armstrong and Joe Baker. Heroes of another age.
The next generation were received more enthusiastically, and of course the roof came off for Ian Wright. My thoughts were of David Rocastle. His smile would have lit up the occasion. The invincibles formed a line right in front of me, and I allowed myself, fleetingly, to imagine seeing Pires, Henry, Parlour, Lauren, and mad Jens on the pitch together one more time. Celebrated in the stands, it was time for the anniversary to be recognised with a special performance on the pitch.
Often in such circumstances the expectation put upon those in action proves a burden too far, and that is how this game threatened to end for a long time. The first half saw Arsenal unravel Everton’s thorough rearguard almost at will, and yet so often the final ball, or the final decision, was not at the level we need to be operating at to challenge for the biggest prize.
Ramsey in particular was weaving balls into the space between defenders, only to overhit them. Walcott developed a nasty bout of offsideitis, although when finally accurately freed by Arteta he attempted a pass when perhaps he could have been a little more selfish. Ramsey and Gervinho both narrowly missed out as Arsenal threatened to win in handsome fashion. With each miss came the murmers. Not rumblings of discontent, you understand, but certainly most in the ground had now started to suggest this was ‘just one of those days.
The second-half promised more of the same, but following the introduction of Distin for Saha Everton produced, surprisingly, a period of sustained pressure which could have put a damper on proceedings. It was becoming clear that a moment of inspiration was needed for the hosts. It arrived in the shape of as good a finish as has been seen in five years at the Grove. Inevitably the perpetrator of the decisive left foot volley was one Robin van Persie of this parish.
There remained two moments of concern for the guests at this very special birthday party. The first when Fellaini’s carefully guided elbow left Thomas Vermaelen with vision much akin to mine after sinking a gallon of Guinness and a bottle of Talisker. The last came when the Everton substitute McAleny, who like most policemen these days looks about eleven years old, ran through Per Mertesacker’s legs before smashing a speculative effort just past the far post.
The post-mortem was just an extension of the last three days. New friends and old tried to make sense of what they had just witnessed, exchanged wishes for the upcoming holidays, and had a good old sing song as the muscle-relaxing qualities of the assorted beverages took effect. It was the fourth consecutive day of a massive high for me, although the travel has taken its toll. I will be sleeping all day Sunday if I get my way, and those of you who met the management on Wednesday will know that isn’t going to happen!
As anniversaries go, this was a very special one indeed. I have had a few days of being treated very well indeed, thanks to the original Paddy who got up, and Arsenal Football Club, and a chunk of people who I am privileged to count as friends just because I bash on a few keys now and again.
There is one other I wish could have shared this week with me. He would have been as chuffed as I am.
Thanks ‘holics, and thanks Arsenal.
Happy anniversary.
354 Responses to “A Giant Stride Forward At A Time For Looking Back”
Get in!
And some good news to top the goal!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/8948572/Arsene-Wenger-is-in-for-the-long-haul-says-Arsenal-chief-executive-Ivan-Gazidis.html
AW and Gazidis had a meeting to discuss the 2016-2017 season and it looks as if AW will be here “for a long time to come!!!”
Great post ‘Holic, cor your seat looks good, almost in the middle of the East Stand Lower Tier from the looks of it 😉
Well played Snir! Top post, Holic. Pint o plain, if you will.
Holic – as usual, top class.
But you come to expect it from you and from the Arsenal.
Another week, another win.
We’re creeping up the table.
Ohh we’re in the mix, don’t let anybody tell you otherwise.
Great drink by Lars at the end of the last session. 😀
Now to read your new post, ‘holic. I trust you had a great day. 😀
Under the watching eyes of faithful throng
With the battle locked in a stalemate
The mighty home side leaving things quite late
More than an hour was already gone
Then one bold cannon fired high and long
And all those watching held their breath in wait
And saw it soaring o’er the field so straight
Arriving to its target well on Song
Majestic captain flying through the air
Connected with the ball and lashed it home
His prowess on the field is ever known
He moves with sudden pace and strikes with flair
One-nil is surely the very best way
To honor our one-twenty-fifth birthday
Joshua,
You are one top, top contributor.
Thank you for that.
Great post, ‘holic and a real sense of a historic day as if I had been there. Thank you as ever. A pint of Guinness if you will barman, and a toast to holic and the holicdad, who I suspect is the one who was most missed on the day. 😉
Very moving Joshua 🙂
bt8bbnBFG- Lars likely isn’t coherent enough to accept your compliment, but I’ll have a drink in his stead.
Ah, sorry for the jokes when you are beautifully sincere. Cheers, to Holic and Holicdad.
Top post. Gutted that a problematic week prevented me from making the pub midweek or after the game.
Far too late to say much more. I will be back with my thoughts at a far healthier time of the day.
*Raises glass to RvP for the inspiration*
*Raises glass to ‘Holic for his kind words and for hosting such a fine establishment. It’s credit to you that so many feel free (and encouraged) to fill these drinks with works of art.*
That was a beautiful write-up holic. Happy Anniversary to by far the greatest team the world has ever seen.
Of course the passing of legends might influence our memories of them, but I do wonder what Rocky would think of the media inspired hand wringing of the likes of Wrighty and Mc Lintock? 2 great servants of the club but most recently more remembered for their tabloid styleee slatings of the club and manager. I just dont think Rocastle would have followed their lead. Well I really hope not.
I love Wrighty, dont get me wrong, but I just cannot forgive him for his talkshite nonsense while McLintock is just a rentagob these days. When it has been easier for ex-Arsenal players to queue up to slate the club and manager, I just feel that to be considered a true legend then you oughta be more like Henry, he’s a Gooner thru and thru.
Sorry Holic, this was truly a top notch piece mate.
Holic, Sweet dreams and God bless.
‘Holic, a glass of my finest claret raised to you and to ‘Holicdad in absentia. The continuity is what makes this club so great. We, and they, were there then, are now and those who come after us will be so in the future.
@ Holic: Wonderful, wonderful stuff indeed. This has been a very emotional last couple of days for me made more poignant by the fact that I have been in self-imposed exile in Jamaica and have only ever visited the Emirates on a single occasion…All the talk of the past has set off a flood of memories..
Like you I am of a previous generation – before the present “let them eat cake” generation and so, like you, I have found my thoughts drifting to the heroes of mt youth: gone but not forgotten. I have always had a soft spot for the unsung among Arsenal’s Pantheon of immortals: I spotted some in the crowd today – Sammy “show us your ass” Nelson was a particular favorite of mine. I remember a conversation I had with him on a long train journey back from Carlise when I was just a young Gooner. What a wonderfully intelligent man he is. I remember Ken Friar whom I met while sitting in an empty Highbury on one of my frequent visits to the empty stadium (I lived around the corner in Sotheby Road off the Blackstock Road at the time) and that chance meeting led to me becoming a Travel Steward and a 6-year unbroken record of not missing a single game home or away. I remember Stevie Walford, David Price, Paul Davis & Willie Young – all favorites of mine in their time. Stevie Walford and Charlie George went to my school – Holloway Comprehensive. And although Charlie left before I got there in 1966, Stevie Walford was a contemporary. I remember how distraught we were when the Spuds offered him schoolboys forms ahead of his beloved Arsenal and how delighted we were when we eventually signed for the Arsenal.
My entire life (since the age of nine has been wrapped up in the lore & traditions of the Arsenal Football Club. And as I watched the game today today with my two Daughters – neither of whom have ever been to a game nor even have they been to England – seeing them calling out the names of the assembled Invincibles, a shiver went through me at the realization that I have unwittingly embedded the seed of The Arsenal into the next generation of my own family…..It was that thought that finally made me shed a tear of joy..
Beautiful post holic. Happy Anniversary again to gooners everywhere.
Someone make a bronze statue of Robin’s left foot quick!
Bon Bon Robin’s Golden Nougat Delights on Historic Birthday
Would Arsenal’s visit from ToffeeLand return a Dairy Box of Turkish delights? Would the Gunners come out covered in Roses? Would our dark Swiss chocolatier on the right of the box turn out to have a hard indigestible centre? Would our missing Brazil nut make Everton’s Crunchie right difficult to cream? Would BFG stand taller and harder than a stick of Blackpool Rock? Would Arsenal’s Kraft and Quality be Streets beyond the penny jar on the bottom shelf that has been Everton in previous encounters between these teams?
Or would it be another nutty day, getting stuck in history like treacle toffee, that would leave a bitter taste in the mouth? Would we break a tooth on some hard nut like HighTinger, or would Saha, the French Midnight Mint say “Aha!” as he licked his lips and slipped a cool one Twix our Polish Polestar and his Polos? Would Arsenal Move On Up on the final whistle, or would Z-Cars Johny Todd ring loud, Everton claim the three point Bounty, and eat chocolate all the way home on the bus to diddyland?
Arsenal put a shiny wrapper around the box of 125 birthday varieties on a Minty winter’s day that loomed large in the history of bon, bon football while the crème de la crème, Thierry, looked on. Howard Webb, the Gummy Bear in the middle blew his whistle and we were off on our journey along the Milky Way to Mars.
Gooner hearts were beating like Walnut Whips as our smarties charged at M and M again. We had more than our fair share of the cocoa beans and double cream but were thwarted early by Theo’s tendency to snicker off-side. Then a brilliant Walcott break and a kit-kat of a cross saw Gervinho and Ramsey get into licqorice allsorts when a golden chocolate coin in the bottom of the stocking should have been the reward. It was all Arsenal, but the secret recipe ingredient was missing from the mix and our candy wasn’t quite reaching the boil. What a Gob Stopper.
With four fullbacks missing from the selection box, our makeshift back four chocolate soldiers were holding up well against an attack completely lacking in sherbet fizz. A Djourou back injury brought dark chocolate clouds over the stadium, but our Swiss Godiva soldiered on through to the half-time chocolate oranges. Nil – nil at the interval. We should have had three.
The second half started as the first had finished.
Around 70 minutes Arsene was pondering a flavour stir with some Mozartian Delight and Russian vodka mix. But Alex was just coming on Song. A Black Magic, curly-wurly, through ball was no Truffle and gave Robin something to chew on. Before you could say “Bulls Eye”, the chocolate leg volleyed with pitch perfect technique.
