Special thanks to Sparxs_TV for the cover pic and some more images from the Arsenal game. He runs a YouTube channel @WereTheNorthBank.
What did we expect – to play Dortmund in Quarter Finals, PSG in Semis and Barcelona in finals? Nope, that’s not how you claim the Champions of Europe trophy. The ties we got is what happens to everyone else in CL. Bayern in QF, Madrid or City in Semi, and any of the Dortmund, Atletico, Barcelona, PSG in finals. I would say reaching to the finals is tougher than winning it but
to be the best, you must beat the best.
And it’s the same for Premier League. Liverpool and Man City are going to make it as difficult as you can imagine, and the only way to win is to beat the current champions Man City at their home and win against the likes of Chelsea, Brighton, Tottenham (lol), Man United in the process. Tough? Yes – very. You would need everything by your side, fitness, form, luck.
We passed Porto test in the shootouts. They parked the bus, drew our players out of shape and played a game to frustrate us. I was vocal against Odegaard and was hoping to see ESR play in that role couple months back. It seems the Captain has not liked it. He was brilliant, passionate and created that goal allowing us to beat Porto. Our penalty kicks were spot on, Raya made 2 great stops and almost stopped a third one as well.
The thing is, we looked hungry for a win for the whole 120min and in the shootouts. Odegaard chest thumping showed what it meant for the boys. Saliba’s celebration after the game was one of the funniest and at the same time an intense celebration. To qualify to quarter finals after 14 years is an achievement and to not stop here is the ask.
What’s next? 3 very tough games in Champions League and 10 more in PL. You win these 13 games and you get to write your name in the history as an Arsenal players. Is it tough? A lot. Is it possible? Fuck yeah.
When the players show the urgency and enthusiasm to win something and believe in it, we fans are more than happy. It’s a sport and a loss is acceptable when it comes with a fight. Last season, we gave away the Premier league title and the manager as well as the players were responsible for that. They have improved and hanging in there, not going down without a fight this season. To anyone’s saying fighting on two front is difficult, it’s not. 13 games with a fit squad, and belief to win is more than enough.
Right, I woke up and chose positivity. It’s gonna be boring 2 weeks till we play City on 31st March. We will beat them. And for a morning chuckle, let me remind you that Fulham were playing Willian whom we let go for free more than a year back and Tottenham still managed to lose 3-0 against them. And they were talking about winning the league couple of months back. How can someone be so delusional, lol?
Hepworth and Mark Ellen kind of supplanted whispering Bob if 8 recall correctly. It’s only really BBC4 these days broadcasting archive material (the Jules Holland thing is too eclectic for my taste) but back in the day we had OGWT and Rock goes to College plus the Word on Channel 4. Music feels dead and wholly derivative these days – talent shows or bust.
Just based on our recent conversations NORG, I’d bet good money that you also have a soft spot for Dr Feelgood. Tony (who knew them) and I have a real fondness for Canvey Island’s finest.
The London Pub Band scene in the early 70’s was good – really good. Dr Feelgood were part of that scene – Wilko seemed to have a style all of his own. We used to go to a pub in Finchley (cant remember the name) but it always had good acts on there (I saw Dr Feelgood there). In 1975 I saw a US band there – cant remember their name but Kate Pierson was their singer – a few years later B52’s appeared on the scene.
OK everyone… Break over. Time to start the drumbeat leading up to a rather important game at the weekend. 🥁🥁🥁
KP
Arsenal Women vs Chelsea Women? or City vs the good guys?
Hi NORG
I watch the women’s team often, and despite the talented players in the squad, they don’t quite seem at it this year. Too many occasions when they concede first and others when they look like flat track bullies. They also got a hammering last time out against Chelsea and going out in the early CL stages was awful. The stats from the Villa game yesterday tell it all. AV – one chance, one goal. But some of the players seem like great characters. Little and McCabe are my and the twins’ favourite players. Is your meeting in Madrid still on the cards?
Hi all just to chip in before we get back to the serious shit. No, not at the party or knew the people you talked about. Met Stevie Nicks who came up on my sound desk in Frisco in 1980 on a Madness tour. I started my sound career with Lee Lewis Reformer who many regarded as better than Lee of Feegood fame.
Norg if you saw Lee Lewis at Dingwalls or the other london circuit pub gigs yours truly was in the desk learning as I went. I’d do gigs and then head to nearby studios and rehearsal rooms to further my sound education.
