sydney_saint

Looking forward to it. The Matildas have a really good team and could go far in the tournament which is exciting. Whilst we are still outsiders, it still presents a rare opportunity to win a World football tournament or make a final and let people know we can produce good footballing sides. Also most of our sports teams aren't exactly popular with the Aussie public at the moment for various reasons (egos, generally being ****, tampering) and the Matildas are (possibly) the most loved sports team in Aus at the moment. Look out for Sam Kerr-she in wonderfully talented and expect her to make a big dent on the tournament.

About a minute before hand Moi lost the ball from a ridiculous flick with a couple of our players up the pitch Sent from my CPH1835 using Tapatalk

**** me, I feel like I am working harder than some of these players trying to get through this. Sent from my CPH1835 using Tapatalk

Massive offer is all relative. Us forking out 30-40m on a player would be a massive offer by our standards. Spurs would consider a massive offer to be 80m+ on a player, which obviously would be at least half that for JWP

Got a text from the partner last night- they have meetings all week. Not sure if it adds anything but thought I would share. Though straight off the bat I will say that none of the conversation was on JWP, but may be related. I also don't think any of it is particularly surprising. This is slightly paraphrased as conversation was over a few texts. Spurs hierarchy not impressed how they have fallen away second half of the season. Don't expect to be winning the title but feel they should not be in a battle for 4th this season and should have secured 3rd more easily. Champions League has papered over the cracks a bit but does not hide the lack of squad depth. Part of this is getting Poch to trust new players coming in as he likes to work with a small squad. They think a few of the players have become complacent due to lack of real competition for places, but still have faith in the players just they need to be on their toes a bit more. Alli is the biggest example of this. Summer will be about building a deeper squad (though lessons learnt from when they spent the Bale money so looking around for younger players already established in England). Some players will come from the youth academy which has some really good players coming through apparently. But it will be combined with a couple of other younger established players. Grealish was mentioned but attitude is really important so they have gone a bit cold on that. Really important that they buy into Poch philosophy. Aarons another example who they really want but Norwich promotion makes that difficult. His interpretation of that conversation was that it basically reinforced what was suggested the other day, that JWP would fit really well into that sort of strategy and is high up on their radar. He has no idea if contact has been made with JWP agent or club. So nothing really new here but thought it would be worth sharing.

I think some people are greatly underestimating his value. We are looking at a potential 10-13 goal a season midfielder. I know he is yet to hit 10 goals in a season, but his form since January indicates that this is increasingly likely. That's in a team outside the top 6 where he has less chances. For reference he has scored more than Alli this season in the league and equal with some really good midfielders like Eriksen (who do have more assists, but also much better strikers). He also adds as a front line of press and covers so much ground. How many midfielders with that many goals can you get for 30m? Whilst he may not be considered a first XI player for many top 6 clubs, they do so much rotation anyway and is a really handy and intelligent player to come in. Hence why i hope we don't sell him! Also he takes damn good penalty, which we all know has been a bit of a bug bear of ours since Lambert left. With VAR coming in next season that will become an even more valued skillset.

Well that's why the stress with the 'big big megabucks' which he would not command. More meaning a figure north of 80m. I suspect that we would accept an offer of 40-50m if it came? There are so many big clubs that are undergoing huge restructuring this summer and there are only so many world class players. Player fees are once again going to be astronomical. What we consider a huge price will only be relative.

I think it is also to do with putting a bit more pressure on Alli as well. 5 goal return is a poor return for such a good player, and doesn't offer enough work rate in a fair few games. Apparently only turns up for the big games, so some competition might kick him into gear. Obviously though they are not like-for-like

I posted this in the JWP thread but recognise that this was probably a more appropriate place to post. I do strongly stress that this is a tenuous link But in case there is any ounce of truth in it will post it. One of the senior partners at my law firm (one of the biggest global firms) had a meeting with Levy's son (can not disclose contents of meeting but not football related). They meet very regularly and considers him a friend, probably helped that the partner is a big spurs fan. To cut a mid size story short, Levy's son said a few things that we all know. Alderweirald is gone-or if he's not- Poch is, but no way both will be at the club next season. Eriksen 90% gone and even Kane is not safe. But only likely one of those two latter will go. The Saints bit is for Spurs looking for replacements. Apparently Poch is not keen on spending the big, big megabucks (probably unlikely they will be available anyway) and that they are actively looking for young players with the sort of attitude that can fit neatly into the tight knit squad. Fits in with how he has spet money in the past. And that JWP is the one they are most keen on signing as Poch is a huge admirer and believes JWP will buy into the training regime and tactics as he has done so before. No reason for partner to make this up, he doesn't give a **** about us. Of course, as I am 2 links in the chain away from the source, I have no idea how valid these claims. To me, it makes sense that he would be high priority for Spurs, but obviously hope not!

