2010/11 Fixtures And Arsene Goes Bah Humbug!
Fixtures announced and digested with the only real complaint about them being the number of tough away games which follow Champions League Group matches. Visits to Sunderland, Chelsea, Manchester City, Aston Villa and Manchester United provide the first domestic fixtures after European travels with Newcastle’s visit to The Emirates the only respite.
It seems that Ferguson’s moaning about their run in 2009/10 has done some good with two tough home games – Liverpool after Matchday 1 and Arsenal, Matchday 6 – accompanied by trips to Sunderland and Stoke with Blackburn and Wolves visiting Old Trafford. Arsene take note.
Opening day at Anfield really sets the season alight; no matter that Liverpool were shambolic last season, to visit a major ground for the first game is already sending the senses tingling. Not that it is a trip that has historically been kind to Arsenal on opening days of the season, none of the three fixtures have resulted in anything less than a two-goal defeat. Not that Arsenal will relish August by the Mersey in general, only three victories in fifteen. Who cares? That was then, this is now.
This is the toughest fixture until the first weekend in October, the visit to Stamford Bridge is the first clash between any of last season’s top four. A key month may well be November for Arsenal with tricky away games at Everton, Villa and United in the space of five weeks. With Chelsea facing visits to Spurs and Arsenal whilst entertaining Everton and United, December is key for them with the Boxing Day clash at The Emirates will be the first genuinely big game on that day that I can remember for years.
The run-ins are not particularly onerous although Arsenal’s last three home games are all against teams who will have genuine Champions League ambitions with United facing Everton and Chelsea either side of their trip to Arsenal.
Arsene must have flicked through a copy of El Mundo Deportivo on his way through the airport, reading the stories about Cesc is the only way he can have morphed into such a Bah Humbug overnight. Sky Sports won’t have eased his mood, reporting as news comments made by Rosell three weeks ago about how he is ‘convinced’ Cesc will move to Barcelona. Even the Spanish media are getting sanctimonious about that one.
Perhaps the wilful and malicious misinterpretation of Fabregas’ pre-match preparation comments have wounded him. I have read the comments over and again, yet to see many attempts to look at his comments rather than push personal agendas to the surface.
Of course the Spaniards prepare with dossiers. Christ, Don Revie did it in the 70s, it is nothing new. Clubs should not need to give files and videos to players in this media dominated age, the individuals must surely watch enough Sky or ESPN coverage to be able to discern strengths and weaknesses of opponents.
Even so, to believe that tactics are never discussed at Arsenal is woefully ignorant or naive. They may not be discussed to the same depth but they will be looked at nonetheless. Fabregas observed that they are more concerned with their own performance and that is right; work on your weaknesses and build on your strengths. To focus too much on the opposition can build them up psychologically, too little is deliquent. Knowing your opponents is one thing; not playing well enough renders that knowledge irrelevant.
Not content with showing his dismay at the empty seats at the World Cup Group games, he would sign a petition to have the vuvuzela banned. The latter will not be an issue after the World Cup and to be honest, singing at football matches has been in decline since the introduction of all-seater stadia and the empowerment of over-officious stewards.
The former though is a story the world over, not unique to the World Cup. Ticket prices in South Africa have long been criticised, priced too highly for the local market and for that Fifa takes full blame. Obsessed with protecting their brand, they may have won friends for holding the tournament there but it has proven a double-edged sword for the local economy and Dutch women.
‘Sold Out’ signs still hang around the stadia even though those who have bought the tickets don’t always turn up – Blatter blames this on corporates in South Africa – and the clubs are criticised for reporting capacity attendances when it is apparent the grounds are not full. They have to; HMRC use the published attendance figures to cross-check the financial results, ensuring taxes are correctly paid. Even if the ground isn’t full, the tickets are sold and recorded as thus.
Vaguely on the subject of the World Cup as I was, it was not a good day for the Arsenal contingent, even those that won. Carlos Vela limped off in Mexico’s 2-0 win over France, a result which all but condemns the former World Champions to an early exit. Wenger spoke yesterday of how Vela needs a good World Cup without elaborating as to why. Presumably it was for his confidence in front of goal rather than the mischievous
A lot of absolute tosh is being written about footballing karma revisiting the French but it is surely as simple a case of a divided team and a coach who is more clueless than Clouseau? So many honorary Irishmen filing reports this morning, the prefix ‘O” before their surnames or are they writing patronising crap? Surely we don’t need that limp an excuse to laugh at them? Mocking the French ranks highly on the list of English pastimes, not far behind football.