He didn’t fudge it. That was no joob joob. A golden nougat of a goal and it was Arsenal 1 – The School of Science 0. Thierry and the watching world looked on and marveled as “He’s scoring for fun” rang around the ground.
It was all over at that stage and Thomas and his accompanying Siberian haircut sat back down. Everton puffed and Fellaini did a Belgian Waffle on TV5 that resulted in blurred vision and the arrival of the excellent Miquel to add some Catalonian peppermint. Ramsey and Arteta were tiring, so Arsene took off Gervinho and added Rosicky. The new ingredient added pace and texture and within minutes, a Purple Heart of a Golden Box move nearly resulted in a second for Robin.
A birthday contest with an outcome that was closer than it should have been. But we’ll take three points at home and brilliant Van Persie winners every day of the week.
Something sugary, hot and festive for me please, barman.
A drink for all of those not here. As long as we remember them, they live on.
Snir – thanks for those links in the last drinks. Excellent stuff from Gazidis. Planning the squad for 2016-17…. just shows the attention to detail that Arsene puts in.
Sweet, BtM.
Bravo Joshua and btm and, most especially, ‘holic. Here’s to the greatest team on the greatest blog, and to the ‘holicdad, who on seeing King Robin’s Strike of Beauty no doubt high fived Rocky before sharing a pint with Alex James and the big HC hisself…
Lovely post ‘holic – don’t know how you managed it at that time after that week
and GT@20 great gooner tales
right that’s MOTD checked – we did win and the winner was that good. Great day – but I had tooo much of everything – especially fun. Fact!
Thank you a massive bunch ‘holic and holics – it was an absolute pleasure to meet yous, and to discover that you’re at least as much fun in the flesh as yous are from behind a keyboard. Double fact!!!
Eww to Be Ah GoonaH!!!
now what way’s me bed
Morning Holics
Great report, very much as I saw things. Arrived early foregoing my usual drop of Broadside to catch the band and the Legends,sadly Dennis was not amongst them.
At half time I thought the party had gone a bit flat, three brilliant chances having been squandered and several players not up to their usual form. However, the defence had everything under control and I can’t remember Everton having a shot on target.
Like all the best parties there was a little something which will go down in the memory, a truely brilliant goal from Robin,a candidate for goal of the season, with a magnificent ball from Song to RVP.
On arrival at King’s X my train was reduced to 4 carriages and the scrum for seats was worse than the January Sales. Being my age does have an advantage sometimes and I settled back to read my souvenir programme, which I gather sold out. Sadly I didn’t win one of the signed shirts.
As always COYRs
GoonerTerry, Bergkamp the Man, Catalan Gunner, excellent, sweet, witty drinks! 🙂
Oh BtM, that makes me feel rather sickly.
Of course, it might have to do with something else.
A superb post to cap a superb day. I doff my cap to you Holic. It was a pleasure meeting you and the management at the Tollington the other day and I hope we cross paths again some time. I’ve already made it through most of the book. A wonderful read. Chris (& Lisa)
Oh, and how very dare me.
Thanks for the book Holic, and a barrell of laughs, as usual.
Speaking of usual, you suspects, you know who you are, cheers!
It was an emotional day and RvP’s wonder strike was a fitting way to commerate our 125th birthday.
It was a shame Michael Thomas, Paddy Viera, Dennis Bergkamp and Tony Adams weren’t there.
I don’t know whether I’m still intoxicated (a natural high) from witnessing RvP’s goal but is this a better team than last years? I don’t feel the need to close my eyes when we defend a set piece or a cross. Our midfield doesn’t empty out when we attack leaving us vulnerable to counter attacks and there’s more ‘sausage and less sizzle’ to the team.
The loss of Clichy, Nasri and Cesc has been counterbalanced by dropping Arshavin (I wish he would leave), Walcott achieving more consistency, RvP playing regularly, valuable cameo contributions from Rosicky and Benayoun, Vermaelen’s return, Frimpong, Cocquelin and Miquel showing signs they will fulfil their promise, a decent goalie, four good central defenders, Song raising his game, a Brazilian pub player, the signing of Oxlade Chamberlain. Are there any glaring ommisions?
A striker to share some of the load but would be prepared not to be a regular started (? Rodallega) and an antidote to full-back knack would be warmly welcomed.
Also Jack will be back soonish …
Great post ‘holic. I’m sure ‘holicdad would have enjoyed RvP’s stunner as much as anyone in the stadium.
Arsenal, as always, have pulled off a celebration with class and well, more class. To have chosen to create a statue of TH14 in that pose, eternally taunting the noisemakers from Cock Hart Lane was brilliant, and then we compound it all by sending out only RvP to face the eleven from Everton and they still can’t beat him.
BtM, once again you have created a drink that is astonishingly rich, balanced, and delightfully flavoured.
In celebration of 125 years of class and excellence, I shall have a glass of fresh palm wine.
Morning Holic a pleasure to meet you yesterday, can’t disagree with your analysis as usual. Jeff came over from the US especially for the game and though he only got the one goal, the quality was superlative.
btw Thanks for signing the books….
*boilk*
Did the maestro end up in Bristol? He looked incredibly sober yesterday. Unlike some other folks 😉
Snir,
1)I’ll keep your programme warm.
2)Weren’t you glad Song played? You could see a couple of times he played a bit within himself to avoid a yellow, but in the end, among other things, he provided a quality assist for that ‘wow’ goal.
3) I’m sorry to report that the PA announced ‘Miguel’. They might have mastered the alphabet now, but there’s still work to do.
Thanks all holics for a memorable day, hope you all got back in one piece.
Curry and more drinks and many laughs were later had with a few arsebloggers!
I got back in one piece. I just don’t know where back was, or how I got there. 🙂
Joshua, great poem
BtM, as Dr C sais; sweet report.
Robin, here’s a pen. You can sign now. And confirm your new Bergkamp status.
You’re well on your way to help put the Arsenal back at the top of the bill!
Hi holic, was great to meet you yesterday the bushmills slipped down very easily cheers.
Thanks Chris and Lisa. The pleasure was mine, trust me.
West Upper and Jeff, thank you for your kind words yesterday. It was great to meet you.
BtM, that was a delightful confection to spread before us. Thanks.
Wind, it’s West Lower next to the tunnel.
Gooner Terry, we must know each other. I too was a SC/TC steward back in the seventies and eighties. Played for the SC football team with Vic, John, Dougie, Carlo, Colin, Fredroy, Harry etc. Thanks for dropping by.
AL, I haven’t got a clue how I did it either. I thought I would start it last night with a mug of coffee and a glass of Talisker. They sustained me through the piece.
Delia, Jez, The Law, thank you. It’s your contributions that help to make this place what it is.
Zico, TaBS, TS, Snowy, Geoff, and everybody I have allowed to slip from my addled brain, thank you for keeping a steady stream of Guinni appearing under my nose. I owe you all for another fabulous day.
Ollie, you bad influence you. I think you finally sated my diabolical thirst last night.
Cheers all.
Hey Jay,
You too. You know where we are now if you want to come and share a dram in future. My round next.
The Scene : HT (Hangover Train)
Dr Feelgood contemplates his bleeding eyes and his frostbitten fingers and wonders, what happened? At what point did the aliens arrive? The ones that clearly abducted him and deposited him in a hotel room off Finsbury Park after they did god-knows-what to him?
Whatever it was, whoever they were, they made sure drink was involved. They sent in their professional decoys, Professor Storey and Dr Spin, The Silent Red Haired Assassin, Geoff, Mr T momentarily, And Lester, and even Arseblogger got roped into signing the Paddy book whilst they spiked his mineral water with dark alien juice. Goonerholic surveyed it all in grand puppet master style.
And then they sent in the main event.
Wolfgang Smallballs and his fur-lined speedos. On the table. Glenn Hoddle, Liar, Liar, etc.
And this is what passes for an EGM at D L Ltd. Feelgood was summarily dismissed. For the expectant Misters, and the Medical staff awaiting pay rises, that was vetoed by Professor Storey. He has a heart of stone. Feelgood must now contemplate a life in retirement and shopping with Roxette. Feck.
Somewhere in between, was the majestic Robin van Persie, and Kos, imperious again. Everton never looked like spoiling the party. They had less chance than the two Grovers on the left hand side of Feelgood who wound him up no end. Still, like old times, one-nil to the Arsenal.
And this morning, all that is left is the left arm soaked in Guinness following AL’s rather odd “it’s nice to meet you” ritual. The pleasure was all his, AL, but next time, leave the guinness in the glasses. 😉
The rest is all a bit vague.
Stupid aliens.
Oh and And Lester was invited on to the Board. 🙂
Good morning ‘holic & ‘holics one and all.
My earliest memory of my beloved Arsenal is the first double winning side of ’71 so as Mclintock, George and Wilson were introduced a wave of nostalgia washed over me.
My everlasting thanks to my father for the Arsenal DNA that courses through my veins, a physiological trait I have had the privelege and pleasure to pass on to the next generation.
‘holic’s timely reminder of wee Georgie Armstrong conjures up vivid memories of an old fashioned winger whose work ethic some of today’s richly rewarded ‘superstars’ would do well to emulate.
My love of Arsenal remains, indeed my epitaph shall read ‘he was a great Dad and loved Arsenal’ but even as yesterday’s events brought a lump to my throat I had to acknowledge that my heart belongs to Highbury and something intangible remained there when we moved.
Finally thanks to everyone at the Tollington yesterday for making me feel so welcome and Trev, I hope your daughter is on the mend.
‘holic and fellow ‘holics: great writeup and comments as usual. The goal was a work of art of such rare beauty that it has to be classified as a Vermeer. Dutch master indeed!
If there’s ever a statue down the road for RVP, then the only image needed for the model is from Reuters from this match (see the link below if you haven’t seen it). I leave it to the sculptor to figure out how to sudpend RVP in perfect midair form,
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2072436/Arsenal-1-Everton-0-Robin-Van-Persies-stunning-volley-helps-Gunners-celebrate.html
Also, take a peek at Wojo’s response in the last image….
A great day yesterday, and another ‘half’ sunk without after effect !
Good to meet yet more great Gooners, from Tabs, who found me half way down Isledon Road, to Zico, TS, Geoff, Ollie, cfpb, And Lester, Lee, top man Snowy (one of the best looking men I’ve seen in a while, and no, i haven’t swopped sides, and if you haven’t met him you won’t have a clue !! ), and of course the Maestro himself.
