Monday 19 September 2011

Tormented Torres

Fernando Torres, eh? Three years ago he had the world at his feet. If that were still the case, he’d only shank the world into Row Z.

That miss, that glorious Rosenthalian miss, capped off a performance that sums the lad up at the moment. Clearly, he’s got a bit of the old swagger back. Villas Boas made him the lone striker and the way he ran off the shoulder of the United’s back two was very reminiscent of his better Liverpool days.

His finish for Chelsea’s goal was pretty smart too. And suddenly you were thinking that the lad that made Nemanja Vidic look like he was on board the starship Enterprise during a prolonged meteor shower was back.

But the false dawns continue. Put him in front of a net and it’s like Chelsea have paid £50 million for Norman Wisdom.

"Mr. Villas Boas! Mr Villas Boas! I think I'm going to score, Mr Villas Boas!"

I just picture Nando at home, haplessly going about his business. Looking for his pants and finding them slipping out of his trouser leg an hour after he gets to work. Dunking his biccie in his tea and losing the whole blinking digestive. Bending over to wipe his arse only for his I-Phone to fall out his shirt pocket and into the lav (all right, that last one’s happened to me – except it was a cranky old Nokia summat).

You could cry for the lad were it not for the fact that he’s paid an effing fortune and it’s Chelsea’s look-out of they want to keep rewarding failure. (As opposed to say the Royal Bank of Scotland where we’ve all got an interest, not that you’d know it).

Not that Torres’s team-mates helped out a lot. Ramires looks a decent player until he gets inside the box when he betrays all the confidence of a hydrophobic climbing into a punt. And defensively they were alluerthpless (Hansen speak for ‘crap’).

Of course, as any Arsenal fan’ll tell you, a pathetic defence makes for highly entertaining football, and despite your average neutral wishing ill on both United and Chelsea, the game was a joy to behold.

On the BBC Fergie (I’m missing Mike Phelan already aren’t you?) described the game at Old Trafford as being like basketball - well given the number of sitters missed it was like basketball played blindfolded elves.

As we know only too well, Rooney isn’t immune to the odd desperate muff, and the scuff on to the post was probably even worse than the John Terry impersonation for the penalty kick. (Although the latter wasn’t nearly as enjoyable: I think the new dictionary definition of schadenfraude is: ‘Watching John Terry fall on his arse while trying to score a match-winning penalty for Chelsea’.)

Of course Fergie’s main concern post-match was the atrocious tackle by Ashley Cole on the Cheapdorito. Cole was probably at the end of his tether after Nani spent the whole match ripping him to shreds like so much damp newspaper. Say what you like about Ferguson but he’s stuck with this bloke even though for much of his career he’s had the National Society of Show Ponies (chairman one D. Bentley) hiding their heads in shame.

You can't help wanted the cocky git to fall on his head, mind

Nowadays Nani eyes up a full-back like Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall eyes up a rabbit carcass. (Although I’ve noticed the old Etonian broiler has announced he know mostly eats vegetables – a fact that coincides serendipitously with his new vegetarian cookbook.)

Another pleasing development was the loss of points by Manchester City, despite the continued ruthlessness of Sergio Aguero. Mancini says he’s short of midfielders of the holding variety. What planet is he on? I’m guessing that Mancini doesn’t step out of the house on a cold day unless he’s got at least three coats on.

Arsenal’s continued inability to tackle is another delight. According to the Daily Mirror the Arsenal squad are right behind the manager but would like a defensive coach brought in, which is ironic given that Wenger’s about the most defensive person working in football.

It was also a weekend for patting the Premier League new boys on the head. When pressed Alan Shearer managed to positively spike himself on the fence regarding the prospects of Norwich, QPR and Swansea staying up. Not sure that lad ever utters an opinion one way or t’other. Me, I don’t see the Canaries or the Swans escaping the bird-catchers.

The R’s though have one Joey Barton in their ranks and if he can stay out of trouble he might just keep the Loftus Road lot laughing. And if Shane McGowan could stay out of the pub he just might make another record.

Despite my better judgment I watched a recording of England’s rugby players’ victory over the might of Georgia. The upside was that fast-forwarding a rugby match is the best way to watch it. Just press play during the ten minutes of each half when summat is actually happening and the experience is greatly enhanced.

A lot of fuss was made of some of the England blokes – one of them married to a royal personage as if that makes a blind bit of bloody difference – having a few beers in a boozer after the Argentina game. I mean so the hell what? There was a whole week before the next game, it didn’t look like they were totally hammered, and while there’s plenty of things to do in Queenstown, most of it involves doing summat really stupid like bungee jumping... ahem.

The fact that the people involved included one Chris Ashton, a man who continually confuses extreme self-confidence with being an utter tosser (c.f. Cristiano Ronaldo, Floyd Mayweather, Robbie Savage) hardly helps their cause.

Ronan O'Gara mind-melds with a New Zealand supporter

But it was the Irish who actually brought the tournament to life. There’s nowt like beating the Aussies in the Kiwi’s backyard for endearing yourself to people. Marvellous.

257 comments:

  1. 1st to it...Cheers!!!
    Robbo... expected a comment on DeGea...
    Good,bad or ugly???

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  2. No Tottenham spanking Liverpool?

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  3. .......And Liverpool lost. Fantastic.

