ian__marshall

I'm not superstitious in the slightest but did once have a rather odd experience. When I was very young one of my parents passed away. A few years later my other parent entered into what became a long term relationship and their partner effectively became a parent to me (who for the purposes of this story I'll refer to as my 'guardian') and my friends often referred to them by a parental title. Whilst I had previously disclosed the passing of one of my biological parent's to a few of my close friends when we were kids I never went into too much detail about them. Anyway, when I was around 18 I was out one night with a few friends absolutely smashed in town. Me and one of the lads who I'd known since secondary school but had become very close to in the subsequent years were propping up the bar. He had just disclosed some very personal family information to me which he'd recently learnt and which had come as quite a shock and we were talking family matters. In trying to rationalise the situation in his mind he asked me how I'd feel if the same had occurred with my parent (guardian) however instead of using their name he used my biological parents name who I'd never mentioned to him. It stopped me dead in my tracks. Realising we were hammered and it could have just been a slip of the tongue I asked him to repeat what he had said, and again he used the same name, I then asked him who he was referring to and he looked at me really confused and said your parent 'x' (biological parents name). I then had to point out that the person who he knows as my parent went by the name of 'y'. I'll never forget that night, just seemed too coincidental that out of all of the names he could pick he happened to chose the exact same name as my biological parent (which was neither common nor remotely similar to my guardian), whilst then repeating it twice with such conviction that he thought I was on the wind up when I queried him about who he was referring to. It was a very odd occurrence which I have no logical explanation for.

We had a pretty similar incident around the same age with our little one who was claiming monsters were coming in to their bedroom at night. Did a bit of research and it's apparently quite common at that age. Couple of suggestions I found were to embrace the mystical being and act like it's friendly. Then tell your little one you're telling the being it needs to go outside and walk your child to the front door to escort the being outside. Once out of the door, close it and lock it and tell your little one that it can't come back in. That worked for a few days with us until our little thought they'd be a smarty pants and then claimed that the monster had made a key and could let itself back inside. Had a little think then asked my little one what is the one thing monsters are afraid of and was told Unicorns and Rainbows. I then went and bought loads of related stuff and placed it all around the room thereby creating a safe space which seemed to do the job so worth a try.

Watched it last week. Truly shocking seeing the groups behaviour and disregard for the law. Absolute scum the lot of them. Both Cameron and the Dectectives involved showed unbelievable courage. It was a real eye opener as well seeing how the CPS wouldn't entertain the body of evidence put forward until they literally had an eye witness. Had that former gang member not had a grudge they'd probably still be going right now. Really sad ending too. I'm not one to get emotional but that just floored me. Talk about being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The only punishment I'm prepared to accept is Everton being forced to sign Danny Ward and play him in every remaining game of the season. Only then will I acknowledge that the 10 point deduction was a fair penalty for their actions.

Was planning on doing Ipswich away but that time change has put an end to that idea.

That equaliser was thoroughly deserved, Rotherham played like their lives depended on getting a result tonight.

Very even game on reflection. Aside from a few early spells in each half I felt we largely controlled the game. That was evident from the possession stats in the first half that went from something like 50:50 around the 20 minute mark to 65:35 in our favour in our favour by HT. What was very encouraging was that we had long spells in the game where we played through their press very comfortably. Technically I thought we looked a level above them. We massively missed Wilf and Yunus. Casadei understandably just isn't ready to be a starter in my view. Leeds played us at a very good time given all of the injuries we currently have. I think a fully fit side wins that game. I agree with others that we were too tame from an attacking perspective. I felt Fatawu and Mavididi didn't test their full backs enough, and both Vards and Kel looked lost. We need to be looking at attacking options over the next couple of windows in my opinion. The fact that Leeds have such a plethora of options even at this level highlights how much work there is left for us to do especially if we want to be a mid tier PL team.

Very frustrating night. Didn't deserve to win the game but conversely felt we didn't deserve to lose either. Disappointed with our wingers in possession tonight, seemed scared to run at their man. Fatawu in particular should have been asking more questions of Byram given his early booking, and Mavididi looks like he doesn't believe in the talent he has. Would have liked to see McAteer get some minutes as I think he'd have caused them problems. Not convinced by Casadei as a starter. Looks handy coming off the bench but I think we certainly look weaker without N'didi. Yunus is a big loss too as I think he really helps with managing the game in the latter stages. Think Enzo will be disappointed with the goal, really sloppy one to concede and two phases of play where we've switched off. Oh well, a defeat isn't the end of the world given we're 11 points ahead of Leeds so early in the season. Need to move on now and focus on getting back to winning ways against Boro.

I don't necessarily disagree with the idea of needing to switch things up occasionally and actually advocate rotation (something I felt Rodgers completely failed to do). However I think for this game specifically given Leeds setup and strength in the attacking third we have to go with explosive wingers who are good in a one v one to stop them executing their game plan. The selection needs to be dictated by their shape and as mentioned they like to get the FBs into midfield so they have more passing angles. If we can pin the FBs in we'll dominate the midfield unless their wide attackers drop in to support which would leave Rutter and Piroe isolated. I suspect they'll try and target Winks to stop him transitioning the ball through the midfield which may then allow them to push the FBs on regardless as there will be less threat in terms of getting our wide men one v one with their CBs. KDH and presumably Casadei will have to work hard to screen Winks. The ace in the pack for us is Vestergaard who can break lines and play those incisive balls from a deeper position which will help hugely if Winks is singled out.

Steel (non coated) loaf trays or round steel bowls are essential in my opinion. I put everything in them and cover with foil. I then usually cook at 200 degrees for 25 minutes. If you need to crisp the top of a dish such as lasagne. Whip the foil off for the last 5 mins. Works a treat.

Think you have to go Mavididi and Fatawu for this game. They like to get their full backs to push forward into midfield to create a box with their 2 CMs. Their CBs split, the DM drops, and the keeper plays a high line to create a diamond. They have triangles all over the pitch. If we stick with Mavididi and Fatawu they face a dilemma as both are rapid and Rodon and Strujk will struggle in a foot race against them. As such their FBs will have to drop back-in which will disrupt their shape. It'll also give us the numerical advantage in midfield as neither Summerville and Gnonto/James will want to track back to cover the space. If they do drop, again it benefits us as it'll negate the counter as they'll have to run from deeper positions. On their day they are certainly a dangerous side particularly on the counter. However, if we frustrate them they can be very average. One thing for sure is we will need a better performance than last Saturday if we are to come away with the 3 points.

@Ric Flair Just a heads up that the new episode of BSLBs doesn't seem to be loading on any of the platforms it was uploaded to.

Watching the Stoke v Leeds game. Stoke should be about 3 up. Absolutely dominating the play.

I feel sorry for you mate. Having grown up around a lot of them the one bit of advice I'd offer is take whatever they say with a pinch of salt. The amount of times I've been told by them that player x who no one has ever heard of is the second coming of Maradona is baffling. Think it's a Nottingham thing in general. There's a bloke at work who claims to be an Arsenal die hard yet has never set foot in the Emirates. Never heard him mutter a word about Forest in the Championship. The second they were promoted suddenly he's telling me how big a fan he is and that he might get a season ticket. Couldn't make it up, absolute deluded bunch of people.

That's shocking from Bassey, pretty much a replica of the first. Can't believe how sh*t Fulham look. How on earth did these lot spank us last season? I knew we were crap, but hadn't realised how bad we must have been. Watching some of the dross in the PL this season we're nailed on for a top half finish next season with the current side.