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Review of the week

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Chris Charles | 13:16 UK time, Friday, 8 January 2010

There are two things guaranteed to turn grown men into excited little schoolboys; 1. Becoming a professional footballer; 2. Snow.

(Actually make that three if you were one of the locals enjoying a quiet pint in Wimbledon's Wibbas Down Inn when Pamela Anderson popped in - and very nearly popped out - for a glass of wine following her recent panto stint.)

But it's the white stuff that has dominated both the front and back pages all week, as the big freeze annulled more matches than Elizabeth Taylor's divorce lawyer.

Both League Cup semi-finals fell foul of the adverse weather conditions (London Underground speak for snow) - yet a few miles down the road Stoke miraculously managed to play their game with Fulham. Could it be they're made of sterner stuff in the Potteries? Or maybe it had something to do with the large sum of money Stoke trousered for stepping in at the last minute to fill the televised slot vacated by Blackburn. Kerching!

Incidentally, there was a nice little line in the Guardian's Fiver when it became likely the game at the Britannia would go ahead...."the prospect of seeing Rory Delap freeze solid on the touchline, mid throw-in at the moment of maximum contortion remains mouthwateringly real".
Rory DelapRory Delap - freeze!

Meanwhile, El Hadji Diouf was using the Arctic conditions to explain away his recent indifferent performances for Blackburn. The player left fans spitting mad when he conceded: "This time I don't have my best form - maybe it's too cold." And what better way for Diouf to beat the big freeze than by earning a straight red and a three-match ban for chopping down Habib Beye in the FA Cup defeat by Aston Villa?

Elsewhere, there were the obligatory shots of frost-bitten pitches, Fernando Torres having a snowball fight and even a snowman on the pitch complete with pasty complexion, red nose and stony expression...oh, hang on a minute, that was Sir Alex Ferguson after Manchester United's FA Cup disaster against Leeds.

Fergie, to his credit, was being so magnanimous in defeat I thought he'd metamorphosed into Roy Hodgson, but the United boss couldn't help reverting to type at the end of the interview, moaning: "How can (the ref) give five minutes of injury time? It's an insult to the game - an absolute insult." That would be the same Sir Alex who after a late Arsenal equaliser in 2008 said: "It was the 95th minute of their usual seven minutes of injury time."

Staying in the Cup and as the issue of poor attendances raised its head again, three cheers to the 2,500 hardy Geordies who endured an 800-mile round-trip to watch Newcastle draw 0-0 at Plymouth in conditions so cold some of them even kept their tops on.

While everyone else was wrapping up warm, Blackpool boss Ian Holloway was taking his clothes off in public, throwing down his scarf, hat and gloves on the touchline after two of his players saw red against Ipswich - and saving himself a few precious seconds as he swiftly followed the pair into the early bath.

Ollie's little strip-tease will pale into insignificance if Chelsea sign a player in the transfer window, with Carlo Ancelotti insisting he would run around naked in the snow if there were any new arrivals at the Bridge. No offence, Carlo, but even Gok Wan would have his work cut out there.

It might be hard for Roman Abramovich to keep his hands in his pockets if the faltering Blues drop even more points in the absence of Didier Drogba, whose name surprisingly cropped up in the House of Commons this week.

Liberal Democrat Chris Huhne used the Ivory Coast striker as an example during the ongoing debate surrounding identity cards for skilled migrants, declaring: "Making Didier Drogba carry a piece of plastic to prove his identity is a waste of tax payers' money." He has a point, although the same argument would not apply to some members of the Liverpool side, who have gone missing so many times this season people have forgotten what they look like.

Moving on and in the week that Joey Barton dismissed footballers as idiots (next week Mariah Carey has a dig at music industry divas), Drogba's team-mate Frank Lampard did his best to keep it real with a trip to the pound shop. It's not clear whether he bought anything - although his weekly wage could get you a hell of a lot of stuff you never really wanted in the first place.

Lampard also bizarrely found himself at the top of the South Korean pop charts when he was name-checked in a song called Mister by girl band Kara - although the lyric "cute, chubby Frank" might come back to haunt him the next time Chelsea visit Upton Park.

Still at least he won't be the most embarrassed person at the next family get-together, following cousin Jamie Redknapp's shocking performance alongside wife Louise in that cheesy ad for a well-known travel company. They "fantasise about it" - everyone else is sick of it.

You can bet Jamie's old man will be giving him a bit of stick - although he was more concerned with defending his fellow managers this week. Redknapp hit out at impatient chairmen following the recent departures of Gary Megson and Alan Irvine as the managerial merry-go-round span faster than my backside when I made an unscheduled appointment with the icy pavement on Thursday.

Darren Ferguson filled the breach at Preston, Irvine moved in at Hillsborough, while Owen Coyle swapped one relegation battle for another as he made the short journey from Burnley to Bolton. That's right, Owen Coyle who turned down Scotland and Celtic because "I knew I had to stay and carry on this incredible adventure..."

When the I's have been dotted and T's crossed, you will almost certainly hear Coyle saying "this is the only job I would have considered leaving Burnley for".

We know all about managerial changes down at Loftus Road, with captain Mikele Leigertwood admitting: "It's easier to stick to 'Sir' or 'Gaffer' rather than trying to remember their names."

But even he must have been shocked to read an article on the Vital Accrington fan site (since removed) about QPR's possible interest in their young player Robert Grant. The piece read: "Grant has been offered a new and improved contract...however QPR gaffer Roy Keane could be set to throw a spanner in the works..."

Meanwhile, Keane's old sparring partner Patrick Vieira returned to the Premier League with Manchester City for a reported £130,000 a week and the promise to "show Roberto Mancini I'm the same player as when he was in charge of Inter". What, past his best?
Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira in 1999Ah, the good old days
Vieira is hoping to play his way into contention for the World Cup - a dream that appears to be slipping away for Michael Owen. Thankfully help is at hand in the unlikely form of Geoff Boycott, who wrote to Owen suggesting he try the ancient Chinese art of Feng Shui to get his season back on track. No disrespect, Geoff, but the only furniture-arranging that will get Owen into the United starting line-up is by arranging to drop his sofa on Wayne Rooney's foot.

And finally, story of the week came from devoted father Jamie Carragher, who declared: "My son is six or seven-years-old and I'd love to take him to Wembley to watch Liverpool."

Right, that's it folks, but before I go I promised I'd wish my daughter Nancy a happy birthday as she turns five today (Friday). Or was it six?




Comments

  • 1. At 2:07pm on 08 Jan 2010, butidontlikecarrots wrote:

    This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.

  • 2. At 2:07pm on 08 Jan 2010, butidontlikecarrots wrote:

    Hooray!

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  • 3. At 2:13pm on 08 Jan 2010, LABSAB9 wrote:

    #1 - Congratulations mate superb achievement!!!

