Pre-Match Arsenal vs. Birmingham

[BazoDee!]

Originally posted by revelation
Sounds like this is a regionalized issue, down here in DC (Comcast) I've gotten Sun. PPV at home. However, since I'm cheap, I'd rather spend my money on beer and watch the games at the bars...
Hey Rev, where in DC do you catch the games? I was down there for the Charity Shield and called up the Capitol Lounge, but they said they weren't bringing the game. Called up Lucky Bar and they had it, but on delay.


I've got the prettiest wife at home, and her name is Freddie!
Bazodee (adj) bah'-zoe-dee' 1. Giddy or light headed; totally confused. State of shock.
"Your weed got more seeds than ODB!" - Redman

[Andy]

Originally posted by BazoDee!
I have directv and cablevision, but directv online doesn't show either ppv.

Why do you have both? For the CUNY channels? I'd drop crapvision in a heartbeat if I could.

Well, I guess its off to the pubs for me. If I can't make Smiths, I should be able to get to Heratige in Yonkers(hopefully showing it, but could be a problem since its in the middle of a VERY Irish area). Has anyone else ever gone there? What's it like for a game?

[BrianCappellieri]

Originally posted by BazoDee!
And where exactly is Syd's house?


Croydon (inside joke :)) but I'm in CT.

I've got the prettiest wife at home, and her name is Freddie!
Bazodee (adj) bah'-zoe-dee' 1. Giddy or light headed; totally confused. State of shock.
"Your weed got more seeds than ODB!" - Redman

[BazoDee!]

Originally posted by Andy
Why do you have both? For the CUNY channels? I'd drop crapvision in a heartbeat if I could.

Can't get enough public access. :p Actually I keep it as backup for when I lose signal during storms. Not that it has happened much in the past year. Need to readjust dish for stronger signal. Right now it peaks at 80.



I've got the prettiest wife at home, and her name is Freddie!
Bazodee (adj) bah'-zoe-dee' 1. Giddy or light headed; totally confused. State of shock.
"Your weed got more seeds than ODB!" - Redman

[Coach_McGuirk]

Originally posted by revelation
I think I would prefer the team playing with Gilberto in the middle and Edu out left, switching Wiltord out right.

I know I'm jumping in a bit late on this, but Edu certainly looked well composed at Old Trafford against Man U last season, and I see no reason to rush Silva in when we don't have to.

I'd certainly like to see Edu get the full 90 with Viera in the middle, and see if more chemistry develops.

You know, I think I'm becoming an Edu apologist....he'll be my new personal blindspot.

[442]

Originally posted by Coach_McGuirk



You know, I think I'm becoming an Edu apologist....he'll be my new personal blindspot.

That assumes you need a reason to apologize for Edu. Nothing of the sort is needed in my opinion. Can anyone recall an occasion last season where he really blew it? I recall him being called in to action and thinking 'Where have we been hiding this stud?'

[michaec]

Edu was looking really good last year and had a good performance in the first half in Cardiff. However, I think that his unfortunate injury will count against him on Sunday as Silva really made an impact. He'll stay in for now, but what happens when Pires and Ljungberg are fit. The team I expect to see:

Seaman
Lauren - Keown - Campbell - Cole
Wiltord - Vieira - Silva - Edu
Bergkamp - Henry

This is not exactly the team I would like to see, but we've got all season to get into that.

[Senor Askew]

Far be it from me to suggest that "Sir" Dennis not get plenty of minutes but even a worshiper at the feet of Bergkamp like me has to realize that it's no longer possible for him to play all that many games.

He's 33 now and has seen many hard years of action, but the last few years of (relative) inactivity should stand him in good stead.

All I'm saying is no matter how much we love him we can't expect him to start every match.

More's the pity.

As for Edu, give the man a game Wenger! His displays late last year were very promising.

I just brought out the tape from last May of a certain game in Manchester. And I have to say that it shows on the players faces that there was no doubt that that was one of the pinacles of their respective careers. Winning the league and doing it in style are one thing, winning it at the home of your main antagonist is something else entirely.

