Today’s post is by Blackburn George
It all seems so obvious …
If there is a stick to beat Arsene and Arsenal with then it appears to me that there are multitudes of halfwits ready to pick it up and brandish it with a flurry.
The opinions of agenda driven plebeians are picked up, digested and regurgitated as facts. Theories are accepted and embellished if they in any way make the club look bad. Rumours are started and accepted because dimwits want to believe them.
I’m sick of it and the moaning cretins who do it in the name of passionate support.
My old friend and ally Shottagooner (@shotta_gooner) said this and it exposed several of these misconceptions in a few short lines:
“Such a brilliant morning-after in my part of the world. That glow in the cheeks after a night of …. watching Liverpool, the pundits favorite, simply choke on hubris and self-entitlement at the hands of Tony Pulis and Crystal Palace. What the hell were they smoking in the dressing room at half-time?
Karma is a bitch as many of us said on twitter last night. The lying and cheating in the Suarez buyout affair for one. Even more galling was the gloating that they were succeeding without oil-money despite having the 4th largest net transfer spend in the league since 1992 (£287M according to transferleague.co.uk) was a stick the Arsenal 5th Column and the media was swinging heavily at our club.
All myths exposed and defeated in 10 minutes.
I must save a word for the pundits who are now hopping on the bandwagon of critics of Liverpool defending. Such amazing hypocrisy. I was monitoring the game online on the Guardian’s M-B-M service and later saw replay on America’s NBC network and all were urging Loserpool to go for more goals and put pressure on City.
Turned out very well, didn’t it.”
The thing is, it was not that Liverpool fans were churning out this drivel, or even that pundits were.
Oh no, our fans were at it with gusto.
Brendon was being hailed as a tactical genius, and that was evidence that Arsene was not! How is that looking now I ask you? Roberto was a similar cut above poor old inept Arsene, until he managed to lose 3 of 4 games at the business end. All the time our moaning fans were happy to ignore the fact that both were playing far fewer games than us and we had catastrophic injuries.
Then we have Maureen, dishing out masterclass after masterclass. A serial winner who couldn’t come up with the tactics to not get beaten by Sunderland at home, evidently can’t out-tactic Fat Sam (or even score a goal) – again at home – let alone Norwich.
So all these genius managers that are better than Arsene failed, despite the advantages they have had.
We have some malcontent going on Arsenal TV telling the world that Stan wanted to increase prices by 8% and had to be talked down. (No mention of the heroes within the club who talked him down, even if it were true).
When I challenged this and suggested it was no more than shit-stirring in order to make Stan look bad, I was told:
“We have people in high places at Arsenal who told us!”
Of course they would not tell me who these high people were, I suspect because they don’t exist. Now it is accepted by thousands of fans as fact, simply because some moaning malcontent said so.
FOR NO OTHER REASON; NO FACT, NAMES OR EVIDENCE OF ANY TYPE.
The AST had an analysis done (I suspect they were disappointed with the results) which proved beyond doubt that Arsene overachieves every year (with one exception) but this actual evidence is ignored in favour of a purely fictional notion that he does not.
Detractors point to the wage bill, claiming that we are the 4th biggest and therefore should expect to be 4th. They conveniently forget that we have a huge staff because we are NOW a huge club.
But more than that they disregard transfer spend as if it is totally irrelevant.
However, a big wage bill is the result of big spending in the transfer market. Simply put, big transfers in, expect big wages, and get them. So it’s the transfers that drive the wage bill. Not the other way around. Therefore it’s transfer spending that is the main measure of where a club should expect to finish. Not wages.
The wages are a reflection of the transfer spend! Got it now?
This though does not suit the detractors so it’s disregarded.
A stick, a stick – my kingdom for a stick!
We have experts telling us how much we have in the bank and jumping to conclusions about how and when it should have been spent, without one iota of knowledge of what plans may have been made – let alone cash flow considerations.
Don’t get me started on the pricks organising protests.
Just who the hell do they think they are?
All in all, it’s sad and pathetic what is going on.
You can tell George exactly what’s going on via Twitter @Blackburngeorge
Positively Arsenal 
Fin, one thing I didn’t take into account, and I suspect everyone avoids talking about, is the impact hooliganism has on English football’s collective psyche. I would imagine most clubs keep their prices high in order to keep the riff raff at bay. I don’t think any club wants to go back to the days where a family didn’t even dream about going to the football.
