Match review

Credible in Defeat…

Posted on by rico

We know that many of our first team players are in the proverbial “red” and need a break. We also know that the Carling Cup is low on the list of priorities. Arsene made a point stressing the first aspect following our weekend 1-1 versus Fulham, so changes were certainly expected.

Just how many changes were open to debate.

Would Arsene resume making mass changes to the side, or would he retain at least a few of our regular starting eleven, with a view to resting these players in the upcoming dead rubber CL fixture in Piraeus? A match with less riding on it than this one, regardless of how one views the Carling Cup…

Arsene named the following starting eleven: Fab, JD, Kos, Squil, Miquel, Frim, Coq, Benny, OC, Ju and Chamakh.

Mannone, TV, Yennaris, Eastmond, Ozyakup, Gerv, and Arsh made up the bench.

Of that starting eleven, only JD and Kos have been recent first teamers – and that often as right back, not centre back. In the entire squad, only TV can be considered a first team regular. I had particular concerns about Coq and Frim together in the midfield, and I hoped to see at least a couple more first-teamers involved, but it is what it is.

Benny was designated captain for this match.

Mancini also made a raft of changes, but sprinkled some of his first-teamers in the lineup as well. Kolo and Nas returned to the Ems wearing sky blue, and Dzeko, deJong, Johnson all started in a changed, but not as weak as I hoped, lineup…

Just prior to kickoff, we held a moment’s silence for Wales manager, and former Leeds United, Everton, Newcastle United, Bolton Wanderers, and Sheffield United midfielder Gary Speed, who took his own life at age 42 on Sunday morning. City then kicked the match off.

The visitors applied the early pressure, but we took the first shot on goal, a tame Miquel effort from range which Pantilimon had no difficultly with. Ten minutes in and Johnson shot over Fab’s bar after good work from Dzeko.

Just a minute later, Ju had a great chance to open the scoring from Coq’s fine cross, but Pantilimon saved at point-blank range…Through the first 20 minutes, we had by far the best chance, while City shaded possession without troubling Fab. City continued to press and Dzeko had a shot blocked. We won a corner on 25 minutes. OC took it, but Savic headed clear. Then OC shot from about 30 yards out, but Pantilimon pulled off another great save.

We did nothing with the corner, and City went down the other end to win a corner of their own, which they couldn’t convert…

As we passed the 30 minute mark, the game opened up more. City and we traded successive breaks, but neither could get past the defence. Mancini must not have been pleased with how the match unfolded, as he brought Aguero (a first teamer) on for Kolarov just past the half hour. He quickly won a corner, as City ramped the pressure up and kept us pinned back. When we relieved the pressure, we put a series of crosses into the City box, but all were cleared, often by the first defender.

As we entered the final five minutes of the half, it remained anyone’s game. Our young side had the two best chances to score – and should have been at least a goal to the good – and contained City’s side relatively well. City had a late spell of pressure which ended when Fab claimed Dzeko’s cross from the right flank. The added minute passed without incident and we went into the break level.

We kicked the second half off with an unchanged side. Dzeko had an early chance, and went close, shooting just wide of Fab’s left post. OC then came to the fore, first winning a corner, and then forcing Pantilimon to punch his shot clear.

Hargreaves earned the game’s first booking for a foul on Frim. City cleared the free kick and broke, but Squil was alert to clear before Aguero could line a shot up. As we approached the hour mark, the match remained there for the taking. Surely Arsene had to consider changes.

While OC was lively throughout the match, Ju had the one early chance, then nothing. That was still more than what Chamakh contributed. With Arsh on the bench and Arsene talking about how he feels “sorry” for the latter not getting much playing time, it seemed a logical move to bring him on for perhaps Chamakh…

Dzeko had another chance from a Zabaleta cross, but couldn’t get his effort on target. This started another spell in our half for City, as they won a couple of throws before Hargreaves shot over from a decent position…We then broke, but that ended quickly when Chamakh shot wide from close range.

