CHAPEL END CHARLIE

I saw the (rather good) Mat Damon star in the (not very good) movie 'Elysium' the other day. Just like every other big budget Sci Fi film I've seen recently it took the germ of a decent idea - Humanity divided into a pampered elite minority living in orbital space stations and a impoverished earthbound majority in this case - added some truly impressive special effects to the mix before proceeding to ruin it all with excessive amounts of unnecessary Terminatoresque violence. Science Fiction should not be reduced to a mere setting for action films as is so often the case now. But it's are fault of course, for as long as fans like us continue to pay good money to see mediocre films like this, then Hollywood will continue to churn them out I suppose. I hope I'm not alone however in finding the ridiculously pat and utterly unbelievable 'happy ever after' conclusion surgically grafted on to the arse end this movie to have stretched creditability far beyond any reasonable limit. If this type of swill was intended to make me 'feel good' after the heroic sacrifice of Mat Damon (as I suspect it was) then I can only say it had quite the opposite effect on this viewer. 4/10 Compared to how wonderfully innovative and unexpected the best of todays TV now is, cinema by comparison seems in grave danger of falling into a decline it may never recover from. .

Yes this forum can be repetitive, but that surely just reflects the repetitive nature of life itself. For instance back in my youth I took a (very) keen interest in politics and daily news events etc because it was all relatively new to me back then. Now with time having taken its inevitable toll on both body and mind, I have come to understand that most news stories, or political squabbles for that matter, are often merely the latest variation on a all-too-familiar theme. So if reading a football forum leaves you feeling somewhat jaded then join the club my friend, I suspect that many of the arguments this place generates are just a attempt to relieve the monotony sometimes.

I've just heard on the radio the US Secretary of State John Kerry describe France (of all countries) as America's quote: 'Oldest Ally' unquote. Now only a passing acquaintance with the history of the US Revolutionary War is needed to show that that is technically a perfectly accurate description of course, but surely we need not read to closely 'between the lines' to see the true target of that cutting remark. I strongly suspect that neither Downing Street, the Foreign Office, or the Ministry of Defence for that matter will be especially happy workplaces tonight. Make no mistake, our reputation in the US has been damaged by this vote. One consequence of that is that the next time we go to the US asking for their help with something we might not receive quite the same level of friendly cooperation we might have just yesterday. But Great Britain ultimately cannot and should not be the de facto 51st State of the US. The proper duty of our Government and Parliament must be to reflect the views of the people who elected it and pursue a course of action that it feels (rightly or wrongly) is in our national interest. It seems to me that the shared history and similarity of world view that forms the foundation of the alliance between the two great English speaking nations of the world still remains. So I have little doubt that the damage done will be patched over (not for the first time by the way) and something like normal transatlantic relations will soon be resumed. The repaired relationship may not be quite as 'special' as it once was however.

We haven't had a referendum on the question that is true, but modern poling methodology represents a sophisticated and generally reliable 'snapshot' of public opinion in this country. I don't think there is much grounds to doubt that Parliament did indeed reflect the will of the majority last night. But I agree, this is not a simple black/white issue - questions like this seldom are. Good point about 1939, but given the number of times I have been found guilty of breaking 'Godwin's Law' on here I better leave that one alone methinks.

Well both the will of the British people and the Parliament that represents them have spoken and the PM has been forced to listen. This is as clear an example of democracy in action as you could want to see. For what's it's worth I thought the manner in which David Cameron accepted this heavy blow to his authority and reputation in the house last night displayed a degree of dignity that did him credit. He is now however 'damaged goods'. This decision represents the most serious break with the US since Harold Wilson resisted pressure for us to join in the Vietnam conflict, or even the humiliation of Suez perhaps. As a amateur historian I'm sure there must be other examples of a true cross party movement in Parliament preventing the Government of the day from going to war, but I can't quite think of when that would be right now. There are plenty of reasons why this decision is probably a wise one. But before we congratulate ourselves too much let's remember that the common people of Syria aren't so fortunate as to live in a country where their opinions are represented or indeed count for anything.

