Booing A Preseason Friendly? That's Like Heckling A Charity Fun Run

I went to the Emirates Cup on Sunday with friends to watch two matches of hopefully decent football, to taste the atmosphere and have a good time. Although I had a good day and enjoyed the matches, something stuck out like a sore thumb. Booing. At a pre season friendly. A meaningless game which saw us lose the only trophy for the first time in 3 years. Urgh. A bit much, “fans”.

I could see why fans booed - Arsenal proved that they can’t hold a lead for the billionth time, letting Henry’s New York Red Bulls grab a late equaliser after a lazy few minutes and basically handing over the Emirates Cup. It was the same old problems that hadn’t been addressed, same faults that critics were keenly able to point out, but most of all, our confidence hasn’t really changed. Fair enough, I guess. I saw that moment happening and I was annoyed like everyone else. But I never booed. That was a tad too far. If this was a competitive match against say, Wigan and we lost 4-0, that’s when I would have booed. But no, this was just pre season. This is where you mix your fringe players with your first team players with a pinch of youngsters for a test of how your team plays with different tactics, formations, etc. It’s taken not as seriously as say, a cup match, but it’s a time to get to know how well your tactics work. It was quite clear that this was a friendly. 

I was gutted that we had blown it again, but to boo our lads wasn’t exactly going to do anything positive. Sure, I had spent at least £80 on train ticket from Gloucester and the match ticket, but I didn't want to. Maybe it's who I am, not exactly the harshest of people, but to boo, jeer, and insult  the team is never going to rise morale. Booing an already vulnerable team isn’t going to do its confidence any good, sort of like calling a teenage girl fat based on her arse isn’t going to make her feel like eating a giant chocolate cake.

With the boos, it’s clear that the pessimism and negativity has stuck around, sort of like a bad smell. Not like there hasn’t been anything to cheer about, we’re uncertain of the futures of Nasri and Fabregas (most worryingly), let possible transfers pass by and how deadwood players are still in the squad, basically on the dole. The tournament was an opportunity for the team to put on a show for the fans, win with style and raise the spirits of the fans who are increasingly worried about the future of the team as well as the club as a whole. Clearly, we never really fulfilled those targets, but rather stumbled out drunk, wobbling all over the place.  A real shame and with 2 weeks to go before the big kick off, I’m very worried for not only the player’s mentality, but the fan’s attitude.

Wait, hold on - it was a friendly? People were happily chanting "Stand up if you hate Tottenham" and even doing Mexican Waves (Bloody fun, mind) but suddenly conceding a late goal turns it into a super serious MUST WIN game? If fans came into the game on Sunday with the knowledge it was a friendly with no real competitive edge to it, then to have the cheek to boo the players off at full time is an act of stupidity and proves how serious fans are about a meaningless game in a meaningless tournament. Crikey, it's like going to special school.

But it's a time to be reasonable with the situation we're in. Of course, we should be winning games comfortably and winning trophies, but given the the state the team is in, the Premier League increasingly becoming more competitive year in, year out, it's not surprisingly that success isn't coming as natural to the team in an era of mega spending clubs. Arsenal is a big club in terms of support, not really a successful club at the moment. Fans have to lower expectations, I guess. We can't win everything, so we should rather expect a dire 1-1 draw against Blackburn but be rather surprised at thumping Manchester United 3-0. 

All in and all, fans really shouldn't have booed. Doesn't really achieve much over than knocking the player's confidence and just makes out that people were taking a friendly against some bog standard US football team with Henry and Rooney's brother rather too seriously. Wouldn't be surprised if the same people played Call of Duty in the mindset that it's an actual world war.

I'm still about.

Hey. I'm still around. I've had a few months of worrying, working, complementing my future and that's why this blog has been gathering dust for a while. Apologises for that, hopefully activity will pick up again soonish with a proper comeback entry.

K? Cool.

MikeDingDong's End of Season Arsenal Awards

I haven't posted on the blog for a while since I've been revising, worrying about cocking up, finishing games on the Xbox, breathing and eating. I've been busy. I didn't forget this blog and during the time I've not been blogging, I have been thinking of something to do a post on. Funnily enough, it's end of the football season and I thought "Fuck it, I'm doing my own Arsenal awards" and here I am, on the bandwagon with the billion other podcasters and bloggers doing a end of season awards post. Here you go.

