@attempting-reentry.bsky.social
Football and a bit of everything else
Pinned
Astonishingly lacking in humanity. Letting someone as intellectually feeble as Oli Dugmore make an argument on a subject so serious is one thing. Publishing this nasty drivel is a moral obscenity. The whole article reads like the work of sub-Sixth Form 'pick-me' imbecile.
Had an excellent 2025 in the forecasting stakes. Correctly predicted Liverpool would collapse (90% of BBC pundits had them in Top 2). Called Wolves for the drop pre-season. Had S'land pegged around 10th (were 3rd favourite for relegation). Had 90%+ success rate in the CL knockouts too.
January 1, 2026 at 4:16 PM
Had an excellent 2025 in the forecasting stakes. Correctly predicted Liverpool would collapse (90% of BBC pundits had them in Top 2). Called Wolves for the drop pre-season. Had S'land pegged around 10th (were 3rd favourite for relegation). Had 90%+ success rate in the CL knockouts too.
I'm going to be doing some short posts later on what I got right and wrong this year, but I'll start with this: lol
December 31, 2025 at 8:02 AM
I'm going to be doing some short posts later on what I got right and wrong this year, but I'll start with this: lol
May seem trivial but it would've been unthinkable ten years ago to do a walk before 7am and and pick up the foul smell of weed. An anti-social symptom of the country's decline.
December 31, 2025 at 7:24 AM
May seem trivial but it would've been unthinkable ten years ago to do a walk before 7am and and pick up the foul smell of weed. An anti-social symptom of the country's decline.
Just finished reading the handful of Nabokov short stories in 'Terra Incognita'. Sublime, particularly Spring in Fialta and The Doorbell.
December 30, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Just finished reading the handful of Nabokov short stories in 'Terra Incognita'. Sublime, particularly Spring in Fialta and The Doorbell.
On one of my trips to the ancestral town in Ireland, a fella in a pub told me where I would find 'nurses'. Then, to my puzzlement, every other person I met talked about 'nurses'. Was only few years later, when I kept matching with Irish nurses on apps in the UK, that I understood. Proper education..
If you are a straight man in Ireland and a bit shy and awkward about breaking the ice with a gal you'd like to talk to, here's a tip. Every woman in Ireland is an amateur pharmacist (except for the actual pharmacists), a sommelier of painkillers. Ask her about painkillers and she will talk to you.
December 30, 2025 at 1:18 AM
On one of my trips to the ancestral town in Ireland, a fella in a pub told me where I would find 'nurses'. Then, to my puzzlement, every other person I met talked about 'nurses'. Was only few years later, when I kept matching with Irish nurses on apps in the UK, that I understood. Proper education..
Somehow I missed the announcement from six months ago of new series in Scandinavia, 'The Trip to the Northern Lights'.
Series 3 in Spain saw a strange synchronicity whereby my favourite TV programme followed the route from my favourite book, As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning...
Series 3 in Spain saw a strange synchronicity whereby my favourite TV programme followed the route from my favourite book, As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning...
Random impressions
YouTube video by Count Grassi
www.youtube.com
December 29, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Somehow I missed the announcement from six months ago of new series in Scandinavia, 'The Trip to the Northern Lights'.
Series 3 in Spain saw a strange synchronicity whereby my favourite TV programme followed the route from my favourite book, As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning...
Series 3 in Spain saw a strange synchronicity whereby my favourite TV programme followed the route from my favourite book, As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning...
Despite what his basic fangirlies think, Louis Theroux is overrated. Some early stuff was amusing but he's not overly skilled. I hate to agree with that cockroach Max Clifford but he had him right: he's a one-dimensional snide who provides enough rope for his subjects to hang themselves.
December 29, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Despite what his basic fangirlies think, Louis Theroux is overrated. Some early stuff was amusing but he's not overly skilled. I hate to agree with that cockroach Max Clifford but he had him right: he's a one-dimensional snide who provides enough rope for his subjects to hang themselves.
The fact shit, misfiring Wolves strikers don't feel shame in putting their first names on their shirts is indicative. They've sold their best players and replaced them with dross and mercenaries. I predicted they'd finish bottom but had no idea they'd be quite so bad...
December 28, 2025 at 8:08 PM
The fact shit, misfiring Wolves strikers don't feel shame in putting their first names on their shirts is indicative. They've sold their best players and replaced them with dross and mercenaries. I predicted they'd finish bottom but had no idea they'd be quite so bad...
Seeing #MOTD for first time in years. How do people watch such rubbish? Just remembered when Lineker led the pundit strike and Dion Dublin tweeted out 'solidarity'. From the property developer. What will they think of next?!