Thanks again for signing the book ‘Holic, and a repeat of Joshua’s thanks above, for running this brilliant establishment that, apart from informing the Arsenal community around the world, has allowed so many friendships to form.
The Tollie / Holic also provided an introduction to the Arseblogger, and as I said yesterday, it is remarkable how all of these blogging heroes are so much better looking than you would imagine !!
Maybe my ‘half’ did get to me, after all. 😉
A day of lumpy throats for me too at the stadium.
For me, not so much for absent loved ones, but down to seeing forty years of history, right in front of me, that brought back so many memories and generated new pride in a club that can frustrate, but is never surpassed in the way it conducts itsself.
Cheers ‘Holics, Gooners, The Arsenal, old and new.
Dr F
Say it ain’t so! Hmmm. … I have a feeling that AL comed éxito año extra personality…. Still, keep your enemies and all that!
Zico 41 now you mention it I have some vague recollection of someone dropping a pint…
It was your proxy vote wot did it Catalan 😉
great blog
God the Arseblogger (Blogs?) is awesome 🙂
Just listened to Friday’s Arsecast on my Blackberry in the bath (if you can, why not? ;))
When I get ‘So Paddy got Up’, I’m going to have to stake out the Tollie for him to sign it, along with good old(;)) ‘Holic and Sian.
Does anyone who’s read it have any favourite/special sections?
Yep ‘Holic @ 39, the next time I visit the Emirates for a game, I want to be sitting in that area behind Wenger and the squad.
Don’t know if its possibly without a silver membership but I’ll give it my best shot 🙂
Zico @ 41, a big ‘heh’ 😀
Good old Finsbury Park ‘reminisces fondly’
Wind, If you want to sit behind the Arsenal bench you need to keep your eyes peeled for Block One on Ticket Exchange.
They are all season tickets there.
Zico – terribly sorry about the arm – sir. Seems i owe you a drink in a glass again. I’m not usually that sloppy with such prized possessions – i think my composure suffered a wee bit when first i clapped eyes on yous fine fellows. As a newly elected member to the HT board i will endeavour to raise my game (as well as the odd – unspilled – glass) henceforth.
UREDS! (that hurt)
AL, bestowing Guinni on Dr Feelgood is one of the perks of entering the Executive Carriage. You just took things a bit too literally.
You’ll get the hang of it and I expect you to have fully mastered it by the time Leeds come calling. 😉
zico – are you down for Leeds ? I was there from 1.00 yesterday but it was still all too brief.
Time off before Leeds and a FULL pint is demanded if there is a gathering ?
Glad you got back somewhere ok 😉
Yes, Leeds should be next for me Trev, aliens permitting.
Zico – I intend to push myself through a punishing training regimen between now and then – starting this very afternoon.
“I must have some booze. I demand to have some booze!” – that one’s for another of the top, top Gooners whose company i was fortunate enough to keep at times yesterday.
To the pub – and beyond!
The H2H hangover cure please barman
OK, so Arteta didn’t score against his old club. But that doesn’t mean Crouch won’t. 😉
It’s a slow day and I’m mighty early but my blind side run to the far post begins in earnest, playmakers take note please….
And Lester: Out of respect to TA and the unveiling of said legends statue I put forward a motion for an alcohol free day of this bar’s choosing.
Anyone care to second that motion? (Tabs honourably excused!)
Thanks for the knowledge @ 52 ‘Holic, never even considered using the Ticket Exchange before, I still have much to learn 🙂
Definitely not, Geoff.
You can recite some poetry though as a concession 😉
Oh well Zico, just a thought albeit a poor one.
I spy with my little eye something beginning with “boilk”…
Great write-up, Holic.
Happy to hear you all had a good day out, not that I expected any less!
zico, did you find the hotel to be of acceptable standards?
Hello Lars, I’m no expert but I do believe there may copyright issues with ‘boilk’ 🙂
Hotel was fine Lars.
Once Scotty beamed me back. 🙂
Geoff, your idea was well intentioned and welcomed by many livers on here. Problem is, some of us hate our livers.
The Scene : Feelgood Mansions, Deepest Darkest Fife
Dr. Feelgood sits in front of his TV watching continual re-runs of Sky Sports News and is clearly demented. Retirement does not sit well with Feelgood and he has been inwardly crushed to discover that Professor Storey did not clinch what he thought was the publishing deal of the decade.
Roxette, for her part, is not used to seeing the not-so-good Doctor in daylight. She fusses around him, asking his opinion on things that are incomprehensible to him, like breakfast. He has not yet adjusted to the idea that coffee can be served without a shot of Jamesons, and that morning claimed that she “tried to poison me” by serving him the very same.
So the air is rather fraught when the following conversation takes place :
Roxette : “So where the hell did you get to Saturday night?”
Feelgood : “I’ve been asking myself the very same question, Rox. I think it might have been somewhere near Ursa Minor. I may have had another one of my “episodes”.
Roxette : “Oh Dear. This can’t keep happening. My mother is…….
Feelgood rushes from the room and can be heard violently throwing up.
……coming to stay with us for a few days and ……”
More retching.
…..you need to be on your best behaviour. Are you all right?”
Feelgood re-enters the room, looking decidedly shaky. He then says
“It’s this retirement lark, Rox. I can’t hack it. I need something to occupy my time. Can you buy me a chemistry set?”
Roxette : “Certainly not. The last one put you in court.”
Feelgood : “That was a misunderstanding.”
Roxette: “You put LSD in the water supply!”
Feelgood : “Only because I had to get rid of the stuff. I thought it went the same place as the loo roll.”
Roxette : “No, you should do what other men do at retirement. You should take up gardening.”
Feelgood (thinking out loud) “That’s not a bad idea. I’ll go get that book Edwin gave me last year.”
Roxette : “Which book was that?”
Feelgood : “Growing your own”
Roxette : “See? You can do anything once you put your mind to it.”
Feelgood is gently handling the book : Growing Your Own – Cultivating Cannabis in a Cold Climate.
And a new venture begins……
This stuff about growing your own in Fife could put PiK out of a large chunk of his business, I fear …
A man has to earn a crust, 8 ball.
Anyway, who says Feelgood wants to supply the same loonies that PiK sells to? 😉
Not sure about that Geoff @60 , large spicy Bloody Mary for me please Barman 😉
Fantastic post , Holic , in regard to both the 125 celebrations and the moist-eyed reminiscences that they provoked , and the game itself . How you manage such clear-eyed analysis and such apt prose in the eye of an alcoholic storm , is more baffling to me than anything David Copperfield came up with . Once again , a very large doff of my Arsenal beany hat .
Recollections of the day are somewhat hazy , but you know that any day that starts with bumping into Trev still 200 yards from The Tollie will be a good one . No sooner had I entered the Garden and lit a cigarette and out came the flame haired trickster from France and cfpb . There were knowing hehs all round , at the acknowledgement that we stood at the start of a day which would be a liquid one . So it proved .
The usual suspects began to file in – Dr Feelgood with a caledonian glint in the eye , TS looking Film-Starish in shades , Snowy looking every inch the Sportsman evoking memories of his short-lived Rugby League career , Geoff looking far too healthy , and new- boy AL .
Terrific to meet you AL , and welcome to The Board ! 🙂
I shall leave analysis of the game to others who are better placed than me today to provide it , except to say that I was heartened as to how solid our defence of centre-halves looked , and on a day when RVP was for large parts of the game perhaps trying too hard to impress the Legends watching on , absolutely speechless at the sheer excellence of his wonder strike .
Post-game I remember meeting Esso for the first time , a sing-song , lots more booze , and some vague mention of an EGM . Did we decide anything ? 🙂
I did take minutes of the meeting , but decided to swap them for a Doner Kebab .
Thank you all for a great day . Drinks all round .
Lovely post ‘Holic. Sorry to have missed you yesterday. Let me know next time you are up – my liver is being kept busy as I was ‘obliged’ to drink the 30YO Glenfarclas I promised to bring for you at the last match!
Nice summary of a great day ‘Holic.
Good of the lads to engineer an old fashioned 1-0 to the Arsenal.
As close to an old fashioned 1-0 to the Arsenal as I’ve seen in a while.
i know they could have addled the brew with that late shot from the edge of the box but I thought our defence looked solid and it was good to see that the jitters of last season did not afflict our boys in the last 10 minutes.
Good to meet you Olllie, sorry I didn’t manage to buy you a drink – next time. I’m thoroughly converted to the Tollie now.
Guinness and Glenmorangie all round and a toast to ‘Holic and ‘Holicdad.
zico It’s either greenhouses or forest cover you need to conceal the little plants from the Queen’s agents. The latter could be hard to come by if I understand my Scottish geography, since I believe some Scots kind of auld chopped down all the forest cover on the moors several centuries ago. Say it aren’t so??
tabs, once again your timing is exemplary.
This hangover train is just arriving in Edinburgh and I have an appoinment with a black hair of the dog!
I’ll be e mailing you later – watch out for it.
8 ball – that Feelgood is a resourceful fella.
Aluminium, uv light and an attic should do the trick 😉
Ok Dr Z Sir , will look forward to it .
With regard to The Feelgood Diaries above , I will for now presume your usual excellence . Will save them for later , when my head stops banging .
Enjoy your hair of the dog , and have one for me 🙂
Hello bath. Glad we have converted you. Our eclectic mix of supporters in the Tollie is a real draw.
TaBS, good to see you survived another zico’ing 😉 I assure you it was easier to write last night while I was feeling no pain, than would have been the case today.
From the looks of 77, the barman hasn’t fully recovered from yesterday’s exertions 😉
The barman is well and truly phuqued, let me assure you 🙁
I must say Tabs I’m amazed you remember anything post match.
Hint: 7ft bouncer asking you too politely to kindly step down from the table whilst in mid song!
Heh Holic , fair point but still baffling 🙂 I wouldn’t have been able to see the screen , let alone type ( or indeed think ! ) .
Yep I survived , but for much of last night , it was a very close run thing 🙂
Heh, I think it was more me surviving a tabsing, and in fact, the jury is still out 😉
This black and white minstrel in front of me will help 🙂
Hello Geoff , Oh dear don’t remind me ! He was rather large wasn’t he , I certainly wasn’t going to argue !
