Leaderboard

Got shot on here a few weeks ago for saying we look far more solid at the back with Hanley in the side, so am pleased to see I’m not going crazy and that plenty of others think it as well. As good as Ben is, I do not think it’s any coincidence that we don’t look panicked at the back with Grant in the side, as we did for almost every game he wasn’t involved. I used to cringe as Krul was put in tricky situations regularly, it would happen every single game. Since those recent thoughts, Hanley has continued to impress whilst also scoring away against Burnley. He appears to be over the injury that affected his mobility and form earlier in the season. So I do not think Ben should just walk back in to the team, Grant fully deserves his place, but I definitely think Ben will undoubtedly be a top defender in the future as there’s a lot of raw talent there. The imminent return of Timm will only strengthen as further, so just have to hope our boys up top find their shooting boots again whilst we still have time to get off the bottom.

Is this the WTO that is currently not-functioning? Is this the same PM who gave NI to the EU when the going got tough? Do try to keep up with the slippery wordsmithery, it is no longer WTO anyway they now call it the "Australia Deal".

If we go with raggett even as 4th choice I would view that as a huge step back, we should be looking to invest in a defender who can step up and become a prem defender upon promotion. We need better than we have, given the current squad do have limitations at this level. Raggett simply won't be that player

Not paying the slightest bit of attention is one up from reading the Daily Express though.

A stunningly boring game which sees yanks getting excited over progressing 10 yards up the field...amid a backdrop of eating burgers hot dogs and pizzas for 4 hours......little wonder that after nearly 150 yrs of existence ,this nonsense hasnt caught on worldwide

If only we could strike up some kind of arrangement with some nearby countries and form a trading bloc to strengthen our bargaining power...

Respect 👍

This kind of post is very unhelpful. When I worked in the Civil Service we used to say : "Don't confuse me with the facts, I've already made up my mind."

Again, I struggle to see how Pepperami fits into this.

Listen to Boris's free trade speech today. This is not bluster but lays out clearly how we are superior in many ways to the EU on rules and regs and a clear vision for the future of the UK as a free trade nation. Back Britain !!!!

Indy has a thing about Hanley, so for him, that's almost praise.

I'm not sure anyone really needed to point that out...🤔😂 Apples

Not when the Government's 'ideas' directly contradict the agreement they signed with the EU just a couple of months ago. I'm afraid this year is shaping up to be very like 2017 when Theresa May (and Boris the Liar) having signed the Stage 1 agreement, almost immediately reneged on it and tried to renegotiate it all over again instead of getting on with negotiating a trade deal which is what they were supposed to be doing. We all know how ell that turned out! What our idiots, both previous and current, in government still don't seem to realise is that the EU are very serious about this and also pretty competent, certainly by comparison with our clueless muppets. At every stage (this is now the 3rd about to start) the EU has carefully researched, analysed and prepared it negotiating position & options and agreed them amongst all 27 states. We haven't done any of that at any stage - firstly David Davis and then TM and now the liar have just winged it without any real preparation beyond cliched soundbites and presented 'ideas' and demand without any serious investigation into whether they are even feasible in practice never mind likely to be negotiable. The first element of the negotiation at each stage therefore consists of the EU politely explaining the real world to our muppets who then have to go away and try to cobble together some new 'ideas' that are slightly less ridiculous than the previous set. We have rank amateurs negotiating for us who think they can just walk in unprepared and 'negotiate'. They are up against a set of very experienced and capable negotiators who are well prepared and know that they could most of the cards anyway. The muppets have no chance.

Nothing more than a coincidence or for some a convenient reason to doubt his ability It's just not happening for him at the moment That's all It happens to the best

The government need to listen to what's being said on the BBC World Service today . Its outrageous and the biased reporting and agenda is being spread around the world. They appear to be working hand in hand with the EU. The government needs to deal with this and sort out the BBC as they are not representing the whole country.

Certainly dont think its a given that he should walk straight back in...and nor should he. We've looked better defensively since his injury and now suspension ...and if he does it should be more zimmerman whos under threat than hanley

The whole episode was laughable. Go back to the flag and the whistle.

That it was never ever this bad under Chris Hughton I never thought I would say I would long for the glory days of Hughton but that is how far we have fallen

I don't know it🙃 We will only be relegated once if it happens so there's nothing to be gained by giving up now and reliving it every weekend.

Exactly why the EU won't get a free trade deal with us. No Deal is better than a Bad Deal....... LOL

So keen are they to get into an argument they are arguing about completely different things and saying the other is wrong even though both know the other isnt wrong.

😀 The only detail you're interested in is what's best for the EU, you old 🔔🔚

I have generally found that telling your existing customer you will no longer comply with his purchase requirements rather quickly leads the to loss of your supply contract. So Boris can bluster all he likes, but the question is who needs the other party’s business more? BTW with the stunt pulled (twice now) of DC denying sections of press access to the PM, who is enjoying the country’s first steps into a slide to 21st Century racism? It’s a great club, US, Brazil, Russia, Hungary to name a few.

