[It's quite the spasm of a lunatic.]

How does one even begin to catch up on your blog tikay?!  

It's quite the spasm of a lunatic. (I think that's good, right?)  

Hope you're keeping well and enjoying life.  Maybe you'd join us in Manchester in April for a bit of 8 Game or similar?  We'd all love to see you.

Ha, think that sums it up pretty well.

Was delighted to see on Twitter that your Daughter, Rebecca, has been accepted at Cambridge Uni, you must be some proud dad. What is she going to study, or, as I believe educated types call it, "read"?

I'm keeping OK, all things considered, thank you. Back on the annual diet again, sigh, but I feel better for it.

Am thoroughly enjoying work - after all those years, we got a new Forum on October, & it's made a big difference, & is thriving now.   Took a while to get it, mind.....

Wish I could tell the story here of SB&G's phenomenal growth over the last 5 years, but I think it may be considered a bit out of line. The recent (5 years or so) growth in Online Sports Betting & Gaming reminds me of poker growth 10 or 15 years ago, & SB&G have gained SOW during those 5 years.  Mentions of Sky Bet on blonde generally draws a round of boos & hisses, I guess many just don't understand what a success story it has been.

CEO Richard Flint is nothing short of a genius. I was up in the Leeds Office last week & he spotted me & came across to shoot the breeze for a few minutes. Amazed he even remembers me, they must have the fat end of 2,000 staff now, spread across at least 7 Office in the UK, Germany & Italy.  

Manchester in April? Would love to, if I'm free, thank you.

Reb did brilliantly, thank you Tony.  We're all very proud.  She and I were driving together around three years ago and she told me she was considering getting a degree through an apprenticeship, as opposed to going straight to Uni.  In truth it was a bit concerrning at the time, but she's very independent so I supported her thinking while gently nudging and encouraging her to keep her options open. But she stuck to her guns and won a scholar placement as a junior consultant with Deloitte.  She is working with them this year and will continue to do so through summer holidays for the next four years, and they're paying her well and covering some of her Uni fees.  Not to mention the experience.  The icing on the cake came last week when she was offered an unconditional place at Cambridge doing Economics. It's amazing how many times she said 'no' when I mentioned Oxford and Cambridge in the past....to add them as 3rd and 4th options (supposedly to keep her mother and I happy).  But boom, she nailed the A levels, Deloitte entrance exams and Uni interviews.  She's a bright girl, no question - but she's has an outstanding work ethic, thrives on it I'd say.  She's not into football though, so I wouldn't say it's all been plain sailing...

SB&G, hadn't been aware of the new forum, will take a look at that.  Read that Richard impressed in parliament yesterday.  A brilliant leader and very deserving of his success.  I didn't recognise many of the people around when I came up to meet him last year.  The growth there has been staggering...only hope it doesn't lead to him jumping ship at some point.  Would assume competitors would find it extremely difficult to match his equity value.

Give me a shout when you're able with regards Manchester.  The team have done a great job with the schedule and I'm sure there are a ton of players who would love to say hello.  www.apat.com/wcoap

That it did, and still ticking along at a very nice pace - and definitely the project I've had the most pleasure working on.  Although Leigh, Matt and Tom are the driving force these days and they have done an outstanding job on maintaining the values that Tighty, yourself and myself put in place in the early days.  They leave me to sign off the invoices!  It's hard to believe I was chasing you around inner London some twelve years ago!  Twelve!  Crikey.  Time's flying, jeez.

Ever hear from young Compo?  Even though I haven't seen him for the best part of a decade, I still miss that warmth and cheeky grin.

How does one even begin to catch up on your blog tikay?! 

It's quite the spasm of a lunatic.  (I think that's good, right?)   

Hope you're keeping well and enjoying life.  Maybe you'd join us in Manchester in April for a bit of 8 Game or similar?  We'd all love to see you.

Whatever happened to my Ferrari?

 

Dan Lobb got a mention in Mondays Metro newspaper from Andrew Castle in a column he was writing. He was his doubles partner in some sort to tennis charity event.   

I'd plum forgotten all about Dan Lobb until you mentioned him.

We rarely worked together - just 5 or 6 times I think - & we were not really mutually attracted. Dan was very "superior", & self-assured, & there were often behind the scenes flare ups.

He did well for himself though, moving on to Daybreak & other stuff.

I recall you being the phone-in guest one night, too. Happy memories.

The time I lost my temper at him in a meeting and threw a paper ball which hit him on the forehead.  Not my finest hour....but I wasn't really one for 'talent'isms.

Am a bit under it this week, work-wise, so I've run out of time to do further replies today, & will continue inn the morning.

Note to self, replies owed to.....

DesMond of the D

Winshoes

Methuselah

The (somewhat touchy) quadragenarian McCready lass.

The Animal

Doobs

No need of a response to me - I know how you feel.

Big props to Gill on her achievement, but the sunlight in this story for me is how happy you seem to be Tony. 

