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Dan, there are two Football teams that could be identified by "Manchester", only one within the city's boundaries. Could you please be more specific.

Great blog again Dan, loving the fact that the Drama student got outwitted by an elderly chap, was said student wearing the stereotypical cardigan and skinny fit jeans by any chance?

How do you find Wayne as an interviewee? He always seems super nervous on camera, not so much in post match things, but in formal interview situations he always comes across as if he is bricking it! His Street Striker series on some other two bit channel is quite funny to watch, he seems to squirm a bit when doing a peice to camera.....

Am amazed by the samll amount food comments, and although yums yums certainly are a good choice of the sweet variety, I would of gone with a fresh cream split everyday.

I often travel up to York to see the missus and last weekend was also acosted by a student (possibly drama, he had Sense and Sensibility in his hand...) for sitting in his seat! Maybe this "student" just wonders up and down Trains to the North, trying to sit in everyones seat.

Great blog as usual. keep it up!

Dan, another funny blog, where would Wayne and the Stereophonics lads appear in your list of nice people you have met??

Good to see Leeds getting some crumbs from the overloaded Premiership banquet that is your blog!
Did you get a picture of Wazza wearing the Leeds shirt? That would help us through the next year and a half of promotion campaigns before we sign him up for real!

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Good blog, Dan. To echo OptimumDJ's thoughts, how was Wayne to interview? He does seem very shy on camera and not at all like the confident player we see for United.

May I congratulate you on the choice of Yum Yums! A nice variation from the fig roll and often to blame for ruining my dinner. Good to see you've been tweeting/twittering too, not enough football journalists on there for my liking!

Keep up the good work, always an enjoyable read and watch of a Saturday.

Evening Dan, thanks for another thoroughly enjoyable blog.

I'd firstly like to make a comment about last weeks FF regarding Mr Motsen. Now I've always thought of Motty as the U.K's finest commentator but the way he spoke so passionatly against the introduction of video technology in football had me glued to the screen. I admitedly am in favour of said technology although he almost had me switching sides.
Next you food refrences, I'd never heard of Percy Pigs or Yum Yums, but they sound great, although I did find it highly ironic that you were eating a prawn sandwich on the way to OT, were you scared they'd run out?
Finally like to comment on the joys of train travel, I can only remember the days of British Rail from when I lived in the U.K. doesn't sound like much has improved since the privatisation. Funny that the company mentioned in your blog manages to scr#w up something as easy as a timetable.

So footballers & popstars can't go outside without asking their agents first? How bizarre.

Dan,

Sorry but can't watch as I live abroad. Still at least the 5 hour time difference means I get to watch the Midday kick offs at breakfast time with a full fry up (including black and white puddings) with a swift couple of pints of Guiness down the pub, so life's not all bad!

Re 12 Dan, when it comes to common sense and pragmatism Arsene is definetly the man.
There was a M&S over here in the Hague for a while but unfortunatly all the overseas branches were closed down a few years ago, so no Percy Pigs for me. I'll have to keep my eyes open for one of those do-nuts (Mmmmmm do-nuts) because they do indeed sound yum yums.

Dan, once again a brilliant blog. I found it particularly interesting about your venture up north and wondered how you were able to instantly know that it was stilton the 'cheesey guy' smelt so distinctly of. Banter at its imperious finest there!

I thoroughly anticipate another great show on Saturday, I have only been able to watch a handful of 'Wazza' interviews but, as aforementioned by a few others, I always find him very tentative when he is on screen.

I know this is completely irrelevant to this blog.....but I have just been looking through the blog explaining you writing Des Lynam as a budding journalist, which I currently am. I'm studying to go to university and hope to do a Sports Journalism Undergraduate Degree, only, is this a wise move considering you opted for an Undergraduate in History? I have already had several work experiences working for a local newspaper and on local radio too, so I have some hands-on work experience. I preferably want to work as a chief sports writer for a newspaper in the future although a career in broadcast is equally as appealing. Whose to say I won't nick your spot on the sofa in years to come eh? ;) haha.