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  • 4. At 2:26pm on 08 Jan 2010, RedBlueArmy92 wrote:

    Yeah, rock on, number 1! get in thier my son!

    Charlsie always a corker sir...

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  • 5. At 2:39pm on 08 Jan 2010, pilch666 wrote:

    I guess first comment is not modded in this blog!!

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  • 6. At 2:39pm on 08 Jan 2010, JacksinBuxton wrote:

    Excellent as always Chris.As a resident of North Staffordshire,they are made of sterner stuff.They are called "oatcakes".After 1 of those filled with bacon and cheese,you need 90 minutes running around to burn 'em off.
    With the Jamie Carragher quote,how many "yer knows" did he fit in that sentence?
    Ah Sir Geoffrey,mad as a box of frogs,but usually right.If only he'd used a bat instead of a stick of rhubarb facing his granny....

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  • 7. At 2:40pm on 08 Jan 2010, pilch666 wrote:

    Good blog though, first time I have read it (sorry RBA)

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  • 8. At 2:40pm on 08 Jan 2010, JacksinBuxton wrote:

    Blimey,it's like old times on here.Shall we call it "Robbo's reprobate retreat"?

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  • 9. At 2:42pm on 08 Jan 2010, JacksinBuxton wrote:

    Re Jamie Rednapp.I bet he used to fantasize about being fit as well...

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  • 10. At 2:42pm on 08 Jan 2010, pilch666 wrote:

    Although Sir Geoffrey is often right, is this because he has the very irritating habit of stating the bl**dy obvious. Also, occasionally goes a tad overboard with his criticisms.

    Did provide one of the funniest moments ever though when Botham apparently run him out for batting too slow (what him, never).

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  • 11. At 2:43pm on 08 Jan 2010, JacksinBuxton wrote:

    Pilch,Geoffrey is never in the habit of stating the bloomin' obvious.No Yorkshireman does that.Do they?

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  • 12. At 2:44pm on 08 Jan 2010, pilch666 wrote:

    Jacks - fair point. Thye don't like what they say either.

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  • 13. At 2:47pm on 08 Jan 2010, pilch666 wrote:

    Jacks - I always liked Jamie Redknapp and thought he was unlucky with injuries. But the advert is pushing it somewhat, even looking at Louise is failing to save it.

    Its nearly as bad as the s*dding Halifax breakfast radio ad, how I wish they and their adverts had gone bust.

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  • 14. At 2:48pm on 08 Jan 2010, JacksinBuxton wrote:

    Aye,Pilch.'Appen they don't lad...puffs on pipe...

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  • 15. At 2:49pm on 08 Jan 2010, Chris Charles wrote:

    Afternoon all - Happy New Year and all that bunny.

    1. butidontlikecarrots: Yes, well done, sir. Good name too. Will have to sort you out a prize. Looking around I can see a half-used can of deodorant, two opened packets of cup-a-soup and an old mouse (and yes I am in the office). Take your pick old son.

    4. RedBlueArmy92: Good afternoon to you. At least you won't have to make a prediction this week. Must be a bit tough knowing which way to go - one week those Shots are losing 6-1 and the next they're winning 4-0. At least it's entertaining!

    6. JacksinBuxton: Mmmm, like the sound of those oatcakes - which reminds me, I haven't had anything to eat since breakfast. Back in a jiffy.

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  • 16. At 2:50pm on 08 Jan 2010, JacksinBuxton wrote:

    Pilch,this is the finest of ads in my eyes.Just don't tell DG3 or it's meerkat time from him again.Simples...
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVwJl0oiRC4

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  • 17. At 2:50pm on 08 Jan 2010, pilch666 wrote:

    Jacks - that solves my earlier betting concerns - is whippet racing still alive and well up north?? Cannot imagine that stops for a bit of snow.

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  • 18. At 2:51pm on 08 Jan 2010, pilch666 wrote:

    I like the Meerkats adverts, at least its different and you don't have to pay the stars much!!

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  • 19. At 2:51pm on 08 Jan 2010, JacksinBuxton wrote:

    Here you go Chris,the secret of Phil Taylor's success...
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oatcake

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  • 20. At 2:53pm on 08 Jan 2010, LABSAB9 wrote:

    Greatest advert over xmas - Carlsberg with the xmas crackers

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  • 21. At 2:54pm on 08 Jan 2010, JacksinBuxton wrote:

    17. At 2:50pm on 08 Jan 2010, pilch666 wrote:

    Jacks - that solves my earlier betting concerns - is whippet racing still alive and well up north?? Cannot imagine that stops for a bit of snow.

    ------------------
    You leave Max Mosely out of this,he's entitled to a private life.
    Pigeon racing,however,is the thing.Mrs. Jack is a Washington lass (C.D rather than D.C) and it's taken very seriously.How they fly all that way with pastry on their wings is anybody's guess.More gravy?

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  • 22. At 2:56pm on 08 Jan 2010, JacksinBuxton wrote:

    The piece read: "Grant has been offered a new and improved contract...however QPR gaffer Roy Keane could be set to throw a spanner in the works..."
    -------------------
    Oh Chris,please take him away from us.Please

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  • 23. At 2:57pm on 08 Jan 2010, GINOLLLLA wrote:

    Always a good read Chris!

    oh and the Meerket ad's (not really a fan myself) BUT the guy who does the voice is apparently Michael (the geordie) (he's not geordie in real life, but anyways) from Alan Partridge if anyone knows/cares.

    I've also heard that Arshavins nickname in the Arsenal dressing room is related to the Russian meerkat

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  • 24. At 2:57pm on 08 Jan 2010, Holloway2Holland wrote:

    Good Stuff Chris, ROTW was sadly missed over the holiday season.

    Firstly congratulations to your young lass for turning 5/6.

    Re Owen, I thought he was already schooled in the ways of Feng Shui the amount of times he's been on the bench or the treatment table over the last few years.

    Maybe Roy Keane could actually last a while at your club mate, I mean would you want to be the one who had to tell him "you're fired" for no particular reason?

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  • 25. At 2:59pm on 08 Jan 2010, JacksinBuxton wrote:

    24. At 2:57pm on 08 Jan 2010, Holloway2Holland wrote:
    Maybe Roy Keane could actually last a while at your club mate, I mean would you want to be the one who had to tell him "you're fired" for no particular reason?

    -----------------------------------
    Yes H2,I would....over the phone from Buxton,obviously,but even so...

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  • 26. At 3:00pm on 08 Jan 2010, pilch666 wrote:

    Jacks - My Granddad used to do pigeon racing etc, was wayyyyy more competitive than I originally thought. No pies though. Must be a Southern version of the sport.

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  • 27. At 3:01pm on 08 Jan 2010, pilch666 wrote:

    I think Keane should go to Newcastle. Would love to see him "bond" with Ashley.