I guess there's an incredibly thin line between unadulterated misery and happiness at times, and it's fantastic to see you on the right side of that line, particularly given the nonsense that you've had to endure in recent years whilst doing an outstanding job for Sky.

To one of the very good guys....here's to hitting the river in real life. 

 

The King is dead, long live the King.

If 'Sky Sources' are to be believed, then Jurgen Klopp has just signed a contract to become the new manager of Liverpool.

One wag on twitter suggested the first thing he'd done was to take three pieces of paper, write Joe Allen's name on each, and stuff them in an envelope. 

Joking aside, this is fantastic news and I'm really looking forward to seeing how he can develop the club through the remainder of the season.

Whatever our view on Brendan Rodgers, there's no place to hide when the game is on, & it must feel a lonely place out there.

He must have felt confident last night after going a goal up, but it was not to be, & a 1-1 draw would not do much to brighten the mood.


 

Click to see full-size image.

What a great pic. 

Weight of the world and all of that.

We think alike Des.

Saw the photo last night on the BBC Sport website, and it hit me between the eyes, straight away. 

Wonderful photo, it (seems to) say so much.

Can't be easy stood there, no hiding place, feeling the fans vibes.

Absolutely, and I think the impact is  evident in his interviews - it's as if his pilot light is dimming.  Tries to hide it, but it's written all over his face.

Still, a result or two (not that long of a shot) and he'll spark again ...and the football world will move onto questioning Jose, Steve or Manuel.

Whatever our view on Brendan Rodgers, there's no place to hide when the game is on, & it must feel a lonely place out there.

He must have felt confident last night after going a goal up, but it was not to be, & a 1-1 draw would not do much to brighten the mood.


 

Click to see full-size image.

What a great pic. 

Weight of the world and all of that.

Meanwhile, in surprise domestic news, great excitement beckons in about a month's time - the Richmond Autumn Riverside Run, which is a nice, gentle, flat 10 kilometres.  


http://thefixevents.com/richmond-autumn-riverside-10k-2015


Going to recce the course tomorrow, sort out where to park the car in the morning, all that stuff.

Any tips or hints as to what a novice runner - well, jogger - should do by way of preparation, & what to take on the run, by way of water etc?

Click to see full-size image.

Click to see full-size image.

 

I recommend a running mate Tone. Preferably carrying one of these.

I remember as a kid, from the age of about ten, harassing my father to give me a lift to the other side of town every time a big Liverpool game was being played.  There were very few games on Irish TV back in those days - the FA Cup final may have been it.  

I vaguely knew a guy who lived in a tough-ish estate, who was a passionate Liverpool fan.  He was about ten to fifteen years older than me...so it's fair to say we didn't share the same circle.  

But if the Reds were playing, then he'd be guaranteed to be stood outside his house with an old AM radio, angled against a telegraph pole, surrounded by Reds supporters.  A signal just couldn't be found anywhere else.  And it didn't matter how old you were or what type of bike or car you arrived in, we were as one stood in the dark listening to the tinny commentary, often through bouts of static.  The credits music for European football can still make the hair on the back of my neck stand!

So I suppose I look at our management situation differently.  

I can link many of my 'remember where you were' days (good and bad) to Liverpool football club.  And every time we change a manager I feel I become a step further removed from those experiences.  I don't want a manager there who just wants a job.  I want somebody in there who understands what that club means to me, as I believe Rodgers does.

I completely accept that I'm in the minority on Rodgers atm, but I feel he's as qualified to break through as anyone else, so we should give him 100% support.  And remember, it's only a game of football, not life or death.  

Just wanted to say what a wonderful post that was Des, would grace any thread on any forum. You were in fine form on Sunday night.

Thank you.

As to Mr Rodgers, we armchair critics are way too quick to dismiss the ability of others these days I'm afraid.  

Rodgers has been called everything from a pig to a dog. That's so wrong, he is a good man, & a good Manager, for sure.

Whether he is good enough for Liverpool, of course, is another matter altogether.

I was reading today at the names listed to succeed SAF a few years back. Names on the list included Mourinho, Ancelotti & Klopp. That's the expectation Liverpool should have, & with due respect to Rodgers, his CV does not suggest he is anywhere near that class.

Ty Tony and while it's hard to disagree with your last paragraph, I'll take a pop!  

It's all anecdotal of course, but I wonder whether Sir Alex would have secured the Man United job today on the back of his career with Aberdeen - however excellent, if he was competing with that trio?  I'm not so sure.  

I'm pretty sure Bob Paisley would not have succeeded Shanks, and maybe Liverpool's dry run would be up at 50 years today and not the measly 25 or so, that fans of most clubs would die for?!    

Perhaps Mourinho would still be an interpreter at Barcelona...and be only able to afford a whole frock for his daughter?  

In truth, it would be nice to think we'll continue to give less experienced (but promising) managers a shot if we're to retain some identity in the national game.  If we do, it's inevitable these guys will have to learn to rock and roll through the pain barrier to properly toughen up, as Sir Alex and plenty of others have had to do.  

