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In a world where nerds rule and dreamers pay their respects, an unlikely hero has emerged.
His name is Unai Emery.
A man who defied the xG gods.
A man who outscored expectations.
A man who racked up points against all odds.
But could it last?
That’s the damn question.
This is the biggest divide in football society since the age debate of 28 or 29. This is bigger than Denilson. This is bigger than ‘what if Eduardo hadn’t.’
This confusing opener to a blog is driven by the reality that Arsenal are playing above their expected points total at the moment, and it’s leading the worlds premier stats nerds to question the viability of our standing right now.
All of that brings up a number of questions that need to be answered. One of them, and the one I am going to give a bit more information on today, is: does Unai Emery have a track record of his teams beating xG?
This is the operating narrative of managers like Sean Dyche or Lucien Favre – that they have special tactical things that they do that are not captured in the model. I have been asked if Emery also has this profile.
This is raw passion versus data. But, as I’ve lightly been saying since the start of the season, if you’re honest with yourself, we’ve been a touch pony for most of our games, and it’ll bite us in the backside at some point.
Alternatively, you could be of the school of thought where you think that beating out xG early on the season is obviously lucky, but as the matches get eaten up, Emery’s ideas will settle and we’ll start defending better and create far more chances.
For now, that’s how I’m dealing with a porous defence and an attack that’s been incredibly clinical this season.
It’s all part of the master plan!
Realistically, we’ll know by the time the Liverpool game comes around. I’d love the think Pep G showed us the way there, but I’m not sure he did. Wenger always struggled with heavy metal football, so it’ll be interesting to see how Emery is strategising that game. Slowing the game down, forcing Liverpool to play at a slower pace sounds like a good way in. Obviously easier said than done, but for once, we have a coach more than capable of dropping a semi-decent plan.
There were some positive quotes from Reiss Nelson in the press. He scored for England vs Andorra and has his sights set on a possible early return to Arsenal this January. I still think that’s an aggressive timeline. He should take the Sancho route and do a couple of seasons away from Arsenal, build up his fitness, his sharpness and confidence so when he’s thrown in the deep end at Arsenal, he has the tools to deal with the challenge.
It’s actually a pretty fruitful time for Arsenal youth. There are some genuinely exciting talents breaking into consideration at the club, now there’s a manager that can train the intellectual side of their brains. To make it under Arsene, you had to be exceptionally gifted because you weren’t getting a tactical education. I can’t wait to see where Willock, Smith Row, AMN and Neslon take their game. Hopefully, Project British Youth wasn’t a failure, it just took a bit of a delay!
Right, that’s me done for today. My US VISA was renewed in Paris today, so I’m off to scout Berlin. I’ll report back with my findings tomorrow.
BIG LOVE x
P.S. I haven’t spend a huge amount of time in Paris, but damn, what a fucking dreamy place.
Victorious You’re really not very good at making arguments. The reason people here might be satisfied with fourth this season but weren’t satisfied with fourth under Wenger is because we finished SIXTH last season and we don’t have a great squad. It’s all relative. If we had finished third last season and had an excellent squad, people here would expect more of Emery. If we manage to finish fourth this season, people here will expect Emery and Co. to improve the XI and squad over the summer and expect us to be even better next season. If Emery and Co.… Read more »
Victorious
You do realise that nearly every comment you makes comes across as trying to deflect any responsibility on Wenger’s management.
Say the words “Wenger had to go”.
Joe
I will try and make it simple enough
The club finishes in top 4 for 20 years in a row
Fans wants tittle challenge every year
Meanwhile the owner is not remotely interested in trophies
Club removes a manager who has top4 on a lock, I mean almost like a speciality
Fans are bored of top4
A new manager is appointed and top 4 suddenly becomes a dream again
There’s a combination of flip-flopping and serious flaw in whatever logic you and your likes have there
Bamford
Sorry but your last comment was just daft. How do you expect Victorious to understand something that’s measured and sensible?
On a serious note I’m not sure I’d agree we don’t have a great squad. We have some excellent players it’s more a case of an unbalanced squad in my opinion. Either way a couple of transfer windows and we’ll have a much clearer idea of where we are.
