dubai_phil

Never in doubt. Didn't even need to pull the big guns out..

Barasti was packed today. Another good Dubai Saints turnout. Table full of Gooners on their hols sat next to us. Tell you what, they won't agree with Wenger's comments, they saw the game for what it was. In fact they showed a far better range of facepalms than Arsene! What THEY noted was how our Spirit makes such a difference, so many players battle to win the ball back, we hunt in packs, everyone knows where to run into when we have the ball, how our defenders were blocking shots and crosses throwing our bodies on the line. Was it a clear Red? from behind the goal camera angle Fonte was very close and could have still pushed him wide, much more debatable than the "How was Gary Cahill not sent off" and "Oh look Fabregas cheating again" in the Spuds Chelski game (Spurs put the ball out for a Chelsea player injury & Fabregas plays the ball into an attacking position) Gardos is starting to look a real prospect, can see he is building confidence and has developed, hope we can keep giving him some game time to develop, he is still so young as well. What a moment of magic by VW. His MLTesque mazy dribble - SOMEONE must have that on a video surely? Toby at RB reminded me of the Chambers v Clyne debate last season, we looked more solid defensively but missed that extra pace & attacking intent when he (occassionally) got into the danger zone, but no gripe. The result was never in doubt, the Gooners acknowledged that, not a bad performance AGAIN from anyone on the pitch. Somehow JWP needs to score with his arse or some wind assisted fluke because when he has time to think his finishing is either woeful OR he is the unluckiest player to ever play in the EPL. What a cure for a MASSIVE hangover - Bloody great result, loved the game and LOVE the way our Saints fan Arabic 'tater goes nuts when we score!

Get In! Just blagged VIP freebies for a massive NYE party tonight. Yeah I love my Rock & Indie stuff, but tonight eff me, I didn't even know some of this lot were still alive! (Although I expect they had to bring in a specially strengthened stage as a few of them have put on the kilos in the past 30 odd years!) Now THIS is the way to bring in NYE, sod the traffic jams and fireworks. (interestingly Janet Jackson was on a flight over here that one of our Dubai Saints Massive was working on a couple of days ago, THAT could be a moment. Just hope Randy plays some Journey classics as well ) (On the downside, I may need medical attention in the morning after a 10 hour show & non-stop Bad Dad Dancing.) Happy New Year Gang!

Watched a couple of Afghanistan War movies recently on Satellite movie channels. The first was a French movie Special Forces. It was an OK evening filler, basically French SAS types get sent in to rescue a dumb French Journalist and things go boobs up. As a survival story it's OK. The second was Lone Survivor. Now the main issue I have with modern US "War" movies is the whole Hoo Rah Jingoism, come join the Marines crap. So yes there is an element of we are the US we are awesomeness about it, but the basic story is (once again) based on a series of snafu's, and is based on the book of the true story of Operation Redwing. It has a good cast and it's about a group of Navy Seals sent to recon a village to confirm a sighting of a senior Taliban leader by sitting on a hill.... From the opening credits where there is film of Seals undergoing selection training it catches your attention. The action/gunfight scenes on the Hill are possibly some of the most realistically gruesome since Tom Hanks's thingy about the Brothers. Edge of the seat stuff, with some twists and, to be honest, it isn't a typical come join the Marines type movie (unless you're a dumb Bear and want to get shot about 100 times) Operation Redwing seems to have been one of those recent events that we would never had noticed had happened on News at Ten, but it is done very well and then the closing credits....... And wow, what a sensational reworked) Cover of David Bowie's Heroes, by none other than Peter Gabriel. To be honest that ending & song made the movie memorable. One of the best "modern" war films I've seenrecently that's for sure. (Even IF the scenery looked awfully like Colorado)

You Muppets shouldda stuck to Golf. Now you've gone all bloody Chintzy. You'll be buying your clothes at Monsoon and Bear will be reviewing Sylvia Day books next FFS

Cracking game. Despite half our regular crew being away for Xmas holidays we still drew 19 Saints fans to Barasti. Even (Golfing moment) earnt the respect of Rory's Caddy JP who (as an Everton fan) was there to watch his mob get turned over. 11 out of 10 for everyone today and IF Clyne had played we'd have never conceded. Jose had to throw all 3 strikers on & got nothing. No gripes at Maya though he got turned for the goal. Awesome performance and Lol at Jose moaning in the post match interview (as did the TV Studio crew over here)

Did someone mention Rock Bottom? Ah, so THAT is why the legendary Bullfrogs are Blue. Better down a phew of them tonight in their memory.

