mccantsc's Xanga

We are the Champions... well, some of us

Tue, 12 Sep 2006 20:47:36 GMT

Champions League and possible Gunner Redemption

After what has been a wild week of the Prem-

and by wild, I mean Arsenal drawing with the ‘Boro 1 goal all, Liverpool taking it on the chin at the hands of their Merseyside opponents Everton, and the Red Devils of Manchester giving the Spurs a goal to suck on while running away with the early lead of the table –

perhaps we can all look to the UEFA Champions League for some more settle excitement.

Oh, wait. Half of you lot aren’t even in the Champions League.

I’m currently watching Barca tackle Levski Sofia (which I know the score will be 5-nil). Matt, since Middlesborough and Champions League will never be uttered in the same breath, perhaps you can be a proper fan for a proper team.

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Carson’s beloved Chelski have handled the German Werder Bremen 2-nil, Michaels Essein and Ballack scoring respectively. It had been speculated that Bremen would give a substantial fit to the Blues for the predictable second spot behind Barca, but Chelsea has been been playing quite well in the UEFA series. And while Ronaldinho has said that Chelsea should threaten Group A as they maybe could, I believe the back to back matches in mid-October should prove classics.

While Will’s Liverpool held so much promise following their delightful, bacon-catered Community Shield win over Abroma-bitches (that’s mine, right here first), their season has been lack-luster at best, and sadly that has followed them to the Champions League. While PSV Eindhoven is a respectable club, the Reds should have picked up these points, but instead tied nil-nil, and there is nothing worse than a nil-nil tie in Champions play.

Finally, for those of y’all still Francesco Totti fans after that despicable appearance and collection of dives and overall dodgy bullshit, Roma blasted past Shakhtar Donetsk (whom I can’t pronounce, but have fun trying) with a 4-nil victory.

Thursday I may teach drunk

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My beloved Celtic FC, the Catholic genre of the Old Firm rivalry take on Old Fergy and the Red Devils of Manchester. I am of the proper mind that Celtic should not win this match, but given a win or even a draw, Thursday’s 50 minute classes and early release may produce an excited Irishman.

Arsenal will take on Hamburg, and while Tierry Henry will be out, I suspect no trouble taking down Ze Germans. Of course, how many times have I said this about Arsenal and Prem teams, like Middlesborough or Man effin’ City. Truthfully, I’m through predicting.

This game, as with the prior match Real Madrid v Lyon and the other big UEFA matches are being televised on ESPN Deux and el Classico. Thank God. More on these other fixtures as they develop.

A Personal Night on the Pitch

Mon, 04 Sep 2006 15:28:18 GMT

Thursday afternoon and into the evening had an interesting a array of affairs cooking up all together. Instead of driving up early for my college roommate’s wedding, I decided to stick around. Well, it was decided for me, when the Phillips 66 guys decided not to work on my Bronco until 6:30 in the evening. But it did give me the opportunity to enjoy a few pints with our teacher crowd, as we celebrated the alleviation of the summer’s brokenness, i.e. our first paychecks.

Carson’s BB&T squad was going to be short a few players and so he asked me and Will to come out and run around on the green Astroturf. So we assemble our crew, along with Will’s friend Justin and set out to do battle.

We’re told that our match is at 8:15, so we get there a little before 8 to kick the ball around. After a quick trip to the bathroom, I return to the field and realize a match is about to start and that I need to hurry on out there. No Carson in sight, but we begin anyway. I had one shot on goal and a few good touches, but the real story was Will’s incredible performance in goal.

The most notable part of this match was the dead-on shot to the keys I took twenty minutes in. This chap was about 3 yards away, rares back and let’s my future progeny just have it. I thought for a second ‘no problem,’ but then the excitement set in, and I hit the deck. I drug my wounded-warrior body off the pitch, in search of water and something to throw to alive some of my anger. A girl who had been watching was nearby and asked if I had rolled my ankle. I said, ‘something like that,’ and just wondered if she was just trying to be nice.

Then Carson shows up, yelling ‘Go Gunners’. I wanted to punch him. Not so much because of the gunners exclamation, but because he was late to a match in which my keys took a pounding. His retort: “Guys, our game is one the other field in a few minutes.” Turns out Justin was just being nice, asking us to play in a pick-up game.

So we assemble with Carson’s crowd: two guys who looked like they knew what they were doing, two snappy blonde girls, and a really tall country-boy goalkeeper named AB. And so the game begins with two quick goals for our side. I sub in for Carson to take my place as top defender. But the other team responds with some serious footwork (see showboating) and a string of goals. Not only this, but Will and I are getting yelled at by one of the blonde chicks. Short story made long, we got our asses handed to us 16*-4. The asterisk because I noticed two goals didn’t make the scoreboard after the 16th goal.

