Holmes_and_Watson

Battery

Just a big season of good intentions and equally disastrous outcomes. Had SR parted ways with Ralph at any point after the Villa game the season before, and definitely after the Chelsea game, I'd have remembered the good times, the times where we were punching above our weight and wished him all the best. I get that there were reasons to keep him. Trying to give him the players (I was going to say tools, but... 🙂 ) and backing to return to that success; loyalty; Ralph's plans matching their recruitment philosophy. But the writing was on the wall once that tactic got done over, and there wasn't the hint of a workable, winning response. By the time Selles got given it, it looked grim. I don't begrudge him taking the job. I look at SR for appointing him. It might not have made any difference, and SR might have been as well keeping pennies they were happy to give Luton for compensation in their pockets. I'd have been giving it a go though.

Mostly, I'd not really care less how Selles gets on, once he left us. As long as any of his teams get roundly thrashed, facing us. But there's a little bit, after last season, that wouldn't mind Selles, Raph and even Nathan doing well in their next posts. At least while the bulk of the failures they tried to coach are still here. In case the penny drops that they were the ones out on the pitch who could have made the difference. Every little bit of help that would help change their mentality, which is what Martin will have to manage. I do get that they were basically turned into drones under RalphBall, and that such long lasting losing streaks are hard to recover from. So even an angry reponse to show the Championship that it wasn't them, would be nice too.

For the record, SoG doesn’t consider it to be anti-semitism *unless* the holocaust is specifically mentioned, with “Can you show me where she denied the Holocaust?” Never mind the many centuries of other forms or discrimination and persecution. They don't count when defending Abbott. Even when Abbott’s long history of racist, discriminatory comments was pointed out, SoG didn’t want to know. Abbott had “deliberately lobbed a hand grenade at Starmer before the council elections” and was bravely “trying to redefine what we think we know racism to be.” When the massive flaws in Abbott’s views were pointed out, SoG considered them to be “semantics.” That's because SoG agreed with Abbott’s view that on the hierarchy of discrimination, and the levels of importance to be given to each rung on it with “If you believe that there is no hierarchy when it comes to bigotry, prejudice and discrimination and that Diane Abbott was wrong…” SoG then focused on why, in his view, it was only the Jewish aspect of Abbott’s comments that were the focus of the response. SoG said ““Interesting that it has now distilled down to just an issue about Jewish people when she grouped together various other types who also face bigotry, discrimination and prejudice” and “…but there doesn’t seem to be such a backlash from the Irish, travellers or redheads.” That is a well worn anti-semitic path to be going down. This was all before SoG was the only person on the planet to see the part of a newspaper cartoon that wasn’t anti-semitic, and defend it. It was also before the inevitable entry onto a thread about Israel, where he clumsily confused Jewish people with Israeli policy. The flaws and implications of the posts have been pointed out numerous times. I know I pointed out that with 3 posts a day, and perhaps a lot to get in/ time constraints, things might not come across as intended. But there comes a point when that can’t apply over numerous posts. I get that we probably all have things we instinctively like to defend, whether through upbringing, or allegiances on other areas, such as general political support. I note “Corbyn”, “Abbott” and the “Guardian” in the above, for example. I’d advise that if those trigger words come up, that a step back is taken and that a response is carefully worded. The best way not to be labelled a toxic anti-semite, is to not post like one, or reinforce earlier posts that are. There’s a wide group of people on this forum waving warning flags, pointing out the obvious, frankly horrific, implications of the thoughts being defended. Hopefully, they’re not all automatically grouped into some gang out to get SoG.

"I never had a career. Only work." - Professor Bernard Quatermass

Selles talks about the size of the squad, leading to the seperate dressing rooms. Also of the cliques that had formed. It led to him shunting several players off to the B-Team. If they did well there, he cites Adam Armstrong's professionalism and that he did well, then they could be brought back in. But he talks about the team cohesion. That there were numerous relationships and people to be handled. From the "star of the show" this meant egos as well. He wanted a team that would play for each other, even if they might not seem on paper to be the most talented out of the group. Which I don't disagree with at all. I'd make grudging exceptions for players so talented they could get us out of relegation. A Le Tiss. But none of that squad comes close to that. It would also give another reason why Ely, AA etc would be given game time over less dependable, less professional, less cliquey players. The other option would have been to play all the moaners, and if they failed, tell them in no uncertain terms why they were all/ or mostly dropped for the next week. But that could be a precious game thrown away. Might have got some heads down and focused, but probably not.

Charge!

He could pick up the passes from Fonte!

Feather

Oh, did the photos show them getting use out of the book? Like wearing it as a hat, propping up wobbly desks or keeping doors open?

Good to see we're not waiting until players leave, to strengthen. I liked Perraud, but if he wanted away, this is a solid replacement. It also remind players who want to leave where the exit is. We've plenty of youngsters who can provide back up to help us and their development. And Djenepo can also play there.

Pussy

Whisky

Loaf

That's an image I wasn't expecting to have in my mind today. 🙂

New album hinted at for this year! https://virginradio.co.uk/music/85324/theres-a-rumour-going-around-about-a-new-kate-bush-album-in-2023 🙂

Flood

Trade

Oak

Normally, I'd never wish harm on anyone. But I can't help willing a very small meteor to target him. To strike at 4:15am when he's bouncing out the house. The neighbours can all sleep on, undisturbed.

Derby

Bath

Yeah it would suggest lower crowds. But then Saturday an and Sunday evening aren't great either. Perhaps there would be interest from people who don't go to many away games, but that's assuming the fixtures align nicely for you. Disappointing to see Hayes and Levy argue for a closed shop. The first response should be asking them if they mind Chelsea and Spurs dropping down a league before it's closed. I'm sure they'd see it differently.

Farke spent his time at Norwich playing put from the back, regardless of outcomes. In the Championship, with decent attacking full backs, and when it was new, it went well. When they went up, teams shut down that space and he...played them in exactly the same way. It was infuriating to watch.

Rest