I 8 TOTTENHAM / Spanish exodus / Why I can’t stomach certain things…

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I don’t think there’s anything more annoying than writing out a 1000 word post, saving it, then returning to find that only the title has saved. Actually, maybe someone correcting you on irony. That is also pretty annoying.

Ok, so here I go again!

We’ve got a to cope with a whole weekend with no Arsenal game. That saddens me. Knowing our snotty neighbours down the road are at Wembley makes the down time all the more difficult to deal with. If we were an Animal, this weekend would be like the first cold day in October. You know winter is approaching, pretty soon, it’ll be cold and bleak. As a fan, the cold bleakness is the summer. No football!

However, this year, I’m slightly buoyed by South Africa hosting it’s first World Cup. Despite all the negative coverage around the competition, I’m sure they’ll put on a good show.

I’m getting excited about seeing the greatest players in the world fight it out for the greatest prize in international football. I’m looking forward to watching a relative unknown burst onto the scene, then I’m looking forward to one of Europe’s elite buying that new superstar for a disgustingly inflated fee only to find that form is indeed temporary… and the reason that player was unknown is because normally, they’re hopeless. Yep, bring on a Schillaci, Kleberson or a Karel Poborsky!

I’m struggling though. I feel ashamed to admit it, but I can’t get excited for England. We generally go into every tournament with great hope, then for one reason or another we bomb out. Usually in spectacular fashion. Is it because our footballers aren’t good enough, or is it because our league is too competitive? I like to think the latter. Our players all play in the same division; generally because of a reluctance to learn another language. 90% of the year, they hate each other. Then, for 6 weeks a year, they’re supposed to join up in a hotel and be best friends? That seems like a big ask, especially knowing how the England players treat each other.

Everyone know’s that most of our players are not just deplorable on the pitch, they’re pretty disgusting off the pitch. How am I supposed to sit in the pub with my mates and cheer on John Terry whose taken cash for tours, slept with his best mates ex and generally been a bit of s*it? How can I cheer on players like Aaron Lennon, Ashley Cole and Steven Gerrard? It goes against everything I stand for! I just can’t get up for it. I love my country… that’s a fact. I’m a proud Englishman. That doesn’t mean I have to have a connection with our football players.

This World cup is going to be a struggle. How do other nationalities feel about their players? It’d be great to hear.

I’ve been reading around the papers and some of the blogs recently. It’s interesting how many stories are floating around about the potential demise of the English football because of the new 50% tax rate. Whilst I struggle to empathise with players who earn astronomical fee’s, I can understand that there is a frustration at giving away 50% of your salary to a government that has just identified £15billion worth of inefficiency within its framework.

This Micheal Caine comment is gold,

“You’re saying to poor people, ‘let’s tax those rich gits’ and I understand that. You slice up the cake, give everyone a chance, but don’t destroy the people that are making the bloody cake! I really believe about taking care of people, I don’t mind paying tax. It’s how the government spends my tax that I detest, really detest, because I see the waste. More money than all our income tax is spent on benefits. Now you tell me there is nothing wrong with that system.”

Now, I’m all for fairness and this new law doesn’t seem particularly fair. However, I’m not so sure it’s going to push footballers over to land of chorizo and latex driven fashion.

Ronaldo leaving United is often cited as an example of the potential pitfalls of our high taxation. Lets be fair here, Ronaldo didn’t leave for Spain because he was short of a few pennies. He went there because he is a lover of the sun, he is a lover of Madrid and his greasy complexion didn’t fit in with Manchester club scene. The extra money is a bonus but I doubt a man earning £130k a week spends too much time worrying about his bank balance.

If you are a foreigner in Spain, you pay a flat rate of 23% take on your earnings. This gives clubs like Madrid and Barca a competitive advantage over their Euro counter parts. However… this could all be about to change. Spain’s unemployment is at 20% at the moment which is a staggering figure considering the frenzied panic we’re having because of 9% in England. Spain are also still in deep recession and the people are not too happy that the Johnny foreigners are benefiting from the ‘Beckham law’.