Argentina are built up into World beaters but defensively as suspect as everyone else, attack wise more ingenious. The media are praising them, Maradona steeling himself for the fall which will come in the Round of 16.
WIN A HOME SHIRT
Arsenal Football Club has kindly donated a new home shirt (to be released on July 29th) to the winner of this question:
Which Arsenal managers have played in the World Cup Finals?
Send your entries, along with your name and address, here or to aclfcomps[AT]btinternet[DOT]com, changing the bits in square brackets, with ‘New Home Shirt‘ in the subject line, to have a chance of winning. Closing date is midnight, Sunday 20th June 2010.
Good Luck to all who enter.
’til Tomorrow.
Posted on June 18, 2010, in Arsenal, Football, Premier League, Soccer, Transfer Gossip, World Cup 2010 and tagged Arsenal, Football, Premier League, Soccer, World Cup 2010. Bookmark the permalink. 168 Comments.
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Hello
uno? deux? or Tres?
*
Barcastards need to shut up now. its becoming ridiculous even by their own standards. I wonder who they were negotiating with? The mighty Arsenal said “talk to the Hand”. You gotta love Gazidis.
A quick exit for the French would be good news. They can then go on holiday, and come back early for the pre-season training…
To be a young player in the French team must be hard, the older players dictate the team selection, and yet they do not play to warrant their selection.
Was watching yesterdays game and i wondered how Clichy and Henry were missed. Govou? clue less
At first sight, it seems like a horrible fixture list with 5 out of the 6 games after Champions League being away. But it actually isn’t as bad as it could be as 4 out of those 5 are agains teams that will also be playing in Europe
Is it only me, or should Wenger Manage the French, and Fergi the English??? okay while Arsene keeps his Arsenal job too…
Boy! Arsene’s backside was frozen last night. And I thought all commentators sat in an A/C studio and spewed bullshit. I guess wrong on both counts as regards Arsene. Hope Vela can play in the knockouts against the Argies.
Okay guys, to get in the festivities and atmosphere of the World Cup, but still enjoying ACLF: Click on this link and have fun reading Yogi’s blog!
http://www.vuvuzela-time.co.uk/aculturedleftfoot.wordpress.com/2010/06/18/201011-fixtures-and-arsene-goes-bah-humbug/
I think that Domenech was on a mission to make sure the France team can only improve under Blanc as it was probably one of the worst display they could have done.
I know arsenal has chosen the high stance by not responding to media gossip but I believe in this situation they should expose Barca as they are. Barca is saying everyday that they are negociating in order to save poor old cesc from the evil club that are keeping him under armed guards.
We should show what they are really doing using underhand tactics to destabilise a club they have a gruge (yes I believe the main reason for all this is that they have still not accepted that we saw and enhanced cesc talent when them could not) and try to push for a confrontation between a player and his employer without offering a real offer.
I don’t care if cesc get punished we need to report them to UEFA which will maybe push the hundered clubs that have their player tapped by those arrogant pricks and severe all tie with them stating we will not make business with them ever again!
I think it’s pretty clear to most people that Wenger is more concerned with his own team’s tactics and movement, rather than that of his opponents. Compare it to someone like Benitez, who it seems assiduously gathered information on opponents and often set his team out as a response to the opposition.
But I suspect Fabregas recognises that this difference is down to the nature of the competition: the weakness of teams below, say, the top eight in the Premier League means a skilful team playing its own stlye well is likely to win most games. Whereas a knockout competition requires each game to be approached a hurdle, to overcome in a specific way. Hence Benitez’s success in the Champions League and FA Cup, rather than the PL, in his Liverpool career. And Wenger’s success in CL has come when he’s been forced to be a bit more pragmatic and apply tactics to compensate for injury-based shortcomings – look at the defence that took us to the CL final.
Fabregas’s comment was an innocuous observation: and, as a pretty sensible person and intelligent footballer, he’ll understand the reason behind these contrasting approaches.
lol Damien hahaha ,next time some people try a vuvuzela near me i strangle him
“My technique and feeling for the ball is the Turkish side to my game.
“The discipline, attitude and always-give-your-all is the German part.”
Strong CM with discipline and a fighting spirit, spend the cash Arsene!
