Transfer Bollocks

I want to start by saying that although this is not exclusively an Arsenal blog, it is exclusively an anti-Tottenham blog.

The repeated rejection from every potential transfer target has been amazing. Sure, it was the fact that you didn't have Champion's League football keeping you from signing all those stars... Huntelaar, Parker, Babel, Adebayor.


Not so successful with all that wheelin and dealin eh, 'arry?



But seriously, the only thing that could make it any better would be if they don't get Van der Vaart, and come up empty handed.

Party like it's... (Tottenham 4, Young Boys 0)

Man City just clinched 4th in the league tonight. Congrats Tottenham!

Possible headlines for Wednesday night's game in London:

"Tots show maturity over Young Boys"
"Beauty before age: Tots defeat Young Boys."
"Bully-who?: Tots beat Young Boys"
(or something else like that but probably not quite as tremendously, ridiculously awful)

A thought: Shouldn't the media give Defoe all kinds of shite about his hand ball according to recent ridiculous precedents? It was a clear intentional handball at an important time of an important game and the result was a goal. Remind you of anyone? Personally, I don't blame Defoe, or Henry, or Luis Suarez, or Maradona... That's what players do: You except the consequences. If the handball is called, you're off, carded, whatever.... If it's not, lucky you. That's all there is to it.

You don't ask for a replay of the game.

Come on Young Boys! ...errr to a Christmas come early.

How wonderful would it be for today to be a Champions League St. Totteringham's Day? The Tiny Tots getting spanked by Young Boys. Humiliating. Glorious.

The look on Harry's face after going down three goals was fucking priceless.

More of this please.



Great choice Gallas. Go play for the dodgy C U Next Tuesdays down the road and they can't even make the group stages. That would make my year. The first derby couldn't come soon enough.

Seriously though those mangy bastards should be able to win at home and progress but the the Boys from Switzerland score first expect old Twitchy McGee to go into fits. I pray for some cameras fixed on him during those moments.

Had to bring this video back, courtesy of the arseblogger, all too relevant.

We all knew it, didn't we?

William Gallas is a miserable cunt.

Good riddance. I am glad that you are showing the few people who might have still believed in you your true colors. And that color is green.

Couldn't find a job because you want too much money and you aren't worth the trouble. Back you come to London to sign for good old 'Arry. The man who has signed 12 ex-Arsenal players in has managerial career. The I hear he is interested in Alex Hleb. They really do want to be Arsenal don't they?

Gallas was and maybe even still is a good defender, but a true asshole. Playing for his third London club. Mercenary. No loyalty.

Were he actually someone I rated I would be mad about this, but the truth of the matter is that I'm glad he didn't sign his contract with us and now he's on the books with the Spuds and they can pay him his large wage packet that he will gladly collect while he sits out injured for at least 3 months of the season.

Maybe he can bring the right kind of team spirit to the locker room we all know he can. With any luck he might help the Spuds out of Europe and maybe score some own goals.




I got something for you buddy. Can't wait for the first North London Derby, it will be a fun outing.

Welcome to England, Mario!

Could any other debut more accurately characterize the value/risk associated with a player than Mario Belotelli's debut for Manchester City? Think about it:

1) He's talented.
He enters the game at the 57' minute. Scores a goal in the 72' minute.
2) He volatile.
2 minutes later (literally), he gets into a fight with another player in the 74' minute. Fortunate to get just a yellow.
3) He's good for one 'WTF?' each game.
Gets injured on a nothing play with two minutes left in the game where he starts to walk it off then suddenly collapses onto the ground. WTF?

What a story this kid is. All that talent. So many issues swirling over his head (Racism in Italy, playing for the National Team, a controversial past as a foster child who's still dealing with drama from his birth parents, his eccentricities.) Is there a more interesting player in Football right now? Or any other sport for that matter?

Highlights from the game:

Love me some Temryssssssss

<a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/video?vid=bb4beeca-2f69-4728-a027-34a232d37327" target="_new" title="">The Fast Lane: Yoga with Buddle</a>

So what?

Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.

So who cares if Young Boys nearly put the beatdown on Tottenham? They're not going to win at the Lane. Fogedaboutit. And who cares if Anelka is suspended for 18 matches for France. Screw it. Make it a million. What has the black Mr. Clean done for France anyway? And who cares about the Milner, Balotelli, or Ozil transfers? What has any of those guys done at the club level?

Get some real news, soccer news. Seacrest out.

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btw you know you suck when you lose to a team with a name like "Young Boys." Also, there must be a better translation or something. I mean, c'mon, they're just begging for it. What's worse, 'beating Young Boys' or 'being beaten by Young Boys' ... An eternal conundrum.

(I could make dirtier jokes but I'm taking the high road tonight...)

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I'm feeling a bit tense, so I'm off to the Gay Softball World Series (Seacrest?) and then the Dinah Shore (Seacrest??) to blow off some steam... (what a huge weekend for the Gay... who knew? It's like the Super Bowl and the Bachelorette finale being on the same night. Amazing.)

Opening Weekend Thoughts... Payback's a Bitch

See what happens when you are a dick and pander to a team that isn't even yours?



That's karma for you.

Then we have the one who wanted to stay in London and wanted CL football yet turned it down for a bigger paycheck, our boy Joke Hole getting what he deserves.