I got to take my hat off to Rooney cause despite his quite obvious struggle when on camera he keeps at it. If you look at all of what he does the interviews, the T.V programs etc. If it was me and I was as uncomfortable on camera I would just not do them, Im sure the players have the choice as there are plenty of players who arent in the media spotlght. Of course money might be a driver as the higher the profile the more they can command from sponsors etc, but if this kids gonna be giving 170k a week in pay just for scoring goals then he doesnt need to moonlight.

Interesting blog, wouldnt fancy it if you have to lug all that equipment. Always wanted to know how formal things are with the interviews with the players, do they see it as a chore, i see rooney was one of the last to turn up

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sssspurssss wrote: I know this is completely irrelevant to this blog.....but I have just been looking through the blog explaining you writing Des Lynam as a budding journalist, which I currently am. I'm studying to go to university and hope to do a Sports Journalism Undergraduate Degree, only, is this a wise move considering you opted for an Undergraduate in History?

___________________________________________________________________________
You want to be a journalist? With writing like this, you're a shoe in.

nice blog i actually wouldnt mind seein rooney in a leeds shirt... he's done great for macclesfield this season.

big up to the phonics best band live you'll ever see

intrestin berbatov was purely a shearer fan & wud support who he played for, more common in motor racing or maybe family members!

nice blog dan unlike the miser above me at 16 who made u simon cowell (or in a journo's respect i guess that shoud be piers morgan right?)

sssspurssss: My apologies. It was of course, Cesciooo.

Dmrichkt, now there is no point having a dig at someone if you can even get the person right, Im sssspurssss and I certainly have no intention of becoming a journalist!!

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God you have the best job in the world. Do you ever get star-struck when interviewing these players?

Dan I have been critical of some of your food choices... but you have redeemed yourself!! Yum yum is a good choice but Percy Pigs!! They are brilliant.. and not only that you offered them around.. Well done that man..

HAve you ever had a truly bad experience with an interview?? Either through them being difficult or things going wrong..

And the would put you on the train, surely with what youve got to take a people carrier would be more effective, and cheaper. 4 people (im guessing) at 50-60 quid each is going to be a lot more expensive than using a car.

Well I cant match you in the nappy changing department, my five month old regularly takes pleasure in doing her business when the nappy is off, and usuall on me.

Funny the guys you mention who you insinuate like doing media work, all totally different characters, I would like to meet Bullard out of them all he seems like a good down to earth guy. I would even want to stand in the same room as Keane, strikes me as a very unpleasant little man, respect for what he has doneon the pitch but the person, Id rather meet a tramp.

Dan,

Thanks for the update on your childs bowel movements, hope you washed your hands before spreading your lemon curd...?

It makes me laugh people questioning Rooney's interviewee skills - the lad is a footballer first and foremost, not an after dinner speaker. How many of us crumble under the pressure of public speaking, let alone talking in front of the camera and millions of adorning or critical fans?

On a footballing note I think Man Utd looked extremely average last night and before anyone states the obvious that qualification was already confirmed etc etc, may I say that had that been Arsenal's youngsters last night they'd have more than likely torn Besiktas to pieces.

If I was a United fan, I'd be extremely worried about their realistic chances of winning anything of much substance this season.

great blog again dan. just wondering what you were talking to rooney about? just wanna know whats on focus this weekend

Wanted to comment on John Motson.

I think he's an awful commentator, I think Barry Davies was much better.
I also feel the majority of pundits on all mainstream media are well below par.

These people comment on games and influence peoples opinions when they seem to have no relevence to whats actually going on on the pitch, a lot of them peddling their own agendas.

For instance, rafa benitez criticised for leaving crouch on the bench, or for playing keane on the left wing. two things Harry Redkanpp has done yet receives no critcism.

As I said, there are some exceptions, james richardson, martin keown, guillame ballague all seem very knowledgable and insightful, the rest, in my opinion are dross, and money should be better spent on better commentators and analyst.

#28

The big difference being Benitez didn't have a wealth of other strikers to pick from at the time, which was why his decisions were questioned as being a little odd.

Torres, Kuyt, Keane, Babel, Ngog last season

With Crouch, Baros, Cisse, Bellamy, Torres throughout his time

But didn't Benitez only get slated when there were no other attacking options available and he still left Crouch out? Anyway, bit rich including Ngog and Babel, hardly prolific are they!