….and of course, despite studying their opponents in great depth and thoroughness, Spain still lost to Switzerland.
gunnerluc – Arsenal will only act accordingly when they have evidence, you need hard solid evidence. I think wth a little bit of cash here and there, people who witnessed the tapping up will speak in court , money talks. But Arsenal will not go down that road unless the relationship between the player and club get sour like Cashley’s then they will have no choice but pursue the matter. Lets hope we don’t come to that, we simply ignore them. Fabregas need to do the decent thing and declare his intention to stay at least another year with the condition that Barcelona pay the asking price. Fabregas is not stupid he was pushed into this by members of his family as well as the people at Barca,the whole year he showed absolutely no sign of wanting to leave, Playing while injured, kissing the badge, making statement after statement that he is in no rush to leave, unfortunately when he got injured he went to sapin for a long period and they managed to turn his head but not completley, I believe he still has a lot of respect for Wenger and the club and would not want to spoil that relationship .
I heard an ass criticising Sagna on the radio for France’s exit, I was baffled by that. I watched the game, without being biased all Arsenal players have done their job not brilliantly but not badly at all, These are the players who simply let France down,Toulalan (Nasri a million times better than him), Abidal for the first goal Evra for the second goal, and there was a clown off the pitch that is Domenech and his favourite assistant on the pitch Govou, If England fans are puzzled why Heskey is picked every time, can you imagine what the French are thinking of Govou, this player has contribute zilch over the 2 games and you have Thierry sitting on the bench. I would not normally bother with the French, I’m only defending the Arsenal players who I thought have done no wrong. I leave the obsession with France for the Irish.
1 loose cannon
I agree but I think Ivan could make a statement saying he has had no contact with Barca over cesc affair and that when Barca say they are doing negociation they are lying because I fell that Arsenal are looking more and more as the bad guys in this affair and until an official arsenal statement underline their underhand tactics the Arsenal bashing media will continue to portray us as a club who’s holding a player against his will!
As for the Arsenal players performance yesterday, Vela had good pace and was dangerous but his finishing was bad.
Sagna saved his camp a few time and did his job well on the defensive side but did not or was not able (because the presence in front of goal was inexistent) to add a lot on the attacking side.
Diaby did his job without being outstanding like in the first match, he lost a few ball burt was not helped by the forwards who did not offer any solution.
As for Gallas, if we can still count him as a gunner, he was better than abidal who is a joke at CB and did some important interception but the mexican threat was too much for him.
For me the worst players on the pitch were:
Abidal who was horrible and at fault on both goals because even though Evra let the players go through on the second goal his reckless tackle in the penalty area was just plain stupid.
Govou is a joke he was a substitute in Lyon who struggled this year and has been realised because they think he is past it and he brought nothing on the pitch.
Anelka who did not play once in the CF position and did not play at all.
Ribery who thought he could make the difference by himself but is only fit to score an underage prostitute did not play once with his teamates.
For me the only players that were worth looking were Diaby, Sagna, Malouda and Lloris who did a great save when gallas left him all alone.
*govou has been released
and sorry about the long post but my French side was deeply insulted by the performance of Domenech’s team during the last 4 years.
I watched the Cesc interview. His comment about not having to study Premier League opposition with Arsenal was a point of pride for him, a little boast. ‘We concentrate on our own game’… because if we play well the win takes care of itself. We know we will have the ball – it’s a matter of us using it the right way, creating chances and taking them.
And mingus is right, look where watching videos of the Swiss got Spain.
The lesson of the World Cup so far? Leave Arsenal players out at your peril.
I bet Cesc can’t wait to get back to Arsenal.
Just a quick note on the Cesc comments about us not looking at apponents. Whether it is a slight or not doesnt matter. What matters is that since he replaced Veira in our team we have won nothing. No it’s not Cesc’s fault – but neither is it to do with our scouting or not scouting other teams. It’s to do with the quality of our squad as a whole. Something that has perversly been affected by the new stadium.
in the 03-04 season presumably we scouted no other team…And not one of the feckers could beat us!
Gunnerluc
Arsenal has had contact from Barcelona – they made a formal offer.
Tapping up is classed as the illegal contact between a player and a club who want to purchase him. Proving it is extraordinarily hard since it requires firm evidence.
Ashley Cole was found guilty as charged because he and his representatives were thick and met with Chelsea in a hotel in London where anyone would recognise the individuals involved.
Why the player was there is beyond me but goes to prove his lack of intelligence.
I suspect that there is proof of contact between Barcelona and Fabregas’ agent. However, the meeting would most likely be witnessed by Barcelona fans and therefore which one of them is going to phone Arsenal? None, I’d hazard a guess.
If any complaint is made, it would most likely be once a deal has been made. After all, we never complained over Hleb, Henry and Vieira. The club’s hand was forced over Cole when a Sunday newspaper published the evidence.
Even then, I’m not sure that Arsenal complained to the FA more that the FA acted on the basis of the newspaper report.
