TAA Workplace Trainer

I have throughout my previous blog's talked about training Security Officer's, Investigators and those wanting First Aid qualifications.

Believe me when I state, I have nothing special or magical that allows me to do this other than a desire to see it done right. At least right in my considered opinion.

Anybody can train others to gain qualifications for the workplace. The hardest thing about this role is the theory behind gaining the TAA qualification yourself. Once you have acheived this, your own experience kicks in to assist your teaching methods. I find that it demands I maintain high standards and my level of understanding must be of the highest calibre, but this is in itself rewarding. I openly seek opportunities to increase my knowledge now, whereas in times past, I have shrugged my shoulders and changed the channel on the remote.

This ongoing quest to improve my own knowledge in turn benefits those I train, and impacts all who come into contact with those trained. You can have a great effect on people through qualifying as a trainer.

In short, once you have gained the qualification you can train any discipline you yourself are qualified in. Hence I continue to stretch my own limited understanding of the world by learning and qualifying in new fields. This allows me to train people in these new area's albeit mostly related to my particular area of expertise - Security and Investigations.

You have knowledge and understanding of your particular speciality that others will benefit from. It takes little effort to pass on that knowledge and the rewards are numerous.

I have developed skills as diverse as public speaking, leadership, decision making and diplomacy never before required or little utilised. You will develop in these areas also and discover entire new perspectives and goals.

DRM GROUP - http://www.drmgroup.com.au/ - offer the TAA training to get you there with the same offer I give to all of my security students and that is simply "You have my guarantee that with my help you will pass the course, or it's FREE". That's right, a money back guarantee to show you how confident I am you can reach the standard required to train your fellow staff members or individuals in your chosen field. Doesn't get any better than that now does it.

I challenge you to go for that goal, I know you can do it, hell if I can - anybody can, as the old cliche goes. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain from taking this step, why not call me or make contact at training@drmgroup.com.au .

Training can start immediately and is offered in a mixture of classroom sessions and home based study. I, or any of my like qualified associates are available every step of the way to ease your journey and offer encouragement and direction as required.

If you have thoughts for or against what I have said here why not lay them out in the comments section below and I will respond to those thoughts, be they good or bad. The TAA qualification is undoubtedly the best decision I have made in terms of improving my life and increasing my opportunities in the workplace, why not take the step and see how it can benefit you. After all, with the DRM GROUP you are guaranteed to succeed.

Think Long & Prosper
Dan

Are You Sitting Comfortably...good then I'll begin...

I receive feedback with monotonous regularity that those of you applying for your Cert II Security Officer's licence (Unarmed) are having those applications rejected because you are indicating you also want the Monitoring certification - and our courses do not cover this specialist area! I tell every single class how to complete the application form, and it is blindingly apparent that you are not paying attention.

Therein lies the rub. If you are not willing to pay attention for this issue you immediately fail the test. Attention to detail is critical in the Security and Private Investigation fields and if you can't make the effort to get it right at this stage, you may as well stay in bed. Which is precisely where a lot of the applicants for the course would rather be, I suspect.

I have NEVER indicated that you should tick the Monitoring section of the Security application form, so why are so many of you doing just that? Quite the opposite in fact, I stress that you should NOT tick that box and I tell you why, but still you are doing it.

If I sound a little annoyed, you would be correct. This is not rocket science boy's and girl's. It is fundamental attention to detail that you now need to be employing to survive succesfully in these industries. I invite your comment's on these issues if you disagree, I will gladly defend my position in reply.

Go on, give me both barrel's on training@drmgroup.com.au and discover why I am so passionate about this and other issues relating to Security and Investigations. I have devoted a huge part of my life to these area's and spend extraordinary amounts of energy training you to be the best you can be, and then so many of you are not even getting past 1st base without assistance.

Take note of my sign off - I use it on every blog, and for good reason.

Think Long & Prosper
Dan

The GFC Effect on PI's...

