David Kelly

I think they'll end up weaker at leftback and with a bunch of old players looking for a last payday that won't much improve their team. It might just be enough to keep them up if they're lucky again but there's nothing in their future other than Short selling out to some mega rich Arab's or Chinese to be remotely positive about.

The spin that Stuart Rayner is putting on it in the Chronicle is that in order to strengthen (which everyone agrees they need to do), they needed to sell someone and get reasonable money in. Their only saleable assets are Defoe, Pickford, Kahzi and PVA (not sure why Borini wasn't included as for me he's less shit than most of their players). Of those four, the first two would have severely damaged the team and morale and pretty much guaranteed relegation (certainly Defore) so the second two were the options and Kahzi being away at AFCON made his sale complicated and PVA basically put his hand up with a number of uninterested displays recently. He thinks if they could use the money to sign another leftback and the players I mentioned above, they'd be in a better position. I can't say I'm convinced of it myself.

I just had a quick look in the Chronicle to see who they're getting linked with. Keane, Jagielka & Darron Gibson were three that stood out to me. I think they're all possible signings for them (although I think Jagielka could still do better, wasn't he still playing for England recently?). Jagielka is 34, Keane is 36 and Gibson is 29 but has only managed 17 league games in three and half seasons due to injury. They are exactly the sort of short term signings they have been making for years that keep them in this situation. I don't think it would be enough for them this season.

Going to see Trainspotting 2 tonight. Looking forward to but I'm expecting to disappointed, as I am with Blade Runner 2. Sequels so far don't have a great success record.

I'm at a loss for what the hype is about it.

Aye but they'll have Brady, Schlupp, Puncheon, Zaha and Townsend for two places. You would certainly think they'd want one of them off their wages.

I did wonder about that too. The last scene that her and Affleck are in together was excellent but to get a best supporting actor nomination for one scene I'd be looking for something more like Baldwin in Glengarry Glen Ross.

They've apparently had a bid accepted for Brady which might mean they'll be happier to let Townsend go.

Goodfellas. Great to see it on the big screen. Stonewall classic.

It is a musical that isn't shit but there's loads of them and a lot of them are better than La La Land. Manchester by the sea is the best of the ones nominated for best picture that I've seen and Aflek the best actor.

Lescott was fucking hopeless for Villa last season. He's a lifelong Villa fan I think, and if that couldn't motivate him to do anything to help them stay up, I doubt big eyes and 40000 inbread's (for 45 minutes at least) will inspire him. Not a signing I'd be impressed with if I were them.

Wait til he sees what a shit hole Sunderland is.

Diame being available could change the thinking if Shelvey were to get a season ending injury. Of course Rafa would have to accept we can't play Hayden and Colback in the centre and actually play Diame there. Which is not something I'm convinced he'd do.

Fish on fire again I see it looks like we've moved on from Townsend to Modu Barrow. Predictable and totally underwhelming.

Happened during the Burns day storm in 1990. It says it in the article. Apologies for the spoiler if you were only part way through. Like Alex I thought he'd died a while ago. RIP

No no, that can't be right.

Keep meaning to watch TRL again. I wasn't blown away by a lot of it when I first watched it but I think it's time for me to re evaluate it.

Private Ryan ended up like Kelly's Heroes for me. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing as I love Kelly's Heroes.

The fact it was a musical didn't put me off but I really didn't see what people are raving about. A bit of the emperors new clothes syndrome for me. Same as with The Artist which was another ok film.

It's just an opinion that I don't consider it a great ending. The people I went with disagreed. Another spoiler for you, La La Land is average.

Excellent film. Affleck is superb. It's only short of an ending that really brings it all together from being really great for me.

Umithable. Brilliant

don't try and tell me you wouldn't watch Youth Hosteling With Chris Eubank.

I've not seen it again but it seemed to me that there wasn't a pass on to Gouffran when Barlaser made that run. Certainly not an easy one. I thought he was looking for him.