Holmes_and_Watson

Party

Ornament

Remember kids: Forest fires can be devastating, and, in hot weather, can be started by even one pun on a football forum.

A superb performance and, despite the result, a great day and amazing support. Everyone worked their socks off. We did so well first half, but had to dig in second. Delerium when Azaz's goal went in. But it's us, so you knew it was going to still be a challenge. No shame in losing to that winning goal (not as good as ours though) Jander, I thought, stood out for us. Important all over the park. But so many other good efforts. Worse for wear today, but thankfully I'm not preparing for a game on Tuesday.

Could be a general observation, or on something specific to today. 🙂

Catchy. Better than "Stumble with Starmer" or "Be a bigger tit with Polanski" I did have to remind myself what the name of his outfit was. I see they have a 1930s German lightning bolt logo. I was confusing them with the Rearrange Party (Interior design for all!), The Renege Party (Honest about not following their manifesto) and the Regain Party (Stopping the boats, by invading France)

1-0 defeat to Dijon. At just after 50 mins Dijon managed to get a decent cross on. Abu wasn't close, but the header went wide. But that was the first. Their next one was again not tightly marked, and a good glancing header went into the corner. From there, VA offered very little. They offered no real ideas or support going forward. Dijon didn't have many chances either, but didn't make the most of the 2 or 3 good ones they had. VA nearly had a chance from a deflected header in added time, but nothing came from it. All of the above was a shame. Because VA started not just brightly, but with intent. Good movement and working as a unit put them on top. There were even a few moments of flair. They had a good shape too. Abi put in crosses, that no one was on the end of. When it was him in the middle, he was either stretching for it, or just couldn't guide it. If anyone was going to take the lead in the first half it was VA. There were plenty of positives, and one of there better performances of the season. They also worked hard and tracked back to stop any Dijon threat. Although starting to fade, the goal took it's toll on morale. Abu did quite well, apart from that marking. Good dribbling and some good passes into the channels. I'd expect to see more of him, and he's got more to offer. Down to 11th though, with another defeat. The midtable pack are overtaking.

With Downes missing, I'd expect him to be getting a fair number of minutes, if not starting, against another top PL club.

I'd scream in pain shouting "Get this football ground off of my legs! I'm being crushed!"

A combination of reminding other clubs these players still exist; reminding some players how good it is to play, and that they can do it elsewhere; praying some previously unused youth players can be used in next season's budget conscious squad; hoping that some of the forgotten players who they know they can't shift, will put in performances. Yup. "opportunity to seize". 🙂 It will be interesting to see Abu again. I'd love to know what went wrong there, as this level was well within his capabilities.

Should he stay, this article suggests that we won't have to worry about a World Cup injury, as Clarke will stick with the squad he has. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c1w4vl3nyz0o

Catacomb

Movement

It's not uncommon for matches to be replayed, where it's not gone past half time. The Dutch FA may not have rules like Afcon's article 82. They might have balanced the second half non-appearance against potential abusive comments, looked at when the match stopped and felt a replay was the best outcome. That the opponents were from a rough neighbourhood, doesn't mean it didn't happen. Who knows what was said in a brawl? We know only too well that the most liberal, world saviours, can turn out to be racists. So, being a good guy can only go so far. Perhaps, he didn't hear it, but it happened. On the other hand, the opponents could have been cynically playing the race card to get away with being a man and a goal down. That's not known for sure. Play the replay. Don't get goaded. Beat them, and move on.

Try not to imagine the nightlight as a floodlight. Beneath which, Baz is trying to pick out the flight of a ball. 🙂

I, for one, will be welcoming our number one 'keeper back next season, if we don't go up. Sadly Ramsdale will want PL, and Peretz loan may not be permanent, due to us having to watch our budget. I'm sure it will all still be "fine". 🙂

It's sad that racial abuse, both real and fictional, seems to be on the rise. Also, did the Dutch FA not follow AFCON? Something racially unpleasant where a former colonial power has different rules, for walking off the pitch, to the rules followed in Africa. #article82

Or just pop into your nearest mini mart and get pretty much whatever you want. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c62l429w2pko

This new broom couldn't even sweep things under a rug. Now, it's had to be given away as part of an unfair dismissal settlement. The cabinet aren't doing themselves any favours. Swearing loyalty when Sarwar said he should go. Sniping, briefing and backstabbing. Just waiting until the elections to bring those knives out. Not that Starmer and McSweeney (or many predecessors from any party) did any differently on their way to the top.

I thought he was on his way, but Winks apparently has another year to go there.

Leave means leave! 🙂

Comedy

It gets creepy very quickly.

Except HMRC.

The club don't help themselves. "As the club works to bring stability to the head coach position, we will undertake a process of self-reflection to make the right long-term appointment," Pretending they are going to Tibet on a self reflection retreat is just the sort of nonsense that got philosophy managers like Potter and Rosenior hired in the first place. The Beeb reporting that the interim manager is in place for a mysterious length of time. "Calum McFarlane will take over as interim manager until the season of the season." Rosenior will now be appearing in Oliver Twist, where he also runs an establishment with 100s of kids on life time contracts.