Tony Attwood
Finally, we seem to be winning the battle of Word Press and the site is starting to return to normality – at least as far as anything in football is normal.
The picture that is back on the site is the one of Walter and myself taken while we played for the Benelux team at the Emirates stadium – a day eternally etched on my mind.
Meanwhile the FA is “investigating” David Moyes’ little rant in which he claimed that his team are ‘playing referees as well as the opposition.’ Earlier he said it was ‘scandalous’ that Man U didn’t get a penalty against Tottenham.
I suppose a newspaper could have said Moyes is digging a hole and the FA are looking into it. But they didn’t and Sky are still talking about Villa being 2-0 down and winning 3-2.
Following up Moyes, the Stoke chairman Peter Coates accused PGMOL refs of “big-club bias” which is quite amusing since Referee Decisions found that refs referee Stoke in a totally different way from everyone else.
Coates objected to decisions in matches against Newcastle and Tottenham, and made a complaint against Atkinson. Here’s an interesting quote:
“We are again victims of poor refereeing and I am sick of it. We had it against Newcastle and Tottenham, and now Liverpool. You get fed up with it because these are big decisions that affect the games you play in, so you are bound to get very upset by it.
“It is well known that the big clubs, especially at home, but often away too, get the big shouts. I am not questioning any referee’s integrity, it’s human nature. It’s always been like that and it never changes.
“If you remember, Brendan Rodgers was rather annoyed not to get a penalty recently. He made a big play of it and the media made a big play of it, so you do wonder if it crosses the referee’s mind. I am not accusing referees of cheating, just acting subconsciously under various different pressures.”
Ah well. When will these chairpeople and managers realise that if they ever want to change refereeing standards in the Premier League they have to unite, and object in unison to the policy decisions of PGMOL who run the referee show, so that we have many more refs, and referees don’t get the chance to do the same clubs over and over again.
But I guess most managers and chairpeople are not very bright. Not like Untold readers.
What else is new this dark and cold night (unless of course you are in Australia where it is blistering hot)?
Well, I think I have just discovered Arsenal’s longest ever run of defeats. If you know your Arsenal history you might guess that this was in the relegation year of 1912/13, or failing that in the Knighton era. (Of course the story could be in all the other history books and I’ve just missed it, but its a discovery for me).
But no, ’twas not in those dark days. I’ve got a run of seven successive defeats in February and March 1977, during Terry Neill’s first season as manager. Amazingly Arsenal came 8th that season, which was considered to be one hell of an improvement on the 16th and 17th of the two previous seasons under Bertie Mee.
Anyway, I’ve put the event on the Anniversary File and will continue checking – but if you happen to know if I am wrong on this one, do let me know (preferably with the details rather than just saying “you are wrong you silly person” or words to that effect).
Oh yes, and we are now on ArsenalPRSS too. There’s a link on the left.
Hope you are happy with that picture re-appearing Walter.
Tony
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The Anniversary Files… (part of the AISA Arsenal History Society blog)
Now no club manager would survive seven consecutive defeats. Under pressure from the AAA, the press, the former crappy players turned experts and the city, the chairman would have removed the manager.
Manchester United have lost 250 millions in value since David Moyes has taken over. With the real possibility to miss the 4th place (maybe not a sport trophy but a city trophy) and with it the lucrative Champion’s league, city in sectors are suddenly voting with their wallet. If ManUtd does not get Champion’s league football, suddenly their recruitment budget and their attractiveness will be seriously curtailed.
Can somebody who has read Chelsea accounts can try to explain how they will meet the criteria for Financial Fair Play. As far as I can see, the only way they can meet the target of less than 13 millions operational loss would be to sell fringe players (deBruyne, …), not renew or renew at much lower wage the extravagant salaries paid to their aging squad (Cole, Lampard, Terry, Essien, …). If they decide to recruit expensive players, their contract will have to be on long term (>4yrs) to be able to amortise it.
