sonyc

Unlike today, we will turn up and 90% of the stadium will roar us home. A classic 2-1.

5) some, like our team on rare occasions, don't have have a spine

Southampton are a cut above from what I'm seeing and but for improved finishing would be out of sight. Quite a gap in class. I'm hoping that our players get that performance this lunchtime out of their systems during the week and are determined to put it right against the binners. In our own front room ... as one DF would have said.

Yep. And they have been better than 100% of the whole division for the whole of this season (until Friday just gone).... I mean that is a fact. Perspective needed. Our performance has been disappointing too and many players are having an off day. Can't think of one player who has excelled. Leicester look a quality above and we are what we are, a club aiming to be in the play offs but only a couple of months ago we didn't look like we would either. Outplayed today but we have an important match next week.

Yeh, I also get that we are woeful but some fans just are not supporters. In the true sense of the word. Only post when things are tough.

We could all hear you sharpen your pen when the equaliser went in. Perhaps we've simply had a plan to contain them and hit them on the break...just saying. A game lasts 90 minutes so let's see where we are then.

Andy Hughes...Andy Hughes👏👏👏 Never thought I'd be typing that!

Yes, I've made this point many times. A collegiate / collaborative long term plan. It's been done in Scandinavian countries as well as in Germany post Berlin Wall. The funding needed was identified and political commitment to see the various projects was not for discussion. Good point about businesses needing the long term view too. That kind of thinking would also unite a country and there might actually be quite a few things to be proud of. We are good at one off events, normally the cultural (Olympics, royal events etc) but somehow the everyday stuff that affects the whole country is subject to political cycles...and again to say that's the shame about the last 14 years. What a waste of opportunity.

Yes BB it will make a difference. I recall seeing a feature on it on TV a few months ago. Yet, it won't solve the issue of continued sewage dumping. See article below. I think in terms of infrastructure some party ought to begin the conversation about increased taxation and what it will help to pay for. Labour have stated they will beef up the powers of the regulator, banning bonuses, making CEOs face criminal liability, plus improved monitoring. Many Labour MPs are urging Starrmer to re-nationalise but the cost is enormous ("fiscal caution and responsibility" being the kind of responses to that request). It isn't enough as a response but 100 times more responsible than what the Tories have been doing. https://www.wired.com/story/sewage-environment-climate-change-london/

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/mar/12/surrey-horley-sewage-works-thames-water? “When it rains, not only does raw sewage pour into the river via the storm overflows, but the sewage overtops the storm tanks and flows on to the public footpath,” said Keith Barlow, the chair of the Westvale Park residents’ association. “Sewage floods over the footpath and into the recreation area where people walk with their children and dogs. I have seen solid waste floating past through the perimeter fence.” The situation in Horley is in some respects a metaphor for what is taking place at Thames Water itself. The biggest privatised water company in England is straining financially with debts of £14.7bn, struggling to shore up infrastructure crumbling from decades

Far, far more important an ssue is the state of our rivers Fen. I believe the state of sewage is a metaphor for the current state of this country. Don't forget that in 2021 the vast majority of Tories voted for water companies to continue to dump. They've not protected the public but profits. A lot of people will not forget this. Yesterday many in the boat race crews were poisoned by e coli after the race afterwards. Health is as big an issue as any matter. Folk know the state of their local health services (e.g. getting GP appointments in many parts of the country....local surgeries being run by spin offs, who don't care for local people, closing the surgeries for days each week). People experience long waiting times for health conditions or know someone close who is. Declining health is a good enough metaphor for 14 years under the Tories. Even life expectancy is falling. If you haven't got your health what is the value of your life? Anything else disappears into insignicance doesn't it? Immigration is an important issue but the issues right at the core of life, at the base of Maslow's Triangle, if you like, are far more on peophes' minds. Watch Question Time and you'll see the anger of people in Britain. Sure, Labour are going to have a hell of a job turning this all around. And underwhelmed as I am about Starrmer, what I see is honesty about the issues. That counts for me. I would not wish to hear any more triumphalism - that's for the Tories - who have seriously underperformed and the easy sound bites of Farage. He doesn't have a clue. But he sounds convincing to some. We ought to all care about our rivers and seas for starters. We ought not be back to the 1600s should we? We need to focus on health. For the future of our NHS and economy. Forget the culture war nonsense and the madness of people like Truss etc al who are still agitating (unbelievably). Their vision for Britain is not what we need. We need a long,blong term plan. In my opinion Fen you should look for someone to vote for who talks about such stuff as I know you feel bereft of the current alternatives. But that's just my opinion of course.

https://www.jazzwise.com/news/article/soweto-kinch-to-present-new-bbc-radio-3-show-round-midnight-as-j-to-z-and-freeness-axed-from-radio-3-schedule-from-april Big changes for Radio 3 on all fronts but J to Z is to be axed (listening to it now) though it will be replaced by a nightly Soweto Kinch Round Midnight slot (every night during the week). His previous programme was just excellent and especially for people new to jazz. Maybe the biggest news is that Clemency Burton-Hill is back on the airwaves. What a few years she has had after her shocking health scare.

