Guest Post, Evolution Nor Revolution
Feb 7th, 2012 by 'holic
Last Thursday I published the latest guest post from one of our own, the inimitable Bergkamp the Man. He was inspired by the comments of Steve T, who I am delighted to say has expended a great deal of time and effort on the response. I have the advantage over both of them. I have now met both of them, although they have yet to greet each other. Both are excellent company, diehard Arsenal supporters, and as Steve proves here, both think a great deal both of, and about, the Arsenal.
A week ago, the esteemed Bergkamp the Man took it upon himself to pen yet another masterpiece. Yet another highly articulate and thought provoking post dealing with the modern day fans and their subsequent place at the club. This made particular reference to the more negative elements that seem to be more prevalent in this day and age. I was humbled to discover that inspiration for such a high quality piece was something that I had posted some days previous. I find the way that the modern fan and the game itself differs from those of say 30 years ago a very interesting one indeed. As I think we both agree, football has changed over that period of time. In recent years the games has changed massively. Below is my take on this interesting subject and my response to the fine points raised by BtM.
Being a football fan is like nothing else. Being an Arsenal fan is something quite special. It is a privilege and something that should be treasured for a lifetime. It is something that is in your blood. My Arsenal roots stem from my father. I have always read with interest those telling tales of trips to Highbury as a youngster with their dads. Unfortunately for me I was unable to experience that. A terminal illness meant that my dad not not make my ninth birthday. His health prevented me form enjoying such trips. My early football education came from my grandfather. Now whilst I enjoyed games in those early years my regret was that he was a Chelsea season ticket holder. However, he was of the generation of fans that would go to games on every Saturday. It would be Chelsea one week and Fulham the next. My trips to the Bus Stop were few, my trips to the cottage a tad more frequent. Only in later years did I fully understand that I had actually been watching the likes of George Best and Bobby Moore. My trips to Highbury were reserved for special occasions and when others were willing to take me. My flirtations at other establishments has only enhanced my love of this great club.
As I grew older I was able to make my own way to games. I would often travel from my new location in Bristol, turn up on the day, pay just a few quid to go and stand in the North Bank. There we would roar on our heroes.
Fast forward to the present day and my how things have changed. The biggest changes in football are down to one thing in my opinion and one thing only. That thing is money. The changes eluded to by BtM all stem from money. The advent of Sky and the global broadcasting opened the game up on an international level. Players changed. Gone were the heroes of yesteryear who would made an adequate living but not much more. In came the new found players earning money beyond their, and most of our, widest dreams. The interest changed within the game. The media coverage changed from a few pages at the back of a paper to almost daily coverage. And with it, there has been a big change with the fans.
Supporting Arsenal is non negotiable. I have no choice. If the worst ever happened and Arsenal folded then I could not love another. I would still watch football but not with the same interest. It just would not be possible. It is an old adage but one that still bears strength today. You can change your house, your car, your job and even your partner, but you just can not change your football team. I have reminded Mrs T that I was in love with Arsenal long before I met her.
BtM is right. Years back you would go to the Arsenal not just because they were your club, but because it was a form of release. You had a few beers first, chewed the fat, watched the game, drank more beer, chewed more fat and then went home. Every other Saturday at 3pm and the occasional midweek affair. But money changed all of that. How many 3pm Saturday kick offs have we had this year. My guess is that Paulie could answer that by only removing one mitten. It is not the same.
The change in kick off times makes a massive imposition on fans. BtM suggests that if you can not get your kicks at the Grove then perhaps other forms of light entertainment may be for you. But I just can’t buy that. However, other forms of entertainment do play a part. Pressure from others plus expense mean these can not be ignored, but for the true fan there can be no substitute.
Today we sit in the best club ground in the country. We watch a multi-million pound talent show unvail in front of our eyes, and we pay large sums to do so. That money thing again. But the modern day fan is different. We have all changed. As Pete Townsend once said, “you’ve got to move with the fashions, or be outcast.” Gone are the days of the 3pm Saturday kick off. Our games kick off now so that it is convenient for those at Sky and all across the globe. Those of us trying to fit normal working and family lives around the game are not consulted in the slightest. There are many that frequent this fine establishment that
have had expensive travel plans kicked into touch by the demands of the media. I read about Lars and his efforts to make it from Scandinavia. Ollie on the Eurostar. Snir bringing his family over for the Newcastle
game, only for TV to basically say tough. There are many others as well. All of this has an effect on fans. This adds to the increase on the demands of the fans. This along with the increase in ticket prices, the general increase in the cost of living, and the changing social environment.
The demands placed on fans has increased massively. Gone are the days when you just turn up, pay a couple of quid to go and stand where you choose. Those demands are the result of the influx of the large amounts of cash involved. Crowd numbers have increased and the game has now moved into a massive corporate world. It is not what it was. The modern day demands placed on fans comes at a trade off. Why? Because we have no choice. We will support this club irrespective of what any media mogul throws in front of us. Irrespective of the hurdles placed in front of us. But that does not mean our tolerance levels are not tested. Far from it.
If you shop at Tesco and the product is poor then you change to Sainsbury’s, or another supermarket of your choosing. If the “product” at the Grove is not up to scratch then what do you do? You do not have the option of going elsewhere. This is your team. You are stuck with it. You could not change even if you wanted to. You just cannot love another. So, what do you do?
Supporting this great club is a love affair. It is a roller-coaster of emotions. An emotion is defined in the dictionary as, any strong feeling such as joy or fear. That hits the nail smack on the bonce for me. I am not emotionally detached from the Arsenal. I can’t be. It just is not possible. I guess I am no different from the vast majority that turn up home and away.
Emotions are funny things. They make us all react in various ways. There will not be one person who reads this who at some stage has not said something to a loved one that they have later regretted. Hindsight is such a wonderful thing. If you take the emotion out of supporting your team then you take the passion out of the game.
So, what about booing? I have read several times from many learned contributors that booing does not in anyway assist the team. I concur wholeheartedly. What about the booing of the officials? Many have described that as an enjoyable past time. The worst ever I have heard despatched to the skies. Does that help? Does that make fans think that next time the ref considers a 50/50 that he will have taken into
account the constructive vibe afforded him by the home support and will therefore come down in our favour? No, nor me. But we will still do it.
What I would suggest is that their are two types of booing. Now let me quantify here and now that I do not condone either, but I do feel it is important to differentiate between the two. Are the boos an outburst of
frustration from real fans expressing in the only way available to them at that time their fears or frustrations at what is unfolding in front of their very eyes? Are the boos the result of pent up frustration built up over a period of time? Or is the uneducated, the Oxygen Thief, the great unwashed just spouting bile because it happens to have learnt a new word that very morning? I do think there is a massive difference. I also do not think it is age specific. I have heard men in their sixties venting their anger for no apparant reason at all. You know the type, those who the world owes a living and as a result are never wrong, Then there are others from a new generation of Arsenal fan that are both young and constructive with their comments.
So booing? How? Why? Where When? etc. Fans are different and this is reflected in their expectation levels. So how are their expectation levels arrived at? The expectations now are not a couple of swift pints and then a few quid to stand on the North Bank. Those days are long gone. The bar has been raised considerably. The raised expectation comes at a price. The relaxing day out has gone. This is now a high profile environment. The rich trappings on offer to those that partake have seen to that. Expectation levels are now sky high. But sky high expectations for what? Trophies? Silverware, Success? Of course, all of
those in abundance would be rather nice. But I would suggest that expectation levels are driven by the club itself. The move to the Grove, recent dealings in the transfer market and the continued prosperity championed by the current incumbents has raised the levels of expectation. This coupled with the increase in prices and expectations continue to rise. Fans beliefs are then fueled by the media. The trade off I mentioned earlier seems more than fair compensation for what is about to unfold. Or is it?
The fans expectation levels need to be managed. This is not something that the current board seem to excel in. Fans believe what the club says. They are involved in all sorts of media and believe the articles they want to believe. So when the fans are told that the club has made £30 million in the transfer market over the last period, the board continue to publish figures about how wonderful the turnover is and then ticket
prices increase is it any wonder that expectation levels are through the roof?
Fans have emotions. Booing is an emotion. It is not something I like to hear but I defy anyone with an ounce of passion to say that at one stage this season that they have not shown their displeasure at something Arsenal. Be it a player, the manager, the board or just the club in general. We have all done it and will all continue to do it. It is human nature. What I would say is this. You dismiss it at your peril. The booing at some games this season I would suggest is a venting of feeling built up over a number of recent campaigns. I do wonder if the current owner and his trusty bag men actually get that? I do hope that they understand the passion and feeling that there is for this club of ours. I sincerely hope that the board are not naive enough to dismiss it out of hand. I fear that if they are then it will prove costly. If they ignore the evolution then revolution might just come back to bite them a bit too hard.
So to those that really are the B12 mob that BtM refers to so eloquently. To those that do nothing but moan and continue to moan I say this. You are truly not worthy. I will champion the right of the loyal fan. I will support the right to freedom of speech. I will encourage those who really care to never be afraid to question those in such lofted privileged positions that they oversee the running of this great club of ours. Never be afraid to ask, Why? Failure to question will lead to complacency from those in charge. Please remember, questioning those in authority does not make you disloyal.
To the B12 boys? I would not give you the steam off my p1ss. Now about turn, look straight ahead. That thing now in front of you? That’s the door. That’s right, the second word is off.
As Blogs says in the very last line of So Paddy Got Up. “We support The Arsenal, but never forget, we are a big part of what makes The Arsenal so great.” My advice? Never ever lose sight of that.
All totally in my humble opinion of course.
350 Responses to “Guest Post, Evolution Nor Revolution”
Heh first , now to read the post .
2nd from the otherside of the world?
great read
will read again at lunchtime
bring back memorys
Epic post ‘holic. There is a bloody big difference between the two types. Well said.
Nice post Steve T , a worthy reply to BtM’s fine effort last week .
Pint of whatever you fancy on my tab .
Great work Steve T. Now to go and read the BtM piece which I somehow missed….
Great post Steve T have a cold beer on me,good one for the mrs,I loved arsenal before i met u,heh.
Fabulous piece of work
Good article but I think you have to make more of the connection between the fans and the club and how that has changed. We all used to walk out the ground and maybe someone with a radio would tell you the other scores, or you had to wait for The Standard to get them. Now it is 24/7 and I feel Arsenal are doing a horrible job of adjusting to this reality.
My 72 year old Dad, who is Arsenal to the core and been going since 1949, has even had enough now. Not with Wenger or Arshavin, but with the BS. We are constantly being told one thing when we all know it is something else. We are told that all the money from the club is available to spend, but then it isn’t spent. Wenger takes all the flack for this but anyone with half a brain knows he is being a good lieutenant, not the real decider.
Kronke has bought the club and outside of a few corporate press releases has said nothing. Gazidis just seems like a stuffed shirt. We live in post Tony Blair Britain, the fact that we can be lied to about important things is now a question of fact. We all know Arsenal are NOT telling us the truth about what the plan is for the club, either because they don’t want us to know (pay the debt down and flog it for a profit) or even worse, there is no plan other than “the sustainable business model” – irrelevant of what that means on the pitch. How sustainable a model is eroding the product?
The world has changed beyond money, it has changed in the opportunity for engagement. There is an endless flow of information and so openness and honesty are at a premium. Our club keep telling us stuff that few believe and doesn’t tally with what we see with our own eyes. To many of us Arsenal is our first love and nobody wants to be lied to by their first love.
