Lighthouse

How many man crushes are you allowed before it becomes homosexuality? First there was Rickie, then Jos in the Championship, then Rickie again, then Lovren and now Pelle. I can't help it, they're all so rugged and manly.

The former, not even hint of debate in my mind. I would take hardly any pride at all in watching Rooney and the rest of the overpaid, overrated, big time, Champions League old boys club lifting the World Cup.

My only criticism of the Three Valleys would be Val Thorens, which I just don't like as a town. Too studenty, not pretty and the bars generally had more of a chavy, rowdy atmosphere than the others. I wouldn't chose to stay there again, although it does have some of the best higher altitude piste conditions. My only criticism on the Espace Kily would be some of the lifts up by the Aiguille Percee are a bit only and sh*t. Lots of old fixed cable lifts which swing around and break your legs, then move incredibly slowly. La Plagne was terrible for this when I went 3 years ago but they have since replaced some of the worst culprits. There is a new Colosses lift this year, which connects Bellecote up to the Plagne Centre half of the resort. That should be a massive help. I actually stayed in the hotel above Scottys bar the first time I went, always a good atmosphere in there. I also stayed in the Morris Hotel above the Morris Pub in Val D'Isere. I would recommend both to anyone who likes their après ski but if you plan on an early night go somewhere else as the music makes sleep before about 1am impossible.

It's hard for me to pick a favourite between Val Disere/Tignes and Meribel/Courchevel. Val D'Isere best for Après ski IMO, bars like Cafe Face and Dicks Tea Bar are always good. Of course there is also La Folie Douce on the side of the mountain with live music between 3 and 5. Best atmosphere après ski bar I've been too, even if it is 7 euro a pint. Meribel has great après ski too, with a Folie Douce and the Rond Point further down the slope. I think the ski area is generally a bit better than VDI/Tignes but both are fantastic. I'm going to La Plagne because a friend got me a fairly cheap chalet deal for a single traveler and I do generally enjoy the ski area, if you're including Les Arc. La Plagne on its own is a bit limited for on piste I agree.

I don't 'sometimes think' this I 'always know' it. Ever since the days of Beattie being continuously overlooked by goal shy Heskey. Who knows, maybe I'm wrong. Maybe Chambers being overlooked for the whole of last season, then going straight into the England team the moment he signs for Arsenal is just a coincidence.

Got a week booked in a chalet in La Plagne in January. Hopefully going to do a week each in Val Disere and Meribel in March. Staying in Plagne 1800 this year, which will hopefully provide better nightlife than Bellecote did last year.

Good to hear Ricardo has found a new job.

Nah, nah, nah, that's got nuffink to do wiv me guv, the chairman sorts all that out.

We will all be hoping all our lads come through the international break unscathed, then we've got a winnable game against another of our bogey sides. In October we have Spurs, Sunderland and Stoke who we have failed to beat in any of the 14 league and cup games since promotion. Surely we're due something. Sunderland beat Stoke in their most recent fixture but have otherwise had an uninspiring season, losing at QPR and drawing their other fixtures. I'd be tempted to start with Long instead of Mane who seems a bit unpredictable at times.

In a truly sh*t day for motor sport, Andrea De Cesaris has been killed in a motor cycle accident.

I didn't rate him before we signed him and I thought it was a waste of £12m. My opinion of him hasn't moved in either direction so far.

How has he not answered the question? Kelvin was a Championship level 'keeper in his prime, now he is 38. I can't think of any reason he would have done better than FF today.

Okay, I'm off for a half time lucky sh*t. It will likely sting a bit from the chili sauce I had on my lamb Donner last night. I am not sure if this brings extra luck, I guess we will find out. P.S. You aren't a real man until you've read a Machine Mart catalog whilst taking a dump.

Watching on SSN. Loving Carragher's pink blouse, not so sure on the hair do.

Beatts on SSN commenting on Man Utd Everton game. Said afterwards that Saints and West Brom had invited him in to help him with his management career. Obviously I doubt we will see him on our coaching staff but look out for him on the training pics.

He flaps at crosses and is easily beaten low at his near post. HTH.

I want to like Beattie as a pundit but Christ on a bike is he dull to listen to.

It will have been, not least by the onboard camera but it just hasn't been broadcast for obvious reasons.

https://twitter.com/search?q=Bianchi&src=tren&mode=photos It looks like he went into the back of the JCB at some point. Not looking good, everything crossed for him. Possibly the most talented of the back markers.

Fair enough, I don't think drawing at home to Burnley is particularly impressive but you're entitled to your opinion.

Even for you, this is an odd post.

Connor Wickham scores. Future of English football, must sign etc. etc.

F**king brilliant

Fantastic! I don't care what anyone says about tapping up, I always feel proud when one of our boys gets international recognition.

Players always have to be 5 times better to get into the squad if they aren't at a big club. Just look at Chambers, ignored for the whole of last season, signs for Arsenal and he's in the squad after 2 games.