Tuesday 1 May 2012

By Woyal Appointment


So what happened at the FA?

This is what happened.

1.       Harry was asked to fill out a form. Now we know he’s got the writing of a two-year old so clearly what he scrawled was illegible. Roy Hodgson on the other hand has a fluent hand. Well it’s neat and tidy, if not exactly joined-up, much like the sides he puts out on the park.

2.       Someone at the FA has spent months casting his eye over the relative backgrounds of the only two pretenders to the job and has come to the conclusion, rightly or wrongly that Redknapp might have more skeletons in his closet than the average anatomy lecturer.

They’ve done this sort of thing before. My guess is that the last rather successful England manager was a bit of a geezer n all. And they don’t like that.

Now I’m not talking brown envelopes here – and I’m sure ‘Arry’s stationery is whiter than white anyway, but it’s fair to say that H has had a lot of flies sniffing round his shit for a few years. And the FA don’t want the slightest whiff of dodgy dealings besmirching the good name (ha!) of English footy.

Hodgson on the other hand is as straight as a dye. And that’s despite the fact he occasionally reminds me of the designer of the daleks, Davros. No Inland Revenue investigations, no potty weather-girls on redial, no barmy proclamations about the disabled, and he's prepared to stand out in the open air during bad weather. 

3.       The FA must’ve been impressed with the way Redknapp has put together a frequently scintillating team at White Hart Lane, with quality players throughout the first eleven. But do we really want an entertaining national team? No. Do we want a side that is poor at best being encouraged to swap places at the drop of a hat? No we bloody well don’t.

We want someone who can cobble together a ragtag bunch of individuals into a side that knows what it can and can’t do. Woy’s good at telling players of limited ability and grey matter what to do, where to go, and more importantly what not to do. Speaka da English, Gaffer! 4-4-bloody-2. 

So there we have it. We’re not going to win owt for a few years any road, so why get so flustered and start pretending like Redknapp’s a latter-day Cloughie (minus the trophies)? Just cos the media got all dewy-eyed about cheeky chappie press conferences wiv the ol’ barrow-boy and his charming faux naivete doesn’t actually mean that the FA have to buy it.

Indeed the fact that ManU’s tweetmeisters instantly rallied to darlin’ Arry’s cause would rule him out for sure. They all loved playing for Capello too. Didn't they?

‘Ah’ I hear you cry ‘but what about Woy’s Liverpool debacle, eh?’ Well, I reply, I don’t really give a toss how bad that was. Compared to Kenny’s team’s League form he did all right. The main problem with this appointment is not that Redknapp’s better qualified (he isn’t) or that no Scouser ever saw fit to scrawl SuperWoy on a bedsheet and spread it across the terraces of the Kop, the main bloody problem is that not only will England not win many more games, they’ll be bloody tedious to watch in the process.

The upside is that Hodgson need not linger over the old guard – in fact very few of them appear to be putting out the bunting for him anyway – so at least he might have the nuts to give some younger players a chance to bed in. And I for one wouldn’t mind a period of plucky honesty from some keen young pups even if it does mean we slide down below Hungary in the world rankings. At least expectations won’t be high.

Not as high as they were for the Manchester derby which I found about as absorbing as a bathroom tile. Mancini, under pressure in the second half, resorted to type and manned the barricades rather than pushing for the winner.

Fergie, bewilderingly, chose Park over Valencia and left Hernandez on the bench. When the crunch came, he wheeled Giggs and Scholes hoping that the two wily old shepherds might muster his flock a chance. England’s bright new dawn shimmered like a lit match in a church vault. One puff from Kompany and Smalling was blown out.

Rooney scowled around like a tethered pit bull. United couldn't bring themselves to fashion a chance and in the end the neutral was left wondering how the best league in the world could come up with these two at the top. 

I still reckon three points at Newcastle might be a stretch for Citeh. The Geordies will be eager to restate their case after Moses parted their defence with ease at Wigan. 

Spurs still look favourites for 4th which might give Redknapp some solace if indeed he was ever bothered in the first place. And of course we have Chelsea, who the Nation have embraced, albeit with all the warmth of a sunburnt man hugging a cactus, after the epic 2-2 at the Nou Camp. 

Di Matteo must get the job, which almost certainly means he won't. Even Torres has started scoring goals, even if it was against no defenders in Barcelona - and less than that against QPR. 

Whisper it quietly though. United will still, somehow, win the Premier League.

