spudski

Nah...it's because you're a troll. Go back to doing what you do best. Jizzing over posters of Tony Blair. I'm really not interested in your opinion. I'd rather discuss with others who I respect. I don't like you, or respect your opinion. Just avoid.

Food critique is like Art and Music. What's good for one person, is awful for another. Read up about how he became a food writer. Not just the one I posted. He's established himself now, over a period of time. Because he is a good writer, he admits that himself. Not because of knowledge of food. He writes and gets paid to do it. However...his critique is no more important than anyone else, who is a keen foodie, and visits many restaurants, and knows about ingredients, cooking styles, price points, etc. The only difference being they aren't paid to do it, and don't get the platform. I'd rather listen to keen foodies on here (like yourself), or local food blogs, who know the local area, and how it ticks, than him. Food critiques in general are bazaar. The amount of coverage they get, and influence can ruin or establish a business. Just because of one person's opinion. When he started out, he had no more knowledge of food, restaurants, business, than anyone else that was just keen on eating out. I've read his opinions, and often disagree with them. Obviously others like his opinions. Food and food experience is subjective. I'm a keen foodie, visit many different types of establishments, both here and abroad. I've also cooked professionally. Not restaurants, but in high end ski chalets in France. Where expectations were high. Had to do courses etc. I've also recently done business plans and menu plans for local establishments to myself. So it's not like I have no idea at all on the subject. It's all just opinions. His is no more important than yours imo.

I agree with your sentiments. It's just finding the right balance of young hungry players and experienced heads that aren't past their best, that can still add quality football, have legs, as well as sharing knowledge. It's tough, I can see that.

He's improved immensely. He needs to improve his longer kicks wide. So many go straight into touch. The defenders feel comfortable with him as well. I do like my keepers to be very vocal and dominant. He does have a passive demeanor about him. A more aggressive and commanding presence would be an improvement, that might come with age.

It'll be interesting to see how Cornick develops and what plans we have for him. I agree with what you say to a degree. However, we have struggled this year and need to kick on. To positively develop. You can only keep going for so long in this league at a level required to be successful. Regardless of experience, you still need legs. It only takes you so far. As for your last paragraph. It's a catch 22. The club want it. The players and manager want it.

Perhaps you should read this before posting such crap. It's hilarious that you actually think anyone cares what you think. It's quiet a skill being so vociferous when you're obviously so dumb. ???? *****. He can write, and has an opinion. Got lucky. Has no professional knowledge on food. He says so himself. https://www.businessinsider.com/jay-rayner-how-to-become-a-food-critic-2016-4

I see the same... however...it's still cause for concern if we can't better what we have had this season. You are correct in what you see imo...without sounding contrived. But considering the how we've struggled this season, my concern is, another year older leggy highly experienced players, injury prone players, academy players, league 1 rough diamonds, are they going to improve on this season? The highly experienced players of James, King, Wells, Weimann, Naismith, Kalas. Fantastic players in their prime. But next season? That's my concern.

' without pretentiousness?' jeeeeeez...you'd think we would have seen through this crap now. Seriously, has anyone ever rocked up to a joint serving that type of food, presented like that, and thought it was worth it? It's complete pretentiousness...and naming the ***** Jay Rayner in the article underlines my view. He's so out of touch. No offence JB...but this type of food and presentation is so past it.

You'd hope so. However for all the reasons I've mentioned, you cannot help looking at the squad, it's history with injuries, the age increase in experienced players, experienced players with Prem credentials, and look at what ponds we are fishing in...wage structure etc and not see a glaring problem.

'Should be enough'...for what? I look at that list, the age, experience, injuries, with trepidation. Hence my Op.

I've watched most of his games at home for Yate. He showed glimpses of ability, however at that level it's all about the physicality of a player. Much of the game would pass him by. No way does it reflect on how the academy and first team play. He didn't stand out as a player that was capable of Championship football. In saying that...Tyrone Ming's didn't stand out as a potential England player when he played for a Yate. Tinnion knows exactly what he's doing imo. Having an ' eye' at that level is another level... immense. Seeing it higher up is easy. The majority of City loans at Yate have never really stood out. Technically...yes...but otherwise...you'd never go ' wow'. But fit them in with a system and others above their level...then it changes. OTC from his period at Yate is no way near Championship level. I've been pleasantly surprised at his inclusion in the match day squad. I hope and wish him to prove me wrong and Tins right. In saying that...he was ahead of Prince Henry.

So far...'mobile and industrious' seems to have missed him by. No doubt has talent from previous clubs, but is taking time to fit here.

Is the future front three seen as Sykes, Conway and Bell...playing as a fast, attacking, high intensity, three pronged attack? So far I can't see how Cornick fits in with our high intensity style. I can with the experience and style of Wells and Weimann. Can Bell and Conway replicate the partnership and understanding they had at academy level at Championship level. I'd like to think so from what I've seen so far. Again...it's the experienced head needed on the pitch needed...which we've seen with Wells.

Yes I agree. Bell and Conway have been fantastic. Scott and Semenyo star Premiership level stars. Both not here next season. We are very very unlikely to replace with that star quality. Any players like you say, that come from League 1 with the identified profile, won't have any of the vast experience and quality from Prem/ international level of Kalas, Naismith, Weimann, James, King and Wells...who like I've pointed out are all on the downward slide...either injury prone, age related. Basically past their best. If we keep some of those experienced players, the chances of them playing to a better standard than this season or even equal too, is very remote. Odd game maybe, but not sustained over a season. What we are left with in the majority are academy players and youngsters with no more higher experience than the level they've played at already. So aging experienced players on a downslide mixed with players that are academy products, and players that have no more experience than league 1 level or mid Championship level. To me...that's a concern. On paper...and we know games aren't played on paper...we will look far weaker than this season. A season in which we've struggled. For me...we need the equivalent of a Kalas, James and Wells, but younger, added to the spine of the squad to give that leadership and experience that will be needed.

