So how upset were you when the full time whistle sounded at the Grove on Sunday?
Were you saddened in the way you would be at the death of an aunt you vaguely remember but didn’t really know?
Were you fist-clenching angry, like when you find yourself in the wrong queue at the supermarket checkout (the one where the Vicky Pollard lookalike is chatting to her mate at the next till and checking through the purchases with all the speed of a Tai Chi master)?
Or did you do the full ‘man totally loses it in a hotel lobby’ thing? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGlNzV0thGY
Me, I went outside and shouted at a squirrel.
It took no notice.
Since then I haven’t really been bothered to look at anything on the internet. The caterwauling of the doom-mongers has, I’m sure, been a sound to behold. No doubt we have all been urged to sack Wenger, sell nine-tenths of the team and declare Ashburton Grove a natural disaster area.
Haiti? Earthquakes? Tropical storms? Cholera? That’s nothing mate. We lost at home to Newcastle – now that’s what you call a tragedy.
Or is it?
Take a look at this sequence of results, produced by an Arsenal team in a season not too distant from now:
October 20: Blackburn Rovers, EPL (H): 3-3
October 24: Real Mallorca, CL (H): 3-1
October 27: Sunderland, EPL (A): 1-1
October 30: FC Schalke, CL (A): 1-3
November 4: Charlton Athletic, EPL (H): 2-4
November 8: Manchester Utd, CC (H): 4-0
November 17: Sp*rs, EPL (A): 1-1
November 21: Deportivo, CL (A): 0-2
You have to agree that it’s a dreadful run of form. If we counted all of the fixtures as three-point games (including the Carling Cup match) our tally would be 9 points out of a possible 24. A mighty 15 points dropped in all competitions.
It looks familiar, doesn’t it?
In fact it looks very much like the run of results we have just had: some dodgy draws, home and away; a comfortable home win in the CL, but also a bad away defeat in the same competition; an easy Carling Cup win; an embarrassing home league defeat against humble opposition.
All the above results happened in the season 2001-2002.
Any team that could be so inconsistent and flaky must surely have been full of players without a winning mentality, right? Or players unable to concentrate? Or players managed by someone who just couldn’t motivate them? And look at the goals conceded – 15 in 8 games – clearly a team who can’t defend?
Well, that team included Seaman, Campbell, Cole, Lauren, Keown, Adams, Vieira, Pires, Ljungberg, Henry, Wiltord and Bergkamp. And of course, they went on to win The Double that very same season.
So why am I telling you this?
Because we need a reminder that a bad spell does not mean that our team is doomed. A run of negative results does not make good players into bad ones. A poor points return does not transform a champion manager into a chump. A trophy-winning team can have a period when it looks more like relegation-fodder.
We have been here before, fellow Gooners. We may have moaned and groaned in 2001 but we were no way as disillusioned then as many seem to be in 2010. We supported our team and we kept the faith.
It’s time to dampen down the hysteria.
It’s time to look away from the most neurotic web sites, the ones who want to cry wolf at every passing poodle.
It’s time to tell the “Wenger Out” brigade to shut the fudge up and learn some perspective.
This Arsenal team will finish first or second in the league this season and will win a cup. And they’ll do it in style.
COYRRG
RockyLives
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
Morning all
Its going to be very interesting to see how the therapy works this week. Two defeats already and a EPL game tomorrow and Saturday ouch.
Well done to Rocky for trying to lift our spirits. Someone called in to talksport the other week that some of the players gather at Krispy Kremes on the A10 after a home game maybe I’ll go and organise a delivery to the training ground for tea this afternoon. I reckon they need cheering up too.
almost shattered my television by throwing my lighter at it!
Morning,
Timely reminder that our great teams of the past also suffered lean periods Rocky.
The next two games will show whether the team have the gonads to react positively to the losses. The first thing I want to see is effort. We should be winning second balls and 50/50 challenges. Players must show for the ball and bust a gut to get into the box when we are on the break.
Fabregas should be rested until he’s fully fit and the boss should be strong and insist on this. It’s a shame Nasri is injured, but Jack, Rosicky, Denilson and Song should be strong enough. I’m afraid I wouldn’t start any game with Theo, he flatters to deceive.
Morning Peachy/Bruce – Tim said something similar to this yesterday about our run of results in our 3rd double winning season being similar to what we are enduring now:
http://www.7amkickoff.com/2010/never-mind-the-bollocks/
While I can see the point being made by both articles I am slightly dubious about whether we can compare the quality of the squad then to that now. I have been accused of being a bit of a doomer, but this is one of the occasions where I’m not sure about the validity of the comparison – I’m as usual conflicted about my feelings about our squad regarding quality and attitude.
