Sir Ralph

DOWNS IS UTTER CRAP

He is not in charge of recruitment and doesnt have any wingers. He is having to play 3 at the back even though he probably doesnt want to. You need to wait for the transfer window to close and at least give him a few weeks. We also got relegated with record points and he is trying to implement a system which is completely contrary to boring Russball

For a big lad he looks very soft

Get Stewart on Downes doesnt make up for his F up

Give the guy a second - flipping heck

Great reffing

Fair play Still has got into them at half time

Hes much better on the left cutting in but cant play as the main striker. Doubt he will displace Robinson though.

Agree - Stoke are a good team and to be fair we have contained them well. There is just a lack of options up top and Armstrong has made it easy to defend against.

Need a physical presence up top - Armstrong isnt occupying their centre backs.

Fair enough. The only difference is that in my opinion this should be a more absolute position. However that’s a more complex discussion I suspect. Have a good afternoon.

It will depend on the location and the cost of living in that location. Some locations (more likely down south, including 10 million in Greater London) it would apply and others, maybe up north it wouldn’t. I said as much that this was the case. Two points: 1. I responded to a post which said the example provided (based on London) before was incorrect. I corrected it and you have helpfully confirmed that I was indeed correct. 2. This should never be the case. Somebody working should never be worse off or have the same income as somebody in the same situation (eg same location, family size, etc) not working. I’ve asked this question a couple of times but do you agree with that statement? If so the welfare system should be changed so that this doesn’t occur. Would you agree as I think this is the point?

Like you said we could discuss these matters more widely. I suspect we will have some areas of agreement and disagreement but maybe another day. Have a good afternoon.

Thats fine - I wasn’t getting into a wider discussion. In fact I was trying to focus on the specific example which was being deviated from. Glad we agree successive governments are the issue. I made my comment on landlords because you said the below but if you agree they aren’t the issue then we agree on that also. Rental costs are the killer, but that's what happens when you sell off your social housing and encourage every man and has dog to buy a buy to let or two.

The example that was disputed was based in London. It was challenged and I have corrected it. Southampton maybe a different case, as may other locations, but it depends on the context. The point is that in some scenarios (not all) it pays not to work. That should never be the case - unless you disagree? We don’t live in the 1980s anymore. The way in which people live is changing, hence why you have new rental products on the market. What you will actually find is private landlords often help to provide housing to people that can’t afford to put down a deposit and buy as they provide rented accommodation that would otherwise be in private ownership. With the new requirements for landlords that the government has brought in, you will find that some landlords are now selling their rented properties to private home owners, as the government is forcing them out of the market. This means those renting (often HMOs) will or have been moved out of those properties, there are less rental properties, and therefore prices for renters will go up (hence the jump in rental costs). It’s another example of this Government meddling where they don’t understand the market consequences of what they are doing. They will in fact harm the people they intend to help. The blame isn’t on landlords, in my opinion, but numerous governments over many years for not creating an environment for the delivery of sufficient housing. That should be your beef

Respectfully I think your missing the key point. The example in front of us that you commented on relates to London. We aren’t talking about the locations you are referring to. You need to consider the London location in the context of the example that was disputed. The cost of any housing in London for a four person family is nowhere near £800 pcm, even in rubbish areas. This is why the example provided does add up. There is a massive shortage of housing which has elevated prices for everyone, including Councils. In many cases local authorities pay more than the private rented sector for housing. If Councils could rent housing in London at 800pcm for a 4 person family they wouldn’t all be in the financial position they are in because of their extortionate housing bills. A number have, or are due to, face bankruptcy with this being a factor.

This is based on London prices with two kids (again this is context of the point being made). Good luck getting childcare for £12k a year - the figures are accurate. You would be looking at £4k- £5k a month minimum for childcare and rent. That doesn’t include additional costs incurred from working, such as travel costs. Even if the figures were slightly out (which I don’t think they are) there is a bigger point being made. The welfare system doesn’t encourage people to work in some instances - not something anyone should be supporting. Also, even accepting your calculations, if they had £31k spare in “change” or I would call it other living costs having worked. Thats the same as the £30k that a couple of benefits would have having not worked. So you confirmed the point. In this scenario it pays not to work.

Yes France’s 0.9% forms part of the overall 2% within the eurozone. Its specific figure was just highlighted

I’m just a WUM/pound shop economist who isn’t worth the effort though.

It’s just bad luck mate - I think it’s the weather. If you start quoting stats to demonstrate there is no link between the two, always be thorough. Sort of debunks the argument. Anyway I’m not worth the effort so I suspect he won’t reply.

UK inflation was 3.8% in July 2025. UK inflation was 2.2% in July 2024. An increase of 1.4% since July 2024. EU inflation was 2.4% in July 2025. EU inflation was 2.8% in July 2024 (higher than the UK when the government took charge). A decrease of 0.4% since July 2024.

Please stop messaging me - remember I’m not worth the effort.

Thats nice for you. Don’t comment on posts related to me if I’m not worth your effort then.

As you have probably seen, I have done my best to provide considered responses. I have tried not to given rude or sarcastic responses. On the contrary the response you have given just there speaks volumes.

Which I responded to and explained. So I haven’t ignored it You ignore the FT article on inflation when it suits you but pay attention when it (non Dom’s) when it helps your case (even though you only read the headline and not the detailed context). Ironically it seems you are doing the same thing that you have just accused me of!