We have got 3 games left and City have 4. We play against Bournemouth tomorrow, Man United Away and Everton on the last day of the season. City have Wolves, Fulham, Tottenham and West Ham to play. There is only one outcome of this… unless the gods decide to do us a favor.
The only way we can win the title this season is that City drop points (a loss, even a draw would do), and we win all of ours. We don’t need god for the latter.
Everyone’s fit, even Jurrien Timber. But if you are thinking that Mikel will start him in last 3 games of the season when there’s still some hope left for winning the title, and when he has played only a U-21 game in almost a year, then you are wrong. He can turn out to be a better player than Zinchenko and Kiwior combined in that LB position but now is not the time to test it. Lets stick to what’s working.
Chelsea schooled Tottenham last night and Spurs have to play Liverpool next. And I’m sure by the time they play City, they will be out of top 4 fight and hopeless. That’s not a good thing for us, because we needed them to put up a fight against City. However, looking at the sad state and misery they are in, makes me happy. There’s only 1 big club in London and the boys there wear red and white.
2 more weeks left for the season to end, and we are already hearing transfer rumours. It seems like we are open to selling Gabriel Jesus, and Zinchenko. Thomas Partey could leave too. There will a bunch of clearance to fund the CF and a Saka’s back up. Nketiah, Nelson, ESR, Vieira, Ramsdale might be in that list.
Going till the end for two consecutive seasons and falling short by a game, highlights how difficult Pep has made everyone’s life. Frankly, after last season’s collapse towards the end, I thought we would sulk and the players that gave everything would lose the motivation to try again (similar to Leicester’s winning season) but I was wrong. All of them stood up, and played even better. We lost few games that we should have won and those points could have been very crucial now, but that’s not the talk today. Two seasons, neck to neck against the 115 charges and Pep and we are still in the fight is an improvement to our last 10-15 years of football.
If we don’t make this season, we will do in the next. I don’t have any agenda as such for today, I will be back with the match day blog tomorrow.
Note : londonisred.com remains free and we will never go behind a paywall. Adblockers have killed the Ads revenue and we are running on the coffee you guys buy. Every help motivates me to keep it fun here.
Vera
You don’t address my points because you’re too emotional.
“Getting upset over some shit that happened on a defunct blog years ago”; episode 138
I was booted for a couple of smart arse comments at a bad time. I expect you were booted for being a know nothing blowhard who added nothing but wind, pretence and pretension while LARPing as a coach.
If you don’t know anything about the club’s history, listen and learn. Div
Norg,
I’d say tets has been a lot more decisive than Wenger. Wenger’s transfer dealings became infuriating once Dein left
Arteta seems to have identified targets and moved on them, to the point of sometimes, in my view, overpaying to get the deal over the line. It was rumoured we were in for Guimares, I don’t know why it fell through. Maybe it was never really on and at that time Newcs were riding the wave of anticipated Saudi money coming in from the sale a few months before.
Guimares came in to a relegation threatened team talking about his excitement of challenging for the UCL. That would be odd unless the thought of PIF splurging the petrodollars was a bigger draw then coming to Arsenal who at the time weren’t pulling up trees. Our window that month was more notable for who we dumped than any purchases.
His sell on clause only seems to apply to foreign clubs so we could get him for less than that. Now FFP seems to be real, his anticipation of CL with Newcs might be dampened. I think we’re in a strong position for domestic purchases, players in every team bar City would prefer us, and as that’s where Tets seems to be focused I’m casting my eyes on prem ready targets as opposed to Slovenian nobodies.
Morning all.
For me management was always about delegation. Appoint the best 1st tier managers/supervisors who are respected/liked/accepted by their fellow workers, and generally harmony will prevail and production will be where you want it. It’s knowing how to match personalities and understanding mental health these days, because most of the best employees or successful managers entrepreneurs are spectrum based.
They are able to think outside the box the best. They see what others don’t.
Managing by numbers or straight from books simply doesn’t work. The best managers need to be very psychological with understanding of personalities and what drives each individual to get the best performances. In interviews we make evals of each potential employee where HR adds to during their employ with us.
Thailand is different because of the culture, such as Greng Jai. One of the most complex I’m-higher-than-you because of age or family or both. Top down suits Greng Jai, horizontal management is Greng Jai’s nemesis. If a young manager tells an older worker to do something the older worker can just evoke Greng Jai and not do what was asked.
Thais can’t say no in their culture. Can you do this by this time and the Thai will altermatically say yes regardless of the real answer.