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  • 28. At 3:02pm on 08 Jan 2010, RedBlueArmy92 wrote:

    Charlsie... Mate it up and down being a shot, One massive down and a slow and steady up this past 20 years or so... But i'm going mad, we played thrice in december, a home loss to Tranmere in the cup, and that match at Burton which you so kindly reminded me about... But finished the year in style against the hair-do's! Plus were in playoffs at chrimbo, and we have a game in hand over Bury and a very favorable goal difference (despit the Burton incident!!!)... But keen to get some points on the board for 2010...

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  • 29. At 3:02pm on 08 Jan 2010, JacksinBuxton wrote:

    Pilch,it's a great motivator for the pigeon...
    "Look lad,the ovens on,the pastry's proving.If you don't get back here first...."

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  • 30. At 3:03pm on 08 Jan 2010, GINOLLLLA wrote:

    I'm sure Shearer would love to see Roy Keane managing his club, HA!

    Also, Big Duncan Ferguson was a huge pigeon racer. Has thousands of them!
    An extremely good source told me this one...

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  • 31. At 3:05pm on 08 Jan 2010, pilch666 wrote:

    I can imagine Big Dunc threatening the pigeons if they didnt win their races. Afterall, he has never before let anything get in the way of a fight such as being handicapped!!

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  • 32. At 3:05pm on 08 Jan 2010, United Dreamer wrote:

    "Re Jamie Rednapp.I bet he used to fantasize about being fit as well..."

    He's definitely living the fantasy that he knows owt about football. Poor Harry must blush every time he hears his lad spout.

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  • 33. At 3:08pm on 08 Jan 2010, pilch666 wrote:

    #32 Dreamer - I am not sure how true it is, but apparently Dad always speaks to his son before a Spurs game for advice/views etc. Its why Jamie is never in the Sky Sports studio for a Spurs game.

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  • 34. At 3:12pm on 08 Jan 2010, RedBlueArmy92 wrote:

    I genuinly am the only person who not only dislikes the Meerkat "simples" adverts but has genuine growing hatred... a deep seeded loathing an embedded disgust and abhorrence for the grinning eastern european accented rodent...


    If you also hate this advert, and the growing trend to add "simples" at the end of comments and sentances write to me at

    RedBlueArmy92
    The Recreation Ground
    Aldershot
    Hants
    GU12

    For just £2 a month you could help fill a sack with meerkats and chuck it in the basingstoke canal... YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

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  • 35. At 3:12pm on 08 Jan 2010, GINOLLLLA wrote:

    #33 Such is true...
    He was a great player when available though

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  • 36. At 3:12pm on 08 Jan 2010, United Dreamer wrote:

    "I am not sure how true it is"

    Good disclaimer - I will use that in future. Lets be frank most of my posts need it. Does he use his advice in a certain way? That is does he do the opposite?

    Jacks come on Roy Keane's interviews do throw up some gems. Some of these post match interviewers definitely need the Keano treatment.

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  • 37. At 3:14pm on 08 Jan 2010, LABSAB9 wrote:

    Jamie Redknapp = Verbal Diarrhoea

    The reason he can't commentate on Spurs games is beacause when his dads team played Arsenal a while back he was getting overly excited/bias protecting his dads team.

    The guy wasn't very good at football and he is a very poor "expert"

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  • 38. At 3:14pm on 08 Jan 2010, United Dreamer wrote:

    #35 - Not sure how true it is - its probably just me who can't stand the bloke on Sky. I guess its a good way to get us to actually go to the matches so maybe a good thing.

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  • 39. At 3:15pm on 08 Jan 2010, GINOLLLLA wrote:

    RBA, you did make me laugh there.
    Yes!! I hate it as well, and where are you going to get these meerkats from? I think I'll keep my £2 though, ta.

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  • 40. At 3:17pm on 08 Jan 2010, GINOLLLLA wrote:

    I don't think anyone should've expected Jamie to react any other way after his dads Spurs side snatched a draw at the emirates in his first full game in charge... it's an emotional game after all.
    I bet I know who the complaints came from *cough*

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  • 41. At 3:18pm on 08 Jan 2010, Zach Dickson wrote:

    @16 that ad is just a rip of of this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pv5zWaTEVkI&NR=1

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  • 42. At 3:19pm on 08 Jan 2010, RedBlueArmy92 wrote:

    Ginolla. I hadn't thought that far ahead... and i would have bought a 8 cans of Ace with the money so you done well keeping it... I may just dye squirells brown or kick a chiouauwaoua or something...

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  • 43. At 3:19pm on 08 Jan 2010, davidgilmourthe3rd wrote:

    The Meerkat is my fav advert i hope they do a lot more. and yes some Gooners do refer to the little russian as a meerkat.

    without wishing to cause offence the most annoying advert is that bloke with the tash singing. The BMW looks nice though.

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  • 44. At 3:19pm on 08 Jan 2010, pilch666 wrote:

    Regardless of Redknapp's verbal issues for sky (and according to my missus, his ridiculously tight trousers), he was still a very good player who was very unlucky with injuries. Could pass the ball better than most, scored a couple of crackers and even did well for England (remember him coming on against Scotland and completely changing the game in our favour).

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  • 45. At 3:19pm on 08 Jan 2010, United Dreamer wrote:

    A chiwho now?

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  • 46. At 3:20pm on 08 Jan 2010, pilch666 wrote:

    RBA - do they really sell 8-Ace or have you been reading the comical strip in Viz as well??

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  • 47. At 3:20pm on 08 Jan 2010, RedBlueArmy92 wrote:

    45. Bless you

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  • 48. At 3:21pm on 08 Jan 2010, RedBlueArmy92 wrote:

    Viz mate... Its where i get all my world views and opinions from...

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  • 49. At 3:22pm on 08 Jan 2010, GINOLLLLA wrote:

    RBA - How about I give you the £2, I'll even buy you the ACE, we'll head down the Chessington Zoo... Could be an interesting afternoon...

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  • 50. At 3:22pm on 08 Jan 2010, pilch666 wrote:

    and there is no better bible. Viz is just full of useful tips and balanced views on society. Just like the Daily Mash if you ever read it (and if not, its definitely worth a view).

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  • 51. At 3:23pm on 08 Jan 2010, United Dreamer wrote:

    #45 - thx - right back at you.

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  • 52. At 3:24pm on 08 Jan 2010, JacksinBuxton wrote:

    36. At 3:12pm on 08 Jan 2010, United Dreamer wrote:
    Jacks come on Roy Keane's interviews do throw up some gems.
    --------------------------
    No,Dreamer.He just makes me want to throw up...
    Oh,good spot Zach

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  • 53. At 3:24pm on 08 Jan 2010, United Dreamer wrote:

    #47 - there I go talking to myself again.

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  • 54. At 3:26pm on 08 Jan 2010, RedBlueArmy92 wrote:

    Ginolla, mate that sounds perfect lad... Are you aloud to drink in Zoos these days? Probably not, thank you very much nanny state britain, political correctness gone mad!!!! Whatever next? Circular sheets of toilet paper to avoid paper cuts... its all gone mad! Anyway what was I doing, oh yeah, them forking meerkats! grinning shytes! ...hic... wheres me Ace!

