Breakfast, the last of this weekend away, was just about finished when the fixtures for the new season started filtering through just after nine this morning. I knew the first three before hitting the road and now I’m back the first task was to download them onto the calendar. A bit of a pointless exercise perhaps, given the butchering those fixtures will take when television schedules are nailed down, but you need to have a bit of an idea about when you may need to carefully manage peoples expectations of your whereabouts, if you get my drift.
So, only one home fixture in August, and on the opening day too. So much may change in both squads before that day, but on the face of it you would say it is a really good opportunity for us to get off to the perfect start. I won’t go anywhere near Stoke the following weekend, so in terms of in-house negotiations we have three weekends left to negotiate another break, possibly with the grand’holics.
September gives us another loosener in the shape of newly-promoted Southampton before Chelsea come calling a fortnight later. As well as greeting our old friends from West London we will also travel to Liverpool and champions Manchester City in the same month. Even at this stage it looks like a defining month for our season.
The important dates are charted. The management’s birthday? Home to Fulham. Please Sky or BT, shunt that to the Sunday! My birthday? Home to Manchester City a day later. That will be a messy one as I am not the only early January birthday among the Tollie regulars. Boxing Day, that is non-negotiable. I won’t be around, and sod it, we’re at home to the Happy Hammers. Oh well. You can’t win them all, and that may well make negotiating the Reading away game ten days before Christmas a little easier.
Tottenham at home? 17th of November. Likely to be a lunchtime kick-off I am guessing. It may be better if I book the Monday off work to give the mother of all match-winning hangovers extra recovery time. The return fixture is scheduled for the first weekend in March, so if the three points we take that day put us 31 points clear of our neighbours it will be a gloriously early St Totteringham’s Day. Yeah yeah, I know. Don’t count ’em.
Other than that the only other observations are that January will be a busy month if we get as far as the semi-final of the Cash until Payday Cup, or whatever the League Cup is called this season. That’s how it should be. April also looks insanely busy should we get as far as the last eight of the Champions League and the semi-final of the FA Cup. You would want us to be involved but to have both legs of the Champions League quarter-final and the semi-final in a four week spell makes for a serious test of all the remaining contenders.
That leaves just one last check. Where will we be celebrating the title, if that is to be our fate for the first time in nine years? Oh dear. High in the gods at St James Park, or whatever Mike Ashley calls it these days. The only saving grace is that would give us a new variation on an old song. Still, plenty of time between now and then to dream of that.
Have a great week ‘holics. It’s good to be back.
523 Responses to “Fixtures Released For Premier League, Or Whatever It’s Called These Days”
THIRST
Nice one Holic and welcome back.
Nice first drink H2H π
Runner up!
Furk you TABs – you stole my automatic qualifying spot!
btw: Agreed with every word of you and H2H wrt to Ronaldo and his team of cunts. He strikes me as one of those people who’d be looking in a mirror behind you when you when they are talking to you – Cunt
Now to read the actual post π
Welcome back ‘holic.
I’ve been building up bonus stamps with the other half all throughout the year and a stay in the swankiest hotel in the Lowlands later this week (a belated B-day present) should completly fill my card meaning that my long awaited pilgramage to the ol’ manor is definetly on for the comming season.
I’ll be e-mailing your good self in the not too distant future to make sure I’m over when you and good amount of ‘holics are in attendance.
Here’s looking forward to follies under the Tollie brolly.
Oh, and some footy too. π
I can only travel for matches on August, December (most probably not because of the crazy airfares) and April……….”why?” you ask? – well I happen to have mothered a little girl who goes to school.
I like our start to the season – we’ll have known how good our squad is by the end of September.
P.S when I do finally make it to a match, drinks are on me.
Seems the drinks are a good place to be sounding out who will be around for which matches. I aim to be at all weekend home games, although may need to surrender another December date to fit in Reading away.
I might also try and get a ‘holics birthdays list together to aid efficient and co-ordinated celebrations. Anybody want to get the ball rolling?
ette @ #6: If you intend to send said daughter to college you may have to amend this: “P.S when I do finally make it to a match, drinks are on me”.
… Just saying like π
September 12th was my world debut, coincides with Southampton (H) on the 15th.
It’ll take a lot of smooching to get that one in though. π
Got to be quick in this game GT π
Look forward to meeting you this season H2H.
Holic, I will be 31 on the day before we travel to Villa. Nearest home game is the week before vs Tottenham π
H2H,
Our debuts make a Home & Away combination… Mine is on Jan 2nd, a day after Southampton away..
Hahahahaha…….GoonerTerry #8 – she’s only 10 years shy of college so I’m sure I’ll have made it to a match by then. College fees sucks though, I understand.
Double celebration then TaBS. Excellent π
A daytime post?!?
What’s going on.
Heh, excellent first drink, H2H!
@ ‘holic #7 My birthday is always in June – no football at all………unless I decide to edit my date of birth.
I aim to be at all weekend home games
Same as ‘holic. π
But I know there’s generally a few I can’t make. No idea what the new job will do on the travel front. Guess if I’m 3 months in China or something, it might be impossible for a few games.
Whatever will be will be.
Certainly aiming to be at the first game of the season!
Oh I like the fixture list! Can’t wait for the real football to start, bring it on!
As most years, I think my Birthday falls on a dreaded interlull.
Delayed celebrations for Norwich at home. Which may or may not be arseblog 5s weekend, since dates have to be decided early-ish, meaning potential clashes with FA Cups cannot be gambled upon, last day of the season considered too hard to get ticket to, and Man U too….
Holic, heh, might get messy π
Just got an Email from the Fantasy Premier League people.
It started “Dear Wolfgang … ” π
I was looking at mobile offers, in case I have to ditch the work mobile, but there really isn’t any offer kind to people who mostly communicate with people in a different country.
Long long way to go before Europe is considered as one, sadly.
heh tabs 20. Is it in reply to your 19 saying we might get Messi?
Oh no, sorry, I misread that.
Looking a bit closely at the fixtures, I too might swap West Ham at home for Reading away if possible.
Tabs, mine was to Dear Sir H, which was funny because I’m pretty cheap.
Heh Ollie, I think Twitter might melt down if it were actually announced that we were signing him π
H2H π
http://www.francefootball.fr/#!/news/2012/06/18/161017_giroud-aurait-choisi-arsenal.html
True or False? Notice the conditional tense in the title.
Actually, it’s conditional in the URL, but not in the actual thing, heh.
Ollie, we’ve finally signed him! π
……..or maybe not π
Hey Ollie: Giroud in the bag – now get to work on M’Vila please π
So, after having a butchers at .con, I’m liking the look of the Southampton fixture.
Does anybody know when Sky get their grubby’s on the list to rape it up?
Another thing, I didn’t notice any CL fixtures on that list, pretty important because the first round games are usually played around the time of my B-day and I’ve got a funny feeling we could be matched with Ajax this time around.
Who’s up for a party in A’dam?
I do rather suspect that RvP is off now though. And perhaps the timing of this means RvP will speak soon and this has just come to light because Holland are out of the tournament…
I can’t see RvP and Giroud both in. Unless RvP has stipulated in his negotiationsn that he wants to play as a ‘number 10’ behind a proper striker….
This from the BBC: “Captain Steven Gerrard on the subject of Rooney – “I can see it in his eyes – he’s itching to get out there and perform.”..Nah I think its the wig that’s itching
π
H2H, now you’re talking …
Ollie, totally agree, just said the same elsewhere. Just can’t see RVP, Poldi and Giroud in the same squad.I think he’s off.
Hope I’m completely wrong obviously.
Ollie seems to have taken up Snir’s mantle – stop worrying mate. If RvP goes it’ll be his lost, not ours. Besides he may well be the jinx that has kept us from winning anything..
… OK check the facts before you all take out your daggers π
He’s won the FA Cup GT. Just sayin’ like π
TABs: With all due respect he ‘stole’ that cup along with the rest of the team π
GT, I though Cesc was the jinx! π
Blame it on Eboue. π
http://www.football365.com/news/21554/7824125/Walcott-Passed-Fit-To-Face-Ukraine-On-Tuesday
Feofit
Stoke, Liverpool, Man City, Hammers, United all away in first ten. Johnny Rotten fixtures + League of Champions in between!
It’ll be tough without Nicky B. but with him, who knows, everything is possible, everything…everything….
M’Villa next and I’m sure Vertoghen is confused about which end of N.London he is destined ‘a la Robinho in Manchester’
Stolen from us in 01 GT . We woz owed …
When players start thinking they are too big for the club they become our jinx. ‘a la Cesc, Ade and Thierry’ although Thierry did have case to answer ‘a la RVP’
Before the Euro’s I was pretty sure we’d seen the last of RvP in a gooner shirt, I’m not so sure anymore.
He’s now been in a dressing room with a bunch of egos, he’s seen first hand how that can blow up and I think the most important thing is that he could do nothing about it. Surely having Van Bommel and, let me clear my throat, Fanny Fart (ahem) ahead of you in the hirachy would be a wake up call of deafening proportions to even the most hard of thinking, nevermind an inteligent chap like Robin.
He was just another high profile number in that squad, nothing else, over here the pundits and media were continually argueing the merits of Huntelaar as the main striker (we all saw last night what a briliant plan that was). At Arsenal he is lord and master of his own destiny and has a team built around him and not just a position to be filled and swapped around willy nilly.
Now that Euros are over, the speculation will once again raise to vomit level, The Sunday Mirror started yesterday already with a story so baseless that even a retard (covers most of their readers) could decifer who absolutly worthless it was.
Robin will be off on a beach within the next week with his wife and kids, nothings going to happen for a while yet, best just to keep calm and see what’s what when finally something does happen and be happy that it looks like the club are really trying to strengthen the squad and doing it in a timely manner.
Heβs won the FA Cup GT. Just sayinβ like
So as ‘Arry, just sayin’ π
Ha Touche ! π
Holic, welcome back from the weekend of relative culinary disaster (if Twitter posts are to be believed!).
tabs, you’ll be 31? Hmmm…
July 25th for me, so no games on or near my birthday.
I’ll most likely be over for Southampton on the 15th of September (can probably make it even if it is moved to the Monday but would of course prefer it if the cunts at Sky et al don’t move it from Saturday 3pm), and Reading away sounds like a great idea too. Would be great fun to do a Tollie Brolly Away Day.
Gotta funny feeling we might see another upset tonight.
My KOD predictions of yesterday were not really meant, I didn’t publish them until half time and they were a desperate roll of the dice, which failed miserably.
