trousers

I respectfully disagree. Q: What is Ian Botham most famous for? Q: What is Gazza most famous for?

"Taking Le p1ss, Volume 2".....in all good bookshops 2012

If, for argument's sake, your son had once shoplifted, and not told you at the time, but instantly realised the error of his ways and turned out to be a model citizen, would you not still be proud of him if one day he came to you and said, "Dad, when I was younger I nicked something from a shop but realised it was wrong and only did it once" ? It would actually make me more proud of him to think that he was able to see the error of his ways and vow not to do it again. And on that logical note, the thread may now be closed. Thanks

"Succès de scandale" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Succ%C3%A8s_de_scandale The archetypal example of succès de scandale in art is Stravinsky's ballet Le Sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring) , which premiered in 1913 by the Ballets Russes. In the high days of the Belle Époque, the public attending this premiere was so scandalised by the brutal sounds produced by the orchestra and the evocation of a blood sacrifice on stage that a riot broke out. A shower of bad press and criticism followed, but Stravinsky kept aloof, as if he knew that overnight he had become the most famous composer of the 20th century. He would never have to return to scandalous music again; he moved to chamber music and the neoclassical style for the next few years, nothing that could upset large audiences. From what he said years later — the Sacre du Printemps had eventually been turned into a Disney classic — he appeared certain that none were better than him at exploiting a scandal for success. C'est la vie....

I'm not saying I'm delighted with the morals of those who sensaltionalise and exaggerate stories in their biographies. I'm simply acknowledging that it's the 'done thing' in the interests of selling as many copies as possible and then moving on to more important matters such as world peace and famine.

No. HTH

I think it may have something to do with knees jerking and Internet messageboards.

Steady....people on here will start blaming him for the credit crunch and death of capitalism if you're not careful.....

Neither are 'noble' per se, but I'd say 'betting scam' is slightly less noble than 'economical with truth in autobiography' on the noble-ometer

Even if it transpires that the story has been "made-up" and/or embellished to increase book sales? Given the book's been out for a week or so now, without a murmor in the national media, it wouldn't surprise me either if it transpires that the publisher has given the national press a prod this week to alert them to this 'sensational' chapter in his book. Just a theory.

Optimists have further to fall.... I would rather assume that he's going to be cack and then be pleasantly surprised when he isn't....

I tend to agree. I thought it was notable that the national press, that I've seen, reported Jaidi's signing (albeit briefly) but have, as yet, made no mention of this Waigo chap who, in theory, is a more high profile signing. For instance, Jaidi got a one pager on the BBC's Saints site....Waigo? Not a dickie bird Without wishing to p1ss on bonfires, something tells me that "the meeja" know more about him than we do....

What he said. Mission accomplished. Shrewd bloke is our MLT

A different angle.... It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if the publishers took one read of the manuscript and said: "Matty, not enough intrigue in here mate.....needs something to spice it up....any ideas....?" Matt: "Hmmmm.....how about this.....I almost got involved in a spread betting 'scam' once upon a time but decided not to go along with it....how does that sound?" Publisher: "Nah, still not sensational enough....how about we say that you did try it out for one game but it didn't work out? That's enough to keep you out of trouble (just) but will rile a few people in the media and on the messageboards across the land....et voila....mega sales...." Matt: "oh, go on then....you're the experts" All pretty straight forward

You've not got a book to promote then I take it.....?

Great post. Although not sure Duncan will agree as there's no need to read his next book now you've given away the plot...! :-)

No.

I suspect it's to do with the players reading this forum TBH.....

Most of the saints team over the last 5 years would be living at her majesty's pleasure if that charge ever came to court!!

Am surprised no one who's read the book on here has pointed out this chapter before... Anyway, the extra book sales generated as a result will help pay for any legal fees! Btw, don't publishers routinely run these things by lawyers before publication anyway?

And? I have a setting on my camera that does that....I rather suspect the two photos may have been taken with different cameras...and in different lighting conditions....just a hunch... That said, I doubt whether Pards would try and entice a Serie-A player to Southampton by dragging him along to Farnborough's ground!

Same chap?

FFS

Sheep numbers down in Lanarkshire for 3rd year running http://www.hamiltonadvertiser.co.uk/news/local-news/

Agreed. Which is why people are highlighting the 'speculation' laden OS article earlier the same day as somewhat inconsistent with their 'news only' brief. The words 'cake', 'and', 'eat' and 'it' spring to mind :-)