Who wants to go to Cardiff anyway?
I remember the morning Michael Carrick left the club. With heavy hands I wrote that daily bread but by the end of my report my heart felt all the better, my soul a little cleansed. I’m hoping the same as I write this now.
The only place to start is by saying they were the better team. We held them off just fine but by the time Rosicky was on the pitch the balance had tipped just too far in their favour and they controlled the game, just as Hleb had done when he entered the fray the leg before.
We did well to take the tie as far as we did and I wouldn’t trade that dieing seconds drama from the end of normal time. It’s what the game is all about. It may well have been a different story with our ranks bolstered by the likes of Ledley, Little Aaron and Dimitar the Great. Three players in three key areas and our lives could all have been a little shorter as our blood pumped that much faster from the stress of a penalty shoot out.
You can’t fault our players, well not much. On the whole they did everything they could and it would’ve been a Herculean effort to be the first side to beat the scum at the home this season. Even Hossam Ghaly was looking sharp but we just needed to compete for that ball a little stronger, a little fiercer in the middle of the park to take some of that possession back and some of the pressure off. But as I say, particularly considering our away form, taking the contest to extra time is nothing to be ashamed of. Next time Gadget, next time.
So, two minutes left of the transfer window and the only things to report our the farming out of Reto Ziegler and Mark Yeates on loan to Sampdoria and Leicester City respectively. I know where I’d rather be. Although, having said that, Sampdoria could by the Italian equivalent of the anonymous Midlands town. I wonder what we expect Ziegler to pick up on all these travels, apart from a fantastic linguistic knowledge and no doubt a “gentleman’s diease” or two? And…there we have it. No more moves until the summertime. Mido’s still with us, no left winger, no Gareth Bale and both unfortunately and surprisingly, no Giles Barnes.
That’s enough now until the dust settles. We’ll probably find out by the morning that we signed all of the above but just kept it quiet for an hour or two.
Of course, this evening’s result does leave us in a tricky dilemma. Come February 25th. Who do we want to win?
Stiff upper bagels.
The Bagel.
February 1st, 2007 at 10:38 am
I still don’t get why/how we own a player like Ziegler (pure left sider) who ends up out on loan at other clubs, rather than being given a go?
He showed some quality when he was given a run in 04-05 (Correct me if I’m wrong) and our left-sided “problems” are well documented.
So why, oh why oh why???!!!!
February 1st, 2007 at 10:56 am
What’s this about an admin error leaving Spurs with only 4 subs?
Thats a bit of a glaring f**k up for a cup semi final that ultimately went for 120+ mins.
Also Lennon drops out hours before the game after feeling a bit queasy post supper. Ring any bells?
When are they going to learn not to let our players eat in the Arsenal cantine?
February 1st, 2007 at 1:30 pm
Its a Bye in the Uefa cup and a ByeBye in the carling cup. It’s not like your lot don’t spend the money, you just spend it in the wrong places. MJ is a trier and I’m sure he has the backing of the majority of fans, but he’s just not got what it takes. The gulf between Arsenal and you lot is enormous, where last year you kept up with us all season, this year you can’t beat a second string side filled with kids.
What has happened, have we got so much better, or have you just got worse ? Well, our league position hasn’t improved much.
Last year, being knocked out of both cups in the first game (Wasn’t that a record last year, the lowest amount of games in a season for a top flight club?) allowed you to maintain a fit squad throughout most of the campaign.
At least we can raise a little smile at the “next season” comments regularly spewed by your disillusioned fans once again, safe in the knowledge that you would take decades to compete with the mighty Arsenal.
February 1st, 2007 at 1:55 pm
Although new to this site I thought I’d offer my view for what it’s worth (probably not alot) - Result aside, what amazes me, is that on the last day of the transfer window with fans expecting some movement, we loan out an out an out left-sided player (Ziegler) again. In 04-05 when he had a good run in the team, he showed what he can do, and I for one, was impressed and wanted to see more.
Since then, with the well documented lack of strength on our left-side, I have been left bemused at how he’s not getting a look in, and is spending the remainder of his contract out on loan! In the meantime, the club are linked with every left winger in the land!
Isn’t Ziegler a Swiss International? (Not a team at the top of the FIFA rankings, or a country of size however)
Am I a mentalist, or shouldn’t he have been given a run??!
