Guest post by Adi (@positivegunner)
So the transfer window filled with ITKs, Exclusives, Airport Sightings, constant reminders of our bank balance and more has finally passed us.
We’ve added one genuinely top quality player to play left back as part of a quality foundation that already exists here. Now, this might not be the position where you thought a player was needed and it certainly wasn’t the first position this author would have strengthened if given the choice (I’d have gone for a CF). This might not be the only signing you thought we needed and you could even feel that if we have the money it should have been spent right away on whoever was available to add to this team for now. There’s a couple of reports from Italy about getting rejected by Fiorentina for Jovetic and plenty about Barcelona refusing to sell Villa, so it looks like we did try for a top quality forward (though some of you don’t like the “we tried” line).
However, we need to be reminded that as much as we’d like, we have zero say in this process and this is finally the decision of the manager. He thinks what he has is enough for now to get the job done between now and May and whether we like it or not, the squad will remain as it stands and no amount of complaining or moaning or lambasting or screaming is going to change that now until May.
So this is it, our team and potential depth for various positions from now until the end of May. Take a good long look at it. It seems thin in some areas, strong in others but has quality and versatility in it capable of getting us the top 4 (especially as we seem to be getting a lot more cohesive and deadly going forward)
Now let me let you in on a little secret. I’m furious and have been for a while. About a signing we missed. I thought we could have used him in the summer and I thought we should have paid beyond our means to get him if that was the stumbling block (other clubs, their own interest in moving is really no issue if you throw money at it)
This is a player, the likes of whom we used to have before, and I wish we had signed. He’s a free agent now, so it still isn’t too late to sign him and he could make a massive difference between now and the end of the season. Who is this you say?
Let me give you some clues while I hold your attention for just a little bit longer.
To narrow down his style, I’ll just say that he’s a fierce defender and truly loves the club.
I believe this kind of player is what we need to help push past and overcome the Jekyll and Hyde act that we do in the two halves where we play the first half fearful and flat and the second half at a level near our true potential.
Besides any big quality signings that you might think we need or didn’t get, this is one player this team needs to push it on to every success even if we sign other world class players.
He has had the reputation of going missing sometimes against weaker teams but he’s the ultimate big match player, delivering his best performances on the biggest stage or against the biggest rivals.
He is loud and usually dependable, and often the one that players turn to when they need inspiration, confidence and self-belief and need to shake themselves out of fear and nervousness.
He can induce fear in the opposition and reduce them to nervous wrecks and has the ability to singlehandedly spark his team to life from the lowest of depths to achieve anything and fight like warriors.
He’s supposed to be so good that he makes people feel like they’re up against an extra man, a 12th man if you will.
A whopping 94% of professional footballers believe that playing with this guy, helps them play miles better.
Wondering who this is if you haven’t figured it out already?
The answer is simple, its Mr.Vocalis Fultus.
Confused? Well you’re supposed to be. This is Latin for vocal supporter.
That’s right, the signing that I hope we’ve made and if not yet, then can still secure is the vocal supporter. The one who makes himself heard in the stadium in full support even when the chips are down at 0-4 like we did against Milan. The very one who resides inside each and every one of us who claim to love this club and support the players in red and white. And this is not just when the team is playing well, but more so when the team is playing with fear and looks completely flat when the extra 12th man counts for so much more.
Support means a lot of things to a lot of people but I see supporting the team you love as similar to supporting someone you love. When they’re going through a bad patch, you don’t just pound on them and make them feel worthless, you do what you can to help them out of that patch.
Our opinions on matters of ambition, how much money we have to spend and we haven’t spent, why we spent or didn’t spend, can be far and wide and extreme. Our opinions on the quality of players (and whether they’re Invincibles level or not) can differ between shit and world class. Our opinions on the board, Gazidis, Kroenke, Usmanov and Arsene Wenger can range from they’re right and they know to they’re ruining the club. All this is and more can be up for debate, and you have every right to do so.
But what is not up for debate anymore is the fact that now that the January window is over, between now and May, the constant unabated support of every player on the pitch, ranging from Santos to Santi, is needed more than ever. We cannot let our opinions of things that cannot change for the next four months cloud our support for the team or detract from it in any way. We cannot take out our frustrations or anger of any perceived decline since the stadium move out on the players who are on the pitch now. We cannot put the pressure of that frustration onto every misplaced pass, every missed challenge, every scuffed shot and every goal conceded. Now is not the time for that, now is the time to stand up and be counted as a genuine 12th man.
