Monday 15 August 2011

Dick Barton

The Premier League starts… with a whimper.

Thank Christ for Jabbering Joey Barton. It’s hard not to imagine him stepping out of a smashed shop window with a wide-screen telly in his mitts. Everything about the lad reeks of the kind of upbringing that would make an Old Etonian wince.

Of course Joey’s surprise appearance might be considered an attempt by the Geordies to put him in the shop window, but I don’t see anyone clambering over injured Malaysian students to get to the uppity Scouse muppet.

Incidentally, I don’t want to lace this whole blog with references to the lawless hoodied gits that rifled through the shops the other day, except to say that Cameron’s Big Society implied that communities be encouraged to ‘help themselves’ and this might have been misinterpreted.

Any road, it was good that the footy wasn’t postponed everywhere, even if that did allow Joey to do his ‘chippiest kid in the playground’ act.

‘Course Joey’s eloquent tweets seem to give the lie to his reputation of letting his feet do the talking, either with ball, or with the skull of someone who might not be to his liking. He’s got a bit of form with Arsenal following since Abou Diaby’s brainstorm last year when the big midfielder shook Barton around like a drinking straw, got sent off, and Newcastle grabbed an improbable 4-4.

Maybe that’s what was rankling with Alex Song when he used the lad’s calf as a doormat. While there’s a bit of you that, like the Cantona assault on a Palace fan way back when, says "‘kin right, son", there’s also that bit of you that thinks that there’s still a stampy, stropping underbelly to Arsenal that reflects the manager’s schoolgirl petulance.

And Gervinho hit the deck like an encyclopedia off a high shelf. I’m getting right miffed with the apologists that constantly suggest that cos ‘there’s contact’ a pen should be given. Depends on the contact, surely? Defenders will have to spend the whole season making sure that they cut any loose threads of their footy tops cos one waft of a tatty yarn is enough to bring a 6ft striker rocksliding to earth.

Barton was similarly outraged and grabbed Gervinho round the collar. While he was feeling around in his shorts for a cigar and a lighter the Ivorian managed to snake out the sort of slap that couldn’t have wafted the steam of a fresh cup of tea and, after a moment’s reflection, Barton turned into Rivaldo.

Plaintive cries of ‘He punched me, he punched me!’ followed. And Gervinho, forehead ballooning furiously over the tightest headband ever strapped round a human bonce, made a hasty exit. The twit.

Barton’s mark was made but at least contributed to the entertainment which is a damn sight more than the rest of his team-mates managed.

Pardew continued to be stout in his defence of the Shameless extra in the No.7 shirt, insisting that Barton wasn’t deserving of a red card. Then again Pards’s appearances on Match of the Day 2 have been strictly limited since he described a magnificent Michael Essien tackle by saying ‘He’s absolutely raped him,there.’

As Ken Clarke’ll tell you there are different levels of rape – apparently – but I still can’t think what Pardew thought he was saying. It was hard not to sympathise with Wenger’s assertion that the two tusslers should’ve got the same punishment, but maybe it wouldn’t have mattered if the Gooners hadn’t played with the usual clockwork passing patterns and yet finished with all the end-product of the post-Thatcher mining industry.

To be fair to Joey, which is a hard concept to embrace, he had a a top season for the Geordies last year and he is still a very decent midfielder. He’s a good passer, has a decent shot on him and rarely gets caught in possession – of the ball, anyway.

I have this horrible feeling that, given he’s more irritating than one of them tiny spiny fishes that swims up your cock in the River Amazon – and that he can more than string a sentence together – he’s being lined up by sports phone-ins and TV couches everywhere as the latest antagonist of the great British football fan.

In other words, stick him in crap clothes and a Kate Winslet wig and you’ve got Knobbie Savage. Or bring back that naff tash and you’ve got Gary Neville. And football needs its bruisers, its nutjobs, its preeners and primpers, its unhinged, one-eyed pillocks.

Still, it stirred up a weekend of timelessly pedestrian footy. United proved the value of having a goalscorer from the opposition, but didn’t look all that tasty. Rio, like some disobedient poodle, is back on the couch, Vidic is getting creakier too, and De Gea looks flakier than a Gregg’s sausage roll.

Torres looked lively but Chelsea still need an overhaul, the minnows did okay barring poor old QPR. And the worst aspect of the weekend’s games was the injury to Kieron Dyer. I mean I’ve never been a big fan of the lad but no one deserves his level of ill luck. By all accounts he’s been brilliant in training but put him on the pitch and his shins turn to celery.

Finally, the weekend was the crowning achievement of the England cricket team. That’s right, the ruthless oiled machine of the modern game is now England. Three cracking pacemen, a tidy old tweaker, a top six that could not only make a century but, in Cook’s case, bat for a century, and a keeper who counter-attacks like a bearded South African-English Gilchrist.

It’s just right pleasing really even if India’s bowling attack has all the edge of a chicken passanda. It’s only the silly old decent Englishman that wants Sachin to get that 100th hundred you know. Flower n Strauss don’t want the bloke getting so much as a sniff. Pitiless, they are. Isn’t it grand?

316 comments:

  1. Bugger me, first

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  2. ah, done by Gone East in 30 seconds

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  3. Slightly controversial, but I'm thinking Wenger won't last a full season!

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  4. Fifth, which is a lot higher than newcastle will get this season.

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  5. At least the cricket finished just in time for the footy to start again, so good weekend in all.

