Ok, let’s get the bad things out the way first. There are two issues from yesterday’s game.
The first one was that buried in the selection, was Auba. Our only fit striker, he is imperative to our strategy because we don’t create many chances and he’s the most clinical sharp shooter in the world at the minute… so why would you risk him away at a bang average German team in the first game of the group stages?
Emery made the same mistake last season in the group stages when he over-played first teamers, that had a knock-on effect and saw us battle through two very lethargic months. It was so bad he had to lower the intensity in training to bring back some freshness.
Europa League is a pub version of Champions League. It’s not important compared to the league. It is a HUGE advantage that Arsenal can theoretically rest players midweek, while our rivals have to battle hard with a first-team squad in a comp they can’t rest players in until much later in the group stages.
We shouldn’t be taking risks. If we lost Auba yesterday, we’d be in deep shit. That wasn’t a smart move and it’s worrying that Emery is making panic decisions like that because it shows he hasn’t learned from last year. Europa League should not be a primary strategy for CL this season, because it’ll be a coin toss final again, potentially against a very good team.
Bad shit, part two.
We really struggled defensively yesterday. We were open, we gave them space and we conceded 26 odd shots against a very average side. People can rightly talk to the quality of the shots and how they were lacking from Frankfurt, but from where I was watching, the reason the shots were so bad was down to shoddy technique versus a lack of openings.
The midfield was non-existent.
We signed a defensive midfielder in LT and we prefer to play him in a more advanced position. We have Xhaka, on the FBI most wanted list for crimes against football, stinking out the place with mistakes, poor positioning and fear. Then it’s a total mixed bag what the other player in the trio does. If the captain can’t lead, how can you expect kids like Willock or Ceballos to make a difference?
Emery is out of tricks. He doesn’t know how to make his midfield work. This is very worrying.
ANNNNND ONTO THE GOOD STUFF.
The kids did alright, didn’t they?
I thought Emi Martinez was an absolute rock in goal. He was decisive with the short passing, making correct decisions under pressure, not falling into the ‘PLAY IT SHORT EVEN IF THE PASS IS SUICIDE.’ I thought he was very light on his feet, he made some special saves and was always alert to danger (because it was everywhere). He had arguably his strongest performance to date… he looked far more solid than Leno has this season.
Willock also had a good game. He runs with the ball like a machine, he fights for every challenge and he’s decisive with his passing and shots. His goal was a joke, but at least he was there taking the shot when he had limited options. Very Frank Lampard of him.
Finally, the main man of the night… Saka.
I have been purring about him for a while. He did not disappoint. My intel was CORRECT about him starting.
What a little gem we have there. He is incredibly quick, his movement is hard to track. He prods, he pokes, he accelerates, he drops… he is a very tough player to deal with.
Most important thing for me is this: He stood up when we needed him.
We were an utter shambles in defence, it would have been easy to sink into the melee, but he shone brightly and made that his moment. His goal was composure beyond his years, his two assists were also lovely to watch.
I think the person most concerned with that game will be Reiss. Saka was so much better than anything we’ve seen from the more senior wide man. Same can be said of Pepe as well… this is the sort of internal transfer Wenger was banging on about for 15 years!
ESR also had some good moments, but I think he’s a little further behind in minutes and form than then others. Still, he didn’t let himself down, so no shame there.
Overall, a very fun game. Our transitions in attack were much better. Saka is clearly the new Dembele for Auba, so we’ve had a win there. The main grey cloud is always going to be the absolute mess we have in midfield.
The theory that Emery likes a tall DM seems to have merit… our manager sacrifices quality for inches… a sorry situation if ever I saw one, especially when you consider the height of the best DMs in the world at the minute.
Those midfield issues, if they remain, will have Emery fired by Christmas. He has to pivot.
P.S. For all the folk that said my attack on Emery’s communication skills was unfair… this is Saka on Freddie.
“He helps so much. Sometimes when I don’t understand what the coach [Emery] is trying to communicate with me, I have a better communication with Freddie. He speaks better English”
When you ponder why Emery’s ideas aren’t translating, sometimes you need to channel a bit of Occam’s Razor… simplest answer is usually the most boring, but it’s starting to look quite obvious, right?
See you in the comments. xx
Most of this pod still holds relevant.
1st
Saka Punch!
2nd
4th
Woo-hoo!
