Morning all,
I was going through the blogs the other day and came across a comment that made me take heed, a simple little comment that can shed a little bit of light on to our youngsters inability to defend tackle and show a little bottle. I sat there and read this piece two or three times and thought to myself I must tell you guys.
You may have come across this as well but as no one else had mentioned it I thought I would but before I do, I would like to tell you a little story about my school days and this may also have a bearing on what I had read, this also may have happened to you or maybe it’s happening to your kids.
Anyway, here it is.
Bullying at my school – I was a bit of a tear away I’ll admit but one kid was a bully and he hounded me from infant school to secondary, he bullied me right up to when I left school. I would try and fight back but never did I get the upper hand. I suffered nose bleeds, ripped shirts and I can even remember my first pair of long trousers being ripped as a result of a tussle with him.
After I left I thought that was it but no I started to get phone calls at the house calling me out so, just he could give me a hiding I used to put the phone down. I found a job and had to cycle about five miles to work, one morning after a phone call from him and his mates the night before, I saw him at a bus stop, there was a long line of people but something snapped inside of me and I rode over to him, threw my bike down and stared him in the face – finally I had the bottle, ‘well come on then’ I said.
That was it, I steamed in fist feet head butts I threw everything in and after about 30 seconds he said ‘I’ve had enough’.
I turned picked my bike up and proceeded on my journey, all I could hear were the people at the bus stop jeering at me and calling me a bully as I cycled off.
Granted people may have got the wrong end of the stick but they didn’t know what I had to endure over many years and after that incident, the phone calls stopped, the bullying stopped and that was that.
Now I have bored you with that little ditty, back to our boys and where we are lacking.
We don’t show a great deal of bottle and we get pushed and shoved all over the place. We lack heart and self belief and as the season has worn on and especially after the cup final our will to win has gone.
Now to get back to the comment I read.
Why does an Elephant that has been chained up since it was young, not break the chain that he could so easily do and escape.
A strange one wouldn’t you say?
The answer is – because when he was young and five times smaller, he tried to break the chain and couldn’t. That image has stayed with him through all of his life, so he has never tried again.
A Free Elephant is a Happy Elephant.....
The moral of this story
Well I believe its time Wenger showed those lads how to break that chain and get their bottle back.
Bring some pride back to North London, what do you say?
Written by Steve Palmer the Arsenal bully.
I’m not around until later, so behave……… 😉
As if we wouldn’t behave while your away Rico… it’s only AK we have to watch 😉
Morning all.
Nice post Steve.
Fantastic post. I think we need a catalyst, one player to stand arms wide open and scream in open defiance, “come and have a go if you think your hard enough”.
A blinder of a post steve.
Funny Will but at the moment that one player would get slaughtered and be dead in seconds on his own 😉
that was a great post mate!!!!!
Morning all,
Well has this team got the fight in them, I honestly believe with a couple of signings we might just win the league.
Hate to love you and leave you but I have to go and stop a pipe leaking for some one, so will catch you all later
Good post!! WATH, funny you were talking about Stew Robson last night with AK…he was the year above me at school, he didn’t used to fck about!!
Lee, Damn fine show………!! You kno that was his nickname at the club…!
He didnt fuck abt at all and hated the yids… one of the funniest ever lines in a footie book from Tony Woodcock’s autobiogrophy was abt Stewart Robson. As said shame he got injured and all down hill from there.
that man is………scott parker!!!balls like melons..
a good story, but you are forgetting Arsenal is largely French, who capitulation to Germany in 6 weeks. How do you expect them to last an entire epl season?
Great post!
I totally agree with you Steve, but I personally think that Wenger has lost the ability to motivate the players. It’s obvious that Fabregas has lost the faith, and I believe, that many of the other players have as well!
The only way to restore the energy, belief and attitude around the team, IMO, is if Wenger splashes the cash. Lukaku? A. Young? Anyone?
ArsenalDK, spot on, the better players also need a boost to see quality players arriving it lifts everyone, the fans the players and the whole club gets a buzz…! Ashley Young is Arsenal and if we don’t go and get him shows us up for what we have become in my book. I’d settle for Benzema, Young and Cahill and Fellaini.
He’d do us for a few season King Gooner thats for sure still think he will end up down the rd at teh swamp though.
I agree with the players you mention WATH. Young has only 1 year left, and Wenger surely knows that right? If we bought Benzema, Fellaini, Cahill and Young we would dominate the league! Wenger has admitted that we don’t have any natural wingers.
But.. I’m not holding my breath. I can just imagine Wenger: “If I buy Young, I will kill Lansbury” or something like that 🙁
I read somewhere that Liverpool are confident of getting Young.. Any truth in that?
ADK yep all the old excuses will surface to get out of buying the quality we need. Simple answer though, sell the deadwood, get rid of those not good enought and then there will be plenty space for the quality we need and to bring in 4/5 of the younger players to see if they good enough but when most cant even get a game for the 2 bob teams they on loan at i think that says it all for their future at Arsenal or it should do.
I’ve seen the Young to L’pool rumours and with a yr left on his contract am sure we could get him for around 15mil which in todays mental prices is nothing. Sadly lacking width and speed but we all been saying that for ages n ages.
ADK, I’d also throw in Samba or Johnson to that list as well….. Def bit of extra steel at the back will help for sure.