*retreats to back of bar , shaking head , and wondering if I will ever grow up*
Good afternoon ‘Holic & ‘Holics
A brief visit to thank The Maestro for yet another brilliant post and to say what an excellent day out yesterday was thanks to many top, top Gooners who included, but are not limited to…
‘Holic, zico, snowy, tabs, And Lester, Ollie, Trev, Geoff, Mr.Esso, WST (in-case he’s looking in!), Blogs (you know you’ve arrived when Dara Ó Briain takes a photo of you!) and not forgetting of course….
Mr. Capatin Vantastic for that wonder-strike and Mr.Vermaelen for not staying down after a Fellaini elbow assault.
Have a great Sunday folks!
Hopefully, never 😉
Grow up, that is
TaBS @83.
It’s only optional. I, for one, have opted not to.
From the sound of the antics described above, most of you fellas are a good deal younger than I had been thinking you were. 😉
8ball…. no, no. Just massively inappropriate! 🙂
Not that I was there, of course. 🙁
Glad to hear it’s optional, Dr C.
Now will you please tell Roxette?
PS – you were there in spirit yesterday.
Speaking of which, that Goonerholic and his firewater…… 🙁
Next time we draw Barca in the CL, I propose an EGM in the dark city…. I know a few haunts….. anyone? 🙂
Btw, if you are big on schadenfreude, and I know from what I heard about Wednesday that some of you are, you will enjoy reading this:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2011/dec/10/manchester-united-sir-alex-ferguson
Afternoon TS, my weekend will be complete should Stoke take something this afternoon.
Growing up? What is this? Many people have asked me this same question, yet I know nothing of this concept 🙂
I’m game.
Only if you introduce the gang to a few senoritas of course 😉
Barcelona in the springtime. Sounds delightful so I’ll at least be there in spirit. 🙂
Dr Z
Oh… that can be arranged! Why just the other day a big Dutch friend of mine took me to a bar that cost 20 quid to get in. Mind you we got a free beer……. Seemed to be plenty of girls there. 😉
PS – I’m afraid I’ll have to decline explaining things to Roxette. Too busy flying around Neverland.
Nice link Zico, not read anything from the journo before but I’ve grown to l
Love him in the space of one article, ha ha brilliant
Far post header, get in there!!!!
goal?
Crosses from the left
Yes yes yes goooooooaaaaaaal!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Boo – self assister!
Yellow card 🙂
Sorry, self assists count?
Reluctantly I take my yellow, apologies all round….
The crowd go wild
Ah, Geoff, I met you yesterday.
You’re a nice guy.
Yellow card rescinded. 🙂
Who scored? Was there even a goal??
Geoff scored, no?
Evening all from a rather cold and grey Paris.
Re: Dr. Z @107: UEFA style old chums network at work??
Geoff, you’ll be happy to hear that Stoke just went 1-0 up!
Ah… ok. Thought that if a yellow card had been issued then technically a goal would have been impossible. However, as the Tollie back scratching society have rescinded the card….
heh, find it hard to cheer for those munsters but today I will make an exception.
Hi Ollie, glad you got back safe.
Yes Lars!!! I turned the tv just as the throw was being taken, now shouting at the Tv for the red to blow the final whistle.
BT8B: I deny all knowledge of my meeting with Zico yesterday at The Tollington around 5pm….Doh!
8 ball – I like to think of it more as being “neighbourly.
Or Guinness network. 😀
zico, I don’t see it as cheering for the cavemen, I see it as cheering against Sp*rs!
OK Lars 🙂
Ryan Shotton, the next generation Rory Delap long throw specialist for Stoke? Delap not in the teeam. Must be suffering from long-throw elbow syndrome?
Haha! Robin’s super strike made SportsCenter Top 10 over here in The States. Not very often you see real football make that list
The Aim Is To Irritate!!! And That’s A Fact!!!! In My Opinion!!!!!
More On Etc…
At the end of every home match I generally jump straight in to the nearly-new LeG Rash Hummer – or minger – as the Mrs. calls it. Or Stupid Bloody Cow!!!! as I regularly call her. Anyway I digress – she does drive me fukkin’ mad though, with her silly girly questions “why can’t you just be a bit nicer to people sometimes or why can’t you try treating people with respect occasionally?” etc – as I say – stupid bloody cow!!!
Anyway – so I’m in the Hummer trying to power me way through you hoards of downbeat Arsenal fans – dragging your heavy hearts and sorry souls home after yet another decent victory, capped off by a world-class goal, scored by a player Arsene so-called Wenger spotted – then bought for a song, then carefully nurtured into greatness before making him captain of yet another fine Arsenal side he’s created – the jammy git!
Seems I’ve lost my way again. So foot on the accelerator, hand on me horn i make me through you AND as you jump out the way I’m always amazed at how many of you recognize me. Now I’m not a man burdened with a massive ego – as the many, many, many fans of mine who know me will tell you is one of many, many, many qualities – but I do experience a tiny thrill when it happens, so I take me hand off me horn and proffer a tiny, almost royal, wave in whoever’s direction
Unfortunately though I’m travelling at such speed I can’t hear properly what the subjects are that you’re trying to get me to hallucinate on in my next blog in more detail – all I catch is – “fucking more on this…fucking more on that…fucking more on the other etc -.” over and over again.
And Rashers I can see the looks of frustration on your faces as you lean forward to get nearer me – and BAM! I’m gone, away in the distance.
I have to apologize unreservedly for not stopping and getting out to find out what it is you want to talk to me about – but if I did that I suspect there would a near-riot – which on the one hand might embarrass me, AND on the hand I probably wouldn’t be able to get away for hours as loads of you tried to get a piece of me.
But don’t worry help is at hand!!!
LeG wants to meet and greet the people SO we’ve come up with – “The Fucking Moron competition…”
Whoever of you luvverly peoples comes up with the bestest/most interestest subject in LeG’s opinion will win an open invite, one on one with me at LeG Rash mansions. Just us 2 – no witnesses, as they say, for more-or-less as long as you like, but no longer than 10 or 15 minutes.
You get to say to me all the things you’ve always wanted to say me!!! And you can ask me WHATEVER the fuck you like!!! Except for – “How much do I earn out of professionally coating the club I’ve given a lifetime’s unswerving support to”.
As I say I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again – cut me and I bleed red. Bare that in mind on your way over to mine lucky winner!!!
That’s me done again – except to say keep the suggested subjects for the comp clean yous cunts!!!!
Chow for now!
2-0 Stoke!
Fuck me, did I really see Stoke take a 2-0 lead over Sp*rs?
Lars, you have lightening fast fingers
thought for the day – sp@rs are shite – ahha!
So far AL only halftime time but fingers crossed their malady continues to the final whistle and then all the way to May!
Geoff – looks like your weekend will shortly be complete. Come on the Hideous Orc Army *washes mouth out*
Ollie – thanks mate 🙂
As for Song, I wrote a special I’m sorry post in the previous post to Song, to apologize to him for thinking he can’t avoid a booking!! 🙂
As for all the holics, I sure as hell hope that y’all are planning to show up to the Newcastle at home game in March when I’m in London 🙂
AL @ #124 – And that’s a fact!!!! In my opinion!!!
LeG Rash – Su-bloody-perb. I’ll take me hand off me horn 😉
I hope so TS I hope so..
Snir: Newcastle? Surely that isn’t your game of choice?
LeG – genius 😀
The HT is going to be very interesting now LeG R is onboard…..
LeG, top stuff!
Was it not interesting before Dr.C? 😉
PS: Should I/we ever make it back to Barcelona, you will be one of the first to know. Hoping you’re going to make it back to The HoF one day soon….
Geoff – I’m in London for the Anfield game and the Newcastle game…
Those are the games that I can make this season with my spring break in the beginning of March 🙂
ah, Lars!
Had a good time at that party?
We made good use of your wallet in the Tollie.
LeG Rash, I know who you are now 😉
You’re in London for the Anfield game, or are you planning to go oop Norf?
Lol, I noticed it while typing and thought to myself I should change it to England but thought that you’re the only one who’d say something 😆
Ollie – you don’t really think I’ll fly to England and miss the Anfield game if it’s being played while I’m in England, do you 🙂 ?
I’ll walk there if I have to.
Feck, penalty for the spuds and it’s 2-1.
Ollie, I sure did. Your bad influence worked it’s magic so I had perhaps one or two beers that I didn’t really need to have…
No I didn’t, really, Snir, but since you said you would be in London for the Anfield game, I thought I’d put my sub-editor’s jacket on again 😛
Stoke have stopped playing completely, they need to get their act together sharpish or this is going to end badly.
Why doesn’t Shotton get a towel? Is it reserved for Delap only!? Unfair!
Tony Pulis probably realised that pissing off Arsenal is his main motivation in life.
Lol, only god knows how that wasn’t 2-2.
It was 2 pens there, one on Defoe and one handball by Huth and Adebayor was onside…
Lol fucking cunts.
The Modric pen was a blatant dive.
Stoke are absolutely knackered and there is still over ten minutes to play. I have to say I can’t see them winning this game right now.
Kaboul sent off! Don’t mess this up now, Stoke…
LeG @ 120, some of the highest quality, and that is a FACT!
Sp*ds lost!
Looks like the Tiny Totts lost the game.
Didn’t watch any of it, but by the sound of comments, I’m guessing Harry will have a good moan. Between twitches.
Hearty larff at Tottenham Hotspur. 😆 😆 😆
That was one of the worst refereeing displays I have ever seen in my life, and I’ve seen some debacles.
4 pens not given, a disallowed goal and a very harsh red card against Spuds.
And the pen that he does give was a blatant dive. What a poor ref.
I love it.
Thank you Chris Foy, could you please referee all of Spurs’ matches till the end of the season?
Oh yes, good lord yes!!!! I can’t celebrate a Stoke victory but I sure as hell can joyously celebrate a Sp*rs defeat.
What a weekend, magical, now all I need is for my Mrs to make good on her promise this evening 🙂
That’s pretty good coordination by those three guys up there. Synchronised laughing must be a new Olympic sport. 😀
This goes against the grain a little, but I’d like to buy a ref a pint! 🙂
Geoff
She’s going to put the bins out??
