FFS - OK, I'm going to miss the match today and I can't blog the last one... but you saw it yeah?
I'm in the sticks proper and there's none of that internet stuff here... only cows. This sent from moblie (and even then I had to walk to the end of the garden).
Fun fun fun.
I'll get back and update this post.
------------
OK, back from the sticks and back in London... and it's busy-busy-work-work-bang-bang got to keep it short as I need to catch up.
So - Wenger reckons that:
"I know how it works here. At half-time the referee gets stick and then in the second half every little 50-50 decision goes the other way. "I waited at half-time to see what happened and I was not disappointed." "That's what happened. It's not only here."
No - and it wasn't only the second half, truth be told we had it against us in the first half too... of course Wenger was refering to the meeting that Lee Mason (ref) had with John Robertson (Aston Villa coaching staff) at half time at Villa park.
Martin O'Neil is either charmingly stupid, machlevelianly manipulative or deep in denial as he dismisses the incident (and the obvious for all to see concequences) and proceeds to bang on about what a great bunch of plucky lads he has who deserve ervery blah blah fucking blah...
Other than that - shit old game eh - it was the same old format again... we work for the advantage and then defend with extreme paranoia as the ref makes it up as he goes along. There must be a way of winning games like these?
Meanwhile Fergie slags off the fixture list (for the 87th time in his career), but this time he has a point. He was dismissed with the following reassuring explanation:
"The Premier League fixtures are put together through as random a process as possible. The initial list is created by specialist software before going to the Fixtures Working Party, which is made up of representatives from the Premier League, Football League, FA, clubs and supporters. The police also approve it before it is sent to the clubs, at which point they can raise any objections they may have."
And Ladbrokes, don't forget Ladbrokes - are they not consulted too? And Sky? And Setanta? And the nice illegal underground Asian black market gambling syndicates?
Hmm... anyway:
"There are various factors that go into the structuring of the fixture list - police requests, club requests, involvement in European or Fifa competitions for example - but the overriding factor is the luck of the draw.”
I would venture to suggest that is utter bollocks. If this 'specialist software' is so fair then I would suggest that they make the source code open for scutiny by all the techie twat football fans (me) with a lot of time on their hands (not me) to pour over - i.e. unless there is complete transparency then I will assume corruption has taken place. Fair point Fergie... you red nosed cheaty twat.
Other than that - I had a good new year thanks very much, nice to spend some time with the family... although it's cold up norf and there's not much to do. The outlaws have terrible taste in TV so I spent my evenings repairing all the broken down/handed down antique clocks that they have littered about the place - the house now positively ticks... it would chime too but the missus made me disable them in the interests of a good nights sleep.
hey ho... two more posts to go!
Sunday 28 December 2008
Wednesday 24 December 2008
Share some greased tea with me
Sorry - can't talk long as I'm round at the inlaws, would love to spend hours on this post but Ce la vie.
Sunday was a strange mix... obviously we were robbed by the slap-headery of Howard Webb (Crown prince clown of the EPL/PGMO aka the new Graham Poll). Shall I start there?
OK - as it's what you all want to hear - Webb was a cunt as usual showing the Northern bias BUT this it seemed he had an agenda. The Draw. He was mad for the fucking draw (The Collective was pretty much on this before kick off - the same with the other 'big games'). This league is a joke and Webb is the punchline! Anyway so Lucas makes 18 fouls and eventually gets a yellow - Adebayor makes one foul and gets sent off with two Yellows - Keane goes in two footed from behind on Clichy and gets 1 yellow. Forgive me for pointing out the obvious, but this is just the same old shit... although it would have been were it now for the fans! No tourists today - we had our A team out and their noses were wrinkling from the stench of scouse. The lightbulb collectively went on:
"Ahhh - so that's how a team as shit as Liverpool are doing so well... cheating bastards!" - Arsenal Fans
From the sending off onwards Liverpool/Webb were whistled/chanted and booed and right fucking proud I was too - they even gave Eboue a warm welcome - it didn't seem to come through in the highlights though, but I can assure you it was loud. The papers had a VERY suss reaction to the game also.. I noticed that the Guardian post match analysis changed overnight from a total denial of Webb's dismissal of Adebayor being even remotely in the wrong to a begrudging acceptance that it was 'harsh'. The Daily Mail didn't change their opinion that it was 'richly deserved' but did add several 'DO you think Matt Lawson is a lying cunt? Comment below!' sections throughout the article. The Mail, in their own way, followed (covered) it up with another story about how Adebayor didn't deserve it within the rules of the game but deserved it because he was, in their view, 'a nigger':
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1099763/Adebayors-red-card-harsh-25-reasons-trendy-Arsenal-striker-punished.html
I mean - look at him with his 'bling' and his 'pimped out ride'... oh yeah - he deserves it alright!
