hypochondriac

I agree. My point is not to make some sort of comparison with the conservative government because this government should be judged on their own terms. If anything they should be held to a higher standard given everything they've said previously. Even though I have a rather low opinion of labour, I did genuinely think they would be beginning their regime without even a whiff of impropriety given how much controversy the Tories got mired in. Keir is clearly an intelligent chap so he's not naive. He knows how things like this and other smaller controversies will play out and how overall lower level events will combine to change the perception of his party in the minds of the public. Labour in my opinion were elected largely because people were absolutely sick of the conservatives and felt that a change was required, not because there was any particular love of Starmer or his party. That being the case, you'd think this would be their big chance to prove to the country that they can be a party that people feel happy and inspired to vote for. Yes there's a very long way to go but so far the main takeaways for the average voter who doesn't follow politics much is screwing over grannys and taking big money for himself to afford tickets for Arsenal. They better have something inspiring to come out of the budget because if it's just whacking up taxes on everyone and screwing over the middle class (taxes on the increase in the value of your home for example) then Keir and his parties popularity is only going to get lower.

Isn't it the case that he only declared it all after the newspaper came to him with the allegations-hence the potential investigation into the clothing bought for him and his wife?

And the kudos from being a former prime minister means you're effectively set for the rest of your life. Absurd to point to the salary as if that's likely to ever put anyone off.

If the job of prime minister was so terrible and didn't come with significant perks over and above the base salary, you wouldn't have loads of MPs fighting for the job.

The difference is that Ferguson had the luxury of choosing almost whoever he wanted for his team. Our potential alternative to knock picking ABK is possibly starting someone like wood in a Premier league game at some point which is surely motivation enough to try to mend any fences here.

Even if we are charitable and accept entirely what you say, it's not a good look is it for someone who partially gained power by being different to the sleaze that had gone before. You'd think that a leader looking to be whiter than white and removing the corruption would have understood how this would look and wouldn't be doing it.

For want of the word disproportionate, the remaining shred of dignity for sadoldgit was lost?

You could argue it's antisemitic to hold Israel to an absurd standard during war whereby even an operation like this which is possibly the most efficient operation in the history of warfare is criticised because of a handful of civilian casualties. As if any operation during wartime ever hasn't resulted in something like that.

Ever heard of horseshoe theory?

Well keeping it behind closed doors seemingly hasn't moved the needle. Not much to lose from his perspective I would imagine.

Clearly made some enemies already.

Ingenious way of destroying the next generation of terrorist.

Depends what you believe doesn't it.

Armel Bella-Kotchap: “The last few weeks have been turbulent and unpredictable, but I‘m 100% fit both physically and mentally. I‘m just waiting for my chance, and I‘ll lead with my performance on the field when the time is ready.” #saintsfc @FabrizioRomano Probably not for this game but give the boy a chance.

Still early days but this feels like it may define our season. If we manage to win it we are up and running and everyone feels good. Draw or lose though and we will continue to talk about record low points totals and embarrassment.

Guaranteed he will pop up on another topic after a short break pretending that nothing has happened.

He claims not to listen to anything but he must be really frustrated the longer it goes on without any points. It's pretty embarrassing and if it ends up being a big failure may make him question his whole philosophy.

It's the manager reverting to the players he knows presumably.

Martin on Armel Bella-Kotchap not featuring tonight: “I'm paid to do the best job I can for Southampton Football Club. And if it doesn't go very well I will lose my job. So I then pick a team that I think is best to win.”

Who would you play in place of bednarek?

Interesting that Martin mentioned the possibility of losing his job tonight. I reckon he's aware of some of the pressure.

It's a good point but you could maybe bring him on at half time maybe.

They're our best three attacking players for me. We still don't have a proper striker up top but it would give us a much better chance of success. Replace lallana with Fraser after 45 minutes and Dibling with Cornet after 60.

I wonder if it would be too adventurous to play Fernandes, Lallana and Dibling together. Ramsdale Sugawara Bednarek THB kwp Downes lesley Dibling Fernandes Lallana Archer/bbd/Stewart

I know we know this but Dibling is just brilliant. I really want him and Lallana on the pitch together in a league game