Stop.

'Will retire for 80k' has that suggestion that, at some in the future, the guy will be worth 80k.

Firstly, I do not think he is worh 80k - now.

Secondly, you would have to retire him to get that 80k - hardly the point of adding a player to your squad now.

Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly. If he retires and the team so doing gain 80k (again, this is not his value) great but if you do not retire him and want to sell him to a team that does want to retire him (following so far...) then you might* get half of the retire value.

* still not worth 40k (even now)

I am not winking

Returns on 23 AUG but you don't need me to tell you that - plenty of others will keep you up to date with that. Along with details of when the bins need to go out.

Bill has already posted his predictions and, I have to say, I am mightly flattered. Thank you!

Nearly everyone who bet on the match won some free money. When I looked at this last week I was about to bet on DUM but held off to see what might happen over the weekend and I was glad I did. The suspension of 55 SL meant that there was no danger of a blowout but even at 55%, that was a junk lineup.

No spoiler alert required for this post although Dave might be surprised. Perhaps he didn't check the preview page before betting or maybe he just has money to burn. I do appreciate the support though.

6 junk lineups and 6 league wins - coincidence? I think not.

Anyway, 6 is an interesting number. Apparently, when I say 'six', to others, it sounds like 'sex'. The language of the sea is English and I think I can hold my own but then when asked to say six it all falls apart. It brings great merriment to my fellow crew mates, which, of course, helps with morale.

Another word that is of great difficulty to me is 'phone'. My colleagues find it very amusing when passengers, mostly the 'merican, hear me say 'food'. Put your phone in the tray - I don't have any food. Bizzare. It happens a lot.