Holmes_and_Watson

I do get the point on the tone whelk. For me it's a combination of the activity. their reaction to the push back and the other things they do combining to really annoy me. Just put on the radio. Someone from labour annoyed about the press talking about clothes. Last week it was "why, the taxpayer should be funding it all" slippery slope into giving away even more perks. This morning they are saying "well, they want to look smart." Both utterly missing the point. While also happily keeping it focused on clothes, rather than another look at all the other funding and gifts they get. A historically appalling bunch for lining their own (now paid for by someone else) pockets, on all sides. Rayner was talking about her working class credentials over the Ibiza trip. I did read one MSM source at the time saying that some of that trip had been paid for. While trying to find that. there's now a New York trip paid for. The push back over Ibiza is that " hard working MPs need to relax too" So relax, and get yourself clothes you like. But do it on your own money. Live to the values to talk about. Don't be just like all the grifters before you.

The intent? Or the Will ?

If it's not on the end of 50 passes, it hardly counts. Are they top of the Series A possession table? That's what counts. 🙂 Well done Che!

He did say that the shoulder injury would clear up in 2 weeks. The Ipswich game is about right using SaintsTime. 🙂

Somewhere in the 15mins I missed, the game changed. Subs, or VA changing shape, happy with the lead and looking to counter, instead inviting pressure? Even then, they had chances to extend the lead. It's not one I'd put at the ref's door. VA tried to shut the game down and failed. Years ago, Saints were trying to kill the game off in the corner. 30 seconds later we were picking it out of our own net. A slightly less poor example of that happened here.

You're just left with the impression that they can't help themselves. The pettiness of it doesn't really help. Any nickel and dime scam is enough. No fee to small to get a scam going. It says a lot on how they'd react in the bigger rip offs. Our interests first? Not a chance. Never mind the Big Book of Legit Scams already in place. Comparing yourself to... The gaping maw of the last lot's selfishness and greed, is not where you should be setting the bar. Nor should it be what they got away with from previous scandals. Having some common sense and decency would be a start.

Keep it down please. I'm working on the Gloucester Saint celebration thread here. 🙂 Good posts folks.

They do lots of different things, so not sure I'd directly compare them. I'd have liked to have had both. Downes better defensively and working through the midfield. JWP linking and with a bit of freedom to move forward, plus the set pieces. Depending on the game, you could add in Les or a Fernandes/Aribo/Dibling depending on how defensive or attacking you want it.

Troughers caught in trough declare that they will no longer trough from one small part of the trough again. Deflect to the tickets, by citing security. Deflect to clothes trotting out ministers who say our pm, partner and anyone else should look good. That it's something we should be paying for, but thankfully don't have to thanks to generous donations. Don't mention the concerts, the holidays, the various freebies, access and office support all provided by donors who I'm sure selflessly want nothing in return. Don't bring in all the others this applies to. Back in the expenses scandal and cash for questions scandal their greed was never in doubt. But no matter how they rig the rules to claim ridiculous things, it's never enough. It applies to all parties. This has been reported about Starmer for quite a while, and they did nothing to stop it continuing. It would have continued had it not reached this level of reporting. Not a shred of self awareness to do the right things. Perhaps they can donate all the clothing to help keep some pensioners warm this winter.

What an odd finish to the game. At 3-2 Valenciennes brought in the array of dark arts. Cynical fouls, time wasting, vanishing ball boys/girls, "injuries". Concarneau had some touches in the penalty area, but the home side kept compact. Before proceeding to nearly give a goal away from a sloppy pass back. Then they had a break of their own, only to blaze over from an excellent chance with the keeper already no where. Giving the ball away from trying to run it into the corner, resulted in more Concarneau attacks. They got the ball into the net, only for it to be offside. Then, after the 7 mins we're up (remember all that time wasting) our SR pals gave away a clumsy penalty. With pretty much the last kick, conceded the equaliser. When I nipped away, earlier in the half. Valenciennes had just missed a good chance for a 4th. I thought it hit the bar, or the keeper put it over from close range. They hit the post too. So. I wonder what turned the game from that first half performance.