I feel dirty, but happy. Rooting for stoke to hold on, ugh…but seeing scum lose a game like that is delicious schadenfreude.
I will be glad to feel just as dirty tomorrow rooting for chel$ki to hold on to beat al-citeh.
Dr.C @ #156
I’ll wager Tone Pubis bought him a bit miore than that 😉
This from The Arsenal Gent:
L.A.S.A.G.N.E. : Losing At Stoke; Arsenal Gaining; Nice Evening.
BTW, will the ref be changing his family name from FOY to FOYS???
I feel dirty, but happy. Rooting for stoke to hold on, ugh…but seeing scum lose a game like that is delicious schadenfreude.
I will be glad to feel just as dirty tomorrow rooting for chel$ki to hold on to beat al-citeh…and just as happy (not least because the invincibles will stand alone for another year!
Ach, iPad double post!
Catalan @ 157 😀 😀
Catalan that is priceless! (and unfortunately to close to the bloody truth)
Lol @ 161, my Blackberry posts are delocalised from time by about 1:30 secs basically, so if you act that to my century goal scoring record, I’m legendary 🙂
Stoke 8th! How is that even legal?
Re: Geoff. Make sure the timing is right when she takes out the bins. Without distractions you might be able to manage another quick self-assist for #200. 😉
heh Geoff
Good stuff TS @159
Well what a lovely way to end a most excellent weekend. Not that I give a shite about Pubis’ hideous gang of fucktardic orcish twatspatulas, but watching the noisy neighbours bomb after all the revolting meeja wankfests they’ve been the subject of over the past few weeks is really very pleasing.
Anyway, onto much more important things.
Absolutely first class post ‘holic, as always. And as always a great pleasure to see your good self. A fine and traditional result, a spectacular goal, and to cap it all another splendid evening ‘neath the Tollie brolly. Always a great privilege to spend it with some super quality ‘holics.
Now there must be something magical that they put in the Guinness in that place because that’s twice this week I’ve been there, got plastered to the point of slipping into a coma, and had a completely boilk-free day afterwards….
I’m not still pissed am I? What? Oh….
Best do a bit of gentle catching up on the drinks then…back soon, unless some kind of delayed action boilk kicks in 🙂
Haha, the Spuds got Stoked! 🙂
While trying to sober up (still), and feeling in a totally masochistic mood, I decided to watch this 3rd division match today
Each side had a big centre-forward and not many people around them who knew how to play to their strengths
One side then decided to launch an up and under which led to a goal as the defenders went to sleep
Then they did it again
That was about all that happened , until the ref who I will call Bat ‘cos he was as blind as one, decided not to award a number of clear penalties involving people well known for doing stupid irresponsible leg-breaks.
I was surprised earlier to see that the Bat was unhappy with one of the managers, who was clearly suffering from heart problems, given the vile coming out of his mouth
He then awarded a penalty out of sympathy for someone who had just put springs in his shoes to help his somersault dive with 2 and a half twists
Finally he proceeded to award a red card for a second yellow to one of these totally crap teams when, in my humble opinion, he should have red carded at least two others beforehand
Apparently on the field were some ex-international players, but it was difficult to know who they were, since both teams were totally inept
Still the Potties team beat the Rioters in the end so it couldn’t have been all bad
The End
Snowy,
I must have picked up your hangover by mistake.
Fortunately for both of us, it’s gone now. 😉
Good stuff snowy @ #169 and a great match report cognac @ #171
Heh 8ball @ #166 and Dr./Mr.C @ #157
Glad to hear of your double recovery Dr.z @ #172 😉
Still laughing about the LWCs defeat at the hands of Chris FOYS & The Munsters 😆
I just love that word twatspatula – whoever coined it, Arseblogger or whoever, I would doff my cap to you this very minute.
If I had one. But then Tony Pubis wears a cap.
Maybe not then.
LWCs implosion starts here?
Another good match report and set of pictures from 7am kickoff:
http://www.7amkickoff.com/2011/man-at-the-match-chary-party-poopers-banished/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+7amkickoff+%287amkickoff%29
Oh some epic drinking has clearly been taking place. Great stuff.
Lars @ various – glad to see you’re in fine fettle after your ‘do’ yesterday. I do hope you haven’t forgotten that a group of Tollie Wanderers is heading your way for a visit have you? 😉
Joshua @ 7 – lovely post, and GoonerTerry @ 20 – absolutely enchanting.
And Geoff – Tabs @ 70 is right, you look far too healthy. But don’t worry, we’ll have that trained out of you before you know it son 🙂
LeG Rash @ 120 – priceless !!! And that is a fact !!!
TS @ 159 – genius 🙂
Zico @ 172 – I do believe it was indeed Arseblogger who coined the term – anyway that’s where I think I heard it first. And I am so sorry to have left you with my hangover…I’ll be sure to pick it up again when you’re next at the HoF 😉
I wouldn’t wish this morning’s hangover on anyone, Snowy, least of all a Tollie Brollie swigger.
Thank god I didn’t fly home.
Next time, just let me buy you a Guinness, and we’re quits, yeah?
No-one can stop’um – DOH!
Inspired stuff @ 159 TS
Holic, according to my address bar, this is comment 90,000.
What do I win? 😀
TS – @ a long time ago
I’ll shout as soon as I know when I am next going to visit the HoF.
Which will basically be when I stop being bankrupted by buying nappies for the last 4 years… 🙂
Catalan, as a medical man, I thought you may have stumbled upon a certain procedure for that incessant Pamper Effect ? 😉
Dr Z
Something about bins??
Dr.C @ #180
In a galaxy far, far away….? 😉
Zico@179: a weekend in Stoke. Second prize was two weekends…
Truthfully, I should probably learn more Spanish so that I can watch the TV. That might do it… 😉
Apologies above peeps for a few typos etc – I’m afraid a lot of drink had been taken the night before. So that’s the last time I’ll get the Mrs. out of bed on a Sunday to type up the blog for me after she’s been out partying all night. Stupid cow. Still to be fair to her she’s making a bit more of an effort to concentrate as she’s typing this bit up – so who knows, I’ll probably forgive her and let her do it again – if i can’t get anybody else to do it. I know what you’re thinking and you’re right, I’m a big old teddy bear really me, too soft for me good. Anyways…
‘The Fucking More on…’ Competition update: The site has crashed twice as you crazy people have literally been cyberly falling over one another in a mad rush to win the chance to spend some one v one quality time with yours truly. We’ve never seen anything like it here. And loads of yous are first-time visitors to the site. Amazing!!! I’m deeply, deeply, deeply touched in a very special place. Fact!!! Piece!
Ned, my eyes have bled quite enough this weekend, thanks.
I don’t hate anyone enough to give that prize away……not even the sweaty Mexican 😉
Cheers snowy, and no, I haven’t forgotten about the Happy Train excursion to my quarters 🙂
Dr Z , you have mail .
Well , hangover subsided enough for me to enjoy The Spuds losing . Even though The Spuds looked good going forward in the second half , defensively they were a complete mess . Gallas failing to deal with an aerial bombardment ? where have I seen that before 😉
Snowy , no hangover ? That just aint fair , when some of us are really struggling today with complex procedures such as putting on a kettle .
Great stuff from Feelgood and Leg Rash above .
Catalan, heh @ 182 and 185.
Zico@187: 🙂
tabs – have replied.
Pretty good weekend all round I’d say.
Just looking into flights to Stockholm 😉
Is that the faint rustle of Wind in the nineties I hear?
2 for 2 for LeG Rash and Mrs LeG Rash (or the Stupid Cow as she is maybe more affectionately known)!
What a ledge, FACT!
Yes NBN, yes it is 😉
Looks for NBN making the far-post run, plays the through ball in…
Stops Wind from self-self-self-self-self-assisting…
Lars, that’s the sort of thing Camberwell would do, and I’m his doctor in his rehabilitation 😉
Ghosts into space…
Knocks it into the box…
Guys, seriously!
Let me assist for once! 8)
£35 direct with Ryanair, Lars.
Where do I sign? 😀
You’re getting more deadly in the box than RvP, Wind. Well in, yet again.
Doubt OptaStats tracks his, but you must be our top scorer by a country mile, Wind.
The greatest compliment I’ve been paid in this bar NBN, thanks for the Pires-esque assist 🙂
Snowy @176: I look forward then to my next training session and in anticipation will leave the car at home.
*gulps nervously knowing I’m in trouble*
And Feelgood’s back in business – excellent news.
Cheers Dr Z , a good weekend indeed .
Well in Wind 🙂
Thanks tabs, that’s 3 centuries in 4 attempts now 🙂
Darn – that deft so-and-so Wind nicked in for the double C while i was away catching up on the drinks. Well in sir!
Many Thanks, newly promoted board member AL 😉
I fear that I have taught you all I know Wind . No longer can I call you Grasshopper .
90,000 drinks eh zico.
Now let me think of an apt prize for 90,000 drinks…
He still has a long way to go to reach my skills 😀
Don’t you remember this is a “one man blog?”
Zico @ 177 – sounds like a fair exchange to me… 😉
Lars @ 188 – fantastic – what could possibly go wrong??? 🙂
Tabs @ 189 – I think it’s perfectly fair meself 😉 and something of a blessing really, on account of the fact that I shall be spending tomorrow at a hepatitis meeting. Having tremors and full on alcohol sweats in the company of the UK’s most eminent liver specialists might be regarded as something of a bad thing when one is there in a professional capacity, and not as a patient…
Still, a great opportunity to confidentially obtain a few handy hints and tips from the experts I say. If they pass on any good info, be assured I shall share it here first 😉
Geoff @ 206 – heh – 😉
And well in Wind – outstanding effort yet again
Well Master tabs, and I will still call you that in reverence in honour of all you taught me in mastering the art of the 10 drink lurk, I am still a grasshopper, as there is still one more thing at least that I must learn in order to become a fully rounded ‘Holic.
The Art… Of the Assist. 🙂
Wind @ #209 – I think you have youth on your side young man 😉
What a fine football weekend all round – I get to meet all yous fantastic Gooners, then watch RVP win a tight match with a world-class strike, then watch sp@rs so-called title challenge start to unravel in December v Stoke. I can’t stop grinning. Ahhahahahaaa!