On 67 Arsene made the first change, but it Gerv on for Ju. Gerv got right into the thick of things, but his notorious poor finishing saw one effort go way over the bar. He then won a corner and OC worked a shot, but couldn’t trouble Pantilimon. We continued to apply pressure, although we didn’t really look like scoring. We did get a warning when Dzeko got on the end of another Zabaleta cross, but headed it over.

As the match entered the final ten minutes still deadlocked, extra time loomed. Arsene brought TV on for Miquel in the second change. Even though our finishing was poor, we defended solidly and restricted City to mostly half-chances. JD cut a Dzeko cross out, leading to a break which earned us a corner.

But it was from this corner that we conceded. Our set-piece deliveries were not great, and this one by OC was cleared at the near post, with Dzeko picking Johnson out, and latter finding Aguero, for a simple finish. 0-1 down, with only six minutes to go.

We tried to respond and Gerv shot wide from inside the City box. With three minutes of regulation, Arsene made the final change, bringing Arsh on for OC – who I thought had an overall solid game. At this point, City sat back in order to try and pick us off. We came forward, and Frim won us a corner. Arsh took it, and found TV at the back post, but the latter stretched to reach it and could not get his header down and on target.

As we entered the minimum three minutes of extra time, Chamakh won a corner. We sent Fab up for the corner, but Pantilimon was able to collect the delivery and our keeper was almost stranded. As it was, he made it far enough back to head the ball away before Aguero could get to it and score. We then got a free kick, which Frim took, finding Arsh who shot on goal and forced Pantilimon to save.

That was basically that. The final whistle went a few seconds later, and we were out of the Carling Cup…

While I am certainly disappointed to have relinquished the opportunity to win the cup we should have won last season – the first for this crop of players – last evening’s performance was positive and encouraging. For all my reservations about the composition of this starting eleven, I am quite happy to hold my hand up and say I got it wrong.

The team played quite well, I thought this mix of kids and second/third stringers largely outplayed City’s side and deserved better than to lose. But, as we have so often seen with our first team, if you don’t take your chances, then you open the door for results such as this.

When you don’t take your chances, and the opposition is able to bring a quality forward such as Kun on, well…

As I saw, our two biggest problems were misfiring forwards, and poor set piece delivery. Perhaps better delivery would have seen us score at least one goal. Ju had that early chance, and then very little afterwards. Chamakh made absolutely no impact again, and once again gave no evidence that he can once again function as a reliable goal-scorer. And if he cannot be counted on for that, then just what is the point of keeping him in the squad?

Ju did little to show he can effectively deputize for Robin – albeit he has had very few opportunities to do so. But as long as Arsene persists with Chamakh as second choice, we are unlikely to really see what Ju can actually do. However you look at it, this is something we will need to sort sooner rather than later. Someone is going to have to step up and take responsibility for scoring goals in Robin’s absence, and at the moment, we don’t appear to have anyone we can trust to do it.

Second striker issues aside, I thought most of the rest of the team played well. Of the kids, OC and Coq were particularly impressive, Frim did well – particularly when let Nas know he was there – and Benny showed he may really help us with more regular starts. Kos was excellent at the back, as was the much-maligned Squil, who defended calmly and competently in a makeshift back four.

I was pretty critical of Squil on more than one occasion last season, but he did well tonight and deserves credit for a good performance.

One thing that should not be overlooked is that while we are no longer in the league cup competition, we did accomplish what was probably the first priority – resting much of the first team – while performing credibly with a shadow side. Szczesny, Santos, Mert, Song, Arteta, Ramsey, Theo and Robin all got the night off. That’s eight first teamers who needed a rest.

As I said at the start, I would not have rested that many first teamers at once, but Arsene did and we should have them rested and ready for the DW.

So farewell to the Carling Cup for another season and many of us will not be too bothered. Personally, I would like to see us win it at some point; not because it is such a big deal, but because that is the only domestic trophy not on Arsene’s resume, and I would like to see his team win it before he is done here.

