England, #Euro2016 Elimination & a 25+ year problem

Now that the dust has settled...just a touch, let's look at England v Iceland and why we were dumped out of Euro 2016, by a side from a country with a population comparable to the amount of people you see at Champions league winners parades for individual domestic sides in England.

I could go with what I like to call traditional #parisiticmedia rhetoric, blaming players for not performing, blaming the manager for selection and poor tactics etc but I'm not going to go for the easy fix...why? More on that later.

Fact is, as we've discussed on Pitch Talk shows and videos, the latest major tournament elimination for England goes so much deeper than just an overrated but underperforming squad, or a manager not utilising the players correctly, it's the good ol' boy networks that aren't letting talent be developed and coming with half baked ideas to try and win tournaments.

Case in point, Mr Greg Dyke, the head honcho at the FA (or to give him his official title, Chairman of the FA) coming out in 2013 and saying his targets for England were to get to the semi finals of Russia 2018 and win the Qatar 2022 world cup, which is all good in terms of having targets, but like we discussed & asked on Pitch Talk live, how was he going to get to that ludicrously overly ambitious target, (that in all honesty, probably sounded like delusions of grandeur even to a tabloid headline writer) and the ideas were abysmal.

First, was the Premier League B-Teams in the football league idea, utterly terrible and does nothing but keep even more of a monopoly at the top of the game, which of course would be music to Richard Scudamore's ears as he hears cash registers ringing, but is like nails on a chalkboard for the rest of us fans.

The second half baked idea was more recent and was Premier League academy sides being allowed to compete for a season (as an experiment/1 year trial) in the recently rebranded Football League Trophy (now called the EFL Trophy).

To me, these 2 ideas are bad enough in terms of showing the utter ineptitude and narrow mindedness that needs to be totally eradicated from the powers that be in football, but these are just recent examples and I believe the mediocrity of the England team at major tourneys has gone on for 25+ years, and by mediocrity I mean the fact that the last time we reached a semi final of a major tournament was 20 years ago this summer and we've missed out on 2 major tournaments in that time (yes i'm including Graham 'Do I not like that' Taylor's tenure leading up to missing out on USA 94).

Another couple of examples of reason why we can't develop and thrive as a footballing nation are politics/good ol' boy networks, and football development (or lack thereof).

Politics, in my view, never mix well with football, just look at the Pitch Talk Rant of the Week where we discuss David Cameron talking about Sepp Blatter & murky politics years ago, hell, look at Sepp Blatter just in general, but i digress, the politics i'm referring to are all internal at the FA/Premier League level.

I've always maintained that Theo Walcott was on the plane to the 2006 world cup in place of Darren Bent purely because David Dein had stroke (to borrow some pro wrestling vernacular & drop an #OWR) at the FA at the time, as he hadn't kicked a ball in the Premier League, but Bent at Charlton was one of the highest, if not the highest scoring Englishman in the Premier League and that was 10 years ago, remember, Dein was Vice-Chairman of Arsenal & the FA at the time... no coincidence.

Fast forward to Euro 2016 and similar situations in relation to selection (I feel) raised their head again as Jack Wilshire was picked in the initial 26, then the final 23 man squad to go to France, but Danny Drinkwater who was a major cog in the Leicester City title winning side missed out.

This was made even worse not only by the fact that Wilshire had 1 single start for Arsenal (in the final game of the season) after being injured ALL SEASON, I repeat... INJURED ALL SEASON, but it was apparently stated that Theo Walcott (who is consistently inconsistent) wasn't included as he didn't play enough...

I'm not throwing people under the bus to scapegoat, i'm just saying that these decisions sound like they're being made and directives are coming from a lot higher up than the manager, but he's the face of it, so he takes the bullet for it, Hodgson quitting straight after the embarrassing Iceland defeat was somewhat of a surprise, but not much as he basically jumped before he was pushed as Greg Dyke, just DAYS BEFORE THE MATCH, basically buried Roy by saying he wasn't sure if he'd renew his contract. If I was in that position i'd have had my resignation letter drafted whilst thinking 'I can't wait to tell Dyke to s*ck it' as I walk out whilst dropping the microphone during the post match press conference.