So what do you say? Can we as fans provide this massive signing that will prove as big a boost to the team starting Saturday against the cavemen? Or do we as fans dither until the summer or the next trophy and refuse to make this one signing that could prove to be the difference towards achieving those goals?
Positively Arsenal 
Fantastic post Adi. I too have been hoping for Fultus to sign. I wrote a blog last year called “It’s in our hands” which called on Gooners to support the team and carry us to 4th. That can happen again this year. Maybe some people don’t realise that crowd noise can have a massive negative or positive effect on the team. It’s for this reason I do not consider myself an Arsenal fan but an Arsenal supporter. Great work, keep it up.
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As one might have predicted, an interesting and unusual transfer by Arsenal. Personally I would have thought LB was covered this season. and perhaps next; likely as not AW has unearthed a gem, Cazorla might have alerted or confirmed as such, the club been quietly negotiating for him, and brought it forward. This doesn’t of course mean Santos is definitely out of the picture, because Wenger has been playing him in a more forward role quite systematically off the bench, and maybe sees his potential in the squad set up, Benayoun style, a bit player in this case left sided. And then again, perhaps he was intended to move on this summer anyway, more likely, being a transitional purchase/player and a long term gap needing to be settled.
I have an odd hunch, look borne out by my own football experience, that left sided and right sided are not symmetrical equivalents, but different animals altogether. The hunch tells me that the left side, in attack and in defence, is approached slightly differently to the right side, and is the key to the lock-picker role in breaking down stubborn parked buses. I don’t think it was an accident that Arshavin was bought and given this role, and later 3Gs, and earlier if I recall correctly Freddie favoured his darting runs from the left. Lukas then too was a strategic and important decision. An enormous amount was spent on Reyes for the same reason, Wenger constantly looking for the magical left sided sparkle. From this perspective, we should probably take more note than usual about the latest Nacho to arrive, Wenger referring to strengthening defensive roles should be noted – that reference will be traced to stats.
So everyone and their auntie on every two-bit blogsite thought striker, DM, and I would have bet (I don’t bet anyway) a right sided attacking midfielder/striker to supplement Theo in that role. I’m intrigued by the next moves. Adrian Lopez.
I cannot prove it, but my gut tells me Wenger is plotting a towering team that will eclipse even the mighty Invincibles, and as an economist who grew up in a bistro, his planning is meticulous, scientific even and his bigger goal quite sumptuous.
It is really very nice, I mean this, to see Passenal after a time. I’m looking forward to greeting First Lady, and Fungunner, Team Spirit and others. As I said once elsewhere, a football blogsite without female contributors is like a football team without a midfield, all attack and defence, and not enough nuance.
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That is a well researched and written post Adi. Many thanks for the work, especially the graphics in considering what Wenger means when he says we have 2 players in every position, and cover for them. It means a whole lot more flexibility than we think. But, 3Gs on the right looks a little incongruous to me. I also wonder what the possible summer arrivals of Campbell, assuming work permit, and Ryo might mean. It seems unlikely that Arsenal cannot obtain Campbell’s permit now given his credentials in another senior league. And for Ryo, his second season on loan, but injuries too.
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Great post AD – tempting to get a No 12 shirt done complete with Fultus on the back.
My only addition to your excellent pitch ‘graphic’ would be to Right Back in the shape of Hector Bellerin, who joined us from Barca when Cesc went the other way. He’s still very young, approaching 18 (I believe) but rated by some as the best young right back in the world. If there is anyone better, he would be some player.
Agree with Adi’s points and Daniel’s wholeheartedly; the role of the stadium is crucial and can have a massive impact, both positive and negative. The naysayers simply have to get to grips with this.
Agree also with ZP especially the last paragraph. Much missed in the blogosphere; I hope Passenal’s warm blanket reaches the very wonderful First Lady and Team Spirit …
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Interesting to be a fly on the Gibbs’ breakfast table this morning. He signs a five year deal and is top banana on the left back by a distance, a fortnight later Monreal arrives ?
As a supporter fan or whatever I am delighted to know we have – assuming Nacho is the business – two good players covering the position
I hope it is a spur to Kieran’s development
And good piece Adi
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I love this piece! Very patriotic! The window has ended now is the time to get behind the team both in good times and in bad times.
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great post adi. the fans need to show strength too!
