Jimmy_D

I'm aware of the atrocities Russia have committed in their past. I'm wondering why you seem to be implying that that's a reason to go easier on them.

In what universe is invading a democratic country, and then using thermobaric and cluster weapons against civilians 'light touch'?

Enforcing a no-fly zone is an escalation of conflict. It’d make any entity enforcing that no-fly zone a valid target, especially in the eyes of Putin, and as we’ve seen, he doesn’t care about civilian casualties. That’s a huge ask for any leader to endanger their people like that. On the other hand, everyone wishes more were being done to help Ukraine, each day it’s getting worse there. Beyond that, we don’t know what diplomatic information might be influencing that decision. For example, how likely is it that direct military action against Russia could draw China in? Right now NATO’s stance at least has the benefit of diplomatically isolating Russia. As much as Putin would like to claim NATO are the instigators by claiming that supplying weapons and enforcing sanctions are acts of war against Russia, Putin has so far failed to find much support for that view, and he has few allies that think any of his actions are justified. Even China abstained from the UN vote to censure Russia, rather than vote against it as they normally would. I think as much as the level of unity and level of sanctions quickly imposed have probably taken a few off guard, the level of restraint from NATO probably has as well. Putin has been forced to keep escalating unilaterally, and that’s further isolating him. The consequences of providing more direct military support are uncertain at best, put me firmly in the “glad that’s not my decision” camp.

So you think Ukraine was wrong to pivot towards the West because it should have foreseen that it would make Russia commit war crimes against them?

Run was going to come to an end at some point, and it’s been a bloody good run. Didn’t think it’d be today though, and certainly not like that. Ah well, time to dig out Adkins’ pen and put a line under it.

You’re the one that started comparing to fighting back then. Finland would still be a far tougher prospect than Ukraine now, considering the terrain, the armed populace, forces being split between Ukraine and Finland, and the lack of access to borders Russia has to Finland compared to Ukraine. Add in that a further invasion would turn even more of the world against Russia, and it seems unlikely Putin would consider it viable any time soon. He’s struggling enough with Ukraine already.

To be fair we’re one of Villa’s biggest bogey teams. Unfortunately... just not today.

If you want to go back to that time, you don’t need to compare with those countries, you can just look at the actual Russian invasion of Finland. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_War

Never easy after conceding early, feels like we’re not quite at it. Need something special 2nd half, we’re capable of it so let’s see which Saints we see...

If Russia have had logistical problems in Ukraine, that’s nothing compared to what they’d face in Finland, never mind the level of gun ownership in Finland, and the level of attrition they’ll be facing from taking and trying to hold Ukraine at the same time.

Just saw that myself, I've no idea how they got out of that, must have been terrifying.

Very sad, and very shocking, it’ll take a while for this news to sink in RIP

Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant has been under attack by Russian shelling, and has a reactor on fire that, although currently inoperable due to renovations, does contain nuclear fuel. Feels kind of surreal to be typing that.

Ah, that’s that then.

You’ll have to paint it red and white while you’re out there

Boreham Wood’s luck definitely ran dry there... or not? VAR looking at handball... and it is!

If it really was fixed, they’d have avoided giving City an away fixture against Saints at the moment.

At least we’ve taken the last chance to face them at St Mary’s, instead of most likely having to face them at Wembley. Always a long shot but probably not the worst outcome in terms of overall chance of lifting the Cup.

Speculation increasing that Russia are preparing to impose martial law and close the borders imminently. Sounds like the protests there are starting to grow too big to ignore maybe?

The draws are almost certainly fair, just due to the number of different people that do the draws, but I’d still be interested in seeing an infra-red camera feed of the draws

Initial reports indicating it’s probably due to weather. Sounds like Romanian Migs haven’t had the best reliability record, but hard to imagine the timing could be worse.

Gerrin!!! Quarter final!

That’ll do it!!! What a goal!

A bit more sloppy at times than the first team, lucky to get away with a couple of chances, but good to see us recognisably playing like Southampton. What an utterly fantastic goal that was too!

If we go on to win the cup, our highlight reel is going to be ****ing fantastic!