Sancho on for Sterling. Supposed to be a wonder kid
Great quote, Joe. I like it so much I’ll re-post a part of it for emphasis:
“There are guys who say that we should push Arsène harder to spend. That’s fair enough – there are always lots of opinions, but Arsène is an independent thinker and planner. He works very hard at it and has a wonderful record. He was trained in economics.” – Stan Kroenke
It is and was all on Wenger.
Victorious
You think we would have had a lock on the top 4 if Wenger had stayed this season?
Fuck me.
Bamford
Isn’t it strange that this uninterested owner gave Wenger one season to get back in the top 4 and then “allowed” him to retire. It actually shows a little bit of class on Kroenke’s part to give Wenger the chance to save some face.
Victorious
“Fans want title challenge every year.”
Classic straw-man. There is not a single person here or elsewhere who ever expected or demanded that Arsenal challenge for the title every year.
Please make better arguments.
I really don’t know why any of you bother
Marc I agree that our squad is not bad, but it is unbalanced and thin on quality in certain spots, so by definition it isn’t a “great” squad. Maybe you thought by “not great” I meant “poor,” but I didn’t mean that. I’d say our squad is decent. Not good, not great, but not terrible. If you rate players out of 100, I’d say our first 13 players are, on average, about a 90. However, to compete with a City or Liverpool for the title, you probably need to average more like 93. (City probably average a 94 or 95.)… Read more »
Bamford
Definitely need to get better I just think we’ve built a squad out of “I like the way he plays” rather than what we need. Torreira is a sign that that’s changing.
Vicky Since you don’t understand I’ll make it like I’m talking to a 5 year old because that seems to be your mental capacity NO ONE is going to be happy if Emery only gets top 4 and continues to be a failure in the CL like the laughing stock wenger was I expect Emery to get us into 1/4 finals and semis and finals. If he continues to be a failure like wenger he can go I expect Emery to challenge for the title by year 3. If we are still a laughing stock in the PL like the… Read more »
Bam Do me a favour with the lectures on what it entails to make an ‘argument ‘. Your lame attempt to re-write history is embarrassingly transparent Are you trying to tell me people were content of just been in top4? That a section of the fanbase didn’t become pawn for the media to paint the club in bad light and air truck loads of negativity towards the club despite being the most successful F. A cup team to date? Don’t fool yourself mate, the poumposity of you and your ilk to become major challengers for the title despite been on… Read more »
England should have buried the Croats second half
Rashford was pony
When soonest do you foresee a ‘credible’ title challenge Who knows but what I do know is that if Wenger was still here 100% we wouldn’t be challenging he was about as busted as you could get as a manager. I mean Vic I personally don’t get the agenda you’re going with these days I really don’t you come across as some sort of jilted ex only worse because you’re a grown-up and made all the worst when you realize that his replacement is doing well at the moment on a hot 9 game winning run. It’s also important to… Read more »
To change the subject what does everyone think happens to Klopp if they don’t win the title this season? He won’t be sacked (unless they crash) but at what point has he taken them as far as he can with nothing to show for it. This is his 4th season, at some point the amazing owners at Liverpool (who haven’t put a penny into the club and who have a net spend a lot less than Arsenal) will decide to look at alternatives.
I really don’t know why any of you bother
International break… boredom. Certainly a good chance to see who the real Arsenal fans as opposed to the Arsene fans
Victorious
Third highest net spenders over the last 5 years does not equal a shoe string budget.
To change the subject what does everyone think happens to Klopp if they don’t win the title this season?
I mean there’ll be questions asked of him especially with the money spent but I’d imagine he’ll be fine it’d be different if it was a two horse race type of league but with City and Chelsea and the competitiveness in the league the real lack of expectation at Liverpool probably means he’d be safe for a while longer. He’s more likely to leave them than be sacked I think
will decide to look at alternatives.
