Fowllyd

Why are you so convinced that, had Koeman been under contract, we would not have made an approach? The article states that Koeman had been clearly identified as the best possible replacement some time before Pochettino left, so why would we not have approached him regardless?

Bletch, Bletch, Bletch, can you truly be so insouciant of the buttons you press? How did you know the effect on me of a man who says Bur-GUN-dy? And who dyes his fringe that colour too. It's taken me this long even to be able to type. Regarding The Bear, I had indeed heard this. He said to me recently that no matter where he might be in the world, he feels that a small part of him is always in Tokyo. A very small part, mind.

If you can find one who'll let you, you should. Note the lack of the phrase 'popular beat combo' in this post. I've served my time and the achievement award is mine.

Yes, Bletch is a tease - and, what is more, a tease who likes strict discipline. I was chatting with Bletch's dominatrix the other day, and she informed me that he is most partial to a damn good leathering followed by a few hefty thwacks from a Gray & Nicholls, all administered to the throbbing rhythms of Jah Shaka's heavy, heavy dub sounds. He's not alone in this it seems; indeed, Madame la Thrash tells me that this is her most popular beat combo. At least I think that's what she said - I was hanging upside down at the time and the music was very loud.

It would take a brave man indeed to attempt to bridge the Ruislip/South Ruislip divide. Fortunately, sylvan Ruislip Manor and verdant Ruislip Gardens form a natural buffer zone. When I say 'sylvan', this should not be taken as a misspelt reference to David Sylvian, quondam lead singer of popular beat combo Japan.

I too would give maximum kudos to the halo boy's hallowed apostrophe; however, I cannot but feel that his excellent abbreviation would be improved no end by an article of the definite variety. Maybe it's just because I am very much of the "It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that article thing" school of thought, but to me "the 'Spoons" would sound so much better. "The 'Bury's" sounds so much better than just "Bury's", I'm sure you'll agree. Incidentally, the famous Eric "Slowhand" Clapton, star of many a popular beat combo and soi-disant 'singer', used to play the spoons in a jazz band in his local pub.

I have it on good authority that KRG is very good friends with a former member of the popular beat combo 10cc, so it most certainly would be. This is the second time in two posts that I have used the phrase "popular beat combo". I feel this deserves some kind of recognition, or maybe just derision.

Crikey Bletch, you - oh, er, I mean the chap you know - look just like Ron Mael from the popular beat combo Sparks. I'd never have thought it. The wig's looking good though.

Blimey. Is that the sort of thing that goes on? No wonder players have their heads turned.

Get a load of this beauty...

I have it on good authority* that he referred to his sessions with constituents as 'Hancock's Half Hours'. *I just made it up.

In the manner of the late, great Vivian Stanshall? I think it's a look that could work for you.

To be fair, they've only changed it by two letters.

Life? Loathe it or ignore it, you can't like it.

Bletch, I'm truly touched that you have chosen to share this with us. Not touched in the same way that you were, of course, but profoundly afflicted nonetheless. You missed out Tiswas though. Shame on you.

Bletch, you look like a photo taken from the wall of a 1970s barber's shop. Believe me, tonsorial praise doesn't come much higher. But how did you get Turkish to agree to have his picture taken? He's normally so camera-shy. Or do you have a super-long lens?

I asked Randy Newman his opinion. He didn't have one on slapheads, but he did have this comment on those of restricted growth... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sX6I2NrguAs

Surely it should be a haiku for Maya? Maya Yoshida Nicks the ball from the striker Chips it out of play. Not sure about a tune, but a bit of clapping will probably be all that's needed.

I'm no expert, but I reckon they probably will.

Not so much a troll as a loon I'd say - swivel-eyed or otherwise. Given the general tenor of Richmond's posts, it comes as no surprise at all to find him accidentally quoting or arguing with himself!

I can't remember the whole thing, but I think the first few lines went: Shall I compare thee to a football team? The midfield, the defence and the attack. Signings the like of which you can but dream, They will be made as Les shuffles the pack.

Well, the protests certainly passed me by - but judging by posts above I'm in good company there! Even if they had the slightest effect (which I seriously doubt) it's hard to imagine that St George made any contribution beyond his usual three posts a day on here.

More to the point, perhaps, is that Krueger is a non-executive chairman, so you wouldn't expect him to have any input into the buying and selling of players (or, indeed, any other executive activities). Similarly, I wouldn't expect Bruce Buck at Chelsea or Sir Chips Keswick (always love that name!) at Arsenal to be involved in their transfer dealings. Cortese was an executive chairman, so was heavily involved in transfers (and everything else).

I'm sure you must be. Remind me, what part exactly was it that you played?