Pompey's Croatian genius was livid despite hat-trick | Rick Jackson

Graham Rix was manager, Peter Crouch was up front and a mercurial talent was seeing out his last season.

Croatian Robert Prosinecki, the former Real Madrid and Barcelona player, had come to us at 33 thanks to his friendship with owner Milan Mandaric.

The game was typical Pompey – end to end, we couldn’t defend for toffee, but thanks to this chain-smoking genius it ended 4-4 against Barnsley and he scored three.

As he walked through the Chimes Bar afterwards he got a standing ovation.

But he was furious. ‘A hat-trick for nothing. I don’t expect us to score four and not win.’

Welcome to Pompey Robbie!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

How a 5am walker with a frame inspired me to get fit

Each morning on my way to work I see a man taking a walk. Nothing too surprising there? What if I told you it was 5am? Still not surprised?

OK, this gentleman is smartly dressed, wears a long, thick sheepskin coat, smart trousers and has shiny shoes.

What’s more remarkable is that he uses a Zimmer frame.

I see him at various locations along Lee-on-the-Solent seafront, but no matter how cold it is, this hardy chap is out taking his daily exercise.

And what an inspiration he is. It’s because of him I’m back keeping fit, doing on-line classes with my gym and taking my bike out regularly. He knows the secret, how exercise is one of the most important things you can do. If you don’t use it, you lose it so I’ve decided to invest in my future by following suit.

I watched a fascinating programme on the BBC iPlayer called The Truth About Mental Health and how exercise is the key to improving it.

Science showed what happened to our brains during and after exercise and, what was even more fascinating, how it is boosted if you engage your brain at the same time.

So why not listen to a podcast, sports commentary or an audio book while exercising. Do you think That Peter Crouch Podcast counts as engaging your brain..?

Even if it means walking to the corner shop instead of driving, cycling to the post office, whatever it takes, getting off your backside really does help I have found.

Starting isn’t the hardest part though, it’s keeping it going. OK, so you realise you cannot run five kilometres any longer, that’s fine. Run for 10 minutes, then 15 and increase the distance when you feel able.

At the same time, I’ve started keeping a food diary on My Fitness Pal. I soon learnt where I was going wrong and as long as I stuck to my usual meals, I was eating 2,000 calories, enough to lose a pound a week.

Slowly I’ll get lighter and fitter and before you know it I’ll be doing the Great South Run! Hang on, let’s not run before I can walk!

Got another video meeting? Check your background first

Some people are now buying books ‘by the yard’! How daft. Instead of buying a book because of its content, books are being purchased to make them appear more clever and sophisticated on video calls.

I’m not fussed if people can see the mess in my house behind me. Others use the blurring effect or choose a background offered by their laptop. But television companies do not allow these backgrounds.

I wonder if health secretary Matt Hancock has read any of his books? My favourite background was provided by a woman being interviewed on BBC Wales. Viewers quickly spotted a phallic object on a shelf. Was it hers or was it planted as a prank?​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

A message from the editor, Mark Waldron.

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