We have plenty of deadwood IMHO. Almunia, Mannone, Bendtner, Denilson, Eboue, Diaby… I’ve decided not to look at any transfer speculation, and who we were close to signing. I’m sick of the “best scouting network in the world”, when everyone else seems to get in front of us. One thing is for sure though. We need massive changes this summer. Let’s pray that Wenger has come to his senses…
ADK, Plenty plenty deadwood thats for sure and quite bit of funds to add to the “kitty”…!
I’m a bit like you I take all the rumours with a pinch of salt as we get excited abt a player only for him to sign for someone else a few days lata and we left with the bargain basement buys as usual. As Rico said a few weeks back its about time we shopped at Harrods and not lidls……..
Here’s a quote from another blog with logic that’s hard to argue with ; ” For me, coming third or fourth is not much of an achievement for a club of Arsenal’s stature. As supporters, we should not demand trophies, but we should demand a place in the top four. That is an absolute bare minimum, and if a manager cannot serve up any more than the bare minimum over a seven-year period, then he’s been given long enough and should be seeking alternative employment. ”
Makes good sense ( unless you’re a one eyed A.K.B.) And more than enough reason to start a protest, I would suggest.
“In Arsene we rust.”
A spot on quote and its purelt sensible nothing wrong in asking for the bare minimum.
Take it your gonna be on the walk on Sunday then Spectrum…? Lets hope all those that moan get off their bums and go show the board that we sick of playing top dollar and getting very little value for money.
Spot on WATH.
Let’s wait and see. Even though I can’t help but feel like Wenger is making a joke out of us supporters. It’s like after every transfer window, i’m left with a sour taste in my mouth.
Keep the faith I guess..
I just remembered his school one….he was shit hot at cricket as well….
I remember reading that abt him as well Lee, cricket or footie he had a choice…!
ADK, I reckon by end of June we will have a pretty good idea whats cooking….!
my brother, at this point in time, we(arsenal fans) can think of anythng as the cause of the team trophy drought. But the true answer to the question of the cause is arsene wenger, he seems to know not what he believe in, he has lost it, he should go, its but a bitter truth.
Afternoon all, Lee, was you at Brentwood School? My eldest went to Brentwood County High across the road.
Hi Wath, how’s things mate. You going on the Walk Saturday???
Great post by Stevie Palmer. He certainly knows how to paint a picture.
Yes Ak am going walkabouts on sunday….. cant moan and then sit and do sweet FA……
Funny how the same names crop up when fans are listing their candidates for the exit door. Don’t think i’ve ever read anyone defending Denilson, i’d love someone to do it, would make for an interesting debate.
Yeah Kev, for my sins! You wanna fill me in on this ruby Kev?
How many do you reckon will attend Wath? That’s if you can drag them out of the pub…
Oh Lee, it was at the Romney Spice mate. It was fantastic, Chicken Tikka Jalfrezi and all the trimmings….hmmmmmm
Only a flying visit today, i’ll see all you Ladies & Gents a bit later….
Cheers AK…. chat lata…!
you meeting Hugh J’ardon Kev?? The french fencer? see ya..
I hate that “killing” excuse. If you have a player and he is not as good as an outside player and will never get as good as the outside player, GET THE OUTSIDE PLAYER.
I am sorry but if the 177/18/19 year old does not see competition as inspiration, he will not make it to the highest level.
In football, a star player can start off young and fresh, with lots of enthusiasm. He can have a huge amount of skill and talent, be tactically astute, have a footballing brain, and lots of stamina. But as time passes, his talent begins to wane. He finds it harder to do the things he used to in previous years. Eventually he goes into decline, and if he continues for too long his form suffers, and his achievements lose their gloss. Then he knows it’s time to quit, before he gets that inevitable tap on the shoulder.
The saying “You’re only as good as your last game” then rings true. If this applies to players, why not to managers, also ?
“In Arsene we rust.”
Hi all!
Interesting post.
I’m going to read the headlines of a few daily sports newspapers
First new:
Manchester City are willing to hire Xavi, Barcelona’s average for next season to make his debut in the big Champions League. According to advance the British publication the Daily Mirror, the “citizens ” will offer a millionaire salary of 172 thousand euros.
The transfer from Spanish to mean that Manchester United would hire Barcelona Spanish Cesc Fabregas of Arsenal, to fill the seat left midfield.
The average of 31 years is linked with the Catalans until 2016, so this may change of pace to start other ventures into the foreign.
more:
a)The goalkeeper for Atletico Madrid, De Gea is on the verge of signing for Manchester United with just the player accepted the offer that has already been signed between the two emblems, as the news “talkSPORT. ”
According to British radio, “the agreement is signed for a month and a half.’s alright and now we just need the player to confirm the transfer. ”
The Spaniard, 20, who has a contract with Madrid until June Acts of 2013, is reticent and will decide if he stays for another season at the Vicente Calderon, but he knows he can not wait much longer for the English club. With the departure of Van der Sar at the end of this season, the Red Devils need a replacement.
Neuer also had another name pointed to defend the United goal, but the German press has come to say that Schalke 04 is very close to ensure the renewal of contract with the goalkeeper.
b)According to the newspaper “The Sun” John Terry has spoken to Abramovich to keep Carlo Ancelotti as coach of Chelsea. “He has my full support, ” he said, bluntly, the centerpiece of blues.
He went on to praise: “I love Carlo [Ancelotti]. He did the double in his first year, and unfortunately, this season was blighted by injury, something that was very difficult for him.”
