Lighthouse

I very much doubt he’d have been the difference between Burnley staying up and going down, he offered nothing at all for us. I’m sure he’s improved but I couldn’t see him being the player that made the difference.

No, Chelsea hoover up all the top talent in the country, then spit almost all of it out a few years later. If we had the money to chuck at all the best academy products in the country, so that they all came to us, then we'd have the same record for churning out top level footballers. There is no reason at all to suggest that any one individual player will do better at Chelsea's academy than ours, or anyone else in the country.

Somebody must have been having steamed hams.

Weather not looking great for Monday, important day tomorrow.

That's not doubtless at all, you've completely made it up. He's got 'proper money' here, these kids aren't living off food banks. If you think it's a no brainer to to kiss goodbye to first team football a week after your 17th birthday, that's up to you. I disagree.

If I'm completely honest, the majority of conflicts around the world don't particularly upset me. Conflict has been the norm throughout history, it's not going to end any time soon, whether it involves Muslims, Jews, Christians or otherwise. The exception right now is the war in Ukraine, which is a completely one sided war of aggression against a peaceful, European democracy. I just find it slightly disingenuous when people can't contain their horror at events perpetrated by certain groups, but when the exact same thing is instigated by someone else they're largely blase about it.

We did, we signed AMN, he was just sh*t.

No, I say I'll stay here and get far more opportunities at first team football, and if I'm any good I'll earn plenty of lucrative contracts further down the line, either at Saints or elsewhere. He wasn't exactly earning 'buttons' either, when I was his age I was working in a little Chef for £4.50 an hour. For a 17 year old to say I'll take the quick easy money now, ahead of their own career development is just tragic IMO. Let's not insult ourselves by pretending this is about injuries or failure. It's about short term greed and get rich quick. Well obviously there are. Chelsea hoover up all the decent talent by offering them big juicy contracts, like the did with JJM. There's nothing 'rose tinted' about my glasses, I'd be saying exactly the same about a Norwich City or even Pompey youngster.

Cracking afternoon in the sun, this. Orr on 121 n/o and Vince now motoring along nicely. I can sort of see why we wouldn’t risk Turner in this one, the bowlers are having a real slog out there.

Because I can't say it particularly bothers me. I'm just surprised that people who are so concerned about the rights of Arab settlers apparently have no interest in this story.

I’m surprised that people are discussing Eurovision lyrics and nobody has mentioned this https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-68945445 Knowing how passionately some of you feel about the rights of Arab villagers, having their settlements forcefully cleared, I’m surprised there’s not more outrage at this use of ‘lethal force’.

No. I’d focus on becoming a professional footballer and making first team appearances, the money will come flooding in when you start getting good. I’d rather be the next Rice, Bellingham or Grealish than the next Winston Bogarde or Terry Cooke.

Interesting team today. Turner and Abbas both in the 14 but don’t make the match day 11, looks like we’re going for the extra spin option of Organ.

Which is fine a ps a sentiment but doesn’t actually address the issue. Stewart is not fit enough to be starting, so the alternatives are Mara or moving AA out of position. I’d rather keep AA where he’s best and have at least one credible goal threat, so for me it’s Mara by process of elimination.

24 hour time out on this one, minus a solid page of posts there was absolutely no need for. Unless your name’s Brian and you’re being crucified, there’s no need to bring anyone’s wife into a thread about Israel.