Then I hear the main guy for the other side say, ‘yeah, I played for Campbell.” Not just he, but three of the opposing players were ex-collegiate athletes. Now, this is supposed to be the B league. I guess sometimes a few guys’ joint impotency compels them to kick the shit out of a few former high school has-beens and a never-was, never-will-be.

Since I'm still up

Tue, 29 Aug 2006 06:44:48 GMT

Just like college

I just now finished my two papers for my Phoenix Online courses, and God-willing, I will pass with fair enough grades to get my money back from the county. Notwithstanding how damn late it is (3:30am), I figured I'd devote a few moments to another post while we all wait for the next international break to take place. When we resume, my Gunners will take on Hooligan Matthew and his 'Boro, finally at home, where we are 3-0-0 in Friendlies, but have yet to play a Primiership match.

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How will the Gunners fair against the always interesting lot of Middlesbrough? God only knows. Harry Redknapp, our house's hero of the week, and his dodgy Portsmouth gave them a boot to the keys and four goals to spare. But the 'Boro did hand Chelsea a magnifiscent lose, and that's something, eh.

To round out Arsenal new, Jose Antonio Reyes has been quoted in a Spanish newspaper (unsurprisingly) that he will not be playing in England again. You don't need to be a weatherman to know which way the wind blows, and you don't need a dictionary to know what he means and where he's going next. Breakups are so difficult, and I think I'd know; I've probably had more than all of you chaps combined.

But just in case, he name-dropped Real Madrid, Althetico Madrid, and bloody Sevilla.

In other transfer news

Thank God, or atleast for now, that Owen Hargreaves is not going to Manchester United from Bayern Munich. Granted I'd love to see Fergie and friends dish out 17 million quid for this mid-shelf striker, but seriously; Old Trafford has enough glimmer in play and enough points on the leader board to need Owen Hargreaves. Who do they think they are? Chelsea?

Speaking of Chelsea

After talks with the F.F.F. and some exciting talk of 'slaves' and 'human rights', between friend of humanity Jose Mournho and cute and cuddly Raymond Domenech have settled on something, concerning Blues Striker Claude Makalele. After wishing to retire from French International(e) football, Makalele has now recanted his retirement wishes and actually, though subtly, renounced his Chelsea manager for his comments.

But really, why am I doing Carson's material?

Bloody Awful, yet Delightfully Tasty

Sat, 26 Aug 2006 18:32:27 GMT

Arsenal's Shit Start

After drawing 1-1 to a mediocre Aston Villa team, Arsenal has now dropped its first game to Manchester City in 19 fixtures. Effing nineteen! What the hell, lads. I woke up relatively early (for a Saturday) to see Richard's Spurs allow two goals (one, an own) to Everton , perhaps the most hated team in the English Premier next to Chelski. So now, Arsenal has had the second worst start to the new year, since they dropped their first two matches of the 1983 year. Right now they are tied with Watford, Blackburn, and Sheffield United for 1 point each for their respective early season draws but each also having at least one lose. The only thing keeping them ahead is that Arsenal has a -1 goal differential to the other teams having -2 and -3. Theo Walcott, the young English striker came on in the 66th minute, as did the amazing striker from Togo Emmanuel Adebayor ten minutes later. Both substitutes were flashy and good on the ball, and Walcott actually took the better of the strikes on goal, which no other gunner was willing to do. This was the problem; great ball movement, no cracks of the ball. The announcer said it best, "Arsenal can be a pleasure to the eye, but sometimes you just have to put a foot through the ball." Too right.

The only silver lining to this abysmal start is the Gunners' pair of victories over Dinamo Zagreb to qualify for the UEFA Champions League. In fact, looking at the Group Stage draw, Arsenal has got a great chance to easily advance, playing the likes of Porto from Portugal (clever enough), Moscow's CSKA, and Hamburg.

All Hail the 'Boro

Matt may be taking Middlesboro back, and taking them to the bank. I was so happy to see their 2-1 victory over Chelski that I watched it twice, once at home and once surprisingly at the pub. Seriously, how many million quid do you have to spend to defend a header in 80 minutes. Captain John, still my favorite player, has again been no where on a goal scored in the box. Shevy's goal wasn't much to see, it just happened to go in against a keeper leaning the other way. The final strike in the 89th was enough for me to want to see the game at the pub again. I will say that the officiating was horrid in this game against both sides.

The great thing about this match is that it gives hope to everyone in the Premiership against Roman's mercenaries (oh, I like that, I should write it down). The annoying thing about this match is that it shows Manchester United as the clear front-runners early in the year. But better them than Chelsea.

