Football Focus

[Keef]

Ah you can feel the love in the room now ;-)

[mockney piers]

Come on, a big white, red, red'n'white* and claret'n'blule hug people.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaah

*Are arsenal still purple, or have they wisely ditched their centenary affectation?

Only ecru is worse as keef and I know to our chagrin!!

[Jah Lush]

Navy blue and white. Anyway big hugs. God! what a bunch softies.

Gotta be better than Tottenham's chocolate brown away kit last season. That really was shit!

[mockney piers]

Home game on tuesday for the Hamlets while we're on the subject.

Anyone up for a Hornchurch away trip in the FA cup on saturday, back in time for the rugger?

[Annasfield]

I'm not hugging - far too girly ;-)

[SimonM]

>>I'm not hugging - far too girly <<

But you know you really want to....:))

[Jah Lush]

Dang it! Can't do either Piers but a good shout and must do so soon.

[atila the gooner]

I appreciate what the man did for the club and count myself as privileged to have witnessed to some great football over the past 9 or 10 seasons (especially considering how shit we were in the 80's). However, I think TH14's decison to leave was probably not just a footballing decision. It probably had more to do with his personal life. Having said that, his departure has led to the guys in his shadow (Van Persie, Adebayor, Walcott, etc.) playing in a way which suggests they have had a weight taken from their shoulders. I wish Thierry all the best for the future, and thank him for the best footballing talent I've witnessed in my 50 years on this planet. I can't say the same for that treacherous dog Cashley Hole. I've no sympathy or love for the man after the way he conducted his departure from the club. I hope he chokes on his ?60k a week. (Is it me , or are footballers wages obscenely high?)

[atila the gooner]

Sense and sanity has returned to Ashbuton Grove, and we are back to Red & White. Although our third kit is a mixture of purple and dark blue, but it's not bad.

[Jah Lush]

I think you speak for all Arsenal fans there, both on Cashley C??l and Thierry Henry. You'll get the same sentiments, and you're probably right about TH14's private life in his decision to go to Barca, but it has definitely had an enormously positive effect on the younger players that have been coming through in the last couple of years. I've got nothing but respect for Arsene Wenger in the way he nurtures young talent. Just look at Fabregas. 20 years old and he's some player already.

Bloody hell! What am I doing waxing lyrical about the Gooners? And me a life long Spurs fan too. By the way I'm not far behind you at 49.

[atila the gooner]

Club versus Country? Should Michael Owen start for England at the risk ( is there one?) of him breaking down again, and being unavailable to the club that pays his wages?

[mockney piers]

"thank him for the best footballing talent I've witnessed in my 50 years on this planet."

A marvel he was, but I still think for me* a couple of players I hold in greater (if inconsistent) esteem**, your very own Bergkamp, (yeah shoot me down) a certain Monsieur Le Tissier, and of course Tony Cottee***.

* can't really speak for pre 1980

** well, england league wise, I leave world cup greats aside as we saw them oh so rarely

*** joking!!!! sort of

[atila the gooner]

The Iceman Bergkamp was a genius, but overall ( as Arsey loves saying!!!!) TH14 shades it. Together they were awesome!!

[Jah Lush]

Call me an old git but Jimmy Greaves was God! The greatest goalscorer this country has ever seen. 44 goals in 57 caps. That's some strike rate. As to your question as to whether to play Owen or not. Yup! Stick him in there.

[mockney piers]

Greaves was a great no doubt, just before my time is all (apart from Saint & Greavsie).

While I'm on the subject I still have a place in my heart for bonkers ref-pushing, dubious saluting, sporting, amazing goal scoring Paolo di Canio. All time great, perhaps not, but he is to me!!

 

[atila the gooner]

Di Canio's push on the ref, the way he went down in installments, and Nigel Winterburn crapping himself when he thought the mad Italian was about to turn on him are etched in my memory forever.

[Keef]

Will go along with Bergkamp. Also Ian Rush and a young Robbie Fowler! As for Owen, he has to start against Russia, think I'd start him on the bench on Saturday...

[atila the gooner]

Do you not think that Sam "I'm not talking to those horrid people at the BBC" Allardyce might chuck his toys out of his pram if Owen picks up a knock?

[atila the gooner]

To quote Greavsie "It's a funny old game". Jimmy has certainly put a few noses out of joint by saying he would rather watch the egg chasers than a game of footy. Still, he's entitled to his opinion, bless him. What ever happened to his side kick, Saint?

[Keef]

So what if he does. The sooner Owen falls out with him and leaves, the better ;-) Seriously though, I think the press are blowing this up a bit. The player says that his medical advise suggests no risk, so good on him.

[Keef]

atila the gooner Wrote:

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> What ever happened to his side kick, Saint?

When I lived in Liverpool, he was a commentator for Liverpool matches on Radio City, which is pretty much their version of Capital. I guess he still does it, the opinionated git... Bless him.

[atila the gooner]

Keef Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> atila the gooner Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > What ever happened to his side kick, Saint?

>

>

> When I lived in Liverpool, he was a commentator

> for Liverpool matches on Radio City, which is

> pretty much their version of Capital. I guess he

> still does it, the opinionated git... Bless him.

Morning Keef, thanks for letting me know. After his stint with Graevsie, he just disappeared off the face of the earth. Good to know that one of the stalwarts from the 60t's is still around.

[Annasfield]

>>I'm not hugging - far too girly <<

But you know you really want to....

SimonM

================================

Nope! :)

[SimonM]

>> What ever happened to his side kick, Saint?<<

I am reminded of the old story - true or not, I don't know, maybe a Liverpudlian hereabouts can confirm? - of the poster outside one of the Liverpool churches which screamed "What will you do when Christ comes to Liverpool?!", to which some scouse wit had added in ballpoint "Move St John to inside right"

[Jah Lush]

I remember that one and I also remember:- "Jesus Saves but Dalglish gets the rebound."