I don’t doubt that there is method in our beloved leader’s madness, but, why aren’t we truly attempting to resolve the problem, and why aren’t we giving squad players the chance??!
Perhaps they’re letting Adel Taarabt settle before unleasing a 17 year-old into the first team?
Who knows?
One thing’s for sure, I don’t!
Anyway…………………..
……………COYS!
February 1st, 2007 at 4:27 pm
1 defeat in 25 games sums up what dog shit you lot are….
February 2nd, 2007 at 12:34 am
Alright, enough.
Dear Whatever,
I think that it is true that having far few games last season was indeed a blessing. Our best players our much better than the ones that wait behind them, which is not at all the same as the gap between the ranks at your club but that’s as far as it goes.
The ‘beaten by kids’ broken record is rather old and more to the point, as well you know, largely inaccurate.
If anything, over the last few seasons, our force as a team and club has strengthened and that gulf that you talk about has without a doubt narrowed.
It can’t feel too comfy as the fourth placed English club two seasons in a row, knowing that when one of the big four do fall, it’s most likely to be you and so I understand that a victory over your rivals is the only positive you can take to steady your nerves with Allardyce and his apes breathing down your necks.
But as it goes Mr.Whatever, I’m happy to hear your words. Healthy rivalries are what this game is all about.
French Poodle on the otherhand,
You are a clown and an embarrassment to arsenal fans, many of whom are good people. Do you really not understand that the more you protest, the more it’s clear how much we mean to you, how threatened you feel. Now, kindly go back to crying and wanking into your Thierry Henry pillow and duvet set before I start editing your comments to make you out to be more of a baffoon than you already make yourself.
The Bagel.
February 2nd, 2007 at 12:40 am
Jayrobbo,
Totally hear on the Ziegler issue and I was curious myself until I saw him play at the MK Dons a few months back and left sided or not, he really didn’t look that good.
Even though we need a left footer, they’ve got to be better than a right footed Steed and as yet Reto isn’t that. As it goes, I’m not holding out much hope for the lad.
The Bagel.
February 2nd, 2007 at 9:37 am
Your comments were spot on Bagel, I could ellaboate but french poodle does not deserve anymore publicity!
Reto has produced some good displays, I know it was a friendly but, I saw him in the game against Inter Milan & was pleased. But Reto apart, why have still still got a question mark over left wing?
That aside, as Cultural Ambassador to out of area operations (that’s the official title of being Yid of the Norf) I wasn’t given too much stick for the semi final, as most of the norvern monkeys where celebrating their “wonderful” win, despite the “threat” of Watford… Wow!l
February 2nd, 2007 at 1:28 pm
suck my hampton .
February 2nd, 2007 at 2:28 pm
french poodle, you’re a sad little character who no doubt has an equally sad little hampton. Unlike us well endowed Yids!
February 2nd, 2007 at 2:58 pm
You boys do like talking about your own tackle..
February 2nd, 2007 at 4:34 pm
Sorry Bagel
This french poodle (name really suits someone with a small todger) is a real prat, he knows his life is lacking something when he reads & contributes to a class blog as this one is
Moving on swiftly, COYS!
February 2nd, 2007 at 5:10 pm
What’s a Hampton anyway, rhyming slang?
Suck my Hampton Court?
February 2nd, 2007 at 5:21 pm
Hampton Wick = Pr*ck
I think you get the jist! Come to mention it, Hampton is a name that really suits french poodle!
Berby & Little Aaron are back in the squad for Sunday’s clash at The Lane
February 3rd, 2007 at 1:34 am
Ziegler did look good when he started out at the Lane… We always get pretty excited by anyone with a little pace running down the side of the pitch.
He’s not a bad player of course, but hasn’t shown anything for a long time. Yeah, I was away at MK too & he failed to impress, again. I’m only surprised he’s been loaned out because I’m not sure why he hasn’t been sold.
He’s clearly not in the plans - unless, remembering he’s still young, they’re still convinced by his potential… maybe in a couple of years he’ll be picking up Prem Player of the Month awards. I hope so.
February 3rd, 2007 at 10:31 am
He was an Arneson purchase, if I’m not mistaken and they seem to turn out pretty well. He can definitely deliver the ball just needs to toughen up a little and perhaps develop a certain extra something.
As long as someone else is picking up his wages and he gets to play ball then we may as well wait and see what happens.
The Bagel.