Aitcho it would have driven you mad judging by your wanting a quieter life out of the ‘bottom line’ driven management set by bean counters (accountants) who generally run companies these days with complete disregard for the management who have to implement often what seems to be the impossible.
In the end, in the west I got fed up of consulting to improve companies and much preferred start ups, for being far more challenging and rewarding financially. My last UK start up I took an empty building with £500K start up capital and had £2m+ turnover in 6 months from ground zero, in renewable energy.
Generally, these days, senior management are playing musical chairs rarely lasting more than 3 years where worked into the ground they need the mental health burn out treatments at places like these starting at about £20K+ a week: https://www.mypremiumeurope.com/top-private-hospitals/psychiatry.htm
I have to admit the private villa on a Swiss lake with butler and private live in psychiatrist does appeal even if £30K a week when we sell our company. Of course, 4 weeks is the minimum they recommend. ^ months ago I would have gone, but today life is changing for the better.
I started in management at 23, in the music business in tour/personal management and sound engineering. Combining both got me more work.
On a tour I would have 3 to 6 arctic trucks, caterers, security, 2 bands, PA and lighting crews and often a Hells Angel club doing the humping (loading and unloading) at around £100K a month budgets for UK & Europe double for America and Canada back in 1980 for a decade. I guess would be £million+ a month in today’s money.
I learnt how to deal with the most difficult and often drug/alcohol addled, pampered, musicians at a young age that set me up well for my very unconventional career driven by ADHD with a smattering of autism and a mild dose of OCD.
It’s creative and intellectual/ critical thinking induced data gathering my brain is always doing unless I apply a handbrake. It was a curse growing up that with help I turned into a gift in my late teens but there was no mental health awareness in my lifetime. I’m fortunate my uniqueness has been appreciated by many where I’ve been able to chat with various doctors as friends that has led to some extremely interesting conversations about me and others in spectrum.
As an example when I look through a view finder of a camera my brain starts at such speeds checking every aspect of the frame in minute detail. If you saw my pictures, you’d agree I see what others don’t. I get emotive shots of people when they have no idea I’m shooting from distance. We have 150 posters of my pics printed in Gic-Lee around our house denoting our family story of almost 20 years.
TRVL/Aitcho keep the fun going it’s enjoyable reading and no one is hurt or even bruised. I’ll keep to a more laissez faire approach, as I have deep respect for you both and enjoy the intellectual writing/jousting.
I would only kick off on LG because I had no respect for the majority of posters. Once I’d worked out CC was Pedro (carbon copy) and where Pedro withdrew CC immediately. After that,` I just went to LG to take the piss out of Pedro and his army of sycophants or alter egos.
Back to football Manure are imploding where the dressing room are not happy. We are playing them at the right time where we should take the 3 points adding to our +GD.
I have no idea what’s going to happen in the summer TW. El B is not one to 2nd guess or try to work out his galaxy brain. Rice well all knew was a winner and what we needed and has proven to be so, but at his best when playing with Partey.
If we can find a better replacement than Lakonga, then Partey’s lack of fitness each season is of little use to us. If there is a market for him then sell tout suite. He’ll want to sit out his high wages first, then look for a club who wants a 45 year old 6 who is always on the treatment table.
So replace Partey, get an elite specialist 8 to pair with Ode’s levels. A LB with Branthwaite’s levels and future abilities and a proven 20+ goal a season striker.
I don’t want ESR to go and never have and we should leave the back four as it is with Zinchenko gone.
The shopping list is a simple one for all of us here, but what will El B do?
Anyone got any ideas as I have none when it comes to El B and TWs other than the obvious.
Norg
Who would you like brought in in the summer TW?