Valentin,
I hope that Man United fail to make top4 this season. I’m looking forward to seeing the faces of their fans who mocked us for being happy about making 4th. Like the Tinies, they’ll know soon why it is a big deal to at least make 4th if you failed to win either of EPL or UCL.
@Bootoome
Amin
@ Tony,
U know am enjoying those managers moaning and the press toi, when we said we were having unjust calls against us, they said we are moaners, so am gonna hit back and say oh come on, it all evens out in the end.
I missed that picture Tony.
One of the pictures taken that day is the background of my computer….
So any news yet regarding the sort of punishment agbonlahor should expect from the FA? Please don’t tell me this is the second time in as many games an opposition player will get away scotfree for attacking an Arsenal player. Just imagine if it was gerard or Lampard at the receiving end of that elbow from frimpong…
Nice pix Tony.
Hmmmmm have said it before nd will say it AGAIN we can make a hollywood blockbuster from d PGMOL/FA or whatever they been called because can’t just see why u give free license to opponent to just kick out,Rugby down,smack down nd Signatory Finishing Moves on ARSENAL player nd u pick ur pro microphone to say Walcot has been warned about his responsibility has a player, while others just feel like its a sin if u dnt smash Arsenal players legs before bt now u can break nose also at ur free will.
To all the managers,chairperson nd owners shouting foul on the way the Ref had been refereeing their games they shld all just relax because am sure( thinks Tony nd Walter gona back me on this one) IT GONA EVENS OUT @ THE END(some gona pick theirs up in championship league next season)
Nice pix Tony.
Hmmmmm have said it before nd will say it AGAIN we can make a hollywood blockbuster from d PGMOL/FA or whatever they been called because can’t just see why u give free license to opponent to just kick out,Rugby down,smack down nd Signatory Finishing Moves on ARSENAL player nd u pick ur pro microphone to say Walcot has been warned about his responsibility has a player, while others just feel like its a sin if u dnt smash Arsenal players legs before bt now u can break nose also at ur free will.
To all the managers,chairperson nd owners shouting foul on the way the Ref had been refereeing their games they shld all just relax because am sure( thinks Tony nd Walter gona back me on this one) IT GONA EVENS OUT @ THE END(some gona pick theirs up in championship league next season)
Sorry I post twice network prob.
“Can somebody who has read Chelsea accounts can try to explain how they will meet the criteria for Financial Fair Play.”
Valentin,
Interesting, Chelski’s problem and Maureen’s insatiable ambition. Maybe his recent charm offensive and stepped up drive to become an honorary Brit (filling the Fergie power vacuum) for the next 12 years at Chelsea will create pressures toward a new loophole in FFP – the Maureen Exception.
AL,
That deafening silence also hisses in my ears. If they’re letting the time slip by to see what kind of demand/outcry is mounted and posed by our fanbase (as many wait for them to make a move), I fear they can wait us out and brush it under the carpet. Seems to me they watch the way the wind blows, or not. I would be sooo happy in the case to be wrong. What’s the word on whether/how long TR might be out?
Bootoomee
I’m with you on that one .
If you suppose it will take at least 73 points to secure fourth and CL qualifying spot at the end of the season which is what Arsenal ended up with last season , ManU will have to get their points per game average from 1.76 to a more lofty 2.12 for the remaining games and there’s still only about 70% chance of them getting fourth with that PPG average.
I don’t think they’re gonna get it done , with Liverpool and Everton going strong.
With Man U playing Chelsea next, and Liverpool ,Everton and Tottenham all facing beatable teams , there’s a good chance Man U find themselves 8 points out of fourth place and 7 and 6 points out of fifth and sixth respectively .
The beauty of the Man U / Chelsea game for me is that no score line is a bad one as far as I’m concerned although Chelsea loss would probably make it a two horse title race.