The English used also as José Mourinho standard of measure, saying that by the Portuguese “failed to win the League”, in his third year as coach of Chelsea
Kenny Dalglish has signed a three-year contract as Liverpool manager.
Carragher determined to carry on
Spearing gets England call
Dalglish, who in January was given the job until the end of the current season, has led a revival which has seen the Anfield club climb to fifth in the Premier League.
First team coach Steve Clarke has also put pen to paper on a three-year contract.
Dalglish said: “I said when I took the job on in January that I was just happy to help the club out for the remainder of the season. Now the owners have decided in their wisdom that they want me to stay a little longer and it’s fantastic news for both myself and Steve Clarke that we have signed these contracts.
“Both (principal owner) John (Henry) and (chairman) Tom Werner have taken their time to assess what was best for the football club and bring in the people they wanted to take the club forward. They are both winners, but understand what the supporters want from a Liverpool side and the way that we should go about things.
“This is a unique football club and I’m delighted to have the opportunity to help build something special here again.
“I want to salute the efforts of all the players as they have been fantastic and thank everyone at the club for the welcome they have given me since I returned in January.
“I also want to pay tribute to Steve Clarke’s input since we started working together as he has brought great experience and knowledge to the role. The players enjoy the training sessions, understand their relevance to our actual football games and have responded brilliantly.”
Liverpool have won 11 and lost just five of Dalglish’s 21 games in charge and Henry paid tribute to the man who succeeded Roy Hodgson.
Henry said: “Kenny is a legendary Liverpool figure both as a supremely gifted footballer and successful manager. Since returning in January he has shown extraordinary leadership and the ability to bring the best out of so many people associated with the club.
“It was obvious to us very early on that the atmosphere surrounding the club had been transformed by his presence. No one else could have produced such a response. Therefore, I’m delighted we have agreed to a new contract. We didn’t need nor want to look elsewhere for the right man to manage the team.
“Working closely with him, we’ve seen first-hand his love for the club and his determination to do whatever is necessary to produce a winning side again. He has a unique relationship with our supporters and embodies everything that is special about the Liverpool way of doing things.
“Liverpool enjoys a global standing within the sport, but having Kenny in the dug-out will help us in our efforts to bring the best available talent to the club as we continue to move the club forward.”
Nice post Steve… Great to see at least someone having some faith in our lads & their gaffe
Hiya Housers!
Afternoon Rennie……………
Afternoon WATH!… It’s interesting that u say “sell the deadwood”. Looks like Arsene has already made up his mind about Almunia & Denilson, would u like to add more to that list?
I’d like a whole lot more added to them two Rennie….! We have a squad thats far to big and lacking quality think we all know that and considering we have 17 odd players out on loan think its sensible to move a lot on….!
Roll up roll up two for the price of one…get em while stocks last!
I think its better we let Arsene & the club’s mgmt to decide on what they wanna do with all those youngsters on loan. If they believe it’s a drain on the club’s resources, then I guess they will let some go. But our united concern is more with the first team, isn’t it?
If u ask me what our squad truly lacks is in the ‘heart & brain’ department.. They may be slightly short in average age, but certainly not in quality. And yet they come up short yr after yr, that’s what needs to be addressed WATH!
I’ll give you a fiver………….
Well I think they have done a pretty crap job lately Rennie on draining resources and paying kids far to much money who have proved nothing. 61 players on our books excluding those on loan, you don’t need to be a rocket scientist to see that doesn’t make sense eh….
Think we def short is quality as well hence we cant defend unless you don’t think defending is a quality..? what we lack is brawn, spirit and a winning mentality which is why most go missing when the chips are down. We lack fight passion and commitment unfortunately.
Off 4 a bit…………… The Lady of the House should be around soon….!
‘Brawn, spirit and a winning mentality’ are exactly what I meant when I was referring to ‘heart & brain’. By quality I mean ‘technical ability’ which I truly believe that we are not lacking in.. We may not have a Messi or a Ronaldo, but then there are only 2 clubs in the world that can boast of that.
We definitely lack commitment & we most certainly go missing when the chips are down. But can you frankly say by bringing in established players who are known to have the fight in ’em (say a Samba or a Young)? I believe it’s more probable that when they come in (IF they do) they too will end up being part of the problem & not the cure!
So how do we resolve this then? Don’t u think even for once that the only one who continuously allows this attitude to persist in our beloved club is the only person who seriously need to do the changing??.. (don’t think I need to mention at who my finger’s pointing at)
The FA does not allow (?), but do you ever think like they do in Spain?
There is a B-Barcelona, Athletic Bilbao – B Madrilenian Atletico, Real Castilla (Real Madrid), etc., clubs, teams formed by players ‘father’ who play in another league (2th, 3th, 4th …) but that can not rise to the major league. I think throughout the season if the club “father” you need a player can go there to get it. They consist of players connected to the main team, usually young prospects.
Be back soon…
Jm, that’s a great system that they have in Spain, but i doubt if a similar system would be adopted in England. In fact, and i’m not sure, but i think Spain is the only European country that has such a set-up, maybe KT knows better?
Afternoon Peeps,
what’s occurring
AK, more posting??
He must be knackered by now
I must be scaring everyone off, Guys I am not really a bully.
Steve, I’m worried about him…all that posting not good for you!
Lee he’s had more erections in one week than i’v had in five years
so now a certain emmanuel adebayor has been quoted – on record – that he would sign for the spuddies if offered the chance? “i would go there and sign for them.” being an exact quote…why am i not surprised at all?
