We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
Who are we losing sleep over this morning? Why, it's Arsene Wenger's merry men, still looking to pip United and Chelski to the post. And Wigan, still looking survive for one more dreary season in the top flight. Care to join me?
posted by The Blue Devil @ 8:31 AM
We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
122 Comments:
The teams for this morning:
Arsenal team: Fabianski, Sagna, Campbell, Silvestre, Clichy, Walcott, Eastmond, Diaby, Nasri, Rosicky, Bendtner. Subs: Mannone, Van Persie, Vela, Eboue, Traore, Merida, Henderson.
Wigan team: Kirkland, Melchiot, Gohouri, Bramble, Figueroa, Rodallega, Diame, Watson, McCarthy, N'Zogbia, Moreno. Subs: Stojkovic, Scharner, Scotland, Moses, Gomez, Sinclair, Boyce.
No telly coverage of this one, so I'm on a Veetle link:
http://www.veetle.com/index.php/channel/view#4bcae5d53cc0c
Portuguese commentary but brilliant pictures and sound.
This one's even better with Sky commentary:
http://veetle.com/view/index.html#4bcad93565d2b
Arsenal somewhat under the cosh at the start with Wigan throwing all sorts of Route 1 attacks at them.
Fabianski looking less than secure.
Fabianski is an odd choice for us. It would seem to indicate that Le Boss is looking to give him games now for when he takes up the #1 spot next year. If he's going to give any of our keepers that job, most of us would have Vito Manone. Most of us want none of the above and a real clearout over the summer in that spot.
Mornin'
Diaby river-dancing in their area, I see. He's had an iffy start as well.
The online Gooner suggests that a big change from the start of the year is that we're in the habit of getting our goals in the later stages of the match and that's a rod for our back. At the start of this season we'd get a goal, they'd have to come out of their defensive shell, and we could build on that lead to get more.
Martinez is on the edge of his technical area applauding his side. They have made a very positive start and are putting Arsenal under constant pressure in the centre of the field.
Morning, Gooner! Great to have you on board this morning.
It's got to warm all Arsenal hearts to see RVP back on the bench today. Hopefully we'll have him up front alongside big Nik in the second half.
My lovely Veetle link just died, but I have another one up.
We've got a free from about 40 years out that Campbell gets a head to but not on goal.
Arsenal coming back into the match now. A lot is coming down the right through Sagna and Walcott linking up well.
Yes, would love to see RVP. I'd have had him put his 30-45 minutes in at the start to possibly get ahead early. If this goes 0-0 at the break, they'll certainly be up for the second half and make it much more difficult.
Interesting - I don't know why managers don't do that more often. That is, have the plan of sticking a player who's not fully fit on for 30 dynamic minutes and pull him off.
Fergie is driving me bonkers by playing Rooney beyond his capability these days. He had him on for 70 minutes yesterday and you could tell he wasn't right but also doesn't have the sense to come out of the rain.
Lucky boy, Bakary.
That was a lovely move just prior to that spoiled by an MLS style attempt to trap the ball by Diaby.
This is largely the squad that was beaten by the Spuds. Heavy legs, possibly broken spirits are apparent.
Is the bleedin' Icelandic volcano causing you headaches at work?
What the Hell? Walcott has to hit that on goal. A pass at that point? Madness.
Fergie could give a rats about Rooney's England form in the summer. He'll run him down right to a nub if it suits United's purpose.
The volcano has stranded so many of my clients all over the world. I dread going in to see what's happened to the alternatives that I've set for them this weekend. I can barely sleep for the worry. It's 9/11 like disruption for me.
Nice hit from Rosicky, but the bobbly drive is collected by Kirkland.
Jesus - sorry to hear that mate. Best of luck tomorrow morning, eh?
Nasri into the book for a petulant push after he'd been dispossessed.
Ridiculous yellow there. That could have been avoided by a stronger ref. This guy's very poor and surprisingly unfit looking. Fat and old and fussy? This is the best the FA can offer?