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  • 55. At 3:26pm on 08 Jan 2010, United Dreamer wrote:

    Jacks are you a post match interviewer or a member of the Irish FA... Ah heck you could be anyone - he has upset that many. He probably can't stand the sight of himself half the time - probably why he grew his beard.

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  • 56. At 3:27pm on 08 Jan 2010, Samwell2804 wrote:

    Good New Year to you Chris and all who read your blog!!!

    hope everybody is coping well with the weather!!

    # JacksinBuxton & Chris.....

    The Good Old Staffordshire Oatcake......they truely are AMAZING.....Staple Diet for Everyone round here.....being a resident of Staffordshire(Burslem - the official Centre of the Universe). I can highly recommend that you get yourself down(or up, depending on your location in the country) to Vale(stoke)-on-Trent to sample the local delicacy?! They really are a Heavenly Wonder!!!!!!

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  • 57. At 3:30pm on 08 Jan 2010, United Dreamer wrote:

    The meerkat adverts have made me use... damn I can't remember any other comparison websites. Those pesky little bleeders have worked.

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  • 58. At 3:31pm on 08 Jan 2010, GINOLLLLA wrote:

    RBA sounds like a right laugh... Although I'm not a regular Zoo go-er. I did go to the San Diego Zoo in October and was freely walking around with a cold one, but yes, I imagine you couldn't here.

    Anyone read Roy Keanes autobiography? Quite a good read, still think he will finally snap one day...

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  • 59. At 3:35pm on 08 Jan 2010, pilch666 wrote:

    #59 will he snap like Haaland's leg?? An all round unpleasant individual who, sorry Ipswich fans, I hope fails miserably again.

    I would love to see him flat share with Joey Barton though, perhaps on some late night reality programme.

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  • 60. At 3:35pm on 08 Jan 2010, JacksinBuxton wrote:

    55. At 3:26pm on 08 Jan 2010, United Dreamer wrote:

    Jacks are you a post match interviewer or a member of the Irish FA... Ah heck you could be anyone - he has upset that many. He probably can't stand the sight of himself half the time - probably why he grew his beard.

    ---------------------
    There are rumours,Dreamer,that Keane has to take Triggs out at midnight to avoid angry Ipswich fans armed with pitch forks.

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  • 61. At 3:36pm on 08 Jan 2010, Coplandrdloyal wrote:

    * First comment?
    -----------------------------------------

    Loser

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  • 62. At 3:36pm on 08 Jan 2010, GINOLLLLA wrote:

    That'd be one reality programme I wouldn't mind watching...

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  • 63. At 3:37pm on 08 Jan 2010, butidontlikecarrots wrote:

    Sorry, got a tad carried away there. Have given myself a good talking to.

    Excellent blog CC, I always look forward to this one. Keep up the good work!

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  • 64. At 3:37pm on 08 Jan 2010, United Dreamer wrote:

    I think that has more to do with his beard growth Jacks. Apparently there needs to be a full moon as well.

    I like the idea of that Pilch. I would pay to see Barton get his face filled in.

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  • 65. At 3:37pm on 08 Jan 2010, butidontlikecarrots wrote:

    P.S. I'll have the deodorant.

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  • 66. At 3:39pm on 08 Jan 2010, GINOLLLLA wrote:

    Shall we have a whipround? We could keep Barton locked up, me & RBA could even let you have some meerkats to have a go at Barton first as well?

    Would be some great footage

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  • 67. At 3:39pm on 08 Jan 2010, RedBlueArmy92 wrote:

    60/62... Yes like "The Running Man", Keano has to escape Ipswich before he gets captured by angry locals, who throw him in the stocks and stone him with stal oatcakes! I'd watch...

    On the subject of getting stoned off oatcakes, could you make "space" oatcakes, if so are they common in the Ipswichy oatcakey areas?

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  • 68. At 3:40pm on 08 Jan 2010, United Dreamer wrote:

    To be fair Barton's face looks like it's been attacked by Meerkats. Maybe he uses that instead of an alarm clock.

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  • 69. At 3:41pm on 08 Jan 2010, GINOLLLLA wrote:

    RBA/Samwell - maybe worth pitching the idea to H2H... Could be onto a winner

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  • 70. At 3:41pm on 08 Jan 2010, RedBlueArmy92 wrote:

    Being eaten alive by a pack of hungry and tormented Meerkats... thats not a pretty way to go. Yet somehow quite fitting for ol' JB...

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  • 71. At 3:42pm on 08 Jan 2010, United Dreamer wrote:

    #70 and they would be tormented.

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  • 72. At 3:43pm on 08 Jan 2010, JacksinBuxton wrote:

    Oatcakes are a North Staffs thing,RBA.Although here in Buxton they claim them to be a North Derbyshire thing.Hardly the Wars Of The Roses,I know but hey ho.Space oatcakes?Doubtful,you get high enough after a couple of cheese,bacon and mushroom oatcakes.

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  • 73. At 3:43pm on 08 Jan 2010, JacksinBuxton wrote:

    #70,they'd have terrible wind...

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  • 74. At 3:44pm on 08 Jan 2010, pilch666 wrote:

    Definitely the makings of a good show.......101 ways to get rid of your least favourite football person.......

    You could have 10 selections with Barton, Keane, Neville (either or both) certainly making the list and the audience could vote each week on which one meets a particularly horrific end, meerkat or not!!

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  • 75. At 3:44pm on 08 Jan 2010, RedBlueArmy92 wrote:

    I would keep them in the sack and poke them with sticks, leave food just out of thier reach... and also break them down psychologicaly by passive agressive behaviour and constant undermining... they'd be well annoyed!

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  • 76. At 3:45pm on 08 Jan 2010, United Dreamer wrote:

    #74 Oi - leave Gazza alone. There is noone who can make a celebration into a warm-up quite like our Nev.

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  • 77. At 3:46pm on 08 Jan 2010, ipswichboi wrote:

    "...however QPR gaffer Roy Keane could be set to throw a spanner in the works..."

    Don't think it's been mentioned, had a breif scan through the posts, but he's actually Ipswich gaffer!

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  • 78. At 3:46pm on 08 Jan 2010, JacksinBuxton wrote:

    Pilch,I like the idea,the only drawback I can see is the RSPCA complaining about cruelty to meerkats.Weasels would be the best option,as they could take anything on.Meerkats might be ok with snakes,but GNev's tache?
    Send in the weasels armed with blogidy's cartoon blunderbuss...

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  • 79. At 3:47pm on 08 Jan 2010, United Dreamer wrote:

    RBA - nothing like a bit of passive agression to get the audience going.

