Always liked Tom O’Connor, if only in a seems like a nice innoffensive chap type of way.
Amused that the delighful Katie Hopkins has been slung out of Australia. Probably going to a bit difficult for her to go virtually anywhere now, poor love.
That level of trivial mundanity is magnificent. Imagine knowing that one episode of Crosswits was cancelled to make way for the Budget speech, and then taking steps to inform the world about it.
I would have worked on Series 6. The celebs I recall were Bernard Bresslaw and Lionel Blair. Both really nice – where do you want me? Is this ok? You got the feeling if you asked them to stand on their heads or give the answer in Latin – they’d have done it without asking any questions.
The other one was the script writer John Junkin – absolute demon for crosswords, we had to prepare about 50% more puzzles if he was on the show. And for those of you familiar with the Guardian crosswords – I also met Bunthorne (whose real job was as a producer on Granada)
Working on Crosswits with Lionel Blair is obviously great and all that. But even that is topped by this guy whose life was saved by both Lionel Blair and Alan Carr
Ticht – “by mutual consent to allow him to pursue other opportunities” is what the BBC are saying. Sounds like he’s moving on somewhere.
Hopefully you’ll get a coach that’s a bit more attack minded.
BB, word is his end of year reviews were very negative.
The consensus among the fans is along the lines of “Best candidate for the job of turning the ship around, but he was never going to take us any further”
I’d tend to agree, he left a lot of young guys sitting on the pine unused, he has his formula and he sticks to it. We need to play a much more expansive game, but with the same grit up front, some kind of perfect mix of Michael Bradly era and the best of the Cockers era.
The fans are calling for Mike Blair, which would be interesting, it’s early in his coaching career, but he might be the guy to do it. We’d need a forwards coach as well as him.
After having had the chance (thanks to Refit) to see the Lions latest on replay, I think that, wrt the backs the selectors are going to:
– start with Farrell if there is any hint of weakness/injury to Biggar and have Smith on the bench anyway
– be prepared for an amazing and direct physical assault in te first half so select a staring 15 of rugged stalwarts with all backs the best possible under the high ball and solid in the centres. So start Murray, Biggar (Farrell) Henshaw, Harris, Adams, Watson and Williams/Hogg – 15 will be a difficult one for them
– have open play/speedy players on the bench: Price, Smith, Daly
“Anyone on here (in the UK) go night clubbing last night?”
Me and the three girls had been chomping at the bit to get back to our usual Sunday night out from before the pandemic. We took Mrs CMW with us this time to cheer her up as she’s supposed to be self-isolating.
The Demon Headmaster. A cobra. Elizabeth from nursery school (“I did want to be friends with her, but all she did do is stare at me” was The Little One’s report). So can put a 7z team out.
Due to a series of covid-related mishaps my lads played 2 cricket matches each yesterday which led to me standing in various cricket fields for 8 hours.
One more tonight and another tomorrow. 6 cricket matches in 3 days is quite a lot.
‘The consensus among the fans is along the lines of “Best candidate for the job of turning the ship around, but he was never going to take us any further”’
Have to agree, really. Culture & professionalism improved. Got to playoffs for first time. However game plan was limited, predictable and could be easy to counter. Team looked mainly inflexible. Brought some yoof through but inexplicably hindered progress of other promising players.
In credit overall, suspect another season of poopness would have led to a lot cries of ‘cockers oot!’.
Battered Ireland up front and then took the foot off the gas/ran out of puff but won comfortably in the end. Lions by a late score. Probably by Judas vdM.
So if I was Eddie and we had a game tomorrow, with no lionz and no injuries…. an england squad would be:
Sinckler
Lcd
Marler
Itoje
Lawes
Curry
Underhill
Simmonds
Robson
Smith
May
Faz
Daly
Watson
Mallins
George
Genge
M Vunipola
Ford
Slade
Dombrandt
Randall
Oi!
I’m not a bench-warmer!
I’d go Robson, Smith, May, Devoto, Slade, Nowell, Watson
Bench cover = 9?, Farrell, Daly – I don’t think Malins adds anything extra yet.
If you play Smith and it doesn’t work then Farrell give s plan ‘B’ – I don’t think Ford does; so the 10s are Smith/Ford and Farrell/Simmonds
With the U20s coming through I think that back line will change again in a couple of years.
I the forwards I’d have Launch with Itoje; and Lawes to cover 2nd and back row.