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  6. Gervinho: I wonder if he were to loosen his headband, his forehead may drop to a more normal proportion.

    just a thought.

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  7. 1046: FOOTBALL - Player management company SEM Group has confirmed on Twitter that the father of Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel was abducted in Nigeria on Friday 12 August. "Mikel was informed by his manager prior to the Stoke v Chelsea match & decided to play so as not to let down his team & family," it adds.
    ---

    thats some serious shit.

    hope he's released unharmed.

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  8. Reports from Spain: Fabregas's buy out clause at barca is 200 million Euro.

    MUst say, they might have discovered oil in during his medical if its jumped from 35 to 200 in one morning.

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  9. Spitfire,

    just a thought just glad Gervinho did not headbutt Barton as with that forehead it would have caused some serious damage.

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  10. damage? in Barton's head?

    yer must be joking.

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  11. Sadly Sptfire I have to agree with you there.

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  12. Great article but the final two paras should be at the top, as the very dull footy was a mere footnote to magnificent Siff Iffricin....err sorry, English cricket success.

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  13. Great stuff Robbo, mornin' Lads, ahhhh Joey Nut Job Barton, he's just want Wenger needs, the epitome of footballing evil, sign him up Gooners.

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  14. thats what wenger said trott,

    perhaps signing him up would be the best way to deal with him.

    Sign him up and hopefully he'll want to go back to his roots.

    in Scouserland.

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  15. Joey Barton quoted in the Sun "The first day's the toughest, no doubt about it. They march you in, hand you your uniform and force you to pose for the photographer while loads of fat, tattooed, skinheads shout abuse at you. That's when you know it's for real. A whole life blown away in the blink of an eye. Nothing left but all the time in the world to think about it. That's when it hits home. That's when you realise you've signed for Newcastle."

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  16. fat, tattooed, skinhead? Does Mike Ashley have a tattoo then?

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  17. 1 Bolton 1 4 3
    2 Man Utd 1 1 3
    3 Wolves 1 1 3
    4 Liverpool 1 0 1

    Top four taking shape nicely, just need Swansea to replace Wolves and Champs League will be all set.

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  18. We've sold Keane ... hope we've got a new striker coming in imminently then.

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  19. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14522531.stm

    -----------------------

    Welcome to England Villas-Boas.

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  20. Ah..so liverpool have achieved their top 4 ambitions already have they? Nice.

    You know what would also be nice? If they could keep up their flair and tempo for more than 20 minutes. The good old game does last 90 mins you know, was kinda disappointing to see them lose their fizz like a bottle of pepsi kept open for 30 mins.

    Ah well, was just week one so hopefully it gets better from here.

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  21. Hmm...gonna end this gameweek with 39 points, not counting any bonus points. Anyone less than that so far?

    Whats with not knowing who your h2h opponent is ?

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  22. Noel, you're not gonna lose any points. Apparently, owing to the technical glitches and the ensuing complaints the FFL site received, they have extended unlimited transfers till gameweek 2. You should get your points back by wednesday.

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  23. Not a bad performance from Man City tonight. Aguero looks a half decent signing. But has someone kidnapped Roberto Mancini and replaced him with his more attacking twin brother.

    Colch

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  24. Colch

    His attacking twin brother turned up after about 60mins

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  25. 60 pts, not a bad start, but dont know who I've been playing against

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  26. Fair play to both sides(and Dean) no cards tonight

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  27. Blimey, battle of the table toppers next week, City at the Reebok, it'll end in tears.

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  28. shame almandy is gone other wise it could have ended in tiers.

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  29. Thanks for that AH - I may make a few more changes then seeing as Kolarov didn't get a start lastnight. I had 35 points in the FFL, although the subs have just taken me up to 43. Still, a pretty piss poor effort. I should be easy pickings for my H2H opponents.

    Noel

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  30. Well said Robbo.. you got it right all the way.

    Looks like 'arry's dream of monopolising the leagues midfielders maybe coming to an end... the boss has told him his next signing has to be a striker.

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  31. "Arsenal will go on"... we just need a big liner and a fucking great iceberg to complete the picture.

    We keep hearing that Arsenal are losing a couple of big names... this is true but these players were not big names when they came to Arsenal... they developed into big name players.

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  32. "But overall we had a good performance and I can't remember Newcastle having a clear-cut chance of scoring. We deserve credit for that and I believe that Vermaelen and Koscielny played very well together.".. says Wenger.

    I can't disagree with him but he said this sort of thing last season which to me suggests that he is happy with what he has and maybe is not giving serious consideration to bolstering the defence.

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  33. Another good blog from Tim Vickery on Brazils changing style since the 80 (end of Samba football)
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/timvickery/2011/08/brazil_have_never_looked_the_s.html

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  34. Hoo-fucking-ray for that Bo.

    53 points in the FFL with Hart keeping a clean sheet last night. Puts me mid table in 18th.

    Looks like another season of solid, consistent if usually unspectacular results to put me at the business end of the table.

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  35. Similar to me Star... think I got 54 points... above my scores in the second half of last season.

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  36. tika taka Arselona play station football is a dangerous historical aberration which only works for barca because they have messi. evil continentals in fat blazers and fake French accents (wenger is obviously German not French and that accent is obviously his ironic take in schteevies dutch) must nor be allowed to turn football into netball. Norman Hunter where art thou now o sleeping king under the mountain when thy country hath need of thee ?

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  37. what's that thou sayest, Bo of Oz, the king hath arisen from his slumber?