Good thoughtful post Steve T.
Personally, despite all frustrations, I just cannot bring myself to boo my own team / club / manager. It feels wrong, however much money football is costing me, and I am absolutely sure it will never help the individual, the team, or a paticular result.
But you’re right that the cost of supporting a club has changed the expectations one has of it.
Good post Steve T.
I personally had absolutely no problems with the fans who booed at the Man U game when AOC was substituted for Arshavin. It was completely understandable. As you say it can act as a safety valve and hopefully those in charge took note and will get their act together.
Agree with chris66 about the BS we get fed, and that is a huge frustration as well.
There is no merit in bovine acceptance of the status quo, and relentless optimism despite clear evidence of continuing decline, this does the Club absolutely no favours.
If reasonable criticism makes the people who run the club uncomfortable that’s good, there’s nothing to be complacent about.
They are all temporary stewards (including Silent Stan), whose duty is to pass onto the next generation, our Club in better shape than it was when they found it. Danny was a fine example of how to do this.
Boilk! Now to read the post. Looks good already
West Upper –
I didn’t agree with the substitution at the time and was pretty angry about it, but I did not boo.
Was there a connection between the booing and Arshavin’s even more pathetic attempt than usual to deal with Valencia for their second goal ?
We’ll never know, but it couldn’t possibly have made him feel more confident than he otherwise would have done.
I know the booers were aiming more at the manager than the player, but AA would not necessarily have known that.
How exactly did it act as a ‘safety valve’. What danger did it avert ?
To me, it seemed like we almost immediately conceded a second goal and lost the game.
chris66 – I sadly do agree with your assessment of Kroenke’s intentions, and share the frustration at the lack of proper communication from the club.
West Upper – agreed on Danny F. Massive loss.
Steve, Terrific post, no doubt you love the Arsenal. Often wondered why there was an underlying sense of frustration with your past entries, even when we won a game. Left me feeling quite exasperated with you. Now, I can appreciate where you are coming from. However, I disagree about the booing directed at our lads. No good can come from it. As for the officials, I rather think they expect to be called out once in awhile. Some I expect thrive on it.
great read steve T, are about to look out the BTM post.
Tabs – more good camel work in previous drinks 🙂
NBN – thanks for the excellent stats work (again) re end of season run-ins.
I don’t think there is any doubt that we have the talent to make fourth at least. For us it is about concentration and application – not to mention RvP’s fitness.
Great post Steve. I really enjoyed reading it. I completely agree with the difference between the two types of booing fans as well. It seems like when we moved to the new stadium the fans who came in to fill the new seats in the shiny new stadium seem to be mostly made up of the latter. They saw the team doing well, bought a season ticket came to the stadium and then we proceeded not to win anything. The last time I went to the Emirates I was sat next to about 200 hundred people who weren’t even singing when we 2-0 up! I think the Emirates needs to have a “Support 101” after work, volunteer class or something because it seems there are a lot of fans (not only our fans) who are there not to have a good time but to bitch at something so that they can feel better. Booing is not an expression of emotion I don’t think, it just seems to be an expression of stupidity. If they’re frustrated with the running of the club why are they booing the players? I guess when you really think about it, it’s a natural side-effect of expansion, how many cottage industries have a product that retains the small quality upon becoming a big business with so many new branches and employees of varying backgrounds and skill levels?
As for managing the expectations of fans, I would say the board can do better but they did say that we will see some lean years where staying in the top 4 is the main focus while we repay our loans. The fact that we were able to do that and (sometimes) still compete for FIRST place is completely down to the manager and quite miraculous really. My frustration comes when the players clearly are capable of more but underachieving but when they’re overachieving, which is what I think we’ve been doing, I can accept that. For better or for worse, fan unrest does seem to have shaken things up a bit, let’s hope that the dreaded complacency has been eliminated.
it is so frustrating that we have been in the title race and had the chance of winning silverware,only to be one or two players short,i am in my forty’s and seen average sides and dont have expectations of trophies,i however get very frustrated when they are thrown away seemingly because of gambles with thin squads,the modern day football is more down to squad depth than ever.regardless of how good we are at the time when my chance comes i will hopefuly see my Arsenal and get my trip of a lifetime to our home the Emerites,(biggest regret in life is i will never see Highbury)
What made Goonerholic the best Arsenal blog around is the engagement of its readers. Two eloquent, long and wonderfully written guest posts from different perspective in the past few days just proved the love of the readers of this place.
If watching Arsenal is like making love then reading this blog is the after-play conversation.
It makes us understand why we love her (The Arsenal) so much and can’t never be mistaken.
Good post Steve T. and please have a drink on me. The built up frustrations of the last few seasons have tested us all but Arsenal we are and will remain. The glass still looks half full to me, at least. 😉
Trev @ 12 I think the booing was a spontaneous reaction to a managerial decision which was incomprehensible to mere mortals such as me. I was in a bar in the US watching, and the reaction from everyone was total incredulity. Given Arshavin’s piss poor performances all year no one could see the logic. Don’t forget RVP’s reaction, give him credit for knowing something about the game.
My son was as the game and the reaction around him at the Grove was indentical, who knows what impact it had on Arshavin, we can only speculate, one thing’s for sure his performance from then on was pretty much identical to what we had seen all season.
Given that at the moment Arsenal seems to be run as Wenger’s personal fiefdom, what’s a vaild way for fans to make their feelings known?
At the AGM PHW made it painfully obvious that we should know our place and not ask awkward questions.
Steve T: a heartfelt read. Thanks for writing it so eloquently.
Chris66: good point.
Trev: cheers. We are definitely in the last chance saloon, but not near the exits by any means.
On which note: a glass of what cheers them, for all the regulars, ‘Holic, and a large one for yourself.
@ Cannons of Rhetoric – “It seems like when we moved to the new stadium the fans who came in to fill the new seats in the shiny new stadium seem to be mostly made up of the latter. They saw the team doing well, bought a season ticket came to the stadium and then we proceeded not to win anything. The last time I went to the Emirates I was sat next to about 200 hundred people who weren’t even singing when we 2-0 up!”
Whilst I can accept the point you make about differentiating between the 2 types of fans we have, it does get on my tits when people insist that you have to be jumping up and down, singing and screaming throughout the game in order to be considered a true fan…or whatever it is that you imply.
My dad is in his 50s and goes to every home game as he has done for the last 40 odd years. When he is there, he does what he has done in all that time which is cheer and clap for whoever has scored and show his frustration when someone loses possession. The rest of the time he sits and enjoys the occasion. The fact that he isnt singing or chanting throughout the 90 minutes doesnt make him any less of a fan than someone belting out a song somewhere.
Good read Steve T but I don’t think in strictly ‘debating terms’ you really addressed BtM’s points adequately. But perhaps the fault really resides with BtM in the first place, because he never really addressed most of the issues you talked about in your original post – he choose to respond with humor (his strong suit), whereas you presented a well reasoned treatise. Never mind. This is a wonderful effort and goes some way to giving us an insight into what makes you think the way you do..There was never any doubt in my mind that you are a true Gooner. But I often found your criticisms of the [team/game/tactics/manager/whatever] galling. Funnily it was that particular post [which inspired BtM to respond] that finally made me understand where you were coming from – and I said so at the time.
I’m still in the blind loyalty side of the equation. Its just about the only thing I am blindly loyal to. No race, no partner, no family, no political affiliation, no religion, no nothing! Just the Arsenal. Not that sometimes I am not tempted to utter a negative or two – I was on here when THAT substitution was made – and I responded WTF?? just like everyone else, and when we lost that game I was sick to my stomach and had to go lay down for a bit..but soon after my blind loyalty took over and I was back in love again…I am 56 now and I have been a Gooner since I was 10-years old. That is the single longest interest I have sustained in my entire life by a distance. I can’t imagine my life without having the Arsenal to worry about….and what’s more important – now that I no longer live in the U.K. – I can’t imagine a life without my fellow Holics to discuss our obsession with. Steve T you are great. So is BtM, the Gov’ner and all the other special people who share part a part of their day here every day…a nightcap for everyone still standing barman!
Steve, great work!
Great stuff Steve T (the real one!!). You deserve many beers… 🙂
@23: Hey Lee, fair point well made. I myself get very crazy and excited when I’m in a stadium but maybe when I get a bit older I’ll be more reserved. At the moment though, I guess I’m still too full of Redbull/Alcohol/Meds before matches 🙂 I don’t know whether singing chants for a full 90 minutes is an indication of a true fan or not, but it is pretty fun to do so I always wonder why more people don’t do it.
My point was more along the lines of, “even when things are going well on the field, they will be people who will not cheer or add to the atmosphere but as soon as things go wrong they’ll be the loudest.”
Nice one, Steve T.
Agree with a lot of what you say but none more than
The fans expectation levels need to be managed. This is not something the current Board excel in.
Dear diary,
I was reading this thing today when a man said, “we’ve all said things to a loved one that we have later regretted.”
That reminded me of the time when I said to Rox, “I’m off to the football.”
“Don’t be long she says, I’m making soup…..”
I then skipped off to London for 3 days.
When I got home, Roxette had only gone and changed the locks. After banging on the door for what seemed like an eternity, she eventually opened up wearing a look that was colder than a witches tit.
“Is the soup ready, I asked?”
One swing, and then I blacked out……
Not much snow really. And a new post. Now to read it.
If I may say, ‘holic, you should have more clearly separated the introduction from the actual Steve T post.
I started reading and thinking ‘why does ‘holic keep on waffling about, I thought I was supposed to read from Steve T’.
Yours truly, sub-ed.
My guess is that Paulie could answer that by only removing one mitten.
haha.
Steve T, superb piece, full of great emotion. It made my hair stand on end.
*applauds*
Nice work Steve T
Not sure it’s a case of the fans expectation levels needing to be managed, myself – that seems to smack of more manipulation to me. Personally I think it’s a case of the club coming clean to the fans re its finances: What money does the club have? Where did it come from? And how does it propose to spend it?
Thems the questions i’d like to see answered in this coming summer – then we’ll all be a lot clearer about our club’s direction. Folllow the money and all that, to find out what, in Steve T’s memorable phrase, the “current owner and his trusty bagmen” truly have in store for us.
And one of the things i love most about ‘holic’s posts is the way he manages to capture that though tons has changed for supporters in relatively recent times, and not all that change has been for the best (as Steve T makes clear) – certain precious essentials remain the same.
Now, taking my lead from a posting above – i’m orf for a snout, a lie down – and a wistful stare at the ceiling
Then later – quite a bit later – the third type of booze
UP The Arse!
Top posts boys and great reads – Should both be stamped and sent to colorado !!
Also chris66
There are many people that feel the same as you both- me and my old man for starters we both jacked in our season tickets 2 seasons after the move and if my Grandad was still about he no doubt would have done the same,
Its the Bullshit i carnt handle just tell the truth and you may find you get more support that way ! The contradictive stories that eminate from the club especially around Season Ticket renewal time are laughable – The smoke and Mirrors way of working does the club no favours !!
All that said, As Steve Says we all Love the club dearly and it is special it just needs to remember what it is 🙂
Super post Steve, a really good read. A bottle of whatever you fancy.
AL – some of our fans expectations, given our spend relative to others, are quite hysterical. Thus the board need to manage that – they would do so by coming clean on the money matters.
