Why Wenger misses the flashpoints

Arsene Wenger: "Sorry, did I miss something?"

13 April 2012

This came to mind at the weekend when Wenger defended Dennis Bergkamp over the stamping incident on Blackburn's Nils-Eric Johansson. Wenger said: "If you look at Dennis's record throughout his career, how many players has he hurt? The answer I think you will find is zero."

Well, not quite. Those with 20-20 vision might recall the Dutchman lunging at Liverpool's Jamie Carragher this January; elbowing West Ham's Steve Lomas in 1998; the high tackle on Sunderland's Paul Bracewell in 1998 that earned him a red card; the little dance he did on Yugoslavia's Zoran Mirkovic in France 98.

Still, Notebook has at last solved the Wenger riddle. It's not his eyesight or his prescription that need looking at - he just needs to adjust the angle of his head when watching matches so he can actually see the pitch.

Doobs put out to grass

West Ham fans in the Dr Martens Stand put the boot into Michael Duberry by shouting "grass" at the Leeds United substitute on Sunday. The former Chelsea defender, who has only played three times this season, gave supporters a thumbs-up sign. That's more than he got from his manager, as he remained on the bench for the rest of the game.

Meanwhile, those West Ham fans looking for some solace after the defeat by checking the official club website were greeted with an unsolicited advert from the Inland Revenue advising them to get on with their tax return. Happy days.

From red shirts to redcoat

It must be hard for some of the successful players of the 1960s to contemplate just how many mediocre players there are in today's game who are millionaires.

In Stars of the '60s, And where are they now? (Sutton Publishing, £12.99) Dean P. Hayes collates what some of the players of that era had to do to earn a living after they quit:

Chelsea and England striker Barry Bridges (milkman); Liverpool and England full-back Gerry Byrne (odd-job man at Pontin's holiday camp in Wales); Newcastle and Wales striker Wyn Davies (baker); Derby and England striker Kevin Hector (postman); Birmingham and Wales midfielder Terry Hennessey (sales manager for clingfilm products); Coventry's Ernie Hunt (window cleaner); Crystal Palace goalkeeper John Jackson (installs blinds); Leeds and England striker Mick Jones (runs market stall); Arsenal's Peter Simpson (forklift truck driver); Everton and England defender Tommy Wright (works in docks at Garston).

Edwards is named in book crime

Can the Martin Edwards who is the new co-author of the book Crime in the City be related to the millionaire Manchester United director who was questioned by police after allegedly being caught peering under a cubicle in a health club ladies' toilet while a woman was using it?

We'll find out if any women are dopes

Football dope testing (not where you ask Robbie Savage of Birmingham City a question) is high on the agenda at UEFA.

The Medical Committee are so fair-minded they have decided to start dope testing women players as well, starting at next year's European Under-19 Championships.

Tim knows the score in Wales

For some bizarre politically correct reason, BBC Grandstand have decided to announce scores from the League of Wales. Spare a thought for broadcaster Tim Gudgin, who's had lessons to pronounce some tongue-twisters such as TNS Llansantffraid and Flexsys Cefn Druids.

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Why Wenger misses the flashpoints

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