Having received several enquiries regarding PI training over the past week I want to explain some of the unique employment factors relevant to this industry, and more importantly, to you.

The training offerred by myself, morrissey training (http://www.morrisseytraing.com.au/) or anyone else for that matter, is the theoretical component only. I provide the theoretical background to allow you to gain employment, you will still need to convince your prospective employer to give you the work. And that requires further commitment and effort from you. My training covers the reporting atandards, the legislation you must know and all of the peripheral issues, but the practical application is up to you.

The Global Financial Crisis has affected the Insurance Industry, from whom we source the majority of our work,  to the point that it appears they have made the desion to pay claims rather than pay to investigate them and subequently pay the claims anyway. This in effect, cuts out the middleman -  us!

The result has been a dramatic slump in the amount of work that Investigators are being offered, nation wide.

Now is not the time to dip your toe in the water's of Investigation's unless you really want to do this. As I have stated many times, you really must want to be a PI to succeed, not just think you might like it.

Such has been the slump in business, I am working three jobs - Investigations, Investigation's Trainer and Commercial Agent (Legal Document Service) to make ends meet. You need to have a similar plan and you need to be prepared for some tough times before you crack it..so to speak. Mind you, the capital cities are offerring vast amount of work at the moment, surveillance and factual.

I strongly reccomend you have a Plan B and C BEFORE you start looking at working in this industry - just as a safeguard so you can find your feet while still earning an income. Make no mistake, this is a fascinating, challenging and lucrative world, but you need to work at it, not just think it will fall into your lap. Youe need to commit ot obtaining the resources required and to attaining and maitaining the standards required of the industry. I am available and always willing to help you along that path and to answer any questions you might have about entering this fascinating industry. Call me on (07) 41230795 or contact me at investigations@drmgroup.com.au and I will inspire you to follow your dream.

Live Long and Prosper
Dan

Become a P.I - Start your Own Business Tips

I am currently training Private Investigation theory courses (Cert III Investigative Services) to allow you gain your Qld Investigators licence and the same questions are being posed by each student. 

I will attempt to outline the process by which you too can gain your licence and begin working in this exciting and diverse field. Obviously you need to start by gaining a recognised qualification through a Nationally Recognised Training Organisation (RTO). Morrissey Training - http://www.morrisseytraining.com.au/ - is the RTO for whom I facilitate this training and their qualification will allow you to work anywhere in the country, with the simple transfer of licence from your current jurisdiction, to the one you wish to work in.

Sorry, if you want to work in both locations - interstate that is - then you need to licence yourself separately in both states.

You should plan on spending a month working at your own pace through the training curriculum, with plenty of assIstance from me during one on one meetings and surveillance and investigation exercises. You can do it quicker, but for those new to this field of endeavour, there is a lot to absorb.

There is a demand for several computer generated reports, to a set format, but they are relatively complex in nature and will probably need me to help you understand them before you attempt to complete them. That said, they are far from impossible, but they are Industry standard formats and you need to be comfortable with them and the standards of grammar and spelling, typing and presentation that the Industry expects of you.

If you have never been exposed to the Judicial system, get yourself down to the local Courthouse and sit in the public Gallery - several times - to acquaint yourself with the proceedure's employed there. Listen to the way a Prosecutor conducts his or her case and contrast that with the style of the Defence counsel. Defence lawyers are paid to discredit prosecution witnesses and if they spot an opening they can become slightly rabid. They will seize any opportunity, no matter how seemingly insignificant, and they gnaw away on that bone until they realise how silly they appear, the presiding Judge tells them give it a rest, or there is an adjournment called. That's how they earn their money. View it nothing more than a high priced, choreographed game and you will be able to pick apart the style and function of each player in that game.

However, you may be required to give evidence one day so you need to be prepared for that day or that defence solicitor will make you look foolish. And that can be very costly to you.

