ron obvious

One of the prime functions of government I think is to realise when major industries are becoming non-viable & plan a way forward for the communities affected. Just dishing out large amounts of dole money is not a solution, but neither is top-down planning of 'job creation' . It's a tricky problem to solve, but a mixture of business incentives, useful - but not glamorous - infrastructure projects & a decent education (first step: make Katharine Birbalsingh Education Secretary!) is the best way forward I can think of. Notwithstanding just fixing all the apathy & corruption surrounding Western governments generally. Which is an even bigger problem.

That was brilliant! Can't help but like Colin. Friend told me a Harry Redknapp story the other day (many of you may know it) when one of his CD's got badly concussed just before half time; Harry took no notice so one of the trainers complained it'd be dangerous to send him out for the 2nd half "he doesn't even know who he is, Harry" " Well put a bandage round his 'ed & tell him he's f***ing Pele" ...

As opposed to Buffoon?? 😄

Radio only

Apparently Everton are being punished because of lost income when they had to cut ties with a Russian investor after Ukraine was invaded. If so seems a little harsh to me.

For which he should have gone to prison for assault. The incident had nothing whatsoever to do with football.

Thanks for that, very interesting. I should've put a question mark after the comment because it was really a question, which you've answered. In the light of which I suspect lack of confidence - the fear factor - is driving our play, because it does seem other teams cut through us with ease too many times once we've lost the ball, resulting in our self belief evaporating. I can't believe Wagner isn't aware of that, but for whatever reason he obviously can't fix it

Nobody making decent runs off the ball.

I really don't understand the animus towards Hwang. He's our best striker after Sarge & in his movement, intelligence, skill & link up play the nearest thing we've got to a Pukki replacement. He was really effective first half against S'oton - set up Sam for the disallowed goal & pressed well until he ran out of steam 2nd half - & I'd like to see him paired with Sarge as I think their styles would compliment each other well. An attacking force of those two plus Johnny & Sainz would be pretty devastating at this level.

I like Mowbray. Could be a good fit.

How about a rotating midfield of Gibbs/Sara/Nunez, Kenny at CB (I think the Kenny/ Nunez thing works really well), Rowe & Sainz wide attackers with one of Sarge/Hwang/Idah up front? I think Gibbs has the energy & all round game to fit in with such a flexible system - they'd need to be well coached into covering each other though.

Excellent choices. Not really a Christmas film as such, but Oliver! the musical is in the tradition. In principle I hate musicals but in practice I love an awful lot of them, & the songs in Oliver! are brilliant (as is most of the acting). Wizard of Oz is another great one - and no list is complete without A Muppet Christmas Carol.

I know he's Spanish but the Inquisition? C'mon that's pushing it a bit ...

Injured players imminently returning making everyone feel less abject maybe? Also the Kenny/Natcho CB masterstroke 🙂

Dimi's a good footballer, but he's a bit fragile, physically & mentally. Opposition players know this & will go after him - Whatmore (?) made a cynical & disgusting tackle on him when we played Watford (went for his standing leg - should have been sent off) & later on one of their midfielders ran around after him, kicking out several times. Unsurprisingly he gets wound up & has been close to getting sent off himself. McCallum has been awesome since Ipswich 2nd half, I couldn't believe he stayed on against Ipswich, he was so poor, but it's like someone flicked a switch. I wonder if he's a lazy player, only turns it on when he feels in danger of disappearing off the map? I hope not, because he's shown he's got real talent. Another Idah type conundrum to solve perhaps.

I've said that, but I think others have said it in one form or another. Having seen us play both teams I found Leeds far more impressive. I've also said Ipswich remind me of SheffU from a couple of seasons back; built like Rugby League players & with the same mentality & no really outstanding players who can stand a game on its head - no Rowe or Summerville types. Both teams seem able to sustain a high, energetic press though, unlike us. The sooner Sarge gets back the better.

Yes, you could see him launching himself at their players from about 30 yards away. He had the same pressing & harrying instinct as Sarge. What with him & Rowe coming through I'm feeling a tad more optimistic lately.

He gives the ball away too much. That can be rectified. But, by gum, does he come alive in the box!! Electric!!! That sort of gift is just priceless.

I think, overall, our players are far better than theirs' Johnny epitomises our team. Utter pants a lot of the time, then does something sensational (twice). I must say it's a long, long time since I've seen a Norwich player with such an astonishing ability to come alive in the box & score seemingly impossible goals. Do not on any account allow Barnes anywhere near our penalty area. A complete liability.

Ipswich remind me of SheffU a few seasons back. All built like Rugby League players with much the same mentality. Well organised, very confident (although maybe only skin deep?) & fit. Not that special really, when all's said & done. McCallum seemed to be blowing out of his bottom after 10 minutes. He's GOT to come off. i was thinking hoe poor Rowe was, then he does .... that!!!! Bring on the 2nd half.

Yes, that one gave me a grin.

Hwang's the player I'm really looking forward to seeing back (though Sarge is more influential)

No, they're not all as bad as each other. But Johnson's venality worries me much less than any of the alternatives then available as realistic Prime Ministerial candidates. Plus the array of pretty horrible MPs in the shadow cabinet. And your sort of making my point for me. When someone like Johnson behaves as badly as he did then his own party will bounce him out. If Corbyn & his associates had got their hands on the levers of power my fear (amongst others) was they would never have relinquished them If we were back in the days of Alan Johnson, Frank Field et al. then I might have felt differently. But they're long gone.

In my opinion Starmer is as big a liar as Johnson. He wants to win the election & will say anything he thinks necessary to ensure that outcome. The 'other candidates' .... were who exactly? I mean who could effectively wield power?? Being 'honest but misguided' could be applied to many dictators throughout history. I'd rather have a buffoonish liar whose lies are easily seen through than any of those - or indeed rather than the sanctimonious holier-than-thou liar who is the present option. Of course I'd rather have a competent, rational, humane leader than any of the above, but they're rare as rocking horse excrement, plus wouldn't want the job anyway since I would contend it is impossible to do the job without being prepared to lie; it's one of the problems with democracy as a form of government (which - was it Churchill who said it? - is still better than the alternatives). You have to please as many of the electorate as possible, & unfortunately giving them unearned money has proven to be a sure fire winner - & saying there are no consequences to doing so is one of the biggest lies of all. And - fact, not hint - there are very, very few politicians who never lie, & those that don't lie are nowhere near power. How can it be otherwise? If you told everyone the truth to their face in everyday life you'd lead a very uncomfortable (& probably short) life. I think what you're saying is that you like to hear the lies some politicians come up with because they chime with your view of how the world ought to be.