I hate the North London Derby. They make me feel sick from start to finish. I try to expect defeat to soften the blow but that never helps when we lose. I spend the whole match when I am there preying for the final whistle (even though I ain't even vaguely religious) If I listen on the radio I have to keep turning it off and on to get snippets as I can't take the tension. If I watch it on TV at home my kids think I'm having a break down cos I'm nearly crying if we're losing, or drawing or winning and screaming like a banshee every few seconds. I've watched the last 2 in a pub and stood at the back with a mate constantly checking my watch (even though I don't wear one ) bugging any poor bugger standing next to me and rocking backwards & forwards like I was a bit special. I love the pre match banter with mates...I never dish out **** if we win to most as we have a kind of truce ... a smirk is allowed but nothing more...but to others I get hell and give it back but truthfully.... I really hate the NLD. Chelsea and west ham don't come anywhere near it for me. Next week is my daughters birthday so we are going to her grandparents this saturday...so we'll be in the car for the first half of the match and a restaurant for the second half...the last time that happened we lost 3 nil...so I REALLY ain't looking forward to it this time. My best not watching and part listening on radio match was the 3-2 a couple of years ago on NOV 20th (my daughters birthday). We took our kids to Broadstairs for my daughters 13th birthday. In a stupidly optimistic moment I set the dvd recorder to tape the match. As we pulled into Broadstairs we were 2 down and it was HT. I took the kids to the beach and a mate was texting me as we scored and we were getting v poor radio reception. the kids and me ran down the beach waving our arms around like lunatics screaming KKKKKKKAAAAAAAAABBBBBBOOOOOOUUUUUUULLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL when he got the winner for us...as we are mixed raced the locals thought we were muslims doing some weird religious ritual...my mrs (she's white) was pissing herself as people started staring and pointing and she had to explain what was happening
They are so unpredictable, form seems to go out of the window - probably best for both of our teams at the moment. I like them, but as you say, the whole thing is a nerve wracking affair from start to finish . . .
There have been some right corkers as well in the last 6 or 7 years... 5-4 to you 5-1 to us (cup) 2-2 with Jenas in the 94th minute 4-1 to you (cup) 3-3 (you were 3-1 up) 4-4 (you were 4-2 up on 89 mins) 3-2 (you were 2 up) 5-2 (we were 2 up) It's definitely been the best derby for neutrals but that just makes it more nerve racking rolling on next sunday (if we win or draw) or 2 weeks if we lose!
the kids and me ran down the beach waving our arms around like lunatics screaming KKKKKKKAAAAAAAAABBBBBBOOOOOOUUUUUUULLLLLLLLLLLLLLL LL when he got the winner for us...as we are mixed raced the locals thought we were muslims doing some weird religious ritual...my mrs (she's white) was pissing herself as people started staring and pointing and she had to explain what was happening Broadstairs needs a little livening up. Taking the kids to the beach in November Forced swimming? Sandcastles? I think it might be safer for all concerned if you just attend the match.
I love them. It's probably the derby that stays the right line of everything. The football's generally pretty good, it's entertaining, it's not that dirty and the fans don't try to kill each other, but it's still got a big chunk of edge about it.
The form book counts for nothing in these. Anything can happen, and frequently does!. Only a very brave man would predict the result.
As much as it pains me to remember it, one of the 'best' moments in recent NLDs was seeing that Spurs fan run onto the pitch to get mobbed by Spurs players when they scored in the 4-4. Even as a Gooner, I could appreciate how much it meant to that bloke, he must have dined out on that for ages
In terms of the quality of football it's easily the best derby for me and one I look forward to. Biggest in London by a long shot. Neither team can defend and both have attacking philosophies which makes it all the more entertaining. I'm going with my best mate who is an Arsenal fan and quite looking forward to it. I think Arsenal will just edge it but it's a fixture that nowadays you cannot predict. PNP hit the nail on the head for me with rivalry between the fans. I still believe Sunderland-Newcastle is the biggest derby in England but not that far ahead of NLD. Sky are elitist so try to big up the Manchester Derby as the biggest and best but it comes nowhere near the NLD for me. There are plenty of derbies bigger than that. Anyhow bad luck in advance to both sides, feel free to kick lumps out of each other and pick up loads of red cards
Even as a Chelsea fan I felt the same. To be fair to the guy he must have been the butt of all jokes given they had 2 points from 8 at that stage. That game brought back one of the funniest moments in my life. My cousin (who was at the game) phoning me at 4-2 with 90 mins gone telling me the game was done and dusted and that they would be coming for us and United and then by the final whistle I'd never heard anyone so angry
Tell me about it, Arsenal stewards are the stricktest around. I still can't decide who I want to lose The twisted side of me would love to see Arsenal lose and listen to their fans call for Wenger's head on Talksport. But then the vindictive side of me would love to see pressure on AVB increase. I hope Dembele is fit as I'd like to see both sides close to full strength. Diaby v Dembele would have been some battle. I just hope for lots of goals, as a neutral that's all I can ask for really.
Re the 4 all game... it was on ESPN highlights tonight ... there was a bit about 3 minutes from the end when the gooners (who were 4-2 up) were singing 1 nil and and you ****ed it up to spurs fans....4 minutes later it was 4 all and the final whistle went and there was booing... it was a truly remarkable turnaround in such a short time
We can do neither defend nor attack (bad grammar I know). I wouldn't be surprised to see Spurs win this one... I think it will be a draw though. I hope it's a good game and no refereeing decisions to sway the result...
