I remember quite vividly Alex Song's debut for Arsenal. We were coasting through the final minutes
of a relatively routine home win over Everton in the autumn of 2005 when Arsene decided to
introduce the slightly mysterious loan signing we had made that summer. Song ambled around the
pitch for a few minutes, and repeatedly gave away the ball.
So, as you're all no doubt aware at this stage, Robin van Persie released a statement yesterday
in which he revealed, after thinking 'long and hard', that he would not be extending his Arsenal
contract.
And if it were just that, then I don't think anybody would be too surprised or upset this
morning.
As of late, it seems that Arsene Wenger and Arsenal can't catch a lucky break. Top guys leaving,
young stars hurt, every match so far includes a red card, the media's hammering Wenger, even Alex
Ferguson is giving interviews in which he's metaphorically breaking up the massive beating and
saying "Lay off - Wenger's had enough.
Firstly, I would like to say a big thank you for all the comments and feedback on yesterday's
piece on the Red and White letter, ostensibly sent to the board, but actually written for our
'benefit'. I realise that my opinion may be one that you wholeheartedly disagree with I wish to see
Usmanov as far away from the club I love as possible, while many view him as a potential wind of
positive change but the debate was a fascinating one.
The European Championships are here and BigFourZa has decided to enter the fray in our own
style. We have a number of things lined up for you and today we bring to you the first of many; an
awesome predictor game with a dollop of goodwill involved.
As you might already know, BFZ has been quite seriously involved with the charity Slum Soccer
Refresh your memory here and our good friends are in a fundraising race organized by
streetfootballworld
We would like you to invoke the Carlton Palmer in you and predict the results of the Euro 2012
matches by playing the BigFourZa & Slum Soccer League in the Euro Predictor on the website Just
UNITED.
Arsene Wenger called it 'shocking' and 'our worst ever night in Europe'. Personally, I still
think the worst night was that one in 2004 when Wayne Bridge's goal knocked us out, but in terms of
performance there can be no question that last night was a low point.
From the start you could see we were sluggish, off the pace and that certain players just
weren't up for it.
Admission: Tuesday came and went and passed me by entirely. For me, it's a rarety for me not to
follow a game in some way. I go to most home games, and watch or listen to most of the others.
Those matches I can't go to, see or hear I will follow via Twitter etc, as many of us do. But on
Tuesday, as the match kicked off, I was out meeting football-agnostic friends (they do exist, it
seems) in a pub with pleasant steak and kidney pies but no telly, and although I briefly toyed with
the time-honoured gadget switch-off so I could play the match as live when I got in, I knew my
resolve wouldn't last and sure enough, it didn't.
It appears Barca are inching their way to an agreement with Arsenal for Cesc Fabregas and are
ready to meet their €40m demand. A large difference of €6m separate the clubs but Barca's
solution is a combination of down payments and deferments. They are proposing a €34m up front and
€6m to follow later in tranches.
Barcelona might be preparing for its annual summer tempest involving Cesc Fabregas but the
Arsenal captain introduces his moment of Zen saying in so many words if you can't be with the one
you love, love the one you're with.
"Barcelona are the best team in the world and going there guarantees titles.
Danny Califf was surprised by the Nowak departure but he thinks John Hackworth can turn things
around for the Union—if Hackworth is given the power he needs to do so.
"I was pretty well in shock and I was hoping that it would be John who would get a chance to
take over and run the team.
Antonio Cassano built up quite a bit of goodwill after undergoing heart surgery and recovering
from a stroke last season to even make it back on the pitch for Italy's Euro 2012 campaign, but his
latest comments will probably damage that positive spirit. During a press conference on Tuesday,
the filterless Cassano added to the already large pile of regrettable comments he's made over his
career with his response to questions about reports that there are two homosexual players in the
Italian squad.
Berti Vogts prefers his TP rolls to be supple enough to cradle in your hands, it seems.
Comfort is key in the grand scheme of hygiene, Kickettes. Unfortunately for Berti Vogts, current
Azerbaijan manager and World Cup winner as a player and coach, he had to learn that the hard
way.
On Saturday, Vogts held a press conference prior to his team's Euro 2012 qualifier against
Kazakhstan.
International soccer star David Beckham of the Los Angeles Galaxy had plenty of praise and goodwill
for the Dynamo, their fans and the beautiful oven otherwise known as BBVA Compass Stadium. But
after the Dynamo beat the Galaxy 2-1 Saturday, it was a bit of an understatement to say the L.A.
Galaxy star had his [.
The Philadelphia Union are preparing for the upcoming MLS season with a trip to Costa Rica, home
to their very first partner club, Deportivo Saprissa. Whatever goodwill between Philly and Costa
Rica was established with that deal was quickly bruised, however, when the Union fell behind 2-0 to
Primera Division club Belen FC in a routine friendly before proving are already in midseason
scuffling form.
