Over the last couple of weeks, as an Arsewiper, this Arsewiper has really been down in the depths of despair and disillusionment. The Man U victory did little to change anything, and all was comprehensively lost when we did the expected and folded against Villa. It was sad. Nothing else.
So, when all else seemed shit, things got only shitter. First, news of Theo and has shoulders of glass. I suppose with both shoulders in shit shape, he'd better watch himself the next time he scratches his armpits. Best thing, though is all that has been happening re Mohawk Billy. Not much needs to be said about his original comments, the latest is that at last, Le Boss has been decided to drop him and his captaincy. About time. I won't be surprised to see Billy storm off like did with Chelsea. At 31, who knows. He could do a decent job next to Sol at Pompey.
Le Boss knows of ours as "that kind of mental problem". And of course it's a damn mental problem. Did he have to take so long to figure it out? And it's a mental problem in some of the key first team players. For that, the blame has to be placed on Le Boss himself. As Le Boss, it's the responsibility of Le Boss to ensure that there is proper balance in the team, and for sure, this has to be one of the most unbalanced Arse teams in recent memory.
So we've got selection issues ahead of Man City (who thankfully, are just as inconsistent). Cesc is suspended - which could be a good thing, considering that he really really has been off, most evidently against Villa. Ade will have jet lag, so too would Vela. Bendtner should just stick to his Playstation on Saturday afternoon, and RVP is back.
RVP????? You mean, the troublemaker?? heh heh. I wouldn't be surprised. Maybe Le Boss should just make him captain. But but, there's of course talk first that Cesc should have the armband. Ade has given him the thumbs up - which has the important caveat that this was said before Gallasgate. I'm not too sure, to be honest. I don't think he's captain material just yet. We need an Adams, a Vieira, and Cesc just isn't there just yet.
As for who will be captain against City, methinks this is probably the only time I will admit to missing Flamini. He would have been an alright alternate alternate alternate captain. After Toure and Cesc. Maybe we should just have Wilshere in as captain.
Will Arse win on Saturday? Who the hell knows anymore. Maybe if we trot out our Carling Cup 11, I would be slightly more optimistic. But right now...
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Worth a word or two, I suppose
More than the 2-1 win against Man U, the performance of the young 'uns against Wigan last night is truly something worth writing about. All through the side, you could see the drive, determination, strength (and maturity?) that was missing in the games the senior side lost against Fulham, Hull and Stoke.
Let's be honest, on any given day, with their squad, Wigan under Steve Bruce would be a far better side than any of the above three. We gave them a hiding. A 17-year old and a 16-year old pulled the strings in the middle of the park, better than Cesc and Denilson ever did in those games. And we have a genius in Vela. Goddamn, that finish for his third was utterly sublime. If he doesn't get a few starts in the full team, then you've gotta start questioning the "youth policy".
So things are looking good for the junior squad, and you have to wonder if the senior players will do anywhere near as good when Wigan come visiting again in the League. I think not.
Well, as for the senior dudes, yes, it was a good performance. Yes, one of the best games of the season or seasons. But for all the experts pundits who were last week writing of the collapse of Arse, and now of the rebirth, I just say go F yourselves. Stupid media frenzies. I'm not going to get anywhere near ahead of myself. This team runs TOO much on confidence, and as we have seen, it goes just as easily as it comes. Until we can show that we have a good run in us, then I really don't know.
I thought the 2-0 away win at West Ham was the start of something. The start of a resilient team able to win the difficult games, on not so good days, against decent opposition. But then Spurs and Stoke happened. Who knows what will come next.
Good thing Aston Villa ain't doing too well. As good a time as any to meet them this season.
So let's look ahead. But not get ahead.
PS - it was kinda funny to see the first team sitting in the stands in all the finery. Ade, Cesc, and Eboue - in glasses! Maybe it's just because he's short sighted. Now I understand.
Let's be honest, on any given day, with their squad, Wigan under Steve Bruce would be a far better side than any of the above three. We gave them a hiding. A 17-year old and a 16-year old pulled the strings in the middle of the park, better than Cesc and Denilson ever did in those games. And we have a genius in Vela. Goddamn, that finish for his third was utterly sublime. If he doesn't get a few starts in the full team, then you've gotta start questioning the "youth policy".
So things are looking good for the junior squad, and you have to wonder if the senior players will do anywhere near as good when Wigan come visiting again in the League. I think not.
Well, as for the senior dudes, yes, it was a good performance. Yes, one of the best games of the season or seasons. But for all the experts pundits who were last week writing of the collapse of Arse, and now of the rebirth, I just say go F yourselves. Stupid media frenzies. I'm not going to get anywhere near ahead of myself. This team runs TOO much on confidence, and as we have seen, it goes just as easily as it comes. Until we can show that we have a good run in us, then I really don't know.
I thought the 2-0 away win at West Ham was the start of something. The start of a resilient team able to win the difficult games, on not so good days, against decent opposition. But then Spurs and Stoke happened. Who knows what will come next.
Good thing Aston Villa ain't doing too well. As good a time as any to meet them this season.
So let's look ahead. But not get ahead.
PS - it was kinda funny to see the first team sitting in the stands in all the finery. Ade, Cesc, and Eboue - in glasses! Maybe it's just because he's short sighted. Now I understand.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
The End
I thought I should explain the paucity of posts last month, and why this will be the last.
It has just been too painful. And I think I should start caring less. This was started as a means of catharsis, but I figured it's way too painful for catharsis. But let's get this sorted out.
