Michael*

Lead newie from St. Vincent. The album's set for release on February 24, 2014.

Launch trailer.

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Another reasonably creditable performance against a stronger team, another scandalous non-award of a blatant penalty, and another calamitous own goal proving to be decisive. What with the other seemingly condemned teams improving and even winning, it's all starting to look rather grim.

Jackpot for Argentina and France. Decent draw for Belgium, raw deal for the USA. Could have been worse for England, I don't think we're as doomed as many will no doubt predict. Uruguay are a team packing immense firepower and a track record of performing when the chips are down, but they're also an ageing side who lack a healthy process of renewal, and who required a play-off against Jordan to even reach the World Cup. I prefer the mindset of fearing our opponents though, if I'm honest. There can be a fine line between confidence and complacency, and our players are far too often guilty of ending up on the wrong side of that line.

Thread cleaned. A friendly reminder - conversations that are irrelevant to their thread are against the rules, as are bashing and baiting of any kind. Please, let this be the end of the current discussion.

Thread cleaned. Guys, a friendly reminder - bashing, baiting and flaming of any kind are against the rules. Please, let this be the end of the current discussion.

Before they were famous...

Since it's almost time for that all-important draw, I hereby declare our official World Cup topic open! A minority viewpoint I'd imagine, but I’d actually prefer it if England’s worst case 'group of death' scenario came true. Four years ago, we expected an easy ride in the opening stages, followed by Ghana in the second round, which of course went south after inept performances against USA and Algeria. So give me games against Brazil and Italy over Iran and Honduras in the groups any day - let’s be honest, we're not going to win the thing, might as well test our mettle against as many heavy hitters as we can before we have to bog off home. If you so wish, fill in your own predictions here.

Thanks all.

I like that they give you a little American flag.

Jackpot!

How lovely, thanks Jennka!

Congratulations!

Bregje's left buttock, Doutzen's right.

I may be doing Gal a disservice (after all, everyone is pretty wooden in the 'Fast & Furious' movies) but I get the impression that they're not taking the idea of a potential Wonder Woman spin-off movie very seriously.

:Dinah:

I've been studying football for many years now, and I've come to the conclusion that if we stop getting red cards, and also stop scoring own goals, we should, by all rights, exponentially increase our chances of winning a few games, thereby increasing our current points total. Even more so if Poyet puts Craig Gardner back in his best position (in the crowd, like at the Newcastle game). All sorted! P.S. Apparently you're allowed to do this now, in full view of the referee. Who knew?

Official trailer has landed. Spot the Sinister Six reference!

New one by Connan Mockasin. Song and video are what I imagine would be the product of a supergroup formed by Prince, Flight of the Conchords and Julian Assange.

How lovely. Thanks meidude!

Out and about in Los Angeles (looking considerably less bald). November 2013

Instyle UK August 2012 Scans by Septimiu29

And here's the latest one from London band TOY.

The first new cut from Temples' forthcoming debut album has arrived.

Video for the aforementioned new Best Coast track.