December 27, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Seeing #MOTD for first time in years. How do people watch such rubbish? Just remembered when Lineker led the pundit strike and Dion Dublin tweeted out 'solidarity'. From the property developer. What will they think of next?!
Never wanted VAR but now think it should be used for as many *objective* calls as possible. The caveat being it needs to be almost instant. Get it to point it can call offside while the striker is still running through on goal. The advertising boards could turn red to indicate offside/out of play.
Fifa tests new technology for ball out of play and offside
Fifa is testing new technology which can determine if the ball went out of play before a goal was scored.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 22, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Never wanted VAR but now think it should be used for as many *objective* calls as possible. The caveat being it needs to be almost instant. Get it to point it can call offside while the striker is still running through on goal. The advertising boards could turn red to indicate offside/out of play.
Been replaying it this weekend as stuck at home with the awful cold going around.
Really enjoyable. Gameplay is basic but the historical detail, collectibles, cast and music is really good. It gets to you...
Really enjoyable. Gameplay is basic but the historical detail, collectibles, cast and music is really good. It gets to you...
11-11 Memories Retold - A narrative-driven adventure set in World War I, the game explores the lives of two men on opposing sides of the conflict, blending personal stories with the harsh realities of war. Its hand-painted art style adds emotional depth to this historical tale.
December 21, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Been replaying it this weekend as stuck at home with the awful cold going around.
Really enjoyable. Gameplay is basic but the historical detail, collectibles, cast and music is really good. It gets to you...
Really enjoyable. Gameplay is basic but the historical detail, collectibles, cast and music is really good. It gets to you...
Both Rogers' goals came from moving in from the left. Could make a case he should be the starting LW over Gordon and Rashford. Looks like he could do a job as backup striker too. Still behind Jude and Palmer at 10 for me though. Both offer more control in tighter matches.
Wow! When Rogers has space he's very good but I'll repeat again: he won't get as much as that in an England shirt.
December 21, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Both Rogers' goals came from moving in from the left. Could make a case he should be the starting LW over Gordon and Rashford. Looks like he could do a job as backup striker too. Still behind Jude and Palmer at 10 for me though. Both offer more control in tighter matches.
Wow! When Rogers has space he's very good but I'll repeat again: he won't get as much as that in an England shirt.
December 21, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Wow! When Rogers has space he's very good but I'll repeat again: he won't get as much as that in an England shirt.
Fuckers. What an embarrassing shambles
Ashes 2025-26: How England lost latest Ashes series down under in just 11 days
BBC Sport chief cricket reporter Stephan Shemilt reveals the inside story of England's Ashes defeat in Australia on and off the pitch.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 21, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Fuckers. What an embarrassing shambles
Controversial opinion I know: I like Blackadder but do think it's a bit overrated. Maybe 1/3rd of the episodes are excellent (this was one of them) but the rest are average or duds. The writing isn't great. Baldrick isn't funny. Without Rowan Atkinson there's a chance it could've sunk without trace
Pitt the Younger became Prime Minister on this day in 1783! #Blackadder
December 21, 2025 at 3:08 AM
Controversial opinion I know: I like Blackadder but do think it's a bit overrated. Maybe 1/3rd of the episodes are excellent (this was one of them) but the rest are average or duds. The writing isn't great. Baldrick isn't funny. Without Rowan Atkinson there's a chance it could've sunk without trace
Apt for this time of year. The other series were good but there are very few things I've ever enjoyed more than the first series of The Trip. Exquisite quality to it. Obv funny but pathos too. Bleak but gorgeous Northern landscape + the soundtrack was good without being intrusive as they often are.
Where do you stand on Michael Bublé? - The Trip to Italy: Series 2 Episode 5 Preview - BBC
YouTube video by BBC
www.youtube.com
December 21, 2025 at 2:52 AM
Apt for this time of year. The other series were good but there are very few things I've ever enjoyed more than the first series of The Trip. Exquisite quality to it. Obv funny but pathos too. Bleak but gorgeous Northern landscape + the soundtrack was good without being intrusive as they often are.
In the days before I could bring myself to quit a book I'd started but wasn't enjoying, I finished The Great Gatsby and Lady Chatterley's Lover. Both appalling.
December 21, 2025 at 2:43 AM
In the days before I could bring myself to quit a book I'd started but wasn't enjoying, I finished The Great Gatsby and Lady Chatterley's Lover. Both appalling.
I wanted to read around New Orleans and picked up few things incl. A Confederacy of Dunces. Although not overly keen on 'humorous' books I was instantly won over. Irresistibly funny & quotable. Real pathos too - especially given JKT's backstory. Enjoyed just how surprisingly tense the end gets too.