A significant portion of the proceeds ($10 per scarf) from all pre-orders this week of the
new Pitch Invasion bar scarf will be donated to benefit the Operation Pitch Invasion charity in
Portland, Oregon. Here's why...
When supporters of the Portland Timbers, organized by the 107ist Trust and Timbers Army,
announced in 2011 that they were launching a new charity called Operation Pitch Invasion to support
the growth of the game at the grassroots level in Portland, Pitch Invasion's interest was piqued by
more than just the Doppelgänger.
The gloves came off at Villa Park last night. Leading by a goal and having dominated the match
at half-time against Bolton Wanderers, Alex McLeish's team threw their lead away and now sit just
three points above the relegation places with three matches of the Premier League season left to
play. And with this defeat, the sullen cloud of dissatisfaction that has sat over Villa Park this
season lifted, but what replaced it was a thunderstorm of noise and abuse.
Shortly before 6.15 yesterday evening, White Hart Lane began to fall silent. As the possible
scale of what had happened started to disseminate, first around the ground itself and then out,
through cathode ray tubes and broadband connections, a respectful hush descended over English
football. The FA Cup took last place last night, as our thoughts turned to the stricken player and
his family.
We were in our places a few minutes earlier than usual, standing not sitting, hopping around not
so much to stave off the bitter cold, more in excited anticipation. Even the veterans haven't seen
anything like this.
The players had a prematch kickabout, the mascot's nervous pride shone through as they found a
hero to play with, but all eyes were on the tunnel.
Last summer I heard rumours that Paul Gascoigne was dead. Unlike the rest of the rubbish that
circulates the ether, sadly this had the ring of truth. He had been looking more pale and drawn
than ever and the stories more bizarre, if that were possible.
Gazza stopped being daft as a brush years ago but the nation kept on laughing.
They escaped by the skin of their teeth last season, but for Wigan Athletic there has been
little to get excited about this summer and there remains the distinct possibility of another long,
hard winter ahead for a club that has, over the last few seasons, battled against all odds to keep
hold of this most unexpected of Premier League places.
As regular readers will know, I have long prattled on about goal difference as a good indicator
of things not being quite right. If a team is higher or lower in the league than their goal
difference suggests they should be then before too long they'll probably regress or progress to
their rightful place.
As regular readers will know, I have long prattled on about goal difference as a good indicator
of things not being quite right. If a team is higher or lower in the league than their goal
difference suggests they should be then before too long they'll probably regress or progress to
their rightful place.
While the footballing world's attention was rightfully focused on Fabrice Muamba fighting for
his life, Fernando Torres came alive and kicking. He scored two goals in Chelsea's FA Cup
quarter-final win over Leicester City.
The first one was a rather weak effort but Torres was fortunate Kasper Schmeichel was late to
react but the second, ah, the second she was a beauty.
Apologies for the tardiness – AANP Towers has been overrun by tiny people the last few
days...
And it had all begun so well. Our lot spent the opening minutes pinging the ball between
themselves with such dizzying rapidity that the only time a Chelski touched the thing in the
opening ten minutes was that lad on halfway, who was promptly crunched by Sandro, releasing Bale to
release Adebayor for our goal.
Amidst all the hoopla and hilarity of the season's first managerial sacking in the Premiership -
Steve Bruce by Sunderland FC - it's easy to lose sight of the fact that it typically doesn't help
to sack the manager. To be sure: there often seems to be a bounce-back in results for teams that
appoint a new manager; but statistically speaking, the bounce-back is likely to occur in any case,
with or without sacking the gaffer.
There has been much talk of change in Indonesian football over the last 18 months but, to be
brutal, there has been no action. The sins of the previous set up are being continued by the new
regieme willingingly or not. For all their fine words nothing is being translated on to the pitch
and that, ultimately, is how they will be judged.
I was dreaming this morning that I was writing a novel and I bashed out 6 or 7 pages which were
really good, including two analogies that were so brilliant I was sure to win the Nobel prize for
literature. Naturally, having just sat down at the laptop this morning I can't remember them.
Dear potential investor (and possible massage enthusiast),
It is with the greatest satisfaction that I, Dr. Moschlavius Gumperteer, report that FutSail
Online University has launched with nary a snag. At the onset, we believe that our principles,
business model, and early acquisitions have laid a foundation for fantastic profit margins.
A crowd of a little over a thousand gave Carlos Tevez a lukewarm reception at Ewen Fields as
City reserves took on Bolton reserves. They warmed up once he showed he still had the goods. His
50th minute goal was met by a lot more cheers. The celebratory gesture of throwing his shirt into
the crowd also earned him some more goodwill.
What you're looking at here is a table showing the performances of all fan-owned football clubs
playing in the English football league system in 2010/11...
The 'level' column indicates the tier that each club is playing in as of 2011/12,
i.
