Unite Against Pulis, Not Your Own?
Apr 20th, 2016 by 'holic
There seems little point in making a blog post after this wonderful pieceย from Arseblog this morning. If you are only going to read one post today make it that one. If only all who have come to a view about the manager were as respectful.
Still here? Well I had better look forward to the West Brom match then. Not that I am looking forward to it, you understand. I will not be there but not for any reason other than the fact we have four home matches in April and one of them has to go. A Thursday night when the match is live on television is the sensible choice. Some lucky people have got a couple of great seats from the Ticket Exchange.
Who will they be watching? There don’t appear to be any changes in the squad. Jack Wilshere is not quite ready but will be considered for the trip to Sunderland on Sunday. A midweek fixture may require a degree of rotation. Per Mertesacker, Aaron Ramsey, and Olivier Giroud may benefit if Arsene opts to freshen things up a bit.
The Baggies arrive having reached the forty points that should ensure safety. That fortieth point is the only one they have picked up in their last four matches since defeating Manchester United 1-0 and drawing 2-2 at Leicester at the start of March. A Pulis team will doubtless be set up to frustrate so those who are there may need to display a degree of patience although that is in short supply at the moment.
For us it will be all about finding the creativity and speed of attack we showed at Everton and against Watford. Recreate those performances and we should be looking at a convincing victory and a return to third place in the table. Manchester City’s draw at Newcastle last night (Tuesday) ensured that an oh-so-important top three finish is still very much in our hands. In his pre-match press conference Arsene set out what he expects in the coming weeks.
โWe want to finish as high as we can. It is not a consolation, it is about getting the best out of the team and focusing and giving everything in every single game.”
It would be wrong to ignore the rumblings on social media of a boycott or a protest walk out on 75 minutes. Whilst nobody should be denied the right to protest it takes unthinking ‘supporters’ to take action that may be counter-productive while we are looking to finish in the top three under serious pressure from the Manchester clubs in particular. Why wouldn’t anyone postpone peaceful protestย until the final match of the season?
Regardless of your view of who should be manager next season why would you not support the team until their race is run? Particularly tomorrow night. Surely all can unite against a Pulis team rather than your own?
The ‘holic pound
This match is going one of two ways. We know what Pulis will seek to achieve. I am backing us to be out to prove a point and making a breakthrough in the first-half before wrapping up a 3-0 win in the second. That is actually second favourite outcome at a market best of 15/2.
So to those who are going I hope the boys give you a performance to savour, for as long as you intend to savour it.
Have a good one, ‘holics.
50 Responses to “Unite Against Pulis, Not Your Own?”
I read that blog post this morning and I still think Graham’s days were better days, “bungs” and all ๐
But in that spirit
When there was a fairly vocal movement to make Roberto Martinez Wenger’s successor.
lol
…and Moyes… ๐
God, those were the days.
Mind you, it would have been interesting. For about five games.
As for talk of walkouts on 75 minutes, I’m all for it.
After all, it’s only five minutes earlier than usual ๐
True ๐
The worst Man Yoo team since the 80s is just a point behind us now, so anything less than a win tomorrow โฆ.
If we finish behind even that shower of shite there are no excuses to offer. None.
As tough as Pulis teams can be this is the easiest of our 4 remaining games. After Citeh’s lucky draw it’s all in our hands and we’re never as good as when we’re back to the wall so I hope no one gets rested and they’ll be 100% up for it. 3-0 is a good punt.
As for the noise, it’s pretty irrelevant at this point with 4 massive games ahead of us. Not sure Wenger or the players will even notice.
Wouldn’t it be funny if Everton went after Benitez this summer? If I were them he’d be top of the list…
” I still think Graham’s days were better,bungs and all ”
I only come here for the Comedy.
They were far more enjoyable for me. Far more.
Well said, Holic.
COYG
Cheers Holic.
Arseblog’s excellent blog this morning gives excellent perspective to our current situation. I think he was aiming at some of the extremist comments found on his blog…. Cynic would be considered a pussycat over there ๐
We really do need all 3 pts tomorrow for all the obvious reasons. Supporting the team through to the end of the match is the only option. People protesting / walking out after 75 mins is counter productive – they are plain dick heads imho. The baggies are not a very good team, rather ponderous in defence and ready made for our fast moving attacks – providing we are in such a mode. If we play at the level we reached v Watford ( league ), then your 3-0 looks good but if we play at the level v Watford ( cup ) then another dismal match / result will ensue. Which Arsenal will turn up?