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  38. ....and now in disguise calleth himself Joey the Budgie and pecketh at his own image in a magic mirror called "twitter" o woe the kingdom it shall fall

    verily Karl Marx was right history repeateth itself first as tragedy then farce

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  39. How thick and vain is walcott?

    First he publishes his crappy little book which he,should of called "im fast but shit" .... snitches on rooney and this about capello and uncovers their relationship as erastes and eromenos...


    "'Theo,' he was yelling, 'I will kill you if you come inside like that
    again!' Despite his outburst, I never quite knew what was required of me. I was confused.


    Why confused? Firstly, thicko, when you are shagging your boss up the arse, don't do it in training. Second, don't come inside him when he's told you not to. It's bad manners and spreads diseases.

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  40. What! Walcott has written a book? His life story no doubt... all 20 years of it. As if anyone gives a fuck.

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  41. Spit, Hoffenheim employee scrambles dortmund fans chants what a nutter...

    Still pictures taken during the game showed a man with headphones sitting in a tunnel immediately under the travelling fans' stand with a home-made wooden construction that included two speakers.

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  42. I think I'll restrict my posts to the first couple of days to each new blog, when you dont get shunted back to first page all the time.

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  43. mornin' Lads, off golfing, Pine Valley today and tomorrow, the Holy Grail of golf, I consider myself the luckiest man alive, now, will me back hold up is the question.

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  44. (of course Theo and Fabio might disagree)

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  45. Its a big scandal here in the german football world.

    Apparently to mess with the chants of the away fans is to be frowned upon.

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  46. 1211: FOOTBALL: Stoke manager Tony Pulis has defended Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas's comments about his team being too physical. "I listened to some of the comments that he made and they have been blown out of all proportion. He's actually said that there was pushing and shoving in both boxes. But obviously it's been reported that it was pushing and shoving in our box. That's the press being the press, they have to do what they do".

    ---

    finally a chance Pubis may well have been human at some time in history.

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  47. the reporters are the real cunts, obviously.

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  48. 0930: FOOTBALL: Former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane says it is a "dream come true" to join LA Galaxy. "I have always wanted to come and play in MLS so it's the perfect combination for me and a dream come true," he said.

    ---
    I swear he just copies and pastes the same old speach simply changes the name of the club.

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  49. and Eboue's gone too.

    That will be a saving of 50K a week.

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  50. Robin van Persie will now captain Arsenal Football Club

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  51. Where has Eboue gone to Spits? Not seeing anything on the beeb so far.

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  52. Am occupying the last of the relegation places (42) right now in what can only be described as an ominous start to the season. Hopefully it will turn out that I was playing someone in the 43rd-50th position in the H2H.

    50 teams in the freakin league. we should be on page number 5 by now (thankfully we're not though).

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  53. Nice blog Robbo, but I think you're being a bit too kind to Barton, he's a waste of flesh and a dispicable cunt, end of.

    Terriblre start for me in the FFL,, luckily my Citeh contingent did ok yesterday otherwise I'd of been royaly fucked.

    Is it true that you can make unlimited transfers this week?


    AH, I think Eboue's gone to Galatasary.

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  54. Yes you can H2.
    http://www.premierleague.com/page/Headlines/0,,12306~2421213,00.html

    Point number 1 mentions the unlimited transfers upto gameweek 2.

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  55. Hmm..I wonder if thats why we arent seeing the H2H fixtures. Are they starting them from gameweek 2 only, i wonder.

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  56. Nice one AH, that clarifies it perfectly.

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  57. De Gea, who appears some way short of his alleged 6ft 4in frame, will be given similar treatment, with special emphasis on his diet.....


    Seems utd have been sold short

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  58. Eboues off to galatassaray which sounds like a cake

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  59. Well he always was a bit of a tart.

    Good luck to him though.

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  60. http://footballwithaview.blogspot.com/

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  61. so whats the prediction for tonight? no captain hamstring due to suspension!
    bisq

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  62. Not sure bisq. Tough one to call.
    So many injuries and suspensions, you'd think it was the end of the season and not the second game.

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  63. betting on a score draw tonight and a nervy as feck 2nd leg! gotta hope wenger splashes some cash in the next week if you´re a gooner. anyway i could do with them more demoralised by the weekend
    bisq

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  64. For the first time in a long time, it's not the defence I'm worried about. It's where the goals are gonna come from/
    .

    We can't afford to give away a goal tonight, keeping a clean sheet must be the number one priority.

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  65. look on the bright side bednter still availiable!
    bisq

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  66. Beginning to wonder if Arsenal need a striker more than we do. Gervinho's banned for 3 matches, Vela's off to Spain for a year and Chamackh and Bendy don't inspire me with confidence.

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  67. 1:0 to the Arsenal. Boring Boring Arsenal.

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  68. Gervinho will be a grand player at Arsenal. Write it down.

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  69. I suspect you are right Spir, about Gervinho, I'll wait a while before I give my opinion on him though. I remember the praise thaat Chamakh received after half a dozen games and look how he turned out.

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  70. ffs Boro have won away 4 on the bounce!!!

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  71. Different players totally, Bo.

    Gervinho is Arsenal's only current player who runs with the ball and attacks the opposition where as other try to pass it the moment they see an opponent nearby. We could use wiht a couple like him.

    Pleased with Frimpong's contribution as well.

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  72. O yeah, Boro.

    Watch out fbh, if your lot keep it up, they'll start talking how you are favourites for the promotion.

    Ipswich were top of the league and look how it turned out for them.