Unexpected comeback is on 3-2

Very comfy first 45 from a side clearly a step up. That's not to say there was a lack of effort in getting the goals. Some nice 1 touch passing going on, lots of options and movement. A decent mix of distribution from the back too. With the 3rd, there's a bit of control mode settling in. The visitors had a huddle on 7 mins after the second. While still leaving gaps, they also settled into not conceding more before half time. Valenciennes could seriously tire out their opponents playing this way. We'll see if that's what they choose in the second half.

Penalty makes it 3. Given for something in the box during a corner.

Tuned back in, just in time to see a thumping shot off the bar.

Not long after a Rory delap throw put on some pressure. Now a second

I'd seen Ipswich know when to press an advantage and be attacking. Yes, more risks. But with the knowledge they were getting on top of their opponents, and keeping them penned in. Lots of chances. Then in other games, know to sit in, until they got that advantage. If not, see what they could get put of the game. Again. riskier and less controlled than we were. When we clicked, our control, first time passing, movement and chances were the best in the league. When we weren't clicking, we kept to the plan, giving up the drive and momentum Ipswich could imprint on a game. One way of thinking is that our possession will result in lower risk across the season. The argument is we watched a relegation season where we had an error resulting in a goal in us every game. And not much to show that has changed. With that, when we don't click we're not offering much at the other end. Ipswich might get more reward by being willing to take those risks. They might also get punished because of it. Hard to tell.

For those doing it, all about overall control, with the inevitable mistakes being chalked up to individual error (coached out or players replaced) or balanced against the result (and across more than the game it happened in). In the Everton game, I noted a longer ball from McCarthy. It immediately stretched the play in a way that trying to pass through to the same position, wasn't happening at that time, with Everton pushing onto our defence. It gave the crowd a lift too, as we got it up the park. So when we can deliver it to one of ours, under control, or win the second ball, it's clearly useful to shape the game. We've seen us still trying to pass out in some daft defensive moments, with their attack still coming back from set pieces. Getting it up the park, driving onto opponents aren't things we see when we're in the game. Usually disjointed and too late when we do see them, as it means we're behind. Everton noticeable for practically never looking to control it. Happy to push into stretched areas without the ball. Their crowd demanded it. I can't help but connect that lack of game management with them losing games from leading positions. So passing out can work well. But knowing when it's not on or when it needs changed up seems to be an issue.

Not sure it's helping the PM stop accepting football freebies, by putting top of a league table. But here's Sky's take on it. https://news.sky.com/story/sir-keir-starmer-declares-gifts-and-freebies-totalling-more-than-100-000-the-highest-of-any-mp-13217287 While I'm sure they'll want to spin it as his support of football, he's an idiot if he doesn't realise everyone sees the lobbying behind those, and the other freebies he and the others can't keep themselves away from.

Just my reaction to seeing the "beyond reasonable doubt" headline, when the first thing one of the scientists involved said, was something else. I read a couple of books about containment in the 1970s. Gaffer tape doing a lot of work protecting humanity. The other take away was that animal transportation and wet markets were disasters waiting to happen. And had happened.

One of the Beeb's radio stations had one of the scientists involved. She started off saying there was still validity to looking at it coming from a lab, it's just not the conclusion they reached.

Gang

Just wait until next season, when he's undone by Russ Martin's Barcelona. 🙂

Boat

Rumour is they've decided to bring back extra time, as it's quicker. 🙂

Basking in the warmth of a win. Everton, no doubt driven by their fans, pushed up into prime RussBall territory more and more. It was good to see some passes ping around. Bree and Les often there to pick up passes, with Downes hard work freeing Aribo up a bit later on too. Both Cornet and Dibling given freedom to be direct. BBD had to do a fair bit of work to get into similar positions. AA didn't get much, but not for lack of effort or trying different things. We need a focal point for him to thrive off of, and a bit of space to pass through. Neither there for quite a bit of the game. Shout out for Lallana first half who steadied us and got us moving.