4th
5th
Pleased for young Saka. Nervy start but grew into the game.
Xhaka would have a been a great player ten years ago when the league actually allowed midfielders like him time and space to ponder. But now it’s different and Emery is too stagnant a person to realize.
He had arguably his strongest performance to date… he looked far more solid than Leno has this season. Pedro Bang on. I was mocked hard for saying this last night. Martinez looks like David Seaman in his prime Safer hands than Leno for me For all the folk that said my attack on Emery’s communication skills was unfair… this is Saka on Freddie. “He helps so much. Sometimes when I don’t understand what the coach [Emery] is trying to communicate with me, I have a better communication with Freddie. He speaks better English” This is just embarrassing. The man cannot… Read more »
Now to the post. On the good and bad stuff about the game, Well said Pedro.
Arsenal may draw the game against Aston villa if villa executes their counter attack tactics well. The midfield is still all over the place.
No thoughts on chambers
Also worth noting that last season, Emery introduced just a smidge of aggression which looked like a lot to our limp squad. But now, the other teams have raised the bar and Emery is still stuck on the same levels of last season. Emery was supposed to be a one season manager and we were supposed to move on from there. But Emery is just another Wenger: a focal point for stagnation. Only difference is he is more insipid
Yesterday, Willock won almost every ball against Frankfurt players while he was bullied on Sunday by those Watford players. That says a lot about the difference between the EPL and the Bundesliga. Xhaka and Mustafi can all be star players in the Bundesliga.
Jacky
I’d argue that we’ve actually lost any semblance of the aforementioned aggression and regressed behind even the latter Wenger years.
Xhaka had a very good game yesterday, think you’re leaning on a lazy dig to claim otherwise. This ‘fear’ and ‘scared’ chat is overplayed too, he gave a frank assessment of the aberration that was our 2nd half against Watford – totally justified and not one person can claim what they saw was anything other than stated. I continue to see Xhaka as the best CM option at the club, even with his faults. Torreira is toilet based on his form this year, the other two are kids and deliver performances from dogshit to dynamite. Part of me puts an… Read more »
Zakaria seems to have started the season very well earning a lot of praise from fans and the media.
I really think that is the type of player we need to add to our midfield. Every inch the priority that CB is.
Joke Friday –
Employee of the month is a good example of how somebody can be both a winner and a loser at the same time.
My drug test came back negative. My dealer sure has some explaining to do
The worst time to have a heart attack is during a game of charades.
Last night, I played poker with Tarot cards … got a full house and 4 people died.
“I have a friend. He keeps trying to convince me he’s a compulsive liar, but I don’t believe him.
If Emery had to reduce training because most of the players were knackered from playing two/three games a week, that shows Arsenal aren’t buying athletic players who can handle rigor of elite football. I thought our end of season collapse last season was due to having too many passengers in squad who don’t have the right fitness level.
Last season Martinez went on loan at Reading. From all reports he had a terrific stint. Not only was a good shot stopper but his distribution help Reading restart on the front foot.
I liked the fact that he was not afraid to mix his distribution instead of sticking to Emery game plan of playing from the back in every situation.
Maybe it is because he is the second choice goalkeeper so he has less to lose than Leno. But that made for less stressful restarts than against Watford.
Saka our Leon Bailey. Looks like we finally have a proper legitimate prospect on our hands.
As for the Emery communication stuff that’s fair enough we’ll have to take it into account from now on while hiring managers then. It might rule out Marcelino, Nagelsmann and Allegri I’m not sure they’re English is much better but I may be wrong.
I actually checked. Allegri broken English, Nagelsmann no English. Marco Rose though has good English.
To follow on from my now legendary, Wengemery.
This gem: sakashit
Now piss off and marvel.
