The Fish

No, it couldn't be that. Don't be ridiculous. Clearly we're going to witness the start of an era of total dominance of the domestic and European leagues, the kind of dynasty that defines the sport.

I just don't get the connection between her and this fixture. Why this game? Liverpool host Manchester United next. If Amanda Staveley is a Liverpool fan that rarely attends games, surely she'd pick that one, rather than the game at St James'. Clear to me that we're being bought out by some Scrooge McDuck type, we're going to show that Messi, Neymar and the a magically restored Pele can do it on a cold Monday in Stoke and we'll win the league on the last day of the season.

Normally at 1-1 against a better team I get bed-wettingly nervous as the game goes on, but I just didn’t get quite as terrified yesterday. The way Benitez sets us up kept Liverpool to quite difficult chances, which has been a theme in every match we’ve played; let the opposition have the ball as long as it’s nowhere dangerous. Part of that was made easier by Liverpool’s apparent struggles up front, but mostly it was our resolute defence. Coutinho’s goal was top class and people have been saying that there’s little we could have done differently, maybe closed him down quicker, maybe Elliott could have second guessed he’d be going near post? That chance came from Lascelles and then Ritchie not clearing our lines properly That aside (and aside from a couple of slips, Clark again) I thought we matched their brilliant forwards manfully. I can’t remember Mane having a real chance all game, and Salah didn’t get much joy out of a left back that none of us were particularly excited about in pre-season. That’s not because Salah came up against a good defender, it’s because Liverpool came up against a good defence. Special mention has to go to Yedlin, he was brilliant yesterday. When he was caught out of position his unbelievable pace gets him out of trouble and there were a couple of times when they broke that he covered twice the ground as our centrebacks in half the time. He was a real threat going forward too, and if he and Ritchie can get onto the same page even more I look forward to the damage they can do to lesser teams. There was one passage of play in particular where, if Ritchie had left Shelvey’s through ball, Yedlin would have been clear in the box ready for a pull back to Ritchie, Shelvey, Joselu or Perez. Merino and Shelvey looked good in the centre, and against lesser sides they’ll get a lot of joy. Merino seemed to start a bit nervous, but only grew into the game as it wore on. Shelvey’s passing is a joy to watch, but he worked hard today. Can’t say I’m expecting him to keep that up though. Joselu battled manfully all game, and did well to time his run and get his chance. Hopefully that’ll give him some confidence? Perez works really hard and kept Wijnaldum and Henderson’s influence to a minimum which was vital to the gameplan imo, he had a few decent flicks and touches too. Biggest issue is that he doesn’t really offer a goal threat at the minute, and he’s not picking the right final ball. The next two fixtures are different challenges, but challenges I think our two in the middle will enjoy in particular. We’ve got Southampton and Palace after the international break, and I’d stick with the same team for them if all stay fit. Maybe swap Lejeune in for Clark. Southampton are struggling to score, they’ve only got 5 in 7 in the league so far, and 3 of those came in their game against West Ham. They’ve only scored twice in five fixtures, and five fixtures against pretty average Premier League sides teams (Man Utd aside). I’d fancy our defence to keep them out if they maintain their focus. The concern will be whether or not we can find the back of the net. I don’t think that will be a problem against Palace. 5 points from these 3 fixtures is a very good return.

Weren't those pictures taken during a failed bid to buy Liverpool? I've not seen anything to say she's categorically a Liverpool fan, and even if she is why hasn't she been spotted at other games? Certainly she's more likely (if she's a Liverpool fan) to go to Anfield for a game against Man Utd, or Chelsea? Rather than a Sunday away trip to Newcastle? I'm skeptical that we're about to bought out by some Oil rich billionaire, but when you add her attendance of a less than glamourous tie, to the previous rumours about Ashley looking to sell, it adds weight to the rumour doesn't it? It could just be that she's mates with Rafa and she was just another in the long list of famous faces in the crowd, I mean there were plenty of ex-players and managers with links to both clubs, but given everything else I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss it out of hand.

Wijnaldum starting too. Nailed on for his first away goal in the Premier League?