Why should they be? Why should footballers pay less than everyone else considering their privileged position? The incumbent socialist party is taking a serious look at this law and will hopefully change it taking away La Liga’s competitive advantage.

Don’t worry about our poor little footballer though, where there’s a fat salary, there’s normally a fat cat tax lawyer working something out behind the scenes… loop holes are always left so the mega rich can exploit them (seriously, I wasn’t joking).

I was encouraged to read the positive words Kevin Davies had to say about Jack Wilshere. We may all loath the man, but he’s from the school of thug football and when he talks about a player you might have physical concerns about, you listen.

“I know Ade Stovell [Wanderers’ fitness conditioner] has been working really hard with him, making him stronger, because at first glance it hits you how young he is, and you’d think his size might let him down a bit.

“That hasn’t really happened, and he isn’t scared of putting a tackle in, even in training.”

I like the fact that Bolton have been trying to bulk him up. That’s something Arsenal seem to ignore with their young players, Wenger insisting technical ability comes over bulk. For me, there has to be a mixture of the two. Power is so important in the Premiership and we’ve lost our way with that side of things over the last 5 years. I’d be more than happy for Jack to go out on loan for another year to toughen up and get some more experience. I doubt he’ll be ready to make an impact in our midfield next year and a tutelage under Owen Coyle isn’t to be sniffed at.

What are you plans for this evening? Well, if you don’t have any, I’d suggest switching on the box and tuning into El Classico. The title race is still in full swing in Spain and Barca vs Madrid will be interesting viewing. How will they take on the mighty Barca? They’ve played two holding midfielders on numerous occasions this season and they do have a lot of pace in midfield. I can’t wait to see how their passing compares to Barca and to see whether they indulge in tactics tonight or go gung-ho like we did.

This Sunday, we’ll get the chance to watch Pompey attempt to take Spurs to cleaners at Wembley. It’s staggering that Harry Redknapp is about to benefit directly from his reckless management of the south coast club. Apparently, if Pompey players don’t waive their FA Cup bonuses, the administrator picks the team… giving the Spuds a free pass into the next round. Hopefully common sense will prevail.

My hopes for Sunday? Some soft tissue injuries, a few red cards and a Spurs own goal in the last ten minutes to deflate them!

We can but dream?

Next Wednesdays game is a cup final for us. If we win, I believe we’ll be go on a victory streak till the end of the season which could give us a chance of glory in the Premier League. If we lose, our season dies and we’re looking behind us at the light blue Mancs. That really is a horrible thought.

I’m confident we’ll smash the professional bottlers from down the road. They’ve got a side that I’d class as just above average. They’ve got loads of journey man players that would flop horrendously in the Champions league, so for me, their inclusion in the worlds elite competition would make the Premiership a laughing stock. We don’t need that, do we?

So get your positive hate vibes and telepathically send them to any one of the scum down the road!

I drove past their stadium the other day… my god… it’s third world round that way!

Enjoy the sun today, see you in the comments!

P.S. NBAS (Nik Bendtner Appreciation Society) is growing every day… click

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437 Responses to “I 8 TOTTENHAM / Spanish exodus / Why I can’t stomach certain things…”

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  1. Stu

    But you cant possibly believe that it took Diaby 3 years to get over a broken ankle. Thats ridiculous. He played but was always getting injured (not just on that ankle) and he just wasnt learning anything.

    Up until this season Diaby had always just tried to dribble his way out of everything, never passed and refused to use his left foot depsite being played left midfield specifically to develope that foot.