Oliver, the bloke isan Olympic standard prick!
allez
yes, I think so, but works!
AK i have already written about comparing England and Spain youth systems.its up to rico when she decides to post it.
Written *a post*
Have you noticed he doesn’t stay anywhere for to long does he
JM, I think the SPain system is unique but it seems to work and I would imagine means these “B” teams play at a very good standard as well. I think it’s something all countries should look at for sure.
Rennie, I think we are technically gifted but still several of those players are ones that go missing as well. I cannot see a player with grit and passion would ever change its in your make up, whether they could enforce their will and mind set on teh others is another factor and question although I believe we need 4/5 of players like this to compliment what we have and then we would be fine. Without you pointing that finger I think he has lost the will or the know how to motivate this current lot mainly due to having to much faith in many that have badly let him down. We also have no “Arsenal” men in the team or the squad to lead the way. Needs to be put right from inside and from outside i reckon.
Steve we might have to change your name to Bus Stop Bandit 😉
As for Barndoor the swampies are more than welcome to him 😀
Don’t mind that Wath as long as you don’t change it to back door Bandit
And we are a bit on the hi ho side too….
I know we talk about bottle and hard men and all that, but I wouldn’t like to see us turn into, by buying tough players, a team that chases after people for a tackle, I would like to see tough players that can take care of themselves and go into tackles with intentions of getting the ball, but not by kicking them and fouling but showing them that we want that ball more than them, young Jack is a good example, 2or3 more of that commitment, should hopefully transmit to the others
No Steve that name could be reserved for JJ as am sure you’ve heard about his Green tights with purple spandex 😉
Steve, tough tackling players with heart, passion and commitment ain’t us asking for dirty bastards they two completely different kinds of player…!
Boo! How’s everyone? Great read, Steve. If only our players read blogs. A few will get a complex, to be sure. But they would all learn much from what people say. 🙂
Hola, WATH. You been behaving? rico on hols now?
We don’t know what Wenger has got planned, but I would hope that he will tell the players in no uncertain way that if they pull out of tackles and don’t show the commitment, that he will take them off, and replace them with players with commitment, and not after 70 or 80 minutes, if they don’t show the commitment, then they are not required.
Hi Agag thank you
JJ and spandex an Awesome sight
What do you guys make of the rumours that Phil Parkinson is set to be our number 2?
Hi AGAG, nope she is back here lata today just popped out for the day I was told 😉
Who is this “Boo” fella ??? your the 2nd one to mention his name 😛
Hope your well and enjoying your hols.
SP, not sure its an awesome sight but those in the “Pink Panther Pub” enjoy it…! Say no more.
KT, not to sure as don’t know that much about the fella…..? If he is the new #2 lets hope he also brings Keown in to be defensive coach…!
Hi kt, i have always wanted somebody from outside to come in, I don’t always believe in this nepotism way that Arsenal fans seem to go for, new man new ideas and hopefully new trophies. Don’t know much about him i must admit, I only know that he was sacked by Charlton so not a great resume’. Maybe others may be able to enlighten us
Parkinson, a former Southampton trainee,[1] made his Football League debut in 1988 with Bury, and later joined Reading for £50,000 in July 1992.[2]
[edit]Reading
A fearsome tackler who always led by example, he was named player of the season two years in a row (1997–98 and 1998–99) and was also a key member of the 1993–94 Football League Second Division championship-winning team. He captained the team to promotion from the Second Division in 2001–02 and soon after promotion success, Parkinson celebrated his testimonial year with a memorable night at Madejski Stadium, where 20,000 fans watched former Reading team-mates such as Shaka Hislop, Michael Gilkes and Jeff Hopkins take on an England XI including the likes of Paul Gascoigne, John Barnes and Chris Waddle.[citation needed]
Although Parkinson rarely featured on the field in his final season as Reading returned to the First Division, he remained a hugely respected member of the squad until his departure to Layer Road.
In a vote to compile the Royals’ best-ever eleven, Parkinson was voted the best central midfielder with 60.3% of the vote.[3] Parkinson is still sung about in the terraces today (his song, “Five Parkinsons”, is sung every Christmas).[citation needed]
[edit]Management career
[edit]Colchester United
Parkinson left Reading early in 2003 after 11 seasons to take his first steps into the world of management with Colchester United. Despite showing promising signs as he steered the U’s to safety upon arrival in February 2003, the 2003–04 season started poorly as Colchester slipped to three straight league defeats, only softened by a victory in the League Cup. The U’s’ supremo, however, continued to motivate as they surged up the table, looking like play-off contenders at one stage. They may have slipped down towards the end of the season, but a strong FA Cup run, LDV run and a good finish left optimism for U’s supporters.
The 2005–06 season saw them finish in 2nd place, thereby gaining an unlikely promotion to the Championship – despite having the lowest average attendance of the division. However, he resigned in June 2006 with a year left to run on his contract.[4]
[edit]Hull City
Parkinson was confirmed as the new manager of Hull City in late June 2006,[5] following the departure of Peter Taylor. Hull agreed to pay Colchester £400,000 compensation. However, when he led Hull against his old club, he was embarrassed as his former club romped home 5–1.[6] After another defeat in the next match at home to Southampton 4–2, he left by “mutual consent” in early December, leaving Hull in the relegation zone.[7]
[edit]Charlton Athletic
Parkinson then joined Charlton Athletic in January 2007 as assistant manager to Alan Pardew, having previously worked together at Reading. He was close to a return to management with Huddersfield Town in April 2007, but made a last minute decision to remain with Charlton.[8] Parkinson later extended his contract with Charlton until 2010.[9] Following Alan Pardew’s departure in November 2008, he was appointed caretaker manager[10] and given the job permanently on New Year’s Eve 2008 despite failing to win any of his eight matches in caretaker charge.[11] Under his management, Charlton were relegated to the third tier of English football for the first time in nearly 30 years.