So, we’ll try again next season. Hopefully many – if not all – of the young players we saw tonight will be first team regulars when we play our next Carling Cup tie. Even though we lost tonight, we were not outclassed and this experience will hopefully serve the kids and squad players in good stead.

We visit the DW this weekend, and we owe Wigan for our last two trips there: the catastrophic folding of a 2-0 hand into a 3-2 loss last season, and the 2-2 where we conceded an equalizer just after Wigan had been reduced to 10 men. Our last trip to that area was the dreadful capitulation against Blackburn.

Wigan is in similar relegation trouble, and we cannot afford to lose to them if we want to be taken seriously as title/top four contenders this season.

Hopefully a rested first team will be able to get the job done.

Written by Oliver

rico

151 thoughts on “Credible in Defeat…”

  1. devilgunner says:

    Morning all you guys and chicks.

    Good post Oliver. Very straight to the point and same feelings that we have.

    Frimpong is the talk of the town. The way he dealt with Na$ti was legendary stuff. To tell him in no uncertain and polite terms to piss off was the cherry on the cake after a typical hardman’s performance. He was going in with good tackles and gave him a bit of the rough stuff. Tackles are what makes creatures like Na$ti dissappear and for long moments I thought that he was invisible…..similiar to when he was with us. Diaby the next Vieira?? Muamba the next Vieiria?? No. It has to be Frimpong for me. The way he was here, there evberywhere has to be lauded. It is down to him, Coq and Koscielny that Arsenal gave a great game to the Eur158 million team on the pitch.

    The tackles that were depriving the City attack were great. They were perfectly timed and it was credit to the team that Mancini saw it fit to remove a defender and put on Aguero. That, although tactical but bizarre, was a compliment to the show being put on by the Arsenal team.

    Oxo gave perfect glimpses of what we must expect from him. He has put himself in the driving seat for future games and his shooting and crossing besides his positional play was great. That means that AW has only to buy a winger to replace Arshavin. While we were missing chances to kill the game, we had two good shots saved by Pantalimon, it says a lot about Arshavin who was given only around 5 minutes to play. When you cannot even get into the second string which plays with the formation which suits you best, 4-4-1-1 or 4-4-2 it really is pointing to the direction that you are on your way out. So AW will only buy a striker who can also play on the flanks plus a defender. And put it in your head people…..he will not buy a midfielder unless he knows that Song is buggering off.

    But yesterday will remain famous for the way that Frimpong has walked his way into Gunners’ folklore and legends. Great man that Frimps.

    Incidentally, there was talk of punches being thrown and Chamack was involved. Sources say that out of the two punches that were thrown by Chamack he missed even those. lol.

  3. rico says:

    Morning All

    Top write up again oliver, thank you…

    Just how badly do we need a goal scorer?

    Just how good were Coq, Frimps and Chamberlain??

    Said yesterday that the most important thing imho was the performance, well Ju and Chamakh apart, that performance was pretty darn good and well done to them.

    Had we a player who could score goals, we would have won that, but also, not a bad second choice keeper Citeh have in old pantaloon…..

  5. lee says:

    Morning all…great performance by the boys!!
    AW, now go and buy a decent striker because park & chamakh simply aren’t good enough….

  6. rico says:

    In answer to your question, I think those kids last night wanted it badly, they closed down better than the first team do, they were quicker to the ball and most of all i think they played without fear..

    wish we weren’t though alan, i would love us to win a domestic cup trophy but sadly it doesn’t bring in so much money as the CL….

  8. goonster says:

    Is anybody impressed with jd at right back? Wow he totally held his own. Two games in a row. Great performance from the lads. Woke up this morning with a smile and my mum screaming…”up the arse”. I think I may have infected her. Morning good people.

  10. goonster says:

    Hi rico…lecoq and frimp made de jong and his cronies look ordinary. Mum was asking which side was the most expensive squad ever assembled. Frimpong is already a legend. Come on.