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  4. About summed it all up there nicely, Robbo. I almost watched the terrestrial tv repeat of the Irish/Aussie game after reading all the hype about it being such a great game. Then I saw the score; 15-9. So 5 penalties to 3 then. I thought the aim of rugby was to score tries? They should make them worth 10 points, then maybe people would try to score them. It seems only the Kiwis and my French team know how it's done.

    Noel

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  5. BORO up to 2nd Robbo!!! Good times are back at the riverside????? K-1

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  6. Little known fact: Arsene Wenger played as a Defender in his professional career.

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  7. Must also point it out that his professional career as a player wasnt very long. so there's that.

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  8. Good blog Robbo!

    If those were the real words of Mancini then I can’t help but laugh at him. He has 2 full PL teams at his disposal and yet he says he needs more players!

    SAF is always critical of something! He is never satisfied with what he gets even when rub of green is with his side.

    Stoke and Newcastle are in 4th and 5th spots now although Spurs have a game in hand. All three promoted teams (Swansea, QPR and Norwich) above Arsenal at the moment. Still wondering what the future holds for us...

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  9. Are getting way too ahead of ourselves here. It has just been 5 games and 1 month since the season started. Looking at what happened to Chelsea and even United last season, I would say nothing is impossible. I guess only after 15-20 games do we have to seriously look at the table as CL, Carling cup, FA cup and Europa league games will be a factor in splitting the best from the rest.

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  10. Mixed week in FFL… 49 points in the week...moved few ranks above in normal league and lost to Colch in h2h league. I had not made any changes this week so it allows me to make 2 free transfers next week… looking forward to it as there are no tricky fixtures. I have not scored 50+ yet this season… going a bit like Arsenal :P

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  11. But back to the ManU.Chelsea game.

    It was well entertaining an all.

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  12. Had the offside goals not counted and had the glorious chances not been squandered it might not have been that an entertaining a match perhaps.

    interesting stats re the three games at OT so far.

    Tottenham, Arsenal and Chelsea all recorded at least 20 attempts on goal.

    No team achieved that in the PL last season. Only arsenal attempted that many in the fa CUP (still lost).

    So there you have it, United have been lethal in punishing teams so far but are they up to the mark to unseat barca from the european perch?

    Dont yet think so.

    But it will be interesting.

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  13. and not even a mention of boro top of the table...

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  14. First major managerial casualty of the season as Hamburg fire their manager after 5 losses in the first 6 games.

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  15. Cheers, Spit. Always nice when someone lets you know a new blogs up.

    Mancini's right funny, isn't he?

    Don't need to worry about Stoke SS. Their Europa hangover was clear to see this week, and it gets worse with them playing Spurs in the league cup tuesday.

    My team of the month is Everton. No money to spent. Lost arteta and beckford. 5th in the table. Now thats no mean achievement.

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  16. I did tweet about Boro's lofty position but thenSouthampton went and ruined it by thrashing Brum. Hughton next on managerial casualty list?

    Robbo

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  17. Robbo, do summat re your login.

    next up there will be a host of anons masquerading as Robbo.

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  18. For example,

    I like big buts and I cannot lie...


    Robbo

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  19. I like big Ifs to.

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  20. great stuff Robbo. Thank fuck, not a mention of Bolton's misery. Well done St. Helens in their stuffing of Wigan, about bloody time.

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  21. I thought Man U looked good against the Chavs and even though I hate to admit, ol beetroot was right, Cashly Hole should of seen red.

    But, yet again the ineptitude of the rule/decision makers at the very top of our game will shine through, because he (Cole) already has been sanctioned, with a measly yellow, no other action can be taken against him. A ridiculous rule!!!

    Joey Barton acted like a complete cunt (no suprise there) and was slated by all and sundry, but because of the same rule, he got no suspension whatsoever, unlike Song who was, justifibly, suspended for three games because the referee didn't see his infringement. How the fuck can that be right.

    Sort it out F.A.

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  22. Now the funeral is over and all the tears are dried up,
    Niggas hangin deep in the Boro gettin fired up,
    Lookin for the nigga who pulled his pistol on my homie,
    An eye for an eye, so now your life is what you owe me,
    Look deep into the eyes of your muthafuckin killer.
    I want you to witness your muthafuckin murder, nigga.
    And since you wants to kill, then your ass has got to fry.
    But ain't no police, therefore your ass has gots to die.

    Robbo! Robbo! Robbo!

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  23. I thought I'd seen it all on this blog, but little did I know that there was gangsta rap to come.

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  24. There does seem to be a gangster rapper who drops in on occasion. Suspect it might be Robbo himself up to a little mischief just like I think Robbo was one of those well to do critics on his old BBC blogs there to stir things up a bit. He is a man of many guises methinks.

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  25. Chelsea are keeping a watching brief on Borussia Dortmund's German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan and Serbian defender Neven Subotic, although they are not expected to make a move when the transfer window opens in January.
    ---

    I, myself, am keeping a watching breif, sometimes no brief when I am in me pyjamas on most of europe's top clubs and players.

    Like Chlesea, I am also not expected to make a move to sign any of them when the transfer window opens in January.

    Kawalatay Jingoism by the Beeb that.

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  26. Angry Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has warned that their whole season is now in danger unless they learn from the loss at Blackburn.
    ---

    which came as a shock to most of them.