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Tip top top quality post. Sensible move to strengthen in light of KG’s injury and Andre just coming back from an in jury. In no way a vote of no confidence in either player. Just pragmatic from Le Boss.
I love that the fans all scream for one type of player and the Prof knowing infinitely more than them goes the other way.
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Repost from earlier:
Zim @ at 8:23 am
I have always loved your intuitiveness in trying to understand Wenger’s actions. As you observed signing Nacho is not merely for the here and now but for the long term. It is self-evident; a player who is cup-tied for the champions league is not here as a stop-gap. More significantly, apparently he had already been pre-selected and was to move over the summer but his signing was simply brought forward. This is not your classic panic buy.
Interesting to me is the role Santos plays for the rest of this season. Will he be thrust more forward or occasionally pressed into defensive duties starting with Stoke this weekend. All I ask is he does his best and I will be fully behind him.
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Adi: The window is always open for one player – Vocalis Fultus.
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Thanks Adil, but i’m not sure this post should be described as a ‘Guest Post’.
–
Courtesy of Arsenal Youtube legend Culann Davies here are some highlights of Iggy ‘Nacho’ Monreal’s last game for Malaga:
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Great stuff Adi. Top top class.
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I think Nacho is clearly bought with long-term intent in mind. That said, he’ll have a key role in the EPL now that KG is sidelined for a bit.
Agree with Stew – love the fact that its AW still running the club and not the noisy idiots; clearly the signing of a very competent player by a VERY confident man.
Great signs, terrific signing.
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Steww @ 9:45 am – What really gets my goat with most, not all, bloggers, pundits and tweeters is the arrogance and lack of humility. Simply because you have a lap-top, smart-phone or microphone gives these people the inflated self-belief that they know better than Wenger. Recently I sat through a team-building exercise and the point was made that in a team the opinion of the most knowledgeable technician is the most critical. But like most organizations who prattle a lot about team-building but fail miserably, in the Arsenal world, the opinion of the acknowledged expert is simply bashed and belittled by persons with absolutely nothing by way of knowledge and experience. It simply annoys me but i am old enough to know it is the way of the world and the the emergence of blogs and tweets has only worsened the situation.
Vocalis Fultus indeed.
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speaker : number one woijeck …
fans : SCHEEEZZZZZNHHHY
speaker: at left back ..bacary..
fans: SAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGNAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
and a loud and proud effing ARSENAL ARSENAL ARSENAL at the end.
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shotta February 1, 2013 at 10:12 am
they were all educated on football next to cruyff, lippi and zidanne you see…
🙂
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shotta February 1, 2013 at 10:12 am
Yep quite agree but then I shouldn’t let myself get aggravated when I’m in here. This is an oasis, a haven after all. A place to get away from the BS that pollutes the football world and ruins the simple pleasure of watching the team play.
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Lovely post. Vocalis Fultus eh? couldn’t agree more. Of course the predictable cry elsewhere seems to be “too little too late”. It is as Steww points out there, a pragmatic signing from an infinitely astute man seemingly oblivious to the hysterical (media driven) nonsense all around him. Thank god he’s at the reigns.
Can’t wait to see Nacho in the Arsenal shirt.
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From the youtube stuff this Nacho has Arsenal written all over him. Quick thinker.
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Although I have followed Arsenal since 70/71 double (I was 12 and then a budding little right back), it’s not as though Arsenal was a global name, absolutely the opposite, almost unknown, people thought me a little odd with my Arsenal. African support base, estimated now at one million African fans now coincided precisely with Wenger and Kanu Nwankwo, and grew from there. Liverpool was far, far bigger in Africa. The African fans, in my part of the world, are critical, well informed and extremely loyal all at the same time. Hell yes, we want trophies. But mostly, we want the Arsenal style, verve, entertainment, skill. This alone has attracted the massive following and a certain type of fan (football purist) and retained them over the years, along with Barca. We can’t get to Emirates but our hearts are there. Vocalis Fulcrum, and Fultus.
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Dedicated to steww and all positive gooners (sorry George, Music-Friday, it is):
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Is it just me or does he look a bit like a love child of Gary Neville & Mertesaker.
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It’s a rare day when I don’t see an Arsenal shirt in my home town, maybe 5000 miles from Emirates. Now that’s saying something if you think about it. ManU, yes, mostly the big spender types in the suburbs, not my scene; Liverpool, yes, still a few stalwarts; Chelsea, rare, slightly embarrassing; can’t recall ever seeing a City shirt, maybe at some of their matches (in sports bars); never actually seen a Tottenham shirt here.