Yeah, Shelvey for Hayden and Manquillo for Mbemba. Quite an attacking version of a pragmatic Benitez side.

#nufc XI vs #lfc: Elliot; Yedlin, Lascelles, Clark, Manquillo; Merino, Shelvey; Ritchie, Perez, Atsu; Joselu #nufc subs vs #lfc: Darlow, Gamez, Lejeune, Diame, Hayden, Murphy, Gayle

Put it this way, 5 Live says that Palace v Swansea is an absolute borefest, with neither side registering a shot, let alone one on target, that's the only match that's letting down my 12 team acca and I can cash out now for £45, or hope that somehow, Swansea get the winner I was expecting them to... Rational thinking says "winning" £45 is much, much better than hanging on, against the evidence to hand. Or Man Utd scored early doors, but uncharacteristically West Brom have been absolutely hammering them, with only De Gea and the woodwork keeping them ahead. Surely it makes sense to cash out for a portion of the bigger prize when all ir takes is 1 mistake and the entire pot is lost?

Part of it is seeing if I'm a good judge of results. So if I put on a reasonably small stake but a large acca I'm "invested" in a stack of results. I also put on bets like a double with both teams to score, or a team to win by more than x goals, so cash outs are just a way of having some measure of snatching a win from the jaws of defeat.

... because a guaranteed £60 is better than a potential £120, from a small stake. I've had fun choosing my bets, I've gone back and forth about if and when I should cash out, and then I've won sufficient money to be satisfied with. Not particularly outrageous, is it?

Is the right answer. I usually bet to make the Saturday 3pm matches I wouldn't normally care about, interesting.

I dont cash out every bet and I don't bet as a means of keeping the lights on, so I'm all good lil buddy.

Still in the bottom 2. How long does Grayson have left, and who in the world can they bring in to replace him?

I feel I've made my point and so I'm going to cash out now, before you reply.

I'd wager that I've won more money from cashing out than I would have won had I left it in.

I cashed out because I felt happy enough with the return (£62 from a small stake) and both the games that could still change were on a knife edge. Southampton were all over Man Utd and there was only 1 goal in it. Burnley Huddersfield was 0-0 and I think if it was 1-1 from early in the 2nd half I might have stayed in. I'll also put big accas on (9 matches +), with the intention of cashing out at half time if the pot is comfortably bigger than my stake. e.g. I cashed out for £8 from a 50p, when the acca could have returned £3k. Sure enough a few minutes after I cashed out for a relative pittance the scores changed and the cash out sum dwindled into nothing. £8 is fuck all looking at the possible pot, but a big % profit on my stake.

It was just banter.

You didn't see the bees.

Do what the states did and elect a Reality TV star. Some chinless brogue wearer from Made in Chelsea or something. What about that head teacher from Educating Yorkshire?

There's a bunch of people in the office in fancy dress. Whole teams looking like animals, or superheroes, or whatever. Apparently one team is bedecked in a "Castaway" theme. Pretty discomfiting seeing three bees sat around a meeting room table trying to look serious about their projects and targets. Luckily my department have not taken part. Fancy dress at social events is bad enough, but at the office?

When you put Owen up against other good English strikers his attitude and workrate (or at least application of his ability) is shocking in comparison. When Shearer's pace went he became a different kind of striker, so too did Lineker, Sheringham, Rooney, Defoe and I'm convinced when Kane loses what moderate pace he has he'll mutate into more of a collaborative player as well. Owen's just a selfish prick and would be happy enough if the team lost 3-1, but he got his goal.

It's possible, but I dunno if he'd go back, or if they'd be interested. If Ancelotti is available they might test the waters with him? Only way I see Benitez signing a new deal when there's time left on his is if Ashley's committed some serious funds for January.

Reckon we'll hold them off for a while, but their attacking quality will tell. We'll get a goal from a set piece though. 1-2

It was time to take the stabilisers off and let you ride free. I can't hold your shoulders and guide your way forever Thomas.

Sky Jeanette Wall-Edith I'm going to stop now.