Evening Positives fans,
A point each, not a bad game of football, plenty of quality footballers on both sides. Ample cut and thrust although neither side had the guile to really open the other up. Half chances, and some good keeping, but the defenders had the edge over the 90.
However yet another game ruined by a player cheating . A slight contact on the Hazard resulting on an incredible tumble and writhing. Utterly fucking pathetic – but you know that.
Blame Taylor though – he is corrupt – incompetent – blah blah blah.
I have had enough of football.
Shotta is upon Friday.
Enjoy.
Positively Arsenal 
Sorry link
http://thefussballnation.com/episode-4-scandals-scheming-shambles/
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It was second half only for me as a spectator and I still can’t decide whether it was one of the best or worst 50 minutes I’ve experienced. I know I didn’t breath much but what a joy to see both sides ebbing and flowing and playing with flair and imagination. I’m often a stern critic of referees but my impression was that Taylor was pretty even-handed when it came to calling fouls and waving the game on in general play – for once we seemed to be able to give as good as we got. As for the penalty – well, of course it was going to be one and of course it shouldn’t have been. But I know that if we had been denied it I would have been up in arms, so for me it’s more the lack of us being given them than conceding them that I find so irksome. Poor old Arsene – he reminds me a bit of King Lear railing against the storm atm, such is the cosmic indifference to his appeal for fair play and proper scrutiny. The media, pundits, refs and FA are closing ranks with alacrity, but it is often a sure sign of something when it is the whistleblower (and in the circs, how inappropriate is that word) who is singled out and derided.
But on to happier things: that Maitland-Niles boy can play a bit, can’t he? You can’t teach a first touch like his, and what a joy to see him grow in confidence. I hope to see a lot more of him – and I also sense that Lacazette may well turn into a prolific scorer for us, but probably not until next season. I reckon he’s a good one, as indeed is Bellerin. And what of Jack? Well, good to see him back and playing regularly: he’s got a bit of something about him to be sure and does seem to have a particularly positive influence on the way we play. There is the beginning of chemistry between him and Ozil, and I hope that we may see more of that in the years to come. O brave new world that has such creatures in it. Did he dive and should he have been carded? Yes, but for a score of kingdoms he could wrangle and I would call it fair play.
And that I think is the point: as a supporter I will naturally see things from a pretty tilted perspective, just as Arsene does. But I can also see patterns and statistical anomalies, and I sense that Arsene has decided that now is the time to make a fuss. I also sense that he knows it won’t make any immediate difference, but that it might do so in the longer term and certainly for next year – a lot of what he is doing now is for the greater good, not just for The Arsenal, but also for the game he holds dear. He will be hit with a fairly significant ban, I am sure, but it is as if he knows that he is not just going out for a short while, but that he might indeed be gone for some time.
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Technology is just technology; you can have the best car in the world but if you drive it badly it will be just that, a badly driven car.
For at least 10 years I have argued that VAR needs to be evolved into the game gradually over a period of years. The idea that we can wake up one day to a game transformed perfectly be its introduction is hopelessly naive. Cricket, rugby and a host of other sports have had to go down this route and any technological failings along the way have been seized on by many as why the whole thing is destined to fail.
However, as a ‘process’, whilst there will be opportunities for human misinterpretation of the evidence, we should ultimately find, I’d suggest, 80% of the worst errors eradicated from the game. The 20% I’ll live with, especially in the light of recent seasons (ie, the last 10 years).
Wenger’s fears, however, are rooted in something darker than whether VAR will work on a technical level.
I, and many others – possibly including AW – have a deep suspicion the game is presently refereed on some kind of a ‘to order’ basis. Whether that ‘order’ is simply to add drama or determine a particular outcome is harder to distinguish.
But the unpleasant grip the gambling industry has on our once clean sport is there for all to see in terms of sponsorship, advertising and general promotion. The vast sums potentially available for purposes of corruption alongside the long-standing lack of accountability or transparency at the FA/PGMOL etc is more than enough to make sane, decent folk aware of the possibility of foul play. When the nonsense is then played out on pitches up and down the land in front of all our eyes – and it’s not just Arsenal that’s affected – then we clearly have a big, big problem. Whether it’s merely a problem with perception, credibility or something far worst, is moot. But increasingly the evidence appears to be going one way and it’s not a good way.
