shurlock

Agree - claims that he doesn’t work hard or track back are ignorant, based on a lazy projection or caricature of what ‘luxury’ players do (or don’t do). As you say Boufal’s biggest problem is his understanding of percentages: attempting a bit of magic and losing possession in the final third is harmless; it’s a bigger issue, however, when the supporting fullback has made an overlapping run who you refuse to release, instead losing the ball and leaving acres of space in behind; nor is it wise to try to beat a man in the middle third if you’re outnumbered in that part of the pitch. Whether Boufal would change his game if he had the security of first team place is a more interesting question. I think he would. He is a naturally selfish player (which can be a good thing); but it does mean he can be quite antsy when he comes on as if he has a point to prove or needs to make something happen. It doesn’t help that subs are often asked to manage a game or execute specific instructions which requires a certain level of maturity and discipline. Regardless of talent, some players are better at this than others.

Ironic that you, of all people, are getting on your high horse over this - you’re no stranger to a bit of ‘bantz’.

Why would anyone question the veracity of anything that Glasgow says?

Getting triggered again, pal? Bless your little cotton socks.

What's been published publicly are principles for the upfront gross settlement rather than the complete methodology. But all the internal estimates do appear to take account of the UK's share of assets. And invariably the upfront payment will be bigger than the long-term net bill.

Where did you get this figure - I must say your understading of banking and the capital structure of multilateral financial institutions is incredibly naive, Balders. Do educate yourself and read the following, in particular the comments. https://www.ft.com/content/72e67940-0d7e-11e7-b030-768954394623

This isn't some tinpot transaction to buy a house or some fertiliser. The figure is less important than agreeing the methodology by which to calculate it (e.g. what's included, what's not over what period). Once a methodology is agreed, it'll be relatively easy to derive a figure. The EU has published what it sees as its preferred methodology (though I'm sure more detailed versions exist).

Sorry to hear that - before I saw your edit, I was going to say it was a pretty big deal to marry out in the 1970s, even for families who were politically liberal and only moderately observant. Things have changed somewhat, though in perverse ways. I know a number of people who, today, haven't married out -not because of parental or community pressure but out of choice, out of some kitsch need to express their identity. They basically don't have a religious -let alone spiritual bone in their body yet have become much more observant. Another under-reported phenomenon is the number of professional British Muslim women in their 30s and 40s who are unmarried.

More news doing the rounds this morning: https://www.ft.com/content/ffd4f30e-b80a-11e7-9bfb-4a9c83ffa852 "Theresa May has told MPs she is waiting for the EU to decide what future relationship it wants with the UK" Even on planet Brexitstan where the laws of gravity do not apply, one wonders how this works: May is now expecting the EU to do the heavy lifting and draw up exit plans for the UK? Reports that May has postponed a Cabinet discussion on the UK's future relationship with the EU until after the New Year -such is the division and paralysis at the heart of government- only add to the royal farce and clusterf**k that is emerging. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/oct/23/uk-likely-to-end-up-with-canadian-style-deal-warns-michel-barnier Given the UK's redlines- it looks like the country is on course for a Canada-type deal. Lord P, of course, would be delighted, though he hasn't got a Scooby what such an arrangement would mean for non-tariff barriers, rules of origin requirements and ever-so-important trade in services. Finally Jihadi John (Misselbrook) might be interested to know the latest noises coming out from Liam Fox's magical mystery tourbus. https://www.ft.com/content/80c54f28-b7e2-11e7-9bfb-4a9c83ffa852 A prospective UK-US trade deal, it appears, has hit another stag. With the UK appearing to stand firm on agricultural standards (see Michael Gove's interventions on the subject), allies of Mr Fox are now suggesting that a trade deal for goods might be of "little value" -and that the focus should move to the services sector. However, some civil servants believe this is smoke and mirrors as a UK-US services deal would be extremely difficult to achieve. Per one civil servent: "The EU has had an extraordinary amount of difficulty penetrating*US*services markets in recent years and, frankly, it’s hard to see why*Britain*would do any better.*America*doesn’t want competition from our financial services or our lawyers and accountants". It’s not only the EU that “does” protectionism. Keep believing, suckers.

Where is your wife's mother from? I recall you mentioning in the past that your wife is half-muslim.

So do people expect us to get a result?

8.3/10 That’s better. Takes some skill to be away playing golf everytime we happen to win...

He had two lengthy injuries under Puel, so was never able to get into groove. This year he’s had a full preseason under his belt and looks noticeably stronger.

3/10 Running out of creative juice, shtickmeister?

Don’t think it’s strange at all - I’m of the view that you should generally play your best 11. If you want to change things, give Romeu and Lemina instructions to get forward. Both have it in their locker, even Romeu who used to make some decent forward runs when Wanyama was here. Agree it wasn’t the right game for Long as WBA dropped deep and allowed no space behind. Still without him, we would have been very short of pace - perhaps he should have used his movement in other ways and pulled out wide more as is expected of forwards in a diamond which can suffer from narrowness at times.

Nothing suggests they’re deliberately playing down the clock, though I agree Article 50 which the UK helped draft is structured in a way to make life difficult for the leaving party. They’ve already opened informal, internal discussions about transitional arrangements and a future deal, so will be ready to hit the ground running in December, should the UK make sufficient progress on the divorce bill. Let’s see what happens if the UK makes an offer in the range of €40-60bn, though I get the sense that things will be kept hush hush.

Sounds like he has to be given the ‘Arry treatment.

It’s unclear what May has offered -for instance, whether she has provided a detailed, transparent methodology for calculating what it she views is the UK’s financial obligations. Either way, it shouldn’t be forgotten that it’s the UK that wants to leave the EU. The EU has made its position clear from day one: if the UK thinks it’s unreasonable (which is fair enough), the onus is on it to come up with an offer -and any subsequent counteroffer which the EU will find acceptable. The EU obviously feels it has the leverage to hold out longer for its preferred valuation which is what any stronger party, seeking to maximise its interests, would do in its position. The mistake of the UK has been to delude itself about the strength of its position and misunderstand the nature of the exercise. As Pascal Lamy, former Director General of the WTO, astutely observes, this is not a negotiation; rather it is a process to be managed to minimise harm. Yet the UK still thinks it can buy something or carve out concessions with the money it has to pay.

Much easier when you've been on only a few mins against an opposition that has played nearly 90mins.

The formation let Bertrand attack without Redmond in front of him, though WBA’s best chance came from laziness by Bertrand which played Jrod onside and gave him a one-on-one with the keeper.

Or play Lemina further up the pitch instead of Davis.

Nah it’s Lord Duckhunter. No doubt, he’ll be doubling down on his position and calling this Boufal’s Villa moment in memory of Gaston who supposedly spent four years, dining out on his one good game for us.

Decent first half, poor second half and hardly worked the keeper. One worldie shouldn’t obscure the fact that there are still big issues. Much tougher games to come. Still what a brilliant goal.

Great goal. Singlehandedly changed the game. Get rid? Absolute pony

For the Gashtonettes, is that Boufal’s Villa moment? Great goal.