Wilco was speeding 24/7 and as dramatic off stage as on. I much preferred Gippy Mayo who took over from Wilco.
Gippy was a really cool guy and married a girl, Leslie a trader, whose flat I often crashed at between tours in St Johns Wood. Had a very enjoyable music scene with them in the 80s.
I’m seriously thinking about adding a studio to this house or building a new home with one. The costs are much reduced and it’s in the acoustics where you save money on correction tech. It’s time for me to get creative again and I’m not sure I’ve got the the energy to road trip around the world with my cameras.
I’ve been too involved in family life to know what’s going on where Junior has been accepted to a top international BKK school for mathematical engineering sciences run by a leading university.
I honestly didn’t know how he’d do with his ADHD making his focus really difficult, but he enlisted help from his band of misfit brothers who take turns staying overnight who pulled all nighters with him. Really nice kids with off the charts IQs. Looks like I’ll be spending more time in BKK.
I saw a headline Saka was injured and sent home.
I’m in Ubon Ratchasima after 2 nights in Udonthani where a good Thai female friend has just beat breast cancer with alternative treatment in Japan. I’m looking into the retirement homes and medical wellness spa with a couple of Thai doctor friends.
Same in Ubon. The north is perfect for such ventures as you’ll know well KP. Already got land on the Nan river in Nakhon Sawan which is widely believed to be the next capital in 20 years time with the climate issues. Bangkok is only a meter above sea level. There are a lot of ostriches in BKK.
Sorry I digressed. No idea about the City game other than it’s a must win.
Almost 2am and sleep is not far away. Loved the music chat which Norg you add great value from your perspective and stories.
See you all at the weekend.
Fela Kuti another forgotten great. Hotel California has just had a remix in BluRay where the mix lit my room up more than Pulse by Floyd. A calibrator tool par excellence. Yello did the same with their top tunes.
Handsome is the first Dury IP and very rare. Lee from Madness had 2 copies he was so taken by it.
Good night 😴
Tony
I expect the sound you have is unbelievable compared to what we listen to. I can remember being drawn to Zappa and Miles Davis in my late teens because of the musicianship of both bands, carefully orchestrated by their leaders. At the time you could follow a certain musician through a song – it would probably sound fantastic in your ‘special’ room.
KP
Madrid is still on the cards if we progress. European grounds usually have a good atmosphere but I have never been to RM. My favourite for atmosphere is the Velodrome in Marseilles.
Norg
https://www.amazon.com/Hotel-California-Anniversary-Deluxe-1Bluray/dp/B076BWHMDP
https://superdeluxeedition.com/news/yello-issue-a-dolby-atmos-edition-of-their-latest-album-point-on-blu-ray/
Above are just 2 blu-ray’s that will light up any good room that has good acoustics and good tech. The tech side is purely down to budget and ears. No point spending on the best if you can hear what you’re paying for.
The budget and extremely good option for line source is Alcons:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/emTEdt31RKM
Trinnov is essential as your processor: https://www.trinnov.com
Its 3D mic is sensational for filtering out poor acoustics in a room and compensating. However, if you build from the ground up or redesign a room and have the best acoustic treatment you can’t use the Trinnov 3D mic because it can’t find imperfections and so makes some up. It really bugs the Trinnov engineers who a really cool people to deal with.
My friend Steve and I took 32 hours with 5 mics including the 3D to tune my room manually.
Wisdom Audio is levels above Alcons and is perfection personified, Luc, the MD, just picked up more awards for their ceiling speakers.
I can’t speak highly enough of the quality and service you get from Wisdom & Trinnov.
You become part of a very small audiophile family. If you experience an issue with Trinnov they will be online and looking through your processor’s architecture looking to fix from Paris, as they’ve done for me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKMCz1b2RxE
Another brilliant track to test your music. Steely Dan was the more understandable Zappa for me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4HI1_LTWIk
The Alan Parsons Project has real pedigree. Alan was assistant engineer on Sgt Peppers and the main engineer for Dark Side of the Moon. His music is complex and simple but always sounding immersive.
As I mentioned before, book an appointment with Habitech and if you do, I’ll see if Steve is available to do your demo with you. Maybe, even do some speaker shoot outs to test your ears, such as isolating 12k htz and see if you can hear. Most can’t.