The Nick Clegg award for Biggest Fall From Grace

This is for a player who’s gone backwards this season. Arshavin wins this award for going backwards, failing to live up to his apparent World Class skill. He still has World Class at being a lazy meerkat of course, but his failure to pass the ball, shoot accurately has led to constant abuse from the Arsenal fans throughout the season. Did sort of redeem himself with that goal against Barcelona and his hard tackling cameo against Manchester United, but he’s been overall pants this season. Also mentions for Chamakh and Djourou for their recent dips in form.

Greatest Moment Of The Season That Arsenal Fans Will Cream Themselves Remembering Award

There’s one moment of the season that everyone will look back on and go “Ahhh, what a great time” and crack out the lube. It was of course, Arsenal 2 Barcelona 1. Going into the game, it was revenge. Messi managed to embarrass Arsenal at the Nou Camp just by farting skill and made our team cry. Barcelona employed all their unsettling tactics to tempt Fabregas to the Nou Camp and we had to do something about it. Went 1-0 down to a Villa goal after Clichy doing his usual “lol I’m a defender” technique to make Villa onside so he could score. At Half Time it looked grim. We were expected to crumble, Song was going to finally get another yellow card and get sent off and then concede a load of goals. That didn’t happen. Clichy sent a lobbed pass to Van Persie and he somehow scored on the volley despite the tight angle. Shit. We might do this, thought the Arsenal fans. Then the memorable counter attack led by Nasri, runs into the edge of the Barca penalty area to find Arshavin, who slots it in. Unbelievable. What a game, what a moment that was to be an Arsenal fan. We may have lost 3-1 at the Nou Camp in the second leg, but no one else beat Barcelona this season in the Champions League. Phwoar. Time to crack one out, here's the Arshavin goal:

Other moments worthy of a mention are going 3-0 up against Chelsea, beating Manure and Denilson announcing he was leaving.

The Silverste award for Most Naff Player of the Season

Almunia, Squillaci, Denilson have all been outstanding examples of how not to play football and cock up at the worst time. Denilson made 32 appearances with 0 goals or assists, probably due to not being able to pass forward or even be able to pass the ball, Squillaci managed to have such an underwhelming  season with constantly bad performances which made us want Silverste back but the winner has to be Almunia. When he’s about, you’re never going to leave empty handed, if you’re an opposition player. He may not have played many games, but he certainly left his mark with signature moves such as failing to cover your own post, coming out of goal to clear the ball when a player can clear it, or failing to close your legs, something he has in common with Imogen Thomas.  

Seems Almunia will have more time to walk his dog next season

The Andy Gray “TAKE A BOW. TAKE A BO-W” Award for Best Goal

We scored many oh la la goals this season, but Samir Nasri’s “football ballet” technique for his goals in the 2-1 win over Fulham both grab the award. A bit hard to separate the two goals because they’re both exceptionally great goals and show signs of the World Class form of the French lesbian. Other contenders is Van Persie’s near impossible volley against Barcelona, Arshavin’s finish against Barcelona, Van Persie’s sliding volley against Wigan and Bendtner’s turn and curling shot against Ipswich.

The Michael Cera Award for Most Awkward Moment of the Season

Arsenal this season have had their fair share of moments where they have just scraped a result such as the late goals against Huddersfield and Leeds but this award has to go to the moment when Manuel Almunia realised that Jens Lehmann was returning to Arsenal on a short term contract. Imagine the dressing room when Almunia and Lehmann were in there together? It must have been silent with Eboue on hand to break the silence with a light hearted joke.

Gaffe of the season That Made Arsenal Fans Get Abused For The Most By Schoolmates and Workmates Award

Only one real contender, that moment in the Carling Cup Final. That goal caused by Koscielny and Szczęsny being unable to decide who should have the ball. Christ. I was in a Xbox Live Party Chat and I got laughed at and jeered at. The next day at school, friends logged on and played that clip on the school computers. I just wanted to curl up into a ball and cry. But at least they got relegated, becoming the first team to ever win the Carling Cup then get relegated. Heh heh. Other mentions go to the Newcastle comeback game, Eboue’s trip on Lucas to give Liverpool a last minute penalty and any Almunia cock up.

L'oreal Award for Best Hairstyle 

Has to be Alex Song. Song's blonde/grey hair is probably the reason why he's played so well this season and it certainly trumps Chamakh's messy mohawk/bird hairstyle.

Strut 1, 2, 3, 4 and pose.

