That is our aim and we cannot let anything interfere with that goal. Nothing we say or do can magically heal Ramsey’s leg. Arsenal football club should be contacting the Football association behind the scenes
It is no surprise that Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has come out in defence of Arsene Wenger’s stance about bad tackles and the state of the game in England. Reading his comments it has made me realise that managers who actually try and play the game correctly haven’t really been in the press giving their opinions.
You ask people like bloody Sam Allardyce, Tony Pulis and the like, then you know what type of side they are going to take. I would like to know what Gianfranco Zola’s thoughts on this are and why don’t Sky ask Ruud Gullit his view. These are not dinosaurs of the past.
Anyway, hopefully the Shawcross, honest lad talk is slowly dying down and we can get back to football again. Saturday and then Tuesday will be very important games for Arsenal but before that can happen I am sure the press will be swarming around like the vultures that they are, ready to pounce on their loaded questions regarding Shawcross.
It is so predictable.
Journo: ‘So Arsene, do you still think Shawcross acted thuggishly?’
Wenger: ‘I do not really wish to talk about this
Tomorrow’s headline:‘Wenger in Shawcross isn’t worth talking about slam’
One would only hope that it would be a little more imaginative than that but I am hoping that Arsene side steps the issue today and doesn’t give the papers the bait that they want.
Ole Gunner said it right on Twitter yesterday, any comment along the lines of ‘I have my views about what has happened, but we have 10 very difficult matches to go, and we will focus on that.’
That is our aim and we cannot let anything interfere with that goal. Nothing we say or do can magically heal Ramsey’s leg. Arsenal football club should be contacting the Football association behind the scenes, trying to address what is quite clear to most of us. If we cannot stop brain dead pundits and journalists writing the same ‘Arsenal don’t like having their legs broken’ rubbish then we need to make sure the referee’s are not also getting sucked in and that is the job of the FA to control their officials who are currently not controlling football matches.
Listening to Arsene’s interview with Arsenal TV it looks like our power from midfield could well be missing. Alex Song as we know is suspended (see I did my research) whilst Abou Diaby is rated as 50/50 to make the game. If Diaby isn’t 100% then I don’t think it is worth risking him for Burnley. Porto and Hull City should be more difficult games and if an extra few days gets rid of any potential breakdown to Diaby then I think it would be a good call. It is the same for Sol Campbell, I would be hoping that Mikel Silvestre would be able to fill in against Burnley whilst saving Sol for Porto in midweek. Wenger has resisted the temptation of playing him twice in a week as yet.
Without wanting to take Burnley lightly [insert cliche] there are no easy games in the Premier League [end cliche] but our goal difference is lagging behind the other two filthy clubs, so Burnley at home should be a game where we should be looking to fire a lot more past their goalkeeper than they do against ours.
But [repeat same cliche]
Theo Walcott has been talking about his difficult task getting into the England team and that fitness is the key, I would tend to agree with him to a certain extent. I do think match sharpness is what is missing from his game, although fitness and sharpness often go hand in hand.
Theo should use Waddle’s words to spur (pardon the term) him on then shove it up Waddle’s mulletty arse come the end of the season. However time is running out, the finish line is in sight and Theo really needs to start producing now if he is to positively influence our season.
I expect him to start tomorrow and fingers and everything else crossed that he can come up with the goods for our sake and for his own.
Speaking of England. Ever wanted to know how you would do as a manager? Well..
What Would Your Team Talk Be?
Give the best England Team Talk, and win big!
It’s full time in the final of the World Cup, and the game is drawn. The England team have played their hearts out, but need a final push to deliver a repeat of 1966. You’re the manager, and it’s up to you to fire them up and inspire them to win. What would you say? Well, here’s your chance to tell us, show your support for England, and win the chance of a lifetime!
As The Official Beer of the England football team, Carlsberg launches it’s “England Team Talk” competition, calling on the nation to show their support for the Three Lions ahead of this summer’s World Cup Finals. You can enter your Team Talk in a number of ways at www.englandteamtalk.com (see for more info). Those uploading a video Team Talk can win the chance to meet some of the England players and deliver their words of inspiration in person, at an exclusive day at Wembley Stadium, or see them train in Austria. If that wasn’t enough, others will also star in the next Carlsberg commercial, seen by millions across the country. Get filming, get writing, and get behind the England team!
The contest is now open to entrants, and accepts submissions until 30th April. In addition, there will be weekly prizes, including England tickets, signed England shirts and cases of Carlsberg.
Still not clear? Let Ray Stubbs explain all: www.youtube.com/EnglandTeamTalk or become a fan of the Carlsberg For England Facebook Page that launches shortly.
If you want to meet the England team, and send them off to S. Africa with your Team Talk ringing in their ears, enter now! www.englandteamtalk.com
And with that, I am off. Match thoughts tomorrow at some point, preferably before the actual game.
Back tomorrow.
EXAMPLE OF AD POSITION
