Arsenal v Coventry – TV ruining football since 1992

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Anyone who is a member of the She Wore A Yellow Ribbon Facebook Group may well of stumbled across a rant I made before the Aston Villa game. The origins of the rant came from me returning from Thailand on a Friday, having missed my 1st league game of the season (I am a home & away season ticket holder).

My Thailand trip lead me to miss Chelsea, West Ham, Newcastle, Cardiff, and the Tottenham FA Cup tie. It was my choice, and I have no complaints. The trip was epic and I caught every game on TV – including watching the FA Cup game in the Spurs Supporters Bar in Chiang Mai.

My aforementioned rant was with regards to the Aston Villa game. Due to a decision made by TV executives, the game had been moved to the Monday night. As I had just had 3 weeks off work, there was no way that I could then take even the Monday afternoon off to go to travel to Birmingham.

By moving the game, SkyTV once more showed that they do not care about fans who go to games. Not just travelling Arsenal fans, but travelling fans of Aston Villa who might not live in Birmingham. By moving the game, it once again showed that football authorities currently care more for the TV viewer who pays £50 a month for a subscription, than the loyal supporter who pays £50 for a single ticket.

The reason I am bringing this up now is due to the upcoming Coventry City tie. Once again, TV companies – this time BT Sport – have decided to move the tie. To a Friday night! Whilst this does not create a massive problem for me (I live and work in London) it does cause a lot of problems for many other fans of Arsenal, and for all fans of Coventry.

They now have to take time off work, either using up holiday allowance, or losing a days pay, to go and watch football. Fans should not be put in this situation, where they have to decide whether they want to be paid, or watch the club they love. BT Sport are a disgrace moving the tie.

It is especially sickening when you consider the state of Coventry City at the moment. I usually do not care about the problems of other clubs (Hull, Cardiff, you accepted the money, you accept the consequences) but the story of Coventry City is a sad one.

Coventry City is a great old name in English football. Established in 1883, they are what many would call a ‘proper football club’ doing a lot of work for its community. There previous stadium, Highfield Road, was a proper football stadium. Like Highbury, it rose out of the houses around it and was part of the community. They spent 33 consecutive years in the top division of English football (there was life before Sky and the Premier League) before being relegated in 2001. At the time, only Liverpool, Arsenal and Everton had been in the top division longer.

Unfortunately, this relegation was only the beginning for Coventry City. Like many sides in the 90s, they decided a new stadium was what was needed to take them forward. A decision was made in 1997 that they would move, with planning permission granted in 1999. The original plan was for the stadium to be ready for the 2000/01 season. Due to problems, the project was delivered 4 years late. Had the stadium been ready for 2000/01, Coventry may well have never got relegated, as the extra revenue from 10,000 extra seats might have generated enough revenue to buy some extra players to keep them up.

Anyway, I digress from speculation. 2 years after moving to their new stadium, they narrowly avoiding going into administration. In 2012, they ere relegated to the 3rd tier of English football for the 1st time in 48 years. Rent disputes with the owners of the Ricoh Arena then put Coventry into administration, where they received 2 10 point deductions from the Football League.

These disputes resulted in Coventry not just moving out of the Ricoh Arena, but out of the City of Coventry. Relocating to Northampton – over 30 miles away, where they currently play their home games.

It is a sad story up their with Leeds and Sheffield Wednesday. How a once great club can quickly fall through the football pyramid. This season, Coventry City have averaged a 2,239 home gate – 23,000 went through the gate for their last game at Highfield Road.

An away tie at The Arsenal would have been a bright light on what has been a very dark season for Coventry City. At the Emirates for FA Cup ties, sides can take 15,000 supporters. Coventry would have sold out their allocation and had a great day out, no matter the result.

