Holmes_and_Watson

He's consistent. Some of the things he mentioned, he spoke about (very honestly) when he was our manager. His background could get him a berth in a number of countries. If he was still on our payroll, we could have offered him the Valenciennes project. 🙂

I thought Leicester was a much better fit for him than Rangers were. Now, it depends on who he has left to work with. I did read that in L1, Leicester will have a higher wage % to work under. Also that some players who have been there for years, but on high wages, would not form part of that %. It allows clubs dropping from the PL to not immediately breach rules, when they can't shift players fast enough. That may give Leicester a more stable squad to work with. Russ has been there before. And he got us promoted from the league above. He will also have an amazing PowerPoint presentation.

Leo for me. He made a massive impact in turning us around on the pitch. But it's not just for his own ability. When we were struggling, he was always there encouraging and supporting his colleagues. I think he also had a large part to play in turning around the culture of the squad too.

Yesterday, Keir wanted to tell us about the majority of the PLP who supported him. He took the chance to remind everyone that they were in pain lower, had waited a long time for it, and he was the leader that got them there. He said there was always talk, but he had serious business to be focusing on, instead. And he does. It was senior cabinet ministers and whips who were taking a less nonchalant view, by phoning MPs last night. Gordon Brown was trotted out, and it's a three line whip. All according to the Times. With all that lot going on, behind the scenes, Kier isn't remotely as confident as he made out. I noted that today's discussion was adding pressure to make the Mandelson appointment with Starmer misleading parliament. Combining multiple points increases the risk of tripping him up. He may not have misled parliament on a technicality. But with Mandelson announced, his pals pushing him in place, his already having access to information, and the need to get it done before Trump got in, of course there was pressure. All the reasons we know about, were known to Starmer. He even knew, via an Independent front page, there were issues. But it was full steam ahead at the time. Today's committees should give us more on that. Probably, only for McSweeney to deny it.

I've seen the likes of Fatawu, Mavadidi, Thomas, Codova Reid, Ayew, Monga and Daka all have good games. But not recently. We'd need to lose players from our better squad, for any of them to get a look in. Just as long as we don't bring back Vestergaard as our Nostalgic Player of the Season, I'm happy.

Thank you for the suggestion, Mr Polanski. 🙂

My local Wetherspoons has the widest guest ale selection. In the end, that gets me in more than nicer pubs, with little choice. Some favourite ales at lower prices is a bit of a no brainer. CAMRA members can even get a discount. The food is...exactly what you expect. Always the same standard, good value, and lots on their menu. I've had a lot worse from more expensive places. Ours has been here about 10 years. It's the busiest in town, by a mile, every day.

Jeez. What happened to applauding off an injured player, indicating a hope for a quick recovery?

Margin

Unless Trinidad and Tobago FA has a garden centre, I'm not sure he has the experience to be an analyst here. 🙂

My mum has said much the same. Mind you, that was when she was working on the orbital death ray from the 4th Reich's Bolivian jungle base. So, maybe not the best parallel on reducing life expectancy there. 🙂

People helping themselves is the problem! Gluttons! 🙂

They probably don't need the reminder about Cyril Smith beating boys.

Somehow Hearts got a winner against such massive odds. We live in memorable times.

There's a good atmosphere in the Edinburgh derby. They're into the joke shop fixture split part of the season. It's going to be hard enough for Hearts to win the league over Russell Martin's former Rangers and Paul Tisdale's former Celtic. But harder still is being a goal down and facing 10 men, after the Hibs 'keeper was sent off. It's a nightmare scenario, as it's well known 10 is tougher than 11.

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.