Hear the Scot on managing money! 😉
(sorry couldn’t resist, Dr Z :D)
How quickly forgotten, that Auld Alliance 😉
What Zico said @28!
Which is, of course, what Steve T said earlier…. 🙂
heh. I haven’t drunk in the Auld Alliance (Collymore-Ulrikakaka-famous pub) in aeons. Used to be a regular, but not since it’s not Scottish-owned anymore.
Maybes it’s just a linguistical splitting of hairs/hares thingy Dr. Z because I think we basically agree –
I say get the whole truth out there, then we can all have a grown-up debate re what’s going on upstairs at the club, then the fans can make-up their own, fully informed, minds re the club’s current direction.
I think much of the club’s recent problems with fan cynicism re its edicts/pronouncements etc have stemmed from it trying to ‘manage’ or manipulate the information it puts out in an attempt to ‘manage’ fan/media reaction to said information. They’ve been v. naive there, i reckon.
As you say, I think it’s the relatively straightforward process of coming clean on money matters (unless people at the club are working towards an agenda they suspect the fans would find unpalatable) – AND NOT in a Carsen Yeung stylee neither.
oops – coming clean on money matters “that needs to happen asap”
LeGRash is on twitter now, hooray!
Excellent post Mr T..
Steve T
Exceptionally Excellent,Eloquent,Emotive,Engaging,Expansive,
Engrossing,Enlightening,Envigorating and Epigrammatic.
That last one will have everyone reaching for the Dictionary.!!
Cheers
The Exemplary Sweeper.
West Upper –
I was in the stadium for ‘the substitution’ as well, and everyone was angry, frustrated and mystified around me too.
I can tell you though, that the booing was very uncomfortable and my immediate reaction was one of fear for the manager’s relationship with the fans and the club.
I am not a blind AKB but neither do I believe that AW has anything but the best interests of the club at heart.
I do not believe he will ever voluntarily diminish the team’s chances of winning a game. Watch his own frtustration and agony at losing on the touchline.
I do believe that he has long carried the can for constraints placed upon him by the board – some anticipated and some not.
That brings me to the “manage the fan’s expectations” issue.
AL, I’m with you on that one.
The fan’s expectations would be automatically managed by a healthy dose of honesty.
We are in our sixth season now at the Emirates. This move, we were told, was to make us competitive with the very top teams in Europe.
Since then, the landscape has been bombed and restructured by Man City, and re-rotivated by Chelsea’s continued attempts to buy success.
So, in financial terms, we cannot beat them in a transfer dog-fight.
But surely we should be capable of more than acquiring Mikael Silvestre and replacing him with Sebastien Squillaci.
I don’t know where the club’s money is going, and I don’t understand when some say that the stadium debt will be paid off in two years time.
I understood that the stadium loan was restructured, on completion of the construction, over 25 years.
If it is to be paid off in eight years, then even an accounting incompetent like myself will suspect that extra funds have been diverted from somewhere.
This is why I feel we need some good old fashioned honesty put out there, instead of the spin generated by the PR department.
“Managing expectations” sounds, to me, a bit too much like “conceding defeat”.
We have just about the only manager who could compete with oil money on an uneven playing field.
For God’s sake don’t boo him off it !
Lexicolistically speaking Clive 😉
Morning Holics
A thought provoking piece, I hardly know where to start!
I became a Gooner in the 50s by accident , I was not born into the Arsenal family. My family followed the Canaries and I spent my early years in the Barclay Stand at Carrow Road.
There were times in my life ( I will be 70 next month), when domestic duties took priority over my attendances at Highbury but since the death of my husband some years ago I am now able to make up for lost time and enjoy the benefits of the move to the Ems.
I fully accept that football is now a completely different game both on and off the field due to the influx of mega money,the 24 hour media , the internet and changes in society.The rise of the Middle Classes in the last 50 years has seen a huge change in the balance of the fan base at many clubs, particularly those based in London and other affluent parts of the Country. Clubs have had to widen their appeal , there were no private boxes at Highbury in the old days, just 25000 seats for those who could afford them and standing room, in not great conditions, for the rest of us.
There were times when I was happy to accept the lot of the fan in the old days . The team were a middle table side with little flair but a lot of endeavour.Yes, we did have the odd player who enthused me , the likes of Bloomfield and Eastham but my expectations were pretty low and this was the era of a great Spurs side which made it harder to bear.
My football info came from the match programme , sports report ,the sports pages of the News Chronicle and the Charlie Buchan Football Monthly.Poor performances didn’t deter me from making the 2 hour train journey to London and another 2 hours in all weathers at the ground.A cup of tea or bovril in the Supporters Hut was all that I could afford after the game.Did I and my friends engage in booing our team during this dire period in Arsenal’s history, no we did not and never considered it.
Winning trophys is not the be all and end all of my love for Arsenal. I do look to be entertained ,to watch good football ,in comfortable surroundings,with like minded people.I do not want supposed fans yelling abuse at my team, at my manager and at my fellow supporters.
I join in with the songs, jump up and down when we score and get to my feet when the prospect of a goal is in the offing (apologies to those who sit behind me). On the other hand I am not backward in showing my displeasure when there are poor decisions from the Ref and the odd groan is not unknown.
However, unlike my other love, the opera, I would never walk out during a game,I might miss something like a goal or a comeback.I have walked out of performances at Covent Garden when the replacement singer was not up to the job and on one notable occasion the ROH gave me a partial refund on my ticket. I can’t think that Arsenal would consider doing the same if RVP was replaced by Park!
We are all somewhat disappointed on how the season has panned out so far, a few highs, where we were thrilled with the performances but too many games where we threw away winning situations or where a win seemed likely. I am not too glum as there has been sufficient evidence that we have some really talented young players who WILL make it in the PL and the future really does look brighter from my seat in 112.
Sorry this has been a bit of a saga.
As always COYRs
After Puss-gate at Anfield the other night, I propose a one-off match be played in order to raise funds, so that these stray animals can be properly looked after.
Suggested game as follows ( a thinly veiled attempt to invite more outrageous punnery following yesterday’s Indian menu songs) –
Teams: Leads United vs Tottenham Hots-purrs
Venue: Kennel-worth Road, Luton.
Managers: Kenny Dogleash, Hairy Bred-Yap
Referee: Alan Wiley-Fox
Journo: Patrick Bark-Lay
*coat please*
Morning All ,
‘Arry cleared I’m afraid .
Delia –
that is a beautiful piece.
I am with you – Every. Single. Word.
It will be a privelege to meet you in The Tollie – SOON.
Trev – fantastic post @46 – agreed with all of it .
Morning Tabs –
Not all bad – he might get that England job sooner than expected – watch the Totts plummet then 😉
Thanks Tabs
Bizarre verdict, but TaBS did say that the prosecution didn’t do a good job.
He didn’t pay tax when he should have – surely that is guilty? Mitigating circumstances maybe (ie being thick)….
Like you said – let’s hope Capello now gets sacked and ‘Arry gets the job….
Like I said ‘Arry comes out of this smelling of Rosie’s A-hole
Yep , clears the way for the “‘Arry for England” brigade , and Clive Allen for the Totts . 🙂
Delia @48 – Wonderful , wonderful post . I hope you can make it to the Tollie again very soon .
Mr C @55 – Arry’s defence was that the money paid into the Rosie account was a gift from Mandaric for investment purposes (non-taxable) , as opposed to earnings connected with his employment at Portsmouth ( a taxable bonus ) . The jury accepted his explanation , however unlikely it seemed .
Felt from very early on that the way the Prosecution presented the case was muddled , and unclear .
Fine, fine work @ 46 Trev, too many good points made to doff the cap at them all – but the last 2 would seem to me to be particularly pertinent
Catalan – what say we start asking patients to leave gifts – nothing to do with the treatments they have received, which were, of course, given out of love.
Ringing the accountant now ! 😉
Delightful, Delia @ 48, ta!
Chris66 @ 8 deserves a mention in dispatches too – no? Top stuff an’ all!
Ew 2 B Ah Goonah!
Thanks TaBS – glad you followed it a little closer than me!
Which leads to…. Trev @59:
Seems perfectly reasonable – I’m jumping in the car to Andorra right now to open my “gifts from patients not related to the fact that I treat them and I have somewhat coincidentally halved their fees”.
There is precedent now, after all…..
Delectable Delia Delights Denizens by Denying Downright Denigrading Doomerholics !
D8, BtM 😉
Delightful deliberations Delia.
Boo Harry. Boo the Prosecution.
Afternoon all. Meetings are ugh!
Thanks Steve T for getting us another mention in Media Watch.
Thanks Nurse ABB, you know why 😉
As I said last night Steve T , an impressive thought provoking post . I can’t pretend that I agree with all of it , but that will be no surprise to you . 🙂
Spot on as regards the changes that have enveloped football in the last twenty years . Hugely increased prices , multi media blanket coverage , the societal change of many now attending and the huge disparity of earnings between player and fan have all played a part .
Booing ? My feelings are well known and chime with the thoughts of Trev and Delia amongst others . I understand the reasons why people do it , but that is different from being understanding of it . Nor do I think that my unwillingness to condone booing signals a lack of passion or emotion . I have of course joined in a collective groan at a misplaced pass , I have held my head in my hands at defensive blunders or missed open goals , and I have of course moaned to my neighbour about this player or that player or at a managerial decision .
However , and I have racked my brain , I honestly can’t remember targeting any individual player in red and white and joining in with collective abuse or booing . I can’t remember targeting any Arsenal manager for abuse , notwithstanding that most have regularly provoked my ire .
Nor do I think that the analogy with booing the Ref quite works . Do I abuse the Ref ? Oh yes . Do I enjoy it ? Absolutely . Do I think the booing of the Ref does any good for my team ? On balance , yes I think it does . The History of the Game is littered with “home” decisions . Givet’s challenge on RVP on saturday was a bad one , but would he have been sent off had the game been played at Ewood Park ? Debatable . I would suggest that the Home crowd has an incredibly important role to play , and intimidation of the Ref is part of that .
Completely bang on as regards “managing expectations” . As others have pointed out , that would be easier if there was a much greater transparency as to what is going on . Some bloggers like Swiss Ramble and AngryofIslington have managed to get the message out there that the Club are not sitting on a huge war chest which a parsimonious manager refuses to spend but their audiences are obviously much smaller than any official message . Why is that message not coming from the Club itself ?
Anyway , just my twopenny worth . I very much enjoyed chewing the cud with you last saturday .
Great drinks above by Delia and Trev among others. Right honourable lot you are. 🙂
tabs, back on the boos
👿
Tabs@66
Not even Eddie the Eagle McGoldrick ? Or How about Jimmy Carter ? Never understood the abuse aimed at him i always thought he was half decent or what about Gus after the Luton Debacle ? Come on man there must be one, Willy Young, Eboue,Helder,K.Campbell (Would have been a far better player than he became if not for the stick he received) !!
Can’t believe it.
My new account in Andorra is growing already. I told all of my patients this morning that treatment was free and it was up to them if they felt they wanted to give me a pressie or not. Of course, not related to me treating them.
Wouldn’t you know it, they all did! What a wonderful world…
We’re allowed to accept presents?
Donations should be sent to the Feelgood Foundation, British Virgin Islands (Oxymoron branch).
Cheers 8)
just got back to my desk to see the Redknapp judgement.
Utter bollocks.