Oh Putin is pursuing what he sees as Russia's own narrow interest in a ruthless and rather Soviet-like fashion, just as you might expect him to behave considering his Soviet era roots. I don't blame him for that, and neither would I claim for one moment that he is alone in engaging in that 'old school' style power politics either. But I can't say that I personally happen to find that a particularly pretty sight in this day and age. As for the resurgence of Russia as a true force in the world before very long methinks you might be right. The (long suppressed) potential of that great nation must resurface one day I suppose, possibly in a not too dissimilar manner to China's emergence from a 'basket case' economy to world superpower status in just a single generation. They certainly have the both the natural resources and the educated workforce required to make a go of it. We can only hope that with (now democratic) Russia's potential resurgence the old ideological based East-West conflict of the past doesn't also recur. If I may engage in a spot of national stereotyping for once, history shows that the Russian people are a serious minded and tough lot in the main, quite capable of tolerating prodigious amounts of hard work and enduring great hardships if need be. Qualities that may see them do well in the future.

Oh I shouldn't be choosing Vladimir Putin as a prime example of moral probity if I was you - one suspects you don't get to be a Lt Colonel in the old KGB without getting your hands dirty.

But, playing 'Devils Advocate' here, perhaps Redknapp was right because where are all those Mansfield game youngsters now? Playing in the lower leagues or back working for a living somewhere I suspect.

Someone once said that a week was 'a long time in politics' - it seems a day can be too. The reasons for last nights dramatic and some what humiliating retreat by the Government seem clear enough. With his coalition partners, the official opposition, and even many of his own MP's against him the whips must have told the PM that he was in grave danger of losing the vote he had called for. This news would not have gone down well in Downing Street, or in the White House one suspects. Now in our system the PM does not constitutionally require the support of the House to initiate military action, but in reality to press ahead against that level of opposition in the current climate and we would today have been talking about 'regime change' not just in Damascus, but in London too. So over to the UN weapon inspectors at the scene of the crime then - a body of men (I understand) specifically not permitted to assign responsibility for a chemical weapon attack, even if they unearth any evidence of one. This one ain't over yet.

A top bit of flanneling this:

Also it's best to avoid jokes about the roads being lined with trees to allow the German Army to march in the shade.

It's a good post, and he's right of course when he says that we play so many youngsters not because we need to, but rather because we want to. An astute observation that ... well for a skate anyway.

The real reason we are contemplating taking military action against the vile Assad regime in Syria has little to do with any Human Rights concerns - although let's face it those concerns are genuine enough. The real justification behind this coming war also has nothing to do with some conspiratorial desire of David Cameron to topple Assad or conquer Iran either - I doubt he could care less frankly. For that matter the logic of going to war over chemical weapons makes no bloody sense because how you kill someone is surely a secondary consideration to the fact that you have just killed them. Bayonet, Kalashnikov round, 155mm artillery shell, or nerve gas canister - it's all the bloody same ultimately is it not? No, the real reason we are on the verge of war again is because this Prime Minister - just like Tony Blair and nearly all their predecessors since Churchill - must seek to maintain the principle long term strategy of British foreign policy come what may. That policy is of course that we must continue our strategic alliance with the USA above all other considerations. Once a powerful nation we are now in effect reduced to being the best friend of the biggest boy in the schoolyard. Now some on here might approve of that, some (I'm thinking of you here Pap) will hate that policy with every fibre of your being. But that my friends is the realpolitik of this nations situation as I see it. So what's my opinion on what we should do? For what it's worth I think the situation is so damn complicated, and the possibilities of making a bad situation even worse so high, that the best thing to do might be to do nothing - although that's a easy thing for any of us to to say because we don't carry the heavy burden of office do we? So I say we should sit back and let Assad get on with it, safe in the knowledge that we're doing the right thing .... but the next time I see yet more dead Syrian children paraded in front of my TV screens I'll know somewhere deep down inside that that's not bloody true either. .

