Detroit Blues

2 hours ago, Raj said:

 

Unbelievable to think a nation like England haven't reached the Semis since '66

 

I can't imagine after going through the group stage, having to then go through a second group stage (like in 1982).  

2 minutes ago, Ian Nacho said:

Fvck me Lukaku is packing some weight. 

😂 

On cloud 9 right now. One of the most comprehensive performances I've seen this team have

Should have scored there. Shot it right at the keeper.

Love the Canadian national anthem.

How do I buy my way out of the group? (Saudi Arabia) 

I am really curious to see how the whole Iran situation will play out at the world cup. Will they use everything going on politically as a source of unity in their team, to drive them to go on a run and give their country something positive, or will everything going on be a distraction that takes away from their ability to get out of the group.  

1. StanSP

2. Jiggers the Fox

3. Alf Bentley

4. davieG

5. Tuna

6. Scotch

7. Nick

8. KingCarr21

9. Foxfanazer

10. Thefox81

11. Hollism

12. Craig

13. TiffToff88

14. Brizzle Fox

15.Raj

16. Whoareyaaa

17. Foxytalk

18. East Anglian Fox

19. FoxesDeb

20. Shen

21. ramboacdc

22. Glenny_Fox

23. ClaphamFox

24. Phil_Dunphy

25. spacemunky

26. Libertine

27. Kopic

28. Dan

29. Detroit Blues

30.

31.

32.

33.

34.

35.

36.

37.

38.

39.

40.

41.

42.

43.

44.

45.

46.

47.

48.

7 minutes ago, leicsmac said:

And thus we arrive at the point where how much (or little) people conflate Judaism and Zionism becomes rather key to the discussion. 

 

Of course, this topic has gotten threads like this nixed in the past, and we're 591 (and counting) pages in, so...

So we're overdue.

5 minutes ago, leicsmac said:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clyw3p7xv4wo

 

The US Supreme Court limited the ability of lawmakers to take the racial make-up of a state into account when drawing voting maps, in a ruling that could reshape politics across the American south.

In a 6-3 decision, the conservative justices sided with a challenge to new districts in Louisiana that were created to comply with a landmark Civil Rights law meant to protect black Americans from racial discrimination.

 

Speaking of shameful, apparently gerrymandering in favour of white people as a voting bloc is (somewhat) OK now, because equal voting rights don't mean much anymore. 

 

The supreme court decisions that have occurred in my lifetime make me very pessimistic that our system can be fixed through in ways that the constitution provides for.  To do so would require taking back the supreme court, and then systemically overturning the precedents laid out by Roberts' court. All of the precedents his court has made have dramatically tilted the basis of power in the country, and electing progressives that would advocate for the changes needed is now near impossible.

 

 When people in power make change impossible via democratic means, it leaves only one other option...

 

 

2 minutes ago, Rubbersoul said:

Regarding Trump, seriously how has nobody done it yet? 
 

The country full of guns and nutters? 

Multiple people have allegedly tried. 

45 minutes ago, Sly said:

What’s the latest on Trump being in the Epstein files then? Or have we sweat that under the carpet (again). 

The US House oversight committee just voted (bipartisan) to subpoena DOJ Secretary Pam Bondi over the release of documents in accordance with legal requirements of the Epstein files transparency act.

 

The committee could in theory force her to actually give answers to questions about Trump's involvement, missing documents that could implicate Trump, DOJ's involvement in a cover up, the malicious redactions of information that would implicate other conspirators (or failures to redact victim information), etc. It's not a high probability that what comes out of the hearing would actually lead to Trump's downfall, but the chance isn't zero either. 

 

If anything else it might retake the news cycle from the Iran war, which will start to become less exciting to US audiences.

19 hours ago, MPH said:

 

right I get all that. But why is he doing this? What’s the reason?

 

who is it aimed towards?  The more I’m thinking about it, I think it’s aimed towards our allies in the area.. those that are being attacked in the area that host American/British airbases.. if they can be convinced this is a war, they might somehow be willing to participate?

 

he’s not going to win Dems support and he got elected by promising his MAGA that there will be no long term wars so it serves no national purpose to keep banding that word around.. I’m really not sure but I can only guess it’s for an international audience 

We're not talking about the Epstein files right now, or how the economy is in the shitter, so it is doing its intended job. Trump can cosplay as a war-time leader and talk about how he deposed Maduro and Khamenei.

9 minutes ago, MPH said:

One interesting point is that the term ‘war’ is a very legal term in the United States. Usually, it can only be used in a legal description in the United States once it has been ratified by congress. However trump , hesgeth and others are using the term freely.. I wonder why?

It just is another example of Trump's administration usurping the power and responsibility of Congress. The President cannot declare war. He can only deploy troops for a short duration. An official declaration of war must come from congress. 

 

This is a very unpopular move, and would not have gathered bipartisan support. 

2 hours ago, hejammy said:

If you look at the US news sites, hardly any are covering it and the ones that are, it's like the 4th or 5th article. Imagine if Starmer did something like this, he would not survive and would be forced to resign. Just unbelievable how sterile the states has become to his behaviour and general racism.

 

This isn't by accident. Over the last 10-20 years, the media conglomerates have been taking over independent newspapers, cable news stations, etc. Now the vast majority of our media is owned by billionaires that are either cozying up to Trump to protect their main stream of income (example - Washington Post not endorsing Kamala Harris because it is owned by Bezos, and he cares more about Amazon than the Post).

He has also used his vast power to sue, silence, and intimidate any members of the media who dissent. Look at how he barred the Associated Press from having White House Access. Look at how he mandated that any reporters working in the Pentagon sign an agreement that they will run all of their reporting by the Military prior to publishing.

