Hullo, well it’s been a long time since we last had a natter. Three years! Im 85 now– soon going to hit my next birthday. A lot of changes since then, cant see any that we could say were good except a couple of decent looking lads coming into the club. As for the world, well its bonkers as always don’t you think? I don’t know, lot of silly billies around.
My nephew still comes over, and shows me on his computer pod thing a few odds and sods on a Saturday. He’s a good lad, just passed a load of O levels, not that they seemed to be called or graded like that anymore.We often listen in to the games together, but I cant afford any of the Sky stuff, so sometimes I don’t see the games until the following weekend through the Arsenal site unless its on Match of the Day. That’s gone down hill too. I don’t suppose many of you remember Jimmy Hill? Anyway, we’ve been looking in now and again at Positively Arsenal. Not too easy to be positive tho- I was sad to see a lot of the names and people I liked to read dropping off. Maybe they will come back? Mind you when the seas get stormy, folk head off for the lifeboats. But still like to see some of the regulars having a natter.
Well I had to give up me shed and the allotment, after my mate Geoff died, it wasn’t worth keeping on, it got a bit lonely, so I gave it up. Geoff and I had been pals since way back. Even went to the Farnborough air show when that crash happend with John Derry back in 1952. My old Dad drove the ambulance in the Spanish civil war as I said before and Geoff was a bit of first aider so we helped out that day and did what we could. Still brings a tear to me eye. Poor people.
Anyway, I dug up half the garden and built a new shed down the bottom. Been growing things like mad despite me arthritis. I stopped with the competitions but my rhubarb and runners are still top class. Living on your own you have to get a bit good at the old cooking lark. Like a daft apeth I still set the table for two. Joan would have liked the roses this year.
I get down there near me shed late on a summers night and sit back in me old deck chair that Ive had since 1966, one of them old fashion types and look up at the stars. Quite remarkable our Universe. My wife Joan- who I told you about, she liked the old astronomy, being a librarian she could pick out all the best books. We used to work out what was what. Now I just look up, with me herbal tea and some ginger snaps and sometimes the clouds roll by in different blues and the stars get blocked out but it doesn’t stop you thinking, summer fragrances nor no.
Well I keep thinking about our Arsenal and how its changed. Like you I miss Mr Wenger. Best manager we ever had. Old Tom Whittaker was my first memory, I was shocked when he died. The old Swindin and poor Billy Wright. Oddly me Dad and I never liked Bertie Mee though. Shame Dad didn’t see the double though. I often think of that. I think he would give old Emery short shrift! And a bent ear!
Swindin and Wright remind me of the new bloke. Sort of trying hard and getting no-where. Its all well and good training hard in the summer but the footballs a bit rum to me and we lost all our puff by the end of the season. Sometimes when my nephew plays them back to me on his computer pad thing but the games just seems a bit boring, Emery shouts a lot,and waves his arms but does anyone understand him? If I shouted at me runners to be Chrysanths, what would I expect? Seems to be too much shouting in this here world these days and not enough thought. Runners are Runners and Chrysanths are Chrysanths.
Now there’s all the changes. The Welsh lad, what his name, Ramsey, lovely player, shouldn’t have let him go! And that laddie from Germany, Ozil he’s a canny player. Makes old Jimmy Logie look like he had permanent lumbago! Well somethings not right. Doesn’t stop me getting hot under the collar a bit on match day though. Half the bloody team have disappeared! Now, look at the attack, sharpest in a few years but the midfield isn’t supplying enough. So play-makers are sent to Coventry or sold or given away. But we cant rely on them up front for the whole season. All of thems that’s gone smells of middle management to me. I don’t think some of them liked old Wenger. Too canny he was!
I seen them banner boys are still around, my nephew says they have some channel on You Television or something. Not my cuppa. Daft as the moon.I know it can hurt when we lose, but ranting and raving like bloody Hitler, what good does that do? What’s dead’s dead. And what’s living needs nurturing. Not sure our clubs like that at the moment? Seems a bit lost.
Feels odd to be disenfranchised doesn’t it? Imagine what its like at my age! Who gives a bugger about old codgers like me? But for you, must be a bit of a surprise and none too funny. But we don’t need to feel like that. It comes round on these idiot folk, in the end.
Look, what I don’t like is if an amateur bloke like me, who loves to watch a bit of classy football thinks he could set it up better than the manager, then somethings wrong. Now old Wenger he could set them up right no complaint from me. So could Terry Neill once he got the players in. Mee didnt keep the team together long enough and that double year could be a bit of a bore, expect there was a passion then that’s gone missing. But passions not enough- its all well and good to go calling for it but its intelligence and calm and intuition that we need. I suppose its these here phones and apps or whatever they’re called that gets peoples minds wandering off over the hills and far away?
