march 3rd
There was a piece in the Sunday Times at the weekend about Joe Kinnear, now manager of Nottingham Forest, famously ex-manager of Wimbledon and sufferer of heart attacks. The article mentioned how he was one of those manager always ringing up other managers to check on the availability of players, looking to bolster his squad with loan signings.
Anyway, they mentioned that he had a good relationship with Arsene Wenger, and when Kinnear was manager of Luton he rang up Le Boss to ask him if he could take Jeremie Aliadiere on loan. He told AW it would toughen him up a bit and prepare him for first team football. Doing his best French accent, Kinnear said that when he asked, AW said “No Joe, not zis one, ‘ee ‘eees too special”
Good news for us then is that young Jeremie is in contention for a place at the weekend in the FA Cup and was by all accounts sensational in the reserves the other night. I do feel a bit sorry for him. He would have had a spell in January in the first team with Kanu away for African Nations Cup, Wiltord still injured (and not getting any better it would seem), and Bergkamp out injured. Instead he picked up a knock, saw us sign José Reyes, saw David Bentley score an FA Cup wonder goal and Wiltord aside has got a full compliment of forwards fit and healthy to challenge for a place in the team. Still, if he’s as good as they say, he’ll get his chance again, and I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do.
Ashley Cole has praised the team-spirit at the club and has some nice words for his understudy Tony Gale Clichy. Also talking about team spirt is Dennis Bergkamp who says “I have a feeling that this team is really gelling together”, which is a bit like saying “I have a feeling that Jordan’s inflated knockers aren’t real”, but I know what he means.
José just keeps saying the right things. “I think Mr Wenger will help me improve as part of the team and maybe I can become a star in the same way Henry has. It is very easy to play with the best players, such as Thierry. We speak the same language – the language of football.”
Kolo + Sol = Colossal. Joe + Cole = Joke Hole. Ken + Bates = Mike Hunt. Adios you old fucker, you won’t be missed.
Not much else going on this morning. I’m as tired as the fox who’s been chased all over the countryside by his former best friend but now turned ferocious enemy, the hound.
