We've really got to have a whip round to get you laid.......

Only part-time Philip, I think he might still do some television work.

This might interest a few people. It's a Diners Club that you sign up to, gives you 2 for 1 deals in thousands of restaurants around the country. There is a membership fee (not sure what that is), but there's a 2 month free trial at the moment so it could be worth signing up for just for that.

Seems to have a very good selection of restaurants, quite a few that I frequent in Manchester are there.

Guardian top ten budget restaurants in Manchester- some names not previously mentioned on here

Cheers Phil, I'll bookmark that for future reference. The Guardian is usually spot-on with its local reviews (The Guide supplement is wonderful), so that article shouldn't be too far wide of the mark.

Kings of Leon killed themselves years ago.

Whilst we're on the subject of hate - who the hell are Iglu & Hartly? I saw a song of theirs a few weeks ago on 4 Music, I stopped whilst flicking through sheerly for the comedy value of a ponytailed ponce dancing around a stage in white jeans. Never, ever did I think it would become a popular song. What is wrong with people?

Savage to join Brighton on loan.

I always thought his career would nose-dive as soon as his legs went, due to having virtually nothing else in his game other than running around, but I didn't think he'd fall this quickly. Getting £1.5 million for him, along with Kuqi, must rank as one of Hughes' best pieces of outgoing business here.

I also think the same will happen to Friedel as soon as his Superman-esque reaction speed is halted by age.

You can't really justify that Abbey. It says in there he was an ex-soldier...there's just as much logic in suggesting the army taught him to be a killer.

I don't believe either by the way, just making a point.

Great song choice Colin, just a shame the tinny audio on Youtube doesn't do that bassline justice.

I've seen that song played live twice and it blew me away both times. I've come to the conclusion that it's one of those songs whose quality grows exponentially according to the amount of alcohol you consume.

Also got Springsteen live at Hammersmith. Possibly the greatest concert performance in Rock history.

I don't know whether this qualifies or not as it was over three nights, but Stop Making Sense by Talking Heads* is easily the greatest live thing I've ever seen in my life.

*That's my Amazon link, not a randomly selected one.

I don't know if the first post is still being updated, but Florent Sinama-Pongolle has once again reached Champions League levels with a move from Huelva to Atletico Madrid.

Easily the biggest mistake Hughes made in the transfer market in my opinion. He looked quality on loan and I'm surprised we passed on the permanent deal, it's one that has cost us millions really (assuming he would have continued to improve with us). He also has that one key thing we've been missing since he and Bellamy were together - pace.

Goldeneye was good, but I have to say all the Roger Moore films I've seen were pants.

Anyway, I wonder which will come first, the Red Dwarf film, or the Guns n Roses Chines Democracy album? Last I heard of the former was that one of the writers was still trying to get people to fund it a few years ago. God knows about the latter.

Films like Pineapple Express can find funding year after year, but something like a Red Dwarf movie can't? Insane. I think if they gassed people when they were in theatre to watch Pineapple Express the world would be a much finer place...

(P.S. what's happened to the 'hiding' smilie?)

No, but a couple of good reviews here.

On the subject of Italian restaurants in Manc, DON'T go to Gio's (there are two I think, the one I went to was near the Midland). I had a pizza and my (then) girlfriend had a pasta dish - it tasted no better than stuff you get from the supermarket and cook at home.

Cheers for the link, that's re-assuring.

I was considering giving Gio's a try so thanks for the warning, it looks quite nice from the outside.

Thinking of going to Strada in Manchester this weekend, has anyone been there before?

REC, Is a cracking film.They dont slam everything on you all at once.They build it up and build it up then just throw everything at you.It in no way dissapoints.

Ooo and the Female lead is a bit of a cutie aslwell...wich is nice!

You're right, it's an excellent horror film. The acting in it is great, adds to the realism of the whole thing...which in turn adds to the fear. Thanks for the recommendation.

I enjoyed the Blair Witch Project because I luckily managed to watch it before they hype got out of control. I think those that thought it was crap went in thinking they were going to see the scariest movie ever, so were ultimately disappointed.

My girlfriend speak Spanish (I'm desperately trying not to sound like Eddie here) and loves horror films so you've already scored me some brownie points.

Edit: That last sentence wasn't in any way meant to sound like an innuendo.

Watched Spanish horror film REC last night, and bloody good it was.

I've got this to watch tonight on your recommendation, so if it doesn't go down well I'll know who to blame.