You will need to amass a reasonably complex resource kit of camera's, recording devices, laptop, portable printer, binoculars, a car - preferably nondescript and stock standard - white or light grey is good. Bright colours or unusual looking vehicles will not pass muster for the surveillance operator, it needs to be something that you would not look twice at.

I have a case full of leads, batteries - 9v, AA, AAA, Ni-Cad and Lithium, a power inverter for powering up equipment and chargers from the car, an analogue tape recorder, a digital voice recorder, a digital still camera, and a mini DV tape video camera. A good sturdy tripod is essential - don't waste your money on the light cheap ones, it will only cause frustration. The National organisations will require you to have all of this equipment before they will employ you.

You could go so far as to have magnetic signs made up for your vehicle so you can change the appearance very quickly and on an intra daily basis. I have employed the tactic of purchasing two sets of el cheapo hubcaps and having two different styles - a different set on each side to give the appearance of different cars. Men notice wheels and mag wheels are a complication you can avoid.

If you wish to seek out your own business, you will need to licence yourself as a Security Provider (Firm) in order to do so. Otherwise you will be restricted to sub contracting to the larger national organisations. Which is probably the best way to start off anyway.

I cover all of this throughout the course in far greater detail but these points are valid and important to consider. Please do not make the mistake of thinking because you watch every episode of CSI and Cold Case you will make a good Investigator. A good Investigator is one with an open mind, an inquisitve nature and an analytical brain. Passion, the need to do this, is vital.

If you think this sounds like you, I have several Federally funded positions availble to the right applicants. Contact me at - investigations@drmgroup.com.au and I will advise where to from here. It is my GUARANTEE that you will pass the course with my help, something I am happy to give you plenty of.

I look forward to speaking with you

Think Long and Prosper

Dan

                                                                                                       

Automotive Excellence

I feel the need to touch on my passion for La Machina - the car - after salivating my way around the official Ferrari web site - http://www.ferrari.com/  and stumbling across this:

This is the Ferrari Aurea, V8, state of the art and drop dead gorgeous. I want one.

Ferrari allow their customers to customise their purchase - this Aurea has has a nose wing added, rear wing and contrasting paintwork. You can choose the colour of the stitching on the leather seats if you want, the colour of the dials on the dash, even the brake caliper colour to either contrast with or complement your chosen paintscheme.

Just to show you the gorgeous curves that combined form the body of this Ferrari.

Then again, as a boy who devoured everything to do with Formula 1, and at that time living in New Zealand, I was always going to be a McLaren supporter, and I am to this day. My allegiance is toward the the marque that now bears the name of it's late founder Bruce McLaren and this is just one reason why:

The McLarenF1. This particular car was once just about the most powerful road capable (capable but not advisable) car on the planet. The incredibly succesful Formula 1 race team put this together several years ago and it remains my dream car. Ron Dennis, the company owner engaged F1 Brabham race car designer Gordon Murray to work his magic for him and he obliged with this. The car has been at the top of the supercar list for many years and recently underwent a magnificent, but - in comparison to it's forebear at least, less techologically staggering makeover. Visit the McLaren website - http://www.mclaren.com/ - and you can view the new version, listed as the McLaren MP4 12C. New state of the art technology is the common denominator with both models, the latest however returns to a conventional side by side 2 place seating configuration. It is, as you might expect, a beautiful piece of automotive thinking put into production 

The unique design of the first model saw it produced as a 3 seater (the driver is seated front centre whilst passengers are seated either side to the rear of the driver). At the time it was the world leader in technology and design, and has only really recently been bypassed by the likes of the Bugatti Veyron and others.

McLaren have maintained the tradition of unveiling each new Formula 1 race car in the Tangerine colour Bruce McLaren used on the original team cars. That Tangerine colour also beautifully covers the carbon fibre curves of the the road car above and is a means to advise others - Beware, this is no ordinary McLaren F1.