YW
Yogi I know it just pisses me off to see that we act respectfully in transfert negociation and get fucked over by other clubs who think they are supperior only because they are allowed to spend more than they generate.
I hope platini’s does not fold and put his threat over financial fairplay in execution so that fucking Barca, Real, Man U, Man city, Chelsea and Liverpool change attitude or don’t compete in the CL.
But I still believe Arsenal should release a statement stating they do not appreciate Barca’s dirty tactics and that Arsenal will not to business with them ever.
they should start paying what they owe Arsenal before thinking off luring cesc, eboue and clichy.
The German coaching staff always seem to pride themselves – along with the Dutch – on being at the very forefront of touchline fashion. Joachim Löw and friends’ matching t-shirt and cardigan combo as modelled today though – is perhaps a wardrobe change too far?
On the other hand the sartorially challenged Argentinians must surely be favourites for Worst Dressed at the World Cup. Maradona looks like Tony Soprano’s blinger older brother, and his clipboard clutching stooges seem to have gone to the same tailor Steven Segal used to kit out various gun-toting extras in his films throughout the 90s. The baggy, shiny grey suit, machine-gun strap slung over the shoulder, toothpick between clenched teeth. And this is not to mention the goose fat they all seem to be using to keep their hair in place.
Limpar
I second that… Cesc cannot wait to come back.. sitting on the bench watching tarts like Xavi play fancy football!! Cesc would have saved Spain’s blushes if they used him. I am sure of it!
RE: FRANCE… Evra was completely useless.. why is he captain??.. Govou rubbish,. Anelka – didn’t break a sweat or do anything really.. then theres the factor of Domenech leaving Benzema and Nasri at home! I think CLichy is better than Evra, but thats slightly biassed, Abidal useless, and the substitutions and manager are just a joke.
Why not Cisse, or Henry… the French are better than that, and they have let themselves down big time. Credit to Mexico, they attack with real pace and intelligence, shame Vela went off, because he would have done more damage.
The difference between most WC teams is so narrow, in reality, that one or two lousy players makes all the difference in the case of France, Govou, Toulalan and Abidal all weak. I don’t doubt SA can now beat France, but neither will go through anyway. That’s an issue, at 0-2 down, half the stadium emtpied at the last SA match.
I would certainly sign any petition to have the vuvuzela banned, on purely cultural grounds.
“Maradona looks like Tony Soprano’s blinger older brother, and his clipboard clutching stooges seem to have gone to the same tailor Steven Segal used to kit out various gun-toting extras in his films throughout the 90s. The baggy, shiny grey suit, machine-gun strap slung over the shoulder, toothpick between clenched teeth. And this is not to mention the goose fat they all seem to be using to keep their hair in place”.
ha ha ha ha ha haaaaaaa ha aha
Limpar you should be a script writer in comedy. Are you really? Brilliant.
Come on THE ARSENAL!!!!!!!!!
The fixtures are fine, welcome and not an issue at all. When the going gets tough …
Germany losing!!!
Not a fan of the cardigan.
I know everyone will accuse me of having big name envy but I hope the boss gets Mertesacker or Subotic (?sp) along with Kolscielny (?sp), and then spends the money on LLoris. We would probably have to over pay for those type of players but I think it give the players and fans a big boost in confidence. We have the money in the bank to afford those players and we really do not need anymore attacking players. If we also added Joe Cole on the free along with those defenders we would have the best off season in history and start next season flush with confidence. That confidence might be all it takes to put us over the top. Once this group wins that first trophy there would be no stopping us.
For anyone who cares. The Los Angeles Lakers won their second NBA title in a row last night with a hard fought 82 – 78 defensive struggle vs. the Boston Celtics. I’ve been a Lakers supporter for many years so it feels really good to see one of my teams filling its trophy case. Now its time for the Gunners to start doing the same. COYG
I think its safe to say nobody gives a shit about basketball.
Soarcarrrr is where its at right now.
Bill, if all of our defenders (that are close to leaving) actually go, then something like you’ve mentioned will be needed i think. It’s not just a case of seeing these players in the WC and thinking “Yep, should buy him mate. Quality”, it’s a matter of needing defenders and you’re right, signings with some reputation would go a long way to providing the confidence to help bring silverware back to the Arsenal.
Basketball is the only American sport that i actually enjoy watching. Your version of ‘football’ is the biggest pile of shite i’ve ever seen – oh apart from baseball…
Anyone watching ze chermans? How are the Serbs doing?
serbia won making this group really open!
