NJS

Theres nothing wrong with taking a de facto adverseral position - I remember having a chat with Mark Jensen a few years ago outside Upton park (deciding whether to go in as the game was on the point of being called off) when he asked me what I thought of The Mag - I said it had become too much part of the establishment and gave the club an easy ride - he replied that we had nothing to complain about (at the time) to which I said theres always something. Even if Keegan was still here and Ashley had splashed the cash I think there would still have been a place for an "annoying" presence to keep the bastards in line - as it is I have no problem with hassling liars. you're right, quite a lot of people did complain about us qualifying regularly for europe, signing top class players, expanding the stadium and filling it every game. Amazing like. Especially with hindsight. Next time this happens - if it happens - hopefully people might appreciate it a bit more instead of whinging on about the odd PR gaffe which is totally irrelevant when put into context. Most of the time I think you have a point which you overstate but there you're implying everything was always rosy - heres a classic for you - me an my mates being kicked out of our seats for corporate cunts - your constant implication that a half decent team (which won nothing) excuses the shit we STILL had to put up with from Hall and Shepherd is fucking shite.

Theres nothing wrong with taking a de facto adverseral position - I remember having a chat with Mark Jensen a few years ago outside Upton park (deciding whether to go in as the game was on the point of being called off) when he asked me what I thought of The Mag - I said it had become too much part of the establishment and gave the club an easy ride - he replied that we had nothing to complain about (at the time) to which I said theres always something. Even if Keegan was still here and Ashley had splashed the cash I think there would still have been a place for an "annoying" presence to keep the bastards in line - as it is I have no problem with hassling liars.

I got one from a camera whch was I think 39 in a 30 which was honestly at 5 in the morning pulling away from lights - I was heading to Stansted for a game - I think it was Everton when Shearer scored that goal. I think back now to when I used to drive to a few away games when I lived in the NE where if there had been any cameras I would have been fucked.

His "who's the top player" question is a giveaway as to laying the ground for bullshit.

That's my categorical view. I've been willing to accept a couple of games easing them back in from the bench (especially as we beat West Brom) but we now have to cut to the chase - any game where it doesn't happen is even more of a write off.

My current thinking is that with Ashley's complete lack of ambition, being in the premier league is becoming "pointless" and if he does want to stay/can't sell then relegation will 1. force his hand and 2. as I've said before a year going to "strange" places would actually be more enjoyable for me at my current status as a football fan. Of course its iffy in terms of medium term if we can't compete in the championship but I think it still might be worth it - even in terms of a general clearout/restart. .

People are quite cavalier in areas without cameras - the thing you have to watch is that > 100mph is usually an automatic driving ban. And are all cameras painted orange? No they vary - some are signposted and they also sometimes have mobile units which they hide behind bridges. I don't think its worth the hassle - I usually just stick to 70-80.

My lack of hope has resulted in an attitude of "bring it on" which I suppose deep down is daft - ideally we stop up and are sold as soon as possible.

People are quite cavalier in areas without cameras - the thing you have to watch is that > 100mph is usually an automatic driving ban.

Dual carriageways and motorways are 70mph, national speed limit (as indicated by black diagonal line on white background) on other road is 60Mph. Manned patrols would normally not bother below 80mph but there are shit loads of cameras nowadays.

Funnily enough I cam't remember which game it was but I noticed a commentator say that Bennett hadn't sent anyone off this season and I thought we must have him in one of our games so theres plenty time - didn't know it would be so soon.

He hates us but at the same time he was brutally truthful today. Having said that I think the Man City game where he did correctly criticise the ref, he was also quite positive about us in general so I think he is willing to put his hatred aside occasionally.

Its insane isnt it that in all the time Shola has been here and all those managers an coaches he's had, that only Keegan looked at him and thought, he's not good enough and tried to shift him! Even when he's injured they turf him out ahead of the other strikers, which doesn't help him or the team, he just ends up getting more stick from the fans which hardly lifts his confidence! Today we had to start with Viduka and Martins, thats a no brainer as we're playingt mostly shite and need all the potential matchwinners going on that team sheet. When Viduka tires you bring on Carroll, is it really that hard to see that? Even Shola on for Viduka later in the game i'd accept, wouldn't be my choice but better than what the bunch of fuckwitts did today at Bolton. Given that the fuckwits' "plan" was based on long balls, playing Viduka would have been been pointless and will remain pointless while this pack of cunts are in charge - that's why we're fucked imo.

