egg

Regardless of why we're told the players are taking the knee, it's a fact that it's a symbol of an unpleasant political movement. The message doesn't alter that. Football has made the point that it stands for equality. I don't understand why it needs to do it before every game, and using something controversial to do it. It's gone too far and is becoming divisive. End it now.

What are are we to take from that? The variant is getting past the vaccine? Genuine question as I don't know.

O'leary is right on this. What's the point of a vaccine if we can't get on with life. Either it works or it doesn't.

With our budget there'll have to be compromises sadly. If he's a better shot stopper than we have currently, and no worse with his feet, that's an upgrade I'd take. An improvement with his feet would be a bonus.

Whitey, your posts are littered with moans and complaints. If it's not covid and not being able to go here or there, it's your seat at the stadium. You're entitled to an opinion, but I don't sense any gratitude for what you can do, just the focus on what you can't. In saying that I'm getting on with my life it's not "I'm all right Jack", but more of a "we're (most of us) all right Jack". The reality is that most people are getting on with normal lives, and I make no apology for being one of them. If you are offended by a positive outlook in a difficult world, I can't help you with that. I'm quite content that I'll continue to enjoy what I can, even if it's not what I would have done in normal times. There's nothing "nasty" or "selfish" about that. Sure, many people aren't all right, I get that and live in the real world, but that shouldn't stop the vast majority for whom things are OK getting the most out of life and not focusing on the bits that are currently missing.

You're fusing issues Weston. My initial point was to Whitey and his constant whingeing. If he was a pilot or nightclub owner I'd have sympathy for him. The overseas travel industry is a bit fucked, for now, but the personal impact on the masses is that they have to holiday in margate to majorca. Boo fucking boo, get some perspective and be grateful for any holiday. The night time industry is very fucked which is a tragedy for the owners, but for the masses they can and have adjusted. My youngest had to make do with spoons last night but she'd rather have gone clubbing. Guess what, she had a cracking night. Don't conflate the impact on business owners and some staff with the lives of the masses. I can criticise Whitey for whingeing whilst having sympathy for the owners of music venues.

If you need to ask why limited restrictions are still in place its a pointless debate mate.

I fully appreciate where this still impacts. My initial post today was in response to yet another whinge from you. If your life was severely impacted I'd get why you constantly bang the same drum, but from your various posts, it seems that you just can't accept that you're a wee big impacted and just get on with it.

True, it may have been poor scouting. The fees wouldn't have been down to him for sure.

Sounds plausible. I think he's a decent manager, although his transfer dealings have been shite

So overseas travel and the late night time industry? Nightlife and music venues have it hard still, that I agree with. That said, places around here are pleading for staff and some have closed as they can't get enough workers. We could end all regs tomorrow re travel but our rising numbers will mean some countries won't want us. I have clients who supply food on a large scale. They've diversified and done well. Elsewhere, Harvest Fine Foods have pleaded for staff as demand is huge. They are not suffering because of restrictions. Ditto farming. The issue as I understand it is staffing, but if I've missed something regulation based, what have I missed? Back to my point on this, the "lockdown" we have is not a lockdown. The lives of most people is relatively normal. Sure, a couple of industries and related businesses are impacted, but it's the minority.

My pub quiz this week was brilliant. Old fashioned banter, etc. The people who usually stood at the bar together sat at a table together. That issue is a doddle. Can't help with your missus though.

All we can do is be grateful for what we have, and accept that we can't do shit about the situation. I don't see what we have as the new normal. It's the here and now. We will get back to the normal proper, and we can enjoy life in the mean time. I'll have a bbq later with mates, there'll be no masks or flapping, just people enjoying themselves. Sure I had to pop a mask on for the 5 minutes I was in the butchers earlier but that's no hardship. Life goes on, unless you're preoccupied by what you can't do at the moment. I wouldn't want to be in that headspace.

Whitey, theatres can reopen, sporting venues are open, horse racing and weddings are happening. Sure, numbers are limited, but don't kid yourself that life isn't going on normally for the masses. I mean no disrespect, but I'm fed up with whingers focusing on the little bits that they can't do, or can only do in a limited way. Life's what you make it, and I'd rather do and enjoy what I can.

Good post and I get that, but save for those in hospitality who are still affected (although many pubs, hotels and restaurants are desperate for staff), what you're describing is the impact of covid on people's lives, not the impact of the limited restrictions we still have. Those are not restrictive.

Whitey, there is no lockdown. Shops are open, schools, businesses, pubs, restaurants, people are meeting friends and family. Unless you're desperate to boost the economy of a foreign country or go nightclubbing, there ain't a lot different. If anyone says that they're lives are being impacted in any significant way but the limited restrictions we still have, they need to give their head a wobble.

Yours

Still opinion. You'll get the saints tinted spec crowd crowing for JWP, others opining that it'll be a right back for a right back, others who'll say it's an opportunity for a more attack minded player. Personally I think it'll be Lingard or Watkins.

No idea, but I think he will. Let's see. Pointless speculation, and we all have a different opinion.

Lingard or Watkins for me. More creativity / goal threat.

You're a third right. Let's see who comes in.

All this to keep Klopp happy talk is bollox. Southgate isn't picking players for England to cheer a German manager up. He picked TAA as his end of season form was superb. Nobody should have to ask why Trippier is in the squad. He's just one La Liga where he's had a brilliant season.

All that does is defer the problem of replacing him, but with the added problem of replacing him without a transfer fee. Crazy idea. It's a simple sell him or tie him down situation.

He probably got on it in January at 70/1 and is busy planning his retirement in the South of France.

If it wasn't for their odd rivalry, I think he'd have been great for Palace. If Nuno takes that job, and Howe goes to Everton, I can't see where Potter will go to be honest. The only option is Spurs but they want more of a name I'd imagine.