    Once you go up, the only way is down.

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  73. Hey Spit - someone once said that following boro hurts - but sometimes it can be fun - and no way is anyone getting carried away - mogga has them playing a bit of footy and put a bit of steel in the side - but that is only based on self belief - and strachan just drained that out the team.

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  74. Watched some of gooners game - it looked a good game if a little nervy at times - fingers crossed the london reds go through :)

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  75. I think you're a gooner at heart FBH... always knew there was something good inside ya.

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  76. Spit, Gervinho is a new boy, wait until he has been at the emirates a while, he'll be passing the same as the rest of them.

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  77. Bo - there is no doubt the gooners are my 2nd side - good footy and good fans - and Boro are 2nd too - in the league - end the season now!!!!

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  78. Hope boro go up this season fbh, maybe we'll have more blogs fron Robbo if they do.

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  79. Fingers crossed mate - but Im not counting my chichen unless its laid the golend egg and the fat lady is singing whilst the stunning blonde is doing a lap dance just faor me!!!:)

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  80. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  81. Fingers crossed mate - but Im not counting my chichen unless its laid the golend egg and the fat lady is singing whilst the stunning blonde is doing a lap dance just faor me!!!:)

    -----

    The Golend egg aka the Golend family crest, which is very similar to the Boro coat of arms.

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  82. http://www.houseofnames.com/golend-family-crest

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  83. I'm up in the mid-30's in Robbo's league and 27th in Jacks'. Happy with that after a pretty disasterous gameweek. Made about 20 changes now though, so hopefully AH wasn't lying when he told me the transfers were free this week.

    Poor old Blackburn. Getting rejected by Raul now. Haha.

    In other news - Spurs still haven't signed a striker, and I am not liking the Adebuyor rumours. Arsenal lose 2 defenders so that might spur Arsene into loosening the purse strings now.

    Noel

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  84. 1758: FOOTBALL - German side Schalke have said Blackburn Rovers have bid for former Real Madrid striker Raul. Schalke had given the 34-year-old until 1200 BST on Wednesday to decide if he wants to move to Ewood Park.

    1845: FOOTBALL - Former Spain striker Raul has rejected a move to Blackburn.
    ---------------------------------------------

    He had a couple of days to decide, but it took him 47 minutes. Who's the next Galactico that Blackburn will embarrass themselves with. Figo? Zidane?

    Noel

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  85. Noel, mate, I was just kidding about the free transfers seeing as you're my H2H opponent next week. Sorry about that.

    I hope blackburn go down without winning a game this season. For reasons I cannot explain, I hate the new owners. I have thus far in my life, had nothing but the highest regard for chicken, so cant figure this one out.

    Why is gameweek 1 still "in progress" ?

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  86. FFL seems to be all over the place AH, but I'm sure it'll sort itself out over the next week or so. Sneaky move by yourself if it turns out that I can't make all them transfers and we play each other next week in the H2H. Although judging by your performance this week, I could probably still beat ya! ;)

    I'm also partial to a bit of chicken - especially in it's kiev form. Mmmmmmmmm. The new owners must be a bunch of cunts (I don't think Bells will be round, so I won't apologise for using the word) if they've made everyone side with Fat Sam over his sacking. To buy a club like Blackburn, sack the manager, then claim that they want to be in the Champions League within a few years shows what a deluded bunch of chicken farmers they are. These people shouldn't be allowed to buy football clubs.

    Noel

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  87. Paris Saint-Germain have enquired about Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner. The Gunners want £11m for the 23-year-old.
    =====================================================

    Where there's fire there's hope.

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  88. Barcelona star Lionel Messi vomited against Real Madrid before scoring during their Spanish Super Cup first-leg match.
    ==========================================================

    How the fuck do you vomit against Real Madrid... did the team just stand there while he chucked up on them.

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  89. Poor Jack's team had a good opener but had plunged since getting walloped 5-2 at home by Southampton... still better than the O's who have lost their first three and find themselves holding up League One.

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  90. Meanwhile at the DVS, the Millers are going strong. Trouble is, as wifey says they have to do well before xmas, or they will be relegated, she can be so cruel

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  91. Take car of your privates in your private life

    http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/9145261.Woman_accused_of_biting_off_boyfriend_s_testicles/?ref=ms


    Ouch

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  92. They're flying high at the moment Tone... just below the O's.

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  93. I'll stay away from Newcastle while I am there mate... she doesn't go to trial until the day after I arrive back here.

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  94. Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri is close to joining Man City and claims £23m deal is 'nearly done'
    =======================================================

    ... and another one bites the dust.

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  95. If the rumour that Arsenal are monitoring Kevin Doyle is true and he does eventually come in as a replacement for Bendtner he would play a similar role I should think... benchwarmer extrordinaire... mind you with injury prone van Persie unlikely to play more than half a season he could manage to play a few games.

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  96. I royally fucked up turn the page there... thought it changed every hundred posts.

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  97. For Ar***al supporters
    http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/vitor-sobral/blog/1068990/The-problem-with-Arsenal

    The guy raises some interesting points regsrding Wenger. For example how he seems unwilling to pay 22 million for an established player yet has no compunction in paying 19 million for an untried youth, which he has done on two occassions now... first Wlacott and more recently for oxide chamberpot. He also makes comments on Wengers coaching style and suggests the gunners maybe better taking some of the pressure off him by appointing a director of football. Anyway it's not a bad read.