Oh of course, sorry about that...I know the one you mean now. I think the one I'm on about is actually on Whitworth street.

For the Mancunians & those who might just visit. Have a go at "The Grand Buffet."

Corner of Whitworth St & Sackville St, (just downhill from Chorlton St coach station.)

All you can eat for £5.50. OK it's not haute cuisine, but every now and then it does the job.

Is that the one where you have to go slightly downstairs in to the restaurant Colin? Green on the outside? If so, I went there a few years back and it was very good. for the price. It's the first and only time I've been to an 'all you can eat', I was pleasantly surprised to find it included dessert and fruit too.

I'd be loving all this if we'd got an adequate replacement for Sparky.

As it stands, entertaining the thought that he might just regret leaving makes it hurt more.

The Love Guru is coming out this weekend in the UK, the trailers make it look like its literally the worst movie ever made.

I get quite angry every time I see that trailer...although I doubt whether it can surpass 40 Year Old Virgin, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, I Pronounce You Chuck & Larry and all that other crap that seems to come out once a month.

Whilst on the subject of comedies, I saw Dr. Strangelove for the first time last night and I thought it was fantastic, extremely dark humour but brilliantly done. It was also possibly the greatest comedy acting performance I've ever seen courtesy of Peter Sellers...just brilliant.

if you want to see the highlights of the whole game, or just Neill's fioul,

video link

The pen is about the 3:30 mark

Haha. Oh I'd forgotten how rash he could be, that was ridiculous.

How good is Blanco by the way (that was him that did the back-hell assist, right?). I remember him from a World Cup years and years ago, when he did that jumping trick with the ball between his feet. I thought he was going to become a world superstar after that (I remember going straight on Champ Man and signing him for Rovers... ) but he never quite seemed to make it to the top level.

You not counting 'Rock 'n' roll swindle' LeChuck?

I'm not...should I be? I find it hard to call it a Sex Pistols album when Johnny Rotten wasn't involved.

Edit: Cocker...so you did. My mistake. Still, at least we get to talk about the Sex Pistols now.

hang on, didnt they have something like 2 albums? Pathetic

That's completely irrelevant really Cocker, the Sex Pistols only had one album for example (not that I'm comparing them at all, I wouldn't dare). I don't exactly advocate their appearance in any sort of top 100 list, but you can't argue they had a massive influence (for better or worse) on the indie scene. How many albums they released doesn't come in to it though.

Edit: Scary LD...we wrote that at exactly the same time!

The Hives, Eighties Matchbox......., and British Sea Power.

Ah good old Eighties Matchbox, what's going on with them now? I think they released an EP last year but I haven't heard anything of it. Fish Fingers is my favourite song of theirs, I still play that a lot even now. I remember seeing them at Leeds festival (2003 I think) by chance, I didn't know who they were before then, but they were brilliant to watch.

I think I'm in the same situation with The Hives as well, I haven't heard anything for years. I love Your New Favourite Band, that used to be the drinking album for my friends and I back in sixth form. I wasn't keen on Tyrannosaurus Hives, I think I'll give the new album a chance though...I'd kind of forgotten about them to be honest.

British Sea Power were excellent (I write this whilst sat in a BSP t-shirt), but I think they've really gone off the boil, both live and recorded. I saw them at the same Leeds festival as Eighties Matchbox because we'd heard a bit of a buzz around that they were going to be great. They came out dressed in foliage and I remember Yan (I think it was him) climbing the scaffolding of the stage and sliding in to the crowd dressed as a tree. I saw them several times after that when they were promoting The Decline Of... and they were always brilliant. The last time I went to see them was when they were promoting Open Season, but it was very dull in comparison and I don't really like that album, so I've given up going now. I gave the latest album a few listens but I don't like it, I think they've lost some of the anarchic energy Eamon brought (used to love him walking round on stage wearing a drum-helmet and banging his head). Listen to Spirit of St. Louis if you haven't heard it, it's a B-Side from The Decline Of... but it's probably their best song.

I agree with TGM that the Libertines were good when they were around, but the amount of awful replicas they spawned means they'll never be remembered fondly. I think The Strokes suffer with the same thing, their first album was brilliant and quite different to what was around at the time (I love New York City Cops) but again, loads of other bands latched on to the sound and ruined their reputation.

He'll most likely play understudy to Earnshaw and Cole. Nathan Tyson isn't bad either.