His Royal Dryness, The Duke of Cork

Every Trail Ford/Moss Valley Walk 7000 miles We walked a long way on Sunday, but I think that the GPS may have gone a little wrong! Good walk, just that we went a little wrong at the golf club :-(

Home crowd at the "Boo Camp" welcomed their new manager, Gary Speed, and the players responded very well and played Preston off the park.  Britton was at the heart of everything and the two new fullbacks (Stephen Jordan and Jean Calve) made a big difference, although there were some gaping holes at times at the back. Lots of endeavour and invention made for a good first half without creating a clear-cut chance.  Playing the ball on the floor through Britton and everyone working around him makes for a more promising future than I thought a week ago.  A second half screamer from Jean Calve left the frog with a poorly leg and he had to be subbed.  While he was on the ground getting treatment, they kept showing the goal on the big screen, much to the delight og the crowd.  Johnny Ertl is worth a mention: involved lots and looks solid in the middle of park, giving the back four (without an injured Morgan - not necessarily a bad thing in my opinion) lots of pro...

No cries for Speed out.  Yet.  Not a great start.  Only watched the first half on TV as two poor sides played it out.  Shame that Ched Evans couldn't tuck away his chance. Listened to second half as me and Pa painted the outside of my house.  There are "paint drying" jokes to be had, but you can make them up yourself. Blades now bottom.  The only way is up!  (Yazz and The Plastic Population) 'Boro 1 - 0 Blades

Not good, I'm afraid.  Afraid, that is, that we may go down with a few more performances like that.  I remember a few seasons ago how good Robert Page was.  Then one season he just seemed to be garbage from the start of the season.  I think Chris Morgan has gone that way. A number of questions are raised from today's match :- 1.  Stephen Jordan.  We signed him this week.  He's a left-back (I believe), so why isn't he playing?  If he's not as good as Andy Taylor, then why did we sign him? 2.  Is Morgan good enough anymore?  Will Blackwell drop him and play a back four of (for example) :- Jordan, Ertl, Bartley, Nosworthy/Lowton? 3.  Will people keep going with performances like that? 4.  Will we manage to survive?  It's early days, but we lack ability and spirit and a plan.....I would settle for just one of those right now.  It would give me hope. 14 days until I have to go and watch them against Preston.  ...

Quad Computer Services Ltd: Cherry Picker at Quad : "View from the kitchen window today as the cherry picker did its stuff...."

Sheffield United Match Programme The Blade - you can't afford to miss it For a pound, I might get there early to buy one!  The blades won't sell many at three quid, though, I fear.

In my true Blades pessimism, I would have taken a point at the start of the game.  Being on TV (in HD - what a joy!) I had to filter-out the inane commentary and inevitable home team bias.  "Cardiff haven't managed to convert this early pressue" [I check internet stats to find we've had more possession, more shots, more corners] [turns volume down] Blades looked good and although the sending off was harsh, it was probably right.  I was gutted it wasn't Taylor who went off.  He's such a waste of a shirt.  We attacked quite nicely, though, before the sending off and I thought we were the better side.  Even with ten men (actually nine, plus Taylor) we still looked OK. A good start and we get to look forward to booing Paddy Kenny and Uncle Neil next week. Cardiff 1 - 1 Blades

The Blades haven't even played and they're climbing the table.....

Official Google Blog: Update on Google Wave BBC: Google drops Wave because of lack of users It sounds as if Google Wave might be on its way! NO! I want it!