It would be a great day out and you’d learn all you needed to decide if you want to go that route. I just had idiots here who didn’t even know how to install a L3 Wisdom speaker.
You have the best of the best in Steve and someone you’ll really resonate with.
It depends on how you want to relax and what you have in your life’s network. I have music and photography as my biggest love outside of my son & daughter. If I’m in my home, I’m in my room – if i’m not sleeping or in my office.
One of the reasons I’ve been MIA here is because Mrs T and I have agreed amicably to end our 19 year marriage. Consequently, we have much to divide and that means I will have some new investing to do.
Retirement looks to be a few years away again.
I’ve got plans for my new house that will have a recording studio and separate “Room”. If possible I’ll add a photographic studio to play with Hasselblad & Phase One. It will be situated in the north on elevated ground.
It’s kind has come at the right time as my son has just gained entrance to a university run international school for mathematical engineering sciences. He wants to be a robotic architecture designer engineer.
I’ll be in BKK much more and maybe rent a serviced apartment.
I’ve always extended the offer to Marc, KP, Almunia, Ambarish and TRVL, which I’ll happily extend to you, that you ever come to Thailand for a holiday then you’re welcome to visit and stay if I’ve built my new home with studios. I’ll be adding a condo above the studios.
Whether you decide to go a “Room” route or just enjoy Line Source with Trinnov it will depend on your ears as they will dictate your budget. The Trinnov is a processor bar none. Around £20K for a 24 channel but 32 is needed if you go full Wisdom.
Unfortunately, in the cost sense my ears are still perfect or as good as Steve’s as we tested each other often in the 32+ hours.
One for you Almunia if you check in The Irish Rock Story a Tale of 2 cities./
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5089890/
Also a brilliant watch if you want to really learn the real origin of the blues with Robbie Robertson
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6333080/
Back to football I just read Walker and Stones are doubtful for Sunday’s game. Whether this is the usual gamesmanship who knows.
I have a good feeling about Sunday and will pop back at the weekend. I’m looking at investments in the north and a place to situate my new how.
I’ll get to watch the game and comment on may Laptop most likely.
Speaking of the Blues this is a cool mix: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebfOo2vWEz4
Have a good one guys
house*
Tony
A long read. The wife was out last night for a meal – a Ladies night. She has no taste in music so her absence allows me to turn up the volume. Last night it was an hour of Steely Dan followed by a mixture that included ‘ Son of Orange County’ by the 1973 Mothers line up. This song is about Nixon but as soon as I hear it that idiot Trump comes to mind. I finished off with Seun Kuti with Newen Afrobeat.
A listening room for me is a few years off – perhaps my office can be tastefully converted when I finally close the lid on my lap-top.
Thank you for the invite to Thailand and a visit to that part of the world could be on the cards in next year or two. I have invented a pellet product that can remove arsenic from water – a problem that affects countries from India round to Viet Nam. A simple two chamber water filter can provide 20litres of arsenic free water per day.
Aaaah. I’m jealous not only of both of your plans but also your aural abilities 👂👂.
If only my hearing allowed me to experience Steely Dan at full or any kind of volume. Reeling in the years, Ricki don’t lose that number, Peg, Kid Charlemagne and Showbusiness Kids to name a few. Superb.
I’m prefacing Sunday (a massive day for both senior Arsenal teams) with a trip to Cardiff (a mere 100 miles away!) to watch them play Sunderland on Friday. I had planned a really sneaky double header because County play at Pontypridd at 12.30pm but the intervening time is too short. With Kroenkephobe Junior and a couple of his mates. Being a bit like fair-weather Bluebirds, we’ve decided we’ll go away to Coventry on Easter Monday only if they put up a good show against the Mackems!
I remember this time last year, we had our best ever Cardiff away day up at Bloomfield road winning a relegation 6 pointer 3-1. Patino played for them and was very ordinary.
KP I think Sunday (men) will be a draw and there will be goals – perhaps 2-2. Patino seems to require a lot of space something he will struggle to find in the premiership.
A friend of mine was a guest of DP Ports World in their box at the London Stadium to see WHU play Villa. In the communal area he spied ESR – perhaps spying up a potential move.
Whilst I’m actually looking forward to the Euro’s in the summer I’ve got to say international breaks especially when they’re playing friendlies is a borefest of epic proportions.