I support the McLaren F1 team and will do so from beyond the grave if I can. The same goes for the Prancing Horse of Ferrari, as in life on the road and the racetrack they run neck and neck, so too must I juggle my personal preference between these two stand out leaders in the pursuit of automotive excellence.

Think Long and Prosper

Biggles

What's Wrong with this Picture....

These two fine Irish workmen toiled throughout the day installing bollards to stop Nurses parking on the pavement outside the Royal Hospital in Belfast, Ireland.

The photo shows them cleaning up at the end of the day...

How long do you think it took them realise their mistake? Apparently this photo is the original and is undoctored (?!) so to speak. Dear oh dear... 

Think Long and Prosper

Biggles

Lord of the Skies

I checked out Movie Director Peter Jackson's (Lord of the Rings, King Kong) Aviation site earlier today and felt the need to give it the big thumbs up in my Blog. After all Biggles is world famous for flying some of the aircraft Peter and the team at The Vintage Aviator are recreating with such astonishing precision.

Peter has been a lifelong Aviation nut, with a personal bent for WWI Aircraft. He has established a Museum and Aircraft Manufacturing business and they have built unbelievably exact replica's of various fighters that took part in that conflict. As an Aviation nut myself, I am staggered at the company's achievements and wish to congratulate them on their efforts.

All of the test flying and management of the operation has been overseen by an equally inspiring character - Gene DeMarco. Gene has featured for decades in the historic aviation game, flying for world famous flying shows and organisations. His experience is probably unmatched and in just about every photograph you will see of the aircraft Gene will be the man in the pilot's seat. You'd have to have just about the best job around Gene, and I bet you don't see it as work.

Visit the site - http://www.thevintageaviator.co.nz/ - and have a look at the planes they have put together, read the research and detail that has gone into the recreation of long defunct machines. They not only built the planes, but also the engines - all from known plans, intuitive guess work and researched historical documents and, and, they have a section devoted to building replica aircraft machine guns for their flying platforms. Unbelievable.

A personal favourite is the Albatross DV A, a fighter that Manfred von Richtofen - later known internationally and still, as the Red Baron,flew with distinction. The photo above is the actual aircraft built by the team and is being flown by Gene De Marco. It is represented in the markings of Jasta 5's Leutnant Josef Mai who reportedely scored 11 victories on this type of aircraft.

And you just have to check out the Spitfire and Sopwith Fighters flying side by side, graphically illustrating the enormous developmental acheivements of just 20 years in Aviation. You can see the Spitfire having to fly nose high to maintain formation with it's much slower predecessor.

Everything about this site underlines what you can acheive when you put your mind to it, and don't give up until you have acheived your goal! Well done guys, Magnificent stuff. Fantastico!

Think Long and Prosper
Biggles

Training Room For Hire - Maryborough, QLD

As part of the DRM GROUP of businesses I have a training room primarily used by us to train the Security/Investigation and First Aid Courses. The room is centrally located in the Maryborough CBD affording easy access and parking, and just a short drive from Hervey Bay and other neighbouring towns.

I decided to offer the training room to my Italian Language teacher to allow her to teach groups interested in learning the language and as part of our philosophy of advancing educational opportunities, community relations and cultural understanding I offer her the use of the training room free of charge.

However, if you have a group searching for a specialised, modern and comfortable training room then phone me or call in and check out our facility.

Air conditioned, able to seat 12 comfortably at tables, or up to 25 with the tables removed, DVD/VCR and television, Whiteboard, Internet and office facilities for the trainer to use, tea/coffee and soft drinks available, the former is supplied free while the latter can be purchased. A projector will be added in the next fortnight as well for those important power point displays.

And as part of our ongoing expansion we will have 6 computers installed and operational within the next month for Computer training courses soon to be offered.

The room is available for half day (8:30 am - 12:00 noon or 12:30 pm - 5:00 pm) or Full day (8:30 am - 5:00 pm). It is also available for evening sessions if you have short meetings or courses (6:00pm - 9:30pm). The kitchen has a Microwave and a very handy portable oven for heating up any supper or snacks you may wish to provide.

