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Walcott: What A Diamond Light
I would just like to voice my appreciation of Chris 'Diamond Lights abomination' Waddle for recently voicing his honest opinion of Theo Walcott. Having watched the Arsenal v Burnley on a glorious sunny Saturday afternoon at the Emirates, I can now confirm the Theo really hasn't developed, really does lack a brain, doesn't know what he's doing on the pitch...
Oh, hang on a minute, I must have been watching a different Theo Walcott, as the one I saw passed the ball with deadly accuracy, provided several 'please bang me in Bendtner' crosses (which Nick missed time and again!), scored a goal that Thierry Henry would have been proud of and created space and opportunity for several of Arsenal's seemingly endless chances in front of goal!
Maybe I'll be proved wrong, but over the last few weeks I posted that Theo will be a great player and would be a star of the World Cup and after the Chelsea defeat, I proclaimed that Arsenal could still win the league, given our run-in, even though we were 9 points behind. On both occasions I was slaughtered by all asunder (even fellow gooners!) for wearing rose tinted spectacles and 'avin a laugh'. In response to this I suggested that we take another look at the league table in 3-4 weeks and see how we feel about things then. Well, that time has come... anyone think I was wrong?
Lee (Sansomite, fan of Kenny, not briefcases) off of Walthamstow
...Dear Mr. Waddle,
Having un-jinxed Walcott, can you talk about Bendtner this time instead please?
Chris Gooner
Arsenal Fans Still Supported Bendtner
Your match report of Arsenal v Burnley states: 'The hapless Dane's afternoon was eventually ended when he was replaced by Eduardo with 17 minutes left - the striker being given a somewhat ironic standing ovation.'
Now I know you probably didn't write this, borrowing it from some press feed somewhere, but there was nothing ironic, mischievous and sarcastic or anything else about the intent behind the ovation that Bendtner got. I can only assume that the writer felt that it was ironic that he got any support at all given his performance.
And that's the thing: Arsenal fans are regularly held up as twats for booing their own players, muttering during frustrating spells or walking out during defeats, but on this occasion they were proper supporters of a struggling player and they deserve credit.
His name was sung after every miss along with 'You're gonna score in a minute' and most of us felt he should have been left on to break his duck. He was clapped off for his workrate and the positions he got into to make those misses. Gooners get a lot wrong at the Emirates, but let's at least recognize when they get it right.
Max Benjamin
But What's His Problem?
I'm not sure what to say about Nikki Bendtner, I've never quite seen anything like that. What could be so wrong? Does he have round stumps for feet like the end of a baseball bat? Wenger will say he is "quality" etc etc blah blah blah and all his hard work will pay off etc etc blah blah blah and he is only 15 years old etc etc blah blah blah.
It was like Star Wars football. I started to pretend there was a forcefield around the goal and Darth Bendtner was trying to penetrate it but couldn't because the force in Obi Wan Jensen was too strong.
It was the only thing one could think of once the ball got down into that area. I can't believe Bendtner was laughing when he came off, I would have been fuming with myself. He could have cost us the league, no exaggeration. What did he need from Theo Walcott to score? Was he waiting for Thierry Henry to come and hand him the ball? There's no explanation for it other than BENDTNER IS A C**P STRIKER THAT BELONGS IN THE CONFERENCE LEAGUES.
Dermot Woods
That's What Nasri Does
For all who were questioning what Nasri gives to Arsenal, please take the time out to watch 90 minutes of Arsenal vs Burnley.
Malcolm S
Victory Was Actually A Defeat
I've just finished watching Arsenal beat Burnley 3-1, and my lasting impression is that the game didn't really help them. Clearly it's a valuable three points - but you'd expect them to win 99 times in a 100, and when you're a team with an air of mental weakness and a missing clinical touch, fighting for the title in the period when you have to demonstrate the opposite, you can't just win games like these - you have to romp them, send out a message to the fans, the rivals, and to yourselves, that this is where we're at.
The worst thing is, Arsenal had the chance to do that; anyone who's seen Nicholas 'I'm going to be the best in the world' Bendtner's contribution to the game will know they should have been at least 5-1 up by the sixtieth minute, allowing them time to relax in their superiority, get the feel of it - instead, the last twenty minutes were a nervy, disjointed affair, of the kind that they'll remember if they find themselves in a similar situation against Tottenham or Man City, with a game that needs closing . .
I just can't see them winning the league, they don't feel like a team who wins things, at least as long as van Persie is missing. Bye Cesc - and by the way, why the implication he'll have to come off the bench a lot - what's wrong with Keita Xavi Cesc Iniesta, Messi Henry Ibrahimovic?
Toby Sprigings
The View From Wolves-ManYoo
Conclusions:
- If Rooney's worth to Manchester United was ever in doubt (can't imagine how) then tonight would definitely have proven it irrefutably.
- Nani is back to status quo. Park is much better in that position. Mostly because he doesn't turn into a blithering idiot at times.
