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.
You guys can’t resist commenting on A**hole’s BS. keep LIR free of his BS by ignoring him.
Killroy—will do…when it’s like taking candy from a baby, it can be difficult to resist….just my muscle memory kicking in…Cheers
Morning all
Aitcho seems you should be getting a seal on the regular. I’ve stopped reading your posts as I imagine others will to ignore your need for attention seeking.
Marc
I don’t think I’ve ever disagreed with any of your posts for the last 6 or so years on LG and LIR.
Kilroy
I echo your sentiments to leave the troll alone. They soon get fed up of talking to themselves.
TRVL
You can take the dog out of the gutter, but not the gutter out of the dog in Aitcho’s case. Switch off your triggers and let Aictho’s posts be like smoke in the wind. Let the attention seeker be.
I enjoy your fact based posts that we can enjoy debating when we’re not on the same page as all but one seems to be here.
There’s plenty of room for Aitcho’s nonsense, so, if small things please little minds, leave him to his words and pacifier and self importance.
Let’s keep LIR a happy place and debate with intelligence.
Leave Aitcho and his seals to sing together….. One more time…. You are a ….
In other news
I think TRVL brought up yesterday seems to be getting legs from the Standard: Wojciech Tomasz Szczęsny linked with return. Does he still smoke? Apparently, El B wants another home grown keeper whatever that means hasn’t our TS spent more time with Juve than us?
Can anyone see outspoken Szczesny, who will be full of his quality form he’s had at the Old Lady in Italy, and El B getting on? Szczesny won’t be bothered about El B’s non negotiables where he will probably give El B some of his own.
Most PL clubs would be happy to have Szczesny between the sticks.
Unless Szczęsny has qualudes as a dietary daily requirement, I see the Pole pissing off El B in the not too distant future and being benched until the fall out becomes open knowledge as TS is larger than life and doesn’t care and El B.
Who is the better keeper: Emi or Wojciech Szczęsny?
It seems we have started our own version of the ‘Arsenal Pensioners’ with Jorginho being the first old timer in the squad. Does he come with a zimmer frame? Does El B understand the quantum physics of speed and ability regressing with age?
Who would be the better MF/false 9 choice: Jorginho or Ayew from palace?
Ayew for me. I just see it as laughable erupting Jorginho who needs minding on the pitch due to his lack of pace. Another waste of money for me, we could buy better, but it’s pet city in El B’s galaxy brain.
Other than that not much happening as the season draws to a close. This made me laugh, we have already made plans for a winning-the-PL bus tour for the fans.
I call that close the gate after the horses have bolted. The chance of City dropping points at Fulham away, Spuds midweek away, and the Hammers and Manure in the FA cup final are sim to none and I expect City to do another double.
The PL winners bus tour? It will be in Manchester again. El B is always the runner up, never the winner look at his playing and managing career. With City he put the cones out mostly where Pep was happy to let him go to a rival knowing El B wasn’t up to the job.
A covid FA cup, thanks to Emi, is all El B has to show for almost 5 years with 3 April run-in implosions in a row.
A coincidence is 2 times, but 3 times is setting a trend that El B is a serial loser.
Take away City and what has El B really achieved with a £billion+ squad?
The answer is improved but predictable football that always implodes. Let’s face it nearly fives years with a squad one would expect better football and some form of an identity we show at times.
One word is El B’s failing: CONSISTENCY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He’s a consistent loser who doesn’t look like he’ll stop making repetitive mistakes.
Re-upping snail’s pace Jorginho when we could get better is just a simple continuation of his mistake addled term with us………
Szczęsny is just a non negotiable waiting to happen with the likable outspoken Pole.
El B needs ‘yes men’ and undroppable players such as Ode, Saka, Rice et al where it would be committing seppuku if El B fell out with any of the top pets.
Still laughing at the bus tour where City dropping points for us to win is not really winning it’s also ran.
To others I understand winning is winning any way as long as we win. I prefer us winning from the front not from luck of another dropping points.
Have a good one LIR. Anyone got thoughts on Manure Sunday?
Stan & Josh are probably happy with second place finishes. Stan liked his days out at Wembley and Wenger gave him plenty of those. Now we have super star players in our ranks they will demand to finish at the top and not being the continual bridesmaid. El B needs to win the league soon – failure to do so will breed contempt. Shoehorning players is not a solution – Pep would not even consider it and nobody can question his capabilities.