So tonight I’ll do it properly.
Drum roll please.
The Italians will thrash the living shit out of the boys in green, unless their defence tightens up and Shay Given remembers that he doesn’t have to give goals away.
I’ve been pretty impressed with the Croatians, not the best team in the competition but one of the most ballsy, they gave the Italians a good game and depending on the Spain line up, will they play six midfielders or a striker, I think that they may throw a spanner in the tikky, tacky, tippy, tappy works ending the reign of Spain and putting them on the plane.
H2H Kiss of death prediction; Italy and Croatia to go through.
tabs, youβll be 31? Hmmmβ¦
I was wondering who would be the first to pull him up on that.
That has the sound of a proper kiss of death H2H.
Someone in some other place now has the latest Spuds rumour as ‘Laurent Blanc’.
His last 6 months at Bordeaux would be a perfect template.
Ollie, was going to ask you for your opinion on Blanc but I see you have already given it π
H2H: agree about the Croatian attitude. Rather the polar opposite of the Dutch lot.
Laurant Blanc will hace to change his name to Lilly Chatte Blanche.
Hard to see the difference really.
Anybody who attends TaBS 31st is welcome to join me for my 41st…
Hey Ollie et. al.
Cesc was definitely a jinx but there must have been more than just him – even considering the Eboue factor. Something must account for the horrible, horrible luck we have had. I tend to think along the lines of Goonertown @ 42 and favour the Michael Coreleone method of spring cleaning when you have a rotten spell in the house..
10-points for the bright young thing that can explain what that method is π
Come on Croatia!
You and I both for Croatia, Ollie?
They’re fucked.
‘holic 54, I’m confused, you don’t mean on the same day though?
heh H2H 57, most likely indeed, sadly.
Holic @54, if you throw in a cake for my 21st IΒ΄ll be over there in a flash! π
Sheeeet ! Thought I’d got away with it π
Brave call H2H, can’t see the plucky Croats getting anything tonight. I think their only hope is to plaster pictures of Modric on their goal – seriously scary, enough to keep all but the most brave away.
Holic, you should be praying to ESPN, not BT. We have another year of Ray Stubbs to go.
May I be the first to say that as far as the newly sponsored Capital One League Cup is concerned, I have 0% interest in it?
Thank you and goodnight.
GT – in actually not worried.
I think he’s staying.
61 tabs.
Nice plan, but I’m not sure it would bother Pique that much.
And I’m not saying he’s brave.
Good man Snir
Italy scores
Cats among pigeons time π
Snir, I hope you have polished your crystal ball since the spring π
Spain deserves to lose for turning up with that kit FFS π
Croatia breaking up Spains rhythm well, keepit up in the second half and let Ramos find a way to fuck something up. Torres after a relapse against Ireland has suddenly remembered how shit he is.
H2H, Croatia could also very well have had a penalty when Ramos went in studs showing. Sure, he got the ball (sort of) but that was more coincidence than anything else and I think it should have been a pelanty.
Lars – that’s why I’m not in the bar a lot. I’m on holiday:)
Will discuss my future when I return for pre-season (i.e July) π
Spain trying to play without Cesc – when will they learn?
Alright, Snir π
tabs 61, superb! π
I see Snir is about for his now daily post or two. Hello π
GT 69 indeed. Only cunts play in Sky Blue. And Coventry City.
Ollie who could forget the original cunts Coventry π
‘Holic @ 54 –
“Ba-zing!”
That is all.
BMBD
Lars, I agree, looked a dangerous challenge to me.
I still think he probably has another one in him. π
What a shit header. All the time in the world, 6 yards and only the ‘keeper to beat.
I’m not getting that ‘extraordinary save’ shit.
Oooo that was close.
Thought it was a foul too Lars though probably outside of the box.
Croatia doing well, should have scored a mo ago.
Torres back to his usual position – the bench.
Ollie, I agree – definitely not an extraordinary save. It was a rather crap finish from a great position, nothing more.
Cesc to win the game for Spain – remember you heard it here first folks π
Fabregas with pointless backheel. But in front of the opposition box for once π
We’ll see if your jinxing powers are as strong as mine, GT :p
Come on Eduardo, get the winner for Croatia!
Here’s Crozillia
I wouldn’t dare saying that, Lars.
For obvious reasons π
Or is it Eduardo’s day hmmm – wtf do I know π
Come on Eduardo, knock these preening fucktards out !
To jinx or not to jinx….
Balotelli to kick someone in the bollix?
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Bah! Humbug.
Told you!
Well, that’s the proverbial “it” then for Croatia.
Suspicion of offside.
Cheats.
BOOM!
Well in Lars.
Preening Fucktards π
Balotelli scores screamer at the death – cunt π
Good goal, Lars!
I think we combined well again, heh.
Well, as I wrote somewhere yesterday, I think that’s the surprises over.
Nearly had our daily dose again today, but not quite.
I know expect France and England to qualify tomorrow.
Hope Germany win the whole thing.
now, not know
Good to see Italy getting through, I crazily tipped them to go all the way and I don’t want to look stupid just yet.
The curse of the H2H KOD was just too much, but I thought Croatia did well, they made Spain look particulary average, just as I knew they could. It was only in the last few minutes when Croatia was going for broke did Spain look dangerous.
I think we’re witnessing the end of the tikki tacky ruling football, it may look prettty when it works, but when it doesn’t it’s just downright dull.
105 Ollie.
What you saying?
England getting through wouldn’t be a surprise? π
Why wasn’t Navas offside? Didn’t Iniesta play the ball forward?
H2H@108: Not sure about that. Spain today looked like us on one of our non-creative days. Even got the looking dodgy on crosses at the back down pat.
H2H: a lot of the time it looks like Xavi and Iniesta are thinking “where the fuck is that little guy who plays up front and usually bails us out?”.
H2H 109, heh
Ned, I think Iniesta may well have been offside.
Ned. it’s pretty crap to watch though? Don’t you think?
I wouldn’t say they were like us, we don’t play with 6, yes six, midfielders.
I thought they were pretty rank in defence too, they obviously miss Poohole and as Lars said, that little messy geezer.
For Navas, it’s not about the ball being played forward but about the player being in front of the ball as it is being given. If he was behind, no offside.
I switched off when they scored so didn’t bother with replays, to be honest….
Would England do me a huge favor and knock out those cunts?!?
I hate them so much, it’s ridiculous.
Well I had Holland & Germany going into the tournament but since those preening fucktards let me down I now have drafted my ‘dark horse’ team into the game: France.
I am now with Germany & France with those other preening fucktards England as my ‘dark horses’.. and before anyone accuses me of being a whore they should know that I don’t give a fuck – but they can buy some… hehe
π
According to the letter of the law it was not offside., even though Navas was offside when Fabregas played the first ball to Iniesta. He was smart enough to then move behind Iniesta before the ball was squared.
I think it’s going to be Ukraine’s task, Snir.
(no, not really)
even though Navas was offside when Fabregas played the first ball to Iniesta
And that, my friends, should ALWAYS be ‘offside’.
Now there’s the ‘interpretation’, and some refs don’t give it, but he gained an advantage there.
I stumbled across a stat which I find a bit odd (don’t remember the website it was on, just remember someone talking to me about it) so I’d take it with a pinch of salt, but apparently RvP scored the most in the PL but also missed the most chances in the PL, and hit the post more than anybody else (I say it’s odd because I’m always certain I read that Luis Suarez has the worst conversion rate in the PL).
If that’s the case, it just goes to show how many chances we create for him, even without Cesc.
Crazy.
H2H @ 45-
I tend to agree
Ollie: Cesc’s perfect pass beat the offside trap! Told you he’d win the game for Spain! Uncanny accuracy..
GT, be glad, I didn’t say it, because it sure as hell wouldn’t have happened π
Ollie, it isn’t offside for a while.
RvP’s goals vs. Wolves at home and Blackpool away in 10-11, are perfect examples.
lars @48, july 24 here, a ’64 model. leos of the world unite (so it can get especially messi).
navas was onside, but iniesta, there’s a case he was shading a little too far. beautiful pass by cesc, tho. btw, balotelleeee, for all his cuntishness, is really talented. that was a hell of a goal.
i sooo wanted croatia to score one and shut up shop. now i hope for italy/germany in the final, with italy taking it 1-0. it will make the missus very, very happy. and that’s a good thing.
121. Ollie, I agree. Stupid interference rules.
Offside should be offside, no matter what.
To say that Navas wasn’t interfering (which is how the linesman interpreted it) is ofcourse bullshit, because as you rightly say he gains an unfair advantage by getting himself into a position for a pass which he can not miss.
Snir, RvP missing more chances than Suarez does not neccessarily mean he’s got a worse conversion rate. For example, Robin scoring 30 from 100 chances would be a better conversion rate than Suarez scoring 10 from 70, but Robin would have missed more chances in absolute numbers.
Hooray for a new and newsy post. I’m hours behind but it’s also good to see a full bar. Cheers all. π
Tks for the offside education, gentleman. Ah, for the old days when the law was understandable and not subject to interpretation.
scruz, then you are nine years and one day older than me π
H2H: the current interpretation is that once the player (in this case Iniesta) has the ball under control, that is considered a new passage of play and the previously offside player is no longer offside if he is behind the ball when it is then played to him. He would only have been offside if the ball had gone straight to him from Cesc or if Cesc would have taken a shot and it had rebounded off the keeper.
Lars, sorry forgot to add.
Lol, that stat meant to show how wasteful he is, stating he had the most chances AND the worst conversion rate.
Well chaps and chapettes, I’m off to bed. Pints on the bar for everyone, see you tomorrow.
Indeed Lars.
Still think it’s stupid though.
Totally agree with Ollie and H2H . Never given offside now , but how has he not gained an advantage and is not interfering if he ends up putting the ball in the net ? Madness.
Feel sorry for the Croats, deserved more. Great call H2H . I didn’t see that coming, and you were very nearly proved right. Have to say that Modric had a great game. Makes the likelihood of the LWC’s keeping him ever more remote.
Cheers tabs.
The laws of averages told me one of my stabs in the dark would eventualy hit a target. π
Just re-read the FIFA laws and they are explicit about the Navas example not being offside. Only question is whether Iniesta was offside. Was any part of his head, body or feet beyond the Croatian defender when Cesc made the pass. If so, he was offside.
Ned, as far as I can remember from what I saw, he was not.
Evenin’ all!
As expected results tonight! Spain v England please!
