 | Forum Reply | “Your party” by Corbyn x Sultana anyone going to vote for them? at 08:31 25 Jul 2025
I can't see it getting far. The problem that Corbyn and his close associates had when he was leader of the Labour party is they're not political savvy operators, but more akin to campaigners. So there will be rallies, speeches etc in line with their dogmatism, but very little in actual substance. Which will appeal to some elements of the population (especially if they put Gaza front an centre, which is almost certain), but it won't gain enough momentum (if you'll parson the pun) to seriously disrupt the political system. Would they be able to stand candidates in enough seats? Or will they rely on a small amount of established left wingers (Abbot, Mcdonnell) already in Parliament to try and push their message. Saying that, any split in the Labour vote will heighten the risk of a hung parliament at the next election. If there was an election tomorrow, I can't see any party getting a majority, and the parliamentary arithmetic to get to a coalition would be incredibly challenging. |
 | Forum Reply | FAO Phil/Or anyone else ITK at 13:31 17 Jul 2025
Interesting that some are saying we should move to a 3 in midfield, which is a tactical tweak KM has never attempted during his time here. Even last season, it was either a 4-2-3-1 with a clear number 10, and if the number 10 was sacrificed it was for a CB with 3 at the back. We have always operated with a double pivot in midfield. Especially as we should be one of the strongest teams in the league, I don't see us sacrificing an attacking player for a deeper midfielder. Although I completely agree that both Humphreys and Taylor would operate better in a 3, that's been Taylor's problem, his skillset just doesn't suit the way we set up in midfield. I still think whoever starts alongside Matusiwa against Birmingham will be a name we haven't heard yet. |
 | Forum Reply | Pensions at 13:17 11 Jul 2025
Out of interest, at about what age should you start taking a proper interest in your pension? I'm 32 and it just sort of happens in the background, I've been at the same employee for 10 years so both contributing, but i've never really managed or interacted with it. Is this a terrible move? |
 | Forum Reply | Iran at 10:48 25 Jun 2025
The problem with this sort of intelligence report is that it's an estimate built on an estimate. The information they have to go off will be based on modelling, and unless they have on-ground source data, the actual scale of damage is very difficult to assess. And that gives space for the US government to say that the damage was significant and critical. Because neither the public or the news media have the information to argue otherwise, apart from the intelligence report which is largely vague anyway. |
 | Forum Reply | Qatar has officially closed its airspace at 17:45 23 Jun 2025
A lot of considerations here. Some reports say most US forces have been evacuated from the al Udeid site (difficult to know what sources to rely on for reliability and credibility when it comes to military logistics), but Trump gave a speech there earlier in the year - in front of a big banner saying Peace through Strength, ironically. So there is some theatre value in it as a target. But, this is a air base on Qatari soil which is also the primary base for the Qatari airbase. With other nations on rotations. This is not some small base in Iraq/Syria where the theatre of conflict means response from the nation state is all but impossible. Pulling Gulf countries into this is surely self-defeating from Iran. That said, Qatari air defence is strong, still credible any limited missile attack will be intercepted pretty easily. Iran have to be seen to retaliate, but will be looking for an off ramp, so a limited strike which they can sell as a win domestically is well within their modus operandi. |
 | Forum Reply | Cricket folks....Overton at 11:16 5 Jun 2025
Looking at that 14, the difference between our batting strength and bowling strength is stark. Even ignoring the bizarre Bashir equation (not being first choice for his county) our pace/seam seems so weak. I like Atkinson, but he's injured. Carse is fine. Woakes is dependable at home, but I don't think we can rely on him down under. Overton I have never understood as part of the set up, just seems like a bit of a trundler to me. Suppose we have to hope Cook or Tongue really turn up against India. |
 | Forum Reply | Lewis Travis at 11:19 3 Jun 2025
I quite liked Travis, as a couple of other posters have said, he gave us a bit of bite that we can be sorely missing at time. Maybe a bit technically limited and you wouldn't want him as our starting CM, but he definitely added something. That being said, I think we only went after him as he was available at the time (loaning the club captain of a club lower than us in the table was all round weird). He's now back in their team under a new manager, so I doubt he'll be looking for half an hour at the end of the game for us this season. |
 | Forum Reply | Cricket at the Oval today at 11:17 3 Jun 2025
