oxford blue

To take you at your word that's some record! The days of Worthington, Weller and Glover, Sammels and Birchenall in midfield. Perhaps unlucky to lose to Liverpool in the semi-final replay; Shilton wearing a white shirt which was controversial at the time.

The proposals for all EFL to be discussed Thursday are interesting: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/mar/03/premier-league-compensation-fee-cap-academy-stars-efl-clubs I can't see why EFL would vote in favour of capping academy fees - seems like PL greed to me. And a club who finish eighth could be promoted; I suppose it keeps season interesting for longer (for most clubs).

I think it reasonable that someone emigrating to another country researches such a decision thoroughly. It is clear that the Middle East has been a volatile region for well over a century, but consider UAE in last 10 years The Yemen War & Houthi Attacks: The UAE was a key part of the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen against Houthi rebels starting in 2015. This engagement led to direct security threats. In early 2022, Houthi rebels launched drone and missile attacks targeting the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi, including an attack near a fuel depot that killed three people. Iran Tensions: The UAE has faced indirect threats due to rising tensions between the US/Saudi Arabia and Iran. This included maritime security incidents in the Gulf and attacks on shipping vessels. Drone and Missile Attacks: Following the 2022 attacks, the U.S. had to send fighter jets to assist the UAE in defending against Houthi threats. Of course, if someone chooses to re-locate to a region in turmoil, certain risks should have been part of that decision, even if an event is outside their control. Do you ever avoid certain areas/locations in this country because of the risk to your personal safety, even if outside your control. Or, if you were wealthy enough, would it be sensible to openly display this, perhaps while carrying a top of the range apple phone, in London - if you were mugged, it would be outside your control but would you bear any responsibility?

Credit to Rowett this must be the fist game for a very long time there is a sense of expectation about City's performance - and a reasonably full KP? I think an unchanged team likely but JJ and Lascelles to come on. I will be very tricky to get best out out of Winks, Skipp, JJ and Mukasa, but already I have the confidence in GR to do just that. Looking ahead, I expect to see Nelson a constant either at CB or LB and two of three of Vestergaard, Lascelles, Okoli. Realistically, with talent of players in squad, if sufficient remain fit, should see us pull up the table Looks as though Norwich are short of strikers (which balances the teams?) Norwich City - Transfer news, results, fixtures, video and audio

True - but it would also be correct to say if we play in first half and get better defensively like we did against Coventry and Southampton we stay up. Perhaps stating the obvious, but breakthrough will come when there are decent performances in both first and second halves

Hindsight is a wonderful thing...

Fair to say that Martin (who appears to be a front runner) is even better at this style of football. He has a mindset of how the game should be played and his excellence was amply demonstrated by his successes at Rangers (1 league victory) This explains why he mght be appointed Is Russell Martin worst Rangers boss ever? What do the numbers say? - BBC Sport

I agree with second part of sentence, but there is a large risk: we pay high wages on a 2 year contract for him to keep others company in the treatment room.

If you consider the reasons he resigned this would be extremely unlikely: Gracia stated he was unhappy with the state of the team and also hinted he was unhappy with a lack of activity in the January transfer window. "I want to speak with the owner and to know how they feel because I'm really disappointed with the level of the team, the situation of the team and maybe the future of the team as well," At the same time injuries have kicked in and there have been some squad players Gracia simply didn't rate. So if we had appointed him instead of MC, he would have resigned by now as City's problems mirror those of Watford. The quality of owner and board of both clubs are on a similar level, ie perhaps marginally above inept.

Returning to the deaths on the Streets of Minneapolis this is a powerful video behind the best protest song for decades

Y Now that's an idea. So key lines might typically vary along these songs from Wonder: You Haven’t done Nothing ,Heaven Help Us All, You Met Your Match, For Once In my Life... I Don’t Know Why, Or the more optimistic version We can Work it Out, Keep on Running, Don’t Worry ‘bout a Thing.

Regarding Agnew's comments - I wrote on 14/10/25 before separate Ashes thread England always seem to do poorly in a first Ashes test in Australia, never having any proper warm up matches. Are lessons ever learnt? After 1 day internationals in New Zealand, they travel to Australia. One game is planned - against England Lions - before first test match. It is totally inadequate preparation for a test match.. As Agnew observed, this was not the best Australian team, aside from a few few like Starc, Carey, Head. He felt England had a real chance of winning the series. The off pitch antics have been covered fully in various media, but is demonstrative of a culture within the most players in the team which perhaps results in getting out with very poor shots that were totally unnecessary. Just to comment on two individuals who could dominate batting for many years: Brook - I just wish he learn from the discipline his Yorkshire compatriot (Root) applies to a situation. he is so talented, as is: Bethell - Hopefully he can start to play more of long version of cricket. Before his test appearances this winter had the less than amazing average of 25

Wasn't one of reasons young players were not getting game time is that more experienced players like Ayew have to be in team? Time to move and for MF (or whoever) to show confidence in far younger players in squads. Ayew is not getting any better and time to move on/ Wasn't he only signed because he had PL experience - that will not be needed for next season!

Some cracking winners in this Guardian list: The alternative 2025 sports awards: quotes, gaffes and animal cameos | Sport | The Guardian

I agree that - if he is showing decent form in training - we should offer a contract. It cannot be a loan as he is a free agent so perhaps on a games played basis. Neither António no City can know how his body will hold up given the effect of that car crash, It would be so good to have a striker who can score goals - a strange comment but true

Good news for Labour women supporters wanting to attend their traditional Women's conference is that it will take place next year. It had to be cancelled this year, because Labour could not define a woman. Strange but true.