The other thing is Klopp is one of the best managers around top 5-7 easily and after that who is there? He’s about as good as Liverpool can get all things considering
Nothing changes for Klopp unless he underperforms, and finishing second to City can’t be regarded as underperforming. As good as Liverpool are and as much money as they’ve spent, City are still City. Challenging for the title but finishing second is nothing to be ashamed of. And let’s remember that he beat City in the CL last season and advanced to the CL final.
Dude is impressive. I find the Klopp skepticism / criticism here a bit funny at times.
Marko speaking of dippers, your boy Keita is struggling to get a look in, not saying he’s suddenly shit but I remember the time you said he would have been our best midfielder since Cesc,
You must think to yourself that was a doozy moment from you.
Fans want title challenge every year.”
How about once in a dozen years?
It’s fucking hilarious when the likes of Vicky Pierre etc get put in their place by a post they ignore it Hahaha Fucking children these Akbs I’ll repost it in case you missed it VickySince you don’t understand I’ll make it like I’m talking to a 5 year old because that seems to be your mental capacity NO ONE is going to be happy if Emery only gets top 4 and continues to be a failure in the CL like the laughing stock wenger was I expect Emery to get us into 1/4 finals and semis and finals. If he… Read more »
You’ve been shown to be nothing but a fool more than enough times today Vicky
I’d say good night if I were and let the adults talk
I think we are all in agreement that wenger lost his ability to find real talent and some of his buys were very average and he failed to address the weaknesses in the squad. As for Bamford ‘s comment “this owner never once limited what Wenger could spend.” , maybe we will never know the truth but the point I must make is that last season we made a profit in the transfer market of around £14 million . Taking that into account ,the £70 that Emery was allowed to spend would indicate that there is actually a limit on… Read more »
I see the 12 year old village idiot is back.
Funny how he disappeared when Emery’s Arsenal won 5-1 at Fulham playing best football we’ve played in a long time. What’s the matter 12 year old ? Fall asleep again watching it ? Or not brave enough to show your face on here and hold your hands up ?
Maybe Emery wanted to see what he had and didn’t have and spend in Jan and next summer?
Joe “Maybe Emery wanted to see what he had and didn’t have and spend in Jan and next summer?” You may be right joe , but I doubt it… Of course there is a limit on what we spend …the only 2 clubs that have no limit is city and United ….. Chelsea stockpiled players for ten years and are still reaping the benefits of that policy but they won’t be able to sustain that from now on so the owner will have to put his hand in his pocket for Chelsea to remain near the top. liverpool have had… Read more »
Boy what fans we have who cant recall where we finished in the league table season last and the one before?
Or did they follow City and Chelsea for the last two seasons? Must be 🙂
Marko speaking of dippers, your boy Keita is struggling to get a look in, not saying he’s suddenly shit but I remember the time you said he would have been our best midfielder since Cesc, You must think to yourself that was a doozy moment from you. Hardly struggling he started 4 of his 8 appearences in the league only recently got rotated but to be fair they’ve all recently looked a bit jaded. I wouldn’t worry about him Vic he’s one of the best young midfielders around. I’d worry more about your boy AMN and whether or not he’ll… Read more »
Taking that into account ,the £70 that Emery was allowed to spend would indicate that there is actually a limit on what we can spend because the sum of £56 net spent this season and last season is actually a pathetic amount for a club of Arsenal’s size. Right so we’re self sufficient right and that means we only really spend what we can afford to spend right and under Wenger we finished outside the champions league spots two seasons in a row so our revenues got affected and that’s why our budget was what it was. Speaking of pathetic… Read more »
victorious
Hypothetical questions.
If Wenger had stayed, do you think we would be where we are now? and., on top of this, would we make top 4?
Also take into account the transfer fee for aubu
Victorious
Your deflection of AW is pathetic. The only reason we are happy for 4th THIS SEASON is due to the fact that there was so much to do this season which was due to the lack of coaching in previous seasons.
Comes next season, and we will be far more ready to compete next season. With Ramsey gone, their will be less formation disruption. Our team will be be even better once Ozil leaves.
