Holmes_and_Watson

The crowdstrike issues really put those calls regarding use of third parties and electronic storage, earlier in the week, into perspective. Thankfully the robust procedures kept in place by CoT continue to keep the data flowing and secure. Well done CoT.

When in doubt, give it a clout.

Che: Both sides keeping their options open, in an amicable way. Seems sensible. If we struggle to get players in, then we can always return to our offer, if we need to. If we do get players in, then fine too. Che's a known quantity, and a free agent. If he wasn't our player, we'd be looking at him. From Che's side, he has an offer on the table, and can look to see if better deals are available. If ours has any deadlines on it, we'll get an early decision. If not, his agent has the window to get a better deal than ours. If he signs for us a bit later, he's still going to drop seamlessly into the squad, having already been here under Martin. Both sides being on what seems to be good terms, finding the best solution for themselves.

Boys

A KWP who turns out to be a key part of us staying up is worth quite a bit. On the other hand, The cub may be confident we'll stay up having recruited Sugawara. Hopefully, they've not indicated to Sugawara about minutes, although this is solved by putting one on the left. SR, like most other clubs, don't want to see their assets leave on frees. I'm sure they've said as much. They may be looking at the PRS books, looking to use those KWP pennies to strengthen elsewhere. Wages would be part of that. Personally, I'd love him to stay. You never know, he might, like McCarthy extend/ resign if we do well.

Absolutely this. I think it would do him the world of good, personally and in his development. There were moments where he had clearly picked up RM's instructions. But, they looked to be few and far between, and didn't seem to fit his natural game. If you're not getting minutes, and feel things aren't working out, it's going to have an impact too. He'd sown the odd flash in other games, and I've seen him pick up good positions. But more roaming centre forward ones, rather than the Che role being looked for. Regular minutes will do him good. In a perfect world, we'd be giving him data of things to look at adding to his game with the loan club.

Looking forward to seeing him after such a tough time.

We finally get Shaqiri!

Big

When people were killed travelling on a supposed safe route in Gaza, we got a "maybe Jeremy was right" comment. So, pretty pleased he could use deaths to score political points. One of the many low points.

Charles: Very much how RM sees him develop. I felt he preferred an out of position Smallbone to him at times. A number of players had times out the side though. On one late game on his return he did the basics, but wasn't under pressure. If RM thinks he's good enough to get minutes covering for Downes and Lallana, then fine. If not, then more cover is needed as it was when Romeu left, and Charles needs a season getting regular first team football. Ideally, Championship. There might be a club willing to pay wages and a loan fee, and we might find some experience cheaply to strengthen. A win-win.

A system can't just have systems of reliability in place. It must also be seen to be reliable. The CoT's actions and track record really speaks for itself. As we've seen in world events this week, and before, some people simply choose not to believe anyway. Electronic systems that are open to hacking/ manipulation, or third parties, who in turn are open to attack, don't seem to add anything to the core values at the heart of the CoT's ethos.

Just a way of capturing an audience, they are worried about losing. A bit belatedly, considering how long there have been podcasts. But with the advantage of their resources pushing them. They seem to be just the same programmes, with "pod cast" tagged on. But some also make use of the format with extended versions. And there can be a lot more of them, and the number of Election and Ameri cast podcasts indicates.

Reunion

Jolly

Trying to capture the older fan?

Looks okay. Basic, with a decent collar, feature at the bottom to give it a boost and an interesting back. The away kit looks more than okay. Shame I missed the stream, but I didn't want to risk flashbacks of cringy work events.

Hulk

Teenage

Having visited the oracle at Delphi, a few weeks before, I spent the day trying not to say "told you so" to all the unbelievers. I even got abuse when I had converted the prediction into a cryptic mosaic. Classical CoT. 🙂

Having CoT in it's own thread turned out to give the best of both worlds. Lots of people love reading the more general, often speculative links. As you say, it can be as fake, if not more so, than ever. But fun, in it's own way. Here, we get a different level of information. But protected and requiring some work to figure out. Fun and informative. Something for everyone. So always a bit sad to see some of the attacks appear.

Lots of activity. That we still have to replace a lot of first team minutes from last season, let alone get back to the depth/quality of the team that went down, shows what an overhaul is required. SR doing well with the pennies so far too. If we go 3 at the back, it reads to me as McCarthy KWP, THB, Bednarek, Stephens, Taylor Downes, Smallbone, Aribo AA, Stewart If it's a back 4 McCarthy KWP, THB, Bednarek, Taylor Downes, Smallbone, Aribo AA, Stewart, Edozie Defence: While SR could strengthen anywhere, I could see that being the defence for next season. If KWP leaves, Sugawara steps in, with Bree a more defensive option. Likewise, if Bednarek leaves, we've plenty of backups already bought. It's an improvement on the team that went down, moving to more unproven if Sugawara/Wood come in. Midfield: Downes coming in makes a massive difference. It was Charles before that happened, who needs more development. SR may consider Lallana to add the depth they need across some roles. They may also think an improved Aribo with Alcaraz enough for AMC. But a Stu replacement would be wise, and someone to compete with Downes, if RM doesn't fancy Charles, more of a must. Needs some improvement/ depth compared to a team that went down. That had JWP in it. Smallbone's development, Aribo's return towards his best and Downes arrival all going in the right direction. Attack: Currently missing a Fraser replacement. RM also wanted a Tella replacement, and we got Brooks in. Adams currently being replaced by unproven Stewart. AA might prefer being central, but does lots more from wide, if going 4-3-3. Edozie eeds more development, and Sule further back. Lots of improvement needed to be at level, of the team coming down, and Mo played in that a lot. SF could bring in a whole front 3, giving Edozie room, Stewart competition and giving us more flexibility in formation. The above would also need some departures so we don't have the squad bloat of before, and lower costs. ABK, Sule, Mara and Ounachu most likely, with a number of younger, fringe players possibly off on loan.

Nail

I've been reliably informed that Santa Cazorla isn't actually a footballer. 🙂

A ballot paper you roll out to 3ft, so you can see all the PR variations. There's a couple of blanks at the bottom. One for "Whichever one gives me what I want, or I want another referendum." And one where you can make up your own, as so many others have had a go. That's, of course, just the first round to see what will make the cut of 100 for the actual vote. There's still the multiple round, regional list run offs to go through. Naturally these will be weighted. 🙂