I shall now pretend I can’t read and write and regularly flaunt the rules.
Wonder what the fuck happened to the jury in their sleep.
Don’t put that in writing Olli…oh, too late
Dr F
Heh @ oxymoron branch! 🙂
I could always pretend I get someone else to do my writing.
I only choose the best.
Too right, Andy Goram!
Chippy @69 , Heh 🙂
Plenty of contenders there ! I have of course moaned and groaned , but booed them ? Nope .
Gus ? Knew we were in trouble when I knew O’Leary hadn’t made it . Felt O’Leary on crutches was a better option . At the end of that game , apart from profound disappointment at the result , I actually felt sorry for Gus , he was a man who was so clearly out of his depth .
Willie Young ? Rather liked the man . Bit of a cult hero .
Mcgoldrick/Carter ? – Their time at the Club , back end of George’s reign , did coincide with the time where I was most disillusioned with the Club . Graham’s failure to play Paul Davis despite a dearth of any creativity , any entertainment at all at a premium , failure to address clear weaknesses in the team through the transfer market
and the bung issues rumbling in the background . Had no affection for these players , but didn’t boo them . Never booed George Graham , but have to confess that the overriding emotion when he was sacked was one of relief .
Agree with you as regards Kevin Campbell . Felt at the time that Ian Wright didn’t cover himself in glory when it came to undermining Campbell’s confidence .
Eboue ? Would have tested the patience of anyone , but didn’t boo him off on that infamous afternoon when he was subbed after coming on as a sub .
I have moaned and groaned with the best of them , but abuse and booing ? Not for me .
Dr Z @68 – heh 🙂
Andy, have you ever confessed to lying to the Press on oath?
No, but I have done the old:
‘It’s ‘im, guv’nor, not me, honest!’ routine 😉
Confused the fuck out of them it did.
tabs, you know, Eddie McGoldrick was playing in the first game I saw at Highbury.
So on that basis alone, to me, he was a ‘wow!’ player that day 😀
Delia you have made my day! What a wonderful post. You could have been telling my story except mine started mid-sixties…when I describe myself as blindly loyal, it is to the Arsenal, not necessarily AW. Saying that though my loyalty does extend to the club’s manager as it did for all the managers before the blessed Arsene. I was a proud member of Terry Neil’s Red & White Army and if one can be excited about that side…well…
Clive: Yes I did consult my dictionary about the word Epigrammatic. This is what I got.
Adjective: Like or in the style of an epigram; concise, clever, and amusing.
Is this what you meant to say? (0;
@48: Delightful post Delia. It really made my day. I have developed a distinct desire to have discourse with you darling but unfortunately, I don’t know the next time I will be dilly-dallying around the Emirates. For now a digital drink will have to do.
Great stuff by the usual drinkers as well!
Redknapp eh? How does he do it? I reckon his court case went like this…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAQv6KTfQow
Steve T thanks for well written drink that identifies changes in the way that fans see our club, and allows us to recognise how change has occurred, as well as the way money dominates all that goes on these days.
As a pensioner I also think how things have changed (Delia I bow to your 8 months seniority as Im not 70 until December),
When I was young, I couldnt afford the bus fare or the ticket, then I disappeared to Manchester and became an away supporter living around the corner from Maine Road, when they had a really good team btw, and had to suffer visiting OT when our team came north.
The rest of the time, it was those pitiful highlights(?) on MOTD
Now, when one has to pay for arsenal player (I dont because it seems not to be a priority for a pensioner), I am lucky to have found alternative means to watch most of our games by satellite for free.
A slow streaming allows me to (sort of) watch the other games , and also allows so many Gooners all round the world to better enjoy supporting the team
I congratulate all of you who are able to get to the Ems and watch with all the atmosphere that entails, though I do not envy the costs you incur in the process, and fully support your right to expect value for money
I have enjoyed the drinks discussing AW and the board in their ‘interface on the world’, where there is plenty of ‘economy with the truth’, including the totally laughable attendance figure, are all part of the ‘let’s put a spin on things’ approach which is part of everyday life today
Just a quick word on booing – this is often a way of releasing frustration, and in this age of high player (and manager) wages, they have to take it as part of their lives – heat and kitchen…
CoR don’t imagine that Harry could have been so erudite in his own defense..
A wonderful piece Steve T. I don’t agree with all your points but it is so refreshing to compare your eloquence of your position relative to others of like mind. My perspective on the booing is that it should never happen. I was not at the game and in fact the only negative post I have ever placed on this site was after the sub. It was as much disbelief as anything. I feel like if the entire Ems had a similar reaction to mine the sub would have brought on a moment audible murmuring around the stadium as everyone discussed and most likely disagreed with what was happening but it most certainly would not have been followed by booing.
Just to add to the discussion on influencing referees I think this is a great article
http://www.freakonomics.com/2011/12/18/football-freakonomics-how-advantageous-is-home-field-advantage-and-why/#
It contends that there is a clear homefield advantage in every sport but interestingly the main driver of that advantage is not in fact home field familiarity or crowd support but a slight bias of referees. Of course by that argument the home crowd should focus all there energy on booing the ref at every marginal call against the home team rather than singing. I would counter that the singing at the home ground (and away grounds with the brilliant Arsenal traveling support) is a huge addition the atmosphere and experience of going to home games regardless of it’s impact on the team. So in summary sing at the top of your lungs for the Arsenal and boo the referee. Ooo to be a Goona!
Oh and of just wanted to add brilliant stuff Delia @48
tabs, Sorry couldnt resist the walk down memory lane 🙂
Agree regarding Davis – He never got the credit he deserved, a fine player maybe the wrong player at the wrong time ie under Graham :-), Again he was the target of the boo boys for a while but he was stiffled in the game he could play, Done the Tour with him in the last few weeks at Highbury was a Top Man to boot,
Yep Campbell could have been a beast but was in the shadow of Wrighty – Always remember him driving to the ground in his convertable with his Gangsta Rap blaring out but he always stopped to chat with the fans – They were the days !!!
*their energy
Gosh Holic, You’re welcome. Now back to the drinks, can’t get enough!
Tabs @66 – spot on, for me.
Catalan –
have opened my “Gift Account” too. Offshore: FLUFFY69 😉
TABs: Glad to see you got to Chippy before me on Big Willie Young. What a great bloke he was. I remember talking to him and David O’Leary all the way back from Carlise and then for an hour on the platform when we got to London. In the end it was me who had to say “goodbye gotta fly”…thereafter whenever he saw me he said hello and called me by name..Its fair to say that I loved that guy..(0;
Harry getting off may not be the worst thing that has happened.
Hubris may get the better of him. He may go back to his old ways – he may think he can get up to his old tricks and then before we know it, the Totts are heading toward the same financial oblivion as his previous employers.
Wishful thinking probably…..
I feel like if the entire Ems had a similar reaction to mine the sub would have brought on a moment audible murmuring around the stadium as everyone discussed and most likely disagreed with what was happening but it most certainly would not have been followed by booing.
Completely with you there, Bearded.
@93: Wishful thinking zico but it would be great if it happened, eh?
I wonder if they blocked the Modric to Chelsea deal because he wasn’t going to receive a “present”?
Due to the cold weather, I cannot watch Lyon vs Bordeaux in the Cup as it’s kicking off now rather than tonight.
Chippy , couldn’t agree with you more re Paul Davis .
Saw his first team debut at The Lane in 1980 , when we put out a team of reserves as it was a couple of days before the Cup Winners Cup semi v Juventus and beat the Spuds 2-1 .
Could tell he was a player . Don’t think the crowd took to him immediately , partly because he was following in Chippy’s wake , and partly because he was very lightweight and easily shrugged off the ball .
In his early days I remember his name was often booed when the teams were announced . Didn’t really become a firm crowd favourite until about 85 when he was able to marry a greater physical presence and propensity to get stuck in , with his already abundant skill and elegance . George was initially good for him , and he of course was one of the lynchpins of the 91 Championship winning side . That they fell out was a disaster for Arsenal . Davis spent pretty much 2 seasons on the sidelines , replaced by Hillier , Jensen et al , none of whom were fit to lace his boots . Such a waste .
Even George had to finally relent and brought him back for the 2 finals in ’93 and Copenhagen in ’94 .
Great player .
Andy Gorams @various 🙂
Ollie @82 – What was your first game ?
I’ll still start that move forward, mind.
an oldie but goodie 🙂
http://threeandin.com/2010/09/09/theo-walcott-injury-shows-what-football-is-missing/#comments
Bungs it in?
He scores when he wants.
Dr Feelgood, settles scores when he wants……
Well in AL! I didn’t have the heart to self-assist. Let’s leave the corruption for the LWCs 🙂
AL on the blind side.
Well done clean shaven one 😉
Heh AL, great goal. Wheeling away in celebration?
tabs :
24/08/93 vs Leeds United (h) 2-1 (att: 29,042)
Scorers: Merson, o.g.
Team: Seaman, Keown, Winterburn, P Davis (Hillier), Linighan, Selley, Parlour, Wright, Campbell, Merson, McGoldrick
Trev @91 heh 🙂 and cheers .
Good stuff Bearded .
Goonerterry – Can’t say I didn’t think we could have done better than Willie – I remember being gutted when walrus-face Lawrenson went to Liverpool instead of us – but you couldn’t help but like him .Did a job and popped up with the odd pearler .
My only contact with him was one afternoon on the way home from school and I saw him on the other side of the road .
In this day and age , I think social services would be called in if it was reported that a pre-pubescent young lad had been spotted shouting “Willie! Willie!” at a 6 ft 3 in man from across the road ! 🙂
bollocks. Cold ones.
Well in AL and a great 101 Dr Z 🙂
Tights are definitely an advantage in this weather 😉
Ollie @105 – Great stuff .
The above is not aimed at the above. If you get my drift.
Just freezing my nuts off.
TaBS – did Lawrenson and Big Willie’s times coincide?? I thought Willie was late 70’s and Lawrenson early 80’s… he left Brighton after the Cup Final didn’t he?
Or has the cold affected my grey matter?
Excellent points made Steve T and many others that follow to add to those of BtM last week and maintain Holic’s bar as THE place to read cogent, caring and considered discussion of the team we all love.
I do agree that the club should be more honest with the fans and that would help manage the expectations that the media whip up in the less experienced and more impressionable followers.
However Arsenal FC swims in a very commercial shark-pool and the Board/ Silent Stan/ Ivan may have good reasons for providing as little information as they do.
Thank you for the back-handers, erm – back-handed compliments, gents.
I’d also like to thank Rosie my ever-loyal mutt – RIP on the carpet no more; my illegal team in Monacorp and elsewhere (what you think i’m gonna tell yous lot where – leave orf!) and milan manyorarich bastard – thanks for giving me a big-fat juicy slice of the cake from which i can now remove the file.
Right i’m behind the bar – not bars – who wants some – geddit? No neither did I…No time, gentlemen perlease!
Right, I’m gonna go ‘ome now (to me £10 million pound pad on the south coast with retractable roof on the swimming pool), put me feet up and try to twitch off!
I’m a winker, I’m a winker it does me good like it jolly well should – ‘cos I’m winker, I’m winker…
Delia, Beautiful post. I think all the ladies at the bar ( gooner girl, Oliva, Ettie, and countless others who visit) would be proud to have you represent us at the Tollie.
RE: Ollie @96 Lyon v Bordeaux surely more a gastronomic adventure than a footballistic one?
