Let's be clear about this. We didn't deserve to win this game. But, equally, we didn't deserve
to lose.
And what struck me most about the game was what a pathetic bunch of cheating babies the United
players are.
More about that in a moment, but first a word for Howard Webb:
.
Brazilian acrobat, villain-turned-hero. Was signed by Spurs from the Eindhoven Circus in 2008 to be
long term replacement for fans' hero Paul Robinson. Spent early part of his career at the Lane
doing impressions of Manuel Almunia and was described by goalkeeping expert Alan Hansen as 'the
worst keeper to ever play in the Premier League'.
The new era begins in earnest at St James' Park this evening when Alan Pardew takes charge of his
first Newcastle match since being appointed manager during the week. There are many views on what
the Pardew era will bring, but in amongst the speculation, rumour, hearsay, unrest, anger and
dismay, there is the small matter [.
Persib Bandung have finally ended weeks of conjecture by appointing Daniel Roekito as their new
coach. Roekito replaces Jovo Cuckovic who only started the job on the eve of the seaspn, replacing
Darko Janacovic before a ball had been kicked in anger.
Persib find themselves in unfamiliar territory, siting bottom of the 18 team Indonesia Super
League with just a solitary win to show for all their efforts.
I hate to sound like a broken record, but a consistent theme I've stressed in the Statshack
series is the need to look at match statistics as a whole and to be suspicious of anyone attempting
to leverage a point with the use of a single metric. Passing for example.
Last season, I read many times that the number of complete passes was an indication that our
brand of football was dour and failing to improve, except when the statistics didn't back that
assertion up and were conveniently ignored.
I hate to sound like a broken record, but a consistent theme I've stressed in the Statshack
series is the need to look at match statistics as a whole and to be suspicious of anyone attempting
to leverage a point with the use of a single metric. Passing for example.
Last season, I read many times that the number of complete passes was an indication that our
brand of football was dour and failing to improve, except when the statistics didn't back that
assertion up and were conveniently ignored.
Thursday morning and the inquest into Arsenal's latest big match disappointment rumbles on.
Arsenal fans the world over are rightly disappointed that we have now gone 11 games without victory
against either United or Chelsea. Whilst I find it difficult to say that you can take positives
from any defeat, I do think it's worth noting that we didn't lose in the same manner as we have in
many of those 11 games.
Awful pun, I know. But hear me out a moment.
United's latest horse in the stable is 33 year old (he'll be 34 before we kick a ball in anger
again) forward Josh Wolff. Much of my reaction to this signing is predicated on three unknowns:
- Did we talk to Conrad and Angel and find their demands unrealistic?
Social media, as some have learnt the hard way, brings with it a set of social mores that people
have to learn as they go along. Taking this into consideration, it is hardly surprising that some
people find themselves getting rather unstuck by it and Paul Konchesky, the Liverpool defender,
could be forgiven for wishing that Facebook after comments made by his mother found their way into
the public domain yesterday.
Scenes no Arsenal fans should ever go through again
Arsenal's next game is against Wigan away at the DW Stadium. We all painstakingly remember what
happened here last season. In April this year, our title hopes went up in smokes with the worst
capitulation that I've ever witness from any Arsenal side.
