Clockwork

Any chance that Rangers may well intend to keep hold of Morelos (if the right offer isn’t forthcoming) and have signed Roofe as a much needed strike partner for the Colombian with ltten providing cover for an ageing Defoe? That would seem much more like a squad strengthening plan for SG, than simply shuffling the chairs around and starting from scratch (again) with a completely new and untested forward pairing?

Stopped for six months this year, end of Dec beginning of July, so not induced by lockdown, just wanted to get a bit healthier and lose a few pounds. Did feel slightly better, with a bit more energy I suppose. Haven’t been back to the pub yet but started enjoying a few beers again at home in the garden and the odd glass of wine with a meal. I’ve definitely missed it.

Have a pal that stays at Lochearnhead, far western point of the Loch, what a beautiful part of the world, spent many an hour’s fishing up there and had some decent Brown Trout over the years.

Agreed, no question about that, Trott displayed both the natural talent and hard graft to become one of the best English batsmen of a generation. Was it the pressure of maintaining that position however, that trapped him inside ‘the bubble’ (he created himself, to block out all distractions, his words) or that a flaw in his technique was ruthlessly exposed by Mitchell Johnson to the point where his game was summarily dismantled. At some point as a ‘batting consultant’ Trott will be forced to confront and overcome the same issue with another player? He will certainly have a wealth of experience to draw upon.

Might be interesting to hear his take on how to play short, fast left arm over!!??[emoji15]

Missed this first time round, but a really worthwhile watch for those who also didn’t catch it? https://www.theedgefilm.com The Edge Film documenting England’s pursuit of the top spot in the World Rankings under the leadership of Head Coach Andy Flowers and the Captaincy of Andrew Strauss (2009-2013). Particular focus on the strains of Test Cricket on Mental Health & Well Being, with insights from Jonathon Trott and Kevin Pieterson amongst others. Fascinating stuff! ETA, found it on the BBC (2) iPlayer https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000lhvt

Initial thought was that Arfield had also ‘jumped’ into the tackle with both feet off the ground and just came off worse? On seeing the reply several times (which the ref didn’t have the benefit of), did Arfield raise both feet in anticipation of Considine coming right through the ball with his studs up? I think he probably did on balance and in which case these days, even without malice, it’s a straight Red. The other possibility of course is Considine raised his leading leg, ‘studs up’ going through the tackle as a protective reaction to Arfield going in with both feet?? The Ref had an immediate decision to make on the timing of both actions, and think he got it right.

Hope after yesterday’s Cup Final, the BBC go for a completely new MOTD look and line up for the new season. Time to replace the wooden Lineker and the predictable patter of Shearer and Wright, it’s the same old tired ‘matey’ chat week in week out. The regular replacements don’t offer up much else either, Keown, Murphy etc. Dull and dry dressed up as ‘expert punditry’. I just find myself reaching for the remote to fast forward to the next game highlights, invariably spoilt by an over the top forcibly excited commentator. Match analysis is usually taken up by arguments over diving, cheating, petty fouls and moaning about the use of VAR. What a treat to look forward to on a Saturday night. On second thoughts probably just easier to give the whole programme a miss.

This is all too true sadly! I often wonder what our neighbours think looking into the U.K. from outside, as to who’s running the show and what a state we’ve got ourselves into as a Country.[emoji15]

This in spades! Was amazed to read that an estimated 150,000 Brits are currently on holiday in Spain, post lockdown-easing measures! Even if most of those returning generally adhere to the mandatory 14 day quarantine period, there’s still the clear potential to bring new infection back into all four corners of the UK with those sort of numbers, just whilst we are trying to manage regional ‘spikes’ in new cases? It isn’t the science people are struggling with here for me or even the mixed messages of this hopeless government, it’s the abandonment of our own common sense and caution it seems. Non essential travel in close proximity with thousands of other fellow passengers and locals with whom you have no idea of where they have been or what levels of social activity they have mixed with, clearly represents an unnecessary risk doesn’t it? I’m honestly surprised that so many people are prepared to take this chance when we’re still struggling internationally to keep a sustainable hold on new infection rates, it’s on the box or in the papers every single day. It can’t be a lack of awareness. Are we so stupid as a nation that we need to be spoon fed every simple instruction as to how to keep ourselves and others safe just for the time being? I suspect that there are just too many of us that think “f**k it, this doesn’t apply to me, it will be just fine”. Are we no longer capable of accepting our own civic responsibilities, in the absence of a competent government at Westminster? The hassle, inconvenience, anxiety, concern and grief that people have endured over the last few months is quickly forgotten for a few days on the Spanish Costas, only to unwittingly assist in the possibility of a second wave back in the UK. Is it really worth it? You then get some guy from Salford or somewhere on the telly who’s a self employed scaffolder (and who’s been fortunate enough, unlike many, to qualify for SE Furlough Payments) complaining that the Gov quarantine decision is spoiling his five grand holiday in Salou and that he can’t afford not to work for 2 weeks on his return. Surely you would take that possibility into consideration when booking the trip in the first place? Maybe that’s a bit harsh, but come on, it’s always someone else’s fault eh!?

