oxford blue

Seems rather pessimistic with Watford (1 point from 5 games) on Boxing Day

Clearly overpriced, but I think he would have been better with a Championship club. First touch is not quite so important and his pace would trouble defences. Furthermore, he would be more likely to get game time which would build confidence. I can't see a future at Leicester,but I could see him resurrecting his career if he's prepared to work hard at a Championship club. (if we had signed Vardy as a PL club, it's unlikely he would be the player he is now. There were many on this forum who wanted to him sold after the first season or so. He always had the pace but - yes - his first touch often let him down. Ok, I'm not saying a direct comparison but the point is signing with a PL club the player has to be the 'finished article', unless aplayer is signed for development squad.)

Appleton did well in his two games in charge without significant changes. Provided he and Puel work well together, this may not be as bad as I first feared: they need to as Appleton is a forceful character (Furthermore, Appleton has - by all accounts the respect of the players- and this will help Puel. If so, I can see us picking up points quickly - pity Silva is not available till January as I think he and Iborra will provide the backbone to the team - particularly important if Maguire continues to play his natural game in bringing the ball forward. Puel had limited success with Southampton and I'm sure he will have learned from mistakes he may have made. So in the short run at least, I can see some defensive tightening without losing the attacking (or fast counter attacking) which we do well.

Is Peter Shilton the only goalkeeper to score for City? I remember he scored against Southampton early into his career at Leicester. (I can't remember another keeper scoring, altho' Kasper should have had a goal credited.) Shilton has to be the best keeper I've seen over the time he was at City. Having said that if he Kasper stays and continues his recent form he will be coming very close to Shilton. It's always difficult to judge players from different eras: for example goalies today are expected to initiate attacks; in Shilton's era there were far more high crosses into the box so keepers needed to dominate the space around them which Shilton did very well. Kasper appears to be more confident now to do this which will improve us defensively as a unit. I agree with the comments about Wallington - reliable but not outstanding as Shilton/Kasper can be.

In my view he has been so much more impressive since he returned from injury in march 2015. Probably coincidence, but before the injury in the previous December, he was good but would not have been linked with top clubs as he made too many errors. Since March 15, he has been immense making very few errors and making some stunning saves - any better than the save from Carroll last season? I love his reaction anytime we score - he seems as pleased a the goalscorer. It's his ability and enthusiasm for City that will make him one of the players that will live on in everyone's memory for many years to come...

Incredible...A repeat of Wimbledon finals 2008...Williams v Williams; Federer v Nadal

There's an interesting article in the Times today (not available without subscription so no link) suggesting nearly all PL clubs in favour of safe standing (for understandable reasons, not Liverpool). However, it seems that if to be re-introduced, one seated supporter would be replaced by a standing supporter. So there would not be a price reduction - actually it costs £80 for a rail seat cf with £25 for a plastic seat. So would not be cheaper... The article provides some interesting figures on German grounds - 30% of Borussia Moenchegladbach is standing; even Bayern Munich has nearly 14k out of 75k. Celtic installed nearly 3k rail seats this season (I presume separate Scottish legislation); it's suggested the government will wait until the end of the season before taking a position. So if no trouble at Celtic and PL clubs can take a position in favour, the government may not oppose this.

I agree, but the same could have been said about Vardy when he first played in Championship. I realise at the price we paid, he ought to be close to 'the finished article', but I still think he can be successful. Having said that, he looked far more lively at Hull when he was chasing down defenders which seemed to be lacking Saturday.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/12064099/Ranking-the-20-best-players-in-the-Premier-League-December-2015.html?frame=3533239 Perhaps unsurprisingly City have 4 players in top 20: 14- Fuchs 8 - Kante 3 - Vardy 1 - Mahrez, comment no-one will disagree with: He’s brilliant, this guy. A bag of tricks, a pocket full of rainbows and a first touch that would make Ronaldinho sit up and take notice, Mahrez has been tearing teams apart this month, scoring two and assisting six. The way he controlled a high ball in the box against Swansea and slotted past the goalkeeper was nice but the way he left Cesar Azpilicueta tangled in knots in the Chelsea box was borderline erotic. We can only hope that he maintains this form and Leicester don’t think it a good idea to cash in in January. What a player.

Interesting video of Ronaldo's reaction when a team mate scores: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11556953

He looked good in the Parks at Oxford last month but this must have been quite remarkable as Leics do have some good bowlers - perhaps not fielders! Last wicket has put on 110 of which the no.11 has scored just 5

A holiday in Mallorca? Brad Wiggins trains there and is a popular destination: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b047w54s In England you could cycle the TDF route in a week when the cyclists have moved to France

This is the best post from the Liverpool forum (link above)- if you've not read all the posts - which is a great summary (credit to TheSoundLady) "It's hard to argue with people who are coming from a place of very strong emotions, because there really is no counter-argument to the emotion of losing people you love... It's not an argument I'd ever really want to have. But honestly, if these groups that we respect and admire and stand beside, so much, would analyse this particular situation completely rationally and scientifically, I do not think they would oppose it. It's a principle and an emotion and a symbol (almost religious in nature if you want a comparison) more than it is any sort of scientific or rational analysis. And it's almost impossible to argue against that sort of thing for me, especially as a Liverpool fan. But I do think the energy of the group or groups is misplaced here... it should now be 100% aimed at and towards the police and political authorities, and the FA, those who were really to blame. The safety inside stadiums is amazing now and experts and scientists and analysts who know exactly what they are talking about, are not going to let us move backwards, and those authority figures who have lied, repressed facts and buried truth, as well as those responsible in the first place, should be the focus of 100% of all of our energy with regards to Hillsborough."

Definitely a step forward if it is allowed at Football League grounds. But it will need the Premier League to vote in favour too for Leicester - and other Championship clubs with PL aspirations - to incur the expense of removing seats etc if they have be put back in when promoted. Apart from Villa, I don't know of other PL clubs interested in standing areas.

Much as I support the return of standing areas (and letting your MP know your views is never a bad idea), an EDM is unlikely to get anywhere: From the Parliament website- Although there is very little prospect of EDMs being debated, many attract a great deal of public interest and frequently receive media coverage. So far there are 5 signatories only

Murray has been brilliant over the last few months and in most years he'd walk SPOTY. However, as the firstBbritish winner of the Tour and an Olympic gold medallist, (not forgetting the launch of his charity), the SPOTY has to be Wiggins. And after all, he does seem to have more of a personality which might make a difference in a sports personality poll!