Achoo–no wonder you aspire to kiss the ring, as your one trick pony attacks are straight out of the rinse and repeat handbook…contrary to what you want others to believe, I’ve devoted a significant amount of time debunking your elementary level “insights” and your repeated attempts to misrepresent what has transpired under MA’s watch…if you actually read the full posts, instead of simply skimming the surface for anything that might ruffle your easily triggered self, you might actually learn something, although based on your responses one can only assume it’s been a long fucking time since “learning” was on your to-do list
oft-times you’re so discombobulated that you actually attribute comments about particular former players, such as Auba and Emi, to the wrong posters, like myself…now if I considered you to be an astute individual, which couldn’t be further from the truth, I might see these seemingly inexplicable brain farts as a more nuanced component of a much more elaborate trolling scheme, but if there’s one thing we’ve learned along the way you despise nuance almost as much as you detest reality…so you can keep flapping your gums about what I have and haven’t done in this life, but that will never change the facts….just imagine how sad this world would be if I gave a flying fuck about your thoughts on the matter…so bluster away to your hearts content and I will continue, when I feel the urge, to toy with you like my little bit**
btw Achole, I’ve never once spoke to you about my specific sports-related history, whether that be from a playing or coaching perspective, so the fact that you keep harping on it means it’s a you problem, not a me problem…I made note of the fact that I took a coaching certification course during my university days, but I’ve never held that fact over your’s or anybody else’s head, like I was some sort of gift to the profession…all I’ve done is used my experiences to inform my opinions/assessments regarding a variety of managerial and player-related situations…you on the other hand have tried to knock me down a peg at every turn in the hopes of propping yourself up, which makes me feel sad for you…at the end of the day, you will forever remain the little train that couldn’t…sucks being you bro, albeit I’m fairly certain that’s not the first time you’ve felt the sting of those words
Aitcho
The Guimares deal was as close as I said. There were a few similar cases under Wenger.
Tony
Reading your post reminds me of one night I became a roadie. I was 21 and shared a flat with a Canadian in Muswell Hill. Next door lived Ray – who worked as roadie (plus 2 others) for the Edgar Broughton Band. We knew Ray well and also the drummer (Brian?) and Broughton’s brother who was lead guitar. Robbie Broughton himself was a real arsehole and wife beater (he and his first wife lived above the ABC bakers on Muswell Hill Broadway. One day Ray phoned Riff (Canadian) in a panic – the other two road crewl had an issue leaving Ray to unload and set up etc at the gig that night in Central Hall, Chatham. I was able to leave work early, Riff and I were collected from Frinsbury Square by Ray and his flat fronted Ford truck.
We managed to get to Chatham and set up in time – Riff & I lugging – Ray setting up. Not a word of thanks from Robbie though he did give us tickets to probably their largest gig at the Rainbow.
Tony
My wish list is similar to yours – a good left back, a Partey replacement that is his equal and a striker. Not sure if Stan will dig into his pockets again – no feedback from Columbus at the moment.
Tiny
Branthwaite is a good shout. As I said, Tets and Edu seem to have an eye on the prem proven. When my carpet bagging eyes look at Everton, Pickford as a useful no2, Onana and Branthwaite pique my interest
Vera
A lot of posts channelling your inner Sheldon, not much football chat
You’re as bad at editing your rage posts as you are at sensible football discussion. I can call you coach if it makes you feel better when you waffle away.
How about some PSG disruption.
Cheeky bids for Mbappe, Hakimi and Zaire Emery.
Come and join a proper team.
I won’t be angry if they don’t come.
Achole—clearly you don’t know what the fuck “waffle” means…no need to call me coach, unless it’s somehow part of your court-mandated recovery program…maybe just saying the word evokes fond memories of the only time you made the cut due to your private “sessions” with your favourite skipper…just a thought, why don’t you enjoy a little full circle moment today by planting your tulips
little ole Dortmund are back in the CL final for the 2nd time in the last 11 years…it seems like only yesterday some twat was spouting nonsense about us being overmatched no matter whom we would have faced in the semis…anyone who considers us to be inferior to a side that’s currently in 5th place, some 24 points behind the Bundesliga leaders, should get their head examined
TRVL
If ever there is a ground where the supporters give the team a lift it is BVD’s. If anybody can suck a ball into the net it is them. They make the Geordies look like choirboys.
Trvl
Less waffle, more football.
It would appear, given the results, that everyone bar possibly Munich and Madrid are overmatched by Dortmund.
They’re in the final you see. Pay attention coach.
“Crappy opinions from Vera” chapter 114
@Aitcho
“Auba’s contract turned out to be an error in hindsight. So it was rectified. That’s what a good manager should do if he wants to improve the culture in an organisation.”
Is this supposed to be putting Arteta into a positive light? He gets paid millions to make decisions that are not supposed to be in error after 6 months. After all was this not supposed to be a project which means a clear vision for the future was required, not a 6 month fuck up. Or even worst Barca making 12mill on that error in hindsight.
“It was rumoured we were in for Guimares, I don’t know why it fell through.”
In that Jan TW we were more then interested in Bruno especially after Arteta’s player clean out it was expected for players to come in. But Arteta went on record that there was no one of quality available in that Jan TW. This is just supporting that Edu & Arteta are not too good at spotting talent and even worst on selling with a profit. Don’t even get me started on Arteta wanting to send Saliba out on another loan.
Killjoy
Where did thus six months come from?