Maybe RVP will get a chance to win a Europa League trophy next season:)
IF United lose a few more games, I firmly believe that SAF will act and have him removed. I also get the feeling that United are trying to get rid of a few ¨deadwood¨ players that the fans have turned against such as Chicarito, vidic, DeGea, Rooney and perhaps even RVP?
PGMOL should be scraped and authority for referees given back to FA. PGMOL was created with the only goals to tilt the games (win titles, places for CL, etc.) and make money on biased results via betting. Every big sporting organization (CIO, FIBA, UIC, etc) created a side company for similar purposes, so they are ‘clean’ like a fresh snow. See articles on: http://footballisfixed.blogspot.co.uk/?m=1
I was about to post that we were always called whiners whenever we complained about our poor treatment meted out by the refs and were always told (incorrectly no doubt )that it will all even out at the end ,but I see that Yassin and seroti had the same thought .
With so many questions being asked about the refs and so much confusion in the interpretation of the rules ,maybe it time the PGMOL reactivate their website and start giving some answers (don’t hold you breath !)to the masses .
Or just some FAQs replies ? Or is it time to outsource and start a call centre ? The idea came to me from an e-mail I received today .
Even if they lie and fudge , at least we should get a few laughs .
This is part one or the e-mail I received , not sore who came up with this , but well done !
Word call Centres
Actual call centre conversations !!!!!
Customer: ‘I’ve been ringing 0800 2100 for two days and can’t get through to enquiries, can you help?’.
Operator: ‘Where did you get that number from, sir?’.
Customer: ‘It was on the door to the Travel Centre’.
Operator: ‘Sir, those are our opening hours’.
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Samsung Electronics
Caller: ‘Can you give me the telephone number for Jack?’
Operator: ‘I’m sorry, sir, I don’t understand who you are talking about’.
Caller: ‘On page 1, section 5, of the user guide it clearly states that I need to unplug the fax machine from the AC wall socket and telephone Jack before cleaning. Now, can you give me the number for Jack?’
Operator ‘I think you mean the telephone point on the wall’.
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RAC Motoring Services
Caller: ‘Does your European Breakdown Policy cover me when I am travelling in Australia ?’
Operator: ‘ Doesn’t the product name give you a clue?’
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Caller (enquiring about legal requirements while travelling in France ): ‘If I register my car in France, do I have to change the steering wheel to the other side of the car?’
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Directory Enquiries
Caller: ‘I’d like the number of the Argoed Fish Bar in Cardiff please’.
Operator: ‘I’m sorry, there’s no listing. Is the spelling correct?’
Caller: ‘Well, it used to be called the Bargoed Fish Bar but the ‘B’ fell off’.
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Then there was the caller who asked for a knitwear company in Woven.
Operator: ‘Woven? Are you sure?’
Caller: ‘Yes. That’s what it says on the label; Woven in Scotland ‘.
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On another occasion, a man making heavy breathing sounds from a phone box told a worried operator:
‘I haven’t got a pen, so I’m steaming up the window to write the number on’.
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Tech Support:’I need you to right-click on the Open Desktop’.
Customer: ‘OK’..
Tech Support: ‘Did you get a pop-up menu?’.
Customer: ‘No’.
Tech Support:’OK. Right-Click again. Do you see a pop-up menu?’
Customer: ‘No’.
Tech Support: ‘OK, sir. Can you tell me what you have done up until this point?’.
Customer: ‘Sure. You told me to write ‘click’ and I wrote ‘click”.
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Tech Support: ‘OK. In the bottom left hand side of the screen, can you see the ‘OK’ button displayed?’
Customer: ‘Wow. How can you see my screen from there?’
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Caller: ‘I deleted a file from my PC last week and I have just realised that I need it. If I turn my system clock back two weeks will I have my file back again?’.