My fellow fans could do with toughening up also and I'm not pointing at those who have recently started to reach the end of their tether.  There were plenty calling for Rodgers' head last year, just months after a decent title bid.  They may have been right of course, but that's detail. 

When / if the board deem the short Irish one no longer qualified for the job, I'd have Eddie Howe in the hot seat ahead of Carlo.  Klopp's a good 'un too, I think - but I suspect he'd bolt quickly if things started going (further) south.  

Come to think, I might have Vinny Jones in the job just to see him take a car door to the chief hack at the Sun.   Yes, that might well be the 'number 10' of managerial possibilities open to Liverpool atm.

I remember as a kid, from the age of about ten, harassing my father to give me a lift to the other side of town every time a big Liverpool game was being played.  There were very few games on Irish TV back in those days - the FA Cup final may have been it.  

I vaguely knew a guy who lived in a tough-ish estate, who was a passionate Liverpool fan.  He was about ten to fifteen years older than me...so it's fair to say we didn't share the same circle.  

But if the Reds were playing, then he'd be guaranteed to be stood outside his house with an old AM radio, angled against a telegraph pole, surrounded by Reds supporters.  A signal just couldn't be found anywhere else.  And it didn't matter how old you were or what type of bike or car you arrived in, we were as one stood in the dark listening to the tinny commentary, often through bouts of static.  The credits music for European football can still make the hair on the back of my neck stand!

So I suppose I look at our management situation differently.  

I can link many of my 'remember where you were' days (good and bad) to Liverpool football club.  And every time we change a manager I feel I become a step further removed from those experiences.  I don't want a manager there who just wants a job.  I want somebody in there who understands what that club means to me, as I believe Rodgers does.

I completely accept that I'm in the minority on Rodgers atm, but I feel he's as qualified to break through as anyone else, so we should give him 100% support.  And remember, it's only a game of football, not life or death.  

All very true Sir, and I also believe he "gets" the club more than others have. That is what hurts the most, as he seems to have forgotten that.

It is the lack of passion, consistency, energy and fight. No direction, no purpose to our play. Where is the plan. Death by football. High intensity, pace, pressing game. All disappeared! Why? That was his 3 year plan. Why he got the job. His identity, that he is so proud of. Yet he seems to have forgotten about it and our history in playing that way.

Yep, I understand all of this and that's why it's really difficult for me to explain my position.  It's an emotional response as opposed to an analytical one.  And believe me, I doubt anyone shouts at the TV as much as I do when a Liverpool game is on, and I fully understand the inconsistency in the team, the players, the formation, the approach, etc.  I get all of that, trust me I do.  That's why I'm generally happy to sit away from this discussion when I see it on FB, because I can't easily justify my position.

your favourite all time liverpool xi please Des, that you have seen

so thats 1960-to date

thanks

lol @ 1960s!  I vaguely remember '77 so I guess I was a glory years child, benefiting from the shiniest of silver spoons, football wise.

The team that I'd most identify as my favourite team would be:-

Ray Clemence

Phil Neal    Phil Thompson    Alan Hansen     Alan Kennedy

Jimmy Case    Graeme Souness    Terry McDermott    Ray Kennedy

Kenny Dalglish    Ian Rush

Dalglish was an absolute hero, as indeed Ian Rush was.  As I mentioned above, in my early years as a fan, a lot of my match experience came from rich BBC radio commentaries - that allowed you to picture players almost as giants.  You never 'saw' the misplaced layoff or failure to make a run, so these guys became almost gladiatorial in my mind.  

I had a soft spot for Phil Neal also, as I played right back in junior teams myself.  I met him at Sky once and found him to be a thoroughly nice chap. I often thought afterwards that I should have thanked him for all the great days he'd given me, but we just talked generally for ten or fifteen minutes.  That Graham Taylor documentary did Phil Neal no favours and I felt it flavoured my discussion with him at the time.  Shame.

I remember as a kid, from the age of about ten, harassing my father to give me a lift to the other side of town every time a big Liverpool game was being played.  There were very few games on Irish TV back in those days - the FA Cup final may have been it.  

I vaguely knew a guy who lived in a tough-ish estate, who was a passionate Liverpool fan.  He was about ten to fifteen years older than me...so it's fair to say we didn't share the same circle.  

But if the Reds were playing, then he'd be guaranteed to be stood outside his house with an old AM radio, angled against a telegraph pole, surrounded by Reds supporters.  A signal just couldn't be found anywhere else.  And it didn't matter how old you were or what type of bike or car you arrived in, we were as one stood in the dark listening to the tinny commentary, often through bouts of static.  The credits music for European football can still make the hair on the back of my neck stand!

So I suppose I look at our management situation differently.  

I can link many of my 'remember where you were' days (good and bad) to Liverpool football club.  And every time we change a manager I feel I become a step further removed from those experiences.  I don't want a manager there who just wants a job.  I want somebody in there who understands what that club means to me, as I believe Rodgers does.

I completely accept that I'm in the minority on Rodgers atm, but I feel he's as qualified to break through as anyone else, so we should give him 100% support.  And remember, it's only a game of football, not life or death.