Trav Le Bleu

Reality check What are you expecting? Don't you know the players we have in our squad by now? Are you not aware of the financial fiasco and the PSR will-they-won't-they saga? Things are not going to change drastically any time soon. We were never going to walk this league. Three or four good players are never going to be able to carry a team of over-the-hill, malcontent or just plain poor players. Bringing talented youngsters into such a team is only going to ruin them. We could have Alex Ferguson, Pep Guardiola or Luis Felipe Scolari in charge, they would struggle with our squad. But get this, nothing is going to change overnight. Nothing will be different next week. There's no consistent curve to better times. There's ups and downs. Sometimes more downs than ups; sometimes the reverse. It will take time to change. Being frustrated about it alters nothing, it just enhances the negativity. For now we have to suck it up and endure, but back the team that's our there and the current manager. It's what supporters do; they support, it's in the title. Moan, bitch and whine all you like - unless a miraculous takeover happens - it's going to be a long hard season. Yet if we try to make the best of it, support the team that's our there, maybe we can eke a little more out of them to hold back the tide, maybe even turn it. The only thing you can control is yourself. Everything else, sorry, no. Take a deep breath and consider that. Suck it up and go again.

Thaaaaaat's Jattdogg! Giggity.

Is it safe to come out yet?

No I get that, it just seems that people seem to view wants as necessities. In some cases, it's been forced on them (internet connection, lack of public transport, lack of security, inbuilt obsolescence, etc) but there's very much a reluctance to buy used goods or repair stuff. A lot less people know how to repair, maintain things that would've been the norm or even prepare a meal. This of course plays into the wealthy people's hands (read Brave New World) and the gap is wider than ever. There's also a massive buy-in of the narrative. Cooking is so much hassle and should be ready instantly; I can have new, cheap clothes every week (and I need to, because they wear out quick); it's not safe for kids to walk to school, so we need a 2nd car; a kitchen needs a dishwasher. These are all perceptions encouraged to keep the money rolling in, none of these are necessities, but are considered by many to be so. "Our necessities are few, but our wants are endless." George Bernard Shaw.

Guess I imagined my childhood.

Or FoxesTalk post. MODS!

I was impressed with Phil's gyration. On that first swing I think he might have been the only person who properly remained standing, so it was a bit harsh.

Give you that one. The idea of a working class family owning a house pre-1980s though (and I know you're not saying this) is virtually impossible; you rented for the council. Private renting was something wealthy people did for occasional residences. Of course there was a lot more council houses around then and it was said and is probably true in most instances now, that the council is the best landlord. I live on a council estate and you can tell which ones are still council owned - invariably they're in better nick. I often feel that this forum feels VERY middle-class, which is weird cos a) football supporters and b) often perceived (rightly or wrongly) left-wing bias. But then I'm just a dumbass working class serf off the estates, without a degree to my name, what do I know?

It's absolutely possible. I wouldn't say it if I didn't do it and know other people doing it. Most of it boils down to being content with what you have. The fact that you're a civil engineer (and probably earn twice what I do... (I've just checked the average wage for a Surveyor - you possibly earn three times what I do)) and feel financially stretched I find staggering. In fact, I have a friend who is a surveyor who lives a very comfortable life doing not a lot of work (his words; not mine). But don't worry, the robots are on the march.

Dunno, nuclear attack on London would've been worse?

When I was young usually one parent stayed home for the kids (in those days invariably the wife). The difference was, they didn't expect to have the large TVs, the latest mobile, or new clothes every week. Of course large TVs and mobiles didn't exist then, but most working class families would have a simple black and white TV, use the telephone booth two streets away and repaired clothes and passed them down. They did this so their kids had enough to eat and a roof over their head. They made sacrifices. Nowadays people spend money on luxury items and expect the state to provide for their essential needs. This is a generalism, there do, of course, still exist people who make sacrifices for their kids first, even in that case sometimes not being enough.

Hope you told him he's a plastic. Has he never wondered why it's Filbert Fox? Hate how some many young people say, "it's before my time." I mean, I know, and I'm sure many of us do, we used to play at Viccy Park, and that's well before anyone alive's time!

To be fair, most adult males were out killing foreigners to stop them coming over. Harsh.

And what was in there?

No self-respecting nerd would wear a puffer jacket. As a nerd, whose friends are largely nerds, the underpinning definition of a nerd is a craving for rules, hence a liking for video and board games and created worlds where adherence to the rules of that world is non negotiable. As a result, most nerds are law abiding to a pinpoint degree. Dorks however.... Don't ever associate dorks with nerds, please!

People wearing puff hoodies and trackie bottoms are generally not that nerdy.

I "kind of" get it though. The White House is one massive vanity project and statement piece, much like any palace or home of national leader. Consider the Elysee Palace in France or Quirinal Palace in Italy (Downing St is very modest in comparison, but I guess we have Buckingham Palace.) It's Shock and Awe, without the bombing. Some world leaders will actually be more motivated by attending a ball there than by any amount of words. Sad, but true. Look on the bright side. At least by the time it's finished he'll only get a couple of years personal use of it. Though I still can't shake an image of his head in a glass jar of formaldehyde and electrolytes, Futurama style.

Yeah, I've said elsewhere that a lot of people are vastly over-estimating Marti's resources. I think that any manager we've had would struggle with this squad.

Just the pan, or pan and fat? Anyway, I guess it's a nice romantic treat for when your cousin comes round.

That doesn't scan or rhyme well either. What a rubbish school!

The 12" of Tainted Love (which merges into Where Did Our Love Go) is one of my favourite 12" singles. That said, I prefer the Gloria Jones original of that song.

Ahem... they both have wives from overseas, but would object to other people doing it, was my point.

I'm glad you added that last line. I know lots of Muslims who, if they've got a second wife, are very good at hiding it. I also know white English people who have got, "a bit on the side." I don't think extramarital liaisons are much more common in Muslim UK, just cos of the faff of covering your tracks. It's not impossible that he's heard UK residents giving it the big one about their sexual exploits and thinks this is what one of the lads does.

You work with Nigel Farage and Donald Trump?

Mods, in all seriousness, this thread either needs closing for at least a while, or certain people banned from it. And I don't even care if I'm one of them.