matthew123

Years ago I was at a tube station going through the turnstile when some thug tried to bunk in behind me on a freebie without a ticket. It had happened numerous occasions previously so on this occasion I paused on other side and let the turnstile shut him out. Anyway, he punched me in the shoulder and shouted some threatening abuse as I faced him other side of turnstile. It did cross my mind that I'd face the lunatic sooner rather than later.. so later I filed a report with the Transport Police who some days later managed to track him down through the CCTV footage. They did ring to ask if I wanted to press charges, I asked for the options and we settled on him being given an informal warning by the Police. For all I know he did the same thing the following week but I doubt it.

I really don't understand the mentality of her not making a report to the Police. The scumbag will build up his confidence and sooner or later may take it one step further with physical violence on some other innocent victim. If your friend is not willing to help the Police then maybe you should start the ball rolling, if it's not too late, so Police can examine the evidence and any on-board CCTV footage that still exists.

I've watched some of the Darts on Sky and it's been good entertainment, and it sounds a wicked atmosphere, with crowd chanting such ditties as "Play on Stompe, Stompe play on" and "Barney Army"

It's the kinda game you'd want played at the old Dell with a bog of a pitch. However, United have Chelsea the following weekend and a midweek League Cup semi final in between so I guess there maybe one or two weak links in the United team for their visit to the south coast. Southampton have a chance if they have the stomach. I'm predicting a shock exit for United, 2-1 to the Saints!!

The Job Interview Firstly, dress very well. Even if you know they wear t-shirt and jeans still wear a shirt, tie and suit to the interview. Do not wear boots or trendy trainers, do not arrive with sweaty hands, do not smell of booze, do not arrive having had beans and garlic for your lunch. They are the basic laws of entry into an interview. On arrival at the hiring firm you will usually sign in and be told to wait patiently in the lobby for the hiring manager. Take this opportunity to grab any trade magazine or newspaper that is available in your seating area, this will demonstrate to the hiring manager when they come to collect you that you are screwed in to the role. What you must not do is be seen trawling through the sports pages, that is a serious no-no or worst of all be caught oggling one of the receptionists. When greeted by the hiring manager immediately spring to your feet with a beaming smile and be the first to offer your hand. If this is not reciprocated take a deep breath and follow behind the hiring manager. On the other hand if a firm handshake has been applied then march shoulder to shoulder with your potential new boss. If the hiring manager starts up some small talk whilst escorting you to the interview room remember this is not an invitation to start babbling on about your favourite hobbies. Instead you nod, smile and agree with what ever your superior mumours providing of course it is all above board and legal (if it is not show some discretion and keep your powder dry for another day). When you reach the interview room do not charge for the big comfy leather chair, rather wait for guidance on this issue. There maybe more than one person interviewing you so be alert when they are introduced and make a mental note of their names. If you are asked what would you like to drink, do not try and show you are a wise guy by asking for a beer. Instead simply ask for tap water as this will prove you are very humble rather than asking for tea or coffee. If offered biscuits do not be tempted, even if you have skipped lunch and are near starvation. This is a time to show discipline so ignore the interviewers racing through the chocolate biscuits like pigs in a trough. The interview will begin and they will probably start discussing the role so listen very carefully. It is very important for your eyes to flash up and spontaniously smile when they mention any aspects which may not be favourable. For instance if they say you do not get paid for first 3 months take this opportunity to tell the interviewer(s) that for you personally hunger breeds performance and it would be just like at College when you regularly came top of the class whilst your fellow, fat, rich students fell by the wayside. The main part of the interview, also known as the interrogation or if you're unlucky later called beating up monkey, will start. The important thing to remember is do not appear startled by any questions. Of course some questions will shock you to the core but you must remain calm. Whatever you do keep your chin up and remember worse things have happened at sea. Greet simple and difficult questions in the same manner, smile, nod, and ooze confidence even if there is just an empty shell behind your eyes. Natually give the right answer when possible but do not under any circumstances start showing off with extra knowledge. The worst thing to do is demonstrate to any peers in interview that you know more than them as obviously no one wants to hire someone with superior skills as it will compromise their own futures. If you do not know the answer then roll your lips a few times, look deep into the eyes of the interviewer and wait for them to ask another question - interviewers only remember wrong answers. At the end of interview you should shake hands and thank each member of the interview by their first name if you are 100% sure you have remembered it correctly otherwise a nod and submissive smile is necessary. Even if they refer to you by the wrong name do not be tempted in any shape or form to correct them and certainly do not play the same trick on them by calling them by the wrong name. As you depart the interview building ring the recruitment agent immediately and tell them the role sounds fantastic and you did very well. Although if it was a real washout then inform the agent that the interviewers could barely speak English so it was almost impossible to understand the questions.