Call me a conspiracy theorist if you want but I think the problems with our nation as a footballing entity (as well as a nation in general, but that's another story) run deeper than a 23 man squad and a manager making poor tactical decisions.

The lack of quality we're producing is a major concern and this is about football development. The grass roots game, by which I mean football you aren't paid to play, for example; park football, Amateur football (For those who don't know I play for Ibis Eagles AFC in the 14Fourteen Southern Amateur League) etc has been disgracefully betrayed during this period, with the closing of open areas, free/municipal pitches where young players (especially those from impoverished backgrounds who can't afford coaching classes) honed their craft. If kids have nowhere to experiment and hone their skills, how can you produce the next generation of talent? Nathaniel Essex aka Sinister genetically producing the perfect footballer from the dna of the legends of the game? (I loved the X-Men animated series from the 90s & Wolverine & the X-Men from 2009).

Anyway back to the story, to me, this is completely backwards considering guys like Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Paul Gascoigne, Paul Scholes, David Seaman, Gary Lineker etc, who are considered some of England's greatest ever players, started by honing their skills in schools, kicking a ball against a wall, or at a local park/rec ground with jumpers for goalposts or an open/free pitch, but the FA gives minuscule amounts of money and support to help that game not just survive, but thrive and progress, and development is all about developing talent, nurturing and making the talent better isn't it?

I could go into facts and stats behind the decline in the grass roots game and the paltry, patronisingly small amounts of money divided around a huge cross section of the game by an obscenely rich elite in football but we've done it on many Pitch Talk Live shows and the fact is until the above 2 reasons are sorted and huge cultural shift happens, the same failings will continue to happen.

Sadly, until the powers that be cure their own seemingly terminal case of rectal cranial inversion, get rid of the good old boy mentality which predicates short termism over having a long term plan and sticking to it, we won't succeed as a nation, which is why I am such a fan of what we mentioned on Pitch Talk Live about China's 34 year plan to become a football superpower by 2050.

We need a long term plan because the powers that be running English football don't have one, any manager going into the England job is basically hamstrung because there is no plan and because there is no plan we're doomed to fail.

As 2 examples of potential solutions, as much as I am ultra critical of Sepp Blatter, his 6+5 rule if implemented right, in theory may have helped, but there are so many other rules that would need closing as well, it's a legal and administrative nightmare. The home grown rule in the Premier League would need closing as that contains a gaping hole, making it about as useless as a chocolate teapot, just like FIFA's residency rules to me are as useless as making a condom out of tissue paper.

In terms of a proper solution, a long term plan including PROPER FUNDING for grass roots football and proper support (as we've discussed on Pitch Talk Meets interviews) for that area of the game need to be implemented and monitored in terms of where the money is going. The term 'grass roots projects' (that is thrown around more freely than the words 'world class' and 'legend') is so vague that it means bugger all to anyone but to those running & ruining the game, whilst lining their own pockets and keeping their friends in positions of power.

Scudamore and the Premier League could give less than a damn about the future of the England team because the Premier League is all about cash and greed, in my humble opinion, but the FA need to work with them to help the England team succeed, but to do that, they need to change their own culture to focus on the we we we, rather than just me me me. 

England as a football team at senior level really remind me of a lyric Barry White song that my old friend Spoonface and Black Legend did a cover of 'You see the trouble with me' and like the last part of the chorus, England... 'this girl's gonna drive me crazy'.

The FA on the other hand (especially Greg Dyke, who I've never been overly impressed with), remind me of an HBK Shawn Michaels line whenever they come up with a 'plan/s' to revolutionise English football, and that line is 'If I wanted crap out of you, I'd pick it out of your teeth'.

As much as I could go into more detail, I don't want to send anyone to sleep, so let me clear my throat and encapsulate.

In terms of long term planning & execution, Spain have reaped the rewards, Germany are currently reaping the rewards (after we gave them the kick up the backside they needed in 2001 to start it off) and England aren't beyond repair, but it'll take a complete culture shift, committal to the formulation & execution of a long term plan (20+ years ahead) to repair the damage done over the last 25+ years.

