ChezGiven

It's well written so it warrants a read. Not sure i agree with the view that Italian fascism was basically a more cuddly version of Nazism therefore Paolo's politics are misunderstood. Is he more entertaining than Steve Bruce doing his own interpretation of Leaving Las Vegas and Falling Down? Probably.

The way we have started, Gouffran, Cisse and Ben Arfa should all be targeting 10 prem goals this season.

"“The win is important. But the most important thing was that after the goal we kept on going. “We didn’t just take 1-1. We didn’t settle for a point. “If we want to be a big team we have to be more like that. “The big clubs are winners in their minds. “They have the winning mentality and don’t settle for anything less. “Manchester United are like that and we need to have that as well to be in the top five.” Aye wasting his time

Bet the party at your house is good.

For those of you who cant be arsed to read that: "Mussonlini was not as bad as Hitler so its ok to like Paolo"

Was going to say the same, from that article it appears nothing actually happened. So to Fedup's question, I'd say aye.

Nice work tooner, congratulations and enjoy yourself.

When was the last time you did a full roast for 6 people and did some photography during the service? It was good because i know how to cook, been doing it for 20 years.

Its as good a place as any. Pm me your budget and i will recommend some hotels / areas for you. @@Gemmill have you sorted your trip out yet or did your lass lose interest?

For what?? It's got the highest concentration of gay bars in Paris and is a bit of a fruit's paradise. You'd love it tbh.

What's your point?

No I was doing the veg, carving the meat, sorting the gravy, keeping the potatoes warms etc and making sure it was served nicely. Didn't have time to capture it in all its glory. There's still loads left, if it makes a good photo before lunch tomorrow will take a snap. It was the gravy that distracted me really, so much fat to take out and was doing that and veg at same time to make sure it was all piping hot. All worth it though, the crackling went down a storm.

It was fucking magnificent. Crackling was perfect on the high side of the roast, less good towards the bottom. Did an apple sauce so didn't do ausman's Normande cider thing. The meat was ridiculously good, was a 4kg piece so roasted it for 5 hours, could have done more. The wine was amazing (savigny les beaunes) and we had a tarte tatin for afters so I opened the half bottle of 1989 Sauternes premier cru which was a gift from the father in law. Rounded off with 1991 Coal Ila Mackillops choice. Fucking lush.

Agree with every word of that, Pardew is at least trying to keep things on an even keel. Last week i was lobbying for some analysis to be published with R&D. They provided a reason why not and the decision was taken above my head. This week i sold that argument to my markets who wanted it, even though i didnt agree with the outcome.

Can i just say too, here we are a few weeks into the season with that cunt Joe Kinnear nowhere to be seen and we're on Pardew's back. Our 3rd best* manager of modern times. * provocative.

That is far from clear. It takes a snide conspiracy to make what everyone said then and what you say now to ring true. It takes the most simple and straightforward logic to think the opposite: he wants better players in but is not going to resign if they dont. You can believe what you want, i'm just arguing for what makes more sense.

Wedding in the Bamburgh suite apparently.

Crispy chicken skin is my favourite part. The crackling is only unhealthy if i get it right, otherwise it will be shit and no one will eat it.

Not sure i follow that PL. The last sentence of the buit you bolded makes sense to me. The convoluted logical jumps needed to believe Pardew was lying about wanting players in doesn't.

I'll have to try and hide the baked beans and sliced white then.

I think you are mixing up two or three issues. Part of his job is to play the PR game for the owner, thats what the current statement is. It doesnt take a genius to work out he was trying to influence that situation a few weeks ago. He didnt get what he wanted but he like anyone with a proper job, just has to get on with it now. So aye, he is trying to make amends or whatever now but a few weeks ago he wanted players in. He wasnt saying 'i want players in' 3 weeks ago because him and Ashley thought that the best way to make the fans think they want to bring players in even though they dont. Thats what you are claiming, "Pardew makes false statements, that he knows are true but he also knows wont happen because they all think this will have impact on how everyone is perceived over time and will make selling the fact they didnt buy anyone easier". Read that back again and tell me its not utter nonsense. I mean i can hardly think of the way to express what the implied strategy is. Pardew wants players in, if he doesnt get them he is not going to resign, we know that but its not logical to say he doesnt want better players in. The final issue of finances etc, there is no one here who disagrees with that. Shocking stuff for now, if they spend again in Jan then there will maybe be less of a black mark but even thats not good enough.

A lot uglier than that i'm afraid.

I saw is on the listings, didnt know it was set in Blyth. Will have to have a look at that.

Creamy Savoy cabbage, if there are Savoys in the market. If not green beans a la fist. Still not decided whether i make that sauce that Ausman recommended or just go with a straightforward apple sauce. Going to see what sort of apples are in the market later. I'm a bit worried about creamy cabbage, gravy from the pork AND another sauce. I want the crackling and pork to be the main event, too many saucy things on the side (oo-er) could detract. I'm also opening some vintage Burgundy which per bottle is more expensive than all the food put together. More chance of it clashing the more intense flavours that go in. So, the choice comes down to roast potatoes or sauteed. I will cook the potatoes early and then with 40 mins to go, if the oven needs a blast to get the crackling going, will whack in the pots to roast them. They can carry on once the meat is resting.

I disagree with that sentiment Stevie, he wants players in. He may have a long term contract but he is already the 3rd (4th) longest serving premiership manager. Perversely that means he knows he could be out of a job this year or next. In that case, his main loyalty is to himself. Which is, thankfully for all fans, a loyalty to them indirectly. Why? He wants players in because he will get better results, he gets better results meaning when he does lose his job, he has a better chance of getting another one. The idea that Pardew meekly plays the PR game for Ashley without any consideration for his own reputation is nonsense. If he said he wants players in, its because he is trying to influence a situation he has no control over. Pardew wants to manage the best players possible, this is not his last job in football so why would he happily lie about wanting players in when he knows as well as anyone thats whats needed.