Isn't England's World Cup rep Howard Webb? That says it all.
GOAL! Theo runs through to collect a diagonal and slides home for 1-0!
I don't want to jinx Campbell, but he's looking really good recently. Possibly our most in form player since the injury to Cesc. A real revelation.
That we're dicking around not securing him for next season is really puzzling.
A very good goal from Theo. Much better from him. A good run, killed the ball's energy and then a nice finish under lots of defensive pressure. Much, much better from him.
More, please.
Nice ball through there. Was that Diaby? And good strength from Theo to hold off the challenge from the center back.
And again! Theo runs through, hits a shot that just about finds the top left corner. I don't know why Kirkland isn't giving his left back more of a bollocking. He's letting Theo run through him at will.
And Steve Bennett, I believe. At least it's not that Atkinson mug. Or Reid. Or Clattenburg.
Actually, England shouldn't have a ref at the WC on current form.
Walcott very close again. "He actually caught that too well" says some idiot ex-footballer that I'm listening to.
Nasri with the through ball to Walcott for the goal, no?
Half-time: 0-1 Arse. That Theo goal has Arsenal back up to 74 points and within striking distance of the top two. Who knows? I didn't think that Chelski would go to Shite Fart Lane and get turned over the way they did.
1-0 to us at the half. That's really a helpful scoreline.
Wigan must come forward now and that gives Diaby, Nasri, Rosicky, and Walcott space to work in.
And I'd like to see RVP on at the 65th minute.
Perhaps - Nasri would get my nod as most in form Arsenal player. And I've got lots of hope in Theo's return to form, especially with Aaron Lennon looking as if he won't be right for South Africa.
Nasri went missing in the Spurs game and had a chance in the second Barca match that might have stemmed the tide for a moment allowing us to regroup. He's been good this season, but right now, Campbell's been amazing.
Here we go for the second half. C'mon you Reds. Get a few and build up the confidence to go on and plough through City next week.
Both sides straight back into the fray from the kick-off. Any changes? Not that I can notice.
I was just away for a minute nukng up my coffee. A penalty shout?
And Diaby just hashes up a chance.
Oh - Diaby was in one-on-one with Kirkland there but he was far too casual.
GOAL! Now it is 0-2! Silvestre from the corner nods home under pressure. Good header!
I didn't think much of the penalty shout. There was a tug by Nasri that they've been showing over and over again but I thought the Wigan player could have stayed up and was gaming the ref who decided better.
GOAL. Silvestre. Would you believe it?
OK, now I've seen the penalty shout. Very stupid from Nasri but that's not enough, is it? "Seen them given." Yeah, but they weren't penalties either.
N'zogbia right through and fortunately, a pretty tame effort that even Flappyanski could take cleanly.
That's exactly it - if the ref had given it, I wouldn't have been shocked, but I didn't think much of it. Silly from Nasri though because the Wigan striker wasn't going anywhere.
This all go now. Very open and I think it should suit us. RVP could get a useful 30 minutes at very little risk.
I don't expect that Wigan have the guile to be able to get back into this one. They're back down to 32 points, which really helps out West Ham. Unfortunately, you'd have to think that Bolton's win yesterday made them safe on 35 points, which seems to be the benchmark for safety. The Hammers will need at least a point from the Liverpool match tomorrow.
The mug that keeps making inane comments on my feed is Alan Smith. Dear oh dear, he's an idiot when he's not nodding it forward to Wrighty or down to Merse.
Yeah - it's a good platform. He could come on and tap one in and get some much needed confidence.
And he's got a speech impediment. No wonder Sky usually banish him to the likes of Watford for the remote reports on a Saturday afternoon, while Merse gets the creature comforts of the studio.
Flappyanski, what are you doing?
Good morning Blue Devil and Gooner.
Morning, MUR! How are you?
Mornin'
How did you celebrate the great escape yesterday? It was worth it just to see how crushed Bellemy was at the finish.
"Mr. Mason won't be taking his holidays at Wigan Pier, will he?"
