Ramsey And Song Hit The Right Notes In Arsenal Cruise

Portsmouth 1 – 4 Arsenal

0 – 1 Eduardo (28)
0 – 3 Nasri (42)
0 – 3 Ramsey (68)
1 – 3 Belhadj (73)
1 – 4 Song (81)

2009 finished in the same manner as 2008 with a comfortable victory over Portsmouth, this time the scoreline reflecting Arsenal’s dominance. The hosts had received a winding-up order from HM Revenue and Customs, informing the Premier League of their financial plight beforehand. Little wonder that Richard Scudamore was supportive for on this showing, Portsmouth will cease to be members of the top flight at the season’s end.

Arsenal aspire to greater things. Temporarily elevated to second place ahead of the final whistle at Old Trafford, a permanent opportunity to that placing presents itself next week when Bolton visit The Emirates. By then, the calls for a striker will probably have reached a crescendo despite the squad passing the half century of goals in the Premier League last night.

The sixth game without defeat since Chelsea, the third by a three goal margin. Previous failings of being unable to put ‘smaller’ sides to the sword have been corrected thus far, a run that needs to continue in 2010 for silverware to be nestling on the sideboard in May.

Arsene observed afterwards that his team should be taken seriously as title contenders, mental strength the key to success:

I’m proud of the team because the belief is there and we played like a real team. It was a big game for us tonight. We knew, to keep chasing, it was important to win here.

This win was not the only boost with Cesc a borderline returnee for the home fixture against Everton a week on Sunday, possibly the following week against Bolton, Theo Walcott likewise. It is a similar schedule for Nicklas Bendtner whilst Tomas Rosicky appears to have come through his 20 minute workout unscathed. A shard of sunshine starting to emerge through the injury gloom.

Performance wise, there is little to be critical of last night and much to celebrate. Aside from the goal, Gallas and Vermaelen were excellent, afforded much protection by Diaby, Ramsey and Song. Key to this win though was the team defending as a unit; Portsmouth were unable to replicate the constant pressurising of the Arsenal midfield and attack when the opposition had the ball. Slack defending will be punished when facing the top teams and last night it was received its due reward.

Portsmouth’s opportunities were few and far between. In the opening quarter of an hour, Piquionne forced a save from Almunia, the Spaniard turning the shot aside. Pressure mounted on the home defence through set plays with a number of half chances being shunned. Diaby had a shot saved by Begovic before the stalemate was broken, a fortuitous intervention by Kaboul sent Eduardo’s freekick flying into the corner.

Arsenal controlled the game and the question became not if a win could be achieved but by what margin? Part of the answer arrived three minutes before half-time. Eduardo was allowed time and space, passed calmly to Ramsey whose equally composed pass was despatched into net by Samir Nasri, a deserved reward for his recent performances.

The second half was pretty much as you were. Arsenal controlled, Portsmouth huffed and puffed but rarely looked by blowing the visitors defence in. The third came, a testament to the progress Aaron Ramsey is making. He was outstanding last night and in my view, Man of the Match. He collected the ball midway in the Portsmouth half, moved in field past lax challenges before coming back onto his left foot and burying the shot from 20 yards.

A brief ray of sunshine shone through for the hosts with fifteen minutes to go. A break down the right found Gallas and Vermaelen drawn too close to the goal, ball watching rather than paying attention to the forwards as Belhadj dropped back to fire home via the Belgian’s outstretched leg. A moment of rare slackness that will no doubt be seized upon by those who believe that this team will drop away.

The rout was completed as once more Arsenal were given too much time and space in possession. Song tried to dribble his way through the home defence thwarted as Diaby had been moments earlier. The ball fell kindly to Nasri who with time and space, crossed exactly where Song demanded the ball be put, the Cameroon international leaving the ball in the net with an excellent header, a perfect parting gift.

The win was crucial, dismissing for a while the claims that Arsenal do not have the firepower to win the title. A new striker would allow Arshavin to drop back into his natural position but the Russian is working hard for the team despite not getting his due reward in front of goal as often as his play deserves. Arsene refused to rule out new faces after the match but crucially stressed that he will not panic, looking at all of the options he already has before deciding on whom to spend his money.

A gap is opening to fourth place and below, slowly putting to bed the lie propagated at the start of the season that Arsenal were vulnerable to the new money, the new kids on the block. The gap to the top is closing, putting to bed the lie propagated one month ago that Chelsea were champions, leading a procession to their crown. Time to ensure that doubters are silenced.