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  27. A lot of fuss was made of some of the England blokes – one of them married to a royal personage as if that makes a blind bit of bloody difference – having a few beers in a boozer after the Argentina game
    ---------------------------------

    I think the fuss was more due to the fact that he was a newly-married man with his face in another woman's breasts and then snogging her.

    You knmow you have crossed the line when an Aussie berates you for womanising. (also the aussies like Anne & Zara best cos they're sporty)

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  28. All three promoted teams (Swansea, QPR and Norwich) above Arsenal at the moment. Still wondering what the future holds for us
    ------

    At a guess the NPower Championship season 2012-13

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  29. Anonymous said...
    There does seem to be a gangster rapper who drops in on occasion. Suspect it might be Robbo himself up to a little mischief just like I think Robbo was one of those well to do critics on his old BBC blogs there to stir things up a bit. He is a man of many guises methinks.
    ------------------

    yeah you never see JDR any mnore (even on the beeb - he was either Robbo or is now happy with his licence fee value)

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  30. Ha ha - found JDR on a Rugby WC blog - quick lets all mock him again - anyone got that old Downfall mock up that was doe a couple of years ago

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  31. Arsenal squad for tonihgt's carling cup game:

    Chuks Aneke
    Yossi Benayoun
    Daniel Boateng
    Marouane Chamakh
    Francis Coquelin
    Johan Djourou
    Lukasz Fabianski
    Emmanuel Frimpong
    Kieran Gibbs
    Carl Jenkinson
    Damian Martinez
    Ignasi Miquel
    Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
    Oguzhan Ozyakup
    Ju Young Park
    Ryo
    Sanchez Watt
    Nico Yennaris

    ---

    Fills you with all the confidence you need.

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  32. can't be any worse than the first team

    Team

    Fabianski
    Jenkinson
    Djourou
    Miquel
    Gibbs

    Frimpong
    Oxo-Cube
    Ryo
    Martinez

    Chamakh
    Park

    You may have a good chance at keeping the score down to 1-0 with this lot playing

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  33. Hi. Thought I would join as as I enjoy reading th comments and have done so for a while. Just a though on the Arsenal squad above, could they be saving themselves for a title rush instead ?!?!?

    Amateur

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  34. with their age, they'd be lucky to save themselves form the nappy rash...

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  35. btw, welcome to the limelight amateur.

    dont be a stranger. Or anonymous.

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  36. A Great FFL week with a 1 point victory over Trotts taking me to the top of the Robbo H2H League. Also maintaines my perfect start in Jacks H2H league to stay top

    Sadly only in the Europa League spots in the normal leagues for the 2 though

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  37. It gets serious for Wenger, the dreaded vote of confidence from the board has fallen upon him.

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/14977442.stm

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  38. mornin' Lads,

    Well done Adam, a monumental defeat for me.

    Anon, do you know any Frank Sinatra?

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  39. Gazidis added: "He didn't suddenly become a bad manager or out of touch. That's nonsense."

    naw its taken him 6 years heh heh

    Mr. Gazidale: Besides, we're beaten Pitkin. Manchester Consolidated's too big for us. Your're fired.
    Arsene Pitkin: Oh. But you waz at Dunkirk, weren't you Mr Gazidale? I wonder what would have happened if you'd given up zen.
    Mr. Gazidale: You're right Pitkin. We'll fight them, to the last half pint!
    Arsene Pitkin : Yes zey are tiny.

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  40. how short is the memory of a football fan?

    of course its a bloody crisis that arsenal won the league 7 years ago.

    which is of course much much longer than Spurs, machester City, Liverpool,...

    Arsenal will be al right.

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  41. scooby-dooby-doo
    where-ere-ere are you
    two lonely people they were
    meddl-ing kids
    doo doo doo doo-do

    there you go, trott

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  42. how short is the meory of a football fan? well, spit, it depends on three things 1. current levels of success 2. future prospects and 3. current levels of success

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  43. tone - gary roberts is in trouble again. pity hes a good player but a drunk. hes no gazza tho so he needs to sort himself out quick.

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  44. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  45. lets try again...

    whats sadder than a drunkard wasting his talent?

    a drunkard without any talent.


    only joking, its not sad. Noone gives a toss for untalented drunkards.

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  46. Adam.

    That's not a bad line up for a CC game.

    But why would we want play a keeper in midfield?

    *waits for snidey reply

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  47. Contrary to some reports, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will rely on his present coaching staff to erase his team's defensive frailties - refusing to opt for a specialist to improve the Premier League's leakiest defence.
    Full story: Guardian
    =======

    I think we should bring George Graham back.

    How could be better to "bung up" the holes in the defence?

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  48. I've got a talent for being drunk, Spit.

    Does that count?

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  49. H,

    you appear to remain human even when you are drunk.

    yes. that counts.

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  50. Holloway2Holland said...
    Adam.

    That's not a bad line up for a CC game.

    But why would we want play a keeper in midfield?

    *waits for snidey reply
    ----------------------

    Well Fergie said Sunday's game was like Basketball and Michael Jordan isn't available.



    (actually I've no idea which one is a goalie as aprt from Frimpong and Oxo Cube I haven't heard of the other 2)

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  51. Phew, thanks Spit.

    Adam, Martinez is the keeper.

    Ryo is the young Japenesse guy who did well on loan at Feyenoord last season.

    Funnily enough, if you replace Bennyhoon with Martinez, that would be the exact team that I posted on an Arsenal board last night.

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  52. tip of the cap to Ginger McCain.

