Sep 25
Two second half goals within six minutes of each other were enough to see a very young Arsenal side ease past a full-strength Newcastle in this evening’s 3rd round Carling Cup tie at the Grove.
Nicklas Bendtner’s towering header, followed shortly by Denilson’s smash from 25 yards sees the Gunners added to Saturday’s draw for the 4th round. Also on Saturday is a trip to Upton Park for a league match against West Ham. The Hammers did the double over us last season, so let’s hope this good start to the season continues. Kickoff is at 10AM ET, and the match is being broadcast live here in the US on Setanta USA.
46 Responses to “Arsenal 2 - 0 Newcastle”
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September 25th, 2007 at 7:07 pm
For those wondering if we have enough squad depth this year to challenge on all fronts - to me these guys are good enough to play in the league to cover for potential injuries and abscences (AFN) through the year. While they’re not first choice but they way they played is convincing enough to beat a nearly full strength Newcastle side. If i didn’t see the names on the back of the players I would have though this was a first team playing tonight.
Well done, and the better we do in the Carling Cup, the better confidence will be gained by these “youngsters” and be ready to provide cover in the first team when we need them.
September 25th, 2007 at 7:10 pm
Hammers will not stand a chance. If they put 10 men behind the ball like Newcastle did tonight, even our “youth” team eventually was able to penetrate and score two late goals. This year, I feel that our inability to finish off chances are long gone. Every one is having a go at goal from all angles and distances, and we’re getting extra goals from deflections / scrappy plays that we didn’t get from years before.
Confidence is high and I hope we trounce WHU 3-0 as we have yet to beat them since their promotion!!
September 25th, 2007 at 7:45 pm
Well done by the youngsters. From what I heard on ATVO, Armand Traore was excellent at left back. He also has scored 2 goals in the reserves. Fast as TH14, 6′1, strong, and only 17 (!) His cross today was apparently superb. When he’s 18-19, this young guy is going to be ready to start. Other than a loan option, where is he going to play? Clichy is only 22, and surely doesn’t deserve a demotion. With Traore’s size and precocious physical maturity, what about grooming him as a replacement central DB as well as LB? The danger is putting too much on his plate and inhibiting his positional development. The upside is that he seems to learn fast and he has physical gifts way beyond Senderos and Song. I’m one of those who doesn’t think Gallas has much of a long term with the club, between his injuries and attitude.
What about a future backline of Sagna-Toure-Traore-Clichy? You’ve got to love the closing speed of that group.
September 25th, 2007 at 8:12 pm
marylandgooner, that defense looks good….but traore would have to learn to defend a bit better first.
and thats why wenger didnt buy anybody, he wanted to see the true level of the squad he had, and then next summer he can then polish off the team.
September 25th, 2007 at 8:12 pm
average age 20….woow. am shocked senderos and song didnt concede….big props to them.
did anybody actually watch the game?? can they say where eboue played? RM or RB….and if so where did walcott play? how did walcott do?
anyway, from the reports and from the goal highlights…it seems diaby, denilson, traore and especially eboue have given us solid depth in midfield and leftback.
diaby and denilson are developing the killer touches which is always good.
bendtner remains a solid forward option …and perfect sub for adebayor.
while eboue should keep up this sort of form.
but it is really amazing that we pinned down and bullied newcastles first team with a 20 year old average age team. damn!
September 25th, 2007 at 8:15 pm
and finally we should only play this squad in the CC, no first teamers should even be on the bench. i guess flamini must be feeling really special that he wasnt even on the bench….lol
September 25th, 2007 at 9:09 pm
I think Traore could see some time at LM. He and Eboue have the ability to get by players at will when they are on. They are both excellent crossers of the ball as well. In the recent past we haven’t exactly had forwards that get on the end of them. But Adebayor, Bendtner and Eduardo are all excellent headers of the ball. This gives AW tons of options on the flanks. Between Rosicky, Hleb, Diaby, Eboue, Traore, Walcott, he can run different types of players out for different competitions and opponents.
September 25th, 2007 at 9:14 pm
Did anyone see Fat Sam’s interview after the game? He is a disgrace. He whined before the game that he doesn’t get respect from Arsene Wenger. Then AW’s second team beats his first team, he complains that it was because his team had to play on Sunday and Arsenal played on Saturday. Arsenal could’ve played Derby in the morning and then beat his team in evening. It was almost a completely different team…of kids! He needs to shut his mouth and give some respect.