Something else I picked up on yesterday was that there is not going to be a pre match press conference today – indicating the bunkers being out up in London Colney and Wenger is starting a siege mentality or a that he’s too annoyed to comment to the hacks on his players dispassionately at the moment.
Theories anyone if the pre match presser is off ?
Was it a red squirrel?
Should we win our next 2 games we will be one point ahead of where we were this time last season. We only managed 4 points out of 15 in the last 5 games 2009/2010, so there is cause for optimism. I believe we have a better chance of winning the CL than the Prem though because consistency is a problem.
Re: pre-match press etc. Could have more to do with non-football questions methinks, i.e. rappers!
The last time we were that bad (in 2008-2009), we won nothing and got the top 4 place only thanks to Aston Villa implosion.
We can not cross, we can not shoot from distance, we can not score from a set piece, we can not do decent goal keeping, but apart from that, we are a very talented team.
Good on you Rocky, a little dose of realism occasionally puts things into perspective. 🙂
I agree with the sentiments you express, concerning over reaction, which is something we all can identify with, as, frankly, our human frailities are only just below the surface.
My only observation would be to ask if anyone has a similar list of Manure’s results for that period. We were just coming to the end of the “top two” big clubs, of which we were one, and the comparison would be interesting.
In recent times we have sometimes struggled to stay in the “top three”, as first Chelsea and then briefly Liverpool threatened.
Now the “top four” with Citeh, Spurs and Stoke fighting to join the big clubs makes losing to the “little” clubs a big no – no! OK, OK, I am kidding about Stoke! 🙂
speaking of set pieces, when was the last time arsenal scored from a free kick or corner…….seems to me the training staff doesnt really pay much attention to this.
We had 10 corners (!) against Newcastle. How many do we need to score from one? 100? Are we pracrticing corners in training at all?
Thanks for the great post. Nice to read a positive Arsenal blogger. I am so sick and tired of all the negativity from so-called fans.
Good positive stuff, we are all guilty of throwing our toys out, but that is not necessarily a bad thing, it at least shows commitment on our part.
Rasp I do feel you are unfair to Theo, Newcastle had two guys on him all the time and some of my annoyance stemmed from the fact that we failed to capitalise on the extra space this gave other players. If his presence can take two players out wide then the ball through the middle becomes a much more effective option and we of all sides should be able to profit from that.
Hi watts,
I agree our delivery from set pieces is poor. Joey Barton’s were far superior to ours on Sunday, his free kick for the goal was perfect.
I hate to see RvP taking corners, he’s a striker he should be in a scoring position. Cesc tends to float his corners and they are easily dealt with by big defenders. I generally like to see the ball whipped in at pace from corners with players like AA hovering in positions to get 2nd ball. Sagna needs to fire more crosses low across the box (asssuming we have someone in place to capitalise)
dandan,
I was at the game looking directly along the right flank. Theo was very poor in the second half believe me. When he was confronted with two defenders he just stumbled over the ball and looked pathetic – he is bereft of ideas and trickery when he can’t use his pace. He’s an excellent impact sub IMHO but usually becomes anonymous when he starts a game.
You are missing my point rasp. If two guys are needed out there to restrict his knock and run, then our superior passing should find the gaps to exploit. If they choose to go one on one he has shown what he can do.
dandan, my point is that Theo didn’t find a colleague, he lost possession.
Thank you so much for this wonderful reminder. A bad spell does not mean a bad team. I just believe what we really missed on Sunday was mother luck. For if any of our shoots at goal went in we would not be this sad. The truth is that life is just like this. Full of ups and downs. We drew with Liverpool but Chelsea got 2.0, they were good but that was not their day. Some are saying buy Liverpool goalkeeper, why? It he not the one that threw the ball into his own net because he saw Chamakh? Please don’t le us be Fairweather Fan let us get behind these boys and pray that they get the results our game deserves.
Sorry Dandan,
I did not see Newcastle putting two men on Theo. What I saw was the usual Theo tripping over the ball, running into defenders and instead of jinking around, out on the wing, remained static, and was easy meat for their defence.
Perhaps we all see what we want to see, but I think Rasp is right on this occasion, and to imply blame on the other players because of Theo’s passivity, even if you were right about two markers, is a little harsh. They were bad enough in their own right! 🙂
Raspers, I was looking down our right flank in the first half and whenever Theo ran towards me he had at least 2 people on him and it was very congested for him.