  14. Scott says:

    Just watching a replay,and we were bloody good….the better side in fact.
    Ok,we know the strikers finishing left a lot to be desired,so no need to go over it.
    Sell Chamakh,keep Park……I believe he has plenty of improvement,and could end up a decent squad player.
    Get Podolski……he remains the one player I really think would be a great buy,and fill a position we definitely need strengthening in.
    Gotze,Hazard………great for the future,and we wouldn’t knock them back,but our midfield is strong…..we need a finisher.

  15. goonster says:

    Hi ya scott…..I ll prefer remy. Podolski has some kinda reputation following him. A whole lot of baggages. Remy wants to be here.

  19. rico says:

    alan, i think he’ll get a striker and prob that will be Henry on a short term and then wait til the summer – a lot of clubs bump up prices in january…

    Remy for me too goonster…

    Hi Scott, i thought we were the better side too, the only difference was being able to find the back of the net, Park should have buried his early one, then his confidence would have grown and he would have no doubt been more involved in the game…

    Chamakh i hope will be off to PSG in Jan…

  20. lee says:

    After the game Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger suggested some disappointment with the way Nasri was received by the Arsenal fans, hoping he will get a more positive response in future meetings.

    “You want players who have played for us respected,” Wenger said. “It is his first time back, I think it was more ‘disappointed love’ than anger. I am sure they love him but because they love him, they responded like that – they wanted him here.”

  23. terry says:

    mids:
    wilsahre, ramsay, song, arteta, frimpong, coquellen, (just one more required), diaby, rosicky, denielson, lansbury(loan to a premier league club).- sell daiby, rosicky, denielson

    wingers:
    walcott, gerviniho, alex, yossi, arsahvin.- sell arsahvin, yossi returns back from loan

    strikers:
    RVP, chamak, park, nikki b, cambell (one more striker or probably a repalcement)- sell nikki b, chamak and replace with a top quality

    wingbacks:
    santos, gibbs, sagna, jenkinson

    cb:
    vermy, kozzer, mertersucker, djouru, sqillachi.- sell squillachi and get bartley

    gk:
    scezny, flappy, almunia, mannone. (sell almunia and flappy promote mannone to back up)

    so we need a creative mid
    a striker
    and a winger- these are primary requirenments

  25. devilgunner says:

    A question I would like to ask…….If the second string can condense the movement of the opponents and limit them to a few chances, why can the first team do the same??

    And if we played so well in a 4-4-2 with two second string strikers, why cant we do the same formation with the first team?? Cant we play with two strikers or are we simply playing 4-3-3 to accomodate the lack of speed in Song?

  26. rico says:

    terry – i though fabianski did pretty well last night, surely he is better than manonne…

    I love Frimps Lee, just love him 😆

  27. devilgunner says:

    Fabianski is a good goalkeeper. I wish that AW would give him more games. The way he challenged Aguero for the ball when he went to try and get the equalizer was good. His decision making has improved and I just wish that he would not leave. Just sell Almunia and Mannone. Keep Chesney, Fabianski and Shea.

  28. rico says:

    I thought he did well too, especially as he hasn’t played in a while – next for him will be the CL next week and then the FA Cup in the new year, that is unless Ches gets injured….

    But, I can see him leaving, he wants to be no1 for Poland and he won’t be if he sits on our bench….

  31. goonster says:

    Among all the players you listed….I ll only sell almunia ashavin chamack squilacci and rocsiky. Those guys ll fetch a whooping 30m to spend on remy,dembele or granero*winks

  33. stevepalmer1 says:

    Morning all , great write up Oliver.
    Send JU park off the the army now, send him bake when he’s been trained in shooting, sell wet chammy and buy a decent striker for tuppence and lets start again. How long have i got to watch that useless Russian please please send him to Syberia.

  34. goonster says:

    Have you guys heard? The little prick nasri threw a punch at frimps,missed and fled into the dressing room. What a coward! No cojones. Wimpy little bastard. Only wished pong poked his eyes out.

  35. rico says:

    🙂 goonster, i would though…

    Morning steve, Park is no doubt doing what he was bought for, selling merchandise…..

