We all knew that this match was a season breaker. It wasn’t that we’d be mathematically out if we lost, it was more about being psychologically out. Our problem for many years has been our inability to capitalise on the misfortune of other teams. Lately, things seem to have been picking up. Could Arsenal pick up points against a team that looked fabulous against United a few weeks ago? Could the young guns pick up points in a highly pressurised match against a set of player who hit the wings and fire in this dreaded crosses all day long? All questions we were mulling over before the game…
The starting line up on paper didn’t look pretty. Denilson, Diaby and Song lined up in midfield. A lack of creativity was a major worry. It looked like Wenger has set up with solidity in mind. Cesc had been left on the bench. Up top we had Eduardo and Nasri either side of Arshavin. The back four saw the introduction of Traore which was a huge relief considering how Silvestre struggle with the pace Burnley had on offer.
The first half was cagey affair mostly fought out in midfield. Arsenal’s best chance came early when Eduardo turned in the box and tamely shot at Brad Friedel. Denilson and Nasri went close with a few long range efforts as well. Villa had a few close calls. Ashley Young was nearly on the receiving end of a huge piece of luck when his shot ricocheted off the back of Gallas and nearly looped over Almunia. We also allowed a corner to flash through the six yard box unchallenged and I’m pretty sure Milner had a chance on the edge of our box which he pushed wide.
Villa had a game plan which mainly involved soaking up the Arsenal pressure then hitting us with the long balls out wide to Young and Agbonlohor. The trouble was, both were playing very poorly. A.Young looked a million miles away from being a 20million winger and Agbonlohor was so off his game it was embarrassing.
There were a couple of dodgy moments from Almunia who still looks like a disaster waiting to happen. He did do well with a few of the long balls into the box, but it’s clear to me the defence don’t trust him one bit. Positives from the first half were Alex Song who looked very solid again. His passing wasn’t 100% but he broke up play superbly and made one or two very good last ditch tackles. Diaby also played very well bar holding onto the ball a bit too long. The ingredient we lacked was creativity. The forward three saw virtually none of the ball. Arshavin was having a very weak game misplacing passes all over the place.
The game needed something short, Spanish and very Cescy… and that’s what we got.
5 minutes into the second half, Wenger brought on the puppet master and almost immediately he was pulling the strings. The whole team was lifted, his ability to move the ball around the park in a positive way was clear. He sees every pass a second faster than anyone else and the rest of the players move for him.
Gallas nearly turned an Arshavin shot into Friedel’s net, from where we were sitting it looked in!
Cesc’s first warning shot came when he tried to put a 35 yard freekick in… it whistled narrowly over the bar! Shortly after, Arshavin broke down the left, cut Eduardo in who lost the ball, Cesc retrieved it and fed Eddy back in, only for him to miss. Things were spicing up!
Cesc was at his old tricks again on the edge of the box when he laid Arshavin in who shot and had the keeper at full stretch to tip wide. The key moment in the game came when Dunne pulled Cesc over on the edge of the box. Now, this is the point when I’m sure every fan at the game or sitting at home had something like this to say,
‘Why is Cesc taking it for? He always misses!’
I said something similar,
‘Cesc always chips it, however… this could be his time’… BANG!
Cesc launched a ripper into the top left hand corner! The crowd erupted, what a fantastic freekick!
Theo Walcott was introduced into the game and to be fair his pace didn’t frighten Aston Villa. No one dares to dive in on him, even experienced defenders aren’t sure how to play him. He still lacks the decisiveness to take advantage of this… he dithers with the ball for too long… but he did demonstrate on 80 minutes what he could be capable of. Traore launched a 50 yard long ball to him, he brought it down, powered down the pitch, slid the ball perfectly into Cesc who slipped the ball into the top corner past the keeper. A bitter sweet moment as it was apparent our influential Spaniard had picked up an injury…
Arsenal played out the final ten in exhibition style, knocking it around like a training session. Diaby picked the ball up in the centre, bombed forward twisting and turning between white shirts, then tucked the ball into the bottom corner from 20 yards out. A superb finish to a superb afternoon.
