It begins in earnest now folks

Hi guys,

Sorry for the slow posting, work has been MENTAL these last few weeks.

So excuses out of the way, England are out of the World Cup, I'm pleased in some respects that our insipid performances in no way are excused by the FA and the fans.

There can be nothing good from this World Cup for England. We need to look at how we prepare, how we play and how our leagues are designed to give us an equal shot at the next one as with every other team.

Too many players didn't turn up. I've no time or inclination to name them as we were all watching. We all have our opinions. There were only three players who I felt gave the appropriate performances and each one of them had something to prove. The rest did not and confirmed it.

Still, now it begins, the rumour mill now has something to focus on. Transfers. So expect us to be linked with anyone and everyone that looks the slightest bit twitchy (not including Redknapp) about their contract, their club and their general situation.

In other news it appears the SolMan is as yet undecided about Celtic. Personally, whatever his decision I respect it. He's 37. He deserves to go out with one hell of a bang.

More to follow guys n gals.

WG

Defoe shin 1 : Slovenia 0

Football, at its very essence is a simple game. You take your foot, conveniently attached to the end of your leg and swing it, with a certain amount of controlled venom at a ball. The ensuing kinetic power exchange pushes the ball through the air at a speed directly related to the force applied by your foot.

Using the above method you can kick the ball to a team-mate (a pass) or kick it at the goal (a shot) with the opposition goal (a rectangular net, set vertically to present a target).

I think Defoe's strike was the best of simple, effective football. Milner hit a great cross between the defence and the keeper. Defoe ran across his defender (textbook) to meet the ball first and it hit his shin, the keeper was well beaten by it and fumbled it into the net.

Not an expressive, 30 pass maneuver. No passing it across the 18yrd box. Simple, effective football that would create goals at any level of football.

England today owes its continued run in the world cup to milner, defoe's shin and the confidence it brought out in the rest of them. Perhaps maybe the quiz night and beer helped too?

I think we are fortunate, but even lucky teams win games, so bring on the Germans!!

Wigangooner

Engerland, Koscielny and a dutchman who sounds like a brazilian

So, England. Wow. Gooner fans, how good do we have it?

Crikey England are crap. I mean really crap, as in soaked nay drenched in crapola.

England v USA was a disappointment, but a little expected. England v Algeria, was a shock, whilst I was surrounded my friends I was dumbstruck. Speechless. For me a rarity indeed.

I expect qualification. I really do. All they have achieved so far is to make me believe I could pull on my England shirt and play with more passion, bite and effort than those multi-millionaires in south africa.

Nothing but qualification will save these players from mass hatred.

Sooo onto Arsenal, apparently its all steam ahead for this koscielny chap. Not a believer in youtube videos of players, I haven't looked at him. I'd appreciate an insight into him from someone if poss.

Naturally, if the media says its happening, Wenger is probably after someone else. Time will tell.

Soo onto our new Duzilian...(Does that work)...Kyle Ebecilio has apparently signed for us, another promising talent for us, but not first team and we need first teamers. Badly.

Also worth noting, he's not a defender, so we're still seriously short.

I'm back with my Blackberry, so I'm able to post whilst I'm mobile which really works for me. So on with england, arsenal and my drivel!

Much love, speak to you all soon!!

WiganGooner
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

I'd like to talk a load of balls...nothing new there then...

Balls. A favourite word of mine. Generally used to define when I think something has gone horribly wrong.

Ironically, the Jabulani ball is fairly close to my definition.

World-class goalkeepers (and some rubbish ones as well) have said that the ball is awful. Players have said its unpredictable. Now I like to see goals as much as the next guy but lets give the keepers a fair crack of the whip eh? It seems every major football championship a lot gets made of the new ball and its charateristics..at the last Euro's I recall Mad Jens and a few others saying that was a bad ball too.

There is a well known phrase about "re-inventing the wheel"..a twist on the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" phrase.

I struggle to understand why a ball that has been panned so significantly can be the ball for a major football championship. Its like Lewis Hamilton stating that the brakes on his car are crap and he doesn't think it will stop him from crashing, but he'll go out in it anyway...because he has to.

I know hours of time and millions of pounds go into the development of these balls and improving them, but in this case (forgive me) I think they've really dropped the ball. There have been several similar mistakes and errors by keepers as a result of this ball and I refuse to believe that its just a coincidence that keepers can make such basic errors.

