Liverpool FC

Once again I'm despairing of the shambles the club appears to be descending (further) into.

We've loaned out a striker, Andy Carroll, we (over)payed for just 18 months ago despite never giving him a decent run in the team. We currently only have 2 senior strikers in the squad, one of whom is new to the club, the league and the country. I feel for the big man - it wasn't his fault that Dalglish had a load of money burning away his back pocket. It's not his fault that Newcastle sold him for silly money but now he'll always have the 'flop' tag attached to him. I still say he has the talents to be a top striker and I just hope we don't come to regret this.

We have tried to loan out Henderson in order to get an Clint Dempsey in. Henderson refused to swap, as is his right. It seems we can't even afford to actually buy Dempsey and our pursuit has lead to Fulham making a complaint about it. If found to be true we could have a transfer ban imposed, something that would seriously hamper us. Imagine being stuck with Stewart Downing. For years.

I believe Fulham were asking £15m, which means they'd accept around £7-10m. What does it say about the club if we are so cash-strapped that we can't afford that? All those fans who are looking for a 'marquee' signing should reflect on this fact ...

Meanwhile the damage done from previous seasons is still playing out and I fear that it's going to get a whole lot worse before it gets remotely better. I'm not saying we'll be relegated but the chances of us challenging for the title are getting more remote by the day. When Spurs, Sunderland or QPR can outspend you then that's a concern.

Looks like another frustrating "transition" season at Anfield.

Essex Lion update

Breaking development in the #essexlion story

Olympic medalists v Buggins Turn

According to thr Daily Telegraph "Britain's Olympic medallists to lose out to mandarins in honours" (Article)

While the merits of a system that rewards the numerous Sir Humphrey's of Whitehall for doing their job have been debated endlessly, the government have managed, once again to shoot themselves in the foot over this.

But one answer did pop into my head: a new award that's like France's Légion d'honneur.

This new medal/award could be named something like the Praetorian Cross and be limited to those who achieve something unusual or noteworthy in the sporting world. While primarily focussed on the echievements of TeamGB it could also be awarded to those who, like Micael Phelps or Usain Bolt, who perform some unusal feat. 

I'd have former olympian Princess Anne handing out the awards. Maybe at a big dinner in London.

There would no more problems with quotas and so no need to choose between Bradley Wiggins, Jessica Ennis, Mo Farah, David Weir, David Roberts, Darren Kenny et al for the big gong.

Note to the media: On no account, given the man's single-handed attempt to destroy the legacy before the closing ceremony, should you descibe this as a Gove Gong!

Things I've learned today

So far today I've learned:

• the 'G' in 'G-string' stands for groin
• there is a department at Nottingham University who study pavements and roads.

Mo Farah Runs Away From More Things

Mo Farah Running Away From Things

Standard Chartered

Given the extradition & jailing of the NatWest3 by the US are the British directors/executives of Standard Chartered worried more about potential criminal charges (and what  may follow if found guilty) or the collapse of their share price?

By the same token, I doubt FSG/Liverpool FC will be less than happy to have the name of a bank described by the US authorities as a "rogue institution"on the front of their shirts.

While Standard Chartered has denied the charges, it's fair to say that there may be worse to come for both the bank and it's senior individuals.

LibDems membership collapses

Report in the Telegraph that the LibDems now have fewer members than the population of Corby.

Nick Clegg's supporting the raising tuition fees, "reform" the NHS & the shake-up the welfare system to cut benefits might have something to do with it!

Not such a challenge

Two Daily Mail quotes: One post-opening-ceremony. One post-Ennis. Turns out it wasn't such a challenge after all.

Overheard

Overheard this morning - Girl to boy who dropped her off: "Love you."

Boy: "Say love you Daddy."

Girl: "NO!"

Boy: "Say Daddy."

Girl: "Love you Daddy."

Me: *sniggers*

Games Legacy

Dear Mr Cameron, if you truly wanted to secure a legacy from the Olympic Games you could simply cease your shameful cutting of funding for school sport & stop Michael Gove agreeing the to the sale of playing fields.