Football is my microcosm of society as i've said for many years and just like in wider society, we're a lot stronger as a unified force, than we are as a divided one.

I'm Straight Shootin' LJA & that's my opinion!!!

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SSLJA's 2016 Europa League Final thoughts

Been a while since i've blogged but with the dust barely settled; the banter flying about the 2016 europa League final between Liverpool and Sevilla (which the latter won 3-1) i thought i'd chime in with my thoughts.

As i've said before on #ptlive shows and to others too, it'll take a good season and a half to see the true Klopp effect as he'd have a full preseason and get in the players he feels he needs to implement his philosophy rather than some square pegs in round holes, he's done well with the parts he had but it's underlined the necessity to strengthen in the summer, Matip will be a welcomed addition but even if we'd have won tonight there'd need to be a clear out as well as major additions.

Hand ball appeal in the first half, would have been harsh to give, Lovren's goal disallowed, correct decisions given on both in my view and of course as a Kopite it hurts me to say.
Looked like like we ran out of energy 2nd half as we didn't get touch tight with any of the goals, as much as I hate to play the blame game Moreno was at fault twice for the 1st goal which was the momentum shifter, then majorly (not the only one) at fault for the 3rd goal as well.

Gladly in his post match interview Jurgen Klopp didn't start throwing people under the bus, criticising his players, or trying to bury the referee, he took responsibility for the performance and the defeat, stated the fact that he'd been in charge 7 months and that he'll use the experience to spur on the players going forward, use the heartache as a boost as you won't want to feel it again. In some ways it's a blessing in disguise not to have european football next year as similar to 2013/14 we can have 1 goal, 1 focus (to quote WWE superstar HHH from mid 1999) so it'll be interesting.

That final is why (as i've said to numerous people) I didn't want Sevilla in the semi finals as they have pedigree in the europa league and i'm not dropping a HHH #owr this time (Obligatory wrestling reference for those who join us for PTLive shows). The fact is congratulations Sevilla have 3-peated consecutively and deserved it, imagine how p*ssed they'd have been if they'd lost after winning it twice and the new provision of a champions league group spot being brought in as a prize...

It's a real shame really but this is the beginning, not the end for Klopp's reign and his building of the squad.


I'm Straight Shootin' LJA, I am a proud Kopite & that's my opinion!!!
Come on you Redmen!!! #YWNA


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@DaGman's Top Ten Funniest names in Football

The beautiful thing about the game is it’s not just the football side of things that keep us entertained and you can clearly see/hear this on our lives shows (Pitchtalk Live every Monday night). We have so much fun and cover all aspects of the game, we like to tap into the serious topics of debate but also let our hair down (we'll for me it's my beard) and incorporate the side of the game that gives us giggles. The following segments “funny tweets and funny quotes”, “stuff of the week”, “What’s up with That!” These are all segments which tend to show the lighter side of the game and trust me we've been left catching our breaths on many occasions. 

Now if you’re keeping up with all the FIFA stories, scandals and the upcoming elections, you will have heard of a candidate called TOKYO SEXWALE…. Looooool! Like Really??? Yes Really! #TEARS

Today this blog will be dedicated to those who bring so much joy to the footballing world with their well thought out/unfortunate names. I will be naming my Top Ten Funniest names in football! And please feel free to add any names you feel that are deserved to be on my list, just drop them in the comments section below. If you could also help to share this blog that would be appreciated too. The list is in not particular order of favourites to be fair anyone of these names would give me sh**s for giggles!

1. TOKYO SEXWALE – FIFA presidency candidate (could be president by the time you read this blog). He’s best known as a South African businessman, politician, anti-apartheid activist, and former political prisoner. If he was a player I'd bet LVG would want him in his Horny team!

2. PAUL DICKOV – Has to be a personal favourite, Ex Arsenal, Man City, Blackburn, Leicester City player among other sides. Best known for his spell at the Sky blues… but he’s best known to me because all them years back then in school his name was used as replacement swear word (“Why don’t you Dickov?”, “Dude you’re a Dickov!”).

3. ROD FANNI – First thing that comes to mind is DEPOL, do i really need to explain why?, Let’s just say just imagine being called Vagina or Pum Pum! It's got to be a hard one to take. (There’s a joke in their somewhere and in their too… Oh stop!)