I'm meant to be playing a game of cricket after work today just down the road from the Oval. I didn't pack my kit this morning with much hope. And it looks like the weather forecast was correct. Balls. |
 | Forum Reply | Just looked at top goalscorers in Championship at 14:01 9 Apr 2025
Statistically, i'd say its likely they'll sell both in the summer. It's quite unusual for a mid-table Championship team to hold to players who are pulling in those stats. If Borja Sainz finishes as top scorer, data suggestions he's highly likely to be off - over the last 10 years only 2 players who finished to scorer in the championship were still in the league the season after. One being our very own Daryl Murphy when he went to Newcastle and the other being Lewis Grabban moving from Villa to Forest. Sargent has injury problems, but as another poster said, his goal to games ratio will be enough for teams to take a look at him. Potentially from aboard as well. Both Rowe and Gabriel Sara plucked from them went overseas (with varying degrees of success) and as non-UK talents they'll have plenty of interest. All of which hopefully means they'll be extra weak next season when we get 15 years of revenge. A real shame we'll likely never got to see Delap in a derby match though, he would have loved it. |
 | Forum Reply | The McKenna Managerial Merry-Go-Round Matrix at 16:48 24 Feb 2025
I believe this is referring to the indication Phil gave that both Brighton and Palace, at different points, were all but certain Mckenna was going to join them, only for him not to take the role. So he hadn't accepted the jobs, but certainly didn't walk away from the opportunity to talk to both teams (and why wouldn't you, leverage in football is part of the furniture). |
 | Forum Reply | Curious what people's thoughts are on Cajuste... at 10:28 23 Feb 2025
Quality player but our system is incredibly demanding of the CMs, and unfortunately I don't think any of them have been able to influence games enough this season. The Morsy-Luongo pivot worked so well last season as we had more possession and teams didn't break as quickly, but our lack of athleticism in CM has been exposed all season. While I am still firmly in the 'In Mckenna we trust' camp, I find it interesting we haven't tried 3 in midfield at any point. The 'extra man' has either been at centre back or attacking midfield. A holding midfielder would have given us more structure to respond to quick counters and keep possession in central areas. I think in a 3 Cajuste would really thrive. |
 | Forum Reply | Dubai at 13:19 21 Feb 2025
I always say, I can tell all I need to know about a person's character based on their opinion of Dubai. |
 | Forum Reply | Soccer Saturday challenge at 09:16 10 Jan 2025
Did this a few years ago, we met up in central London at a friends flat and gathered round Soccer Saturday to see where we'd be going. First goal of the day was Lincoln. Within 5 minutes we had trains and accommodation booked and by 15h50 we were on our way to Lincoln. Which was a very good night out. Funnily enough Blackpool was top of my preferences as well. We had similar rules, the place had to be outside the M25 and we put a cap of £125 on the return train ticket (which at the time only ruled out Newcastle and Carlisle I think). Everything else was fair game. |
 | Forum Reply | Felt for Jack Clarke at 16:09 5 Jan 2025
I've got no problem Leif overlapping, but if he does, he has to bust a gut to get back into position. Which i'm afraid he didn't. |
 | Forum Reply | Wilson needs a booking for reaction regardless of wrong or right. (n/t) at 16:07 5 Jan 2025
Thought the lot of them were classless to be honest. A lot of throwing themselves to the floor and then cry-arsing the rest of the time. Wilson at the helm, should have been immediately booked for dissent after their first penalty. The difference on the sideline between Silva and Mckenna was more than noticeable. one petulant, the other keeping his cool. Know which one I'd rather have. |
 | Forum Reply | Elgin Marbles at 13:14 3 Dec 2024
I've just seen a tweet saying that is Starmer gives back the Elgin Marbles then he'll be guaranteed to lose the next election. Which is absolutely wild take. |
 | Forum Reply | Jackson & Harness at 12:27 28 Nov 2024
To be fair, I think it's probably distorted a lot of expectations in the championship. A fair amount of owners probably turned to their manager and said 'hang on, you said this wasn't possible?' And of the back of that, there have been some questionable decisions. Hull firing Liam Rosenior for instance. That went well. |
 | Forum Reply | Andre Dozzell at 13:28 24 Oct 2024
Dozzell has always struck me as the sort of player who needs to play in a system which is built to highlight his strengths. Pretty much he has to play in a 3 man midfield as he's not strong or quick enough for a 2 man midfield, and he needs a couple of people to do his carrying so he can be utilised as a playmaker. We were never going to be able to do that during our League One years (especially under Lambert), and neither were a struggling QPR. The same applies for Portsmouth. Realistically, there's very few teams in the Champ whose playing style matches his skillset unfortunately. |
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