@#17
Just for info, the expression is "shoo in", not "shoe in". It comes from the idea that the person in question is such a certainty for the prize, regardless of how bad or unsuitable they might be, that those in charge of awarding it would be "shooing them in" to the winners' enclosure; it has nothing to do with shoes. It's not a big deal, but you were taking the poster you were quoting to task about their writing!

"Wenger's argument the most persuasive though... "how is it possible that 2 billion people watching around the world can see a handball, penalty or the ball cross the line but the guy refereeing the thing can't?"

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Oh the irony in Wenger's comment...

It could've been used against him on so many occasions if re-worded ever so slightly:

"How is it possible that 2 billion people watching around the world can see a handball, penalty or a blatant foul but the manager stood less than 20 yards away on the touchline can't?"

dmrichkt, i think you just got told.

Dan!
Greetings from a damp CT.
It is Thanksgiving Day to day over here, so I will probably consume about 4,000 calories and not give a second thought to your comments in #12 about yum-yums and trouser tightness.

I want to weigh in on a few of the manager issues raised int his blog. Did Wenger actually say "how is it possible that 2 billion people watching around the world can see a handball, penalty or the ball cross the line but the guy refereeing the thing can't?" as cited in # 12?
If there is one man in the whole world able to explain how 2 billion people can see one thing but a guy there in the stadium can miss it, that man has to be the great Arsene.

Dan, are you old school or new school on technology such as video playbacks in footie?

Also what is happening with poor old Benitez? Bad season or what.

PepeXabiBarnes (#28) you want to come over here to the US of A and listen to US commentators pontificating about European footballers. Dreadful! Because commentator so and so played for two seasons with the "Tampa Storm" or "Minneapolis Minnows" they think they can sound forth on Ferguson, Rikaard etc...

Great blog, Dan and I must also congratulate you on your Football Focus skills - you're one of the best 'sofa hosts' in quite some time.

Interesting point on Rooney's interview nervousness. I've watched several over the years where he's been the sole focus of attention - including on the in-house MUTV channel - and he often appears fidgety and uncomfortable. However, the other day I watched a Dirty Sanchez-meets-Rooney clip on YouTube for the first time. It was just him wellying a football at the three Welsh Wonders + one Mad Englishman, with the occasional little chat.

He looked far, far more comfortable in front of the camera acting like a kid, which, I think, he still is deep-down (from a personality sense). Long may this continue, as the sight of Rooney haring round the pitch, arguing with refs and trying stuff usually reserved for the playground is fine with me as a United & Rooney fan (my favourite player since Keano).

As for your choice of snacks, fair dos; they sound lush. For future long journeys, might I also recommend Maynard's classic Wine Gums and Hob-Nobs flapjacks (plain or milk choc-coated) - mmmmmmmmm, delicious.

I remember taking a Virgin train to Manchester a few years back, when my Grandpa died bless him, and my mum & I were heading back to our homeland to look after her mum/my nan. There was the usual jostling for seat position, but I also bumped into Paul Parker, our right-back at the time. Me being me, I tried to strike-up a convo with the lad. You should've seen his face - he looked scared out of his wits, bless him! Whether that was down to his shyness or my 6'7" height, I'll never know...

As for (#18) James' comment; the 'Phonics are great, but nowhere near the best band live (although it's subjective, of course). Oasis, U2, The Charlatans, Prodigy, Verve & Kings of Leon are all a class apart when playing live, fair dos.

Keep up the great work, Dan!

Focus should be a good watch this week then
Talking about Portsmouth, Ive heard that Darren Ferguson would be Portsmouth coach before their match with Man Utd. I know that will never happen but if you had the choice what manager would you put for the Portsmouth job

Dan, if you can buy sandwiches every day surely the beeb are paying you too much, or are you lucky enough to have the other half make them?

35.......I pity you having to listen to the footy in the states, hearing them comentate on soccerball is the most painful thing I have witnessed.