Cheers everyone. And any chance of blowing the dust off that old bottle of champagne up there on the top-shelf please barman? I’m in the mood for celebrating.
UREDS!
Snir, I’d never try to encroach on you like that, I am still young and inexperienced in the general ways of the world.
But as TS says @ 217 (thanks :)), I have youth on my side, and even our dear Captain begins his journey towards the King of Highbury’s record… 😉
Thanks for the plaudits as well Snowy 🙂
Wind – according to AW, being between 24-28 years old I’m in my prime 😉
Touche my good man Snir, at my 17 years, I’m not even on Jack Wilshere level, although I may have the talent of the Ox… 😛
Lol… you can always win the FA youth cup 🙂
Heh heh Snir, you’ve got to start somewhere, if its the grassroots, its the grassroots 🙂
And they woz robbed an’ all. i’m convinced now that Dennis has definitely put in a good word for us with the other FGs
And there’s a couple of ex-gooners on MOTD2 analysing the start of the demise of those former title challengers from shite cart lane – thank you Dennis and the other FGs –
And Geoff – i never doubted that result for a moment (feels a tiny twinge of conscience which a couple of early evening liveners allows him to ignore).
Am now settling down to watch the MOTD2 special piece on The Arse anniversary match which will, hopefully, remind me of some stuff i’ve had a little trouble recalling to day.
UREEEEddddS!
Well said holic, had a great day at the grove yesterday and I must say the roar when David Rocastles son was introduced sent shivers up my spine. Statues look great and spuds losing topped weekend off nicely. Roll on City and vengance
http://www.101greatgoals.com/gvideos/cologne-4-%E2%80%93-freiburg-0/
Please Arsene, I’m literally on my knees, begging you to sign Podolski.
Please. Please!!!!!!!
Wow… If (I know it won’t happen, but let me fantasize) we sign both Podolski and TH14… Wow… I would be the happiest man alive.
Ok AW – You have to sign a striker in January.
You’ll only have RvP who might be sold if he doesn’t sign.
NB52 is leaving. Park is here for only two more seasons after this one.
Chamakh is – http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2072842/Marouane-Chamakh-hints-away-Arsenal.html
There is a chance we won’t have ANY strikers come next season (and excuse me if I don’t count Park).
He has to sign a striker in January.
Liam Brady already said he will. He knows my preference, he got my preference with Arteta, I’d be glad for it to be 2 out of 2 😀
Wowzers, this conversation took off to a roaring pace! Winds scoring has become an obsession and BT8BBNTBFG has stolen my ‘angle’ it seems! Selfish bastards… ah well, I’ll just have to make use of my crop all to me lonesome!
Whisper it, King Robin is 3 shy of a league record, I hear…
In the spirit of Robin’s Golaso, I had to revisit this beauty:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yC0S5LHnq5k
My personal favorite goal of all time- I was through the roof at the time!
Nurses, please stand by. If we don’t get Podolski in January it looks like Snir is going to require treatment …
PiK @228: Not the big fucking german, indeed! But I have to admit the big fucking bratwursts in Minnesota are starting to get me.
Snir, I have a feeling RVP is happier than ever, there’s a team spirit not seen since the Invincibles, the team looks to be gelling and heading in the right direction and he is the leader.
And I’m certain a big signing in January will clinch his signature.
*yawn* oops…night ‘all
Ollie, The pintdropper was DM
So the big question
“He scores when he likes”
Or
“He scores when he wants”
hmmmmmmm
wants 😉
g’night all.
Geoff – Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure he’s happy, but since none of us are close friends of his, I can’t tell you if happiness alone would be enough for him to sign. I also think he knows we’re not as far off as people make it sound as he trains with these players and knows who they are.
I’m pretty sure we’ll have to show ambition and I’m pretty sure that signing Podolski would be showing ambition. You say big signing, well, Podolski is a big signing.
For the first time in years I don’t think we need anything but a striker.
If I were given the chance to be the Arsenal manager and funds to improve the squad looking into the future I would only get a striker.
GK – The best in the EPL, no need buying there.
DR – One of the best in the EPL (if not the best) and another one who is a Gooner who will run his socks off every single game for you (not to mention his crossing).
DC – 4 internationals, 2 of them among the EPL’s best (Kos and TV).
DL – A very underrated Brazilian who gives us options in attack as well, as does the former midfielder Gibbs.
Midfield – This is where it gets interesting.
DM – The best DM in the EPL at 24 years old (although has plenty of attacking skills as well), 2 young DMs waiting in Frimpong and Coquelin. Buying an M’vila will only harm their progress, same reason buying Melo et al woulda harmed Song’s. Another masterclass from AW.
CM – Arteta, a decent hard working midfielder who’s very good on the ball. Jack who will be one of the best 5 players in the world. Aaron who will be an excellent playmaker, and Diaby who will fill the proverbial treatment room slot.
Add Aneke and OX to that and you’re fine in that department.
Wingers – Gervinho, Theo, OX, Ryo, Afobe etc.
Nothing needed there.
Strikers – RvP. That’s it.
We have to get a striker, urgently, we are more than covered everywhere else and if we do get a good striker to help RvP, don’t be surprised if we get silverware and more than one.
Still haven’t given up on the league yet.
City are not Invincibles MkII and they WILL lose points.
As opposed to other seasons – this TEAM looks less likely to lose stupid points.
God, we need a striker.
8ball – I just feel like after disappointing in the last couple of January windows, AW has a chance (and money) to bolster this squad up so that we can challenge very heavily for the league, UCL and FA cup.
Snir, It was an excellent performance of Podolski in the clip, by the way. He would certainly give us experience and skill. Willing to sign for us as a backup though?
Snir @ 236 I find myself agreeing with you on every comment.
Head on pillow, eyes closing…….
8ball – Like I said… This is AW we’re talking about.
I’m pretty sure he can convince Podolski.
Secondly. From what I know, we’re the only team still in the UCL in for him. That’s gotta count for something.
Also – He can play on the wing (Gervinho at the ACN in January anyone?) and AW can try the 4-4-2 he tried against City in the CC cup with him and RvP or maybe putting RvP in the DB role like RvP himself said he is more suited to that role.
The thing about him is that he gives us so many options and not all of them include him as a backup.
That kinda signing will have the impact AA had, just that we’re still gonna be in it this January, especially after these next two weeks (hopefully Chelsea can do a job and then it’s all to play for next week and I fancy our chances).
bt8b @88 – “most of the ‘holics must be younger than I thought”
Most of us are pushing 35, and I’d swear ‘Holic is over 40 😉
bt8b @230 – Snir WILL require treatment during the whole of January, whoever we do or don’t sign!
Nurse Wolfie is more than happy to administer his medication – getting him to swallow it is quite another matter !
Catalan @157 🙂
Snir – @236
if you are happy with our GK situation after last week, you are already on more meds than I realised.
Szczes is great but our backup keepers would be comic if they weren’t so tragic.
Al, Fab and Mannone, I’m afraid, should all go in favour of one decent reserve.
Fabianski is ok for a backup as was proved last season.
Most teams don’t have 2 decent GKs anyways.
Have you seen Pinto play? Awful. Same goes for many backup keepers. I’m struggling to find teams with two decent keepers except for maybe Stoke with Sorenson and Begovic.
Having 2 decent keepers is extremely rare in the game today.
Hey tabs -when i was talking to you the other day you came up with a technical solution on how i might be able to overcome some cyber difficulties i’ve been encountering. Well i’ve got a tidied up version of the most recent post that it might be nice to share. If your solution still sounds like a good idea – and you think it will help, then i’d appreciate it if you passed on the knowledge and would be happy if you had my email details. If not no worries fella – i would hate to cause anyone on here any undue hassle/aggravation etc. So i’ll just take this opp to say ta again – what a great day- and what a great pleasure it was to meet you and all the other fantastic holics
UrEDS!
@ Holic: Yes most likely we have run into each other from time to time. One or two of the names seems to ring a bell but I am appalled that I am unable to remember the names for sure – only the events! Take a look at my Gravitar photo on 7AM or Arseblog – imagine me without the locks – and tell me if you know the face..
Don’t want to sound weird or anything but GoonerTerry, are we twins? I thought I was looking into a mirror…
But then again it is hard to see anything through this iron mask.
I figure a world class striker who does not have a huge ego and will not be a dressing room disturber and a backup goalkeeper, mature and in possession of the “it” that goalkeepers need being signed in January would make me happy. Players go through slumps and while I’m hoping the outfield attackers are able to play their way out of their respective slumps, I think at least two of our goalkeepers need to make way for better prospects.
Trev@242: Spot on about the goalkeeping cover. By all accounts there are some outstanding teenagers coming through in McDermott, Shea, Martinez and Charles-Cook. What the squad needs now is an experienced senior who is happy to be a back-up, but isn’t still learning his craft like Fabianski and Mannone, someone like Almunia but who can keep and hasn’t had his confidence shot. Fabianski has some talent, but he has to leave if he is ever to develop it. He just needs a change of scenery. Mannone I think is underrated, but again he probably needs to leave, or go out on extended loan, to get the games he needs. You never know what unexpected twists careers can take, but as things stand now neither of them is going to be displacing Szcz in the foreseeable future.
I forgot to mention, great posts by the usual suspects. I especially enjoyed Btm @22, zico @67 and tabs @70. And also thanks for the many informative links Snir 😀
Now does anyone know where I can get some pheasants?
Snir, gotta admit my friend, I see pretty eye to eye with you in your assessment of the squad. Well said- a top class striker and watch the f*^# out. Even now, we are solid, but RVP can’t continue like this, can he?
I’ll also stick my neck out needlessly and hypocritically and say that, for a backup keeper, I think Almunia fits the bill. I am completely through with Fabianski’s chances- if he goes somewhere and becomes world class, good on ’em. But I don’t ever want to see him in an Arsenal kit ever again.
My 2 cents. Puff puff pass.
NBN – Now who would you recommend as that signing? There aren’t many who would be happy to sign under the conditions you wrote (remember this is a keeper not an outfield player that may be given assurances that he can get games).