Giroud all but confirmed – sweet! π
Tabs @10,
“31”?! Lol! In your dreams bud! And Cristiano Ronaldo’s NOT a cunt! π
Salut and goodnight all!
lars@132…cheers! you’re just a whippersnapper. with a big damn tab (for which i thank you, on behalf of the bar).
pint of old peculier if you don’t mind, keeper (in honor of leos and wolfie).
Hey Holic and holics. Funny how looking at the fixture’s list for the first time affected us. For me I looked first to see when we play Manu. We have a score to settle. Then looked at the Spurs and Chelsea battles, and took a deep breath with our fate versus Citi. Yes, we will be insanely busy in April (And in May we lift the CL Cup!).Birthday list…mines in July, my sign is Cancer (the Crab).
Beer and speedos. What could possibly go wrong?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIk9ILDLvyA
Thank you Scruz.
Ned now that’s what i call an advert π
Sadly, it would appear so Dan π
Night all.
Today’s million dollar phrase “Preening Fucktard” brought to you by Miller & Speedos and the letters TAB & s ….
hehe π
Nurse ABB: Scorpio here. You and I are suited apparently although I always end up with Libra’s & other Scorpios: seems like I like to suffer..
;(
Scorpio as well GT lol π
wolfie@145, you’re welcome. that was you coming in there at the end of ned’s ad…wasn’t that the first time your bilateral cheek slapping technique was actually shown on tv?
and nursie, congrats on the july birthday…great time for parties and celebrating the long days with longer nights π
gt and snir, y’all should try leos. the missus is a scorpio, and though we’re not supposed to get along we do famously…and our best friends are in the same boat, with their birthdays a week after each of ours. makes for some great dual parties!
Fixture list?
I may go to a game……if I ever come back to Britain.
Or they let me back in……. 8)
Scruz: My ‘moon’ is in Leo – which makes me a little like them (at nights??)…fuck knows. But my wife is Scorpio too and we celebrate each day we end up not killing each other
π
I slightly disagree that navas was interfering with play. He broke away in the opposite direction to where the ball was being played. It was a well timed run which the keeper missed.
Fair play to Spain. That is why they are the current Euro and World cup champs with the majority playing for the best club team in the world.
I still hate and yes I mean hate their chairman and the way they turnt Cesc.
But fuck it. Two defensive signings and RVP and next season starts looking bright again. He he!!
H2H@139: You are right. I’ve looked at it in slo-mo and Iniesta is about a sock’s width onside, but onside he is when Cesc plays his chip. Navas is clearly in an offside position at the same moment but not committing an offside offense, a combination that could exist only in the through-the-looking-glass world of FIFAββjust as only in its world could a player who puts the ball in the net to score a match-winning, group-turning goal can be held to be not interfering with play. The refs got it right to the letter of the law, even if the law is an ass in this case.
GT, that is the passion that keeps giving!
This guy has what it takes, name-wise, to be a LWC.
http://www.football365.com/news/21554/7824714/Spurs-Talk-To-Blanc
Shaft at the end of the last drinks. That’s some kind of accumulation of yellow cards you’re working on there fella. π
I’ve just realised that even if Navas is onside by the letter of the law, who are we kidding? The linesman probably didn’t have a clue anyway, see all the usual ridiculous decisions π
Looks like Dogbag is going to China after all….
Morning All
Lovely stuff again ‘Holic. What do you mean football rules your life? You’ve been more than respectful in terms of birthdays, Xmas, new Year’s and other family related issues. I doff my cap π
Ollie – Shouldn’t Dogbag be going to Korea?
Dapper Dan – Lots of news surrounding Giroud but M’Aston was a 99% ‘done deal’ too just a couple of weeks back. Both would be wonderful, however. Bendtner to join Shamrock Rovers as captain, striker, player manager, life coach and club spokesperson?
heh @ Korea, TS.
Mine’s in October. Liek Ollie’s, it falls during the interlull I think
Ollie – Being turned into a take-away would be a fitting end to a man who dared and unfortunately was an Arsenal nemesis in his pomp.
Harsha – Can’t you get Sky to re-arrange it for you?
That is why they are the current Euro and World cup champs with the majority playing for the best club team in the world.
Not true, not one of them cunts play for us.
Morning all.
Two orservations.
i) The offside rule sucks, but we can’t argue that Jesus was in the right place at the right time to recieve the cross.
ii) If Bendtner had replaced the word “Paddy”with the word “White”on his pants he probably would of got a much smaller fine.
Just saying like.
Holic, the new Carling Cup is now known as the Capital One Cup, or…’the COCk’ for short.
Also could I respectfully take issue with your comment to “give the mother of all match-winning hangovers extra recovery time”? Nothing personal but it’s hubristic to say we’re going to win it before the day. In other words, boasting about kicking arse before the game should be the exclusive preserve of Sp*rs fans – they practically invented that sport, despite years of repeated failure to come good on their boasts.
*observations
BTW chaps. What’s the skinny on Giroud? I heard we’d agreed a Β£12m fee for him.
I’d wait until it’s confirmed on the official site before getting too excited Cam’.
“we canβt argue that Jesus was in the right place at the right time to recieve the cross”
heh, H2H, and Heh again, just for good measure.
Talking of measures… a Bloody Mary for you?
Heh, H2H strikes with a pun of Trev-like quality!
Mmmm, the sun is shining and there’s no hurricaine force winds, so I don’t mind if I do, cheers Dr C.
High praise indeed, Lars.
despite years of repeated failure to come good on their boasts
And therein lies the rub Camberwell. I am prepared to eat the odd tiny slice of humble pie given the inevitability that every year they will be eating an industrial size oven-load of the stuff.
They know well enough that invariably we are justified in reminding them what an under-achieving bunch of shadow-dwellers they truly are. That really must irk with a capital I.
π
…and congrats H2H on the Jesus gag. You really nailed that one π
Prepares to be crucified.
“He’s not the ‘holic, he’s a very naughty boy”
Camberwell 166
In other words, boasting about kicking arse before the game should be the exclusive preserve of Sp*rs fans
You’re preaching to the converted here π
As TS can testify!
heh at the puns.
H2H’s “white” on pants gag – top corner quality
http://www.football365.com/mediawatch/7825394/Mediawatch
Some gems in there, as often.
Good Tuesday Holics! Now Holic @ 175 tisk, tisk. Practically brought up by the nuns, you know (that will be ten Hail Mary’s and ten Our Father’s for you lad…). Eh, just kidding. Big day for England and will try my darndest not to miss the game and provide my expertise at the bar (laughing). Gooner Terry @ 148 Idealy suited! Scruz, how sweet, birthdays are a bit like licking honey off a thorn. Speaking of prickly subjects, notice some of you haven’t turned in your ‘special’ day, what up with that!
Somehow I feel you’ve missed a Crown of Thorns pun there, abb.
I see ‘holic’s risen to the occasion with 174 and 175…….
and it didn’t even take him three days.
Glad you enjoted that AL, I was scared that a Bendy joke may be pants.
You’re on form, H2H.
Walking on water?
As long as you don’t ask me to drink it, Ollie.
Non alcoholic drinks are not my cup of tea. (ironically neither is a cup of tea)
I’d alsolike to thank you for turning me on to Mediawatch, some good stuff on that site.
A round of drinks for the bar please squire (no tea or water)
I could never Passover the chance of making a religous joke.
Congrats all on the Jesus punning. π I will wait, as is customary, for the third day before making my mind up as to whether I make any kind of contribution.
What’s on the agenda today ? …
Not sure I agree with all this hand wringing as regards the Billy Bendtner fine. Of course , Uefa/Fifa’s stance on racism related offences is neither credible nor defensible. However, simply because their policy on Racism is wholly inadequate and fails to give any kind of lead on the issue to the football world at large, does not of itself make Billy’s fine wrong.
Bit like comparing Apples and Pears imo. Billy, despite his most innocent protestations of “lucky” pants, undoubtedly made money out of the whole sordid exercise, and his tab will no doubt be picked up by Paddy Power. As such, any fine should reflect the financial motives behind his gesture.
What else ?
Back to England today … … whoop, whoop.
Despite the obvious cuntheadery that exists within the squad, I’m English and therefore I support them.Supporting England has been a bit easier this time round, largely, I suspect, because I like and respect Roy Hodgson and would love to see him stick it up the ‘Arry lovin’ media.
Also, that fuckin’ gypsy ladyboy is not captain. Yes he’s still there, and yes he’s still playing, but at least without the armband, the whole Team isn’t completely defined by his vacuous eyes,his shopping centre haircut, his goose-stepping over-confidence and his covetous cock.
I suspect that we will sneak through, but England being England, I’m sure there will be a number of scares along the way.
Anybody know how we can finish top if both France and England win ? I can’t be arsed to look it up, as the rules appear to be only slightly less byzantine than Einstein’s Theory of Relativity.
So Come on England. A 2-0 win and a career ending cruciate snap for the Nazi will do nicely
GT @147 Haha , cheers π
Hehs @ H2H, Camberwell & ‘Holic π
Indeed Brother Ollie. Preaching at the altar of schadenfreude is a dangerous past(or)time. But give his his Jew last night for Jesus of Espana does indeed save. The Kippur was nowhere though.
More bloody hail marys for Dr.C. The communion wines and holy waters are on me.
Nice Anders Limpar vid talking to Arsenal Sweden, posted on Twitter.
I wonder if Lars was there ?
//www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1dkwEKdR1o&feature=player_embedded
Oh , that didn’t seem to work. Have another go .
//www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1dkwEKdR1o
Oh well.
Agree with you on the lucky bendy pants, tabs.
I do agree that they should throw the book at Bendy, tabs, he obviously broke the rules, I don’t believe the “I know nuffink” excuse for a second and if he hasn’t already profited them I’m sure he will get a nice fat backhander from the boys at Paddy Power, because the ton fine that he will get is peanuts when compared to the worldwide recognition and exposure that the brand has gained over the last few days.
But once again itΒ΄s a situation handled insanly bad by the governing bodies, they did exactly the same last year with the birds in the Bavaria dresses at the WC taking a relatively unknown beer brand and thrusting it into worldwide spotlight, I for one was particularly happy with the way they ballsed that up, because it was the brand I was carrying at the time and I can tell you, because IΒ΄m still in close contact with a few of their reps, that it literly launced their product worldwide, they now have adverts around the globe featuring stars the calibre of Mickey Rourke, Charlie Sheen and Hugh Hefner, not bad for a family brewery from Lieshout.
