Red Kite

For a usually opinionated gobsh*te, I honestly have no opinion on who should succeed Klopp. I had no idea he'd be off so never thought about it. However, I have bizarrely been to watch Amorim's old club Casa Pia and can't work out if it was when he was boss. Parts of Lisbon, like Belem, reminded me of Liverpool so the lure of the Dock Road may sway him.

I agree the hipster vibe at Dulwich Hamlet is pretty cool @Adamski. I went for the hipster treble. Went to watch a game down there when living in Hackney and working in Shoreditch. Decent ale.

I am obviously hoping that Liverpool can win the title, which in itself will probably annoy a good few. However, these are very good points re the City fanbase. I generally view them as sound and very loyal during the darker days.

I developed a crush on Ochilview after interrupting some bemused lad setting out his training cones and asking to take some holiday snaps. A fine ground for a winning team. Congratulations Stenny!

Could have been worse for Liverpool, but they need to knock this sloppy play and poor decision making in front of goal on the head. Good finishing for both United goals. I had had enough of the Sky hype-man by about 60 minutes and fear for viewers over the next few weeks.

Had not realised that about New Brighton @Eednud. Excellent. Thanks. My dad still recounts an away trip to (the then mighty) Burnley, when The Rakers played them in the FA Cup.

Catalan seem to have worryingly got the measure of Saints.

Headed to New Brighton for some fresh air and a pre-match meal of sausage, chips and (controversially for some) gravy, then to Ashville for their home game. Opponents Eccleshall are safely-placed in the North West Counties League Division 1 South, but Ashville could have done with the points. Ashville manager Gary Jones got out of the dugout to play the full 90 minutes in central midfield at 46 years of age, showing the awareness and passing of an ex-EFL long-serving pro. For the train nerds, I missed a new Merseyrail Electrics 777 going the other way towards Liverpool. The gentleman on the wall is club-founder John Dennett MBE. The league did a nice article about him on their website.

Play abandoned at Lancs vs Surrey, today. Nathan Lyon in the squad, after his number of appearances has been limited to seven first-class games. I am already concerned that the rubbish weather on the Mersey Riviera is going to affect my spectating pleasure, with the local comp due to start on 20th April.

Audio-only for the Liverpool game. The local radio station being diplomatic, using terms like "frustrating" to describe the first 75 minutes. They need to cut out this idea they can just turn up and do the minimum. Pleased Mac Allister is coming into top form at just the right time.

I know a lad who has a mate related to someone who was at Liverpool's Academy. The old days of buying the best Scottish players and letting them play five-a-side all week are long gone. Apparently, the training is constantly getting stopped so all the players can be advised on what they should be doing, on the shape of the team etc. I can see how you'd go along with it to get potential first team football, but it is disappointing when flair is sacrificed for cash or medals. Grealish seems like a lad who just wants to enjoy his life and I hope he is actually enjoying his football.

Bonito.

Could just be me, but had not seen any advertising for the World. Championships down here. Didn't even know it was on the iPlayer so glad I found the thread. Might finally get to understand the rules.

Heard some Hamish on the radio, but his tour unfortunately had him booked to play in Liverpool when it was an evening kick off Merseyside derby. Glad he is doing well and hope to catch him in the future.

Word on the street at the game I was at on Monday, is that the Business Houses League is seeing the quality rising against other local leagues. Love the action shot of the lads sprinting, with the park in stark contrast to what's on the other side of the railway track.

Separated by a common language and all that. Outwith always seems to precede mention of the Old Firm. Dropping the 'of' after plenty has caused me to re-read a few sentences, when I used to think it was a typo. I now prefer players to go "back the way", which sounds cooler than just passing it back.

At the lower end of the English game, you get a lot of moaning at the ref if you get fouled and every challenge against you should be a booking. It could just be me, but it doesn't seem as prevalent in Scotland. Obviously, I am glad the outright thuggery in the game has been binned, but I do miss when players just got up, noted who'd fouled them and repaid the original offence.

It is hard enough trying my best not to offend any Scots commenting on their league, without bringing Asia or Central America into the mix.

The current setup is all I know, as someone who now attends games. It's definitely different and was baffling, at first. If you follow a Championship team, it provides loads of interest in what must be the most competitive division in European football. Playing each other more than once, home and away, is good for folk like me who come up for games when we can. Self-centred, I know! I don't care about the EPL playoffs at all, but the Scottish playoff system holds the interest.

Rochdale's record appearance holder, Gary Jones, brings his Ashville side from Wallasey to Birkenhead's Cammell Laird 1907. This is a North West Counties Division 1 South derby. Ashville have a lot of games in-hand, due to a lot of home games being called of because of a water-logged pitch. Chucking it down but the pitch looks OK. My camera is poor, but the brick building in the corner replaced the old Cammell Laird Social Club, of Half Man Half Biscuit LP fame. Remaining neutral, today.

It is a similar vibe to the Glasgow media scene. If you could get yourself a job at the Liverpool Echo, or Radio Merseyside, a lot of doors opened for media and commentary gigs. Still ongoing, with local presenter Gary Flintoff popping up on Radio 4 reporting on City vs Arsenal. Gary's alright.

Fantastic player and defo a big miss.

Since David Silva left, that bit of magic City had has gone for me. Came back to check that going to have my tea was a better choice, than watching. Pleased with the result, though.

Fell asleep. This is no Montrose vs Falkirk.

Always good to beat Wigan, although it feels like we are about to enter a period of domination for them. Dave Woods is a good capture for Sky. However, some disappointment because I liked his BBC Sounds Podcast stuff. Will have to see if he will be doing similar for Sky.