The Fish

It's taken, on average across the last 10 seasons, 92pts to win the title. If we maintain our 2PpG, we'll end up on 76pts. To get to 92pts, we'd need 2.7PpG for the rest of the season. That's 4 wins and a draw from 5 games. For the rest of the season. The top 8 can still get to 92pts, but Liverpool, Brighton and Chelsea would all need 70-71pts from the remaining 24 games. Basically, they'd need to win every single game. If Arsenal maintain this form, they'll end up on 100pts, Man City on 87pts. So Arsenal can have a wobble and still be on course for 92pts, Man City are within touching distance, but the rest of the league would have to significantly improve their form to come close.

I've looked at Pet Plan and it's about £40pm, check on comparison sites, and I can get the same level of cover with stuff like M&S Bank, or John Lewis, for £15. What marks PetPlan as superior for you lot? Already had a browse of puppy trainers around here.

We did consider rescues but you've no idea what the dog's life was like before it was taken to the shelter and with a little lad it's not worth the risk. We've spent ages poring over breeds, what exercise and space requirements they'd need. Part of the reason we're going for a poodle cross is because they'd be hypoallergenic and there'll be less moulting. Both Cocker and Springer spaniels will obviously mean it'll need attention and exercise, but I work from home so can sort that out while avoiding my responsibilities at work.

Literally everybody I've spoken to has firmly advocated a crate. What's your issue with them? I looked at PetPlan, it's a lot more expensive than some of the alternatives. Why'd you go for them?

No, not that kind MF. Finally got the house and finances in order so we're looking at getting a dog. Sister-in-Law is in a similar situation so we're looking at buying siblings. It's somehow my job to sort out the paraphernalia that you need to go with it. Crate, Bed, lead, tags etc. Anything you dog-owners would highly recommend? Also, pet insurance? It's likely to be a cockapoo or sproodle, so any suggestions for insuring the thing, would be appreciated too.

Yeah, can't see the point in watching a comedian in an arena. A music act, sure, but a person telling jokes? Nah. Plus the added fanny on with paying a hundred quid for a watered down lager and stale popcorn. Fuck that, if you want to see a huge star, go and see them do their Work In Progress gigs. Still funny, often riskier, in a decent sized room and all that.

They're all classier than Oscar Wilde, and they're all super dead hard as nails and would batter any Mag on sight, not one of them cares a jot about Newcastle, and every man jack of them could pinpoint 5 reasons why Newcastle United are doing better than they should in the league. I know one Sunderland fan and he's nowt like that lot, but there's enough on there to make me think that he is the anomaly and not them.

4? That explains a lot.

What are we saying here, the Title is on?

Statistically we're playing like a top 4 side. So we could end up there. Playing like a title challenger is another matter though. This shows we're creating a good number of chances, while not conceding many. We're doing very, very well, but we're some ways off Man City. In simpler measures, we're scoring a good number, and conceding fuck all. This show's we're creating more good chances than we're putting away. This is encouraging, but again, we're some ways behind Arsenal and Man City. Finally, this shows we're conceding fewer goals than you'd expect from the chances we give up. Not to the same degree as Everton mind you, but still more so than Man City and Arsenal

Is that Jason Lee they just executed, or the Spliffy mascot?

I don't think the title challenge is on because we're 7pts behind and Man City and Arsenal each have a game in hand. I also worry that Wilson, Isak and ASM are injury risks and we'll struggle to rack up the kind of wins it'd need to really challenge. I also think Man City will kick it up a gear after the break.

That's not my real name.

Yep. You're keeping the email you want associated with your twitter account up-to-date.

It's not shown on the front end, but it's there in the background. A large number of people use the same (or similar) passwords for their online accounts, If you do it wouldn't take so many attempts to break into your email address and even then, they likely have programs to finesse or brute force it. I use a dummy email address for all my online stuff. It's distinct from everything else.

Yes, your email is the most important thing to protect. However when everything is linked it makes sense to protect every possible point of contact with that email address. Better safe than sorry.