September 25th, 2007 at 9:17 pm
Clean sheet with Senderos and Song as CBs. Shocking. Danny, please post the video of you eating the hat on youtube.
This team not only beating Newcastle but also dominating them has got to be one of the most satisfying experiences of the season.
September 25th, 2007 at 9:20 pm
Wenger’s comments on Arsenal.com are cute -
On scoring different types of goals…
“Yes, you [the press] accused us of over-playing, now we score headers and long distance goals - we listen to your advice!”
On their readiness for the first team…
“All of them, for me all of them can play on a regular basis in the first team. You see a player like Armand Traore, he’s eighteen! Just at left-back, the power, going forward, the crosses.”
On Lassana Diarra…
“He’s ready to play at that level without any problem. We got him, yes [from Chelsea], and I must say for much less than was announced in the papers. Just two-million.”
As expected, Diarra cost just 2M.
Fat Sam can go and moan for the rest of his life.
September 25th, 2007 at 9:22 pm
Short highlights here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvixIWdDVog
September 25th, 2007 at 11:45 pm
Was the game on TV? I would really like to see the youngsters because I was amazed at how much bigger and stronger Traore looked in preseason. Forget him at CB, the question is should he be groomed for left wing because he has got that lightning quickness like Clichy and ability to dribble the ball like Clichy. If he can cross, watch out!
September 25th, 2007 at 11:59 pm
Fred, told u u would be a happy man!! : ) Another CLEAN SHEET!
I hope folks would start to realize Arsenal is not a charity house, when comes to get rid of players he feels not up to it, or not up to it anymore, Wenger isn’t exactly the Mr. Nice guy neither.
The players he keep must be for a reason. And the players he sent out to player must be for a reason as well. No manager in this world will send out a team who he himself does not have faith in. Footballers want to win every match, so does the manager.
And in real life football will never work like “Football Manager”, where u sent a weaker team it almost means certainly defeat.
Arsenal has an unique playing system, from youth team all the way up to the first team, they all play the same way. I saw the other day the reserve team pass and move the same way as the first team. That surely help the 2nd tiers when come to playing the first team match.
September 26th, 2007 at 12:03 am
“I’ll eat my hat if we keep a clean sheet. In years gone by Toure and Eboue probably would have played this game - even Djourou. But Hoyte, Senderos, Song and Traore is the worst Arsenal defence I have ever seen for a top flight game.”
How is your hat taste DT?!
Sorry danny, can’t resist, u being too bold previoulsy.
September 26th, 2007 at 12:18 am
I am really excited about the team. Whats really making me happy is that we are not only getting goals from different players but we are getting very different type of goals ie headers (Dudu and Bentner seem to be getting in a lot of headers not to mention Ade), long range shots (didnt Denilson just look like a carbon copy of Cesc today especially on the goal), even deflections. All of a sudden we look like we can score goals from all sorts of plays and we are not looking as one dimensional as we seemed to be last season. Teams cannot just put 10 men behind the ball or even play physical and get away with it anymore. I must say though we have had more than our fair share of home games and I hope that when we start making those difficult trips to the North we will have built enough momentum and have enough confidence to carry us through those games. I remember that everyone was saying the same thing about United last year after the start they had to the season. We will see how it goes but for now enjoy life Gunners!!
September 26th, 2007 at 12:41 am
By the way, that goal line save by Sendy is as good as a goal as far as I am concerned!
September 26th, 2007 at 12:49 am
btw Big Sam’s comment after the match showed that it’s not just the Big 4 managers like to complain of the fixture congestion. Big Sam had the nerve to moan about it as well. Well, at least from now on, they will have one less competition to worry about. surely it will help to ease their fixture congestion.
September 26th, 2007 at 1:17 am
Chocolate sauce Danny ???
.. So many different scorers this time. It only bodes well… crappy cable didn’t even show it. So was listening to some jerky radio commentary and following text alerts at 2 in the night. Nearly dropped off coz me had to get to work and suddenly mom comes in and says that Arsenal have scored..more late goals … only augurs well…. I’m so happy.. 
