saint1977

It’s a courageous move - one I’d take, but can’t see English politicians wanting to. Devolved assemblies might have more cojones to do it. Have seen some appalling anti vax disorder recently - protest outside an ambulance station in the Midlands (passing motorists were giving them some pieces of their mind!) Then we had the Guido masks nonsense last weekend in London led by the freak Piers Corbyn. More Facebook misinformation victims out now causing trouble in the West Country - Exeter, trying to attack Jeremy Vine in Torbay where he was speaking. Well done to the residents of Totnes for chasing off a nascent protest there. Fair enough stand there with your placards but when allegedly trying to intimidate the public that’s not on. If they don’t want the vaccine we can’t force it but unfair on those who want it but can’t have it because of other conditions.

Saw St Etienne live just after the 90s, at the time of the Finesterre album so early 2000s I reckon, at the Royal Festival Hall. Only gig I’ve been to where there’s been a friendly stage invasion. Sarah Cracknell brilliant. The album before that, Sound of Water was very very good although the 90s albums are the classic ones - Foxbase Alpha, Tiger Bay and Good Humor. 90s were good, first Saints away games as well although saw some hammerings! Was at University in that era. One group that started in that era was Air and the oddest gig I went to at the Guildhall in the Moon Safari period was theirs. Air was what we needed as a group of teenagers were at the front near the stage smoking some very, very strong and suffocating stuff (it was never my thing as a non smoker, even at Uni. Beer yes, that no). Nobody was dancing, like a large chill house room late on in one of the 90s club nights, and the music was per the album. An experience I guess. Zero Seven good but outside this time period. The Lightning Seeds played a warm up gig at our Uni for 3 Lions. That was pretty amazing. Morcheeba are another 90s band I listened to. Supergrass - went to quite a few of their gigs. They divided our group of friends, some liked them (I did) but to others they were ‘fucking shit’. Someone mentioned Paul Weller - Wild Wood always went on the jukebox if we were in the Parkside Tavern, and Stanley Road great album including After the Sinking which was the Sky Super Sunday music for a while. One of St Etienne’s later tracks has been BBC Final Score for years.

Not looking for Saudi style investment, just not having to sell a key player every year to survive. Not just in the PL but more broadly. Gao wants to sell anyway and needs to - best it happens soon but would prefer a Rakuta to a Da Grosa.

Watched both Blur and Oasis live eg Earls Court 1995, latter good tunes but odd lyrics eg slowly walking down the hall, faster than a cannonball and former slightly twee tunes but a bit more intelligible. Ok Computer fab album by Radiohead but not the cheeriest lyrics, Pulp interesting and witty. Suede weren’t bad. Gene were a decent indie type group. Stone Roses probably pre Britpop, great first time round, bit whiny sounding the second. Verve overrated. I also saw Bluetones in 1997, friends saw them a few years later in Southampton and they opened their set with Barbara Streisand and Woman in Love. How random! I did like some fairly fringe stuff eg Portishead and adding to the Bristol vibe Massive Attack. Primal Scream decent. Diet of commercial house at clubs in the weekend back then which was fun eg buses to Opera House or Tower Park in Poole or Ministry of Sound before Garage came along start of 2000s and you realise the scene has moved on. I used to enjoy jazz on a night out - Ronnie Scott’s or pop over to Belgium to listen to it in the cafes over there.

I like the major tournaments - qualification a waste of time with the very smallest nations barely Conference standard and others League 1/League 2, and the expanded tournament numbers.

I think there’s a middle ground between SKD’s over-optimistic view and this one of Villa’s squad. Buendia and Martinez are the star assets for me, and Buendia is clearly better than Stu, much as I rate Stu. Their midfield is clearly inferior to Saints hence the noise about JWP but they would need more than that. Luiz is decent but they are limited there. Ings is a good short term fix for this season, possibly the next with a fair wind. They won’t get relegated with his dozen goals or so if he is fit enough to play 20-25 games but that’s a big FFP drain into his 30s for 4 years on the spreadsheet for the new manager to work around. Watkins has good raw materials and potential, seen a lot of him earlier in his career but not getting a lot of service. Bailey is showing why the top clubs didn’t buy him. Could turn into a Mane yet but Sadio works a lot harder than that. Cash got run over by KWP and Ely, Villa improved when Bailey went off. They will give the manager money but he needs a striker - you have to be looking at Danny as a squad option past 18 months, 2 starting CMs, a LB (£17m for Targett was a good sale), RB competition and a couple of CBs. Mings is better than he is showing but his distribution would cause much angst on match day threads here. Hause and Konsa have looked clumsy so at least one new starting CB. Won’t get much change out of £125-150m for that lot and unlikely as a net figure without some sales as well, assuming they haven’t spent all the £100m from Grealish.