  2. B.B.K.

    Untill wenger goes we are fucked,even then i just can’t see us winning fuck all with the amount of money the others are willing to throw about

  3. sixx pac

    thats all down to confidence stu. confidence comes from playing games. you are right that he was pretty bad for a while

  4. Cannon Man

    Marcelo’s no worse than Clichy defensively and better going forward. For me, the only left backs in the Prem worth anything are Cole (the piece of shit – and I say that for football reasons NOT matters of his personal life) and Evra who, on current form, is the best left back in the world. If Clichy had a final ball, I’d play him on the left. At least he’d cover whoever was playing behind him. Remember he’s behind Abidal and Evra for France. _
    Sagna’s comment’s struck a chord with me. We dilly and dally too much. At times, it pays to be more direct but we don’t seem to have the heart nor incisiveness. We’ve only got a few ruthless winners in RVP, Cesc, Gallas, Vermaelen and Campbell. The rest are all a bit flaky mentally. I think Arshavin feels similar to how Gallas did around the time of his “outburts”. One parallel is that neither are/were playing very well and should have kept quiet for this reason alone. One difference is that Gallas didn’t SEEM to let how he felt affect his commitment to the caused. He managed to bounce back and I hope Arshavin does in the event that we sign some winners/fighters/warriors/footballers. In my opinion, the board and Wenger have shown a lack of ambition – not in the general sense but certainly at times during recent years. Players should however, keep all feelings on such matters behind closed doors. I’m expecting BIG things this summer. Hopefully, Gazidis will show us that he is a good replacement for David Dein. Oh Mr Dein, where art thou? He’d have made sure Chamakh was with us before this season started, of that I’m sure.

  5. Stu

    Randall is a cunt too. Semi decent footballer but a fucking prick that deserved a kick in the face. All he does is try to break the oppos legs..

  6. goonerpress

    He should sixx pac. Diaby is just shit. Song has made it but Diaby still hasn’t. I just think he needs to be sold and replaced with another midfielder. Gorcuff perhaps? If we want defensive cover then Melo? Or Coutadeur? Or MVB? Or Toulalan? That’s the kind of quality we need at this club. Not a 6ft3 pile of shit who just has one good game and has 10 fucking bad ones. Maybe he isn’t shit and I’m being harsh, maybe he has reached his full potential and just isn’t good enough? Doesn’t take 3 years to recover from a fucking ankle injury. If Eddie should go based on his fear and lack of confidence, then Diaby should also go.

  7. zeus

    For crying out loud, that was Pedro’s 20th of the season I think. Vela is such a (insert) for being so weak in the mind.

    As for Fab4, he and the entire squad should walk into Wenger’s office at the weekend and say ‘you need to buy, you believe in us and we believe that we are not good enough to win as we are. Get the chequebook out.’

    Would he refuse them then. I think not.

  8. iqwoo

    Hah, but seriously, the main problem is Denilson. I watched El Clasico and I guessed Keita is playing in the centre. He’s neither an attacking or defending midfielder, much like Denilson, since he does fuck all. But Keita does one thing that Denilson, never does ever, which is pass forward.

    IN:
    Hazard
    Balotelli

    Get Vela chances to play, he performs all the time for Mexico.

  9. B.B.K.

    cannon man don’t be surprised if we sell our best players again and sign shit players one is in already in chamakh.

  10. luke

    Iqwoo, with all due respect, youre crazy. We do not need any more developing young players. Wathcing hazard is like watching nasri 2 years ago, balotelli looks great but he is immature and 19. We need experienced, fighters and leaders.

  11. goonerpress

    luke Nasri two years ago was 21 and an established member of the Marseille squad and lurking around the French team. Hazard atm is 19 and according to you is already at that level. He must be good then. Plus hes playing for a weaker club. Hazard for me is going to be a top player and is totally different to Nasri. Nasri isn’t a winger, Hazard is.

  12. sixx pac

    guess you wouldnt want benzema or gourcoff bbk. What the fuck has it got to do wit where they are from? Do you wanna sign james milner for 20 mil

  13. Stu

    In: Lloris, Gourcuff, Chamakh, Van Bommel, and i cant commit to 2 specific defenders.

    Out: Almunia or Fabianski, Silvestre, Denilson, Eduardo.

    Keep Rosicky, Campbell and Diaby as backups, no more. Gallas can rotate with whichever CB comes in the summer and he can leave next summer.

    Sorted.

  14. zeus

    Nasri was always hit and miss. I remember when he was first linked and MANY was jizzing their pants and I honestly could not understand it.

    I wanted Hatem Ben Arfa who I still believe is the more talented than Nasri and Benzema.