Although... saying that - Webb is an ex-copper so maybe this is relevant comment - after all he just reverts to type in times of stress, consults the handbook and blames the black man.
"Is this your car sir?" - Webb (probably once upon a when)
"Yes - that's why I had to have my name stitched in the fucking seats, because of cunts like you... officer." - Adebayor (probably everytime he goes out for a drive)
I would be interested to see the stats on Card/Race/Ref decisions... does anyone do them?
Overall I enjoyed the game... we showed the spirit after the sending off that we have been missing all season both on the field and in the stands.
I went to the match with Charlie, Charlie has just turned 50 and... well - to cut a long story short PieFace couldn't make it as he forgot the game was on as he was at a wedding in America or something - well, that's what he mumbled as I woke him up with my 4th phone call 1 hour before kickoff. As I was walking down the street I saw Charlie coming back from his Sunday football - he played 2 games that morning... madness! Charlie is my neighbour - he has a chequered past i.e. in and out of prison but he makes a living in the building trade and is a site manager now (currently seeking work). I shouted - Oi, Charlie, fancy going to the game? Charlie bit my hand off. Charlie is black - I should point this out as it is relevant; we walked down to the Che Guvara for a beer and to meet various ASI members - both white, one South African - Charlie changed a bit and introduced himself as Charles and shaved off the 'street' edges from his accent. We had a beer - and moved on... Charles said that everything had changed since he was ayounger - he used to walk to the games and he would know most of the people walking in the crowd with him... I doubted it - but it seems it was true.
As we got to the top of the steps Charles went - "Alright geezer, hows it going man" to a very well dressed man having a pre-match smoke outside club level. He seemed pleased to see Charles and they chatted for a few minutes. Charles said - "You know who that was?". I said "...err - no, who is he?"
"That's Steve Walford... coach at Villa"
"How do you know him?"
"We played at Everton boys together - but you know how it is [referring to his status, silk suit and cashmere overcoat], football - it was well racist back then and the brothers didn't stand a chance"
"Yeah man... it was" - I agreed.
Charles was then distracted my a member of 'Soul II Soul' who he knew and had to have a chat with... from that point on the old faces came thick and fast. At half time we went for another beer and bumped into two men about the same age as Charles:
"Charlie" - they shouted. "Hey man!"
Chat ensued about the match, Charlie was very knowledgeable about the game but refused to entertain my opinion that Webb was displaying a bias and was going to fuck us in the second half. Charlie's mates ignored me when I commented and exchanged puzzled 'who the fuck is this' looks with each other. When prompted to shake my hand via an introduction - the smaller one game me a 'wet fish' while the larger of the two gave me a hard stare and tried two crush my fingers - I felt like an unwelcome white boy - we moved on and finished our beer.
After half time I left Charlie to go take a piss... it had kicked off and I wanted to get back - he said "Wait up - where are we sitting again?". I told him gate 12 - I forgot that Charlie was illiterate, he hides it well but I'm pretty sure that he can't read a word and by the time I remembered I had got back to my seat and lost him.
I imagine that he probably met up with some old friends, sat with them and lamented our teams misfortune in a hard fought game... he's right though - it's changed, in some ways, since he was a regular.
I reckon Villa are due a beating on boxing day... it's a shame that Fabregas got 'taken out' as it's going to make it tougher.
Sunday was a strange mix... obviously we were robbed by the slap-headery of Howard Webb (Crown prince clown of the EPL/PGMO aka the new Graham Poll). Shall I start there?
