In keeping with Tony Blair's policy towards his political friends, he ought by now to be Sir Frank or Lord Dobson. He's just Poor Frank. But there has been a change. The snappish, defensive Dobson who has become familiar over the past few weeks seems to have disappeared. He has acquired the serenity that comes to those who have finally given up hope.
All political careers end in failure.
The funny thing was that I think he was telling the truth. With a few minutes left till the final whistle, he is 5-0 down. Since he watches West Ham, this is a situation with which he is not wholly unfamiliar. He has decided the only thing to do is to try to string a few passes together on the off-chance of scoring a consolation goal. There is no longer any point in getting shirty about it all.