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I have friends who follow Real Madrid and they always tell me how we should get rid of Wenger. I tell them about the way Wenger kept us in the CL while the club built a stdium amid a financial meltdown and they tell me the only thing that matters are results. Then, and this is the fun part, I get to take them on a trip through time strating from the time Del Bosque was fired, to their recent experience with Mourinho, and I have them count for me how many trophies they have won during all that time in their glorified Scottish Premier league. For some reason, Real Madrid fans don’t want to come to grips with the fact that the Galacticos era has been a huge flop.
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Speaking as one of the riff-raff Gains I assure you my money is as good as anyone else’s and Arsenal football club recognise this.
Riff raff generally have a reasonable disposable income. A healthy proportion of riff raff adds to the atmosphere.
As for football grounds as a place where families go …………………….. ? (Sucks teeth and grimaces)
I am not so sure Gains – a large number of people I know attend football matches with the clear understanding that the family will not be present, and they can shout, curse, pass wind and generally behave in a disreputable and amoral way.
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On the topic of season tickets and how sports clubs treat their holders I have a pal who is a long time supporter of the rugby club Saracens and he has been watching them 50 years.
In recent years Saracens have been bought by a South African billionaire and the good times have rolled on and off the pitch, a new ground and regular trophies and this year they have had a successful season.
In March this the offer came out to all season ticket holders that if they renewed for next season by March 31st ( about £400) and Sarries this season won the Aviva Premiership and the Heineken Cup their £400 payment would be cancelled. Next year’s season ticket would be on the club.
He took up the offer as did most other fans he knew.
Six weeks on Saracens sit comfortably on top of the Premiership, 12 points clear and uncatchable, and are due to play in the Heineken Cup final against Toulon at the Millenium in three weeks time.
How generous is that ?
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(0(
Classic
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Sums it all up very well George, and true words of beauty Shotta. So money prevails after all, there is a new specialist in failure in town and a lot of very upset pundits….all good stuff by any standards. It seems that the tactical genuis of the people, who legend tells us wonderously fought to a scoreless stalemate in Madrid…and at home to Norwich….cannot deal with the tactics he uses…..where is the genius in that? Jose has become a bitter, snarling vindictive parody, a man despite his wealth and success ,with clear and massive insecurities….nothing wrong with translators or Portuguese peasants….but wonder if such words keep him awake at night? And when will RA run out of patience as Jose emasculates the players roman bought for pep?
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PG, just like you I was not amused by Northbank’s reaction to his recent incursion to this site.
How could anyone fallout with passenal?
After the Liverpool and Chelsea results, we were all haggard, tired and wearisome!
Hi! Welcome bright morning to a new day.
HenryB, you should know your Form 13 (EPL Contract of Employment for Players) and of course the devout Muslim’s distaste for borrowing and lending! You should have shot that mangy old bear, dead in his tracks. He is obviously clueless about insurance, sick pay regulations and a player’s contract in the EPL.
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Gains
The recent public admission here in the UK of what everyone already knew regarding the Hillsborough tragedy tells us that whether we like it or not that there was a political aspect to the change to all seater stadiums. This change was imposed by the state and not a single club, and all this explains why we will probably see the reintroduction of “safe standing” areas, hopefully with cheaper tickets. The trend to have more and more “singing sections” seems to be a part of that process.
The problem going forwards, as seen in other sports, is that broadcasters don’t care at all about the fans in the stadiums. Empty stadiums? Not a problem as seen in the cricket World Cup that was held in the West Indies, when no one could afford a ticket. It was awful. And as more and more money in football comes from broadcasters there will inevitably be such conflicts of interests (the big two in la Liga etc.).
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NAME THEM AND SHAME THEM !!!!!
F365 : WENGER CALLS FOR CITY UEFA SUSPENSION
i then read the article and Arsene makes no mention of City….
Hahahahaaa
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The unresolved dispute between Uefa and Citeh is hotting up nicely and as I understand the news reports today is the day that either the club accepts the sanctions or agrees an amended set of sanctions.