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  • 80. At 3:47pm on 08 Jan 2010, RedBlueArmy92 wrote:

    Are you allowed to gar Gnev, Gazza? I'm pretty sure that violates some sort of FA/FIFA ruling somewhere?

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  • 81. At 3:47pm on 08 Jan 2010, JacksinBuxton wrote:

    75. At 3:44pm on 08 Jan 2010, RedBlueArmy92 wrote:

    I would keep them in the sack and poke them with sticks, leave food just out of thier reach... and also break them down psychologicaly by passive agressive behaviour and constant undermining... they'd be well annoyed!

    ---------------
    Send Chief Wiggum round to sing off key to them as well...may me may mo...

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  • 82. At 3:49pm on 08 Jan 2010, RedBlueArmy92 wrote:

    Jacks... haha... yes mate thats the exact thing i was going for!

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  • 83. At 3:49pm on 08 Jan 2010, United Dreamer wrote:

    Jacks forget it - it would be no contest - you need to get him to shave first. We've tried and failed.

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  • 84. At 3:49pm on 08 Jan 2010, Rabster wrote:

    What is the point of these blogs? Not a dig at Chris but all the pointless responses from the usual suspects. Get a grip BBC and your so-called "moderators" who are supposed to ensure comments are 'on-topic.'
    Blog OK, comments pathetic (for the most part.)

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  • 85. At 3:50pm on 08 Jan 2010, JacksinBuxton wrote:

    76. At 3:45pm on 08 Jan 2010, United Dreamer wrote:

    #74 Oi - leave Gazza alone.
    ------------------
    Hang on,you mean there's two Gazza's Dreamer?One of them being the poor deluded soul who is wracked by all sorts of psychological demons,strange facial hair and annoys all sorts of people.Then there's the geordie fella as well....

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  • 86. At 3:50pm on 08 Jan 2010, GINOLLLLA wrote:

    I can I throw Luis Boa Morte in there too?
    Sure many would like to see El Hadj Diouf also.

    I'd sure like to see a one S.Campbell also...

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  • 87. At 3:50pm on 08 Jan 2010, United Dreamer wrote:

    Jacks do your thing - I think Rabster might be advertising.

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  • 88. At 3:51pm on 08 Jan 2010, pilch666 wrote:

    #75 Are the meerkats in the sack or Messrs Keane/Barton etc??

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  • 89. At 3:52pm on 08 Jan 2010, United Dreamer wrote:

    Gazza's not a Geordie - he's from Manchester;)

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  • 90. At 3:52pm on 08 Jan 2010, JacksinBuxton wrote:

    83. At 3:49pm on 08 Jan 2010, United Dreamer wrote:

    Jacks forget it - it would be no contest - you need to get him to shave first. We've tried and failed.

    -----------------------
    Which one,the weasel or the animal you would use to eat him...

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  • 91. At 3:52pm on 08 Jan 2010, followingborohurts wrote:

    You lot get home - I was all by myself next door - and you know who you are and what I mean - and if you dont please accept my apols

    Re the article - I havent read it yet but Im sure its very good - so keep up the good work (on the assumption that its good - and ifit isnt one of us is embarrassed_)

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  • 92. At 3:52pm on 08 Jan 2010, pilch666 wrote:

    Rabster - you forgot to comment on an aspect of the blog instead of just making a pointless comment.

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  • 93. At 3:52pm on 08 Jan 2010, United Dreamer wrote:

    #88 have you paid your 2 pounds?

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  • 94. At 3:53pm on 08 Jan 2010, RedBlueArmy92 wrote:

    Rabster... you are exactly what we were looking for... As for off topic.

    I WAS SITTING watching the football on the BBC last night, and it said you could get 'interactive' by pressing the red button on the remote. I pressed mine and the telly went off.

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  • 95. At 3:53pm on 08 Jan 2010, followingborohurts wrote:

    61. At 3:36pm on 08 Jan 2010, Coplandrdloyal wrote:
    * First comment?
    -----------------------------------------

    Loser

    The poster or Rangers - who are you selling Boyud to????? Us please!?!?!

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  • 96. At 3:54pm on 08 Jan 2010, JacksinBuxton wrote:

    Dreamer,I've only used the nuclear option once for what was a blatant advert.The Rabster is fully entitled to his view.
    After all,I'm a defender of JDR so I can't grumble....

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  • 97. At 3:54pm on 08 Jan 2010, United Dreamer wrote:

    Good point RBA. I forgot.

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  • 98. At 3:55pm on 08 Jan 2010, RedBlueArmy92 wrote:

    THE GOVERNMENT safety campaign proclaims 'Speed Kills!' What nonsense. As an astronaut, I regularly travelled at 30,000 mph on space missions and came to no harm. The Titanic was doing less than 30 mph when it hit an iceberg killing over 1,500 people.

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  • 99. At 3:55pm on 08 Jan 2010, JacksinBuxton wrote:

    FBH,I put a link up,what more can a man do?

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  • 100. At 3:55pm on 08 Jan 2010, United Dreamer wrote:

    Apologies Jacks - RBA reminded me. I'm new to this.

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  • 101. At 3:56pm on 08 Jan 2010, United Dreamer wrote:

    RBA - did that work as a defence? Have you told Ashley Cole?

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  • 102. At 3:57pm on 08 Jan 2010, JacksinBuxton wrote:

    no need to apologise Dreamer.(unless you wish to on behalf Of GNev)

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  • 103. At 3:57pm on 08 Jan 2010, pilch666 wrote:

    Dreamer - I cannot commit to £2 until I know if its annoying rodent like animals were are destroying or meerkats

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  • 104. At 3:57pm on 08 Jan 2010, RedBlueArmy92 wrote:

    IF RYAN Giggs grew a 'Hitler' type tash he'd look like that bloke on the piano out of seventies group Sparks.

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  • 105. At 3:57pm on 08 Jan 2010, JacksinBuxton wrote:

    Ashley Cole!Get him in the meersack...

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  • 106. At 3:59pm on 08 Jan 2010, United Dreamer wrote:

    Pilch Are you adding Lucas to the house? I'd rather you didn't. He's doing quite well for us in your team.

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  • 107. At 3:59pm on 08 Jan 2010, Chris Charles wrote:

    Good grief - you turn your back for a few minutes and suddenly there's 100 comments! Will do my best to answer a few in a while - in the meantime have got to finish off a quiz marking the 40th anniversary of A Question of Sport. Incidentally the canteen was closed so I had to make do with two bags of crisps and a can of Diet Coke - cue disapproving looks from Alison who sits opposite!

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  • 108. At 3:59pm on 08 Jan 2010, RedBlueArmy92 wrote:

    THE GOVERNMENT say that benefit fraud is costing every household in Britain about ?80 per month. Nonsense. I'm up 300 quid a week.

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  • 109. At 4:00pm on 08 Jan 2010, JacksinBuxton wrote:

    That's Ron Mael RBA.
    A man of genius our Ron....
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBtj2ShktAU&feature=related

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  • 110. At 4:00pm on 08 Jan 2010, United Dreamer wrote:

    Chris Charles - I wouldn't waste your Friday. Get down the pub man.