Player That Was Moderately Better Than Last Season Award

While there has been players who seem to have gone backward rather than forward, there's been players who have improved well. I'll give this one to Łukasz Fabiański for his rise from ashes like a phoenix at the beginning of the season. When the Godfather of goalkeeping howlers got injured, fans rejoiced that Almunia wasn't going to be playing then quickly remembered that his calamity junior was going to be playing instead. Oh shit we all went. But ever since that penalty save and then World Class save against FK Partizan, he started to come out as a great Polish goalkeeper and we finally had someone that was confident enough to pull off save after save without any howlers. His season sadly ended with a shoulder injury and I feel bad for the lad after his fine performances during his stint. He'll likely be number two in the goalkeeping line up behind Szczęsny, but it'll be an interesting battle for the Number 1 spot next season. A player worthy of mention is Walcott as he's no longer that player who could run faster than anyone else and suddenly became better at crossing and finishing.

The Player Who Was Better Than All The Rest and Made Everyone Look Awful Award

Tough one this, a range of candidates for this award. I’m tempted to give this to Van Persie who has had his best goal scoring season at Arsenal, but he’s only really been around in the 2^nd half of the season and this award is for Player of the Season, not Player of the 2^nd half of the Season. He would win player of the 2^nd half of the season hands down purely because he was the player that constantly did well while everyone else were too busy booking for their summer holidays, but the winner of this award has to go to Jack Wilshere. I continually praise his no nonsense, passionate performances because he plays like he wants to play, unlike say, Denilson. He puts in 100% every game, extremely confident and had a memorable performance against Barcelona. He may not have the best shots on him (Wished he could still do this) or many goals or assists, but his effort is admirable, a great role model for younger footballers. Other contenders are Bacary LaSagna and Samir Nasri.

AV v FPTP

On Thursday ^5th May, voters will vote on the issue of using AV to elect our MPs into Parliament. If you’re completely unaware of the whole referendum (really?) or don’t have a clue what AV is, read on.

First off, Alternative Vote. Voters will get a single vote and instead of scribing a cross in the candidate of your choice, you number your candidates in preference. AV is a majority system which the winner must achieve 50% + 1 vote to win. If a candidate has the highest of the 1^st preference votes but doesn’t achieve a majority, 2^nd preferences are added on, then 3^rd preferences and so on until one candidate is the winner and he/she goes on to represent the constituency in Parliament. How do the pair compare? Let’s see.

Representation

First Past the Post isn’t a fair representational electoral system when used for an election with multiple candidates. This is because the winning candidate of a constituency could achieve 35% of the electorate’s votes and represent the constituency, but what about the remaining 65% of voters who didn’t vote for that candidate? Is this representational of a constituency where only a minority of the voters want the candidate to represent the area? AV does help resolve this problem by being a majority electoral system but a candidate can win on 2nd preferences.

Mandate

Links with representation here. A winning candidate can win with 37% of the electorate’s vote, but it isn’t so much a strong mandate when only a minority support the candidate. Only a third of elected MPs currently in Parliament won 50% of the votes, not so much a strong mandate there, eh? Since a winner under AV requires a majority of the votes to win, the MP has a greater mandate to go on and represent his/her constituency in Parliament. AV can flush out some of the “weaker” MPs. 

Easy to understand?

FPTP is easy to understand; winner is candidate with most votes. AV however can seem complicated, but really isn’t when it boils down to just ranking in preference your candidates. There are far more “confusing” electoral systems than AV. AMS and it’s D’Hondt system anyone?

Tactical voting 

A major flaw of FPTP is tactical voting where voters vote against a candidate and vote for the 2^nd likeliest winning candidate to attempt to block the candidate from winning the seat. Under AV, it can be partly resolved where you could for example wish for the Tory candidate to not get the seat, so you could vote the Labour candidate as your 1^st preference and the Conservative candidate last.

Equal votes

Under FPTP, if a voter doesn’t vote for the winning candidate, his/her vote is wasted. Under AV, the ability to rank in preference your candidates means that you do have an equal vote to other vote and even if you didn’t vote for Labour, Conservatives or Liberal Democrats, your 4^th or 5^th preferences still can have a say. 

Democratic?