Have a look around the big teams and not one team has 2 decent GKs. That idea barely exists…
Snir, off the top of my head, Marcus Hahnemann is on a short term loan deal or something at Everton until January. He’d go for something like that. Good experienced goalkeeper and at 39 won’t block anyone behind him. Don’t want to generalize but I’ve noticed that American goalkeepers tend to be pretty good as well
D-oh, looked at his cold hard stats on soccerbase.com and saw that in his last 2 seasons for Wolves he conceded at least 1 goal a game! I wonder how much of that is due to the Wolves defence?
Any other viable #2 goalkeeper candidates lying around I wonder…
Hanemann to Everton was such a stupid move by McCarthy.
Hennessy is Almunia compared to Hanemann.
He might be alright as a backup, bot other than him I don’t really see anybody else.
All the “old” keepers are unavailable (Schwarzer, Given, Friedel et al).
At least the ones I can think of.
To go back to what I wrote to 8ball… Not only is it AW and he can convince Podolski to sign but also it’s Arsenal and that definitely can play a factor.
I still believe we’ll get Kalou unfortunately :\
He’s my Yossi for this window. Don’t want JUST him, but would be glad to have him in addition to Podolski (Arteta) 🙂
So, we are top four, albeit “virtually”!
Some great posts Btm, Dr Z et al including some very nice accounts about happenings in the Tollie
You are right Snir. We deffo need a striker in Jan. Question is, will Arsene go for it?
PIK, even I think Almunia is decent back up for SZCZ
Noel73 @ 225 – you should have dropped in to the Tollington and said hello. There was room for one more (just).
On the Podolski front, I got an e mail from a friend in Cologne who says the story is taking root there as well (although the German media may just be feeding off internet rumour like the rest of us).
What’s the point of Mondays? 🙁
LeG Rash
Idea for the Fucking More On competition?
Harry and Jamie Redknapp.
Does that count as one or two entries?
HOLD IT GUYS!!
Just noticed that Kalou will be sent to the ACN as well so no point in signing him and only him as our RvP cover in January.
Poldi 😀
Am I the only one who doesn’t rate Kalou? I can’t remember him doing anything special in the EPL. If we desperately need a goal in the 95th minute against some team parking the bus is he going to be the one to get it?
PiK @ 228, obsession? No no… ‘Looks around nervously’ 8)
I’ve got to say, I agree with Snir on Podolski, especially with his little bit of genius on Kalou to the ACoN but I disagree with the various about Almunia being back-up to Szczesny, last time he replaced WS13 in a game, we got knocked out of the UCL if I recall correctly.
I’d take Flappy over Aluminium hands anyday..
CoR – I don’t really rate him that highly either, but like I said, he can be the Yossi of this window. I wouldn’t mind having him in the squad, he’ll certainly try harder than AA if he comes on late in a game.
Why is it that whenever someone agrees with me it has be to after he wrote “I’ve got to say…” or something of that sort as if it’s unexpected.
Are the medications making me speak complete non-sense already???? Trev, CG – I thought we’d wait for the window to open for that!
Sorry Snir, precautions must be taken for… certain individuals 😉
PiK @229
My personal favourite is this one – simple but beautiful. And hilarious.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0f_mNztdsM
Important – contains arse porn….
snowy@215: I have to admit that I don’t know much more about the HT Excursion than TS sending me a text asking if I have room for 15 visitors 🙂
Snir, I agree on the goalkeeping situation. Very, very few teams have particularly good backups. In my eyes, Fabianski is about as good as we can expect because there just aren’t any of the “experienced and still good enough” keeper variety around.
A pair of father and son fuckwits with big sp@rs connections. Double powerful entry Zico – fact!
And a kind of reverse Almunia, as I like to call it i.e. thinking out of the box. With Almunia, of course, it was more likely us thinking – what ARE you doing out of the box!!!
Mention of his name on here today has freaked me out a little bit this Monday morning. I may have to force a large down my throat to settle me nerves again.
I often wondered whether the aforementioned GK maybe did a bit of that himself before a few big games – and so suffered the inevitable impact on his decision making capabilities that that type of behaviour brings.
It’s a theory based on absolutely no evidence whatsoever – but I’m happy to put it out there and start the rumour. Who knows, if it turns out to be true, I’d have done everyone involved, especially Arsenal football club, a really big favour!! And at the end of the day that’s what I’m here for!! Fact!!!
OK this is the time to get serious.
Please forward this to anybody you know.
http://www.gingers4limpar.com/?p=1176
I am quite amazed to see that Arsenal fans have chants that have “you fucking Jew” as part of the chant, and not only am I extremely offended I am also hugely worried this will catch on.
I know Spurs are considered “The Jewish” team or whatever but this shouldn’t happen.
Have to say it disgusts me and had I been a regular Arsenal supporter that just started supporting the Arsenal and not someone who’s too deep in I might have dropped the whole thing and not supported Arsenal.
Neighbour at 233. That makes enormous sense, he was on top form later on too 😛
Trev – heh back at you! 🙂
I’d agree that Almunia is fine as back up; experienced and okay.
Wind – I’m no Almunia apologist. but tough call on connecting Almunia and getting knocked out of the UCL! Do you remember who we were playing??? Also, he made some fantastic saves that night.
Fabianski. Rabbit. Headlights.
Snir, I’ve got to say ( 🙂 ) that I agree with your squad assessment, but would add Chuks Aneke to the midfield prospects. From what I have read, he is highly thought of within the club. Will be interesting to see how he does at Stevenage.
Also, isn’t Afobe a central striker rather than winger? I have a feeling that Arsene is looking to get him into the first team squad soon. Shame he’s been injured this season.
CG – I did add Aneke to that.
I wrote – “Add Aneke and OX to that and you’re fine in that department.”
I put Ox there because he is the one that keeps saying on Arsenal player that he’s a CM.
As for Afobe, I think he’s gonna be like Theo. Get his chances on the wing first then maybe will be moved up front.
zico @ 202, you want to check where exactly Ryanair drops you in Sweden. I remember a very long (and certainly not free) bus ride from their airport to the actual Stockholm………
Snir – my apologies about Aneke.
Now then… how’s that (ahem) health supplement we’ve been feeding you?
I was hoping it were those medications that led to me to hallucinate that Gingers4Limpar article…
Sadly, it wasn’t :\
Perhaps the meds aren’t that strong…
The Neighbour @ 234.
It’s a question of formality. “When he wants” can be reserved for when you’re discussing VP’s talents with close friends, while “when he likes” would be used with, say, a colleague you don’t normally talk to and who could possibly be slightly higher ranking than you.
However. If you found yourself cheering on the mighty red and white next Her Majesty (she must be a gooner, surely?), royal protocol would require you to modify your chant to: “He scores when he PLEASES”.
Hope that clears it up for everyone.
* next TO…
Her Majesty, is indeed a Gooner.
Snir@266: that song really is a disgrace, there are no two ways about it.
Ollie@270: too right, Ryanair flights to “Stockholm” are in fact about as close to Stockholm as Southampton is to London.
Snir
re the Gingers4Limpar article – good link, and quite right.
Football reflects society, but we can make a start by saying “that is not acceptable”. Change takes time but it can happen, as the article points out.
Excellent article, BTW Gingers….
indeed Dr C re: Almunia. I’d not have him anywhere near the squad, but credit where credit’s due, that night he was our MoTM.
Great article linked indeed at 266, Snir.
I never heard that bit ‘added’ to the song by some apparently, but I think it might just be my auto-filter at horrible things.
And it’s just such a stupid thing as we have a massive massive Jewish following in North London and elsewhere.
You can in fact be pretty sure we have more Jewish fans over the world that Spurs do (probably more Jewish fans that Jewish+non-Jewish Spurs fans, to be fair 😀 )..
Can’t see it catching up, but great of G4L to make the point again in a very spot on way.
Camberwell, there was a variant initiated by WST, following saturday’s goal: he scores how he wants, he scores how he wants, Robin Van Persie, he scores how he want.
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/van-persie-volley-was-a-bit-of-a-gamble-
I love Robin, says it like it is.
Ollie, I quite like that new take on the VP chant.
In Queen’s English: “He scores in any way he sees fit”
Heh, just seen some fault report from a customer called Hlebushkin.
No relation to Alex, I suspect.
Haha at the Queen’s English version 😀
Are you Arsenal Gent? ;D
Heh Ollie,
Probably wise words – I remember a Ryanair flight to Germany actually landed in Austria.
That’s probably why its so cheap too. £35 for the flight – £335 for the taxi!!
Lars @ 276
I could parachute in, if you put a big target on the roof of the pub??
8)
Heh @ the queen’s chant
Ollie @279. We have jewish fans? At those prices?
I still don’t understand how a company like Eurostar can decide to not operate services between London and Paris after 4.22pm on NYE.
It’s an absolute disgrace.
Given the absurd money I’m going to give them for Wolves…
Hmmm, there seems to be a decently priced flight from BA.
Arrives at orly as well.
I take it being on time for a 7.20pm flight at Heathrow for a 3pm kick-off is doable (I’ll have no luggage)?
No post-game drinks I mean, but does this sound reasonable, seasoned plane travellers?
If yes, I’ll book that flight in the next few minutes.
Yes, it’s muuuuuuuuch cheaper than practically any Eurostar journey any time.
Quite worried the timing would be a bit tight though, especially as I haven’t faced the crowds going straight to the tube for years….
The shame is there is also an Air France flight at 8.15pm, but going to CDG and at about 3 times the price. I’m not quite sure I want to spend €700 over 2 day trips for Boxing Day and NYE…..
‘Information regarding services over the Christmas period will be available in Mid-December’. Er, thank you TfL…………
Ollie – you’ll have about 90 minutes to get to Heathrow. Doable if there are no delays. Maybe Snir can remind you of his experience last year….
Fuck it, book the flight and then we can all take bets as to whether you make it or not. 🙂
Sounds like madness, depending whether I can check in first.
I remember a trip to Dublin (Aer Lingus) where they gave me the return boarding pass at departure already (for an overnight trip), but since I still plan to go to London by train first…..
Most companies will let you check in and print your boarding pass first… no luggage makes it a lot easier.
The only thing you’ve got to worry about isthe security fun. Probably not as much a problem as Snir had going to Israel! And, of course, whether the Heathrow Express is working…
Other things to consider, just thought of it: since I seem to have just enough points for a last single journey ‘free’ on the Eurostar, I might consider using that for the way out on Boxing Day and reinvest the money into the latter AF flight, even if going back from CDG will be a bit of a pain in the cunt (should make it home just after midnight, heh), and pretend (barely) that I am thus not spending such an obscene amount on travelling.