Learning how to break down stubborn and well organised teams that are determined to keep ten men behind the ball at all times is one of the most difficult problems in football - as any Man City fan will confirm this morning. As (hopefully) the reputation of our team grows then we may well see even more opposition sides adopt those tactics against us - so we'll have to learn then. But the gist of the article is correct, we did end up lumping long balls into the box v Sunderland far too often, especially during the first half. The good news however is that (atypically for Southampton) two very late goals scored already this season suggests that MP might just have gotten the squad to a level of fitness we have not seen for some time. If you're are fit enough to keep plugging away for 93 minutes and if your squad is 'deep' enough so that you have real quality on the bench too, then - more often than not - the pressure will eventually be rewarded.

A veritable army of insatiable sexbots is just over the horizon intent on luring mankind into a life long orgy of sexual pleasure. Having considered the problem carefully I recommend a policy of unconditional surrender be adopted.

I used to like this player - for some reason I'm not so keen on him anymore.

Your sympathy for my sad plight is much appreciated my friend

1 - What I thought of the Game. From what I managed to see of it of it (see below) I thought we utterly bossed this game and probably deserved to take all the points in truth. But due to a (unacceptable) defensive mix-up at a early corner we went behind and subsequent dogged defending by Sunderland meant we didn't carve out nearly enough clear cut chances in the first half, indeed our play was starting to resemble a dismal Allardyce-like 'long ball' style at times. Nevertheless the quality of our football improved dramatically in the second half and we really can be a impressive and highly entertaining sight to see at times - as we should be given the obvious quality of the squad we have now assembled. I'll happily take 4 points from just two games. For me Victor Wanyama and JWP stood out as being particularly impressive and 'Danny' Osvaldo looks to have more about him than any of our other strikers. Calum Chambers did well enough, but is surely is destined to lose his place once Clyne returns to full fitness. As for the opposition, Sunderland are obviously a hurriedly assembled team that are still in a state of transition. Early days of course, but they need to 'gel' quickly because (on this evidence) they look pretty limited. Methinks De Canio may have a job on his hands keeping them up this season. 2 - Chapel End Charlie's adventures in the first aid room. As is my habit I spend the half time break chatting with my mate down behind the Chapel goal. Unfortunately I made the classic mistake of taking my eye off the substitutes half time shooting practice for a second and a powerful (but typically wayward) Jack Cork effort caught me right in the face! This type of thing is very funny of course - but only when it happens to somebody else. With copious amounts of 'claret' pouring from my battered nose I was soon dispatched to the medical room where I received the prompt and undivided attention of 4 (very conscientious) St John's Ambulance staff. I'm happy to report my nose stopped bleeding after a just few minutes, filling out the inevitable accident paperwork however delayed my return by considerably longer. At least I was back in my seat in time to see Fonte's late equaliser. I really must learn to duck next time.

1 - What I thought of the Game. From what I managed to see of it of it (see below) I thought we utterly bossed this game and probably deserved to take all the points in truth. But due to a (unacceptable) defensive mix-up at a early corner we went behind and subsequent dogged defending by Sunderland meant we didn't carve out nearly enough clear cut chances in the first half, indeed our play was starting to resemble a dismal Allardyce-like 'long ball' style at times. Nevertheless the quality of our football improved dramatically in the second half and we really can be a impressive and highly entertaining sight to see at times - as we should be given the obvious quality of the squad we have now assembled. I'll happily take 4 points from just two games. For me Victor Wanyama and JWP stood out as being particularly impressive and 'Danny' Osvaldo looks to have more about him than any of our other strikers. Calum Chambers did well enough, but is surely is destined to lose his place once Clyne returns to full fitness. As for the opposition, Sunderland are obviously a hurriedly assembled team that are still in a state of transition. Early days of course, but they need to 'gel' quickly because (on this evidence) they look pretty limited. Methinks De Canio may have a job on his hands keeping them up this season. 2 - Chapel End Charlie's adventures in the first aid room. As is my habit I spend the half time break chatting with my mate down behind the Chapel goal. Unfortunately I made the classic mistake of taking my eye off the substitutes half time shooting practice for a second and a powerful (but typically wayward) Jack Cork effort caught me right in the face! This type of thing is very funny of course - but only when it happens to somebody else. With copious amounts of 'claret' pouring from my battered nose I was soon dispatched to the medical room where I received the prompt and undivided attention of four (very conscientious) St John's Ambulance staff. I'm happy to report my nose stopped bleeding after a just few minutes, filling out the inevitable accident paperwork however delayed my return by considerably longer. I hope you will be pleased to read that at least I was back in my seat in time to see Fonte's late equaliser. I really must learn to duck next time ...