The other thought on Chelsea's side that they, unlike my beloved Gunners or Liverpool, cannot be happy with their UEFA group stage, drawing Germany's Bremen and the always dangerous Barca. Apparently, Abromavich's billions didn't have any sway with the draw committee and I will buy anyone who is interested in watch the Champion's League matches at Tir Na Nog a pint every a goal is scored against Chelsea.

The only person on Chelsea's side that I like to hear about more than Captian John is Manager Jose Mourinho. especially with his magical quotes following games like the Community Shield and this latest one at the hands of 'Boro: "It was difficult to lose this game against Middlesbrough; It was a little bit of a joke, but sometimes that is football" Alright, Mister Jokie Jokemaker. Let me hit you with some knowledge: your ninth.

Rounding out the Weekend

Liverpool got an easy three points from the West Ham, which delighted Will, while Man United avoided an early shock from Watford to also win, 2-1. My beloved Celtic won 2-1 at home over kindred Irish-Scottish Hibernian, their Edinburgh. Celtic is happily sharing the top of the Scottish Premier with rival Hearts, by the way Arsenal has started the season, I may jump the English Premier and solely support my Glasgow Catholics. Dave's Newcastle meet Villa and Chelsea visits Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park. Right now newly promoted Wigan is taking on Reading. I think I want to take a nap and this match is encouraging me to do so.

Welcome to the Premiership

Sat, 19 Aug 2006 15:29:25 GMT

Middlesbrough
What can you say about this group of pecker-slaps except that I feel bad suggesting them to Matt. Seriously, man; I'm sorry.

But when you drop your season opener, 3-2, to a team thats only goal is to not return to religation (Reading), you're going to have a tough road ahead of you.

Arsenal
The Gunners started the season with a rather lackluster at best draw to Aston Villa. In fact it was a potentially scary situation until Giberto Silva scored the eqaliser in the 89th minute of regular time.

A key part of the score was the late game substitution by Arsenal skipper Arsen Wenger of Theo Walcott. For those of y'all who don't remember, Walcott was the 18 year old that was named to England's World Cup squad, despite the critism of nearly everyone. But he never played. Now, he's helping to score Gunner goals, so this guy is happy.

Welcome to the Premiership

Sat, 19 Aug 2006 15:27:25 GMT

Middlesbrough

What can you say about this group of pecker-slaps except that I feel bad suggesting them to Matt. Seriously, man; I'm sorry.

But when you drop your season opener, 3-2, to a team thats only goal is to not return to religation (Reading), you're going to have a tough road ahead of you.

Arsenal
The Gunners started the season with a rather lackluster at best draw to Aston Villa. In fact it was a potentially scary situation until Giberto Silva scored the eqaliser in the 89th minute of regular time.

A key part of the score was the late game substitution by Arsenal skipper Arsen Wenger of Theo Walcott. For those of y'all who don't remember, Walcott was the 18 year old that was named to England's World Cup squad, despite the critism of nearly everyone. But he never played. Now, he's helping to score Gunner goals, so this guy is happy.

Hands Behind Our Back

Wed, 09 Aug 2006 01:58:17 GMT

Arsenal 3 - 0 Dinamo Zagreb

Another brilliant preseason showing for the Highbury Gunners as they throw their hand into the mix for this year's Champions League comptetion. Arsenal has proved smashing in the preseason friendlies, but this was a game with some pants on it. And forgoing any shinanagins August 23 at home at the new Emiates Stadium, Arsenal will advance to the group stage.

Too Easy
Franscesc Fabergas scored the first and the last of Arsenal's three goals, with Robin van Persie's one in between. The three-nil victory was quit convincing, but even more convincing was that the Gunners won without Thierry Henry at striker, and without Jen Lehmann in goal. Also out of the picture is Jose Antonio Reyes, who's future with Arsenal is highly speculative, despite his two goals in a previous friend.

In Your Face
That's right. In your face to Chelsea, who's prick of a coach Jose Mourinho is still trying to sluff of the close to embarassing match against the MLS all-stars. And in your face to the Liverpudlian Reds, who took a 5-nil lose on the chin last Saturday night. Now, I know these two examples are just friendlies are designed to get multiple players minutes, gearing them toward match fitness. But when the Premiership starts in a short number of days, Arsenal will be the team with a handful of friendly victories and a Champions League match under their belt.

Let the melee continue.

English Success in Friendlies

Thu, 03 Aug 2006 19:08:00 GMT

Yes, yes. I've had a healthy amount of spare time this summer, which lately has afforded me the opportunity to read up on the news of not only my beloved Gunners, but on everyone's club. I hope that you will accept my forwarded news clips with good nature; really, I've got nothing better to do.

