Formby

I’m giving him a chance. I think he will do a good job long term 

I lived in Formby from 1966-1975. It was the home of many Everton and Liverpool players at the time (still is, I dare say). John Toshack had a house adjacent to my primary school, Bob Latchford owned the local barbers and Joe Royle played kickabout near Formby pinewoods a few streets away from my house. I left Formby in 75 to live in Belfast. My abiding memory was seeing soldiers on the streets for the first time. Crossing the border from the south, and stuck in a huge queue, a young squaddie - recognising the English plate, I guess - knocked on my dad's window. He looked in the back, saw me, and asked who I supported. When I said Everton, he grinned and said 'Right team'. He asked us to pull out of the queue and waved us over the border. Formby and Everton came with me.  

I lived in Formby from 1966-1975. It was the home of many Everton and Liverpool players at the time (still is, I dare say). John Toshack had a house adjacent to my primary school, Bob Latchford owned the local barbers and Joe Royle played kickabout near Formby pinewoods a few streets away from my house. I left Formby in 75 to live in Belfast. My abiding memory was seeing soldiers on the streets for the first time. Crossing the border from the south, and stuck in a huge queue, a young squaddie - recognising the English plate, I guess - knocked on my dad's window. He looked in the back, saw me, and asked who I supported. When I said Everton, he grinned and said 'Right team'. He asked us to pull out of the queue and waved us over the border. Formby and Everton came with me.  

I lived in Formby from 1966-1975. It was the home of many Everton and Liverpool players at the time (still is, I dare say). John Toshack had a house adjacent to my primary school, Bob Latchford owned the local barbers and Joe Royle played kickabout near Formby pinewoods a few streets away from my house. I left Formby in 75 to live in Belfast. My abiding memory was seeing soldiers on the streets for the first time. Crossing the border from the south, and stuck in a huge queue, a young squaddie - recognising the English plate, I guess - knocked on my dad's window. He looked in the back, saw me, and asked who I supported. When I said Everton, he grinned and said 'Right team'. He asked us to pull out of the queue and waved us over the border. Formby and Everton came with me.  

I lived in Formby from 1966-1975. It was the home of many Everton and Liverpool players at the time (still is, I dare say). John Toshack had a house adjacent to my primary school, Bob Latchford owned the local barbers and Joe Royle played kickabout near Formby pinewoods a few streets away from my house. I left Formby in 75 to live in Belfast. My abiding memory was seeing soldiers on the streets for the first time. Crossing the border from the south, and stuck in a huge queue, a young squaddie - recognising the English plate, I guess - knocked on my dad's window. He looked in the back, saw me, and asked who I supported. When I said Everton, he grinned and said 'Right team'. He asked us to pull out of the queue and waved us over the border. Formby and Everton came with me.  

Eagles are back in this year so very excited (even without Wentz)!

Saying I said they park the bus is a misconception. See Q31's post.

His Bolton team was exciting to watch: he made some very astute loans and built a good team. Also, defensive football never did Simeone's Atletico any harm. I grew up in the 70's watching Italian teams employ catenaccio very successfully. I don't think there is anything wrong in using any system if it works. Personally, I'd also like to see more flair, but hey ho, we don't have the players at the moment.  

Yes, he was. I kept all mine, luckily. Character-based, gentle humour but very profound in its way. As an adult, I often flick through and find it still resonates. Sad to tell, I have become more like Charlie Brown than I imagined I would be!  

Good start to a novel, Peter...

Good start to a novel, Peter...

Honest question to Bill, Matt and anyone else who thinks relegation is inconceivable.
Given we have just been fortunate to get a point against the side who are bottom of the table, and who before today had only amassed a grand total of 4 points all season. If we are not in danger who is?

Sunderland, Coventry, Leeds, Forest, Ipswich and Aston Villa will all tell you an entirely different story. I’m not arsed about reputation, I just want success. Going down would be an absolute disaster for us- we could kiss the stadium goodbye for starters.

Thanks, Mike. Now if you could just change our manager?

A good recommendation for him, Austin - though I have to say it through gritted teeth (Flyers' fan since '96).

I never forgave him for his underhit backpass in the LCF of '77. Broke my heart.

Dreadful tournament: utterly dull and forgettable. Best 'team' were Germany, but they were undone by lack of a striker in the SF. France flattered to deceive and I was pleased they lost. I have Portuguese friends and my little boy loves Ronaldo so I was very happy for them. Team defence, as ever, wins games, something I hope we learn from for the new season.

Major's comment about disloyalty could also apply to Corbyn, who was serially disloyal to every Labour leader.
 
If we had any kind of effective opposition in this country, calls to vote Remain to protect the NHS would not be needed. How weak and ineffectual a party Labour has become. If they don't like the Eton cabal dismantling the NHS, then they should get their act together. It really is pathetic.

Major's comment about disloyalty could also apply to Corbyn, who was serially disloyal to every Labour leader.
 
If we had any kind of effective opposition in this country, calls to vote Remain to protect the NHS would not be needed. How weak and ineffectual a party Labour has become. If they don't like the Eton cabal dismantling the NHS, then they should get their act together. It really is pathetic.

Apologies for the bit of self-promotion. My new book, Daddy Dearest, is out today. Blurb and link below, if anyone is interested!

An estranged father’s weekend with his beloved five-year-old daughter turns into a nightmare when she gets into the lift of a city centre tower block and goes down without him. She vanishes without a trace. It sets off a race against time, and a nationwide manhunt, to find her. As the police investigation closes in, suspicion falls on those closest to her - with devastating consequences. Daddy Dearest is a terrifying story of love, obsession and psychological meltdown.

http://amzn.to/1VrQgfZ

Apologies for the bit of self-promotion. My new book, Daddy Dearest, is out today. Blurb and link below, if anyone is interested!

An estranged father’s weekend with his beloved five-year-old daughter turns into a nightmare when she gets into the lift of a city centre tower block and goes down without him. She vanishes without a trace. It sets off a race against time, and a nationwide manhunt, to find her. As the police investigation closes in, suspicion falls on those closest to her - with devastating consequences. Daddy Dearest is a terrifying story of love, obsession and psychological meltdown.

http://amzn.to/1VrQgfZ

Always supported Martinez, but this has gone too far. A really honourable man would admit his failings and resign after this. A board with half a clue would sack him if the resignation wasn't forthcoming. It's just horrible. We need a lot of new players and a new direction.

I suppose the acid test for them will come next year in Europe. Not wishing to downplay their achievement, but I think they have been the beneficiaries this season of everyone else playing so crap. I thought we were better than them at Goodison.

Would gladly lose today in exchange for a victory on Saturday. Martinez starting to look like that clown Moyes when facing the top sides (don't think Moyes ever won an away fixture against them). I was very much pro-Martinez when he joined but this season has been very difficult. If we could somehow get past Man Utd, though, I think the whole picture changes. There are a lot of players not pulling their weight, and considering the money they're earning, they should be ashamed of themselves. My heart sinks when I see them not trying. Hoping for a gritty and committed draw today to build confidence and a gritty and committed win at the weekend.