Rather than let Coventry City fans have their day, BT Sport decided to televise it and move to to Friday night. The disgrace of this move is not just that it was moved, but the FA have sactioned it. They should have stuck up for the Sky Blue’s fans and told BT that if they wish to televise it, they can, but during the weekend.

instead, Coventry fans are going to have to take a day off work and then hope to get the last train back to Coventry (11pm from Euston). It” be tight and essentially, there day out has been ruined by the TV companies.

Sky have done a lot for football since they got involved in 1992. A dramatically improved TV viewing experience, coupled with financing the Premier League , ensuring clubs can compete for Europe’s best player. They are also the root of all evil.

The money they have pumped into the game has meant they are king decision maker. If they want to move a game, clubs and the authorities will say ‘yes’. I remember not too long ago, North London Derbies would be at 12.30 (or even 11.45am) at the police request. But it seems TV companies are now more powerful than the police, with the recent FA Cup tie moved to 5.30pm. It seems even Health & Safety have sold out.

A lot of people talk about Modern Football and being Against Modern Football (#AMF). I usually find this a bit cringe worthy. However, when it comes to the TV influence in football, especially when a side like Coventry has their FA Cup tie moved to a Friday, or Newcastle are asked to travel down to Southampton for a 12.30 kick off, I completely agree.

The TV companies are slowly killing football for the match day fan. The only way to reduce their influence is to not renew your subscription. There are plenty of other ways to watch a game. Embrace these. Stop Sky.

Keenos

 

Arsenal’s Top 6 Youth Prospects

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Most of you won’t know me, but I’m an aspiring sports photographer covering the first team (warm ups) and the Youth team matches. Through photographing the youth team I have obviously picked up opinions and noticed things that those who may have only watched YouTube videos can not, Finally I want to express that I’m in no way a writer, nor do I have any intention of being a writer, I am simply expressing my opinion on the 5 youth players I think with the greatest chance of playing for The Arsenal Football Club in the future.

Daniel Crowley

Daniel Crowley

Daniel Crowley

Firstly for me is a name that has been on everyone’s lips, fingers and screens, Daniel Crowley, a 16 year old signed from Aston Villa for somewhere around £800,00 in the Summer of 2013. Considering we paid between £400,00 and £600,00 for Thomas Eisfeld who was 3 years older at the time show you how high a hope Arsenal have for Crowley. The First thing you notice about Dan Crowley from afar is that he’s very short for a Centre Midfielder, however, not dissimilarly to a certain Jack Wilshere.

Crowley can make it work. He may be short but he’s definitely very determined and powerful when running with the ball. Often he is being pulled back and pushed yet still keeps his balance perfectly. Not being the fastest he doesn’t often beat someone and sprint away but tends to beat the same person 2 or sometimes even 3 times before releasing the ball. 99% of the time he is moving forward in a positive way. That’s the thing about Daniel Crowley, he’s one of the most positive players I’ve ever seen – reminiscent to Tomas Rosicky – he has impeccable vision and can easily pull of almost anything he wants.

I can definitely see Crowley going on any pre season tour Arsenal have (especially since its world cup year), having escalated from the U18’s to the U21’s in less than a 6 month period. I think had he been signed in January of last year he would’ve been on last summers one! Next season I expect Crowley to make cup appearances in the League Cup and possibly the FA Cup, if he carries on at this rate I wouldn’t even be surprised if he makes a Premier League appearance next season.

Gedion Zelalem

Gedion Zelalem

Gedion Zelalem

Gedion Zelalem appeared out of nowhere for most Arsenal fans. Most hadn’t heard of him until this summer and the Asia tour where he definitely made a name for himself, coming on in the game against the Vietnam XI having only made his U21 (and Arsenal) début 3 months earlier versus Liverpool.

In his first game of the Asia Tour, Zelalem showed everyone exactly what he was about with cutting edge passes that nobody in the stadium would have seen apart from him. He appears to have this absolute knowledge of where players are and will be before they are. Most of the time watching highlights of him back on Youtube he hasn’t even looked where he’s going to be playing the pass, he just pulls it off, and that definitely isn’t something that can be taught.