    There is something about Hazard though. Much more special than Nasri and more explosive rather than just playing on the periphery.

  15. iqwoo

    Now that you mentioned it, if they renamed Hazard’s Youtube vid to Nasri’s I couldn’t tell the difference.

    Balotelli is crazy but he’s also strong and quick. And he’ll get the shit kick out of him in every match, so we’ll get more free kicks now which VP/Cesc can smash home. :D

  16. Cannon Man

    B.B.K. Says:
    April 10, 2010 at 23:36
    I can’t see us selling our best players and not replacing them this year (for once!) simply because we have a clearer picture of our debts. Chamakh is not shit. I won’t call him world class but his heading definitely is. If you look at it in terms of him costing less than Bendtner (who really is shit) its a no-brainer considering he does EVERYTHING better.

  17. B.B.K.

    actually sixx pac i do,it was good enough for man united to sign rooney and rio for top dollar and look where it has got them.

  18. David

    Zeus

    Ben Arfa is worse than Nasri…

    He shows god-like ability one game…then goes to shite for the next 30 games!

  19. David

    Chamakh is free.

    It would be nice to have a forward with a good first touch and would rather turn and shoot towards goal instead of passing it outwide.

  20. B.B.K.

    out’s-denilson,all the goal keepers,djourou,silvest.
    ins-silva,villa,krasic,higuain,milner,joe hart,lucio.

  21. Cannon Man

    I cant stand Fletcher we’d achieve more with him in the team than Diaby or Denilson. They are squad players and hide in the big games. I don’t think they have the tactical nous required if we want to win things. When you look at other top teams, players seem to have an understanding of the game situation and act accordingly. Our players just go with the flow so to speak. Part of this quality (football intelligence) is coached, part is inherent of talent. Even simple things like trying to find the next pass as early as possible. Its natural to Cesc and Im sure he was coached to do this at Barca. We’re lacking technically but this is papered over by the fact that the rest of the Prem is SEVERELY lacking technically. We expect things from players who for me, aren’t capable of delivering them. No one can deny that we could have been better over the last few years if, instead of developing 4 or 5 of the current personnel, we’d purchased some cheap experience because with that experience, usually comes a better understanding of the game.

  22. luke

    I definitely think we need some squad buffering and signings but a whole new team? We are still in the title race IMO (the way things have gone this year).

  23. David

    Cannon Man

    I get what your saying.

    We are too naive in games…even when these boys to things right they end up cocking up at the end.

    Somehow somehow I blame it on management…because time and time again we see them trying to play footie instead of taking it to the corner flag to kill off the game.

  24. YON

    BENDTNER SHIT??? We would have been out of the Carling Cup when playing Liverpool, Out of the CL at the hands of Porto and fighting for 4th place with Spuds/Pool/City /Villa after dropping points against Wolves and Burnley, Hull, Stoke and even West Ham. Calm the fuck down and appreciate the very reason why we are where we are at the moment. Arhsavin has been fit the WHOLE season and has ONLY scored 10ish, Bendtner has been injured for large spells, played on the right wing and he has still scored extremely important goals time and time again. Besides… he is still 21 and has room for improvement and growth. Arshavin doesn’t and he along with Rosicky, Vela, EDUARDO and Walcott are the ones who haven’t contributed diddly squat to the team. They are fucking passengers being carried around by their hard working teammates (Cesc, RVP, Bendtner, Song, Denilson, Diaby, Verm, Sagna, Gallas, even Almunia has performed

  25. iqwoo

    Vela hasn’t gotten a string of games which is really unfair since every Mexico game, his name comes out in the papers for a great performance.

  26. Stu

    This team isnt ruthless enough. Unlike the other top teams we dont take advantage of being on top during a match.

    When we played against United and chelsea in the league we were on top for large spells of the games but we didnt score. When they had the ball they rushed forward decisively and cut us open at will.

    Ballack summed it up (the cunt) when he said something like “we knew arsenal would have most of the ball but would do nothing with it”.