124 comments:

  1. First?

    --BeeZee

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  2. Woahh can't believe I did it, single biggest achievement of my life :P
    ...now lets read the blog
    --BeeZee

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  3. Great blog as usual Robbo,
    Way Vs. 'Arry analysis was spot on, except for the youth part, not sure if Woy will do the required clean-out,
    do agree with you about IOU nicking it as well,
    no that I care as long as we nail down the 3rd spot which we can't seem to be bothered to do for a month now,

    --BeeZee

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  4. Another fine piece of writing Robbo. Enjoy it always. A fan of yours from Victoria British Columbia CANADA.
    ~ Ray

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  5. Well arrys no Clough is he and the idea that's he's some kind of latter day El Tel is also, as the rev Spooner might of said, not Very Tenable (the man who brought English as fish and chips 442 to Barcelona and won la ligua with it)

    Woy will be okay the fa clearly wanted a steady Eddie rather than a Fast Eddie. They might find they've got an Eddie the Eagle I just hope in these days of austerity (except for the rich) and hosepipe bans with flood warnings attached that they got Woy cheap. Pay him by results and he might end up owing us all money.

    Expectations are on the floor tho. If he manages a draw with azerbaijan hell be knighted

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  6. Does any reasonable Englishman honestly think England could win anything anyway? Even a Mourinho/Guardiola hybrid wouldn't be able to squeeze a trophy out of them, mostly because Mouriola couldn't bring in any Spaniards or Brazilians, nor organize the squad to play like the Dutch or Germans. Aside from Rooney when he isn't banned and Hart five years from now, what have you got? Slow, dimwitted, aging vets through the middle with inexperienced wingers to run about until they pull a hamstring, all without ever looking up. And don't tell me that limiting the number of foreigners in a PL squad would help. What would help is if your local lads were willing to go somewhere else to develop their skills if they didn't get reasonable first-team opportunities in England.

    As for City/United, I rushed home from work to see a replay after staying off sports websites all day. For that?! The most exciting part was watching the managers go at it.

    And just to open a can of worms... were the USA to face England in neutral territory, with everyone fit on both sides... USA 2-1 England. Dempsey and Donovan prove too much for the plodding defenders to handle. Rooney scores a penalty because the US defense isn't too strong (or bright), either. I'm not saying that the USA is a top-10 national side, but I don't buy that England is 22 places better. Even so, that 2-1 would be incredibly boring, because we have little individual brilliance and that's pretty much all you have. By all means, have a go...

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  7. Good stuff Robbo, it's in the bag, Euros and two World Cups comin' right up.

    The FA should have gone for an Eddie Yates type, Blog!

    I think it's admirable Stephen, that for one working day, you stayed off sports websites. Productivity was up I suppose even if the game didn't meet expectations.

    If England played the USA 10 times on neutral ground I reckon England would win the series about 5 - 2 with 3 draws. Although, In Ream and Holden (when fit) you obviously have two world class players that would walk into any team on the planet.

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  8. Great blog Robbo. And ably backed up by Blog's Eddie Theorem (BET). They'll be studying that in universities throughout the land in 5 years' time.

    I think Woy will do as well as anyone could, but whether that will be enough to prevent the media from whipping up a storm of 'We told you so' bullshit I guess only time will tell.

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  9. I think Roy will do the very best available with the players we've got.

    After all he's used to working with poor international teams and making the most of them.

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  10. Morning all, and another top blog, Robbo. Stephane Henchoz (who played under Woy at Blackburn and for Switzerland) said he was great at organising average players into a good team.

    Just what England need, I reckon.

    Frankly, the GB Olympic team is a much better bet this summer (all or most U23, and they can pick Gareth Bale - ON THE LEFT, please) - which should make for a decent team, even if we have to have some Scots in it.


    Jedi.

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  11. I don't think who your manager is really matters to be honest. To smaller teams like the Republic of Ireland it does as the squad is shite and tactically the manager needs to get around it. England are not in that position so I don't think it matters. The teams probably controlled by the Chelski boys anyway.

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    1. England are a small team Rod.At a push you'd say Rooney was high international class,plus Joe Hart,but not much else.The problem any England manager has is the weight of expectation thrown onto his shoulders by the press.

      Where I do agree with you is the manager faces all the stick instead of the players.

      If Roy can get the squad to play as a unit,dull as it may be,and grind out the results then that's the most anyone can expect.

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    2. A team that consistently gets to the quarter finals of major competitions is not a small team. Its simply a combination of bad luck(I think youse almost always meet the eventual winner or finalist in the quarter finals) and not being quite as good as the best 2 or 3 teams.