4. LARS BENDER – German International who let’s just say probably doesn’t like bending over!

5. BERNT HAAS – former Sunderland and westbrom right back, having played for those two team I guess there were occasions where he lived up to his name.

6. DANNY DRINKWATER – When I first heard a commentator pronounce his name all that popped to mind was “Danny drinks what?” Ingenious I think not but at least I found it funny.

7. DEAN WINDASS – Just looking at that facial expression, it's not smelling good! :p

8. DAVID SEAMAN – Former Arsenal legend played in goal and fortunately for the gunners, the former goalkeeper wasn’t as slippery as his name may suggest!

9. BRIAN PINAS – Signed for Newcastle from Feynoord and never played a game for 2 seasons! Say’s it all really!

10. CHARLES N’ZOGBIA aka INSOMNIA – Not exactly a funny name as such but when your manager quite flippantly miss pronounces it, it becomes hilarious as hell! Joe Kinnear did exactly that when talking to the press about Charles N’zogbia and this didn’t go down to well with the player or those close to him.

This Blog of Events has been brought directly to your screens by Gavin 'Gman' Henry

Toyko SEXWALE

Paul DICKOV

Rod FANNI

Lars BENDER

Bernt HAAS

Danny DRINKWATER

Dean WINDASS

David SEAMAN

Brian PINAS

Charles INSOMNIA

Help the Refs

If you’re a regular to our blog page you may know that we have a dedicated writer by the name of Dave Meiers aka @meiercy (twitter handle) who tackles the subject of referee’s, with him being a referee an ex-professional referee and all. However this weekend I feel compelled to chime in on the situation of refereeing after seeing the comical acts of Mike Dean and his officials yesterday during the Chelsea vs Arsenal London Derby. This isn't an attack on Mike Dean as such, as having done refereeing myself (level 8 ref, passed the basic course back in 2013) I know what sort of pressure he is under as a ref and how overwhelming situations can become especially when incidents explode as they did on Saturday Afternoon. In saying that I haven’t actually seen the full game yet but I have seen the highlights of key incidents and I’m absolutely dumbfounded by what I’ve seen, all that comes to mind when looking back is "One rule for one and another rule for others".

So to start let’s just say YES! Gabriel's red card was deserved, there can not be any arguments levied here! He had already been shown a yellow card for reacting with his initial clash with the Despicable Costa, he allowed his aggression to get the better of him and understandably Mike Dean carded him (I assume hoping to diffuse the situation) but after Gabriel back heeled Despicable Costa in front of the referee, he's given Dean no option but to Red card him. It was also deplorable seeing the Chelsea players surrounding the ref, with Fabregas even acting out a back heel gesture in hope to help the referee make the decision. Yet as said there is no denying at all, it was a clear sending off. 

However using that logic Costa should have been red carded as well if not at the same time, before that incident. Three Incidents clearly seen by teammates, fans and most importantly video cameras show the Brazilian born Spanish Internationals misdemeanours. Hand’s in Boscielny Face, Chest bumping the Boss to the floor and slapping both Boscielny and Super Gab were rewarded with telling offs. We've seen players being sent off for lesser offences yet it seems whenever Costa is involved it’s never him and he’s always the victim. I’m starting to feel that Mourinho speech about Chelsea being the Little Horse of English football has affected the way Referee’s approach Chelsea games. It’s almost as if Costa specifically is getting an easy ride being that he plays for the little horse of a team called Chelsea Football club.

On a real note and getting back to the issue, my thought’s are as follows. The way referees are fulfilling their jobs is of a bygone era. An Era where technology wasn’t available and everyone was expected to respect the referee's final word. As he was the ultimate official of the game, the Judge Dredd so to speak. Romanticist of this era may miss this type of logic but now with multiple replays, in game stats and multitude of camera angles the referee's are not the all seeing eye anymore! In fact viewers see more than the referee does and they are not even physically at the game. In my opinion referees now need more help, they are struggling out there. The way the game is being watched is progressing on all fronts, yet the referee's are still subjected to post 90's tech to officiate games and they no longer need to struggle with just making split second decisions. They have a 4th official, so why not use him sufficely. He should be sitting or FIXED at a monitor sweeping up all the decisions the referee has missed and reporting it back into the ear of s/he and their officials. (All decisions). People claim doing something like this would take away from the game (I used to claim this) but thinking about it now, how can it, it can only improve the game and improve the standard of officiating. Taking away from the game would be to allow big errors to be made week in week out, which therefore ends up costing teams.