  27. goonerpress

    YON I agree with that, but may I add that Denilson and Diaby are Economy Class passengers too. Oh and Bendtner is the reason we are where we are, but Almunia is the reason Bendtner had to be there to put us where we are. He’s pretty much a passenger too, much like Fabianski.

  28. goonerpress

    If you are on about Denilsons shots that were rebounded into goal, then in a way yes. But what about all the mistakes he made that put us in the position before?

  29. iqwoo

    Arent you guys a little harsh on Bendy? At least he kept his promise saying he would create an impact upon his return. If he was really shit, we would’ve dropped 2 points last weekend, been more embarrassed by Barca, and only score 3 against Porto.

  30. Stu

    Well in terms of productivity, which is what strikers are apparently only ever judged on according to you david, Bendtner is ahead of CHamakh. Therefore clearly better..right?

    Chamakh 78games 34 G&A over the last 2 seasons.
    Bendtner 74games 34 G&A

    *these might be wrong because i added them in my head.

  31. David

    My point was that its a bit outlandish to say its only because of Bendy we are where we are.

    I dont think so. IF we didnt score at Wolves we’ll still be 3rd.

  32. YON

    As CRAZY as it sounds…. we a have a WEAK ATTACK! Possibly the weakest in the top 7 (in the league) and maybe even the weakest in the top 13-15 in Europe. We invest so many people going forward to force goals (why we’ve been winning by 1 goal margins for 2 months now). That is also why we are so vulnerable at the back. We have to send Vermaelen, Denilson, even Gallas, to help Cesc, Arshavin, Nasri and Bendtner force goals. We need a striker that sends fear in our opponents minds. Teams with big strikers always have a psychological advantage.

  33. David

    Im pretty sure Arsenal create more chances than Bordeoux.

    If its not a tap in…Bendy seems to only score with his head.

    Chamakh is the best in Europe

  34. Cannon Man

    Stu – I can agree to disagree./David – Yes management are to blame because the team is ….managed! The buck has to stop somewhere./ YON – You’re not lying when it comes to the passengers and Bendtner has been my hero (ahhhh) several times this season but that doesn’t make him good enough. I said Ade wasn’t good enough when he was well on his way to 30 goals. If he’s playing, he’ll always get chances to score. I imagine Kevin Davies *harks up a spits* would get similar goals for us. I don’t want to lay into him because he’s 21/22 and its not his fault but he still has a poor first touch, lacks awareness, is allergic to the penalty area at times (just like his twat of a predecessor) doesn’t link play effectively, cannot dribble, is not a good finisher, lacks pace and has the turning circle of a H2. These are not the attributes of a striker good enough for Arsenal. To me, your heart seems to rule your head. I accuse Wenger of the same thing. Sentimentality will only get you so far. Some say it gets you no where!

  35. Stu

    Im just going by the stats on soccernet david. Obviously i dont watch Bordeaux matches enough to know what kind of chances are created for him.

    And Chamakh usually only scores with his head too. 10 headers out of 14 this season.

  36. iqwoo

    That’s why I’m still hoping for Crazy Super Mario.

    And Arsene will probably sort his brain out and make him play for Ghana instead.

  37. Doublegooner

    Arsene’s Transfers:

    With the exception Vermaelen( after 1 season)can anyone truly tell me 1 transfer that has been an out & out success on the field since 2005 ??

    I’ve struggled to name one for a long time.

  38. YON

    DAVID; If Bendtner didn’t score against Wolves, Hull, Stoke and the likes… we would definately be fighting for 3rd/4th instead of the title. He isn’t perfect but he certainly deserves more respect than EDUARDO, VELA, ROSICKY, and you favorite ENGLISHMAN…. FUCKING THEO WALCOTT.

  39. Cannon Man

    David & GP – The argument could be made for almost any player who has managed to get minutes this season. The only relevant questions are can we do better and is this good enough surely. Everyone plays their part, some better than others.

  40. Stu

    DG, thats depends on what you consider a success.

    Sagna? Arshavin? Would they qualify? Its a good question though, none of our players seem to have an immediate impact and sustained that influence in the team.