Now where did it all come from I always ask with a smile?
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ZimPaul February 1, 2013 at 11:07 am
i agree 100%. its what i was trying to explain to others in some other blogs ( i wont say names) about arsenal never being big enough for its fans to demand that we emulate european giants with global brand names and more than 50 years history of winning european cups…
arsenal first had to create the conditions to become a money making machine, and with a shrewd economist at the helm combined with his unique ability to identify players, i would say arsenal has the most qualified manager for what they set to do.
as i read in another blog, arsenal has the best possible oligarch-free business model it could have, and the best possible manager to guide the club through its stadium transition.
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Stoke RFC is a test, not to be under-estimated. I’m thinking about Santos, in the spotlight, and now more than before. I reckon he’ll show himself; very Brazilian to be a bit carefree and then win the world cup, for fun. It’s not as though Pool had their way with him. In any event, I simply don’t agree automatically that the current purchase means a summer end of Andre, although obviously it might. But I don’t expect to see Gibbs before April either.
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And I suppose lack of activity in another direction signals Miguel might the chosen one from the youth ranks at CB. With that I’m happy.
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Nice one Adi.
Paul ,Team Spirit has been posting here already
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The extraordinary quality of the signings made over the last 18 months is largely unmatched by other clubs. Even Citeh has been relatively quiet these last two windows. But allied to that is the development of the ‘kids’, happening to a degree ‘off radar’ but no less exciting for that.
One has the impression that AW may have been in the market for a midfielder (as cover for AD and/or Rosicky) and the non-appearance of outsiders in these roles suggests a decent chance for three players in particular to get a run out at some point over the next four months or so – in particular, but no means exclusively, I’d not be surprised to see appearances from Gnabry up front, Eisfeld in the middle (as cover for TR & AD) and Bellerin at right back. Hector Bellerin in particular has the potential to light up the division, despite his extreme youth. Think of a speedier non-simian version of Gareth Bale only less airborne …
So I’m very relaxed about our position right now. In December I thought we’d sign two players – the re-signing of Theo and yesterday’s late night addition of Nacho were two first rate developments which, had we lost either, would have left us poorer for it.
Will be interesting to see the line up for the Orcs; don’t fancy the visitor’s chances too much, to be honest. And I fully expect a flying start for the Gunners.
Do we know who’s the referee?
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Nice one Adi,love the graphics as well-we clearly were after David villa,the player appeared to want it as well but 2 out of 3 wasn’t enough,if barca were understandably looking after their own interests we should do the same to them the next time they darken our door. As for the twelth man buissness, your completely right,wins and lots of them will be needed until the end of the seasoned to convince the weak plastic brigade,not us on here though-support the team,support the manager it works it really does.
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Here’s a link to a short video showing the winning goal scored on Tuesday night by young Austin Lipman (aged 17 yrs, 2 months) – there’s a great interception by the right back Hector Bellerin looking like he’s covering the Viera/Diaby role!
The video gives no idea of the condition which were horrendous, incidentally.
http://t.co/YXaacteo
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I say excellent post, Adi. It has always been my view that the 12th man can carry teams over finish lines and create the most daunting of environments for opponents. If this were Twitter, I’d say #FreeFultus!
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Kudos to you guys. You’ve set up a cracking blog with excellent writing and the amount of comments you get for a new blog is outstanding. I’ve had good days on North London Is Red and a lot of hits but I don’t get consistently high comment figures on my actual blog like you do. Well done. Keep it up.
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Ok people ,here is a sample of a comment I have sent to the bin
“Yes that’s the reason the team is sixth and 21 points behind the top. Lack of fan support. Nothing to to do with the lack of quality and squad depth, selling our best players and replacing them with inferior ones, money hungry board and lack of any defensive plan. Its the fans fault for not getting behind the players. You’re right. They should pay their 60 pound or whatever a match, have no opinion on how the team should improve and not react to the teams obvious shortcomings. The fans should be happy paying the highest prices in the country for a teams whose target every season is to qualify for a competition they then show no ambition of winning.Its not the players fault, its the fans. Thanks for clearing that up.”
That is an example of what will not ever be approved on this site.There is not need to reply ,because whoever it was has made up their mind .Debate with him would be futile.
Its not a case of censorship ,its that we just dont want the blog to go in that direction.There are plenty of blogs for his ilk.Just not this one.
