PHILINFRANCE

Would I be correct in assuming you meant to say ‘waste of a headline’? An interesting typo or predictive text. It is, of course, quite possible that there was a fault in the translation from Flemish.

A certain Nicolas Sarkozy, ex-President of France, has been found guilty of two serious corruption offences. In the first, he was sentenced to three years imprisonment, two of which were suspended, but has appealed and, accordingly, has not set one foot in prison. In the second, he was sentenced to twelve months prison, which he is currently serving at home.

I am no longer familiar with the Belgian legal system, but I should imagine it is very similar to that in France and, indeed, to the UK, where a person is considered innocent until proven guilty. Certainly, the law in France, Germany and other continental countries is that the identity of a person charged with a crime is not divulged to the public until such time as the accused person has been found guilty. By extension, the media are not allowed to divulge such details either. Personally, I think that is quite a quaint system, and goes a long way to supporting the concept of being considered innocent until proven guilty.

Never underestimate a woman’s desire, need even, to procreate. She appears to have the strong support of her husband, and I wish them both the best of luck.

Hi Mark, I may be wrong, but I suspect @Silvio Dante was referring to an old Cilla Black song from a certain film starring Michael Caine.

With hindsight, we (and he) were very lucky he got that all important first goal against Southampton, as it would have been awful if his last appearance and involvement this season were to have been his unfortunate penalty against Forest. Yes, I know he started against Middlesbrough.

What a combination. Caine and Cilla.

Only in France. A few days late, but amusing nevertheless - I'm assuming there is no need to translate.

From the Bath area? I remember coming across these two on my travels.

Poor old Nigel, who never seemed to recover from his very brief England career.... Or did I just imagine it? I was quite sure that NP played a Test match for England, but none of WIKI, ESPN or Wisden make any mention of it. Is anybody able to add anything further?

Strange. When you think that the upcoming UEFA European Championship in Germany is trying to persuade competing Nations to travel to matches by coach rather than flying, this trophy, which, by extension, involves teams who are financially ‘challenged’ has them travelling the extent of the country for what, in essence, is a second rate competition. Why?

That is sad news. I follow Somerset, but I well remember enjoying that epic match in the darkness against Lancashire.

All of which makes those late goals conceded against Norwich, Millwall and Coventry look even more frustrating. Not to mention Stoke.

Quiet possibly, although it is a fairly small and boring resort, and I am pretty sure it is not open in May!

As ever, a wonderful preview @Jerseybean, but isn’t the photo of Tinnion reflecting on the horrendous 7-1 defeat away to Swansea almost 20 years ago?

I may be mistaken, but I seem to recall he made some dubious comments of a perceived racist nature. I am speaking from memory, which, as we both know, tends to fade with age, but I believe he commented on the Yorkshire racist incident concerning the Asian player (a Muslim, but whose name I certainly don’t remember) and his reluctance to join his teammates for drinks after a match, suggesting something along the lines of ‘They are all the same, that lot’. And No, I am not confusing him with Michael Vaughan and his alleged racist comments.

I think we have had this discussion before .

Many years ago, my wife and I went to the Côte d’Azur for a month in late May. We took a short break from the heat and drove to Tignes for two days skiing on the glacier.

Third innings, but Yes.

Digressing slightly, but I smile sometimes when I think of Rovers' new owner claiming that he had always wanted to purchase an English football club, and that Rovers were the perfect fit because of their rich history and wonderful fanbase. I mean, there is positive spin and then there is complete nonsense.

One of their batsmen, I forget who, was already warned for running on the pitch yesterday, and then Ashwin did the same thing again this morning. He seemed to be quite aggrieved when he was informed by the umpire that India were going to be penalised 5 runs as he had been cheating.

Bowling in to the rough that he created by running on the pitch - hence England being awarded 5 runs. I just hope that England get a healthy first innings lead, and that it comes bck to bite them on the arse when India have their second innings.

I am pretty sure I read very recently that Steve Parish was all in favour of keeping Roy Hodgson on as manager until the end of the season. Clearly, if RH’s health isn’t up to returning to management, and surely his health is the all important factor here, to all parties, not least to him and his family, then a replacement should be brought in as soon as is practicably possible. Should this turn out to be the case, then I am not sure why Steve Parish would be deserving of any criticism.

I don’t have facebook, but, in a nutshell, what was being said?

I have just taken a short pause from preparing dinner.