I’m confident that Arsene’s reported scepticism over VAR is not rooted in questions over the technology per se, but the closed, protected framework within which it will operate.
Meanwhile, beyond our shores, one imagines the rest of the world vacillating between dismay/amazement at what is happening at the Home of Football and having a damn good chuckle at our expense.
After all we Brits do pride ourselves as being above corruption and all that unpleasant ‘foreign’ stuff, don’t we?
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penalty?
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Arsènic™@MrArsenicTM
2h2 hours ago
When the FA banned Niasse for simulation, the official docs attributed that to the mismatch between the fall & force applied (aka: exaggeration)
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Think you might be right FH, Wenger knows exactly what he is doing,i am sure he knows the short term consequences, but can keep quiet no longer, possibly against the wishes of even some within the club.
Wenger recently said he would sacrifice his job for the clubs values, I wondered what he meant at the time, but also wonder if what he meant is now becoming clear?
Have a feeling for the rest of his time at Arsenal, it will be wenger vs the English football establishment and media, I cannot see him keeping quiet now, they will do each other damage, but I suspect wenger will inflict more damage on them, as it is not our manager who is hiding things. Wenger has track record in fighting and exposing injustice within the game
Sadly, I expect a lot more dodgy officiating while Wenger remains in post, but if he uses his influence well, something good may come out of it, who knows, one day, we might even get a ref back at the world cup
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andrew the problem with VAR and the 20% you expect they will still get wrong, for me is that it will be in AFC games the 20% will occur.
Wenger has hinted that his fears for VAR are two fold,
1. the idea that game would be stopped so ref can go over to side of pitch and look at a monitor and then make a decision will just be too time comsuming, that it needs to be as instant as possible, it has to be an extra official on VAR, who makes a very quick call
2. he has hinted, only just mind you, that if its up to the Ref, he will too often stick with his initial decision as to change would be too much for their ego’s. Also that even an extra guy on VAR will be no good if the refs are “seeing what they want to see”,
As I have said from the outset on VAR, probably good for the game, not sure it will make one iota of a difference to Arsenal, the PGMOL and its Refs are so bad that why would anyone think that one ref looking at a monitor is going to over rule his fellow ref on the pitch, do you really think for arguments sake that either Taylor or Dean would have, if they were on the VAR, have over turned the other mans penalty decisions, no a fucking chance. Both would be called correct calls, and the media would say, “Wenger whinging when VAR showed it to be correct”,
just you wait and see, there has been nothing from the dive panel or the retrospective panel to suggest that VAR will be run to improve the game. It is eyewash.
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Mandy I really hope you are right, that Wenger keeps this up, and does not let it go.
Arsenal FC has to back him up completely on this. What ever it takes. and for a start the club need to ban any journo attacking him over this, especially those that are lying about what he said, and twisting what he said. AFC should have long gone down the route that Sir Alex did, and dump any journo that annoyed him.
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Yes Mandy – it has got that ring about it. I’m fascinated to see how it all plays out – and I’ll bet there are more anxious souls out there than in the Wilton’s fish tank.
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If FIF is correct, I wouldnt be trusting Dive panels, or retrospective action panels
Take it a certain Mr T Sinclair was on one of the panels?
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Eduardo – you are talking specifically about the implementation of technology.
The technology itself is just technology.
If stupid people decide a ref has to be running to the side of the pitch every 30 seconds then clearly this implementation will fail. If only we could communicate with each other without being in front of one another!
If colleagues known to the ref are reticent to ‘undermine’ the man on the field of play, then this implementation will fail. So maybe the identity of the VAR operatives working that day has to be hidden from the ref on the pitch.
VAR is coming, it’s always been coming. It’s implementation phase will doubtless prove nearly as controversial as, er, well, every single game played this season …
But the process will eventually deliver huge improvement and I’m basing that on the other sports I watch that went through or are going through, this same phase.
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take a look around the Arsenal blogs coverage of our last two games, there are far more digs and attacks and words written against Arsenal, Arsene and the players, than there are against the FA, PGMOL, Refs and the media, its a disgrace
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Mandy – will be interesting if AW does go this summer or next, who he takes down with him.
He’s independently wealthy, thanks to a lucrative career in football and clearly beyond being bribed.
The FA may need to come to an ‘accommodation’ with him (ie, play fair) – but one feels it’s way to late for that. And in any case, one hopes he’ll have a book to promote.
