Man City Away

11 men went to play.. went to play at City!

Ah, what a great way to end the week. THREE points, unbelievable three points but three points none the less. I was convinced of the draw, even after City went down a man. Statistics has it that once a team goes down, usually the team with advantage has a hard time getting to goal.

However, like everything else, the Arsenal flaunts its shoulders against all odds. Watching the boys get out there and start kicking back, as well as gently caressing the ball along the pitch in that silky smooth way was a joy.

I swear a slight tear formed in my eye as this was starting to look like the team of old. By old, I mean even before Wenger was a household name in Islington. Ye Olde Arsenal was a tough nugget, hated throughout the league, known for kicking the sin out of all heretics and punching one in before the 90 was up.

I could wax on and on about this and that, about when George Graham took over, about when Wenger took over and changed the league, about the emergence of unknowns to penultimate super stardom, about the nastiness given to the club in the media; YEARS and years of it.

Now it looks as if a perfect storm of good ol'English stick a boot in with the smooth flavour of continental passing and speed of fleet footed footballers on beautifully manicured pitches has come to fruition.

I can really only get into the Sunday action at the pub though. Saturday was spent at my cousin's wedding. I watched the morning games from bed or on the tubes. I did download the Football Manager demo, which is pure class. If you ever were a proponent of the old SI Champ Manager, then this is the series you want to play.

So Sunday it is, made it down for the second half of the ManYoo game, which I paid about five minutes of attention to. I think I was talking to the Deputy about food or something, when the Sheriff turned around and said one of the best lines of the week.

I just love Gary Neville's balls.

YES a direct quote. He tried to recover but I know what I heard. It kind of reminded me of this picture.

 

Classic! Need a say more? Sorry Sheriff, told you it was blog worthy and so is that picture. I think it's from one of the cups but I can't remember I must have used it in a previous blog. It just goes to prove something, doesn't it.

(self edit due to the amount of emo suicides lately, don't want to be blamed)

Fine, don't get all mad at me but it's the truth. Now personally I have no problems with you loving on each other like so, that's all well and good. I mean didn't the Greeks do that as well? Just keep it in Manchester.

Anyways, by the time the ManShitty game came on, ManCity himself was quite a few sheets to the wind. He reminded me of the gentleman's wager we had going on and was proper fired up for the match. Too bad it wasn't going to be his day. Originally he was going to head to the bistro to cause a riot but he didn't feel like dealing with the American Football traffic on the south-side.

There was a good crowd on hand for both clubs, which was good to see. HalfArseDean was slumped in the corner being angry. I swear it's quite unusual for him. Myself, or so ManCity himself kept telling me, was out of sorts as well. I don't know.. I think my cousin's wedding killed my spirit. It's the middle of the first half of the football season and you're going to get married. WHAT? Anyways that's all said and done.

So today as I was doing my daily perusal of the Guardian. I found this equally brilliant quote. Now me and Michel P aren't always on the same side of the ball but this is one issue I think we both agree on. I'm just going to totally lift it, damn you copyright.

Uefa's president, Michel Platini, has claimed introducing goal-line technology will lead to "PlayStation football" but admits that referees have to be masochists to cope with all the criticism thrown at them.

He goes on to say;

One referee is not enough, not in the modern era where you have 20 cameras. It is unfair: the cameras can see everything but the referee only has one pair of eyes. Every time he makes a mistake, those cameras are there to focus on it.

Which, like I said, I completely agree with. His idea is to put goal line assistants, right behind the net. While it may be better on paper than actually in practice, I think it's not a bad idea. Ice hockey has something similar going on and it seems to work out, at least they used to, I know they review stuff every now and again but then again Ice Hockey has more play stoppages than Football.

The one true beauty in football is the flow of the game, end to end. The rules, as the Argentines and Italians would say, are a mere suggestion. It is possibly one of the most natural of all the regulated sports, in my opinion.

Joga Bonito?


~LeChat

Shakhtar Donetsk at HOME (CL)

A bit of group H action happening yesterday as the beloved Arsenal delivered the quality that they are capable of. Mind you, I haven't even looked at the game yet. I don't really see the point. I guess I could peruse the highlights but in all honesty, group fixtures really just seem pointless sometimes.

I know that's unfair statement to make, because in some ways it does matter. It matters to the teams that on paper may not look like they have any reason for being where they are. They get to prove themselves. They get to show us their mettle so to speak.

The reality of it is that while they may drag a competition out for a long, long time, it has become a necessary evil. The big boys can't just flash around the money and top named stars. They have to prove it where it counts... on the pitch.

Fairness, equality, brotherhood? Oh that all sounds too familiar doesn't it. Simply put; life is not fair, all are not created equal and brotherhood is a two way street that many simply won't cross.

