More Bungling From Soho Square
Unsurprisingly the new Wembley Stadium is not going to be ready in time for England's first European Championship Qualifier, indeed it will not be able to host a match until 2007. It is the latest in a long line of cock-ups on the building of a new stadium and is in stark contrast to the building of Arsenal's new Stadium at Ashburton Grove which appears to be well on track to enable top flight football at the start of next season. Typically, the FA blame Multiplex who in turn cast blame on everyone but themselves. Interestingly, concerts by fading rock star and football empresario, Robbie Williams, is now canned and zimmer frame wielding Rolling Stones are to relocate to another venue in London. Why mention this? Well, the Stones tour promoter or some such mouthpiece was on Radio 5Live this morning, opining that "if England can't build a stadium then they should not win the World Cup". Mick Jagger and Co need to come out immediately and rebuff this claim otherwise I urge people to boycott their product on the basis that they are unpatriotic. Oh, and crap.
Aston Villa become the latest team to attempt to halt the Arsenal Steamroller when they visit THOF. Team news is that only Sol Campbell of the injured list are due back and even that is likely to be just a place on the bench, which is of concern on two fronts. Firstly, it is unlikely that any of them will do better than a place on the bench for Wednesday's return with Juventus which in itself is not particularly a problem other than if injuries are suffered tomorrow. The second problem that this raises is that it limits the amount of tinkering that Wenger can do to rest key players. It is probable that Adebayour will return tomorrow, probably at the expense of Reyes with Van Persie replacing Pires. The only other change that I expect is Fabregas to be rested with Diaby replacing him.
It is a big weekend for The Gunners challenge for fourth place and one in which I would expect to be quite decisive in this challenge. Bolton entertain Manchester United, an away win on current form although Bolton have developed the habit of upsetting "big" clubs in recent years but I just feel that United have too much for them. On Monday, Blackburn entertain Wigan which ought to give them three points but could be just the one if Wigan regain the form they were showing in the first half of the season. The game that is hard to call is the Tiny Tots visit to St James Park. Whilst Newcastle have had a wretched season, their home form is the reason they are not involved in a relegation dog fight, having only lost to Liverpool, Blackburn and Manchester United at home this season in the Premiership. That said, they have lost their last four games in League and Cup which is not the sort of form to inspire confidence that they will do Arsenal any favours. By the same token, Tottenham have only lost one of their last seven but cannot keep a clean sheet for toffee which always gives opponents hope. It appears that this one is ripe for a draw which would suit Arsenal who will be seeking maximum points that would leave them three points behind with one game in hand.
It is not a habit of mine to plug a TV Channel but I am making an exception for ESPN Classic which is available to Sky (and presumably Cable) customers. It is re-running a number of European Cup and Cup Winners Cup Finals from yesteryear in an hour long highlights show. The finals shown this week were 1972 (Ajax v Internazionale), 1974 (Bayern Munich v Atletico Madrid), 1978 (Liverpool v Bruges) and 1981 (Bayern Munich v Aston Villa). This weekend they are showing Aberdeen's 2 - 1 win over Real Madrid in 1983's Cup Winners Cup Final. Next weeks schedule for the channel, No. 442 on Sky, includes:
Champions Cup Finals:
1973 Ajax v Juventus
1976 Semi Final Bayern Munich v St Etienne
1980 Nottingham Forest v Hamburg
1984 Roma v Liverpool
Cup Winners Cup Finals:
1985 Everton v Rapid Vienna
1991 Manchester United v Barcelona
Other football includes a weekend's homage to Barcelona v Real Madrid including highlights of the 1983 and 1990 Copa Del Rey Finals as well as a couple of documentaries on the rivalry and one of Johann Cruyff.
As well as these, the channel is also showing a great selection of Boxing including such luminaries as Jack Dempsey, Rocky Marciano, Floyd Patterson and Joe Louis.
