St Landrew

Deja Vu, and all that other Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.

Decided to have a really good heavyweight film to watch, as I'd been having a good natter about films/TV/etc... Couldn't decide about watching anything, and then there it was, the 1st substitute, i.e. the first one that came to hand that was appealing [other than the one I was hoping to remember]. Open Range - Blimey, this must be the 4th or 5th time I've seen this film, but it still blows me away, and I know what's coming. The clarity of the story; the honesty of the performances; the depths of the main characters, are explored in such a way, that occasionally one's breath is literally taken away. If you've been brought up on almost comic kill-or-be-killed films, then this one won't give you a moment's pause. But if you enjoy the bits inbetween, then this film is a jewel. There's something about this film that makes it an absolute classic. In years to come, it will be revered as a yardstick to be measured by, of that I am certain. Watch it.

Yes, well it's probably a good idea if we stop any further noise. Ta.

Err... yes you can. I have found that only one Tesco petrol station has asked me to remove my crash helmet. And when I was instructed to remove it, it was ordered so offensively that I openly told the person that I would never be returning to that garage.. I haven't been back, and have never been troubled since. No, it shouldn't be banned, but then I'm not French. What the French do is entirely up to them, and long should it remain that way. In a sense I admire the way the French go about it. No doubt they'ed cite the fact that it is a possible security risk, but in probable truth, they simply bloody well don't want to encourage ethnic minorities, and it's another tiny obstacle for Muslims to put up with, if they wish to live and work in France. I say I admire it. I shouldn't, but I do.

I think that's probably the best decision you'll have made in a while.

It doesn't matter to the minority, what the majority think. I reckon any club that leaves the decision up the the fans is asking for trouble. TCWTB is said to appall the quiet majority at Fratton Park. It doesn't stop him.

Yes.

I see the club has obviously made a landmark decision, as it is featured on the BBC Football website. Other clubs banned them before us, but once we had done it, it became front page news. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/default.stm down the main page, on the right: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/southampton/8815252.stm

God, I hope they don't catch on over here.

The Stranglers - London Lady

Dog's

I wonder what he would have made of In The Heat Of The Night..? There's an awful lot of talking in it, and I'm betting it would pass some adults by. I'm watching it right now, and frankly, it's dynamite. I can't remember its reputation, from when t was released, when I was very young, but it must have been like a rocket, in the 1960's. I saw it first, right through, perhaps 35+ years ago, and although the acting technique is of the day grates slightly, it remains powerful stuff.

Can't honestly say it was a great World Cup, for me. On the supporter front, England went out early, which I expected anyway, as my opinion of English players capabilities is very low, generally. But then Italy went out too, so all I had left was NZ, who were a little ray of sunshine, in not getting beaten. But that was it. Unexpectedly, along came the Germans and dazzled with their fast, entertaining football. In the past, Germany have been known for their slow possession football with fast bursts of pressure. Basically, European football at its technically strong, but very boring on the eye, if you want to see a cut and thrust match. A bit like Spain have been all tournament. Admirable, skillful stuff, but please don't let me have to watch it for too long. But anyway, not this time, and I love fast counter attacking football. For me, it's the best form, and the Germans played it almost to perfection. Which was another thing that surprised me. The fact that I didn't just grudgingly accept how good the Germans were, but eagerly awaited their next match, was down to the fact that they were so bloody entertaining. I think they will be the team to emulate, and beat in 2014, and not Spain.

Tidy

I thought Webb and his assistants had a pretty good game. He tried to keep 22 players on the field and, unlike some other referees, didn't succumb to a strange need to even up the numbers once one player had been sent off. However, I can only speak of what I saw, because if you take the spectacle away, that was a pretty bloody boring game of football. I can appreciate skill as a football fan/purist, but when I see so many sideway and backward passes, I begin to wonder whether there's something better on Dave or Quest. Spain may be able to show everyone how possession football should be played, but if the rest of the world adopt it, then I'll stop watching. For their part, Holland must take their share of the blame for being so negative, and in the end it probably contributed to their own downfall. I don't think Johan Cruyff would have been impressed by them.

Constable

Or is that 10.1..? Bollix, I think it might be the case..!?!

I seem to remember Alan Wells managing 9.9 in his career, at some point. Maybe, 1980..?

Outlandos d'Amour

Chris [law]ler The first thing I thought of football wise. Does this make me officially old..? Look Chris Lawler up, you youngsters.

Well better late than never, eh..? Very late though, IMO. The horse had bolted and had come back to the stable because it was bored. Fifa to make refereeing changes for future World Cups

I have a certain amount of sympathy with this view. Never thought I'd say it but, the Germans have been the entertaining team in this tournament.

Got wasted while sailing, about 10 year's back, or so. Coming into the Solent during an ebbed tide, and crossing the chalk boundary between The Needles and Old Harry Rocks. I was hanging out over the pulpit mumbling something about being able to see the bottom, when I went over the top. If I hadn't been so pickled I'd have probably hurt myself. I was quite happy to bob about until I heard someone ask where I'd gone, and I said... over here..!

Well if you're going to laugh about a rather serious subject, I'll move this to TMS.

unbending