Maybe I'm just too nice.

Having a cracking time!

Hi Gang,

Sorry for the lack of updates over the weekend, without my beloved Blackberry its slowing down my output.

However, excuses over, on with the blog!

Soooo.... England eh... Ouch. I was well set for the game, the Mrs cooked a lovely meal and I was plonked in front of TV (with England flag draped on floor in front (like a shrine)) ready for a good game of attacking football, with some patriotic joy thrown in..

Did anyone else get the feeling Rooney just practically phoned in that game...he was peripheral at best. Heskey played well for me, I think he did what he was put there to do, push defenders about, win the aerial battle and create space and opportunities. Fabio's no fool, he knows he wont get goals out of Heskey in the same way he knows Rob Green won't make that mistake again.

In Green's defence (though he has made no excuses, legend) he's not the only keeper to have struggled to hold onto this ball, the Algerian keeper also spooned one into his net and the Cameroon keeper yesterday saved his at the second time of asking on the line.

Ok, these are hardly stand-out, world-class goalkeepers, but it shows that the ball is troublesome and I think there will be more mistakes to come. Green recovered well to keep out the oft-goal shy Altidore who had a decent game, with a Heskey-like performance.

In summary, it was very disappointing, I felt 4-4-2 just wasnt working for England and I don't know why he didn't try to change it. So often in qualifying and in friendlies he's changed the formation during the match with a great deal of success, so did Big Fab choke?

I guess its not fair for me to comment, needless to say much will be judged on England's performances after the World Cup and then we will have a greater picture of how successful we were or what potential we've got.

Personally, I think we have enough players who can take the game against anyone and win it. Lamps owes us a performance and so does Rooney. Milner had a shocker and will want to prove himself also. I think semi's for England and we'll lose out to someone like Brazil, Spain or Argentina and we'll probably get a right kicking.

Prove me wrong lions, bring it home for me, Dizzy, Cordon, Skinner, Baddiel and those bad-ass Lightning Seeds.

WiganGooner.

Shock update, following Hill-Woods previous statements...Wenger confirms he's interested....

I've seen some smoke screens in my time, as a general rule I am subjected to them by certain parties. 1) Politicians 2) Arsene Wenger.

I've learned over the years, its rare for Arsene Wenger to go public on players unless a) He is interested in diverting attention from his real targets or b) Its in the bag/close to the bag and wants to seal the top with the player in it.

The Joe Cole situation is one that I am slowly thinking falls into the a) category. Everyone seems so certain he is coming to Arsenal that now I'm being put off the idea. I think its a smokescreen and as above, Wenger has more previous than Gary Glitter..(forgive the paedo reference).

So to reiterate what I've been saying on here. I'll believe it when I see it. Joe Cole strutting round the Emirates in an Arsenal shirt....maybe he'll grab number 10 off Gallas if Arshavin doesn't try to swap?

*shrugs*...speculation is delicious, if not entirely without fact until proven.

Til next time Gooners

WG

Peter Hill Wood - The man, the myth, the LEGEND!

Peter Hill Wood

I have to say...I truly love this man, he's hilarious.

There is noone that can insert a size 11 into their gob with such alarming regularity and precision. Something he never gets enough credit for i think!

From the foot of Hill Wood, via his pillow talk partner appears to be the sad news that we're not after Joe Cole.

Firstly, if we were in for him I wouldn't expect Gazidis and Wenger to tell him. His capacity for opening and engaging gob without thought as mentioned above has caused plenty of problems in the past. Kroenke anyone?

Secondly, its Wenger and Gazidis who work on the transfers and contracts. Nuff said.

...needless to say, as its already been mentioned on the transfer linked section, I just don't think this will happen.

Further thoughts to come later as i need to go do some work.

Have a good day Gooners!

Wigangooner

Alas poor Philippe, I knew him well....kinda.

I really rate Philippe Senderos, I think physically he has all the attributes to be a good defender. Stature, Strength, Good jumping all of which are essential.

He also has desire, but I think, similar to Fabianski he is a bit fragile mentally. This can cause him to go missing in the big games, or allow himself to be totally submissive to someone like Drogba, who, given the opportunity will bully you and make you look daft.

Hodgson however has a decent track record with defenders, Hangeland, Hughes, Smalling. Three defenders that have improved massively under his tutelage. Paul Konchesky has been more consistent also.