This ‘fear’ and ‘scared’ chat is overplayed too, he gave a frank assessment of the aberration that was our 2nd half against Watford – totally justified and not one person can claim what they saw was anything other than stated. Then states “total lack of a system and roles they’ve to perform to.It’s a mess, no other way of assessing it.” I’m confused is it an aberration or is it not. Sounds like it’s a regular criticism of Arsenal under Emery or was it just fear was the aberration? It’s pretty normal stuff though with Granit nothing out of the… Read more »
The fact that a manager does not speak the language is not necessarily a problem. It becomes one if 1) the message in whatever language is not clear. Incoherent tactic is still incoherent tactic in broken or Oxford English. 2) the manager refuses to use a translator (An assistant who speak the language can do the work). An accurate precise translation is a must to convey all the nuances of a complex or unusual message. Marcelo Bielsa is the clear example that not speaking English does not need to be an hindrance. Tactically he knows exactly how he wants to… Read more »
Count about 12 or 13 of the first team who either speak French and or Spanish so while it’s okay to assume English speaking Saka wouldn’t understand Emery and his English there is enough members of the squad who should understand him. Plus I don’t understand is it a bad thing to outsource things to the assistant. I’m glad Freddie is far more involved than Steve Bould or Pat Rice
Pedro Martinez had a great game yesterday, but I still think that Leno will be selected for games in EPL. Both Wenger and Emery rotated goalkeepers in League and Cup games. One lesson to be learned from last 2 games against Watford and Eintracht Frankfurt games is that short passing game particularly from goal kicks is foolhardy and puts defence and goalkeeper under immense pressure. Will Leno change his game against Aston Villa? There has been a lot of negatives about Pepe. Personally I would not write him off too quickly. It takes some players longer than others to adapt… Read more »
Valentin
Its tactics not language… Emery has not addresssed defenseive protection and also transition attack
Of course Leno is still number one. Martinez was good last night very assured but let’s be careful and not make another Almunia type mistake with Emi. He’s been on loan and unable to hold down a regular place for how many years for a reason
Problem with Emery lies in the actual message or tactic being translated, not the grasping of what he’s communicating.
Pedro: Normally agree– or don’t strongly disagree — with most of what you write, but… Frankfurt are not a pub team — last year’s semifinalists and only out the final because of a penalty shoot out — so away to them is probably the hardest game of the group for us [at least on paper] — getting a win relieves a lot of pressure and maybe we won’t risk Auba in the remaining games Xhaka didn’t stink the place out last night, made no blatant errors and was responsible for starting the drives for all three goals while I agree… Read more »
GoH
v. good
Doesn’t work as well but…
Xhakashit
LT
Both the same…I didn’t even see the Xhakashit one.
Emeroids
Problem with Emery lies in the actual message or tactic being translated, not the grasping of what he’s communicating.
True. Ebening instead of evening is irrelevant in the grand scheme of things. But if communication is the issue then best avoid Nagelsmann and the likes
I think Emery accent is fine, he understandable, but it sounds like he hasn’t learned proper English words used around football. Emery English is decent for small talk over a pint but he doesn’t use correct words when it comes to football, which has its own unique words/expressions. They use of word ‘protagonist’ was what got me wondering if he knows football language. I thought Martinez distribution was good yesterday, he interpret Emery instructions correctly while Leno is too rigid about short passes. There is no way Emery instructed Leno to do short passes no matter what at away to… Read more »
Gun of SF, I agree with you that in the case of Emery that the problem is the content of the message i.e. the tactics rather how it is transmitted. However it should not necessarily be a hard no for targeting our next coach. Overall communication rather than just language should be part of the decision. I used Bielsa as an example, because he does not speak English yet his team is still overperforming the sum of his players individual quality. I would love him at Arsenal and see what he could do with Willock, Guendouzi, Saka, Nelson and Martinelli… Read more »
Leaves Ozil still a highly paid bit part player.
Still speaking of prospects I’ve also got high hopes for John Jules and Balogan. To the point where I can see us cashing in on Nketiah because of those two
Come on Pedro the Oracle we know your insights are always good please don’t just hammer it on and on again.
O All Seeing One, forgive me for being blind to your warnings please shine your lights of wisdom to light up the path of my darkest of ignorance.
if you can’t communicate your way of football you’re a shit coach simple as
Martinez was superb. Commanding, strong and Brave. Leno has serious competition, which is a good thing. Problem areas still exist and always will, unless Emery starts to show basic common sense. Ponderous and disjointed defensive play is an understatement. Does he not see we are absolute shite in this area and that compared to most(all!) other teams, an embarrassing example of how to defend and track back. We all accepted it was bad under Wenger but you’d expect a manager with his credentials and experience to be able to sort this out without too much difficulty. If it continues, without… Read more »
LT is too short to play DM in England, but not for the reason you might think. It’s because his legs are so short, so he has to run harder than anyone else and gets tired out easily. That’s why he can’t play 90 minutes. True story.
