PHILINFRANCE

Hmmm. They are both doing quite well this morning at Lords.

A wise decision, an absolutely awful beer. Sam Smith, however, was a lovely pint, and, back in the day, I enjoyed many of them in St. Nicholas market. Do you know whether it is still sold (on draught) in Bristol, as I have never been able to find it on my trips back home? Perhaps the pubs that used to sell it have been banished due to swearing ?.

I think he went there initially on an emergency loan - I seem to recall his first match was supposed to be against Rovers, but it was called off in strange circumstances - and he then signed a permanent contract around the same time as Rene, our goalkeeper/pundit, joined as assistant manager (for a few days - it was at the time Power was running the show). I assume he was just happy to join a club and get some playing time.

Smokie, in fact ?, as they were obliged to change their name due to some form of legal threat from Smokey Robinson, he of 'The Tears of a Clown' fame, with his Miracles. I first heard the 'Who the F' version back in the mid-90s being sung by the Austrian, DJ Otzi, he of Hey Baby fame, and just assumed his was the original version. It was only some years later that I discovered the original was actually by a 'manufactured' Dutch group called Gompie, named after a café - the Chubby Brown and Smokie version was actualy released some time later. Some useless trivia for you.

Our crossbars are much wider ?.

I went on one of his minibuses to Peterborough back in the 1970s/80s for a cup game. It was certainly very lively, both up and down to Peterborough and especially before and during the match, but I don't remember a ladder. I do remember on the return journey one of the 'passengers' sliding open the side door whilst driving slowly through some road works and trying to kick over the bollards, only to find that they were fixed solid - he almost broke his foot ?.

I well remember back in the early 1970s, FA Cup away to Wolves. A quick departure after Saturday morning school down to Temple Meads, change of clothes in my rucksack together with a few text books. I changed in the train toilets (school uniform, shirt and tie shoved in said rucksack) and spent no more than 10 minutes revising for forthcoming mocks before giving it up as a bad job. I had left my rucksack in one of the luggage containers at Wolverhampton station, and I remember an almighty argument with the local Police trying to retrieve it before the return journey to Bristol as there had been a spot ? of trouble after the game - Ernie and his milk bottles. To cap it all, we lost 1-0 as well, even though we had Bobby Gould playing for us - Wolves had the great Derek Dougan playing for them, although it was John Richards who scored their goal, just about the only time he got the better of Geoff Merrick.

Well, that just goes to show the advantages of a grammar school education, especially English Lit. ? I was posting this as you were posting your Don Megson ditty, so I think I rest my case.

Thanks for that. Do you know, this is something that has been bugging me for years. I have never had the fortune to go to Goodison Park, but I was convinced I had heard the Z Cars theme played on the tannoy at the start of a match somewhere - I just couldn't remember where, and now I know!

I may be wrong (I hope not!), but, based on @cidered abroad background and posting history, I suspect his post was made somewhat tongue in cheek.

Can you imagine seeing LH on a night out with Peter Trego? ?

On the subject of Dixon of Dock Green (I used to love Jack Warner in that Saturday evening series) I recall what seemed to be most of the East End whistling or humming the theme tune whenever Police officers would walk along the track in front of us - also humming the Z Cars theme tune (anybody remember the Ford Zephyr in the opening credits?). I believe Everton still play this tune at Goodison when the teams come out. Around about the same time (1970s) there was a particularly officious Police officer with a very large, bushy moustache, who also used to parade in front of the East End and would look apoplectic with red-faced fury when we used to chant the name of a popular children's TV programme - Catweazle! Catweazle la la la ?. Still on the subject of the Police, there was an extremely unpleasant song sang in relation to the afore-mentioned Harry Roberts, to the tune of London Bridge is Burning Down: Harry Roberts is our friend, is our friend, is our friend Harry Roberts is our friend He shoots Coppers As I said, very unpleasant. Changing from anti-Police songs to (mildly) homophobic ditties, we also used to sing: You can put Alan Warboys on the top of a Christmas tree You can put Alan Warboys on the top of a Christmas tree You can put Alan Warboys on the top of a Christmas tree And this is what we'll sing Alan Warboys is a fairy, la la la All quite pathetic looking back....

Because the last touch was a deliberate one from the goalkeeper?

Indeed, they seem to be so impressed they even have their own nickname for him; Mary, as in Mary Tyler Moore of Dick van Dyke fame. What was also noticeable from their thread was that they all seem to agree he is a good right-sided centre back, who excels in bringing the ball out from defence, rather than just 'hoofing' it. I was not the only one who suggested on this forum that poor old TM was suffering, being scapegoated even, as he was being played as a left-sided centre back. Good Luck to everybody's favourite prospective son-in-law.

I would suggest more of a rollercoaster than a nightmare, but very frustrating nevertheless.

I fear it is the latter. The importance of the word ‘last’ touch depends on whether or not such touch was deliberate or a save (whether by the goalkeeper or a defender is immaterial). The misjudged header by Taylor Moore against Middlesbrough was a deliberate ‘touch’ and allowed the previously offside Assembonga (spelling) to go on to score. Yesterday, Palmer was offside when Martin shot, and the goalkeeper’s intervention was a save, rather than a deliberate touch, so he remained offside when he shot. Ergo, the goal should have been disallowed for offside.

Wasn’t it Kalas who made the cross for Wells.

It's working fine for me. Keep on refreshing it - it will finally click in: both video 1 and 2 are working fine.

Try this one: https://www.vipbox.lc/anthony-joshua-vs-oleksandr-usyk-1-live

As Alan Skirton wore, when he starred against City.

I am sure it is not intentional, but Warwickshire have nothing to lose so are just swinging the bat.

Who do we want to win the Championship, though? Not Surrey or Essex, obviously, although, as they are not in the 'top' division, this is somewhat immaterial. Firstly, I want Somerset to win or, at the very least, to draw, so that rules out Warwickshire's chances. It's looking as if Notts are going to beat Yorkshire, so that must give them some chance, although their points will not be enough should there be a result in the remaining match between Hants and Lancs, one of whom looks likely to win. Hants or Lancs it is then, though most probably Lancs, which gives me no pleasure whatsoever. So annoying, as Somerset could have won this. It's getting a bit closer since I posted - could be a nailbiting finish.

It came from one of our top class French signings....

Indeed, but I have not seen it mentioned that they are involved in this match. To be fair, the match report indicates a mixture of good, accurate seam bowling and clueless, guileless batting.

Don’t let @TomF know - he will only blame the pitch. Seriously, though, I shall be very interested to see what comment the pitch inspectors make, if indeed they are requested to intervene.