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Ooopsss ! Sorry …….. not sure
@AL 11:11 pm : your example is exactly the point, Agbonlohor is an “english lad” playing the game with fire in his belly, Rosicky is a “foreigner” who faints at the sight of blood. Game should be played the english way in england afterall, and yes Frims would’ve seen red, he isnt english remember he chose ghana, so a similar tackle ( i cant find a better mild word for what gabby did) on an english leading light ( that would hurt englands world cup chances- yes this will come up only if the receiving player is english) will be taken up by media and everyone will say what frims did was worse that suarez bite and make sure he never plays again.
And all this while I thought that pic was too big for my data connection to handle…..
Refrees are humans too, so mistakes by them are acceptable. BUT when all those mistakes happen against us……well thats not acceptable.
Like Bootoomee says, we’ve been complaining all these years. We’ve been termed as moaners, whiners….Now we are top of the league and we still complain. So our stand on these subject has never changed. Ironically though, people who claimed there was nothing wrong now cry foul…
Bootoomee
Spot on!
That would be a real fun as you can see a lot of their players announcing they want to leave at the end of this season! Now they can taste their own medicine and those comments on us about the big traitor: can’t understand why Arsenal fans are reacting like this!!
Part 2 – And the award goes to….
There’s always one. This has got to be one of the funniest things in a long time. I think this guy should have been promoted, not fired. This is a truestory from the Word Perfect Helpline, which was transcribed from a recording
monitoring the customer care department. Needless to say the Help Deskemployee was fired; however, he/she is currently suing the Word Perfect organization for ‘Termination without Cause’.
Actual dialogue of a former WordPerfect Customer Support employee.
(Now I know why they record these conversations!):
Operator: ‘Ridge Hall, computer assistance; may I help you?’
Caller: ‘Yes, well, I’m having trouble with WordPerfect.’
Operator: ‘What sort of trouble??’
Caller: ‘Well, I was just typing along, and all of a sudden the words went away.’
Operator:’Went away?’
Caller: ‘They disappeared.’
Operator: ‘Hmm So what does your screen look like now?’
Caller: ‘Nothing.’
Operator: ‘Nothing??’
Caller: ‘It’s blank; it won’t accept anything when I type.’
Operator: ‘Are you still in WordPerfect, or did you get out??’
Caller: ‘How do I tell?’
Operator: ‘Can you see the C: prompt on the screen??’
Caller: ‘What’s a sea-prompt?’
Operator: ‘Never mind, can you move your cursor around the screen?’
Caller: ‘There isn’t any cursor: I told you, it won’t accept anything I type.’
Operator: ‘Does your monitor have a power indicator??’
Caller: ‘What’s a monitor?’
Operator: ‘It’s the thing with the screen on it that looks like a TV. Does it have a little light that tells you when it’s on??’
Caller: ‘I don’t know.’
Operator: ‘Well, then look on the back of the monitor and find where the power cord goes into it. Can you see that??’
Caller: ‘Yes, I think so.’
Operator: ‘Great. Follow the cord to the plug, and tell me if it’s plugged into the wall.
Caller: ‘Yes, it is.’
Operator: ‘When you were behind the monitor, did you notice that there were two cables plugged into the back of it, not just one??’
Caller: ‘No.’
Operator: ‘Well, there are. I need you to look back there again and find the other cable.’
Caller: ‘Okay, here it is.’
Operator: ‘Follow it for me, and tell me if it’s plugged securely into the back of your computer.’
Caller: ‘I can’t reach.’
Operator: ‘Uh huh. Well, can you see if it is??’
Caller: ‘No.’
Operator: ‘Even if you maybe put your knee on something and lean way over??’
Caller: ‘Oh, it’s not because I don’t have the right angle – it’s because it’s dark.’
Operator: ‘Dark??’
Caller: ‘Yes – the office light is off, and the only light I have is coming in from the window.
Operator:’Well, turn on the office light then.’
Caller: ‘I can’t.’
Operator: ‘No? Why not??’
Caller: ‘Because there’s a power failure.’
Operator: ‘A power……… A power failure? Aha, Okay, we’ve got it licked now. Do you still have the boxes and manuals and packing stuff your computer came in??’
