football is hardly my subject, Bob, all those taut quadriceps and rippling
hamstrings......
...but I have to admire the way you have caught the syntax of this sweaty
conversation

my only quibble is that this reference to WW1, which I assume is a central
metaphor, feels a bit too obvious

surrounded by 'there must have been' and 'not that it's' these little
conversational words, rather than disguising its entracne feel like a frame
that makes it stick out a bit too much?

P-P

>that chaotic, can’t be stopped bloody panic
>there must have been on The Somme.  Not
>that it’s war, or life or death.


>From: Bob Cooper <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: The Pennine Poetry Works <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: With The Toon Army
>Date: Thu, 7 Mar 2002 22:48:56 +0000
>
>For C & C:
>
>With The Toon Army
>
>
>Like everyone else, I love ‘em.  That’s obvious.
>But when it was crossed, high and up
>over the penalty spot, the panic
>had already set in.  The Centre Backs that
>had looked shaky already, but not absurd,
>had no chance of clearing it, not
>
>a chance of clearing it.  Not
>a bloody hope.  If you were there it was obvious.
>So obvious.  The keeper, with that absurd
>dainty jump, should’ve shouted, leapt up
>and punched it clear.  Not that
>he could’ve stopped the panic,
>
>that chaotic, can’t be stopped bloody panic
>there must have been on The Somme.  Not
>that it’s war, or life or death.  All that,
>as Shankley said, is less serious.  It’s obvious
>we’ll do great this season.  And up
>front we’re all right.  Shearer.  But the word Absurd –
>
>that’s the only bloody word, AB-SURD –
>that describes what goes on at the back.  Panic
>is too effing polite as well.  Hell.  Two up
>at half-time.  Should’ve cruised it.  Not
>sat back but played steady.  It’s obvious
>we’ll have to buy again.  Another European.  That
>
>would sort it.  Height.  Elbows.  You buy that
>from abroad.  I know Phil Babb’s heard
>we want him.  But Italians are obvious
>choices for defence.  No panic
>and ruthless.  Crunch ‘em, but not
>so you’d see.  Then hold it, dribble it up
>
>well past half-way.  Dribble.  Not hoof it up
>and hope.  Footwork and thinking.  That
>sums up what we want.  Positive play.  Not
>the old English way, long shorts, absurd
>toe-cap boots, all that sort of crap.  An’ Nick,
>who’s got the next seat, knows it’s obvious
>
>too.  I ought to phone. Obvious, a drink. Not
>serious, no panic, just fun. Now that
>would be good.  Start absurd rumours.  Set ‘em up.
>
>Bob Cooper
>
>(N.B. The Toon Army is one of the names assumed by Newcastle United's fans)
>
>
>
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Perpetua Pullman


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