It seems so wrong that the 4th official only steps in when he wants and basically leaves the ref & his officials in the quagmire of ill decision making! I'm pretty sure if players and fans knew there was someone on the sideline who was assisting the referee, judicating from the sidelines. Helping the referee make the right decisions and the decisions end up being right. I’m pretty sure fans would not object, players would not object and neither would managers or clubs, so much of the game would clean up. Just imagine the incidents of yesterday, with an active 4th official, who is using this tech to assist the referee, he could have interpreted exactly what he saw on video play back to his on field officials, giving them second by second accounts of what had happened. The ref would have been instructed about the face grappling incident, the face slapping and neck squeezing! (Read that sentence alone and it sounds like a kinky sex game but believe me it was nothing of the sort) By having someone who’s actively involved, watching the game, seeing the things the referee couldn't have seen would be of so much help. It would allow the referee to be that all seeing eye again. Would help the referee make his mind up about key incidents because the case right now is referee’s are looking rather incompetent and silly. Especially when Sky, BT sport, BBC, ITV etc are broadcasting images across the world which show a referee making what is seen as blatant mistakes. Compared to other sports Football is starting to look like somewhat of a joke, Rugby, Cricket, Tennis & NFL to name a few all use video official to assist them in decision making and what it seems to do for those sports is provide consistency in officiating. There is no excuse to have all this tech, the monitors, access to replays, ear pieces for communication etc... and not a make 100% use of it. It could help with so many incidents like diving, fouling, etc as it does with Goal Line tech. 

Again I repeat the argument against has always been that tech will ruin the game and I was once a believer of this, however after the introduction of goal line tech I can't see an argument for not having or using any tech that will improve the game. Goal Line tech has proved It works and helps the referee massively, to the extent that once the Goal line Tech has made the decision, players don't even bother remonstrating… The technology has actually empowered the referee’s when making those decisions.

But you know what that just my views. You’ve got your own. If you wish to share them then please do! 

This Blog of Events has been brought directly to your screens
by Gavin 'Gman' Henry

Too much playing, not enough conviction!

It’s fantastic to see the Premier League back, God knows how much I’ve been suffering since Arsenal's last real competitive match on 30th May 2015. My life was left with somewhat of a void and the desperation became so bad that you almost had me convinced I was a lover of Golf, Tennis and Cricket (EWWWWW!). 

All I could envisage was the start of the new #EPL season, when the Fixture list dropped in June I like many other Arsenal fans had high expectations for this opener against Westham, I’d be lying if I were to say I wasn’t expecting nothing but a win. My prediction on Saturday as posted on North London Gooner Lawro Facebook wall was a confident 2-1 victory. I felt my prediction was justified not only by the fact that in the past 6 games of which both Arsenal and Hammers have met, Arsenal have gone on to win all of them but also I was riding off the steam of the FA CUP win against Aston Villa, that victory was so brutal that I could only imagine a repeat performance. However that just wasn’t to be, wasn’t to be at all!

First Half:

Whilst writing this I’m finding it very hard to fault Arsenal in the first half, we didn’t do too much wrong, not that we done incredibly much right either however we showed flashes of our usual game, slick 1-2 passing, triangles and movement into space yet these moments were too far and few in apart for my liking. The OX had a few opportunities on goal, not quite on target, Rambo clipped the bar with a deflected shot and Santi also had a few slinky runs, which were blocked off just as he looked like he was going to pull the trigger. The Hammer too showed showed their sturdiness and flashes of their counter attacking ability. Sakho and Zarate worked their bollocks stretching Mertz and Boscielny all over the gaff.