If theyΒ΄d tackle the important issues then maybe they wouldnΒ΄t be seen to be so dispicable.
heh tabs
Learning about it, I am even more amazed that mobile communication works as well as it does.
Hehs @ H2H, CamG and ‘Holic – whoever he is – does he drop in often?
And thanks to Lars for the compliment, indeed.
Very risky advertising strategy for Paddy Power anyway – relying on Bendtner to knicker goal. π
Heh TS “188
I had a few more religous puns, but I Lent them out.
TrevΒ΄s back. Let the punning begin.
Off to work sadly H2H. π
Bloody hell, I scored. Runs round showing his pants – again. π
Cheers Ollie @192. Are you saying that you don’t agree with the cruciate snap for the ladyboy bit ? π
Apologies for the epic fail re the Anders vid. It is on the TL of @AlexFortyNine for anyone interested.
It’s pretty good, Anders talks about the OT brawl, George Graham etc.
H2H , yep can’t disagree with any of that.The fact that the Governing bodies put, in financial terms, the interests of their Sponsors above those that are racially abused is of course abhorrent and cannot be condoned.
Fines for Racism should of course be increased a hundred-fold, probably more.The fine for Bendy on the other hand was about right imo.
Well in Trev.
Well in Trev π
Btw , been very impressed with Diarra for France. He’s at Marseille right ?
M’Vila must be some player if AW thinks he’s the better option.
Just to stir the transfer pot π
It’s at times like this when I miss Snir, who would no doubt provide comparable data on their pass success rate, their tackling, ground covered, and their respective attitudes towards post punk New Wave.
Snir, hurry back from your Hols mate.
Well done Trev.
I think I’ve gone off England beyond repair, tabs. Even if it were 11 Arsenal players, I might not want them to win, just not to get injured.
tabs, Diarra is shit. Don’t be fooled by a good game and a half.
Well he was decent at Bordeaux but has been rubbish for Marseille.
And I’m not saying that just because of local bias.
England’s midfield he was up against was shit, let’s not forget π
Trev’s scored again! WTF? The world must be coming to an end .. π
Fair enough Ollie. Schoolboy error on my part in judging him on 1 1/2 games.
Presumably if M’Vila was not recovering from injury, he would start in front of him ?
Heh at the England midfield. Quite right !
H2H @ 5, Your belated B-day or her’s? Either way, Happy Bday! Lars, I’m delighted we share July, and mine is on the 20th around 0100). Ohhhhhh, folks been up nearly 24 H and dearly hanging on. Ettie, must say whenever you post, you bring such happy vibes, so don’t be shy lass. Now for a power nap. Must be sharp for the festivities (Tabs @ 186, that’s the spirit!).
Sporting governing body (in a sport where money is king) puts interests of sponsors first shock! In other news, we can reveal politicians don’t always tell the truth!
Well my first thoughts about the fixtures were “finally I am going to find out when I am visiting Ems” then looked for Chelsea home and Sp*rs home matches, so either September or November it is. As for birthsigns, Aquarius here, so nowhere near the time I am going to be in London:P.
If the Giroud deal is done, all the better, I think that RvP could work really well with him, although that would need change of shape, which is prolly not going to happen, so buying players is nice, but they need to be accomodated well too. Anyways should both M’Villa and Giroud really sign for us (and I hope they will), I think that thats enough of “showing intent” for RvP to stay.
tabs@189: I was there, it was at the 10-year anniversary party. I can be briefly seen (if you can call it that, there is no way you would recognize me on such blurry pics) when the camera pans around the crowd at around two minutes in, I am in the group of people standing along the wall to the left (seen from the camera) of Limpar.
Heh, nice one Lars π
Seemed like it was an interesting little chat, if that 10 minute clip was anything to go by ?
http://gingers4limpar.com/?p=1950&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
Hmmm, I know GG is an Arsenal legend to many but I’ve already said that he isn’t to me because he managed Spurs and an Arsenal legend simply does not step in that shithole and accept a position working for them!
I know he had a special strict way of dealing with players but this lacks the Arsenal class IMO and I’m truly disappointed, especially since the player Limpar is talking about is Rocky!
Laurence Niccolin (MHSC deputy president) has confirmed talks for Giroud are going very well between the clubs.
That story is well known Snir, not sure why it’s made the splash it has today.
To a degree I share your views on GG, less because he subsequently went to Spurs, and more because he missed a huge opportunity to dominate English football, became self-interested, played sterile football for 3 seasons, and ultimately tried to rob the Club.
That said, I will never slate him, too many good times for that (including the best ever), but an Arsenal Legend ? Not in my book.
Laurence, heh, Snir? It’s Laurent, he’s not a girl.
He is the son of the president there; Montpellier is proper family mafia.
http://www.football365.com/news/21554/7825335/Trophy-Damage
Heh, truly a club of mugs.
http://www.football365.com/news/21554/7825537/Bendtner-Bailed-Out
Never in doubt indeed.
Ollie – Lauren is a girl’s name in America π
Eandy@213
If M’villa and another defender are added to what we already have, we will have two seriously competative squads
Note the ‘t’ though (not pronounced indeed though). Though I know Laurence is a boy’s name too in UK/US.
Bloody confusing these genres between countries sometimes (see Andrea and Nicola in Italy, etc….)
I really cannot fathom why some people would think that either we, as a club, or the manager would have to demonstrate “ambition” to RVP?
He’s being offered the biggest deal in the clubs history..! Is that not ambitious enough?
If he does not want it, he should gracefully move on and let the club get some return for his development here.
Neither do I believe are we planning to operate “without RVP” and the potential Giroud signing is certainly not to replace RVP but on the contrary, to supplicate the strikeforce. I don’t think we buy players on the expectation that we sell others. We don’t gamble like that. We operate within our budget in acquiring players and if anything, we have a propensity to sell first and then buy if last summer is anything to go by.
I have to say I am buoyed by the transfer activity to date as there would seem to be to some element of truth behind the Giroud rumblings. And I anticipate a lot of change with the playing personnel this summer. Apart from some quality additions, I can see quite a few players being sold / released. And while I do hope we get M’Vila, I still fear we might be gazumped by petrodollars.
Cont: Subject to injuries and suspensions (and egos-ahem!)
Snir @ 216: I am still conflicted by George but he only reflected the times when players were merely chattel slaves to clubs. People of my age will always feel a certain debt of gratitude to GG for bringing back the fighting spirit to the Arsenal to end the pretty dreadful era which preceded it.
Its a known fact that he did not enjoy the support of the board at the time. But my issue with him was that he was a corrupt cunt. I was so upset when he sold Rocky to fucking Leeds of all teams. The going to Spurs thing was just pure petulance on his part. Its not true though that you can’t be an Arsenal legend if you were associated with Spurs – Sol Campbell disproved that myth..
I can’t help thinking what players Rocky, Mickey Thomas and Anders Limpar or even Charlie Nicholas would have been under Le Boss..
Awwwwww Tabs, don’t worry I’ll be back in the thick of things soon enough π
Joe, RvP is staying. Juve have moved their focus to Torres and Cavani and City are refusing to pay over Β£15m all of a sudden after they were willing to pay 25.
I wouldn’t be surprised if this whole ambition thing was a mutual ploy by RvP and AW to force the board’s hand.
Also, it’s the first year after the first five tight purse strings years following the move to the Ems and we are definitely seeing a change in everything regarding transfers.
Mvila after France – Ukraine: “I want to go to Arsenal. I know that they are interested in me and I am interested in them. We will see how things will evolve,”
Snir: “Also, itβs the first year after the first five tight purse strings years following the move to the Ems and we are definitely seeing a change in everything regarding transfers”
This is the kind of prose we’ve missed from you buddy. Hurry back
π
tabs@215: it was very enjoyable, he told stories and answered questions and was very down to earth and stayed around and joined the party for a few hours as well. He must have signed about a million autographs in those hours, but he took his time to talk to anyone who wanted a word.
GT – that was one of the worst written sentences I’ve ever written in English, I know!
It’s just that I was thinking in Hebrew and trying to translate it on the go without paying attention to grammar. I’m not on top of my game when Ollie isn’t around π
Heh Snir, good to have you back π
Ollie @221 So, so predictable. And Paddy Power are paying it out of the goodness of their own heart . Such transparent bollocks.
And @220 Heh, maybe Cuntley Cole took his Gun in and started taking potshots !
GT @227 Agreed that it was the corruption that was far more important than his taking the Spurs job. Pat Jennings went back to Spurs but is still thought of as terrific by pretty much all Arsenal fans .
Cheers Lars , good to hear. Whenever I’ve seen interviews of Anders, he’s always seemed more open in revealing dressing room secrets than usual.
Great player – harshly treated by GG imo.
No Arsenal in the starting line-up again.
Fuck England, come on Ukraine.
Snir 232, I’m back! π
ComOn You Whites – John Cunterry – excluded o’ course
Mexes is truly crap.
Sweden’s Ola Toivonen just missed a great chance, clean through on goal and went round Lloris, but his touch was too heavy so the angle was too narrow for him to find the back of the net.
AL@237: Cunterry has a similar-sounding yet very different rallying cry – “Cum on your wife”.
Ukraine looking sharp so far, this might unfold to interesting match in the end:)
RvP and AW joining forces to force the board into action ?
I like it Snir ! Good to see you back in the bar.
Tabs, sounds like another episode of BTA in there somewhere. π
AL @237 – was naturally expecting more pants puns there, but no.
Much as I hate to think about Mr Terry at all, I do wonder how long Johns tenure in the England team will last.
Anyway, I thought, why front up another punfest, just be brief and go watch the football. π
TS @188 – heh!
Tabs @186 – have to love that for pure anger.
Btw, if we’re still logging birthdays, I’m March 23rd – can’t remember who we play around that date.
Lars punning in a foreign tongue -great stuff. π
What an awfully dull game Sweden-France is.
Cheers Trev π
Good save, 2nd one from Hart. Boring game though. Roy should sub now.
From what I have seen so far, I really like Ukraines ballsy performance, that game is up for grabs, can go both ways which is awesome.
Lars@244 England-Ukraine not up to much either
Interlull time, Trev, like most years.
It looks like Lars and I have got the same game on our national TVs, weird π
LarquΓ© mostly saying Nasri is playing shit every other minute. I like that.
ukraine clearly the better side, a couple of near misses and most of the possession. of course, that means england will win on a contested goal, rather than earning their way through.
rooney is uglier than i remember, and probably wouldn’t have missed that sitter if he’d left his hair unplugged. wellbeck has been taking diving lessons from either stevie g. or trashley young, and none of them have come close to the double-digits they wish they could hit. especially from the ukrainian judge.
ollie, every time i see nasri on the ground i think “good. facking bunt deserves it.”
that, of course is nasty of me. and, oh, look, he’s down again. need a stretcher, ya bunt?