There is absolutely no doubt at all that Stan set financial parameters at Arsenal, none at all. All bosses do that with their businesses, otherwise they would not survive. The question is: was his bottom-line policy sensible or necessary? Let’s take a look at what it was. First, it was sell to buy, and second, the transfer budget and the salary budget were lumped together. To answer the second question first: no it wasn’t necessary because the current account never fell below £100m. And in those days £3) m would buy both a top GK and a top CB. The… Read more »
Sorry thirty million pounds, not three. It’s getting late for me.
One of Arsenal’s problems over the last twelve years has not been the lack of spending, it’s been the ludicrous sums dished out to so many undeserving players.
“Yeh, but Arsenal have had financial restraints”.
Balderdash!!
victorious
Take your time victorious answering my 00:06 post.
It’s a tough one I know.
Night night.
Is it just me or I really want us to buy more South American players with grit, determination, hunger and fight.
A la Torreira or pre-sulky Alexis.
I wont mind Almiron if he displays drive and gives his all for the badge unlike a certain #10
if Emery manages to have a view on what’s said on le-grove, he definitely would know the fans are the boss….not silent Stan..
Wenger was a greedy cunt…no disrespect man, I’m just stating the fact…
He could have led long ago, with his pride and ego intact…..but sadly he didn’t….
No matter what the WOB or AKB’S say or do….. Wenger shattered his own legacy by overstaying his welcome….he could have left by 2011/2012, but no he got greedy
wenger was responsible for everything about arsenal….both the good, the bad, and the ugly…. the good: Beautiful football, beautiful stadium, glorious players, and a cabinet of trophies, and his LEGACY. the bad: never took responsibility for his team failings on and off the pitch…kept Making awful last hour signings and kept a bucket full of bad English players in the team… the ugly: wenger played handball with ARSENAL and never taught of the consequences. Brought stagnation to the team. Took top4 finish like a trophy…. and finally a badly tarnished legacy… and I guess, he knew all this himself, haven’t… Read more »
I wouldn’t completely rule out Ramsey leaving in January. He might have all the cards but one serious injury would see all his potential future money getting flushed down the toilet. After the rule change, he can also play Champions League this season. I find it hard to believe that if Real or Juventus came calling with a 4 year deal that he wouldn’t jump at it. He mitigates the risk of getting injured and goes straight into zchamoions League play. Not bad, really. Also, Arsenal would take less on the transfer fee to keep him away from Man United… Read more »
I wouldn’t completely rule out Ramsey leaving in January. He might have all the cards but one serious injury would see all his potential future money getting flushed down the toilet. After the rule change, he can also play Champions League this season. I find it hard to believe that if Real or Juventus came calling with a 4 year deal that he wouldn’t jump at it. He mitigates the risk of getting injured and goes straight into Champions League play. Not bad, really. Also, Arsenal would take less on the transfer fee to keep him away from Man United… Read more »
Oops
The latest podcast on Arseblog has an interesting episode on how an “expected goals” originated and how it is being used today. Well, I found it interesting.
Hope we are looking for a fast young left back who can be a difference maker. Having one enhances the quality of attacking play. The elite teams have them. Chilwell of Leicester and Ferland Mendy of Lyon look like top young players. We tried to sign Chilwell in the summer of 2016. Added bonus of being homegrown as well.
If we came 4th but embarrassed ourselves in the cl, won nothing and we’re 15 points back of the title winners, wenger would still be here
That’s as good as a fact. It’s so obvious it is beyond being disputed.
As ugly and messy as this was, wenger dropping down the table was the only reason he lost his job.
Sometimes you have to take a step backwards to take 2 steps forward.
Just like if we won the fa cup last year, he’d still be here What some of you guys claim you wanted wasn’t possible. I want to win the fa cup and I want wenger to go! Wenger wins the cup and gets a new 2 year deal. I Think wenger should leave on a high with respect and not get fired! Wenger plans to stay indefinitely until pushed These are mutually exclusive scenarios. You wanted wenger to pick up scraps like 4th place and FA cups, sure but it is impossible to realistically then think that he would have… Read more »
*tenner*
I concur with the China man. The Chang Chang man.
http://7amkickoff.com/index.php/2018/10/12/supplement-to-the-arsecast-more-xg-than-you-can-shake-a-stick-at/
Further to the podcast I mentioned, an excellent article.