Finally, congratulations to Vic Akers on receiving the OBE, richly deserved for his efforts for the Arsenal Ladies and women’s football in general.

’til Tomorrow.

Portsmouth Preview: Keep The Pressure On

The last league fixture of 2009 for Arsenal arrives in the shape of a visit to Fratton Park. Portsmouth currently prop up the Premier League and if the first half of the season is anything to go by, the mismanagement of the club will see them start next season in the Championship.

As is always the case, injury news dominates pre-match. The luscious passing of Fabregas and Denilson will be missing this evening as Arsene will be seeking to utilise his squad in the midst of a run of two games per week. Replacing the pair will no doubt be one reason for Wenger to content with Alex Song remaining until the finish of the FA Cup tie at Upton Park this weekend; Abou Diaby’s rich vein of form another.

Responsibility is resting on his shoulders as one of the more experienced, fit midfielders in the squad. It is not often that we have been able to use that phrase during his time at the club but his form this season, on a consistent basis, shows that Wenger’s perserverance with him has not been misplaced. Alex Song is in the same boat and we must hope that he does not suffer adversely following his international exertions, in a similar fashion to the loss of form and injury which afflicted Kolo Toure two seasons ago.

Brighter news is that Tomas Rosicky is going to be fit and raring to go either tonight or on Sunday. If there is any doubt, it should be the latter when he returns to the fold given the previous false starts we have had with players returning too quickly after absences. Nicklas Bendtner, meanwhile, will continue to occupy the minds of the medical staff for the best part of January, his hernia cleared but a groin problem grounding him.

Portsmouth have enjoyed a mini-reversal in their form on the pitch, not being defeated at home since Manchester United trounced them 4-1 at Fratton Park in November. Indeed it is the only time they have not emerged with at least a point since Tottenham walked away with all three in October. There is a theme here; top four sides should win this fixture.

Arsenal tend to enjoy their visits to this part of the south coast, not tasting defeat since March 1958 in 5-4 defeat. Of the eight matches since then, 5 have been drawn with Arsenal winning the others. At this time of the year, Arsenal have never lost either, winning twice and drawing three. Last season saw a much changed Arsenal trounce the hosts 3-0, a scoreline which was not at all flattering. A repeat of that performance would go down very nicely in these parts.

With the injuries, I would expect Arsene to rotate one or two with Sunday in mind. Defensively, no change is necessary but with Eboue going post match, I wonder if Wenger will give Sagna one more rest before a busy January kicks in. In midfield I hope Ramsey is given the time to shine, him being the most logical replacement, adding guile to the directness of Diaby. Up front though, I would be inclined to ring the changes, Walcott coming in on the right and Vela on the left to support Arshavin. This would allow Eduardo to play centrally in upcoming FA Cup tie. Nasri likewise could do with a rest, having played pretty much full-on since his return from injury. Absentees tonight are a chilling reminder of what can wrong with overplaying.

Those changes would leave the line-up:

Almunia; Eboue, Gallas, Vermaelen, Traore; Ramsey, Song, Diaby; Walcott, Arshavin, Vela

Whichever side Arsene fields, they should be good enough to win this match. They have to be in order that the pressure placed on the top two can be maintained. Next week, the game in hand disappears so the squad need to be in a position to take full advantage of that.

Enjoy the match wherever you are watching it. ’til Tomorrow.

Tommy Guns For The Midfield

Scanning the newspapers for any update on the injury to Cesc highlights the problems confronting football fans these days. No official word as of yet but still the prognosis by failed medical students across the globe, now gainfully employed as journalists, brings forth a diverse set of opinions, his absence anywhere between three days to a six weeks, all of them requesting a second opinion before asserting that they were right in the first place.

Whatever the case, Thomas Vermaelen believes Fabregas is the complete player:

He’s really smart in his game and in training if you play against him he’s really difficult to defend against because I think he has eyes in the back of his head. He sees everything.He is a good captain too. He has a lot of qualities in football and I think that’s important for a captain. He talks in the dressing room, not too much but just enough

The Belgian was back to his imperious best at the weekend, he and Gallas containing Villa at the back with relative ease. Their partnership has been crucial, giving the spine of the team a solidity that was not consistently apparent when Gallas had others playing alongside him.