I have never had a chance to do one of these ITK things before, and I also laugh because it so tenuous but thought I would post it. One of the senior partners at my law firm (one of the biggest global firms) had a meeting with Levy's son (can not disclose contents of meeting but not football related). They meet very regularly and considers him a friend, probably helped that the partner is a big spurs fan. To cut a mid size story short, Levy's son said a few things that we all know. Alderweirald is gone-or if he's not- Poch is, but no way both will be at the club next season. Eriksen 90% gone and even Kane is not safe. But only likely one of those two latter will go. The Saints bit is for Spurs looking for replacements. Apparently Poch is not keen on spending the big, big megabucks (probably unlikely they will be available anyway) and that they are actively looking for young players with the sort of attitude that can fit neatly into the tight knit squad. Fits in with how he has spet money in the past. And that JWP is the one they are most keen on signing as Poch is a huge admirer and believes JWP will buy into the training regime and tactics as he has done so before. No reason for partner to make this up, he doesn't give a **** about us. Of course, as I am 2 links in the chain away from the source, I have no idea how valid these claims. To me, it makes sense that he would be high priority for Spurs, but obviously hope not!

One day there will be a historical review of corruption in English football. It's gone beyond just coincidence. Obviously we point to our own games but games like this and the Watford game last against City (so I can only be bothered going back a fraction) show major decisions benefitting the same ****ing clubs Maybe my perception but I thought the ref wasn't going to blow up the Swansea penalty till the assistant flagged. Even the media and what should be slightly more objective BBC brush over the incidents, and focus on the bigger picture (title race back on, quadruple back on, with nauseating emphasis). What I am finding more is that providing the result doesn't impact us, I am finding more solidarity with fans outside the top 6. As they know what we feel about constant wave of suspicious decisions from the top down. I definitely feel for those Swansea fans today. Worth caveating that I am a former ref. Until this season I have usually tried to back them up and naturally side with them, as often they are given unfair stick. But something stinks. So not any more. Sent from my CPH1835 using Tapatalk

Don't give any ****s. How exactly did you think this thread would go down?

Make no mistake- VAR will not be the answer. They would not have overturned those decisions because of the colour of the shirt. Anyone in any doubt look at the penalty in the Asia Cup final by another bent ref. That said, real credit to the lads out there. Bertrand looking good (stupid tackle aside), Redmond a real effective outlet who releases pressure at key times. Gunn best game so far. Defence putting a shift in against serious attacking talent. Might as well accept the ref is making sure we dont walk away with the points today. I'm a former ref and so will usually stand up for them...not today. Disgraceful.

Commentators "you need luck in these sort of games". No you need competent officials that aren't ****ing off the big clubs. Even in the palace game earlier felt every 5050 went against them. It wasn't fully clear cut, but we all know if that was Aguero going down that the referee would be pointing to the spot and quickly handing out a yellow Sent from my CPH1835 using Tapatalk

Strange, I don't feel embarrassed? What exactly am I meant to be embarrassed about? I wrote out my arguments clearly even if you disagree, though quite a few seem to agree with me. Perhaps it is you who should be embarrassed by writing a reasonably aggressive response while barely articulating why the response lacks 'a total understanding of footballing knowledge'. Even Puel himself must have realised he made an error by ripping up our style of play by changing from the diamond back to the 4231 later on in the season. Unfortunately I do not feel he really knew how to implement it effectively and much of the mentality of the players was still to move it sideways and moving the ball to reduce risk of losing it rather than to score goals. I do think Puel is a much better manager than the two we have had. More than happy to admit that. fwiw I was upset with Koeman missing the opportunity in his season competing in Europa, particularly furious with Wanyama, but more than made up for it by qualifying again, achieving a 6th place finish and playing some good football mostly along the way.

