Mark Albrighton

I make that about £30m spent so far, with probably another 7 or 8 players needed. Mings and Hause would take it just shy of £50m I think.

Didn’t notice the finish when I first watched this -

Not to make it all about the Geordies but I took that to reflect their annoyance with Ashley rather than them comparing the stature of both clubs. Basically they don’t appear to be expecting to compete with anyone financially because Ashley won’t cough up and significant cash. Anyway, welcome Wes.

Don’t forget the suggestion that Newcastle supporters also “pay good money” to see their team.

Ok June, the plants have been watered enough now, please get your shit together and knock the rain on the head for a few days. Thanks.

Yep, I’m all for bargain buys and the like, but I can’t see how it’s not going to cost around £100m or more. It looks like Hause is incoming, hopefully Mings too. If we add that to the El Ghazi and Jota signings, then we’ve spent what? By most estimates it take our spendings to around £25m and what have we improved upon from the play off final squad? Ultimately an upgrade on Adomah. That’s not a criticism, I’m delighted we’re looking at making Mings, El Ghazi and Hause permanent signings. Just pointing out how much it’s (potentially) going to cost to just preserve the squad so far. After those four there’s probably a left back, another centre half, a defensive midfielder, another winger, a striker (maybe two), this keeper talk won’t go away so maybe there as well. That’s 7 further players and I think I’m being conservative there. I think we’ll spend a lot, there may be a misstep or two, but as long as the majority is spent wisely, which I think it will be I really don’t care what the final number is.

10 Rillington Place is a fairly chilling film. There I was thinking Richard Attenborough was just a nice old dinosaur making grandad. I feel like a few of Ben Wheatley’s films warrant a mention - Kill List, Sightseers (the similarities with Nuts in May are there, but then it goes darker, real macabre comedy) and the real trippy- civil war era A Field in England was very memorable. Oh and staying with the English Civil War, Witchfinder General probably deserves a mention too.

I imagine the film has more impact if you don’t know it going in, but I don’t think it’s actually that crucial to the enjoyment of the film. I watched it for the first time knowing that moment would happen and I still got into the story. If memory serves correct, it’s not near the ending of the film, so it’s not like it hinges on the twist (well, not as much as you might think). Definitely worth a watch.

Irish parents to be fair, but from what I understand if you hear him speak he sounds like he’s an extra in “Lock Stock...”. “In Bruges” obviously has a strong Irish feel to it, so if people wanted to call it Irish, I wouldn’t dismiss the suggestion.

Written and directed by a Londoner. Co produced by Film 4. Co produced by Blue Print Productions (founded in London). Ralph Fiennes being very sweary. If “The Third Man” is considered English/British (and it generally is despite being set in Vienna, having three of the four principle cast being American and Italian and also famously co produced by American David O. Selznick) then I don’t see how “In Bruges” can’t be considered English/British.

In addition to things like “The Third Man”, “Zulu”, the python films that have already been regularly mentioned, off the top of my head, I’d suggest - The Lavender Hill Mob Brief Encounter The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner Peeping Tom Dr Strangelove The Man Who Would Be King Chariots of Fire Pierrepoint Sexy Beast In Bruges The Damned United 45 Years Oh and “Frenzy”, Hitchcock’s final film in England is rather good. I believe it’s regarded as his last hurrah. Not watched “Dead Man’s Shoes”, will give it a go when I get chance. I always find it interesting what the criteria is when deciding a nationality of a film, director, source material, where it’s filmed, production company, principal cast etc.

I phoned once, it was not dissimilar to this -

These were more my speed -

A Windscale prequel is your best bet.

Neville was on about players choosing which national team to play for only after being given assurances that they’ll be part of the set up. He referenced Jack as an example. He suggests that Jack wanted to meet with the manager etc to receive reassurances that he would be in contention. His stance basically is - if you’re good enough, you’ll be selected, you shouldn’t be prematurely seeking assurances that you’ll receive a call up. Which is all fair enough, it’s just a whinge about nothing really, but it filled a bit of time anyway.

Found myself in a few different pubs yesterday. Along with the regular venues - Old Contemptibles, Rose Villa, Lord Clifden (all great, as ever), had a drink in the following pubs - The Shakespeare, Summer Row (first and second picture). A Nicholson’s pub, really impressed with this one, nice vintage feel throughout. Looks like it has a good outside area too. The Queens Arms (third picture). Basically went in here because the M&B sign on the front is great. Overall, decent. The Jewellers Arms (fourth picture) Round the corner from the Lord Clifden, it’s ok, feels more like a “locals” pub. Very busy. 1000 trades (fifth picture). A short walk from The Button Factory. Quirky rustic bar and kitchen with craft ales. Local artists work on the wall, good, lively atmosphere. There’s a separate bar upstairs called The Vanguard that does cocktails and mead. Recommended.

Do not care if this doesn’t score high on the VT cool barometer, I rather like it.

My immediate thought? Dwight Yorke.

Oh bollocks. He’s not single then.

Fatherly duties tonight until Saturday afternoon, then meeting a mate for (belated) birthday beers in the jewellery quarter. Sunday’s activities likely to include nursing a hangover and assembling kitchen cupboards.

Try “whoscored” for statistics, they have total number of minutes played. How accurate they are, I have no idea.

Miss Universe Great Britain and Commonwealth heptathlete Dee-ann Kentish-Rogers here giving her thoughts to The Villa View, following the win over Blackburn this season (starts around 2:13).