OK - as it's what you all want to hear - Webb was a cunt as usual showing the Northern bias BUT this it seemed he had an agenda. The Draw. He was mad for the fucking draw (The Collective was pretty much on this before kick off - the same with the other 'big games'). This league is a joke and Webb is the punchline! Anyway so Lucas makes 18 fouls and eventually gets a yellow - Adebayor makes one foul and gets sent off with two Yellows - Keane goes in two footed from behind on Clichy and gets 1 yellow. Forgive me for pointing out the obvious, but this is just the same old shit... although it would have been were it now for the fans! No tourists today - we had our A team out and their noses were wrinkling from the stench of scouse. The lightbulb collectively went on:
"Ahhh - so that's how a team as shit as Liverpool are doing so well... cheating bastards!" - Arsenal Fans
From the sending off onwards Liverpool/Webb were whistled/chanted and booed and right fucking proud I was too - they even gave Eboue a warm welcome - it didn't seem to come through in the highlights though, but I can assure you it was loud. The papers had a VERY suss reaction to the game also.. I noticed that the Guardian post match analysis changed overnight from a total denial of Webb's dismissal of Adebayor being even remotely in the wrong to a begrudging acceptance that it was 'harsh'. The Daily Mail didn't change their opinion that it was 'richly deserved' but did add several 'DO you think Matt Lawson is a lying cunt? Comment below!' sections throughout the article. The Mail, in their own way, followed (covered) it up with another story about how Adebayor didn't deserve it within the rules of the game but deserved it because he was, in their view, 'a nigger':
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1099763/Adebayors-red-card-harsh-25-reasons-trendy-Arsenal-striker-punished.html
I mean - look at him with his 'bling' and his 'pimped out ride'... oh yeah - he deserves it alright!
Although... saying that - Webb is an ex-copper so maybe this is relevant comment - after all he just reverts to type in times of stress, consults the handbook and blames the black man.
"Is this your car sir?" - Webb (probably once upon a when)
"Yes - that's why I had to have my name stitched in the fucking seats, because of cunts like you... officer." - Adebayor (probably everytime he goes out for a drive)
I would be interested to see the stats on Card/Race/Ref decisions... does anyone do them?
Overall I enjoyed the game... we showed the spirit after the sending off that we have been missing all season both on the field and in the stands.
I went to the match with Charlie, Charlie has just turned 50 and... well - to cut a long story short PieFace couldn't make it as he forgot the game was on as he was at a wedding in America or something - well, that's what he mumbled as I woke him up with my 4th phone call 1 hour before kickoff. As I was walking down the street I saw Charlie coming back from his Sunday football - he played 2 games that morning... madness! Charlie is my neighbour - he has a chequered past i.e. in and out of prison but he makes a living in the building trade and is a site manager now (currently seeking work). I shouted - Oi, Charlie, fancy going to the game? Charlie bit my hand off. Charlie is black - I should point this out as it is relevant; we walked down to the Che Guvara for a beer and to meet various ASI members - both white, one South African - Charlie changed a bit and introduced himself as Charles and shaved off the 'street' edges from his accent. We had a beer - and moved on... Charles said that everything had changed since he was ayounger - he used to walk to the games and he would know most of the people walking in the crowd with him... I doubted it - but it seems it was true.
As we got to the top of the steps Charles went - "Alright geezer, hows it going man" to a very well dressed man having a pre-match smoke outside club level. He seemed pleased to see Charles and they chatted for a few minutes. Charles said - "You know who that was?". I said "...err - no, who is he?"
"That's Steve Walford... coach at Villa"
"How do you know him?"
"We played at Everton boys together - but you know how it is [referring to his status, silk suit and cashmere overcoat], football - it was well racist back then and the brothers didn't stand a chance"
"Yeah man... it was" - I agreed.
Charles was then distracted my a member of 'Soul II Soul' who he knew and had to have a chat with... from that point on the old faces came thick and fast. At half time we went for another beer and bumped into two men about the same age as Charles:
"Charlie" - they shouted. "Hey man!"
Chat ensued about the match, Charlie was very knowledgeable about the game but refused to entertain my opinion that Webb was displaying a bias and was going to fuck us in the second half. Charlie's mates ignored me when I commented and exchanged puzzled 'who the fuck is this' looks with each other. When prompted to shake my hand via an introduction - the smaller one game me a 'wet fish' while the larger of the two gave me a hard stare and tried two crush my fingers - I felt like an unwelcome white boy - we moved on and finished our beer.