And no, I don't work for them nor am I on any kind of backhander. Although obviously if I was then I'd be promoting it a damn sight more. Check further info at their website, here.
Today's Tunes sees the blog return to a soulful mood, Peter Prince and the Trauma Unit, with two tunes that are a throwback to the late 60's / early 70's Hi-Records and Sly and The Family. Thanks to the Reverend Tastyfresh for these two and there are some more on his blog for you to download.
Friends
Coming From Everywhere
Aston Villa become the latest team to attempt to halt the Arsenal Steamroller when they visit THOF. Team news is that only Sol Campbell of the injured list are due back and even that is likely to be just a place on the bench, which is of concern on two fronts. Firstly, it is unlikely that any of them will do better than a place on the bench for Wednesday's return with Juventus which in itself is not particularly a problem other than if injuries are suffered tomorrow. The second problem that this raises is that it limits the amount of tinkering that Wenger can do to rest key players. It is probable that Adebayour will return tomorrow, probably at the expense of Reyes with Van Persie replacing Pires. The only other change that I expect is Fabregas to be rested with Diaby replacing him.
It is a big weekend for The Gunners challenge for fourth place and one in which I would expect to be quite decisive in this challenge. Bolton entertain Manchester United, an away win on current form although Bolton have developed the habit of upsetting "big" clubs in recent years but I just feel that United have too much for them. On Monday, Blackburn entertain Wigan which ought to give them three points but could be just the one if Wigan regain the form they were showing in the first half of the season. The game that is hard to call is the Tiny Tots visit to St James Park. Whilst Newcastle have had a wretched season, their home form is the reason they are not involved in a relegation dog fight, having only lost to Liverpool, Blackburn and Manchester United at home this season in the Premiership. That said, they have lost their last four games in League and Cup which is not the sort of form to inspire confidence that they will do Arsenal any favours. By the same token, Tottenham have only lost one of their last seven but cannot keep a clean sheet for toffee which always gives opponents hope. It appears that this one is ripe for a draw which would suit Arsenal who will be seeking maximum points that would leave them three points behind with one game in hand.
It is not a habit of mine to plug a TV Channel but I am making an exception for ESPN Classic which is available to Sky (and presumably Cable) customers. It is re-running a number of European Cup and Cup Winners Cup Finals from yesteryear in an hour long highlights show. The finals shown this week were 1972 (Ajax v Internazionale), 1974 (Bayern Munich v Atletico Madrid), 1978 (Liverpool v Bruges) and 1981 (Bayern Munich v Aston Villa). This weekend they are showing Aberdeen's 2 - 1 win over Real Madrid in 1983's Cup Winners Cup Final. Next weeks schedule for the channel, No. 442 on Sky, includes:
Champions Cup Finals:
1973 Ajax v Juventus
1976 Semi Final Bayern Munich v St Etienne
1980 Nottingham Forest v Hamburg
1984 Roma v Liverpool
Cup Winners Cup Finals:
1985 Everton v Rapid Vienna
1991 Manchester United v Barcelona
Other football includes a weekend's homage to Barcelona v Real Madrid including highlights of the 1983 and 1990 Copa Del Rey Finals as well as a couple of documentaries on the rivalry and one of Johann Cruyff.
As well as these, the channel is also showing a great selection of Boxing including such luminaries as Jack Dempsey, Rocky Marciano, Floyd Patterson and Joe Louis.
And no, I don't work for them nor am I on any kind of backhander. Although obviously if I was then I'd be promoting it a damn sight more. Check further info at their website, here.
Today's Tunes sees the blog return to a soulful mood, Peter Prince and the Trauma Unit, with two tunes that are a throwback to the late 60's / early 70's Hi-Records and Sly and The Family. Thanks to the Reverend Tastyfresh for these two and there are some more on his blog for you to download.
Friends
Coming From Everywhere
posted by Yogi's Warrior at 7:22 am
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