      So yeah the media are a disgrace for going crazy at "only" reaching the last 8 but the public need to take some of the blame as well. If Ireland get destroyed in all 3 games of the group stage and the Irish media slate them I'm pretty sure most people would complain.

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  12. Good blog Robbo!

    Roy should do good with this England squad as he's proven with clubs like Fulham in cup competitions. What happened at Liverpool was one-off. For sake of England I just hope media wont pounce upon his slightest of mistakes. Give him a chance to build a team for WC 2014. Whether England can win is a different story altogether!

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  13. The problem with Roy is he's great at getting a bunch of players who know their limitations and getting them to outperform as a team. On the other hand the England squad is full of a load of bloated egos who think they are better than they are (due to playing for top clubs with better players all around them) and as such I don't think Roy's collective mentality will go down well.

    Still, he's a better tactician than 'Arry and I think a better bloke, so would rather have him representing our country as manager. Hopefully he can knock a bit of sense into some of the players too.

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  14. I think Woy was hard done by at Liverpool and would like to see him given a fair chance. I do think that he makes a better choice than Harry, simply because he has done stuff at the international level before. I just hope he does the clear out thingy. Hart for captain, and youth everywhere else, even if it means losing in the group stages.

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  15. Not sure about Ream as yet Trotts. Holden definitely one for the future.

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  16. At least they waited until the Baggies' season was settled - unlike when they announced Steve MacLaren's appointment - before Boro played an FA Cup semi and the UEFA Cup final - always helps that does ......
    I'm not bitter - and hey nio typoes ;)

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  17. And remember when Denmark won the tournament that they weren't even in!?!?!? Strange things happen in the beautiful game :)

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    1. Would that include Boro getting to the UEFA Cup final, FBH?


      Jedi

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    2. That was a strange thing Mr Jedi ;)

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  18. I've been impressed with Ream, AH, he seems to read the game so well that he mostly stays on his feet, very unusual for a Bolton centre back. If we can just stay up, he'll be compared to Bobby Moore and Franz Beckenbauer next season.

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  19. Still funny how Henderson was supposed to be the next Beckenbauer...

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    1. He isn't even as good as the current Beckenbauer. Put old Franz on the pitch for 90 mins and he's more likely to find one killer pass. Hendo needs to be loaned out to Bolton I think. You want, Trotts?

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    2. The next Stephan Beckenbauer I think he means

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  20. Nice blog Robbo.

    Woy is the right choice because he is the only choice.

    DOnt think Redknapp would ever be a great international manager what with not being able to buy players and all...

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  21. The FA and the Press Complaints Commission (PCC) receive a large number of objections relating to the front page headline in The Sun newspaper, regarding Roy Hodgson's manner of speech.
    ------------------
    Caweful Wobbo, youw headline could be the next to get to the PCC.

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  22. Woy's appointment smacks of Steve Mclaren being appointed...
    and the crap that ensued from fans and media alike..

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  23. Let's not get too high-horsey about Hodgson's lovely rolled 'R's. Jonathan Woss has built a career on it. It has no bearing on his quality as a manager, just as it has no bearing on Wossy's quality as a TV presenter.

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  24. No chance, Henderson looks worse every week, complete waste of money. A season at Port Vale might help.

    I realised I was dyslexic when I went to a toga party dressed as a goat.

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    Replies
    1. Better than showing up to a costume party in Tennessee dressed as a pig

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  25. In other news as a conciwation prize Woy and wednapp have cowwabowated on the English team and here it is


    Wobinson Paul

    Wichards ..micah
    Wio
    Wuantifiable shawcross
    Wodwell

    Wio coker
    Wooney
    Wichardson kieron
    Wocky bilbao

    Wichards marc
    Walcott

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    1. What is this, Caesar from Life of Brian? Does this mean he will appoint Biggus Dickus as his assistant?

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  26. Mind you if he had a stutter it would have been fuckin hilarious

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  27. Big blow for man citys title hopes as man utd's Howard Webb is reffing the match v Newcastle

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    1. That's getting very boring now!

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  28. Newcastle beat Chelsea and Spurs beat Bolton. It's going to be an explosive penultimate weekend of football. Still all to play for... #COYG

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  29. Is it too late to nominate that second Cisse goal as one of the best ever in the PL? Certainly goal of the season, if nothing else?

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  30. Wow Trotts. Your team must be bad to lose to Spurs. First time ever that Spurs have won at the Reebok, and first time since 2009 that we've scored 4 goals in an away game.