Don't see Mane starting, he had a full 90 against Palace, if he was down to start against Chelsea I'm sure he'd have been rotated as he has been subbed around 65 mins in most of his games. Can see us going to our older formation to start with Tadic in for Mane and Long to run the Channels. Long gives us a bit more height in the box defensively from corners which we will need early doors. Hopefully Tadic's rest & rehab is exactly what he needed - felt he (and Pelle to an extent) started the season brilliantly but then needed ritation as the intensity of the modern PL took it's toll on them. Pelle is not yet at his best but since his game off he's looked much sharper as of course did Mane. Then gives us the option later to bring Mane on more centrally and switch to Plan B and use Mane's pace against tiring legs. Forster Targett Toby Jose Clyne Wanyama Morgan Davis Tadic Long Pelle Subs? Gawd knows but KD Maya McCarthy Reed JWP Mane Seager/Gape/Gardos

Excellent performance and result. Palace were woeful and Warnock will be gone soon. Those slagging off Mane probably loved Puncheon when he was with us.. Mane terrified their back 4 at times. Good organisation, everyone did t heir jobs, Davis was a little below his best but better than anyone Palace had on the pitch. Thought Gardos had a good game, seems to be learning well and fitted into the system well. 2nd half it was a stroll in the park and the only worry was Clyne who Palace decided to try & kick off the pitch. Good to blood another Youngster today. Mane MoM and looking like he could be the next Messi/Ronaldo at times, the move & cross for Bertrand's goal was sensational. Didn't mention anyone else as they all did what we now expect of them - JWP's through ball to Mane for his 1st was outstanding. The Hat waving will have embarrassed the Fashion Police but great touch by the club. (Did the rain drown the Palarse Ultra's Band or something?) Oh and Wanyama will have had a roasting for leaving Scott Dann so unmarked even our Arabic 'tater noticed it, when he wasn't spouting on "habla habla, Southampton, habla Champions League....." Great game then 3 consecutive Dr Who Xmas Specials on the Telly here rounded off by an early Sherlock. Great evening to be at home recovering. Well done to all who went and made SUCH a noise all game! #jealous

Thanks God it's Palarse today. I'd be really worried for our players & travelling fans if it was Swansea Away today User Actions Follow BBC News (UK)Verified account‏@BBCNews Yellow snow warning for Wales http://bbc.in/1AQqmqS Reply Retweet Favorite More - have a great day bring us home 3 points please lads

2015? We're in 2013 already. The way they're going we'll hit 3015 before Old Nick accepts this was a better fate than Obliteration! Hopefully your Turkeys & Christmas Stockings were as stuffed as their squad is, but in Nutjob land hopefully you all had some Quality and Value for Money and maybe even things you could use. Merry Christmas gang

Dear Muppets. Finally I can reveal why I am not a contender this year, BUT I deserve a category all to myself even so............ Finally I can (In Big Bad Bob's Video parlance) Let one go. I finally became a Granddad. Yep. Without any influence from me he was named after a Golfer, so a warm TMS welcome to Essex Luke. (The deal was if he popped out during our game with Citeh he would be a Saint. The little bugger popped out right after Soldado scored for the Spuds. Ho hum so he is now an official Spud fan. Harumph)

I completely intend to Boycott these awards this year. Seeing as there will only be the two of you left to vote anyways. Also, it doesn't have a category for best Golf Moment of the Year. (The Saints Shirt Photobomb of Ian Poulter at the Ryder Cup won that hands down AND was retweeted by the Club) Oh and we can now watch all the Saints games on TV again. In fact since they've been back on we've not watched Saints win, so we all banned ourselves from the Pub on Saturday against Everton and? We won. Don't strain yourselves giving each other one. (Award that is)

Thats's it you ain't getting no Tiger autograph. 2-1 Palarse

nicked. So singing that version at Karaoke tonight!

ELJERO ELIA ‏@ELJERO11ELIA 3h3 hours ago big day

The look on his face when he was about to come on spoke volumes about the Spirit in the Club. It was a kinda 12 year old who still believes in Santa face, He also made a couple of good passes, positional sense was good and won a few tackles. #promising

Playing with 3 CB's we conceded position on the pitch and defended a lot deeper than of late, but the formation (out of nowhere) worked a treat and nullified Everton. Harry Reed ran himself into the ground thought he had a great game and so good to see Steve (under-rated) Davis) playing the elder statesman as well as a solid game. Pelle looked much better with Long running off him which the formation let us do. The Arabic Commentator was convinced Everton should have had 3 Red Cards in the 1st half, Wrestling match by Distin - not even a FK, High Studs up lunge on Reed by Besic & Jagielka kicking Shane Long into Row Z when he was past him. So poetic justice for the own goal. Loved the whole battling performance, JWP again showed that with time he will be the next Beckham, but then Steve Davis's cross for Maya's goal was a peach. Frazer Forster with another couple of cracking saves (one of them a worldy) - having watched Boruc on Wednesday I know who I want in our goal now, end of. MOTM Maya. Not just for his goal but for again stepping in and proving he is a class CB at this level with a run of games, just not as good as Toby. Merry bloody Christmas everyone. Oh and apart from KD nobody on our bench looked over 12 years old FFS! (in fact was KD older than all the other 6 players on the bench? ) Oh well done to Dominic Gape, in his short time couple of nice touches & tackles. The look on his face when he was coming on was priceless. #meltdownover #WeMarchOn #UCLherewecome

Looking at the OP, I assume this means that 50 Shades of Grey won't be released in the Cinema then. Gonna have to manage with Bearsy's Opus after all. Meanwhile, some golf http://echtlustig.com/v/512/golf-fail-compilation Oh I know you all hate golf. But these are Golf's most Epic Fails you might even smirk.

