Alex

That’s what I thought and I’ve seen the replay a couple of times on MOTD since. During the match then in the analysis. His arms are in an unnatural position but then he moves his arm out of the way of the ball and it then brushes his chest before possibly also brushing his upper arm or shoulder. It would have been an incredibly harsh second yellow. Also thought Gordon’s was a blatant pen. It barely got mentioned on MOTD. The highlights also made it look like we were under the cosh second half, which I never really thought was the case. I don’t think it’s an agenda by the BBC editorial team or anything. Except the usual greater concern of creating /adding to a story as opposed to accuracy. You know like: more pressure heaped onto manager after controversial defeat. The post-match interview helped frame all that

John Tudor. Just missed out on it being Supermac

Given who wrote the article, the thread will definitely be the better read

I got a bit bored of Limmy like. I do like him but there’s only so many times watching him play at driving a truck simulator through (and then him reading the restaurant reviews) in some small US backwater is funny. I do like it when he lays into Cilla though.

How have I never seen this before?

England are currently top: https://www.uefa.com/nationalassociations/uefarankings/

Yep. It’s funny how seemingly little things can create a big change in form. Tonali looks more comfortable sitting, and that releases Bruno to play further forward where his through balls can cause damage. There’s obviously an increased understanding that comes with that midfield 3 playing together too. What I also like is they’re all happy receiving the ball under pressure which allows better attacking football. Murphy playing well means Gordon can play on his favoured side. And Isak’s form has been discussed loads but it’s not really easy for a central lone striker to influence play much when the team isn’t playing consistently well. I think it’s as much to do with that with Isak as opposed to his playing much better. I do think Murphy is a bit underrated though. Even though he’s obviously in a great bit of form. I always think a lot of people underestimate how much confidence impacts team performances as well.

Cup season

On the final day

I think you’ve said a few times we’re a mid-table side. Obviously we’ve got some very good players but the current run skews things. And we know our squad isn’t that deep. Particularly in some very key areas. While we’ve got a chance of CL I think Europa League would be decent. We’ve got no chance of winning the league imo

Not as mental as every Sunderland fan I spoke to after the game saying he had a good match

They were. They had one years ago near where the ‘Rocket’ tower block used to be. But we’re talking decades back I think. When they were in the football league. There was some talk about a new one, with plans in place, etc. I don’t think the funds ever materialised.

Aye, I’ve seen the occasional match there and it suffers from having the running track around it

That’s right! It was that, of course.

We played them in a pre-season friendly but I’m fairly sure it was at Gateshead International Stadium. I didn’t actually go but my mate went and afterwards recalled the crowd singing ‘Boom, Boom, Boom, Let me hear you say whey aye’ to the tune of the Outhere Brothers hit.

Still got mine too but would love it, to paraphrase KK, if they reissued the away kit that the current one is a tribute to

Think he means exporting implants rather than ones Gazza would have in his suitcase 👍🏻

At my school we’d have read Smash Hits but it would’ve been reading a copy one of the lasses had bought on the sly. You’d never actually go into a shop and buy it. Even though it was decent and would feature some bands you liked. Also one of the few decent things about getting old is you can like any of the stuff you liked growing up. I really liked loads of disco/post disco at the time. Talking early 80s I guess. But I wouldn’t have admitted to it a few years later in the 90s. And probably didn’t really like it for a while. Especially stuff like Shalamar and all the stuff Bernard Edwards and Nile Rogers did. Most of which is fucking sensational imo. But now I don’t give a fuck because I’m an uncool middle aged dad. That’s another good thing re the Chart Music podcast. I.e. it’s the absolute perfect time in my life for me to be listening to it with the attitude I have to music now where I just like stuff and don’t have any hang ups about what people might think about my taste.

Not Top of the Pops but this might appeal to the Chart Music lot /pop-crazed youngsters. Shalamar (who I unashamedly fucking love) performing live on The Tube:

I haven’t, no. Thanks, looks interesting. I love that era and that specific subculture

On the subject on Xmas (-ish), there’s a house on my estate and they have a themed wreath on their door, which varies throughout the year, which seems to be a bit of a trend now. They also put themed decorations up in the small tree next to their house. So Easter, summer and so on. It’s on my way to the metro and I also often go past when walking the dogs. This year I noticed the Halloween stuff replaced the summer theme on September 1st Even better the OTT Xmas decorations, including tinsel wrapped around all the lampposts nearby were there on the 1st of fucking November. I went past on New Year’s Day and they’ve put up a pink wreath and pink heart decorations up in the tree for Valentine’s Day. Seriously, what are people like?

I mean I’m not condoning what he did. But at least with Jenas you could see how a former premier league footballer might think they’re god’s gift to women. But Wallace’s ego seems to be largely based on being an overweight middle aged bloke who lost a couple of stone and started going to the gym. The fucking state of him, man. Mind, I doubt there’s much between them in the who’s the biggest cunt stakes.

I think the words you’re looking for are: Jason Tindall

Aye. I think it’s fuelled in part by Anita Dobson* being disingenuous about it because his job is on the line. But you’re right in that it still shows an ignorance of the rule. Which was interpreted absolutely correctly. *That’s one for the kids.