Arsenal firmly stamped their names on the title contenders sheet. We’ve once again capitalised on the misfortune of Chelsea and we’ll now only be one point off them if we win our game in hand against Bolton in January. Manchester United also looked very poor against Hull in the later match and as far as I’m concerned, we’ve got a fantastic chance to kick on in the new year and do some damage in the league.
Aston Villa were very poor today and that is a fact that can’t be denied. Let’s not get too carried away with the result and don’t forget how blunt we looked in the first half. For me, we still need reinforcements if we’re going to mount a long term challenge on any trophies this year because we’re two injuries away from a real problem. We’ve also got a lot of teams breathing down our necks who have a lot of quality.
We don’t have anyone who has the ability to make that central striking position their own at the moment and I think we’re hugely exposed in the middle of the park with Song leaving for ACN and Denilson picking up an injury. Arsene, please don’t blow the season in desperation to prove people wrong. If we have the money in place to make a couple of astute signing, surely that’s a more sensible approach than attempting to wing it on a hope and a prayer.
I’m hoping that Wenger’s smile when talking about Cesc was a smile that said he was ok… not a nervous, ‘What the fuck am I going to do’ smile. Keep em’ crossed Grovers!
I also want to say a big thanks to the folks Geoff and I met before and after the game…!
Ratings:
Almunia: Made a couple of half decent saves but still looked shaky at the back and still hasn’t regained the trust of the defence. Luckily he didn’t have a lot to do today. 6.5
Traore: I thought he has a superb game controlling the pace coming his way all game. He’s still prone to the odd gaff but he has speed in abundance and he seems to have a die for the cause mentality. 7
Vermaelen: Superb game from the Verminator. He dealt well with the aerial threat and used his pace to full benefit the whole game. He has so much drive and determination… a real star of this side. 8
Gallas: I thought he was the best player on the pitch in the first half. He read everything perfectly and controlled the back line in a very professional way. 8
Sagna: His crossing is what McDonald’s is to the good food guide. However, he defended resolutely today and not much got past him. 7
Song: I thought he had an immense game today. He bossed the midfield, broke up play all day and didn’t really allow them a sniff. His confidence is apparent for all to see and I’ll be sad to see him go. Lets hope his expereience away is an injury free one. 8.5
Diaby: What have the coaching staff been putting in his sandwiches? A superb display of power, discipline and passing ability. Diaby and I have always been best friends but we went through a rocky patch recently… I think we’re through all that now and if performances like that continue, I’ll be taking him out for a Peroni or two shortly! 8.5
Denilson: He played ok. I sat next to one of the Grovers and he said he’s a water carrier type player. That’s true… he’s never going to blow you away with his game, but he did a steady job and crabbed away admirably. 7
Nasri: Ahhh, I’m just not sure about this boy. He’s either on his game, or day dreaming about where he could be. Today wasn’t his finest performance. He was anonymous in the first half and only marginally better in the second. He needs to get one of those consistency coaches in to teach him a thing or two! 6.5
Arshavin: A very quiet first half from the Russian which was eclipsed by a much more productive second half. 7
Eduardo: Didn’t really do much for me today. Mind you, he’s a fox in the box, being played out on the wing. You wouldn’t expect a lion to catch many fish would you? Why are we expecting him to excel out wide then? If those sort of tactics don’t tell you something about the state of our squad… I don’t know what will! 6
Subs:
Cesc: The best 35 minutes of the season? I’d have to say so! A superb cameo appearance that include two goals and the lifting of a whole team! Cesc, get on the blower to that placenta woman and tell her you’ll have a double treatment… I’m sure the fans will have a whip round for you! 10
Theo: Came on and caused alsorts of bother and managed to grab himself an assist. Well played son! 7
Rambo: Didn’t really have enough time to merit a write up. I like him though. 6
P.S. Geoff back to his prophetic best?