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Andrew there is no way to keep the id of the VAR secret, unless he aint even at the ground, and even if that was the case, I ask the question again, do you think Taylor as VAR would have overturned Dean’s penalty call and visa versa in our last two games, for me not a fucking chance.
I have said it many times in the past, things will not change for AFC till we spend some big money on signings up some Refs.
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AA on what Wenger will or won’t reveal when he retires, a lot might depend on what his contracts with Arsenal will allow him to reveal. Most managers have clauses that don’t allow them to reveal certain stuff, and these clauses more and more not only cover the length of said contract but for all time.
There was a time such clauses were up put in when agreeing a pay off when sacking a manager, but clubs have more and more been putting them in from the start. Its why so many of these tell all books, actually reveal sweet f a, in fact normally these books only rehash stuff already known about.
Of course he might have stuff to reveal concerning refs, pgmol and the fa that do not affect Arsenal FC, or any binding clauses he has with them.
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interesting point by our George on twitter on the Wilshere dive, no free kick was given.
so I think that means he can not be done for his dive, as the ref was not conned. Still a dive mind you and not nice to see an AFC player do it
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Wenger is right and the media miss (deliberately in my view) the actual point he made about heir coverage of the games. We should not be talking about referees after a great game of football. If we are, than the referee has failed his job. We should not be talking about player’s body language and facial expressions, this is the media and pundits failing their job by deflecting away from the big issues and making stories about trivial shit, a la “split in the camp” cos not every single player celebrated with him, or “body language of Ozil” means he wants out or is not world class etc etc etc..
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Ainsley Maitland-Niles (20) vs Chelsea:
75 touches
44/50 passes
6/8 tackles
3/5 long balls
3/4 dribbles
0 fouls
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Will be very interesting where Wenger takes this, from all I have read about him, he has a real sense of justice and fairness, and if he thinks the club, and perhaps more importantly, his players are being left short on that front, I dont think there will be any silencing him. He could possibly take others down, who knows what he has heard, knows, has maybe been offered and refused?
I am sure wenger will have clauses not to speak out against the club now and when he leaves, but it wont be the club that will bear the brunt of his ire. IMaybe when he leaves, all will stop him will be points of legality?
If he goes too far, could well imagine those at the club who have done well out of the status quo asking him to keep a bit quieter, but that would risk him walking.
I have seen Wenger annoyed, but never like this.
Maybe Wishful thinking, but I really hope he takes on the self interest groups, the lack of accountability and secrecy in those running the game, the way the game if officiated, the way the refs are run, the media reporting, the bias.
Many of course do not believe the club or manager are victims of any sort of bias or corruption, but the fact is, the way this league, and the referees are run hardly gives confidence that it could not happen
If Arsene Wenger cannot bring some of these issues to light, I cannot think of many others in a position who can, or would be willing to do so, he may be our best chance of a properly run, transparent, accountable game, with or without VAR
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The praise for Ainsley Maitland-Niles was widespread on Wednesday night as he delivered another confident performance in our 2-2 draw against Chelsea.
The England Under-21 international may have been out of position at left wing-back, but he won plenty of admirers for the way dominated his flank.
Arsene Wenger is a big believer in Maitland-Niles and was delighted with his display, but sounded a note of caution.
“He had a big performance today,” the manager told Arsenal Player. “What he has to learn is to keep that focus, urgency and concentration for 95 minutes because on the second goal he was a bit caught. Overall, though, I thought he was remarkable.
Read more at https://www.arsenal.com/news/wenger-ainsleys-performance-was-remarkable#WBDXTayfJVasYLdu.99
Read more at https://www.arsenal.com/news/wenger-ainsleys-performance-was-remarkable#pTs9iTBiDLgppRhs.99
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mandy
“Many of course do not believe the club or manager are victims of any sort of bias”
well you only have to take a quick look at how Arsenal blogs reported on yesterdays game and the WBA game to see loads of them line up to attack AFC, to belittle even the notion that we were hard done by.
I even see people saying AMN dived yesterday.
the events of our last two games were once again a real chance for Arsenal blog world and big twitter accounts unite the fan base, but they don’t see enough clicks in that, they have no interest in helping the thing the claim to love, odd, very odd.