In League One, Charlton started off very well winning their first six league matches, but that run was brought to an end after a 1–1 draw at home to Southampton, Parkinson’s ex manager Alan Pardew’s side. Charlton continued to do well and were in the top two until the new year where Norwich overtook them and they then never returned to the top two, finishing fourth in the league. In the play-offs, they had to play Swindon Town over the two legs and lost the first one 2–1 at the County Ground. But in the second they turned it around and led 2–0 but Swindon fought back and it finished 3–3 on aggregate. Swindon then continued and won on penalties 5–4 to condemn Parkinson and his men to another season in League One. But having not won a league game since November, Parkinson was sacked on 4 January 2011, the day after his side’s 4–2 loss at home to Swindon Town.[12][13]
[edit]Honours
[edit]As a Manager
[edit]Promotions
2005–06: League One Runner Up (promotion to The Championship) – Colchester United
[edit]Managerial statistics
Would wenger listen to an outsider though Steve or will he not listen to anyone full stop…?
We’ll see very soon…!
Not a lot to write home about by the looks of it.
Maybe he’s a Brian Kidd type person SP, won’t ever make it as a manager but a great #2….?
Wath, Just read it again, he was a midfielder do we need another one.
I saw that bit Steve perhaps he’s our new enforcer 😉
As usual Wath, just talk at the moment.
We have hit the woodwork 21 times this season.if all shots that hit the bar in the entire league we’d be 10 points clear with 86 points.if half of those had gone in and defended set pieces better we would’ve won the league with the same squad.
KT, I don’t even know this guy.
Steve, you’re most welcome.
WATH, I’m back in Manila. 🙁 🙁
As u say mate merely gossip…………. To add to the load thats already going around…!.
Back to the grindstone AGAG….. Good 😛 you have more holidays than me and its not on 😉
Mind you Wath, he has the credentials Arsenal go for
NEVER HEARD OF HIM
So what are you saying KT that we need a striker and defender
Stupid woodwork. How many of those were courtesy of Robin, KT??
WATH, ha! I soooo deserve my hols. And it’s mostly just long weekends for me. 🙁 Make sure you finish your Bali hols by July. Prices spike in August because of the Oz winter.
Steve, lol. We did score a coup with TV5. 🙂 Too bad he went typical Gunner… what with his crazy injury.
We have struck lucky Agag his fit and back for the last couple, just in time to get injured again.
Good evening peoples 🙂
Mighty fine post Steve, one of your best, I just loved reading it 🙂
ps – when is the next one ready 😉 😉
KT, please dont send wenger that info more excuses for him to come out with….
No way would I go Bali AGAG it’s like the Aussie blackpool…..! 😉
Where is the Lady of the House…
And right on Q…………..
Glad to have our leader back, Waths been a Terrier
Hey, rico! Howdy? Gearing up for your break? 😉
Steve, I think our players should be kept under lock and key for the summer. No silly games for them. We have, after all, The Emirates Cup to win. It’s a must!!! Lol.
Go to Koh Samui, WATH. 🙂 Or Siem Reap.
More like a Rottie Steve 🙂
Hi agag, no break soon for me sadly 🙁 all good though thanks, hows you??
So have we worked out how AW will break this chain….?
Yea with an unknown number two
rico, I’m just great. Had a good long break. I’ll email you by tomorrow. 🙂
But who Steve? not bould or keown then??
Glad to here it agag, i look forward to the photos…
top post..good read..
Cheers JJ.
rico scroll back to 5.28
Kyle Ebicilio has ended the England under 21 dream….
vieiras comments explain why he was the captain of the club at its best..
AGAG, Chang Mai or Hua Hin….. 😉
Excuse me whats this terrier / rottie stuff….
Bus Stop Bandit n Lady House………. could be a new Rap duo…..
JJ, hows u fella…?
Ah, Phil ‘Parky’ Parkinson, once of my second club Reading – he was/is a hero there… Interesting Steve…
I share the same concerns as others, would AW appoint an outsider, or someone he hasn’t a connection too and even if he did, he won’t listen…
He’ll appoint Grimandi …..
wath mate i got pvc chafing..the spandex rash.. 😉
cooled off now..
was fuming after stoke..
still am but at least it showed to wenger he must make the changes..
surely he realises that now?
hes gotta
JJ, make sure you use talc I always wear with my leather gear, always……… 😉
Does he realise, does he admit defeat, does he solve the issues……
I would not bet on it mate I really wouldn’t I have seen nothing in the last few yrs to show me he is willing to put it right I just hope I am wrong. I’m not gonna get upset thinking abt it though so if I think negative and he pulls finger then great if he does as I think then I’ve season ahead in the pub with me mates not wasting my money in the bowl watching gutless crap.
Grimandi isn’t the scout in France?
Many french in a England team. It’s not good…
they ainr getting no more of my money mate..
and ive not seen anything changing in wenger for years either but we aint winning and hes run out of excuses..if he doesnt go for it next season it could be his arse
i think he did show intent in trying for all four cups but we are more built for europe so we struggle to mix styles to stop us from getting a hard time from shit domestic teams..
if he cant see what we lack then its over hes lost it..