    I have managed to affect the outcomes of this weeks matches via the medium of fantasy footie. Making changes for the first time in a while, and trying to take advantage of the double fixtures for a lot of teams, I dropped Kompany (clean sheet, goal, win for City) in favour of Simpson of Newcastle (4 goals conceded, injured, missed second game and finished with -1 point). I also dropped an out-of-form RVP (scored) for Rooney (sulked). Just got to get rid of my Spurs players and I can then guarantee us 3rd spot.

    And what was the Sun's Woy headline anyhow?

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    1. Noel: just found the headline in the Independent. It was:

      Woy appointed England manager

      BWING ON THE EUWOS

      We'll see you in Ukwaine against Fwance.

      Top work on the FL there, to give us the win v Bolton. Chelski struggling to make 4th now, so would probably have to win the CL to play next year. Big ask against Bayern in their own backyard. I'm off to buy some lederhosen!

      Oh, and well played Newcastle, and Cisse particularly. A lot of my wife's family are disbelieving (in the happiest way) Barcodes.


      Jedi

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  31. load o' bollox. well in it and went for broke way too early. Fkin stupid. Still, I think we'll do well in the Championship as the team will stay together, no fucker will want to buy any of 'em.

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  32. beating West Brom is a big ask, managed by the fuckin' England Manager now!

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  33. Doubt anyone hasn't seen the Cisse goal but just in case...

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysuQdnA2X_Y

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  34. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  35. Congrats Spits on winning the H2H league with 2 games to spare! :)

    I am 2 points behind in 5th place so I need to win both my games and hope Uber Arabs Utd lose against Adam's PSB United for me having any chance of Europe next season.

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  36. Either ways I am guaranteed of finishing with more points than previous season and I am just 52 points away from career best 1961 points collected during 2007/08 season.

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  37. What, me? Won summat?

    You dont say.

    Will have to wait till I get home to confirm if it is so.

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  38. I'm just back from an Amsterdam sojourn. Holland is a country of 12 people and 9 million bikes (Katie Melua was right) yet they manage to produce teams that get to WC finals. Animals admittedly (and me an Everton fan would be the first to admit that Heitinga is second only to De Jong in the knobbly forehead stakes) but they still get there. So, "small team" or nay, why can't Ingurland? Perhaps RH (and less of this Woy nonsense, folk will think you're all Sun readers) is the man to get the kids plus Rooney playing in a fashion that surpasses Dutch over-achievement, but I ain't holding my breath.
    The meeja are delighting in saying that RH is not Redknapp, just as he suffered for not being 'kin Kenny, but when you consider that Kenny's record at pool is worse than Hodgson's in the league, lucky cup runs aside, maybe that's no bad thing.
    In the words of the great Mark E Smith "I Am Kurious Oranj"

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  39. A curious announcement from John Terry.....

    I've got two Champions League final tickets to give away! To be in with a chance, just tell me your address, and send me a photo of your mrs

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    1. You forgot to add - you must find 9/11 jokes funny and not be black.

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  40. 'arry Redknapp will be giving his views on the Euros.

    Can he keep sitting in his Range Rover for the whole duration of the tournament?

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  41. 'arry should stay out of any discussion on currency futures in the Euro zone, best keep them views to himself.

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  42. He Euro has a future? News to me.

    Look I came here to say the Woys rohticism sowwy, wohticism is not a speech impediment its not a disability its a variant pronunciation and therefore fair game for a good piss take.

    Anyways as England manager it won't be long before he falls on his Rs

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  43. not impressed with
    your "emergency hiding place
    sports bag", Q

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  44. The best goal in the 20 year history of the PL is a scuffed misshit off the shin. Unbelievable.

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    1. We talking miss-hit or mis-shit?

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  45. Makes sense to me Bo, especially with the Arsenal voters getting split between Bergkamp and Henry. If either one of them had missed, the other would have won this highly prestigious award and the lifetime's supply of Barclay's Cheque Books that comes with it. Well done Wazza's shin! The 25 year award will be scored by somebody's arse.

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    1. Probably one of the arses that play for Fergie.

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  46. Capello for Chelsea or Capello for Liverpool. Which will be funnier?

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    1. this is even funnier, spits..pigs might fly ....http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/9245877/Chelsea-submit-bid-to-buy-Battersea-Power-Station.html

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    2. they meant to put in a bid for the dogs home.

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  47. Jack, you will receive an email from me soon. Have made two attempts so far but I have fucked up the draft on each ocassion.

