leicsmac

.... is that the right response judging by the commentary then? I do remember the Saffers setting 230 odd and England chasing it down spectacularly in a previous T20 competition...

Perhaps I wasn't clear. I agree that there are far better managerial options out there than Southgate from a tactical perspective (though I will say a lot of the criticism I see of him is irrelevantly based on his demeanour and personality rather than legit tactical criticisms). I also think that the time to replace him, if there was one, was weeks or months ago, and changing things in that way a week before the tournament will result in upheaval that any vaguely competent opposition outfit will take full advantage of and will result in a worse outcome than keeping him in. Of course, that's just a hypothesis that lacks a control group and so will remain just that, but so is yours and we're never going to really know which one was correct given we can't run the thing twice or more.

There's that too.

Nah, I get that. It's just that she's had a level of success that is practically unique so I was wondering exactly what makes her stand out from other music artists among the target demographic you mention. Had some good answers, too.

Yeah, this. Sadly it's an issue in a lot of different countries and across a lot of different languages too. Anecdotal, but while the vast majority of Koreans were friendly, enthusiastic and kind when I came across them, there were bigots who didn't like the "weigukin" and when you met them, you knew about it pretty damn fast and it did have an effect. Seeing it from the other side is...illuminating.

It's because there is no way to win such an emotional argument if the opposition is really that zealous, not in the numbers that would be necessary anyway. So you have to focus on logic and knowledge based arguments and hope like hell that's enough to keep some very dark times away.

... because every single team, pundit and analyst will see it for the desperation move that it is this close to the tournament, rightly sense weakness and have a huge confidence boost when playing England, no matter who they get in to replace him?

I can't see how she stands out from a few other leaders of the field in that way - at least to the magnitude of recognition she receives by comparison, anyway. But I can see what you mean about her actually giving two shits about her fanbase and that having an effect.

Well, Wrexham have had successive promotions so the walk is being walked there too, I guess. WRT Swift, it really is a fascinating social experiment. Still wondering if it's only down to the marketing.

It would be hilarious if viewpoints like this didn't then get enough traction to affect policymaking. It's nice to see, but the last thing the future needs is something worse stepping into the void the Tories leave.

Taylor Swift starting her 17-venue UK tour which will no doubt make an absolutely ludicrous amount of money. Been thinking about the unreal level of hype that she commands, and I find myself unable to figure exactly why she has such a massive, dedicated fanbase and has pulled in the unprecedented money and fame that she has. As far as I can tell, she doesn't do anything musically or in terms of showmanship that is better or unique compared to other artists...so why? Is it just a massive triumph of whoever has been on her marketing team? Or is it something else?

It's such a shame that he wasn't able to see Artemis take humans around the Moon one more time.

"Plaid Cymru's ap Iorwerth says nothing is more important than fighting climate change, saying prosperity can be created "hand in hand" with looking after the environment." Why isn't this obvious to everyone present?

Narrowed down a couple of those for you.

It's a fair point and one that's been discussed here before. My reply is pretty much the same as it was; in principle I agree, but in practice very bad consequences of policy including the wholesale oppression of groups of people and possibly escalating upward from there aren't suddenly better because they're the result of a "true democracy". And those who end up during or after the sharp end of it all certainly won't see it that way or bother to make the distinction either, and I wouldn't blame them.

Agreed, but a note of caution: careful watching of that situation is needed because a group like Reform gaining enough power to significantly affect policymaking won't end well for anyone.

Yup. As often when stuff like this comes up, I'm reminded of a Pratchett quote: "... you were so worried about legal and illegal that you never stopped to think about whether it was right or wrong."

The entirety of Twitter/Reddit/other nobhead subculture that use phrases like this, really. Delusions of grandeur just because they troll online doesn't come close.

Great match!

Bookmarked for when subsequent investigation finds this over had spot-fixed wides

Holy shit.

...."should" being the operative word, apparently. A pity.

It's up to Aaron Jones now. If he's there at the end, the USA should win this.

Splendid match this.

House of the Dragon season 2 starting next week. Looking forward to it!