At last we have a proactive government with a proper vision, believing in the UK and making its demands clear to the EU from the outset. I wonder if Farage has had a hand in this............... 🤔 What a breath of fresh air this new government is........ looking after the interests of UK PLC !!!

UK / EU relations:Written statement - HCWS86 👇 Made by: Boris Johnson (Prime Minister) HCWS86 UK / EU relations This statement sets out the Government’s proposed approach to the negotiations with the EU about our future relationship. Further details on this and other trade negotiations will be made available to Parliament as the process develops. The Government wishes to see a future relationship based on friendly cooperation between sovereign equals for the benefit of all our peoples. There is complete certainty that at the end of 2020 the process of transition to that relationship will be complete and that the UK will have recovered in full its economic and political independence. The Government remains committed in all circumstances to securing all those benefits for the whole of the UK and to strengthening our Union. The question for the rest of 2020 is whether the UK and the EU can agree a deeper trading relationship on the lines of the free trade agreement the EU has with Canada, or whether the relationship will be based simply on the Withdrawal Agreement deal agreed in October 2019, including the Protocol on Ireland / Northern Ireland. In either event the UK will be leaving the single market and the customs union at the end of this year and stakeholders should prepare for that reality. The Government will work hard to achieve a balanced agreement that is in the interests of both sides, reflecting the wide range of shared interests. Any agreement must respect the sovereignty of both parties and the autonomy of our legal orders. It cannot therefore include any regulatory alignment, any jurisdiction for the CJEU over the UK’s laws, or any supranational control in any area, including the UK’s borders and immigration policy. This points to a suite of agreements of which the main elements would be a comprehensive free trade agreement covering substantially all trade, an agreement on fisheries, and an agreement to cooperate in the area of internal security, together with a number of more technical agreements covering areas such as aviation or civil nuclear cooperation. These should all have governance and dispute settlement arrangements appropriate to a relationship of sovereign equals. Future cooperation in other areas does not need to be managed through an international Treaty, still less through shared institutions. The UK will in future develop separate and independent policies in areas such as (but not limited to) the points-based immigration system, competition and subsidy policy, the environment, social policy, procurement, and data protection, maintaining high standards as we do so. Cooperation on foreign affairs and related issues is of course likely to be substantial, but does not in itself require a joint institutional framework. In its negotiations with the EU, the Government will be acting on behalf of the UK Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories: the whole UK family. The UK proposes to agree similar arrangements with the EFTA states. Further information is set out below. Unless otherwise stated, it should be assumed that the UK’s aspiration and level of ambition is to reach agreement on provisions which are at least as good as those in the EU’s recent trade agreements, such as those with Canada or Japan. Free Trade Agreement A free trade agreement between the UK and EU should reflect, and develop where necessary, existing international best practice as set out, inter alia, in FTAs already agreed by the EU. It should cover the following areas: National Treatment and Market Access for Goods There should be no tariffs, fees, charges or quantitative restrictions between the UK and the EU. There should be a protocol setting out appropriate and modern rules of origin, in order to facilitate trade between the parties to the greatest extent possible. Trade Remedies The agreement should enable the UK to protect its industry from harm caused by unexpected surges in imports of goods or by unfair trading practices, while making the appropriate commitments to transparency, due process and proportionate use of trade remedies. Technical Barriers to Trade There should be provisions to address regulatory barriers to trade in goods, providing for cooperation on technical regulation, standards, conformity assessment procedures and market surveillance, building on the WTO Technical Barriers to Trade Agreement. Annexes to the agreement could include provisions facilitating trade in specific sectors, such as organic products, motor vehicles, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, as well as mutual recognition agreements focusing on conformity assessment, with full coverage of the relevant sectors. Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures The UK will maintain its own autonomous sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) regime to protect human, animal and plant life and health and the environment, reflecting its existing high standards. In certain areas it may be possible to agree equivalence provisions to reduce practical barriers to trade at the border. Customs and Trade Facilitation Facilitative customs arrangements, covering all trade in goods, should be put in place in order to smooth trade between the UK and the EU. These should ensure that both customs authorities are able to protect their regulatory, security and financial interests. Cross-Border Trade in Services and Investment Significant provisions on trade in services are an essential component of a comprehensive FTA. Accordingly, the Agreement should include measures to minimise barriers to the cross-border supply of services and investment, on the basis of each side’s commitments in existing FTAs. In areas of key interest, such as professional and business services, there may be scope to go beyond these commitments. There should be measures to support digital trade, building on the most recent precedents. Temporary Entry for Business Purposes (Mode 4) As is normal in a Free Trade Agreement, the agreement should include significant reciprocal commitments on the temporary entry and stay of individuals, so that both EU and UK nationals can undertake short-term business trips to supply services. This is of course without prejudice to the future points-based immigration system. Regulatory Framework There should be measures that reduce unnecessary barriers to trade in services, streamlining practical processes and providing for appropriate regulatory cooperation. Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications The Agreement should provide a pathway for the mutual recognition of UK and EU qualifications, underpinned by regulatory cooperation, so that qualification requirements do not become an unnecessary barrier to trade. Financial Services The Agreement should require both sides to provide a predictable, transparent, and business-friendly environment for financial services firms, ensuring financial stability and providing certainty for both business and regulatory authorities, and with obligations on market access and fair competition. Given the depth of the relationship in this area, there should also be enhanced provision for regulatory and supervisory cooperation arrangements with the EU, and for the structured withdrawal of equivalence findings. Road Transport There should be reciprocal commitments to allow EU and UK road transport operators to provide services to, from and through each other's territories, with associated rights, underpinned by relevant international agreements and commitments, and ensuring the necessary cooperation on monitoring and enforcement. Competition Policy, Subsidies, Environment and Climate, Labour, Tax The Government will not agree to measures in these areas which go beyond those typically included in a comprehensive free trade agreement. The Government believes therefore that both Parties should recognise their respective commitments to maintaining high standards in these areas; confirm that they will uphold their international obligations; and agree to avoid using measures in these areas to distort trade. Agreement on Fisheries The UK will become an independent coastal state at the end of 2020 and any agreement must reflect this reality. The UK will, like Norway, Iceland and the Faroe Islands, have annual negotiations with the EU on access to waters and fishing opportunities, and will consider a mechanism for cooperation on fisheries matters. Agreement on Internal Security Cooperation Protection of citizens is the highest duty of any Government. The UK believes it is in the UK’s and EU’s mutual interest to reach a pragmatic agreement to provide a framework for law enforcement and judicial cooperation in criminal matters between the UK and the EU, delivering strong operational capabilities that help protect the public. The detail of such an agreement must be consistent with the Government’s position that the CJEU and the EU legal order must not constrain the autonomy of the UK's legal system in any way. Other Areas of Cooperation The Government believes there is mutual benefit in an air transport agreement covering market access for air services, aviation safety and security, and collaboration on air traffic management. The UK is ready to work to establish practical provisions to facilitate smooth border crossing arrangements, as part of independent border and immigration systems, and on social security coordination. All such arrangements should be reciprocal and of mutual benefit. The UK is ready to discuss cooperation on asylum, including family reunion, and illegal migration. The UK is ready to consider participation in certain EU programmes, once the EU has agreed the baseline in its 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework, and taking into account the overall value to the UK of doing so. Finally, there are certain areas where the UK considers agreement is self-evidently in the interest of both sides, and where early progress is a test of the constructive nature of the negotiating process. For example, there should be rapid agreement that the UK and the EU would list each other for trade in live animals, animal products, seeds and other plant-propagating material. There should be rapid progress towards a Civil Nuclear Agreement, given the implications for both sides of not doing so and the clear benefits of cooperation. Similarly, the UK would see the EU’s assessment processes on financial services equivalence and data adequacy as technical and confirmatory of the reality that the UK will be operating exactly the same regulatory frameworks as the EU at the point of exit. The UK intends to approach its own technical assessment processes in this spirit. A copy of this statement will be placed in the Library. 👍