Alan Smith, "Well, you wouldn't, would you?"
Bellamy is a little punk, isn't he? I've always thought he was a quality player but the character of the man...? You'll notice that when the smallest decision (e.g., a throw-in) goes against him, he's effing and blinding the ref. He'd be on a yellow card from the start for me.
Diaby is doing my head in. Lazy passing that gets cut out and feeding the ball to a man who is thoroughly covered.
Good line from Smithy there. But I thought you'd go for one of those Northern Soul shindigs.
I am doing well thank you. I celebrated with Mewcastle Brown Ale last night. I see that it is Wigan 0 Arsenal 2 Next week I believe West Ham host Wigan.
Absolutely. A rat-faced, no-neck punk. I wish nothing but career disappointment to him.
Diaby gets my vote for "Most Likely Pothead" on the Arsenal team. He has kind of a dream-like karmic quality on the pitch as if he doesn't really care whether what he does comes off or not. You missed a classic lazy back-heel at goal when you were nuking your joe just before the goal.
I bet Smithy carries a little talcum around just in case.
Arsenal feel asleep in midfield and Rodallega should have done better with his opportunity.
That should be a cracker of a weekend, with Spurs at United, Citeh at Arsenal alongside that relegation dogfight.
Unfortunately, I'm locked in next Saturday with a symposium talk in the morning and my Amnesty International group's annual "Jamnesty" (yes!) concert in the afternoon.
Loriega should have been in there. Tighten it up Arsenal.
Whooh! Somebody just flew into a challenge and Rosicky would have been broken in two if it had connected. Just a blur of blue and white violence there. Lucky little Harry Potter there.
Yellow for Titus. He trundled over there towards Walcott like a runaway lorry.
Arsenal seem content to keep the score at 2-0 .
Melchiot shows a unprofessional ignorance of one of the easier aspects of the off-side laws.
Throw it in to a man offside, OK.
Pass it to the man offside from the throw-in, NO.
He missed the total football lectures in Holland.
How is it that Titus Bramble is still employed by a Premiership outfit? It's not as if you see Jean-Alain Boumsong running out for Hull.
Time for RVP, no?
Hardly. I just think that we're missing penetrative midfield play. Harry Potter in particular looks completely shagged out. And Diaby is as completely off his match as he can be today.
RVP, please.
Who's this Henderson bloke who's on the bench for the Gunners today? Never heard of him.
Wenger probably put a youth player on the bench thinking its only Wigan. It has been really scrappy the last few minutes which suits Arsenal at 2-0.
He's that Irish kid that we're slowly bringing along. He's a midfielder. The last time I saw him was in that early League Cup squad with Barazite and Sanchez Watt.
He's been capped at under 17 level for Ireland, and gets good reviews in his reserve games.
Now here comes Merida. Too bad we couldn't keep him happy at the club. And queue the 7 Nation chant. It's Eboue.
GAOL WIGAN!! Game on as two former PALACE players combine for the goal. Great work by Victor Moses as Ben Watson scores. Wigan 1 Arsenal 2 A simple goal.
GOAL! Bloody hell - Wigan cut straight through Arsenal's defenses and left Ben Watson with a simple tap home.
Too much faffing about gives Wigan a goal.
But could not Flappyanski got to that? He's completely useless.
Thank-God. Harry Potter off for Merida. Get him some oxygen.
Eboue for Walcott.
RVP, Dammit.
Arsenal play the price for" switching off" the last few minutes.
All change now - Merida on for Rosicky. Theo's also off - I didn't see who came on for him. Wigan fans are all "boing boing" now, hoping for a resurgence.
Ah, lovely. Nasri's finish poor but nice work from the energetic Eboue.
Arsene's looking all pissed off now. He thought this one was in the bag and that he could go back to day-dreaming about Proust.
Arsenal seem content to sit on the lead. Wigan have been the dominant team since I logged on. They dribble through the same area that they did for the goal.
Wigan have had quite a lot of possession from the start of the match but they just don't seem to have the quality to break down a side like Arsenal.