It did free up some space for Sagna, but we all know how well he crosses. Theo does his best work when he has space to run into and I agree with Dandan as from what I saw the Toon defenders/midfielders were packing their left-hand side.
hi Raps,
wenger is the manager and thus should know what palyers fit what system and in what scenerio of a game. to me he sometimes seems without ideas with regards to team selection. cesc was not in form in that particular game, or is it fitness,why not sub him….walcott was having a hard time shaking his markers….he goes on and subs wilshere,who is playing well,leaving fab whos aint performing. at times i feel the 4-3-3 formation is too predictable…once the opponents see our match squad then they already know what to do against us.we should be playing with different formations dpending on what the opponent is playing. for instance, for the newcastle game 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1 would do better attackingwise. btw….what sort of a striker is chamakh? i am really groing tired of his lack of shots on goal.
Unfortunately what I often see happening when things aren’t going our way is a lack of perstistence in trying to win the ball back and also players being shy to show for the ball …… is that negligence or immaturity?
I agree with dandan that if Theo is drawing two players to him that leaves space in the middle but too often we don’t exploit that. Hleb used to have three players on him but still wouldn’t release the ball so maybe they are trained so much to find the perfect pass that they’d rather lose possession.
what happened it was good.
But fact is, its not going to happen this time dude……….
And winning something will never happen with this team.
Don’t u think ??
Red I did not absolve Theo from blame, he undoubtedly had a poor game but no worse than many others, Neither did I point the finger at anyone else, only that when two players are out wide and if you watch again you will see it is so on several occasions, then gaps appear further infield. instead of passing to Theo, a ball through those gaps becomes lethal. Cesc tried on several occasions to utilise them and his frustration at his inability to do so was plain for all to see.
CharyB,
You say potaato I say potarto! 🙂
I want Theo to be brilliant, as I want all our plyers to be brilliant. That’s a given!
Theo is excellent when the opposition hold a high line and a ball is played thru for him to run onto. Fact! 🙂
When he does not get thru balls, because our midfield are playing poorly, or the opposition fall back into their final third, he just does not have the technical dribbling skills or anticipation to make the difference.
Anyway, enough of Theo, the whole team played poorly on Sunday and no one player was responsible, nor exempt from blame.
dandan, chary,
We all agree Theo is at his best when he can run into space and use his speed. He’s a young, presumably ambitious, well paid footballer who lacks the guile and ball skills to perform anything excet a very narrow role. Cast your mind back to Ronaldo’s first 2 seasons at United, he was poor, did multiple stepovers and then fell over the ball, but he worked on his game. He learnt and improved. I have yet to see Theo get out of a tight situation with any of the trickery that Diaby, AA, Nasri, Rosicky and even Song and Eboue possess. If you play out wide, your job is to get the ball into the box by whatever means possible.
Dandan, I understand better what you meant, and I agree with your 11:11. (it crossed with mine at 11:15 — finger problem with my typing) 🙂
One other thing about Sunday – I couldn’t understand 90% of what the Toon fans were singing. Geordies sound unintelligible at the best of times and you add in lots of beer and they could have been singing the Lord’s prayer and we wouldn’t have known.
Good post dandan, I used to kick the dog and throw the cat out of the window when we lost a game but these days I don’t have a cat or dog, they ran off – so now, if we lose, the wife runs and locks herself in the bathroom.
Man U’s corresponding results for that time period were—-
Oct 20 Bolton- PL lost 1-2
Oct 23 Olympiakos- CL won 3-0
Oct 27 Leeds- PL drew 1-1
Oct 31 Lille- CL drew 1-1
Nov 04 Liverpool- PL lost 1-3
Nov 08 Arsenal- LC lost 0-4
Nov 17 Leicester- PL won 2-0
Nov 20 Bayern M- CL drew 1-1
So we both played 4 PL games Man U got 4 points out of 12 and we got just 3.
Morning GN5,
Forgive me for pointing out that it is Rocky’s post today. Thanks for the stats, its still all to play for this season, but we have to win our next two games.
Sorry about that – great post Rocky, keep the cup half full for us.
Morning all.Great post RL but i can’t swallow it.
Just to lighten things up i found this.
“I find it astonishing that people are criticising Wenger. It’s obvious that he didn’t see anything. The truth is that during one his blind moments, he accidentally walked into a hotel, stumbled into the lift and tripped his way into some rapper birds room. Once in the room, his belt got caught on the corner of a coffee table pulling his trousers and pants down around his ankles. Trying to maintain his balance, he shuffled into the bedroom where some rapper bird happened to be bent over whilst doing her daily naked stretching. Unfortunately, Wenger was unable to avoid the inevitable collision and buried le sausage. I hope this clears things up and we can all put these ridiculous rumours to bed. Merci.” 😉
Rocky – yet another masterpiece !!!
