hypochondriac

Fair play to her. If I had the cash to take all my family to a private island I'd be plastering it all over twitter.

Right so it's a policy that doesn't discriminate on the basis of ethnicity or race (since its open to all young players as long as they start at a club early enough) but one consequence of the policy is that it is hoped that English youngsters will be given more of a chance. How is that in anyway similar to a quota system that mandates discrimination based on race and gender? I'm all for policies that give opportunities so that the best can succeed regardless of gender or sex, these policies are explicit about their discrimination and that's why it's markedly different from the homegrown policies.

Where's the bit about it being a quota based on race?

Homegrown player requirements having nothing whatsoever to do with race.

My interest is in my opposition to diversity quotas and to hiring practices that discriminate based on skin colour and gender. I'd have the same volume of posts and the same vocal opposition if there were a quota system for white English people or any ethnic discrimination because it is an ideology I strongly disagree with. What you can't seem to understand is that it's the principle I disagree with and not the ethnicity of the people involved which is an irrelevance in this matter. I don't remember precisely what I said with regards to Soccer Saturday but I expect I was speculating on the fact that other people in broadcasting organisations had been let go in the past and replaced by a more diverse lineup. You are correct that there may be a number of factors involved but if the presenters were replaced (as was speculated at the time) with a more diverse cast of characters then the suspicion would be in the current climate that it was done at least in for political reasons. I really don't care that much though as I don't really watch soccer Saturday anyway and it's certainly not evidence of me having a "problem with minorities."

Could you imagine if it were Burnley!

"people like me" what an unpleasant comment and please don't pretend to know what position I've advocated for unless I've told you. I don't support discrimination in hiring practices and I would never be "crying about discrimination of white males" largely because I very much dislike the term and I wouldn't be advocating solely for one racial group because I consider that in itself to be racist. The Premier league are literally advocating for a quota system where certain hires will be a box ticking exercise and where positions will be decided not solely on competence but on your racial makeup or gender. No idea what you're talking about with the second part of your post. If you'd like to provide a link to whatever you're talking about then I can possibly provide some context because I expect the situation is not how you are characterising it.

Still interested to hear if you think he did anything that you thought was positive.

Indeed and it's offensive to suggest that the only reason you'd be against a quota system is because you are racist. I'm confident we can prove beyond doubt that SFC is not a racist club and that skin colour is not a barrier to success at our club as you already pointed out, but now we have IQ challenged morons like Mings suggesting there may be a boycott of our club from black players because we won't put our name to his ridiculous initiative. Fuck him.

If we don't proudly fly the trans flag with the club crest on it this year then I'm throwing my rainbow saints scarf in the bin in disgust.

It really is disgusting. Southampton are the only team who want to step back for a second and discuss the implications of what in reality are seismic changes to how they conduct their business rather than being nodding dogs and just getting it through and the implication is that they are racist in some way. Bludgeoning through diversity hires and quotas and then criticising those who don't immediately give it wholehearted approval is no way to go about things. All this is going to do is cause resentment and mistrust and will imo lead to further division along racial lines and yet more interminable conversations about the shade of someone's skin and our differences.

Here's a question for those who dislike Trump. As the Trump presidency likely draws to a close, do you think there have been any positives about his presidency? I'd have to say that one major positive is shunning any extra wars. There were dire predictions about nuclear war and he's done pretty well on that score. I'd be interested to hear from those who really dislike him, is there any policy or political move that you agree with or that you think has been positive?

Does your workplace have mandated diversity quotas where a percentage of the workforce are not necessarily in their position because they are the best candidate for the job? If not then you'd have no reason to think a minority has the job because of a box ticking exercise which is entirely my point.

A pathetic piece of virtue signalling rubbish but they've been pushing for this hard for years so it's not a surprise that they've managed to crowbar it in during the current climate. The people to feel sorry for are those minorities who are really talented who would have been hired anyway who will now be viewed as a diversity hire to tick a box and their contribution devalued as a result.

Surely the beauty of football is that anyone can reach the top table even if its quite unlikely? How amazing was it to see leicester win the league or play champions league? Or Wigan winning the cup? Or Blackpool or even Bompey in the prem? Making the league or Europe a virtual closed shop would just kill any neutral enjoyment for me.

I think we've already established I'm not the go to guy for announcement predictions.

What I was told is that the period of exclusivity expires this week so its now or never.

I'm told he's signed now which is great news. Last year I think we were resigned to him going elsewhere.

I think we will hear something this week or not at all. I'm leaning towards DaGrosa being a bit of a chancer (shocking I know!)

Alongside the young players looking to use us as a stepping stone he's exactly the type of player we should be looking to sign. Kwp, Bertrand, romeu, Theo and ings have all had a taste of bigger clubs and it didn't work out for one reason or another (maybe not the same with Theo but you get the point). All have come and proven their worth here and have probably all stayed longer at a club where there's less expectation and maybe a bit less pressure and more support.

Is that comment really necessary? Why can't you just comment on the game rather than having pops at people's politics? Nasty and unnecessary.

TBF that was mentioned weeks ago.

Mods - Can you remove the posts that appear to be written by young children whining about bullying on a Web forum? Thanks.

I'm not denying that's the case I'm just saying it's a shame he has never had more than a handful of games to show either way.

But I think three of those managers were largely crap and I'm not sure I'd trust their judgement about player abilities. I don't know how much Ralph would have seen of him.