Holmes_and_Watson

Very much this. As Whelk says, it's nothing to do with someone having a different opinion.

I hope so. Anyone not keen on puns will be in a state of Dee-spair reading this thread.

Smallbone developed really well under Martin. Without Downes, he was more limited as were the rest of the team. When asked to fill that role, he was more limited too. When Stephens came into the side, pushing us forward directly, Smallbone had to adjust again. But there were a good number of games where his movement, and tireless workrate made us click. As the season went on, he got better in everything. If Martin moves away from the system that allowed Smallbone to develop, he may struggle. With our current squad, I'd be surprised if he wasn't starting. Short of replacing players on a Forest-like scale, and with clear improvements, we're carrying a number of risks into this season, right across the team.

If only it was that simple. 🙂

Surely there's Spey-ce for all our thoughts on this thread?

Agenda

That's very gracious of you, Weston. I'm happy to Leven it there.

Endlessly pious about intolerance, when he's easily the most intolerant person on the board. Sadly this. Too ignorant to even want to learn, when it's easier to blame the rest of us for the repeated slurs. A week with a transphobic slip, stunning foreign policy resolution with "I don't know", having spent months criticising other views, and passive-aggressive link only posts when his opinions are rightly called out. And that's just the highlights I've seen in some of the responses. Who knows what the next week of fiver-funded delusions will bring?

That's quite an assumption, without even Esk-ing me first.

Yukon mock me all you like. I shall be paying no attention.

Curses! I've no response. I guess river puns come Zambesi to you.

Who gave permission to go Forth with all the puns?

I remember him doing some after match interviews, as a manager would, as Norwich got relegated. So, some experience there too. PL Interviews, I mean, obviously, not getting relegated from the PL. Which won't happen.

Don't think of it as disappointment. Just think of how much more you'll enjoy the Baguette Bicycle Jousting Event, knowing they are free from injury. 🙂

😀 I meant to put in "That Romeo lad looked decent." But I distracted myself with a Firpo to Leeds line, that I then took out, and forgot. 🙂

Downes/Charles Smallbone/Lallana O'Riley/ Aribo It's perhaps looking for Charles to be continuing to develop to PL levels. Even with someone like Ghoddos coming in as a Che/Stu replacement, it still looks a little light in protecting our back line. Hopefully, Charles is doing really well. That would also allow Bragg to look for some first team squad development.

When I see the regular reports of Barca in financial meltdown, and looking to offload players, I think of Ronnie Ekelund and wonder if could pick up a gem cheaply or on loan.

This, plus every other club and agent thinking they can charge similar silly figures for their players. SR will have to dodge all of that while negotiating sensibly across a number of actual targets.

I am not senile. I am recuperating from covid, while my team have been drafting my withdrawal statement (not signed in bitter resentment). A statement that also endorses the person best able to take my place as President, JD Vance.

Education

If only we had the resources of several hundred million to spare. Then we could set up climate action hubs in other parts of the world, where these activist could make a difference across whole continents. Say Rwanda, to pluck a country at random for such a hub. If only we had the resources to sink 1000 civil servants to facilitate it. 🙂

I can only hope the pressure of such a high burden of proof doesn't impact his recovery. 🙂

If it's two 88 year old ladies and a...then it's only a matter of time before Wayne Rooney is their manager.

Grammar

Agreed. The gaps we have in the squad are for players expected to play a lot of first team minutes, replacing Stu, Che, Fraser and Brooks. If RM and SR decide that Alcaraz, Edozie/Sule and SAA are able to step up, then that's their decision. If they aren't at that level, then bringing in direct competition just risks doubling up players, none of whom will keep us up. If their development is to support more experienced, developed players, then we have to bring in that standard, not others that block their path.