Just One Of Those Days

It's one of those mornings where we are trying to convince ourselves that all is well. The unbeaten run now extends to nine as a result of coming from behind at a tricky venue with only ten men. Yet somehow it all feels a little bit flat, doesn't it.

The less said about the match, the better. I could be a little churlish and question Mike Riley's classification of what does and doesn't constitute a red card offence. That would only be deflecting from a below-par performance where Thierry once again salvaged a point with a very well taken goal, after Yakubu had put the hosts ahead from the spot.

I'll have to single out one player for some rare praise, however. Justin Hoyte was left exposed by the selection of the out-of-sorts Flamini ahead of him, and sometimes by a lack of covering from his defensive colleagues. He lost out in a couple of early skirmishes with Downing, but stuck to his task admirably and generally put a lid on one of Boro's most dangerous outlets. He may not be as dangerous as Eboue in the forward areas, but he is starting to achieve a standard many thought was beyond him. Well played Justin.

I was hoping the newspapers would give me a lift this morning. Sadly I was wrong. The Express Group have unearthed the impending release of Thierry Henry at the season's end for twenty-five million. I wouldn't be surprised if the true source of this tale is a Tottenham supporting London cabbie. 'Here guv, guess who I had in 'ere the other day!' Pure nonsense.

Slightly more carefully constructed is the People's fable of Sheikh Mohammed making a £450m takeover move for Arsenal after his Dubai International Capital group pulled out of negotiations for Liverpool this week. You can follow the line of logic here, club now heavily sponsored by Emirates, Liverpool foul up negotiations, Emirates money to settle Arsenal debts in one fell swoop.

There's only a couple of things that I can see wrong with that. It's highly unlikely that they would be able to take full control of Arsenal given the distribution of the shareholding at present. They also made it abundantly clear they were moving for Liverpool as the main players in the negotiations were Liverpool season-ticket holders, who I am given to understand have ruled out any move for another club in the forseeable future.

You pays your money and you makes your choice. I think it's complete and utter nonsense. It hasn't improved my demeanour though. Until tomorrow fellow 'Holics.