Of course, you can nearly bet that snow would fuck any plan up….
Well, independently of the flying bit, the using Eurostar points seems the sensible thing since any money spent now doesn’t count towards the renewal of my Eurostar Carte Blanche, only after January 1st for that.
hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Forgot about Heathrow express, was thinking Piccadilly.
Good point.
Tries for the assist into the box…
A *meh* week for The Green Tin Rollers, a mahoosive one for Gunder and Lightening at the top and ATG down near the basement.
Yet still the chasing pack have ensnared Dr Z and Milken Alchohol.
Oh I say!!
Pure instinct. You can’t teach that! The less you try, the more you get….!
Beautiful assist Wind…..you’re game is almost complete! 🙂
And a good century, straight out of the Green Tin.
That was some lurking though, Wind.
No transport advice? 😉
Thanks Catalan and Ollie, I try my best 🙂
Transport Advice? TfL are cunts, be wary… 😉
Also Catalan @ 263, a very beautiful video, skills from Henry that were incomprehensible before he took to the occasion 🙂
The Neighbour @ 288, 😆
Picadilly line to Heathrow for a flight at 7:15 has two disadvantages Ollie.
1. You will probably need to leave before the end of the game if you are going to avoid big queues at Arsenal tube station.
2. Your face will match your hair colour given the lack of urinal accommodation on the underground Hapless Train. As I posted earlier in the year, it’s an extreme exercise in bladder control following a couple of hours in the Tollie!!
Go to Finsbury Park Ollie
Unfortunately the nearest station will be shut
heh Neighbour. I would indeed go to Finsbury Park anyway.
Good point about the bladder, Dr Z! Didn’t think of that.
Right, i’d better try and be more productive, do some work and consider travelling issues later at home.
Will book boxing day first anyway I think.
Zico, what about Highbury and Islington on the Picadilly Line?
That’s a potential option, right?
H&I is on the Piccadilly line now? :s
Was on the Victoria line yesterday, when I used it, Ollie 😉
Why don’t you just take the ferry Ollie? 😉
Sorry Ollie, its actually on the Victoria and London OverGround, don’t know what made me mix it up like that, probably a lack of travelling of the Tube bar matchdays.
In terms of a smooth journey with minimum changeovers, the Piccadilly Line from Finsbury Park to Heathrow is your best option.
Which rules are we playing? 🙂
Heh Catalan 😀
Catalan you saucy dog 😉
haha Dr C 313.
Harry Redknapp And Tony Curtis
Said Harry Redknapp after Tottenham’s defeat to Stoke on Sunday:
“I never complain about referees’ decisions – I have not done it in 30 years of management, never.”
Presumably it was a different Harry Redk…oh sod it. This is too easy. At least give us a challenge.
We’re reminded once again of the Dennis Pennis moment when he approaches ludicrously bequiffed septuagenarian Tony Curtis, surrounded by busty blondes on a beach, and said:
“Hi, my name’s Dennis Pennis. It’s my job to make celebrities look ridiculous…but I don’t think I’m going to bother this time.”
From the ever excellent Mediawatch on F365
Ferry, you say, Harsha? 😉
http://www.seafrance.com/cs/sf_resources/jsp/SiteCrisis_en.jsp
Do we want a draw tonight?
I say yes, and then beat the Sheikhs at the Etihad Dust Bowl on Sunday!
Plus major injuries and sendings off galore.
Are you listening Football Gods? 😉
Sounds more realistic than the meteor option, I guess.
Just checked the old HT League standings for the first time in about 6 weeks.
Just like to let everyone know that I haven’t changed my line-up once since about the 2nd week of the season, and still sitting fairly nicely mid-table!
It’s all about the stability, folks. Settled line-up more or less does the job week in, week out.
What’s the opposite of a tinker?
-settled line-up
+RvP.
Never changed my line-up either.
zico@286: not a bad idea, but the pub is situated where you really can’t reach it with a parachute. It is in a building in between two streets called the Northern and Southern Drinking Alley – no joke, they really are called that! – in the Old Town where almost all the buildings are several hundred years old and the streets are ridiculously narrow in places.
Ollie: walk to Caledonian Road Tube Station, Piccadilly Line to Kings X, then Circle or Hammersmith & City to Paddington and then Heathrow Express. Should take you there with plenty of time to spare.
Thanks Lars, I’ll take that as a basis to evaluate. I trust your experienced air-travelling skills.
Is there a HP like there’s a HT?
Ollie @ 324
Now that I have heard of the Northern and Southern Drinking Alleys, you can take it as read that Feelgood is moving out of herb cultivation and into aviation. 8) 8)
Andre Santos to have an operation on his ankle. Club reporting that he will be out for 3 months.
Bugger.
*spitting feathers*
That decision (to select him v Olympiacos) will rankle with me for the rest of the season.
Consider buttons pushed, Arsene. 🙁
Afternoon fellas.
I got a shit load of back drinks to get through, so before I do, I’d just like to say, nice piece ‘holic and was glad to hear/read that so many of you had such a great time.
The game was always goung to be an anti climax to the festivities, however, we should be proud that the lads never gave up and kept going against an extreamly stuborn Everton side, who came to the HoF with the single intent of crashing our party and nicking a point. A wonder goal fror Robin insured the right result, but I got to give credit to the rest of the lads too. A good hard fought result.
damn about santos. damn, damn, damn.
on the good side of that, i just ordered my copy of “paddy” from arseblog, can’t wait until it arrives!
also, impressive wind @299, truly rounding out your game. certainly an inspiration, i’ve a slog ahead to learn that all-rounder technique.
Bollocks. 3 months of Santos hoovering up the Quackery supplies. We’d better get in touch with Harsha and PiK for some extra orders…
Bollocks crap arse feck buggery piss. And that is straight from the FA.
Why did you play him in that game, Arsene, WHY???
Please all: hide the Santos news from patient G.
It is not hindsight either. I think everyone said it before kick off……
Spot yourselves, folks!
http://www.arsenal.com/the-club/125th-anniversary-game-360-panorama
Even horse placenta wont help Santos, time for Miquel to step up unless Verminator will beour new left back!
The barman and his neighbour look dead serious on that 360° picture
On a lighter note the radio have just announced that double Olympic cycling gold medalist Chris Hoy has been left 100’s of threatening text messages from deluded Spuds about his performance yesterday??????
If you ever needed more evidence of how far down the evolutionary scale these oxygen thieves are, then there you have it. Thicker than a whale omelette.
That is genuine as well, not my attempts at a joke.
whale omelette, heh.
Yes, i saw that via twitter, truly incredible.
Or rather, far too credible. Bunch of retards.
Tabs?
Hello?
Echo…echo……
Blimey, busy day in the office!
Or the pub, Geoff 😉
Steve T, that was a bit hilarious 🙂
Oh well, there goes our chance to win at City.
Phil Dowd will be the referee.
Scruz @ 330, heh heh, I’ve used the power of the lurk in less attacking means to become a attacking provider 😉
Jack Wilshere managed it mate, and so can you 🙂
Steve T @ 338, I almost didn’t believe it, but then I have to remind myself that we are dealing with here… Hopefully Sir Chris HOY’s preparations for next year’s home Olympics won’t have been disrupted by a selective few disgraces to the human race.
Buggery shame about Santos, I’m annoyed at the injury but Le Prof knew what he was doing by playing him, it was a bit risky and it never paid off in the form of a win and 3 points or more match fitness for Santos but that is football and that is life.
Who knows, Santos could of played against Man Citeh and gone out for 4 months 🙁
Don’t even want to think about it ‘shivers’
So it looks like Gibbs will have to hasten his recovery swiftly or Miquel will have to make the big step up to staring in the 1st team, because I don’t think its viable long term to play Vermaelen at LB too much longer, our best CB pairing is him and Koscielny in my opinion, which is in the LeG Rash vein of things, a FACT! 🙂
Too much to catch up on, but some things require response, me thinks:
Snir- spot on, and you are not alone in your outrage. Football was for me my entre into the beautiful community of internationalism and one of the few less racialized communities around- I loath incursions of xenophobia, racism, and the such into The Beautiful Game, evident ad they are.
Zico- I hope it don’t really cost us, but I agree that playing santos seems like part of Arsene’s bad gambling habits.
Catalan- cheers for that bit of Henry glory. Remember his back heel goal while having his arm twisted behind his back? It would take years to recall Henry moments alone… Cheers.
Indeed I do, PiK, indeed I do.
Drink anyone? Or a pipe…?
SG@251 and others: what about Kasey Keller of the Seattle Sounders, who was named the MLS keeper of the season this year? He is 42 but has Premier League and Bundesliga experience plus 100 international caps.
Another possibility from the MLS might be Frank Rost, who plays with TH14 for the New York Red Bulls. Four years younger than Keller and German not American, but buckets of Bundesliga experience and a handful of full caps.
Going, going….gone!
Zico @341 I stand corrected, heh 🙂
Some post in another place reminded me of tabs’ brave attempt at that ‘liar, liar’ chant….
Quality moment!
Lots of heavy drinking above. Great stuff by all.
Our first choice 11 is impressive (we even look decent despite the injuries).
I agree that we need another striker in January. Not sure who, but with Chamack out of form and at the ACN and Park as the only cover, we need someone.
Cover at left back wouldn’t be a bad idea either with our current injury situation. 🙁
I’m not sure we need another back up keeper though. With Sczc as young and talented as he is, anyone coming in isn’t going to get too many games. Almunia does a decent job, and Fabianski was improving before he got injured (although he’ll probably leave to get more games elsewhere).
And let’s go Chelsea. Put those mercenaries into a downward spiral.
*washes mouth out with soap*
Zico @256 thanks for invite but was corralled into drinking with herself in the Hawly Arms in Camden with all the other wannabe hipsters. Will be over for Spurs game so may pop down then or could end up watching it there if ticket does not happen..Cant believe Chelsea are underdogs tonight…they remind me of an x factor winner, 15 minutes of fame to be followed by terminal anonymity..oh well..karma is a gooner..
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