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  • 111. At 4:01pm on 08 Jan 2010, pilch666 wrote:

    Apologies Dreamer, Lucas is most deserving of a place. Alongside Insua, though only a small carrier bag will be needed in his case.

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  • 112. At 4:01pm on 08 Jan 2010, United Dreamer wrote:

    RBA do Meerkats count as kids?

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  • 113. At 4:03pm on 08 Jan 2010, RedBlueArmy92 wrote:

    Right its POETS day so i'm off... all of you have a good weekend, especially you Rabster, sounds like you need it mate... If your teams have defrosted good luck, if not another bleeding dull weekend ahead... ah well...

    Charlsie, stirling work mate, hope your little one has a good birthday... to all those who jumped ship from Robbos blog, i'm gonna tell him and he's gonna be mad!

    Up the shots (sometime in the early spring!)...

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  • 114. At 4:04pm on 08 Jan 2010, pilch666 wrote:

    Cheers RBA, have a good (snowy) weekend. There must be more to life than footie, I just cannot work out what it is and where I find it.

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  • 115. At 4:05pm on 08 Jan 2010, messien wrote:

    Love it when they refer to it as 'the white stuff'..

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  • 116. At 4:05pm on 08 Jan 2010, United Dreamer wrote:

    114 - were we talking about footie?

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  • 117. At 4:06pm on 08 Jan 2010, United Dreamer wrote:

    115 - not as much as Fowler.

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  • 118. At 4:06pm on 08 Jan 2010, pilch666 wrote:

    #116 If you look carefully through all 100-odd posts, there is the occasional mention of a football related topic. The rest were postponed owing to the inclement weather.

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  • 119. At 4:07pm on 08 Jan 2010, United Dreamer wrote:

    #118 - are they the posts with the grey background?

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  • 120. At 4:08pm on 08 Jan 2010, United Dreamer wrote:

    What do you say 118? Now THOSE are annoying adverts.

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  • 121. At 4:08pm on 08 Jan 2010, Evil-Weazel wrote:

    Typical, RBA legs it just as I'm about to lay into him for inciting genocide on my small mammalian brothers.

    Forget giving him £2, send it to me instead and support T.O.S.S.E.R.S

    The Order of Small, Sacred, Ermine Related Species.

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  • 122. At 4:09pm on 08 Jan 2010, Rovers Return - HKR AWAY DAYS wrote:

    #9: "Re Jamie Rednapp.I bet he used to fantasize about being fit as well..."

    Literally...

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  • 123. At 4:10pm on 08 Jan 2010, pilch666 wrote:

    Those posts with the grey background are odd and normally on topic. Very strange.

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  • 124. At 4:10pm on 08 Jan 2010, United Dreamer wrote:

    Strike that 118 (123) - I just read the last one.

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  • 125. At 4:13pm on 08 Jan 2010, bobbieflowers wrote:

    lot of anti rednappic posts on here...i hav to agree the adverts are nausating...i have already added them to the exclusive list of commercials that require either a channel change or the sound muting as soon as they appear...previous additions were the likes of radion and the confused.com

    as for his punditry...i actually quite like him when he is on with souness...its a nice contrast...one is like an excitable school boy who can't wait to let u know what he thinks about the match...even if it is rubbish...the other is like pulling teeth...miserable...seems to think he is down the pub with his aquaintances (not friends...he doesn't have any of them) rather than on tv...and seemingly always to be desperately struggling not to say what he really wants to say i.e. "i could have done better than that"

    i'll let u decide which is which

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  • 126. At 4:15pm on 08 Jan 2010, pilch666 wrote:

    How annoying, Liverpool v Spurs has already fallen foul of the weather and been postponed. What to do on Sunday now.........

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  • 127. At 4:16pm on 08 Jan 2010, GINOLLLLA wrote:

    Really? Oh great... I was looking for a quiet weekend after a busy few weeks but this is really taking the biscuit now

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  • 128. At 4:19pm on 08 Jan 2010, JacksinBuxton wrote:

    107. At 3:59pm on 08 Jan 2010, Chris Charles wrote:

    Good grief - you turn your back for a few minutes and suddenly there's 100 comments! Will do my best to answer a few in a while
    -------------------------
    It's mostly gibberish to be honest Chris.Oh,that one you couldn't get on the quiz,the answer is Princess Anne's weasel....

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  • 129. At 4:22pm on 08 Jan 2010, pilch666 wrote:

    #128 Jacks - thats unfair, I rarely write gibberish. Plenty of tosh with a good dose of sh*te maybe, but certainly not gibberish.

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  • 130. At 4:23pm on 08 Jan 2010, Evil-Weazel wrote:

    128. At 4:19pm on 08 Jan 2010, JacksinBuxton wrote:
    It's mostly gibberish to be honest Chris.Oh,that one you couldn't get on the quiz,the answer is Princess Anne's weasel....

    ____

    *shudder* Leave my auntie out of this Jacks!

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  • 131. At 4:26pm on 08 Jan 2010, blogdignag wrote:

    Disappointing blog, Chris, not up to your usual standard. Is this what Im paying my licesne fee for? Im really getting tired of the low standards of journalism at the bee; at least theyve seen sense and sacked that floppy haired degenerate wossy. Who told him he knew what he was talking about when he was talking about films?
    Chris you, in my opinion are a shining light in these dark days. The whole format of the blog tends to undermine the quality of written prose. Stylistically and in terms of content, we've seen better days and we've done better things, haven't we.
    This blog and the boring whingers who post here exemplify everythign thats wrong with modern journalism.
    Come on Chris, you can do better than this disappointing offering. Haven't read it yet mind but Im sure I'll be disappointed.

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  • 132. At 4:27pm on 08 Jan 2010, blogdignag wrote:

    Hmm it's not as easy as it looks.

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  • 133. At 4:28pm on 08 Jan 2010, United Dreamer wrote:

    Blogs great JDR impersonation.

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  • 134. At 4:29pm on 08 Jan 2010, Evil-Weazel wrote:

    Dreamer, who said he's impersonating?

    That's merely one of Bloggy McDiggingtons multiple personalities coming to the fore.

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  • 135. At 4:30pm on 08 Jan 2010, JacksinBuxton wrote:

    Blogidy,I've just promised H2,back home,that I would behave.Pop back here and look what you've done.It's those anthropomorphic bullets again.Mind,I've converted Chris to Oatcakes...
    Review of the Week,by Chris Charles.Broadcasting to North Staffordshire and beyond....

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  • 136. At 4:32pm on 08 Jan 2010, United Dreamer wrote:

    Ah Evil - it was new to me but an important blog ingredient nevertheless.