I won’t predict the score as I know some of you get nervy when I do, however, I think we’ll score 3 more than they do.
Boom
1st
top 5
Closest i have ever been
5th
could it be….
Morning folks
Just want to add..the way he celebrated the opening goal…Barca who?
Laporta needs another target to bully coz this boy is all Arsenal for the next couple years…FACT!
Top ten
great read Pedro, thanks
just watched the highlights again – you beauties
morning all….great win yesterday…next 3 games maximum 9pts minimum 9pts
At least we have Song until after the West Ham cup match.
Is it a coincidence that Diaby’s best form has happened now that Cesc is out the team?? I’ve been saying for ages that these two just cannot play together. Diaby is not a defensive midfielder & when Cesc is playing Diaby cannot play his natural game.
Yeah great read Pedro, some incisive thoughts, there is something in Traore’s face that is never say die for the cause. I like him a lot and would put him ahead of Gibbs in my opinion
I think once Song goes away we will see how important he is to the team, I feel Cesc will play a more defensive game to cover until he comes back. His confidence is growing and he is only going to get better. I’m a big believer in the man.
diaby had lots of chances last season without cesc but was still disappointing.He just needs to concentrate harder and play with a little discipline
Traore hasn’t bombed forward.Probably because there is no one to cross to.He could be even more useful if someone like bendtner plays
Don’t agree about Walcott. Apart from that obvious pass he looked out of place. did not know whether to go back or move forward. whether to pass or to keep the ball.
He is clearly lacking confidence as well.
Pedro,
Awesome post , worth the wait..
what worries me is the First Half, Villa were not at there best,as u mentioned,and still we couldnot create much attack wise.
IF we can get a proper CF maybe that would change.
——–
@All
Its about time,that we take Geoff`s Predictions seriously..
Diaby has never had a run in the first team. This season has been the first that he’s not suffered from constant injuries or being dropped after a couple of games. Last season Diaby was never played central, he got the odd game here & there playing on the left wing & then people wonder why he was so poor.
I remember Cesc being played on the right wing at certain points when he came into the team & he was useless there. If its not a players position you can hardly expect them to excel.
Sabeel,
What was mnissing in the first half was a finishing touch but Diaby provided several chances for Eduardo and Arshavin to score from.
Good and almost well balanced post Pedro, I think you got the Song rating wrong again.
I hope we buy in Matuidi and Dzeko. Or even Chamakh and Sissoko.
Anything more will be a bonus.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VR02Gr1IeTU
Captain fantastic…wooojh
Khalle
that is what i am saying that attackwise( the forward 3) were toothless,in creating space/chances for each other…
“You wouldn’t expect a lion to catch a fish” Says it all really.
Gud Morrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrning Grovers!
GMR, Diaby played his best football in the second half.
The improvement to his game has been his decision making and his passing… all much improved.
He’s not a defensive midfielder… but he hasn’t been played as one this season… he’s just been asked to muck in like the rest of them.
What, no mention of that shameful dive by that knob Ashley Young……petulant little flash in the pan!
DDM, I didn’t really get a good look at that… we were down the other end!
VERMINATOR HAHA JUST GOT MY NUMBER 5 SHIRT NOW AM LOVING IT
Credit to the defence as well.Especially the 2 CB’s
Pedro,
I was just wondering if we had a proper striker instead of Eduardo we would have finished them off in the first Half. The same thing could be said about the Cheslki first half.
I just hope that we get that sought after striker sooner rather than later.
If he waits it until last minute it could be late. we are meeting all the top teams in the coming 6 weeks.
Geoff you don’t think Song was that good? what would you give him?
We need to keep willy G, I hope he chooses to stay.
Chances of Cesc facing Pompey?