If not then the matter can be kicked up to the Court of Arbitration for Sport with the probability that UEFA will press for a more severe set of sanctions because of Citeh’s intransigence. The more serious sanction is, logically, a ban on entry to the CL for 2014/2015 season.
What makes Citeh’s position difficult is that PSG have, apparently, accepted their similar sanctions/punishment on the chin.
If I was Robert Martinez I would be quite chipper today, and if Citeh were replaced by Everton then that neatly moves us out of a requirement to pre-qualify for the CL group stage
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thats never going to happenthough… they wont kick attractions out of cl just cause of some rule…. MONEY runs the game….
having said that ….arsenal must start employing “cunts” whose role will be to raise alarms in uefa ..media..fas ..EVERYWHERE…
just like roman “protects” his investment so should we or else they will always take us for mugs
barca = laporta bertomeu
milan = berlusconi galliani
madrid = perez valdano zidanne
chelsea = roman, kenyon in the past , whoever others they got now..
arsenal = ??????? ivan is a boyscout compared to the type that is required…dein fits perfect but he is a traitor cunt or they are waiting till hillwood dies and get on with it. i clearly remember that it was stan and dein that was the initial partnership…… pete told them to fuck off …and then accepted the american as he viewed him as the one who would be less inclined to mess with their plans unlike dein and usmanov plans… thing is ..is dein on his own now or is he still with the uzbek ?
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if wenger talks about it they mock him and tear him apart. we need someone else to do the dirty work.
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lol at messi’s father jorge who is blackmailing barcelona with city’s 20m a year offer..ahahah they took his son..paid for his treatments, trained him , nortured him…of course he returned that with his performances and success but jorge is one of those leave awesoma dad-managers that are infesting football. WENGER the greatest !
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Koscielny signs new long term contract!!!!! fuck yeah!!! fuck you Bayern!
The majority of our squad is being kept and dammit that is great news. Santi Cazorla, Serge Gnabry, Per Mertesacker, Aaron Ramsey, Tomas Rosicky, Wojciech Szczesny and Gedion Zelalem all have signed new deals this year. Add to this, Walcott, Wishere, Gibbs, Jenkinson, Ox signing in late 2012, Ozil just about a season old. Whose mouth is not watering already!?
Times are changing.
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Times are changing indeed sensational. What a set of players we have tied down! Kos is a majestic defender and would get into just about any team in the world….but he is ours!
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Sensational Arsenal
May 9, 2014 at 5:42 pm
oh yes..and lets add javi martinez, marco reus, cesc fabregas ( yes….shhhh dont tell george) , keep robot – ninja numero uno up and down 90mins right back full boss legend mister Bacary Sagna and fabianksi who is a couple of levels ahead of wojo due to age composure experience (insist wojo is the one with the world class potential, arsene knows, but …imagine how vieira would react watching wojo taking selfies…hehehe) and yes why not fernando torres….with cazorla…and ozil…and theo…and aaron…omg…WENGEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEER ………hate to see this legend genius manager extraordinaire on the defensive and having to be polite and explain the self expainable , taking all the bullets..inspiration …arsene, thompson shumi ..my tripleta..class, honesty, professional.mmmmmmmmm panini album…what time do shops open?…cant gooo…..order from phone?!!! yeah + 2boxes of stickers…whoever in here has kids that collects i gladly exchange….no fear….05:07… positively arsenal
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I see there are some reports ( only from the mirror but its funny how you tend to believe the positive stories) that Bacs has asked for more time because he’s still undecided and so there is still a small chance he might stay
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I’ve already been thinking about the strength of the league next year and this started me thinking has fourth place been a bigger achievement each season and would a top four finish next season be even better. Are we having to get better to achieve the same place what dya reckon
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I guess hunter was just coming home there @5:08am.
A part of me is just a tad jealous, oh to be young and carefree.
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A_B
I tend to agree with you. City and Chelsea are so strong because of financial doping that they are cast iron certainties for top 4 next year, even if they get no one else in (and assume Lukaku goes back to the chavs).
That just leaves two slots in the top 4 for everyone else. No wonder Arsenal are targeted so savagely by everyone else every season, we are seen as the weakest member of the top 4 club.
A bit of media undermining, poor officiating, our own seditious fans – all help to weaken us and hey presto – everyone else’s media darlings are back in the UCL : totts and the scousers.