September 26th, 2007 at 1:19 am
Caught those short highlights nipuna …thnx!! What a fuckin awesome off the line clearance by Sendy… just stunning…and a cracker by Denilson as well with a Diaby assist plus a great cross by Traore and a thunderous header by NB… what more can you ask for!!! Now lets start work
September 26th, 2007 at 1:29 am
I’ve seen Denilson attempt those long range shots before, but it’s the first time he actually scored.
September 26th, 2007 at 1:40 am
Big Sam talked trash even before the game about AW not figuring him out. I dont know what there was to figure out…all Bolton ever did was kick Arsenal. What an absolutely ingenious tactic!!!
September 26th, 2007 at 1:43 am
After watching the extended highlights from ATVO,
- Eduardo is a good header of the ball
- Bendtner can be a very good player
- Defence was troubled at times but still managed a clean sheet
September 26th, 2007 at 1:44 am
Offtopic@nipuna: Howz ATVO?? Worth buying ? How much in Indian currency per month?
September 26th, 2007 at 1:46 am
BBC says attendance was 60,004. Way to go!!!
September 26th, 2007 at 1:47 am
LDE, don’t have ATVO. Downloaded the highlights from http://arsenalclips.blogspot.com/
September 26th, 2007 at 1:57 am
in denilson, diaby, eboue and diarra we have a solid and competent backup for midfield (assuming that flamini is now first choice). i wonder where that leaves gilberto?
we also have solid enough forward and wingback backups in bendtner and eduardo and between traore, diarra and flamini. while in hoyte and walcott we have fluff players to maintain our status as an “english” club in those less important matches.
not bad.
September 26th, 2007 at 2:01 am
little riddle:
what do u call a man who knows the club’s very positive financial state but decides to rationalize a sale by claiming otherwise?
or what do you call a man who didnt sell out before or during the building of the stadium … but after the stadium has been built already and there is money to be made is now kicking up a storm?
maybe he loves the arsenal, but he definitely loves himself far more.
September 26th, 2007 at 2:58 am
@Fred: Answer:David Dein
..do I get a free season ticket to Ashburton Grove now plus an all expense air fare paid trip to London?? 
That last statement is quite accurate though. Just one thing though if this Usmanov idiot isn’t involved and a takeover HAD TO HAPPEN it might as well be DD.
September 26th, 2007 at 3:18 am
U u have to be fair to him, he didn’t get kicked out of the board until AFTER the building of the stadium. Had him remained in the board, I doubt he would want to sell his shares.
I don’t know if he loves himself that much, or want to be the chairman that badly, but I believe one key reason he wants to come back so much is to get one back over the current board. That probably motivated him more than anything else.
And let’s face it, if he keeps his share and not selling it, it’s very likely he will make an even bigger fortune of his shares in the future. A clever businessman like Dein should have awared of the profit Arsenal was going to generate even before the finanical report came out. Afterall, he was there to see with his own eyes that Emirates was full house week in week out last season.
By selling his shares to the Russian, he should have awared of the risk he was taken as well, as the Russian could easily get rid of him anytime now he has no bargain power in his hand (after selling off his shares).
All that just show how desperately he wanted to get one back over the current board. IMO.
September 26th, 2007 at 5:27 am
Yeah, so I am eating my hat - and it taste quite nice this morning. Well pleased with the result and more importantly the performance. If Diarra keeps playing like that it spells the end for Gilberto and he can oust Flamini too.
Going by the BBC Five Live commentary and Sky Sports:
Fabiasnki (8) Came and collected every cross like he was an Arsenal veteran, made one outstanding save. Pundits observed he is ready for the first team.
Hoyte (6) Didn’t sound like he had a lot to do, Newcastle were hoofing it up to Martins all the time.
Song (7) Had a steady game, got Senderos out of trouble a few times and was aggressive in his defensive heading.
Senderos (7) Just about coped with Martins, made one fantastic clearance off the line which has to be seen to be believed.
Traore (9) His attacking was remarkable, brilliant crossing and fast as lightning.
Eboue (9) Was rampant on the right wing sparking attack after attack with plenty of good shots on goal. Only some brave tackling and Shay Given stopped him scoring a couple.
Diarra (9) Pivotal in midfield, controlled the game. His low centre of gravity means he can get himself out of any tight situation and never gave the ball away.