Bielsa is using a translator for everything.
I’m not so sure Emery is doing the same.
Hence the problems.
After more than one year of trying to speak English, I would have hoped it would have been far more comprehensible.
It should have been a prerequisite of the job remit that Emery made sure our defensive frailties were rectified.
Early kick off last night, Friday night match to start weekend, football schedule this week got me discombobulated.
Eduardo
Where did you here that?
The reason LT is struggling is that Emery is getting him to play in unnatural positions. It then becomes both a physical and mental problem for Torreira.
It doesn’t take an Einstein to work that one out.
hear that
“Early kick off last night, Friday night match to start weekend, football schedule this week got me discombobulated.”
How will you cope with the away leg against Vitoria on November 6. Fixture has been moved to a WEDNESDAY afternoon kick-off 3.50 pm (UK time) !
Probably not well, Michael, if this week is anything to go by.
I’ll be depressed next time Sokratis plays.
1550 kick off?? That’s rather inconvenient, a slightly better start time than usual for our Far Eastern and Australasian fans though. Fair play to those who stay up crazy hours to watch the Arsenal!
It may be that Auba needs minutes to attain full fitness. There’s no way a good blogger like Pedro will ever know this.
A good chunk of injuries occur away from games. Nothing stops Auba from being injured during training or out partying after games.
That line of protecting players is so stale.
Personally , I would have rather Aubameyang was sitting at home with his feet up last night . But what we had was Nketiah sitting at home with his feet up whilst Aubameyang was playing another 90 minutes of footbal. Forest next week …..Nketiah will be sitting at home with his feet up no doubt . He may get his usual 10/15 minutes off the bench at the weekend…big deal The following week and yes , Nketiah will be sitting with his feet up whilst Aubameyang is playing another 90 minutes in the europa league. And so on and so… Read more »
Dissenter,
Strange criticism of Pedro. Any player is more likely to get injured in a match than training (or partying!). We can rotate our squad for cup games and still win. With Laca out, PEA needs to be looked after, in other words playing one game a week.
ESR needs minutes not PEA.
Pierre, the Nketiah narrative…again.
I don’t think that Leno is a bad goalkeeper, but he may be the wrong one for us. When he joined Arsenal he had a reputation as a great shots stopper but with lapses in concentration. We have seen that as he is the goalkeeper with the biggest number of errors directly leading to goals. Yet he is not the goalkeepers who made the most errors. The issue is our defense is such a shambles than any mistake he makes is immediately punished by the opposition. The way Emery setup his team and wants to restart game quickly, we need… Read more »
Dissenter
It is not so much the worry about injuries that Pedro commented on.
I believe he was talking about fatigue through playing 3 games a week when there is no need to .
If Lacazette is out longer than expected then fatigue may become a problem for Aubameyang though I have to say that for his age he looks as fit as ever.
“The line of protecting players is so stale”
No arguing the direct correlation from over playing a player to injury not hard to do the math as fatigue then injury will always win out. Early in season but why burn the candle and not opt for rotation. Martinelli would of been a good option.
Not like the injury hurdle has been avoided as PEA turn around will most likely be Villa at home on Sunday where the bigger risk lies having two days rest and travel in the legs.
“I’m confused is it an aberration or is it not. Sounds like it’s a regular criticism of Arsenal under Emery or was it just fear was the aberration? It’s pretty normal stuff though with Granit nothing out of the normal from him. Pretty much everyone sees it except you I’m afraid“ The 2nd half against Watford was an aberration, our most shots conceded ever in one match, 23 in one half, is outlier type stuff. Doesn’t suggest we’re not trending that way as a whole though, just states that particular half was unreal. You wouldn’t grasp that though. Your Xhaka… Read more »
Pierre,
You are right and wrong at the same time.
You are right in that from an Arsenal perspective, it would better if Nketiah was still with us and could lead the line for Europa League game.
But you are also wrong, because for Nketiah’s long term development it is better than he learn under Bielsa in very competitive game. I don’t trust Emery to help him grow into the player his natural talent dictates he should grow into. I see what Wenger did to Walcott and I would rather avoid the same fate for Nketiah.
Bob
“Pierre, the Nketiah narrative…again.”
Am I wrong.?