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They are a strange breed Eduardo, more likely to listen to biased pundits, U Tube attention seekers, phone hackers who put our military in danger, trolls and Spud/Manc/Chelsea sleepers that inhabit their blogs than the guy who has managed their club for two decades.
I cannot believe many other teams have such poor, self indulgent, me me me fans. Sadly, fans like that assist the media in their biased reporting of the club, still, they are not happy chappies..shame, that
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eduardo792, typical
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now this is the sort of journo that Arsenal should instantly ban from all our media meets
I give you Guradian senior sports writer Barney Ronay
Barney Ronay
Verified account @barneyronay
3h3 hours ago
Listening to Arsene Wenger last night was a bit like coming on here. Weird anger, random opinions. Media conspiracy theme. Pedantic objection to the mildest question. Would probably have muted him after the first 30 seconds
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Suspense over VAR may be over this month, sort of.
Apparently an ‘indicative decision’ on whether it can be used in England is due on the 22nd Jan, same time they are deciding if it will be used in Russia.
In the hands of Ifab, which is International Football Association Board. Chiefs of England, Scotland, Wales + FIFA rep.
FIFA vote counts for 50%. Two thirds majority needed to pass anything.
Not sure where other countries decision to use VAR fits into that. Surely they did it without IFAB voting for it.
But anyway, there it is. Seems odd that the thing could depend on Scotland, Wales or Ireland, and in another way Fifa,too.
Also a surprise that, officially at least, it does not appear to be a pgmol or premier league call, but I guess that would come later.
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Not impossible I guess that FA approve it, and we see it used in cups, but prem hold out at least another year. Hopefully, it would be inevitable that it would be used in prem soon after even if so.
I sorely hope we get it next year though. Wenger not getting one year at least with it would be cruel
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Well I enjoyed the game and went to bed a happy little camper
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“enjoyed the game” ? wtf is that all about. You should be looking for faults and moaning. Pfft.It’s a new age, get with the program
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http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11670/11195477/arsene-wenger-asked-by-the-fa-to-explain-referee-comments
Looks like another set of charges heading Wengers way
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What gets me is just how much did Ferguson get away with saying and getting his own way with the authorities. Not without foul and abusive language either. The FA is at best xenophobic and at worst downright racist. As are the press and media
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The FA has requested observations from Arsène Wenger for media comments he made on Tuesday [02/01/18] and after last night’s Arsenal versus Chelsea match [03/01/18]. He has until 6pm on Tuesday 9 January to respond.
so they are lining up another charge for him, this is typical treatment of whistle blowers, we have seen here in Ireland the awful treatment handed out by those authority to a whole host of whistle blowers, while at the same time publicly claiming that they are all for cleaning up any wrong doing. it seems every powerful body reacts the same when their wrong doings are exposed. The FA was quick to point out the splinter in FIFA’s eye, but refuse to acknowledge the plank in their own.
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Young Greek defender Konstantinos Mavropanos has signed for us.
The 20 year-old centre-back arrives from PAS Giannina, where he has made 16 Greek Super League appearances since breaking into the first team last season.
We’d like to welcome Konstantinos to the club and wish him well for the future.
Read more at https://www.arsenal.com/news/konstantinos-mavropanos-joins-club#hhz2XGHuBaXKixr1.99
Read more at https://www.arsenal.com/news/konstantinos-mavropanos-joins-club#O4VIgKK5BRW8A6eW.99
https://www.arsenal.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/images/Mavropanos%20Wenger%201%20180102MAFC.jpg?itok=yqU343F_
https://www.arsenal.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/images/Mavropanos%20Wenger%203%20180102MAFC.jpg?itok=75HK6jxP
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https://www.arsenal.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/images/Mavropanos%20Wenger%203%20180102MAFC.jpg?itok=75HK6jxP
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Good stuff, Eddie, thank you!
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Me? I loved the game — it was wonderful, red in action and in our shirts!! Brilliant!!
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Wouldn’t mind knowing what Ferguson got (apart from his wishes the next year) for the following. None of it, admittedly, strays into the territory of Arsene’s comments which question integrity, apart from, perhaps, the last one. But in terms of the heaviness of criticism it’s up there.
————————————-
“Hackett has got a lot to answer for in this country,” said the Scot. “He’s not doing his job properly.
“He should be assessed like everyone else is assessed. I’m assessed as a manager, the players are assessed, referees are assessed.