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    1. hows the relocation going, bo? do they have football there or are they still kicking around the severed heads of rival tribesmen?

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    2. All going great Blog. I haven't seen a football since I have been here. I asked one of the locals what games where played here. It seems the main game, according to his description, seems to suggest two sets of players running up and down a short space for a predetermined amount of time. The aim of the game is to shoot baskets. Make of it what you will.

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  48. pink floyd inspired adynaton aside, chelsea fc at battersea power station...what a fantastic idea

    Money!

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  49. both cisse and crouchs goals were better than the slightly flukey effort from rooney, and that was this year never mind the last 20

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    1. Paul Robinson's goal against Ben Foster was better than Rooney's goal.

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    2. How about Tim Howard's goal against the opposite goalkeeper (was it Bogdan?)?

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    3. cough cough, yes AH, it was against Bogdan, but he then inspired a famous and rare Bolton comeback to a monumental victory that will one day be seen as the catalyst for the great escape they're about to perform.

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    4. If Bogdan is the catalyst Trott, the rest of the team must be inhibitors.

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    5. Bo, I was talking purely past and future tense, the present is currently over-rated.

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  50. Thank you Pat Rice for a long service to the club.

    3 League titles and 2 doubles plus many a memorable games home and away.

    As Wenger would say,

    Merci beaucoup Patrice.

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  51. Bad result for arse. Spurs favourite for 3rd so bayern scarves at the ready gooners

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  52. Chelski on top here. Liverpool not what they were. Downing as shit as ever.

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  53. The Drog does it again. Brilliant. This game is over.

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  54. Desperation now as Carroll comes on ....will Liverpool survive without that spearing-Henderson midfield partnership?

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  55. Missed the second half...commiserations, AH

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  56. Old etonian amateur 11th Lord Kinnaird and john terry both lift FA cup 4 times "there the similarities end" nice bit of punditry

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  57. Kinnaird played in ever position in the 9 FA cup final he contested, winning 5 including gk

    He became director of Barclays bank, but gained a reputation as a hacker and used his influence to expunge from the record the fact that he scored the first ever significant own goal in his first FA cup final.

    In a match between old etcronyians (see what I did there?) and Cambridge university, after facing Kinnaird, Alcock and Morton Peto Betts were "sufficiently disabled to be unable to play for England in the first official international, two weeks later."

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  58. Howdy folks, been a bit busy lately hence my absence.

    Nice Blog once again Robbo.

    So, after that whole circus (admitedly mainly media fueled) about 'Arry the F.A in their ultimate wisdom go and appoint Woy (sue me PCC) England manager. I personally didn't believe that Mr Redknapp was the man for the job, however, once again those that are charged to administrate our beloved game handled the whole situation appalingly.

    I'm as far away as you can get from one who could give a flying fuck about the well being of Sp*rs, but even I thought that they were hard done by. 'Arry played the game (via the media) showed a bit o' leg, flashed his knickers and gave the F.A a "come hither and ravage me" look. They let the poor tart hoar himself out for a good few months before unceromoniously chosing someone else to get into bed with. Why take so long? It seems pretty obvious to me that 'Arry was never really in the running yet they let him lie there with his legs wide open stinking the whole gaff up.

    So what now for the forlorn and rejected? Surely this whole sordid affair has damaged his relationship with his current loved ones. (Levy and fans) The public flirting, with what he saw as the bigger, better deal (ironically the same kind of way he dumped Portsmouth) must leave a pretty nasty taste even in mouth of the most ardent pro 'Arry spudling. Some may even argue that it ruined their season, robbing them of their first real chance since 1961 (or 51 years, 2 weeks and 5 days if you want to be pedantic) of winning the league. Sp*rs capitulation since Cappello resigned has been pretty unbelievable, I know for sure I'd be pretty miffed if the manager of my club had fucked around with our season like that.

    Fortunatly for 'Arry help has come from the most unlikely of sources....
    Arsenal's stubborn refusal to take the third place so kindly offered to them by their two London neighbours incompatance may very well let the Spuds claim a CL place and that maybe enough for the fans to kiss and make up with the old Jessabell.

    Levy on the otherhand might be a different story, he doesn't seem to me like the type of guy who'd enjoy being two timed and seen as the sloppy second option. 'Arry has only one year left on his current deal, will he be offered a new one?

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    1. They were lining up brendan Rodgers as I understand it H and I thought you know what he'd be a good fit there

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  59. I see the clocks up the duffer again.

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  60. As for Roy, well, he doesn't really do it for me either.