Why thanks Indy - I kind-of let the pedantic stuff go. I think we all know there’s a couple of bands of tax; the point was that we all pay tax - I guess what I should have said was ‘at the appropriate rate’

The good thing is that all journalists seemed to have walked out, even the Telegraph's.

He has a clear vision and that includes not being aligned or tied to EU regs as an independent trading nation. The EU have to take this on board or we go to WTO. A free trade deal is a reciprocal arrangement between equals and if the EU does not treat us as an equal then so be it, there will be no free trade deal. Boris is clear on this and as a sovereign nation again that is what we deserve. Respect has to be two ways or it is WTO.

@paul moy, what Johnson says and what Johnson does is not always the same (shocking I know). The question is less around what he says, rather than why he says it and for whom. This is not for the EU, this is to shore up you and your fellow travellers. The EU know this and will ignore him until 3 March. The bottom line is that there will be a level playing field or there will be tariffs and quotas-this might be sector by sector, but within each sector it will hold.

my comments are based on us being relegated. He does not suit our style. His passing wasnt good enough 2 seasons ago, & the training team look like they have decided they were unlikely to improve that part of his game. There is no evidence to suggest he can improve now, esp as he is 26 rather than 20. Agree he could be ok for a lower champs team but that/league 1 is his standard. A good honest player but not for us.