The actual turning point came as a surprise, I wasn’t actually expecting things to go down the way they did. Westham Free kick, taken by Payet who lofted it in to the box. Now the decision making of debutant Champions League winning experienced keeper Petr Cech has to be called into question as he came dashing off his line to punch the ball away from the head of Kouyate, but for what I saw live he had more chance of punching the moon. What Petr was thinking I’m not sure but what he must of been thinking after he totally missed the ball I bet I could Imagine (SH^%! I DONE F*&% UP!). This goal came on the cusp of the end of the 1st half which was so disappointing but at this point my belief was, not to worry we got this man!!

Second Half:

The second half didn’t bring too much joy for Arsenal. For a 25 minutes spell they looked like the better of the two sides. Giroud and Ozil having some really good chances to get the boys Level. Yet Westham were doing everything in their power to shut us out, honourable shout out to Adrian who I believed had a wonderful game and was most certainly man of the match. Westham’s second goal is all about perspectives. Either you’re an Arsenal fan and you saw what was an absolutely crazy goal keeping howler or you’re a Hammer and you saw a classy well determined goal by Zarate. Again from my point of view, 10+ million pound man Petr Cech has to take full responsibility for this error here. He may say his sight was slightly impeded but really and truthfully it wasn’t enough for him to make that sort of misjudgement… (Szczesny at this point in time was at home sipping tea like Kermit, I’d assume). After this goal went in the game was effectively over, the lads had no one to blame but themselves. The came in to the game full of confidence but I’m starting to think maybe over confidence made them lazy and unconvincing.

Summary:

I would love to be able to just sit here and play the blame game, however that’s very hard to do. The only real bud of light which was revealed from yesterday was the performance of THE OX. He was exceptional, seemed like the only person who wanted to keep going for 90 minutes. Even after he was reduced to playing a right back once Sanchez had come on the field! Everyone had their moments of just dire commitment, concentration and conviction, I’ve pointed out Cech earlier for the goals but it would be harsh to blame him only as Boscielny, Ramsey and Ozil had lapses at key times. But I’m going to end by saying, it’s not the end of the world, yes it was a poor loss to London rivals and it was made worse by the fact that we were at home however put all into perspective, it’s only the first game of the season. As we know things change quickly in the premiership so let’s not jump to conclusion to hastily. Wishing the lads all the best in their next game vs Crystal Palace, hopefully we will show up and get a result.

THE 3 Word Reflection: POOR, LAZY & DEPRESSING

Arsenal Player of the Game: With out a doubt THE OX! (Chamberlain) All of his efforts went to waste today.

West Ham Player of the Game: Adrian made some fine saves and was the all important factor that kept Arsenal at bay.

This Blog of Events has been brought directly to your screens
by Gavin 'Gman' Henry

Never have I felt so confident about Arsenal getting a victory in my life, especially after the last 4 months we’ve had, winning the FA Cup; Community Shield plus making the huge signing of Chilean Alexis Sanchez, surely I can be forgiven for being a little cocky. I’m not trying to disrespect Crystal Palace either then I say that, you just have to bare in mind that the south London club had literally parted ways with their manager Tony “Manager of the Season” Pulis two days earlier. Once hearing this my mind was fully made up ‘This is going to be a big victory’ I told myself. I was 5-1 to the Arsenal maybe.

The Full line up was:

Arsenal  11:

Szczesny, Koscielny, Gibbs, Chambers, Debuchy, Wilshere, Cazorla, Arteta, Ramsey, Sanogo, Sanchez

Subs: Martinez, Monreal, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Coquelin, Campbell, Rosicky, Giroud

Crystal Palace 11:

Speroni, Dann, Ward, Ledley, Hangeland, Kelly, Bolasie, Jedinak, Puncheon, Campbell, Chamakh

Subs: Hennessey, O’keefe, Delaney, McCarthy, Bannan, Gayle, Murray

I went to this game and as you do, discovered the starting line up by TWITTER. I was expecting a strong team to be out even without the availability of the Germans and I wasn’t disappointed. Wenger had opted to start with 3 debutants in Chambers, Debuchy & Sanchez. All three players enjoyed a decent preseason which lifted the confidence even more. You could sense this when walking to the ground from the station, a lot of chatter about who will perform, will Sanchez play on top and can palace cope.  I have to say I was a tad surprised Wenger had chosen Sanogo over Giroud but after the young Frenchmen performance in the Emirates Cup he’s obviously done enough to get himself the nudge over his French counter-part.

