Well this was the week that Chelsea accused Arsenal of not respecting the Carling Cup as a competition by fielding a ‘weak’ reserve squad before stating their intention to win with a full strength side:
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/article1920920.ece
Respect Wilkins, respect... although – this was just another case of the story fitting the agenda – I’m sure Wilkins, pillock as he is, was creatively quoted to further plump the odds and send the mug money into the coffers of the lay bettors... although nobody could have predicted just how much this story would backfire for Wilkins in terms of the Drogba coin-toss incident (which is getting slightly more column inches than perhaps it deserves).
So - the Currant Bun go with:
Arsenal = shit
Chelsea = great
The result was:
Arsenal = great
Chelsea = shit
The same can be said for the media run up to the Scouse/Spud game – let’s not forget that Chelsea and Liverpool really don’t care about the Carling cup and we can draw our own conclusions from the results and the football that was played as to who out of the big 4 ‘respects’ this competition more... I mean – there’s fuck all gambling liquidity in the Carling cup and the kudos of winning is pretty lame. Chelsea and Liverpool both want the league this season and that is their main priority.
Let’s check out the Carling Cup Give-a-Fuckometer:
| Team | Give-a-fuckness | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Spuds | 100% | ‘Arrys ticket to Europe next season... by any means necessary. |
| Arsenal | 95% | A young team playing football as best they can with no pressure or league to worry about... would be nice to win but they know it’s just a tin cup |
| Burnley | 80% | Burnley would love to play another big club win or loose; just for the craic |
| Derby | 63% | Must know they can’t win but the extra gate money would be handy |
| Blackburn | 50% | A spot in Europe would be nice – but staying up is priority |
| Stoke | 23% | Staying up is priority #1 |
| Man U | 10% | Give less than half a toss |
| Watford | 5% | This team needs to get out of the relegation zone |
So... I think the draw is on Saturday – I don’t care who we get, as long as it’s not fucking Tottenham away!
On to this weekend... you know I’m not sure, I was hoping for a good game of football but Mike Riley is on the case so – maybe a frustrating first half, I reckon we should do ‘em in the second on fitness. This is one of those matches for me – Villa are a fairly straight team (and I’ll assume that we are too) so if we get robbed blind then it will tell me that the knives are out for Arsenal... if the decisions go against Villa then – maybe we are indulging in favours for favours – if it’s a fair game and the boys give it some then fair play, win or loose – I’ll be happy to watch it.
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DogFace says: 'ello
Stinky says: alright
DogFace says: Who do you fancy for the w/e then?
Stinky says: Spuds, Stoke, Pompey and West Brom ... Couple of wild cards in there!
DogFace says: these are my current thoughts:
Saturday, 16 November 2008
Time | Match | On Telly? | Ref | I reckon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12:45 | Bolton v Liverpool | SKY | Rob Styles | Draw |
| 15:00 | Arsenal v Aston Villa | Mike Riley | Arsenal | |
| 15:00 | Blackburn v Sunderland | Peter Walton | Sunderland | |
| 15:00 | Fulham v Tottenham | Alan Wiley | Fulham | |
| 15:00 | Man Utd v Stoke | Mark Halsey | Man Utd | |
| 15:00 | Newcastle v Wigan | Andre Marriner | Draw | |
| 17:30 | West Brom v Chelsea | SET | Steve Bennett | Draw |
Sunday, 16 November 2008
| Time | Match | On Telly? | Ref | I reckon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13:30 | Everton v Middlesbrough | SKY | Howard Webb | Draw |
| 16:00 | Hull v Man City | Phil Dowd | Man City |
Stinky says: what are you putting money on?
DogFace says: Not sure yet... ...might wait until the Bolton/Scouse game plays out.
Stinky says: you would have a better idea of what is gonna happen
DogFace says: yeah You should be wary of the sky/set games - they carry the most money.
Stinky says: I don't know what is on this weekend. Got a busy one ... again!
DogFace says: I put it in my table man SKY/SET
Stinky says: sorry did not realise that!
DogFace says: :-)
