Teabag

Becks is heading to the semi pro league and a higher media profile in the states. Having said all of that initially I thought that he would be a squad player and someone to throw on with 15 minutes to go when we needed some kind of break through. I have watched him in the Spanish league and yes he has played well but this has been done at almost walking pace and with players around him who have caried much of his tracking back work for him. There seems to be some disquiet from other players about his inclusion - Overall, I think the tabloids would like him back rather than the team - his copy is better than his footie.

The new material is not as strong but I thought it worth a listen. Thought the band were on top form. Really interesting to hear more material from the Quadrophenia era...thought they played these songs with a good deal more energy:) Liked the acoustic songs and I think old Pete and Rog should take to the road and play just an acoustic set...would be very interesting

Perhaps Britain has moved on and the Tories are trying to play catch up...just a thought

Enter him for the egg and spoon race instead...you never know, he might win sports personality of the year

At the end of the day Utd had their Premiership status - as did West Ham and Wigan in their own hands - it was a good decision by the Premier League Premiership status for 2007/08 was settled on the football field and that is where the matter should rest

For my two penneth - United are down and they had the matter in their own hands WestHam did contravene the rules but this was due to the complex ownership of the two players concerned and the out dated rules of the premier league regarding ownership and registration of players. It was not a case of cheating, which is a very strong word to use in football circles My understanding is that it is common in South America for players to be owned by a second or third party and therefore their leagues registration process reflects that fact. This is also true of some European leagues that have links with South American clubs. The Premier League do not have in place the mechanics to deal with multi ownership and therefore the club are breaking the rules technically. What is needed is a change in the laws of the Premier League to allow multi agency ownership to be in line with other FIFA leagues. If Utd had beaten Wigan at home then all of this would be academic and the Premier League would have up dated their rules without all the fuss. Obviously, when thirty million quid is up for grabs Utd are going to make a song and dance. Bit like a player diving in the box and seeing if the ref will fall for it Welcome to the Championship fellas

Hope his stay is tax deductable;) Hope the wee fella gets well soon

Allardyce wanted a bigger canvass and Newcastle is a big club in terms of expectation. However, the club has gone through some big name managers without any addittions to the trophy cabinet...Gullit, Daglish, Robson, Keegan, Souness..... He inherits a fairly decent squad. They are short at the back. Can they hold on to Owen - there is talk of Owen going to Man Utd? He should start talking to the Beeb again - Sam will need some investment and a bit of luck

Do you think Mr Burrell is trying to maintain his 'media currency' or perhaps he has a new book to sell Humbug....all of it

There seems to be a lot of abuse being thrown Arthur's way and a bit of playground name calling without examining the record. The coal strike was precipitated by the existence of a 'hit list' of pits earmarked for closure not by miners wishing to bring down an elected government. Pits that were profitable and produced highly specialised coal were deemed surplus to requirements by the Coal Board and the Government. The Coal Board and the Government denied such a plan existed and denied the existence of a detailed plan to fight the unions in a long national strike. Scargill was right...the board and the govt had the knives out for the industry. He was the leader of that union and charged with defending their jobs and livelihoods. Miners faced a decision - do you stand and fight or just give in?...they stood and fought, without help from the Labour Party and against the full force of the state. Scargill argued that the closure of these pits was short sighted and not part of a long term energy strategy for this country. How correct he was on that that point. Take a good look at communties devastated by pit closures, many of whom have still not recovered. Britain now imports expensive coal from abroad and our gas supply is running out. We are now reliant for our energy needs on imported gas from Norway and Russia....who can name their price. Look how your fuel bills have risen dramatically in the last three years. Technology is now being developed for coal burning power stations to operate eliminating the pollutants in that process. The Govt's energy parliamentary committee is talking about the feasability of reopening and extending our coal production (you could'nt make it up). If we do not use coal and the new technology, be prepared to welcome a nuclear reactor in your neighbourhood soon. You may not agree with Scargill's wider political beliefs but he was spot on about the future energy needs for this country.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8VcqQaOdv8 Looks good:hihi:

Teves? ...part Gremlin, part troll...its on his passport

Parents who allow young kids to push trollies...the red mist descends:loopy:

What title would you give to your autobiography?

Check out Foreign Office http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029390590

Ironing...an invention from Satan

A few miles a day would suffice and then a nice Burger King to celebrate...Mmmmmmmm

Chelsea have Essien suspended for the first leg and Ballack out - Liverpool are at full strength. Moro's wind ups of Benitez and his players could back fire...I think Liverpool will be up for this one and I think they believe their name is on the trophy again. I am backing Liverpool 2-1...first time this season I have backed against Chelsea...flame away if I am wrong!!

There will be goals in the return leg and the Milan defence will give away chances. If Ferdinand returns (both goals were I think due to his absence) and Manchester hit them on the break they will have a great chance of going through

Yes I believe Tony Currie reciprocated Bally will be sadly missed...one of our 66 lions - immortality

Then why are we celebrating being English with St George's Day which is principally a mediterranean festival, St George a black Turk, his father a Roman army officer, his mother a Palestinian and now you quote a poem about Jerusalem? This is not a distraction this is a good question to answer There's more...the red cross is not English its French. The English in the crusades wore white crosses it was the French who were renowned for the red cross. So how come the red cross is considered English? Also the usual pictures St George depict him as white - if he was Southern Turkish why white?

St Georges Day principally a mediterranean festival, St George a black Turk, his father a Roman army officer, his mother a Palestinian and now your quoting a poem about Jerusalem...this is getting confusing:)

The question of contact was not an issue it is a question of action. In order for a goalkeer to take a goal kick the ball at some point must leave the keepers hand toward the kicking foot. When the ball leaves the goalkeepers hands towards the foot in a goal kick it is part of one movement or action. If you in any way interfere in that process (even if you do not touch the keeper) then it is a foul. It is a sensible rule. The player should also be booked for ungentleman like conduct...the players know this rule and this is gamesmanship toward the referee. I remember Clive Allen for Tottenham I think who scored a goal when he headed the ball out of the keepers hand.....the goalie was holding the ball in one hand and neatly dispossessed the keeper with a quick nod - that would be allowed.

They also say that pride comes before a fall I like a Britain where we are are quietly proud of our heritage - not going round banging drums and waving flags in people's faces.....people around the world think British people are generally cool, they like our reserve - these are the very qualities you want to dismiss. I don't want to be like the Americans or the French or the Chinese thank you. I think people are generally the same the world over but our culture is unique....internationally, we are the strong silent types albeit with a few eccentricities if you see what I mean.

We will fight you on the beaches Craigmason......