After half time I left Charlie to go take a piss... it had kicked off and I wanted to get back - he said "Wait up - where are we sitting again?". I told him gate 12 - I forgot that Charlie was illiterate, he hides it well but I'm pretty sure that he can't read a word and by the time I remembered I had got back to my seat and lost him.
I imagine that he probably met up with some old friends, sat with them and lamented our teams misfortune in a hard fought game... he's right though - it's changed, in some ways, since he was a regular.
I reckon Villa are due a beating on boxing day... it's a shame that Fabregas got 'taken out' as it's going to make it tougher.
Thursday 18 December 2008
We gonna burn your deathmask uniforms
Welcome back.
I have now moved the wife and kids out to her mothers 'up norf' and I am spending my last month in N7... sad times. But I'll be back every other weekend or so for matchdays - well maybe... we'll see.
So where was I? Oh yeah - Burnley, kids, well done never mind... seriously though - they did well and it never going to be easy for them - it was great experience for them (i.e. a physical away cup tie with a lower league team and a hostile crowd) and they did alright. I think, if anything I would have let Simpson start and show a bit more faith, after all this is his kind of game - not sure why Wenger slung in the semi-first teamers as:
a) They didn't want to know and
b) It's disruptive to the reserve side that earned the right to play the match
Maybe Wenger knew that we were going to be out muscled and it was damage limitation... or maybe he couldn't be arsed with it and needs the 'reserve' players in the first team to cover for injuries... anyway - it's only a tin cup and it has Redknapps name written all over it - so best for the kids to get beat now rather than mugged at the hands of full strength, first team Tottenscum and give them a chance to release another Arsenal related DVD.
Talking of Tottenham - their new stadium plans yeah... carbon fucking copy or what? Apparently - so I hear from an architect - the basic plans are the same but they slapped some panels and a fucking cockerel on the side and changed the roof so the crowd can get a better view of the replay screens - other than that - identical... I reckon Tottenham love us in a very 'repressed' way. They want to be us!
Hmmm.. what else - Oh yeah, Roy Keane... he fell on his sword - or was he pushed? And if so - who pushed him?
On the 3rd of December the collective came up with on of it's theories in the media section (the collective is a small 'detective' group what we have set up to try and sift the sweetcorn from the shit of the British media to guess the real agendas behind the spin):
Newspaper: The Sun
Reporter: Steve Brenner
Date: 3/12/2008
Game/Team Ref: Roy Keane /Sunderland
Link: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/article1997504.ece
ColonelDecker: Keane looks set to be the 'New Gallas' They want him out for sure, I think this is a witch hunt after his outspoken views on the press recently. Therefore IMO it is not encouraging bets against Sunderland, just 'he's rumbled us! Lets get him out quick'. Thoughts?
DogFace: I believe that either Keane will be sacked or Sunderland will be relegated. He has rocked the boat by telling the truth and will be slapped by the 'hand that feeds'.
KeepTheFaith: Yeah I said a few weeks ago I thought Keano would get the sack if they lost to West Ham, He must realise what's going on because he has toned it down a bit lately.
Theory: Keane/Sunderland will continue to be targeted until he leaves.
Updates: Keane has resigned
It didn't take long before Keane went - the writing was on the wall... it's a shame and this is yet another example of the lengths the game/gambling/media machine will go to punish those who do not stick to the script. Keane is a fucking hero and those gloating fuckers on MOTD comparing him to a tramp or father Christmas and all that shit should be even more ashamed than they should be already (if that level of shame even exists).
And while we are on the subject of shame... let's talk about Eboue.
Eboue whoooaaaooh
Now you all know that I think Eboue is a good player right - he plays with his heart and he plays for the team... it's obvious for anyone watching that he is exactly the kind of player we need in the team - shit kickers think twice when Eboue is on the field because:
a) he draws the foul and tries to get players booked when they foul him.
b) he kicks players back... hard.
I hear a lot about him being a cheat - but he merely reflects what the referee is letting the other team get away with... in his own way he tries to level the playing field. Now my two over riding memories of Eboue as a player are when he stuck that cross on to Henry's head when we beat the Mancs 2-1 and when he fucked up John Terry's foot for trying to injure Fabregas. Both good memories. So what I want to know is this - when Eboue came on against Wigan the other day - why was I the only one to welcome him back with a cheer? And what the fuck was with all the booing? Arseholes!