Brilliantly written, extremely informative and best of all very uplifting !!
This line:”cry wolf at every passing poodle” that was worth the ‘entrance fee’ on its own. Brilliant.
Kelsey,
In AW’s defence, I heard much the same story except before the fateful collision he tripped and pole vaulted out the window! 🙂
GN5,
Thanks for the info. It was what I supected.
Rocky was spot on about our bad start that year, but the only other team who had a chance to stop us in the premiership, had an equally inauspicious opening.
🙄
Why? Because I can.
Sharkey,
My poodle was called Wolf. So what are you getting at? 🙂
Beginning to look forward to the day when I can stroll over to ArsenalArsenal and read a badly written, humourless, genuinely depressing post. No sign of it yet. Nice work Rocky.
Oh, and the Man in the Lobby clip, made me feel better about the crap day I am having.
Oh just keeping watching Micky, I suspect “a badly written, humourless, genuinely depressing post” could well be on its way, sooner than you think! 🙂
Nice positive post!
The only thing I’d say is the list of players you mentioned were all born winners and that is the difference between that side and the current one.
I still believe that this side only need to get that ‘winning taste’ and the world could be their oyster.
It’s not all doom and gloom. I admit I was very pissed off at losing to Newcastle because it was my birthday but I have to hold my hands up and say they deserve credit and the win.
It happens!
I think Wenger should have been a little more harsh in his interview after the game.
Just to say we were ‘unlucky’ doesn’t rankle with me.
It kinda breeds complacency in my opinion.
Kelsey,
There is no doubt in my mind that Arsene was simply unlucky. I have had one or two unlucky moments in Paris. Just happens. That’s life. Move on.
Hi Wrighty,
Thanks for coming on. We all need to be positive, its a shame the crowd on Sunday hadn’t tried harder to lift the players.
What I lament is that we don’t seem to attack at pace any more. We invite the opposition to pack men behind the ball. I’d happily sacrifice 10% of our possession for the opportunity to break out of defence and mount a rapier attack. I loved the stat from the invincibles era that showed we were more likely to score from the opposition’s corner than from one of our own.
Micky,
I have never been unlucky in Paris!
I don’t know, where did it all go wrong for me?
Micky. Neither have I, apart from that little swine from the half way line & TH14’s worst game in the shirt. …. oh and my only unlucky moment in Copenhagen
Wrighty7,
I always think Arsene is very protective of his players in public, and will often “take one” for the team in a kind of ‘didn’t see, can’t comment’ kind of way, but I would love to know to what extent rockets are let off in the dressing room after a bad performance. Also, we do not have the Tony Adams Mr Arsenal type of character in the dressing room.
We have all analysed and re-analysed the Newcastle match and presented various theories for our loss.
But we need to face facts! Peaches was clearly responsible.
The lads cannot expect to concentrate and play well when she is not there with her lucky knickers.
Where was she when the Albion murdered us. Skiving off no doubt.
We need a contingency plan for when she is not there. Having wracked my brains for the answer, it seems self evident.
RASP must wear Peaches’ dreaded, lucky knickers, and thus clad we will carry all before us! 🙂 Fact!
Red Arse,
I was 😳
Rasp,
On your head was fine, though. No shame.
Rasp, 🙂
Then you had better go commando next time. Or better still, Peaches could …… (forces fingers off the keyboard to prevent lasciviously lecherous thought process leaching into AA and corrupting innocent, itinerant, unblemished bloggers!) 🙂
Been hunkered down- ostrich-like- since I heard the result on Sunday. Couldn’t even bring myself to watch MOTD2 to see where we went wrong… I’ve always hated November but this is ridiculous! Good work keeping the faith and staying positive. Hope it doesn’t all turn out to be panglossian- I’ve been accused of this myself a few times but November S.A.D. always makes it harder to be optimistic. Bring on the next games and lets hopefully see one hell of a reaction from the lads!
Hi Rasp,
Yeah I agree. It almost seems like Arsene is trying to create a kind of La Liga type of team, plenty of possession and patient build up.
The swift counter attacks are pretty much out of the equation these days.
Red Arse,
rasp has been wearing them for years 😉
If i fault Wenger in one way, is that he doesn’t like to plunge into the market for proven no nonsense players who are already playing in the PL. bellamy and ireland for example.
As much as we hate the cloggers up north, a sprinkling ofsome of the more physical players wouldn’t go amiss, though the tippy tappy football might have to be re negotiated.
Hello Micky,
Yeah I can understand him protecting the side in public but sometimes I think he should slate them from time to time.