Sounds like another episode of ‘Tales From Vera’.
He signed shortly after we won the FA Cup. Left after he missed games again. He may well have been part of a vision but the least he could do was turn up to games on time or just turn up. He did neither, that’s on him not Tets.
Either we were interested in Guimares and the deal feel through or there was no deal and we can’t spot talent.
I suspect we spotted the talent but didn’t have the cash to flash that Newcastle did fresh off the Saudi buyout. It would be a more logical reason for him to join the then relegation battlers above others suitors at the time including us and Juventus and others reportedly interested.
Robinho to ManC vibes.
Given the last four windows, it’s fair to say Edu and Tets are still good at spotting talent as we move on.
Killroy
Aitcho is a fan boy – apparently Arteta fixed his mistake after 6 months? He put him on £300 odd grand a week, paid him off to leave (circa £7 million) so he signs for Barca on a free and then Chelsea paid £10 million for him 6 months after that.
The idea that Arteta has a great eye for talent is also bullshit – I’d put money on signings like Ode being based on City scouting reports. When Arteta buys a “we’ve signed who?” for a low fee who 10 minutes into his first appearance is “fuck me this guys good” I’ll celebrate his eye for talent.
Aitcho
Bruno had the pen in his hand – not as you describe. It was a last minute change of mind. Almost a costly moment if you discount the time of Gasper and 3 well paid staff one of which is a legal supplied by a well known company and of course the private jet to Portugal – but that is peanuts these days.
Tets and Edu talent spotting – are we talking a goalie or two, Sambi, Viera. Edu does have an eye – Gabriel, Partey (despite protestations from El B) and of course his opening shot – Martinelli.
Norg-I certainly agree with your sentiments about SI park, as I had the good fortune of seeing them square off against Munich, when Klopp was still their manager…that said, they’ve struggled at times to get results at home this season, with 4 losses and 3 ties, so it’s certainly not the kind of advantage that would guarantee them a spot in the CL final…I’m happy for them though, as I admire their organizational model and rabid fanbase, but for some delusional halfwit like that Achole to suggest that we would be outclassed by them or PSG is straight-up nonsense…the most intriguing aspect about this particular CL campaign was the fact that the door was actual open for someone unexpected to win the chip…even the presumptive favourties, City and Real, appeared more vulnerable, which likely won’t be the case this time next year…Cheers
Norg
Arteta’s spent circa £650 million. Look at the value of the players in the first team that he bought and then add on the fees of Trossard, at a push Jesus (looking surplus to requirements) and Timber (who can’t be judged yet but why by a RB to play LB?).
The rest of the money was poorly spent – the horror gets nasty when you start to look at the money pissed up the wall in destroying the value of players he doesn’t want. Isn’t our record fee received still the Ox for £35 – £40 million?
TRVL
Its staggering the fan boys will one second praise Arteta as the chosen one and then make excuses for him when he has a BILLION £ squad the next.
It makes religious zealots look rational.
Marc & Norg—how dare you question the unbiased genius of Achole…only someone with his tongue so far up our skipper’s asshole would have the unmitigated gall to throw stones from his glass fucking manor
Lisping Arry Kane after another trophy less season.
Really thad after loothing in th’pain. They thwore blind I’d win thilverware thith theathon.
Fucking cheating mekon-headed wanker….
Marc-he will be so disappointed that he’s been met with such resistance, as his plan all along was to divide and conquer the LIR crew by trying to isolate myself and maybe Tony, who he’s now referring to as Tiny…Cheers to you for seeing right through his waffling shit show
Thanks for putting the spotlight on where it belongs on A**hole’s troll comments. Hope you will make the same resolve that I have made namely not to dignify his BS comments with answers, because he must get an erection out of it. On the positive side I know now what to scroll past in a hurry.
KP-Real pulled another one out of the fire in the waning minutes, just like they did against City in the finals a few years back…makes me wonder what might have been if our manager didn’t have a flat spot where a pair of balls normally resides…he’s like a living breathing fucking Ken Doll
Glad to see that not only PGMOL does make major Ref fuck ups but also the so called best in the world who reffed a CL final before. On the De Ligt goal the Linesman should have kept his flag down because it was a very tight offside call, that is the rule and here is the 1st error. Next the on-field Ref should have noted the Linesman’s flag and decided OK I see you but I am waiting with the whistle during this attacking phase, that is the rule, but he blew the whistle and VAR can now no longer get involved. Two major Ref fuck ups, guess that this is the last high profile game this Polish Ref team will officiated.