Call me on (07) 41230795 or contact me at admin@drmgroup.com.au  to discuss your requirements, I think you will be pleasantly surpised at the competitve rates and service we can offer to make your training or meeting a resounding success.

Think Long and Prosper
Dan

Focus, Determination...and a PLAN

You may have read post's concerning my New Years resolutions and the success I have been having with them.

Well another of my resolutions has been to focus more intently on growing my Investigation and Training business. To date, it seems to be working.

I have been making at least one positive step per day in focusing on and advancing my business. This blog, for instance is one of those steps, although I really view this as an enjoyable side issue. I enjoy posting details of what I am up to and how I can benefit you as a student or just giving you an isea of what I am up to. Any flow on in a business sense is really just a bonus.

I have written up several positive affirmations on the white side of some old business cards and I refer to these affirmations several times a day. Each of them is designed to focus on a separate yet complimentary side of my business life and I have found that they really do tend to keep me focused and aimed in the direction I wish to go.

One of them states: "If you don't know where you are going, every road will get you no where".Think about that for a micro second. Don't you just know it makes sense?

For that reason I have made a much more structured start to the year and this in turn has made my goals that much easier to maintain. I have written out a plan of attack for the first three months of the year and so far I am on track. If I had not made that plan I can confidently state that I would be all over the place again by now.

So, write down what you want to achieve, incorporate it into you wider plan and refer to it on a daily basis. I remember when I was planning business and the office I now work from, I had a very detailed vision of how it would look and what was required. And guess what I ended up with. An office I am very proud to call mine and which I can confidently meet clients and students, and one I enjoy coming to every day.

I have to work harder than some to maintain my enthusiasm, but that is of no concern, every small goal acheived - no matter how trivial it may seem,
fires me up for more action to succeed in the overall plan.

Do you know where you are going?

I have always used a diary, well at least for the past 25 years or so, and so that comes naturally to me now. You may not feel so comfortable with a diary, but make the effort and it pays huge dividends. I prefer the hardcopy version of a diary as I can adjust it at will and carry it with me. The computer versions are fine but don't seem to work as well for me.

Mind you, I have just remembered I wrote in my nephew's birthday for today and I forgot to ring him and wish him happy double figures. So you do have to make the effort to check it every day. It is the first thing I do everyday when I first sit down at my desk and in using it throughout the day I am constantly re-checking my stated targets for the day. Today being a Saturday, however, I didn't really sit down at my desk in the usual fashion so my routine went out the window. I'll need to work on that.

I am determined to succeed in the Investigation and Training business I have established, I have so thoroughly enjoyed working for myself that I cannot, and have not, imagined returning to the daily grind of working for someone else. Granted there have been occassion's where I would have enjoyed the more consistent income, but over all - and without question, I know I made the correct decision to go into business for myself.

If you are considering a similar move then feel free to give me a call, I am happy to discuss the issues of business set up and the pitfalls I have managed to avoid, bounce out of or steered clear of entirely. Don't think I am naive enough to think I know it all, I surely do not, and fully expect to go on learning for the rest of my days. But that prospect thrills me now, it is not one I dread.

Ask me anything you want in relation to any training, business set up process or other business related matter on http://www.drmgroup.com.au/ .


I am off to my next Toastmaster's meeting on Tuesday, my fourth Italian lesson on Friday, the bookkepper is lined up ready to receive my jumbled accounts (another goal)and a task I am happy to outsource to the experts, I have cleared the decks of all the legal documents needing my attention and can face the new week with confidence that I am on track. That determination and more importantly - the PLAN - is really beginning to show a return. Get out your pen and paper and put your plan in writing. It is never too late.

Think Long and Prosper
Biggles

FREE Investigations Training with a Guarantee!

I hear you say "What, Free with a guarantee" how can that be?