Wouldn’t it be better to have Nketiah on the pitch than sitting at home with this feet up whilst Aubameyang is in danger of being overused.
And if you believe I’m wrong , tell me why.
And no, he wont get more game time at leeds , not this side of Christmas anyway.
We have European and league cup games …leeds have neither.
CC, The 2nd half against Watford was an aberration, our most shots conceded ever in one match, 23 in one half, is outlier type stuff. Doesn’t suggest we’re not trending that way as a whole though, just states that particular half was unreal. I think you are wrong on that one. The trend is in downward spiral. Teams have sussed us out. Even Frankfurt who have lost nearly half their better players had 24 shots on Thursday. Xhaka is not a bad player, but he is unsuited to the fast, aggressive, physical EPL. Also Emery setup just accentuates his lack… Read more »
Valentin
The argument is normally ” he will get more game time at leeds” which I disagree.
What are we doing with a manager who we vant trust to develop our young players if you would rather he goes to leeds to be coached by Biesla and to just sit on the bench .
Sorry, I cant see the logic in that.
I thought that this been already discussed Pierre. AFC decided it would be more advantageous for Nketiah to go Leeds and play more regularly than wait for an injury crisis. If Nketiah had stayed, I believe rightly or wrongly PEA would have still started yesterday. You clearly believe this was a mistake. Can we expect you to mention Nketiah’s absence after every cup match? You may have a point but after the second half of last season, I’m not so sure. Not sure how you can be so definitive about his game time before Xmas. The way he’s started would… Read more »
Valentin
I said it doesn’t state we’re not trending that way, but the fact it was our most shots conceded in the history of the prem suggests there’s every reason to react to the game in a post-match presser with relative candour.
Frankfurt has 24 shots in the last game, Watford had 23 in one half. Puts the 45 mins into context
Pierre,
Bielsa training sessions are renowned to be among the best.
He will learn more there than feeding from scrap in Europa League games. Check the number of touches Arsenal has in the opposition last third. It is pitiful.
I can’t see what he more he would learn by having to perform miracles. Any missed opportunities would just attract comments and boos by unappreciative Arsenal supporters possibly destroying his confidence.
Pierre,
You also make the assumption that Emery would rest PEA and start with Nketiah. Last season should have taught you that Emery is a Cup guy. More likely than not he will start with his preferred players in that competition.
So even if Nketiah was there, I am pretty convinced that Emery would still have started with Aubameyang negating your game time argument.
Just registered on Wolves’ official site to watch Bellerin, Tiernay and others. Kick off now!
Scored within 40 seconds….
Balogun already!
Love the Podcast Pedro, but Ash is a bit unlistenable.
Nketiah will benefit more under Bielsa than under Emery.
Nketiah may also learn about playing out from the back, tracking back and defending as a unit.
When he returns to Arsenal, should Emery still be here( I don’t think he will be) he can show everyone how it’s frigging done!
Having gone to watch Hertha vs Dortmund last season , my impression I’d that the Bundesliga is like the Championship on Steroids. Lots of crash bang whallop , 2 sendings off the game o watched and plenty of errors. What we need to remind ourselves is that Frankfurt nearly took out Chelsea last season so overall a very good result. Doesn’t though take away the issues with Emery. I just can’t understand why he didn’t do an intense language course during the Summer or indeed Arsenal insist he do it . There’s something a little naive about him I feel… Read more »
Like your thinking Graham. Think Nketiah is an excellent player, great touch, movement and scores.
You wouldn’t grasp that though. Your Xhaka chat is in the same manner of stupid, so won’t even bother there.Another stormer at the office from you, top it off with asking for more time on Emery’s behalf. Classic Charles. Zero to prick in mere seconds. Genuine question about it being an aberration otherwise why do people incessantly talk about the manager especially if the Watford game as you said was an aberration. Yeah best avoid any sort of Granit chat if I were you. You continue to be so dense and wrong on the topic it’s unreal. You’ll get there… Read more »
You nailed it Mark, ‘Emery is transitional’.
Marko
Already talked about why it was an aberration, we’ve been porous and 2nd rate a lot but to concede 23 shots in one half against the bottom ranked side in the league was a new level of shit unto itself. Not a difficult one to grasp, but you can’t help be the dribbly prick you are day after day.
