Whoops

photo by Môsieur J. [version 4.0b]]	via PhotoRee

I can't remember a recent Cup final I was less excited about than Arsenal vs. Birmingham in the League Cup yesterday afternoon, but I found myself enjoying the match despite my initial feelings, especially the final few minutes when Arsenal totally lost their bottle and threw away the game. Regular visitors to this spot will know I find it hard -- almost impossibly so -- to root for Birmingham City (heck, I find it hard to watch Birmingham City), and I certainly wasn't getting too over-heated about Arsenal's attempt to end their silverware drought. It's in that admittedly humdrum spirit that I offer the following thoughts on Arsenal's shocking collapse, and Birmingham's unexpected victory in the Carling Cup:

• First things first: I hope the Arsenal players didn't spend too long debating whether or not Cesc should lift their non-existent trophy.  Although it's hard not to feel a little bit sorry for him in the game's immediate aftermath, Arsenal's goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny displayed either incredible arrogance or naivete (or maybe both) when he tweeted pre-game that he was "gutted" that he had learned that Cesc wouldn't be lifting the Cup if Arsenal won.  Consider this a lesson, Wojciech: Nothing in this life is guaranteed.

• It was a shocking collapse by the Arsenal defense which cost them the Cup. Arsenal are very immature right up the middle of the pitch, and while people -- and the London-based media -- can keep talking about talent and potential, you're going to struggle in tight moments when your most composed player is only 23 years old (and especially when he's not even on the pitch).  One just can't see a veteran 'keeper or center half making the mistake that opened up the goal for Obafemi Martens.  I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Arsenal will not win a trophy without a top notch goalie, or strong central defenders. Just won't happen.

• And just when every Arsenal fan was crowning the 20 year-old Szczesney as the next coming of Edwin Van der Sar....  Fabien Barthez? Maybe. Van der Sar? Not quite.

Woody's Round Up Redux

Hmmm....  You Don't Think He Has Ulterior Motives Here, Do You?  England Goalkeeper Coach Ray Clemence has apparently stated that all three goalies called up for England's games this coming week should become number one in the squad, and all in the same day.  It's a wonder he's intellgible at all speaking out of both sides of his mouth.  Shortly after seeing a comment attributable to Clemence that West Ham 'keeper Robert Green could regain his starting position I was startled to see an article from the same day quoting the same Ray Clemence tipping Birmingham 'keeper Ben Foster to challenge Joe Hart for the starting spot in the England lineup.  I guess I didn't realize that a team could start three goalkeepers, although I'm pretty certain it would affect their offensive output if they chose to do so.

I Don't Think This Gesture Means You're Number One.  Maybe this means he will be moving to Old Trafford after all....  One can only hope that this recent sign of Harry Redknapp's displeasure with Luka Modric may tempt the Croatian to begin to look elsewhere for gainful employment.  Although he once described Modric as "our only world class player," I'm guessing Uncle Harry might put Rafael Van der Vaart in that category for Spurs now, as well.

Welcome News.  Atleti just aren't the same team without El Kun, Sergio Aguero, in the starting eleven, so it's nice to see that Los Colchoneros are trying to re-sign him rather than using him for trade bait.  So much for all the rumors of Aguero being shipped out of Madrid.

photo by dhyasama	via PhotoRee

A Fish Rots at the Head.  Great to see Bolivian President Evo Morales setting an example for the youth of his nation by kneeing an opposing player in the groin during a recent "friendly" match in La Paz.  Just goes to show you that politics truly is a contact sport.

Pay No Attention to That Man Behind the Curtain.  I've had a good chuckle reading all the laudatory articles about what John Henry would do for Liverpool as New England Sports Ventures looks to buy the reds (note the small "r").  Henry may be a good guy (or not), but I'll give him credit for one thing: he knows how to hire.  Although articles such as this one give Henry credit for thinking outside the box while hiring the youngest GM in baseball history and bringing a fan-friendly approach to the fan experience, true insiders know that its NESV President Larry Lucchino who is the brains behind the operation.  Lucchino oversaw the masterful construction of Oriole Park at Camden Yards while President of that team, and was also responsible for finding and hiring young Theo Epstein at the Sox.  Liverpool fans should hope that John Henry sticks to counting his money and leaves the sporting decisions in Lucchino's more-than-capable hands.

And that's farlieonfootie for October 7th.