Asserting himself regularly on the creme of the English Premier League’s striking talent must surely out him in the running for Player of the Season on this form although as he is not the England captain or the only hope that the country has of World Cup glory, it is unlikely that the Belgian will be considered for such an award outside of the club poll at the end of the campaign.

Arsene has not yet ruled out signing anyone in January, admitting that he is in something of a quandry as to where he would be best strengthening the team:

I have said we will keep our eyes open and if a good opportunity turns up we will do it, but at the moment I haven’t got any (names).

I will have to look maybe as well at midfielders and how big the damage is. If we lose Denilson and Fábregas we will be short there. I don’t know yet.

Were Alex Song not going off, I suspect he would be reticent to invest in the middle third of the pitch. The cover is there for a short term basis but January is a key month. The fixtures are relatively kind to all of the top six. Chelsea have Birmingham and Arsenal visiting Stamford Bridge during the ACN, with a potentially tricky fixture at Turf Moor.

United visit The Emirates and St Andrews which may not yield maximum points. Arsenal play their game in hand next week so consistency is going to be crucial. Each of the top teams has been lax in the application of this attribute but even stumbling sides will be looking at upcoming games believing that they should not drop more than 4 points.

Wenger though received a small but potentially important boost from a competition he would rather was not taking place. The Cameroon FA has not enforced Fifa regulations which require the attendance of their players 14 days before the commencement of a tournament, preferring that Alex Song joins his team-mates on Monday instead, freeing him up to play tomorrow and on Sunday in the FA Cup. The Ivorian officials have not been so lenient in the past nor are they being so this time around with other clubs adversely affected for one game more than Arsenal.

Vermaelen though hit the nail on the head with the midfielders:

Cesc is very important for us but it’s the same with Robin [van Persie] who is also important for us but they’re injured and we have to do it without them. I think we have other good midfielders who can fill that gap.

And with that there should be no argument. ’til Tomorrow.

Fabregas Torments Villa As Arsenal March On

Arsenal 3 – 0 Aston Villa

1 – 0 Fabregas (65)
2 – 0 Fabregas (81)
3 – 0 Diaby (90)

Aston Villa arrived on their chariot, conquering all-comers in the notional and current top four, leaving The Emirates firmly on the back foot, acquiring knowledge that their progress, whilst substantial, needs to take a giant step forwards if silverware is to be added. Functional in their approach, they were undone by a solid Arsenal performance, one of the best in terms of containment, compressing the opposition and then stretching them, turning the handles of the rack until the defence was snapped.

Centre stage was taken by Cesc Fabregas, lead actor for an imposing half an hour, yet missing for anywhere between days and weeks. No-one yet knows but the spectre of losing Alex Song and his captain, is materialising in front of Wenger. The manager is, at the moment, rightly unrepentant about introducing the Spaniard into the fray, the result producing evidence of the correctness of his decision. Points gained in his continued absence will assess whether it was faith or folly.

The match itself began as it continued; Eduardo found space in the area following a silky dragback and turn by Diaby, shooting weakly at Freidel. The Croat is this seasons’ Bendtner; devoid of finishes that we know he is capable of, unafraid to take the lead to put himself time and again in the position to miss. Notionally on the left side of the attack, Eduardo is adept at turning up anywhere along the forward line, left, right and centre within moments of the game, adding his value through workrate.

Villa’s defence though was effective in marginalising Arshavin. The wit and guile of recent weeks was absent from the Russian’s game in the first half, a forty-five minute spell where he buffetted and bulwarked by Dunne and Cuellar. Denilson, Nasri and Diaby all fluttered around the midfield, the deft touch of butterflies masking their determination and strength in the challenge. Behind them, Song provided an effective barrier to an almost full-strength Arsenal defence. When the midfield wall was breached, Villa created little threat, the most dangerous of which was created through indecision on Arsenal’s part, the ball eventually cleared to safety after a Gentleman’s Excuse Me from Almunia, Song and Sagna.

The second half threatened more of the same until the introduction of Fabregas. Immediately, the captain proved to be a colossus, belying the notion that the only big players Arsene need look at are those physically so. Big of heart and mind, he provided a cutting edge, a probing run drawing a foul from Dunne. The shortest of run-ups ended with the sweetest of strikes, lifting the ball over the wall and into the corner from whence Freidel had organised his wall. Poor goalkeeping position to face the kick? Yes. Would he have stopped the shot if he were correctly placed? No such was the accuracy of the Fabregas’ effort.