Caller: ‘Well, yes, I keep them in the closet.’
Operator: ‘Good. Go get them, and unplug your system and pack it up just like it was when you got it. Then take it back to the store you bought it from.’
Caller: ‘Really? Is it that bad?’
Operator: ‘Yes, I’m afraid it is.’
Caller:’Well, all right then, I suppose. What do I tell them??’
Operator: ‘Tell them you’re too f##king stupid to own a computer !!!’
Players that injures another player should get banned the same amount of time required for the injured player to return
DREAM – An inspirational video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-jwWYX7Jlo#t=23
Letting go …..
Always know when to let go. When a thought is bringing you more misery than peace, let go of the thought; when a person is bringing more pain than joy to your life, let go… You cannot be your best if you lack joy and peace. — Brigitte Nicole
http://lessonslearnedinlife.com/let-go/
A Very Touching Story.
A poor boy was in love with a rich man’s daughter.One day the boy proposed to her and the girl said…”Hey! Listen, your monthly salary is my daily allowance !
How can I be involved with you..? How could you have even thought of that? I can never love you, so forget about me and get engaged to someone else at your level.
But somehow the boy could not forget her so easily…..Some time 10 years later they stumbled into each other in a shopping mall. The lady again said….,”Hey.. ! You! How are you? Now I’m married and do you know how much my husband’s salary is..? $15,700 per month! Can you beat that? And he is also very smart” The guy’s eyes became moist with tears on hearing those words from the same lady.
A few seconds later, her husband came around but before the lady could say a word her husband seeing the guy said, “Sir, you’re here and I see you’ve met my Wife.”
Then he said to his wife,”This is my boss, I’m also one of those working on his $100 million project! And do you know a fact my dear? My boss once loved a lady but he couldn’t win her heart…. That’s why he has remained unmarried since. How lucky would that lady have been, if she had married my boss then ? These days, who would love someone that much?” He said all this to his wife.”
The lady looked in total shock but couldn’t utter a word….
Life is so short and it’s just like a mirror. You can only see as much as it reflects. So don’t be too arrogant or proud by looking down on others because of their current situation. Things change with time just like the weather..! Don’t under estimate anyone because everyone has a great future!
A wonderful video supporting Arsenal in an Untold manner:
http://vimeo.com/69360936
bob 12:38
Google isn’t throwing up anything regarding how long TR will be out for, but at bleacher report site seems to suggest he could be out for a while(two weeks?). Good thing is Wenger has rewarded him with another year at Arsenal 🙂
r.iris
You sum it up the way I saw it too. And just to add a little support/weight to your comments, this is how this was reported from the Independent below, and you can see the reporter using the English v Foreigner angle, perhaps subconciously? ( I mean, why emphasize the nationalities of both players in this case?? I have read many different reports on how Mikel got away after treading on Arteta, without any references to Nigerian or Spaniard in those reports) 🙂
“Manager Arsene Wenger has revealed that Tomas Rosicky suffered a suspected broken nose after he clashed with Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor when the two contested a header. The Czech Republic captain caught a stray elbow off the Englishman, leaving him battered and bloodied as he received treatment from the Gunners’ medical staff.”
Matic is now back at Chelsea for 20.75millions (not including signing on fees, agent fees, …) on a 5 1/2 years contract. Chelsea can therefore amortise his fees by 4 millions per years. However, because they also add a new salary, they now need to shave about 18millions per year from their current budget to meet the 45millions maximum loss over three years required to meet Financial Fair Play.
Unless they successfully sell De Bruyne for more money or the timing of the cash flows (+DeBruyne – Matic) is in their favours, they have just made more difficult for them to meet the FFP.
I can see at least 6~9 well paid players leaving this summer: Lampard, Cole, Terry, Ba, Essien, Eto, Mikel, Luiz, Torres, Mata.
I can’t wait to see how Chelsea will fare if they have the financial wings clipped.