How did a young Estée Lauder get ‘up the duff’? Max Factor.

Had a good old chuckle this morning looking back at the start of this topic, Buzz GTI with some very specialist contributions indeed![emoji15] Some of the responses are brilliant though! Great thread!

Former Doonhamer Chris Balderstone had previously played top flight English football with Carlisle United (73-74)in the first division championship at the same time he was playing professional County Cricket with Leicestershire. In 1975 whilst playing for Doncaster Rovers he left Queens Park, Chesterfield at stumps, (where Leicestershire were away to Derbyshire) travelling to play in an evening league home game at Belle Vue against Brentford FC (1-1). He then returned in the morning to notch up a Century and take 3 Wickets in helping secure the County Championship title for the Foxes. The following year Balderstone was capped twice by England as they were put to the sword by a rampant touring West Indies side. On his retirement from County Cricket and Professional football (following his spell at QotS and his final club) he went on to Umpire at County & International level. The unassuming, quietly spoken Yorkshireman, must be right up there having played football at the highest domestic standard and test cricket as a true all round sportsman.

Not a favourite but he kept them up with 4 wins from 8 and will hopefully get them sorted again next season. Hard to keep the guy down, he’s still irrepressible and as committed as ever into his 70’s, fair play!

To meet The Glens in the final after their win over Cliftonville also going to Pens (7-6) https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53560388

Decent 2nd half performance that from Fulham, throughly deserved, two cracking goals too! [emoji122]

Interesting mention (by Kenny Bruce) of a ‘Cross Border’ competition. Also the notion of using ‘a mathematical formula’ to determine final league positions. That Linfield could declared ‘Champions’ but NOT awarded ‘a title’!? Wonder how that proposition might have gone down in Glasgow? Hmmm[emoji848]

Nice piece, a terrific keeper! Harvey undoubtedly ousted his predecessor Gary Sprake after a number of high profile howlers, the most famous perhaps being his mistake in the first game of the 1970 Cup final at Wembley against Chelsea. It somewhat spoiled his tenure and legacy as the No1 at Leeds in the end, which had seen him keep over 200 clean sheets in just over 500 games?

Moonlight (2016) Written & Directed by Barry Jenkins. The experiences of a young African-American growing up in Miami and the difficulties of understanding identity and sexuality. Semi biographical on the early life of playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney. Well worth a viewing. Didn’t realise how many awards it had received after missing it first time round. Give it a go.

A Few Dollars More was on the box last night, decided to stay up and watch it, superb stuff, Clint Eastwood the young Gun and Lee Van Cleef the old hand. Released in 1965, cannae whack the Old Westerns, brilliant.

The Tampon Ad (staged TV chat show) ‘You gotta stuff it right up there girls’ or some such tag line? Let’s retain at least some decorum ladies please, are there no personal boundaries any more ffs!?[emoji15]

Flights to Amsterdam currently advertised from Glasgow & Edinburgh. Netherlands also on quarantine *exempt list on return to Scotland. (*issued by SGov)

Still perhaps better value than the ‘Parking Space’ for sale lower down the page, valued at £210,000 for an 85 yr lease![emoji15] https://www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/50952591

Again, seems to be a lot more common in the South East of England, even folk on the telly or radio saying fink & fawt! (think/thought) Also knew a guy from Blackburn through work who said liccle instead of little![emoji15] It was like talking to a three year old. Nice chap but he was completely oblivious to it.

Only a small misdemeanour[emoji846], remember the Big Brother lassie (Jade) on the telly a few years back, accusing others of making her an ‘escaped goat’!? [emoji15] Another fairy common one is folk saying ‘pacifically’ instead of specifically, eek! heard that quite often when working down in London.