Such moments turn games. Arsenal became more dominant with Villa rocking. Arshavin and Eduardo combined on the left, the Croat racing to the byeline, Fabregas created panic between Dunne and Freidel, Cuellar blocking once more a goalbound effort. The second came in the last time. Traore picked the ball up just outside the Arsenal area, releasing a fifty metre pass that his captain would have been proud of. Walcott picked the pace up with Fabregas inside, providing the ball at perfect pace for the Spaniard to run onto and slide past the advancing Villa ‘keeper. In the process, tweaking his hamstring, willing through the obvious discomfort to produce the match winning advantage.

Villa responded with an effort almost carbon in copy of Agbonlahor’s goal last season. This time though, he was thwarted by the athleticism of Almunia, having been robustly challenged by Gallas. Credit to the young forward for holding off the tackle to get to his feet so quickly. Ashley Young can only hold his head in shame for the manner with which he calculatedly hit the turf in a blatant dive, rightly earning himself a booking which means he misses the upcoming fixture with Liverpool. A fitting punishment for such cowardice.

The win was sealed as Fabregas’ replacement, Ramsey, and Nasri combined to free Diaby. Gliding across the turf as freely as a Bustard through the air, the Frenchman strode unopposed through the Villa half, accepting the invitation as the defence backed off, to curl the ball past Freidel.

Three points were crucial to turn the screw on Chelsea as they will be against Portsmouth on Wednesday. A margin of four points with a game in hand to the leaders was an unlikely outcome for the end of the year following the home defeat to Chelsea, according to the sage and wise pundits on our screens. Humble pie is not yet being eaten but is being cooked into a delicious treat for them.

Last evening, the lifeforce was extracted from my body in listening to the diatribes from those whose lobotomy’s were reversed with nothing inserted, encouraged by Gabrielle Marcotti’s constant denuding of the forward line’s talent, deriding them as ‘Smurfs‘. As easy as it would be to respond in kind, I’ll leave those of a more vindictive bent to take the suitable course of revenge for such cheap chatter.

Quite often I am accused of having glasses, the hue of which is rose in colour. Those who persistently desire the return of Patrick Vieira need to re-assess their own eyewear. We remember Patrick very fondly in ACLF Towers yet never lose sight of the fact that he is no longer the player that he once was; unquestionably powerful in his prime, injury-prone in his fading years.

Midfield is a precarious position for the club for four weeks whilst injuries heal and Alex Song vacates his slot in the first team. Wenger admitted any more absences may produce a short-term requirement but a forward remains his priority, as does, I suspect, cover at centre back.

’til Tomorrow.

Aston Villa Preview: A Land Of Opportunity

The Premier League likes to portray itself as the footballing ‘land of opportunity‘. For Arsenal, it is a golden opportunity in every sense of the occasion. The chance to put some daylight between themselves and fourth place; a temporary chance to snatch second place; the opportunity to claw back the deficit to the leaders to four points. If a team needed incentive to win this afternoon, Arsenal has it.

So do Aston Villa for all of those opportunities afforded to Arsenal, extend themselves to the Midlands ‘top side’. The two sides are level on points, separated by Arsenal’s superior goal difference. In an era of Premier League football clubs having an international ownership, Randy Lerner has shown that it need not all be debt-laden gloom and doom. Whether he has put his own money in or is in hock to a variety of banks, I know not. If it is the latter, he has managed the situation in PR terms considerably better than the owners of West Ham and Portsmouth.

For those who seek solace in omens, expect that Arsenal will fail to win. The clubs have met five times in the immediate aftermath of Christmas, Villa winning thrice, the remainder drawn encounters. One hundred and four years ago, the two teams met on the same date, Arsenal succumbing to a 1-2 reverse. The two most recent encounters ended all square with Arsenal the authors of their own misfortune in letting a two-goal lead slip at Villa Park this time last year. Ho and indeed, ho, ho. That was then but this is now.

From the side that flattened Hull in more ways than one, little change is expected. Late last week, a Fabregas return seemed to be on the cards. Having failed to complete a training session on Christmas Eve, I suspect it will be the trip to Portsmouth that sees the mercurial Spaniard return. Armand Traore is fit once more, recovering from the niggle picked up at Anfield. That being the case, it would be a surprise if he were not included in the starting line-up. Pace is something that the Villa attack has in abundance. Whilst Silvestre has experience, he may be given a torrid time by Young, Downing or Milner, their youthful exuberance potentially outweighing any nous that is lacking on their part.