  36. goonster says:

    Yeah rico I know you will and that’s why am glad you re not the manager. Morning Steve….seen the papers yet. The stupid tabloids are saying man shitty exhibited championship stuff. That against an arsenal 11 that costs less than 35m! How do these guys sleep at night?

  37. rico says:

    They did though goonster, Championship football, that’s the league below us… For all their money, they were nearly and should have been, beaten by us….

  38. lee says:

    If that’s the best citeh’s second string can offer….they must be over joyed with their £1billion investment over the last 3 yrs!!

  41. rico says:

    And their losses Lee, thank goodness we don’t operate in such a way…

    Did you guys see the way Na$ri threw his black armband down when he thought (hoped) he was going off? He didn’t want to be there did he…..

  42. stevepalmer1 says:

    He was supposed to have asked to play in this one rico, but expected a bit better reception, now he will get it every time.and he knows it.

  43. rico says:

    I read that too steve, and mancini thought that would get the hostilities out the way before the PL game, yeah right, live with it Na$ri…..

  44. agirlagunner says:

    Boo! I agree, oliver; our game was overall positive and encouraging. We were far from outclassed. In fact, our young men made the oily ones look ordinary. 🙂 We need our other strikers to be getting the business done though. Ju and Chamakh are both short on sharpness. Maybe more games could remedy that. Pingpong, Coq and OC were class! And I can’t say I didn’t enjoy Nasri having an altogether mediocre game. 😉

    Hey, rico. How are you? Hello, everyone.

  45. STV says:

    Hello gooners.. Very good performance last night. disappointed with the result in the end but t was not completely unexpcted. seb squill look one heck of a defender last night. very compact. Plenty of positives to take especially our defenders and that kiid AOC.

  47. agirlagunner says:

    STV, plenty of positives, I agree. The result does not reflect our performance. 🙂 goonster, eloquent as ever. 😀

  48. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Good morning all!
    Kos was immense yesterday!
    Chamack hasn’t no instinct for the goal.
    I had the idea that Park was a player faster and faster.
    The team was very concentrate and played very well.
    Unfortunately, there was no depth in attack
    rico, Henry is not the solution. It is no longer the player fast and quick to perform. Age does not forgive. And against the facts, no arguments.
    We need a fast center forward who plays in the area and a midfield player.
    Of the four competitions, we go out before December, one. In the League, the target for the first four places (preferably one of the first 3…) remains.
    Let’s wai and win next match.

  49. goonster says:

    Hi ya agag…..did you see robin’s disgust when chamakh fluff that last chance. What a captain. That’s a man who wanna be here. He’s no mercenary. He’s our own robin who needs bat man!

  50. STV says:

    Look like Arsene polish the players in a way only useful to arsenal.Nari will be dumped soon. he would be like a journey man like Adebyuoour, Hleb or a junk like Flamini,Toure

  51. agirlagunner says:

    Park needs more games, JM. And I do not think Henry is the solution either. I wouldn’t mind ihm being employed by the club in some other capacity though. Maybe he could practice shooting with Chamakh or AA. 😀

    I didn’t goonster. I saw maybe five mins of the first half. and the entire second half. Very stop-start streaming. How are you? Still off the booze?

    Interesting observation, STV. Nasri can’t be enjoying his spell on the bench. From a first-teamer to a second stringer. 😀 He may win things with Citeh, but he’ll do so as a bit player. Tut tut.

  52. goonster says:

    Hi STV….I predict he ll be plying his trade for the swampies in a few years time just like adethewhore. Was frimpong a beast or what? God am still giddy all over.

  53. goonster says:

    Its not been easy maam…after the game a few of me mates went on a drinking spree. I could only stare with envy. What a crap life when a guy can’t drink. How do you do it WATH? I need help.

  54. STV says:

    I thought we were little bit passive with our corner that leads to citi goal. not enough track back. Almost all players were in or around the box. We were in a kind of comfort zone since TV came on. But last 5 mins cofirmed we could have won it with RVP.