I think this is a good move for Senderos, he marginalised himself very successfully by stating that he wanted to stay at AC Milan because they were a big club. Well lit my son, the touchpaper of your Arsenal career is well and on its way to the barrels of Dynamite.

However, I'd rather not speak ill of the absent. I think on his day he is a superb defender and will be an asset to Fulham. I wish him well.

In terms of Arsenal, thats another body off the training ground and off the payroll. So, another body that needs replacing.

I wonder if Wenger will bother or whether he will continue to promote from within, I'd like to see Nordveit, JET and Eastmond given a shot at the bench this year.

Til next time Gooners

WiganGooner

Ramsey, Wilshire, Super Fab and Chesney Hawkes..

Prepare yourself, cheerful followup to last nights post.

Beginning now.

There is a lot to be excited about this summer. England have a genuine chance this year...i expect them to get to the semi's. From there they have the opportunity to become legends.

With regards to Arsenal this summer, I really think Wenger is disappointed with the performance of certain players and he's become very frustrated with injuries crippling his squad. Just as we have.

I guess the problem is that Wenger is an economist, he won't waste money on players he doesn't intend to have in his first 18 and therein lies the problem, when you get 8 first teamers out you are down to 10 first team players and kids. Last season we suffered terribly again.

I think he'll replace what he loses this summer and he'll try again. I just cant see him over-investing in his squad as he thinks having squad players just in case stifles the youngsters coming through. I think if you are good enough then you'll progress into the first team, regardless of how many bodies there are in the squad.

As mentioned before on this blog. The new squad rules will be guiding his decision on this one. I honestly think it will be replace what you've lost with experience and then rely on the kiddles for the cups. Promisingly however, our kids are getting quite good. Ramsey, given a complete recovery will be a great asset next season. Wilshire I'd like to see have another 6 months away on loan.

I'd like to see Djourou next season...he's been a bit of a stranger and I think he's a good player and could be strong for us next season. He's fast, got a good header on him and he's strong. Body suspiciously made of cheese however. He has been unfortunate and there are lots of players that have problems due to playing so much football while their bodies are developing and growing.

This could be his season, as with the last so I think Wenger will give him a shot...so interesting times at the back.

Wonder if we'll still have the Morris Dancer and Wookie as our first team choices...with them I think we're gonna have problems. I like Fabianski(dont send him a backpass!!), arguably more than Almunia because I think he's still got plenty of time on his side to fix his game...Almunia is a liability.

I think he does at least one mistake per game, not necessarily one that costs a goal or the game but simple, technical mistakes. When was the last time we were able to say "Almunia was immense"...its never more than once or twice a season, last time was in the Champs league last season.

He doesnt fill me with confidence and I dont have to play with him!!

Anyway..enough Almunia bashing, the future is bright in midfield and with Szczesny being the future #1 its making me feel happy looking forward 2-3 years......its just next season that worries me somewhat.

Come on Arsene, show us your hand.

Til the next time Gooners!!

Disappointment, frustration and downright annoyance

It just gets bloody worse...this is rewrite number 2. The first edition went the way of the swan due to me dropping my Blackberry and cracking the screen. The first re-write was about ten mins ago...when I deleted the bloody thing. Accidentally, as I'd spent an hour on it. Naturally it wasn't meant to be, so I'll attempt to improve on it with this post. Most blogs have a beginning, middle and end so we'll start here at the beginning...now...ish. So, I've been unplugged a bit this weekend, no blackberry (due to the aforementioned accident) and we've had plenty to do so I used a few mins this morning to catch up on the rumour mill. Apparently Joe Cole isn't coming to us now...nor Manyoo....though he's said he'll decide after the World Cup. I've got a bit of a deal-breaker (or at least, my fears may be confirmed) the much maligned Transfer-linked section of Arsenal.com displayed the following http://www.arsenal.com/news/transfer-links/transfer-linked-joe-cole-laurent-koscielny After posting http://www.arsenal.com/news/transfer-links/transfer-linked-gourcuff-cole-and-powell A double-mention, a double-bluff? Who knows...time will tell I guess. Another bit of HOT news, Arshavin labelled last season as pitiful. Well I bloody agree with him. I'm pleased he's able to be objective. He didnt feel like he was as effective as he could be and with the injuries we suffered Arsenal did not achieve what it was capable of achieving. As a professional he has analysed the season and decided its not good enough to come 3rd and trailing by 11 points is not where he wants to be, he's a winner, he got used to winning in Russia and he came to Arsenal to win more things. I believe there are a few players who need to take his attitude on board and look at themselves. We did not play as well as we could when we needed to. I love the Up for Grabs Podcast and too often I found myself laughing in total agreement with them. Our keepers are not good enough. We need another quality centre-back and we need someone to grab the game by the scruff in midfield. I love Arsenal, I love the way we play football, but lets be honest, who likes losing to Bolton, Hull and the like? I believe in the Arsenal Product, I can see that we arent far away, but how long will our best players wait? Thats the real question behind all of this. How long are you guys prepared to wait? Comments below!! :) p.s. Sorry its a bit negative...I'm a bit tired and cheesed off now...happier post tomorrow I promise!! - WiganGooner