That goal is what infuriates the faithful. It was obvious that Walcott wasn't causing them any trouble any more and not defending his side. Also obvious, Rosicky was going to have a heart attack from over exertion. But we played 7 minutes with them obviously not effective. Wigan were getting more and more into it and still no changes.
It's difficult having Wenger as boss because he just doesn't react to what we see as obvious.
I really don't like how Fabianski seems to come for every cross and corner with a default position of two fists up Superman style as if he's going to punch everything.
Crazy! Off the line from Nasri. Jesus this is a tense last few minutes.
SHIT! A goalkeeping error again. And a gift for Titus.
Desperate defending from the Arse now with only minutes to play. And....
GOAL! It's bloody Titus Bramble with a contact that somehow sneaks over the line. Fabianski looked really poor there dropping the ball.
Great job, Le Boss. At the 89th minute, bring back RVP.
Flappyanski should be released at the end of the 90 minutes. This is a travesty.
And now Le Boss deigns to stick RVP on in the 90th minute as if he's going to conjure up Le Miracle in a matter of seconds.
GOAL 2-2. Flappianski does exactly that as the cross from the corner goes through his hands and bounces off of Brambles head. The defender on the line clears after the ball crosses the line. Comical scenes.Gooner, Wigan have scored twice since I logged on. I bet you wish I had not logged on.
Wigan have won it. Unbelievably bad from Arsenal. Completely crap from all 11 of us, and disgraceful from Wenger. You effed it up Boss.
GOAL! Bloody hell - it's all fallen apart at the JB. A shot from nowhere and Wigan are suddenly staring at a win that will have them safe for another miserable season in the top flight. Fabianski didn't move.
Fabianski should consider seppukku after this performance. It's the only honorable thing.
Now 3-2 Wigan. I missed that one as my computer took foreve to get on the site. Call me jinx.
Hi fellas
I am only on for a few minutes. I have to leave
What a shocker!
I thought Arsenal were right back in the title race!
2-0 and coasting
What bloody hell happened????
Morning, Dave!
That's it - the Wigan bosses celebrate because they know that that's another season of the Premiership telly money in the bank. Even the mascot seems pleased. No so for the Arsenal contingent. Sorry, Gooner. That was shocking at the end.
Its a final 3-2. A famous and much needed victory for Wigan as they come back from 0-2 down in the final fifteen minutes. A result that Burnley Hull City, and West Ham fans did not want to see.
Good morning UWS. This was a good result for Manchester United.
I am stunned and I didn't see any of it!
The Beeb says
Wigan goal: A horrified Arsene Wenger sends Robin van Persie on to seek a winner... BUT SCRAP THAT! That's a sensational goal by Charles N'Zogbia, taking a couple of steps to his left before thumping an absolute screamer into the top corner from just outside the box. That's three goals in 10 minutes for Wigan.
1521: We're approaching the end of four minutes of added time. I can't believe this. I really can't.1523: I mean... I... just... can't find the words. The Arsenal players look absolutely shattered. Their title dreams are definitely over now. Wigan can probably start planning for another season in the Premier League. Dave Whelan is leading the celebrations in the stands.
Morning MUR, BD and Gooner
Sorry Gooner! I really am!
This weekend has been stunning
I don't believe this but....
"Fabianski only got picked because it's his birthday today..."
Happy Birthday to Wigan. Zola will not be amused. Wigan should be safe on 35 points. Some key matches at the bottom as West Ham travel to Costa tomorrow, Hull City host Aston Villa at the KC on Wednesday, and the big one at Upton Park next Saturday As the Hammers Host Wigan. I believe the Hammers need four more points to be safe. A victory next Saturday should help.
This should ensure a lively AGM at the end of the season.
Wenger is the man that started a very poor keeper in goal. Fabianski has been completely awful all season. He's what you expect to see in the Wigan or Burnley goal. Chelsea, United, Spurs, Liverpool, Villa wouldn't give him a squad number.