JM, he is the scout but i wouldn’t be shocked if he was to join wenger, i hope he doesn’t though…
I like Steves idea but my own preference is Bould or Keown, or both if Wenger walks away ever…
Lol, JJ. How have you been??
rico, I have never heard of Parkinson. 🙁
Sweeeet choice, WATH. Hua Hin, if I were you. Was just in Krabi, though. Amaaaazing. 😉 A fair number of Englishmen with their lady friends/ladyboys. Haha.
I have a few mates in Pataya AGAG they own a few bars 😉 enough said……!
Hua Hin looks wicked AGAG and thats where the boys have told me to go as its very quiet not as commercial as the other places but really stunning…!
bit warm for leather though Wath
Friends in high places, I see. 😉 There are loads of new high end resort developments in Hua Hin, WATH. 😀 There is no GG at the Krabi duty-free, would you believe?? Best you stay in Hua Hin then.
Even the resort manager was entertaining a lady friend one night. Well, to me at least, she had that “lady friend” look. Made me laugh. 😀
And what’s your fabric/outfit of choice, Steve??
Chainmail
agag, he was a beast for Reading, if he could get a few our our lot to have his belief, we’d be made. Getting out of the Championship/league 1, was never easy….
Rvp had a very insightful i/v that i came across this morning.he stated how proud he is of Arsenal and how he wore an Arsenal kit as a teenager in the Netherlands.when he says he loves us you believe him.he is very loyal and committed.he summed up his attitude when he said he felt honoured to play 4 minutes as a sub for Bergkamp because of how proud he is to wear the shirt…now thats Mr.Arsenal.
Ow, Steve.
Our lot, rico, needs to be given lessons in toughening up, and roughing up the opposition. 😀
Rico have you managed to read my post?i feel like there are bits i didn’t expound on well.AK/JM were discussing something related to it today but i told them i had it all written its up to you to post it.
KTR7, I am not saying your wrong but for £100 grand a week i could love Bin Laden
Thats easy to say steve because he is…dead.
rvp is an exceptional player and he needs better support if we want trophies..
he is most definatley one of our better players.
Steve, they shorts mate and mighty fine they are too 😉
AGAG you’d be surprised where I have mates 😛
WATH could you send some of your ‘mates’ to have a ‘word’ with Arsene?
Your right JJ, but I don’t need to hear from a player how much he loves Arsenal, with a bit more help he can show us
JJ If rvp is to play up front on his own we have to get more runners to support him to take advantage of the space he creates.walcott does make those runs but nasri seems to have stopped doing that resorting to turning in circles.if rvp had kaka behind him kaka would easily bag 30 goals as a result.we need a powerful runner and dribbler behind him with finishing ability.diaby has shown glimpses but not enough.cesc should play deeper since he is easily outmuscled and outmarked there against top teams.nasri can but…
KT, they will be having a word on sunday mate….. ;-)The question is will he listen.
Kt, no probs, just email the extra bits please 🙂
Guys, been a bit of a long day so i’m off – sorry it was a short visit, i promise i’ll do better tomorrow 😉 😉
Nighty all….
i dont want to hear anything from players or wenger steve
actions are what i want..
the core of our first team is good..
wenger needs to identify the retards in the squad and replace them with players who can challenge and come straight into the first team..and not stick with shit players who are happy to sit on the bench and get paid
Will they be in black shirts?tell them to wear black snoods and maybe Wenger will listen.Blatter will be spitting feathers at the sight of hundreds of gunners in black snoods.
i think we should buy benzema, ktr..
play 442 against the lower sides and then play rvp behind benzema in the 4231 supported by at least one winger..
having one striker who can hit you 20 goals isnt good enough, especially when hes out injured alot..
manutd have 3..
we need another, cos i think theo could do it as well so that makes 3 and a winger to make us more creatively diverse..
natural wingers can play in a 442 and a 433, strikers cannot, especially if they are big lumps..
L know you lot watch each match with a fine tooth comb and i know a lot of you have written Chamakh down as one of your outs, do you think he is a waste of space, as I have liked what I have seen of this bloke and since Robin and bendy came back from injury he has had a bit of a supporting role, and a lot of the time used at the last moment trying to secure a win, do you not think we are being a little hasty. I don’t think i have heard a word out of him,while others have told us how good they are.
JJ what do you think of nasri behind rvp?
yes thats an option too but as soon as rvp is out we are stuck without a top striker..
nasri could play behind benzema with hazard and theo on the wing or he could play alongside benzema and hazard and play rambo behind..
we need worldclass options and not square pegs in round holes brittle crap
RVP can’t lead the line KT, not for me…. he’s done a great job on his own this yr but he isn’t a No9… he needs to be free role up front do what he wants with 2 wide men as well.
There may be a sprinkling of black knocking around on sunday KT 🙂
You may be onto something Wath.Chick/shrek partnership for the mancs works so well because chick stays on the shoulders of the CBs ensuring they can’t push up.this creates space for shrek to do as he pleases including those hollywood crossfields that he likes so much.problem is rvp is a mix of 9 and 10.his abilities would be wasted if he were to track back the way rooney has to when they play a 4-4-2 against a top team with 3 CMs.