I find this news very sad, particularly given his age, as someone who admired his brave performances against the best quick bowlers around = particularly the West Indian quickies. Dropped from the England team too soon given his test average of 44 This is a good obituary: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/dec/02/robin-smith-former-england-cricketer-dies-aged-62

Isn't the point about empty seats to be answered in the recent thread of the last game at KP you enjoyed? And in the very many kick off times - there will be a quite a number of ST holders who have to rearrange shifts. Why bother if there is a very good chance you won't really enjoy the game? And for non ST holders no great incentive to attend given performances. The weather going into the winter period won't help either in getting fans to attend. Even if actual attendances at games are not published, KP will know the numbers attending. Trouble is, I am not sure they will draw same conclusion as most fans.

This was posted on other cricket thread before separate Ashes thread set up. I was wrong about WACA but remainder is correct. Even when England had a chance to practice at ground they declined demonstrating an arrogance that this was unnecessary for this team and its philosophy This was demonstrated in their batting with dreadful shot selection. With four out of fifteen sessions gone, all middle order decide to play as they are playing a 20/20 (poorly). If there was time to consolidate., this was it. For well paid professional cricketers shot selection was so poor. We had the chance to win the first test in Australia but have now given the the Aussies a huge psychological advantage - more so with Cummings back for next test. There is an opportunity to put in test batsman in a day.night game before next match: I hope this will be taken, but somehow I rather doubt it. Unfortunately a certain starter in next test will be Crawley - I hope he lasts more than an over but even if he does, would he get more than 20? To quote - His "stand and deliver" driving method, while apparently aesthetically pleasing, will be no more successful in Brisbane than it was in Perth. He will not be able to change a lifetime's habit in 12 days, so he has to be very disciplined with his selections, only driving at half-volleys and full tosses at the Gabba. Unless he can introduce genuine defence and leave the ball with confidence, his pain will only increase."

I hope he does well. It is pity his new role is not coaching at City - I am guessing executives etc did not suggest to him he could have a coaching role when he left MLS. I feel we have missed out - having CF back would have boosted the club. His technical ability, work ethic and intelligence suggests he will make an excellent coach. Nevertheless, I hope he does well and -if as successful I do hope he can return to City as a future manager

Han Willhoft-King did. Interesting article here: The teenager who quit Manchester City for Oxford University: ‘I felt I could do more’ | Football | The Guardian A very talented teenager who could probably have done well as a pro footballer. He will be a good addition to university team next Feb seeking to avenge the drubbing by Cambridge this year!

Do you have any evidence of your suggestions about agents and an inside job, or is this just a conspiracy theory? I do agree the BBC were completely wrong in their editing of the Trump speech. However, try reading through the transcript https://www.rev.com/transcripts/donald-trump-speech-save-america-rally-transcript-january-6 He claims election was stolen through fraud (although no evidence); he urges supporters to march and yes, he refers to peacefully making voices heard, but near the end Our brightest days are before us, our greatest achievements still wait. I think one of our great achievements will be election security because nobody until I came along, had any idea how corrupt our elections were. And again, most people would stand there at 9:00 in the evening and say, "I want to thank you very much," and they go off to some other life, but I said, "Something's wrong here. Something's really wrong. Can't have happened." And we fight. We fight like Hell and if you don't fight like Hell, you're not going to have a country anymore. For those still listening to his usual long rambling speech it is easy to see how it would have been interpreted by his fanatical MAGA base. The blanket pardons given by Trump to those convicted for violence does not help the idea he was advocating peaceful protests https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjw4vjvlgxpo

England always seem to do poorly in a first Ashes test in Australia, never having any proper warm up matches. Are lessons ever learnt? After 1 day internationals in New Zealand, they travel to Australia. One game is planned - against England Lions - before first test match. It is totally inadequate preparation for a test match at the WACA; never the best of venues for decent performances. In the last 5 series in Australia England have lost the first test. Expect the same in 2025!

Jordan Ayew Signs 2 year deal - Official Noticing there were new posts, I had assumed these may be about Jordan Ayew. I find it difficult to see how comments about Ramsey and Cannon - perfectly valid points, but wrong thread? Re JA: I was critical of initial signing, but I think we have had value for money. Ok, he was unlikely to set PL alight even if he was in a half decent team but difficult to suggest he never gave his best. This season, one of our best performers and, for me, best City player last Saturday: always a threat to Oxford

I disagree: he was outrunning Oxford defenders - he had one of his best games for City. Regarding the selection from outset, I think Pereira should have started - clearly fit and had a very good second half. i am confident he will start next game: hopefully in midfield which I have always thought is his best position. Having said that MC could not have expected Soumare have one of his very poor games and Ramsey was ineffective. Consequently in the first half we were outplayed by Oxford, dominating the midfield. Huge credit to MC for the way he set up second half: Oxford deserved their standing ovation at half time dominating City in midfield allowing them to continually push forward from start. Many Oxford fans think the first half was in the top two. Half time ==I did not think we could come away with a point but given domination after break (apart from a few minutes near end) City could easily have won. I won't criticise MC for not bringing on Monga given we only had 10 players for most of game, although I was surprised to see BCDR brought on for last 5 minutes; even a tired Ayew would have been better.