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  98. Spurs in talks with Adebayor. Fuck. Shit. Cunt. We need a striker. He may score 20-30 goals a season for us. But what a wanker. What's he going to do to the team spirit? Was he still at Arsenal when Gallas spat his dummy? I bet them two get on like a house on fucking fire. And City best be paying 150k of his 170k a week wages.

    Noel

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  99. Adebayor is a good player Noel but he's more trouble than he's worth. Pack him off to Un**ed I reckon.

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  100. Adebayor: So he left arsenal to do bigger and better things.

    how many times did he play exactly?

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  101. Maybe we should change our team's name to the Arsenal Pensioners Noel

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  102. when he left, he said its because arsenal fans didnt show him enough respect.

    didnt know by respect he meant throwing racist chants at him as done by tottenham fans else he wouldnt now sign, would he?

    what a wanker.

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  103. 1250: FOOTBALL: - West Brom striker Peter Odemwingie on Twitter: "To my dear WBA supporters . I love this club and will leave only to a TOP team which is understandable. Nothing abnormal is going on."
    ---

    he went on to sying yo mama is a ho.
    No disrespect.

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  104. And Song's been banned for 3 games for stamping on Barton.

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  105. Gervinho is also out for 3 but Barton is free to 'play' on since the ref gave him a yellow and the matter is thereby dealt with.

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  106. The FA's rules are so flawed it is beyond belief.

    Don't get me wrong, Song deserves the 3 match ban and Gerviniho should of known better, but it is unacceptable that the instigater of both incidents is allowed to get off scott free.

    FA you are a fucking joke.

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  107. Bo.

    Re Chamakh.

    I'll admit, that in his first appearances in a red shirt I thought he did well, and the stats will back that up, but since the turn of the year and the return nof RvP he just hasn't been the same, At the end of last season he looked tired and jaded. Over the last few games he has been as bad and as pointless as his hair-do. If Bendy goes and we don't bring someone in then we're in Barney.
    ===
    That's enough doom from me.

    Great performance last night, I hope the players and fans (fat chance) can put the negatives aside and focus on the positives, Some players played beyond themselves and our keeper is growing in stature with every set piece, every fired shot and every one on one. My confidence in him has grown so much that I actually keep my eyes open when we have these situations instead of putting my hands over me boat and diving for cover, it’s a welcome change I can tell you,

    I’ll agree that it wasn’t particulary great to be put under so much pressure in a home match, but it was heart warming to see the effort that the players put in, their attitude epitomised by JD’s last minute lunge to throw himself in front of a goal bound shot, the lads never gave up, We had two under 20′s on the field who had never been near a CL game before, one who was played out of position yet still we managed to hold on to that precious clean sheet and all important one goal advantage.

    I remember us playing a lot neater, tippy tappier football last season, dominating games and coming away with nothing. Last nigfht was a bumpy turbulent ride, but unlike last season when the roller coaster came to a halt I didn’t feel the need to expel my lunch.

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  108. I agree H.

    Last night, we could have afforded to go for a bigger lead were not for injuries to two of our back 4 that curtailed any positive substitutions.

    Frimpong is not only a good passer but also a good disruptor. If he has his temperament under control, I think he'll be featuring more and more.

    Contrary to popular opinion, I hope we keep hold of Bendtner. He's called a barn door bendy but he offers something different.

    Gervinho had another fine game. I have a feeling he's sometimes overawed right at the end but the way he carries the ball along and how he swapped positions with walcott to disrupt the defences will bring a lot good.

    Ramsey had a very good game as well.

    He's a lot better player than some out there would have you believe.

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  109. I have to disagree with H2 and Spit and say that I did not like the away the gunners played. Mostly because it does not augur well for liverpool this saturday.

    I have no problems with walcott and gervinho troubling our defence. We're used to that with fabregas, nasri, arshavin and walcott over the years. But you always believed that we could get in a few goals as well and if we couldnt, eboue would knock kuyt down in the box in the 215th minute. This new clean sheet keeping, hardy defence is what is new, and frankly i dont like it. Hopefully we play the same team that played newcastle and not the one that showed up last night.

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  110. For sure Spit.

    Many forget he lost a year due to the injury, I think he's gonna be a legend. I also thought that Rosicky did ok, he's no cesc, that's for sure, but he ran his balls off last night and was completly knackered when he was replaced by frimpong Baracus. I also agree that if it wasn't for the precarious state of the defence that he would of been replaced by AA who would of given us that extra spark of creativity up front, but would of left us exposed at the back. Pat Rice, being a former defender, got that one spot on. Honestly Uefa, it had nothing to with Arsene who was on the phone to his Auntie Bridget at the time.

    My feelings about Bendy are well documented on this blog, I always thought given a chance in the right position, he will get you goals.

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  111. ha Ha AH.

    Although the team that played Newcastle kept a clean sheet too. a miracle on par with arsene changing the pepsi Max into Coke Zero in the changing rooms for the HT beverages.

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  112. the most baffling thing is that Arsene Wenger played as a Central Defender.

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  113. Disagree with you guys about Ramsey... didn't think he had a particularly good game. Rosicky's game was surprisingly good... well it wasn't good but he he gave a lot, which is ok by me.

    I'm as worried as AH about our two clean sheets... it is likely to give Wenger second thoughts about getting in cover for the defence, it doesn't take a lot for him to think all is well in that area, the past couple seasons are proof of this.