I arranged for them to visit my place, but they never turned up. Neither did they return my call when I asked why no show.

Lot of quotes in this article about what happened. It seems Gerrard was involved in the initial confrontation with DJ which reads more handbags at ten paces than anything - it's after Gerrard has stepped back that one of his party has broken a bottle over the DJ's head. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1102512/England-football-star-Steven-Gerrard-faces-years-jail-charge-assaulted-DJ-bar-brawl.html Daily Mail is talking about 5 years in the slammer for Gerrard if found guilty. Before anyone get's carried away about finding the innocent guilty let us remember some of these other sensationalist media reports on alleged rapes and assaults performed by famous footballers in recent times: - Ronaldo: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-365943/United-star-arrested-rape-inquiry.html Johnny Evans: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-503251/Man-Utd-star-Rape-victims-jealous-boyfriend-attacked-I-danced-her.html Roy Keane: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-339472/Keane-court-assault-charge.html Nicky Butt: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-183210/Butt-quizzed-club-assault-claim.html Wayne Rooney: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-418465/Police-send-file-CPS-Rooney-nightclub-assault.html

Based on what they said on Sky Sports and also in the Times and Daily Mail it seems Authorities are trying to make an example of Gerrard however flimsy the case for a successful conviction. The newspapers have not been able to dig up much except Gerrard using his elbow to get past the DJ, a Manchester United fan according to Daily Mail and Times, as he brushed past him after the said DJ had verbally abused him. Sky Sports claim a eyewitness had testified that Gerrard then acted as a peacemaker trying to break up an altercation between his friends and the DJ.

I was always puzzled by the Berbatov signing as sooner or later he will sulk and sink into depression. As for Robbie Keane, I think he can deliver but Rafa must try and remember to put round plugs into round holes... easier said that done. Chelsea have the personal to sweep the board this season (based on Rafa continuing to pick weakened line-ups) but Scolari isn't up to the task. Liverpool XI that should be played each week with everyone fit (no Carragher and no Alonso). Reina Arbeola Skrtel Agger Insua Babel Gerrard Mascherano Riera Keane Torres

Just papers over the cracks at Anfield I'm afraid thinking that Chelsea are going to win league under Scolari. Liverpool need to buckle down and start thinking Goals not Pepe Reina winning a 4th golden glove

I doubt it, World Champions Manchester United (after beating the cream of Japan and Ecuador) have two local fixtures over Christmas that should comfortably yield 6 points, Stoke away and then M'Boro at home. I hear Steve Bennett might be wheeled out to referee one of those fixtures (or maybe both) so that United don't feel they are being persecuted after the Patrice Evra Pitchfolk injustice.

Very disappointing approach by Liverpool today when a very weak Arsenal went down to 10 men. I thought the game was there for the taking in the 2nd half - but when Adebayor got sent off it looked like only the Gunners wanted to win. It was not until 5 minutes from the end that the Reds re-applied any pressure but it was too little too late. Good to see Newcastle get a late winner against Spurs. Joe Kinnear has made steady progress at Newcastle since Keegan threw his dummy out of the pram, and I hope the media are now willing to chock on that stick they beat him with when he first arrived in the North East. Finally, congratulations to the new "World Champions" Manchester United, who won the prestigious Mickey Mouse trophy in Japan this morning. Stan Collymore said that in a few years time [once everyone has been brainwashed], it will be more important than winning the Champions League. Stan might be articulate but...

Gary Mac will be welcomed back with open arms by Sky Sports to sit alongside fellow managerial luminaries Gullit and Souness on the Champions League panel. It's a shame; but he also failed at Coventry so it's going to be a long way back for McAllister. I think Paul Ince would be prefect for Leeds United - tried and tested at that level. I think Ken Bates really would have to be bonkers to take on Roy Keane whose stock is falling sharply now that rudderless Sunderland are playing like world beaters. What odds Poyet and Wise return to Elland Road. Although maybe the wheels started coming off in the final weeks of Dennis Wise reign after their tremendous start last season.

Hmmmmm.... unfortunately Spain play England 2 weeks beforehand in a meaningless friendly... so what odds Torres again returns with a dodgy hamstring problem?