Again proving your total incompetence on the Xhaka subject, so full circle stuff from you. Meanwhile you’re lightning fast to claim someone’s a prick towards you. Must not see how you engage with others through that prism of stupid.
Not a difficult one to grasp, but you can’t help be the dribbly prick you are day after day. I’m a dribbly prick trying to understand how Sunday was an aberration (according to you) and yet at the same time something all too familiar hence your incessant complaints about the midfield among other things. Seems like a regular theme these last few years. Again proving your total incompetence on the Xhaka subject, so full circle stuff from you. This I love. I must have asked you about half a dozen times in the last week or so to talk about… Read more »
Graham “Nketiah will benefit more under Bielsa than under Emery.” Thats not difficult is it , everyone is now agreeing with Ozil now, would you believe it. Tell you what, Why don’t we send the whole team over to leeds to benefit from his elite coaching. Or better still why don’t we employ him as manager to see how good he really is . Problem is ,as yet, he hasn’t managed anything close to an elite side in europe and as far as I know has won nothing in 20 years Surely a manager with such an excellent pedigree in… Read more »
Graham
“Nketiah will benefit more under Bielsa than under Emery.”
Thats not difficult is it , everyone is now agreeing with Ozil now, would you believe it.
Aubameyang is hardly dripping with sweat after each game. All he does is make a few runs and gets his customary tap in…
Not sure why you’re getting your knickers in a twist Pierre about Nketiah, it was a judgement call to send him to Leeds. Nobody, including you can say definitively whether it was the right or wrong decision – that will be clearer as the season develops.
As for bringing Ozil into the debate about whether Emery is any good or not, creative and ridiculous.
Redruth, why doesn’t everybody have a goal scoring career like Aubameyang, piece of piss – don’t break a sweat and goal hang. You should put yourself forward and do it yourself Red. You’d get paid really well as well.
No one would miss or welcome back Xhaka were he to sustain a long term injury, that’s how bad he is…..
Aubameyang could play 5 games a week and still be fresh, mind you, same could be said for most of the player’s , the lazy twats.
PEA played as UE was terrified of the the personal consequences of another loss. He would have got slaughtered. PEA was insurance.
Team selection is all about saving UE skin at the moment.
Pierre
I don’t think you should be using Ozil as a justification for our own perceptions on Emery.
Ozil has been a total embarrassment the past year and a half and irrespective of his personal feelings on Emery, he has let down the club, it’s fans and more significantly, himself.
He has been a total embarrassment and imo, is not worthy of being associated with our great club.
Gloating over someone like Ozil is shameful on your part.
Bournmouth up to third.
Bravo Eddie Howe.
One can dream.
Pierre
Any player who walks off the pitch as Captain of the team and blanks a youngteammate entering the field of play is a total dick.
Then again, Mesut Ozil comes across as a bit of a dick with or without Emery being around.
It comes naturally to him.
I would conservatively estimate that 90% of the Footballing community see Ozil in the same light.
A total dick that is.
‘Aubameyang is hardly dripping with sweat after each game. All he does is make a few runs and gets his customary tap in…’
You would really have preferred he runs around like a crazy horse, sweating like a junkie and turn in 5 goals a season…. like Welbz?
Brilliant you!
Pierre,
Let me gift you an old logic;
When you find yourself in a room with 50 people and the 50 of them say the coffee mug on the table is blue but what you see is black, it’s wise to see your ophthalmologist at once!
That’s an angle I urge you to consider re-Ozil.
In two years flat; Saka, Martinelli and Nketiah will be pushing PAL very hard…..so hard.
Auba is a prized asset.
One hopes he stays as fresh as a daisy or else we’re fudged.
Without him or Lacazette we are nothing.
Having signed Saliba, if Holding turns out really good; we could focus whatever fund we have available next summer on the midfield. The problem in the middle is greater than the one at the back even as things stand right now.
If Aston Villa have more than ten shots at goal on Sunday, Emery will be walking a tightrope.
Gentlebris,
If we don’t get Champion’s League football, you can forget adding anybody to the squad to alleviate its deficiencies especially in midfield.
We will have to sell about £40 millions worth of asset to cover the planned expenditure.
If we were having a Santi and a Kante in our midfield, our centre defence of Luiz and Sok would be the envy of every.
If we had bought VVD and sat him behind this midfield of ours……VVD would have been leaking goals as if his wages depended on leaked goals.