A giant pint glass in a judge's wig bangs a gavel over a mystery slip of paper on a pub table, with two crisp packets beside it and two figures seen from behind.

Paper TalkThe High Road Herald

Public Bar Ratifies Position On Anonymous Club Source Following Brief Recess And Two Packets Of Crisps

Philippa Crane · Media Editor6 October · Reading time: one pint

The motion, which concerned a single sentence beginning 'There is nobody better', was carried on a show of hands at 8.15pm.

The back bar of a North London public house adopted a formal position on Tuesday evening on the future of Roberto De Zerbi, after an anonymous club source was read aloud from a telephone.

The source, quoted by TEAMtalk and relayed by Spurs Web, is understood to have said that there is "nobody better" to turn matters around. The regulars heard the sentence twice, once at normal speed and once more slowly for the benefit of the dartboard end.

The motion, that the club is not considering a change, was proposed by the longest-serving regular, seconded by the man beside him, and carried on a show of hands. One member abstained on the grounds that he was at the bar.

Right. That's the club's position, and as of now it's ours.

The chair then drew the room's attention to the table, which has Tottenham bottom for the first time in 18 years, and to the fact that the head coach has been in charge for only fourteen games. Both points were minuted. Neither was debated.

A member raised the Fan Advisory Board, at which the chief executive is reported to have expressed confidence. The chair ruled that this was consistent with the position and moved to the next item.

I'm not saying it's right. I'm saying it's the position.

The position will stand until Saturday, or until a second telephone is produced.

The crisps were not discussed.

Send this to a mate

Before you go

The Monday Post-Mortem

The match report, in your inbox the morning after every game.

Free. One email per fixture. Unsubscribe whenever you like.

A snowball rolls from a microphone through nine doorways, growing huge before it reaches a supporter at his breakfast table.

Paper TalkThe High Road Herald

Podcast Remark About Richarlison Grows One Adjective Per Website On Its Way To Tottenham Kitchen Tables

Philippa Crane · Media Editor6 October · Reading time: one pint

The original remark was made on a podcast and is available to listen to in full, a fact only two of the websites mention.

A remark made on a podcast about the expected January departure of Richarlison had been reproduced by nine websites by breakfast on Tuesday, each adding a little to the wording and none adding anything to the facts.

The Herald has traced the story to its source, a single episode of the Here We Go Podcast, in which Fabrizio Romano said he expects the forward to leave in the New Year.

On the first website the exit was expected. On the second it was set. By the third it was poised, and by the sixth the story had acquired a door, which was being closed.

The Herald understands the ninth website did not so much report the remark as inherit it, along with the headline, the photograph and a paragraph about Everton that had been in every previous version.

It was expected when I made the tea. By the time I'd buttered the toast it was practically signed.

The man, who read all nine versions on a phone propped against a marmalade jar, said he felt well informed and could not say on what.

Our correspondent compared the nine pieces line by line and found no new information in any of them, though the third did include a sentence beginning It is understood, which on inspection referred to the podcast.

The man has since opened a tenth.

Send this to a mate

Before you go

The Monday Post-Mortem

The match report, in your inbox the morning after every game.

Free. One email per fixture. Unsubscribe whenever you like.