If it's in Dorset, try Salisbury's finest. As long as it doesn't coincide with Somerley Festival.. They have a Facebook page. Perfect music for sozzled dance alongs. They've even played at SMS Concourse. But they REALLY hate having to sing Elbow for the "First Dance Cliche" The Zucchini's https://www.facebook.com/groups/13356737194/

I was shocked that Tokyo (who we know loves my golf stories) turned up this morning at the Dubai Ladies Masters tournament to personally deliver my card. Awesome. Love the shoes mate

Don't get this criticism of Tadic. Carzola was lucky not to get a Red for the lunge at his ankle and didn't even get a Yellow FFS. Long & Cork were hobbling in the 1st half, hope keeping Shane on as long as we did hasn't made his knock any worse. Again, Cork gets taken out by a high tackle & the ref gives nothing. Appalling display by Marriner. My only concern was bringing on Mayuka for Long, SURELY with the chance of a point in the bag we bring on Harry Reed for that last 15 minutes, at least he has shown more Midfield nous. Long has learnt his role well and his defensive work is as good as some of his chasing & harrying but a lightweight Mayuka? Just don't see that ever working. Thought it was a good performance, overall and Barasti was packed last night - each of Forster's saves brought the entire pub out of their seats - inc the lads watching the other games on the multiple screens. #wemarchon

Oh this is going to go down well with the phew.... The FL finally grew some. POL & The Snooze comments sections should be priceless tonight

Well, I know everyone is gushing and debating the upcoming Star Wars Episode 7 - The Retirement Home Beckons, it seems that everyone has overlooked the BIGGEST Sci-Fi movie sequel being planned out there..... Yep, they are making a sequel to Iron Sky None of this Nazi's hiding on the Moon nonsense this time, we're talking REAL outrageous nonsense - Nazi's & Dinosaurs taking over the world from The Hollow Earth. Iron Sky is up there in my list of Love to Death Cult Movies that most people hate, because everything about it is so wrong. This trailer looks like the sequel could go a step further! (But seriously... Jupiter Ascending looks bloody good Chappie looks another thought provoker from the District 9 team Mad Max without Mel Gibson? Meh Monsters Dark Continent? Looks like a desert based Army recruitment sequel to Invasion Los Angeles.) Good thing is that there does finally seem to be a production line of new Sci-Fi movies coming through.This year's selection Pacific Rim, Guardians of the Galaxy & Transformers Age of Extinction had some moments but were pretty generic, Guardians being the best of the bunch, and despite trying a couple of times last week I wasn't able to watch Interstellar. It means that our Satellite Channel is pretty devoid of decent fill in Sci-Fi movies for boring midweek nights in, and watching Into Darkness & Oblivion every month for my Sci-Fi fix is now beyond boring. (And no downloading stuff like Dr Who et al really is not easy due to the insane costs of internet connection, bandwidth, download limits here.

Think we've been "poor" last two games. (Which seem to have co-incided with us being back on telly every game over here) The ball seems to be bouncing off Tadic & Pelle far more than the beginning of the season (maybe the Winter Balls are to blame) One of the comments yesterday was that we seemed to be trying to play "too fast" and for me that may be nearer the point, City have so much pace and played the ball around so fast we struggled to get our own Tempo going. (IMHO Steve Davis is our Metronome so having been out a while maybe this was a reason). After about 20 minutes we seemed to take the sting out of them and started to play some football and we did create chances playing at the slower tempo (Pelle should have scored at this point). Perhaps it is that role which JWP will eventually cover when he gets back to full fitness, but we needed to be at our best yesterday and for the second game in a row we weren't. Obviously the TV Taters here (Peter Drury & Kevin Kilbane) could hardly hide their glee at us being put in our place. Personally I think Tadic & Pelle need to get back to their early season sharpness, maybe the intensity of the PL is now catching up on them. Shane Long may need a run out in the centre to give one of them a break with the big run of games coning up. Thought Toby did a good job stepping into MF, showed what a damned complete footballer he really is. Thought Yoshida looked comfortable when he came on but then you look back and think that the Toure goal probably came about because we dropped too deep and had nobody covering the edge of the box (although the goal seemed very similar to the one we conceded at Spurs so maybe something to work on in training there?). Was Yoshida at fault with his positioning or did Toby think he needed to drop back to cover him?? No idea but we all know the end result. A comeuppance and a lolage for many no doubt. But later on I think we showed an embarrassing naivety. Conceding a goal to 10 men when chasing is not good. Conceding 2 is pretty damned poor. With Morgan back and Cork on the bench for next two games I would be confident of a bounce back and results. Without them, we could be back in the mix again for 6th-8th. Strange feeling, being back to normality after such a great start. But I did think it was coming sometime in the next month. shame it was in the 1st one. More pressure now