First Past the Post favours a two party system between the Labour and Conservative parties and safe seats. Under AV, it's slightly more democratic, but note I said "slight". Under AV, Liberal Democrats would benefit from the system as they're the third biggest political party and seen as an alternative party to vote for, therefore a noted second preference. The claims made that AV would benefit BNP is wrong. It would be quite extreme for the party to win a seat on fifth and sixth preferences which the No to AV campaign is making out to be something that could very well happen. Plus the BNP are campaigning against AV, so why would it benefit a party that doesn't even want the system? 

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Personally, if I could vote, I would vote yes. Partly because I think it’s a better electoral system but then again, any other system is. I’m all for proportional representation since it’s right for modern UK Politics and First Past the Post is a system that’s failed to stand the test of time and serves no place in UK Politics since we have multiple political parties and it’s undemocratic to use a electoral system that favours a two party system.

If AV was to be used in UK General Elections, then it would be rather a stumble than a step forward. AV is a better system, but it’s not the desired system that we, the public want. That’s why we feel cheated. We finally get a referendum on electoral reform and we get a half arsed one since it’s a compromise. To think, if the Liberal Democrats hadn’t been so weak to the Conservatives and stood their ground, we would have a referendum on STV, what everyone really wants. This feels like a once in a lifetime opportunity to get rid of the ancient First Past the Post system and we’re being offered a weak alternative. Alternative vote.

Waterlulz Road S6 EP 18: Waterloo Road Struts Its Stuff

(I finally did something!)

Last episode, Lauren and Amy strolled into school looking like two girls who have seen one too many Madonna music videos and everyone pointed and laughed at how awful they looked. Karen however, decided that the kids might as well have a fashion show to express their fashion talents. Oh here we go. Ronan thought this would be a great opportunely to show off his fashion and make up skills to charm the socks off Vicki, who he snogged last episode. The young lady described it as a "I waz lyke well hung, u know like" snog but then tried to soften the blow by agreeing that it was a "friend snog". Ronan was gutted, but he's Ronan, a charming young man and he won't stop until he meets his goal. Out of the blue came his mentor, Will Mellor of Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps fame, out of his shiny, fancy car with his white shirt, leather jacket and sunglasses, the sort of look that women seem to like, particularity Vicki who quivered at the knees instantly.

Adanna didn't like the whole event because it "objectified" the kids (She truly is a diet Kim) and especially after he showed up. You see, they had a bit of history in which they hooked up and you can figure out the rest and I had the sneaky feeling that some man from her past was going to pop up after she said she's been married 3 times. Anyway, the writers made Vicki a girl with low self esteem of her own appearance, but since Ronan cares about her, he got his good ol' buddy Dan to try and make her cheer up about herself (Quite cliche) and she was given a fancy dress and even some lunch! Vicki was infatuated by Dan's charms and went in for the snog with Adanna popping up to immediately think the worse, especially after the whole Bex/Hodgy affair. "I don't date kids!" he proclaimed! Crikey, an adult that doesn't like children, something that's quite rare in the Waterloo Road universe.

 Couldn't help but laugh with Ronan discovered Vicki and Dan hugging when he had make up on and flashing his bare chest.

Miss McDonald stormed off and she was clearly embarrassed by the whole affair, even offending Ronan's handy work. Vicki hugged Dan as a thank you, but oh dear, cue Ronan to assume that he was trying to get it on with Vicki. She was upset and after realising how the effort that Ronan put in turning a picnic blanket into a dress, she decided to wear it and boy, she looked fab-u-lous in it. So there you go, Ronan scores the girl he wanted to take advantage of at the party. At least he did it by winning her heart, not waiting until she's pissed and a bit worse for wear.

Cesca and Jonah weren't worrying about being caught out this episode, but rather what they should do about the foetus inside Cesca. She was adamant about aborting their baby, much to the sadness of Jonah who begged that she reconsidered. But all it took to change her mind in the end was a soppy and cheesy call from her hunk to make her think twice about the abortion and for her reward, he proposed to her in the suspiciously always empty art room. Oh wow. Talk about moving too fast, Jonah. By snogging Jonah's face off, she meant yes and they celebrated by having a session in the room, but oh no, cue Ronan to pop up and be completely gob smacked about seeing his mate baring his chest and Cesca in a tank top looking all guilty. Oh aye aye, señor.

 Waterloo Road pay homage to The Deer Hunter.