‘Nasty’, scruz? That sounds fair game to me.
I can see England winning this only if AOC and Feo are introduced:P
yeah, ollie, it’s the “i don’t wish anyone hurt” theme playing an ever so small viola under the orchestration of “i hope his leg is mangled so badly they have to amputate”…trying to keep it in balance, you know?
and look, he’s limping again. that’s swedes for limpers, then.
God England are shit !
Get Theo and The Ox on now .
Supporting England is like supporting a bunch of no-hopers like Stoke, Birmingham or Spurs.
Need a fag (fuck off Wolfie) to improve my mood .
Cheers Trev π
Reckon Roy needs to bring on The Arse attack
Ta Lars – i’ll not need any tea now – more beer room!!!
Psed trev reckon i’ll leave the pants puns to you
Oh and Carragher, Chiles and Keane can all fuck off as well . Useless cunts.
Is Wodgson not allowed to play more than one decent attacking player at a time? Where are TheoX? Eh?
Not sure why everybody is convinced we are trying to sign M’Vila – the whole rumour was started by his side and AW denied it categorically when asked.
tabs, tell us how you really feel.
ooh, look, nasri’s in for a few more kicks.
Bloody hell, that first half was about as enjoyable as repeatedly stepping on a piece of lego…
I wonder if more Guinness will make it better? It’s worth a try, surely…
god what a howler. and my stomach is turning watching rooney celebrate.
Well, if you call that a goal…but a points a point. Well in Rooney.
Fulopev !!!!!
“rooney the savior” will be the headline. theo-ox won’t get a look in.
there’s so much to dislike about this england team.
Bah..humbug
I see the cunt with hair scored.
France are rather crap tonight..
But at least I still have the pleasure of the commentator repeating how shit Nasri is every other minute. This bit hasn’t moved on.
Another great save by Hart.
Is two goals for Ukraine doable?
Mind you, I did say I expected no surprises tonight.
And even if France lose in the current situation, they’re still through.
So really need Ukraine to score either way.
Very much so Ollie, they are sharp, just lacking that “something” in final third. Might end up like Russia vs Greece game though.
i hope so, ollie. i am surprised rooney didn’t dive when his shirt was tugged in the box…
Ibrahimovic scores for Sweden, so England are now top of the group.
Does that count? Sweden score just after my post.
ibra with a great goal…well in.
Lars, they were even before Sweden scored….
now, of course, the question: does *france* have two goals in them?
The big Swede scores!
milner down like a sack of composted batshit, ok woy, in with theo.
lloris denies after a good swedish meatball.
and again, with the lloris! france about to be cheesed off, if they’re not careful.
ukraine has lost their way, after the goal.
Chance after chance for Sweden.
Ollie, that is correct. My maths were done maybe a little bit with the handbrake on…
scruz 278, on today’s showing, clearly not.
Perhaps Blanc will soon realise that Koscielny is the best French central defender….
heh Lars 285. You were missing 2-3% to be there π
agreed, ollie. france don’t look like they…oooooh, cleared off the line by england!
Oh my, okay one sitter missed by Ukraine, so Hart going to make a howler now π
JT, remarkable save. Just being clinical, here.
ooooh, that was in for ukraine. there’s your contested (non) goal, and the eagle-eyed fifth official was *right* there.
Almost an equaliser for the Ukraine there; hooked away by JcT. Looked in to me in real time, more so after much-delayed replay
nurse, that ball was completely over the line before jt put his racist boot on it.
well fuck me it was over the line >,<
a shame to see that nasri bunt limping. just a shame.
292, no doubt the English meedja will make a meal of it, headlines and calls for technology, right?
Oh.
Cunts.
Actually…. On the third replay, from above the goal, I thought the ball hadn’t completely crossed the line.
don’t know how that linesman missed it. must have been the opaque net. ukraine getting more play upfront.
Come on Ukraine, please!
Well in Ollie
M’Villa or RVP would be rich but foolish to choose Man City over Arsenal for “footballing reasons”
Why?
Well Van Persie junior has already ruled out his sons wishes to move for money.
M’Villa on the other hand could replace De Jong who is on his way to Hamburg. Would the petrolpushers have been interested in half their squad if they were not either identified by, wished to play for or already played for Wenger? (Tis a no brainer. But mildly annoying all the same).
Sure, YM could join compatriots le$-ri and clichy( remember him?). But then he could always play with the leading ligue 1 goal scorer, prem goal scorer, a sea of other young and old compatriots and did I mention the best French manager of all time. Add to that a salary triple his current ( to start) and also the chance to play every week contributing to creating two of the most dynamic self sustained squads all under one club roof?
Were he to make the wrong decision would this make him a rich fool?
My presumption is that the answer to this question is a no brainer.
Hmmm? I wonder who well sign next?
scruz, those extra linesmen are just utterly useless.
This is being proved time and time again. And still Platini congratulates himself about this ‘progress’.
no doubt, ollie. definitely a blown call.
*van Persie Snr*
Milner off, Theo on
sack o’batshit off, theoooooo on.
Theo in, Milner out.
What I tell you three times must be true
sheva on, someone off. come on, sheva.
Theo is one reason I want England to win. Ox the other.
Mexès suspended next game, so the best current French central defender should play in the next game if France qualify, I guess.
Clive Tyldesley is all that is needed to guarantee a succesful vote for independence in this part of the world.
What a spunkbubble that man is.
Stupendous stop by Hart. Really.
Not good enough reasons for me, abb.
Give them a good summer rest if England are out as well.
Ollie KoD prediction: I really can’t see France getting anything from this game.
Bring on the Ox, Woy. Go on, you know you want to.
Nasri off.
No Giroud.
Blanc out!
ollie, i think ashley cole will make it through unscathed, too. or, i should say, i hope so π
Nasri does what Nasri does best – walks off the pitch well before 90 minutes and sits down on the bench.
lars, that’s why he gets paid the big bucks. well, that and his winning personality.
Lars – It’s not about the money…
Sadly, Lars, it means the commentary loses all interest, now they’re only generally slagging off France.
Ollie, Great opportunity for both of them, confidence booster, if you will. Theo was positively beaming after he scored, he needs that desperately, I feel. Pivotal season ahead for him. Ah, Welbeck off, Andy Dandy on.
FRom the arses:
‘Said he wanted to play in front of real supporters. Moving to play for Algeria’.
Giroud on!
oooh, our hopefully new signing misses a header wide.
Another strange commentary incident as the ITV colour man mentions that instead of back-heeling the ball to the opposition, Rooney might have done better to play a straightforward 5-yard ball to Theo Walcott. Surely some mistake?
Warning, warning… The Ox is loose. Oh goody, Rooney off too.
theox theox theox…
Ox on (too late). Rooney off(doesn’t look very fit).
abb, it’s those hair plugs. they take up a lot of energy to regenerate his natural “look”. getting mashed with a cricket bat would have been a bit easier, i think.
2-0 Sweden, Seb Larsson.
sweden restores pride, 2-0 larrsoonnnnnnn…
Sweden strikes again.
Pathetic France back to their last World Cup level….
ukraine played well. one fulopesque (or even chezza-esque, if you count the carling cup) mistake, and one goal not given.
Hey Scruz, he’s looking more like a rugby player. Did Sweden just score? Oh well, we go through (hip hip hooray).
ollie, isn’t that “pathetique”?
Should have been 3, too much dilly-dallying there.
rooney? looks more like shrek than ever. did shrek play rugby? iirc he *was* far far away’s 7 team.
Heh, oui, scruz.
England starting to look a bit like Greece ’04: not sure how they manage to win, but they do.
As I said, no surprise.
Well, in the name of the qualified teams if not in the results anyway!
Fancy GReece vs England in the final, Ned? π
Big sigh. Nicola building 2 pizza ovens in MY living room plus he has his new ‘used lawnmower’ dismantled on the floor. Gasoline fumes permeating my airspace. Guess I should put out my cig…
Interestingly, no team has fully convinced in this first round.
Even Germany with their nine points came close to elimination.
I still hope they win this tournament.
Them or the Czechs, however unlikely.
Or yeah, the Greeks. Keep forgetting them and their football is dire, but I have no grudge.
Hopefully you will be supporting Italy in the next round, abb? π
Hey Ollie, good one.
You don’t have to look convincing in the group stage of these tournaments, it’s how you finish them that counts. As such, it’s still pretty open I think. France looked dire tonight, but who knows, they could go and beat Spain.
Ok, guys and gals. Besides knowing your Bdays, anyone a lefty?
Ollie@343: Think the draw means they will meet, if they do meet, in the semi-finals. Would need to be played with two balls so that both sides could be defending for 95% of the time.
Heh, I’m only seeing this now.
http://news.arseblog.com/2012/06/win-bendtners-underpants/
A lefty at what, ABB?
VEry true indeed, Charlie 348.
NEd, thanks, I hadn’t looked into the following rounds.
Hmm, either my keyboard’s gone a bit slow, or it’s just my fingers dwelling a bit too long on the shift key today.
Apologies.
The semi-finals are as follows:
Portugal/Czech Republic v France/Spain
Germany/Greece v England/Italy
This is just turning out to be the most terrific guerrilla marketing campaign for Paddy Power, Ollie. Whoever dreamed it up is worth his/her weight in Guinness.
If we do sell Bendtner, will his new contract have an underpants clause in it?
Indeed Ned, I’m saying UEFA might have had a little bonus too π
czech/france
germany/italy
czech/italy
italy. VAI!
NBN: Underpants clause? For god’s sake, Is this what we have come to?? π
Yes Nurse ABB – I will admit to being politically Socialist π
Hey GT. Is that a yes? NBN?
Nurse Abb,
I’m from left-field – does that count?
So much anti-England and anti-France sentiment in this bar…ugh!
Dr Zee: Left of Mars more like π
Aw shucks GT, thanks. π
Hi Zico! Smiling, what else.
gt, i didn’t see auntie england or auntie france…bob’s my uncle, tho.
abb, a righty here, more ambidextrous than anything. i shoot with my left, write with my right, and use opposable thumbs on opposable hands…
And the Mighty England march on, sweeping all before them π
Any scouting reports on Giroud and M’Vila available ?