Cynic
I think you must be the only Arsenal fan in the world who thinks George Graham’s era was better than Wenger. Wenger’s era -especially the first seven years were among the best years any team has known . Much better than George who left us in a real mess .
I’m down in Gloucestershire tomorrow and I can’t find a taker for my ticket. Neither can the bloke next to me find a taker for his two. Can’t give them away.
This week has taught me a lot about a big section of our ‘ support’ . Sadly there are wankers all over the place these days. I understand the frustration but feel very impotent about trying to change it. I just think of a hard- nosed bastard sitting in Denver or wherever he resides counting our money and wondering what is the smallest investment he can get away with to maximise his profit. Makes me want to weep.
I suspect the atmosphere will be awful tomorrow and we might drop two more points. Hopefully we will clinch a 2-0 victory
Fellas, read the blog again. Let’s fight against Pulis, not each other…
TTG – I know for a fact I’m not, but it doesn’t matter.
Cheers, Holic !
I shall be there tomorrow and, hopefully, if the place is half full, as some are suggesting, it will be 30,00 proper Gooners supporting through thick and thin.
We can watch the thick walk out on 75 minutes if they so desire.
Like booing, protests are off my agenda until there is nothing left to fight for.
It will all be up for grabs then ………. or whatever. ๐
3-0 sounds lovely, ta.
4-0.
Three crackers in the last fifteen minutes after the “supporters” have left.
UTA.
You hope no one gets rested, Matt (#7)? I would hope our leading goal-scorer gets to start ahead of our leading goal-misser for starters. Danny is a useful winger, but as a CF he’d never get a game for my old club Rhodrons (Chessington, not far from the zoo).
And if you’re not going to have Theo (our third highest goal-scorer this season) alongside Ollie, then put Rambo on the wing and rest Iwobi for a game before he inevitably gets injured. And bring back Per for Gab.
Dr F … apropos Totti: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/transfernews/7091516/Leicester-transfer-news-Claudio-Ranieri-in-last-ditch-attempt-to-hijack-Francesco-Tottis-move-to-New-York-Cosmos.html
I presume Ranieri expects to lose either Vardy or Mahrez or both in the summer. I hope reports of AW making Mahrez his #1 summer target have some truth in them, although I’ll stick by my traditional Reus/Hummels demand and leave the goal-scoring to an ensemble cast rather than settle for less than a top shelf striker we can’t (or won’t) afford.
I usually have nothing but disagreements with Oskar/Chris – not on content but his relentless ,”I know best” style.
In my opinion though, he’s bang on with his constant Rues/Hummels call.
Brilliant players both, and playing for the Tottenham of Germany too!
Surely these guys are as gettable as any,assuming the right amount of money changes hands of course.
Go get em’ Ivan!
Nice preview Holic.
Like you, I’m not there tonight. I will put both hands up to a bit of apathy. That said, when I make various plans I do no factor in that we might have a premier league fixture on a Thursday evening to contend with. Work and school commitments prevent my appearance. I’m not even sure if I will make it home in time to catch the start on TV.
I would sincerely hope for some sort of reaction. If there isn’t then there really are issues. I have no idea who will start but I think the back 4 and the team in general have missed Per’s leadership.
I have just read the arseblog piece. Very nostalgic and some wonderful memories. Many of which I will be eternally grateful for being at in person. That for me is why our recent activities have been so frustrating. AW is the greatest manager we have ever had. If we ever find anyone to match his achievements then we will be more than lucky. But there are some major issues at the club and these should have been dealt with years ago. I would love to see Arsene turn it around and create another title winning side. This year could and possibly should have been that year. Again, that makes it all the more frustrating for me. However, like Trev, I’m not in favour of these silly protests. A walk out on 75 minutes? Please? I can only see that happening if it really has hit the fan and we are something like 3 nil down. It’s all a bit pathetic and dare I say it, slightly uneducated to me.
For those going, enjoy. If you have my seats in block 4, row 19 then please say hello to the regulars.