Thanks for sharing. Getting increasingly likely that Gao will be on his way by the summer, question of who replaces him. The return of the fans and the TV deals holding up post ESL chaos seems to have boosted investor confidence, they probably wondered if the sport would bounce back.

Swansea forum not holding back. I thought getting away from the SE/London lifestyle and social media bubble might help his focus although I wonder if he should have joined Rovers and Mowbray instead, an old school manager who would have gotten him into shape. Russel Martin clearly trying to help the player but sometimes it needs an older head https://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/football/swanseacity/news/56208 https://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/football/swanseacity/forum/278611/michael-obafemi-grow-up-and-start-respecting-our-club/#17 Ralph had pulled him up before on his standards and focus but seemed to improve tail end of last season. Shows you how far standards at the club had fallen before Ralph and Crocker got hold of it. Michael’s lack of application is sadly reflective of the complacent, rudderless and wasteful mentality present throughout all levels post Ronald until recently when you can see improvement again.

I’ll watch it all night, purity of strike was up there with MLT’s equaliser v Newcastle for 2-2 and his opener v Liverpool in Bally’s first game as manager, that was equally early as tonight’s. AA great game overall, Che showed how much all round game he has, held it up, great touch for the goal and a peak Lallana burst where he beat 3 or 4 players first half and set up an attack. KWP and Moi ran riot first half, latter faded a bit. Cash berating Bailey at the total absence of tracking back. I can see why Man U and Bayern didn’t swoop now. I had a feeling we’d fade second half and need to get more clinical. Good professionalism to see it out and Alex only really one save which was decent but straight at him. Still can’t believe Madeley didn’t send El Ghazi off after the dive but somewhat levelled out by Romeu’s tug on Mings which we got away with. El Ghazi was involved in something else that Villa fans fumed about at SMS a couple of years ago, can’t remember what it was. I think he might have held up play with a dying swan routine and not actually made it off the pitch.

Yep. Second yellow offence you can argue he’s bottled it which shouldn’t happen but does. Then it’s either a foul by JWP and a pen or El Ghazi is a fucking diving cheat and a yellow for simulation. No penalty then Andy Madeley so he has to go. That’s where it goes from a mistake to something potentially more dangerous. D’Urso levels of incompetence and banished to League 2 for a month - best case scenario. I know it was the Itchen and Chapel corner but the fans were too passive there which lets the referee off.

Sad but true. This government is the worst in living memory for sleaze, Truss’s links on the masks debacle was just as bad really. New Labour got bad in the middle of its spell in office and the Major government was mired in it, but this lot are different gravy. I think it’s because the ones with some integrity were sidelined by Boris. Jenryck before he was sacked was appalling as well. Imperative that Labour stops infighting - I don’t usually vote for them, I’m Lib Dem - but the country needs them to stop bickering over culture war issues and get ready to take the wheel, because the Tories are totally drunk and incapacitated at it. Then the opinion polls might sober both main parties up a bit if a huge unprecedented swing might be possible.

The same working class people where the Conservatives have a 20% poll lead typically. Even when their own tabloids put the corruption right under their nose this morning, the penny still won’t drop. Expensive business is patriotism, whatever that actually means. In the 90s, it was just as corrupt but at least the non activist public had some courage to actually challenge it in debates and TV. Although having effective opposition politicians helped as well eg Smith, Blair, Ashdown. New Labour had issues in government too, it’s why I don’t like big majority governments, this is what you end up with - complacency and corruption.