Whilst brilliant Sam is a problem; he needs grunty forwards around him – or play him at 12! – there, fixed it!
Ovally Balls 
I just learned that Tom O’Connor’s daughter-in-law is Denise Lewis.
Would have been a perfect question for 15-to-1.
LikeLike
@OT – yeah, I saw that in the obit (or tribute somewhere) – on balance, that’s the sort of question Bill Stewart would have loved.
LikeLike
Always liked Tom O’Connor, if only in a seems like a nice innoffensive chap type of way.
Amused that the delighful Katie Hopkins has been slung out of Australia. Probably going to a bit difficult for her to go virtually anywhere now, poor love.
LikeLike
trisk,
https://iamjamesward.co.uk/2017/08/15/the-day-with-no-crosswits/
LikeLike
@tomp
That level of trivial mundanity is magnificent. Imagine knowing that one episode of Crosswits was cancelled to make way for the Budget speech, and then taking steps to inform the world about it.
There is hope for the human race after all.
LikeLike
Sbt – she does seem to have a propensity to fuck herself at any opportunity.
LikeLike
I would have worked on Series 6. The celebs I recall were Bernard Bresslaw and Lionel Blair. Both really nice – where do you want me? Is this ok? You got the feeling if you asked them to stand on their heads or give the answer in Latin – they’d have done it without asking any questions.
The other one was the script writer John Junkin – absolute demon for crosswords, we had to prepare about 50% more puzzles if he was on the show. And for those of you familiar with the Guardian crosswords – I also met Bunthorne (whose real job was as a producer on Granada)
LikeLike
Anyone on here (in the UK) go night clubbing last night?
LikeLike
The guy whose blog it on is very into the minutiae of everyday life. He’s a good lad, and the brother of an ex-girlfriend of mine.
LikeLike
Cockerill out, with immediate effect and “by mutual consent”
Odd timing, either a falling out or he has been made an offer
LikeLike
Working on Crosswits with Lionel Blair is obviously great and all that. But even that is topped by this guy whose life was saved by both Lionel Blair and Alan Carr
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lancashire/5368936.stm
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ticht – “by mutual consent to allow him to pursue other opportunities” is what the BBC are saying. Sounds like he’s moving on somewhere.
Hopefully you’ll get a coach that’s a bit more attack minded.
LikeLike
BB, word is his end of year reviews were very negative.
The consensus among the fans is along the lines of “Best candidate for the job of turning the ship around, but he was never going to take us any further”
I’d tend to agree, he left a lot of young guys sitting on the pine unused, he has his formula and he sticks to it. We need to play a much more expansive game, but with the same grit up front, some kind of perfect mix of Michael Bradly era and the best of the Cockers era.
The fans are calling for Mike Blair, which would be interesting, it’s early in his coaching career, but he might be the guy to do it. We’d need a forwards coach as well as him.
LikeLiked by 1 person
After having had the chance (thanks to Refit) to see the Lions latest on replay, I think that, wrt the backs the selectors are going to:
– start with Farrell if there is any hint of weakness/injury to Biggar and have Smith on the bench anyway
– be prepared for an amazing and direct physical assault in te first half so select a staring 15 of rugged stalwarts with all backs the best possible under the high ball and solid in the centres. So start Murray, Biggar (Farrell) Henshaw, Harris, Adams, Watson and Williams/Hogg – 15 will be a difficult one for them
– have open play/speedy players on the bench: Price, Smith, Daly
LikeLike
“Anyone on here (in the UK) go night clubbing last night?”
Me and the three girls had been chomping at the bit to get back to our usual Sunday night out from before the pandemic. We took Mrs CMW with us this time to cheer her up as she’s supposed to be self-isolating.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“a staring 15 of rugged stalwarts”
Tcod obviously. One of Mrs CMW’s hobbies is staring at walls so she’s in. I’m struggling after that.
LikeLike
Paddington Bear. And Sag on the wing if anyone can find him.
LikeLike
The Demon Headmaster. A cobra. Elizabeth from nursery school (“I did want to be friends with her, but all she did do is stare at me” was The Little One’s report). So can put a 7z team out.
LikeLike
@cmw
Due to a series of covid-related mishaps my lads played 2 cricket matches each yesterday which led to me standing in various cricket fields for 8 hours.
One more tonight and another tomorrow. 6 cricket matches in 3 days is quite a lot.
LikeLiked by 1 person
@OT – Sounds like plenty. I think I once played seven in nine days which was also too much by the last one.