Arsenal to me, for the last year has been like the old circuit boards when before it went AC/DC, sort of not getting enough power through and buggering around to much. Its not flowing! Emery has the players but he seems a bit lacking in ability to get them to work together. People say he’s a defensive manager, now old George Graham was tighter than a ducks backside but Emerys not really either way, not really defensive like GG or attacking like AW. Hence me saying not really a great circuit. Well, I suppose we will soon see it all play out before us. But I think we might get a new bloke in soon enough.
Well it was nice of you to think of me, got me up and thinking this morning when I heard you wondered what I thought. Have to admit I thought I was packed up and forgotten forever. Gone for a Burton!
Got me away from my latest read “Frank Whittle and the development of the jet engine”. Truly fascinating. I recommend it. Certainly it will keep you up at night. Now what silly sod had the idea to get rid of libraries? Well hope you can stay positive. Its for the best.
Well cheerio then.
Positively Arsenal 
Having read this and the two other pieces I now know who Fred the Shed is. Nice one Fred!
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Hmmmm, great read. Got me to comment after a long period. Oh! my Arsenal Wither Thou Goest?!
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Thank you Fred.
Top bins.
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Brilliant absolutely brilliant welcome back Fred.
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Well at least it was a good year for the roses, though AC/DC sounds a bit more Kloppian: mind you, with our shiny new front three we could opt for a little more smash and grab than we do. Great to hear from you Fred, and it reminded me of a nice litle Sid Chaplin story, First Breeched.
“He had nothing to say as we walked up the garden together. The roses were blown and sloppy, but the show leeks stood to attention and the chrysanths were all autumn pride. Then we went into the shed where he kept his birds – linnets, finches, budgies and canaries – and while I tried to whistle them into song, he sat down on a broken chair and filled his pipe.”
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What a wonderful read. Thank you
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Wow! Thats quite a history, an incredibly tragic event, and a very interesting read.
Hard to argue with your points, as for Emery, I hope he does well and picks up on last year with some more exciting performances (though I did see some very clever attacking performances last season), just seemed to tail off at squeaky bum time, for a number of reasons.
But Emerys future will be determined by what he does this season, fail and I imagine he will be gone.
Wenger certainly our finest manager, in my time, and it seems yours Fred, on a number of levels, just reading earlier threads and articles,some speculating and calling for his return, interesting comments from him published last week, I just cannot see that happening now.
Josh seems to be pulling the strings on the ownership front now and I would guess himself and Ivan were instrumental in Wengers departure.
Nor would I wish Wenger to return in any significant role to what could quickly become a pit of toxicity, he deserves better, far better.
I was always a big fan of certain bands, including The Clash, Jam, Smiths, there have been times when i missed them and would have loved to see them back, but from a mature perspective, I am now glad they didnt, some things are best left in their time. Totally different timescale, Wenger far more recent of course, but thats how I feel increasingly about Wenger, its now someone elses time, whether its Emery remains to be seen though I understand if some feel very differently. The club made their decision, rightly or wrongly, they have to live with that decision and move on.
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Arsene should stay away, not even a visit.
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Mandy the only position I could see offered to Wenger is Chairman, and its nothing more than figurehead so not sure he would take such a position.
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seen a stat yesterday that in the BPL under Emery, Arsenal have not won 3-0 or indeed taken a 3-0 lead so far in his 42 games in charge.
I see many saying that once we get Bellerin and Tierney in our team and up to speed it will sort out our dull play, it will sort out our midfield stagnation, I really don’t see how, they might very well give us far more of an attacking buzz, but that is overlapping, other than giving our midfielders possibly better fullbacks overlapping to play forward balls to, what else will it give us that will free up our midfield to take an active part in our attacking play, will it suddenly see one of them become an overloading extra attacker a la Ramsey, will it see one of them become an assist master a la Ozil(I don’t expect Mesut to all of a sudden become a favorite of Emery’s, do you), will it see one of them become the second coming of Vieira, I’ll answer those questions myself, not on your fucking nelly, as the quality of the fullbacks will not change the game plan of mr protagonist Unai Emery, yeah, he has a great plan for Brexit too,
From everything I’ve seen from Arsenal in the last season and a bit under Emery, I see only a manager who is Joselite, not Arsenelite, far too negative for me, and when I say negative, don’t mistake that with being defensive, he is not defensive, the openness of our defensive is enough proof of that, he is negative, our midfield play is stifled by it, and in turn our attack has its wings clipped. A team is supposed to be greater than its individual parts, our team is lesser than its individual parts.