I agree Traore was immense, at this rate I’d put him ahead of Clichy and Gibbs!!Lets hope we don’t spoil this momentum by losing points to Portsmouth. We need a big performance from Eduardo, he needs to prove he still has a future at this club.
I was at the Emirates yesterday and the atmosphere was electric….. don’t recall enjoying a game so much for a long long time. I am so pleased that Traore played as well as he did, I have rated him for a long time, before loaned to Portsmouth, let’s hope he progresses and not sold off. Only ”one thing” spoiled my visit yesterday, and that was a overzealous (50′s, male, (not slim) with a grey speckled goatie) who pushed his way past me into the row of seats I sit in, almost knocking me over, stood on my foot and kindly kicked my ankle (lovely bruise this morning, and still throbbing), what for? I have no bloody idea, but I do know I missed the 2nd goal from Cesc, while he was standing on my foot!!!
Dennis, morning mate, lovely meeting you, sorry we couldn’t stay longer, you are a handsome fellow, like me I might add!
Hi guys.
Good post and great game.
I would say villa played well. Their game is all about the counter attack.
Wenger also said he may be after a midfielder if denilson is out for a while.
Not sure what Rambo and wilshire have to do to start.
Nasri seems to comfortable at the moment we need rosicky back and diaby to play further forward.
When will bendtner be back we need Hom asap.
Have a good day.
I’ve read a few Villa reports and they all feel that Song was niggly, brutal, disruptive, nasty and “should have been sent of twice in the first half alone”
Nice.
Stonroy, not an 8. He was adequate, no more.
DDM
good u brought that young dive up, i was very pleased to see him yellow,and young now misses 2morrows match against pool,becos of 5 yellows
great post pedro
we will win the league cheer up gooners
Pedro
Le-CHAMP – Fabregas
Le-CHUMP – Dunne / O`neil(for not changing anything on fabregas substition,thereby underestimating fabregas substition in 2ndHalf )
just watched the game for a 3rd time. I think Eduardo’s role was understated. Arsharvin’s passing quite poor. Walcott did well, but Diaby really was superb. Some people’s responses to certain players are getting so predictable. It’s like blind hatred.
another candidate
Le-CHUMP – Ashley (dive) Young
Song was majestic (apart from his own ridiculous dive of course).
Geoff
are those uggs making you find males handsome !?
Great result great post Pedro still worried about January though but 4 now we have 2 win our 2 games otherwise all that hard work is undone again as 4 Diaby some people need 2 stop this bullshit Diaby’s game is not effective 4 us the fact of the matter is if Fab and Diaby play together we should be seeing more from Diaby as he is not what u call a needle thread passer his performances have been good very good in fact but lets not get 2 a stage where we’re saying Diaby can only perform with Fab out the team becuz if that’s the case then Diaby has no future at this club.
On another note check out what Gattuso does 2 Flamini at 1:14 if this does not make u laugh nothing will.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLXiAaYHDss&feature=related
Morning All
Great game yesterday. We had some players who were on the top of their game, Diaby, Song, Cesc, TV, Gallas and Traore.
Loved it.
Jules no not really, but I did find myself waking up with a bloke this morning, put that down to beer, not UGS!
We dont need Rosicky back cuz he’s gonna get injured again FFS some people need 2 get it through there head Rosicky is our Ledly king get some money 4 him in the summer no wonder we have an injury crisis every season the Prone players being RVP and Rosicky what a bummer our most creative CF and our second best midfeild and yes he’s better then Arshavin.
lol geoff
great result , now go buy a striker and a centre half
(option of the verminator in front of the back four anyone ?) could be good but need cover for tv or gallas if out )
yet again , just the two players and we could win the lot
please do it Arsene , just two !!! ( oh and a keeper !)
Geoff, I’ve always thought you were absolutely prophetic.