That’s not what Turkish meant and you know it. What he’s talking about in a more sensible way is resilience and how some people find it easier to build than others. I’m fortunate that it’s one of my strong suits because life does throw some great times and awful times but not everyone is wired the same. However, with some targeted support and life adjustments, a lot of people with MH spells/events can build some. What you are loosely referring to is the person concerned taking some responsibility for trying to get/feel better and yes, the person does need to do that, but sometimes for bio-medical or social reasons this proves too difficult. If you have experience of managing people in particular, it’s about working out what gets the best out of them drawing on empathy, especially if they aren’t your hires but you know they have the skills to do the work. Sometimes you exhaust the options and have to make difficult decisions if the person doesn’t engage fully in being helped. Obviously with friends and family it’s slightly different to an employment situation but personal activation is still important.

Was 1-1 with Stoke, but wasn’t an easy place to go that season, not compared to Stoke’s dreadful 84/85 where they were bottom by miles. The costly defeat as I recall was 0-2 at home to Notts Co who were relegated and shipped goals all over the place. So strong at the Dell all season that was a shock result.

You must be a similar age to me, my first TV game and first season. TV games were rare then and a Friday night IIRC - not like the Sky games now. This game helped as well https://www.playmakerstats.com/jogo.php?id=128200

Apologies, I stand corrected. Hause should be taken to task about that retrospectively, horrendous and very out of control.

Yep, and he ought to know better after his own difficulties in the last few years (and thoughts with him on his loss). Sometimes people forget the impact when they start adjusting themselves on others who are nearer to dealing with loss. Empathy costs nothing. There are some people that do get beyond help with their symptoms - as I can attest through this pandemic having devastatingly lost a very dear friend who was at many SFC games with me - leaving young 2 kids behind. I’ll always think of those games and times with fondness. We have to try though well before things reach that point and sometimes MH can be a short term symptom of life events - data suggesting 1 in 5 developing MH disorders from COVID - and short term support gets people back on an even keel. I get what Whelk is saying about pressure valves and mine are walking/hiking, sport, having a beer, reading, helping others. I know mindfulness is a bit old hat now but I do think it has a role to play. It would be good if posters took bickering between themselves off this thread as the subject is too important - MH can effect anyone at any time not least after such a surreal 18 months we will hopefully emerge from. It doesn’t care if you are a Corbynite, Thatcherite, New Labour, Lib Dem, Brexiteer, Remainer etc.

Yep, our concerns were about his knees but he only had only knee problem, a minor one at Villa ironically. Hamstrings he seemed to have 3-4 episodes of IIRC so I’d be surprised if we saw him Friday given his history of them given he has only seemingly just done it. Luis will be on protocols so if it’s less than 14 days from diagnosis he will be isolating. Watched their game yesterday, hope JWP brings his shooting boots as the closing down from range was slack. Targett had a dreadful game and should have been sent off for a horrible forearm smash on Fornals (I think) which he only got away with as the move ended in another goal.

Won Nations League with national team and always wanted to be Barca manager. Not great circumstances for him or them, but hefty pay off I expect and he can retire happy. His time at SFC saw 2 of the best top flight seasons for many years. Onto RH. He has a young, energetic and promising side playing for him, defensively far more stable and working hard. We’d like a bit more threat in front goal but the chances are being created. Can’t see a rationale to make a change at present but the club had to look at it after the prior few months and capitulations. Look much stronger with Vesty moved on, Berty past his best although great in his prime.

Important 3 points, 7 from 9 and Burnley a decent point now with them smashing Brentford today who are only a point ahead of us now. Bit of luck first half with the post/McCarthy part block but good awareness from KWP. Che quality goal, misses some of the easier ones but building a collection of worldies in an SFC shirt. AA plenty of endeavour and good link play, needs another goal soon but remember JRod took until Nov first season to score. KWP nullified Sarr well on his wrong side. Spirit and resilience seems better this term, only 2 wins from a very tricky start but only 3 defeats too. More clean sheets welcomed, perhaps just trying to get a bit more threat from the midfield. This won’t be a free scoring side but need to progress to getting the second goal when in control.