LikeLike
Well that’s a surprise. but not entirely surprising.
Need a coach now. Blair seems likely unless the norngibbons want to send one of their theived coaches back our way.
LikeLike
‘The consensus among the fans is along the lines of “Best candidate for the job of turning the ship around, but he was never going to take us any further”’
Have to agree, really. Culture & professionalism improved. Got to playoffs for first time. However game plan was limited, predictable and could be easy to counter. Team looked mainly inflexible. Brought some yoof through but inexplicably hindered progress of other promising players.
In credit overall, suspect another season of poopness would have led to a lot cries of ‘cockers oot!’.
LikeLike
Ireland are beating us at cricket. Boks by 27.
LikeLike
Two Pretorians in now, Deebs, so no problem. Showing you Egolians how to do it.
LikeLike
We walked the Malahide Castle grounds a few weeks ago and passed the cricket club. It’s a dinky little ground.
LikeLike
Battered Ireland up front and then took the foot off the gas/ran out of puff but won comfortably in the end. Lions by a late score. Probably by Judas vdM.
LikeLike
Just stumbled across this account on twatter. It could be Cat. I’m not sure though.
LikeLiked by 4 people
It is very Cat-like in every sense. There are a couple of other clues in his profile and other comments too.
Bok squad to be announced at 12:30 UK time today.
@Thauma, I’ll do a quick write up of it and their prospects for an ATL, if you like?
LikeLike
Am pretty sure it’s Cat. The rest appears that to have done him some good – on top form.
LikeLike
Definitely Cat. I might reach out to him.
LikeLike
Although, it’s not talking about rugby or bewbs.
LikeLike
Ah wait there’s a rant to no one about an obscure film culminating in this:
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s Godzilla: King of the Monsters. My son watched it a few weeks ago. Not so obscure. It is rubbish, or the bits I caught were,
LikeLike
Tomp – well I haven’t watched all the Godzilla films. Still getting through the Lesbian Nazi Vampires at the Center of the Earth series (1 – 9).
LikeLiked by 4 people
Stone-cold classics.
The Korean originals I hope not the Hollywood re-makes.
LikeLike
Tomp – absolutely. I’ve been learning Korean to properly experience them.
LikeLike
“There are a couple of other clues in his profile”
Likes: catching mice, sleeping etc.
LikeLike
So if I was Eddie and we had a game tomorrow, with no lionz and no injuries…. an england squad would be:
Sinckler
Lcd
Marler
Itoje
Lawes
Curry
Underhill
Simmonds
Robson
Smith
May
Faz
Daly
Watson
Mallins
George
Genge
M Vunipola
Ford
Slade
Dombrandt
Randall
Innit
LikeLike
Hates: the Irish, the Australians, the Italians, the French, the Welsh etc etc etc, Water, Cucumbers
LikeLike
Maybe replace Ford with Ludlam.
LikeLike
The arrogance of picking only 22 players when you pick 23.
LikeLike
Bum, missed a sub. Add Hill.
LikeLike
Tomp – I’d only need 10 players tbh.
LikeLike
I like your team, Craigs. I think it could see much improved England performances. Maybe up to 4th in next year’s 6 Nations.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Oi!
I’m not a bench-warmer!
I’d go Robson, Smith, May, Devoto, Slade, Nowell, Watson
Bench cover = 9?, Farrell, Daly – I don’t think Malins adds anything extra yet.
If you play Smith and it doesn’t work then Farrell give s plan ‘B’ – I don’t think Ford does; so the 10s are Smith/Ford and Farrell/Simmonds
With the U20s coming through I think that back line will change again in a couple of years.
I the forwards I’d have Launch with Itoje; and Lawes to cover 2nd and back row.
Whilst brilliant Sam is a problem; he needs grunty forwards around him – or play him at 12! – there, fixed it!
LikeLike
Tomp – aye. We might even beat Argentina at home too.
LikeLike
Deebs – YES PLEASE!
LikeLiked by 1 person
South Africa: Le Roux; Kolbe, Am, De Allende, Mapimpi; Pollard, De Klerk; Nche, Mbonambi, Nyakane, Etzebeth, Mostert, Kolisi (capt), Du Toit, Smith
Replacements: Marx, Kitshoff, Malherbe, De Jager, Elstadt, H Jantjies, E Jantjies, Willemse
LikeLike
Seeing as Deebee seems to be having an extended lunch
LikeLike
smith at 8, eh?
LikeLike