Villa came with a plan. Not to get beat. If they had the chance to score with the long ball over the top to Agbonlahor or Young, possibly with a second ball from a Heskey header, then they would take it. But their aim was to stay solid at the back, suck Arsenal on to them and use pace on the out ball. I think not enough has been made of Arsene’s clever tactics against them which turned Young and Agbonlahor off and denied them the chance to pump leisurely crosses in from wide. O’Neil’s assertion that 3-0 flattered Arsenal is wrong. After Cesc’s great free-kick Villa had to change and the game became more open and midfield/defence lines were stretched. The last 2 goals were great and not the result of lucky deflections, own goals or mistakes. Villa’s problem is that they are what so many accuse Arsenal of being: a one dimensional team with no plan B. Very little comes through the middle on the ground. They are always looking for the free ball into the box and generally, we denied them that yesterday. I thought nearly everyone had a good game. OK Eduardo should have scored early on but his confidence is perhaps returning little by little. Cesc was the catalyst certainly but, as a unit, I thought we were pretty good. I also thought Theo looked much better.
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL GROOVERS!
MAY THE BLOOD OF JESUS AND THE GRACE OF GOD PROTECT ALL OUR PLAYERS ESPECIALLY FABREGAS AND RID THEM OF INJURY SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE FEASTING AND SCORING GOALS TILL THE END OF THE SEASON….and lift the epl, champions leagu cups
The link below made me cheer up
http://youngguns.wordpress.com/2009/12/18/tradition-continues-as-scholars-sing-for-first-team/
Is the blood of Jesus the new placenta?
Arsenal Kenya why the blood of Jesus 4 protection what u need is a gun and a bullet proof vest (shout out 2 50)
Amen to all…… and so we will GUNN them down and win all our remaining fixtures
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/2785545/Av-wants-to-rough-up-Gunners.html?OTC-RSS&ATTR=Football
We should sign this guy
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeRUFc716Ao&hl=en_GB&fs=1&]
Sorry my mistake we should sign this guy.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljDt7zA22hc&hl=en_GB&fs=1&]
Morning everyone great post. I couldn’t find you yesterday Geoff and Pedro. You should of worn your Uggs Geoff!
Great 2nd half, Cesc we love you, hope your injury not to bad, can we get thru jan without song/cesc?
Class shines thru in the end, and if we add a bit more to that maybe we can get champagne out
Sorry this guy is better than those others and is well within our price range:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dx0XZeD8-u8&hl=en_GB&fs=1&]
Geoff you sexy Mutha Fucka
Couldn’t see the game and read the live posts on LG back later (i also like Arsenal Land for this but it’s a bit slower usually) – only one thing to say:
Ritesh is the bomb!
The bloke is so positive it’s great.
We must have the best choice in left backs in the world,fuck knows how Wenger will choose when they are all fit.Maybe sell Clichy for 20mil ?
Also gotta love Steve Sidwell:
http://goal.com/en/news/9/england/2009/12/28/1712849/aston-villa-midfielder-steve-sidwell-talks-up-arsenal
I would rather keep them all and maybe give Traore a runout in the midfield on the left
How about this bloke?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBJ8T4j5hzk
Good shout Suga his pace is frightening.Maybe Clichy could fill in for Song if fit.
great result yesterday.
i do think the boys were starting to turn the screw on villa and looked like scoring in the 2nd half. cesc coming on just gave us that extra bit of quality…loved the way he celebrated after the 1st goal just like he did against the spuds.
i really hope diaby can continue this form he has been showing because its really frustrating when he under performs knowing what he is capable of but he only shows it in 1 of every 5 games. ideally he will keep this form going & then when we play the return against man u he will have a real desire to make up for that own goal & put in a performance of the season and help us thrash em cos we really really owe them a beating big time.
i really think wenger is going to go out and buy gignac. the fact he wont cost too much in terms of fee and wages and he isnt a big star already plus he is french and plays in the french league so wenger probably knows more about him on & off the pitch than he would another player in a diff league. all that just makes me think thats who he will go for.
also dunno if i am the only one who doesnt know this but what is up with vermaelen’s hand? is there a reason for that bandage he always wears because i cant think of an injury that would mean six months later i am still wearing a bandage.