I am still pissed from the Real v Bayern semi. There has to be something about that stadium that causes Refs to have brain farts. 2017 was another classic example. This is the same Ref that made an error by awarding PSG a last minute penalty against Newcastle which made them drop out of the group. WTF is it with the Refs making stupid mistakes, but the one in the semi was a violation against the rules not an interpretation. We are so fucked if they are the best.
Tony
Our trips to Old Toilet on the whole have not been good. Even when they are down they manage to give us a bruising. This time it should be different as they are in a real mess. Have their players downed tools because of the manager? or because they could be playing their last game at home because ETH or the next manager will be doing their best to get rid of them. If they allow Odegaard some room then we should demolish them. I expect the first half could be tense and then the flood gates to open. Maguire to open with an og is in the script.
Norg
I love to hate Maguire the whinger. His antics in Greece only solidified my endorsing him to be as bigger prick as walker, but unfortunately Walker can play, and Maguire will be history when TH’s replacement is found. A beast of burden at best. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlV-ZFyVH3c
I’m hoping Josh and daddy have found their winning ways after some their US franchises have done well in recent years after middling to maker bucks. I think the faithful wouldn’t accept a 4th capitulation next April and when they get vocal daddy at least listens. Chips isn’t around to put down his irritating rhetoric of “know your place.” I don’t think Chips got enough fish. Certainly had no sauce.
We know when the fans in the stadium are united in change Stan will oblige. Gazidis couldn’t get rid of Wenger; he died on the fans’ hill. Just a few years too late to snag Pep or Klopp.
Let’s hope the Emirates faithful are quicker to be vocal if El B just misses out again as the half empty mob will claim. If he buys right, even El B shouldn’t lose.
We will see.
With your genuine love of music did you ever play anything?
With an scientific inventor’s mind I would imagine you look at things differently through different brain wiring.
Musicians of ability are wired differently, which papers have been written on I can’t remember the details of but to have such fluid ambidextrous ability is not born by normal brain wiring. When you talk to such muses it very apparent they think differently to us.
Just curious. I got to play scales on a tenor sax but wanted to play guitar, and nowhere to learn in the 60s. So, I got interested in sound and tech, which in turn led me to musicians shocker I know. Then studios where the desks became my instrument.
Norg
You’re right you never know at Man U.
I think our tails are up and we’re planning the street parties in haste, so that would a real fly in the ointment to the party plans if we shit the bed at Old Trafford and roped points giving the trophy to City early.
I sincerely hope not, but with El B who knows?
dropped*
Tony
I did take up guitar for a while but having the time to practice was a problem. I wish I had taken up piano and may do when I eventually retire. My wife plays piano and violin. My daughter did play flute(but wishes she took up sax) and my son played trumpet. My Nan (Mothers mother) had the gift – she could play piano – no music – just played. When I was seven or eight she introduced me to Garner and Peterson. Kids at school were into Freddie and the Dreamers and I would be listening to Oscar, Jimmy Smith & Co.
Norg
Am from India , West coast. Goa
That persistence,
Tetsie image massaging…think is Pedro come to shit over in LiR ?
Used to enjoy his good reading of games he used to go here on LiR….so sad !
Hoopah
I looked up the band you are involved with but have yet to listen to the songs that are on line. Are they based in India or the USA – Philadelphia is mentioned.
I was in Southern Spain a week or so ago and visited the old cave dwellings outside Granada that were inhabited until about 1964. Apparently the gypsies that brought flamenco to Spain came originally from India over a 1000years ago.
Norg
I would have been surprised if you hadn’t spent time learning; sounds like you have a really musical family.
I would think taking up piano in retirement could be quite cathartic if you have patience and wired the right way. It’s why I want a studio in my next house.
Freddie & the Dreamers now there’s a blast from the past. Were some great bands in the 60s.
George Shearing always amazed me being blind. Steve Wonder never had the same awe from me. Same with Ray Charles he blew me away. The movie about his life was really good and informative would be remiss of me not to put this classic up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggGzE5KfCio
My gift is in being able to isolate sound and understand the way the production came together. That same with mixing I instinctively knew how to get the best from my desk and effects.