    Thanks Blog, I'll hum it, you play it, beats rap everytime.

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  53. They've signed Benny Hills reanimated corpse? Good down the wing. Fast but looks like he's walking. Compulsively pats Brad Friedl in the pate. Good signing.

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  54. I was so drunk over the weekend H I'm not yet completely sober tee hee. Learnt a good, classy high-brow card game - Shithead. Google it. Play it with friends. See if you have any left afterwards.

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  55. reanimated? Is the Gunners next game a remake of his own cartoons?

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  56. as kids we always told mother it was called shed as she didnt like us swearing
    bisq

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  57. So tonights line u';

    Back five = keystone cops
    midfield = Bennyhill,Norman Wisdom, Mr Pipkin Some GK Adams never heard of.
    upfront Fernando Torres, Random Gangsta Rapper.

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  58. Arsene needs some new tactics. He should emulate the revolutionary battle tactics of Epimonidas at Leuctra and Mantinea (as you will know, the two battles which broke Spartan hegemony in the 4th century BC) and adopt the echeloned attack formation going forwards. Either that or get Mertesacker to hoof it up front.

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  59. that's the one bisq

    trott I was hoping for real tits . topless cheerleaders and the benny hill theme tune eg when swp is running down the wing, that wot will bring back the crowds back

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  60. Ha ha blogs;

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shithead_(card_game)

    We used to call it Black Jack.

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  61. played it all night on a boat on the Norfolk broads H, forfeits were getting silly. I do not recommend swimming naked in a river whilst drunk. thought I might die of hypothermia.

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  62. I was with a bunch of mates in case you were wondering what kind of demented family holidays we take

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  63. Wasn't it your "fireman day out"?

    I say, make a movie about it, couldn't be any worse then "babys day out"

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  64. Gday all

    Feels great to be here at last... still getting over the flight. Was great walking around the old haunts.. Still the same but dirtier and strangely smaller.

    Just want to comment on the customer service over here. Of course I can only comment on the half a dozen or so that I ran into. If I had had a car I would have run over the miserable fuckers. I don't think I have ever come across so many rude and ignorant arseholes in a day. It doesn't leave a good impression with visitors. Of course I masy haver just been unlucky and run into all the miserable pricks in the one day.

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  65. Blog
    saw that yesterday but had probs with comp, couldnt sign in and warn you, thats why we got rid

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  66. count yourself lucky they were only rude and ignorant...they normally downright unhelpful as well
    bisq

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  67. Dear or Dear.

    Shrewsbury lead 1:0 at Arsenal

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  68. Greetings must go out to RBA as his old favourite Marvin morgan was the man behind the goal

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  69. Well cant blame wenger for fielding the 11 he did seeing what his priorities for the rest of the season are, but I would've thought he would've have kept a couple of strong options on the bench to cover for such a situation. Long way to go still though.

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  70. if the problem on Saturday was a lack of playing time together for the back 4 then this could have been used as a valuable practice time.

    A cup game against a higher league opposition would always get a fighting display from the lower league club.

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  71. Welcome to Angerland, UK Bo.

    Hope you have a pleasant stay.

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  72. all back to normal then, away wins for Bolton and ManU, as you were.

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  73. Thanks Spit. Some initial thoughts... forgetting the abysmal customer service.... Very warm... not sure if the weather at the moment is unseasonable but I have been walking around in a t-shirt so far. Finding people on the street very friendly and helpful.

    My first day was great... went to visit my old primary school, they have been given 5 million pounds to upgrade and are are in the middle of that at the moment unfortunately for me. A lot has been changed so I was unable to ascertain where all my old classrooms were... did manage to locate one... just happened to be the room I first received the cane.

    Went to where I grew up and had a pint in the hope and anchor. Found a couple of people that had lived in the area a while but not long enough to remember how things were when I was there.... had a good chat about how the area had stayed pretty much the same and how there was still a close community feel about it.

    Off to Westfield today... it,s what happens when you bring a fifteen year old girl with you.

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  74. G'day Bo. Still feeling jet lag...do ya? The timing of your post is what it would be when in Oz country.

    Routine win last night against the Shrews (yea going a goal behind must be considered as norm)

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  75. See it was down to Scottish football to provide the headlines last night (yes they play football North of the border). Aberdeen managed to lose against the lower leagues yet again. Could have done with one or two of them South as well.

    Amateur

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  76. I was just reading the Arsenal vote of confidence (nonsense as no way will they sack Wenger) and saw their next 5 fixtures. 3 opposition in your face games at home then away to Spurs and Chelski. They may struggle to pick up more than 1 win in that run and then that would be a crises.

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  77. Not in that order though :-)

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  78. finally, a step in the correct direction...

    ---
    0937 FOOTBALL: England slip four places to eighth in the Fifa world rankings, with Spain replacing the Netherlands at the top.
    ---

    for the rankings.

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  79. Bo has safely arrived,and when I spoke to him he was in a shopping centre.

    All that travelling to go shopping.

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  80. Australia to England,

    is that the farthest a man has gone to buy a pint of milk?

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  81. Probably be cheaper to buy his own farm.

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  82. Game of the month today, then. Brighton & Hove Albion V Liverpool. I fear the worst when playing teams with an '&' in their names ever since we played Havant & Waterlooville a few seasons back. In fact, since last season, I fear playing any team really.