Coming from Ethiopian parents, being born in Germany and growing up there for only a few years before moving to America you can’t exactly say he has a rich heritage of football. He is 100% natural talent, the only bad thing about Zelalem is the fact he is so very thin, physically he’s definitely not ready for the Premier League, he even struggles at U21 level against very physical teams, however, at 6 foot, if he were to beef up considerably you could expect some very solid performances out of him.

He is excellent technically and ability wise, the only issue I’ve ever seen with him is caused by his weight, he has a very good attitude, keeps his head down, and just gets on to play. That’s all you can ask for in a player at this age really.

Kristoffer Olsson

One of the least known names on this list, Kristoffer (Kris) Olsson is a central midfielder from Norrkoping in Eastern Sweden. Olsson has made a single competitive appearance in the League Cup against West Bromwich Albion where he took (and converted) a penalty with possibly the most nervous run up ever seen.

Kris Olsson

Kris Olsson

Many see Olsson as a direct Mikel Arteta replacement – myself included. He is a very calm and graceful player, a very good all rounder, and, unlike a few in the U21’s Olssons fitness is impeccable. He can easily dictate play when picking up the ball. One of the aspects the young Swede has notably picked up in his game is how to gain time on the ball. Previously he would get caught on the ball and lose it, however now I think he has improved this aspect of his game a lot. He seems to always have an age to spend on the ball where he very often picks a pass which leads to a goal directly.

There have been rumours recently that he believes he is ready for first team football and at only 18 to be thrown in the middle of the park in the Premier League may be tough, but as shown by the more or less explosion of Serge Gnabry into the Arsenal squad, age doesn’t have to influence as much as many think. Rumours have also been circulating that Ipswich town approached Arsenal with a loan offer for Olsson but this was flat out rejected.

Hector Bellerin

Hector Bellerin

Hector Bellerin

Currently on loan at Watford, Hector Bellerin made an appearance in our League Cup campaign earlier in the season. An U19 international is the first of two featured in this article currently out on loan. When playing for Arsenal Bellerin has often contributed with assists and even the occasional goal, most notably against Wolves and Manchester United last season.

He has been one of the most consistent performers in our youth sides. I’ve been watching the U21’s for almost a year now and can only remember him ever struggling with one player, Jordan Ibe of Liverpool. Currently at Championship side Watford where he has been nothing short of exceptional, Bellerin’s debut ended bittersweetly as Watford lost 3-0 at home to Yeovil. Bellerin was, however, a stand out performer in this game shown by the amount of Watford supporters who showed their support for the young Spaniard on many social media sites.

Currently Bellerin has been deployed mainly on the right wing for Watford, but at Arsenal was primarily deployed as a Right back. Nobody is particularly certain where Bellerin will finally be deployed if he is to make it into the Arsenal first team and may just be used a utility player (especially considering his debut vs West brom he played as a centre midfielder after an injury to Arteta).

Personally I am of the belief that Bellerin will return in the summer from his loan, and then next season will be the backup right back to either Bacary Sagna or a new purchase with Carl Jenkinson going out on loan.

Chuba Akpom

Another name that many people will know is Chuba Akpom. A young striker who last season excelled at U21 level scoring 13 goals in 20 games. He also made appearances on the Asia Tour of 2013 and made one Premier League appearance this season against Sunderland coming on as a substitute.

Chuba Akpom

Chuba Akpom

Akpom is a pacey, physical striker. When in form he has the ability to bully defenders and make them look like absolute idiots with his skill. Unlike his predecessors such as Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and Sanchez Watt, Akpom has a fantastic attitude. His only desire is to play games for Arsenal, he always gives 100% for the shirt and he is definitely a player I want to see on the team sheet. I think he would make the first team more consistently in the future, due to not only his talent, but the heart and passion he would inject.