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  • 137. At 4:32pm on 08 Jan 2010, Evil-Weazel wrote:

    "Chris Charles presents the Quakers(tm) Review of the Week"

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  • 138. At 4:32pm on 08 Jan 2010, United Dreamer wrote:

    #135 ...the pale?

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  • 139. At 4:33pm on 08 Jan 2010, JacksinBuxton wrote:

    #138,Dreamer.We call the "buckets" in this country.

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  • 140. At 4:35pm on 08 Jan 2010, United Dreamer wrote:

    #139 - thanks - that one's been hanging in the air all day.

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  • 141. At 4:35pm on 08 Jan 2010, Evil-Weazel wrote:

    #139, I call them bath tubs

    /plays violin

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  • 142. At 4:36pm on 08 Jan 2010, Evil-Weazel wrote:

    Hanging in the air? Sorry, obviously a cross wind from here in Ipswich. That's the last time I have curry.....

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  • 143. At 4:36pm on 08 Jan 2010, United Dreamer wrote:

    #141 - so do Meerkats - /plays twilight theme

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  • 144. At 4:38pm on 08 Jan 2010, followingborohurts wrote:

    107. At 3:59pm on 08 Jan 2010, Chris Charles wrote:
    cue disapproving looks from Alison who sits opposite!

    Huh - where - I cant see her - Im sat alone - please explain - who is Alison????

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  • 145. At 4:38pm on 08 Jan 2010, Evil-Weazel wrote:

    #143 Well it gets crowded in our little den, sometimes we engage in inter species bath frolicking to pass the time away.

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  • 146. At 4:43pm on 08 Jan 2010, Evil-Weazel wrote:

    Woot being let out 15 mins early! :D

    So in the immortal words of a young Eric Cartman:
    "Screw you guys, i'm going home."

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  • 147. At 4:44pm on 08 Jan 2010, pilch666 wrote:

    #146 Weazel - that is one legendary quote which I do like to use myself.

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  • 148. At 4:44pm on 08 Jan 2010, followingborohurts wrote:

    131. At 4:26pm on 08 Jan 2010, blogdignag wrote:
    Disappointing blog, Chris, not up to your usual standard. Is this what Im paying my licesne fee for? Im really getting tired of the low standards of journalism
    Blog - I see hwat you did there - fantastic impression - you were being BTP????

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  • 149. At 4:46pm on 08 Jan 2010, pilch666 wrote:

    #148 FBH - I thought both Blog & BTP were racists, or they were both not racists and everyone else was?? I cannot remember because their posts were getting modded so quickly that didn't get a chance to read them.

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  • 150. At 4:46pm on 08 Jan 2010, pilch666 wrote:

    FBH - did you see Rangers are trying to tempt Kris Boyd with a new contract??

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  • 151. At 4:52pm on 08 Jan 2010, United Dreamer wrote:

    Pilch - you see what happens when you go back on topic?

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  • 152. At 4:55pm on 08 Jan 2010, pilch666 wrote:

    Apologies Dreamer, I wasn't thinking when I raised a football-related topic. Its the cold, its playing havoc with my mind.

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  • 153. At 4:55pm on 08 Jan 2010, JacksinBuxton wrote:

    552. At 3:55pm on 08 Jan 2010, Holloway2Holland wrote:

    RBA.

    Looks like we've created a monster on CC's blog.

    I always enjoyed that one because it mostly stayed reasonably on topic, staying amusing with CC coming in and giving replies to most comments.

    Looks like that's gone now.

    -----------------------
    I've taken this from next door(don't like the net curtains,but there you go).Maybe we should take heed....

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  • 154. At 4:57pm on 08 Jan 2010, pilch666 wrote:

    #153 Suggestion duly noted. Theres a moral somewhere there about ruining a good thing etc

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  • 155. At 4:58pm on 08 Jan 2010, GINOLLLLA wrote:

    Interesting to see what Boyd decides I think...
    Hopefully no more games are cancelled, cheering Wigan could be all worthwhile doing this weekend :(

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  • 156. At 5:00pm on 08 Jan 2010, United Dreamer wrote:

    To be honest CC is at fault here. His blog was far, far too long and there was not enough pictures.

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  • 157. At 5:03pm on 08 Jan 2010, davidgilmourthe3rd wrote:

    very nice Blog apart from the very extreemist anti Meerkat views.

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  • 158. At 5:07pm on 08 Jan 2010, blogdignag wrote:

    Can I distance myself from this Robbo Blog Flash Mob, Chris.

    As a son of the potteries myself, can i just say yes you are right first time, we are bullets. I remember several times hiding under tables as bottles flew at pubs/nightclubs. It was like the trenches. If i should die think only this of me : Port Vale shall promoted be in 2023. We wear glass scars like Prussian dualling trophies.

    Torres obviously hails from sunny climes and is untutored in the art and sport of snowball fighting. Yes the headshot is the holy grail, but you ALWAYS need to have ammunittion at the ready - at least 3 snowballs ready-made. If they get too close you can then shove one down their neck.

    Snowballing and sledging through barbed wire fences are up there with darts and shove ha-penny imo.

    I saw Ian Holloway being interviewed for the Blackpool job in a Travelodge. He was gyrating wearing a vulcanised rubber thong and a peak-a-boo pringle sweater. Ironically the "interviewer" turned out to be a kebab house owner.

    Finally the feng shui ( pronounced bull shui) story confirms my belief that if you think the position of a pot plant can influence your life chances your IQ is on a par with the plant. And Geoffrey Plantpot is nearly always wrong.

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  • 159. At 5:20pm on 08 Jan 2010, United Dreamer wrote:

    OK I've read it and its not bad although I think Chris and Robbo are competing for the same territory. As Robbo got in first he wins out although plus marks for mention of Fat Franks advert and Owen's snowball's chance in hell of reaching the world cup.

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  • 160. At 5:47pm on 08 Jan 2010, Chris Charles wrote:

    Apologies again - got rather bogged down in all things quizzy. Only got time to answer the bottom one for now, which is 159. United Dreamer - completely agree, Robbo wins hands down!

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  • 161. At 7:15pm on 08 Jan 2010, In Off The Ghost wrote:

    Great blog, the Fiver is a fantastic read (bring back the TV guide!)

    £130K a week for Viera is madness! If there is one area that City look strong it is defensive midfield. I bet Viera was laughing all the way to the Trafford Centre when he signed that deal.

    http://inofftheghost.wordpress.com/

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  • 162. At 7:38pm on 08 Jan 2010, BeyondThePale wrote:

    All very amusing, but totally inconsequential when people are being murdered at international football tournaments.

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  • 163. At 8:01pm on 08 Jan 2010, Chris Charles wrote:

    Right, just got home to find the birthday girl unwell on the sofa, bless her cottons, so will have to make this pretty brief and just pick out a few comments to reply to - apologies in advance if you get overlooked, nothing personal!

    To the meerkat ad lovers - hmmm not sure on that one. Don't mind the meerkats, but if I hear one more person say 'simples'.....