I don’t think Clichy could fill in for Song
tony, chozzer – wait, we’ve already got one of these Eduardo da Silva blokes
mike___
It is his gear for going to war. It is sort of a shield for the general taking his troops to war.
Clichy would struggle in Song’s position due to lack of presence and his area of attention being normally limited to 180 degrees or so – we would be running risk of leaving one of the sides slightly less attended…
i’d die a happy gooner if come May 2010,Cesc lifts the EPL trophy and days later the UCL trophy after AFC beat FC Barca at the Bernabeu…..
Where is Lansbury?
http://www.arsenality.com/2009/12/could-arsenals-forgotten-english.html?
Great game yesterday. Traore had a good game but i still think he should remain behind gibbs. There are those speedy interception and anticipation that clichy and gibbs have that he lacks. Even thou he didn’t go forward much, he was still caught out on some occasions and allowed some crosses in. He is doing a fanstastic job anyway. Alumunia played pretty well than was rated. He didn’t have much to do but dealt with most of the long balls into our box.
Great Result Yesterday
Although it does highlight a major concern to me. Who creates the chances when Cesc is not playing. IMO that was heading for a 0-0 yesterday until he came on. Who knows we might have snuck it but likewise we might have got caught on the break and lost it. It certainly would not have been the comfortable scoreline that it was if Cesc had not come on.
Wenger mentioned he might be looking for a midfielder dependant on the injuries. I Wonder if he recognised the lack of Quality in the Midfield without Cesc.
Obviously in an ideal world we would have Nasri playing back there to add it, but Striker injuries mean he is needed up front although I would like to see him play in Midfield on Wednesday and give Vela a crack up front. If not that, then why not give Ramsey or Merida a go.
We have got ourselves in a superb position, I just hope Arsene can get past his stubborness and buy a couple of players in Jan. I really think with the right additions we can win it.
Having clinically dispensed with the matter of number three and four (which was never in doubt) Arsenals next three games are against Portsmouth away, the game in hand against Bolton, and then Everton. We play Portsmouth away and Bolton and Everton at home. Ideally, these three games should not pose much of a problem and by then we should have amassed a total of 47 points and leapfrogged Manchester United and probably Chelsea if they drop any more points even through another draw.
The January transfer window opens on the 1st and Arsene Wenger should have an idea of who it is he wants to buy by then. It is never a good thing for a player to get hurt but sometimes some bad things can actually be a blessing in disguise. Cesc Fabregas’ injury not only showed how influential our captain is to us, but also how vulnerable Arsenal can be as a team without the influential midfielder. Wenger is said to be considering buying a midfielder since that injury. I am of the opinion that injury or not Wenger needs to get another midfielder especially due to the constant injuries to Thomas Rosinsky and because he does not play consistently.
Arsenal thus need a strong and influential defensive midfielder with the ability to make important tackles, hold the ball and break the counters and plays of opponents and also read the game well. This is especially because Song will be gone to the CAN and so will Emmanuel Eboue who sometimes is used in the position albeit wrong positioning. We also need creativity in the midfield. The midfielder can be a versatile player who can also be used at the back.
We also need a good defender and this ought to be someone who can revert to playing defensive midfield and central or back left/right. It is not easy to get such a person but am sure Wenger the magician can conjure up some tricks off his hat. Needless to say, we need a striker and this must be a person with the killer instinct and the instinct to create chances or make half chances into a whole chance. We need someone who will scare the opponents’ defenses and punish their mistakes.
