Cornish Steve

As a former Wigan fan, I'd be delighted to see McCarthy join. He was the stand-out performer for Wigan within proven ability in the Premier League - plus, at 22, he has the potential to become a really big deal in this league. Some will moan that we're going back to Wigan again, but so be it: Baines was from Wigan as well, and I don't see too many complaints there.

I'd put a different spin on this:
 
- Baines is staying
- Fellaini is staying
- Barkley and Stones are ready for the big leagues
- Three new players brought in
- One new player on loan
 
Even without additional transfer activity, this looks good.

Years ago, my boss's last name was Geisler. One time, when sending an SMS to a customer, predictive text changed his name to Ghastlier. Unfortunately, I didn't spot this, and the message went out anyway. Much embarrassment and amusement all round.
 
These days, the fun comes from word recognition technology totally screwing up - converting "my sales pitch" to "my sassy bitch", for example.

Just read the following: Statistics from the Premier League's opening weekend reveal that Everton completed the most passes (564), maintained the most possession (67 percent) and recorded the second highest passing accuracy (88 percent) of all teams. This shows just how quickly the team has adapted to the new style of play. Quite impressive.

It's questionable to me that so many sponsors are gambling companies. Personally, I'd impose a ban on certain companies being allowed to sponsor just so there's no hint of inappropriate influence.

The Telegraph is reporting that ManU will return with a joint bid of 35m. In effect, this is 12m for Baines and the 23m buy-out amount for Fellaini. They suggest, though, that Tom Cleverley might be in the mix. Now, 35m plus Cleverley would not be such a bad deal.

Re DM's comments about the schedule being unfair, I just noticed Villa's first week. They played Arsenal away; mid-week, they play Chelsea; next Saturday, they play Liverpool away. In comparison, ManU will have played just two games, versus Swansea and Chelsea. If anyone has the right to complain, it's Paul Lambert. Rather than whine, however, he just got on with the job.

The Telegraph is reporting that ManU will return with a joint bid of 35m. In effect, this is 12m for Baines and the 23m buy-out amount for Fellaini. They suggest, though, that Tom Cleverley might be in the mix. Now, 35m plus Cleverley would not be such a bad deal.

Re DM's comments about the schedule being unfair, I just noticed Villa's first week. They played Arsenal away; mid-week, they play Chelsea; next Saturday, they play Liverpool away. In comparison, ManU will have played just two games, versus Swansea and Chelsea. If anyone has the right to complain, it's Paul Lambert. Rather than whine, however, he just got on with the job.

In fairness, the BBC did not quote his entire comment - which went on to say that they still have to play 38 games and it will be tough for the teams that play his team. On the other hand, the FA have confirmed that he had the gall to complain to them suggesting bias because they won the league last year. I can just imagine the conversation:
 
"We haved to play three difficult teams in our first five games. That's unfair. I demand you change the schedule so we play Palace, Hull, and Cardiff first."
"OK. Done. So now you play those tough teams at the end of the season."
"Wait. That's not fair. If we're in a tough promotion battle, we should be playing easier teams at the end of the season. Palace, Hull, and Cardiff last."
"OK. Done. So now you play the tough teams over Christmas and the New Year."
"Bias! That will slow our momentum. Over the holidays, we should play Palace, Hull, and Cardiff."
"And what about the Easter weekend?"
"Same thing. It must be Palace, Hull, and Cardiff."
"But sir, you only play those teams twice,"
"What? Most of our games are against difficult teams? What is this - a conspiracy? Next you'll be telling me I'm only allowed 11 players on the pitch."

To finish sixth this season, we need to match last season's results. Today, we improved on last season and are a point ahead, so we have the potential to move into the top five. It's easy to be disappointed about not winning, but no team will win every game. Our aim has to be to better last season's results. We've started out on the right foot. <br />

There's no way we should let ManU's silly games affect our team selection for the opening game. I am so frustrated by the constant speculation. If they want the player, make an offer - but don't screw up our preparations and progress by these delays. We're a bigger club than them, and this year we'll prove it.

Am stuck in traffic near the queens tunnel enjoying the New York skyline on a beautiful day while following the game. Wonderful.

What's impressive to me is the caliber of our bench.

In fairness, the BBC did not quote his entire comment - which went on to say that they still have to play 38 games and it will be tough for the teams that play his team. On the other hand, the FA have confirmed that he had the gall to complain to them suggesting bias because they won the league last year. I can just imagine the conversation:
 
"We haved to play three difficult teams in our first five games. That's unfair. I demand you change the schedule so we play Palace, Hull, and Cardiff first."
"OK. Done. So now you play those tough teams at the end of the season."
"Wait. That's not fair. If we're in a tough promotion battle, we should be playing easier teams at the end of the season. Palace, Hull, and Cardiff last."
"OK. Done. So now you play the tough teams over Christmas and the New Year."
"Bias! That will slow our momentum. Over the holidays, we should play Palace, Hull, and Cardiff."
"And what about the Easter weekend?"
"Same thing. It must be Palace, Hull, and Cardiff."
"But sir, you only play those teams twice,"
"What? Most of our games are against difficult teams? What is this - a conspiracy? Next you'll be telling me I'm only allowed 11 players on the pitch."

I'd put a different spin on this:
 
- Baines is staying
- Fellaini is staying
- Barkley and Stones are ready for the big leagues
- Three new players brought in
- One new player on loan
 
Even without additional transfer activity, this looks good.

I'd put a different spin on this:
 
- Baines is staying
- Fellaini is staying
- Barkley and Stones are ready for the big leagues
- Three new players brought in
- One new player on loan
 
Even without additional transfer activity, this looks good.

I'd put a different spin on this:
 
- Baines is staying
- Fellaini is staying
- Barkley and Stones are ready for the big leagues
- Three new players brought in
- One new player on loan
 
Even without additional transfer activity, this looks good.

Not another almost former Wigan player? And Baines too? Relegation!

Glad you have such confidence. Very few throughout history would share your opinion, including most of the world's most brilliant people. And, frankly, today is not much different. I don't see fear of death as a phobia, actually. Whether you call it survival instinct or, as I would, something more than that, it is a pervasive and understandable fear. I won't start a debate on this: Suffice it to say, though, that it's easy to build a public veneer on this topic and to display bravado, but many people who do their best to embrace nonchalance remain terrified when the moment comes. I don't see that as weakness at all, more avoidance.
 
As for phobias, I've been in many high places in the world to try to overcome my fear of heights, but I just can't shake it. I had no problem in a hot air balloon; it's heights on solid objects that's the problem. My other phobia is snakes, and I've never even tried to overcome that one. We have rattlers where we live, and my son saw a copperhead on our front path a few days ago. That makes me nervous.
 
As for spiders and bugs in general, I try to catch them and let them go free outside. I've had to temper that a little, though, because I came across a brown recluse the other day (which is poisonous).

It doesn't matter where I buy the ingredients for the world's best dish. What matters is that they are the right blend of ingredients, and my skill as a cook is what makes the dish great. I fail to understand why people care so much about this transfer window, how much is spent, and where players come from. What matters is how individual players meld to create the world's greatest team. The finished dish is what counts, not the individual ingredients.

Money, money, money! That's why.

I agree that he'd get plenty of playing time. RM is not one to play the same team week in and week out, plus he has an excellent track record of making tactical substitutions.

I agree that he'd get plenty of playing time. RM is not one to play the same team week in and week out, plus he has an excellent track record of making tactical substitutions.

Just to clarify....Goodison is 150 feet above sea level and Old Trafford is 118 feet so if he moved there he's be taking a step down.