Denilson (8) Maybe his best game for the club. His goal was incredible, a bit like Silvinho’s rocket against Chelsea - except the other top corner.
Walcott (7) Flashes of brilliance, and improvement over his performance at Derby and managed a few half-decent strikes on goal.
Eduardo (7) Missed a good chance, but was neat and tidy and aggressive.
Bendtner (7) Similar story, scored a great header but missed a few as well. Forged a good partnership with Eduardo though.
Subs:
Diaby (7) Set-up Denilson after some delightful footwork in the box, he’s becoming the real deal. Comparisons with Vieira are wide of the mark, he’s much more attacking.
Merida (-) Only got 2 minutes.
September 26th, 2007 at 5:28 am
[quote]Fred: “did anybody actually watch the game?? can they say where eboue played? RM or RB “[/quote]
Eboue played on the right with Hoyte at RB. Walcott played on the left side of midfield.
I have to say that Eboue is really electric and since Rosicky is out Eboue should play on the right and Hleb can move to the left.
September 26th, 2007 at 5:41 am
after looking at longer highlights, it seems that senderos despite a generally good performance (by his standards) still was woefully at fault for all 3 chances they had all game. first he slept on the free header by martins, then he lay down flat and present martins with another chance, then for the last chance he played martins onside before clearing off the line.
from most accounts song actually looked more solid and reliable even though unspectacular…..while senderos played very well the whole game then makes 3 whoopers! thats the story of senderos.
for our game against WHU am suspecting:
almunia
sagna - toure - senderos - clichy
eboue - fabregas - flamini - diaby
RvP - Adebayor
hopefully gallas is fit and takes over from senderos.
September 26th, 2007 at 5:46 am
If Fabianski was as good as the reports say, I hope Wenger gives him more chances to see if he can take over as #1 next season.
September 26th, 2007 at 5:48 am
anyone shares the same view - perhaps it’s better off Theo to play on the left? so he will have more room to operate cutting inside? because he’s right footed, on the right when he cut inside he didn’t look comfortable. as a result, he’s hugging the line too often playing like Pennant, which often get isolated (when on the right).
fair play to u Danny. we all ate humble pies sometimes anyway.
but the biggest piece of humble pie still waiting for Mr. Stag to come and collect.
after enduring two season’s constant complaining of the team from Stag, I really hope he will come back now to give us his latest accessment. Give and take, can’t just gave the piss and not here to take!
September 26th, 2007 at 5:55 am
Took Mrs Pirate along to the game, even she enjoyed it. A few comments:
Fabianski - solid hands, he caught every high ball Big Sam’s plan put in the box. He looked confident as in he gave the defence a bit of confidence.
Song - I don’t know whether he just slouches a lot, but he not a small lad and he was decent enough in the air and dogged in the challenge. Probably helps to have Wenger applauding you on the touchline and in the press, but he did look ok against a decent frontlline.
Our old pal Senderos - hopefully that goal line clearance will give him some confidence, because he did play like a player who is trying hard because nothing is going right for him and he’s trying too hard so nothing does go right for him. A couple of slips, one shaky clearance as the ball came to him very quickly. I am praying he now scores from a corner. Song and he were up against pace yesterday in Martins and Ameobi and the pace gave them no real trouble.
Traore - has improved from last season, a few less tricks so when the opportunity came to put the ball in the box he didn’t hesitate.
Diarra - very good. He is like Makalele in that his size and ability to use his body seems to let him make challenges where he just ducks under the larger players and steals the ball. Good awareness and he and Denilson controlled the game in the middle.
Walcott - just like other games he’s played, the minute he get the ball the roar goes up and the crowd is expecting him to score an Owen vs Argentina goal every time. He carries the ball 35 yards at pace and then lays it off to enormous sighs. The expectation on this guy is huge and must take pressure off some of other young players. He played a fair bit of the game on the left a la Overmars and I think that’ll be a better position for him than down the right where he doesn’t neccesarily have the tricks to beat the fullback.
Eboue - wan’t particularly spectacular, apart from the most comical dive I’ve seen in a long time.
Diaby - made a difference when he came on, he was leggy at first but soon got into the match. We had been in control of the game and Newcastle had basically done nothing whie we’d been creating, but Diaby gave us something different. We were able to play 10 yards further into their half, you can give him the ball in a tightish position knowing that he can keep it and turn - then you know you can make the run - and he has the ability to play you in or dribble a bit and create space. He’s an interesting player for us to have.