This will only be the 2nd time that two of Europe's greatest clubs have met in competition, the previous time being 1981 in Paris. With a combined 14 European Cup / Champions Leagues between them (9 to Real, 5 to Liverpool) this is the biggest Roll of Honour fixture in Champions League history since Milan beat Liverpool two years ago in Athens. It would have been fitting for this to have been the final in Rome, but I've always thought that on the 25th anniversary of Liverpool beating Roma in their own backyard in 1984 that it will be a repeat final. Obviously the Italians have got the easier passage to the quarter finals but with a good referee and Dirk Kuyt swapping his clogs for a pair of football boots then Liverpool should join them in the last 8. I think United have a chance of joining the big boys in the last 8, but I think Mourinho will have the upper hand with his Inter Milan team who will have learnt a lot about English football when they were kicked out by Liverpool last season. Chelsea will find it tough going over to Turin for the 2nd leg, but much will depend on Drogba. As already suggested it's bye-bye Arsenal.

Reading your original post it does seem bizarre he'd have been knocking your door that early on a Saturday - and especially since you then get a card a week later to fill in same details. Would a burglar be operating that early on a Saturday morning to establish if anyone was at home.. you'd imagine they'd wait til middle of the day so not really sure what went on there, obviously 10 seconds is hardly enough time to jot down the reading never mind do the whole operation.

I think by far the toughest draws are for Arsenal and Chelsea, who will have to play the second legs in Italy, in Rome and Turin respectively. I'd say Liverpool have the easiest of the draws for the big 4, even if the 2nd leg was not at Anfield.

I just got a crazy hunch, it sort of came to me the other night, 4-0 to Liverpool! Might be totally wrong and be on the end of another Arsenal beating but I think Sunday might be Robbie Keane's day! :)

Blackburn 3 Stoke 1 Bolton 2 Portsmouth 2 Fulham 2 Middlesboro 2 Hull 1 Sunderland 3 West Ham 1 Villa 1 Arsenal 0 Liverpool 4 Newcastle 4 Spurs 1 West Brom 1 Man City 0 Everton 0 Chelsea 2

They came to read my Gas and Electric. I said it was not convenient to allow him entry, so he said it would be okay if I read it myself. So that is what I did whilst he waited outside. Problem solved.

OMG - the independent FA regulatory commission who investigated the Evra-Racism-Pitchfolk attack at Chelsea last season have released the following findings of that pantomine session. In essense they've accused the United witnesses of being unreliable and at same time accusing Gary Neville of behaving in an 'abusive and provocative manner'. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1097017/We-dont-believe-FAs-damning-verdict-Evra-United-Battle-Bridge.html LOLOLOLOLOL - "The commission also dismissed a claim by United coaching staff that a Chelsea groundsman had threatened to 'shove' his '******* fork up' Evra's 'arse'."

I don't think the style of play is the problem with Big Sam - it was more Bolton were bad sportsmen. The well rehearsed illegal set pieces such as using the elbow on the centre half or goalkeeper, whilst at other end when boot is on other foot feigning injury when they missed out on a fair tackle. The targetting by Bolton players of one opposition player. Clock Management was another favourite, I remember watching Gary Speed about to pick himself up off the pitch during injury time of one televised game then the camera flashing to Big Sam screaming for him to stay down. Then there were those special jump machines in the tunnel the likes of Davies would be springing up and down on so they could leap higher in the air at throw-ins. I know each team can play football the way they wish and I thought Bolton, at times, played some good football with likes of players you mentioned plus Anelka and Spit Dog, but it was the spirit in which they often approached games under Big Sam that gnaws at the soul of football. Our only hope is that he still refuses to speak to MOTD on a Saturday night, so he doesn't turn the air sour with his flannel, bitter excuses and ego.

You got to wince for the soul of football, when you see Big Sam striding back into the Premiership trenches

I was on the train earlier this season returning from Anfield when there was a group of about 9 drunken geriatrics supporting Coventry and Wolves. They decided to pick on 2 lads in their twenties from Essex, as why don't they support their local club and not Liverpool. Anyway it ended up with one of the 50 year old slobs grabbing the Liverpool fan by the throat when the "banter" got out of hand. Why shouldn't kids be able to decide to pick a team that is successful and then stick with them if it turns out to be their kind of club, through thick and thin, rather than having to pick the team at the bottom of their garden. Even Bill Shankly said that if Everton were playing at the bottom of his garden, he'd have drawn the curtains ;-) The old boys later tried the same aggressive argument with myself and a few others in next carriage. I asked them whether they'd have been die hard Man U fans, if by accident of birth, they'd been born outside Old Trafford.. they said Yes. Which way is the right way I'm not entirely sure.. but none of them volunteered to explain why they were all heading back to London rather than returning to the Midlands to uphold and support their local communities and economy. Old and young made their decision on who to support and where to live - it's called freedom B)

Okay, my club is Liverpool, if that makes any difference.