Killing me Softly
Last night was a bit exciting around the old homestead as paramedics were called out to try and revive me from a coma caused by watching the replay of the Arsenal-Porto match. What I predicted to be a snooze fest went above and beyond that. The first half was a complete joke with neither side doing anything. And I mean that literally. Both teams barely ran and neither side produced a shot (that I can recall) on goal. Adebayor could have read Crime and Punishment last night as he had so much time by himself up front. In the second half Porto got in to it a bit more and had two shots bounce off the post, but that was about it. Cesc had a free kick on goal that my mother could have stopped. Anyway, they got the draw, which means that Arsenal go through top of the table and Porto goes through in second place.
As many knew, both teams in essence played for the draw. There have been loads of comments, articles, etc. claiming this is dirty football or even match fixing. I don’t really like to see matches played this way, but I wouldn’t go as far as to call it dirty or match fixing. Getting to the next round of the CL is a big deal, both for the players and the club (because of the revenue it generates). Therefore, as a coach, would you want to play defensive football to try and secure the draw, or take a risk by attacking and open yourself up to a loss and elimination? If they did attack and somehow lose the game, all the supporters would be asking what in the world Arsene was up to! Therefore, I can understand Wenger’s tactics, but wish the team would have put in a bit more effort. Finally, if CSKA feels hard done by, they have only themselves to blame. They didn’t beat Hamburg like they needed to. Also, in previous matches they didn’t get the results needed to put them in a place to win it without relying on other results. Needing to win and another team to lose on the final match day is not the situation you want and you can’t be sore at others for not giving you the result you desired.
Enough on it all. The Arsenal are through and now will face a second place team (other than Porto) in the next round. The draw will be next Friday, the 15th and we could face Barcelona, Lille, Celtic, Inter Milan, Roma, PSV, or Real Madrid. I would like to see us draw either Celtic or Lille as these would be easier matches, but after last season, the Gunners shouldn’t be afraid of any of these clubs. Below are the rest of the results from yesterday. I was hoping Benfica would knock ManU out again this year, but alas, no such luck.
Matchday 6 - 06 December 2006
Group Home Away
E Dynamo Kyiv 2-2 Real Madrid
E Lyon 1-1 Steaua
F Man. United 3-1 Benfica
F København 3-1 Celtic
G Porto 0-0 Arsenal
G Hamburg 3-2 CSKA Moskva
H Anderlecht 2-2 AEK
H Milan 0-2 Lille
Due to my weeks of travel and the excitement around recent Arsenal clashes, I’ve been neglecting Colaship side Plymouth Argyle. Today that trend is reversed! Well, somewhat. Anyway, since I can’t be bothered to go back and see where I left off, I’ll just take a stab and comment on some result plus upcoming fixtures. During the Thanksgiving holiday, the Argyle hosted dirty Leeds and were defeated 2-1 by goals from Blake (3) and Lewis (61). Djordjic, who has been netting some good goals recently got one in for Plymouth in the 40th minute. The following Tuesday, Argyle had another match at Home Park against Luton , and once again Djordjic provided a goal in the 60th minute, which proved to be the winner. Then, this last Saturday, the boys in green traveled to center of Engerland to play recently relegated Birmingham, only to lose 3-0, thus dropping them into 11th place. Former Arsenal player Matthew Upson and on-loan Arsenal player Nicklas Bendtner helped the Blues take 3 points from Argyle. At least the Blues are at the top of the table and it wasn’t a loss to a bottom dweller. This Saturday, the Argyle return home and take on Hull City, who are currently languishing in 23rd. The boys should be able to get the win as Hull have been in very poor form of late and just sacked their manager. However, sometimes these changes bring about a new energy to clubs and they go out and win one for the new manager in hopes that he keeps them around. But, I think the troubles for the Tigers is a bit much and Argyle should be able to capitalize on it.
Argyle boss Ian Holloway has also had plenty to day in his column on bbc.com. I particularly like his take on David James’ new hairstyle!
“Different, isn't it? All he needs is a Hercule Poirot moustache and he's there. He looked like something out of a Bond film, although I don't wanna say too much - he lives just up the road from me so he might come down and knock me out.
Someone said he looked like the keyboard player from Sparks, but us baldies are jealous of him because we'd love to have the chance to have a choice of style.
I think he looked suave and sophisticated. If he had a big tweed jacket on, he'd really look the part. He looked a bit swish. In fact, debonair is the word.
One of the papers said he might get it shaved off because of all the mickey-taking. Don't do it, David! Leave it as it is - I think it looks great. Everybody needs a change now and again.”
In international news, Norway has taken a break from whaling long enough to pass a ruling that Value Added Tax (VAT) shouldn’t be charged to patrons at “gentleman’s clubs.” The ruling sited that the service the strippers provided was art, and therefore exempt from the 25% tax. Foreign travels rejoiced at the news as they now don’t have to request a VAT refund for hanky panky!