Tabs,
Is that the famous game where the Chant of we beat spurs with our reserves first got aired 🙂
heh AYnAL, great stuff 😛
Crumbs, I see Lyon just equalised.
AL @111 🙂 🙂
Mr C – You’re quite right . Just looked it up . I should have said Brighton and not Liverpool . He started at Preston , who I used to follow quite closely as they were my Grandad’s team . He played for Preston from 74 to 77 and was very highly regarded and we were constantly linked with him . Went to Brighton in 77 (when we bought Willie) and I was gutted . Then went to Liverpool in 81 and I was gutted .
Then became a TV pundit and I’ve been gutted ever since 🙂
Chippy @114 – that’s the one . The game was played on Easter Monday , and we played Juventus on the wednesday .
GT @ 24 Couldn’t have said it any better, mate. Straight from the heart.
TaBS – a mine of info; are you sure you’re not Snir in disguise???
Talking of which, where…,,,,,???
Here’s a challenge – who can find some footage of Paul Davis’ haymaker on (I think) Glenn Cockerill?
*note to Anton Ferdinand – that’s how you deal with it!*
CG: Schhh…the poor boy is getting over the Super Bowl loss of the Pats…that’s why I can only support one team. Used to support Celtic as my second team but continuous heartbreak made me give them up..
Mr C @120 – Pretty sure 🙂
GT @122 – I feared for the boy when I saw the Superbowl result . Talk about snatching defeat from the jaws of victory …
@121: Hey Catalan, this is all I could find on youtube :/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rB9LtjyRekE
Catalan @ 122,
I was at the game and i think me and every other person there that day missed it including the ref and Cockerill 🙂 ! No one had a clue what he had done till we saw match of the day that night ! I did ask him on the Tour what was said but he declined to comment, All joking aside it was some punch Mr Cockerill saw himself as a bit of a hard man till that day lol
CG: Couldn’t recover the actual clip of the Paul Davis brawl but as I recall it went something like this: http://youtu.be/jvgxFagWL44
Honest..I was there..(0;
West Upper @ 10 You said ” Relentless optimism despite clear evidence of continuing decline”. I would urge you to let go of the past. This team, in the here and now, has what it takes my friend to win the CL providing they dig deep within themselves and play their hearts out. Dearly would love to see AW acquire an exceptionally gifted striker in the summer, one with a really powerful boot, from long range. We need someone like that when we’re up against a team like Marseille, who can be so stubborn. Other then that, I wouldn’t change anything, and that includes Arsene at the helm. We will weep when he is gone…
Mr T:
Great post. As ever passionate and emotive as your support. I agree with almost everything apart from the booing. While you say that you don’t condone booing at any level, you differentiate between the “Oxygen Thief” and the “Frustrated” fan as maybe one being somewhat more acceptable than the other. For me, booing has a negative impact on players, manager, team and eventually even the fans themselves irrespective of the context.
Trev @ 46 sums it all up for me:
“We have just about the only manager who could compete with oil money on an uneven playing field. For God’s sake don’t boo him off it !”
And I tell you Steve, I say that as someone who was flabbergasted over “the substitute” and indeed many of the decisions Wenger has made down the years.
Or if I put it another way – I have a begrudging admiration for Liverpool fans who provide wonderful support for their team, week in, week out on the Kop and often “You’ll never walk alone” is loudest during the darkest times of tragedy (Heysel, Hillsborough). In 2005 they won the CL, in truly unbelievable fashion. It defied all logic. I believe that the unilateral positivity they got from their supporters, combined their history, had alot more to do with the result that night than the mediocre talent of the team in red. Positivity fosters belief and we need as much of that as we can get.
Anyway, thanks for the wonderful piece, and a little tune from the jukebox by way of thanks that I think you’ll enjoy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmtzxk97x-8
I’m only going by the text commentary but looks like some Lyon cunt didn’t get his red card despite denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.
They truly are the Mancs of France.
Joe said: “For me, booing has a negative impact on players, manager, team and eventually even the fans themselves irrespective of the context”.
…but that’s not the worse part Joe…booing gives the opposition a boost as it did united who went on to win the game after we had fought our way back into the game and was – at the time the booing started – well on top..
Dr. Z – have to say you’re 101 probably deserved it – Is There No Justice In The World??!? ( oops – wrong day to put that one out there)
As for the rest – I’m keeping tight lipped – ahem!
TAXI!
“I always paid them taxis” is what he said indeed, AL.
Meanwhile Lyon have scored a second during extra-time.
Not sure why Bordeaux haven’t used a single sub now when the **** have used their 3 within the first 90 minutes.
Steve – Magnificent post.
As you know, we tend to differ quite a lot, but your passion for The Arsenal is admirable and I can only hope that I will be able to share the same experiences with my children in due time.
As for the booing, I can never understand, no matter what kind of emotion the real fans want to show. Booing, in its essence is wrong and should be looked at as wrong. I’ve already given you my theories on the “job” of a supporter so I’ll save it for now.
A sidenote: Just occurred to me with all this AW to RM/France talk.
What happens if he does leave? The team will go through a terrible downfall.
RvP won’t sign if AW leaves, same with Song who sees AW as a father.
I really don’t understand people who want him out. If only for the reason that he is the only chance we have to sign RvP I’d want him to stay if I were a “Wenger out” boy.
Canons @99 – Fantastic link 🙂
For those who wanted to see that Paul Davis punch 😉
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-QOcCU7XQM
Since being found not guilty Harry has praised the British legal system. He also passed on his thanks to the jury in particular Bonzo, Fido, Rex, Lassie and Bowser
Zambia defeat Ghana in the ACON semifinals. Last summer my daughter’s youth team was called Zambia, which by default makes me a Zambia supporter so GO ZAMBIA!!
@ 136 tabs
heh, good one!
‘Arry gets orf – some saying on twitter Capello resigns – shurely knot…
TaBS – hilarious link! No hesitating…..!!
So – the meeja get there pound of (foreign) flesh by forcing the resignation of the most successful manager they have ever had. By totally misreporting what he said.
Well done indeed you tosspots.
Now then, if you could do something useful for once by whipping up a storm of speculation that fucks up the only decent season Spurs have had in the last 20 years…..
surely yes, AL.
They just said on Swedish tv that Capello has resigned just a few minutes ago, apparently confirmed by the FA.
The brilliant letter from Monkey Steve here is very topical right now…
http://www.football365.com/mailbox/7497054/Mailbox
As a Scot, can’t make up my mind who I want to take Capello’s place – Twitch or Pearce 😉
Gervinho scoring? What sort of crazy joke is this?!
Been a long day today (and will be tomorrow as well) so had not had too much time to visit the bar. Have spent the last hour trying to speed-read through the drinks and all I can say is that I am honoured to be part of this crowd.
Boro-Sunderland just started, let’s hope for extra-time and a Boro win.
Too tired so say anything meaningful at this point. Drinks all round, you all know whose tab to use!
zico@145: heh!
Ollie @ 129 re Lyons – Bordeaux – I did see the carding on France3 – the incident occurred well out of the area and commentators were sure it was a red. For me it was far enough away to argue that he might have been caught – is that then a yellow – advice from a ref please
Other than that , in the time I was watching Bod were the weaker side, and the mass substitution was so poorly organised that the ref got fed up waiting and continued play for 4 minutes with the subs trying to keep warm on the side!
Evening Holics
Our man Gervinho has just scored for the Ivory Coast with a run from the half-way line , down the left, into the box with a shot across the keeper!
Thank you all for your very kind words , hope to see you at the Tollie on Spur’s Sunday.
Yappyapp for England:
In the space of a day or 2 – from coming gnat’s cock close to doing a bit at her majesty’s pleasure to p’raps ending up being head-coach of the national team and the jerking, twitching face of the FA – who’s head is, of course, the future his majesty.
The man certainly has a nose for drama – if not necessarily what you might call obvious film-star features and that
Right, still in the dark about Milan at home but I will definitely be at Villa at home on March 24th. Match ticket, hotel and flights all done and dusted so no questions about that one.
Lars, hope to see you there 🙂
Sounds great, zico!
Great stuff, Lars!
Be very worried, ‘holics, that day is the arseblog 5 a sides tournament.
Expect ‘arsebloggers to outnumber (if not outdrink) ‘holics by a vast number.
So Capello out eh ! Never really a fan . Anyone who dies their hair so obviously (with exception of Gunner bright red ) , and who speaks no better than a 3 year old is never gonna cut the mustard .
That said I rather liked him for the fact that all those millionaire footballers clearly didn’t . Timing of the decision is madness .
Stuart Pearce will be hilariously incompetent .
Evening All
Delia @ #150 – Great post earlier. Hope to catch you on “Sp*rs Sunday” too. The Gervinho goal was indeed a cracker. Let’s hope he can replicate that when he returns to the HoF.
Lars @ #147 – Echo that, fine words. There’s some real top posting up there.
tabs @ #136 – Great link what a punch & heh! @ #117.
zico @ #145 – As a Scot, I bet you’re loving this 😛
Sooo… if Daft eVader goes to England and Maureen goes to the dark side (i.e. where there’s a permanent shadow), not sure that’s such a good thing for us. Love him or loathe him, Maureen wins things.
You know, TS, if Moaninho goes to Spurs, I’m absolutely convinced that it will be the end of his ‘winning things’ sequence.
Austrian @137 – 🙂
Bath , Mr C – it was rather a good punch wasn’t it . Attack the best form of defence and all that .
Dr Z @145 – No conflict . Both will be crap for England . But with ‘Arry as England boss , the Spuds go into meltdown .
Ollie @155 – we should put in a team just for a laugh . I wonder if The Sweeper is available ?
Maureen won’t go to Spurs , not enough money to spend .
Evening TS “Daft eVader” heh 🙂
Ollie, tabs – I hope you’re both right…er… if that makes sense 🙂
BTW, I spotted a vicious City based rumour today – hopefully complete and utter bollix – that a Khazak (spelling?) billionaire was up for buying the LWCs with a change of manager as part of the deal but Levy to stay on. Armageddon-tastic?
Capello dies his hair????? 😉
Grim news if true TS .
http://yfrog.com/17iprwj
Heh!
Grim in regard to the Khazak , not the hair-dyeing , although that is quite grim 🙂
Big heh @164
tabs
Hopefully, charlie-fuelled c*ntheadery and nothing more but how else would that lot ever win the league again unless they buy it?
I second tabs’ heh@164
Won’t win it even with billions TS . Being sh*t is in their DNA .
Just what the Dr. ordered.
Extra time for Sunderland before their fixture against The Arsenal on the weekend.
Lovely, The Black Cats forced into extra time at ‘Boro.
Have no idea how many of their first team are playing (Sessegnon is) but hopefully they’ll have ‘little bit the heavy legs’ when they play us at the weekend.
Boro’ look absolutley knackered. Can’t see ’em winning unless it goes to pens. Hopefully, that’s a double-reverse curse per ‘Holic.
TS – McClean, Colback, Sessegnon, Larsson, Richardson, O’shea, Bardsley, Mignolet.
And Gardner.
Cheers Agent Snir, top work as usual… right, back to the game.
We really ought to beat this lot.
The only dangerous players they’ve got are Sessegnon and McClean.
I’m giving McClean 2 years maximum at Sunderland before he’s snatched by a top 4 team.
By the way, in the case that we draw the Fifth Round Proper we are in for a big problem.