I must say those two look like they are moving in to punish him, like an African version of those twins from the Matrix movies...

So as I sit here working on material for this post I flip to FSC, only to see the last ten minutes of Soccer Talk Live. This show being the replacement for Triple F, and what a shoddy piece of work this is. I will say it was wise to retain the services of Temryss Lane, and the addition of a new email girl as the only reasons to stay tuned in. I have only seen five minutes and I can't stand this jackhole co-host whoever the fuck he is. This show feels like a step backwards, like we are watching Wayne's World in the basement of my mom's house.

I suppose I may need to watch one of these shows in full, but I don't know that I will be able to sit through an hour of it. I will say that I wont mind having our favorite "expert" Wynalda off the air as he seems to prefer hearing the sound of his own voice over saying something meaningful. I digress.

That aside, the real news is that the silly season is over and we have real football to watch again. We, the Morning Pint crew, headed out to Hollywood this Sunday for the first outing of the season at Capitol City Sports Grill for the Arsenal, Liverpool match.

The first observation was how great football is in HD. They have finally figured it out and the quality was excellent. FSC have gotten something right and I hear even FS+ is being broadcast in HD. We joined the LA Gooners for a great kick off to the season and the venue did not disappoint. We will be catching many a match at the new spot and all those in the area should come join.




I was disappointed by the result, but I felt it was fair based on the day's performance. Arsenal have just about all the tools needed, but depth in the all too familiar areas of defense and goalkeeper. I had been planning on previewing the season several times but truly my expectations are dependent on late transfer action.

United looked good today, and as much as I hate to say it I think they will win the league. Best part of the match though was seeing Joey Barton's filthy stache. Nothing like a sweet dirt squirrel to make England's classiest footballer look even more noble.



Chelsea looked the same boring Chelsea even in their demolition of West Brom, but I think the return of Essien and the addition of Ramires could be enough to allow them to retain the title, yet I don't see it happening.

My beloved Arsenal will probably labor to third again unless we see what we hope and bring in a keeper and experienced CB. I have been saying for the past couple years that this would be the season the squad would come good. With signings I believe it can be done this year. If not, more of the same for us Gooners.

The title will be hotly contended for and I believe it to be a three horse race, with the battle for fourth to be even more hotly contested. City should make the breakthrough but Liverpool will give a good fight to take the spot back based on their performance on the weekend. Spurs will drop out, lucky if they get a Europa League place. Here's to the Young Boys embarrassing the shit outta them spuds as unlikely as it is. Good to have proper football back.

MR. CLEO: Premier League Predictions '10-11

Ladies!!!

I'm back. Me and the Mrs. are on the fritz for a while. I mean, honestly, who could stay with a woman who predicted that Lebron would go to Washington. Just redic. Simply redic.

I don't need her anyway.... Did she predict the winner and runner-up of the World Cup? Nope. I did (you can check the posts...). Simply put, I AM THE MAN! So far on the Pint I'm 1 for 2. And that ain't bad. Just call me Napoleon Lajoie. :)m [i like putting a chin on it. It matches my face] .

Alright, enough BS. I'm sure you all have betting to do, so, without further ado...

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Premier League Predictions:

Champion: Manchester United

This is Sir Alex's last major title. Enjoy it while it lasts. Watch out for Dracula who is poised to have a breakout year (and be sure to wear silver).

Next 3: Arsenal (2nd), Chelsea (3rd), Manchester City (4rth)

The kids will have a good year... then Fabo is gone and with it all hopes of a title any time soon. The real story this year will be the beginning the age of Citeh who, despite a slow start, will finish strong. Fear the Light Blues. Chelsea is a year older and not much better and I think their season will come down to the January window. Fear the "Sneaky F*&#ing Russian" (Snatch=Most Underatted Movie... Ever)

Next 3: Tottenham (5th), Liverpool (6th), Everton (7th)

The Liverpudlians are coming... but not before the Tots. I really wish there could be 5 EPL teams in the CL, don't you? This team doesn't deserve to not be there, just like I believe I shouldn't not use double negatives. They're going to be the most exciting team in the league this year. Just you watch.

Mid-Table: Bolton (8th), Newcastle (9th), Wigan (10th), Sunderland (11th), Blackburn (12th), Aston Villa (13th), Wolverhampton (14th), Fulham (15th), Birmingham (16th), West Ham (17th)

Just like watching these teams, talking about them is equally boring. How about those Magpies, huh? Good to have 'em back. I think I'm going to watch "Goal" after this. C'mon Santiago!!! (btw since when is Sonny McLeans a Newcastle pub? Just redic. Absolutely, positively redic.)

Relagated: Stoke City (18th), West Brom (19th), Blackpool (20th)

Sorry Rory, but you're going to have to take your throw-ins elsewhere... (Please let it be where Crouchy and his Nachos end up... Please!!!)

(IF YOU HAVE EVER WATCHED A VIDEO WE'VE PUT UP IN THE PAST... OR HAVEN'T... PLEASE DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND WATCH THAT ONE. CLASSIC. EPIC-LY CLASSIC.)

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Satisfied? I didn't think so.

Time to watch some games... (TMI: I have a semi right now... In fact... I'm full on. Where's the Spice channel when you need it? Come back Mrs. Cleo. Please, come back... I'm so sorry...)

THE GAMES ARE COMING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's a double rainbow! It's on our front lawn!