Recently Akpom had hit a bit of a dry spell, however he has been imperious form recently scoring a hat trick against Peterborough United in the FA Youth Cup which had a team including many who had made first team appearances for Peterborough. Recently Akpom went on loan to Brentford in order to start playing Men’s football, he missed the first game due to illness but will probably be hoping for an appearance this weekend against Walsall.

Julio Pleguezuelo

Julio Pleguezuelo

Julio Pleguezuelo

Finally, is a recent acquisition from our youth feeder club (haha) Barcelona. Julio Pleguezuelo is a highly rated Spanish centre back. When he first arrived in London he wasn’t able to immediately play due to FIFA regulations and the ability to gain International Clearance. Once this was sorted and he started to play, he took to English football like a duck to water. He is short player for a centre back, at roughly 5’11, but at only the age of 16 he has time to grow more. A lack of height at a young age has however improved his reading of it (in the same way Mertesacker’s lack of pace does).

The young Spaniard first impressed me with a) His technical ability; b) His strengt;h and c) How quickly he was able to adjust to English and overcome the language barrier. I remember in one of the warm ups he was caught out by the coaches and he distinctly said “my english is no very good” and then a few weeks later, I could see and hear him having full blown conversations and commanding others on the field!

If i were to compare him to anyone in the current Arsenal first team, without a shadow of a doubt it would be Laurent Koscielny, like Koscielny; Pleguezuelo loves to get forward and exploit space in the middle of the park His close control when running with the ball and under pressure is simply second to none in the rest of the Arsenal defence. The U21’s have often rotated the defence recently with Isaac Hayden often being drafted in from his more comfortable Defensive Midfield position. The U21’s also have to choose from newly acquired Semi (pronounced “Shemi”) and someone who is as good as out of the door only having featured twice at home this season Daniel Boateng. The defensive pairing of Julio Pleguezuelo and other 16 year old Stefan O’Connor has often been chosen by U21 manager Steve Gatting and to great effect. Results have often been consistent and ended positively when O’Connor has Paired the Spaniard.

When talking about the youth set up “One for the future” definitely tends to be a cliche and often incorrect phrase, from this list I’ve compiled I personally see the younger 3 of Crowley, Pleguezuelo and Zelalem making the most out of their careers, but anything can happen in football.

Kieran

All photo’s on this blog were taking by Kieran himself. View his other work here.

8 Years and We’ve Won Nothing – Season 4

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2008-09

3 seasons without a trophy and last season we had a go at fighting for the league before falling away towards April. It all went wrong after Eduardo broke his leg at Birmingham and we couldn’t continue the good run we had been on.
Semi final of the Carling Cup and quarter finals of the Champions League showed we were moving forward and we wanted a good run at the league this time around.

Transfer wise saw Flamini walk out for nothing and join Milan. This was an incredibly disappointing loss and especially over a contract. We will never know the full story but I think the club offered the deal to late, by that time he had made his decision and left, we should have gone all out to try and keep him and offer him a deal to ensure he stayed. Gilberto left for Greece, Hleb went to Spain and Lehmann went back to Germany to join Stuttgart. We signed Aaron Ramsey, a young talent from Cardiff, Samir Nasri came in from Marseille for £12million, one of the strangest signings was Silvestre from United. As fans I think the feeling was if he isn’t good enough for Man United, why would we want him when we want to battle for the title! This was also the summer Amaury Bischoff joined us, another weird transfer! Arshavin came in during the January window for a club record fee and after much rumour and speculation.

Young Gun: Arsenal signed Aaron Ramsey from Cardiff in 2008 when he was 17 years old

In doing these write ups I have found out how bad my memory is. I knew it was bad but there are whole chunks of seasons and games that I just do not remember, even though I was at them! This season is one of those, I don’t remember hardly anything about it but looking back through our results and league standings I can see that it was once again disappointing. We had lost 5 times before November had finished which meant we never had a chance for the league. We were still losing to the teams we should really have been winning against, Fulham, Hull, Stoke, Villa and Man City. Funnily enough this was the season that Man City were taken over and became one of the richest clubs in the world, they bought Robinho on the last day of the season for a British record fee.

