????

The state gets too big and knows best and that's what you get MrB

Being bored to death by Allfornun must have an impact too

Slow couple of years

Yup agree. I thought that Hodgson was poor tactically (in terms of chnaging them ie flexibility) in the game yesterday as opposed to before. Didn't help that Rooney was dogshite.

but he's not as kanackered as our high tempo Premiership players and has he Gerrard and Parkers' injury history? I still thought we had midfield bossed for 25 mins or soo.

I agree Otta. For the first 20 minutes Parker and Gerrard dominated and I really thought we looked the best team then they both faded way as half crocked, 4th game in 2 weeks, half crocked 30 somethings would and we'd no back up. That' why the Italians were in charge from HT onwards, those two younger and/or some decent cover and we'd have won.

Come on Minitoots, give us something back...where did you go in the end? How was it? etc? I'd say Calabria this year. Beautiful, propa Italy without the Tuscany brigade

I like East Dulwich a lot - but would I have wanted to be here in my early 20s? Nah, it's pretty trendy-lite safe 30 something territory surely. I don't see any bar etc I'd have come to in my early 20s certainly. I've never felt it's a 'cool' area tbh. And even less so than maybe 5-7 years ago with more chains etc than then and less quirky bars such as Drum and Inside whatever

On the plus side too we can now put the Golden Generation peacefully to sleep and the medium term prospects are should qualify for the major tournaments, gettimg tpo knock out stages will be a plus

Simon Cowell is the most recognised face in the UK or something, celebrity shite and it's not that recent either OJ Simpson (who most brits had never herd of before that chase) trial was 'trial of the Century'...er, Nuremburg anyone?

...he didn't look very adaptable jah, and the criticism that he's only got one style of play looks true...and the substututions absolutely baffled me (Young staying on). But no, not Hodgson Out.

Far less gutted than normal as to have gone throughwould have been an embarrassment and Germany would have retired at half time. Thoughts Gerrard and Parker absolutely knackered after 1st 20 minutes Rooney a joke Er, why was Young still on the pitch? Hodgson hardly exposed as a tactical genius as I'm sure many Liverpool fans knew already Plus points I thought Carroll was good I thought Hart was good I thought Lescott was good grudgingly the racist was good The Fans were maginficent

Strangely nervous about this one as we are as far as I'd thought we'd go...but.....COME ON INGERLAND:))

A mixture of Football, a massive night on Tuesday :)-D and being in Ireland meant I saw very little of Ascot and no bets but I did see Frankel on the news, absolutely awesome. Layed off Torres for Top scorer for a very small profit or a bit bigger one if he gets it (unlikely); Just holding Italy as winners (compensation if they beat us) and have reduced my risk on Laying Spain by backing them at half time tonight...but will still be in the red if they win. Also layed any hatrick at 1.32 or something as that seemed worth a shout for a minimum risk. er sorry edited to say layed No hatrick at 1.32 :)

A Happy Mondays album and the Guardian...a double dose of embarrassment surely?

...maxxi...please don't tell me you tipped us to beat Italy?

...and I say that as a bloke approaching 50 with 3 kids under 7 ::o

The other interesting point is social change - off the top of my head (but I think these are the correct numbers as I used to use them a lot), the average age of a first time mum in 1971 was 23 and by 2001 it was 27, loads of especially middle class mums have kids later which tends to suggest that if you have 3 you've then got to squueze them in pretty close. I'm one of 3 and many of my mates are and the pattern with that tended to be 2 quite close together with a third brother or sister about 7-10 years later...harder to do with a later start.

my work here is done

Or doesn't it go, "Scotland lose pluckily and possibly unluckily, a nation patronised"...unless you go back 40 years

pS Even relatively small things like the whole family can't go swimming anymore etc have an impact

Things that happened with our third arrival.....all within 5 years Had to get a bigger car Family willingness to look after them for a day or occasional night dropeed off noticeably from 2-3 Spare room went, so guests are a bit of a shuffle around, which effects friends coming to stay and Grandparets looking after them so we can have a night out and lie in. But it's all a bit relative (geddit), my nan was one of 9 (all survived) bought up in Mile End on a Railyway Labourers wages

..the mexican was also a late night drinking option (and, of course, Bolus)

..ahhh, The Spanish Jah...loved it, compulsory 'food purchase' ticket for the late drinking!

Would have traded a profit on my Russia bet but got talked out of it.....