  56. goonster says:

    Reason why a striker should be our top priority in January. A better finisher would have seen us win with a bigger margin. Dare I say 4:0

  62. goonster says:

    Maam this is the fourth day. I made a promise to my mum and I intend to keep it. Even if it kills me. She’s all I ve got..

  63. rico says:

    Hi agag, but you and i know Wenger will go for the cheap option and i doubt they’ll come much cheaper than Henry, he’s free 😉

    If it’s him or nothing then….

    But, the other player signing that wouldn’t shock me is Brek Shea, especially if Stan has anything to do with it.

    We have the Asian merchandise seller in Park
    Now for the other side of the world – America….

  64. agirlagunner says:

    Boo, rico!! Do as I do, let the chores pile up. Then someone else will be frustrated enough by the mess to do them. Hah.

    We now have a teetotaling bunch, STV. lee, goonster promised a priest he wouldn’t! 😀 goonster, mothers know best. Listen to yours. 😉

  67. W.A.T.H says:

    Well at least I can drink for the lot of you……. AGAG and I have taken care of the Vodka crisis…… That being she raided my stash so I have taken delivery of another container full….. It is Xmas after all shortly and I need to make sure I have enough handy.

  68. W.A.T.H says:

    ST, how’s you fella…? All good I hope mate……..

    Lee, if you believe me off booze you could well get a job at the Sun….!

  69. agirlagunner says:

    rico, I wouldn’t mind seeing Henry around though. And he could well sort out the slackers! 😉

    Lee 😆

  70. agirlagunner says:

    Ah, I see someone has just consolidated his vodka holdings. 🙂 You must drink a lot of pink drinks, WATH. 😀

  76. W.A.T.H says:

    I’m far better looking than Ollie Reed ever was Lee….. 😉

    About a 1/3 of his age as well….! You be quiet AGAG….!

    No pink ones AGAG only the clear stuff 😉

  77. Micko says:

    Afternoon all,
    Wasn’t too disheartened with the result last night, at least we put up a good show and didn’t get steam rollered.
    Why doesn’t Chamakh have the decency to let us know that he’s retired from football instead of stringing us along month after month, he’s about as much use as a broken leg.

  78. W.A.T.H says:

    I said last December Micko that I think Aliens have kidnapped Chamakh and left us a dud in his place, looks like him but ain’t ever played football before thats for sure…..!

  80. W.A.T.H says:

    I remember Wrighty broke his leg twice… I bet he was better with a broken leg than Chamakh is with two good legs….. he has 2 good legs something wrong with his head thats the problem.

  82. allezkev says:

    Hey Rico, did you tweak the domain?
    Afternoon Gooners, phew, withdrawal symtoms over.
    Afternoon Rico.
    Midday, almost, Oliver. Great post. We are not worthy. 🙂
    Evening Agag

  84. agirlagunner says:

    Don’t worry, WATH, you don’t sound a day over 21. 😀 😀

    AK, no need to boo, Na$ti isn’t here. 😀

    Hello, Micko. Were you at the match?

  85. allezkev says:

    Thought that Frimpong, in the esteemed words of George Graham, played with ‘controlled aggression’…
    The boy is learning and becoming a man.
    Kozzer gave one of the best defensive displays i have seen from an Arsenal defender, in a long long time.
    We have to get him on a new long~term deal now…
    ARE YOU LISTENING GAZIDES, YOU CHUMP…

  87. allezkev says:

    Agag someone describwd Nasri, on another blog as fat.
    Gotta say his deriere has grown to Arshavin proportions

  89. agirlagunner says:

    21 multiplied by 3, AK. Wink wink nudge nudge. 😉

    Nasri looked unhappy, AK. Must be all the splinters in his bum. And somewhat rattled. Good!

  95. Micko says:

    Hi agag, was at the game saturday, highlight was the hotdog at half time, watched the citeh game on the box last night, wasn’t too devastated, it will be a different kettle of fish in a few weeks time though, its grim up North.

  96. agirlagunner says:

    The Spuddies were the big winners over the weekend. Eeek.

