foxile5

That Nalis goal doesn't get the credit it so richly deserves.

I'm struggling to keep up with it all but is Rayner still labouring under the idea she's a socialist? Three houses and a dodged tax bill. She's more Tory than a Labour by a full house isn't she?

We once had Stephen, Gareth, and Ian in the team. Managed by Gary for a game or two.

Bouanotte to Chelsea on loan is amidst the most bizarre transfers this window. Who does that serve? Chelsea won't play him and Brighton clearly won't miss him. I'm at a loss to begin to parse that. I could understand some kind of financial agreement.

I mean - this hurts. I was never really prepared to see him in another colour. However, this was as good as it gets isn't it. Another underdog story to fight and no real relationship. All the best Jamie. You were the very best. May your pasta be covered in cheddar and your garlic bread be from Aldi.

It's Wout. Nailed on.

He did do. And he was there when we won the Premier League. But I don't know what's so difficult to comprehend that he's also overseen the demise. He can be both good for a period but also having run his course. These people are insane.

He looked his age - nervous and keen. Not bad. His performance really does provide the spotlight for Monga who, despite being younger, looked every inch more assured and composed. The future is bright.

This has been a devastating night for the anti Soumare brigade like myself. Turned up.

The hoardings have been advertising AA batteries all night. Am I missing a comeback of traditionally batteried products.

If anyone wants to sell two tickets I'd be grateful and interested at any point up until the game kicks off.

The ideal would have been him retiring wouldn't it?

Nothing revealing. He spoke well and I was impressed by his English but there wasn't anything that really revealing. At least it wasn't Coadyesque 'great vibes boys'. He did say he was doing a podcast in the same building which might have a bit more about it than sanitised TalkSport voxpop.

I really hope he gets another roll of the dice. He's good enough. He's not what he was but he is enough. The Man U rumours made perfect sense. They needed - and still need - an elder statesman in their team. Similar to the role Defoe played in his latter years. I find it so strange nobody has looked at him and thought he's worth a year. Man U, Newcastle, West Ham, Brighton. All make sense. For his sakes I hope he ends up either at Celtic to win trophies or at a team in Europe.

Your point is "yeah but what if..." and there's no way that can be predicted other than by looking at the past. It's clear who he is and what he's going to do this season and everyone who thinks a honking performance is his arrival is his driving down the standards we should actually have for players at the club.

Well yes it is - it means that the standards of the fan base have fallen through the floor. I watched the game. He was awful. If fans want to view this as proof of ability then we're heading into accepting utter dreck as 8/10. As I've said multiple times - those defending or otherwise supporting Soumare are on the wrong side of the argument. He's the manifestation of all that's rotten at the club. He DOESN'T give a toss, he thought he was bigger than the club a season or two back, he hasn't had a game anywhere near good enough to be consisted impactful, and at the end of the season will walk away for free with 2 relegations and millions upon millions of pounds in his back pocket. Playing this silly little game of hypothesis and sooth saying 'what if he scores ONE MILLION GOALS A GAME' is nothing more than a delay of admission. He's played a hundred games and he's been shit in most every one. He's lost over 50% of the games he's played in. This isn't his arrival. He isn't going to suddenly "pull out 8/10" performances. Get your head out of the sand.

He didn't make a mistake that led to a goal and, even after nearly a hundred appearances of absolute gash, there are people who are keen to see this as his arrival.

The separation of sport and politics at a guess?

Struggling to keep up with the Charlton midfield probably is his best.

I'd take argument with both 'driving' and 'run'. And let's not be revisionist or blinkered. We didn't score because of or as a result of him jogging slowly into space and making a sideways pass. The goal wasn't created or made through his industry. It was all Fatuwu. Soumare risked the attack by not moving forwards quickly enough. Just because the stopped clock has been correct for a minute today doesn't mean 'there's a player in there'.

Technically an assist by Soumare who was actually allowing the break down. He's crap even when he's doing something correct.

Like many, I'm split. On the one hand it's a good piece of business and that's undeniable. On the other he's the type of player I would have wanted to keep. Someone with genuine affinity and love for the club and isn't just trousering a wage. He's also good in this league. We've sacrificed someone who cares to balance the books of Soumare, Winks, and Daka a little bit more. Harrowing.

I'm not disputing this nor do I fail to understand the context. But that's what makes it easy for Chelsea isn't it? The lure of the "champion club" that is entrenched over three decades of The Premier League. The point I'm making is that beyond PSR and current regulation sides don't stand a chance because the target audience of the marketing of the Premier League over three decades are now playing in it.

Kante left telling us "Chelsea is a champion club" whilst at the reigning champions. It goes so far beyond PSR and Sky. The global perception of the big six has been thoroughly drilled into footballing society. Virtually impossible to reverse in the current league context.

Oh I'm very aware of the context; it was only a couple of years ago. He would have better rehab equipment with us and I think he'd have played more.