RVP must be told free to do what he wants up front no dropping into midfield its not necessary thats why we have midfielders you stay up front Robin and do your “thing”…………
Wath you get the feeling that an injury free rvp playing a free role would easily be a ballon d’or contender.i think what he needs is an athletic player with pace to supplement him as its the only thing he lacks.rvp has scored 19 goals and 8 assists this year alone!if he’d play a whole season you wouldn’t bet against him scoring 30 and assisting 20.
rvp is the ultimate quadrista ktr..
he can play anywhere..
we are best putting him alongside someone..
i think a robin/benzema combo could be somewhat likened to bergkamp/henry
Gotta also be tried with RVP/Theo as well…! Don’t rule that one out…!
yeah theo is the other option…
the more options the better
that could be the bergkamp/wrighty 😉
To be honest i’ve never thought of rvp as a trequartista.i view him as more of a 9 and a half sort of player.Bergkamp used to drop deep to link up play.rvp can but he is one of our most effecient players in and around the box.also bergkamp had vieira/berto behind him ensuring our defense wasn’t exposed.pires/ljunberg/henry made those diagonal runs to meet the iceman’s passes.there needs to be alot of tinkering if we are to play Benz/rvp up top both in CM and wing positions.
I just arrive but i’m going for a walk 🙂
See you later
evening *doffs cap*
I definitely want to see rvp/theo up top.those two have telepathic understanding nowadays.theo has 12 goals and 11 assists this season.6 of those assists are rvp’s.
before leaving:
Third choice of Arsene Wenger at Arsenal, Van Persie and behind Chamakh, Danish striker is considering leaving the Gunners in the final season, which has aroused the interrese of Bayern and Juventus.
According to the site talkSPORT, Bayern Munich and Juventus are the arguments to wield can rely on the services of Bendtner next season.
Arsenal should not pose major obstacles to the realization of the transfer, which should be around 9 million.
Buffon – Roma?
Pirlo (Milan) Juventus ?
Seedorf (Milan )???
RSD, greetings hope ur well….
Theo getting fed from RVP would be shit hot KT and you summed it up with DB10 he had a decent midfield behind him and thats what we need to rectify. The spine is still weak…!
Look i don’t want to disagree with you guys but we have had a lot of chances this year, we moan about out attacking mid field not making enough chances but we have definitely made enough chances to win games we haven’t the finishing has been dire at times shots from inside 12yrds and we nearly hit the corner flags i know you guys think Robin walks on water but he has missed quite a lot, and not just him.
Well thats a lie steve re finishing
Arsenal have the best shooting accuracy in the Premier League this season – 49%. thats and opta stat from pre stoke
RSD i’m not good with stats and i am sure your right, but i can remember a fucking lot of misses
not to bad wath thanks
can you really see bendtner leaving wenger loves him
Steve every player misses easy chances.it happens but you can’t fault rvp’s efforts.he tries to take shots from outside the box.he also puts his leg where it hurts.you can’t knock a guy for scoring 19 goals since January which is the best return in Europe.
the misses are etched in there just as much as the goal unfortunatly
We were the most clinical team in the CL this season prior our elimination.after 3 CL games we had 28 shots and 14 goals!
I would never knock a bloke for trying and yes he does get in where it hurts but i still think he should have had more perhaps i’m greedy
We have hit the bar 21 times this season!its outrageous really.i remember in 08/09 rvp had 20 goals 16 assists and 15 efforts that cannoned off the woodwork.
Yes RSD bendy is long gone and abt fkin time too…
I don’t think anyy players walks on water Steve they only kick a ball abt for a living….! RVP misses alot for sure but he’s aslo not a natural goalscorer either, we create loads have one decent striker and have suffered. We need an out an out striker for sure and to move Theo up front totally wasted as a winger he’s not a wingers arse.
our squad is built for europe it doesnt have the flexibilty to meet the required demands of 38 game domestic league..
Just looking at goals for Chamakh 10 goals and hardly played not bad eh
Rvp’s frequency in hitting the bar however reveals one of his main strengths-precision.most of the time he aims for the corners and thats why he smashes the bar alot.its much more difficult to smash the bar than score.
KT, RVP is shit how the fuck can he hit 4 inches of woodwork and yet miss 8 yards of goal…???? 😀
chamakh had a honeymoon period.
Chamakh went off the boil after the yid game….! he was clear thru twice and turned back away from goal, remember, never been the same since…!
So who’s up for Diarra rejoining……????????
Granted we haven’t won anything, but we still finish in the top four, a lot of good teams below us, we have a good team when there all playing, our trouble is the squad. When people get injured and he fields Denilson and Eboue and the like we lose all cohesion that’s where were weak. Its imposible to be in the top four for all these years and have a shit team
no to dolphin
theres better players
Valeriy Lobanovyski the former coach of Dynamo Kyiv wrote,’When we are talking about tactical evolution,the first thing we have in mind is to strive for new courses of action that will not allow an opponent to adjust to our style of play.If an opponent has adjusted himself to our playing style we need a new strategy.That is the dialect of the game.You have to go forward in such a way and with such a range of attacking options that will force an opponent into making a mistake.One of the most important means of doing that is vary the size of the playing area.’…wise words from a great coach.
