Lucas

Looks beaut. I'd love to do some snorkelling there with the water that clear. Kinda reminds me of the Whitsundays and Fraser Island when I was there.

Kovacic smells of a desperate signing to boost the numbers before the ban applies. The fact it needed to be completed by this weekend to go through only strengthens that thought for me. Did he really knock anyone's socks off last season? I find it very hard to believe Chelsea envisage a future with him at the forefront of their team. Waste of a fee and wages really in my eyes for someone that isn't even a guaranteed starter.

Happy 1st Birthday to our litttl'un today. Got a nice little Birthday Cake for her later (Yeah, I know...)

Haven't been to Gran Canaria actually but have done Tenerife, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. Agree on the latter, definitely not on the level of the others, more quieter for sure. Fuerteventura is my favourite purely for the beaches, sand dunes and snorkelling aspect.

Can't go wrong with the Canaries to be fair. Brilliant water park there if that's your thing.

I think it's a good call. There were signs in his game last season that the progression and demands of the team are stretching his capabilities but someone like Silva can adapt because he's so intelligent and calm on the ball. He'll forever go down as one of the greatest PL players of all time and certainly one of the best foreign imports we've inherited. But more importantly, he is an exemplary role model and I think we all felt for him and admired the way he was able to carry on playing when his son was born early and fighting for his life. Without doubt, one of my most favourite players to watch in the current era.

Looks as though Spurs are going to sign Jack Clarke from us. Obviously a massive loss, I hope we get at least 12m for him and a sell on clause. Anything else would be a robbery when you see the state of the market.

With the greatest respect to Chelsea and Lampard, whilst I understand the transfer ban isn't ideal for a new manager, you'd like to think that with around 30 odd players returning to the club from loans, at least three or four will have the quality to contribute to the squad given a shot. Chelsea have talent, they just need to nurture it better and that is one of Lampard's strengths. It's not as horrendous a position as it's made out to be frank.

I like to keep you on your toes.

Went to Hamburg last weekend on a Stag. Underrated. Some nice sights to be fair.

Never understood the Joshua hate, especially from fellow Englishmen. None of us know the bloke truly do we? I've always thought he's been quite humble. It's not like he takes part in all those theatrics before the fight like many others. He stays cool, believe's in his ability, has the fight and shows his opponent respect where deserved. It's easy to confuse confidence with arrogance. There's no doubt he underestimated his opponent, as did pretty much most the general public pre fight, let's be honest. No one was talking up Ruiz and he shocked us all. Fair play to the bloke. Let's see what AJ is made of now. Forget Wilder for now, let him make all the noise he wants. AJ's got a must win fight to keep the undisputed dream alive. You learn a lot more about yourself in defeat than you do victory and all the greats have tasted defeat and come back stronger.

Hope Jason Roy makes a significant contribution with the bat. That drop on Hafeez whilst he was on 17 has proved costly.

Well, I don't think I was too far away really. You could see that was roughly going to happen. I'm not disappointed to see Dany turn bad either. It was always hinted at. But maybe it could have been done differently. I'm still mixed on the episode really. If I'm being perfectly honest, I feel the show has lost the 'wow factors' that made it synonymous. There wasn't a stage where I was like "Oh Shit...", it all just happened and felt a bit bland. I think it was missing emotion. Cersei and Jamie's deaths were a cop out for me. I'd rather Dany just charge at the Red Keep and burn them both whilst they were sharing an embrace, if she's gonna fly round the whole city burning every nook and crevice. That would also have produced more emotion i feel. And The Mountain being nigh on indestructible was a bit too much for me. I'd like to have seen Arya come back after being persuaded to go, and help The Hound in some way defeat his brother, then die from his wounds in front of Arya, that would have been more fitting given what they have both gone through. Dany won this battle too easy for me also. There should have been more resistance to her than what there was, especially from the Golden Company but it was a complete drubbing. Ah well, here's to next week, last episode. Was always going to split opinion and polarise the fan base but let's see how they leave it before fully judging Season 8.

Agreed. That was insane. Will that ever be done again? Probably not. I had a terrible La Liga. Out Week 1 and that was probably game, set and match. Up to then, we'd been level pegging in Premier League, Bundesliga and just nicked Serie A. Well played to you, very worthy winner, and Rando for running it, been good fun and I think as the comp has gone on, it's been well fine tuned to prevent endless weeks.

I'm glad you did. I posted and it didn't work whatever I did. Literally cut the whole lot out and was about to try again and you'd sorted it. Good man.

Ok, my thoughts.

Yep, finally finished it. Not bad, it definitely got better as it went on. I think I was expecting a bit more than what we got though but I'd also say that's credit to how well Season 1 did. On the whole, it felt like the second season took a bit too long to warm up. By the way, that geeky kid Demetri is so annoying. I literally want him to get beat up eachtime. I like the development of some of the characters and how you see their path changing, in particular Miguel and Robbie switching at the end there. Tory was a good character to have too but as usual, you can't help but want to route for Johnny in all this. La Russo is a bit of a prick despite his good intentions. Season 3 will be interesting. Quite clearly they are going to focus on La Russo and Johnny teaming up to take on Kreese, allbeit with certain obstacles in the way. I saw a trailer for Wayne after your tip off so I'll definitely check that out and give it a go.

Happy Days, I'll have a bucketful of that when I get home tonight. I won't tell if you don't...

I know! I saw on Twitter last night. I will need to go on a serious download spree i think because I don't have that Youtube subscription

Line of Duty is insane at the moment. Got to be one of the best things on TV currently.

Agreed. I massively regret my decision.

Alarm is set for 5am. But fuck it. I'm gonna take the hit. I have to see it before work. Some prick is only gonna mention it on Twitter or Facebook and in my downtime, I'm gonna need something to read. I'm going balls deep but spoiler free. It's like being a kid at Christmas again. Let's have it...

Monday's...

Smashed Line of Duty ready for Series 5 this weekend. Brilliant drama. Currently burning through Killing Eve. First episode was quirky, I was unsure but I'm three episodes down and it's reeled me in. Shaping up nicely for the concluding episodes.

Just back from a 4 night cruise to @The Rebel CRS second home, Amsterdam. So here's a taste of our experience. I've been twice, both on piss up's but this time me and my mate had the girls with us so we did things a little more sedated shall we say. Just as nice mind. Beautiful city no matter your purpose. P.S Great atmosphere Sunday night for Holland v Germany in the city too I must add. Love the Dutch fans.