It ties in nicely with Pedro’s blog piece as well.
Having said all this, I can see a huge hole in all these mathematical models upon which these xG constructs are built on. It’s the human element. Every player handles pressure differently everytime (although I suppose you could train your responses as a counter argument to this!)
According to stats ozil is the world’s most creative player and Lukaku is an elite striker
According to stats if you put Lukaku and ozil in the same team they’d be absolutely rampant…..wouldn’t they…?
Is there a defensive equivalent to the xG statistical model? A “prevented goal” as it were? (pG?)
China That’s my point, you can build a team on stats all you want but if you ignore the human element you might as well be building a house of cards. Taking your example, based on the stats putting Özil and Lukaku might work but what if they had a personality clash? So you found out too late that they hated playing with each other? The stats can only measure the quantifiable factors they miss out the imponderables. That’s why Emery’s man management skills are just as valuable as the numbers. I think he is bringing out the best in… Read more »
I think that Arsenal may well be forward planning with Messrs Smith-Rowe, Nelson and Nkietah in mind. The first two played exceptionally well in their respective England age group games and Emery’s brief is to develop youth players produced by the Arsenal Academy. The decision to withdraw Ramsey’s contract may well be taken with this in mind. On the other hand I do not think that the club will necessarily sell Ramsey in January as many posters on here suggest. Frankly the ball is now in Ramsey’s court and not ours and the statement issued yesterday does not suggest that… Read more »
at the end of the day the only numbers that matter is the points on the board. And atm it reads us 2 points from top. I’m not saying we will remain like that till the end of the season but I have no problem with saying we are genuine contenders for one of the top 4 spots. I hope we build on this and only be on the up. On a side note, it’s now been 2 weeks since I last saw Guns of hackney and I’m starting to worry about his health and well being.
This looks interesting and probably not a surprise to many : Arsenal without Lucas Torreira on the pitch this season: 442 minutes 9 goals scored 10 goals conceded Arsenal with Lucas Torreira on the pitch this season: 548 minutes 20 goals scored 3 goals conceded This is incredible — AFC (@aloe_vjera) October 7, 2018. Thoughts? Would be curious about a breakdown of the ‘with Lucas’ stats by his mid field partner ie Xhhara and Guendouzi. I don’t recall all three played together not for long anyway. Seriously, a couple of sensible additions in Jan TW would do us mighty good.… Read more »
Well said, China. Leeds – read the same 7amkickoff post. Human related factors would ‘simply’ add to the ‘variance’ cited in the article. Though, in theory these less tangible factors could also be modelled when significant resource is available. ibanks, FMCG, insurance co. are able to produce such analytic readily these days. Not quite in football sector yet. Some startups in the US tapping in the NBA with so predictive stuff that could eventually b available to colleges, high schools, etc for improving shooting skills. Some stars ha invested. Just needs to find the, market. Perhaps call and ask Ozil… Read more »
China Good morning from the South Coast of England. Have just read your 0:3:47 post. Hit the nail on the head. What many wished for was never going to happen under Wenger. Winning 3 FA Cups may have satisfied some but to all intents and purposes it only acted as a smoke screen. Look at what’s happened since Emery’s arrival. The whole “feel” around the club and, significantly, amongst the team, has changed. Players look happier, body language has improved, systems are developing. Yes, mistakes are still being made but you sense when they are, actions are in hand to… Read more »
Ramsey has been at the club for ten years and yet he seems to be the only one, along with his agent, who feels he is justified such a significant contract renewal.
Always a 5-7 out of 10 player for me.
Even though he scored in 2 FA Cup Finals, not a legend.
Sorry Aaron.
The more you think about the Ozil agreement, the more you realise what a mindblowingly stupid decision it was.
That one decision alone showed that Arsene Football Club was finished.
The sceptic in me feels it was a deliberate ploy to fuck things up.