I saw Jack Wilshere’s twitter and basically he said it was a bad day at the office.
We can’t have many more of those!
I hate to critical of Arsenal and Wenger. I really do.
From a mate who I emailed thearticle to: “I saw that this morning spot on…I remember watching arsenal surrender a two goal lead at Bolton with Seaman in goal Keown and Vieira on the pitch among others….spot on”
HIya Wrighty…
“The swift counter attacks are pretty much out of the equation these days.”
Teams no longer attack us enouggh for us to counter attack effectively.
Theo’s goals in Donetsk and Newcastle were both unusual in that sense.
Sharkey/Wrighty7,
Maybe this lack of counter attacking is simply down to us “crabbing” too high up the pitch. Invariably, we move swiftly up, stop, crab and allow them to get numbers behind the ball. We need to lure them out. Deep crab!
“panglossian” – word of the day that. Well played Carlito
Hello all. Thanks for kind comments etc.
allezkev: it was a black squirrel (yes, really – they have them here in Canada).
Redders: you have definitely hit on the root of our troubles: Rasp, please GIVE THE LUCKY NICKERS BACK TO PEACHES. And stay out of her underwear drawer in future.
Lots of good points made. I don’t think our current squad are as good as the one we had in 2001/2 but I did want to make the point that even great players/teams can have a run of terrible form.
Rasp: I only watched the game on TV and you’re right that Theo didn’t do much, but this season he has shown some good trickery on occasion, as well as his usual pace. It’s hard being double-marked. I’d be more worried about Cesc’s performance. If he had been even 10% better we would probably have won.
Sharkey,
I had to look the word up!
Ahoy Mickey (sorry mate!)
I agree to an extent, but some teams just will not come out to play.
If I thought ‘deep crab’; woud wrk I’dreally go for it. But some teams would simply think, no wories we only came fora point anyway.
Re HIg crab. If you;re faced with a wall of oppo shirts, then whatelse can you do bar try to shift them about a bit with sideways crabbing. It does have to be a lot quicker though. High speed high crabbing if you like.
Mickey…and you thnk I didn’t !!!
I am going to cast a shadow. Am I the only one just beginning to get that Last Season Henry feeling about Cesc?
*KNICKERS
Micky,
I’ve been resisting saying it …. but no, you’re not alone, I can see parallels too.
Hi Rocky,
Thanks for an excellent piece today. As usual plenty to discuss, the opportunity to quibble over detail and a generous smattering of ‘Rockyisms’
Micky, I know exactly what you’re saying about Cesc, but I don’t think we should jump to conclusions and I don’t think it’s a given that he’s going to Barca.
He has not really had a break since the World Crap, sorry, Cup and is a combination of knackered, injured and out of form. I have no doubt that by the end of the season we will be hailing him as the best MF in the world.
Cheers Rasp. I am slightly schizophrenic though, and the ‘Mr Hyde’ part of me could easily have written a very negative post. Fortunately Dr Jekyll is in command at the moment.
Sharkey,
You would be right if it were true. Now I didn’t see the sunday game, but look at the WBA game. They did not come and park the bus. Increasingly, teams do the opposite against us. They realize their only chance is to attack us, which they do.
Rocky,
I was not trying to “jump to conclusions”, merely dipping my toes into the conclusion pool.
Right lads, a little work to be done.
Rocky,
I share your ambivalence. Being negative if it produces a positive outcome is more productive than being positive if it doesn’t.
We have to ask ourselves questions after Sunday’s performance.
Cesc leads by his play and creativity, when those attributes fail him, he doesn’t have the gravitas to lift the team. We needed a strong leader/leaders on the pitch. Bringing on RvP gave a temporary boost, but the performance was flat. I thought LJ was our best player but he had to play deep because Song and Cesc were further up the field …. and then he got subbed?
Understood Micky. I was talking more collectively about ‘us’ (ie the Arse community) jumping to conclusions. I would probably join you in the toe-dipping and leave it at that.
Rasp,
You are an acknowledged genious, obviously, but; “being negative if it produces a positive outcome is better than being positive, if it doesn’t”. Que?
Are you saying (- = +) is better than (+ = -)?
Speak, oh mighty one, or we will have to debag you! 🙂
RA,
I was trying to make the point (rather clumsily) that asking questions is more productive than resting on one’s laurels = Sir Isaac Newton … “I wonder why that apple fell downwards”
Mickey, I think that WBA were the exception, and that yeah one or two are ‘cautiously progressive’ against us, but most really do work hard to keep their shape and NOT commit too many men forward.