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We return to Premier League action on Sunday when we travel to Vicarage Road to face Watford.
Here’s our latest team news update:
All players who were on international duty will have returned to us by Thursday morning. No international players have reported injuries during this period.
However, all international players will be assessed ahead of Sunday’s match.
Rob Holding
Now back in full training with the first team squad.
Hector Bellerin
Left knee. Continuing with on-field rehabilitation. Progressing well and aiming to participate in full training in September.
Kieran Tierney
Groin. Continues to receive treatment and further assessments. Progressing well and aiming to participate in full training in September.
Dinos Mavropanos
Groin. Continues to receive treatment and further assessments. Progressing well and aiming to participate in full training in September.
Copyright 2019 The Arsenal Football Club plc. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to http://www.arsenal.com as the source.
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Eduardo, agree, if it is a role like Chairman he has been offered, cannot see that for the time being, as he has perhaps indicated, maybe there is a lucky national team he will take to Qatar?
Won’t Josh end up as Chairman?
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Mandy I’m not sure Josh will become chairman, he has no need to, it gives him no extra power, just puts him more in the firing line, he can pull the strings without bringing extra attention on himself, or having to do extra media work. Josh has major role at other KSE clubs, he does not need to have Chairman role at AFC.
having said that, maybe he wants it, but if that was the case he would probably already be Chairman, he only has to ask Daddy.
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Wonder read Fred, thanks for sharing with us your Arsenal experiences! I think many of us are on the same page regarding Arsène, his legacy and where are are at now. It does feel weird to feel disenfranchised! Hopefully one way or the other we’ll see a more attacking team play sooner than later. Looking forward to Sunday….
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According to this report, seems like Arsène may be joining FIFA, https://www.thescore.com/fra_fed/news/1830581
It would be amazing to see him improving the overall health of the sport, though seems to me that FIFA is extremely corrupt and political? It’s a hell of a current to swim against…
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In the end I was glad Arsene left as I was getting beyond bearing the abuse he was subjected to – so heaven only knows what he must have thought and felt. I just feel hugely privileged to have known him (only vicariously, mind) and to have seen his players play. I think it is why I don’t mind Manchester City doing well as despite all the entirely pressing reasons to dismiss them, I can’t help but enjoy the way they play. It seems Wengeresque to me.
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Apparently Per in his book suggesting, it was ultimately, the players who let Wenger down towards the end, citing wengers unflinching faith in his players ( unless your name is Nelson Vivas!). I would add injuries and the PGMOL to Pers assumption.
Believe one of the many contrasts between emery and Wenger is the level of faith in the players.
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What a read. Thank you Fred. I have a permanent link to PosArse on my blog and immediately had to click. Am not disappointed. My writing is lot more utilitarian but hope you and the Positivistas find my latest blog half as interesting titled “Don Raul – The Godfather of Arsenal”: https://uncensoredarsenal.com/index.php/don-raul-the-godfather-of-arsenal/
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Positivistas: I had a rethink and updated the title of my blog to state that “Don Raul Is A Fake Godfather” whom the fickle lemming want to make into a hero. Which godfather destroys tradition and history. Where the hell is our Michael Corleone at Arsenal to destroy the fakes and traitors? https://uncensoredarsenal.com/index.php/don-raul-the-godfather-of-arsenal/
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Bellerin and Tierney were back in full training today
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I was reading something about Zen tonight and the idea of beyond thinking, sounds pseudo wank until you start to realise the best football is played out that way. Alan Watts was talking about getting in a state where “inner feeling in which oppositions have become mutually co-operative rather than mutually exclusive”. Seems to me, that that is what Wengerball was at its very best. Its where Man City are, and Liverpool are at the moment.
Its odd, on PA ( and over at Shottas place) we know where we are. And therefore we also know where we arent. And where we arent is where we would like to be. We are missing that and its tough to deal with it.
I support the abstract idea of the club, the players and the manager, but not the system. Thats tough as the manager is installing the system.The system is ok, but not much more than that. I dont like it or want, but its there before us. It will change, but unless theres a drastic haul over to mutually co-operation, it cant operate at the level of City and Liverpool. So unless Emery decides to do it another way that co-ops we are stuck in a strange place. Like you I dont understand why we have to play like that, it doesnt utilise the potential in our players and its not really running smoothly.