What other explanation is there?
useroz
The stats that you posted show how important Lucas is and how long we’ve needed someone like him. The previous manager knew this but for reasons only known to him he didn’t managed to do so, or perhaps he didn’t know how.
Since we have now such a midfielder we need to either find another midfielder like Torreira or train another player to play in a similar fashion in case he becomes injured.
The thing with FA Cup is, anyone could score winning goals! That’s its magic. It’d be Ramsey, or a CB… Remove that, not a lot would go for Ramsey and the reported 250k pw ask.
The only thing matters is whether we can savage some fees in Jan..
How should Emery (or would you) use
* Torreira + Xhara
* Torrerra + Guendouzi
say, in situations like
* home and away
* vs stronger / weaker teams
I posted my own set on state 3/4 weeks before Torriera was a regular starter highlighting how effective he had been with the limited time he had been playing and the need to get him in the side asap .
thankfully the manager has seen sense and is now starting Torriera and Lacazette and if Kosielny returns fully fit ,we will at long last have a strong spine to the team
.
useroz
Actually, “savage” is quite appropriate.
Cheers.
Haha
Savage or salvage
Michael
If Ramsey and welbeck leave on a free transfer at the end of the season….
Who is to blame for this now that wenger has gone….we stand to lose around £70million..
Do you think that maybe some supporters were wrong in thinking the ozil/Sanchez situation was all of wenger’s doing due to the fact that the ramsey/Welbeck situation is a very similar scenario……if not then why haven’t the club learnt from last year.
It appears a little strange to me that many on here are congratulating the club for their stance on Ramsey even though there is a strong possibility that Ramsey will leave on a free transfer ,losing the club £50 million.
If wenger was still Arsenal manager ,would these same fans be congratulating the club for taking this stance ……of course not.
Some people would call it double standards and maybe they are right because in the case of Sanchez/ozil and Ramsey/Welbeck, there is no difference except we haven’t got a scapegoat anymore.
Don’t know about Welbeck. The Ramsey situation would still be on Wenger (and Ivan). When players run down contracts towards the final year it’s already gone in terms of leverage. With the Sanchez (and Ozil) saga happened right under his nose, Wenger. (again, and Ivan) didn’t learn. They had the entire 2nd half of 2017/18 season plus the TW to sort Ramsey out when the club might still have had some residual leverage such as a fire sale towards end of TW. Instead, both Wenger and Ivan came out at different times telling us the Ozil deal was reasonable/ good… Read more »
Michael
“The more you think about the Ozil agreement, the more you realise what a mindblowingly stupid decision it was.That one decision alone showed that Arsene Football Club was finished.”
I agree with you that to give ozil such a contract was an act of desperation by the club.
Would you regard letting Ramsey and Welbeck leave for free a “mindblowingly stupid decision” ……if not ,why not.
Ivan had the added TW (not Wenger) to sort Ramsey out.
People may wish to deflect some to th new contract guy but…. he’s new.
Can’t recall who (from ex player pundits) it’d not happen during Fergie time at the manure, and I think that’s right, for those they wanted to keep anyway
Useroz So you believe that despite the fact that the club knew that wenger was leaving in march/April, that he is to blame for the current situation ….. Do you not think that it would have been wise for the club to reassess the contract situations in march/April if ,as many believe ,it was wenger who made all the decisions when handing out new contracts. Could there be a possibility that wenger didn’t have the final say on everything or else why are the club following exactly the same path as when wenger was at the club. Doesn’t make sense… Read more »
Pierre
Ramsey and welbeck both were going into the last year of their contracts when wenger said he was leaving,therefore the club have zero leverage in negotiations. And as wenger has been overpaying this lot for years,and ozils ridiculous deal then the club will have little room for manouver.
The club did however tie down 6 or more players with 2 years left to new contracts. Because they have a bargaining position there. Understand.
England are shit Our record in the World Cup was shit too We beat Tunisia, Sweden and Honduras. The rest of the games we drew or lost against anyone of note. All those lauding Gareth Southgate after need their heads checking. Sterling is only decent as a support act to proper players like aguerro, KDB, coutinho, Suarez. Make him the main supply line and he withers. Maybe he needs better players to play off but to me it seems his decision making and ball skills disappear for england. Too many nippy, tricky wingers for England these days. Need to go… Read more »
Pat
“Zero leverage”….are you sure?