    Well, Stevie is back for to play the first of his 3 games for the season. Woohoo.

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  83. In hotel at the moment... I drew the line at waiting four hours in the hairdressers... Not sure what her mum is going to say when she returns home with purple hair... I guess London will do that to you though.

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  84. Yep, it's a bit excessive to travel this far to go shopping I agree... especially to get insulted while you spend your money... had a nice friendly shop assistant in Doc Martens today though so things are looking up.

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  85. I could have done that for Nikitta Bo.Tin of purple paint easy done.

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  86. 1210 FOOTBALL: Our friends at statistics wizards Opta reveal that Spurs have lost their last six penalty shoot-outs in all competitions.

    ---

    which means only one thing.

    Harry Redknapp's transformation to the England manager is now complete.

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  87. Inter go through coaches faster than Chelsea nowadays.

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  88. AH,

    the common denominator is Morinho.

    I reckon ManU could install a revolving door as well once Fergie dies. Dont think there are many who can be able replacements.

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  89. Spot on Spit. I think this was always going to happen with Gasperini. You cant go from Mourinho (albeit, via Rafa and Leonardo) to the ex-coach of Genoa who achieved nothing with them. Maybe they'll go for Sparky next.

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  90. 0838 FOOTBALL: BBC Sport's Phil McNulty on Twitter: "Brighton v Liverpool tonight. Had the pleasure of The Goldstone Ground so looking forward to seeing the new surroundings."
    -----------
    AH,
    All the more reason to worry about your game against B&H - Phil McNulty will be at the stadium to give his expert comments.

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  91. OMG! Have a more closer look on the beeb site, Gasperini (main headline image) and Wenger (boxed image on the right) have almost identical faces and hair styles.

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  92. SS - oh fuck. There goes that then.

    Well, I think that explains it all. Gasperini and AW are the same person. No wonder both teams are in trouble, must be for him difficult to manage 2 top flight teams.

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  93. Hehe and both teams are at 17th position in the league. Cant be a coincidence!

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  94. The sack after 5 games is pretty ridiculous, but the guy was never going to fit in there anyway, I will never understand how he got the gig in the first place.

    I saw the Narvara game last night and Inter were not good, the newly promoted team made them look silly at times.

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  95. Joey Barton has been caught by QPR team-mate Jay Bothroyd reading manager Neil Warnock's autobiography.
    Full story: Metro

    ====
    That won't do his reputation much good.

    Who could of guessed he could read.

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  96. Trott.

    With both our teams on a fine winning run (after last nights matches) this weekends 60pointer should be a cracker.

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  97. Just checking my fortunes in last weeks FFL H2Hs, and I lost by 2 and 5 pts respectively, all on the account of my capt (idiot) doing a Terry-esque penalty shot.

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  98. New Queens Park Rangers captain Joey Barton has revealed he was very close to joining Arsenal last month. But the midfielder, 29, says an incident that saw Arsenal's Gervinho sent off ended his hopes of a move.

    "The Gervinho incident happened and there's nothing I can do about it now. If it happened again, I'd like to think I'd deal with it differently.
    ----------------------------------------
    Would've been interesting if it actually went through. I can think of many pros and cons to having Barton in the Arsenal team, though how it would actually have panned out is anybody's guess.

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  99. mornin Lads, yes H, there's a winning sequence on the line for both of us. Problem for us is that we have 18 average players but can only put 11 on the pitch at one time. If the Premier League changed the rules along the lines of FFSL league, ie max team value 20 million, we'd be golden.

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  100. The paint would have worked fine Jack and a bloody lot quicker too.

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  101. Liverpool making hard work of this by insisting on hitting every chance either on the post or just wide. Bellamy looking sharp, spl after his goal. Just the one goal lead though, and a nervy 2nd half to come.

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  102. Fair play to hargreaves scoring but he is to football what Proust was to librarianship

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  103. Barton was considering joining arsenal and thought it was a good idea to behave towards his putative future team mates like the cheating tosser we all know he is?

    If his claim is true he must be on the autistic spectrum.

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  104. I awoke early this morning and got up to look out of the window which overlooks a couple of sidestreets. I thought I was seeing things when a fox appeared slinking around a couple of garbage bins. A pretty sorry excuse for a fox it was mind, seemed to have no meat on its bones and had a fairly pale coat.

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  105. Bo,
    Probably you got foxed by a skinny filthy garbage smelling dog there.

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  106. All those so called experts that were going on about how Fabregas had nothing to offer to barca except for some body heat for the subs bench must be smiling a real smug smile.

    The best midfielder in the world.

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  107. One of the worlds most expensive players vs. a trainings bib.

    http://youtu.be/O_Sysm5BPc8

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  108. Nope SS... it was a fox, no doubts at all.

    Was in London central this morning. Love it. Love it's vibrancy, history... everything about it but the people. Sorry guys, but I've never come across a more miserable pack of bastards in my life. the only civil guy I came across was an old taxi driver that drove us from London to Hackney via the Emirates... he was a cheerful old fellah who had many a tale to tell and kept us entertained the whole trip.

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  109. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/darts/15012394.stm

    Sad news.

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  110. Wont say I know him well Jack but I have heard his commentary on ocassions and he does make darts interesting, I'll give him that.

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  111. G'day Bo.

    I'm sorry Londoners are such rude twats.Still,it's good preparation for France.