The lino's job is a well nigh impossible one in these very tight situations as Humans are just not designed to be capable of simultaneously looking in two different directions. In short the law is a ass. I've only seen the MOTD replay of this incident once, based on that evidence my two pennethworth is that JRod looks essentially in-line with the last defender. Given my understanding of the correct interpretation of the law, the attacker should be given the benefit of the doubt and the goal should therefore have been given.

To be honest about it until today this player had struck me as being a decent enough young prospect, but not really doing enough to impressive himself upon the game and certainly not a player in Luke Shaw's class. However I'm happy to say he (very obviously) did bloody well out there today and I was most impressed with his ability, energy level, and his decision making. Well played young man.

Did we (the west) deliberately create the 'Arab Spring' as a matter of policy Phil, or was it an internal reaction against oppressive undemocratic regimes by their long suffering populations? I must admit this is one question I ask without already holding a set view on what the answer is. Is it possible that the wellspring of revolution emanates not from some cynical western interest trying to 'feather its own nest' in the time honoured manner, but rather this modern age of increasingly sophisticated and educated populations - people let's remember that now also have practically unrestricted access to world media and the Internet - results in the common people of the middle east seeing what others have, wanting a piece of that, and no longer tolerating their traditional lot in life? I see some opinion makers in our press claiming that the middle east is by its very nature not a place where democracy can ever take root. I find it difficult to adaquatly express what a incredibly depressing opinion I find that to be. But I'm writing this from dull and damp Dorset, while you are in deserts of Dubai. So you my friend would very obviously be in a much better position to judge the truth of that than I am!

Pap, you may be surprised to see that I actually agree with you to a degree - history does indeed show that wars are very often started on some manufactured pretext that masks the true motivations behind the conflict. For instance falsified Nazi accounts of Polish troops attacking their border during August 1939 that were in fact prisioners dressed up in Polish Army uniforms. Pearl Harbor on the other hand was a genuine assault on democracy - although even here there are (unproven) claims that there may be more to the matter than is at first apparent. Be that as it may, we need not look back too far into history to remember the sorry tale of the WMD claims that played such a important part in justifying the US/UK invasion of Iraq. A huge lie (or error of judgement if we are to be charitable) that must obviously never be forgotten. In this specific case however I believe the evidence points to the Syrian Government being probably responsible for these appalling incidents. Why would they do so? Well there may be a growing perception in the outside world that the Assad regime is staring to prevail in this vicious civil war and that it is only a matter of time before the opposition collapses. However it may not seem that like that from the 'other side of the hill' as it were. This terrible war has been ongoing for some time now and from the internal regime perspective growing political, military, and financial pressures may mean he is becoming increasingly desperate to end this rebellion quickly - causing him to employ his acknowledged chemical warfare capability. History also shows that civil war polarizes a national like nothing else, therefore something as simple as pure hatred for the opposition may be leading him down this apparently self-destructive WMD path - assuming he is even in control of his own military. Now you are doubtless about to reply that the above is mere speculation - and you'd be right - but as I'm not alone in engaging in that old pastime methinks that my doing the same is in order.

You raise a perfectly fair point Phil, what indeed do we do about this problem? There don't appear to be any good options even on the table at the moment. So pity the poor suffering people of Syria then, because it looks like they are to be left to their fate just like the men and boys of Srebrenica were back in 1995. The utterly deadlocked (and thus impotent UN) is starting to resemble the equally useless League of Nations I'm sorry to say.

Surely securing our first season PL survival meant that the 2012/13 season will remain the 'biggest' in this clubs recent history. We may have finished in a relatively comfortable 14th place, but the truth is for long time our prospects looked pretty bleak - a couple of serious injuries to key players and methinks we would perhaps have been relegated. With 3 expensive (and top quality) reinforcements now signed I'd be extremely disappointed to see us flirt with relegation again this season. Indeed with such a strong squad at MP's disposal I'd be disappointed with anything worse that a 10th place finish.