There’s a sweet spot from the producer that is at a certain volume where the mix is perfect on every track. No amount of increasing volume will improve the sweet spot from where it’s set. Ears start to clamp when you do that, as the ears naturally know the level they want. Too loud or too harsh set the clamping off.
Live engineers like me had to get it right or the gig was too much for the fans’ ears. 100,000 watt rigs will do that easily, as will a 10k rig in a small venue, such as the Paradiso in Amstedam now sadly I’m informed is a disco.
Norg
Interesting, you’ll find the first blues guitarist/singer was Native Canadian Indian, and not the African American. Can’t think of his name now but Howling Wolf came soon after. From Robbie Robertson with explains all.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni7fAqjA0BE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4scBnNv65_c
Hoopah you’d enjoy the links.
Tony
At 18 I was a huge Band fan – They played the Albert Hall in 68/69 – Garth Hudson’s opening for Chest Fever was unreal has his speakers were in the dome – we all thought it was great but listening to you now it must have been a nightmare for a sound technician to perfect. My favourite track is from Cahoots when Van Morrison guested on Pantomime 4%. Robbie and Van had a lot of respect for each other.
Robbie Robertson – what a giant he was. I had seen the doc about the Indian nations( North American) before and will watch it again on Sunday morning. Gardening and then watch the match of the (who once were) Titans. I wonder what SAF thinks of the shit show at Old Toilet now – after all he is a Director.
Norg
When I was in LA with Jason Bonham in around 96 we were recording the writing of his band’s follow album to “Disregard of Timekeeping” the first platinum offering. The single was ‘Change of the Season’ with Marty Frederickson on lead git who went on to write 4 songs for Steve Tylor’s next Aerosmith album. Jason is very close to Slash (after a 18 month bender together) and so many bigs names. In the rehearsal room it was the who’s who of music dropping by to see what Jason was up to. When I met Slash I was amazed at how short he was and rallied Slash’s pic were always shot upwards with his tall hat creating the optical illusion of height. He was born in Coventry not far from John Bonham’s Kiddieminster home. Slash’s parent were concert orchestral muscians where Slash’s first instrument was flute.
The album name came about when the head of the record label who had been kept waiting by the band for hours went screaming mad at the band’s complete disregard of Timekeeping when they eventually arrived all on cruising altitude, and hence Jason said cool that’s the name of the very Led Zeppelin influenced album, as you would expect from John Bonham’s son.
The single was a classic where the opening cloud from Speilberg cost US$30K for the few seconds.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgZJHW8a0U0
Hoopah you’ll like this one.
I loved Robbie with so many favs I have his complete discography.
This is one of my fav tracks because it epitomizes all that Robbie is and was.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KP9PNSUME4
“Music for the Native Americans” CD I picked up from a reservation shop in Palm Springs after spending a day talking to so old Indian people 60 to 80. It was a fun day and the old Hopi Indian said he would make me something if I returned before I left to go back to LA.
He made me a solid silver and gold bracelet I had to fight him to give him US$300 for it as he said I had a good aura and spirit to be taking genuine in native Indian history. When I was home in the UK I had it valued for insurance cover and they said £1200+ back in 96. Still have it as a prized possession with fond memories.
Obviously, the Band was special by virtue of who played and guested. Sadly, Robbie passed recently.
I’ll ask Ambasrish to send something on to you, Norg.
I was thinking of your Outlaws comment of being crazy fast gits, which they were loved for. When you were weened on Oscar Perterson, Joe Sample and so many more the wailing gets would take some getting used to.
The PAs in this days were Martin double 18 inch bass bins to Martin mids and tops. Desks we only just being developed my Midas Martin and eventually Alan Heath ++++ EQ was limited and noise gates had to be used but hated by engineers if we couldn’t EQ our way out of trouble with feedback or getting the stage engineer to continually turn down the bass player’s amp as they get lost in the sound and feel of their bass thumping them on stage. It’s all about feel with bass players working in harmony with the drummer in the all important song’s backing track.
I could talk for days Norg……..
Thought this was appropriate for tomorrow’s game.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-13404623/Man-United-Mourinho-memory-Erik-ten-Hag.html
I’m not discounting a very worded and confused Manure you suddenly pulling it together to screw with any title aspirations we have.