They won!?!? That’s awesome! This WC’s throwing up some real upsets, even if the footie hasn’t been amazing… Lovely stuff, cheers gunnerluc
I blame Evra for their loss..Why the F was he crying during their National anthem?
Watched the Laker’s game. Never say die attitude was good to see.
Can’t tell who makes it into the knock rounds in WC now. Will Germany make it, will Spain make it, Will England make it. France is already done.
Geo and the serbian keeper saved a penalty by Poldoski..how cool is that?
I saw the second half. Germany played well, despite being down to ten men. They are still one of the best teams in the competition. There was a hilarious hand ball by Vidic, confirming that even by footballing standards he is a retard. He stretched himself to the utmost to handle the ball in the penalty area, but hardly managed to divert its course. Alas, Prince Poldi’s penalty was poor, and the goalkeeper saved it. His shooting was a bit off today.
germans should complain against the ref totally shocking IMO
Are Germany like Arsenal?Look good against rubbish
Lol could be Kev but I’ve not seen AW and PR in matching cardigans
USA USA USA in big trouble. Slovenia definitely the better team so far.
I thought Germany were very good. Desparatley unlucky with the referee.
Mick McCarthy’s commentry was remarkable. He called the Serbian goal keeper a big tart at one stage.
I like Joachim Löw’s bohemian appearance. I’m less fond of Sven-Göran Eriksson’s white tracksuit; and the less said about Dunga’s designer trade-unionist garb the better.
yep USA USA USA are being well beaten by a country that has the same population as Birmingham.
The US not doing so well
….population number that is….not EXACTLY the same population….thats just silly.
cant believe the yanks are loosing…
Silver Gunner.
I can…I put money on it.
The ref was terrible in the early game! does he know anything about giving a warning? flashing cards left, right and center! . Germany still shouldve had a tie atleast though.
I’ve got money on a draw…. So not much chance of that
Germany were very impressive in the first macth – playing with a confidence and fluidity that no other team had mustered at that point. I will have to watch the highlights later as i’m trapped at work…
Did anyone see Danny Baker on the BBC last night after the France Mexico match? He just wouldn’t shut up! They were all trying to move the conversation on and he kept butting in with his normal armchair ‘fan’ statements. What the fuck is he doing there? At least most of the other pundits have played football and can relate to issues on the pitch (even if they’re idiots). Danny Baker! What is the world coming to?
Oh and while i’m ranting about the pundits – has anyone else been cringing at Alan Hansen and Alan Shearer’s poor attempts at speaking to foreign pundits (i.e. Seedorf & Adebayor)?? They are coming across so patronising! I don’t think they realise that people speaking english as a foreign language actually might be more intelligent than them… Someone needs to have a word.
Sorry, rant over!
One more thing, Pat V has been by far the most accurate and interesting with his analysis out of everyone i’ve seen, apart from maybe Klinsman – i hate to say.
Ouch!
Haha Geo
I know what you mean! The worst was yesterday when they sent Shearer out as reporter on the field.
My cringe gland went into overdrive.
Paddy V’s good…..So is Seedorf.
Slov 2! USA USA USA 0
oh dear.
Not looking good for the US at all.
USA head between legs. KYAG.
(kiss your ass goodbye)
Hahahahahahahahahaha!!!! Come on Slovenia!!!!!
Yeah deano – that was bad too, you could just see Shearer not really knowing how to talk to what he would call ‘natives’ – funny stuff.
sorry Bill or anyone else from USA USA USA!!! but i love it
The goal that the Germans let in was a masterclass in shambolic defending. Had this happened at Arsenal (and it has) then we would have called the defence a joke and the ‘keeper a joker or worse still (and we have). Just bad luck I guess for the Germans they deserved atleast as draw. But its nice that we are seeing some upsets. Atleast keeps an otherwise dull group stage exciting.
Yanks had their best game
Terrible defending from the US. Why are they playing a high line anyway?
classy goals though. No fluke. Slovenia the far superior team, technicaly, tacticaly and they have a much better kit.
oh oh, pulled one back Bill!
Donovan is a good player, its a shame he hasnt been playing over seas.
1 2 3 vive l’algerie
VIVA
ALGERIA
COME ON ALGERIA!!!!
The US scored tow very good goals. So far this is the best match of the WC for me.
two
Great game. That last goal should have counted. Terrible call by the ref.
Hate to say it but. GO ALGERIA.
Football really needs video replays.
what was the call?
@Bill: Hell yeah…go Lakers!!! Kobe is an awesome player, too bad he supports Barca.