  41. Cannon Man

    When Vela’s had the opportunities that Walcott has had, I listen to someone who wants to label him a passenger. Until then, anyone saying he isn’t good enough knows nothing. I’ve seen him score Messi’s hat-trick goal last Wed several times ; )

  42. Cannon Man

    We need to either employ/promote personnel who can apply our current system or employ a system that the current personnel can apply. I’m off.

  43. David

    Walcott hasnt had as many first team opportunities as Denilson or Bendtner.

    You cant necessarily call him a passenger either.

  44. Stu

    Theo has played 125 games for us, Denilson has 112, Bendtner has 112 too.

    After a certain amount of games i think the whole “he has less games than him so lets wait til they have the same amount of appearances before we compare etc etc” debate or whatever it is becomes pointless.

    *agains not sure if these stats are accurate but they are fairly accurate.

  45. David

    ROFL

    So how come when Bendy misses his chances its okay. But if Eduardo misses his chances its a cardinal sin.

  46. Stu

    Probably because Eduardo used to be one of the deadliest finishers in europe and has been shite for most of this season. Its not the leg break that dd it either..dont know what though.

  47. sixx pac

    well Dave Bendtner misses a lot of chances but he makes a lot too. Dudu on the other hand……………………….

  48. sixx pac

    I was telling you guys a couple of months ago that it is a mental problem with Eddie. It all goes back to the Celtic fiasco.

  49. ethangunner

    AA23 Says:
    April 11, 2010 at 01:10

    Eduardo misses a lot of chances but he played a wicked guitar solo in purple rain
    ———————————
    trust EMI to change the film clip for the Canadian public :) , DUDU was the singer in the clip i saw :P

  50. ethangunner

    sixx pac Says:
    April 11, 2010 at 01:11

    I was telling you guys a couple of months ago that it is a mental problem with Eddie. It all goes back to the Celtic fiasco.
    ——————————————-
    so it had nothing to do with his leg coming clean off in a game 2 years ago ?
    just pure bad timing right :) ?

  51. AA23

    Ethan
    Eddie also played the solo himself, he’s a very underated guitar player.
    I often wonder if he puts ribena in his water tank and takes a shower to relive the old days…

  52. AA23

    Ethan
    got to make you right.
    Having your foot kicked square off of your leg would have a slightly adverse effect on anyone.
    Even a purple, pint sized, paisley popster.
    As if he gives a fuck about theose two bob celtic cunts.
    no one does.

  53. sixx pac

    you obviously didnt see Eduardo after he came back ethan. He was smashing them in pre injury style. Then right after that warm september day, it all went away.

  54. David

    AA23 Says:
    April 11, 2010 at 00:37
    If yout think Bendtner is shit then you dont understand football.

    ———————-

    Really? Im sorry I thought football was about putting the ball in the back of the net. He’s pretty shite at that. That makes him shite right? :D

  55. David

    goonerpress Says:
    April 10, 2010 at 23:35
    He should sixx pac. Diaby is just shit. Song has made it but Diaby still hasn’t.

    ————-

    gp i wouldnt say Diaby is shite. He was a massive let down against Barca..easily the world player on both legs but you can make a case for Rosicky?

    I would give Diaby one more season. He juss doesnt seem to work hard enough at winning the ball back imo.

  56. luke

    I Think Diaby has been doing fantastic recently. You cant really call him a shiite player because he struggled against Barcelona.

  57. sixx pac

    im still wondering why diaby didnt pass the ball to walcott. That would have been a second goal. Instead he passed it to Bendnter who is slow as fuck

  58. f4phantomphreak

    Good Post as always. I say goodbye to Arshivan, he has never really done it for Arsenal besides the Liverpool 4 goal fest. He’s lazy and drifts in and out of matches way too much for my liking. I say we blood him for whatever we can get, send him to La Liga or Serie A, or even the French Leauge…I know most won’t agree on that but he has so much skill but he never gives it his all in matches, he just doesn’t do it…. I was happy to see Portsmouth K.O. Spuds out of the FA Cup lovely stuff. Hopefully their legs will feel like concrete and they won’t be able to run for 90 minutes, oh one can only hope….

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