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  112. Thanks for that Jack... if the French are not any better than what I have come across here so far then my journey through the land of the gaul is going to be a misery.

    ReplyDelete
  113. The French are all right Bo.It's just Londoners....

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  114. Just had a scary thought on that Jack, had we not emigrated I would most likely have been like this lot are. Whatever happened to the cheerful, chirpy cockney.

    ReplyDelete
  115. I know I seem very negative about this but it is something that has really stood out to me since I have been here. I didn't really have any expectations on the people... I have not heard any bad reports on Londoners prior to coming here. Perhaps the riots last month has put folk on edge.

    ReplyDelete
  116. It's just life in a big city Bo.Once you move onto smaller areas people have more time to smell the roses.

    ReplyDelete
  117. BojanglesOfOz said...
    Just had a scary thought on that Jack, had we not emigrated I would most likely have been like this lot are. Whatever happened to the cheerful, chirpy cockney
    ____________________________________

    He moved.

    ReplyDelete
  118. Ah... very good Jack.

    Anyway, no more negatives from me.

    I loved London. Although we had to cut the day there short... when your daughters become young women mate you will possibly understand why.

    She doesn't like London buses so I'm not sure where we will be going tomorrow... taxi's are too expensive so it looks like a long walk around Hackney.

    ReplyDelete
  119. Al right bo, if you insist on it so much, I'll come back.

    ReplyDelete
  120. Claudio Ranieri appointed Inter Milan's coach. This is the 8th Italian team he is going to as a manager.

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  121. have you walked along the thames Bo?

    start at the Tower Bridge and walk towards Westminster, plenty to see on the way.

    I'd recommend it if the weather plays along.

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  122. She hasn't tried the tube yet. She handled the overground ok. Probably try the tube tomorrow.

    We walked along the embankment a little this morning Spit. My granddaughter is not a great walker unfortunately.

    ReplyDelete
  123. SS said...
    Claudio Ranieri appointed Inter Milan's coach. This is the 8th Italian team he is going to as a manager.
    -------------------------------------
    If ever there was a step back into the past from Mourinho, this is it. Literally.

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  124. AH,

    thing is, there are not many quality managers out there. If there are, they are wary of rich owners or fickle fans/board burning their effigies every time they lose two in a row.

    There will never be any more SAF or Wengeresque tenures. Ever.

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  125. anyone remember this gem from RBA - I kept it due to it's utter brilliance

    153. At 3:30pm on 14 Sep 2009, RedBlueArmy92 wrote:

    JDR... i'm with you mate, infact i have been living the "JDR Lifestyle" for the last week, just to see if i could get an insight to why you dislike the man Robbo so much... My findings were enlightening to say the least.

    Whilst was watching CBeebies with my 3 year old daughter, Mr Tumbles came on so i screamed "Oh good one Mr Tumbles, real name Justin!!! cant believe were paying for this nonsense, oh here he goes again, more sign language and clowning around"... She cried for a while, but i think in the long run, she'll benefit.

    Then later in the week my young cousin Thomas had the part of Fagin in his drama clubs production of Oliver (He's the white sheep of the family this kid). Well he was not good so i let him have it JDR style... "Rubbish Thomas, same worn out London-Jewish stereotypes seen a thousand time before, Booooo!"

    As every opportunity has arisen, i have lived my life JDR style, and continually criticised anything i can and anyone doing anything under a false name i have unmasked, named and duly shamed them! Also anyone offering anything that is similar in fashion for too long, just because it is popular, has also had both barrels of the JDR rifle!

    So anyway, i am just recently married and though me and the Mrs have been together a long time anyway, certain flames have been re-lit... If you catch my drift (Andre, your dad will explain one day)... Well there we were, the kids asleep and a night of passion ahead of us... Then it dawned on me, my JDR resolution! So i let her know the JDR perception of truth "same old moves... predictable... cliché pillow talk..." it didn’t go down well and she hasn't been down since...

    Anyway, long story short after just one week of the JDR lifestyle i have lost my home, job, wife and am not aloud to talk to the kids for a very long time... I can see why this cheery f*^&!ng blog does his head in!

    It is a lonely existence following the JDR lifestyle, but the feeling in my gut knowing that every day i take just a little bit of happiness away from someone, makes it all worth while...

    ReplyDelete
  126. yeah adams,

    them were the days.

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  127. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  128. myself, jacks, fbh and scholesthegingerprince were only today reminiscing about the golden days at the BBC.

    we did it on twitter.

    ReplyDelete
  129. The Beeb had golden days????

    ReplyDelete
  130. yes that's right the past was brilliant the present is shit and the future is fucking unthinkable

    arsenal fans - you've got good reason. everyone else stop reading the daily mail, it rots your brain

    ReplyDelete
  131. they did when Robbo reigned supreme and JDR spread misery faster than a rat with bubonic plague

    I still wish that Downfall video was still around - does anyone have it?

    ReplyDelete
  132. the beeb was bollox. Kept banning me the round faced oxbridge shits

    ReplyDelete
  133. R.I.P. MAK "Tiger" Pataudi
    ---------
    http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/top-stories/Legendary-cricketer-Mansur-Ali-Khan-Pataudi-passes-away/articleshow/10079917.cms

    ReplyDelete
  134. From b3ta,it's worth sticking with it.

    http://www.drawastickman.com/index.htm?o=72-69-76-76-79-32-89-79-85-32-66-85-78-67-72s79-70-32-66-51-84-65-82-68-83-33#

    ReplyDelete
  135. comps been on the blink for the last few days.