Surely one of the finest nights in the Gunners history. :)

[Senor Askew]

Originally posted by dwinkler

I asked the same question in the B&M forum and the ubiquitous and helpful BuffloSoldier said he contacted Dish and the answer is "no."


Priceless.

:D

[revelation]

Originally posted by BazoDee!

Hey Rev, where in DC do you catch the games? I was down there for the Charity Shield and called up the Capitol Lounge, but they said they weren't bringing the game. Called up Lucky Bar and they had it, but on delay.


I usually go to the Lucky Bar. Unfortunately for the Community Shield I had my club practice at the same time, so I got the PPV and taped it.

As for Edu, I think he deserves a spot on the pitch. The question in my mind is Parlour vs. Gilberto. As much as I like Parlour and the tenacity he brings to each game, I would rather see Gilberto get the start. Bring Parlour on late in the game for that extra grit and determination to make sure the team holds out for the result. I doubt that Gilberto could go a full 90 at this time.

[Coach_McGuirk]

Originally posted by Senor Askew
Far be it from me to suggest that "Sir" Dennis not get plenty of minutes but even a worshiper at the feet of Bergkamp like me has to realize that it's no longer possible for him to play all that many games.

He's 33 now and has seen many hard years of action, but the last few years of (relative) inactivity should stand him in good stead.

All I'm saying is no matter how much we love him we can't expect him to start every match.

You won't get any argument from me on that. I think the reason DB10 was so productive down the stretch is that Wenger used him so judiciously early in the season. Thankfully we do have 4 or 5 quality strikers, so DB10 should get plenty of "good" rest again this season.

On a somewhat similar note, Sr. Askew, have you read "brilliant Orange" yet? Great book all around. the short 3 page chapter devoted to Bergkamp was very revealing as to how Dennis is seen by himself and the rest of the world.

It's simply a double bonus that the author is both an Ajax and an Arsenal fan, which I am, as well. I sincerely hope they don't end up in the same group in the Champions League so I can cheer for them both, but if they do happen to meet up, I certainly would never turn my back on Arsenal even if Ajax is the opponent.

[kygunner]

Revelation, you had to go and mention Rayzor. Let the debate begin. I think he should and will get a run out on Sunday and Gilberto will come off the bench for now. Ray is solid , knows the system and is a good candidate for this type of game. Gilberto is still learning and will take Rays slot in a match or two.


For anyone who noticed or really cares. Adebola was sent to Portsmouth right after I turned in the preview. The preview-jinx holds for another match. I believe 2 or 3 were sent off after a mention last season.

[Senor Askew]

Originally posted by Coach_McGuirk


You won't get any argument from me on that. I think the reason DB10 was so productive down the stretch is that Wenger used him so judiciously early in the season. Thankfully we do have 4 or 5 quality strikers, so DB10 should get plenty of "good" rest again this season.

On a somewhat similar note, Sr. Askew, have you read "brilliant Orange" yet? Great book all around. the short 3 page chapter devoted to Bergkamp was very revealing as to how Dennis is seen by himself and the rest of the world.

It's simply a double bonus that the author is both an Ajax and an Arsenal fan, which I am, as well. I sincerely hope they don't end up in the same group in the Champions League so I can cheer for them both, but if they do happen to meet up, I certainly would never turn my back on Arsenal even if Ajax is the opponent.

Afraid to say I haven't read it. Sounds good. I'm also partial to Ajax and have been for several years though I can't say I support them outright.

I've seen it offered in catalougs here in America but I'm sure I could get it in a bookstore in Britain which I may very well do.

And you can call me Dave by the way. :)

[BrianCappellieri]

Official Arsenal Match Preview (http://www.arsenal.com/sportsappcontroller.jsp?command=selectCategoryAndNewsItem&nextPage=news_headlines_news_item&type=com.sportapps.news.NewsItem&parentId=15&id=2923544)

[Coach_McGuirk]

Originally posted by Senor Askew


Afraid to say I haven't read it. Sounds good. I'm also partial to Ajax and have been for several years though I can't say I support them outright.