September 26th, 2007 at 6:00 am
Stag’s watching more Barcelona than Arsenal one suspects
I could be wrong but that is quite likely as well. Unless he’s sick or has gone to the Arctic pole without Internet access 
September 26th, 2007 at 6:11 am
“Walcott - just like other games he’s played, the minute he get the ball the roar goes up and the crowd is expecting him to score an Owen vs Argentina goal every time. He carries the ball 35 yards at pace and then lays it off to enormous sighs. The expectation on this guy is huge and must take pressure off some of other young players.”
I agree. I remember from the moment he first stepped onto pitch (debut), the crowd already been chating Theo Theo.
The expectation started before he even kicked a ball for Arsenal. And he has been carrying a bigger expectation than the rest of the kids since. Cant help but feel had him not being English, just yet another foreign kid, perhaps he would be making faster progress.
i m not sure Theo enjoys that kind of attention himself. I look at Wayne Rooney, his progress seems stalled. To me, he’s still as good as when he was 17. Particular when u put Ronaldo besides him, the two’s progress seem to be very different over the years.
September 26th, 2007 at 6:12 am
I was at the game…. Great performance completely outpassed and outclassed Newcastle… My ratings would be as follows:
Fabianski - 8 - Commanded his box brilliantly and made a good save early on I think from Martins. Only thing i noticed tho is that he catches the ball on his chest sometimes, not with his arms outsetretched.
Hoyte - 6 - never troubled defensively, but didn’t offer a lot going forward.
Song - 8 - close to my MOTM. Kept Martins completely in check. Sometimes looked like he forgot he was playing central defence as he wandered fwd into a midfield position. Sendy was advising him constantly positionally.
Senderos - 7 - good but a couple of senderos moments. Goaline clearance was brilliant and right after the bendtner goal too… Captained well by talking to Song throughout.
Traore - 8 - brilliant. Three outstanding crosses ….great going forward. Very good too in that he seems to be able to get out of trouble when surrounded by opposition players . Dunno about converting him to CB tho, but maybe could play LM. Can’t remember him being caught out defensively at all…
Eboue - 8 - played like the senior pro amongst the boys. Very mature performance and took responsibility. I think he had 3 shots in 10 mins at the start of the 2nd half. Full of penetration. Also drifted inside a few times to link up play. I like how he is a different alternative to Hleb on RM. If he palys like this in more importatnt games he could be huge. Not MOTM because he only played 60 mins.
Denilson - 8 - Mazza I don’t know how you can not rate this guy. Excellent parternship with Diarra, with Denilson playing a bit further ahead and more creatively that Diarra.
Diarra - 8 - This guy is seriously good. Flamini will have a major battle to keep hold of his palce next to Cesc. He seems a bit more positionally aware than Flamini (like Gilberto), and makes very good decisions in tight spaces. I love Gilberto but his days are definitely numbered. The guy next to me rated him as MOTM and he went pretty close for me too.
Walcott - 6.5 - He needs confidence. Makes the wrong decisions, and never looked like scoring. Fast and good skills, but just needs to improve his decision making. He needs to be more angry….
Bendtner - 7.5 - Strong, agressive, took his goal well, and had a very good chance from another Traore cross in the first half. Sometimes a bit sloppy first half, but worked well with Eduardo
Eduardo - 6.5 - neat touches, and will fit in well. Looks a little bit leightweight to me, but makes good decisions with the ball and had a couple of chances to score. I’m sure he will turn out to be a very good buy.
Diaby - 7.5 - made a big difference when he came on, and like the man he replaced (Eboue) played like the senior pro in the team. Helped set up the goal. Two very good games in a row for Diaby. Wasted a good chacne right at the death to make it 3 nil when he iether should have scored or rolled it to Bendtner for a tap-in.
September 26th, 2007 at 6:44 am
The biggest problem now is Wenger will have a very difficult time to pick his team.
September 26th, 2007 at 6:47 am
Good points about Traore as a possible LM. I hope this guy gets his minutes and trust AW will find a way. It’s awesome to see the long term Wenger plan now starting to blossom. These guys are seriously good.