I have a theory - it's called 'ticket exchange'.
I have noticed that the 'tourist factor' dramatically goes up in some of the less glamorous fixtures - the ground fills up with utter cunts... I know - they are fellow Arsenal fans - but seriously, you should hear some of the shite I have to listen to from these idiots... generally they are stereotypical 'grotesques' harking back to the days of Neil and Graham when 'real [White/English] men' were fielded for Arsenal who could 'stand up in the challenge' - they hate Eboue (who they refer to as anything other than 'black' which I suspect is the real reason) and Denilson (who they call frail and bambi) and smack self defeating tabloid gleaned platitudes off each other like wet fish in an effort to appear knowledgeable to all those around them (who incidentally wish they would shut the fuck up). I would prefer a half empty ground to be honest - we don't need pricks like this... at least they've laid off Gallas now.
Eboue will prove them all very wrong... if he stays.
The Wigan game, other than that, was formulaic of most games this season - as was the Middsbrough game something is going on... we play well - we go up - we stop trying, defend or 'open up the game' to suicidal levels.
Also - Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith has left the board and there is speculation as to whether she will sell her shares - from what I know she is fairly 'traditional' in her views on how a football club should be run - so this does not sit well with me with regards to Kroneke's influence...
...There may be trouble ahead!
I have now moved the wife and kids out to her mothers 'up norf' and I am spending my last month in N7... sad times. But I'll be back every other weekend or so for matchdays - well maybe... we'll see.
So where was I? Oh yeah - Burnley, kids, well done never mind... seriously though - they did well and it never going to be easy for them - it was great experience for them (i.e. a physical away cup tie with a lower league team and a hostile crowd) and they did alright. I think, if anything I would have let Simpson start and show a bit more faith, after all this is his kind of game - not sure why Wenger slung in the semi-first teamers as:
a) They didn't want to know and
b) It's disruptive to the reserve side that earned the right to play the match
Maybe Wenger knew that we were going to be out muscled and it was damage limitation... or maybe he couldn't be arsed with it and needs the 'reserve' players in the first team to cover for injuries... anyway - it's only a tin cup and it has Redknapps name written all over it - so best for the kids to get beat now rather than mugged at the hands of full strength, first team Tottenscum and give them a chance to release another Arsenal related DVD.
Talking of Tottenham - their new stadium plans yeah... carbon fucking copy or what? Apparently - so I hear from an architect - the basic plans are the same but they slapped some panels and a fucking cockerel on the side and changed the roof so the crowd can get a better view of the replay screens - other than that - identical... I reckon Tottenham love us in a very 'repressed' way. They want to be us!
Hmmm.. what else - Oh yeah, Roy Keane... he fell on his sword - or was he pushed? And if so - who pushed him?
On the 3rd of December the collective came up with on of it's theories in the media section (the collective is a small 'detective' group what we have set up to try and sift the sweetcorn from the shit of the British media to guess the real agendas behind the spin):
Newspaper: The Sun
Reporter: Steve Brenner
Date: 3/12/2008
Game/Team Ref: Roy Keane /Sunderland
Link: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/article1997504.ece
ColonelDecker: Keane looks set to be the 'New Gallas' They want him out for sure, I think this is a witch hunt after his outspoken views on the press recently. Therefore IMO it is not encouraging bets against Sunderland, just 'he's rumbled us! Lets get him out quick'. Thoughts?
DogFace: I believe that either Keane will be sacked or Sunderland will be relegated. He has rocked the boat by telling the truth and will be slapped by the 'hand that feeds'.
KeepTheFaith: Yeah I said a few weeks ago I thought Keano would get the sack if they lost to West Ham, He must realise what's going on because he has toned it down a bit lately.
Theory: Keane/Sunderland will continue to be targeted until he leaves.
Updates: Keane has resigned
It didn't take long before Keane went - the writing was on the wall... it's a shame and this is yet another example of the lengths the game/gambling/media machine will go to punish those who do not stick to the script. Keane is a fucking hero and those gloating fuckers on MOTD comparing him to a tramp or father Christmas and all that shit should be even more ashamed than they should be already (if that level of shame even exists).
And while we are on the subject of shame... let's talk about Eboue.