    Yes I remenber the beeb days getting modded regularly esp on Bond and McCunty, oh yes and that other Wishire, what a twat he was

    ReplyDelete
  136. Bo
    Enjoy London, but I know what you mean

    My 3 daughters all work in the smoke, enjoy bingeing, and not saving, then the elastic band to our account usually kicks in

    ReplyDelete
  137. Adam, is this the one you're after?

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-vWr8zr588

    THE JDR GANG

    ReplyDelete
  138. Finally been able to check my FFL, achieved a massive 25pts, pathetic

    ReplyDelete
  139. jacksofbuxton said...
    BojanglesOfOz said...
    Just had a scary thought on that Jack, had we not emigrated I would most likely have been like this lot are. Whatever happened to the cheerful, chirpy cockney
    ____________________________________

    He moved.

    ----------------
    2Holland

    ReplyDelete
  140. If you drove past the Emirates Bo, then you was round my old manner.

    The housing estate on the other side of the tunnel on the Hornsey Rd, that was where I was dragged up.

    ReplyDelete
  141. Newcastle defender Danny Simpson believes the club can 'do a Birmingham' and win the Carling Cup because the top clubs' current interests lie elsewhere.
    Full story: Daily Mirror

    ===
    Or get relegated and lose their manager to their closest rivals.

    ReplyDelete
  142. just went to the (main??) entrance of the Emirates H2, stayed there a couple of minutes then left.... didn't go through or see any tunnels.

    ReplyDelete
  143. Bo
    a couple of minutes-----and prayed!!!!

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  144. We are beyond prayer Tone... it's all in the hands of Arsene now.

    ReplyDelete
  145. This hotel is gonna get me fit or kill me... whenever I want a smoke I have three flights of stairs to descend what's worse is I have three flights of stairs to climb after it... I need a smoke by the time I get to the top but I'm too buggered to go back down again.

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  146. OK guys, I can see where you guys were coming from when you said Phall was hotter than Vindaloo. It is because your vindaloo is quite mild and your phall is the equivalent of our vindaloo.... and my vindaloo is hotter than your phall... mind you this is based on the meals I have had at the local Indian.

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  147. As you well know, Wikipedia can never be wrong, Bo.
    ----------------------------------
    Phall

    From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

    Phall (sometimes spelt as fall, phaal, phal or paal) is a British Asian Indian curry dish, which originated in Indian restaurants in the UK.
    It is one of the hottest forms of curry regularly available, even hotter than the vindaloo.
    -----------------------------------------

    ReplyDelete
  148. As I said AH, your phall is about the equivalent of the aussie vindaloo... that wiki entry was obviously written by a pom.

    ReplyDelete
  149. ... also I think you may find thaht all 'curries' that are eaten in indian restuarants outside of india do not exist in india... curry in india is an altogether different dish.

    ReplyDelete
  150. Yes, as SS will no doubt testify. I have actually been to India more often than many Indians, (standary by-prodcut of working in the IT world) and can testify that at least in the southern part of India 'curry' is a generic term for any kind of side dish (with or without gravy) eaten with either rice or 'roti'.

    And that gentlemen concludes today's episode of Cooking with Bo & AH - The India Special.

    ReplyDelete
  151. This one is quite funny Adam. Its the Downfall video on the 8-2 game.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EDDzeCWLeM&feature=player_embedded

    ReplyDelete
  152. When I Phall in Love - Nat King Cole

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  153. A post-hair transplant Wayne Rooney credits his red hot Manchester United form to his barber's "magical powers".
    ========================================================

    I might see if you can do something similar for me in a couple of weeks Jack

    ReplyDelete
  154. Morning all.

    You are right there AH. And the curry tastes different in various parts of India. It's less spicy up north than in south of India. Most Europeans or Americans stay away from authentic Indian food coz of spices. But if you dont have that being in India, then you've had nothing!

    AH - which IT firm you work for or have paid visit to in India?

    ReplyDelete
  155. I'll do my best Bo.

    *wonders where he left his magic wand*

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  156. Of course,away from the continual running theme of these blogs (will Ar***al stay up) it's the Mighty Ipswich v Boro this weekend.

    Thankfully neither Robbo or FBH will be able to see me flick them the "V" as I congratulate them on their 4-0 win.

    Although why I'd throw them an 80s sci-fi series is beyond me.

    ReplyDelete
  157. Jack, that theme has now got tired of running and will be on rest for an indefinite duration.
    You can breathe easy.

    ReplyDelete
  158. Owen Hargreaves has blamed Manchester United for his three years of injury problems after making his Manchester City debut.
    Full story: Daily Mirror
    --------------
    First he joins Man C and then also complains about United's medical staff. Instead he should have thanked the club for persisting with him for 3 years and paying his wages. Hargreaves is just inviting SAF's wrath of fury.

    ReplyDelete
  159. 0911 FOOTBALL: West Brom midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu has retired from international football with DR Congo for a second time. The 24-year-old initially quit after complaining of a lack of professionalism in the set-up but now wants to concentrate on club football and his family.

    ---

    who does he thinks he plays for? Manchester United?

    ReplyDelete
  160. the hargereaves comments have manCity pr written all over it.

    for reference see comments by bary, lescot, tevez, adebayour, clichy, nasri...