It’ll be
11/2 Sunderland away EPL
15/2 Milan away UCL
18/2 FA Cup 5th Round away
26/2 Spurs home EPL
29/2 FA Cup 5th Round Replay Home
3/3 Liverpool away EPL
6/3 Milan home UCL.
Tough stretch. Very tough.
It’s tough with or without the replay.
Yup, two trips to The Stadium of Shite for TTF
Sagna has to start all 3 games.
Sessegnon is a very dangerous player, so is whoever plays on the left for Milan (Nocerino/Robinho/Prince/Pato etc.)
Walk in the Park Snir
If you think that run is tough,let me tell you about the run in the Golders Green Ramblers had the year we won the Treble in 68.!!
12 Feb,Burnt Oak Bombers away,
15 Feb,Colindale Rovers,away
18 Feb,Edgware Warriors,Home
21 Feb,Hampstead Harriers,away
24 Feb,Belsize Park,away,
26 Feb,Hendon Central Hornets,home
28 Feb,Brent Cross,away
7 games in 16 days,and 3 of those were Cup games and all went to extra time,and we won the lot.!!
Then on the 3rd March we had to play the Angel Islington in the
Cross City Cup Final which we won 4-2 again ater extra time.
So don’t talk to me about tough schedules,
The Arse’s run is a picnic compared to the GGR’s.
Cheers
The Sweeper
Clive – you’re right. It’s all relative. But the GGR were a much better team than Arsenal, were they not 🙂 ?
McLeish resigns as Villa manager.
Gervinho goal was pure class. Can’t wait to see him return. Knowing Arsene he will rest him for a month, and we desperately need him instantly.
So, Sunderland away for the Cup it is. I am confident that we should progress further.
ABB @112, I don’t know your sources, but last time I checked, and it was before 15 minutes in the toilet, I wasn’t a girl:).
lurky oliva, Well there goes my reputation as a nurse! Can I buy you a drink, oh my gosh!
Snir – where are you picking up McLeish has resigned?
Looking at the fixture list, this weekend really is a must win.
And with the Mackems having just played 120 mins, there’s no excuse for anything less than 3 points.
COYG!
SG-that tough run does not stop there. after Milan, Newcastle, Everton /Q,Final FA cup thenA villa, C.league Q/F if we go through followed by QPR 2nd leg C.league then City. very tough run of games
He hasn’t… It was a premature tweet from someone.
wedropped- True, but I wrote those that had lots of games with only 3 days rest between them.
Excellent stuff, Steve. I thought you might use width on the counter. Never expected the long ball from you 🙂
Again, Holic. Privileged to contribute to all of this. Opportunity really appreciated. Steve and I will enjoy putting this to bed with you and a glass of something wet from North of the border in our hand.
ABB, a quick one will do. Double, whatever you are drinking.
Snir
That we were my friend,and you needn’t worry about AC Milan either.
They lost tonight in the Coppa Italia,that makes 2 defeats and a draw in their past 3 games,and they are away to Udinese on saturday,so it could well be 4 games without a win.
Plus,more importantly,
Arenal have NEVER lost a 2 legged cup tie to an Italian team.
Clive – I’m not worried about Milan at all. I’m worried that the players will be jaded for the league.
If we beat Sunderland at the weekend there is a big chance we’ll be 4th by the weekend’s end.
I’m willing to put my house on the Chavs losing points at Goodison.
Lurky Oliva, Alright mate, I do need a drink. Thanks for being such a good sport. I blame it all on my days at the Quackery.
Clive @180: daunting (small d) indeed.
Evening all.
First off, many thanks to you all for your comments. All greatly received and appreciated. I also appreciate the responses posted. There are many valid points.
With regards to booing I agree totally that it does no one any good. I must say that I do not remember ever booing any Arsenal player. I expressed my feelings quite vocally when AOC was taken off V the Mancs. My observations were also quite vocal when Eboue had his moments against Wigan. But I have never booed. Not from memory that is. I just think that emotions effect people in different ways. I just hope the board have their blinkers off.
BtM. I look forward to it.
In other news I can not say I am surprised that Capello has resigned. Italians deserting sinking ships seems to be all the rage these days.
Levy has said that Arry can leave the spuds with immediate effect, just as long as he can write his own resignation letter.
I also understand that the Spurs reserves are all back in training tomorrow having completed their jury service.
Keep the faith.
@195: Heh 🙂
Snir
I don’t know why you are worried about being jaded for the league games.
We have had a week off before the Sunderland game this w/end,we will have a clear week before we play the Spuds.
The only issue is the following mid week after the Spuds,because it is my understanding that is an Intl friendly time.
I believe England play Holland at Wembley.??
So it will be a question of hopefully not many players playing full games for their Countries and we have a full complement for the Liverpool game.
If we do have to have a Cup replay,i assume it will probably have to be played on FA Cup qtr final w/end.
2 away games at Sunderland sound tough but if we don’t get two wins I would settle for an away win in the league and a replay at the Emirates. Anything less would be something of a disappointment. But we must not underestimate Black Cats. I have one and it is fierce. 😉
It appears Capello finally recognized that England manager is a job of diminishing returns beginning with day one and going on from there. My only question is, why did it take him so long?
Get in!
Steve T, I was hoping to get my praise in before you posted but alas, great job man! Of the same rich vein as BtM, a fresh perspective on booing that I thoroughly welcomed and enjoyed reading 🙂
Some parts particularly hit home strongly regarding Highbury (I always get a slight bit emotional when I’m near its former site or when I talk about it)
Bt8b, nice, you have a black cat! I’d love one if I lived by myself, will have to wait till I move out.
Abb from last post on last bar session, you made my morning when I looked at your comment, thanks 🙂
This bar is slowly but surely becoming an excellent sort of music 😉
Clive while we did have a week’s rest and we are getting 8 days rest from the FA Cup 5th round to Spurs at home, most of the other games are 3 days rest only.
Sunderland to Milan – 4 days (with one day dedicated to flying over)
Milan to Sunderland – 3 days
Sunderland to Spurs – 8 days
Spurs to FA Cup Replay – 3 days (Replay will most probably be played 10-11 days after Proper)
Replay – L’pool – 3 days
L’pool to Milan – 3 days
Ooh, looks like I tabs’ed it 😛
Well in Snir for 200, lovely dribbing for the assist bt8b, and I say the same for AL @ 100 and CoR 🙂 (Zico, adjust your watch mate ;))
Hey Snir!
Expert lurkers’ goal at 200. I hope that helps make up for the Patriots near miss. 🙂
8ball, please don’t bring that up anymore.
No need to worry Snir, it’ll be tough but we’ll be fine.
As we say in Japanese: なんとかなるよ (We’ll get through it somehow)
Snir
you said you were worried about being jaded for league games,
if you go back and read my post again,you will see there are no 3 day breaks between league games,
Sunderland to Milan is for a cup game ,Milan to Sunderland is cup game to cup game.
then 8 days before meeting the spuds,
you have completely missed my comment about an Intl friendly break after the Spurs game,so we cannot play FA cup replay if their is one,until The w/end of the qtr finals.
Liverpool to Milan is again for a Cup game,so their are no issues regarding league games,we should be fine.
Well in, SG.
Steve T:
“Levy has said that Arry can leave the spuds with immediate effect, just as long as he can write his own resignation letter.
I also understand that the Spurs reserves are all back in training tomorrow having completed their jury service.”
Priceless!
Clive: and what makes the Goldners Green run so impressive is that their entire midfield was in the Wormwood Scrubs were they not?
I am glad old Happy got off – now we can sing: He can’t read; He can’t write, and his team is facking shite ‘Awway Redknapp..
Clive@180: You don’t know how easy you had it. At Red Star Hampstead we often had to play two league games on a single Sunday.
And we were grateful.
@212: NDN, I used to play for Dog Fight United and we had to play three games back to back while wearing factory boots with screw glued to the soles. Our uniform was a live dog which we strapped to our back…
CoR@213: you had boots! We had to nail acorns to our bare feet for studs. And live dogs! We couldn’t even afford dead ferrets…
Well, to be fair, the boots were stolen from an abandoned factory and the dogs were strays who were starved and too emaciated to even stand up to pee. Lucky for us our captain spoke canine and he assured us that the dogs were okay with it. The grueling schedule and the ability to score headers with a furry skeleton dribbling down my back helped me develop my mental strength which has served me well down through the years…
So, Hervé Renard is my choice for England manager. If he can get Zambia to the ACN final, and he’s managed Cambridge Utd, how hard can it be getting England to its customary quarter-finals exit?
If only Harry’s case went like this: http://youtu.be/07Rqv2cx6YU
Clive – thank you. You have eased my concerns.
Now all we gotta do is make sure our players aren’t invited for the Intl games 🙂
CoR / NED: You guys remind me of this: http://youtu.be/FatHLHG2uGY
@216: If he becomes the next England manager NBN, fans can probably sing: “He’s not Hervé, he’s my brother” when the victory bus is driving around old Blighty…
@219: Hey GT! Can’t watch the link as I’m in work but I’m going to assume that the [FATHLHG2uGY] included in the link means the video is about a Fat High Legged Heavy Girl 2 u Gotta Yum….
Snir
They will be invited make no mistake about that,but being friendlies, the majority of the National team managers will be fairly flexible and at most,the players will probably play half a game..
Fingers crossed they all come back safely,injury free.
GT @ 211
Not in 68 mate,we had a full crew to choose from.
The Incarceration issues occurred after i had retired and i made a brief comeback A La The Bearded One.
NBN and Cannons
2 Gold Stars each Boys.
Clive – yeah I have no doubt about that but maybe we’ll have some sympathy from managers like with van Marjik.
The Quackery
Memo: Mr T
Seems you were right about “nurse” ABB – we should have checked her (non)qualifications more thoroughly. It has come to light that she can’t even tell the differences between male and female.
Now then, Nurse Wolfie, hand me that syringe. There’s a good girl.
It’s not getting any warmer really
Some thought came to me. If ‘arry got away scot-free, as he was so honest, while he relied on people doing his tax stuff (‘the best in the job’). Are these ‘best in the job’ people now going to be prosecuted?
Or is it completely all right to have a bank account in Monaco in the name of your dog?
Side question: I might consider getting a dog. Just to open an account there.
What’s more likely to do the trick? I’d go for Golden Retriever.
Pooch maybe? Basset surely not?
Did I mention that I was completely sick of the media fawning over Harry Redknapp. ‘arryone Kenobi, you’re our only help etc.
I’m now really hoping he gets the gig before the Euros and that the Euros are a total catastrophe for England.
And fair play to Wee Jack for his tweet supporting Capello.
If the dog didn’t pay death duty on the estate then the twitchy cunt has committed the perfect crime, and proved beyond all reasonable doubt that the law is an ass.
Heh Andy Goram.
‘Dough-berman’ was suggested on twitter. Excellent!
F365 on the money again….
http://www.football365.com/f365-says/7498068/F365-Says
Breaking news…..
Paddy Power have just confirmed that a dog called Rosie has just put £189,000 on Harry Redknapp being confirmed as the next England boss.
Just saying.
Heh 🙂 ^
Ollie
Great stuff from F365 again.
I can confirm that sunny Spain is indeed that. But also -1 C at the moment.
#Iwantmymoneyback#
Deloittes confirm that Arsenal remain 5th in the Euro Revenue league behind Real, Barca, Mancs and Bayern.