But yeah I accept that either way, we need to be more direct whether its on the counter attack or in general approach play
So Kozzer’s red card appeal turned down, so much for the big clubs getting things all their own way, eh Pullis ?
That’s a 2 match ban, let’s hope the Verminator is ready to play tomorrow.
….. and Huddlestone’s deliberate stamp is not worthy of punishment??????
I like talking to myself.
i don’t think cesc is going to barca for at least another 2 seasons after this one.Wenger stated 2 weeks ago that he hoped he was staying exactly at the time barca announced (over here)that they were cutting their wage bill drastically.They have no real cash at the moment.
Peaches,
It all come back to our old chestnut, “referees’ subjectivity”.
I think it was Chris Foy who refereed the Spuds match, and he said he had a perfectly good view and did not think it deserved a (red) card. So that’s OK, then.
I think it was Atkinson who had a “perfectly good view” in the Stoke match, when the defender hand balled twice on the goal line, but he awarded no penalty, no (red) card, nothing. In Atkinson’s case he looks like being demoted to a Championship game, as punishment.
You and I discussed Kosser’s red card yesterday, and it seems that the FA don’t think the Squidge, as last defender, is too fleet of foot, after all! 🙂
Hi kelsey – I would agree with you on the two more years for Cesc.
Its really unfortunate for us and him that Cesc has a recurrent hamstring problem and he’s obviously not able to be as mobile as he would like. Why not sit him in front of the back four with Song – like the old days – and let Jack wander forward?
Kelsey – the “Cesc to Barca” stories are purely lighter fluid for when Xavi is barbecuing alone.
He dreams of Cesc’s Barca DNA, to be ingested orally.
Peachy, Huddlestone is english of course he’s going to get away with it, unlike the un-english Kozzer and Balotelli.
I can’t believe the panel didn’t think that Tom Huddlestone deliberately went back to step on that guys nuts. Its a disgrace!!!!!!!
Ah but ‘arry was on the the wrong end of a couple of decisions last week wasn’t he so maybe they have to balance things out 🙄
I agree peaches 🙂
What Huddlestone got away with reminds of when Shearer karate kicked Neil Lennon and the FA fell over themselves to whitewash the whole thing. Nothing to do with him being England captain at the time was it ? 🙄
Also it looks like I was right about there being no pre match press conference as Arse.com normally have it up by now.
Peaches,
Well it seems to me that there are the bones of an interesting Post, right there, for either yourself or CharyB. “The injustices and inconsistencies of the FA disciplinary system”. 🙂
It always amazes me that people like De Jong or Shawcross, for example, get 3 match bans for breaking legs or launching into violence against another player, whereas Kosser gets a 2 match ban for pulling a shirt, (even if the fair minded would agree it was probably a red card.
And much though I dislike the man, Pulis does have a point that Stoke were hard done by recently. (forget his rant about the big clubs being given preferential treatment though). He is still an idiot! 🙂
Yeah, I know what you mean RedA, but I nominate S Sure to write this post – his debut post was a stormer.
Plus I’ve “gas bagged” a lot on posts recently – time for a fresh voice methinks.
Apparently, Arsene has given an interview on ATVO, going out later today, according to AFC.
Unfortunately, TV’s achilles has gone again and he has gone back to see a specialist toute de suite. Diaby’s ankle injury is also a worry, surprise, surprise.
That’s just wonderful. 😦
I don’t mean to be a clever arse,red arse, 😉 but i wrote on here weeks ago that Vermaelen would be out for the rest of this year but most probably the whole season.
The trouble is no one takes me seriously anymore, in fact they never did.
How many accountants on this site,I need some advice(seriously)
Rocky,
I have seen black squirrels in Canada, and believe it or not they are now spreading rapidly in the SE of England now.
They are not a new species, but are mutants of the grey squirrel, and are bigger and more aggressive.
The grey squirrels have driven the native British red squirrels almost to extinction, it seems likely that over time the black squirrel will do the same to them.
What goes around, comes around, I suppose.
RedA – I meant the open press conference for the great and the good of english hack-dom.
So it’s the Squid and Yo-yo for tomorrow then. Hmmm..
Kelsey,
I think Rasp is going to put up an “I told you so” award. He tells me that you and CharyB are running neck and neck this afternoon! 🙂
(You are right Kelsey, I am being a smart arsed red arse, a veritable shining cabochon garnet of smart arsedom!) 🙂
Kelsey, it’s not looking good for the Verminator is it, shades of Rosicky in the 2007-08 season.
I’m a sort of accountant, but I’m not sure how much help I’ll be.
