Minty

45 off 16 for Stevens, but not good enough support. Well done Hants.

So, another Twenty20 today, and despite the weather, game is well and truly on... Reduced to just 5 overs a side, Kent won the toss and put us in, and although we only got 9 off the bat in the first two overs, the last 3 yielded 67! 78-1 off our 5 overs, Lumb, the one wicket, 35 off 11 balls. Adams 33 off 15, Vince 6 off 4. Kent just starting their reply.

It's all about evidence. If you're good at something, demonstrate how/why. Give examples. Anyone can say they're good at something, but I would want to see how you've shown that in the past. And not necessarily in a work environment. I've taken on many good members of staff because they have done voluntary work or other things outside of work which demonstrated their skills or hard work.

Only if they also tell you their entire incomings and outgoings and everything else they choose to spend their money on... how else can you judge their opinion about whether something is expensive to them or not? And even then, your opinion about what is worth spending money on will be completely different. Actually, let me amend that. Of course, everyone can comment on others' spending habits, but no one can make judgements about what is right or wrong for that individual.

Hey, I was just clarifying The9's argument, not really presenting anything of my own. I agree, but equally none of us can actually comment on any other fans situation because we are not them. Individuals simply have to be honest with themselves about their money, what they spend it on, what they can save, where the rest of it goes etc and be comfortable with their own decisions. I am a big Saints fan (of course) but I decided some years ago that I would only buy a ST if I won the lottery or similar... it just doesn't feature on my priority lists. For others it is the first thing they look to spend their money on. Each to their own. Absolutely. But equally, just to play devils advocate one final time, they should be open to feedback and constructive criticism where fans feel it is justified.

I can, yes. I just don't want to.

This too. I've spoken to some people before who've not got an interview who said 'But I was going to tell you that at interview'... well, sorry, but if it's not on your cv and it's important, and I can't read minds yet, then how was I supposed to know?!

This. I want to see the key information upfront, HOWEVER, if it is there, I will skim read the rest of the cv, even if it is 3 or 4 pages, sometimes reading the whole thing. It is usually clear very quickly if someone has put effort into personalising their cv for the role they are applying for, and if they put the effort in to prepare their cv, I put the effort in to read it. But the first page or two get me interested. On the flip side, poor spelling and grammar are instant turn-offs, as are 'fancy' graphics or attempts to stand out that are out of place. I'm not in IT, so there will be specific things they look for, but I would summarise it as: Get my attention with what I want to read, and then I'll have a look at the rest to see what might make you different.

The specific example he has given is that the debt was to pay for last years ST, for which there was no warning of the instalment plan being revoked, ergo 'the clubs fault'. Ultimately of course, you are correct, everyone's personal financial matters are their own responsibility, but the club potentially created a situation last year that encouraged people perhaps to take on additional debt (structured or unstructured) which some are still paying off. Also, that is The9's personal situation and everyone else will be different... some better, some worse.

A lot of second-guessing going on, naturally, after the announcement. I am 100% certain the club have quite clear intentions behind the decisions they've taken, but I just can't quite work out what they are! It'd be nice to know, but we probably never will, but if a few decent signings happen, I would imagine quite a few people will quickly move on and just bite the bullet.

His point is not necessarily how much... just that he would have expected people to have saved something up, in anticipation. Of course, a 65% rise is a lot more than anyone would predict, and therefore have saved for, but that's not his point.

We all earn different amounts, we all have different liabilities, mortgages, loans, families to support (or not)... the only person who can decide if an increase is severe is the person who has to pay for it. To some, £100 increase is not too bad for something that is a key part of their lives and they have disposable income, to others £20 is too much when they're on a tight budget.

Better to post the full size image I would've thought:

I agree mate, hence I said 'on that evidence, it was right to have concerns'... but then it depends on whether people form their opinions on the tiny amount they've seen, or whether they're more open minded. Like us.

No, if anything, based on some of the reactions at the time, it was much WORSE. 'We're paying £2m for someone who is sh!t!!!' etc, etc. A free from Reading (if true) would be far less risk. Simple conclusion: Never write anyone off no matter what pre-conceptions you might have.

He's certainly the best example I can think of... He got slated before and after he was signed, but before playing... all most people could think of was his performance at SMS for Villa when he missed 4 clear cut chances. And fair enough, on that evidence, it's right to have concerns, but NEVER write a player off, especially when they come to your club and you want them to do well. Assuming we always do want new players to do well... sometimes you have to wonder!

The concept of a player having a fixed ability amongst fans is always a chuckle. So many factors can affect a players performance, and there are many examples of players who have been overlooked by one manager at one club, finding a new lease of life at another club, or vice versa, players who just don't do it at a new club after a big move, despite their supposed talent.

His Uncle is a Glasgow Rangers fan actually... ;-)

I've long believed that concessions for 'Seniors', students, etc, should be standardised across the board, and perhaps defined using government definitions that are aligned with state pension/benefit type rules. But private companies can basically do things as they see fit, hence the disparity.

Absolutely. Just like the fans who expected (rightly or wrongly) an instalment plan last year, but didn't get one, there is very little time for those affected to adjust, and that is wrong IMO. Whilst prices may not have been finalised, I think details of this kind of change could've either been released sooner, or a sliding scale introduced to minimise the effect on those between 60 and 65 who now face a larger than expected jump.

I do apologise Turkish. I never realised you all had jobs in Security at SMS...!

On a scale of 0 to 10, I can't get above a 4 for how annoying this late announcement is. Ok so they said 'this evening' and it hasn't happened yet, which is a bit naughty but in the great scheme of things, so what? Not to mention the fact there could be genuine reasons for the delay out of the clubs control. Life is really too short to let this kind of thing wind you up people! Relax!

There will be plenty for people to moan about. Or rather that should say: There will be plenty of people who will find something to moan about. FWIW, the club can and will never please all of the people all of the time... it would be good if that were remembered by fans when they're 'discussing' the details, but doubtless we'll just have the usual 'The club are w@nkers' vs 'You're not happy unless you're moaning' extreme arguments. I set my watch by them.

Might be worth closing this thread and starting a new one with the details in the top post when it is announced... mods?