I also think as a club we shouldnt be relying on the Spuds, Chavs and ManUre to mess up ( and other clubs to not start coming good). That kind of co-operation is a bit left field to rely on. And dangerous.
Its moved on from Wenger at the moment and he knows it and is mature enough to see the bigger picture. The future means elements could come together where hes back and things work well. Its just waiting to see if that constellation forms. But the houses are spun in different ways at the moment.
My worry is I feel like a lot of whats going on is time wasting, mine, yours, the players, even the manager who could be at a club more suited to that style. This isnt going forward into new territory. Both Fred and Ed both mention this. Arsenal are at this moment neither Fish nor Fleisch. We are sort of purgatory, stuck waiting for something else. Waiting for Godot. I don’t mean individual messiahs from the transfer hat of tricks but working as a force again, the kind of force that got you out of your seat yelling with joy. Waiting for all 11 to click, to be allowed to play again, as they can.
Trouble is Ive always go that bastard thought of hope that says : ” nah, Emerys going to turn it around, we’re going to pick up and start playing again”, and the other part of me says, ” you silly tool, we’re stuck a second rate rut”.
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I am also simply grateful to have seen Wenger at Arsenal.
And as you all know i relished those three cups at the end.
Not even last season’s horrific second half in the Europa final nor the shuddering nightmare of Cazorla’s title zapping injury can lesson the enjoyment of that performance in 2017 swith irregulars at the back against the champions in a cup final. Legendary record breaking stuff.
City are Wengeresque because they identified the identity they wanted to buy. First of all they bought half an older Arsenal squad. Then Pellegrini, now Guardiola both with equivalent records at City. I wish Young Pep well in his battles against the PGMO with that wad of cash, and I also guess that like all City fans he is grateful, eventually, that he has Aguero.
Pellegrini though…won a title or two at City with a LB who some Gunners berated (Clichy). I enjoyed his Villarreal team. Sena. Cazorla. Great team. Having swapped so many players with the Gunners over the years he knew the Arsenal squad at the beginning of last season better then most.
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I also enjoyed Laca’s goal against the evil slimy enemy.
Great goal!
If Emery is infamous for a stodgy midfield at PSG then it’s kind of obvious in my humble opinion that he can enjoy Ozil from the left. If he wants to. As Ozil is not playing internationals, he should still have the legs for that role he played for Germany on many occasions! And in Arsenal’s 343 during that 2017 run, swapping with Sanchez.
Will we see Ozil and Ceballos play together in consecutive games before the sticky stuff hits the fan this time round? Is it that easy a prediction?
Probably not starting at Watford but thought of some of these players starting together is the hope.
Torreira and Cebellos must be an option given the performance of the two midfielders when Ramsey was eventually belatedly paired up with the Uruguayan, you can only hope that Emery will go for it before Xmas this time! I appreciate & enjoy the rookies development but he can’t dictate the play as they say heh in a premier league game just yet. Especially if Xhaka is out injured! I hope we see it soon.
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Willock is also showing exciting potential in midfield.
The best of the Willock bunch was the one who became a Gunner?!
He’s not mature enough to fight the opposing midfield generals in the premier league week in week out just yet. but that doesn’t lesson the excitement when he or any other academy player makes a good impression in the first team. As he did away at Newcastle. I’d like to see him play more but if the older players are fit I hope he doesn’t start away at Watford.
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Guendouzi’s second half was his best yet but in my opinion it wouldn’t be fair to expect him to do that week in week out just yet. I could be wrong, Deschamps’ interest is a big step in his career.
I guess that the coach will start him at Watford, especially if Xhaka is out and it’s likely he’ll be full of confidence after the call up for France. COYG.
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testing. George, not sure if a post went into the spam folder?
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I enjoyed his Villarreal team. Sena. Cazorla. Great team…….
I can remember when we played them in Champs League on our way to our first final.
I’ll be real, how they didnt win that game when Juan Román Riquelme ran the show esp the away tie i will never know.
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I can’t see it Dave, but I did find one of Mills.
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oh well must have been a mistake on my part, wasnt that great anyway. Thanks for looking.
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Ah Riquelme.
Was it just a decade ago that a sinking raft of idiots told us that his falling out one or two coaches other then Pellegrini signalled the end of the pure playmaker as a ten in the sport?
If that meme was boring back then, how boring is it today when used to rake in the clicks a decade and a half later? The Arsenal Blagger really have exposed themselves as lower then AFTV in recent seasons.
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FFS , reports Lacca out until next month .
Our injuries to key players seem to never abate!
