YAMACAST Episode 10: the one that's longer than usual

A warning to anyone who regulalry listens to this podcast – it’s freaking long. Yes, that’s right it’s close to 90 minutes and for no other reason in that my opening rant went on for 20 minutes. Ugh.

But what can you do there was a lot going on when I put it all together. First you have the reported Puma deal worth £170 million, you HAD the rumour of Fergie’s retirement (no longer a rumour,) you had my rant on twats who are openly hoping for Arsenal to fail and there was also this week’s Throat Punch winner.

Fail. Look I get it, there are issues and we are entitled to be unhappy. I am not questioning that. But again, support the bloody club not the manager, not the players, and not the board. The club is what we the supporteres are inextricably linked to. Dennis Bergkamp said it best:

“When you start supporting a football club, you don’t support because of the trophies, or players or history. You support because you found yourself somewhere there; found a place you belong.”

My own personal story is that way as are countless others. You support the club. End of. If you can’t, I challenge calling yourself a supporter. You’re a fan which to me is casual and has no inextricable link to the club. Don’t cry to me here if you don’t agree. I don’t care anyway.

Conversely, I can’t get how people can’t see that there are indeed issues and most of the deal with the leadership (starting at the top) of this club. But I do at least give them credit for their continued support and positive outlook even in the most trying of times.

But enough of that rant. There’s plenty of it on the podcast. Did I tell you is long? It is. Not me, the podcast you cheeky bastards.

As for Arsenal well it certainly is an interesting week. We’re all on egg shells wondering what our Champion’s League fate is. It certainly rests to some extent ont he outcome of the Chelsea v Spuds match. It may be the only time in my life I will actually root for Chelsea. A Spurs loss has ot be what we’re hoping for. Then even if Arsenal and Spurs win their last two games Arsenal on the superior goal differential will make it into the Champion’s League spot.

And then, prayerfully then – we can get back to turning this ship around. If the financials are as healthy as they are going to be this summer – let’s recap: Last summer’s unspent kitty: £70m. Emirates up-front money: £30m. possible upfront money from Puma deal: £20m. New TV deal: £40m. For a grand total of £140 – £160 million coming into the club ALONE this summer. Sure we know it all won’t be spent but it pretty well insures that regardless of their table standing they could a.) survive without the Champion’s League this year and b.) pretty much sign anyone they wanted to – if they have the cajones.

If you are not familiar with our podcast feature “Throat Punch Winner” let me explain, Throat Punch is something you want to do to anyone who says something so overtly stupid and assinine in the press that you want them to just shut up. How do we do that? We punch them in the throat.

This week’s winner is none other than Spurs amanger and resident weeping willow, Andres Villas Boas. He narrowly beat out Arsenal’s own Woijech Szczesny for the honors. Szczesny was in the lead with his comments regarding Spurs and stating rather openly that Spurs didn’t have the quality of players to be in the Champion’s League. Now whether or not you agree with him, we don’t need to be giving that middlesex lot any more motivation to try and finish ahead of us.

And when you thought that idea might linger a waft in the air for a while Villas Boas (Viash Boash to some) went and called Szczesny a passing fan and not someone who had been at the club for a while. Well, besides a manager lowering himself to get pulled into a war of words, he should know that Szczesny has been at the club for quite some time I believe since 2006 in fact or some odd time like that. Someone will correct me on this I am sure.

So Andre enjoy your award. We’re glad we didn’t have to give it to one of our own.

As for today’s guests we have two great ones for you. First up is none other than Jules Wheeler known on twitter as @theRealGunner. Jules is freelance Tv Presenter and avid Arsenal supporter she isn’t known outside of twitter much for doing podcasts but Jules has been a big supporter of ours so we’re glad to talk to her about Arsenal in the wake of the Wigan match. After Jules we have the AST’s own Tim Payton. He is a man who divides a lot of opinions but to me he has always come across as fair and in the end wants the club to recognize it’s supporters for what they are and wants the club to be what we all want it to be the gold standard for football in every facet.

Today’s Guests