Well I can guarantee that with my personal support and guidance, plus my 30 'odd (very odd some of my best friends say) years of experience in this field, you will pass the course. There are proviso's and I will talk to you about them when you contact me either by phone (07) 41230795 or through the website at http://www.drmgroup.com.au/

I am currently offering a very select number of places in government funded Private Investigations courses but you must act quickly to gain your place. I will leave this offer open until the end of February or until the positions available run out, whichever comes first.

Unfortunately, for those of you outside of Queensland the offer does not apply but there is funding available for you in your state or territory, contact me on http://www.drmgroup.com.au/ and I will point you in the right direction.

If you are thinking this course is right up your alley then contact me and I will fill in the gaps. Free training with a guarantee, how can you go wrong? Simple answer is - You can't, so contact me now to learn more.

Think long & and prosper
Dan

Another one bites the dust...

Well this year just keeps getting and better for the DRM GROUP and yours truly. I take pleasure in reporting that I have acheived another new years resolution, and now face the remaining goals head on with absolute confidence and commitment.

For this latest resolution was based in an easily recognised failing, Public speaking.

I recently had the misfortune to read a transcript of an interview I conducted and the shock from seeing that transcript has changed my life. I had never noticed the um's, er's, arrgghs, hmm's that had infiltrated my, and if y ou are honest - your's as well, interview style until the day I saw the transcript but once I did I determined immediately to rectify that problem area. From that grew the desire to change several other issues confronting me and hence the whole new year resolution thing.

So far it has been working brilliantly, as I have already related in previous posts. The latest tick in the succesfully initiated column is that of attending Toastmaster's with the desire to improve on the terrible presentation style I exhibited in that interview mentioned above. I contacted the Maryborough, Qld branch of Toastmasters and requested meeting dates and times. I should state that being a trainer for the DRM GROUP ( www.drmgroup.com.au )has allowed me to overcome the problems most associate with speaking to groups, but I am still only a beginner when standing next to the experienced speakers of this organisation.

Nevertherless, I draw inspiration from the opportunity to challenge myself and to draw on their knowledge to benefit not only myself but everyone needing my services in general. The fact that I am the one gaining this benefit is just luck of the draw I guess! Not!

I was impressed with the polished and relaxed style of the veterans of the local Toastmaster's Club, I watched and listened, soaking up all I could. I know there is a lot to learn to reach the level of the long time exponent's of the Toastmaster school but I will get there, of that there is no doubt in my mind.

I quickly managed to identify several issues that I had failed to bear in mind during the terrible interview I mentioned above, but I saw that failing as an opportunity to increase my knowledge. How? Well how else, go to the experts in public speaking of course...Toastmasters (www.toastmasters.org).

I would like to give them a small plug in explaining that Toastmasters is a non profit organisation and are the most cost effective form of self improvement I know of. The veterans, if you will excuse the term, have knowledge and experience that would cost you thousands of dollars - Euro, American or Australian, anywhere else. They are without exception friendly, enthusiastic, knowledgeable and supportive people who seem happy to give freely of their time to help others, something almost foreign in this 21st Century Westernised world of immediate gratification and overindulgence at the expense of everyone but me..well who cares? Recognise that mindset anyone?

As with my previously posted Italian language lessons, I will keep you updated on how I am doing, good, bad or ugly.

Oh and on that score, I had lesson number two (Due) today, very enjoyable once again and totally enthralling. My teacher, Signora Gabriella Coridore is so disarmingly enthusiastic it is impossible not to enjoy her lessons - I like her immensely already - if only my high school teachers had her talent for engaging their pupils.

She taught me an enormous amount today, more than I thought possible in fact, and for that I am very grateful. If you think you might like to learn a new language, well, what's stopping you? In fact, what's stopping you from learning anything new...turn off that remote controlled idiot box and grab a book, head to your nearest Training organisation or Google your topic of interest and make contact, you won't regret it.

