You sound like foreign culture is more than a passing interest of yours. Try " Giri-Hagi ". Japanese detective is sent to London to find his missing brother. It's a bit violent but what isn't these days. Some really good acting, the young British actor who plays a rent boy is amazingly good.

Are you up to speed with the latest series then ? Yes, it's easy to lose track of time once you start watching one episode after another. I said to my wife at one point, " Is this our third episode or the fourth ? "

I was there that night, stood at the back of the Blackburn End, It was pretty scary to be honest. We were unlucky to meet City on a really good night, a mate of mine who was a City fan was there that night and he says that was their best performance in the FA Cup that season and let's remember they actually won it that year. Two of our key players in Billy Wilson and Eamon Rogers were both out suspended but would have been available if the game had have been played on the original date. The saddest thing about the game for me was to see the great Bryan Douglas coming on as a sub when the game was already lost and him being unable to get a touch as City brushed us aside. It was obvious that a truly great career was over. You could also see that Colin Bell was going to be the new type of midfield player. More of an athlete but less of a ball player. So galling that we very nearly signed him a year or two earlier. Regarding Jim, he was up there with Roque Santa Cruz and Rudy Gestede as the best header of a ball I've seen in a Rovers shirt. I once saw him dive head first at a ball on the ground and actually head a perfect through ball for Malcolm Darling to run onto. That's a pass you don't see very often ! I remember watching him a few times when he'd left Rovers and was playing for Oldham. He formed a really prolific partnership with a lad called David Shaw, Jim got all the flick ons and Shaw, who had pace to burn, got on the end of them. David Shaw is on the front row of that photo of Den's along with ex Rover Maurice Whittle who formed a really good full back partnership with the blonde lad on the back row, Ian Wood. He used to hold the record for the fastest goal ever scored in League football - 4 seconds. I don't know wether that still stands. Thanks for the memories Jim.

My wife and I watched the last 4 episodes of " Cardinal " last night. I thought it was gripping. I'd hate to live in Canada though, it looks so bloody cold !

It's become a parody of the earlier series. My wife watches it also, I think it's because it's about a woman killing men, but really it's laughable. " You Don't Own Me " sung in French or Italian is always worth a listen though.

Brunt was a really good player in his day but I'd give him a swerve now. His age is against him.

When we watched " Giri Haji " we were doing 4 episodes a night ! That was good also but again pretty violent.

There's one series we missed. It may have been the first. This latest one has started brilliantly. I'm gripped already and it's takes a lot for me to get enthused about a TV series these days. If you read " The Guardian " Lucy Mangan reviews last nights episodes so it be best not to read it. It's a good review but obviously a plot spoiler.

So which one are you watching ? Last nights episode started with a kidnapping.

Yes, I can highly recommend it. Not for the squeamish though. It was double episode. Would I want to live in Canada ? Not for a gold clock. " Sewing Bee " has been moved to tonight's treat !

" Cardinal " is on tonight, if I can prise Mrs Shoelaces away from " The Sewing Bee ".

I don't know what the roads are like in Blackburn theses days, " 4000 holes in Blackburn Lancashire " and all that but the roads in Rochdale were dreadful. Since the lockdown started the council have had contractors working everywhere properly repairing damaged roads. At least smoother rides and less punctures will be a plus from this crisis.

I had to stop watching it towards the end of the series. I found it just too upsetting. I missed the episode that Graham Souness was in.

Yeah he was great in " The Boys From The Blackstuff ". According to Mrs Shoelaces he was married to Helen Worth who plays Gail Whatshername in " Coronation Street. " RIP a fine actor.

I'll be watching " This Place " , a live National Theatre performance on Youtube. It concerns the politics of the 1970's. It come highly rated.

Given the population dynamics in Rochdale you'd think that there'd be a least one decent Asian restaurant. I've yet to find it. The best around here used to be " Zook " just off Oxford Road in Manchester.

I've come across one or two nasty, arrogant, dog breaths in my time but Cummings seems to be in a lack of class all on his own.

I hardly watch much football under normal circumstances these days unless it's Rovers. I won't be watching any games played behind closed days. It'll be like kissing your sister.

I broke my leg twice as a young player. Physically I was fine afterwards, just as fast on my feet etc but mentally I wasn't the same ever again. Following the second break I retired from serious football after a few months of trying to get back to my best. I just wasn't prepared to play at that lower level.

Lots of Premier League clubs are pleading poverty in my paper this morning because it looks like they are going to have to pay back some of the TV money. Regarding Dack, when you've had a serious injury like that the recovery is 50% physical and 50% mental. Nobody will know if he's back to his best until he's played a few games. We all thought Jansen was going to recover 100% but he never did.

" Get tested just for the fun of it . " It doesn't sound like much fun to me. They played a recording of somebody having the swab rubbed on their tonsils this morning and it sounded like they were throwing up !

I think any club that took that approach would be on a sticky wicket legally speaking. Plus the damage that would be done to player morale would be massive.

No.

I saw him once a year ago. I was impressed on that one showing. Would I sign a player off one showing, no, not unless it was Pele. I'd have definitely watched him again though. Maybe we have.

That's Mrs Shoelaces theory. They are quite busy.