I have not been shy about Arsenal's success in their pre-season friendly matches. Seriously, if your team defeated anyone, even a third-tier Austrian club, 8-1, you'd grin too.

But how have the squads of the English Premier been doing in their pre-season to do? First, let's look at the top squads of last year.

Chelsea (FA Champions)
Unlike most of the clubs, Chelsea has thus been dormant, allowing the press to focus in on Jose Mourinho's wild, huge balls comments and the small controversy concerning Leeds United. See Carson's blog for more. Notwithstanding, the Blues travel to the states to face the MLS allstars, which hopefully be mercifully brief and no doubt allow Mourinho to dangle a few million infront litte Freddy Ado's nose, saying, 'come on, son.'

I'm more interesting in the August 9th fixture between Chelski and my perhaps more beloved Catholic club, Celtic FC, the champions of the Scotish Premier. While I have no illusions of granduer, nothing on the level of predicting that Princeton would go to the final four, I can see my 'bhoys' giving Chelsea a game. Remember, the Scottish premier is already under way and the Scots have been playing together longer, since Scotland did not qualify for the World Cup, versus all the international stars Chelsea is still trying to wrangle in from World play.

Manchester United (Runners-up)
While no one has cared to align themselves with Christi, Rooney and the other red devils, I feel you have to be far and report about Man U.

First, as an aside, I am going to say that Manchester United is going to finish outside the top four. Their loss of Ruud van Nisteroy, who accounted for 150 goals in only 219 matches. Do the math. And while Rooney (65 games/42 goals) and Ronaldo (95/18) are immaculate talents, Man U may be searching for the goals that came so natural to Ruud.

Now, Manchester United did defeat my Celtic 3-nil, and Macclesfield (2-1). but they also draw Ajax and Sevilia before the year begins.

Liverpool (Third place)
Liverpool is 2 wins, 2 loses so far in friendly play, most recently losing to (I didn't make this up) Grasshopper Club in Zurich. I have nothing more to say about this, but maybe Jose Mourinho was right.

Tottenham Hotspur (Fifth place)
The Spurs finished fifth last season behind Arsenal, and have played magnificiently this preseason, currently 5-0, beating poor, religated Birmingham City and, in rather impressive fashion, Inter Milan. They take on Real Sociedad right before their first Barclay's match against Bolton. Can they keep up the positive momentum?

Other than these teams, it's almost humourous the results around the Premier.
Aston Villa: 3-0. Not a bad start for last year's 16th placed team.
Bolton: destroyed 0-5 by the Greek champions Olympiacos.
Charlton Althetic: 1 win-4 un-wins, indeed getting pummled by my other beloved Scot team Hibernian 3-nil.

I think you get the point. The good teams mentioned earlier will be very good and the bottom teams will be predictably horrid.

Let the melee continue.

8-1 victory for the friendly Gunners

Tue, 01 Aug 2006 17:24:32 GMT

For all you haters out there (ie Carson), who are hellbent on attacking my beloved team for no reason than to attack its favorite Raleigh supporter.

Jose Antonio Reyes, Cesc Fabregas, Robin van Persie and Gilberto all
made their first appearances of the season as Arsenal completed their
Austrian trip with a 8-1 win at Schwadorf on Monday night.

Now, who poor Schwadorf is isn't my concern. What is my concern is that Henry rested this friendly, alongside mighty Jens Lehmann and Titti still resting from the World Cup break. Fabergas played the full 90 strong. van Persie scored his two as well.

Reyes in top form

Most important is that Jose Reyes, whom many speculated would be moving onto Real (Franco) Madrid, scored in the first six minutes, and then added two minutes into second half. Then said, "instrumental bitches", while throwing down his karioke mic.

8 goals to 1 (again, no mighty Jens in goal). That's mighty tough, chaps. Arsenal is ready to play. Let the melee continue! Go Gunners!

McBride, Fulham and the Struggle of B'ham City

Mon, 31 Jul 2006 05:09:43 GMT

Two teams not picked up by any of our lot are Fulham and Birmingham. Fulham has Brian McBride, the one US player to really show up in World Cup. Birmingham is trying to finagle him away from the club he's been with for two years.

Fulham in general looks rather unimpressive, finishing 12th last year right behind Everton, and I fault no one for taking their side and colors. The only team more a joke than Fulham, who really isn't a joke, is Birmingham. B'ham (Michael) was religated to the Championship League (Division One, ie not the Premiership) this last year, finishing 18th. The (other) Blues have talent, but I don't see it a step up for the stitched up American and his cheeks of steal.