February will be very tough and might take its toll on the young and small Arsenal squad. Song and Eboue will be back from Africa but you never know in what condition. Arsene Wenger has said, “I just think the Premier League is very open. We go to Portsmouth on Wednesday and you know it will be another tough game. What has changed in the league this season is that all the teams can make results. You have seen Birmingham against Chelsea. It is like that anywhere. You go anywhere it’s not that you go there, turn up and take three points. That has gone. It has gone – until March.
“After that some teams will be safe, or will not go for Europe and you take some easier points. But from now until March in this championship the consistent team will get it.” And Arsenal is certainly the most consistent team at the moment, despite all the injuries. But we have a busy and intense time coming up. We have Portsmouth at Fratton Park on 30th January, then Bolton Wanderers at the Emirates Stadium on 6th January, then Everton at home again on 9th January, and again Bolton Wanderers on 17th January at the Rebook Stadium.
The true test of character begins when we have to go to Villa Park for the return match against Aston Villa on 27th January followed by a game against Manchester United at the Emirates on the 31st January and then Chelsea at the Stamford Bridge on the 7th February, then again Liverpool on the 10th February at the Emirates. Sunderland visits us at home on the 20th and then we go to Stroke City on the 27th. There is Burnley, Hull City, West Ham and Birmingham City in March.
Wenger thus needs to add to Arsenals small squad in January. We still need a goalkeeper but that could probably wait until the summer when it can be much easier to look for one or two more players, a goalkeeper included. However, if Wenger does not get three players (a defender, a midfielder and a striker) in the winter, then he will have himself to blame if we don’t win the Championship because we are already in quite a commendable position to take the league. We could even get the FA Cup and challenge strongly for the Champions League. An FA Cup Final and a Champions League Final or Semi-Final is a good show and if we don’t win we could be satisfied with finishing in these positions if we have the Premiership. Over to you Professor.
Eduardo was crap again and needs to be sold. Denilson back to his worst, glad he might be injured. Nasri and Arsh totally toothless. But how cescy was cesc?!? Diaby brilliant too.
Morning all, yesterday’s result was fantastic. Lots more footie on display today, love it!
Alfredo: ‘Glad Denilson might be injured’ Mate, are you sure?
Denilson had reasonably good game yesterday, his recurring back injury is a bit of a worry, as these never heal properly…
last season where he played about 50 games might have ‘killed’ him…
Alfredo,
did you watch the game? Denilson did not set the world alight but was distributing the ball well and providing a shield together with Song.
I hope he is OK as I saw enough of Ramsey to realise- even though he is developing well- he is not and should not be a starter yet.
When clichy comes back he shuld slot into songs place traore is trying and needs a few more games
Am i the only person who dread seeing rambo stat against yebda and belhadj tomorrow
Stranger,
Clichy lacks presence required in DM spot, I would play Senderos there over him any day…
wheres adebayor gone?? is he injured?
Hangon, you hope one of players is injured? And want to sell Eduardo because he is crap again? Why is it that every other player on the planet except ours are the answer? Eduardo was one of the finest strikers we had before his injury – even he says he wants 5 games in a row to get up to speed.
Alfredo those comments are a fucking disgrace from a supporter
has anyone thought about a cheeky bid for robinho in january??
Paul, great to meet you yesterday… many thanks for the tickets!
DDM, also a pleasure after such a long time blogging!
Must say
Game of the season for me…….. The atmosphere was electric
Sang my lungs out without having a drop of alcohol
Geoff how dare you use the word ‘handsome’ in the same sentence with DDM????
Guys Geoff wasnt man enough to wear his UGG boots…. or should i have said woman enough
BOOM
I just want to ask who is fan favourite at arsenal? Cesc or arsha or Walcott…
Come on you Irons!
Fran… the boots are bad… no man should witness him in them… horrific!