Firstly, it is painfully evident that this will be another trophyless season. I have not used the word "yet another" because that implies some expectation or supposition that it should not be or should not have been. But let's be honest, we have not even been close since the Invincibles. Yes, there was the Champions League Final of 2006 - but even then, let's look at the line-up then:
Lehmann, Eboue, Toure, Campbell, Cole, Hleb, Cesc, Pires, Gilberto, Ljungberg, Henry. Subs: Flamini, Reyes.
Only two years ago, and who's left? Cesc, Eboue and Kolo. And surprise surprise. How did we lose? By giving away two goals at the end.
So where was I. Yes, another trophyless season. And a team which earlier than past seasons, has shown that it has the character of an 8 year old child. Brilliant one moment, the object of great pride another, but also possessing the confidence, strength, steel and maturity of...an 8 year old. How can a team have a confidence that comes and goes as fickly as the English weather? How can we flit from a 5-2 win at Fenerbahce to utter utter nonsense 2 weeks after? How can we throw away two goals in 4 minutes while ahead of our so-called rivals?
We have lost three games this season. In themselves, I would not be concerned, but more sadly, it's how we have done so, and how we will continue to do so that matters. Yes, we drew with Spurs, and it's one point at home - the same that Chelsea got in their game with Spurs. But let's get real. Chelsea are likely champs, we aren't.
It was said many times that in games past, it was boys against men, and the boys won. Well, against Stoke, the men won, and the boys were made to look like...girls.
So where do we go from here? Well, Cesc will leave. If not in January, then in the summer. The rest, well, does it really matter? Clichy may leave, and so too Sagna. There's something horribly wrong with the team - much as Arsene loves (or loved) talking about team spirit - and until he figures it out, the team will drift.
As Arse fans, we have gone through worse. Much worse. And in the recent past too. I can fall back on those memories, and think that well, at least it's been worse. So I'll remain an Arse fan, but one that will care that much less.
I knew this was coming when I sat and watched the Stoke game unfold. Never had I seen such a performance. It must as well have been a bunch of reserves from the Championship. Utter nonsense. And I must say, Cesc was the worst. He's been generally nothing since EURO 2008. Such are our expectations. So I sat there watching, expecting the inevitable. And it happened, sooner than I thought. And I decided to watch the MU-Hull game instead. I switched back learn that Clichy had scored his first ever Arse goal. And I didn't care. I still haven't seen it, and neither do I want to.
It's two days to Arse v Man U. The biggest day of our season, and I don't care as well. You know you've hit rock bottom. It's like when you learn how to deal with someone that you love, but decide you can't care about anymore. That's me.
One of three things could happen on Saturday: Arse whip Man U (probability: 5%). MU whip Arse (probability: 70%). Boring draw: (25%). Whatever it is, our season is over anyway.
So that's the end....for now at least. Until something happens. Which really for now, looks as likely as...David Dein?
It has just been too painful. And I think I should start caring less. This was started as a means of catharsis, but I figured it's way too painful for catharsis. But let's get this sorted out.
Firstly, it is painfully evident that this will be another trophyless season. I have not used the word "yet another" because that implies some expectation or supposition that it should not be or should not have been. But let's be honest, we have not even been close since the Invincibles. Yes, there was the Champions League Final of 2006 - but even then, let's look at the line-up then:
Lehmann, Eboue, Toure, Campbell, Cole, Hleb, Cesc, Pires, Gilberto, Ljungberg, Henry. Subs: Flamini, Reyes.
Only two years ago, and who's left? Cesc, Eboue and Kolo. And surprise surprise. How did we lose? By giving away two goals at the end.
So where was I. Yes, another trophyless season. And a team which earlier than past seasons, has shown that it has the character of an 8 year old child. Brilliant one moment, the object of great pride another, but also possessing the confidence, strength, steel and maturity of...an 8 year old. How can a team have a confidence that comes and goes as fickly as the English weather? How can we flit from a 5-2 win at Fenerbahce to utter utter nonsense 2 weeks after? How can we throw away two goals in 4 minutes while ahead of our so-called rivals?
We have lost three games this season. In themselves, I would not be concerned, but more sadly, it's how we have done so, and how we will continue to do so that matters. Yes, we drew with Spurs, and it's one point at home - the same that Chelsea got in their game with Spurs. But let's get real. Chelsea are likely champs, we aren't.
It was said many times that in games past, it was boys against men, and the boys won. Well, against Stoke, the men won, and the boys were made to look like...girls.
So where do we go from here? Well, Cesc will leave. If not in January, then in the summer. The rest, well, does it really matter? Clichy may leave, and so too Sagna. There's something horribly wrong with the team - much as Arsene loves (or loved) talking about team spirit - and until he figures it out, the team will drift.
As Arse fans, we have gone through worse. Much worse. And in the recent past too. I can fall back on those memories, and think that well, at least it's been worse. So I'll remain an Arse fan, but one that will care that much less.
I knew this was coming when I sat and watched the Stoke game unfold. Never had I seen such a performance. It must as well have been a bunch of reserves from the Championship. Utter nonsense. And I must say, Cesc was the worst. He's been generally nothing since EURO 2008. Such are our expectations. So I sat there watching, expecting the inevitable. And it happened, sooner than I thought. And I decided to watch the MU-Hull game instead. I switched back learn that Clichy had scored his first ever Arse goal. And I didn't care. I still haven't seen it, and neither do I want to.
It's two days to Arse v Man U. The biggest day of our season, and I don't care as well. You know you've hit rock bottom. It's like when you learn how to deal with someone that you love, but decide you can't care about anymore. That's me.
One of three things could happen on Saturday: Arse whip Man U (probability: 5%). MU whip Arse (probability: 70%). Boring draw: (25%). Whatever it is, our season is over anyway.
So that's the end....for now at least. Until something happens. Which really for now, looks as likely as...David Dein?
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