Kitman

Apaprt from some glaring inaccuracies, including the Durham references and the old "Keegan's sides don't defend" cliche, I didn't think it was a bad article actually.

I'd have him back because he's better than Best. However I think the strong possibility that he will piss his career up a nightclub wall would need to be priced into the deal.

If you're going to put Rodwell and Jagielka in there, then you might as well call up the Taylors and Simpson since they're 3 quarters of the best defence in the league... ... but I'm happy Capello didn't because I don't care about England and I wouldn't want our boys to risk getting injured. That squad looks pretty wank to me on paper, especially in midfield and attack.

Stop 'em playing. Hoof it up to the big lad. Nick a goal from a set piece. Well it usually works for Big Sam anyway.

Don't know if it's been mentioned elsewhere, but on NZ coverage they had David Pleat commentating on the Everton match. He said at the outset that Pardoo was now being talked about as an outside contender for the England job. Hell's bells!

Depends what you mean by tax evasion. There's the black economy (no income tax/no VAT etc), there's tax planning (companies, individuals), tax evasion via hiding cash in tax havens, tax avoidance through rich people living abroad but flitting back and forth to the UK (Philip Green/Monaco etc). Once you get past the black economy, which is basically theft from the public purse, no-one really agrees about what is "paying your fair share", it depends on your politics. There's also a balancing act between making taxpayers pay their "fair share" and driving away jobs and skills. On the other hand, a benefit cheat is a straightforward proposition morally and economically. However it must be bloody hard to identify and stamp out.

meh x 100

That pun is gastly

The UK has a massive problem with debt and can't afford to pay for the big bean feast that's been going on for years with defence, health, education and the welfare system. Something has to give unless the UK's content to go bust like Greece and probably Italy is about to. I think benefit fraud is a disgrace but I suspect the bigger problem are generations where claiming benefit is seen as a legitimate way to "earn" a living. I've no idea what the solution is, and I'm no hard liner, but it seems something needs to be done.

What he said

The inner ear's a touchy thing when it goes wrong. I used to get a blocked eustachian tube when I was in the UK, which meant I'd get an inner ear infection which would fuck my ear (ear ache, swimming noises, you hear yourself eating etc). Only way to clear it was anti-b's. I also ended up with fairly permanent tinnitus too when I came back from holiday and the cabin pressure on the jet also fucked my ear. Happily I haven't had it since I moved to NZ but I put that down to the climate. So I could well believe it's connected to the ear somehow. I think homeopathy's a bit of a swindle btw - faith healing at best.

To be honest, I'd rather take an established foreign player. I trust the scouting system that's brought us Ben Arfa, Cabaye, and Tiote, and I'd rather get a cheaper option with the desire to succeed than someone of the likes of Richard Dunne. And are there even any defenders other than Samba outside the bigger clubs that would be an improvement on Colo and Taylor? (<- this is a serious question, I cant think of any) It's a good point. I'm not that close to British footy any more so was assuming there'd be a decent CB available (like Samba) - the papers are talking about Ridgewell at Brimingham - personally I'd be happy to take Bassong back, I thought he was a good player. I wasn't dissing foreign players btw but it seems to me CB take longer to foreign CBs take longer to settle into the PL even if they're good. And my thinking was we would recruit a decent back up to Taylor/Colo rather than an upgrade, as it's likely at least one of them will get injured or suspended sooner or later. But I wasn't expecting them to be better than those 2 as I doubt many clubs will let their top performers go mid season anyway.

If we do go for a new CB, I'd prefer someone PL ready rather than a foreign prospect or a lower league bargain. Also an out and out CB rather than a utility player. If we go for a striker as is rumoured that suggests to me Ranger or Lovenkrands is out in Jan, or possibly both.

It can't be a coincidence

Fuck knows. Like the cliche, I prefer to take one game at a time atm [/over the moon Brian]

Bloody hell! Glad it went well, better safe than sorry. Of course you now have no official excuse if you do a girlie faint....... Edit: also does this mean you can now avoid the metal detector at airports? maybe consider smuggling some firearms for extra cash?

'Arry would've left long before now for lack of funding. He'd be complaining about being 'down to the bare bones' even if no-one was injured.

Great mood - we beat Stoke away!

Parky's right. Fear of the unknown is the enemy....but if you don't build it up to be a big deal and remain positive about the possibilities, it'll be easier than you think.

I can't wait to watch this. Fucking fantastic result.

A really tought test and a measure of how far we've come. Hoping for a low scoring draw, we could easily lose.

HS I am so so sorry. I feel like a right shit.

Thanks Ant. I know what you mean, going to have a serious break now from road running. My knees are a bit shagged anyway tbh.

Cheers Barney. My second half split time was only 7m slower than my first, so I must have overdone it 20 - 30kms. Beating 3 hours is insanely fast btw.

Thanks mate. I didn't detect a mackem accent...!