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With ourselves manure, city , chelski, pool, toffees, totts and normally one wild team like Newcastle/Southampton all hunting those top four places that’s eight into four whereas previously fourth was last among equals. I tend to think fourth place will have the highest points ever next year.
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I think the entire league has been getting better and better. Could be wrong.
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double canister wrote:
“No wonder Arsenal are targeted so savagely by everyone else every season, we are seen as the weakest member of the top 4 club.”
And they’ve been saying we are going to miss out for last 6 seasons. While it is fun to see them get it wrong season after season, the frustration of being confirmed wrongaholics might be where there hatred of our club stems from.
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I see hunter13 is off his meds again… (banned smiley face)
@ Bootoomee
“wrongaholics” – ha ha. Like it.
@ a_or_b
Saw that report about Sagna – I do believe it because John Cross is one of the few who have genuine contacts and information (Jeremy Wilson is another) but I am not sure it is good news. Cross says, interestingly, that although there has been interest from other clubs, there is no alternative deal on the table. Which I assume means that the other clubs would love to have him but not at the price he wants. (Influence of FFP, perhaps?) He has had over a year to think about this and explore his options, so I hope the club don’t wait on him and buy the replacement anyway. Then we would have our cover at RB and CB sorted.
@ finsbury May 10, 2014 at 10:05 am
“I think the entire league has been getting better and better. Could be wrong.”
I think you’re right.
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Reports about Sanga staying? Just guessing, but could it be that some of the clubs he thought he might be going to are suddenly not so keen in light of the FFP sanctions that have been recently? And if he were to stay, then I suspect that would free TV5 to leave as Bacs would provide cover in both the middle and on the left, always assuming that a new right back is signed (who I suspect was effectively signed ages ago judging by the enthusiastic selfie that was posted last July by Aurier. Oh yes – I can do ITK as well as the best of them.
But all these strong contract renewals have been truly excellent, and really do mark that the times have indeed changed. Delighted about all of them: truly mouthwatering indeed. If we ddin’t sign anyone new apart from a replacement for Sagna I still think we would be strong challengers. If we are able to add two players as good or better than we already have then a small wager on next year’s title is definitey in order.
Just one question which has occured to me. There has been a lot of talk about new strikers and new muscle in the midfield being needed. There has also been predictable talk about Cesc. If you were AW, would you rather bring in a new striker or bring Cesc back?
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“There has also been predictable talk about Cesc. If you were AW, would you rather bring in a new striker or bring Cesc back?”
Interesting one, foreverheady
The first thing I would say is that I don’t think Cesc wants to leave Barca.
Honestly, AW would have him back in a heartbeat. He’s the one that got away and also there seems to be a genuine mutual fondness. BUT he would also ask himself – do we need him? Would it be an efficient use of £x million? I think the answer might be no – an alternative striker is a more pressing need and the talent we have already have in midfield is impressive. And how would Cesc fit in with Ozil – both in the prime of their footballing lives. But AW might also think, you can’t have too many world class players. Whatever else Cesc is, he is a world class player.
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Forever, definitely a striker, firstly you would hope we had less midfield injuries next season, secondly we have youngsters who could fill in for a few games who are nearly ready but I think the main reason is to change the emphasis of attack sometimes. We rely heavily on goals from midfield but when that doesn’t happen we need an onion bag striker so to speak
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It would be interesting to see whether Sanga’s hesitation of singing up at another club this summer is a consequence of FFP kicking in.
Clubs may not be able to add on his wage demands onto already swollen payroles, and a restriction on players in the UCL means he mightn’t get his game time. Having to have 8 homegrown players really sticks it to the chequebook clubs.
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If and big IF we ever got Cesc back, it would be to play in Arteta’s position, and if Cesc doesn’t like it there he can lump it. There is not logic in putting Ramsey back into a deeper role when he is our best attacking midfield threat.
We have to fit a fit Abou Diaby into the plan as well.
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Forgot to say, fantastic news about Kos. That’s pretty much everybody tied down for three or four years, isn’t it? Lovely jubbly. It must mean a lot for Kos because his previous MO was two years at a club, then move on somewhere better. He clearly realises this is the best there is.