Denzil is up to no good with Kyle who are both doing dangerous things for money. What's the dangerous event this episode? Downing large bottles of fizzy drinks. Hardcore. One girl (Can't remember her name) opposed this reckless behaviour and couldn't see the fun in boys pissing themselves because they can't handle chugging bottles of cheap lemonade. So with the bets in, it was Harry, Denzil, Kyle and some random boy competing together to win some money and to see who has the largest bladder. Harry pulled off his signature move and so did the extra to set up Kyle v Denzil, a real Frost v Nixon duel. Kyle pissed himself so Denzil won, most to the disapproval of that girl, but he didn't care because he won some money. He did however spew up near the fashion show stage, which is a shame because if it were on the catwalk, it would have certainly livened up the show with girls in heels attempting to dodge the sick while looking like they fell out of a wardrobe of charity clothes.

Grantly reads extracts of Katie Price's new book.

Ruby was given a push from Grantly to write a novel and she attempted to write a romance novel. Grantly proof read what she did so far and from his description, we could see it was all sex with no plot, rather like your average porn film. Ruby enlisted Grantly to help her turn this bargain bin soft porn novel into a Jane Austin novel which if Grantly was writing, would have some sarky character that mutters a one liner every scene. Certainly would have liven up Pride and Prejudice.

Guess Who's Back? No, It's Not Slim Shady.

Yeah, I am. Finally. Well, 2 weeks off school and you can sit there and go "Yeah, fucking yes, no school, nice weather" but then it suddenly hits you that you've got AS Level exams after the break and a stack load of revision to do during the break. Brilliant. High workload when it finally gets warm. It's like we have been teased, we can go outside and play in the sun, but then suddenly feel bad that you playing football in the park is you neglecting your studies. Tut tut me.

Anyway, I'm back on the blog. I've missed out on so many blog entries other the past few weeks which could have pulled in more views, but no, coursework is a top priority. I have semi watched Waterloo Road episodes 18-20, will be typing my failure commentaries when I get the chance, not really thinking of doing the individual commentary on each one episode when I could just condense the 3 episodes into one commentary. Lightens the workload and lets me experience more of this warm weather we're getting lately.

From what I've seen of series 6, I doubt I would be watching the next series of Waterloo Road because it's got to a point where I'm purely watching to produce half arsed commentary thingys on the episodes, trying to produce a decent joke or two when I can't. First half of the series I enjoyed doing because I didn't feel like I had any pressure on me and didn't have much of a workload, but blogging about the second half of the series has taken its toll on me and I've come out of it thinking I'm no good at this writing lark. The hiatus has made me reflect on why the recent entries have been awful-ish. It's due to pressure from two sources; schoo as I've been trying to boost my grades and also, "fan" pressure. This blog has always been a side project of mine and isn't that much of a high priority, so I wasn't going to fart out top notch posts when I've got coursework, revision and various other issues to deal with. Sort of a shame because I hate disappointing people and I have recently so I put my hand up and apologise. Obviously, you must understand and possibly sympathise with me, I don't know.

Always, Media coursework almost finished, needs another day of work and I'll be satisfied. Well, all but the trailer, since I had to record most of the narration and came to the realisation I sound like an unattractive nerd that plays World of Warcraft all day. Ewww, I know. Sadtimes. English Language coursework is currently at a C grade, 1 or 2 marks of a B grade, but I'm pushing for a A grade so if I get a C in the exam, I should get a B overall. I always put my best effort in coursework and get the highest mark I can possibly get so it acts as a safety net if I cock up as bad as an Arsenal centre back. Economics is going... well not great, it seems what I've been taught has gone through one ear and out the other. BUGGER. But good news for Politics, a subject I have high hopes for, a subject that I could easily get a B grade in since you only need 70/100 to get a B, which is awesome. Last 6 exam questions I've done have all been marked as B grades so if I can do that in the exam, that would be superb.

So yeah, back on the blog now. I'll stop typing now since I realise that I've been rambling like I've been talking about electoral systems to a person who doesn't give a shit and I'm sure you would probably agree.

K, bye.

General Notice

Hey guys, I'm busy with work so I'm going to even slower with posting blog updates and it should ease the workload on me so I'll be able to post content at the quality that I usually work at, not half arsed Waterlulz Commentaries. I have getting complaints and I agree with them, they are shoddy at the moment. I blame my work load for that since I'm putting most of my time and effort into Media Studies and English Language coursework which are both massive pains in the arse. I'm not sure how this would go, perhaps I'll be slow on updating or not post at all. I do like blogging but it's going to the side for the moment.

So I'll errr be back in a bit then. Yeah?

- Mike