Click on the link for a read if really bored.
http://www.deloitte.com/view/en_GB/uk/industries/sportsbusinessgroup/sports/football/deloitte-football-money-league-2011/5596840c99e9d210VgnVCM2000001b56f00aRCRD.htm
deer ef a as yoo no i hav got of my cort kase so plees giv me the nashinal job yores cinserley hary red nap .
I am ruling myself out of the running for the England job .
England appearances in major finals in last 40 years – 0
Holland appearances in major finals in last 40 years – 4
The FACTS speak for themselves . The next England manager must be dutch .
There is an outstanding candidate . His English is not very good but he can pick this up as he goes along .
Give him the job NOW .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZnoP4sUV90
heh! 🙂
heh tabs 😀
another good ‘England’ piece on F365 (apart from the Spurs spunking at the end)
http://www.football365.com/faves/7498587/F365-Says
Morning Mr C , Ollie ,
All a bit quiet in here this morning . Is everybody updating their Cv’s I wonder , prior to whacking them off to Lancaster Gate or Soho Sq or wherever the FA now base themselves ?
Just done the back-drinking .
Snir @175 – Agreed . McClean v.impressive .
Steve T @195 – heh 🙂
Wind @203 – 🙂 , watch it Grasshopper 😉
Ned and Canons @various – Big heh 🙂
Mr C @225 – 🙂
Reading the National Press today one would think ‘Arry would be able to combine the jobs of Prime Minister , National Football Team Manager , and Queen such are his talents . How is this possible when he can’t even leave a note for the milkman ?
And whilst we’re on the subject of Prime Ministers , David Cameron , shut the fuck up about football . It is transparently obvious you know nothing about it you silver-spooned , rosy-cheeked , eton-educated c*nt .
Right , out to freeze my bollocks off .
heh tabs, funnily enough I have an interview this afternoon, but I’m yet to update my CV, need to do it indeed.
England manager CV requirement:
-English
-cannot read English
-cannot write English
That’s what I’ve learnt over the last couple of weeks.
Good luck with the real interview Ollie .
As for the England job , you are clearly way too over qualified , as is almost everybody over the age of two .
Time for more F365 Mediawatch goodness, new edition is out.
F**k me, Smallballs makes it to the mediawatch page.
Today’s offering trully is t’riffic!
Re: Wolfie @237: Rats!!! It would have been entertaining as all hell. 😉
Mr C @ 225 LoL, cheers!
Ollie @ 243 Good luck and fingers crossed.
I am a bit late, but excellent post Steve T. Really well played with a straight bat
Some massive hehs @ above, too many to mention
Re: Redknapp
I really don’t rate him at all. Whether he stays or takes the Engerland job, I frankly don’t care.
Looking forward to the weekend already.
Wind @ 201 Have a beautiful day lad, don’t let it slip away.
http://www.sportlive.co.za/incoming/2012/02/07/anfield-cat.jpg/ALTERNATES/crop_630x400/Anfield+cat.jpg
I saw this game and by far the most entertainment was the arrival of the cat. Will it return for our game there on March 3??
Cheer, tabs&abb.
Think it went well, but as I said, there wasn’t really any pressure.
That’s that then! My application is in. I’ve applied for the England job – wish me luck! In my cover letter I said that since a foreign manager is now deemed unsuitable – and given the media clamour for the F.A. to appoint an illiterate & innumerate wheeler dealer – they should do the right thing and do the opposite. I believe that I have impeccable pedigree to do a good job:
– I am English
– I am Black (a bonus given the current brouhaha over the racist former captain)
– I speak standard English – but can understand all regional dialects.
– I write fairly well and can spell provided I have access to Spell Check
– I played the game and a very low level
– I am a keen student of Arsene Wenger’s tactics so I will bring that to the job
..and last but not least..I have never won fuck all..(0.
..other than our respect, GT !!
I think the AW bit might disqualify you, GT.
Am I the only one who doesn’t really give a rat’s ass about the England team?
CG, erm, no that will be two of us 😉
Camberwell: Are you saying that you will not be supporting my application for the England job?
et tu Zico..et tu?
GT, if the choice is between you or Twitch, I’d rather have Twitch – no offence 😀
GT, I’m right behind you mate – just don’t be surprised at my lack of surprise when we fizzle out on pens again!
Zico – brilliant. It’s just so full of complete a-holes, I mean how am I meant to ever support anything that sewer rat Rooney does?
Well, to be fair, Camberwell, Geography might have something to do with it for me 😉
but you’re right – who could support a team with so many grade A dickheads in it? !!!
Roberto Martinez gets my vote.
Ollie@247: This is Mediawatch’s gem of the day:
Non-Football Story Of The Day
A firm of private investigators in Australia has been advertising for a £50,000-a-year ‘brothel inspector’. The post involves “partaking of sexual services” undercover on behalf of local councils in New South Wales. The Lyonswood Investigations and Forensic Group in Sydney placed the ad for a ‘Brothel Buster Investigator’ in My Career magazine. Applicants were required to be unmarried and preferably single, willing to have protected sex with prostitutes and to provide sworn evidence in court.
Worth buffing up you CV for that.
heh Ned
Where do I sign?
GT@255: I would support your application to manage the England team but I have already endorsed Hervé Renard (see my @216). Frankly, you seem overqualified. Even Wikipedia doesn’t know how many games Hervé played for obscure French teams, while you seem to have a firm grip on the fact that you played. How can you expect to build an England team with that sort of clarity? And you say you speak standard English. Will that really help you in communicating with the likes of Rooney and Terry? You also say you are black. But how do we know? Do you ever tell anyone? However, I would be prepared to overlook these shortcomings and throw my weight behind your candidacy were you able to provide some practical advice to my late investment partner in Monaco. ‘arry can let you have the account no.
Dr F@267: You stand ready to dip you pen in the inkwell, then?
Heh 😀
Stunning Steve T
Once again I return from long hard hours of work in sales that dewindle by the minuate. What a peice to return too !
As my wage shrinks and inflated prices sore all around me what can be added to such a fantastic insight to how most gooners feel.
The term you her banded around is “am I getting value for money” this is for anything and everything from milk to a car !
With what has transpired over the course of this season some may not see value for money because let be truthful the grove is not the cheapest place to visit. However we stay loyal and behind are team and we all can be quilty of frustration and anger at the best of times, this may not always be helpful or constructive yet venting can ease the pain (sometimes)
Arsenal til I die !
Excuse the terrible spelling @271
Sorry
NED: I would apply but I doubt that I could come up with 50,000 quid at the moment (0;
Ned: In my enthusiasm to get my application in quickly I didn’t take the time to consider the pitfalls of managing England. As a committed Gooner I don’t think that I could come within close proximity to all those mancs, chavs and the assorted wankers who currently make up the England squad…I guess it Herve the Swerve then..
Don’t apologise for anything, especially spelling around here, 71. It is what is in the heart that’s important.
Right now bypassing mine is a particularly fine pasta and meatballs washed down with a tasty Merlot.
Now, where were we?
Oi!
Look aht, We’ve bin rumbled boys. Scarper!
Arsenal 1971 @ 272 No worries mate. If you want cringe worthy, just check out what I usually construct. I think I played hookey from school just a little too often, especially Human Anatomy. Cheers!
tabs @ 242, 😛
GT @ 255, I’d be behind you mate 🙂
Camberwell @ 258, I won’t give a proper damn until Jack purifies the captain’s armband with him wearing it.
England seem to cause their own misfortune anyway, I like to see them do well, but you know when its not gonna happen.
Heh abb, we’ll just say it was a VERY dark examination room 😉
Thanks for your 251 btw, it was a beautiful day, especially towards the end as I watched the snow fall around me whilst listening to excellent music for the occasion in Camden of all places 🙂
And a big ‘Heh!’ for 277 😆
Draw for the Goonerholic Fantasy Premier League Cup, 3rd rd, taken from the forum page attached to that League.
To be played Gameweek 25. Replays in Gameweek 26.
Highbury Squirrel v GOONERS
Make A Nuisance v Mongolian Chop Squad
The Mixed X1 v Midnight Marauders
Raaaaaaar! v kneegroes
Gunner Punner FC v A3 Milan
Arsenal F.C. v Lira BK
Harry’s Got a Twitch v My team name
PEN15.1 v RVP’s Chocolate Leg
Nellypoptimism v SuperDuper
Frozen Numpties v Here we go again….
I met Oleg Luzhny 3 v Tea Towel FC
Don’t Tread On Me v Black Cannons
2nd Milo Belfry v Twice Chris Smith
Arsene Knows v Heartbreak FC
Barney’s Boys v Ray Parlour FC
Team Banzai v No Use For A Name
Good luck everybody.
Just off to see to the Happy Train Cup next…
Nurse ABB: You are not alone in the erm..gender misconception…I swear that until he came right out and corrected you I thought Lurky was ‘Olivia’ …I checked some back drinks and yep I referred to him as her on two occasions! I wonder why he did not correct me? I’m hurt )0;
Lurky why did you not correct me? That can only mean that you thought that I was insulting you, and you decided to ignore me…
GT, I didn’t noticed, mate. Olivia, haha. Nice.
Anyway, I am in for the 300. Wind, you can consider this as a challenge!
Selfassisting to 300?
Why not.
You are posting comments too quickly. Slow down.
Ok
This is boring as the new England manager saga. I give up
As a young student I wrote a short novel in a manner of James Joyce’s “stream of consciousness”, on macedonian. Do not underestimate me.
Is there a new post, maybe?
Not tonight lurky. Too busy administering the Fantasy Leagues.
Preview of Sunderland tomorrow, I promise.
I smell strong lurking presence. I have to redevelop my strategy for catching up 300.
Oh, Holic it was just you, looking forward to your post to express my fear of that McClean guy. Anyway he is a nice and cheap supplement for your FL squad. Trust the player who is 600000 on the table.
The weather forecast for your region for the rest of the year. Snow. And now the sport news
New York Red Bulls forward Thierry Henry will not extend loan at Arsenal
http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/news?slug=goal-newyorkredbullsforwardthier
I always knew Lurky wasn’t a girl, regardless of lack of ‘er’ 🙂
And I knew the lurk was strong in the bar, instinctively returned to see a challenge @ 284, lets ‘ave it 🙂
Arsene Wenger is the man for England
http://www.timesandstar.co.uk/home/arsene-wenger-is-the-man-for-england-1.923678?referrerPath=sport/
Battle of the Titans!
Get in!
Yesssssssssssssssssssssssss! Wind of you go, mate!
Toepoke 😉
What a relief. I feel I deserve it!
He gets his coat, but holds his head up high, knowing that he hasn’t sucummbed to the dark side of the ‘lurk’ 😛
I don’t think there’s a better man then ‘Arry to take the Ingerlund job. I say this as a Gooner and proud Scot.
Come on Twitchy.
And he smirks, knowing that the spelling police will be knocking down a certain someone’s door anytime soon 😉
Hahaha, dark side of the ‘lurk’. All lyrics written by Roger Waters and Wind.
Ahoy hoi ‘Holic & holics,
Greetings from The Republic of Tejas. It’s been a while. I hope everyone’s been behaving themselves.
Kindly do me a solid and explain how the fantasy cups.
As always…
BMBD
@ TABS 242 Fine post – had me and WoB in stitches.
@ Olllie 244 Succinct job description – seems spot on. As the papers say – there can only be one candidate.