Actually, CharyB, I was not intending to second guess you, (to be honest I don’t know what you said), I just happened to read the Sky headline on my screen. 🙂
kelsey,
You never get ignored, you pop in with a quick comment and then disappear 😉
I shall join you in taking the credit for being the first to predict that TV wil be out for months and eventually end up needing an operation, as I said as much shortly after he sustained the injury.
chary, it’s to do with £sterling and euros.
Red Arse (still don’t think your name befits your ellegance)next thing will be the resignation of the boss, as the story is going into the tabloids again this week end.
maybe it is he,who wants to go to barca 😉
I nominate the honourable Rasp for the 2010, “I told you so” award. 🙂
Rasp,
I have a different clock to many of you.best time for me is between 4a.m. and 6.00 a.m. your time 🙂
The rest of the day is very busy.
A man has to bowl 🙂
That’s easy for you to say after I’ve already won it Red Arse ……..
It’s where you said that Wenger HAD(my emphasis) given a press conference, while my hot tip from earlier was there wouldn’t be one RedA.
I guess you’re talking about spot rates and playing the currency market Kelsey?
Kelsey,
In today’s papers Arsene is allegedly being accused (?) of making the Rapper pregnant.
Perhaps the NoW will have pictures showing the alleged moment of conception. i.e grainy, indecipherable pictures showing somebody doing something to someone.
Kelsey, I did not want to let on, but although I am intrigued, I do not understand your reference to my blog name.
It is entirely inelegant I grant you, but it is an homage to the Red and White club colours and an abbreviation of Arsenal.
The spot rate of sterling to the Euro was £1 = euro 1.16 about 3 hours ago. My advice (gratis) is, don’t try to fight the money market, it’s too volatile.
If you need a large amount of £’s or Euro’s in the future, you might want to look at a fixed forward contract.
My head has shrunk, as you have now drained all my limited knowledge and my brain has shrivelled! 🙂
Don’t want to scare anyone but just one small thing Seaman, Campbell, Cole, Lauren, Keown, Adams, Vieira, Pires, Ljungberg, Henry, Wiltord and Bergkamp NONE OF THESE PLAYERS PLAY @ ARSENAL ANYMORE! That is the point isn’t it?
Quote from AW re: the rapper …… “I did not seed it”
Nice goal Michael, thanks for the memory 😛
The point was, I believe, that our rose tinted specs would have us believe that the great teams of the past never lost to opposition they would have been expected to beat convincingly. Rocky was helping us get over the disappointment by putting the situation into perspective. We are only 5 points off the top with 2/3 of the season left – everything to play for……
Rasp, 🙂
Michael,
I do not wish you to feel excoriated in any way, but what is the point? The point, that is, of you coming on and stating the blindingly obvious.
And please don’t shout, it is dreadfully infra dig!
Thanks for the nomination Chary, but I’m struggling to even blog these days let alone write headline posts.
Can I now counter nominate someone else..??
Huddlestone gets away with assault yet again….its such a clear cut deliberate stamp. Even his demeanour immediately afterwards adds more weight to the prosecutions case.
The FA?? F***ing Arseholes..?? S’cuse my Portugese
Red – I think he was trying to emphasise how much he had completely missed the point of the article.
I’M NOT SURE WHY HE WOULD DO THAT !??
Only kidding MT4, we’re all pretty harmless over here !!
Resd Arse/Chary.
Red Arse, what I meant was that you write so eloquently(spelling is not my forte) and Red Arse seems a bit down market, if you get my drift.
I know the exchange rate today,but as you know i live in euro land and the forecast is divided as to whether the £sterling will get weaker or stronger against the euro.I have £sterling.
If the rapper is pregnant,than he is continuing his “youth policy”.
Personally, I blame Pat Rice.
Boom boom kelsey, he’s breeding his own ‘fox in the box’
Who else could you blame..??
We know its his fault, and he knows its his fault.
I fully expect to see a 3 page confessional from Pat Rice in tomorrows papers
She’s a fox alright….
I would. Twice !!
Prob couldn’t manage twice on the same day though !!
Sharkey, aren’t you an accountant as well ?
joking apart with vermaelen and diaby out,cesc with on going hamstring problems, RVP on one leg, when will it ever end.
Kelsey,
I have not been involved with the money markets for many years, so my advice is no better than anyone else’s.
What I said before is true tho’. Don’t gamble on predicting the way the rates change.
At the risk of being nominated for the “I told you so” award, I can, with amazing hindsight, tell you that this time last year the Euro had almost reached parity with the £. It has slipped against the pound, of course.
Please don’t answer any of the following hypothetical questions. This is just a very simple “for instance” position. Remember — don’t gamble!
What would I have to consider if I wanted to protect myself against the vagaries of exchange rate fluctuations?