@LA: Even Dunga was wearing something horrendous during Brazil’s match
Yeh, Go Lakers! real good match last night. Even though Kobe was off the rest of the guys came up big, especially Artest.
bill NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Hi Howard.
Fuck your mother. K thnx.
If Slovenia kept the attacking pressure on second half they would have won comfortably. What a howler by the left back for USA’s first goal. Good finish though.
Howard, u twat. Ur mummy came all over joachim lowe’s cardigan. Maturk aka howard.
Are we realy going to respond to someone who can’t even spell his insults correctly?
So far none of the goalies stood out. So its tech9 next season for me thnx
Howard just proves beyond doubt that he’s not only a spud, but a stupid one too. Not that any of them are smart.
F*ck Off Howard.
Yes deano. I dont know why he hates the french so much though especially the gallo afro ones. Do u have any clues ?
I think its because his dad ran off with a french waiter. At christmas time.
Arsenal now a gravy train for the Frenchie cheats. Just play at any level in France and you have a chance of playing here and collecting huge wages. The new one is called ‘Kolcienesky’ a player with only a year in Ligue 1 being pursued to join the Frenchie gravy train.
How come howard hates african players? I mean essou ekotto is africAn isnt he?
Oi Maturks. Do You think ur fucking funny? You fucking pussy u wouldnt say that to an algerians face would you. Ill meet you anywhere you want and we’d see how funny you’d be then
go on algeria,1 2 3 viva l`algerie.
28 years ago we beat west germany 2/1,i can see us beat the english tonight.
That or a perfectly legitimate fear of Napoleon rising from beyond the grave and finaly invading England.
See he’s realy just concerned.
I said on the incredible night we qualified that even if we finish bottom with -10 goal difference, i would still be immensely proud of the achievement. And i am. Whatever happens. Algeria 4 Ever
Deano, howard’s mum ran off with a french african waiter? Maybe maybe. Maybe he got butt fucked by one. We’ll never know. Sodomy can really mess a kid up IMO.
Algeria arnet a bad side and anything can happen in the coming match.
As a egrudging England supporter I hope we win and I think we will, but it will not be the doddle everyone is making it out to be.
Vive algerie zap….and salaam aleikum to u and bonjour.
We won on November 18th against our fierce rivals, in the build up blood was shed and there were attacks and controversy surrounding players, fans, the press, everyone either egyptian or algerian. We had a play off to decide it. And under all the pressure, as underdogs, soon after being stoned on the bus, we won. I think after that, people expect us to do that each time, to show that spirit. Of course this is hard, i dont think there will be a bigger footballing event ever for algeria.
begrudging*
And i agree Max Gunner…except I think it wasn’t rape, mereley a fling in which maturks was the discarded party.
I just cant get myself to support a team that has JT and Stevie ME in it. Yuckssss fuck off JT
a3laykum salam and haha@5.35 hahhaa
yeah i mean i live in england and was raised here, but you dont forget your blood, and you dont forget the team everyone wants you to support has someone who shags peoples wives as a leader. Unfortunately, until this era of players is over, i wont properly support england. MAybe if they reach the final,
And add Wayne to the list. Maturk’s has gone awfully quiet. Playing with the dildo maybe?
I just wish Theo and Sol were in the squad….Then I could feel properly passionate about my chosen international team.
……..National…..for fuck sake
and not chosen….inherited…
ill get my coat
What the hell is stuart pearce doing there? Is he the no. 2?
Theo should never mix with these lot. Might be bad for him. He has to mix with the right crowd with the right up bringing and manners.
Max @5.42
Nope – probably gone to run the comments through Google Translate.
YW
Yow Zap! Your team are playing the giants of England to a standstill.
Looking forward to Plan B: long balls to Crouch.
It is truly awful.
Capello is a very negative manager. No belief in his own players. Will not go for it.
Fair play to Algeria…if they carry on like this they deserve to win the game.
Shotta thats the only other thing to try isnt it? where is the speed on the flanks?
Deano – Capello is being found out. England may well win this match but they are bereft of energy, initiative and creativity. Best exemplified by Heskey, a donkey, who bring nothing to the game.
Blame Capello. These are his choices.
I agree with the Kegan
Should put Joe Cole on.put more players forward.
Wheres Theo Walcott when you need him?
Oh
No pace, no creativity!
ha ha ha! what the hell kind of pass was that?
What are the tie breakers if teams are tied in points after the group stage games?
Rooney looks like a shell of the Shrek that tore the league a new one most of this year.
The most abject Arsenal display Ive ever seen was in 1985 when we lost 6-1 at Goodison Park!
for the record even that was a better performance than this tripe!