Eboue whoooaaaooh
Eboue Whoooaaoooaaa
He comes from Africa
He's better than Kaka
Now you all know that I think Eboue is a good player right - he plays with his heart and he plays for the team... it's obvious for anyone watching that he is exactly the kind of player we need in the team - shit kickers think twice when Eboue is on the field because:
a) he draws the foul and tries to get players booked when they foul him.
b) he kicks players back... hard.
I hear a lot about him being a cheat - but he merely reflects what the referee is letting the other team get away with... in his own way he tries to level the playing field. Now my two over riding memories of Eboue as a player are when he stuck that cross on to Henry's head when we beat the Mancs 2-1 and when he fucked up John Terry's foot for trying to injure Fabregas. Both good memories. So what I want to know is this - when Eboue came on against Wigan the other day - why was I the only one to welcome him back with a cheer? And what the fuck was with all the booing? Arseholes!
I have a theory - it's called 'ticket exchange'.
I have noticed that the 'tourist factor' dramatically goes up in some of the less glamorous fixtures - the ground fills up with utter cunts... I know - they are fellow Arsenal fans - but seriously, you should hear some of the shite I have to listen to from these idiots... generally they are stereotypical 'grotesques' harking back to the days of Neil and Graham when 'real [White/English] men' were fielded for Arsenal who could 'stand up in the challenge' - they hate Eboue (who they refer to as anything other than 'black' which I suspect is the real reason) and Denilson (who they call frail and bambi) and smack self defeating tabloid gleaned platitudes off each other like wet fish in an effort to appear knowledgeable to all those around them (who incidentally wish they would shut the fuck up). I would prefer a half empty ground to be honest - we don't need pricks like this... at least they've laid off Gallas now.
Eboue will prove them all very wrong... if he stays.
The Wigan game, other than that, was formulaic of most games this season - as was the Middsbrough game something is going on... we play well - we go up - we stop trying, defend or 'open up the game' to suicidal levels.
Also - Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith has left the board and there is speculation as to whether she will sell her shares - from what I know she is fairly 'traditional' in her views on how a football club should be run - so this does not sit well with me with regards to Kroneke's influence...
...There may be trouble ahead!
Tuesday 9 December 2008
Theres a mow low feeling around me...
Sorry - the blog is on the back-burner for a few days as I'm moving house... many apple hoagies.
I did do one just after the burnley game with some stuff but for some reason it didn't save - excuses excuses!
Right - I'm off to pack my Arsenal shirt - catch you on the flip side.
Dogface.
I did do one just after the burnley game with some stuff but for some reason it didn't save - excuses excuses!
Right - I'm off to pack my Arsenal shirt - catch you on the flip side.
Dogface.
Monday 1 December 2008
This is just another shit song what you hear on the radio
Right now before we go any further lets check out what Scolari said post match:
"I want only after tomorrow that he (Dean) looks at the TV and the referee and the linesman see they are wrong and they say sorry. That is all I want, no more, because they were not good and made a mistake."
...sounds familiar...
"We need a referee that comes to Stamford Bridge who referees for both sides, not just for one"
HA... really – well, that is refreshing to hear from a Chelsea manager!
"Have you ever heard me speak about referees any time in the games I have been here? Never, in 15 in the Premier League, four in the Champions League, the Carling Cup, I have not said anything but today is different."
Welcome to the Premiership Luiz Felipe!
"I do not want three points, all I want is them to say sorry it was a mistake because in the first half the same linesman made a mistake against us with Salomon Kalou."
Careful – pointing out consistent 'mistakes' (see bias) and asking for an apology is dangerous talk around here...
"He is human and he can make a mistake but the offside has killed my team. I just want them to say they are wrong because I am wrong when I put some players in or the players are wrong when they make a mistake in front of goal or are not covering."
Human... really, let's check it out:
"human • adjective 1 of, relating to, or characteristic of humankind. 2 showing the better qualities of humankind, such as sensitivity."
You know I'm not so sure Mike Dean (the same Mike Dean that refereed Birmingham V Arsenal last season) is all that 'human'.
"These are all wrong but the referee is never wrong. I do not think they came here to deliberately make a mistake against us."
Tut, tut, tut - wrong again...
"It is difficult for my team to play after this because they lost their concentration. The offside killed my team."
"I want only after tomorrow that he (Dean) looks at the TV and the referee and the linesman see they are wrong and they say sorry. That is all I want, no more, because they were not good and made a mistake."