Absolute, soul-destroying drivel.

Cloverfield on Sky. I quite enjoyed it but then it was obvious that the ending wasn't going to be happy which is always a huge plus point for me in any film.

I'd also add in the rent vs buy argument that last month I had to fork out £600 for a new bath and bathroom floor and have found out this morning I need to fork out £700 to fix my central heating - things that wouldn't happen if I was renting.

Thats something I'm a bit schizo about - I swing between thinking inheritance tax should be 100% of everything in the interests of fairness and equality (tempered with a belief in democracy) and recognising its very human to want to leave something especially if you've done well and see others do fuck all. I do realise my opinion would probably change if I had kids before anyone says it.

Out of interest, what would you do if you inherited some money? Would you give it away? Would you rather the government got whatever wealth you earned than your kids? I won't be inheriting any wealth - I got a small sum from my Mam's estate which I spent on a holiday which I suppose makes me a hypocrite. I have no kids but I know my sister who does have kids feels pretty much the same way and intends to spend all her money enjoying life. There are two sides to this - my long term contempt for the rich and powerful in the UK who have always existed because of large scale inherited wealth - by this I mean the upper classes and the institutions like the church. Secondly with the property "boom" of the last couple of decades I see too many people eyeing up their parents wealth as a windfall even to the extent of not worrying about pensions etc. I find this distasteful on the one hand ("of course I don't really want to see them die" etc, etc) and also in relation to the previous point I see it as a disincentive to work as hard as you can to get what you want out of life. My underlying point is that you can't proclaim a meritocracy while upsetting the balance with "free" wealth and access to better education or healthcare. I don't dismiss the idea of providing for your kids completely - I think however that you do that by raising them to be "decent" people and instilling a good attitude to life - not by handing them the keys to cars or houses.

Every Tory government in history has fucked the NHS since its creation - they never wanted it and they'll dismantle it further - using the phrase "job security" in the UK in 2009 tells me pretty much all I need to know .

How has it affected you personally? My food bills, council tax, current petrol prices, holiday prices, my wage etc. are all the same as they were 2 years ago. In fact, a lot of places are knocking money off cos everyone is apparently so skint? Ive probably got more money now than I ever had, my internet bill, mobile bill and car insurance has halved in the last year Then look around you and see all the people losing their jobs because businesses are going to the wall - of course that's not you "personally" is it? No its not. I chose to work for a profession with job security and a good pension on purpose. Nobody is safe - the 80s should have taught you that and it looks like you'll have to learn it again.

Cut out the middle man and kill them now then. I fucking despise inherited wealth. I'd also be very wary of working in the NHS considering who the next government will be. Im damn sure il be making sure my kids are comfortable when I peg it. And there is no hope anything is happening to the NHS. Dont listen to the Daily mail, we have the 'Best' healthcare system in the world bar none. So why bother teaching them to try in life when its all going to be laid on a plate when you die? If you think the Tories won't cut the NHS this time around then you're extremely naive.

How has it affected you personally? My food bills, council tax, current petrol prices, holiday prices, my wage etc. are all the same as they were 2 years ago. In fact, a lot of places are knocking money off cos everyone is apparently so skint? Ive probably got more money now than I ever had, my internet bill, mobile bill and car insurance has halved in the last year Then look around you and see all the people losing their jobs because businesses are going to the wall - of course that's not you "personally" is it?

Cut out the middle man and kill them now then. I fucking despise inherited wealth. I'd also be very wary of working in the NHS considering who the next government will be.

It should be a brainer because its a shit time to buy - that's what Meenzer's getting at. I can't speak for everyone but I know previous generations put up with living with their parents when they first got married or with council houses - I guess the "must own a house" mentality I was getting at is now prevalent.

I used to take a sort of perverse pride in Shields having the highest unemployment rate in mainland Britain - I guess this is the 21st century badge of honour.