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  114. H2, I agree with you that Chamakh's stats his first half dozen games were good... he just didn't look like a good player on the park. As far as Gervinho goes, he looks a good player from the off but so did Arshavin in his first season with us, he used to run at defences, was always in good position, his passes were sharp and accurate, he looked sharp every game he played... not sure what happened to him. I'm not saying I'll wait until next season before commenting on Gervinho but I'll give it a bit longer.

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  115. Just reading the BBC story about Spurs being close to a deal for Adebayor. Apparently 'Arry isn't looking at strikers cos we need midfielders. We've got 6 injured at the mo, so we need to strengthen there apparently and he's got a couple of deals on the go.

    Now, I'm just hoping that this is Harry playing with the media and trying to throw up a smokescreen or something. Even if we have 6 injured midfielders, that still leaves us with at least 10 to pick from.

    Noel

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  116. anyone watching barca v real?

    absolute stunning first half.

    There is so much footballing skill on the pitch and the subs bench right now that a nuclear strike would be such a shame.

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  117. Barca's defending of set pieces seem as dubious as Arsenal's.

    How do you stop Messi. The guy is brilliant. There are a number of future Ballon d'Or's with his name on them I would suggest.

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  118. Spit, there is no doubt, for me, that the PL is the most exciting league in the world to watch but Spain and to a lesser extent Italy still attract the world's best players... maybe the weather and the environment have something to do with it.

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  119. Don't wear a Un**ed shirt here.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0dcdoU51rk&feature=related

    Then again who would want to.... some misguided fool did... felt sorry for him actually.

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  120. Fabregas - 8 years with Arsenal and 1 trophy. 8 minutes with Barcelona and 1 trophy.

    Noel

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  121. Just saw the video Bo and my sympathies are with the lad. So he did something stupid, but he is obviously no older than 16 and was just supporting his team in his mind. I think the people there were being insulting and I dont think it was 'good fun'.

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  122. Can't wait to read Robbo's take on the Spanish Cup melee, particularly Mourinho's smirk. If AVB doesn't like Stoke's style, I wonder how he feels about The Special One now...

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  123. It's a bit embarrasing Noel... mind you not as bad as 18 years and 1 trophy ;p

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  124. No doubt it was good fun for the others AH but he didn't get any enjoyment from it. They should have let him keep his Rooney shirt on at least

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  125. I should add to that statement Bo, that Fabregas should get used to just playing 8 minutes a game - if he's lucky. He should also get used to winning trophies too I guess.

    And who's only won one trophy in 18 years? If that was a jibe at the mighty Spurs (and I think it was!) then we won the League Cup in 2008 and 1999, not to mention the FA Cup just outside those 18 years in 1991 (and the Charity Shield in the next season!). Prolific.

    Noel

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  126. OOOOOOOOOOOOO

    I didnt know the Spurs were the masters of the known footbaling universe.

    So Fabregas only won 1 trophy in his 8 years at Arsenal and has already won 1 at barca after playing 8 minutes which can only mean one thing.

    He wasnt trying hard enough when he was at Arsenal.


    Those that believe he'll only play a bit part role at Barcelona are mistaken.

    They said the same for Mascherano an he played 46 games last season.

    And how bad can he be if Pep Gardiola personally wanted him there?

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  127. Fabregas wins on Barcelona debut

    How the fuck can they put up a headline like that... 8 minutes on the park and he is a hero... I guess Messi was just a bit player... I admire Fabregas as much as any Arsenal supporter (and quite a few non Arsenal supporters) but that is just a bit much.

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  128. Sorry that wasn't the headline that I copied... when I just checked it had changed to that... it read "Fabregas wins it for Barcelona on debut"

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  129. My apologies Noel... I missed that 1999 win.

    You are right about Fabregas getting more playing time Spit but only when Iniesta and Xavi are injured or retire.

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  130. I wish I'd missed it too, Bo. Terrible game. Allan Neilsen with the only goal of the game against Leicester.

    Mascherano's appearances came mainly at centre back covering for Puyol. Otherwise he'd have been limited to subs appearances for the vast majority of his games. The point I was making was that Fabregas is going from being the main man at Arsenal to a squad player at Barca. Obviously I exaggerated the point, but it remains the same. In two or three years, then he'll replace Xavi and be Barca's main man I'm sure.

    Noel

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  131. But Fabregas DID create the 3rd (and winning) goal for Barca so....

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  132. He made a pass that lead to a pass that lead to the goal Spit... no0t sure if that qualifies as creating the goal... but sure, he played a part in it.

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  133. Why the devil are we still talking about fabregas on here ?

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  134. Well, looks like we're finally getting rid of Ngog. I think he's a good try-er but not good enough to take us into the Top-4. Thats Jovanovic and Ngog taken care of.Insua,Poulsen and Cole to go.

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  135. BojanglesOfOz said...
    Don't wear a Un**ed shirt here.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0dcdoU51rk&feature=related

    ====
    Who the hell is that Riverpoo that they're all chanting about?

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  136. My final words on this;
    Last night on the box in the bar, I had the Farca v Fake Madrid game on.
    It was just on in the background and I wasn’t really watching it until Cesc came on.

    Some arsenal fans may not understand this, or may even feel the need to slate me, but I had a genuine feeling of happiness for him, ofcourse seeing him in that horrible shirt did make me a little quezy, but that strip is so bad it would turn even the strongest of stomachs. Yet I can’t deny that I really was chuffed for him that he played a part in the build up to the winning goal and I was horrified when he was hacked down by that fucktard Marcello. I also enjoyed the ensuing melee that followed the tackle. El Classlesso just isn’t El Classlesso without the mandatory handbags,

    To sum up I think I have found what those in the relationship therapy business would call closure, This is a good thing.

