Rooney

Indeed! Not sure I'd fancy playing an Emery side over two legs though!

Tough draw for Liverpool considering we won the group! Guess a lot of it is luck mind. PSG will be insanely tough. If we get through though, we are likely faced with three Arsenal games in 10 days.. both teams going for the league and semi finals! Or a double header against Real Madrid who have our number recently. Tough ask with it seemingly becoming a ever increasingly small squad of players Slot trusts!

Ah yes Liam, the well-known fantastical left wing Musk & Trump :lol: I find this "it's not our fight" is so naive and ultimately comes back to bite everyone on your ass. If your friends were being beaten up by some random idiot would you sit back and be like "not my fight mate, you take those punches" - you might, I'd call you a bad friend if you did that. It's the same principle here - you look after your allies. If you appease loonies, it fuels their agenda and makes them stronger until ultimately it's too late. I don't really know what's too hard comprehend here. I understand all countries have their own domestic problems, but there's an incredible lack of foresight in a lot of these views as the world problems, become lots of people's problems eventually and you can't just block things out and pretend stuff isn't happening. I think what you're inferring to is somewhere under there is, it's OK to be under a dictatorship if people want it. Which is a fair point, but you'll find in a lot of these countries people don't want to be under a dictatorship, but with state control and oppression you reduce these voices and people live their lives in fear. It's why even though I am sympathetic to the diversity & inclusion cull to a point, as undoubtedly those schemes push unconscious biases, however you do need a fair & representative process to not marginalise any candidates who may be at a percieved disadvantage. But the Trump administration will only recruit workers who are 'MAGA' loyal going forwards - this is not fair recruitment and it is sewing the seeds for an undemocratic America in the future. Ultimately everybody wants this war to end, but the fantastic negotiater Trump has brokered the worst deal I have ever seen which rewards the abusers and hurts the victims. That is not how you negotiate peace.

All of these polls are old though, I'm on about what happens next. Reform are doing well at the moment, but not enough to win an election by some margin. I think if the sensible people play it right, it can eat in to the potential Reform votes.

Will be interesting to see the Reform polls over the coming weeks. Trump has low favourable approval ratings in the U.K. and with his descent in to madness I can’t see that going down well with people who may be tempted to vote Reform. Interesting of course to see the likes of Farage and Tice very silent on the matter at the moment when they’re usually the first gobshites to pop up.

I remark you back to 1938. Russia is very containable in its current iteration, it was basically forced to become China’s little bitch. The wider angle here is the US is so afraid of Chinese dominance they’ve decided to apply with Russia. Absolute madness. The US and Trump can frankly go and f*** themselves as far as I’m concerned. They’ve chosen to severe ties with allies. Trump is basically the Kremlin at this stage and all these so called patriots are anything but.

Clearly demonstrating the Western Twitter influence once again. If Russia decided to bomb Scotland today by your logic you’d be “ahh well that’s not great, but we don’t want a war and nobody else needs to die”. This is how you enable war lords. Your selective reasoning of war is again ignorant- we’ve got a civil wars in different parts of Africa, had a civil war in Syrian a continual war in Yemen for years. I don’t want a war but you have to stand up for what is right- just like I suspect Trump will claim Greenland and you’ll be like “ahh yeah but don’t anybody to die”. Your argument is confused and laughable and laced with Pro-Kremlin rhetoric. “Get the best possible deal” alright then tell me what that is. You are laughably naive if you think any real arranges does not present Russia with the opportunity to invade Ukraine once they are economically and physically recharged. That’s why NATO is a red line, because with NATO membership there is no way they can reclaim the old USSR. Russia wants to end the war now as they can get a favourable deal from the US. You know, one which works in their favour. The war has crippled them and they were clearly unprepared for the military stubbornness and the West support with arms. If the West didn’t support they’d have taken strongholds in Ukraine. Yes Russia did help in WW2. Japan, Italy and Germany also slaughtered thousands of innocent people.. not really sure what your point is? Stalin was an oppressive dictator who killed millions of innocent people in his own country too. Of course I don’t want WW3, but you know, the examples you’ve just shared are not countries invading sovereign states with weapons?

Good news we did not follow your logic, otherwise we’d all be part of Nazi Germany.

