Sir Ralph

I calculated a net decrease from births and deaths of 16k. There was a net migration increase of 430k (I dont think your figures included leavers from the UK), which leaves a net growth from births and deaths and net migration of circa 415k, which is how I arrived at circa 1 in 10. Do you agree with this? I do agree that this also isnt helpful (but obviously a discourse that needs to be had and addressed robustly) because we need net legal migration to increase. The lack of net legal migration is, I imagine, linked to the Brexit issues.

Does anyone know the total proportion of population growth from illegal asylum seekers in 2024 - I calculated 11% - 1 in 10?

Suspect downing tools probably isn’t an option there if you want to leave with both legs intact.

See his Wiki profile with regards to the Belgium clubs and what I said above about the French clubs. He hasnt won anything but his spells were seen as generally successful as I understand it. You should listen to some of the interviews / podcasts about it to make your own mind up, which is how I arrived at my own conclusions. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Still

From Wiki Dia studied business at Northumbria University in Newcastle, graduating in 2001.[16] He received a Master of Business Administration from San Francisco State University in 2003.[1] After finishing his education, Dia worked in the business sector in Qatar. He subsequently underwent ground breaking anti-aging therapy and was last seen masquerading as a 21 year old American playing football in Germany, before recently returning to Southampton under the assumed name of Damion Downs.

Not professing that I followed his career particularly closely and I dont watch French football. However, like most I read about him before he jointed and afterwards. In terms of Lens they went through a fire sale so the conclusion from most was that he did reasonably well, as I understand it. They didnt want him to leave in the end https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/jan/13/will-still-lens-abdukodir-khusanov-manchester-city-english-manager With Reims I understand that he was generally successful but form fell off towards the end. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/nov/11/will-still-reims-next-challenge-psg-europe

Same goal record and Downs has had more minutes. Therefore Ali Dia has a better goals to minutes ratio so arguably he's the better of the two so far....and he didnt cost £7m. In fact, Ali Dia was a bargain in comparison. He might actually get in ahead of some of our other strikers, even now aged 50 or so. Wonder what he's up to? Maybe he will be our deadline day transfer deal.

Agree - Armstrong is not a 9. We have played Ipswich and Stoke (who look like a pretty decent team to be fair), in 2 of our 3 first games. We have Pompey, Hull, what looks like a bad Sheff U side and Watford in four of the next five games. If we dont pull a decent number of points after that then I would start to be more concerned. Ipswich lost to Preston today - they have 2 points from 3 games and we are the two favourites. Everyone needs to give it a beat.

I'm not saying we have been brilliant either. However, the recruitment has been pony so far and that has nothing to do with him. Start judging him after at least 10 games.

People losing the plot after one defeat. The guy has been successful at 4 clubs but you cant expect us to be brilliant straight off. We clearly need 2-3 good attacking players as, other than Robinson, the rest of the forwards look terrible. He needs the window to be finished and then at least give him a few weeks with any new players.

Do you remember the start of that season - losing 3 - 1 to Gillingham and 5 - 0 to Sunderland?

This thread could backfire. I think time has dulled the memory.

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.