“… explain how the fantasy cups work.” That is.
BMBD
Naughty bath 😉
Hello Lonestar.
Fantasy Premier League. Pick a team from all the players in the Premier League at the start of the season. Enter them in Leagues run by various individuals.
I and many others manually run a cup competition in conjunction with that. Just like any knock-out there is a draw and the teams that win progress to the next round until we have a winner.
http://fantasy.premierleague.com/
Thanks, boss.
I was just unclear how the cup competition worked on the HT League or the Goonerholic League which were set up as tables not as head-to-head or the Fantasy Cup.
Not to worry, I have already crashed out of the Fantasy Cup and HT League in spectacular fashion. Midnight Marauders are still alive in the Goonerholic League Cup.
Thanks for all the hard work you put into this. From the seeding, to the results tabulating, to the posting, (for both cups), that was an endeavor worthy of a drink of your choice.
Thanks again.
BMBD.
Arsene Knows v Heartbreak FC.
You fixing the draw for the craic, ‘Holic?
Did Lurky get a yellow for the self-assist @299 and 300 and the hubris goals panel give it to Wind?
Lurky: Referee that is the most flagrant self assist in the history of this site! I think that should be a straight RED and a 3 game ban..
Ned who decides these things? Is there a Goonerholic Disciplinary Committee or something?
Oh my goodness…
My heart missed a beat…
I read it as “van Persie ready to move to Real Madrid” instead of “Real Madrid ready to move for van Persie.”
Phew…
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/transfer-news/Arsenal-transfer-gossip-Robin-van-Persie-wanred-by-Real-Madrid-in-summer-whether-coach-Jose-Mourinho-leaves-or-not-article863464.html
After reviewing the evidence put forward by the prosecution, we at the FA find the defendant Lurky Oliva not guilty of 12 counts of self-assisting.
However, we find him guilty of various counts of post-abuse, break the recommended post-limit and bringing the bar into disrepute.
As such, the defendant, Lurky Oliva, is now sentenced to 3 minutes hard labour, a slap on the wrist and he is also to be stripped of his position or lurk and be called simply Oliva.
Seeing as this case has serious ramifications for everyone in the bar, the sentence shall be carried in a timely fashion, i.e. never.
*The FA members dressed as clowns, then jump on their unicycles and roll out of the kangaroo court*
@238: tabs, heh
The Boss says the next English manager should be a local. Mike Bassett anyone?
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3284/euro-2012/2012/02/09/2896276/arsenal-boss-arsene-wenger-believes-english-manager-is-a-must-as-
Booo bad decision boo
http://www.theda.co.uk/2011/12/why-arent-spurs-messing-it-up-yet-asks-everybody.html#more-3911
This site is hilarious! I might get myself in trouble if I keep this up
http://www.theda.co.uk/the-ed-butler-sit-down-shut-up-quote-board
Cannons! That is, Cannons Sir. I think it’s your club who are now in first place in the HT FFL league, having blown past Frozen Numpties with an amazing performance on the weekend. All hail CoR!!
Thanks 8ball! I should’ve let you fellas know that the game was up from the get go. I learned how to wheel and deal while making a living as an illegal gambler in the underground Shanghai table-tennis circuit in the late 90s…
All well and good, CoR. You may carry on so long as it doesn’t involve Shanghaiing the bottom of the table clubs, Numpties included. 😉
CoR: Just watched Mike Bassett England Manager on UTUBE! Very inspiring (0;
So many brilliant folks on this site. Thanks for a fine piece, Steve T (and BtM as well).
The added money in the game is an interesting thing. I don’t doubt that the cost for attending games has risen dramatically. Though I didn’t grow up in an era where attending professional sporting events were a cheep and easy afternoon entertainment – unless you consider the Chicago Cubs after they yet again fail to reach the playoffs (speaking of trophy droughts).
But even though the cost of attending games has gone up dramatically, in some ways the monetary cost of being a supporter has gone down. For the price of internet access, I can sit in front of my computer and watch a live stream (note to the Premier League – if you provided a legal option for watching matches online for a reasonable price, I would sign up). For the cost of a pint (or so), I can go to a pub and watch a match in the company of fellow supporters.
So is the money the problem? I’m not entirely sure.
As Steve T so eloquently pointed out, the cost of supporting any team is not only money. It’s the emotion. We care about our club on a deep level. While modern media and forums such as this one do not create the emotional connection, I believe that they do serve to intensify it.
I suspect it is this emotional connection that lies at the heart of many of our current frustrations. I will only speak for myself since that is all I can ever do.
I want this club to thrive. And when I see how we are at times capable of beating any team in the world (yes, even Barca), but struggle for lack of a few players, I get frustrated. I wonder what would have happened had we brought in Arteta a few seasons ago. I wonder where would be had we never signed Silvestre. The point though is that there’s this feeling that we’ve been inches from being an unbeatable side. But because we didn’t bring in the needed players, we never made it.
This in itself would be bearable if we were given reasonable explanation from the club. I have no idea why we handled the summer window so poorly. I have no idea why we didn’t sign a striker this January (Wenger obviously does not view Park as an adequate backup to RvP). So I’m left feeling like the club isn’t honoring my investment (a real investment of emotion and attention) to the club.
So what can I do?
My choice right now is to get behind the team and support whoever wears the red and white (especially struggling players like Arshavin). There’s a lot to play for still (including a decent shot at the FA Cup). I still think Arsene can turn this side around as he has once already this season. And nothing is going to change before the summer.
As I mentioned above, these are just my reflections. And I may well be biased in that without the increased money in football (and the increased popularity worldwide) I never would have become a fan of the magnificent Arsenal.
Being that we are on the topic of emotions; something to feast the eyes of my fellow gooners. The reason why we love Arsenal Football Club. Enjoy.
http://www.101greatgoals.com/gvideos/all-10-passes-for-arsenals-second-goal-v-blackburn/
Joga bonita!
That has to be the most blatant self-assisted goal ever! Or does that honour go to 8ball? 😉
Who let the dogs out?
Emirates Command Centre, London. Pat Rice walks in to Command’s office and sees the place in utter disarray. The heavy desk that once was so imposing in the middle of his cramped office now lay on its side like a wounded animal. FRANCE FOOTBALL magazines, OUI magazines, and “Buy one, get one free” player coupons lay scattered around it, resembling a pool of blood. Shards of a mug that once read “Number One Manager” when it was in one piece, lay strewn across the red carpet. Rice looks towards the disconsolate figure of Command as he stares out of the window at tourists taking photos of nearby cannons. Command turns around and Rice’s head is suddenly filled with images of angry, hairless cats pumped full of crack for some reason. Command starts speaking in a eerily distant voice that is a mix of anger and regretful sadness.
Command: How did this happen?
Rice: FA interference, sir. They wanted to tackle corruption in football, prevent the LWCs from succeeding and nominate a new England manager all at once. It seems our cousins in their zeal to burn the candle at all three ends, decided to fill the jury with sympathetic bulldogs so that they would receive a favourable result. The fools didn’t realize that they were all part of Rosie’s litter. Or maybe they did realize. It’s all very confusing.
Command: Get me Shaft on a secure line.
Rice walks over to the marble bust of Gunnersaurus, which is still intact having survived Command’s earlier tantrum, and presses a hidden button revealing a red phone. He dials Shaft’s number and hands Command the receiver.
Command: Shaft, Command. I DON’T CARE IF YOU’RE IN THE MIDDLE OF A HOT WAX SESSION WITH A BIG BOTTOM BITCH! Listen, I’m holding you responsible for the failure of Operation Twitch. The Moroccan and the Russian will soon be punching their cards for the last time. As for you, if you value your career, you better be able to show me some visible signs of progress on the Blatter op within a week………………Yes, I’ve read the reports. Those wiretaps are a dead end. According to the watchers, all Djourou does at home is watch reruns of “The Three Stooges,” then he Skypes Squillaci and Almunia and asks them what life in the dungeons is like. Look, I’m sending you a couple of new legmen. Use them and nail that fat cave-dwelling cunt to the wall. I don’t care how far we go back, if you let me down this time you’ll be on a rusty bucket to Green Mamba FC in Swaziland so fast that your head will be spinning like a paedo in a primary school playground. Ciao.
Command hangs up the phone and hands it to Pat Rice. Rice thinks to himself, “I haven’t seen the Boss this angry since that time Eboue replaced his Colgate with Preparation H,” and he replaces the phone in its receptacle under the marble bust.
***
Shaft hangs up the phone and returns to the bedroom where his female companion is lying in his bed underneath an Arsenal bedsheet.
Shaft: Meena, we’re going to have to cut this session short, girl.
Meena Mountabooti: What’s the matter baby? My Lucky Tiger moustache wax not good enough for you?
Shaft: Nah, it’s just that something came up and it has to go down before you can go down, can you dig it?
Meena Mountabooti: I can dig it, just don’t ask me to like it.
Shaft: Well, you know what they say, “Good things come to those who wax.”
Meena Mountabooti: Shaft, you’re staler than two-month-old channa.
Shaft: I know.
-6°C still
So, lurking around and self-assisting eh…”doing an Oliva” perhaps?
Nothing like a good bit of Shaft in the morning….!
Fine work, sir!
Thank you CG, I do this for the suffering gooner cats.
All I demand is some moustache wax in return 😀
“paedo in a primary school playground” – Heh 🙂
OUI magazines, heh 😀
Shaft,
The dungeons can’t be too bad if they’ve got access to Skype?
If they were in the Feelgood dungeons we’d only give them access to tripe….
…and haggis
Only at Christmas, Ollie 😀
Re: Harsha @329: lurky oliva’s goal wasn’t nearly so blatant. Or so good. 😉
The Arsenal dungeons are just like the club, full of class, man. Prisoners receive a bouquet of flowers before entering their cell….
OK, Partial credit where credit is due. Well in, lurky olive but watch that auto pleasuring as it occasionally pay to be more social. 🙂
Shaft ,
Did you not mean a bucket of flour?
Ollie @247 ,
“He’s a creepy individual. At least we’ve got rid of the old man who wants to wear Speedos.”
That was a cheap shot by Jeff Powell and thank the Lord Spitz that 365MediaWatch was there to highlight it .
“Creepy” I can live with , but “Old” ??!! That’s a step too far . That Powell knows how to upset a woman .
I have requested an immediate appointment with the Leveson inquiry . Rarely has Press abuse been so vindictive or intrusive .
It is surely a cornerstone of English Law that one should be able to enjoy one’s Speedoes without having to read this kind of vituperative comment .
I defend freedom of speech , (it is after all what my great grandfather Wilhelm Smallballs The Third fought against) , but when it comes to Speedoes the Press must be regulated .
If this kind of irresponsible reporting is allowed to go unchecked , where will it all lead ? To a world dominated by conservative swimwear , that’s where , and then where will we all be ?
Yours forever young ,
Wolfgang Smallballs .
No man, the bouquet of flowers is what the prisoners eat 🙂
Today , I shall mostly be tracking Polar Bears and clubbing baby seals .
Cor @ 322 Very amusing.
Ned @266 heh 🙂 I wonder if the job comes with overtime ?
lurky olivia @300 – I think your name has gone to your head . That must be a 10 game ban .
Bath , Canons – Cheers .
Joshua @327 – Nice post .
Shaft 🙂
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Just to make it nice and tidy at 350 – there!