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@shardgooner has done a WATvARS preview and after Emery’s interview emphasizing defensive balance after a mere 58 shots this season he has “abandoned all hope.” Link:
https://uncensoredarsenal.com/index.php/watvars-emery-seeks-defensive-balance/
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Good to see Palace and Wolves putting up a fight today.
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Arsenal U23’s came from behind to beat Leicester city U23’s, 2-1, Tyreece John-Jules with both our goals, Balogun with both assists, Mavropanos and Holding started, and Medley came on as a sub
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Arsenal U23 v Leicester: Hein; Swanson, Mavropanos, Holding, Bola; Burton, McEneff; Tormey, John-Jules, Coyle; Balogun.
SUBS: Mitchell, Clarke, Medley, Olowu, Omole
Mitchell is a 14 year old goalie
Arsenal U18 v Leicester: Hillson; Alebiosu, Kirk, Ogungbo, Lopez; Oyegoke, Azeez; Dennis, Cirjan, Taylor-Hart; Greenwood.
Subs: Kovacecic, Matthews, Monlouis, Butler-Oyedeji, Plange.
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our U18’s lost 1-0
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Good to hear John-Jules got a couple to follow up on that outrageous flicked goal recently.
Had an outstanding assist in one of the first team pre-season games which boosted my hopes for him.
Eddie’s loan may well mean we see a bit of him this year in cup games.
u18’s not doing so well this year but prob to be expected as last year’s team was so good and most of them now ineligible. May well have been banking on an Azeez Musah partnership for the group.
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On Musah, wonder if we get a nominal fee. City had to fork out 4 million for Rogers who was same age and talent/ reputation level, but rules different for moving abroad.
Also, my suspicions seem to have been right on this occasion that it was a bad sign when a foreign agent is sniffing around/involved with a kid well before scholarship age.
Someone Guidolin, son of ex Swans manager, in this case. Also represents big Polish keeper who wouldn’t sign new contract at Chelsea and went to PSG, and, I think, Robbie Burton with us.
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rich the u18’s are mostly made up of first year scholars and schoolboys as many of the second years are with the U23’s, and even spending all their time with the first team in the case of Saka.
we had a 14 year old sub keeper with the U18’s today and a 15 year old sub keeper with the U23’s
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Norwich really putting it up to city this evening, were 2-0 up but a first half injury time goal sees city back in it. 2-1
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Orbinho
@Orbinho
·
1h
Penalties since the start of last season
16 Man Utd
8 Liverpool
5 City, Spurs, Chelsea, Arsenal
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Ed.
Yeah, young u18, forgot Saka was eligible. I thought u23’s might be a bit short this year as well, but so far so pretty good.
Lot going on at youth level last few years with fair number moving on and 3-5 of better ones now with 1st team a lot.
Got a feeling we may have a particularly good crop just below scholarship level. Saw they beat Chels u16’s the other day and last year won three tournaments latter part of season.
Never get carried away with any clips from that age but certainly like look of Flores and Hutchinson. Then lad whose name I can never remember who was in Adidas ad this summer. Plus Patino.
I’m pretty happy with youth players we’re producing at moment.
On that note, while by no means conclusive for season, do think it’ll be instructive if any of the young contenders get some minutes next week or so if we are playing 3 matches (?) in that time.
Ask young Foden, if manager/club really wants to push youngsters, have to try find minutes not just when forced or for less important cup games etc.
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afcstuff
@afcstuff
Unai Emery: “Mustafi decided to be here & when he decided to be here, he’s like any other player. Of course, I respect his decision. When he decided, I spoke to him & said, ‘You’re one more in the squad, I’m going to work with you as other players’.”
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Shame City got that late goal before half time. Feels way way less likely Norwich will get a result now. Will prob need another on break if to do it
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Ha, there we go then.
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rich I seen both JJ goals today and both top class finishes,
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Yep, that’s it. Pep’ll have to use coaching magic to get another 50-80 mill defender in January.
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seen the goals as well now Ed. Love the left foot volley. Always seems such a good sign to me when a young attacker can finish well with weaker foot and pretty sure not first time seen him get a good one with left.
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utd have had 4 penalties already this season,
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That Utd pen stat!
I want to see Solsjkaer’s pens to games ratio, as think last year they didn’t have that many with Mou but then had loads once gone.
Rashford right up there with Kane for me in pen-seeking exploits. All of them seem well practiced in the techniques though.
Factor for us in Pepe stats is that he scored about ten last year. Partly explains big drop in Laca numbers as well as he was scoring hell of a lot of them for Lyon. Think he got double figures in a season before.
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