TopGun

Neil Allen exclusive: Pompey to sign Premier League striker http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/pompey/pompey-to-sign-premier-league-striker-1-6522177 But he's never played in the Prem...

I'm glad that Corp Ho and his pals are happier losing to Newport in the fourth tier than beating Man Utd at Old Trafford.

Spot on. "Pompey denied by controversial winner" http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/pompey/pompey-denied-by-controversial-winner-1-6514174

I think it's silly to generalise about whether individual hospitals are managed privately or by the state. The same with railways, bin collections and energy generation. It should be about how they are operated, rather than who operates them. I used to be a dyed in wool supporter of entirely publicly run services until I realised how much waste and inefficiency often occurs in such institutions and organisations. I also disagree with excessive profits that the private sector can make by having too much control of such facilities. But a mixed market keeps the checks and balances in most sectors and can be shifted as required from time to time by legislation or the private sector. In my view, anybody who demands one over the other on principle is at best naive, at worst a zealot.

Comical Allen cranks up the Hero-Zero swingometer machine again. http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/pompey/bean-to-join-wycombe-1-6510842 "Marcus Bean is set to join Wycombe - after snubbing a Pompey deal."

A lot of bingo cards ticked then. Presumably his wage is paid by returning all the other Awford loanees. So pressure on to perform for all concerned.

It's their Black Box. Keeping up with the Joneses and all...

IMO it's fairly straightforward. * He was found guilty. * He has served only half his sentence so others cannot claim "he has done his time" etc. He remains on recall. * If he continues to claim innocence, then his appeal will address that claim suitably in time. * The MOJ have already stated they are fast tracking his appeal, so he has already gained something most others convicted of a crime don't get. * Until the appeal hearing is heard, he remains a convicted criminal serving a current sentence. Not much more to add.

I really hope this brave woman pulls through. She puts people like Katie Hopkins to shame.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-30670746 Looks in a bad way at 45% list.

My thoughts for 2015 are that a new crack at Pompey may be exposed. As far as we know the high net worth (HNWs) presidents control about 52% of the shares although this has not been updated for a while, with the PST owning the rest. I believe there are about 12 HNWs so on average each owns about 4% of the club. But unlike the fans who gave money to the PST for their shareholding, the HNW's ownership is by direct shareholdings and is expected to be personally redeemable at a future point. No doubt a number of them expected to make a little profit on their investment if Pompey rose up a division or two and became a profitable concern and an attractive buy to a more wealthy investor. But things are not going to plan. The club languishes in L2 and will stay there for another year in likelihood. The Tesco deal has gone quiet. Fratton Park continues to cost a lot to maintain. Ongoing turnover is not good for the rest of the season as it continues to rely on discounted early bird season ticket revenue that has been spent by now. They are out of the cups. So there is a possibility that the club will need to raise more money to see it through the season. The PST has exhausted its revenue income means as the fans are not likely to pay in if there is another financial call to arms. That leaves McInnes and his board requiring more investment from the existing HNWs (for additional share ownership at the % ownership of the PST and possibly themselves as individuals) or attempting to gain fresh HNW investment which will dilute the share ownership of the existing HNW investors and PST, and neither of those groups will want that for different reasons. At 4% each the existing HNWs are probably wondering about their investments to date as they have little control over what's happening and will be loathe to chuck more money at the situation. Yet if they don't answer a call for cash, their 4%s will be diluted by any new outside investment that McInnes finds. I foresee an internal fracas between the HNWs in the next few months as each considers his options and argues with McInnes and others about the way forward. I hope I am right!

Wenger also in favour of a retrospective diving panel. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30639024

He's stirring it up nicely on his Twitter account. Complaining that the motion for a new chairman was not on the Trust AGM agenda and demanding to know who proposed and seconded the motion.

That's a fair point but if players get banned for blatant dives by a panel it might change the mentality that has developed in coaching. No club wants to pay wages to banned players.

I think most TV audiences spot a dive. A panel could give it more consideration though.

My simplistic suggestion is when it is obvious. Otherwise no action.

SRL wanted to play for Liverpool. He is probably on more money at the tail end of his career. He can say he played in Champions League. What's to ask?

Why not? Plenty of time to review them.

So Mourinho is claiming the world is against Chelsea following Targett's tackle on Fabregas that ended up with a yellow for Fabregas for diving rather than a penalty... http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30620007 I think we can agree it was a wrong refereeing decision. But Mourinho and many other managers refuse to criticise their own players for diving when it is an obvious one. So many of them are hypocrites. What's the answer? I think a retrospective panel should be set up to correct wrong calls by referees on diving. And a dive should merit a two game ban even if the ref spotted it and gave a yellow out. I think that would make players cheat less and make it easier for the referees.

Credit is what it is about. Hang on long enough and it will all go away!

And just for fun... "Confusion over ‘demoralised’ UKIP branch in Portsmouth" http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/local/confusion-over-demoralised-ukip-branch-in-portsmouth-1-6492614 Get McInnes in!

And equally funny that super Awford has let go the two right backs he got on loan... Fish and Wynter. Excellent decision making going on as ever at Nottarf Krap. http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/pompey/awford-mulls-over-future-of-final-four-loanees-1-6493593 Apparently this frees up places for more signings in their admitted oversized squad. The article by Comical Neil fails to address the issue of how they intend to offload contracted players in January though...

"Awford delight at Pompey steel" Hilarious Snooze headline and excellent nonsense on video from Comical Neil. http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/pompey/awford-delight-at-pompey-steel-1-6493587#comments-area

And Tony Pulis too!

Yes, not just bank holidays - all through the summer and other weekends. But it needs people to pay on the door to work and they find that difficult.