Sam… you’ve got to throw Robin in there as well!
i realy feel for edwardo because it is claer as day that he player that is afraid to get tackled and who can blame him if you bad for use to that horror movie of tackle just think it was like for him.i still think he is great striker but he needs to get confedence back.i have seen enough of delinson and diaby to see this team does need dm player i feel confedent that can cope until song comes back or gets injured,cesc will huge loss but every team has there key players for chelsea lambard essien drogba for manu its rooney and giggs for use its fab and rvp these are key worldclass players and you cant win prem without top players like that
Pedro likewise,twas a good day at the office.If only we could get a club level singing section.I think we should add Verm to that list the man is immense and Song just so Geoff can vote for him.
sam- cesc??
Good shout!
We’re starting to get more connection with the players as the season wears on… all the players people love have that grit and determination you need to win the league.
I’m sure if Nasri worked a little harder he’d get more love from the fanbase.
Did you notice the lack of excitement for Theo yesterday?
Spuds scored…
Hello all,
Fulham to nick a point today I think.
fuck, modric scored for the spuds
Poor West Ham… 2 players injured in the first 20 minutes.
west ham are hopeless. i head spuds. looking at crouch with pitty, cunts
i have to say i cant see portmouth or west ham staying
Is the Chelsea match on tv anywhere? Hoping they drop points, could do as Fulham are a decent side.
Life is good, 3-0 beating of those inbred fuckwits, followed by copious amounts of lager with Geoff, Pedro Le Geek and Franchise top top blokes, and now I’m back on the sauce with Mrs Menace happy days….
Spuds 2 up – fucking useless WHU, how on earth did we manage to draw against these mugs?
spuds two up
Well fucked up by not listening to Geoff. Went for 4 nil and being greedy!! Hoo rah for the next 4 months lets keep believing!!!
Sug – That’s because we’re complacent mugs to ourselves, and if anything that will be our biggest downfall….
Evening DDM
DDM great answer if we lose the title by 2 points we’re gonna look at the west ham game with disgust
afternoon all
hope Fulham beat/draw Chelsea
all hail king Diaby
DDM,
yep, knew that, ’twas pretty much a rhethorical question
let’s hope AW’s moment of madness during the Dippers game left a mark: ‘you have not made anything yet’…
KM, if Fulham draw against Chelsea today, we can go top of the league on 6th Jan. It’s unbelieveable how things turn around in football…
Mourinho is at Stamford Bridge today watching his former team play Fulham.
1-0 Fulham
yeeaahhhhh
hahahahaha. Chelsea are a goal down already…
Get in Fulham!
I can smell a sacking at the Bridge…
Fulham One Up
I just hope they have not scored too early.
Fulham 1-0 up
who scored?
C’mon fulham. defeat those cunts
yessss…
GET IN THERE!!!
Gera
Chavski made 6 Changes today!!!!!!
zoltan gera choy
yes. fulham ahead!
alright thanks!
Chelsea: Cech, Paulo Ferreira, Carvalho, Terry, Zhirkov, Mikel, Ballack, Lampard, Joe Cole, Drogba, Kalou. Subs: Hilario, Ivanovic, Ashley Cole, Sturridge, Alex, Belletti, Kakuta.
chavs losing hahaha
Hey Choy, wassuppppp….
Good save by Fulham keeper.
Chelsea already started playing long balls.
This is the only plan B they have.
Drogba down
Drogba miraclously recovered and hits the target.
He’s always down
Mourinho is in the crowd as well…..
he must be laughing to himself
dont want a repest of yesterday after hull equalised..they lost the game..
want fulham to score another goal badly
How come Drogshit and Kalou both stayed to play todays game yet yesterdays was Songs last for us. Why doesnt Song stick around. Surely an extra few days couldnt hurt.
salam Sabeel
yep agree with u. we need Fulham to do us a favour
Hodgson is a good manager (best of English IMO) and definitely has some kind of plan to keep them Chavs busy…
Stu, I heard that Song will not be leaving till 5th Jan 10.
stu- i think drogba and kalou got a special permission mate
pompey have a couple of players staying back as well…