- Without a target man Valencia couldn't do much either. Manchester United made quite a few more chances late on as Wolves were pushing on. I think Diouf did add some impetus to the attack. Although his woeful attempts at finishing were a bit of a worry.
- Wolves will definitely not be fined after that performance. However subjective the 'weakened team' fine was in the first place.
- In Kevin Doyle, Wolves have found a very decent, all around forward who is willing to take the game to the opposition and is not entirely bereft of quality at this level. Take a bow Sylvan Ebanks-Blake.
- Rooney missing the midweek Milan clash would be calamitous. Although with Vidic and Ferdinand both fit for a change maybe keeping Milan out may just be doable.
- Words cannot describe the Legend that is Paul Scholes.
AKV
The Sizeable Argument With Berbatov
After watching the Man Utd - Wolves game today I was struck with a sudden flash of understanding, regarding Dimi Berbatov, who was excellent today, all craft and guile. I proceeded straight to wikipedia to look up the career stats of a certain Mr Gianfranco Zola, a player who is roundly acknowledged as being f*****g brilliant.
Well I had a look and their scoring records and they seem pretty damn similar to me, much like their playing styles actually. So why is Berba so often deemed a flop and Zola a genius. Well I have one word for it.....
Bigism! If Berba was a head shorter and a bit scrawnier, everyone would be kissing his ass; just coz he's a big doesn't mean should he play like Drogba or Heskey (god forbid)
That is all.
Josh (MUFC)
Nicely Done
If Pompey do win the FA Cup at least they'll have a pot to pi** in.
Kaspar
Should Pompey Still Be In The Cup?
Firstly, congratulations to Pompey. I'm really pleased for the players and the fans. And especially for Avram Grant, who gets so much unjustified stick from the media and is doing a great job under ridiculous circumstances. If an English manager had done what he did at Chelsea and has done at Pompey they'd be touted for the England job.
But...should Pompey even be allowed to play in the cup? The justification behind a points deduction in the league for going into administration is that the team has in effect cheated: by spending more than they can afford on transfers and wages the club are artificially and unfairly enhancing their ability on the pitch, so must be punished in sporting tems. So why should they only be penalised in the league? The same team and players play in cup games too? If we accept the logic that they've 'cheated' in the league, it should be no different in cup competition. If a team won the double and it was discovered they'd been match fixing, they'd be stripped of both titles.
I'm not saying that Pompey themselves have gained an unfair advantage in the cup this season. In fact, if anything, their financial situation has severly weakened their team. But it seems illogical to only apply their punishment selectively (if indeed they do get a points deduction, which hasn't been decided yet).
John Daniels
Unhappy With The Awful Commentary
Well done to Portsmouth, completely deserved it over the 90 minutes. Our disallowed goal may have changed things but it's doubtful.
But seriously, some major changes need to be made regarding the ITV commentary team. That was the most pathetic 90 minutes of talking I think I have ever heard. Anyone would think that someone had just rounded all the Pompey players parents up and shot them in the pre-game build up.
Pardon me if this is unconventional, but for me "strength though adversity" does not come from being paid tens of thousands of pounds a week to kick a ball around. When you are watching football and some idiot is quoting Winston Churchill through the speakers at you...it's time to have a word.
Best of luck to Pompey, but I hope they get hammered in the semi final if only to put a stop to the most ridiculous commentary I have heard since "THAT night in Istanbul".
Ben "Peter Piper Piqued a Pep of Pickled Pompey" R, Brum
Taking Pompey v Saints To The Mailbox
This is the second time recently I remember someone slagging off Pompey fans and surprise surprise both coming from a Saints fan! Now last time i wrote a really snide and nerdy email about it and decided against sending as I don't want to appear geeky. However you've gone and done it again. So here goes...
Population of Portsmouth = 197,400
Capacity of Fratton Park = 20,224
Average attendance = 18,543 (89.6% Full) http://www.stats.football365.com/dom/ENG/PR/attend.html
Given that we are in a recession, Pompey are playing some p**s poor football, tickets for adults are about £38 (for the good teams), £30 (for the dross), of the 6 games you highlight 3 were early round cup games, the others were late kick-off times, the board lie to us on a daily basis, etc. etc.
Now Southampton
Population of Southampton = 234,600
Capacity of St. Marys = 32,689
Average attendance = 20,386 (62.3% Full)
Now obviously you are in league one and therefore will obviously have lower attendances and your average attendance is commendable, your tickets are also a little bit cheaper but with some good deals for adults and children, you are an on form team, you have a bigger population and therefore higher fanbase, etc. etc. Also it's funny how when your team were going through tough times and entered administration, your average attendance was only 17,849 (54.6% Full)...Shocking!
Dom (yer so what if im a lil nerdy) Pompey
A Line Has Been Crossed
FIFA's decision to close the door on goal line tech, and replays is too much. They don't want to evolve with the times, yet have too much authority. Perhaps the Football Associations of the world need to resign from FIFA, and form a new organization run by people not totally out of touch with reality.
Yours with one paragraph, and no brackets,
Chris Walters