I can see what people are on about when they say that Rooney or Benitez are easy targets, in the case of Rooney I think there is a lot of jealousy, especially from rival fans, I dont think he did much to enhance his reputation in the early stages of his career bt he seems much more settled and mature. Time will tell. Most people make a rod for their own back and do little to remove it (ahem benitez). Footballers are individuals and there will be nice guys and not so nice guys. I guess unless your involved some how like Dan is you will never know, and those that are will tell us the nice guys but wont be so quick to tell us who the others are.

Dan, Ferguson wouldn't have walked off if you had offered him a Percy Pig... future note.. bring sweets to possible dody interviews.. maybe a full on dog bone if its Keano that day..

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My last post was removed for being potentially libellous :(

In this age of American-led 'sue this/sue that', I can't blame the Beeb to be honest. Therefore, I'll just post the watered-down version and hope it's allowed:


A friend at work used to be a PR lass at a Midlands club. When talking about who she's met in the football world, it was interesting to hear her comments. For example, Fergie is meant to be very approachable, funny and he loves his banter, whereas Wenger is a bit more reserved although incredibly knowledgeable about the game.

I met Glenn Roeder, Marcel Desailly and Matt Holland during my chauffeuring days - all of whom came across as top lads (and Desailly's lass at the time was absolutely stunning!) My boss back then used to drive Thierry Henry, Ian Wright and a few other London-based players about - most of whom were decent lads. In addition, Arjan de Zeeuw was a proper gent, he said.

Way back when, I also bumped into the Manchester United squad at one of their Charity Race Days at Haydock Park. The guys who came across as instantly likeable were: Solskjær, Giggs, Scholes, Irwin and Phil Neville.

My most memorable experience with a top footballer, however, would have to be when I met Tony Adams. This was back in the mid-nineties, when he was Arsenal's towering captain. I had a cool chat with Tony and one of the things we talked about was Cantona's sending-off against Arsenal a few weeks before. Tony remonstrated with the ref at the time, telling him Eric tried his best to avoid him. Top gesture from a top man.

Dan, Regarding your question about Hash Browns, then the answer is yes!!
The Fry Up offered at our local hostelry is:
Two fried Eggs, Baked Beans,Hash Browns, Black Pudding, White Pudding, Grilled Tomato, Back Bacon, and sausage, along with two slices of toast and butter. Wash it down with a couple of pints of Guiness and you can be home before 10.00 am to do wahtever chores the wife has come up with!

Loving the Paul Parker panning comment, Dan - what a sight that must've been for the viewers!

Reminds me of working in Newmarket and the comedy moments I shared with some of the Irish stable lads who live & work there... All 5ft-nothing of them. "Be-jeesus, wouldya look at the soiz of dat big man dere! Hey, big fella, can oi take a picture with yas?"

Classic stuff.

Blogers,
Re. 'Poor Benitez being dealt with unfairly' He must have known he would be at the whim of the commentators when he took the job, and if that bothers him he should not have taken the job in the first place. Also he gets paid a ton of cash, so a few prejudiced or unbalanced remarks by sit-on-your-backside onlookers are covered by his handsome re-numeraiton.

BUT MOST OF ALL bearing in mind the sheer, brazen luck the Reds have had in the Champions league can't we all agree that it more or less has evened out for old Rafa? I'm sure Chelsea and Milan would think so.

Dan, how can you eat chocolate spread and silver-skin pickled onions? doesn't your wife stop you on health grounds? Weren't such things buried some where in the marital vows.
JH

Hi Dan. I feel really sorry for you having to do the job that you do. It must be terrible. Here, if you do such a thing as take on people for a week's work experience, put me at the top of your list. I think I could show a bit of love and compassion and help encourage you to keep you going and get through these difficult weeks interviewing Rooney etc !!

By the way, is there any chance you could interview Paul Dickson this week who plays for Temple Rangers - and maybe he'll score a hat trick next Saturday.

Keep up the good work.

MB

Dan,
Mundane monotony of Turkey sandwiches has been the pattern since Thanksgiving. Much to thank the good Lord for though.
I could be converted on the Nutella and pickled onions thing you know.
Mail some over, along with Garibalidi biscuits, and I promise to give them an open minded try.

Any thoughts on South Africa's sacrificial calf for the World Cup? I dare you to get a blog going about that.

Dan:

No, the camera was not coming out of
your head...


~Dennis Junior~