Sensational journalism, 7up and a big guy with a beard called Pete.

The summer. A period of distractions, of transfers, of hope, anticipation and joy.

In the dearth of real, tangible information, its apparently newsworthy for the Express to make up something as simple as Beckham telling "Unlucky Theo" to "Keep his Chin up".

Sterling journalism guys....absolutely, nailed on, stone-wall brilliant news.

As part of a series I've been thinking about doing on here, I thought I'd share a few match day memories. To somewhat introduce me to you and in turn, if you choose to comment, me to you...(sounds like the most god-awful Chuckle brothers presentation). Plus, if anyone else has any stories I'd love to hear them and I'll post them up here too.

Hot summers and dizzy days - Part 1

As a Southern gooner, I always went to the Pre-season friendlies at Barnet and Borehamwood(to see the next gen of kids) .. These were my staples. I've seen every game for the last 6 seasons of these.

Its the only way to enjoy the summer. Those days at Barnet are bloody ace. The spirit, optimism and joy to be watching football again is only matched by the anticipation of watching the new signing strut his stuff.

I remember taking my Dad to his first ever Arsenal match. He'd always loved Arsenal, from his dad and his before him I guess, but he'd never been. I took him for his fathers day present, I gave him what he gave me, Arsenal. I can't tell you how it felt, suffice to say I felt a good son and I was excited.

On this particular day we'd just sold Viera and I got interviewed by Sky..."who would get the captaincy now?" hell I thought Sol would get it. So I said so, with my reasons being experience, influence and having the Captain at the back..it makes sense. Henry got it. I think we might have won more with the big man, but we'll never know.

I can't remember the result that day, not for a reason that you might expect..Though I do feel we won..invesigation required...

I remember the pub round the corner from the ground, the name escapes me right now. Every person in the pub was a gooner and it was a relatively new experience for me dad. He was in his element. He talked about me, my football career, how good he thought I could have been, Arsenal and his views. It was his soapbox and many listened. He had such a great day.

For me, it was the most organic, natural revolution starting. In that pub, we as gooners, were one, away from our home comforts of the gooner pub we talked about everything Arsenal and it was epic. That part of Barnet, for those few hours was Red and White and proud.

....Nevertheless...I don't remember much of the game. I remember Bendtner with his bloody ponytail jogging up and down the line and my dad deciding that Wenger smiled and waved directly at him when we were shouting "We're not worthy" at him. But everything else...think Hleb scored?...or was that the year after...*shrugs*.. because I got sunstroke and practically fainted from dehydration.....gotta giggle about it...thank god the snack shack were on the ball. I've never drank 7up so fast in my life. I did actually mail a thank you but got no reply :(

Anyhoo...I guess its a bit of my history..enjoy gooners!!

Shock to Barca's system....not everyone can be bought!!

I can almost imagine it now. I wish I was there to see it. A fly on the wall in that one second when Joan Laporta read the following excerpt from a statement on Arsenal.com;

"We have followed recent speculation linking Cesc with a move away from the Club but as there has never been any official approach for him, only two informal exchanges, in which we made it abundantly clear that we have no interest in transferring Cesc, we have refrained from publicly passing comment. However, yesterday evening we received an offer from Barcelona for Cesc and in response, we immediately and resolutely told them once again that we have no intention of selling our captain.

To be clear, we will not make any kind of counterproposal or enter into any discussion. Barcelona have publicly stated that they will respect our position and we expect that they will keep their word."

I would imagine its something like watching a cartoon character turn red before steam escapes from their ears with much vigor.

