Alex

Week in Crete in May and a week in the Lake District in September for me.

Has there been some over officious moderation here?

Thought Twin Peaks was great at first then petered out a bit. I think Lynch was only involved in the early programmes (although I might be wrong, it was a while ago). I kept watching it though. There was nothing like that on telly back then.

The tiger btw

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2256641/Teenager-left-Marilyn-Monroe-design-like-blow-sex-doll-50-session.html?ICO=most_read_module

Buy cheap, buy twice.

Aye, we went early (before it opened) and it was the right thing to do as it was heaving by the time we left. Definitely worth a visit though.

Tbh I don't know, it's just what people have said. As it happens I went to Barcelona in January once. I barely saw a cloud but it was -15c overnight and barely got above freezing during the day. It looked beautiful like but fuck me, it was freezing. The fountains were frozen solid.

It's a bit like going to the races, having a few bets, getting pissed and coming home with about the same amount of money in your pocket as when you left the house.

Can't personally comment on Madrid but people I know who've been (including someone who worked there for a while) loved it. It can be freezing in winter though apparently so wrap up warm.

I first went mid-90s. It was like that then. I last went in 2010. It was pretty much exactly the same. I've been about 4 times in between too and it doesn't change. It's a bit like Amsterdam's version of Leicester Square. Don't get me wrong, I've stayed round there a few times and it's a nice area for accommodation (much nicer than around the Central Station for example) and for its central location / being handy for the museums, Vondelpark etc.

The Leidseplein can be quite nice on sunny day but it's very touristy. It's got Irish Bars, a massive Bulldog Coffeeshop and a Hard Rock Cafe ffs. Agree re: visiting Anne Frank's House too. Ask about the drumkit.

He might do a charidee gig once he hangs his boots up. Owt else would be a bit of a pisstake.

You cunterhead

Tbf it's probably the league that offers the best 'finishing school' and best value for teams looking for players for the top European leagues.

The Dam is mint but it's fucking dear these days. If you do go the Old Centre is basically the Red Light District which is fine through the day but full of stag dos and worse after dark. I'd try and stay in the Southern / Western Canal belt or somewhere like the Pijp. The big advantage of the place is that it's easy walking around the place as it's very compact. The Rijksmuseum is quality, as is the Van Gogh Musuem. The latter in particular gets very busy though. I'd consider a mid-week break rather than a weekend one too. Kadinsky Coffeeshop just off Spuistraat does nice space cake if you / your lass doesn't shmoke.

He's a modern central playmaker in the Fabregas / Lampard / Gerrard - type mould. Rather than a Bergkamp / Baggio / Pedro type 'no. 10'. I realise the latter wore '8' before anyone points that out

DEFCON Marmite

Aye, although while I thought starting him in the middle against Everton was ridiculous, when you look at the bench....frightening.

I take it that's what you meant by taking a chance on him and I agree. As I said earlier I don't blame him but all this wishing him well bollocks? Fuck right off man

Aye, howay though man. It's proper last throw of the dice stuff when Shola comes on when you need a goal. As others have said, he was no. 4 choice here when he was at his physical peak. The fact his brother is nowhere near the finished article is neither here nor there. I'd say the only time he's looked effective in the last 5 or 6 seasons (bar in the Championship) is holding the ball up last year when we were already winning and he'd come on to retain a bit of possession. I don't actually mind Shola either.

They claimed it cost £500k a week last time (or thereabouts). If it had cost more I don't see them spinning it to hide that, given the crack then was all about how much 'Mike' was putting into the club out of his own pocket etc. Having said that, I'm not suggesting we won't bring more players in because I think they realise we need another striker at least and they won't want to risk relegation. I don't see us spending £30m net (or £20m for that matter) though.

Sunderland apart of course and generally speaking, he hasn't got what it takes to change a game in which you're trailing imo. I'm fairly confident there's many more examples where it hasn't worked out

Like I said earlier and like DK just said, he's only a decent option to defend a lead or perhaps a draw. To call him an impact sub is a bit misleading because he's not going to get something for you when you're chasing the game. I don't buy into the notion he's lazy but he's never been able to play more than 60 mins and he's about two stone of muscle heavier than he was a few years back.