...sounds familiar...
"We need a referee that comes to Stamford Bridge who referees for both sides, not just for one"
HA... really – well, that is refreshing to hear from a Chelsea manager!
"Have you ever heard me speak about referees any time in the games I have been here? Never, in 15 in the Premier League, four in the Champions League, the Carling Cup, I have not said anything but today is different."
Welcome to the Premiership Luiz Felipe!
"I do not want three points, all I want is them to say sorry it was a mistake because in the first half the same linesman made a mistake against us with Salomon Kalou."
Careful – pointing out consistent 'mistakes' (see bias) and asking for an apology is dangerous talk around here...
"He is human and he can make a mistake but the offside has killed my team. I just want them to say they are wrong because I am wrong when I put some players in or the players are wrong when they make a mistake in front of goal or are not covering."
Human... really, let's check it out:
"human • adjective 1 of, relating to, or characteristic of humankind. 2 showing the better qualities of humankind, such as sensitivity."
You know I'm not so sure Mike Dean (the same Mike Dean that refereed Birmingham V Arsenal last season) is all that 'human'.
"These are all wrong but the referee is never wrong. I do not think they came here to deliberately make a mistake against us."
Tut, tut, tut - wrong again...
"It is difficult for my team to play after this because they lost their concentration. The offside killed my team."
Are you Arsenal, are you Arsenal, are you Arsenal in disguise?
ARE YOU ARSENAL IN DISGUISE?!
ARE YOU ARSENAL IN DISGUISE?!
"We lost because one goal was not a goal and it was a goal that changed the result. If we won, Arsenal would have been 13 points behind us and their championship would have been finished."
Hmm... so, let me guess this right – £1,000,000,000 is sloshing around in the Asian black markets on this match, SkyBet are pushing the Blues (and numerous multiples) and a chap officially earning circa £60,000 p/a (£33,000 plus match fees) tilts the match in favour of the bookies – not to mention the insiders who may or may not have foreseen this 'result'? Scolari is right in a sense – if you know the right people and have the right information - it doesn't take much effort to make a killing in this game.
Happily for me – I did make a killing and had a great w/e of predictions. I have (finally) gone for the Asian Handicap betting strategy this weekend (long overdue) as it seems to make sense in terms of consistency... I think I may stick to it from now on and see how much larger I can get my stack – you have to be very good to make a living off this but I reckon it's doable... you need a lump to invest though and the most important thing seems to be to make some hard rules and stick to them... if I can figure them out I will let you know - hopefully by the time I've scraped together a lump in this 'training phase' of my gambling experiment; I will be in a position to invest it wisely.
Back to the game...
...well – apart from being bent we got 3 points – but what does that mean? Arsenal once again has done the bookies a favour. I'm very confused about my team and its role in this season's spectacular – there are still things that don't add up – we had to play well to get the 3 points - RvP's second goal was amazing - but there were certain elements in the Chelsea squad that really didn't try very hard at all. I think they had one shot on target the entire game! I felt that Lampard in particular was doing us a favour by playing his 'd game' and without him they could have won.
Can Scolari not see this?
I'm absolutely sure that Wenger knows the 'state of play' from certain post match comments last season and the fact that he analytically monitors players' sabermetricly for signs of standards slipping... of which, in terms of effort, they most definitely have this season – is that down to confidence, morale or something else?
When I watch Martin O'Neil in post match interviews I can see that he really believes that his team utterly deserve the results they have been getting... it's clear to me (with the Arsenal Vs Villa game as an example) that they don't... I think that Villa are fast approaching the 'fatted calf' stage of their season and O'Neil needs to wise the fuck up and recognise this. There are other managers in the EPL who know exactly what the score is and they either let frustration get the better of them and boil over into career inadvisable Keanesque outbursts or petulance, try to beat the system with prescient management of key games or kneel down and 'do business'... I'm currently lost as to where Arsenal stands here?
I'm also beginning to wonder how people as deep in this game as they are i.e. 'Premiership Manager' level cannot see with their own eyes what is becoming more and more obvious to me? FFS - I can tell if a bent match from the radio commentary! So... it begs the question - do the commentators know or has denial become so ingrained in the industry culture that it has taken over from the truth?
Football has broken... bring on Wigan; I need some clarification!
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