The idea of which makes me grin like an idiot. I like it. I like it a whole lot.

Cole-eriffic.....been a while since I thought that ... If rumours be true (and largely they are not) Joe Cole has been talking to us about a Free Transfer. Wenger has said that he's an "interesting target" and I wholeheartedly agree. He fits Wengerball and he has another important characteristic which in the current UEFA climate is critical. He's English. The new home-grown players rules will shape the way all teams do business.

'Home-grown players' are defined by UEFA as players who, regardless of their nationality or age, have been trained by their club or by another club in the national association for at least three years between the age of 15 and 21. The UEFA rule does not contain any nationality conditions. It also applies in the same way to all players and all clubs participating in competitions organised by UEFA

From the start of the 2010/2011 season all teams will have to register a squad of 25 players, with at least 8 'home grown' players registered. A 'home-grown' player is one who has spent three years between the ages of 16-21 registered at a club in England and Wales. Clubs can supplement this squad with a B list of unlimited players under the age of 21.

So, Project Yoof might not be dead and buried, but we might see a change in the make up of the first team squad, with more experienced players being backed up by younger, talented under-21s.

Hmm...not so much different from now I guess, with one exception, Home-Grown talent will become even more expensive. Yes, more clubs will have to rely upon those players so they should get more game-time and the really good ones will be snapped up by the big clubs at a premium. I wonder how much Ramsey would have cost in 5 years time?

Musings worth considering indeed. For now fellow Gooners, Good day!

England World Cup Squad - a blessing in disguise

I'd like to say I was surprised when I heard on the radio..Radio 1 kept releasing the odd spoiler from Clubs reporting their players were or were not going to the World Cup. Dan Garrido the sports reporter on Greg James's show broke the news whilst I was driving back from Golbourne....

Walcott out, Adam Johnson out, Huddlestone out, Parker out, Dawson out, Baines out, Bent out.

I was aware of a few certainities before today. 1) Heskey would go to South Africa, Capello loves him upfront with Rooney, it worked well in Qualifying. 2) Out of the 7 above, I'd already singled out Bent (due to Heskey, Bent wouldnt fly), Huddlestone (because he's very one paced and one dimensional, we have better players than that), Parker (didn't even have a shot at it, which I felt he deserved) and Baines (I felt he'd had a torrid time against Mexico and Fabio lost faith in him). 3) I was really certain Walcott or Johnson would go...I felt Capello would want an ace up his sleeve, someone with pace, or a surprise package. I'm still quite shocked now to be honest.

As someone who's played a bit and knows a bit its sensible to me to have players with raw pace or that surprise factor. You know what you get from Heskey, he's a powderpuff powerhouse who will run at you or the ball and then fall over. Once you know that you can defend against it easily and he will just make a fool of himself. Walcott would scare the S#*t out of me, not for his final ball but for his pace...because if he got past me I wouldn't catch him and not many would. Adam Johnson has the ability to work the ball with both feet and he's pretty quick too, I think he showed that against Mexico.

So in summary, I mostly agree with Capello, though as above there were other options that I think we could have taken to make it different. However, only time will tell if Capello was right. I'd like to think he is.

Thats all folks..!

G

The Business-end of the season?

Thursday, July 1 2010.

I don't know about other fans, but this day won't come quick enough. The Transfer Window will be open. Sounds a bit more impressive than cracking open the sash for a bit of breeze..

Sadly, in truth my analogy is probably closer to the truth, though perhaps an explanation is required.

Silly Season begins with more fervour and effort than ever before. Tabloid hacks will be leaning their necks out of Cars, Trains, Office windows and eavesdropping on conversations in public houses to get the "Fresh Transfer rumour of the day".."The transfer thats going to happen!!"...

God Help Us All.

I've learned not to get carried away, adopting a "believe it when I see it" attitude thats been a healthier way for me to spend my summers. Naturally with regards to Arsenal we are lacking in a few areas (well documented by many) so I believe this will be done in the usual Arsenal way with little fuss and media intervention, unlike some who prefer to do their Transfers in public and indeed their tapping-up "thats not tapping up out of respect"..

So, I guess all thats left is hold onto your underpants Arsenal fans, it could be a bumpy window so hold on to your beliefs, trust in Arsene and the right things for Arsenal will happen.

Hope you had a good Bank-Holiday weekend folks!!

G