Lastly, today is the 65th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Veterans of this attack have been gathering at the site every 5 years since 1941, and this may be one of the last official ceremonies. The survivors are getting well along in years and it is doubtful that that many will be around for the 70th anniversary. As one historian pointed out, this event signifies the end of a generation and the passing of an era. It is interesting to think back to how the country banded together and fought in WWII as compared to the world climate today. Of course, today there are different problems and threats along with a dramatic shift in world politics, but I still see the thread of our nations past achievements in todays society and hope that we along with our country’s leaders remember those times and what we stand for.
Adios.
As many knew, both teams in essence played for the draw. There have been loads of comments, articles, etc. claiming this is dirty football or even match fixing. I don’t really like to see matches played this way, but I wouldn’t go as far as to call it dirty or match fixing. Getting to the next round of the CL is a big deal, both for the players and the club (because of the revenue it generates). Therefore, as a coach, would you want to play defensive football to try and secure the draw, or take a risk by attacking and open yourself up to a loss and elimination? If they did attack and somehow lose the game, all the supporters would be asking what in the world Arsene was up to! Therefore, I can understand Wenger’s tactics, but wish the team would have put in a bit more effort. Finally, if CSKA feels hard done by, they have only themselves to blame. They didn’t beat Hamburg like they needed to. Also, in previous matches they didn’t get the results needed to put them in a place to win it without relying on other results. Needing to win and another team to lose on the final match day is not the situation you want and you can’t be sore at others for not giving you the result you desired.Enough on it all. The Arsenal are through and now will face a second place team (other than Porto) in the next round. The draw will be next Friday, the 15th and we could face Barcelona, Lille, Celtic, Inter Milan, Roma, PSV, or Real Madrid. I would like to see us draw either Celtic or Lille as these would be easier matches, but after last season, the Gunners shouldn’t be afraid of any of these clubs. Below are the rest of the results from yesterday. I was hoping Benfica would knock ManU out again this year, but alas, no such luck.
Matchday 6 - 06 December 2006
Group Home Away
E Dynamo Kyiv 2-2 Real Madrid
E Lyon 1-1 Steaua
F Man. United 3-1 Benfica
F København 3-1 Celtic
G Porto 0-0 Arsenal
G Hamburg 3-2 CSKA Moskva
H Anderlecht 2-2 AEK
H Milan 0-2 Lille
Due to my weeks of travel and the excitement around recent Arsenal clashes, I’ve been neglecting Colaship side Plymouth Argyle. Today that trend is reversed! Well, somewhat. Anyway, since I can’t be bothered to go back and see where I left off, I’ll just take a stab and comment on some result plus upcoming fixtures. During the Thanksgiving holiday, the Argyle hosted dirty Leeds and were defeated 2-1 by goals from Blake (3) and Lewis (61). Djordjic, who has been netting some good goals recently got one in for Plymouth in the 40th minute. The following Tuesday, Argyle had another match at Home Park against Luton , and once again Djordjic provided a goal in the 60th minute, which proved to be the winner. Then, this last Saturday, the boys in green traveled to center of Engerland to play recently relegated Birmingham, only to lose 3-0, thus dropping them into 11th place. Former Arsenal player Matthew Upson and on-loan Arsenal player Nicklas Bendtner helped the Blues take 3 points from Argyle. At least the Blues are at the top of the table and it wasn’t a loss to a bottom dweller. This Saturday, the Argyle return home and take on Hull City, who are currently languishing in 23rd. The boys should be able to get the win as Hull have been in very poor form of late and just sacked their manager. However, sometimes these changes bring about a new energy to clubs and they go out and win one for the new manager in hopes that he keeps them around. But, I think the troubles for the Tigers is a bit much and Argyle should be able to capitalize on it.
Argyle boss Ian Holloway has also had plenty to day in his column on bbc.com. I particularly like his take on David James’ new hairstyle!
“Different, isn't it? All he needs is a Hercule Poirot moustache and he's there. He looked like something out of a Bond film, although I don't wanna say too much - he lives just up the road from me so he might come down and knock me out.Someone said he looked like the keyboard player from Sparks, but us baldies are jealous of him because we'd love to have the chance to have a choice of style.
I think he looked suave and sophisticated. If he had a big tweed jacket on, he'd really look the part. He looked a bit swish. In fact, debonair is the word.
One of the papers said he might get it shaved off because of all the mickey-taking. Don't do it, David! Leave it as it is - I think it looks great. Everybody needs a change now and again.”
In international news, Norway has taken a break from whaling long enough to pass a ruling that Value Added Tax (VAT) shouldn’t be charged to patrons at “gentleman’s clubs.” The ruling sited that the service the strippers provided was art, and therefore exempt from the 25% tax. Foreign travels rejoiced at the news as they now don’t have to request a VAT refund for hanky panky!
Lastly, today is the 65th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Veterans of this attack have been gathering at the site every 5 years since 1941, and this may be one of the last official ceremonies. The survivors are getting well along in years and it is doubtful that that many will be around for the 70th anniversary. As one historian pointed out, this event signifies the end of a generation and the passing of an era. It is interesting to think back to how the country banded together and fought in WWII as compared to the world climate today. Of course, today there are different problems and threats along with a dramatic shift in world politics, but I still see the thread of our nations past achievements in todays society and hope that we along with our country’s leaders remember those times and what we stand for.
Adios.
posted by Cameron at 9:01 AM
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