I guess England will be looking for another manager as Capello is clueless.
Good grief.
actually bad grief!
True, Paul N. He hasn’t taught his players how to pass for one thing.
As the song goes……
“We need more foreigners, we need more foreigners”
Perhaps he took for granted that men payed millions of pounds every year to play football would be able to pass the ball.
Wow…England can’t even beat Algeria? Actually the Algerians should have won that game, they played much better than England.
Well, I’m not sure why English fans should be upset? After all this is the creation of the excessive media hype in England about English players. Then you wonder why Wenger refuse to pay 30 or 40 million for the best of this crop.
England will have to wait until Arsenal & Arsene give them some real English players coming through, they just have to be patient and get back down to earth. The current English over-hyped players may be good individually or playing next to good foreign players, put them together in one team and they’re crap.
Mouninho for England?
Steve McManaman said England have played bad against poor teams on US TV!
I think the US team are ok actually.
Bring back Sven!
I think so PZ, he has a lot to answer to though, he picked the players.
Whats the sense in subbing Lennon and bringing on SWP? thats just trying a thing for the sake of it. Who in their right mind thinks that SWP is going to come on and win the game for you? Now lets say, Walcott was coming on for Lennon, there would be a buzz in the place knowing that he can definately do something great in a instant.
Ha ha…….
Adrian Chiles has just said that if England v Slovenia is 2-2 and the USA / Algeria game is 0-0
Then lots will be drawn to decide between England and USA…
Makes a change to going out on pens’
That was mental, if the problem is that no chances are being created then how is putting on two more strikers going to help?! I have no idea what Joe Cole’s done to fall foul of Cappello. Can you imagine if that team had had J.Cole on the pitch and, Campbell and Parker in it? No chance in hell would England have drawn either of those games.
Remi:
Don’t see much chance of a USA clean sheet nor do I see much chance of England scoring 2 and conceding 2.
Capello is a first class italian cu*t. why cant we just play bad with a first class english c*nt managing us. So he picks swp and lennon ahead of walcott coz they were crossing better in training! well he forgot that Theo is a big game player, and how we could have done with him bursting through tonight. and what about joe cole?? our only truly skillfull player, what the fu*k does he have to do to get a game!!
Theo should have been in the squad, and Joe Cole should have been on the pitch today, but that alone would not have made up for the incredible lack of basic skills on show this evening.
England = Bolton: Useless fucking lumps who get in the way of teams that actually want to win trophies.
Actually the ironic thing is i think we tried to pass to much today and not get involved in to much”kick and rush”. f*ck knows. all i know is capello is making a shit load of mistakes which all started with sending theo to the fukin states.
Sometime a team needs someone to give them a boost, like when RVP came on against the Spurs at the end of the season.
With a Gerard and Phat Lampard in the middle of the park you would think you have more than a brain there to create tons of chances, but what have they done?
Walcott is a huge off the bench player that can change a game in a few seconds, how idiotic it was to leave him behind.
I blame England’s performance on the Vuvuzelas
G4E, those two have never impressed together, have they? A team is not just your best players but players who work together well.
shame, shame, shame!
I need cheering up. Anyone got a link to that video of Marodonna in a suit clearly from Oxfam? He is wider round than he is tall, right?
Serves Capello right, the man is a brute he dumped Theo in terrible way over the phone, he could’ve done with his pace in the last 20 minutes, Walcott was always criticised for his direct runs and believe me they needed that tonight someone who simply sprint past defenders and cause problems. I said he got the selection completely wrong and I will stand by that. Milner ,Upson ,Swp, lennon ,Heskey, these players have not done it for Club and country. Even the big names like |Rooney, Lampard and Gerard were rubbish. Who scored a hat trick in a crucial away game, who terrorised Barcelona and scored It was THEO. If he had any sense in his big chin he would’ve taken him as a wild card and throw him to change games. England might still go through but will not go very far. About Joe cole ? he is the only decent player in that squad. why is he not playing?
*Maradonna
The way Gerrard was playing tonight you’d think he had something else on his mind. Anyone would think he’d gone and got some young lass up the duff.
When Heskey is the best English player on the night you know it’s been a great game.
“The Hand of God” cheating sh**bag. You know who I mean.
You’re right, Paul N. In my opinion, Gerrard should be the one to take a place on the bench. He’s a fairly good player, but Lampard is better. What is more, unless Gerrard is given his favourite position, I’m not sure he’s interested in playing.
Too many yids in the squad. and its either another one (dawson) or Upson playing against Slovenia. if we dont get through this group it will be our worst ever wc campaign coz this group is shite.