If anyone can let me know what Scott Parker offers at this level, I am offering a round of Cheese toasties. Thanks in advance.
bt8b@359: It is. Wouldn’t want to drop your underpants clause.
ABB@361: ?
Well in at 300 Ollie π
Tabs, Scott Parker offers a face and a Superman haircut which he repeatedly uses to block shots at point blank range.
Sorry, I did of course mean Scotteeee Parker.
As the first respondent I hope this will secure me the Cheese toastie, a firm favourite of mine. π
Tabs@368: That is what he offers. A round of cheese toasties.
Gerrard looks to have shed a few pounds and seems fitter for it.
Note to Clive Tyldesley for the next round –
“and it’s another block with the proboscis from Nosey Parker”. π
Ned – he hasn’t shed nearly as many pounds as Bendtner. π
Bendtner is dropping all sorts of things, Trev.
Hmm, Trev , I admire the rapidity of your answer, but cannot agree with its content.
The answer I was looking for was “absolutely nothing”.
In this respect Ned’s reply of a round of cheese toasties was nearer the mark.
Ned therefore gets the round of cheese toasties, or , in other words, absolutely nothing π
Should have known you don’t do solid food really. π
But does nothing still count as trophy, Tabs?
Spot on Trev π
Of course Ned π
Zico @ 313
I thought I was alone
Fuck it
If RVP doesn’t want to extend he should at least see out the final year of his contract. Whether he wins or loses anything next season he’ll be free to walk ‘a la Drogba’
Thank you RVP you legend!!
Oops!
The thing about Rooney is that he knows we know his comb over looks fucked. Heh!
GT, What’s this about anti-England sentiment? I thought Roy Hodgson did a right honourable job of singing that Sex Pistols song before the game. π
Wonderful exchanges from TABs, Trev & Ned: Indeed nothing does count as trophies. That’s how come we are one of the top sides in the world Ned.
π
Above GT refers specifically to GoonerTerry @363, but any GT is welcome to respond. π
Dare I say it but En-ger-land have that cunt$ki look about them thus far π
Goonertown: If RvP don’t want to sign an extension we should sell the cunt (Jesus, Mary & Joseph) or we should do him in right in front of the others (forgive me lord) but he should be made to understand that he can’t fuck with all our hearts – I will volunteer to do the job on him..
All together now…
There is only one nothing
There is only one nothing….
8th Ball I would gladly respond if I knew what to respond to. Earlier I discerned a certain anti – Anglo/Franco sentiment mainly coming from the representative from France. So far he has not declared which team he is supporting only the teams he has put the HEX on – jolly un-sporting if you ask me..
π
At least England avoided the Spanish inquisition, although they couldn’t have expected to. π
Google translates “No One Expects the Spanish Inquisition” into French:
personne ne s’attend Γ l’Inquisition espagnole
(presumably what they are saying all over France tonight). π
As Palin says in the sketch:
“NOBODY expects the Spanish Inquisition! Amongst our weaponry are such diverse elements as: fear, surprise, ruthless efficiency, an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope, and nice red uniforms.”
His very words.
“ha! then we shall *make* you understand. biggles, fetch…the cushions!”
somehow this relates to the rvp negotiations. i think ivan is cardinal ximinez, and pat rice is biggles.
NBN. I grant you NOBODY if your memory tells you it is correct. However, Google also translates that phrase into the same French:
personne ne s’attend Γ l’Inquisition espagnole
Which rather moots your point altogether, I imagine.
Or maybe not. π
bt8b@394: If you want to get down and dirty with negative pronouns, bring it on. If you think you are strong because you can survive the soft cushions. Well, we shall see. Biggles! Put her in the Comfy Chair!
OK Ned, 8th Ball who else is in the bar? I completely want one of you guys to get the four hundred… so chips a lovely ball upfield to..
…cushions it…
picks up the ball and runs towards the endline, cuts the ball back to the penalty spot…
Endline, SCG? Goal line, dear boy, goal line.
Hurls his English-American dictionary at the ball….
…plays tippitappi with ned’s ead, rifles it home…
*er, keepieuppie
Thwarter by some surfer from Santa Cruz?? Ah, the bitterness. π
Thwarted, should be. Actually, was. Not sure about the surfer part though.
Well in, SCG.
the good news for france is mexes get suspended,actually great news he is shocking defender .
Thanks god we never bought him after all the hype he got ,i read l equipe and most french people think so too, for a such great cb blanc really cannot see koscielny is so much better.
and diarra/m villa vs sweden, where was the impressiv cabaye .diarra is scott parker french version win the ball and cant do fook all with it
as for ingerland , well their luck will run soon , we cannot have another greece/chav team winning the trophy by just luck. very average tonight again,2 pass sideway and loose the ball so easily .
the media think italy will be easier they pretty much wrong,italy look very good and under prandelli play attacking football (a first for italian football)
Well in Scruz! You win 400 cases of moustache grease and a date with a lovely large lady of hirsute influence π
bt8b: Your Santa Cruz surf cam:
http://surfingsantacruz.com/pleasure_point_surf_cam
Soft cushions? Comfy Chair? Sounds lovely, don’t mind if I do. π
One for you, Shaft:
http://www.google.com/imgres?q=large+ladies+with+moustaches&hl=en&sa=X&biw=1156&bih=679&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=1ZisKHxiYUFlkM:&imgrefurl=http://www.unnecessaryumlaut.com/%3Fp%3D4426&docid=sg_b42TTD3cDSM&imgurl=http://www.unnecessaryumlaut.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/scarlett_johansson.jpg&w=405&h=568&ei=jDnhT8OzLonk0gGPrICdAg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=781&vpy=4&dur=46&hovh=266&hovw=189&tx=109&ty=98&sig=112450485239162963190&page=4&tbnh=160&tbnw=119&start=59&ndsp=23&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:59,i:278
Nice strike surfer dude. I knew you’d score when I saw your run to the endline..
π
Live surf cam dark. Don’t they surf at night?
I think it is the nocturnal version of a whiteout, bt8b.
If Bendtner is a surfer he probably surfs naked at night. Just a thought …
Except for his Paddy Power wetpants.
Time to go. A nightcap on the bar for any night owls who care for one.
nah, bt8b, I am too much like a final year Ronaldo…would worry about the hunters, etc. sounds like a swell idea, if I could catch a break. Not that I am bored, more to the point.
cheers, ned and shaft…appreciate the goal line assist! and shaft, so long as she shaves her back.
bt8b, may i offer you a case of moustache grease to ease your, uh, bitterness?
actually just dusky here, bt, and steamers is my son’s lineup of choice.
gt, i always have to go to the endline, as it happens π
i know some guys who night surf, full moon only. they say it gets pretty hairy out there, then. and auld nick would get his collys wobbled if he tried to pull out that GSE thing locally…
no nightcap, ned, just a postprandial beer. still early here. cheers, though!
Btw 8ball, did you like my epic 700 in the last bar? I’m happy but I feel kinda like Romario counting goals he scored in the street as a kid when he said he outscored Pele π
Also just for the record, I’m a lefty but only because I admire Stalin’s moustache π
England v Italy then? Should be a cracker. I predict a sending off each and penalties to decide who advances
Shaft, The barman should control the urge to put up a new post when there are fewer than 10 drinks to go until the century. Even though you officially deserved a yellow card at 700, I appreciated the effort. π
SC Gooner: You probably should keep those full moon surfing details out of this. It could be dangerous to overly excite Wolfie. π
Ice Cream anyone?
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/wenger-bets-an-ice-cream-that-van-persie-stays-put-7866569.html
so long as il lupo doesn’t do that bilateral cheek slapping thing in his speedos…no real worries. i can always let him have a turn with my lovely large hirsute, well-waxed companion.
@409: NBN, haha!
But, the large moustache is on me and the hirsuteness (if that is a word) is referring to the land down under on the 400 fine fat females if you catch my drift π
Forget ice-cream….if RVP signs he can have some of my milk-shake…it brings the boys to the yard…*hic*
shaft, if you have 400 fine fat females helping you to a large moustache, a drift isn’t the only thing that might be catching!
405 : The Lord knows.
Powerful finish, scruz @ 400!
http://www.francefootball.fr/#!/news/2012/06/20/002134_benzema-l-espagne-sera-favorite.html
Heh at Ben Arfa. The French WAGs were in town.
He says : ‘It’s still a win….er, qualification. Those who are their wife around will have to take advantage of them tonight’.
You know what I realise I’m seriously starting to miss?
I haven’t spoken English once in the context of my new job yet.
Sure this will change in due time, but still, it’s immensely frustrating.
Especially in the off season. Thankfully I’m off to England weekend after next, and Ireland for Bastille Day….
I haven’t seen the Limpar interview as yet as I’m still in work but someone on ACLF typed up some of what Limpar said:
Under [George] Grahamβs regime β itβs like saying youβd live in Iraq under Saddam [Hussein]. It was the same regime. He was disgusting, sick.
I came to training one day and Graham called another player over, saying βcome to my officeβ, but then they just stood in the open so that we could hear everything.
Graham said: βIβve sold you to Leedsβ. The player said βI donβt want to leaveβ but Graham responded βJust pack your stuff and goβ. Do you get it? What a pig.
And this player was just β Iβve never seen [anything like it] β his tears were this big [gestures, 2m26s into the video]. You see this guy had been at Arsenal since he was 16 β and then suddenly he just had to go. I think it was to Leeds. He was just crying his eyes out, said goodbye to everyone, then went to the car park and left. Havenβt seen him since. He [Graham] is sick. Crazy, really crazy.
It was the same with me. He sold me in April and my contract expired in May. There was no talk about an extension, it was just βgoodbyeβ. I told him [Graham] I wanted to sign a new four-year contract [with Arsenal] and he said βthatβs not going to happenβ.
I said: βIβve won six titles for you in four years β is that not enough?β
Then later on I went into his office with my agent and Graham said: βIβve received a great offer from Manchester City for you, so you have to travel up there.β I said βthank you for the four yearsβ [Limpar shows that he offered a handshake] and he just turned his chair around and stared at the wall. My agent just said βwhat the fuck?β
Graham refused to shake my hand, after four years. I said βwhat now?β to my agent, and we just left.
Halfway up to Manchester we got a call from Everton. So we talked to both Manchester City and Everton to see what they would offer. Crazy story.
[The host then asks Limpar if he has met George Graham since that day]
Oh yes, I have. He is the same as he ever was. Arrogant.β
What a see you next tuesday Graham was…
A see you next tuesday perhaps, but Saddam Hussein?
