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Yes, that book's on the "to read" list. Maybe good WC replacement therapy for next week. Fascinating relationship between the cities and the football clubs. I just find Lowe's style a bit unnecessarily florid at times. I invariably enjoy the subject of his articles but find his writing style trips me up (a bit like a Colombian defender ) What's your take on Ronaldo's transfer as an RM fan, Brad? Timely good business or short-sighted error? And, can Bale step up or will they need Hazard plug the gap? I'd love to see Bale given the chance as I think he's another great footballer

Enjoyed this analysis of the French side and Deschamps approach to forging a team rather than focussing on individuals https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jul/12/didier-deschamps-france-world-cup-final-belgium made me think that you could substitute Southgate for Deschamps in many of the sentences. England just need the players of experience and quality. Two or Four year's time I'm not always convinced by Lowe's writing but this is a good read. By any measures Ronaldo's an astonishing player and the way he has managed his career and maintained that physical prowess shows nothing but great dedication. I could do without the narcissism but I suspect that's all part of the same package. Totti played until he was 40 in Italy so I can't see why Ronaldo won't. As Lowe points out the way he's changed his game to adapt to advancing years is very clever and, in an entirely different way, reminiscent of Pirlo and his golden later years at Juve. He's just a very exciting footballer and as that free-kick against Spain in the opening match showed there's an uncanny inevitability about him performing. Having said that, the less I see of the shorts hike at free-kicks the better, especially around meal times...

Conjoint - A Few Empty Chairs Conjoint are a recent discovery. Karl Berger playing with techno and electronic artists from 10 or so years ago. As a big Berger fan I love it and pleased there's other albums

Yeah, took me a while to find one that I could justify paying for

In a way I find it oddly comforting that the press in other countries can be as bad as ours. as for the TV commentary, just laughable in its pomposity at times. Don't get me started on Roy Keane's punditry (Oh, Ok then I will, if you all insist) - the man who walked away from WC pressure criticising players for not being able to handle the pressure of a WC semi-final...maybe true but pot meet kettle

I'm now playing this one to complete the afternoon's Lawsha listen (unless I get to the studio Firebirds next) I've been confused by the three volumes for years - different line ups, different festivals, partial CD reissues but I got there in the end If you like volume 1 you'll have no worries with volume 3, unless short LPs worry you. It clocks in at just over 31 minutes but 31 terrific minutes - quality not quantity

Keep flying the flag on that island, won't you.

Prince Lawsha - Firebirds Live At Berkeley Jazz Festival, volume 2 no Bobby H on this one

That volume 3 has Bobby Hutcherson on too.

Prince Lawsha - Firebirds Live At The Monterey Jazz Festival, volume III [Birdseye] Buster Williams!

And again...teenage angst anyone?

I'm trying to picture how that works...good luck

that takes me back...

I did the same with very similar conclusions. I could have taken some of the bombast (I was a teenage Heavy Metal fan after all) if Washington's playing stood up to it. To my ears it didn't so his solos had the effect of deflating the "atmosphere" that was created by the massed choirs etc. I like that he's popular and everyone and their dog are supposedly listening to him and i'll continue to give it an occasional spin to see whether my reactions change which is the luxury of Spotify.

The pointlessness of the third place play off feels even more acute when your team's involved. It will not be long before no one remembers the runners up let alone third and fourth place. I predict it'll be a Belgian victory but will both manager's play their second XI's as a group match rematch?

resident in the 53rd state

that's what happens when you come from the best country in the world

and thereby betrays a great misunderstanding of the psyche of the nation with regard to that phrase and this competition

Best team won. The skill of the Croatian midfield really shone through Very inexperienced and young England team exceeded my expectations by far

But also Martinez changed formation to make Lukaku the spearhead and therefore became overly reliant on him performing. Against Brazil it was three up front, with Lukaku out wide and they were unstoppable at times going forward Football was always played better in our memories

I like this description and it holds with my impressions of seeing him live too. Next week in London with Five Elements, can't wait

Not too sure who you're referring to here but no-one's making you watch it

Football's a sport not an art. We fans romantically talk about artists on the pitch and the aesthetics but we're only the fans. For the players it's a win or lose competition, not art. I really appreciated both sides' displays tonight. France defended marvellously and also created chances. Belgium failed to take their chances but created some good ones. If you can't appreciate the skills on display tonight from Hazard, De Bruyne, Mbappe, Varane, Pogba, Matuidi, Lloris then you're watching the wrong sport. The fact that there are more French names, and defenders at that, in that list goes some way to explain why they won