Laughable. Lay off Twiter and read some history books. So much rubbish spouted which is clearly being parroted by the far right which makes no sense. Using the Good Friday agreement as a comparable adjustment when the two are completely different. Putin was appeased before and guess what he did.. invaded again. Do you not think he will do the same? By your entire logic if the U.K. was ever invaded we’d all just take it as we don’t want anybody to die. War is a part of life, it’s happened for 2000 years and will continue to happen. You stand up to bullies and aggressors otherwise they just push their luck. This “deal” you speak of wild be great, but how about you negotiate a fair deal that punishes Russia for invading a sovereign state? Instead any deal the US are facilitating allows Russia to not be punished and regroup economically before their next ambition. Aww boo hoo poor Russia feeling threatened. A country that has killed British citizens on British spoil and is actively hostile and aggressive. Like I’ve said, you probably call yourself a British patriot but you feel compassion for a hostile enemy state who would love nothing more to wipe Britain off the face of the earth if given half a chance.

Oh I don’t know, maybe Russia could not have invaded Ukraine? All war is a waste of life. If the U.K. got invaded by a hostile enemy state would you be like “oh that’s fine lads, just take what you want, nobody needs to die here”. Of course you wouldn’t. You cannot expect Ukraine to be the same. This idea that Ukraine provoked Russia is completely absurd. Russia is a hostile state, appeasing them is not the answer. Do you honestly think Russia will not move again in the future? Honestly, never heard so much absolute shite. Next you’re gonna be telling us the Earth is flat cos Dr Green on Twitter said so.

The US play with Russia here is a strange one. I think the idea both administrations have is to weaken Europe and have influence elections to have puppets in play - works for both the longer term US and Russian strategic visions. I can imagine the agreement will be terrible, then the blame will be placed on Europe. Seems highly likely.

See Liam, your post is contradictory. London (and the country) is overcrowded and full of immigrants but the birth rate is low and this is a problem. Which is right wing code for lets breed a load of white European babies. Some of your arguments are so lazy and just taken from far right influencers. Why do we not have more doctors? Well why don't we look at our social background - training to be a doctor is hard, underpaid and expensive - that's why. Oh hey, why would I want to work hard when I can earn £££ being a social media influencer??? Such lazy arguments. The irony being America of course was built on immigration. Look there are many issues nobody is denying that, but populism is an easy route out. Like I've said before if you promise someone more jobs, more money, lower prices who wouldn't vote for it? I know I would, especially when you see extreme rent prices, house prices going up etc. etc. - what frustrates me is the idea that these friendly billionaires care about you. They do not give one care in the world. You're a useful idiot to them. You give a reason to people why their lives are so shit and they believe it. All while the puppetmasters behind the scenes are controlling things to make themselves richer and still make life shite for everyone. There are many people within this thread whose political views I disagree with (and probably still do to some degrees!) but we are all aware of the far right and populism. History is filled of it. But on this, you will see us all coming together and agreeing with each other as we all know where this will go next.

Has anybody read the proposed ceasefire details in The Telegraph? Tells you all you need to know about this current US administration. As if anybody would sign that deal :lol: No doubt took tips from Putin on that one.

Would take at least 10 years to create though and City have way better facilities already. The option probably is to try and hoover up the best talent around 15-17 and takes risks on that, but there's no guarantee it pays off. A big issue with playing younger players these days vs La Liga too, is the Premier League is increasing becoming more physical & technical. There's a certain type of profile which managers seem to be buying at the moment. Barcelona are also a bit of a basket case as well as they are financially fecked for the next 10 years. They're going to have to sell Yamal (of course it won't be him), Gavi, Balde, Lopez or Pedri within the next 18 months.

No-one has improved really because that's not been Man Utd's strategy. In the post Fergie years, it was all about the big names, buying superstars etc. - a real thirst for old glory. Post Ferguson they almost took upon that Galatico stylee buying, which resulted in some of the worst transfers of all time. Then of course to attract these players they were offering way above market wages, so a lot of these players were all sold or were massive losses on the books. Then when Ten Haag came in, I genuinely have no idea what the strategy was there apart from buying players he worked with. The fact so many managers have failed there or never really been able to hit the heights probably means the current environment does not lead to success. The fans and the media alike have always expected Man Utd should be challeging for the league and be the best club in the world - sometimes you have to accept that that's not always possible. It probably doesn't help that so many of the players who were instrumental under Fergie have so much influence in the media, which imo just fuels the fans and expectations.