    He may of "ticked all the boxes" but unless you're as illiterate as 'Arry then thats no real biggie.

    Many will point to his Anfield experience and just as many claim that that was just a one off.
    Short memories my friends, didn't he also get the Spanish Archer from Jack Walker after he guided Blackburn to the bottom of the PL?

    On the plus side he has experience in leagues around Europe and International pedigree as the coach of Switserland which probably makes him the most qualified English manager out there and scarily showing how small the pool is that we can choose from.

    But here's the biggest bummer... He's not a media darling, they won't give him their seal of approval. The self appointed moral knights and knowitalls when it comes to International Football Management will probably make his life hell at every turn. Every decision will be scrutinised and every slip will be applauded and ridiculed. 'Arry was their man and his rejection is their rejection and they're hurt about it.

    I would have thought he would of learned his lesson at Anfield, but it seems not, as once again it looks like he's going to take on a job that many think is too big for him and also too many don't want him in.

    It'll be interesting to see if he can galvanise the squad. Will the Golden (shower) Gen' give him the chance? Will he have the balls to get rid of the old guard and finally be a manager that picks the team on form and not reputation? Will the new kids on the block get a look in or will it be the same ol', same ol', where the likes of Crouch and Heskey get into the squad because of experience?

    I wish him luck, because gawwwd dammmn, he's gonna need it. The timing of his appointment just seems all wrong to me. Two weeks before the end of a season and just a few weeks before the start of a major tournament leaves him way too short a period to get acclimatsised and make any real plans. It looks to me that he is being set up to fail, a sacrificial lamb being served up to the masses to help the public forget about the total incompetance of the FA and the appaling circumstances that lead to the former manager leaving.

    I could be wrong though and England will win everything and be the bestest, reclaiming their rightful spot amongst the world elite. (ahem.)

    Go WOY!!!

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  61. Liverpool apparently got robbed today.

    There's a joke in there somewhere.

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  62. I thought the ball did not 'completely' cross the line but I am glad I was not the one to have to make that decision.

    Not easy being a football referee.

    Any help the poor sods can get, the better.

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  63. Thanks for the blogs Robbo.

    I think Roy (note PCC, sue Robbo not me!) will not have the copon to
    1 Name a squad of players that will play their hearts out for him.
    2 Give them all a holiday until May 23.
    3 Keep them away from the media for the duration.

    Doom and gloom Roy. You will make all the same mistakes that Cappello made in the world cup.

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  64. Roger T.

    Hope you enjoyed your visit to my nations capital and didn't just do the stereotypical sit in a coffee shop and get stoned thing.

    You say that Holland have over achieved, in a way you maybe right because this is a relatively small contry with a population of approx 16.8 million. However, the way the game here is coached and administered from grassroots is lightyears ahead of the UK.

    The kids get proper training in technique, tactics and touch in various positions on smaller pitches and not just dumped on a full size pitch to kick and rush with the fat lad in goal and the biggest kid as centre forward.

    Untill the whole way the game is taught in the U.K. is changed, the national teams will never really stand a chance against the more modern trained, tactically aware, Spanish, French, Dutch and German teams.

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  65. What?

    No one want third place then?

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  66. That's the Dutch Myth, anyway, H.and there's probably some truth in it. Not sure it stands up to too close scrutiny, tho.

    Internationally. They've won no more than Denmark or greece....one euopean cup (their only final).Let's not forget that only 8 top footballing countries have won the wc we,re one of them and Holland aren't. A few 2nds 3rds maybe but 2nd is nowhere in football.

    In the club competitions, I think the Dutch Mirage (c) has as it's cornerstone the great Ajax set up from the 70s when they won everything... Feyenoord and eindhoven chipped in. But compare the club record of dutch teams with Italy. Spain yes even england and itsnowhere near as good.

    Even the small over achieving country if super coaching claim could be questioned, I saw a stat, can't be bothered to check it out, which showed that england was way behind Holland in the number of kids who actually play football (and thee usa had one of the highest number of youth players) .fact is there are lots of sports in the UK and....this is where I came into this blog....there's a class cultural apartheid with the middleclasses ending up even when they don't start off,directing little jeremy and Tristan into rugby cricket rowing etc.

    It's certainly a myth that the coaching in the UK is uniformly shit. I see some brilliant coaching but yes it's fucking ridiculous that my 11 year old is running around on a full size pitch. Them tiny wee goalies in full size goals, sort it out FA yiu always say you're going to....

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    Replies
    1. Sssshhh Bloggy, stop being a mythbuster.

