oxford blue

Ings' signing will be a a huge risk given his injury record and no recent goalscoring record to suggest he can replicate his previous record from many years ago. I'm not sure either about his ability to justify his wages in League 1. Since 2023 season he has scored just 6 goals - yes 2 goals a season! A free transfer maybe but given his wages (ok we don't know but reported he got £30k at Sheffield United so I am guessing £20k a week?) this is not a cheap commitment given risk. If it comes off and he scores 15+ goals, I will agree it was an inspired signing. If we are going to take a risk on a goal scorer I would have preferred to pay a fee for one of NL top scorers last season. Of the three top scorers Matt Rush (Boreham Wood) remains in the NL as he is on their retained list . Ollie Pearce at York (now L2) has a contract until 2028 so may be too much for a transfer? I would far prefer to gamble on a proven goal scorer from a lower division than one with a poor injury record and no recent goals which is what we get with Ings.

True, but that is precisely the quality that Martin would like

https://www.foxestalk.co.uk/topic/135118-steve-cooper-new-manager/#comments Make your own mind up - perhaps marginally less opposition than for Martin, but still no enthusiasm (apart from usual optimism of 'give him a chance'). It is interesting looking at initial thoughts and most were spot on.

I think you are spot on - the interview below shows he won't change from his 'principles' (about 1.45 in) https://www.facebook.com/5liveSport/videos/-does-russell-martin-have-regrets-about-his-time-at-rangers️-i-wish-id-been-more/1647126146473291/ when he says he won't criticise a player for losing the ball on the edge of the penalty area. A good manger will adapt playing style depending upon players and circumstances: the fairly recent interview suggests he won't. The City squad should be better than most in League 1 so may work, but it is not a long term blueprint for success.

RTB was a disaster for the social rented sector as Councils were initially only able to keep 25% of revenue; houses could not be replaced. Now, RTB is far more restrictive and compared to 1990 only a very small number of tenants will be able to exercise a RTB. Councils now have all the money to re-invest though. Regarding Housing Costs in UC, the maximum amount that will be paid is the Local Housing Allowance rate . This is set at 30% of all rents for that type of property. This is designed to ensure that those receiving housing benefits can afford the bottom 30% of the private rental market in their area. In other words. 70% of rented property in any given area is likely unaffordable for those receiving help with housing costs. I am not sure I agree that landlords are subsidised. To ensure people are not homeless, a private rented sector and help with housing costs is necessary. There is insufficient social housing and this is always likely to be the case.

For any competent interviewing panel, the obvious question is "Russell, why did go so wrong at Southampton in PL and Rangers and what have you learnt from that?" (The record is appalling: 13 losses out of 16 at Southampton and 1 win from 7 at Rangers in Premiership ) RM can only be successful if he acknowledges his past failings; largely his idea that possession in itself is key to winning games - Southampton's possession in PL was over 50% across his time in charge. (For comparison, Leicester's was 42% in 2015/16.) I can't see how he can be appointed to any club unless he has a satisfactory answer to that key question.

It seems a great idea but employers generally pay at least 1.5 usual rate: would future overtime with no Tax be limited by employers. to standard pay rate? (A corollary maybe that when shops were allowed to open Sundays, pay from many employers was at an enhanced rate. Contracts were soon rewritten to include Sundays as part of the week.

I am not sure whether to agree or disagree given: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/feb/01/reform-mp-james-mcmurdock-who-assaulted-woman-will-not-face-suspension-says-deputy-leader https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckgee5krdpxo And don't forget Mike Amesbury(Labour) - you probably remember the video oh him assaulting a constituent: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c62z9ell358o

I seem to remember that Ranieri and Maresca had quite decent seasons managing City?

Really! This might have been true some years ago but given he was sacked after 13 games last October with P'boro bottom with 10 points I doubt this is true. He had been sacked twice before (or left by mutual consent). Is he really being considered or his agent doing a great job in seeking employment for an out of work manager? We need a complete break from Rowett (to rebuild team., club) but I would prefer Rowett to Ferguson and I don't want either). Unfortunately, I have so much faith in KP I could see either being appointed.

Don't only poor managers criticise players like he did? Totally unacceptable: I expect he is expecting to be sacked and can point to players he managed when wanting another job? Why did he not get performance from them? It is reasonable to assume our new manager will be out of contract somewhere. I suggest we wait a week or so to see if Chris Davies is sacked: https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/birmingham-city-should-eye-bo-henriksen-not-thomas-frank-chris-davies/ You will remember he is familiar with City having been an assistant under Rodgers (and later under Postecoglou at Spurs) .. He has been criticised for not playing insufficient(virtually none) academy players but City do have decent players, particularly for League 1 so I can see they would be played . He may not have met Birmingham owners expectations for this season (64 points seems a reasonable return to Championship to me), but Birmingham were runaway winners last season in league 1. Would love to have Fuchs but given this is an appointment that has to be right(we have to get promoted next season for obvious reasons) that may be too much of a gamble (and he is on a long term contract - though I cannot see this being too lucrative!)

I recommend the following podcast about effects of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) on Shane Christie (and his friend Billy Guyton) whose diagnoses only became clear after their deaths (apparently this condition cannot be diagnosed before death). It is largely told by his ex-partner Holly Parkes. A 50 minute listen but I do recommend https://www.thetimes.com/podcasts/the-story I see the Guardian had also published an article about this: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/sep/30/shane-christie-sustained-multiple-head-injuries-playing-rugby-fighting-for-change [t is thought that Steve Thompson's early onset dementia is the effect of CTE -Wikipedia]

Another complete waste of police time. I suppose there might be some police who will no longer be investigating non-crime hate incidents have time on their hands?

A verse and chorus from We gotta get out of this Place (mid 60's hit for the Animals) In this dirty old part of the city Where the sun refuses to shine People tell me there ain't no use in trying We gotta get out of this place If it's the last thing we ever do We gotta get out of this place Cos there's a better life for me and you

One game we can't look forward to is Hereford; I remember we beat them 3-1 away about this time of year in 2009. Having lost to Oxford City midweek Hereford almost certain for relegation from National League North. (Andy King played that day as did Steve Howard (who scored) - to look forward to would be a striker like him - wishful thinking?)