It is the axis of Milner and Young which may provide Arsenal with a potent attacking opening. Both like to push forward which will leave space, Diaby being more than happy to exploit such opportunities in the past, pressing onwards to the opposing penalty area when given the chance to do so. The speed of Arsenal’s attack is something which may neuter their Villa counterparts to some extent; if you know that the outcome of putting too many players into attack is to be hit with a faster counterstrike, the natural reaction is to restrict your own attacking instincts. Walcott can meanwhile keep Downing and Warnock very busy by pushing on the right, keeping Villa stretched on either flank will be a key feature if Arsenal are to prevail.

The team I would expect Arsene to go with is:

Almunia; Sagna, Vermaelen, Gallas, Traore; Denilson, Song, Diaby; Walcott, Arshavin, Eduardo

Villa should not be taken lightly. They have won at Anfield and Old Trafford, beating Chelsea at Villa Park but held by Tottenham at home in their recent encounter. These results were threatened last year so this season cannot held to be a flash in the pan. Arsenal has yet to record a victory over today’s visitors at The Emirates, last year’s 0 – 2 defeat preceded by two 1 – 1 draws. Villa enjoy their visits but this time do not encounter an Arsenal side in the throes of navel-gazing as has been the case previously. This Arsenal team are alive to the chance of catching Chelsea and have a determination about themselves which is often overlooked.

Villa are an opponent to be respected but not feared. This is an afternoon where Arsenal has the chance to take a big step towards catching Chelsea. Forty years ago, astronauts bucked historical trends by landing on the moon, taking giants leaps for mankind. I seek nothing so grandiose; three points will suffice.

Enjoy the match wherever you are watching it. ’til Tomorrow.

Cesc, Motty and Arsene on Boxing Day

Traditions of Christmas still abound in an everchanging world. Liz still spouts on, families snooze post whichever meal they have gorged on, too much alcohol and kids fighting because one of their toys does not quite function as well as they expected. And football returns on boxing day. Well, it would if the television companies had not meddled. Instead we wait until tomorrow lunchtime for a resumption of action.

Ahead of the clash with Aston Villa, Arsene has noted that armand Traore is the only player whose return is guaranteed from those who missed the fight, sorry, match with Hull City. The noteworthy absentees are minimal in being anywhere near fit, Cesc the nearest, rated as no better than 50:50. Which is a tough one to decipher because Arsene’s 50:50′s rate anywhere between 100% and no chance of playing. More team news will no doubt be forthcoming during today in the lead up to Sunday’s encounter.

According to the manager, the players trained on Christmas Day morn before tucking into their turkey or whatever takes their fancy in this diet conscious game that we live in. Arsene believes the only thing he can give at this time of year is the health of his family and that Arsenal wins their matches. Peace and goodwill to all men on Earth coming in a very poor third, no doubt.

I suspect that Arsene will not be worrying unduly about giving the FA their Christmas card next season, believing that the decision to charge Arsenal with ‘failing to control their players‘ to be a harsh one. Not too sure that he can really defend the players since an sign of a melee is going to see the clubs charged. Better that than having a single player or more facing a suspension through their actions, whilst the club will be fined. Hull are expecting to be hit with a bigger fine as they have been charged more recently than Arsenal with the same offence. It won’t happen like that, of course, since Arsenal are a big four club and therefore deemed to be immediately more guilty than their supposed peers.

Elsewhere, John Motson has decided that the 2-2 draw at White Hart Lane in The Invincibles season was the defining moment of the decade as far as the Premier League is concerned. Whilst I appreciate his rationale in that it sealed the title for a monumental Arsenal team, I am far from convinced that it is more of an achievement in a one-off scenario than the win at Old Trafford to seal the title, a match where United were dominated entirely. Indeed, there could be a strong argument that the victories over Liverpool and Leicester City in that undefeated season required more strength of character to achieve. The latter was a nerve-jangling affair with the history which beckoned provided that defeat was avoided, stress placed upon the players to a greater degree than in a normal 90 minutes.

The Liverpool match displayed even greater mental strength. Coming from behind in the match itself, immediately in the aftermath of a treble crumbling in front of the players’ eyes. The 4-2 win at Highbury was the defining moment of that season, the result which truly indicated that no slip-up in the league would be countenanced.

’til Tomorrow.