Personally? I wouldn't. Since getting 2 Factor set up I've already had a couple of pings because someone has tried to access my Spotify or twitter account from Texas and one from India. No idea how many attempts successful or not were made in the past. All they'd need to do is see which bank has sent you emails, go to the log in page, click forgot password, get the password reset code to get into your accounts, empty them, open new lines of credit, max them out, etc. etc. They'd also be able to find your address if you've ever ordered something online. Address, plus bank details, DOB, maybe even find some emailed utility bills... ruh roh spaghettioh

Your twitter account is linked to your email, your email is linked to your phone, your phone is linked to your banking apps, you address, your calendar, your amazon account, your... Two step verification just makes sense in this world of interconnected cunts.

If Isak was able to play 60 minutes, I think we win that game in normal time. Also if we had a better CB than Lascelles. Totally makes sense to rotate the squad. Players need a break, some players need their chance to play. If Howe had named a side filled with kids and crocks, then sure, have a whinge, but this is a 3rd round League Cup game against Crystal Palace. If we face another PL side in the next round, I'm sure Howe will field a strong side then too. Get through to the Semis it'll be 1st team players. Got to hope we either avoid Man City entirely, or catch them fielding a weakened side due to CL commitments. Not sure how Liverpool are going to fit more fixtures into their already mental calendar, they probably would have been better off dropping out of the League Cup entirely. At least 10 PL sides left in the cup; MCI (2) NEW (3) MNU/AST (5/13) BRI (6) LIV (8) LEI (14) BOU (17) SOU (18) WOL (19) NOT (20) 2 Championship clubs; BUR (1) BLA (2) 3 League 1 CHA (9) LIN (14) MKD (21) and 1 League 2 GIL (22) Dunno if it's better to face a PL team now, when they're more likely to field a weakened side, or get another easier tie against lower league opposition? The only draws I wouldn't fancy are MCI home or away, and BRI, LIV or MNU away.

Potato, potato

Isn't that an Aussie kids tv show from the 90s?

Absolutely agree. When I watched that interview I didn't really get the sense this was some show of vulnerability, some peak behind the curtain. The closest I came to seeing the private Eddie Howe was when he spoke of wishing he could have spoken to his late mother again. Even then and when he talked about missing parent-teacher meetings, or spending time with his kids it felt like there was a guard up. Which, like you say, isn't a criticism just an assessment. He's not the kind of public figure that gets your pulse racing, but frankly I don't want or need that from the manager. He clearly has personal connections with his players and that's what really matters. Said it before, but he reminds of of Hughton in that regard, measured, professional, comes across well without stirring oratory, or endearing charm.

If only someone had told him at the time that Qatar was a tiny country. I had a quick check on Wikipedia and apparently, it's half the size of Wales and is in fact smaller than the Falkland Islands. Like that he's trying to shift the blame onto Platini, mind you. Sepp and Michel, two evil bollocks in the same foetid ballbag of corruption.

You're probably right. I don't think Man City are as invulnerable as they've been previously, but they've got so much quality and so much depth it'd be daft to bet against them passing Arsenal at some point and never looking back. Liverpool would have to go some to get into the top spots. They're on 19pts from 13 games(1.46PpG). Continue at that rate for the rest of the season, they'll end up on 52pts (19+(25*1.46). Average for 4th in the last 10 seasons is 71pts. So they'd need c52pts (71-19) from the remaining 25 games or 2.08 Points per Game. Games which include; Chelsea home and away, Man City away, Newcastle away, Arsenal, Man Utd and Spurs at Anfield, plus a Merseyside derby. Plus the Champions League. And the Domestic Cups. They've got to squeeze the postponed Wolves game in there somewhere too. The only free weekend I can see in the calendar is the 7/8th of January.

I dunno, they're definitely in the title challenge on merit. Attacking and defending superbly. Only Newcastle have conceded fewer, only MCI have given up fewer good chances.