I broadly agree but not birth, as Raducanu was too young as a toddler to remember living anywhere else to want to represent it. Maybe up to say starting secondary school or equivalent? Ben Stokes even with strong NZ family links and born there, moved to the UK aged 12 and sounds like a Cumbrian where his late dad Ged played rugby league for Workington. He is a very English type genuine all rounder in our heritage eg Botham, Flintoff. It’s the Caddick, Rusedski, Budd type examples where I think 🤔 and it doesn’t quite feel the same as say if Henman had reached the US Open final or Raducanu’s first grand slam. The earlier three examples is where they’ve switched as full adults. I do get concerned for West Indies and other smaller cricket nations when big ones like England are scouting their best young talent as teenagers. Mind you, I cheered KP’s Ashes winning hundred and loved watching him bat live so we all have the hypocrite in us!

Nice one re Lemina. And Wesley as well. He might be the best player in my worst ever XI if that helps his ego. Proper suggestions VVD Keegan (fractionally before my time) Ron Davies definitely before my time but my Dad says he is the best in the air he has ever seen. Destroyed Man U at OT and Chelsea away in their original halycon eras. Shilts definitely, in 83/84 he was still at his Forest peak. Bale and Shearer were young with us but you see potential Tadic was the best number 10 in the CL the year Ajax got to the Semis. Mane has been as good as any world forward for Liverpool the last 5 years Mark Wright was a serious CB at his peak pre WHL leg break. Still one of the defenders of Italia 90 and would have been at Mexico. He’d have done better than ‘after you Diego’ Terry Fenwick if he hadn’t had that injury. MLT - I know the game is faster and more defensive now but how many midfielders in the 90s scored 30 goals from midfield? The team was arguably as bad as the current team back then and worse on paper. Wouldn’t be surprised if Livramento and Broja joined this list. Broja is a loan so I can add Toby as well.

47 years = supporter since 1974 by my maths. Relegation won’t have been nice that year but you’ve seen since then: - FA Cup 1976. I have to rely on family memories. - CWC run and promotion 1978 (too young to remember). - Keegan signing (too young) - My first season I can remember was 1983/4 which wasn’t a bad time to start either. Todays generation barring a tycoon buying us will never see us finishing second in the PL and nearly do the double (Adrian Heath you little shit). I remember the Fratton cup game but was too young either to attend that one or really get the rivalry until they got promoted in 87. ZDS, JPT and EFL Cup finals, FA Cup 2003. Club has done OK but should have won a couple of trophies more with some of the quality players on show. Realistically there needs to be a takeover soon or relegation that prompts buying the club at a lower price as Gao seems to want too much as overpaid to buy. KL saw him coming a bit, impression is that he thought it was a steady bet to sell on 2-3 years on and get funds out of China.

Managers make comments as well sometimes as well as fans when a player makes an embarrassing balls up. Like Harry Redknapp did when Darren Bent missed a very close range header late on in a Spurs game and Harry said even Sandra could’ve scored it. Imagine if there’d been a pre match penalty shoot out between Darren Bent and Sandra Redknapp at WHL the next game.

I don’t think this is as clear cut an issue (no pun intended) as Brexit as this problem has been brewing (pun slightly intended) for some years before the referendum. In the SW, water rates are a lot higher than the rest of the country and has been for years. Over the last 40 years we’ve used free market economics where they shouldn’t be as well as where they should to mask the fact that infrastructure has to be maintained and invested in. It’s kept water bills at more manageable levels but as with railways, infrastructure will creak and break down and now we see the results of shoving the problem away politically and leaving core issues for share capital to resolve (never a good idea with key national infrastructure). A very large bill will be the result when this should have happened over the last 30 years if we weren’t obsessed with competition which doesn’t exist with utilities (I can’t change South West Water but I’d love to). The railways have been jacking fares up above inflation for years to catch up but even then certain franchises, namely Southern and LNER have worked far better nationalised. Energy is another example - create competition for a short time with cheap deals and then smaller providers go pop so the big boys end up back in charge with higher tariffs across the board and little/no choice. In summary - whether you privatise services or not, we as taxpayers have to fund maintenance in the end, whether it’s water, trains or energy, if we want a civilised first world country. Some parts of the economy are definitely better private run, but what’s behind it needs state investment and management.