The Dolman Pragmatist

Not the time to blame the tories? Why on earth not? Their handling of this situation has been a shambles from the very beginning, reminiscent of Chamberlain’s government at the start of the Second World War, which was equally shambolic. The fact that things are tough for all of is no reason to go soft on a misfiring leadership. Johnson’s handling of the situation has been chaotic from the outset and he deserves no praise for his attempts to repair the damage he has already done.

No one has fallen at the last hurdle. It’s more a case of a giant sinkhole opening up before the leading horse.

I’m not sure what makes you so certain of that. I am expecting that schools will all be closed, certainly before the end of April, and severe restrictions to be put on all public gatherings, including sport. The whispers coming down from the FA to grassroots football certainly suggest that this Sunday’s youth games may be amongst the last to be unrestricted for quite a while.

60% possession, but Sunderland haven’t had a shot at goal since the 18th minute.

If BBC live text is anything to go by, Semenyo isn’t doing much...

Stuck on you - Elvis Presley

I’ve got an 11 year old son and I’d like him to have a long and happy life. If that means taking precautions now to protect him from a potentially dangerous virus then so be it. I fear that the more people there are who ‘couldn’t give a crap about the virus’, the more chance there is of him being affected by it. The notion that ‘we’re all going to die anyway’ strikes me as facile. Yes we are, but how many are happy to die when a few simple precautions could help them to live longer, in some cases very considerably longer?

Oh well, not all bad news then.

Any chance that there might be some hot water in the toilets tomorrow, for hand washing purposes? Normally I leave the toilet with near frostbite, after rinsing my hands with ice-cold water and then giving them a blast from the arctic hand-dryers...

Shaking All Over - Johnny Kidd & the Pirates

Spinning Wheel - Blood, Sweat & Tears

Has anyone actually read BTRFTG's post above? Its a very accurate summary of what happened. Though their departure played a part in City staying in existence, I'm afraid that the Ashton Gate weren't eight selfless, altruistic individuals who willingly sacrificed themselves for the good of the club. They were unwittingly caught up in the middle of a situation that should have been avoided, and took a course of action which was probably the best for them at the time. I'm very glad they did what they did, but to say that they were the ones that saved the club is simply wrong.

The Seeker... The Who

Or City vs Wolves for that matter (104 miles).

Oh yeah, the old 120-miles-away ‘local derby’. About as credible as the pundit who described Chester vs Chesterfield as a local derby...

It sounded likely from the interview on Radio Bristol that he had asked for funds for January and was turned down. The guy was near to tears and I felt really sorry for him, and also for Rovers fans if they are to lose a promising manager because of their Board’s refusal to back him. I can imagine how frustrating that would be. Sorry, I’m obviously out of step with everyone else on this thread.

Well said mate. You have to hand it to them this season, no one could have predicted they’d be two points ahead of Sunderland at this stage, particularly given the way they started the season. I’m sure I’m not the only poster on this forum who has good friends who are gas heads, and fair play to them.

It is hard to understand what makes a viable business these days. Most top clubs seem to be trading at a huge loss, and their value is being inflated by the ludicrous values put on players, which are totally artificial. The football authorities are not helping by their hopeless mismanagement of these situations. It feels almost as though they want smaller clubs to collapse. It’s will be an absolute tragedy if either Bolton or Bury go to the wall, while the likes of Villa thrive...

I knew Mark ‘Sooty’ Byrne at the time (who was Vice Squad’s manager, and occasional guitarist) as I played in a band with his brother. He used to mix for us occasionally and was very talented. I think Simon Edwards (later of K-Passa) had something to do with them too, maybe started a record label with them. Never much liked Sioux and the Banshees but that Old Market gig was unforgettable (not least for the amount of saliva in the air).

No need for that sort of language.

I doubt it was a case of the demanding of money. It's clear how Nantes as a club have been affected by this sad event, and I would think that they above everyone would understand the sensitivity. However, life does go on, and business is business, though I doubt it was as insensitive as the media are suggesting.

Am I the only person who feels sorry for the bloke. He was doing a great job for them and has been royally shafted by the club. Didn’t he turn down Leeds to stay at the Mem?

Matty Taylor is the same height as Assombalonga...

I hadn't realised that Assambalonga was so short, until he squared up to Matty Taylor on Saturday and I realised they were pretty much the same height. I'd always thought of him as a tall geezer, but he can't be more than 5'9. Completely out-muscled Hunt though.

I remember a season when I was a child when we only won two away games all season...