      As for the coaching in the UK, I can only talk about personal experience and what I've seen here was way beter then what we had in Hingland when I was a nipper.

      Over here the toffs play Hockey, there's just about enough of them to make a few teams, internationally Holland aren't to bad at it, same goes for Volleyball and the favourite sport here in the region, skating.

      The Dutch are also the current World Champions at baseball. (that's glorified rounders for you UKers)

      As for not winning the WC that's true, just as England have never won the Euros, in fact England have never won anything in my lifetime nor have they appeared in a final, where as the Dutch have been to three WC finals and won a Euro.

      Forget the club competitions, the Ere Divisie can no longer compete with the other European leagues, however that said. Ajax beat Man U at Old Toilet this season and there was a Dutch team (AZ) in the last 8 of the Europa League, which is futher then any PL teams got.

      Delete
  67. Sir Alex Ferguson accuses big-spending Manchester City of ruining the transfer market as he desperately seeks to prevent the noisy neighbours sabotaging Manchester United's season.

    Full story: Sunday Express
    ======
    Says the man who over the years has splashed out 30 million a pop on a defender, a kid and a striker he leaves on the bench.

    Hypocrite much?

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  68. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  69. a "coach" was just a name for a posh bus when I was a lad. COME ON YE WHITES!

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  70. So I went playing cricket today and came back to see that Arsenal are still 3rd despite being shite off late (again) and somehow the dutch have now the presidency of France?

    Mental.

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    Replies
    1. Mental indeed, what the fuck were you thinking??

      Playing cricket, humph.

      Delete
  71. MOTD is becoming a fucking joke, AW stubbed them this week, not surprising due to the antics of that jug eared crisp whore last week.

    But during the highlights of Ars V Nor the commentater talks about "Sagnas mystery injury"

    How the fuck is it a mystery? He was stamped on, albeit maybe by accident, but still stamped on;

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2MDLMWRUfY&feature=youtu.be

    You'd think that they'd at least want to get something right journalisticly.

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  72. Lineker attempts at humour are indeed embarrassing.

    Watching it on motd left the impression that he broke his leg by kicking the ball so thanks for the link H.. Looked nasty.

    Terrible defending from arsenal in that match. Bolton threw it away in the last 15.

    Now down to the last match top and bottom. Not a classic season but always exciting never ever predictable

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  73. Holloway2HollandMay 6, 2012 04:26 PM

    You'd think that they'd at least want to get something right journalisticly.
    ----------------------------------------
    Have you not read McNulty's work, H? The last thing the BBC goes for these days is getting things right journalisticly (made up word alert).

    So Spurs couldn't even beat Aston fucking Vanilla. Last match at home against Fulham, who are flying. I stand by my earlier prediction of a 6th placed finish. Maybe we could get Martin Jol back over the summer?

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  74. http://www.offthepost.info/blog/2012/05/didier-zokora-v-emre-lets-kick-racism-in-the-balls/#more-22210

    This is brilliant.

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  75. Not for quiet a while Noel.

    Only browse through the gossip page now and again.

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  76. The previous comment was a reply to the "Haven't you read McNulty lately" question. The reply thingy not working again.

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  77. Bolgidy.

    The MOTD Highlights didn't do the game justice. Arsenal were dire in the first half, the defending waasn't only bad, it was embarassing, worse then schoolboy level. Norwich ripped us apart and should of been out of sight before the interval.

    Even in the second half it took us a while to get going, it didn't really get better untill Sagna and Ramsey (who was fortunate to still be on the pitch) were subbed. We then did well to get back in it only to switch off completly and throw it away again.

    The referee was completly fucking clueless, I've never seen an official get so many decisions wrong, don't get me wrong, I'm in no way blaming his complete ineptitude for our result because he was as bad for Norwich as he was for us, they too should have had a penalty and as previously mentioned Ramsey should have seen red.

    I also watched the entire Villa - Sp*rs game, my god what has McLeish done to Villa? They were absolute pants. Even though Danny Rose was sent off, you really couldn't tell that Villa had the man advantage. They couldn't keep pocession for longer then a few seconds and gifted the ball to Spurs almost as soon as they had it, terrible, terrible, terrible. Behalf from Wolves the worst team in the PL this season, I don't care what the table says.

    'Arry told the cameras he was 'appy with a draw, I don't believe that for a second, the Tiny Tots had more then enough chances to win that game and leapfrog Arsenal, I hope we don't give them another bite at that particular cherry.