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  137. Cech out for a month. Hmm..interesting to see how Man U and Chelsea do without VdS and PC, despite all the high profile signings. I think these 2 were there key players (more so VdS) last season.

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  138. Strangely subdued transfer market with just 12 days to go. This is normally the time for ridiculous rumour mongering. Maybe its all building up to the most enthralling transfer deadline day ever.

    Rain coming to India's rescue at the moment I see. They just dont have the bowling to be number 1. Average bowling side and brilliant but inconsistent batting. They would still be pretty much unbeatable at home with their spinners though.

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  139. Excellent midfield and forward movement all round from Spurs, with VdV at the heart of everything. How long can he last at this pace

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  140. Could get away with subbing VdV if he's not 100% now we're 3 up away from home.

    Looking good so far even if Hearts are at best a Championship team.

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  141. AnfieldHopeful said...
    Strangely subdued transfer market with just 12 days to go. This is normally the time for ridiculous rumour mongering.
    ----------------------------------------
    Norwich have offered £100 million for Ronaldo.
    Wayne Rooney is about to sign for Swansea.
    Man City have offered £1 billion for the entire Barcelona squad.
    Arsene Wenger has signed a decent centre back.

    Is that ridiculous enough for you AH or did I go too far with that last one?

    Evening all.
    Colch

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  142. Your lot are looking good tonight Star. Not sure how much of that is Spurs being good and how much is the fact they're playing against a pub's Sunday team second XI.

    Colch

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  143. As someone just mentioned on the live text, Spuds have a serious chance at winning the eufa cup.

    I am sure it is, BUT would they rather take a dig at the eufa cup or try to qualify for the CL?

    Dont think they'll be able to do both.

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  144. It was quite significant that Dann did not play for Birmingham in their Europa Cup match this morning. It suggests to me that negotiations for his transfer to a new club maybe quite advanced.

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  145. I think you're spot on about Dann, Bo. He must surely be onhis way to a team playing in Europe this season. Which means you weren't too far off on the last one Colch.

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  146. Just hope it is the gunners he's going to AH.. I know Liverpool are after him too but they seem to have made Cahill their priority... Cahill is the better CB I think but Dann is younger, obviously a plus as far as Arsenal transfers go.

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  147. please please please liverpool get cahill! nothing to do with my 70 points in 1st week FFL!
    bisq

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  148. Liverpool seem to be keen on Shawcross too. Dann would be a great signing for some club - his injury for most of last season would have been a major factor in Birmingham's relegation. The season before Brum had one of the best defences in the league, although having Joe Hart on loan would have helped. But Dann, Johnson and Ridgwell were impressive all season. Johnson signing for Wolves for 7mill would suggest that 6mill for Dann would be a reasonable amount.

    Good result for Spurs this morning, although no reason to get carried away. Be interesting to see how seriously Harry takes the Europa - whether he uses it to give experience to youngsters like Livermore, Townsend, Rose and Walker, and giving minutes to our squad players like Krancjar, Jenas, Bassong, or puts a decent team out and tries to win it, at the obvious cost to our league position. I wonder if Gomes playing meant that he's the number 1, or he'll be used in Europe but Friedel in the league. I don't want to see Friedel playing for us at all.

    Noel

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  149. I think 'Arry said at the end of last season he'll use the Europa league to give the kids/fringe players a run out. I could be wrong though.

    Hearts may well be a crap team but it was nice to see us picking up where we left off last season with our style of play.

    I would go as far as to say last night would have been a good confidence boost before going to OT and playing United but instead I'll thumb through various bets for ludicrous referring decisions to cheat us out of winning/drawing and put a bet on one of them happening.

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  150. Fabregas should have stayed at Arsenal and done a Stanley Matthews by finally winning a medal aged 38

    Did you know that Matthews never ate on mondays

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  151. It's one of life's certainties, Star. The match won't finish without some sort of controversy. The last few seasons I've foolishly had a glimmer of hope in my heart when we play Utd, only for it to be cruelly extinguished by a disallowed goal for us, or a dodgy goal for them, or 20 minutes of injury time until they get their winner. Even though they look like they'll be without their first choice centre-backs, and they've got a keeper that makes Gomes look like Schmeichel, I'm still expecting the worst. No doubt their star striker Own Goal will make a late appearance.

    Noel

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  152. Stanley Mathews: he was a lunatic wasnt he?

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  153. When I was a young lad at school, we had two boys called Stanley and Matthew who were next to each other alphabetically. Every morning when the teacher took the register she would call 'Stanley. Matthew.' It made her giggle every morning. True story that.

    Noel

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  154. Stanley Matthews, "The Wizard of Wembley" or if that wasn't his title it should have been. Anyway he was a great player in his time... didn't get paid a fraction of his worth either... fuck me, if he had been paid by today's standards he would have earnt more in a week than he actually earnt in his lifetime.

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  155. "He told me that he used to play for just twenty pounds a week. Today he would be worth all the money in the Bank of England" – Gianfranco Zola on Stanley Mathews.

    ---

    still not much more than twenty pounds then.

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  156. That was at the end of his carreer too... earlier I believe he was paid 8 pounds a week.

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  157. I doubt if Trott was around to witness the 1953 FA cup final but had he been he wouldn't have fond memories of Matthews... Bolton leading 3-1 at half time and Stan coming out in the second half and wove a bit of magic around the Bolton defence to help Blackpool win 4-3 to gain his first FA cup medal at age 38.