So is a 40 tonne truck, but like Hanley by the time it’s up to full speed it’s too late! 😂

Well, at least the first sentence was correct. 😂 Apples

Wait, what? The Pukki offside, sure. But ridiculous accidental handball have led to penalties, and Aaron's VAR encroachment gave Arsenal the opportunity to retake a missed penalty. 2/3rds of your argument for VAR decreasing goals are actually arguments for VAR increasing goals. Come on Paul, stop being ironic...

They would also pull out of the UK if there were WTO tariffs. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-02-02/nissan-s-brexit-scenarios-include-closing-european-plants-ft The automaker denied the existence of the contingency plans, according to a spokesman for Nissan Europe quoted by the Financial Times. “We’ve modelled every possible ramification of Brexit and the fact remains that our entire business both in the U.K. and in Europe is not sustainable in the event of WTO tariffs,” he said.

Why do you keep backing the EU against your own government and people ? I just don't understand why any patriot would do that.

Aha! I see the cunning plan now. Lull them into a false sense of security then ...

Just watch re-runs of Dad's Army, shouldn't be that different to government policy.

It's all part of the plan, do the same thing for a while and get all goalkeepers into a mindset of thinking what he is going to do and then at the business end of the season start varying the finishes and get the goals when they're most needed! 😊

Maybe the goalkeepers in the EPL are loads better than the ones in the EFL ?

This really. Sterling's was a 50/50 attempt at getting the ball with the opposition player and in all honesty, Godfrey's was more clear cut.

I'll get on that 49ers and Norwich double then thanks geeze😄

If Farke deems that Zimmermann and Hanley did well at Newcastle, then he simply will not bring Godfrey back into the starting line up...... its not his way. Given the choice, Godfrey starts if only for the fact we need his pace .... This is however an ideal opportunity to start him as CDM as his pace, power and tenacity is what our midfield has been missing all season. He has enough experience in that role to do well. We have to try to get results and against Liverpool, he's far more likely to have an affect on the game than Tettey or Trybull. OTBC

I posted the stats below on another thread already but the number of ridiculous posts on here today about Pukki is so baffling that I’ll post them again. If he needs to be sharper in front of goal, or his finishing is too predictable, then the same must be said for everyone in the division except Aguero, Aubameyang, Sterling, Vardy and Ings. His “problem” is that last season he scored 1 goal every 3.4 shots, which is close to what Aguero and Vardy are at this season. Unfortunately he isn’t as good as Aguero and Vardy, and having stepped up to the prem, he’s now “only” performing as well as Salah, Kane, Rashford, Abrahams, Mane, Firminho, Gabriel Jesus.... etc... His other problem of course is that nobody else in the squad is picking up the slack and it’s all on him. I said after about four games - if Pukki doesn’t score we won’t win games. Pukki 1 goal every 4.27 shots  Kane 1 goal every 4 shots Salah 1 goal every 4.28 shots Rashford 1 goal every 4.21 shots Abrahams 1 goals every 4.59 shots.  Mane 1 goal every 4.55 shots Raul Jimenez. 1 goal every 5.45 shots Firmino 1 every 6.88 shots Gabriel Jesus 1 goal every 5.67 shots.  Chris Wood and Calvert Lewis 1 goal every 4.1 shots https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/top-scorers 

246 pages in this revived thread. And still no one has asked let alone answered the only two questions that matter: Will Brexit make me happier and will it help me live longer? Pages and pages posted about how stuff we dont need will get from here to there and there to here (there being either a large overseas union or a large overseas union) , a bit about food supplies (despite the fact that in the UK we are probably 100,000 times more likely to die because we eat to much than we eat too little), and a lot about cars we dont buy. Honestly, how many of you voted the way you did because of the economic impact of this decision and how many truly voted the way they did because their personal ethics told them it was the right thing to do? Who really voted because the figures stacked up and who voted the way they did because some curious sensation said that 'x' would make them feel good?

Paul if you actually knew anything about fishing, which you clearly don't, you would know that it was the UK government that trashed the industry (rather than the EU) by allocating most of the quotas to large companies rather than local fishermen. The industry is also much smaller than it was because we were grossly overfishing our own waters and the industry wouldn't exist at all now were it not for the quotas which have been moderately succesful in turning it into a sustainable industry.

Waheyyyy! That's my hat-trick. Feeling very proud. It wasn't the biggest payout, but every little helps!

I didn't expect anything else except last billing on VOTD. A couple of contentious VARs may have changed that more than a couple of goals What I thought unfair was using all the time left for Shearer to talk about Newcastle. We were after all the better team.

LiVARpool tainted title

I think that they were agreeing with your general point. My take is that they were pointing out that it might take your average championship squad filler 2 seasons rather than 1 to earn what rather average worker makes in an entire working lifetime as most of their salary will be taxed at 45% rather than 20%