Robbie Moore is my MP now WBB. His election stuff comes through the door every fortnight. He is campaigning to leave Bradford Council and to set up a new small council for the Ilkley, Keighley and Shipley districts. His slogan is "Take Back Our Voice". He blames everything on Bradford Council and not on his own party's lack of funding over 14 years. In fact there's nothing on any of his literature to indicate he is a Conservative. He has joined up with Philip Davies (soon to be Sir Philip). It's all very populist stuff. I think Moore will definitely lose to Labour in the GE. He is trying to create a divide and focussing on an issue that some die hard voters might be convinced about. His literature upsets Mrs S and I hope he never knocks on the door when she is at home in the coming months. She doesn't suffer fools (except me☺️). The Skipton area is interesting and one of the safest Tory seats in the country. I cannot see Reform winning but if I had to make a prediction I believe they will take from the Tories mostly but also some of Labour's supporters. Skipton will make for an interesting watch come November (or whenever it comes...guess it could be earlier). My own local ward (Craven ) is Green (2 of them with a Conservative). I'm not active in any local political matters but have met both Green councillors twice in a year and have to say that they are conscientious. Whether their work could translate to people voting at MP level is doubtful though. Parts of Shipley have had local green councillors but once again this is just local. They are well regarded. Again, as so many have expressed, it's a shame we don't have a broader electoral system than First Past The Post. As for Manchester try @Aggy ...he may give you a good perspective.

Some more analysis this evening. Worrying trend but maybe not unexpected given the news over the last few years. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/mar/29/hospital-admissions-for-waterborne-diseases-in-england-up-60-report-shows? Extract.... Alastair Chisholm, director of policy at the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management, said: “Our research shows 86% of the public want water reformed under the next government. Our river crisis is not only impacting the health of nature, but it’s making people sick too. That has to change. We need urgent reform.” Richard Benwell, chief executive of Wildlife and Countryside Link, said: “Pollution and nature loss are a public health disaster. Billions could be saved every year for the NHS by cleaning up filthy rivers, curbing air pollution and bringing nature back to life. All parties should make big polluters pay and ensure water companies invest in nature recovery for the sake of public health.” Richard Walker, businessman and former Chair of Surfers Against Sewage, who was a Tory donor before switching in January to support Labour, said: “The way the Tories have allowed our coasts, rivers, and streams to become engorged with excrement is the perfect metaphor for the way they’ve treated the country these past 14 years. Labour’s plan will take the tough action required to get our vital utilities back to serving the public interest.

Well, we all now want Sammy Szmodics to go on to add to his huge goal tally this season. Come on Blackburn.

I'm still confident. Plymouth have had a couple of excellent chances but our dominance will overcome them. We will be fired up for the second half. We ought no longer not trust this group because they've shown they can fight back. I felt it was a 2-1 game before kick off and still think so. Might run it late in the game though.

Ah...but they have a plan! ....By 2030 something. I read that Thames Water are in trouble this morning. I really hope this issue is tackled (by a government) in the next 5 years. It is one of the most basic requirements of society. To poison your own rivers and seas? It's just incredible. Huge respect for the few individuals who are constantly monitoring the levels and trying to pressure the water companies.

I watched the match and the Welsh fans even sang it during the game. On some fans tears were running (and because of the anthem and shared experience not the disallowed goal!). It always gets me too and I realise I discovered the true extent of my Welsh heritage in 2020 and then decided to learn the language - but the emotional effect it has on me is something I cannot comprehend. Same when Calon Lan is sung by a choir. Just what the hell is that about? Born in Norwich and lots of ancestry in the area but almost matched by the Welsh side. That said, sung well I love OTBC as much. Perhaps as small nations there is a pride for both countries? For us, I like Jerusalem. It is sweeping and emotional as a song. I agree about the dirge and royalist nature of our current one.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/ng-interactive/2024/mar/27/englands-sewage-crisis-how-polluted-is-your-local-river-and-which-regions-are-worst-hit? Type in your postcode and then you can see exactly where each sewerage outage takes place.

They are on the red list unfortunately FF. Fertilisers being a massive issue (nitrogen heavy) and the switch away from mixed farming to pure economic arable land. We get a just a few up north around where I live (you hear them often before seeing them - a lovely sound too) and there are sheep fields everywhere but crucially a there are a few bits of moorland and mixed grassed areas nearby. You'll see foam though in the local gills and streams because of all the fertiliser and feed the farmers use. The higher water table doesn't help over the last few months either in that respect. A lot of ducks and inland seagulls seem to have replaced them.

If he wins he can rightfully claim he is the second coming can't he?😄

Thanks for this link. It underlines exactly what I was trying to say to LYB who either doesn't get the point I was trying to say or is simply being contrarian. Or simply doesn't agree with a point I was making. Or all of the above. It is about bias and impact. Plus, it is damaging to Norwich City and also points yet again at the inadequacy in the governance set up.

There are so many sources about intent and impact. Do look them up as it will be useful I think. Bobzilla has elegantly explained above but here is a very accessible link. You've already posted about Jamal Lewis's family considering legal action. They have experienced Webber's words unfavourably. None of this really needs to be debated does it? Webber himself has acknowledged his own regret. He has realised what his words have meant. What he intended is not, unfortunately (for Norwich City' s reputation and the families names) that relevant. He has said them. Maybe, like you and one or two others have said he isn't a racist person. His comments though have had an impact - so much so that it has reached a national stage. https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/culture-religion-and-psychology/202309/intent-matters-but-impact-matters-more

Intentions don't matter in this case.

Falling into a trap does rather excuse poor Stuart doesn't it?!