 

What we have witnessed in America is an authoritarian takeover. Though Trump himself is an idiot, the people behind him have carefully planned all of this. 

 

 

 

 

6 hours ago, Xen said:

If the club ever rebrands - especially to a soulless sponsorship like that - then I'm done. I think the only rebrand that would ever be acceptable is if we do pick up the Fosse name.

 

If they want to buy Leicester without the rebrand, then that's a different question. I'd still rather we didn't become just another Franchise FC, but at least it's slightly more palatable.

Most owners that have the money necessary to buy clubs of this size come with their own baggage. Corporate conglomerates (like Red Bull), Middle eastern oil barrons, American billionaires from the tech industry or private equity, etc. There's not going to be a white knight coming in to save Leicester. We are just exchanging the devil we know for the devil we don't. 

 

That said, it is probably still worth the risk.

26 minutes ago, leicsmac said:

Governor Walz has been excellent throughout this whole sorry business, I will say. Perhaps someone the Dems could look at for 2028?

He's currently embroiled in the Minnesota childcare fraud scandal, which Trump & Fox News has done their best to taint him with, even though it occurred before his time, the state basically turned over the investigation to the FBI and fully cooperated. But the mere association with the fraud made him pull out of running for re-election for Governor. 

 

He's not out the running for a federal position, but I think he is trying to take one for the team so someone else can run without easily being propagandized against. 

1 hour ago, Lionator said:

Iraq and DR Congo are automatically in the final matches, I’m guessing they’d both want to avoid Bolivia’s side of the draw.

 

Itll also be the first World Cup draw I can remember where all teams aren’t qualified. Will make it an interesting dynamic in terms of how many teams from each confederation can qualify.

 

All in all this has been an amazing week, and for those of us disillusioned with LCFC and the general direction of top level club football, international football alongside non league is the last bastion of wholesomeness. 

What do you mean? 

Anyone playing rematch? I just picked it up a few days ago. Gameplay is really good, kind of a cross between rocket league mechanics and FIFA career mode where you play as a single player on the pitch. Only negatives so far are - matchmaking wait times take way longer than it should. 

46 minutes ago, NJFox said:

So many craft breweries in St. Pete, a great town to visit. We've spent a lot of time in Three Daughters, burgers were excellent, too. Any favorites for you?

 

We're heading to Arizona next month, visiting Scottsdale (Phoenix) and Sedona. Grand Canyon is doable from Vegas if you've never been. It will be cold, but still breathtaking to see it at sunrise or sunset.

Sedona is legit one of the coolest cities I have been to. We stayed in Flagstaff and did some day hikes in the canyon, and the whole trip was incredible. I kind of wish I booked one of those cabins at the bottom, so we could go all the way down. 

2 minutes ago, Sir Steve Howard said:

Nothing good has ever come out of CONCACAF I'm afraid, considering that outside of USA/Canada it's football mad.

Mexico perennial chokers.

USA's best player is at Cov ffs.

 

 

All in all, I think our confederation generally punches above its weight. CONCACAF has sent more teams to the round of 16 and the quarterfinals than every confederation other than UEFA and CONMEBOL.

 

• The US has made it out of the group stage in 5 out of the last 9 world cups. The US beat England in 1950, and drew with England twice in 2010 (topping the group), and in 2022. 
• Costa Rica made it to the quarterfinals in 2014, which included knocking England out of the group. 
• Mexico made it out of the group stage in 8 out of the last 9 world cups. 
   

Clearly you're taking the piss, but Haji Wright (who is literally a player Leicester desperately needs), is probably 3rd on the depth chart right now at striker for the US, behind Balogun (Monaco) and Pepi (PSV). He also was incredible last night, and scored two excellent goals against Australia. Go look up his second goal if you want a good laugh. He cut so hard onto his left foot that the defender fell on his ass and watched Wright curl the ball in. 

 

Also, one last thing you're wrong about (respectfully). Baseball is the most popular sport in many areas of CONCACAF - DR, Cuba, Panama, etc. In fact, Mexico and Costa Rica are really the only "big" nations in CONCACAF where Soccer/Football/Whatever is the most popular sport.

15 minutes ago, Sir Steve Howard said:

Shambolic UEFA don't get a representative in the playoffs (because whoever it was would obviously walk it). CONCACAF getting 6 spots and 2 in the playoffs is taking the piss.

Last time UEFA had an intercontinental spot was 2002, playoff was Ireland v Iran w/ home and away legs, incredible tie.

I'm going to caveat with - the expansion of the tournament is dumb, and the original selection of 32 teams was perfect.... BUT... CONCACAF's teams going to the inter-confederation tournament are likely to be pretty solid. Curacao is by far the lowest ELO ranked team (95), but they could easily displace Jamaica (75) for the top spot in their group. Costa Rica is (52) and Panama is (36). 

 

That compares well with:

 

Nigeria (62)

Cameroon (68)

Gabon (84)

DR Congo (65)

Bolivia (47)

New Caledonia (140)

UAE (73)

Iraq (68)

 

Are these teams better than the teams that will likely miss out in UEFA? Of course not. But that's not really the point of the World Cup. 

 

11 minutes ago, Bilo said:

 

Quite.

 

Our media needs to have the balls to say that racist, ill-informed and divisive views are inferior. Because they are. The racist dickhead down the pub that everyone avoided 20 years ago is now mainstream and listened to. Time that changed.

I think a lot of the issues in western society come from treating each view as equal, or believing there are "two sides" to any argument.  The media sane washes absolutely insane ideas - climate denial, vaccine skepticism, etc. and it is to the detriment of our society. 

Just now, Tielemans63 said:

Dykes is the sort of massive shit striker who'll cause us problems 

Looks like he gets paid in tattoos

Where's Danny Ward when you need him? 😂