{"id":12883,"date":"2026-02-22T05:27:33","date_gmt":"2026-02-22T05:27:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/?p=12883"},"modified":"2026-02-22T20:24:45","modified_gmt":"2026-02-22T20:24:45","slug":"welcome-to-the-show","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/?p=12883","title":{"rendered":"Welcome to the Show"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"
“You hand me your ticket. I will tear it.” – John Wick 3, Thunder Road Pictures (2019)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends
We’re so glad you could attend, come inside, come inside
There behind a glass stands a real blade of grass
Be careful as you pass, move along, move along…”<\/p>Karn Evil 9; Emerson, Lake & Palmer (1973)<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Greetings and salutations from the Republic of Tejas! Please pardon this brief epistle, as circumstances this week have conspired against your humble correspondent from the New World. I hope you find these musings a satisfactory amuse-bouche given the inability of Eddie Howe\u2019s Magpie Army to set today against \u20aciteh a suitable table for our enjoyment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As many of this fine establishment\u2019s regulars know, I grew up as the son of local elected officials in the State of Georgia. This was a burden most of the time. There simply wasn\u2019t much leeway to engage in the usual teenage hijinks when your father held county-wide office. Everyone knew, and was ready to report, if I showed-up at the \u201cwrong\u201d party or associated with the \u201cwrong\u201d person. Heaven forbid I get detained for a harmless high school prank\u2026but I digress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the few perks, however, came in the summer when my dad attended his yearly conference sponsored by the National Association of Counties. While he was busy getting his accreditation hours (or some such nonsense), my brother and I would be free to explore whatever attractions were available in the host city. Although we traveled to various cities across the U.S., for purposes of this story, my memory returns to a conference held in that veritable bastion of sophistication and cosmopolitan joie de vivre that is Sarasota, Florida. Exactly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My mother planned several diversions for our week (yes, I said week) long stay in what is basically the armpit of Florida. Of course there would be some time reserved for the beach, but she seemed unusually proud of one particular entertainment and educational opportunity, the Circus Museum. You see, Sarasota was the headquarters of Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Bailey Circus. Yes, that Barnum. P.T. Barnum of \u201cThere\u2019s a sucker born every minute\u201d fame (or infamy). We\u2019d have the opportunity to tour the winter headquarters and training facilities as well as learn the circus\u2019 history and see some oddities. There was just one small problem. I don\u2019t like circuses. Never have, never will. I don\u2019t like clowns (and I still don\u2019t, whether they be in circuses or political office), and I don\u2019t believe animals should be caged for our entertainment. Notwithstanding that baggage, I ended-up enjoying the museum. Turns out, circuses and their accompanying oddity shows make similar bargains with their patrons as magicians make. They show you somewhat \u201cnormal\u201d people doing extraordinary, sometimes unbelievable, things all in service of The Show.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our Show has enraptured us for three seasons now. We\u2019ve watched as an erstwhile servant of the club and winner of FA Cup honors returned \u201chome\u201d and transformed us into a parsimonious defense that also featured, at times, an offense that was \u201cguaranteed to blow your head apart.\u201d Our onfield talent supplied us with manifold memories and unforgettable moments, truly extraordinary, sometimes unbelievable events\u2014Martinelli\u2019s break-away goal at Villa; Saliba\u2019s stunning rocket at Bournemouth; Big Gabi\u2019s late winner at Newcastle; \u00d8degaard\u2019s strike at Brighton; Rice\u2019s free kicks against Madrid; Madueke\u2019s olimpico; Saka\u2019s brilliant hit against United; and Eze\u2019s hat trick against the old enemy. And an anthem organically became our fortresses\u2019 mantra that our blood will forever run through the stone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each year, however, as we approached the summit, as we attempted our most difficult trick, our most memorable feat\u2026winning THE title…events conspired to snatch away our glory. Injuries, poor form, hard luck, and bad timing all contrived to spoil our show. Barkers outside the tent shouted up and down the promenade building-up our credentials, calling us all but champions in order to gleefully tear us down. Still do. While inside the tent, hecklers (including many of our own \u201cfans\u201d) attempted to diminish our progress, downplay our potential, and sow discord in minds of players and supporters alike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s been a helluva show, and, yet, we eagerly applied for this season\u2019s ballot. We all got our ticket. The Show is playing out right now. This very minute the light blue, Mancunian petrol halberdiers have cut our lead to two points. I believe they will get no closer<\/strong>. Pundits have headlines cued to celebrate another Arsenal debacle and tragedy. I believe that copy will not be printed this season. I believe we will win the Premier League this season\u2026I have to. A wise woman once said, \u201cthe path to paradise begins in hell.