I’m expecting a tough game but we should have too much in all departments although it’s a potential point dropping game if we are not at our best, which we should be and need to have Partey with Rice in midfield with Ode. Back four should remain the same with Tomi or Kiwior at LB, NOT Zinchenko.
Keep Tross the boss at LW as he’s in good scoring form. Gangly Havertz at 9 to con more pens and Saka in his usual RW supported by the vastly improving White.
I see Rice scoring today. Just a feeling.
KP
What are you up to today? Stewarding and fun with your son and friends? Hope so and you get the results this week after Rotherham.
Ambarish could you forward on something to Norg I’ve sent you please, thanks.
Something completely different Robbie R back to his roots with a great line up of Native Indian musicians. Old but great concert.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKbX4q5IbR8
Galaxy brain at his very best:
“Mikel Arteta claims his ‘brain is telling him’ Arsenal will lift the Premier League trophy on the final day of the season… as he praises kite-flying Fulham for important ‘team bonding’ exercise ahead of Man City test”
Knowing El B he’ll want the planned victory bus tour for a 2nd place kumbya party.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-13404367/Mikel-Arteta-not-fazed-Man-Uniteds-Erik-ten-Hag-bringing-refereeing-calls-Arsenals-victory-September-ahead-crucial-clash-Gunners-title-hopes.html
Norg
Here’s a Band gig I’ve been playing in my office this morning. It’s a restored version but the roughness fits the era: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_whFGulmKbU
After the garden and the game, maybe play with a snifter of what makes you happy. Mine is herbal but good grain or potato makes fine alcohol for the connoisseurs.
I believe Marc is a hops man and KP a top shelf where possible having globally sampled much and many unpronounceable types of knock out juice I imagine?
Of course if Fulham do the unimaginable then it’s game on and party time and I’d go with this to kick it off: sweet home Alabama & Freebird 1976 Knebworth 23 minute version pre plane crash:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjTjG2rxZ0Y
A gem to bookmark, Hoopah.
What’s great is when the dueling guitars are in autoplay mode where time is no longer a thing, Van Zant calls them within a cut throat when the piano had previously failed with change that wasn’t followed by the feverish gits all on one including the dancing bass play.
One of the special moments from music.
Been a bit busy these past few days but still checking in and trying out these wide ranging musical links. Hoopah – it’s intriguing to hear about the kind of stuff people follow in India. Please keep it coming.
Only thing I wanted to say today is – if, if, if the unlikely happens, Junior and I will certainly be paying homage in N5 at the Emirates and Islington Town Hall.
Remember that kid Jimmy Carter who GG signed from Millwall and who we later sold to the bindips?Possibly not the brightest football brain but a hardworking winger nonetheless. Well my flat at Highbury Barn is adjacent to where the bus used to go with the trophy and players en route from Highbury to Islington Town Hall in Upper Street. We were all hanging out the windows of my flat and I had a nice 2 minute conversation with Jimmy C at head height (my flat is on the first floor, he was on the top deck of the bus naturally) as the converted no. 19 bus drifted past at 2 miles an hour. It’s funny how connected I used to let myself think I was to the club.
Hi Tony – other footie is just about done here for the summer, although I’ll also be following the championship play offs hoping that Leeds win through (controversial I know but we’re usually good for 6 points every season against them) . The PL seems somehow slightly naked without a big club like that.
KP
We have the Euroes I guess to keep some football continuity and then the TW I hope will finally have us all hugely optimistic to kick off our season.
Next 2 months here is going to be very illuminating I hope for the right reasons for our PL aspirations.
KP
Are you still attached to your Highbury flat? I imagine you have many more memories Fever Pitch like.
@NORG – I will need your explicit approval to use your email address to forward you what Tony have sent.
Yes, I always thought I’d spend the rest of my life in Highbury at one stage but that was before Ms Kroenkephobe and the three pendejos came on the scene. I was last in London several years ago watching us beat Leeds in the League Cup. I think the problem is that London is constantly changing and people’s life circumstances change too. I can now never imagine myself back there permanently now which is fine. After I’ve sold it, and settled a rather large capital gains tax bill, I’m going to organise a round the world football road trip for everyone on LiR!
Keeping everything crossed for ‘one-f-in’ Fulham. They outclassed us at the Cottage so who knows?
Yeah, I know….