I've seen it offered in catalougs here in America but I'm sure I could get it in a bookstore in Britain which I may very well do.

And you can call me Dave by the way. :)

I picked it up at Barnes and Noble Booksellers here in Dallas. Now I've got to track down a new news stand that carries 4-4-2. My local guy used to have it, but he doesn't carry it anymore (Apparently I was the only one buying it)

[dwinkler]

Originally posted by Coach_McGuirk
Now I've got to track down a new news stand that carries 4-4-2. My local guy used to have it, but he doesn't carry it anymore (Apparently I was the only one buying it)
Coach -
Don't know if they still offer it, but 442 has been available for home delivery to the U.S. dirt cheap the last few years.

Here's the site, let me know if you have any questions.
http://www.usasubs.co.uk/

[442]

There seem to be a lot of Arsenal/Ajax fans, myself included. I guess it's the Overmars and DB10 connection. Kanu too!

Brilliant Orange is terrrific by the way.

[Rapids/Arsenal Fan]

Fado's will not be showing EPL until next week. They didn't say why, but my guess it's because of Irish hurling.

[michaec]

Originally posted by Senor Askew
Far be it from me to suggest that "Sir" Dennis not get plenty of minutes but even a worshiper at the feet of Bergkamp like me has to realize that it's no longer possible for him to play all that many games.

He's 33 now and has seen many hard years of action, but the last few years of (relative) inactivity should stand him in good stead.

All I'm saying is no matter how much we love him we can't expect him to start every match.

More's the pity.


Wenger realised the errors of his ways last season and started playing Dennis regularly which pushed us to the title. I think he was by far the biggest influence on the team and I include Adams, Vieira, Pires and Henry in that. The season before last, Wenger seemed determined to push Bergkamp out of the club, giving the forward slot to Wiltord instead. BIG mistake.

When I watch us play, Bergkamp is at the heart of most of the good work. If he plays the whole season, he'll weigh in with about 15 goals, but his number of assists over a season must be astronomical. In my opinion he made Nicolas Anelka, the idiot hasn't shown anything like the form since he was here with Dennis teeing him up every week. Once Pires is fit, these two creative masters will be a force to be reckoned with. And I would expect Dennis to play in most of the games until Pires comes back because he is the one player who can do something extra, some of his goals last season were breathtaking, but for me it's the vision and the simple pass to put someone in that makes him the greatest player I have seen in an Arsenal shirt. It looks simple, but most other players never even see the chances.

[Senor Askew]

Originally posted by michaec


Wenger realised the errors of his ways last season and started playing Dennis regularly which pushed us to the title. I think he was by far the biggest influence on the team and I include Adams, Vieira, Pires and Henry in that. The season before last, Wenger seemed determined to push Bergkamp out of the club, giving the forward slot to Wiltord instead. BIG mistake.

When I watch us play, Bergkamp is at the heart of most of the good work. If he plays the whole season, he'll weigh in with about 15 goals, but his number of assists over a season must be astronomical. In my opinion he made Nicolas Anelka, the idiot hasn't shown anything like the form since he was here with Dennis teeing him up every week. Once Pires is fit, these two creative masters will be a force to be reckoned with. And I would expect Dennis to play in most of the games until Pires comes back because he is the one player who can do something extra, some of his goals last season were breathtaking, but for me it's the vision and the simple pass to put someone in that makes him the greatest player I have seen in an Arsenal shirt. It looks simple, but most other players never even see the chances.

Agreed on all counts.

Yet surely you must conceed that at 33 Bergkamp shouldn't be playing every game because that would dull his effectiveness.

As another pointer posted earlier the reason Dennis was so valuable last year was that Wenger used him judiciously, selectively. He was always fresh and prepared. Never fatigued or looking jaded.