I will never forgive Puel for how he treated our Europa Cup campaign. He treated it as though it was normal for us to be in a European competition- maybe because he personally was used to it. That treats the club and fans with utter disrespect. We were never going to be qualifying for Europe year in year out despite what some of the club may have tried to lead us to believe. We were always going to fall down to our usual level, as we have done so, and it may be over a decade again till we are back in the competition. With an Inter side on its knees we should have qualified, going on a decent European cup run that would still be etched in our memories rather than us all reflecting back with resentment. Yes we didn't have a god damn right to qualify, and had we given everything out on the pitch and gone out I could have lived with it and moved on. I'm sure we all can. When it really comes down to it I don't think many of us are that unrealistic- all clubs have a few fans that dip towards the deluded side of the scale. But we didn't. He butchered a rare and valuable moment for us. He also had the arrogance to rip apart a system that had worked for our players in finishing 6th. A genuinely good manager will tinker with what they have got and seek to improve it, especially if the team is on an upwards curve. FFS we had just come out of a season with Ranieri winning the league doing just that! He didn't have to look far for inspiration. Yes we lost Mane and Pelle, big losses of course. But let's not forget the rest of the team were used to playing in a certain way that delivered results. Again a good manager would have found a way to absorb those losses without impacting so many of the other players. Most of the players dropped in confidence, some still have not recovered. And the final straw was those final 10 games. There was abit of good will, me included, after that cup final that he could have built a bit of momentum. With no fear of relegation he could have let the hand break off and let the players express themselves. I'll tell you know if we had finished 12th but were playing free flowing football he would not have got sacked. Instead it got worse, boring, dull unadventurous football. St Marys lost its formidable vibe, heck we couldn't score let alone win. This still plagues us. Effectively in one season he lost two opportunities to build on existing momentum and squandered both of them. That is when you know you don't have a manager who can take you further, and if he had stayed we would have dropped a little further, and a little further. Not as badly as we have done perhaps, but that is more of a reflection of other appointments. As for a new manager- absolutely. With the exception of Burnley, most of the teams that have over achieved the last few years tend to play high intensity, organised pressing football, recognised ours dropped off a bit with Koeman but was still definitely present. Puel, Pellegrino and Hughes- common denominator beyond all being **** is that none of them do this.

I'm not going to post anything more on the matter. And I am glad that some people have learnt something which in its way means the flag has done its job. I do wonder how many people upset by the club doing something like this are also going to throw the accusation that it is everyone else that overreacts and need to harden up and get over it? But their minds aren't going to be changed. By the value that this debate even needs to be had, over a flag for a day, shows that in football there is still quite some way for trans people to go which is sad.

I think the laughable thing is that you and Hydo and proclaiming that I am speaking on behalf of all trans people when I have never claimed that. Honestly it is great that your friend feels accepted. Genuinely. And great that you have accepted him for who he is. And of course, mixing up names and pronouns is fine and part of the learning process if there already exists a general level of acceptance. But do not pretend it is the same for all trans people. I have listed the stats that show progress if anything is going backwards which is sad, and therefore proactive steps needs to be done to counter it. If anyone wants to privide anything more than just anecdotal evidence that things are progressing positively then i will be happy to read it and understand it. But this is all very relevant for football. I'm not going to say I speak for all trans people and have never claimed that. But it does impact some. And for the general struggles and violence against trans people there are much better articulate sources than me. But in a football context- people must remember that anyone can be transgender regardless of their race or class (obvious I know but some may need it pointed out). And for most of us, we all fell in love with football at a very young age, long before we really knew who we are. In fact, football and your club must be one of the earliest badges of identity. The usual case is that someone in the family (often dad or grandad) takes you to a few games and you fall in love with the game and choose your club. And so you keep going. But it must be really hard for some people that as they begin to find out more about themselves, that they lose acceptance in the one place they were previously accepted, as some will feel, like my sister but she is hardly alone. Especially when they are often struggling for full acceptance in a world that is closing down against minorities. And with my sister, going to matches, it opened my eyes to just some of the small little things that people say that can make you feel uncomfortable. It's like death by a thousand cuts. I was at a game (with a friend not my sister) and the person behind me, big muscular guy, screamed something about tackling like a pooof, and spat on the ground in disgust. Now there is nothing about that comment that is said in any positive light, purely derogative. I know to some that is such a minor thing. And it is in a way. Because obviously it is not aimed at anyone in the crowd And some will say harden up, stop being a snowflake. But imagine hearing that all the time? Not just that example, there are far more, some worse, some better. But when you are already questioning your acceptance in society, or worse, your society becoming a less and less safe place (as statistically shown). And rather than suggest that maybe people should be considerate of those that might be around them, some people want the minority group to get over it. But would that person say the same thing if they knew that someone who is trans was standing next to them? If the answer is no then it probably means it shouldn't be said right? So I am still wondering why anyone would have an issue with this. As said it may not impact all trans people, but it will impact some life-long saints fans. We often pride ourselves of being a community, family club. This is looking out for our own, and whilst it is done in a small way and there is lots more to be done, if it says to any trans saints fan that St Mary's respects trans people, then what is the issue?

Thank you. I fear I am wasting my time as well!

