Date: July 2008

Transfer saga and football chat

Jul 8, 2008 by

Quote 1:

Agent of Player 1: “Player 1 is 100% leaving the club.”
A few hours later, Player 1 says: “I am leaving the club.”

Player 2: “I am not happy at the club.”
Agent of Player 2: “Player 2 is definitely not happy at the club.”

A day later, Quote 2:

Player 1: “I am staying at the club…for now.”
Journalist 1: “Can you clarify for now?”
Player 1: “I will decide next week.”
Agent of Player 1: “The future of Player 1 will be decided next week.”

Player 2: “I am very happy at the club. I have no problems.”
Agent of Player 2: “My client has no current problems with the current management of the current club. For now atleast.”
Journalist 2: “Can you clarify for now?”
Agent of Player 2: “We live in a very dynamic world. Every day climate change is causing havoc. Food and gas prices are going up. So how can my client be expected to have the same opinion every day? Every day he has to take the global changes into consideration and make up his mind. This is very tough on him but he is very forward thinking in this manner.”

And in other news:

Tabloid 1: Repeat Quote 1 of Player 1 & 2 on Monday, Wed and Thursday. On Tuesday and Friday, print stories about how the new club wants Player 1 & 2. On Sat and Sun, exclusively interview friends and agents of Player 1 & 2.

Tabloid 2: Repeat Quote 2 of Player 1 & 2 on Tuesday and Friday. On Monday, Wed and Thursday print stories about how new club has made an offer for Player 1 & 2, only to be rejected. On Sat and Sun, interview former coaches and colleagues of Player 1 & 2 on what the players should do with their future.

Newspaper 1: Write one article every week evaluating all the quotes of the players. Also, write an article about the volatile nature of the game with players being free to go anywhere.

Tabloid and Newspapers:
Repeat the quotes and articles every week until player signs new contract with current club or player leaves.
If a new contract is signed with current club, wait a few months into the season to start the quotes up again.
If player leaves for a new club, then wait a few months before following up with the player’s happiness or failure at new club.

Tribute to Parlour

Jul 8, 2008 by

UPDATE – Sign the petition to help make the case for Ray to get a testimonial match…

http://www.petitiononline.com/RP15/petition.html

There were a few generations’ young guns emerged during the George Graham/Arsene Wenger era. The first generation was the squad of 89, including Tony Adams, David Rocastle, Michael Thomas, Niall Quinn and co. Ray Parlour were not one of them.

I would call him a member of our second generation young guns alongside Kevin Campbell, David Hillier, Ian Selley.

I remember the first time watching him play, who’s this curly hair kid down our right flank?! They don’t call him the “Romford Pele” for no reason. Believe me, Parlour did have some dribbling skills. With his strength, energy and aggressiveness, in the early days I had seen him dribble past defenders charging down the right wing from time to time. Those were the days before the higher quality full backs all over the world playing in the English game of course.

In 1998 our double winning season, I think it’s fair to say Parlour is the least skillful midfielder in our starting lineup. Yet together with Paddy, Petit, Overmars, they had formed the BEST midfield in the Premiership, as proven with all four of them being named in the Premiership Best XI at the end of the season.

Ray Parlour is the classic example of how a limited player who had made the most out of his (limited) talent and his career. Three FA Premier League titles, four FA Cups, one League Cup and one European Cup Winners’ Cup medal. Along with 10 England caps. Who? Ray Parlour?! I have to admit I never expected he could have achieved all that.

And if anyone has started following Arsenal during the early Wenger era, he should know Parlour was not there to “make up the number”. Before Ljungberg had eventually taken over the starting job from Parlour, Wenger would always play Parlour when he’s available, and keeping the exciting young kid Boa Morte out of the side.

Perhaps it’s down to Wenger’s loyality to his players, personally though, I believe it’s because Wenger’s love for the REAL “professionals”.

I have learned Parlour is pondering retirement because of an on-going injury problem. “I’m very privileged to have played at Arsenal during my career and I enjoyed every minute of it and I do miss it,” he said.

No Ray, we are very priviledged to have you played at Arsenal.