MrDuck

I just can't get into Exile at all. Too bloated for me, and only a couple of tracks that really grab me. Apparently quite a popular album in its day though It lacks the discipline of "Sticky Fingers", no question. It's sprawling and ragged and they were clearly wasted when recording it (there's a good DVD documentary about it, worth seeing). Funnily enough, the initial reviews were almost universally poor - personally, I loved it. Then, some years later, the critics all did a volte-face and declared it to be The Stones' greatest album. Too far the other way, really. But it is arguably the swansong of the golden era that started with "Beggars' Banquet". Yeh, think I've seen that.. this was the album recorded mostly in Keith's basement in France? Got all those classic era albums a few months back, been meaning to for about 20 years! Very rewarding.

I just can't get into Exile at all. Too bloated for me, and only a couple of tracks that really grab me. Apparently quite a popular album in its day though

Actually, I'm quite sure that some states have government-mandated maternity leave. If true, then that graphic wouldn't be entirely accurate. California and New Jersey do. There is a federal law that states companies have to allow up to 12 weeks unpaid leave... but, staggeringly, there is also a law that exempts some companies from having to provide even this.

Noooo! But for all that, the quality of sound is a distant second to the quality of song being listened too. Currently listening to this, which I'm about 40 years late on, but it's a brilliant album, not a weak track. And shits all over Exile on Main St

I think Harry would probably do a reasonable job for England. But then again, everybody thought the same about Keegan, and look how that turned out. But I think the manager is not really the problem, the main issue is that our players are not really good enough. We're probably performing at about the right level for the talent we have.

Prior you beauty! What an extraordinary finish. Series saved!

Man, this is painful...

Remarkable last day performance by England - on the verge of a rather improbable draw. Great stuff from Prior and Broad. Just a few more overs to hang on! Of course I've probably cursed them now...

Yep, they have trademarked that particular shade of purple, bit you're only going to infringe on the trademark if you're marketing a competing chocolate bar in that colour. ANZ Bank have also trademarked the colour blue that they use for their logo.

lolz

People expected the Dutch to beat us in 96. We weren't exactly short of quality in 98 with players like Shearer, Owen, Sheringham, Scholes & Beckham. I don't think it's in anyway unrealistic to say we could have reached the semis if the Argentina game had gone our way. Although I'm sure we would have still been knocked out on penalties!

I got the 09/10 home kit the other day in Rebel Sport for $20. Really comfy to play in! Hmm can't see it on their website. Or was it in one of those discount bins? Factory outlet store in docklands!

I got the 09/10 home kit the other day in Rebel Sport for $20. Really comfy to play in!

Are you serious? In the quarters england would of played a very good dutch side with bergkamp, kluivert, van der sar etc. In the semis they would of played a brazil side with ronaldo, rivaldo and co. both on paper and in terms of actual performance england were not even top 10 in what was the last decent high quality world cup. Well we dealt with that Dutch side pretty convincingly at the previous Euros in 96

Even with all those injuries at Newcastle he still scored something like 40 goals in 80 games for them. They way they talk about him you'd think he barely completed a game up there.

Yeah, that man knew how to make a pass alright.

Best player I've seen in the flesh is undoubtedly Le Tissier. Saw him a few times at the Dell (old man & I occasionally got use of a mates season tickets), and he always looked on another level to everyone else playing.

3 or 4 times the player of Dwight Yorke? Possibly overstating the Benteke case just a little there....

"Owen helped Liverpool to a Treble in 2001.The team won the League Cup, FA Cup and UEFA Cup to end a six-year trophy drought. Owen was the recipient of the World Player of the Year and the European Player of the Year awards in recognition of his performances that season.He became the first English winner of the European Footballer of the Year award since Kevin Keegan was given the honour in 1979. Owen also became the first English winner of the World Player of the Year award. Owen scored goals in both the UEFA Cup and the FA Cup finals. He struck twice late in the FA Cup final to turn around what had appeared to be a certain defeat for Liverpool at the hands of Arsenal" On top of which he managed 6 goals in 8 for England and 24 in 46 for Liverpool. He was on fire in 2001, and every bit as good that year as those others mentioned.

He was. I back him against Keane every time!

Some truth in that I think... he came to us thinking he would prove what a great manager he was, and left us realising he was only a good manager who couldn't quite cut it with the best.

Well in fairness to Roy... he didn't actually bad mouth Utd did he? He just suggested the ref was in the right. Good article about his comments here I thought: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2013/mar/06/roy-keane-manchester-united

Definitely! He was being objective rather than biased. If only more pundits could be like that.

Interwebz going mad with Man U fans slating Keane. I thought he must have made some outrageous claims, but frankly looking at this he seems to have made a well-reasoned case. http://www.101greatgoals.com/gvideos/roy-keane-argues-with-gareth-southgate-over-nani-red-card/

More racial abuse of Balotelli, this time from Inter fans. Serie A fine Inter 50,000 euros, and Mario gets stung for 10,000 for turning to the crowd and putting his finger to his lips - which is apparently an insulting gesture. http://www.villatalk.com/index.php/topic/5059-italian-football/page-35