This is just laughable Liam, sorry. I’m sure you’d roll over and let Russia waltz in if the Kremlin ever decided it wanted to take over the United Kingdom. By your logic every leader should be pro Russian because we’re scared of tinpot dictatorship. You’re largely ignoring the fact in peace treaty signed there will be a “no war zone” which will need to be managed and monitored, otherwise separatist groups from both sides could start the war again. The far right rhetoric is absolutely laughable. No wonder Putinis jumping through hoops for Trump.

It’s a peace keeping treaty, not a war :lol: There’s incredibly naivety if you think when a war ends, everyone goes back to daisys and roses the following day. Russia would agree to the terms too and sign a treaty so if they started shelling troops then it would be an act of war? Appeasement does not work, try asking Neville Chamberlain about that one. The world does not revolve around the US, absolutely Europe have relied on the US for so long but the US will be on its own when it runs in to its own wars down the line. The Kremlins longer term ambition is to take over the old USSR. Why you think Putin doesnt want Ukraine to join NATO? It’s really because down the line the Kremlin will go for it again. All intelligence speaks that way.

Yeah all the usual right wing mob not really understanding global politics.. shock. Trump wants this as part of a deal and he doesn’t want US troops to do it. If you don’t put up a deterrent, Russia will just rearm and invade again. Honestly, people are naive and dumb if they don’t think Russia will move again at some point within the next 5-10 years.

Antony in great form in La Liga too at the moment :lol: At some point, you have to wonder that the rot is so deep and the culture is so broken, or the weight of expectation is so big.

Wednesday 19th February Aston Villa 1-3 Liverpool (19:30) Friday 21st February Leicester City 1-1 Brentford (20:00) Saturday 22nd February Everton 2-0 Manchester United (12:30) AFC Bournemouth 2-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers Arsenal 1-0 West Ham United Fulham 1-2 Crystal Palace Ipswich Town 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur Southampton 1-3 Brighton & Hove Albion Aston Villa 1-1 Chelsea (17:30) Sunday 23rd February Newcastle United 2-0 Nottingham Forest (14:00) Manchester City 2-2 Liverpool (16:30)

Amorim is making Ten Haag look like a genius.

Liam, while I respect your opinion, the Russia part is misguided. They are the biggest threat to us and I can see why Europe is concerned. Within the last year iirc they have been caught THREE times within British territory in their submarines. That is worrying. What are they mapping, what are they doing? You'll never hear the likes of Reform shouting up about this as their backers are in Russian pockets. It's laughable that people think the Kremlin will not try something else within the next 10 years once they've used the peace time to rebuild. You've taken the bait that all our problems are to blame on immigration when they're not. Even in the US they are not. Hospitals aren't failing because of illegal immigrants, they're failing because an ageing population and we have a total imbalance of working people to pay for the system vs what is taken out of the system. Illegal immigration is certainly an issue, but it's a lazy debate to make. People voted for Brexit cos of immigration.

I mean just look closer to home, you've got Rupert Lowe from Reform whose just promised everyone a tax cut, regenerate town centres, tax cuts to promote child, scrap interest on student loans, VAT reform.. all wonderful ideas and of course I would welcome them all, but with the catch.. how is this going to be funded? It's complete fantasy politics thinking if you find £20 down the back of a sofa and stop a few illegal immigrants you can transform a country. Unfortunately everyone is easily duped in propaganda, it's why if we had a vote to return back to the EU today I suspect it would be 55-60% in favour of rejoining.

Excited for the album next week, have liked all the songs so far, although Wild Long Lie hasn't clicked with me yet. Just want to echo what a few people have already said, Remember My Name is a song. A stunning emotive piece of music captured so simplistic with the brass band - wow.

Probably not I suspect, not sure United need them recalled anyway. It's better longer term for them to be playing regularly and hope someone takes a punt on them. The league is pretty much pointless at this point and the Europa League is what they should be concentrating on.