I’m going for a thumping 5-0 to the gunners with a chorus of “one Arsene Wenger” at about 85 minutes.
I enjoyed reading Arseblog’s post yesterday but what was the special significance of Wreh’s goal against Bolton? It’s slipped my memory that one..
Got to Admit im with Cynic, Both where great times in our History but GG sides early on just edge it for me – Think that’s got a lot more to do with where we were as a club and the players and the times pre the Sky carve up of the beautiful game etc etc more than the actual football on the pitch, Wenger will always hold sway on the managerial side ๐
Anyway onto Tonight lets Smash Em
Up The Arse,
I haven’t enjoyed my football for months and am thoroughly fed up but try and keep me away from the game, no chance.
It’s more than just the football, for me it’s the social side and not letting my friends down. Gooners Kevin, Malcolm, David and I will be on the 15.56, with our teas and kit-kats all part of the ritual. We always go in hope and tonight we will be one for all and all for one to give Pulis a bloody nose.
COYRs
Chippy – The best Wenger team was the one that had Graham’s base, Rioch’s inspired signing (two if you count Platt) with the steel of Vieira and Petit, with Overmars as the flyer.
Even the unbeaten side or the 2002 side don’t match up to them. They just had an aura about them from the moment you saw them in the tunnel.
Graham’s side could go anywhere and win, with far lesser players (supposedly) than Wenger has had.
It was more fun. For me.
I hope you are rewarded with an exhibition of attacking football, Delia.
Very well said, Steve.
Here’s a suggestion to AW: why not go for a repeat of the last meeting at the Emirates with a Pulis side, which occurred roughly a year ago? Start Theo who will go for a hat trick in a 4-1 tonking. Baggies players already have their reservations for their beach resorts all sorted out.
Back stateside in time for tonight’s game but glad to hear Delia and friends will be there supporting the team. Good to hear in the drinks recently from the Californian source, Pires is King. Come on you rip roaring high scoring never boring Arsenal.
Some planning a walk out and the team could finish 3rd or even 2nd still? Spoilt fuckers.
Arsenal Ladies on BT Sport 1, playing Chelsea.
Oh God, Robot Wars doing commentary.
Stream if you want it. Bang on as far as time goes, not behind
http://live.shwidget.com/static/freeplayers/3707781454374590.html
Abusing Wenger inside the stadium I feel is wrong, due to what he has delivered for the club – despite the repetitive failings from him since 2008! Every fan is entitled to their view, I want him gone and for that reason I am boycotting the match – I couldn’t even give the ticket away, how sad! Sunday in many ways was worse than the match with Swansea, the team is weak and quite clearly HE can’t motivate them. I hope the stadium is half empty tonight, and that thousands who do attend walk out at some point as is being suggested. The message of dissatisfaction has to be hammered home and alas it is the better way to portray it: silent & dignified rather than ugly & distasteful.
Just win, i dont care how, just win. it is tiring not to see us win and after that depressing to see the abuse and vitriol. Did anyone see barca yesterday, that was destruction of depo, please can we have one game like that, just one 6-0.
I just come here to read and comment for in every other space all i read is abuse of Wenger and more and more abuse to the great man. I am sorry for all who say what has he done, he earns 8 million etc, all i can say he has mad the club better in every sense of the word. Results are always not the yard stick but yes in sport that is the only thing that counts. Still he does not deserve the abuse he is getting, it hurts.
Mystic ‘holic nails the three changes again.
Maybe Arsene reads… no.
I’m not taking the blame for this ๐
RIP genius.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7INsVaR-S-w
Dignified, David?
The clowns are dragging the name of our great club through the mud.
Fine preview Guvna. On the incoming Eurostar hoping to get to the flat just after kick off. COYGs.
Nice one Cynic. I used to be able to embed videos in the comments but nothing appears to be working.
I don’t see pace or goals in this team so we’ll probably win 5-0
If there’s a walkout on 75 mins there’ll be nobody left inside.
Get in
*yawns*
That was close. Phew!!
Sanchez, get in.
And again
Money placed on Mertesacker, Giroud, and Ramsey to start AND Arsenal to win 3-0? Looking good at the moment. ๐
WBA bring in their tall men, Olsson and Rondon. Hope we are upto defending a battery of lobs into the box which will surely come.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>