It is an action that can do some help and good for some people in our community, while doing no harm to others. I just don't even know why this is a debate...And yes Hypo I agree more can be done. But if we can't even do a basic thing like this without some people up in arms then that makes it more difficult

I responded to your original posts, not your edited posts where I am happy to concede you are used a more gentle tone, clearly you felt that you had failed to articulate or explain yourself which is fair enough. And I will thank you for at least doing that which you did not have to. But still on this thread you have sarcastically mocked the day, compared it to world toilet day, and seemingly the only argument you have is that you have personally not seen example of issues to transgender people in football, which I actually countered in my first post before you even had a chance to bring it up because I knew you would. So when you say I jumped to inferences of bigotry, it's because there were inferences of bigotry. I'm sorry you have taken offence to be insinuating about lying about having gay friends who don't like the LGBT movement, I shouldn't question that. I would like to note that this " because I suggested there were more effective things the club could do than waving a flag." is clearly rubbish. You had ample opportunity to do this before I responded for the first time. You only made one suggestion, after my original post was made when trying to defend why it shouldn't be flagged. If you had been a bit more proactive with suggestions, then there would be no need to insinuate bigotry, but until that point all you had done is effectively mock. I think the most frustrating thing here is that you seem to talk on transgender behalf despite, by your own admission, having very little links to transgender people. I have given you the stats about rising violence against transgender people, all you have given my is anecdotal evidence based on non existent trans people that you don't know. I see if your next response you claim that the public must have a good idea of these issues. This is not evidence and the stats and stories firmly suggest otherwise. I am more than happy to debate these issues. But base it on logic, stats, legitimate reasoning and well thought out processes. Otherwise how else can someone not infer some level of bigotry if you are going to dismiss the idea of a flag being raised without any solid reasoning behind you?

Many gay people also enjoy the solidarity of a common group that represents many different minorities that collectively raise a greater voice. But if they don't want to identify as LGBT that is okay as well, no one is forcing them. I've got a feeling though you are making this up slightly as what you say doesn't add up with the actions the community does. It is all about celebrity the individual and the individual voices within them. There are many different voices and opinions within the community and do not pretend to have one collective voice. Do not let a couple of loud people on social media speak for a community. For example I would hate people to think that the loudest here represent Saints fans. Your argument about the mental health charity shows roughly where you stand on this issue. Why not focus on the cause of why many suffer from mental health issues which is acceptance from society. But you are treating it as a mental health issue. I bet you would still have an issue as it would be wasted on a 'minority' of people. So what is your actual problem? You seem angry at the term LGBT. I may even use LGBTQIA+ just to wind you up. My sister is trans by the way in case you wanted to know why I am so vested. She grew up with me playing football and loving the sport. Got to a decent level here in Australia as well. Had a season ticket to see our local team the Western Sydney Wanderers. Arsenal fan sadly which made the 03 Cup Final doubly difficult. She doesn't go to matches anymore though. She's pretty tough skinned as well. But it was too difficult. We went to the UK as well. Same issues. She loves going to matches and roaring behind her team, one of the few Arsenal fans that does I reckon. She recently started taking up playing again after a number of years out of the game. Had to join a league that specifically welcomed her. These are all issues a significant minority of people face. And it effects our club. So again what is your ****ing problem

It is transgender day of remembrance. By acknowledging the day they are not stealing its ultimate purpose as it is linked to wider movement. But by flying it they send a positive signal to the transgender community. I don't understand what is so difficult to support about that? If you are against why not try and debate my post properly then throwing in false arguments about representative on the field (which i referred to as wider LGBT community anyway)

I think some people are missing the point by saying things like why don't we commemorate people who have died by a bee sting. No Saints fan has died from a sting as far as I am aware, but some of our fanbase will be transgender and some part of the wider LGBT community. Despite the fact that some people will say that everything is fine and there are no issues in football or the stadium for people in this community, the fact is there are. Even scrolling down this thread you can see loosely harmful language like 'trannies' which shows a distinct lack of awareness of who transgender people are. Do you feel this is creating a welcoming atmosphere from people from all works of life? That is why there is no day to commemorate the middle aged beer drinking man, because everything about match day and football in general has been made to make him feel welcome (acknowledging the **** poor quality of the beer though). The LGBT community is also severely underrepresented on the field. Some will also quit grassroots football because of the lack of awareness from teammates, coaches and ultimately failing to fit in with dominant football culture. Some are still hiding in the closet. Do you think it is just a coincidence that there are no openly gay footballers in England? Last week Gareth Thomas was beaten up in a hate crime. Yes a six foot, three inches tall sportsman with massive biceps. That is why. And it is a problem even though some will try and bury the issue. Some want some statistics so here they are. Crime against LGBT people in this country is going up. Specific to the trans community a study last year showed: - One in eight trans employees (12 per cent) have been physically attacked by a colleague or customer in the last year - Half of trans people (51 per cent) have hidden their identity at work for fear of discrimination - A quarter of trans people (25 per cent) have experienced homelessness These are issues that will impacts our fan base! That is why it is good to raise the flag and why it is relevant to our club! If our club want to fly a flag and let transgender people know they are acknowledged and welcome at St Mary's, then I support that, and is an easy thing for other people to support as well.

Just to be clear. Is this how we are meant to play for the rest of the game? If so what exactly is Hughes expecting to happen? Sent from my CPH1835 using Tapatalk