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking of hell\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Opposition<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Middlesex marsh dwellers have made wonderful jesters and provided dedicated comic relief over the past eighteen months or so. P.T. Barnum would have been proud. Although they managed to win a European trophy last season, they flirted (and still flirt) with relegation. Having sacked Big Ange and Thomas the Frank-engine, the lily whites secured the talents of Igor Tudor a fortnight ago. Ostensibly the Croatian historian will provide the new manager bounce that the Haringey faithful desire. Mr. Tudor will need to cobble together a functioning team from a motley crew of uninjured and unsuspended. At last check, the spuds have at least twelve absences from their senior team including Romero, Porro, Kudus, and Richarlison. According to Orbinho, since November 2024, sp*rs have gained 19 points from a possible 81 points at the Armitage Shanks Arena. If we are to successfully conclude our most anticipated trick in over twenty years, we will need to make that 19 from a possible 84.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arsenal XI<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arteta has hailed his players\u2019 response to dropping valuable points at Wolves. Rice has said \u201cWe need the supporters more than ever.\u201d \u20ac115y is breathing down our necks, and we have several injuries and players just now returning to health\/searching for form. I think \u00d8degaard and Calafiori come straight back into the squad. Given, that sp*rs are a wounded animal who have had twelve days<\/u><\/strong> of rest, recovery, and preparation, I expect Mikel to start the game somewhat conservatively by leaving reinforcements (like Havertz, Martinelli, Zubimendi, Timber, and Madueke) in reserve. I think Mikel will go with:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Raya
White \u2014 Saliba \u2014 Gabriel \u2014 Calafiori
\u00d8degaard \u2014 Rice
Saka \u2014 Eze \u2014Trossard
Gy\u00f6keres<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eze simply must be given the chance to reprise his hat trick heroics, but we should have plenty of options to change things from the bench on sixty minutes if needs must. The most essential element for The Show tomorrow (and through the end of May) is mentality. Who will show the aggression, desire, focus, and professionalism to kill this game off by getting the third goal in the first half? Who will step up and say, \u201cGet on my back, boys, and I will lead you to the Promised Land?\u201d Although many of you know my thoughts on that particular question, the answer to which I will not include here, we need several players to answer the call. Regardless, my ticket is in hand. Is yours?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The \u2018Holic Pound<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am staking my colors to the mast. I believe we are going to win the League, this season. Starting with a resounding win Sunday against them lot. I expect an energetic first third of the contest, but we will exert our dominance, and sp*rs will fall away as our quality and commitment shines through. I think 1-5 sounds about right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Try to enjoy the game tomorrow fellow \u2018Holics and Gooners. Although I will post the colors in the morning, I\u2019ll be seated near the touchline as my boy attempts to push his goal tally this season to nine for club and school. Welcome to The Show.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Come on you Gunners!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MCMBD<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Welcome back my friends to the show that never endsWe’re so glad you could attend, come inside, come insideThere behind a glass stands a real blade of grassBe careful as you pass, move along, move along…” Karn Evil 9; Emerson, Lake & Palmer (1973) Greetings and salutations from the Republic of Tejas! Please pardon this […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[5],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12883"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/22"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=12883"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12883\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12888,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12883\/revisions\/12888"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=12883"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=12883"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=12883"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}