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  78. Sir Alex Ferguson believes the "unethical" manner of Mark Hughes' sacking by Manchester City could help United in the title race - with City due to play QPR next weekend.

    Full story: Manchester Evening News

    *Hand *Clutch *Straws

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  80. Aston Villa fans failed to get their protests against manager Alex McLeish off the ground.

    Full story: Birmingham Mail

    The same fate their season suffered.

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  81. I did a double take when I saw heskey was still in their team, H. What were they thinking employing mcliesh?was it gratitude for getting their rivals relegated? I see a flaw in that plan.

    On the man city game you've. Got to hand it to mancini, he got that substitution spot on when de Jong came on for nasri

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  82. Well the vale ended just below rtherham and shots. If we had the ten points we would have ended just above them, three points and two places off the playoffs.

    Considering the players weren't paid and the club was in limbo for two months I think we would have been in the mix.

    It's been a terrible year...administration...fans unhappy withe the board and running a Starve em Out (of the playoffs) campaign....Mickey Adams back after his disastrous holiday in Sheffield to restore order after the calamity named Jim Gannon. Btw Geoff horsfield who was the protagonist in the Busgate incident a year ago has just left football completely to set up a building firm.

    There's always next season....

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  83. Well the vale ended just below rtherham and shots. If we had the ten points we would have ended just above them, three points and two places off the playoffs.

    Considering the players weren't paid and the club was in limbo for two months I think we would have been in the mix.

    It's been a terrible year...administration...fans unhappy withe the board and running a Starve em Out (of the playoffs) campaign....Mickey Adams back after his disastrous holiday in Sheffield to restore order after the calamity named Jim Gannon. Btw Geoff horsfield who was the protagonist in the Busgate incident a year ago has just left football completely to set up a building firm.

    There's always next season....

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  84. Bloggy.

    Mancini got his tactics right, was a gamble that paid off,m but once again the highlights (I presume you watched them on MOTD) don't paint an accurate picture of the whole game.

    Moving Yaya slightly more forward made Citeh look a lot more vunrable, even with de Jong coming on to replace him. Newcastle looked the more likely to score and if they had I think they might of won.

    All speculation on my part ofcourse and Yaya did take his chance well. Fair play to Citeh, it's theirs to lose now.

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  85. Vale will be champions next year and Oh how you will laugh when you think back at all the current problems.

    The only way is up mate.

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  86. Blog
    I heard you the first time, so we all finished mid table, that's what we are

    Lets see who will be champions next year, esp in the New York Stadium, still not sure about our manager

    As for EPL, good to see City win it(well almost), overall Henry has shown greater ability in tactical awareness over SAF

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  87. And Blackburn are gone. Feel bad for the supporters whose team has been taken over and run into the ground through mismanagement. Some of them haven't helped things along the way I'm sure, but I'm sure I'd protest too if my team was run like that. I think relegation will be good for them.

    So who's next? Bolton or QPR? I'll be cheering for Bolton next weekend.

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    Replies
    1. Noel, probably right about relegation UNLESS they go into freefall, and end up in Div 1 or 2 (which is possible).

      Steve Kean isn't good enough to be a Prem football manager, but which decent (so in demand) manager in his right mind would go work for Venky's? Should be a case of "Total shambles: you're fired". But then what?

      Feel desperately sorry for the Blackburn fans. The owners, manager, and some of the players got exactly what they deserved.


      Jedi

      Delete
  88. God I hope it's qpr.
    Bisq

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  89. Wolves - sack mcarthy - relegated
    Blackburn - sack big Sam- relegated
    Qpr - sack wanker (sorry warnock) ......
    Here's hoping faith and trust prevail plus qpr losing will guarantee Manure lose the title
    Bisq

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  90. I'm ever so slightly more confident that Bolton can win at Stoke (who have fuck all to play for and might as well stay in bed) than I have confidence in QPR getting a point at City. On the other hand, the commentator said Blackburn will get 48 million over 4 years parachute money. That's more than the Chicken Masters paid for the club! Fucked up.

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  91. Choosing between QPR and Bolton for who you want to stay up is a hard choice but it looks like (the rest of the season's luck and misfortune aside) that Clint Hill's disallowed goal for QPR against Bolton may well prove to be the difference in who stays up and who goes down. In fact, if that goal had been given, Bolton would already be down.

    The ref's need help with these decisions(maybe in this case they needed Specsavers) - That one fuck up could cost QPR their place at the cash trough.

    Rastafairy

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  92. New blog's up H :)
    --BeeZee

    ReplyDelete
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