Fair coment JJ but others have had bad spells and he let them play through it Chamakh was left out because robin came back, Chamakh had a couple of games when he didn’t score and maybe as you said a few mistakes. but he was never coming back while robin was able to play, maybe a difference in wages
Chamack suffered ever since the snood ban, destroyed his game also the super injunction he’s got hasnt helped. Would Diarra even come back to wenger knowing he’d be a squad player WATH
chamakh shouldnt have been a dirty fucker in vegas..
maybe his form would have been consistent
No matter what you say about Chamakh,a striker who checks back when clean through on goal is criminal and shouldn’t be tolerated.
apparently theo as well shouldnt have gone
I think he’d get lenty game time RSD, he’s better than Song thats for sure…! Still think he’s a moody fucker though, very good player always liked him why he never got infront of flamini i’ll never know but such is wengers choices and yet back to the point he’s still moody so I dont really want him back !! I reckon he will go Liverpool.
id rather lose chamakh and nikki and bring in benzema and vela..
I hope Wenger does follow what Lobanovysky wrote.its good to have different strategies which means a variety of players with varying skill sets.we have tiki taka that comes in handy especially in Europe.lets add invincible-esque directness now and few teams will be able to combat us.
JJ, I think Vela is a lost cause as much as I like him I think he just won’t make it with us, i’d bet he’ll go somewhere and crack in loads of goals but just can’t see it happening with us.
Here here jj.i’ve not given up on Vela yet.he is definitely more talented than nikki and chamakh.
Maybe 2 up top will give vela a new lease of life.
Thats the only option KT he’s not a left winger either and he should be layed up front 4-4-2 the boy is super cool in front of goal give him chances and he will score but not if we use him wrongly like we normally do…. wasted.
if we would use 442 from time to time we could use vela
losing dudu was a massive loss…he was clinical but he couldnt play alone up top and he couldnt play wide in a three
he was better with a 2 and we dont play 2 and thats why he was sold, not cos of his injury
vela has same attributes..amd its the same reason he will be sold..unless wenger decides to tweak his tactics
the same applies to nik b..but hes passed the point of no return now..
but he needs a partner and a winger or hes useless..
Its very difficult to lead the line alone.the Vela i saw against sheffield/Wigan in the CC looked destined to be a top top player.i hope we maximise him because he can be immense.
I’m off u lot chat 2moro, take it easy…!
Hi fellas, just been catching up on the chat, looks like i missed an interesting session tonight.
What’s all this about Phil Parkinson, where did that one come from???
Night Wath.
And Chamakh and Vegas???? Did he have a big win on a one-arm bandit [as opposed to a bus stop bandit]…
Well, it looks like i’ve missed the boat, look forward to your post KT, baby oil is a very good lubricant for spandex JJ [so i’ve been told] and i got another one up today Stevie P, Happy Days, see ya’ll tomorrow…
Adebayor: After saying he wanted to play in spudies and hearing racist chants in London,Madrid v spudies, a comment online at a Portuguese sports daily newspaper:
Arsenal’s former hero to play in the Spurs, on top after the victim was insulting chants ……… where is the man who said that was enough for him to play on the beaches of Lomé with friends and only came to Europe to help the mother
touché!
Rico, oyu story should be the “Elephant and Twig” and I beleive it is form Thailand on how they train elephants.
When young, they are tied to a log and tried as much as they resist, they can’t and eventually they learned the lesson on the futility of resisting against the log.
And wehn they are full-growth, the handler will just tie a twig to them and the elephant will remain passive, unresisting after learning years of lessons from tying to a heavy log.
Same as Arsene Wenegr’s Trianign Method of dividing the pitch into quadrants with intensive 5-on-5 training wiht “green”a nd “red” light, emphasis being on hsort-passing game, retianign possession and the quickness to find an “open” player.
Unfortunately, not all of ’em are Henry, Bergy, Pires, Vieira and Fabregas – their quickness of thought, their peripheral vision, their football brain that spotted a passing channel a split second or 1 or 2 moves ahead of their opponents.
And you ended up with dreadful players like Theo, a flat-track bully, all balzing pace with astute defenders shuttling him into blind alley to froce him to cross the ball on a wing and a prayer…..
Denilson?
I was so impressed with him on hsid ebut with his fien anticipation to cut-out attacks, steppign in front of the opponent to intercept, as well as his unrestraint ability to spray diaognal and long passes to running players down the flanks.
Alas, like a “Twigged Elephant”, all his creativity and long passes had bene bred out of him like a “Twigged Elephant”…and Crab Football as if he is afraid to commit a mistake with a stray pass…just short and ‘accurate” sideway and abckward passes gauranteed virtually 99% completion rate?
Diaby?
Sure fine ball retianign skill, but so brainless that he is holding up sqift coutner-attack by dwelling on the balls….2 or 3 or 4 twists and turns beofre he passes the ball to an Arsenal players…surorudned by 3 or 4 defenders who ahd predicted and anticipated his passing channels.
Chamakh? Bendtner?
Even see a striker cum centre forward who did 360 degree turning int eh box…who isntinctively looking for a pass isntead of creating that space to shoot at goal?
That my friend shows what a dreadful mess Wenger had nurtured into this bunch of his “worldclass” youngsters like “Twigged Elephants”..slavishly following his instrucitons to the letter, dots all the ‘I’ and crosses all the ‘t’..and only remember short-and-quick passes inside the box to find an open channel even with a gapping goal 5 yards out begging for a shot at it.
That my friend is a classic “5-on-5 Intensive Wenger Coaching method” when you saw Chamakh, 5 yard out with a clear shooting change, opted to thread a pass through 2 defenders to an “Arsenal player in the clear” to shoot instead.
Morning all, new post up..
Merlin – it was Steve’s post 😉