Arsenal preview
The Fink Tank gives Arsenal a 54% chance of a victory against Charlton at The Valley on Boxing Day. The form of the Addicks at home against the Gooners in the Premiership certainly does not give much ground for encouragement: lost 4, won 1, drawn 1. And two of the defeats were 0-3.
So should I have avoided the hassle of a long journey and stayed in Warwickshire to watch the derby clash between Racing Club Warwick and Leamington? Well the match at the Racecourse Ground is a sell out and tickets are unobtainable. Looks like the gee gees that graze on the pitch will have to be moved earlier than usual. These derbies can get quite heated: six people were hospitalised a few years ago when the Brakes took on Rugby Town.
Arsenal do seem to have a few more injury problems than usual affecting some key players. There have been quite a few stories in the press on 'Arsenal are not the team they were', 'Wenger's magic is fading' lines. I would have been a bit more hopeful if the Addicks had not been playing so poorly recently. Team spirit seems to have been evaporated. The last time I can remember such a mid-season slump was in our first season in the Premiership when we knew we were up against it.
'More than a football club' says the slogan on the front of the club's annual report. No one would knock the community and anti-racism work. But, at the end of the day, we are a football club and it is performance on the pitch that matches.
Curbs is a cautious manager and that is his strength and his weakness. There is much to be said for a settled team and for not making panic substitutions. There is also a case from building from the back. But sometimes one can be too cautious. And sometimes drastic action is necessary, although I must admit that I can't suggest what the side should be tomorrow.
Later I'm off to the traditional Christmas party given by the local Villa. It looks as if Deadly Doug is at last going to surrender control of the club. Will that lead to a change of manager?
So should I have avoided the hassle of a long journey and stayed in Warwickshire to watch the derby clash between Racing Club Warwick and Leamington? Well the match at the Racecourse Ground is a sell out and tickets are unobtainable. Looks like the gee gees that graze on the pitch will have to be moved earlier than usual. These derbies can get quite heated: six people were hospitalised a few years ago when the Brakes took on Rugby Town.
Arsenal do seem to have a few more injury problems than usual affecting some key players. There have been quite a few stories in the press on 'Arsenal are not the team they were', 'Wenger's magic is fading' lines. I would have been a bit more hopeful if the Addicks had not been playing so poorly recently. Team spirit seems to have been evaporated. The last time I can remember such a mid-season slump was in our first season in the Premiership when we knew we were up against it.
'More than a football club' says the slogan on the front of the club's annual report. No one would knock the community and anti-racism work. But, at the end of the day, we are a football club and it is performance on the pitch that matches.
Curbs is a cautious manager and that is his strength and his weakness. There is much to be said for a settled team and for not making panic substitutions. There is also a case from building from the back. But sometimes one can be too cautious. And sometimes drastic action is necessary, although I must admit that I can't suggest what the side should be tomorrow.
Later I'm off to the traditional Christmas party given by the local Villa. It looks as if Deadly Doug is at last going to surrender control of the club. Will that lead to a change of manager?
posted by Wyn Grant at 4:16 PM
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