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...don't really understand the preamble...are the first lot of clues the "downs" in normal order? then the other set the acrosses...??

The first (1) wordplay-only clue is a down entry and the second (2) is an across entry. I've just written them in, looked to cold solve as many as I can, starting with the other 11 letter entry. I hope it will become clear after that.

99% of this is a nice puzzle - any ambiguities are sorted out by the 11-letter highlighting ... but that pesky 1% at the end. I can think of a few words 10,8, but the implication is that it's a phrase that's needed, and I can't find a "thematic" one. I can't see it in the grid (and if it were there surely it would need to be highlighted also), so ... ?

cockie - The two words under the grid come from the clue amendments in order.
The letters (+/-) for entries give the same anagram twice (which you've probably got from the title, anyway).

...just to be clear - the +/- phrase anagram is not what goes under the grid.

I am really struggling with this and have just 15 answers. I cannot manage the two numbered ones (Crew audibly supporting nobleman in Mallorca - 6 and Athletic rugby player embodies power, active in haka say - 11) and where each answer is entered is completely beyond me. The only entry I currently have is the answer to 'White upper-class corporal, say, gave threatening look' where I think the third letter is unclued. Any guidance to get me on track would be much appreciated.

Spanish nobleman = don and crew = eight (sounds like, so ate).

Rugby player = prop and haka = rite.

I've finished apart from the (10, 8) words. I thought they might be mathematical terms but that would have to be (11, 8). It seems I have to take the amended letters in clue order and form anagrams and to be honest I can't be bothered after having spent so much time on it already!

There is no need to find the anagram - what goes under the grid comes from the clue amendments in order (first word begins CO... second word begins PE...).

Thank you for that Orson. It gives me something to work on. I am still trying to figure out the sequence in which the answers are entered because, despite the preamble, there seems to be no logic to it.

The clues are given in order - all of the across clues first, with entries switching between both groups, then the downs, ditto.