G4E if Gerrard had been in the middle it mightn’t have been so awful. Instead he’s chucked out to the left to make room for the barely fit and incredibly rusty Barry.
Barry did some good defensive work today. Gerrard spent plenty of time floating around in the middle, but he didn’t achieve anything. Leave him on the bench. All the players but Rooney hate him anyway.
Dear English ACLFers,
don’t worry…in 4 years players like Wilshere will be ready. Then, watching England play will actually be something to look forward to.
3 good chances in two games….and who did they fall to??? yes emule fukin heskey, everyone saw it coming except capello.
we lacked grit.
theooooo.theoooo.theooooo.Thats the fan should have sung and make the italian go red of shame.
How Capello is pay .The all-conquering england was worth the money by FA standard who is pretty low.
Yep the spud were laughing because lemon were taken instead theo but who s laughing now….
What is wrong with Rooney. He was truly great most of this year. If he plays like that for the Mancs next year they will not even make the top 4.
Blame Capello, the uber coach, the man who was supposed to take out the politics and favoritism in the English, to choose fit playerst, and to choose only players who were playing regularly for their clubs. He betrayed his every word:
- Choice of Heskey who can’t even start for Villa, to “support” Rooney.
- Choice of SWP who barely ever started for City
- Choice of an unfit King
- Leaving out Walcott, his greatest threat off the bench, to placate Rooney and Co.
Note his repeated subservience to Rooney and the cost of this misjudgment.
For £6 million the man has failed England.
I’ve been out this evening so I didn’t see the game. Perhaps the physical demands of the PL have caught up with the players? Rooney in particular carried the mancs for most of last season. He’s probably just run out of steam.
England will win the World Cup
Can’t see why everyone is so angry at Capello. Thanks to him, England might not make it out of the group stage. This is one of the best things possible for football.
There is a natural lack of creativity; because all the possible creative players have had their legs broken as a kid by “men” and have dropped the sport.
The Euro 08 was a great tournament precisely because England did not make it there.
too much grit not enough talent
Let’s not get so hard on England, there is no such a thing as weak teams in the world cup like in the past. If you’re not up for it you can get beaten by any one.
Spain lost, Germany lost, England plays sh*t and draws, at least they didn’t lose yet. They need to win their last game to have any chance, but they have to show up for it. If the stars like Rooney, Gerrard, and lampard are tired…then replace them with some players who can run and have a go.
Someone on this blog had a long argument with me about English Grit, where the hell is that? If any one showed grit today, it was the US who came back from 2-0 down and should have won the game if not for the first incompetent referee of the tournament.
Where is the freaking English Grit? if there is any time you need it, it’s now or forever hold your peace. This is a team of all “English” players, no French in it…what’s the excuse now?
England played with fear. Capello was brought in to instill discipline after Sven. Unfortunately, along with discipline came fear.
Quote on Sky Sports: “Emmanuel Eboue thinks that Sven Goran Eriksson’s composed approach has instilled a new-found self-confidence among the Ivory Coast squad.”
Rooney needs to be up front on his own.
Joe Cole needs to play. The others need to step up .There is creativity in this team. Wenger has even said that we stand a chance.
I still think we will qualify along with Slovenia.
It was ugly and disfunctional today. Thats not a good combo. Watching it nearly did the impossible and made me feel sorry for Ashley Cole, he must wish he was born in Argentina.
Capello could realy have done with Big Sol in his squad with Carragher out of the next game. As for Theo…well…we all know how he can change a lost cause.
I’m still bitter for what has happened to Walcott, they used him and abused him then dumped him with a phone call, so much for a big man Mr capello he did not have the decency to speak to the lad face to face, he had a total disregard to a young man’s career for selfish reasons they played him in the U21 and the senior team after that he had an injury. but I know Wenger will have to pick up the pieces build his confidence again only for that stupid Italian to come knocking again when it pleases him. From a selfish point view I’m glad Walcott did not go. He can have a long break and he will be fresh for Arsenal while the Spuds will have to play the qualifiers straight after the world cup. We might have the last laugh at the Spuds.
Walcott should thank Capello for not selecting him for South Africa with such a poor team. England was abject.
@ Luke
Nasri should thank the french coach as well.
Euro 2012 should see completely new teams from France and England. At least in the qualifiers.
Ugly and disfunctional is exactly right! It was one of the strangest, most baffling performances I’ve ever seen.
I quite enjoyed it but only as an Arsenal supporter. It I look forward to our own N “ondon, Golden Generation.
First time I’ve seen Vieira as a pundit, LEGEND!
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