Holmes_and_Watson

Good that you can separate them. Either or both 😀

Final score Trousers?

About right. Starmer uneasier, too easily pushed off the ball, I mean point. Caught out on the tax rises. Sunak weighed down by record, hoping last quarters figures do a lot of heavy lifting. Starmer got early applause. Sunak a little laughter, but came back to get some applause.

Chairs

This. Although impacted post covid, he got back to being a starter in this squad. While others were learning to be flexible in Martin's system, Stu already had everything needed. He support others, could go on direct runs and was one of our technically best players. Wishing him the best for his future. And wherever that future is, wishing it has a slight breeze ruffling that amazing hair.

This is an object being thrown at a candidate for an election. Why should that happen to anyone looking to be elected? Why should it happen to anyone at all? He's targeted because of his views. What if was a politician you backed? Or who had a certain background, race or belief? That's not even beginning to link it with other abuse, or speculating about this encouraging others to throw other things, or take more extreme action.

Oh Alanis. And I thought all the song references to the Mitford sisters were just coincidence. The Mitford sisters were.... goes on for 15 paragraphs...

Politicians are the subject of increased abuse and attacks. Regardless of who it happens to, it's something I'd never want to see happen. Let them be judged by the ballot box (the votes in it, not it being chucked at someone)

An excellent point. A difficult decision for the authorities. Although one helped by Alanis being omnipotent, and telling them what their decision will be.

I don't think anyone here is suggesting Alanis shouldn't be allowed to march. But is getting her to march inside a soundproof box, in case she sings, an infringement on her right to protest? I think that's the key question here.

Gosh! My post got...like...teleported! Maybe there's something to all the things MLT's pals are talking about. 🙂

Today

When the creatures from V take you away, don't say you weren't warned. 🙂

I caught the very tail end of someone on the Beeb asking someone if their leader would push the button. The interviewee said they supported Trident. "But would they press the button." It got to the point, the interviewer wasn't going to be happy unless Starmer nuked Belgium just to prove a point. I'm sure faced with Armageddon, even Corbyn would have taken the most horrible of choices and pressed the button. Okay, it would be to launch Putin's missiles, but still... 🙂

With frogs and toads in mind, one of the Wind in the Willows weasels , Ross Greer, says it's outrageous not to be invited to the STV debate tonight. "We didn't infiltrate the Wild Wooders (Green Party), then Toad Hall (Shortbread Prentendy Parliament), to be ignored by a regional TV station," mewled Mr Greer.

Surely the text on his campaign poster. 🙂 Oh, just listening to him now. Let's see if enough of his millions are in Clacton.

They should spend their time and money buying newspapers and following political parties who don't at all want to manipulate the gullibilities we all have. 🙂 It's nice to see there's a place where those who think we're controlled by reptilians and those who believe we're pawns in a higher dimensional struggle can meet and get along. If only that were the case in other areas of the world. 🙂

Now is a good time to reinforce that Gio was talking about preseason games, and I was following that. 🙂

I took a peek at their site (the reform voter whose mind I was going to look at, managed to escape my lab). They wish we were called Albion, so they could get MAGA in there. The usual surface level traps of better economy, NHS, public sector, lower energy bills. "Well gosh, that all sound great. Those other parties must not want any of that! Tell me more!" Drilling down a level is more personal. I'll probably find the odd thing in there, I'd agree with. A few more where they have a point but don't agree with their steps. But the devil's in the detail, how they do it and who is actually benefitting.

While you can't rule out shifts to the right, the above leads to 5) A broadly centrist Labour party gets a free run for what will seem like forever. Except politics is dynamic so there will be a 6) Everyone in labour thinks they are responsible for the success or can't help grasping for more power leading to 7) internal conflicts split labour and 8 ) ruling group in labour purging others resulting in growth of fringe groups. Then 9) having lost votes to the extremes, unpopular policies trying to placate them moving them from centre ground and people just being tired of not much having changed. 10) Back to default status before 1) with neither party showing a hint of self awareness on how it all happened. 11) Repeat. 🙂

It didn't cross my mind we'd get a better deal, but at least someone wanted to buy him. So a little signal sent out to other clubs, even with the caveat that was Qatar. I can easily see him having some good games. Lots of energy, pashun and commitment. How that, and his skills, fit into Martin's system, even pre season, will be interesting.

I take Dusic's point, as we're not looking at Luton, Sheff It's or Burnley. Although I didn't know that Burnley would struggle quite as much. We're looking for strong recruitment in half a dozen first team areas. So, it hinges on that. Having been down just a year, we've still got some decent players in the squad. The mentality is much better, and Martin and the team will know exactly the type of player needed to improve the philosophy he sticks to. So, it could be a lot worse.

Ah well. At his age, he might see himself getting another serie a contract or two, or returning to Brazil, before Qatar. Nice that the loan club we're keen to agree a deal for him. Currently behind Bedders, THB and Stephens. We've DCC and ABK coming back, plus any new signings, Charles, and any youth players stepping up (Awe for example). Hopefully a deal can be found to suit. He's got a year left, but it would be a wasted one, unless he goes back out on loan.

I think he'll be putting in the training work, and looking at his bank balance, and I don't mean in a mercenary way. Just a professional way. There's nothing for him to prove. He might even get more minutes under the new boss there. He could well look back on his earlier injury ravaged seasons, and think it's worked out pretty well. Involved in 30 games last season (1 goal).