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  158. Just looked him up on Wiki and he holds a record not many players today could lay claim to (especially your Bowyer's and Barton's)... he never received a yellow or red card in 701 games.

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  159. Wlves have banned a fan from their stadium after he posted racist remarks on twitter.

    Well done wolves.

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  160. Well almost time for the first bid derby of the season & I can't believe that neither Sky or ESPN are showing the match. Just hope Barton manages to keep cool & help us to a great win tommorrow.

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  161. mornin' Lads, Stanley Matthews? His mother used to clean our windows.

    Legend, played until he was 56, my Gran lived in Blackpool and her Mum hailed from Bolton so there was some major conflict in '53

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  162. - Porto striker Falcao, who has been linked with a move to Chelsea, has agreed a £34.7m move to Atletico Madrid. The Colombian striker, 25, is due in the Spanish capital later on Friday for a medical.
    --------------
    How did atletico get 35mil to spend? Nott just the arabs with money I see.

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  163. So Vidic and Wilshere are out. I've binned Ameobi and brought Aguero in, with Ward and Mikel being cheap regular players to keep me on budget.

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  164. Trott... he actually played his last competitive match when he was 70.

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  165. How did atletico get 35mil to spend?
    ------------------------------------
    They sold Aguero

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  166. And spent all of the cash? Nice to know not everyone is blacburn.

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  167. A fine knock by Bell and KP today. Both just passed 150

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  168. afternoon gents.

    I wouldn't read too much into the Daan not being in the europa league team, as he hasn'tplayed in the championship yet either.

    Nice result for Spurs, but how bad has Scottish football got? To say that Hearts are comparable to a championship team is an insult to the Npower league.

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  169. still waiting for uefa to punish morinho for the blatant assault on barca assistant manager

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  170. And KP went for 175. Fine innings.

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  171. BojanglesOfOz said...
    Trott... he actually played his last competitive match when he was 70.
    --------------------------
    There's hope for me yet then!

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  172. Don't think that assault was in the ref's report Spit so chances are that arrogant little wanker's gotten away with it.

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  173. spurs on the verge of signing Lassana Diarra from Real madrid.

    Come Spurs, just admit and proclaim your love for Arsenal. Why else would you sign ANOTHER former Arsenal player?

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  174. Another motherfucking midfielder? Fuck sake.

    Spit, I've already mooted a proposed name change of our club to the Arsenal Pensioners.

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  175. India are worse than Pakistan and Pakistan are TRYING to lose

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  176. India I'm afraid have played like Batman sans utility belt

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  177. Yet another teenager joins Arsenal. Spurs cornering the market on midfielders, Arsenal on teenagers, Un**ed on trophies.

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  178. Looks like this series may be a clean sweep for England. There have been some pretty impressive English batting and bowling performances... helped a little by an Indian batting lineup that has lost confidence and a non-existant Indian attack. Mind you, the loss of confidence with the batting has been due to some good bowling from the England attack. The Indian bowling is just shit.

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  179. RP Singh is nPower championship material, and raina should really be playing for Hearts.

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  180. I guess that makes the rest of the attack Sunday League then AH.

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  181. Yesterday I felt that we would beat Liverpool tomorrow but after realising that we will be without Gervinho and Song, through suspension and Wilshere, Gibbs, Diaby, Djourou, Rosicky and Traore (the latter two are not such a big deal) through injury, it's hard to see us getting more than a point. Although our defence isn't great our central midfield has been decimated. I guess it's time for Ramsey and Arshavin to stand up, I'm not sure who will play a holding role... looks like the youngster Frimpong may get a start.

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  182. The player I am most eagerly waiting to see in first team is Ryo Mayiachi. He's as quick as Walcott plus he knows how to play football.

    Hopefully a season in the dutch league would have helped him and he wont totally gob-smacked and awe struck by the huge occasion and disappoint us.

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  183. Arsenal are prepared to pay 23 mil for Eden Hazard but it seems his transfer is dependent on the gunners getting through to the group stages of the European Cup and there is no guarantee that will happen.

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  184. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  185. Wenger possibly faces disciplinary action over communicating to the bench via a coah sitting next to him in the stands. Maybe he should have communicated directly with the bench and not bothered using the coach or do the FA and EUFA have different rules that apply to this sort of thing. I distinctly recall old red nose talking directly to his bench last season while serving a five match sideline ban.

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  186. Well if the Arsenal men are not winning trophies at least the women are in with a chance at taking the women's super league title being 1 point clear with one game left to play.

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  187. PArrot in a Car ... the much more terrifying sequel to Snakes on a Plane

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  188. ramsey and arseshaving stand up¿ will we see them?.........bell at 5-1 for top england scorer and the prospect of the reds stuffing north london toddlers, plus sitting pretty at top of ffl................god its is so going to go badly wrong tomorrow!
    bisq

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  189. Lawro thinks that Arsenal need to spend money raised from Fabregas sale on new players. Wow. His insight is worth every penny of his tax-payer-funded salary.

    Diarra. Really Harry? We need a world class striker, so you spend 10 million on a holding midfielder with huge wage demands when you currently have Sandro, Huddlestone and Palacios in that position? This can only be a bid to help Pompey by giving them some extra cash via a sell-on clause that they must have had when they sold him to Madrid.

    Noel

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  190. Turn the page.

    Noel

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