veloman

^^^^ not ridiculous at all - essential I would say That Shiv is serious bit of kit; what wheels do you use? Where did you ride those time trials, was it in the Midlands ?

Just had a look at these and they all look good value. The Boardman has Mavic rims which are excellent and has a double chainset, which for a road bike I reckon is better than triple. I have never bought an off the peg bike but, what ever you do, make sure you get the right size - err on the small side ' cos then you have some adjustment. Don't know if stems come 'cut to size' or not but if you have any say in the matter leave a couple of spacers above the stem. When checking for size - sit on the fecker, put your heels on the pedals and pedal backwards, you must be able to complete the rotation without rocking around in the saddle. Hope that is some help.

Al last some sense; The School Teachers Review Body have rejected that 'Pipsqeak' Gove's proposals to reduce school holidays and increase the length of the school day. If you are a teacher or have a close friend or relative who is a teacher you will appreciate how much extra work they put in. I do love that term 'Pipsqeak'.

His talent was undisputed but I reckon it is fair to say a very arrogant individual; so would you want him in your team, particularly if you don't have Brearley's management skills (re. Botham). From reading his book, I think Gower fell out with Gooch over training methods, application and such. Agreed there is no-one else quite like him but if he was disruptive...... The next England team is going to look very different isn't it. Wonder if he will stop at Surrey - only a Second Division team.

Agreed re. Jade Dernbach but then it could apply to one or two of 'em I guess - Luke Wright perhaps. Whilst realising that cricket is a competitive game, I thought Dernbach's attitude to Cameron White was very poor - particularly as we had been thrashed. I think I would just have slunk away quietly and no less a figure than Jack Bannister thought the same - TalkSport or Radio 5 - can't remember. What would Denis Compton have said !!

Absolutely spot-on Mr Chap ! If I searched all through my limited, and mostly profane, vocabulary I could never have come up with such a good description for this specimen, Gove, as "pip squeak" as uttered by Tom Watson - Labour MP, West Bromwich ! I consider Gove to be the most dangerous man in the Conservative party and seems intent on destroying teachers much as Thatcher destroyed the miners . I'm sure that there are qualified teachers on here; so what do you think ?

Trevor Francis Linford Christie Curtly Ambrose

Really hope your Dad recovers and, these days, there is every chance. As a racing cyclist, I obviously took a great deal of interest in the Lance Armstrong situation. Don't forget that he recovered from cancer, albeit testicular cancer, and went on to ride The Tour de France - regardless of the doping issue - he still recovered. As others have said, treatment has improved greatly.

I am awaiting, with interest, a book from a mate (also huge Villa fan) called 'The Enemy Within'. He assures me that this is quite 'revealing'. Anyone read this ?

So - 'Poppy' Welch has gone to Derbyshire it seems and Warks have appointed Alan Richardson from Worcs. Whilst one cannot fault Richardson for his record I just hope he is the right appointment for Warks. Any opinions Bears fans ?

Yep - good point above. So who are the Test standard players available for next season ? Well (naturally) I reckon Chopra as an opener then always thought James Taylor (Notts) had class and like the look of David Willey (Northants). Any more suggestions ?

^^^^^ Thanks ! Wasn't charged this last year I don't think. Oh well.

Hey PaulC ! Just been examining the Expenditure Budget to see if we can afford to renew our membership at Warks. If I can negotiate an Internal Transfer from the "Handbags and Shoes" budget to "Entertainment Budget " , we should be OK But - do you happen to know what this £5.00 Fulfilment Charge is please ?

Yep, that's spot on ^^^ and also had the right 'mentality ' for a fast bowler - pretty aggressive ! Difficult to disagree with any comments re. best all-rounders but would add one who I always rated, Richard Hadlee; how would you rate him? However, described by Bob Willis in his book as a very miserable so and so.

What a damn shame it has come to this but, IMO only) Lambert just isn't good enough. Nick 76 referred to ' a young squad of talent' ; I just can't see the talent. For example; Jordan Bowery; he just shouldn't be in the Premier League, he simply isn't good enough; ditto Joe Bennett. You cant blame the players; of course they are going to come to a team like Villa; they aren't going to say 'well actually we aren't up to it'. Take the Stoke game; I thought we were much the better side in the first half, created a bit more and silenced their fans. But whatever Hughes said to his team worked and whatever Lambert said didn't. I agree with Shillzz that it comes as no surprise now to be beaten by "lesser" teams. When that 2nd went in for Stoke there was an Asian youth in front of us entreating us, in quite strong terms, to get behind the team but everyone seemed resigned to lose. To try to be more objective about Lambert; why the hell doesn't he get Bent and Ireland back they couldn't do worse and I understand NZog has no squad number.- what's going on there? In this thread people were saying 'if we lose to Palace' - well what if we lose to Swansea too ?

Hey Mr Mooney; Check out 'Summer Breeze' Seals and Crofts, on youtube - I can't seem to cut and paste it to here; is that a mandolin ? PS - did you know that this was the original and not the Isley Brothers ?

Kallis ! What a superb player - a sort of a poor man's Ricky Clarke !

That's a nice kit Tegis; is it the Pearl Export ? What make cymbals are they ? Don't forget 'Vic Firth' foam/rubber sound pads may be useful !!

In all honesty he(Swann) probably was; haven't looked up any stats but. for the sake of argument, I wonder where Underwood figured ? Either way Swann will be a big loss; I think Monty has a nice action but perhaps not as attacking as Swann and fields like me !

WHAT !! Better than Ashley !

If the prison I worked in is anything to go by, they will find a great many friends in there. I was staggered at the number of muslim converts I encountered and often they had committed particularly violent offences. I suppose they could have converted due to genuine remorse but ......

Whilst very rarely disagreeing with PaulC, I do reckon that the captain can have a huge impact on the team. Those of us who are old enough will remember the influence Mike Brearley (sp) had on the England team. I didn't think he was that great a batsman but he was a great captain and Botham, IMO, was a much better player with him in charge. Problem though is who comes in as captain ? Sir Ian perhaps ?

Good shout that re. Topley - I forgot about him. Really decent player - even good enough for Warwickshire !

Yep - agreed entirely with what you say. Hmm ; wife and self's membership renewal is sitting here - might have to think twice

I saw Mills on the tele this season; he was being touted then as a player to go with the England squad to give them experience of facing fast left armers like Mitchell Johnson as has been suggested above. He certainly appeared quite rapid with the slight disadvantage of only about 2 balls per over being anywhere near the bat ! If he is the best we can come up with......! Anyway - going out on my bike in a minute but PAULC - what do you know about the 'Poppy to Derbyshire' situation ?