    23. GINOLLLLA: Yes, I've heard the Arshavin chat too. He's a bit of a card one way and the other.

    24. Holloway2Holland: Good shout - who's going to tell Keano he's not up to the job?

    44. Pilch666: Agree with you there - Redknapp was a great player and on the one occasion I interviewed him, a lovely bloke to boot. But whoever advised him to do that advert...

    56. Samwell2804: Happy New Year to you too - gotta try some of these Pottery delicacies!

    64. United dreamer: After all my ribbing of the Keano beard, I've grown a few whiskers myself in recent weeks. Not that it's anything like the fuzz he was sporting at the end of his Sunderland reign - I'm nowhere near man enough to grow anything like that.

    67. RBA: Ha ha!

    77. Ipswichboi: No offence me 'ol cocker - but that was the point!

    84. Rabster: I leave them alone for five minutes and when I come back all hell's broken loose!

    118: Pilch666: Ha ha ha!!!

    131. Blogdignag: LMAO (or whatever the kids say these days). I wouldn't bother reading it - you're right, it's rubbish.

    Right that's it - the birthday cake's out and I'm outta here. Enjoy your weekend of football. Oh..

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  • 164. At 8:04pm on 08 Jan 2010, Chris Charles wrote:

    162: BeyondThePale: Just seen this - wish I had done before I wrote all those replies. Terrible, terrible news and makes everything I wrote in this blog irrelevant - even though it was done hours before the tragic events in Angola unfolded.

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  • 165. At 8:13pm on 08 Jan 2010, BeyondThePale wrote:

    Chris,

    I doubt anyone thinks you were being disrespectful, mate.

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  • 166. At 8:20pm on 08 Jan 2010, Fun_n_Games wrote:

    A maiden 150 for the ever-brilliant Chris Charles. Good on you sir, now hopefully onwards for the first double-century of comments. You see, this is what happens when your excellent, witty blog is *promoted* a little bit through featuring on the home page.

    In line with the theme of my congratulatory tribute to you, I did think you could have mentioned the cricket, dear boy. Another moral victory in the bag!

    RE: Jamie Redknapp video: "Adding comments has been disabled for this video". Well, that's saved the chap a bit of ongoing grief then, hasn't it?

    Speaking of grief, I fully agree that the 'chubby Frank' line is going to be used once or twice against Lamps in the not too distant future. The only thing to prevent this is perhaps another 6 months of The Big Freeze.

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  • 167. At 8:30pm on 08 Jan 2010, JacksinBuxton wrote:

    Chris,back home in the peace and quiet(children a'bed).Next time I bring the Robbo reprobates regaling right royal rollocks with me,I'll try to slow them down and get things back to normal.
    On a plus though,I hope those that made the great journey across the wastelands to you enjoyed your excellent blog and will return....

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  • 168. At 9:31pm on 08 Jan 2010, Wash wrote:

    It's mostly gibberish to be honest Chris.Oh,that one you couldn't get on the quiz,the answer is Princess Anne's weasel....


    ------------------------------------------------
    Are you sure?- Meerkats look a lot like weasels, especially if you only get a quick look. And it's dark.And you're half asleep.

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  • 169. At 9:34pm on 08 Jan 2010, Wash wrote:

    So in the immortal words of a young Eric Cartman:
    "Screw you guys, i'm going home."

    ---------------------------------------

    Not familiar with that one, the only one I can find on my iPod is 'All By Myself'...

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  • 170. At 9:37pm on 08 Jan 2010, Wash wrote:

    Wish I'd seen the news about Togo before adding my comments- Football seems a little bit irrelevant after that, much less my attempts at wit.

    My condolences to the families of the deceased, and best wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured...

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  • 171. At 10:22am on 09 Jan 2010, BeyondThePale wrote:

    "Would cancelling the tournament be seen as giving in to the terrorists? -
    BBC Sport's Peter Scrivener"

    Why not send your own family then, you bloody idiot.

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  • 172. At 10:54am on 09 Jan 2010, Tess_sgs wrote:

    #6 - North Staffs oatcakes, mmmmm, a meal fit for a king! We LOVE them! My husband reckons they're the best thing to come out of Stoke :)

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  • 173. At 12:46pm on 09 Jan 2010, R Nair wrote:

    After the latest bout of managerial musical chairs, the number of managers who have been in their current job a year or more has fallen from 53 on 10 February 2009 to 45, while the number of managers who have been in their current job two years or more has fallen from 34 on 10 February 2009 to 27.

    http://footballinsights.wordpress.com/2009/02/10/the-hot-seat-gets-hotter-all-the-time/#comment-587
    http://www.leaguemanagers.com/manager/longest-current.html
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A61617260

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  • 174. At 12:44pm on 10 Jan 2010, Spitfire wrote:

    Hi Chris,

    you'ed be better advised to banning anyone who posts more than 5 times a week on Robbo's from the other blogs.

    ANARCHY HERE!




    But since I am here, I leave you with this ad
    http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3483/3777153171_7d95e2c99c_o.gif

    And all that time I was thinking it had to do somemat with footie . . .

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  • 175. At 4:29pm on 10 Jan 2010, Darren wrote:

    Excellent blog Chris! :)

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  • 176. At 4:42pm on 10 Jan 2010, jonny on the ball wrote:

    I say......

    Well done to the England Cricketers in South Africa !!

    http://jonnyontheball.blogspot.com/

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  • 177. At 00:47am on 11 Jan 2010, nick ferrar wrote:

    Can someone please explain SAF's comments to me? Clearly I am too dense for his words of wisdom...

    Like, was five minutes too short?
    Or too long?

    And where is the "disrespect" in either?
    I guess it was a context thing...

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  • 178. At 05:43am on 11 Jan 2010, Hamilton Lindsay wrote:

    Here's a thought, that I believe may come to fruition....after SAF steps down at ManU a candidate for the job has to be Paul Lambert currently at Norwich, and doing a reat job there...Lambert learnd his trade from one of Ferggie's old pals Hitzfield. He completed his coaching qualifications in Germany where as a player he was highly respected, even by the likes of Beckenbauer, for his no nonsense completely professional approach to the game, traits he seems to be applying in management. Jose, althought the self proclaimed special one, is a great manager, he is not the type for Man U.

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  • 179. At 09:02am on 11 Jan 2010, collie21 wrote:

    Personally I think Vieria to City and Coyle to Bolton is humour enough in itself. My thoughts to the Angolan Nation frankly I couldn't imagine how I would feel if some of my national team had been fired on.
    Great blog but would it be tasteless and pointless to have a debate as to if Angola should have left?

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  • 180. At 10:32am on 11 Jan 2010, collie21 wrote:

    and of course the Togolese

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  • 181. At 3:26pm on 15 Jan 2010, JacksinBuxton wrote:

    Bit dull,this one to be honest,Chris.It reads like last weeks...

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