    For some reason, I don’t worry about facing the Arabian Mancs. They’re not nearly as great as their standings would show. They’re boring without Silva.

  97. Micko says:

    And our away supporters will get a free game as well just like the last time we were up in Manchester, I jest of course.

  99. goonster says:

    Too many weeds there eh AK? Now I guess its my turn to say”chill out kev” poetic justice, now am the sane one while you re drunk all the time. Evening guys….

  100. smudge says:

    We need a striker and wide player. RVP needs support and well arshavin just needs help.
    The farfan swap deal seems interesting.
    We need at least one Marquee signing such as Llorente.

    I like the look of vert but imo we are well covered defense and cm

  102. rico says:

    Sorry to have missed you AK, glad you have sorted the problem out 🙂 May have been the NN feed which they have updated today….

    Hi smudge…

  110. rico says:

    Black stuff Lee or something different, i did think of you both before the game, knowing full well you would be induldging in a beverage or two 😉

  116. Lee says:

    DG, you are more than welcome!! AK and I had a few pre match beers( no pizza) and watched a solid performance by our B team against a bunch of……….

  117. devilgunner says:

    You should have wine Lee. The vino is for the real men who have charm and it is extremely delicious if you take it with the right company. Beer, although its good,does not have the same charm as the vino has…..especially with female company.

    You should try and take a glass of wine everyday…..sip it gently and treat it as if you have the most precious gem in your hand. Sharing it with a lass makes the moment all the more worthwhile. Sharing it with a man of AK’s level makes the minutes seem like as if you never want them to stop but remain there forever.

  121. devilgunner says:

    Whenever you want to join Smudge, all nights are party nights on HH. We accept everyone even those who cannot go beyond a liqour. Seeing that you are a legend (for posting that link to see the game yesterday) go and make yourself a glass of wine (or beer) and we can all drink to each other’s happiness.

  123. devilgunner says:

    You should transfer to the italian diet Rico. Its healthy and delicious…….and makes you want to eat more and more!!!

  124. rico says:

    That must be why i don’t like wine DG 😉

    smudge, every night is party night on HH, we have usually ‘battered’ the team and chillin 😉

  125. devilgunner says:

    Rico…..you do not like wine simply because you have never been taught the art of taste and charm. Its Perfect for real Ladies and gentlemen.

  126. devilgunner says:

    Just to tell you that with wine all Ladies and Gentlemen must have a good pair of ears to listen, a mind full of wisdom and patience, an empathic soul and eyes capable of observing what others do not even know how see.

  128. rico says:

    Too much wine and my hearing is perfect, especially with the plink plink fizz sound of an alka seltzer the next morning ….. 😉

  129. devilgunner says:

    Oui Rico. Some of the wine that is served in bars and restaurants is proper yuck. When I taste it, it makes me just laugh it off. Real wine is not difficult to get, but you simply have to know where to get it. And if wine is taken just for the sake of taking it, then its useless. A good glass of wine should be taken with food and various delicacies……besides a good company. If I take a glass of wine when I am eating alone it has quite a different taste than say if I take the same glass when I am dining with my lady or with a good friend such as AK. With the latter it tastes much better.

  131. devilgunner says:

    That is the problem Rico…..too much wine. That is drinking wine simply because you want to drink it.

    Wine should be like ladies………small doses enough to satisfy you and make you yearn for more.

    Where the HELL IS GOONSTER????

  135. devilgunner says:

    Ahhhh. Good Rico. That means you are level headed. I go through 26 bottles a year. But I never take it when I am alone.

  138. rico says:

    Not sleep just yet, I’m a celeb is on shortly, i’ll be watching that, cup of horlicks and off to bed …. then, no doubt, up with the larks in the morning….. 🙂

  146. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Good news:
    Crystal Palace stum M.United at Old Trafford (1-2)
    Spurs were beatten by Paok Salonica – 1-2 (Paok Salonica played all the second half with 10 men aand 5-10 minutes of the first half)
    Bad news:
    I know a team were stummed by M.United and by the Spurd this season.

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