Game Review:

This first half saw us dominate even though at times it looked as if we were scared to commit to our usual free flowing forward play! Some would say it was down to Palace’s deep back line and insistence to have 10 behind the ball. However for me it wasn’t just that, you could see there was also a clear lack of movement from the forward players. Jack, Ramsey and Cazorla make feeble attempts to run behind the defensive line to help the lone striking Sanogo. Palace gifted Arsenal with a lot of possession but the possession which was wasted far too often; there was far too much sideways and backwards passing and not many attempts at goal. Bar Jack Wilshire’s effort from outside the 18 yard box which forced Speroni into making a good save.

However  it was Palace to struck first and you have to give it them, they toughed it out. Put that defensive wall up and waited for the gunners to make a mistake and when they did Palace took their one and only chance and made it count! Hangerland used his height to tower over all the defensive players around him and direct the ball past Szczesny. 

The Atmosphere changed in the emirates after that goal, you could sense the air of desperation starting to settle in. Being that last season Arsenal went down 3-1 to Aston Villa in the opening game of the season and that was something us fans and players alike did not want to see happen again. So when Koschielny bagged the all and important equaliser just at the end of the first half, the pressure lifted. There were shouts by the palace defence for offside but it never was a fully deserved goal! The first half ended one goal apiece.

Second half Happenings 

In the second half things didn’t improve by much, It's actually fair to say Arsenal made that f***ing hard for ourselves!  Palace again set up to restrict the boys from playing their crisp free flowing football but just like in the first half this wasn’t helped by the fact that our midfielders were making too many mistake. I’ve got to be honest, Santi Cazorla was absolutely sh*** today! Disappointing in every area for me, his short passing S***; long range passing S***; keep ball S*** and strength on the ball ABSOLUTELY S***! Everything about him was below par! 

Hopefully that was his worst performance of the season as I'm not too sure the home faithful will stand for that again. But in saying that Palace barely had any real chances, a few runs from Bolasie being the main danger. The game swung in Arsenal favour when Puncheon got himself sent off for a second bookable offence, a challenge he didn’t really have to make on Nacho Monreal  (Who came on for Kieran Gibbs just after half time). This effectively rejuvenated Arsenal who then went on to steal the match minutes later when Rambo fired in from close range. The Emirates erupted and Arsenal were victorious, it may have been a stiff test but the boys got the job done.

My man of the match:

Saturday's real stand out performer was Calum Chambers! The young defender was excellent, he barely put a foot wrong, making a number of interceptions and some great tackles. The best thing about chambers performance is that he looked like he had been playing in that back four partnership for years, if he keeps up those performances he could go on to become an Arsenal legend!  An honourable mention to Sanchez there's a lot more to come from him once he gets up to the pace of the game! 

This Blog of Events has been brought directly to your screens
by Gavin 'Gman' Henry

A Straight Shootin' #BPL poem for 2014/2015

TODAY IS THE DAY, Saturday August 16th 2014, the day where 9 months of BPL football heaven, begins again!!!
From relegation dogfights to title chases, with people of all ages checking scores from all places, from City to United, blue, red, purple and more colour shirts will be sighted.
Allegiances of every team represented by a shirt, every defeat will make a supporter feel like dirt, but the very next week the hope will be renewed.
Wins and losses will be accrued and many a match will be viewed, whether by BT or Sky Sports, whether live or on a delay, we'll all watch our favourite teams and wear our shirts to support.
From Liverpool to London, Southampton to Burnley, Norwich to Newcastle, rivalries will be revived, and passion will be alive!

Who will be the franchise, who will be the surprise? Who will be winners and who will be the losers on the premier league stage that leaves behind the smack talkers & the posers.

At the start of the season, everyone has a chance,
then some teams fall, as others advance,
The 2014/2015 season will be fun, SO LETS GET TO IT WITH DAY ONE!!!

I'm Straight Shootin' LJA & that's my opinion!!!


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