GUS

Norton's classic fight with Larry Holmes - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LS8JXVpJDIk

In any other era, Norton would have been world heavyweight champion for years. He was just unlucky to have had to fight Foreman, Ali and Holmes in world title fights. Trivia fact: Norton is the only World Heavyweight Champion to have never won a title fight. He became world heavyweight champion after beating Jimmy Young in a title eliminator when Ali refused to fight Norton for a 4th time and signed for a rematch with Spinks instead. The WBC awarded their version of the title to Norton and Norton fought his 1st defence against Holmes. In this fight, Holmes won a split decision and became the new WBC champion. It's been a bad last 12 months for former Heavyweight World Champions with Corrie Sanders, Michael Dokes, Tommy Morrison and now Norton all passing away since September 2012.

Just needs 3 or 4 games to settle into the team and the league. I think he'll be a good buy.

John Smith's Bitter always makes me do huge disgusting poos the next day.

Found this page of Anti Liverpool songs and chants on the site that is linked above. Comedy gold. The Shite (Anti-Liverpool) | Everton Aren't We?

The Blues provide some Comedy Gold. Again.

He is a top notch name dropper. They should have got/should get Louis Theroux to do a programme on him.

I went to the gig on Sunday. The Who were superb. Great atmosphere too.

Banal Ennui Nadir Hyperbole But I hate it when people use literally out of context and all the time.

I am going. Fifth row, ground level, dead centre. Can't wait!

"Digital by default" is the new buzz phrase being used where I work.

Pulis, Martinez or Stubbs. What a choice!

I am going to both those gigs too. Never thought I'd get to see Neil Young and The Who at the arena in 1 summer. Can't wait.

I think in future the KO time might be even later. The Champions League Final was moved from a Wednesday evening to a Saturday evening I wouldn't be surprised if the FA Cup Final ended up kicking off at 7.45pm on a Saturday evening. The TV companies would love that I reckon.

I expect a flat performance from Liverpool with Rodger's saying the players were tired following the international matches.

He'd do well in the Championship but I don't think he is Premier League quality.

Loan him out to someone like Wigan or West Brom til the end of the season and make a decision on whether to sell in the Summer.

I nreally enjoyed watching Sociedad that season they were pushing Real for the title. Even then you coukld tell Alonso was absolute class. Was made up when we signed him. Even Kvarme looked decent that season.

Abbey Road - could have been recorded last week. Most under-rated album is Magical Mystery Tour.

Preston winger David Amoo has had his contract cancelled at the club by mutual consent. The 21-year-old signed a one-year deal in the summer and has made 24 appearances for Graham Westley's side. Think he might be off to Tranmere.

Salif Diao his first (and only goal for us) away to Leeds.

One (ex) Everton fan I work with said 'I lost all interest in Everton when they sold Rooney. Showed they had no ambition. Now I have no interest in Everton, I just watch football to see the Red Shite lose.' Sums their mentality up for me.

This

Martin Samuel makes out that Fellaini is the hard done to one in all this. "For it makes plain that what happened on Saturday, a clash that could have ended in serious injury, a fractured cheekbone or broken nose, was a direct result of football’s decision to allow wrestling matches in the penalty area. Fellaini assaults Shawcross primarily because he is being prevented from playing, illegally, and Mark Halsey, the referee, appears happy to let this continue. Football has never had more policemen and yet such little interest in implementing the rules. The replays clearly show that, directly before Fellaini strikes, Shawcross is gripping him by an upper arm beneath the shoulder, to restrict his run. This is a foul. It isn’t a penalty, because the ball is dead but it is without doubt subject to corrective action. As none is forthcoming, Fellaini takes matters into his own hands, attempts to wrestle free and, as he passes Shawcross, ducks his head into his opponent’s face. Shawcross collapses. Halsey misses the incident. For this reason the FA can pass sanction and Everton will lose their key player at a crucial time in the campaign. David Moyes, the manager, is resigned to this and did not complain. To his credit, he as good as invited punishment. Maybe, by doing so, he felt he was acting for the wider good. Had Moyes defended his player, the fallout would have centred on Fellaini, who got away with several instances of poor behaviour on Saturday. Instead, with Everton pleading guilty, football would now be wise to study cause and effect. Fellaini is a physical player. He gives as good as he gets, and one imagines he gets plenty. Even so, he does not usually prioritise butting defenders over scoring goals. If Shawcross’s marking had been old-school, without fouling, this would not have happened. Football is a contact sport. In the penalty area, players will be in proximity. Yet over the last decade, increasingly, defenders no longer guard their man, but grapple with him. Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea were masters at it, so are Stoke. And because referees have not stopped this behaviour, it is encouraged. Every penalty area resembles a red-belt judo class these days. The FA, supposed guardians of the game, are content to let this continue. Fellaini has admitted he was wrong and apologised. There can be no quibbles over punishment. Yet the wider problem is not being addressed. A single weekend, in which every foul of this nature was met with a warning, then a yellow card (or a penalty if it happened when the ball was in play), would curb it instantly. Results would briefly resemble rugby scores, but then the crisis would be over, and football would be re-acquainted with the old-fashioned ways of defending. After all, isn’t that exactly what a player like Shawcross is supposed to be about?"

The Pen & Wig is my regular boozer. Pool tables, music, horse racing and footy on TV. What more do you want?