September 26th, 2007 at 12:38 pm
Few things:
Andez- Walcott being English & having huge expectations. I tihnk that’s exactly what it is from the crowd when he gets the ball. I believe many Arsenal supporters are feeling “oh, finally we have our Rooney. Our Owen.” Nothing wrong with that in my opinion, English wanting English players, just think that it puts a little too much pressure on Walcott at the moment.
Rocka- Your comment about Walcott needing to be more angry. Spot on. That’s the impression I get from Walcott when I’ve seen him play. As of yet, he doesn’t have that killer instinct or that bit of arrogance a great player needs to say to himself, “I can beat this guy all day long, he can’t mark me.” Or he’s got a bit too much of “Arsenal” right now & doesn’t always look to shoot when maybe he should.
3points,Picking the 1st team- those are the kind of problems managers & coaches don’t mind dealing with. I’m glad we have that “problem.”
Agree with the others that I think Gilberto is probably gone. Probably will be sold off at the end of the season. As much as I believe Flamini’s game has improved this year, I think he’ll be sold off at the end of the season too since he probably won’t want another year of subbing, especially now with Diarra’s arrival, after this one. Plus, Denilson is only going to get better as well.
There’s still a lot of work to do this season but the sky’s the limit for this team. It will be highly interesting to see how they handle their 1st bit of adversity on the field whenever it comes.
September 26th, 2007 at 1:07 pm
Missed the match..but just caught a 11 minute highlight clip on dailymotion videos
Must say at times this team was playing brilliantly.
Denilson’s goal was a beauty!!….but the work by Diaby to set up the goal was fantastic as well
Let’s see what we can come up with against West Ham.
Cheers,
Wayne
September 26th, 2007 at 6:54 pm
The media make me laugh. One minute we haven’t got a strong enough squad the next minute we have the strongest out of the top four. Make your mind up lads.
While Denilson played well, I believe the real star of the show was Diarra. An incisive, sharp DMC perfect for our style of play.
Good to see Denilson move forward and be pro-active. As I said before, he has pretty good skill set in everything but he needs that cesc-like ability to make a difference going forward. He showed that last night and the game also showed he should be a more offensive midfielder than a defensive one. Diarra showed what a defensive midfielder is supposed to be.
While all these results are great, they just succeed in making me more nervous in regards to the West Ham game. If we lose to that lot again it will be sickening. I just want us to stay undefeated for the next three league games and then after that I can accept a defeat against Man United or Liverpool.
Senderos has to cut out these mistakes at the back for West Ham. Dean Ashton will be on him all game waiting to pounce and he will take his chances better than Martins. West Ham will be very tough.
September 26th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
Common Mazza, your re-writing history. You’ve been bagging Denilson and Diaby for a few weeks now. Going to some lengths to explain why you thought they weren’t good enough.
September 26th, 2007 at 11:06 pm
kiwi’s right, mazza.
after all the bile you’ve been spewing the last few months, you could show a bit more contrition.
your predictions have been spot off all season.
it’s time to join the masses and start being hopeful, cautiously optomistic.
the sale of henry has liberated this team. they are playing with a joy and verve that we haven’t seen the last couple of years. the camaraderie is palpable. this is truly a TEAM.
and this win against newcastle shows how dangerous and deep we really are. okay CB may still need addressing (i think gilberto will start playing therre more), but the quality is evident. and the style of play is the same as the first team.
what other club, anywhere, can boast the same thing?
and man u lost to fricken coventry(?!) with their second squad.
not to mention the turmoil at stamford bridge…
isn’t it good to be a gooner…
September 27th, 2007 at 10:32 am
If you actually read what I wrote a few weeks back Kiwi you’ll see I always conceded that Denilson had a decent skill set in most things but was neither effective enough as a defensive midfielder or attacking midfielder. He played okay last night, nothing special, apart from one lovely ball down the channel to Bendtner. Most newspapers gave him a 6/10. Basically apart from his shot it was the usual fare from Denilson. We’ll see about Denilson. Remember, strange things happen in the Carling Cup, Aliadiere plays well, Baptista scored hattricks etc.
I said Diaby had the better chance of making it due to having more talent. He might do as well. Still it’s early days lads to making bold predictions and telling me to admit to my sins.
I admit so far, I have been wrong in nearly everything I’ve said, apart from Senderos. I’m now moving to the cautiously optimistic stage.