No idea how things will go Sunday other than I’m watching in the pub and with no work on Monday it’s going to get liquid.
Marc
Internationals for me are a switch off. There is an occasional good match per tournament but most are great for insomniacs. I think Sunday could be a good game as long as El B does not get the team to be too cautious.
NORG
There’s usually too many matches between pretty average teams. I do think England this summer have the making of a really exciting line up – Foden, Kane and Saka up front with a CM including Bellingham and Rice is pretty tasty.
Of course having Southgate manage them is like giving someone who’s tee total an amazing bottle of wine.
Marc
Perhaps Declan can provide in game management on the pitch – I am sure he and the other players you mentioned have more idea than Southgate.
Baaaaad day yesterday. I should have left home earlier and watched County get an important win against Ponty instead.
Cardiff were utter shite (as only they can find a way to be) but the ref was even worse. Check the highlights on YT for the most ridiculous penalty awarded for a swallow dive by Bellingham junior.
And you thought Tierney was a bad referee
https://youtu.be/-HsHXMDshts?si=8pOWWeeCR1y4CZUh
There were highlights…. Seeing Junior and his mates having a good afternoon despite the so-called football and getting my old Fiesta into a seriously tight space very close to the ground without resorting to the Parisian ‘nudge-nudge’ method of parking. But that ref? What an absolute fuck!
“Thank you for the invite to Thailand and a visit to that part of the world could be on the cards in next year or two. I have invented a pellet product that can remove arsenic from water – a problem that affects countries from India round to Viet Nam. A simple two chamber water filter can provide 20litres of arsenic free water per day.”
Pleasure, Norg. That’s amazing the pellet you described. Lives will be much richer for it. Thailand I imagine in the outlying regions would need the pellet. Oddly, I’m back from Udon and cancelled Ubon to watch the game in my room. It’s too big a game to miss or watch on and macbook.
Everyone here has such cool events in their lives that are wonderful to real about.
My meeting with my friend and senior govt official for the north went well. I spume you have fellow scientists working for various governments. My friend knows a lot of senior people who rallied with her for her cancer I’ve been supporting her with.
Should you need her help, I know she would be serious about helping you and your product. She has 3 very senior govt agency brothers so tentacles everywhere with her family.
KP, I would imagine your ears are fine, just under used. Sorry about the football but tomorrow will make it better… I think well hoping really…….
expect*
Newcastle definitely going to be looking for a new manager come the summer.
Interested to know everyone’s thoughts on the penalty Newcastle have just been awarded for a “foul” by Calvin Phillips.
For me not a pen.
Shit on the Villa v Wanky Wanderers. I’d like to see the men in Amber (or whatever that nasty fucking colour is called) prevail.
New post.
I have to say my gut is telling me we will pick up 3 points tonight and take the fight to Lpool.
Pep is crying we have it easier than poor Pep and his pampered bunch of prima donnas. All gamesmanship of course but Pep going full blown “Poor Me” is music to my ears because psychologically, it could get in his players head.
When you add by looking at their current injuries, if Stones, Walker and KDB are really injured, we should be able to attack their left flank with impunity and speed depending if our flying Martinelli is also fit. Even so we have the squad to score goals if El B uses his squad properly.
Often when a top side uses youth they do well because the youth players play differently. I hope tonight El B has tactics for that eventually.
For us they say late fitness test for both Gabs and Saka, which probably means they will start.
A full fit squad for us is what Pep is bitching about. Can’t wait to see the points eventual deduction have Pep deciding on his future.
Without Walker we can exploit their left side. I’d prefer to see ESR at 8 but obviously Havertz will get the nod. Partey took part in a behind-the-scenes game against Fulham which we lost, so has some fitness to help shut out the game with Rice.
I can see us winning 4:1 if we play like we did when we beat Pool.
That’s my 10 cents worth: a win and mount more pressure on Klopp and make their fans whinge more than normal.
TRVL would be interested to know how you’d set up for this game?
Marc enjoy the liquid game lol
KP Trust in me (Think Jungle Book)
Norg I’m sticking with 4:1 win for us especially with Walker, KDB and Stones are out. Even with them City have looked stale. It will be all down to El B because we have the players and there free scoring at will form.
Anything but 3 points will be a big let down for me.
See you all at the game…….
https://www.besoccer.com/team/injuries-suspensions/manchester-city-fc