It's pitiful that lofty principles and ideals are thrown to the wayside. However, it can all be sorted out with these lengthy group stages. I think there need to be more group stages, even though, like I said, they do become tedious.

Yes, that's right I am speaking in complete circles.

Could you imagine though. You arrive at the DMV/MVA and instead of waiting in line because you showed up 2 minutes after the 20 other people in line. You had a group stage to determine your final place in line. I mean it would take just as long but I don't know what kind of competition you could have at the MVA. Maybe based on how big of a fine you had to pay versus some other factor divided by your known emotional quotient multiplied by the IQ of the supervisor on duty.

I think you could get quite a few upsets out of that. OH the guy with the lost tags just dropped to 14th in line, losing to the grandma who hasn't had insurance for the 20 years. What a dramatic turn around we have here. Just goes to show, grandma sincerity trumps douchebags self-entitlement every day. She's worked hard at it.

Oh by the way, YAY EDUARDO! Nice goal and welcome back!
(I took a peek at the goals.)

Well here's hoping for a better world... tomorrow. Now back to my wine.

~LeChat

Birmingham at HOME

Suffice us to say, I just wanted to begin with that phrase. There's nothing in it, kind of like the bleating over Chamakah's penalty...there was nothing in it.

Friday

I usually don't start with my Friday revelry but I must say, the bandmates and myself found our way to Zella's (correct my spelling if needed). It's a rather nice, off the beaten path type of place in the SouthWest. The one thing I will say is definitely good, besides the lack of crappy of people, is the food. Seriously had a wonderful capri sandwich with prosciutto. I've been into eating Italian sandwiches lately, not sure why though.

Saturday

The morning started off well enough. Alright, let's say my phenomenal driving abilities and a pinch of luck allowed me to drive from one side of the city to the other with only a modicum of hiccups.

Yes the ever city clogging marathon event was occurring. I had words with one of the Arsenal faithful about heading down and she was saying it was probably a no go because of that. In my brief memory, I think the Arsenal have had games on marathon day for the last couple of years. Plus I do enjoy finding new routes and testing my tetris like mind upon the nonsensical patterns of the charmed city.

In short, it took me about 10 extra minutes, because of one wrong turn down the road of hope, which resulted in deft manoeuvre that only the Transporter is capable of. A quick trip down the expressway, double back along to Broadway and getting the wave through from the police cadet. Package delivered, i.e. myself.

The pub, of course was low on people, due to the above mentioned marathon. After a certain hour, it's about gridlock, so trip planning is crucial. However, that is not to say there weren't quite a few in there. It was a variety pack of supporters.

HalfArseDean made it in and was not his usual self. I think he threw around a cup of tea, cursed out someone and possibly even ran around with his pants about his ankles. Alright none of that actually happened, well except for the tea part but he wasn't in a good mood.

I mentioned to him that my disillusionment must be rubbing off on him. His reply was something along the lines of "Nah, people are just not right." I'm paraphrasing of course but you get the gist of it.

Later on, A Certain Scouser and the LondonTiger showed up. It was good to see him as he had been doing somethings back home for a bit. Klank and MiniMo came stumbling in for the Chelski match. They were their usually lovable selves.

Sunday

Well it was a different day to begin with all together. No marathon, just the good enjoyment of the Battle o'Scouse. A few of the regulars showed up, eventhough it may not have been their match, it's still a big match.

While I can't say I was wholly satisfied with the result. It was nice to give it out to the Red Scouse. I was suprised by the actual number of Toffees in the place though. They seem to be multiplying as well.

Mentioning the roaches now known as ManShitty, they had a great showing. A few new faces even unrelated to ManCity himself. I think they are doing a great job at promoting the pub, which is always welcomed. There was even a guy who from New York who had left a wedding so he could catch the game. Much props to him, whoever he was... he was scum anyway.

MONDAY!
! YES !
I'm including a MONDAY. If you haven't heard, Shrek Rooney is a bit perturbed at old red nose. He may be walking and I wonder to where? It would be nice for him to return to Everton but I think he's going to end up overseas. Let's just see.

~LeChat

Chelsea Away

OH how I wish this weekend panned out better. I don't really have much to say about it to be honest. Needless to say it was a good time.

The pub was chock full of people. It was essentially alive with song. Which for being a festival weekend, this was a good thing. I think it kept out the little tourist people.

So, without much to say where does that leave me? No where... that's where.

I took a look at the Guardian's analysis which was interesting, for about 2 minutes. Maybe I'm just bitter.. and angry.. no how about disappointed in the whole affair.

Here's a video


~LeChat