Footballers…….jeez.
Morning All
George Graham appears to divide opinon in the bar (again).
Without him, there would have been no double-winning season of ’70/71 or that magnificent, last-gasp title win in ’89.
I hated the shame he brought on the club when he got sacked, his treatment of Rocky and the fact that he went to work for the LWCs but, in my book, his place in Arsenal folklore is secure.
Apart from his dabbling with chemical weapons, obviously……
Can’t argue with that, TS.
Was he renowned for farting, zico?
Anybody think that George would have got the tin tack if he hadn’t signed class like Helder, Kiwomya, etc., and if we were in contention for the title?
I loved Anders to bits, but it was no secret he and George didn’t see eye to eye. Their view of each other was jaundiced to say the least.
http://www.arsenal.com/news/reserves-news/afobe-i-ve-started-pre-season-already
Where are we going to put all these strikers? Can he play as a defensive midfielder?
True, ‘holic, it’s not exactly a new thing…
Heh Ollie,
It would explain why he was keeping his distance from (certain) players….
In any event, it’s hardly news is it – players being treated like pieces of meat, back then.
How the circle has turned…..
Hey all and here with some offtopic news regarding TR, apparently he has been training today with the team already and might be used as a sub for Portugal match, I dont know what kind of wondertreatment they used on him here in Prague but damn, I just hope he will not make the injury worse than it is.
Hehs! at zico & Ollie. Thanks for the reality check, ‘Holic.
“Chemical George” – a new ‘Holic star is born π
I see from Mediawatch that the Currant Bun’s Foreign Correspondant is worth his no doubt massive salary again.
444 = 2/3 of the devil’s number. Getting up to snuff quickly. π
Ok Holic , I’ll bite π
I think,or at least very much hope, that he would have been sacked, notwithstanding the signing of the players you mention.
Hartson,Kiwomya and Helder were signed in the very last week of GG’s tenure and I’m sure that the die had already been well cast by then.
I remember reading somewhere (GG’s autobiography ?), that it had already been agreed before the Bung scandal surfaced that 94-95 would be his last season, and that he would leave with his reputation intact at the end of the season.
What cannot be in doubt is that the relationship between the Board and GG had already ruptured. GG resented what he saw as a low salary, whilst the Board had begun to tire of his jibes that they were trying to do things on the cheap, and perhaps, the sterile football he was offering.
In my mind, George had indeed begun to believe his own myth, that he did indeed “wear a magic hat” and that this hubris contributed, at least in part, to the failure to accede to a throne vacated by Liverpool and ultimately acceded to by Yanited.
Had we been playing a better brand of football and challenging for the title, the scandal may well have been hushed up, but does that make what he did any the more palatable ?
Surely there is a middle ground between “legend” and the “see you next tuesday” of Canons description.
I agree with you totally that Anders’ comments can be taken with a large dose of salt given the non existent personal relationship that existed between them.
I think, also, that GG can only be judged by the mores of his time. That was how players by and large were treated in those days. Footballers worked in an environment more akin to the factory floor .Some of the language survives to this day. Footballers talk about “putting a shift in”, the manager is called “The Boss” or “The Gaffer”.
As such, “The Gaffer” would have been expected to behave like any factory foreman and crush any sign of individualism or discontent. It was how his contemporaries – Ferguson, Kendall, Clough- operated, and to have expected George to have acted any differently, looking at the past through a 2012 microscope, is in my view unrealistic.
All that said, the man was a crook.Maybe his real crime was to get caught.I don’t really care. A crook is a crook is a crook.
I remember his first visit back to Highbury with Spurs. After some initial catcalling, the Crowd settled down and regarded him with studied indifference.There can be no greater indictment.
In recent years George Graham’s standing has undergone something of a rejuvenation with Arsenal fans, pushed, I would suspect , by the anti-Arsene brigade as a means of showing their dissatisfaction with the current regime.
Whatever the reasons behind it, George Graham will never garner more than polite and respectful applause amongst the majority, and given his stellar achievements, that is a huge shame, and one for which he only has himself to blame.
So then , Legend or Cunt ? Neither in my book . Whenever the story of Arsenal is told, George Graham’s name will always appear, but will his legacy be one of great affection ? I have my doubts.
On the bench with him that marvellous night in May ’89, there were 2 other stalwarts of the 70-71 side with him.
In time, I think there is far more chance of a statue outside the Emirates of either Pat Rice or Geordie Armstrong than George Graham, and that I think , says it all.
Marvellous write-up, tabs.
Guest spot on the blog next time?
Drink on
meLars for you!Heh, Cheers Ollie, and ta for the drink.
See what the Guv’nor says first π
“the non existent personal relationship that existed between them”
So, tabs, can we assume that you are a bit of an existentialist then? π
Great post in any case. You’ve certainly earned that drink that Ollie gave you!
Can someone please send me the abridged version of 445 – some of us have to work!!!
George was a crook. But so was Clough. A product of their time. One of them got caught – the other glorified.
You will find the Empire was built on Scotsmen on the make. It’s what we do…… π
*you will find the Empire was built by Scotsmen on the make….*
Sorry, but George going to the enemy was unforgivable in my playbook. Kinda like Holic announcing he is really a Stoke fan. I clearly remember as a tween when Eddie Firmani left the Tampa Bay Rowdies to coach the New York Cosmos, I was very distraught. My dad said it wasn’t the end of the world, but at the time it sure felt like it. He betrayed us, pure and simple.
After george was nabbed and booted out of the club, one A. Ferguson returned an “unsolicited gift” (of about 100 grand, i think) to the manku board that he claimed to have kept in his safe for about a year while he “worked out” what to do with it. The “gift” was given to him by one Rune Hague – the same agent that dropped our george in the stinky stuff.
So the bung thing, like the disciplinarian thing, does seem to have been part of football’s landscape at that time. And maybes if GG’s sides had been even more successful or played better football in the mid 90’s the board might have looked the other way – as they did in Manchester and in Nottingham with Cloughie.
Even so george was a crook, as tabs says, and he got caught – and the hypocrisy of that kind of greed alongside his getting shot of talents likes of Thomas and Keown (although he returned later on) when they asked for more money is galling.
Ultimately his behaviour on both fronts damaged the club.
It was his cleverly assembled Arsenal side that had started to push the all-conquering scousers off their perch – not his fellow back-hander pocketing sweaty and future knight of the realm.
It still irks me that Ian wright added to an Arsenal side george might have built purely with winning titles in mind – may have dominated for about a decade – and i wouldn’t have had to watch so many seemingly endless dull matches.
Then again, if that had happened we almost certainly wouldn’t have ended up becoming the exotic creature of imperious beautifulnessness and boundless gloriarsenessness what Mr. AW turned us into.
Anyway, that’s my two bobs worth towards the great debate – which i expect to receive in a brown paper bag in a motorway service station somewhere orf the M1
Up The Arse
Oops, apologies – too many tpyos to asked asked to corrrreckt
great post @445, tabs. pretty damn lucid, for a barfly…
cheers, ollie, couldn’t have done it without ned and his ead.
nurse, i didn’t know anyone could even *use* “tampa bay rowdies” in a sentence anymore π
@445 – Tabs QC, brilliant post.
One of the great pleasures of this blog is that through the Guvnor and other regulars, I have had so much Arsenal history filled in.
Although I lived through the 70-71and George Graham eras, my involvement was largely confined to what was happening on the pitch, and comparing – always favourably – our players to everybody else’s.
Not to mention trying to escape from most of what was happening on the terraces.
It is a pity that so much football discussion is now about money and politics, but history pieces such as ‘Holic’s and Tabs are always fascinating.
Great stuff. Afternoon teas on the bar.
Another cheap round then. π
Heh Lars, good spot π
I once took a test in Existentialism. I left all the answers blank and got 100. π *
Dr Z , weren’t you right the first time ? π
AL – agree with all that. Great stuff. “…boundless gloriarsenessness” heh π
Agree that George certainly wasn’t the only one, perhaps they all did it, but that don’t make it right.
As for Clough, pretty sure his legacy would have been hugely tarnished had serious illness not intervened .
*Woody Allen.
and i agree w/abb, it’s the scum managing that kills george’s legacy. if he truly was cut from arse cloth, he betrayed *his own* deepest principles by taking that job. studied indifference is all that kind of betrayal deserves.
Cheers Trev , Scruz .
A Barfly or a QC ?
One’s a promotion, just not sure which one ! π
You don’t know what QC stands for either ! π
tabs, think of it like a pint of qc with a barfly back?
eugh, gotta go have coffee, then go to work. cheers, drinks ’round on lars’ tallabab.
Trev, ha , you’re right. Will give it some thought π
Re: Nurse Abb @451. How did I miss Holic’s announcement that he is really a Stoke fan? Is this now a Stoke blog? π
Queens Country , I think you’ll find .
Qlever Cnut.
π
back on line following pc crash – I have a question in 2 parts
1 Did France only qualify because the Ukraine goal wasnt given
2. If anyone saw France troop off (OK crawl embarrassedly under the tunnel), would they think that the team had any chance of recovering after a round of Blancety-Blanc criticising their performance
Hey Scruz (chuckles). My point is I hold managers to a higher standard. If George had looked to Europe instead, maybe I’d feel less betrayed. Water under the bridge. Here’s my predictions for the upcoming fixtures. Czech to beat Portugal (yes, really). Spain to breeze by France. Germany will crush Greece. Now the the next one’s tricky. All depends on Roy! If he’s brave, OAC and Theo will feature from the start. Our defending so far hasn’t been bad, but our attacking has been pitiful. Italians really enjoy their footie so I predict a really close game. As I said, it’s up to Roy.
Hey all. 8ball, can you imagine Holic as a Stoke fan?! Cognac, so very good to see you lad!
Cheers abb for positive prediction, it would be really kind of surreal if this team reached same stage as possibly the best czech squad we ever had in 2004, but I like that imagination none the less!. However would be bit less proud since the footy we produce now is nowhere near as comparable to stuff we played 8 years ago.
Eandy, I’ll be rooting for them. Hold Ronaldo off, they can win! BTW, I think when CR over elaborates (when clearly a simple pass is all that is needed) he is disrespecting his opponent. Just my opinion.
Well as I said before, I regard Ronaldo as pretty much best footy player of this day, but simply said, his behaviour on and off the pitch is so off putting that I simply cannot have any respect for that guy. Holding him off and frustrate would do wonders, but there is also one certain manure player who is by stats even more effective in national team than him playing on the other side of the field, so it is going to be busy day for our defense.
