deep blue

This is spot on. I read the news items given online by the government advertising the initiatives they are funding. OK, you can interpret it to some extent as government propaganda, but they do genuinely seem to be trying to set in motion strategies for addressing our nation's future needs (strategy being badly lacking in the previous Tory governments). But (a) how many people read about these initiatives and (b) how many would give the government the time for these strategies to start to bear fruit? So many people are happy to continue in ignorance and simply complain about policies not improving their lot in the immediate short term, which is a recipe for a populist party to be voted in next time... and what a disaster that will be.

Aluko was stupid .. but he's young. After his first yellow, did anyone notice our senior players having a word with him? He definitely needed a stern warning, or taking off.

They would if they cared...

So had we gone for a new stadium after our title win the timing would have been great for the period immediately after Puel. Hindsight, and all that, but what could have been ...

This does my head in too. So lazy & brainless, no thought of progressing the ball.

So so true.

Hamza was pushed into an emergency CB role 3 years ago in a very weakened side that nevertheless beat Liverpool. Hamza played excellently and was singled out for praise after the match by Rodgers ... who promptly dropped him for the next game and I think that experiment hasn't been repeated since. Make of it what you will.

Have always thought he's the most likely of our title-winning team to make a good manager, and wished he'd have been contacted by us before now to have a role in the club, with the hope of him eventually becoming our manager. I hope that our owners/board might make a belated approach soon with that in mind.

You're right, the word "precarious" was a bit too strong, but the potential was there for it to fall apart (though Tater did it in rather spectacular fashion). The break up of the team had already started; Heskey had already left, Collymore broke his leg, Cottee was near the end of his career (and Guppy not much younger, I thnk), Walsh probably past his best, and Lennon was always likely to follow MON to Celtic.

MON was a great motivator and created a great team, but left us in a precarious position for his own self-advancement. Nige built a great club and left us, not of his own volition, but with the club in a wonderful and solid position..... providing a real springboard for what came next. Both great managers, MON probably edging Nige for in-game management, but Nige had much the more constructive ability for the club as a whole (which is the sort of manager we desperately need at the moment).

You've forgotten the LibDems and the Greens, then?

"Page looked lost" earlier in the season... Of course he did - it was his first game in the side, and in a dysfunctional team. He will surely improve game on game. ""Briggs hasn't played a minute of first tea football". This is a catch-22 statement which applies to every academy player; it will always be the case until they are actually given a go. etc It's not asking for 50% of the team to be untried youngsters playing the full 90, but of introducing them gradually, giving them the opportunity to adapt and grow over a season. If we aren't prepared to do that there's no point in having an academy at all.

It's the finish that matters?

Isn't 't Aluko used to playing behind Monga? If so, that makes it even more compelling to play him.

In the circumstances I think this is a really good shout, and a selection with the future in mind,. Hamza isn't everyone's cup of tea, but he adds fight, energy, determination, speed, and a strong tackle - all of which are lacking in our other midfield options. He would also make the most suitable captain. My only disagreement is that it's too early and big a jump for Hutchinson - would prefer Evans (if available), or even Daka who would provide a disruptional spearhead (at least he would provide a decent press in tandem with the youngsters around him). Page would be a useful midfield option on the bench, too. We desperately need the energy and commitment these youngsters would bring.

No, Hamza is a better option because, unlike Soumare, he has the aggression that we are so short of in our squad. One of the few players we have who will put in a solid tackle, as well as having the speed and commitment to chase back. So, in spite of his shortcomings, he's much the better choice than Soumare for our midfield. I also agree with the poster above that, if not Hamza, Faes would be potentially a better choice as defensive midfielder for similar reasons (except that his commitment is suspect, and he might refuse to play in an unfamiliar position because of his international ambitions).

Agreed, but he could have selected other ones. Admittedly, that would have meant making up half of our team from our academy, and we would have a testing season with no chance of promotion. But we have no chance anyway; much the reverse. And it would give us much more heart to see players who are fit, energetic, attack-minded, determined etc. It is the better long term option. Because our current players are so lacking in fight we will be in great danger if we slip into the relegation zone. One shot on target today after so much possession ... disgraceful.

The. Can you tell me what's the source of that info?

Do you know if there are any official or believable statistics to substantiate your claim that most illegal entrants by boat are young men seeking employment? I've noted people frequently making this claim but have never seen a verifiable information source quoted. It would appear odd to me if true. Surely it's well enough known by now that immigrants are not allowed to work until they have been assessed as genuine asylum seekers, and that that process is very lengthy and far from certain it will give the outcome they need.

He should have been offered it a year ago. Steady progress year on year with Stockport County, with limited resources. Unlucky to miss promotion to the Championship via the play-offs last season and has Stockport top of div1 tonight.

Yes, just about my first season watching. Oddly, a recent addition to our table tennis group turns out to be the son of Fred Worthington who apparently played in midfield for us in the previous season (I didn't remember him).

Just watching Brentford on MOTD. If our players had only 50% of their commitment and, teamwork we would be OK. Our players are so weak in intent and mentality.

70 years for me ... I empathise completely.

According to info I've just been sent the most recent council by-elections (unfortunately I don't know how far that goes back) show Reform to have won 49 seats, LibDem 43, Con 15, Labour 13 and Greens 11.

I would agree if it weren't for the talented youngsters that he won't include in the mix.