    ReplyDelete
  161. Owen Hargreaves has blamed Manchester United for his three years of injury problems after making his Manchester City debut.
    -------------------

    Needs a slap the ungrateful git - SAF would have been fully justified in forcing his retirement and cashing in the insurance or cancelling his contract. I think he'll probably get injured again next week anyway

    ReplyDelete
  162. Holloway2Holland said...
    If you drove past the Emirates Bo, then you was round my old manner.

    The housing estate on the other side of the tunnel on the Hornsey Rd, that was where I was dragged up.
    --------------

    I remember round there - weekends at The Nags Head market and the Odeon Cinema at the end of Seven Sisters Road and trips to the local pool -

    The Borough of Islington - Brilliant

    ReplyDelete
  163. Dear CERN, Our cameras show that one of your particles has broken the laws of physics. This incurs a £60 fine and 3 points on your licence.

    ReplyDelete
  164. SS, I work for that pillar of Britain's financiala services industry, HSBC Bank.

    I've, on several occasions, been to Pune, Hyderabad and Bangalore. Not a big fan of Bangalore, but always thoroughly enjoyed my stays at Pune and Hyd.

    ReplyDelete
  165. That's cool AH. I work for that pillar of world's financial services industry - JP Morgan Chase.

    Pune is near by, its just 4hours drive from my place. Been to both Hyderabad and Bangalore. Some good and bad experiences at both places... travel and infrastructure good at Hyd whereas climate is better at Bangalore.

    ReplyDelete
  166. Did the real touristy thing today... Hyde Park, Buck Palace, Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament, Tower Bridge and the tower of london... Had a bad experience outside westminster abbey.. got mugged by a gypsey woman... actually it was worse than being mugged, more violated. Enjoyed everything except the parliament tour... the guide was so fucking boring I wanted to slash my wrists before we were halfway through.

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  167. Violated by a gypsy woman ? I saw a movie like that once. You're getting the full London city experience now Bo, you cant really ask for more.

    ReplyDelete
  168. I would have preferred much less in that case AH... much less

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  169. There is a party oing on about three streets away where everyone seems to think themselves Robbie Williams but sound more like the Millwall boo boys so sleep is out of the question. I need to be up early this morning anyway so it isn't a big problem. Off to Paris this morning and although I wont miss the locals I shall miss London. If I am ever able to save the money I would definately return. There is a lot I still haven't seen and would like to return to where I was raised to spend more time there.

    ReplyDelete
  170. Arsenal have reportedly signed 14-year-old Guim Laporta - the son of former Barcelona president Joan.
    ==========================================================

    So we can sell him back to Barca when he becomes too good to play for us. Seems as though we are becoming Barca's feeder club.

    ReplyDelete
  171. Today's the day.

    The Big One.

    Ipswich v Boro.

    Good luck to FBH and Robbo.

    But not too much.

    ReplyDelete
  172. http://www.wsc.co.uk/component/option,com_kunena/Itemid,73/func,view/catid,27/id,575835/

    A chucklesome read.

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  173. Frickin hell, now Wilshere is out for most of the season :(, bye bye 4th place

    --BeeZee

    ReplyDelete
  174. http://www.butireaditinthepaper.co.uk/2011/09/24/not-a-finger-jabbing-rant/

    Interesting piece re Owen Hargreaves.

    ReplyDelete
  175. Well, interesting carling cup draw. Stoke v Liverpool, Everton v Chelsea, arsenal v Bolton and of course ManU get Aldershot.

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  176. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  177. Glad about the win, pleased about the clean sheet.

    Good performances by Ramsey, arteta, RvP, Walcott and song.

    Czesney dependable.

    ReplyDelete
  178. well, look at that, Arsenal up to 12th, we might not get relegated after all.

    ReplyDelete
  179. 3-0 :)

    100 goals up for RvP. Hopefully the good run starts from here!

    ReplyDelete
  180. Congratulations Gooners. City beat us 3-2, Liverpool 3-1 and now you manage 3-0 so at least you know where you stand.

    ReplyDelete
  181. Cheers Trott,

    whats happened to Kevin Davis? Didnt look as sharp as before (also not a starter ahead of Ngog?)

    ReplyDelete
  182. Well, last two seasons he's lost a yard and last week he lost another 3 inches so it looks like the end is nigh for KD.

    ReplyDelete
  183. if Klasnic hadn't been suspended I'm hoping he'd have been up front before Ngog, if we have Ngog leading the line for the next year or two we're well fucked.

    ReplyDelete
  184. nah forget that, we're well fucked either way.

    ReplyDelete
  185. least you are getting regular sex.

    no such thing as bad sex.

    ReplyDelete
  186. Unconvincing victory for the pool but beats convincing performances in the draws and losses so far. Good to just get a victory after 2 losses on the trot. Suarez on the sheet as well. Who'd have guessed Bolton being bottom of the table, spl after having bought Ngog.

    ReplyDelete
  187. That early one handed save by Szczesny cannot possibly be underrated.

    Just goes to show the keeper is like an anchor to build the defence on.

    ReplyDelete
  188. Had it not been for Jaaskelainen, it could have been well ugly for Bolton as well.

    ReplyDelete
  189. Spitfire said...

    That early one handed save by Szczesny cannot possibly be underrated.



    ---

    what I actually meant is over-rated.

    ReplyDelete

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