Then after we go two up and take a more defensive posture, when that's painfully obviously inviting Wigan onto us, we don't sub out Walcott who can't defend his side, and Rosicky who's shagged out on his. They're pouring through the flanks and Wenger sits on his hands while they do. In the 80th he finally gets some subs in but after they've got one back. And when the inevitable keeper error comes that gets them level, only then does RVP come on and at the 89th.
A shockingly inept performance and one that along with his poor record in the transfer market will have him defending a poor record this season. Wenger used up another life today. If Lauren Blanc were available, he'd be the fans choice to come in and sort the team out and bring in what's needed -- center backs, a world class 20-25 goal a year striker, and a keeper that doesn't scare the crap out of our defense.
3 losses on trot, the freefall unstopped and City who've humiliated us once this season on the horizon. God help us if Spurs pip us for 3rd.
I was thinking the same thing, MUR. Zola's going to have some sharp words for Arsene next time they cross paths. Bolton and Wigan are now safe on 35 points, which leaves Wolves and West Ham in the mix. I still somehow think that probably Hull, Burnley and Pompey are the most likely relegation three-some.
I think I want Costa to win on Monday
I wan them in with a shot of fourth when they play Costa
Dream scenario
United beat Spurs, Stoke draw with Chelsea
United and Chelsea go into their penultimate matches with United having a two point lead
United win at Sunderland and Costa get something from Chelsea and win the title for us!!
I am off
Take care
UWS
I totally agree with you, Gooner. Arsene certainly deserves credit for establishing a way of playing at the club and I still think he should have an upstairs role at the club. But you'll need someone new and fresh to sort things out in the market and on the pitch.
Cheerio, UWS!
I agree wth you Blue Devil. Hull City, Burnley,and Pompey to be relegated. He should go upstairs. I don't think he can take the club any further. I understand that he his contract now expires in 2014. I don't know if that means anything.
Take Care UWS.
In some ways, the traditional British model of the "manager" who is in charge of virtually everything football-wise at a club, doesn't really work. Arsene could definitely play a role as "Director of Football," using his vast networks to track down obscure, young footballers in Europe and French-speaking African countries. However, Gooner put his finger on what's missing in the starting XI at Arsenal - a 20-25+ goal striker (RVP is never going to be that) two solid keepers and two solid center backs. And those are Arsene's blind spots. He loves nippy little midfielders who can weave magical patterns but he doesn't respect the role that a "Braveheart" style English center back or a Drogba-like, bish-bosh striker has to play in a winning side.
FSC's coverage of the late match between Pompey and Villa has started. Anybody still around for this one?
Pompey and Villa have kicked off at Fratton Park.
Mad scramble in the Villa right from the off.
GOAL! All that early pressure from Pompey has paid off! Nice pull back from the bye line and finished off by Brown. 1-0 Pompey!
That goal cracks the 20 point mark for Portsmouth. If they'd not lost those nine points, you'd have to say that they'd be right in the dogfight on 29 points and nipping at West Ham's heels.
GOAL! Big John Carew has leveled it after a Route 1 move, with a shot that left David James with no chance.
1-1
Penalty to Villa!
Carew steps up and....saved by Calamity!
Half-time at Fratton Park: 1-1
An hour gone now and still 1-1.
A draw here would keep Villa level 6/7th with Costa ahead of their match with West Ham tomorrow and only two points ahead Everton who will still harbor dreams of the Europa League.
GOAL! Villa take the lead! An instant impact from teh sup Delfouneso after a knock down by big Ivanhoe.
1-2!
Inside ten minutes now Villa to hang on for a win that didn't look possible after Pompey's first goal.
Pompey fans are now ironically singing "Wembley, Wembley...." I think they sense that this one is sneaking away from them. Doesn't really matter, though, now does it? 15 points, 16 points, 18 points? What does that mean - they're down.
It's all over - Villa grab the points to stay in the hunt for Europa League spots. Fourth place, though? They must be dreaming?
That's all from me today. Cheerio, lads!
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