What rate would I be happy/resigned to accept to enable me to do what I needed? Would I be OK with the current spot rate/tourist rate? If yes; would I be in difficulties if it fell from the current rate?
Is it possible the £ exchange rate against the Euro deteriorated/fell? Perhaps I might convert some of my £sterling into Euros at the current rate, and monitor the rates carefully.
If the £ appreciated against the Euro, (say) next week, perhaps I might convert some more of my £’s at that time, even tho’ it might appreciate further later. (a bird in the hand).
If the pound fell, perhaps I might convert some more into Euros, in case it carried on falling.
Kelsey, that is the sort of gant chart approach I might take if it was me.
Why is it so blooming difficult? It’s because currency rates are not just affected by economics, they are also subject to political machinations and also to unforseeable events, and manipulation of the markets by professional dealers/traders.
Not too helpful is it. But without a crystal ball, there are no certainties, whatever someone might tell you!
Kelsey, techinically..? Yes I am.
But I really know very little about personal accounting, as I mainly work on Banking procesess mainly in Regulatory Reporting. Its exciting stuff.
Mail me any questions you have and I’ll do my best.
Travelling home now so back later.
Thanks sharkey.
RA, thanks as well. The trouble is that in early 2002 the £sterling was 1.65 and as you say last year it was more or les equal parity to the euro.
It is a massive problem for us ex pats who derive an income or pension in £ sterling.
As you say there is no crystal ball, i was just interested in your view.
Kelsey,
I understand it’s a bugger! 😦
If all these “little Englanders” were not so keen to keep the pound, you would have now been in Euroland being paid with Euros translated at probably 2 Euros to the £, and would not have to take the brunt of this exchange rate nonsense.
It’s like Texas having its own Dollar, at a different rate to the Dollar of the rest of the USA. Ridiculous!
But, who am I to comment on the will of the British people?
Nice post RL. I myself just sulked like a teenager for a bit with the occasional grunt of despair….but like you I dont see it quite as the disaster that it may seem to be. We have been scoring from all over the place, creating chances and defending pretty solidly. Even the keeping issues have been less of a problem in recent weeks. We just had an off day and the standard of the EPL is better than its ever been. Newcastle are no mugs and they gave us a good game, teams aren’t just going to roll over and give us the points and they aren’t going to do it for anyone else either. Hopefully if we learnt anything from Sunday it was that there’s no point in playing an unfit player when we have other options, no matter how important that player might be.
Very sensible reflection Barum, and spot on! 🙂
Thanks SS. I’ll still be throwing my toys out of the pram as and when we lose again though. But hey thats the life of a football fan and I wouldn’t want it any other way.
OOOPS sorry not SS. RA
That’s OK Barum, Sharkey is my alter ego! 🙂
Kelsey,
I am not an accountant. Buy good vintage wine.
Oh jeepers, what is the Verm news?
Looks like I have missed the fun. Are black squirrels as tasty as grey one’s?
Hello all just checking in – still upset over the weekend even though I only say the bare highlights.
Irish,
You can say “bare highlights” whenever you like. 🙂
Hey Irish….
How about ya…??
*Sorry*
Aaah, what would we do without our friends from down the road to lift the gloom for us?
When Van der Fart scored with about 10 to go they must have thought it was three points in the bag. Oh dear…
Whats happening with the match day preview?
Well heres my favourite glam rock band to start the proceedings, all the way from Wolverhampton.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gPulu85q04
Morning Gnarley,
How are things? Webber looking good.
My team:
…….Fab
Sag JD Squil Gibbs
….Den Song
.Nas JW AA
……Bendy
I think Bendy will want the world to realize that he really is the best striker since Fat Ronaldo.
MDI89
Ok.
Webber won’t win the title coz Vettel will crash in to him.
I like Big Johan @ the back.
Is RVP injured again?
Gnarley,
There are many Webber backers over here. To me, he is the old fashioned type of gentleman racer. You are right though, it will be very interesting to see how it pans out, particularly within the Red Bull camp.
From what I gather RvP looked far from ready when he came on. Why don’t these people play reserve games to get some kind of match sharpness?
Morning all
Theres a NEW POST
Morning All
I agree Mickey it seems that you only go the reserve game route if you have been out for 6mths or more, ie Eduardo and now Ramsey.
Any news about on how Rambo fared on Monday night..?? Did he play/not play. Its odd that theres been no news, unless I’ve simply missed it all
Hi RedArse,
The shout was not a dig at anyone infra or not, besides my point is it is truly blindingly obvious. I just needed to get it off my chest as I don’t own any rose tinted specs.
MT4
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