The club could not have done anything more to resolve the situation could they ?
maybe taken the £50 million offer for Ramsey might have been a good idea .
They gave new contracts to xhaka , iwobi,elneny ….all the players that have historically been slated on le grove..
good morning pals…
In every institution, there is a scapegoat when things go wrong….sadly, like it or not wenger should take the stick for what’s been going on at arsenal even after he has left….
my only wish is swap oezil for any great winger (nic. pepe, ziyech) available, sell Ramsay to any club available in Jan. and by another box to box creative midfielder, then by a younger competent left back…..
probably all this happens in January
England is the most:
1) overrated team ever…
2) most over hyped team, squad and country in football history for over half a century…
3) the most unrealistic country ever……..
beat Panama 6-1, and they were shouting, it’s coming home, wtf, who the fuck is the fucking Panama….Japan beat the 3nill a fortnight ago..
England beat Tunisia and they were still screaming its coming home….fucking pussy citizens and supporters… fucking happy, when virtually you haven’t played any body at the world cup….
then the real test came….against Belgium..
but guessed what, when all coaches were having a game plan, Garreth south gate was having a tournament plan, and decided to field in his second string players, so he could lose the match, and have a one way path to the final.
and that he did, but never managed to make it to the finals…
New post
England had the easiest route to the finals, but they choked when they played against a resilient Croatian side…
England played just 4matches at the world cup.
Lost 3 and won 1
Belgium—lost 1nil
sweden—won 2nil
Croatia—lost 2-1
Belgium—lost 2nil
fucking pathetic footballing nation…
Un na naai/China/TheLegendaryDB10, I’m really grateful people, really grateful. And thanks for the link Un, grateful. Life can be difficult to understand, I have been fighting to get to the top all my life, top was a distant dream; from very humble background. Lots of hill climbing and like trying to swim against a big ocean. But I was always happy, my hope as strong as a bull, I was certain I would get what I wanted if I kept on believing. Then finally it’s happening bit by bit, the dreams are turning to actual reality. Then bang! From no… Read more »
“If we came 4th but embarrassed ourselves in the cl, won nothing and we’re 15 points back of the title winners, wenger would still be here“ “Just like if we won the fa cup last year, he’d still be hereWhat some of you guys claim you wanted wasn’t possible.“ Weird, because the only reason in both scenarios that Wenger continues is because of Stan having no interest/sack. Both are entirely reasonable outcomes were we run by someone with them clubs success at the forefront. Wouldn’t be the first time a manager wins a domestic cup and gets the sack because… Read more »
Un, Thanks so much, you have done sufficiently enough, and I’m really grateful. I will see a doctor. It has got really bad these days. My head is just messed beyond belief, and i look okay on the surface. ‘Pls Darling Jesus Christ, don’t forsake me.’ Line above is from my previous post, but I have been having a war going on since I used it. The word ‘darling’ was not right enough maybe or maybe not So i’m changing it to make sure it’s right: MY LORD Jesus Christ, pls DO NOT FORSAKE ME. Take pity on me in… Read more »
But you won’t see me arguing that Stan has been a good owner. I think entirely the opposite and regularly call him and Ivan as guilty as wenger. All 3 of them should equally share the blame for driving this bus off a cliff with gay abandon whilst merrily just paying attention to their bank balance and personal egos. All 3 of them are/were awful in the last 5 years at least (10 if we’re being serious) So you won’t find me saying Kroenke is blameless. But you will find me saying the club higher ups and wenger himself consistently… Read more »
Vic if Jesus is real then I’m convinced he would be saddened that you worry about being forsaken.
As long as you are not a horrific person I think there’s little to no chance of a benevolent creator holding you to impossibly high standards. Just being a decent person is probably more than enough for him to be proud
I’m sure if he’s real he would just want you to be a good husband/father/member of society