This is a haven of joy in the Arsenal .People can discuss less positively should they wish,but trolling and plain stupidity will not be allowed.
I understand that this will effect the number of posts adversely each day,but I feel its a price worth paying.
What do you think?
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send him to le grave and the rest off the spuds in REDS clothing,i keep saying it but 2006-12 have been our most sucessful consistent positions(pre ARSENE) since the 30s and so called supporters should take this on board before whingeing like little girls.
These people are one of the reasons so many players want to leave and our new home is not a scary place to go,teams do not have to come and play well to silence the crowd the job is already done for them.i hate stoke and im ashamed to say their support is better than ours but thats the fact. players talk and this will effect players signing for us in the end. they are growing like a nasty tumour and i cant believe true ARSENAL fans would be involved in that which is why i can only describe them as spuds in reds clothing!
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No question George.
Allow me to expand on my thoughts on this subject.
Imagine if you will Positively Arsenal is a jacuzzi.
It’s a big jacuzzi with loads of room and refreshments on hand for one and all.
We here all happen to like it at a similar temperature and the bubbles to rise at a similar rate. We like the wine chilled just so and we all agree on the best vintage.
We just happen to share those preferences.
Then someone, very much like the poster you quoted George, gets all hot under the collar and accuses us of censorship because we won’t let him climb into our jacuzzi with his shit splattered wellies on and take a piss.
That’s how I see it.
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on the issue around two players per posistion we have alot of very good youngsters coming through, the crop is getting better every year and i think the talent is begining to be matched by mental strenth.the youngsters who we have lost through attitude like bently and jet are getting less and are being replaced by players like nico who would run through walls to play for ARSENAL
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It’s a bit of censorship 😉 It’s a bit “we don’t like what you’re saying so we won’t accept it”. Saying it’s because they’ll never change their minds is a bit of a fallacy because you’re never going to have your mind changed on being positive right?
That said, I think you can post whatever you like on your blog and if you don’t want that type of comment on here then delete it 🙂
I think guys like that should get a voice if only to lay the smackdown on them for the more stupid elements of their comment.
For that guy it would be telling him that regardless of what you pay you should only ever be supportive whilst in the ground. If they want to be heard when expressing unhappiness towards the club they can do it by joining an official group such as AST who will charge them for the pleasure of moaning at the club and much less than the price of a ticket. So save yourself some money, don’t buy a ticket, join the AST or BSM to complain about Arsenal and let someone who wants to support the team and cheer them on regardless of the result have your ticket.
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stew that was far more elloquently put than mine
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Haha, love the comment by Steww. Totally agree. I wouldn’t refuse a guy entrance to the jacuzzi if his preference is to go commando and we’re all wearing trunks but if he wants to take a piss he can FRO.
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Yeeeehaaaaaaaaaaaa….Adi,Adi,Adi…OiOiOi…Brilliant post, Adi, I am so inspired that I’m going to hitch up the wagon and head off to the game now. Sing outside the stadium all night…….Arsenal, Arsenal, Arsenal…Arsenal, Arsenal, Arsenaaalllll…Arsenal, Arsenal, Arsenal…Arsenal…ARSENAL
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The right move, George. That guy wants a platform, not a discussion. He reminds me of someone, to be honest.
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I don’t have a problem having some sport with doomers before telling them to fuck off. Its the middle of the roaders who do me in. They induce such skull cracking boredom that I often had to have a lie down before responding. Don’t read them anymore though.
I would only censor the complete and utter pigs, George.
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I agree with Frank.
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The thing is Daniel,you can explain how you think his opinion is wrong ,but he wont change it.
This is not a place for arguments with negative thinkers,It a place for discussion between positive thinkers.A niche market if you like .Twitter and other site cater for those wanting a fight.Me included .But here is a special place .A haven of joy and humour .For pretentious pricks like me 🙂
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Actually on second thoughts I’m glad you got rid of him, george. As Stew says, I don’t want floaters in the jacuzzi and thats a fact
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Oh lord we seem to be polarising on the site. Those who’d ban em and those who would tell them to fuck off. I would say that I agree with both but that would be fence sitting and well…
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Fair enough George 🙂 Just so we’re clear though, you know your opinion is just as unchangeable right? 😉 haha
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We will be just like ACLF then Frank
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Indeed I do Daniel.
But as I said ,If I want a fight I will go to twitter
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Yeh Frank, that middle ground thing is nauseating.
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