roy of the rovers in the 1980s

The words 'optimistic' and 'Everton' don't really sit well together. Recently though I do get the impression that some of our more doom-merchants have gone too far. Indeed I worry that many of our brethren have been pushed over the edge.

I do envy people who are able to access the internet in work. I dream of the day when I can sit on various cyberspace forums, firing off invective and commenting on my favourite crisps.

Getting home after watching a frighteningly impressive Russia rampage all over Sweden in their EURO 2008 group game, I thought that it was time to dig out this rather excellent book about Russia and her football.