TimRam

Should do well with those 4 legs although I can see handball becoming a problem.

Should do well with those 4 legs although I can see handball becoming a problem.

Should do well with those 4 legs although I can see handball becoming a problem.

Should do well with those 4 legs although I can see handball becoming a problem.

v Ethiopia finished 0-0

I have some very sad news this evening.  Daniel (B4) died earlier this week. He was just 38.
As you know, he has been battling numerous health conditions for a long time, but always remained cheerful  and was the most loyal supporter of his beloved Rams, home and away.
He was at the match at Crewe and gave his full support as always. 
Daniel leaves behind a grieving dad, mum and sister. Our thoughts go out to them and we only hope they get a little comfort from knowing how well loved Daniel is by all who know him. 
Here are a couple of photos that his dad agreed could be shared. I'm sure many of you have others, as Daniel loved a selfie at the game.
David is hoping to arrange a more fitting tribute in time, but for now please raise a glass in his memory and a good Derby win today. I am sure that's what Daniel would have been doing tonight.
 

Here's a clip from the Premier league that looks like it should be from the Sunday league
 

Happy to report that both my wife and big sister arrived home safe and unharmed from their voluntary stint on the Poppy Stall in Derbion on Tuesday!
What is the world coming to?
Alleged attacks on a 78 year old volunteer in Edinburgh.
Poppy sellers "feeling nervous" being surrounded by mobs of "Protesters" at Charring Cross.
The Rochdale Cenotaph being daubed with "Political Graffiti".
The sanctity of The London Cenotaph at high risk for this coming weekend.
I get some don't agree with what The Poppy symbolises and represents.  I get that.  Each to their own.  But to actively go out of their way to threaten Poppy Sellers (All of whom are volunteers, and many of whom are "elderly") and/or wearers, is the scummiest of the scum in my book. 
I'll be adding extra pride to my stance at 11am at The NMA on Sunday, after doing similar at The Camp Bastion Wall Memorial, as we mark our remembrance and respect to one known fallen hero in particular, on our son's behalf (as he's away clearing landmines in Ukraine, so can't attend in person). 
I'll be arriving earlier than usual for the match tomorrow, to join in the (assumed?) pre-KO remembrance.
And I'll be wearing my nice new shiny 2023 lapel poppy alongside a few older ones over the coming days... f*** em, I say!  
Lest we forget
xxx

Problem: <add your rant, point of view here>
Solution:bin it
Simple as that. Football was fine for many years, a few mistakes along the way and all well remembered, Maradona hand of god, Henry light touch, Lampard ghost goal.  We watch howlers by players in L1 week in week out, some defying the laws of physics, it’s football and refereeing is an integral part of it, it should have been kept that way. It wasn’t really broken so no need to fix it.
 

VAR only came in because of the constant abuse the officials received from managers, players, pundits and fans alike.
Scrapping VAR will make the game so much quicker and more enjoyable (you can celebrate a goal without the doubt of whether it will be pulled back for something minor).
But scrapping VAR will only work if officials are treated as humans and we accept their mistakes are part of the game.

It was introduced for the clear and obvious but it’s used for everything.  Just look at the 2 pens in the Man Utd game this week.  Neither were penalties, no appeals, not obvious errors but VAR intervenes.

It's a crazy idea and spoils the game. It's so refreshing to watch a match without it.

It's a crazy idea and spoils the game. It's so refreshing to watch a match without it.

I mentioned before but I grew up in the 90s and 00s, when the PL started to boom and games were easily accessible for the armchair supporters.
Man Utd simply dominated, on and off the pitch. Yeah Arsenal and Chelsea had some successful seasons, but between 1995 and 2010, a good 15 year period was largely dominated by Man Utd.
They had an army of glory supporters. All the kids wanted to be like Beckham and later Ronaldo. I grew up in Long Eaton so it was probably 30% Forest, 20% Derby, 49.9% Man Utd and 0.1% others.
On the field they won, a lot. Fergie time. Bullying referees. Ridiculous decisions went their way. Surrounding the refs. Theater of Dreams on a Super Sunday. United this, United that. They were horrible.
Pep’s Barca destroying them was beautiful. And the past 10 years of City and Liverpool battering them has been so rewarding.
But it’s now reached the stage where they are becoming irrelevant in terms of a top side. It’s become normal for the likes of Palace and Brighton to beat them. I’m no longer surprised, and it feels like their chapter as England’s top club is now well and truly over. 

Me and the wife getting ready for trick or treat.

I think most fans whose team was 2-0 down at 89 minutes and got a draw would feel like it was a wi  - it certainly brightened my mood!

Downsizing - I had high hopes for this thinking it was a more adult 'shrinking humans' type film. Also stars Matt Damon. The idea and first half hour or so set the scene well. Then the film takes a strange turn and forgets what it's supposed to be. The idea of the minaturisation gets lost and forgotten about most of the time. It becomes quite dull to be honest. 5/10.