Would be funny if someone (like Tommy, Jiracek or Pilar) produced same kind of match decider like Poborsky did 16 years ago :D.
If Ukraine had drawn with England, France would still have gone through on head to head record.
For some reason I think France can beat Spain, I certainly don’t think it’ll be plain sailing for Spain.
Greece to beat Germany and celebrate debtor’s revenge! You heard it here first. π
ta tabs – and well played yourself for picking up holic’s ball (yes, i know) and getting fings arolling in your trademark afinely acrafted afashion.
Mind you at this point it don’t look like said ball’s gonna roll all that far. Where’s H2H and GT when you need ’em?
And Zico i see appears to have dusted orf and dragged the former British Empire into the thing, well played. Reckon george – the always smart, straight-backed, sergeant-major, manager version – would approve of that connection
Psed I don’t know what a QC is, but i’ve known a coupla QTs in my time.
Fanking yooou! I’m here all week…at the knees
AL,
I heard that, even though I’m all bunged up. π
Hey all, good to be back, honestly π
Explanation for my absence is less far-fetched than GT’s work experience assumption at a certain 5 pointed building ;), (Thanks mate π ) it simply falls to Research in Motion and their shoddy “dying on me” Blackberry Batteries, my phone is the main way I’m on the blog so as a ‘fully-charged’ battery began to die on me (turns out it’s become swollen, probably coming to do with the Chemicals in the Battery undergoing a bad reaction), so it became pretty difficult for me to get to the bar, the fact that I own no personal laptop π and my access to my older brother’s ones have been restricted pretty severly also :/
Spent the whole day @ College back-drinking from “Put βEm Under Pressure”, insane amount of drinks :O
Since I finished my exams about 3-4 weeks ago, I’ve just been sorting out general stuff like getting Red Membership for the 2012-2013 season, Buying the Arsenal N98 Track Jacket in Navy/Osbidian (both birthday presents from my oldest 3 sisters, mine’s the 6th of July, I’m a Cancer Kid :P) and just relentlessly playing PS3 & since I hadn’t played it since Easter so I could revise more effectively and playing Footie with my mates on Fridays so that’s also another reason for my absence.
Thanks for the mentions Trev, Zico and GT in my absence, the rest of you lot can feck off! 8)
Glad the quality of the posts from the Barman have stayed constant if not increased since I’ve been away, and the same goes for the drinks, I particularly enjoyed NBN’s one about the sexy Asian Newsreader… π Too many others for my ill self to remember but Congrats Eandy with the Czech Republic topping Group A, Unlucky H2H with the Oranje’s fortunes and Ollie with France, well I just don’t know what to say π
I’ve watched almost every single match this Euro 2012, made for good viewing, glad to see the Arsenal players doing well as a whole especially TheOx, the former’s goal was spectacular π
Ohhhhh – summer flu Dr. zee or simply been enjoying yourself with the contents of the CMC? Psed is that allowed in the orf season?
Apologies if this has been posted, but if not, quite interesting I thought
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/9344978/Premier-League-acts-to-freeze-out-hostile-takeover-bids-such-as-Alisher-Usmanovs-at-Arsenal.html
Wind, welcome back!
Heh AL,
The CMC is one of the perks available to the Executiveat all times – access all areas (Wolfie excepted) ‘n all that.
Ollie @465 – think you win the cheese toastie. π
Wind?
There’s a feckin’ draught in here…..
(Well it IS a bar) 8)
Seriously though, young Hurricane, welcome back.
zico@479, have not seen that one before. Very interesting stuff.
Hey zico – where exactly are you -seem to have missed something here ?
Lucky I checked before submitting from this Apple doobrie -the predictive text changed your name to “hey sick” !!!
Wind, My lad, I’ve been thinking of you…does that count? Anyway, welcome back! Like your ‘sign’ (nods approvingly). We are nuturers by nature. Besides known for defending our homes (Arsenal!).
Now the reason I asked if anyone was a lefty is this. Nick is one. He delights himself to no end by taking anything mechanical or electronic apart (even if it’s not broken!). So, if you are a lefty, just ask yourself this, ‘Do I do that’ and more importantly, ‘Why do I feel compelled to understand how every thing works?’
Haha AL @475 and cheers.
Quite right that it’s a shame H2H and GT have not been around to take up the baton, they’re normally here on a QD basis.
Mind you they normally only show up in the Q4 so QED, all is not lost.Unless they’ve buggered off to QPR of course.
Anyway , all QDOS to you for pointing it out. π
Welcome back to the madness Wind.
Great link Dr Z.
Trev, methinks your apple thingy is very wise π
Well this is turning out to be a nice day after all. I was wondering how I’d cope without footie but a couple of stella posts (TABs, AL) and the return of the Hurricane has perked me right up.
wrt George: We mustn’t hurry to condemn GG without a fair trial. He was a cunt alright – of that there isn’t the slightest doubt. But the bigger cunts were the board at the time IMO. They treated George like shit from day one! In fact they treated everyone who weren’t of a certain socio-economic bracket as shit. Charlie George told me once that before DD, not a single director ever came down to the dressing room to chat to the players! George had problems getting their backing to increase players salaries and to buy new players. So the board must take some of the blame for which players were bought and which players were allowed to go.
Hey Trev,
Have been doing some research for The Feelgood Foundation in Europe.
Discovered there was a basket case in Hungary which was later revealed as their economy…..which meant, in places, beer at a Β£1 or so a pint……
Well, you may think you know the rest. π
Re Nurse abb, I find I can take things apart with both hands, and then find how they no longer work……
Feck offWelcome back, Wind!On an all together lighter subject:
On my way to drop off my girls to school this morning I took a short cut to avoid traffic. The neighborhood I drove through is noted for its many varied and mature Mango trees. As we are in the midst of mango season, mangos are everywhere, you drive over them, goats are in the middle of the road eating them etc.. Yet in the middle of all this there is a man sitting there selling some in a bucket! This is our conversation this morning (translated to English):
me: (pointing to the carnage of mangos all around him) “Look there are mangos everywhere! How do you expect to sell those?”
him: “Those are the free mangos. These you have to buy!”
* he might have added “DUH” at the end π *
Nurse ABB; Point Nicola to howstuffworks.com !! What a nut job you’ve got there..
π
Fair points GT, but DD had been on the Board for over a decade when GG was sacked,and Danny Fiszman from 1991, and as far as I’m aware neither were toffs.
That said I agree that the Board have to take their share of the responsibility as to why the the 2 titles in 3 seasons didn’t subsequently translate into dominance.
TABs: Didn’t mean to imply that DD and Danny Boy were toffs like the rest. On the contrary they pretty much change the face of (as well as saved the face of) the Arsenal board – we hope – forever!
tentative toe poke forwards…..
sends cg’s poke into the saladbowl of the box…
Nice one GT 493 π
tickles it bottom corner..but has it cross the line?
The newly installed GLT says YES!!!
get in, gt. you got it across the endline after all! even if that cunt of a terry (no relation) tried to kick it out after the fact.
Oh thank you Mr Blatter, I knew you weren’t an old goat all alo..ugh what am I saying? STRIKE that Ollie with your striking thingy..
π
slams it in!
woah too late π
Not too late for your upcoming game Eandy 8_)
wtf π
welcome back, wind. thought you’d have a go at 500…excellent summary backdrink, though not as epic as some of your numbered backdrinks of yore.
hehehe fair enough and whoa, TR looking soo old http://media.sport.cz/media/images/gallery/0000000007991253/149500.jpg?201206201207 π
GT, heh @493, agreed @496 and apologies I misunderstood, and congrats on the goal π
GT goal, old style!
Eandy 504, that was quite epic, heh.
Lars @ 480, thanks mate π Unlucky about Sweden & the like in the last 2 games, but Zatalan the Bird face and Larsson scored two quality goals against France, the former could be goal of the tournament in my opinion… 8)
Zico @ 483/484, haha, I appreciate it π
abb @ 487, of course it counts :D, I’ve got a soft spot for you Nurse, even more so now that we share the same birth month and star sign π
And agreed on the nuturers and home-protectors aspect π
The rest of these nutters, not so much, but as Frimpong would say, “soft with the ladies, hard with the men”
tabs @ 489, many thanks, gleaning your wisdom from Twitter just isn’t the same as in the bar π
GT @ 490, haha, glad I’ve perked up the course of your day mate, like a warm front moving north or whatever π
@ 493, top quality, THIS is what I’ve been missing! π
@500, top goal π
Ollie @ 492, thanks Ollie π But why aren’t you backing France? :s
Scruz @ 508, thanks man, been a long time π
And there is a simple explanation to why I wasn’t in on goal for #500 and why my back-drinking wasn’t as epic as times past.
I have caught a summer cold haha, maybe its because of the state of my little brother’s filthy bin (we share a room), maybe its due to the fact that I visited London Zoo on Monday (them Golden Tamarans…), no idea but its sapping my energy & vitality & usual cherry state, the first time I was happy today was when I started Back-Drinking in the morning, you guys put a beam of a smile on my face without trying π³
Awww come here you big Teddy Bear..let me give you a manly hug – hope you feel better soon mate
π
Wind: full of cunts, a bit like England. Even less Arsenal players nowadays in fact!
(now that was a proper Wind backdrinking post at 513 :p)
Every time people mention twitter, I’m like ‘oh? That thing still exists?’
Not missing it, I have to admit.
Ollie
Yeah, but theyΒ΄re all talking about YOU on Twitter….
(letΒ΄s see how quickly he logs on now! π )
GT @ 514, aww shucks π
Ollie @ 515, if Sagna was in the Squad as Starting RB, would your stance change in anyway?
@ 516, amazing what a bit of food can do for you! π
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Heh Dr C. Don’t worry, I seem to receive an e-mail when I’m being mentioned on twitter.
I think it happened twice over the last month π
Wind 519, no. See my 206 for instance.
Hey Wind, agree about that Zatalan goal, twas a thing of beauty. Now remember your vitamin C, young man! Gooner Terry, I bought Nicola an electric guitar when we were dating, problem was I didn’t know they made some just for lefties! Good thing there is kit available to fix that sort of blunder. Eandy @ 509 Looks plenty young in my eyes, young fella (shakes her head in dismay).
Zico – ‘beer at Β£1 a pint’ – so are you thirsty or Hungary ? Must cut your beer money to around Β£25 per day. π
GTerry – guess I have to say well in at 500. This man has to be the greatest goal poacher/greediest bastard since Pele/Alan Brazil. π