I just finished A Confederacy of Dunces. It was SO good. If you want to laugh, do yourself a favor and read this. It's brilliant with its comedic beats.
#booksky 💙📚
#booksky 💙📚
December 21, 2025 at 2:07 AM
I wanted to read around New Orleans and picked up few things incl. A Confederacy of Dunces. Although not overly keen on 'humorous' books I was instantly won over. Irresistibly funny & quotable. Real pathos too - especially given JKT's backstory. Enjoyed just how surprisingly tense the end gets too.
I know it's hard but Smugmore really is best ignored. He's nothing more than an aggregator of generic midwit political sentiment
The New Statesman's Oli Dugmore wants us to know that he has "a lot of experience building teams", thinks employers should have 6 months to *unfairly* dismiss new staff and that there's sth to be said for 0 hours contracts 🤮https://youtu.be/ufO_h2A3Lf0
Starmer U-turns on Rayner’s workers' rights bill | UK Politics | The New Statesman
YouTube video by The New Statesman
youtu.be
December 21, 2025 at 1:36 AM
I know it's hard but Smugmore really is best ignored. He's nothing more than an aggregator of generic midwit political sentiment
Was saying exactly this last week. He is terrible. Lot of copium/clutching at straws going on. He'll be moved on for a hefty loss in 18 months.
Chamakh 100% held the ball up better than Gyokeres does in his dreams. Watch some highlights of Arsenal the first 6 months Chamakh was here. Plus he could hear a ball.
Not saying Chamakh was brilliant, it’s just an illustration of how fucking terrible Gyokeres is.
Not saying Chamakh was brilliant, it’s just an illustration of how fucking terrible Gyokeres is.
December 20, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Was saying exactly this last week. He is terrible. Lot of copium/clutching at straws going on. He'll be moved on for a hefty loss in 18 months.
Two months ago I had Arsenal fans disagreeing with me when I said Gyokeres plainly doesn't have the killer instinct. I'm sorry but £60m on a dyspraxic, if slightly pacier, Jon Stead is criminal. Especially when Arsenal aren't in the habit of paying big transfer fees. Penalties ain't going to cut it.
December 20, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Two months ago I had Arsenal fans disagreeing with me when I said Gyokeres plainly doesn't have the killer instinct. I'm sorry but £60m on a dyspraxic, if slightly pacier, Jon Stead is criminal. Especially when Arsenal aren't in the habit of paying big transfer fees. Penalties ain't going to cut it.
The hand of JOB.
Sometimes players do just panic like this. I remember Umtiti doing an even worse version of this in the World Cup.
Sometimes players do just panic like this. I remember Umtiti doing an even worse version of this in the World Cup.
What is Jake O'Brien thinking there?
The Everton defender gives away a needless penalty against Arsenal, which Viktor Gyokeres duly converts.
The Everton defender gives away a needless penalty against Arsenal, which Viktor Gyokeres duly converts.
December 20, 2025 at 8:55 PM
The hand of JOB.
Sometimes players do just panic like this. I remember Umtiti doing an even worse version of this in the World Cup.
Sometimes players do just panic like this. I remember Umtiti doing an even worse version of this in the World Cup.
Think Ekitike would be even better with decent runners around. Wirtz looks less shit in the open matches but zero goal threat. Mac Allister is crap and always has been while Szoboszlai & Gravenberch seem reluctant to get into the box.
The flanks are a total dead zone. No dynamism.
The flanks are a total dead zone. No dynamism.
Of all the strikers who have had transfer buzz around them this summer (Sesko, Gyokeres, Delap etc) Ekitike is the one I would have gone for. Not sure he'll be world class but when he gets consistent minutes he gets goals. Certainly an upgrade on Nunez - who I predicted would flop!
December 20, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Think Ekitike would be even better with decent runners around. Wirtz looks less shit in the open matches but zero goal threat. Mac Allister is crap and always has been while Szoboszlai & Gravenberch seem reluctant to get into the box.
The flanks are a total dead zone. No dynamism.
The flanks are a total dead zone. No dynamism.
Spence reminds me of a full-back version of Grealish because he has the same flaws. Tendency to make the simple things look difficult with little flicks and flourishy follow-throughs. Holds onto the ball for two or three seconds too long. Doesn't 'plug in' to the rhythm of the team.
December 20, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Spence reminds me of a full-back version of Grealish because he has the same flaws. Tendency to make the simple things look difficult with little flicks and flourishy follow-throughs. Holds onto the ball for two or three seconds too long. Doesn't 'plug in' to the rhythm of the team.