I have now set an absolute record for the number of new year's resolutions acheived, within my life at least. I feel safe to say that as part of those resolutions my goal's for the year are looking fantastico and each success only serves to spur me on. Fantastico!

C'mon, give it a go, make this year the best you can with only a little effort. I cannot speak highly enough of the effect on my life that acheiving these little goals, one after the other, has had but boy am I glad I made the decision to give it a thrash. And the best part is with each one down that desire to improve keeps growing, fanning the flames of another fire...another one down, another one bites the dust.

Think Long and Prosper
Biggles

C'mon Chelsea, C'mon Chelsea...

Oh man, they're doing it to me again. Every week since...well a time when the only way to get the results with any speed was to listen in to the radio on a Sunday morning (see even before Sunday matches) I would trundle out of bed, and faithfully record the First Division results (I told you it was a long time ago) and in an era when Chelsea were considered and referred to as a Glamour side - not for the international, highly priced players they have today, but because they were based in the swanky high rent London district of the same name. They were still a very good side, perennial podium finishers but only once on the top step.

Unlike the team my big brother had adopted - more fool he, that rabble from the Mancunian cultural and intellectual desert- Manchester United. Yeah, Yeah I know they had won this, that and everything else over the years but they had the money behind them even then.

Chelsea (http://www.chelseafc.com/) fought valiantly year in, year out on a comparatively modest budget with arguably their best squad that of the late 60's and into the early 70's (pictured below) and only recently discovered that the Russian Rouble courtesy of one Oligarch with the first name of Roman (odd for a Russian don't you think) could fund a team of champions and stars almost unmatched. They began showing a return on the staggering 750 million pound investment of their new owner almost immediately, winning The FA Cup several times, the Premier League two years running and just about everything else bar the World Cup. The Champions League trophy is the one major title that has yet to fill the trophy cabinet, not through lack of trying, but it eludes them nonetheless. That competition has seen Chelsea make several semi finals, a final - beaten cruelly by penalty kicks - and go so close you could see the blue and white ribbons being attached to the handles of the cup. But it has yet to actually happen. Maybe this year, c'mon Chelsea.

Chelsea First Team Squad 1971

The teams of Chelsea's calibre (Barcelona, Real Madrid, that desert mob, maybe Liverpool and a couple of others) play in excess of 72+ matches a season - sometimes 3 in a 7 day period, so depth of talent is imperative and a large roster of talent at that. Gone are the days of 16 players forming the backbone of the squad and playing in all competitions, now it more likely to be 36, all of them getting several games in during one competition or another.

Meanwhile the Mancunian desert mob have continued to win well and frustrate us as they cling to our tail, reappearing with monotonous regularity. They continue to do so, by the way, strangely bereft of the money buys the trophy tag that Chelsea have endured since the Great Roman Intervention, even though the red devils have always had the money to fund the players. And it is no different now, their current American owner has spent heavily to maintain their position - just BEHIND Chelsea - at time of writing. I tell you what, I am grateful I am not living there trying to buy tickets, the prices are mind boggling.

Several times throughout this season Chelsea have moved ahead of the field, scoring freely against teams that should know better than to show up, and then just when I start to relax...they lose to a no one side, draw the next, and the next and find their huge lead whittled down to the point where I have to hold my breath again. And I'm getting too old to hold it for long.

This season is winding down, or up depending on your team's place in the race, mine is tenuoulsy clinging to the lead, while United and Arsenal ramp up the pressure. And as the weeks roll by, my heart rate increases with the unravelling of each weekend's results.

We, Chelsea and me, are so close to Footballing immortality yet so far. This year we can do it all, as that great desert side squad of 99 did, the Premier title, the FA Cup and the Champions League. But oh what a way to see it play out. Raised blood pressure with every draw, the reds seemingly relentless in their pursuit, we falter, they gain, we stretch our legs and they are still there in our shadow waiting to pounce.

Oh come on Ref, blow the whistle for full time pullleeaase make it stop...make it stop!!!

Think Long and Prosper
Biggles