'Maresca kan maar march'

HELLO my good football people… hope you’re enjoying the festive period! 

It’s amazing how good times can be so negatively affected by a couple of results! 

I had a ‘Football Saturday’ round at my house with some of the ex-Santos/FN Rangers guys who I’ve known for over 20 years. 

You know, loaded cooler boxes, meat on the grill, loads of banter and all that… was great! 

Well, until Chelsea, Villa happened. 

FFS, talk about déjà vu. After 60 minutes of dominance (and only scoring a single goal) it was inevitable that the Blues would f**k it up. 

You have to respect Unai Emery. His side soaked the pressure and waited until Chelsea had expended energy before unleashing a triple substitution (Ollie Watkins, Jadon Sancho, Amadou Onana) to pose an attacking threat and BINGO. 

A consistent channel of through balls baffling Chelsea’s useless defender Benoit Badiashile, (who ain’t fit to play in the reserves), creating absolute havoc. 

Chelsea should have scored two or three in the first half, Villa could have scored three or four in the second. Then the wizard Enzo Maresca countered the threat with a set of changes only he can possibly explain, including the completely useless (didn’t touch the ball) Liam Delap, the ineffective overpriced Jamie Gittens and the out of form Malo Gusto. 

Seriously guys, I don’t wanna fuel the usual “you spent over a billion on this” banter, but if that’s what Chelsea have coming on to change a game, a top eight finish is more likely than top four. 

Estevao Willian was given 20 minutes, but the damage was done, the body language unmistakeable… it would only finish one way. 

FFS, I hate to say it, but this f*****g coach can piss off at the end of the season. Now complaining about the lack of quality in his squad. Would a new coach be able to mould this group? Absolutely yes. 

There’s a core of around 15 excellent players, but need the addition of a John Terry, a Virgil van Dijk and another top, experienced campaigner in the starting 11. You have to give credit to Maresca for the management of Reece James (less hard running on the right flank), but then why doesn’t he play Gusto in his natural position as a replacement. 

You also have to look at the dismantling of Barcelona, followed by a brilliant 10-man performance against the ‘Gooners’. 

But he CANNOT lift the mentality of these players for a cold Tuesday night at Elland Rd. Enough is enough. The hierarchy need to put plans in place (not that these Yankydoodledandy’s have a frikkin football bone between them). 

Otherwise my festive has been amazing! 

Meanwhile, another very average outing for Arsenal with some brilliant work from keeper David Raya saving blushes as Brighton should have earned a point at the Emirates. 

I pray daily that it goes pear-shaped and City win it (I don’t think Villa will go all the way). But following a lot of great progress of late, Pep Guardiola also holding on at Forest to squeeze it by the same 2-1 result. 

It was a weekend of fine margins and a bit of festive cheer for Liverpool and United fans who sit in fourth and sixth, 10 and 13 points off the top. 

Champions League football will be the target this season, with what looks like a fourth place entry spot available for one of the two of them.

With all that said, I still think Chelsea will do Arsenal in the two-legged Carabao Cup semi-final, with City crushing their title ambitions. 

I’m a proper Arsenal hating grinch aren’t I? Yes I am… lets collectively pray the ‘entitled ones’ don’t do it. 

Happy New Year my good people (Gooners included). With all the madness our world is facing right now in Ukraine, Gaza, Yemen, Sudan, Venezuela, Nigeria etc… the millions of displaced, killed and maimed. 

The problems we have right here in SA, the murders on the Cape flats, GBV, drugs, corruption. 

As individuals we can only do our best to create safe and happy homes, families & neighbourhoods…

A bit of football banter shouldn’t be taken too seriously! All the best for 2026, thanks for the support as always, much love.