In comparison to our losses Liverpool, who challenged United for the title, only lost twice all season, and United themselves only lost 4 games. Liverpool lost the league with far to many draws when they needed wins.
Despite us losing those disappointing games we did beat Chelsea away and United at home. I was at the Chelsea game, RVP scored twice but I just do not recall it at all. Funny how as a fan you can block out seasons you don’t wish to remember!
During January and February we went on a run of 4 games where the game finished 0-0 in every one of them, its unusual for us to not score in more than one game but to draw 0-0 in 4 games all in a row, we were out of sorts and seemed to be going backwards. We didn’t lose again in the league until May when Chelsea beat us 4-1 at home, but after those early losses and draws throughout the season it meant we were only ever going to finish 4th, we ended up 9 points in front of Everton who were 5th and 11 points off Chelsea in 3rd.
Our draw at Old Trafford in the penultimate game gave them the league and we finished the season winning 4-1 at home to Stoke.

Robin van Persie
After scoring at Stamford Bridge

My personal opinions on these bad seasons in the league, and especially this one, was that we were way off the pace and not getting any closer to challenging. I put that down to us moving to the new ground and I know that a lot of people are not going to agree with me on this. I will always believe that money has been tight for a good few seasons, we have had to be careful in what we spend and have had to sell players to break even financially as a club. Wenger attempted to get through this period by investing in youth and going down a different route to try and build his team, it was his “experiment” as I’ve heard it called before. We all now know, and Wenger himself knows, that this didn’t work. Most of those youth players have now moved on or been moved out of the club, but I don’t think we had the money to invest in the team and make the squad depth and quality better during these seasons. We were battling through a tough period and constantly qualifying for the Champions League, sometimes reaching a final and that is all we could achieve. I’m not accepting this and sitting here blindly saying that I was happy with that, far from it in fact, but looking at the bigger picture I understood what we were doing.
Chelsea and Man City have only 1 fan who is important to their clubs, and that’s their owners. The other fans of those clubs mean nothing as those 2 people hold all the money and future for them, our club is different. We as fans are all important to Arsenal, they need our season ticket money and shirt money etc. We helped our club to get through that period, we supported them and didn’t stop going. I’m glad to support this club and proud of sticking with it through these seasons.

We had another good Champions League again but still not going the whole way to reach the final. We got to the Semi Finals where we came up against Man United who we didn’t stand a chance against. We lost 1-0 away and 3-1 at home, United went on to play Barca in the final losing 2-0.
We finished 2nd in our group playing Kiev, Porto and Fenerbache. I went to Fenerbache away and it was a great trip. I think the club tried to scare the fans in to not going but we had a great time, Efes and kebabs along with a 5-2 win! What could be better. We played Roma and Villareal in the next 2 rounds beating Roma on penalties out in Italy, another good trip!

Arsenal players

The FA Cup saw us reach Wembley, but only for the Semi Finals. We got beat by Chelsea 2-1 after going ahead 1-0, the same as the Carling Cup Final 2007. Cardiff away in the early rounds was the pick of the games, but we went down there to see a drab 0-0 draw. The trip was more exciting than the game, lets leave it at that!

The quarter finals was as far as we went in the Carling Cup when Burnley put us out, again this competition saw us bringing the youth through and trying to blood some youngsters as we had always done and would continue to do.

In summary it was the 4th season where we had not won anything and although I cant remember, I can imagine the fans who were already unhappy, had become almost inconsolable. The Wenger out thing had started im sure although again cannot remember, and things were not looking like improving. More high profile sales were to come in the next few seasons with no one of real note coming in to make things even worse.

Cheers for reading

Norby

Read the previous part 3 here