“Martin Atkinson will referee next week, no problem, but his performance today should not be accepted in our game.
“I agree with Sepp Blatter, the standards in our game as opposed to the Continent – the tolerance level – is behind Europe. I think it’s a big problem.”
“They had great confidence to hang on knowing the referee was on their side.”
——————————————–
Doubt Ferguson got away scott-free for it but either way it’s a decent benchmark, and the sort of thing to put the panel on the back foot.
Hopefully we’ll have plenty of tricks up our sleeves and a first rate lawyer to two in attendance
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7285393.stm
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Our new signing reminds me of John Arlott’s observation about the Kiwi all-rounder Bob Cunis. “Not enough of a batter or a bowler. Neither one thing or another. A bit like his surname.”
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There we go. Found the answer. He was cleared of charge of improper conduct. Intriguingly, it appears this is a decision of an independent commission, with the FA, who bring the case, on one side, the defence on the other.
Not sure I’d ever realised it works like that. Guess it’ll be the same for Arsene. Who the independent commission will be composed of I’ve no idea.
http://www.goal.com/en/news/8/main/2008/05/29/715446/fa-to-contest-ferguson-let-off
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Absolutely great game and something you can forget about if we go with some of the conservative managers some of the wobs suggest.
I may have been hanging on my nerves but it was brilliant fast flowing unpredictable football at its best.
The tactic to stop chelski playing out from the back meant the forwards sat on their full backs , which were in turn spread almost at each corner flag, this meant Xhaka had to sit on their defensive midfielder who sometimes was stationed just on the edge of area which for Xhaka was very high. This tactic worked most of the time however if chelski managed to get the ball out or coutouis kicked long and they won the header it left our wing backs overloaded 2V1. This happened all through the game and when the three CBs were split to try and cover then chelski would use the dink or diagonal ball over the top.
Ironically both of their goals come from the wings when really we had adequate cover.
This seems to be a communication problem as we have conceded several goals when there have been more defenders in the box than attackers. Alonso moved all the way from the left side right across the box and almost to the near post meaning lots of players had the opportunity to pick him up.
Needless to say our goals were fantastic and no defence could of stopped them but that’s the nature of football fans.
I do think some of our problems have been caused by the change in personnel so with a little continuity with fit players we can go on a very good run.
There was so much to be positive about last night AMN, Hector using his pace again our two young CBs and Mustafi leading them and going forward we are a truly brilliant footballing spectical. With Alexis unpredictability, Mezut’s amazing vision and Laca’s close control and hold up play I don’t understand how some people who attach their selves to this club don’t Love this team however frustrating they can be. I really don’t think we are far away from something wonderful once again.
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Happy Birthday to Arsenal youngster Krystian Bielik, who turns 20 today!
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Cannot seem to do likes on this site, but nice one Ianspace 2014
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Just watched Adrian Clarke’s Breakdown. What a fantastic game. Özil was sumptuous, Wilshere superb and what about Maitland-Niles? Absolutely a joy to watch.
Hazard dived and faked injury. He hood-winked the ref. Given Eddy’s post showing the retrospective judgement for Niasse then the FA must act. I’m not holding my breath…
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GP, what the breakdown doesn’t show is AMN should of had a penalty
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Mike Dean ignores a blatant foul on a West Ham player before Spurs score an equaliser.
Hope Dean is not in league with bookies again, as he once was and was banned for a while.
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24 hours I see it’s still referees
Fascinating
Anyone watched any ‘football’ or planning to ?
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Our glorious manager is in a fight to the death over refereeing Andy, we are duty bound as loyal AKBs for concentrate all of our efforts in that direction. One for all and all for one.
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Penalty red disgrace card nightmare referee corrupt VAR dive free cheat Delle Ali yellow FA lino incompetent Pigfuck Dean World Cup kick Sky simulation outrage crisis Armageddon DOOMED
Re-arrange above words in any particular order you fancy – I think they cover the full three courses but if I’ve missed any don’t feel inhibited.
Shotta up in the morning – fingers crossed
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I hope AW tears into them G and I shall be delighted – as I’ve said I’m sick of football – could not give a fuck
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anicol why would you want AW to tear into them, don’t you always claim that the refs bear no blame at all, its all the cheating players fault for conning these easily fooled refs,
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