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I agree with DC. I too see Cesc in the Arteta role. The trio of Cesc, Ramsey/Diaby, Ozil would have so much technique, flair, class and they would be all on the same non-human wavelength. The main stumbling block is that, with Xavi close to retirement, Barcelona would be planning for Cesc to play in that position and wouldnt want to let him go.
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At this time, seven days hence, the game will be four minutes old
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Koscielny is a legend. And to think how the imbeciles wanted him out after his first season. Sigh.
I want Bacary Sagna to go sign for another club. It’s time for young Carl Jenkinson to prove what he’s all about.
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Gains I don’t think Jenks will automatically jump straight in at 1st choice RB. Apparently we have already signed 17 other choices in that position and there’s hector as well. Actually one of the reasons I hope Bacs stays is to give a more natural transition.
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Oh well so much for Bacs extra decision making time apparently he’s just said on French radio he’s leaving at the end of the season
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I’ve made my peace with that, a_or_b. I wanted the club to give it a good go, and they did. Up to him, ultimately. Goodbye and the best of luck to you, Bac.
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And so much for John Cross’s info! Although I suppose BS could have changed his mind, but hey. Doesn’t matter now.
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I love Bac as much as anyone, but he is awful getting forward. And the older he gets, the worse he’s going to be. Personally, I would have kept him in the side as a back up RB/CB, but he’s not having any of that. Therefore, it’s best if he signs for someone else and makes a pile before he retires. He’s a good guy who I’ll always admire, but que sera sera. All the best to him in his new adventure. Bring n Carl Jenkinson and his Cafuesuqe runs into the box.
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FG
The barca fans would be gobshites to hound Cesc out of the camp nou,
I can only fathom that there is a Catalan version of the same shite negative on-line blogging as Arsenal have to put up with.
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I didn’t want Sagna to go because of his versatility – he can cover 3 positions in the team. But if he is determined to go and thinks the grass is greener elsewhere then good luck to him. He’s been loyal and suffered 2 broken legs in the AFC cause, so even if he goes to a PL rival, I will not boo him. He is coming to the end of his career and has a family to consider, so if he needs to secure his future financially, I can’t begrudge him. I’ll be sorry to see him go as I had hoped he would finish his career with us, but what will be will be.
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Very true PASS. if he has decided to leave good luck to him and I too will miss him very much.
I’m thinking we might see a lot of changes to our starting crew tomorrow to keep them injury free for the cup final. Not much on the line for either team really. Although playing the A team might keep them sharp for the final.
I’m torn…..
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HUNTER 13 @ 508
(0( . try not put blow a fuse mate.
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I’m guessing that for all but the real superstars winding down a contract towards the end of a career and leaving on a Free is a real goal, so it was always likely that Bac would leave. Good luck to him, but let’s hope for one last hurrah with a storming performance next weekend that he can look back on with pride and we can remember with joyous gratitude (sound like an over-enthusiastic vicar there – sorry).
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Today will be a great opportunity to whine and snipe.
If 1st choice players play, they should’ve been saved for the FAC final.
If 2nd string players are chosen, that’s wrong because we should’ve been building a winning momentum and allowing the tea to gel.
And if Arsenal win by several goals with underaged 3rd choice players,
the game is meaningless and its only Norwich anyway.
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I think you have all the options covered Mickey
Let’s March!
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Orbinho poll:
Wenger in: 77.95%
Vengaaaaaaaaaargggggggh out: 12.68%
Not bovvered: 9.37%
Well. That matches the consideration that some of the vocal and idiotic (their actions, not my words!) malcontents have:
A) serious issues
B) funding
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Nothing to add to the thoughts on Sagna above except that Jenkinson has had some big games, Munich away, 5-3 at the bridge, those games against the Udines. He also had a good start to the home game against Hull, if Sagna curls in a beautiful cross like that after sixty seconds next weekend we could be laughing.
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Looking forward to the football match today.
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Precisely. Just a vocal f•••••• minority. Working the social media. We have been saying for years.
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Hunter works more on less on a US Time Line. He keeps the blog running 24/7.
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No szcz, per, or santi that’s interesting
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Away fans in great voice.
Plodders ‘tracking back’ with a Rosicky inspired slide tackle. He wants the start in the final heh!
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