You’ve Never Had It So Good?

Arsene believes that the last four years has been the best period of his reign at Arsenal. Freely acknowledging that, in terms of silverware, it has been a barren spell, Wenger put a perspective onto this time, giving an insight into the expectations of the club. If he were not performing to the board’s expectations, the confidence that they so obviously have in him would not be there. Indeed, neither would the manager in that scenario, either through not being given a new contract extension a few years back or not signing one that was put in front of him.

Unsurprisingly, it has been a time when a lack of appreciation of the working environment has shone through. Wenger observed in his webchat:

In some ways [these changes are] for good, in some ways for a little bit more negative because it’s less relaxed. Everybody is a bit more tense and life is, as well, about enjoyment. I felt that 13 years ago a defeat was less dramatic than it is now. It is all about Champions League now and being in the top four.

He omitted to add that winning is the only thing that matters in some supporters eyes. Fail to sign a big name player and you are a loser. Finishing in the top four with little or no money to spend? Loser. Patience in the Premier League generation of fans is almost non-existent. When this was vocalised last season, Wenger noted that football was simply a reflection of the society in which we find ourselves living today: a ‘now‘ generation, brought up on the shallowness of being called a celebrity for no apparent reason other than having five minutes of fame on odious reality television programmes.

The world of football has been skewed and distorted by an influx of money, some borrowed, some of equally dubious sources. English football has commercialised itself into a global business. No problem there at all until the wretches who control the game spew forth notions about 39th games around the world, maximising their revenues whilst devaluing the very competition that has become so watchable to the masses. In this morass, Wenger has been able to fashion top four finishes, cup finals and semi-finals from a team which in monetary terms had no right to be consistently finishing in the coveted Champions League places.

Winning silverware is of course important but so is the future of the club. Investment in clubs from outside is no sure thing. Manchester City has taken the poisoned pound from a morally bankrupt politician to find itself swimming in cash, spending freely and achieving little in return thus far. Liverpool are sinking into the riverbed of the Mersey, unable to rid themselves of their American fighting cousins. Only one club which has been taken over can vaguely claim to be run sensibly, Aston Villa, reaping the rewards of a sustained policy of growth by challenging for Champions League places last season and this.

Wenger’s biggest demon has been his own track record. Domestic doubles, titles, cups littered the first nine years of his reign, culminating in The Invincibles. The last trophy was the turgid 2005 FA Cup but when you are winning, the manner of victory does not get remembered by the history books. Even Wenger admits to breaking up his undefeated team too quickly but a side of a similar age is going to disappear around the same time. Paris 2006 would have been a fitting swansong but would not have changed one thing about the move to The Emirates; financially the club was always going to have a tough time.

In moving to The Emirates, Wenger knew he would have to rebuild the club on the playing side. Planning for this had happened several years beforehand, the Youth Academy did not suddenly have an influx of talent overnight. The rewards are beginning to shine through. A taster came two seasons ago, derailed by a series of events, collapsing under the weight of pressure in the end. In whichever industry you work, progress by a young team of people will be in stages, plateaus misinterpreted as backward steps. The inexperience of the players last season shone through as they struggled for consistency in the summer and autumn months. Post Christmas, the malaise was shaken free and a run put together which cemented a top four finish.

The conveyor belt of youth is Wenger’s legacy. Manchester United harp on about their golden generation but no-one has come through since to be bracketed as a World Class Player, save for the vapid rhetoric of their manager, complimenting individuals in a uxorious manner. Little wonder that Wenger takes greater pride in this squad. It may be the best he ever has; it may not. History will pass judgement when they are gone.

Right now though, they are challenging for trophies on three fronts – a little disingenuous, I know, since the FA Cup has not yet begun for Arsenal but we have yet to be eliminated. It is a time of promise; a time of hope. Little wonder that this mix of youth and purchased experience, Wenger believes it to be a period of potential. Perhaps those who chastise and berate will be changing their tune. That will require patience.

Merry Christmas to all who have passed through the ACLF doors, thanks for your time and contributions. I will be popping in and out over the next couple of days, inbetween watching the kids enjoy and inadvertantly destroy their presents whilst I consume copious quantities of alcohol to retain some sense of sanity. And with a bit of luck, finding enough time to read Football Ambassador by Eddie Hapgood, the latest reprint from GCR Books, which arrived on the ACLF doormat this week. A review of will be up after the Villa match. Next post will be on December 26th.