No way good enough for Championship standard football imo. Behind Low...who imo would be a last resort and needs another season out on loan. And both wayyyyy behind Towler who's having a blinder at Pompey.

Yes, I've partook of that thread, sadly as it's in a sub forum it often gets over looked. I agree with getting the balance right, and maintaining a pathway. My biggest concern is, imo, we aren't likely to replace with the same capability and quality Semenyo and Scott. Both are awesome players. And Kalas, James, Weimann, King and Wells...our most experienced quality players, are either injury prone or coming/have come to the end of their careers, or are on a downward slide, incapable of playing high intensity football, to a standard that can make us a top 10 team every week. It's great having a pathway, and our academy has produced some stunning talent. However...my biggest concern is replacing the aging players. I look at this season...with the experience of James, Wells, Weimann, Naismith, King and Kalas...and the talents of Semenyo and Scott...we've struggled. Yes injury has played a part. However...Cornick and Mehmeti are not in the same class as both Semenyo and Scott, and the aforementioned players are all a year older, injury prone, on a downward slide. We look a lot weaker next season if we continue with our aging experienced players and loss of star players. Replacing them with hungry league 1 players doesn't give us that experience needed. The balance of youth and experienced quality players is being stretched imo.

The recent 'Problems up front' thread got me thinking last night. As some valid points were made regarding players. With the recent departure of Semenyo, the long term injuries to Kalas and Williams and age catching up with some prominent essential players, I thought the subject deserved a thread of it's own. Tinman has alluded to bringing in possibly 4 players next season. Is this enough? We are likely to sell Scott for decent money. Kalas (30 next season) injury prone likely to not get a renewed contract, but can't be relied on for a full season. Williams...again...injury prone. We can't rely on him being a regular. King will be 35 next season. Age catches up just like it did with Klose. Naismith had a bad injury, will be 32 next season. James...been fantastic this season, but again, will be 32 next season. Age catches up. Weimann will be 32, hasn't been great this season. On a downward slope? Wells will be 33. He's been good, but again...legs don't last. Massengo will be gone, doubts over DaSilva, maybe interest in the likes of Pring. That's 11 players with question marks. Take those away...and it leaves us with this. GK Haikin 27, O'Leary 26 DF Atkinson (long term injury) 24 Vyner 25 Wilson 22 Tanner 23 MF Benarous (long term injury) 19 Sykes 25 Mehmeti 22 Forwards Conway ( long term injury ) 20 Cornick 27 Bell 20 So in short. We have age catching up with some influential players. Injury prone players who are deemed first team starts we can't rely on. Our best players leaving/ just left. Players coming back from injury, and new recruits who are showing how long it takes to gell. I can't see anyone in our current academy that can come in and start on a regular basis and be good enough to make an impact that would make us a solid Championship side. So we can't rely on that? Whilst our younger players will have another season under their belts and positively developing ( Tanner, Sykes eg) our experienced players have imo, reached their peak, and will be on a downward slope. Age just catches up. Even more so when playing with such high intensity we are aiming to play. It's been said we will be looking to recruit, young hungry players from League 1 with games under their belt. What about replacing our experienced players. James has been a rock. But next season? Thoughts?

My gut feeling is NP will set up this way. _________________Max_________________ Tanner____Vyner_____Pring____DaSilva _______Scott_____________James______ ______________Weimann_______________ Sykes________________________Mehmeti ________________Wells_________________

Indeed, as I pointed out in my earlier post. There are always consequences and those that have to have their lives affected in a negative way because of their selfish actions.

It's definitely a thought provoking subject @Numero Uno ? Even having an organised brawl out of harm's way, who picks up the pieces of the injured? Paramedics, Police, Courts, lawyers, hospital beds etc, etc. They can all be involved. Taking up time and resources needed elsewhere. Again theirs the counter argument of smoking, alcoholism, drugs etc...people do it knowing it can cause harm. It's so complex.

It's thought provoking in many ways, and just goes to show how hypocritical we are as a human race. No family, friend or relative wants to see their loved one killed. So much is shared in various forms, censored or uncensored. Think how much is shown of people being killed in Sport, accidents, terrorism, war etc. All have relatives and families. Yet no one seems to question this. Especially right now as an example with the Ukraine war. Everyday, footage being uploaded by both sides showing death, people being killed. Frontline uploads. Executions. Fighting, killing, injuring is such a complex topic. Doing it in the name of country, government, flag, war, belief ( terrorism). You can ' lawfully ' kill, decided by people in power. Does that make it right...because a few decided it was? Think how hypocritical we are as humans, where we deplore violence in general, but will pay to watch and be entertained by boxing and cage fighting. Where the intention is to knock someone out, injure them. Often the injuries life changing. And we pay to enjoy it, because it's legalised. Loosely..the only difference I can see, compared to hooliganism is it's controlled, legal, insured, rules. If someone dies from their injuries, it's seen as a tragic accident...yet the intention is to do as much harm as possible! It's like sticking your head under a guillotine hanging by a thread and saying it's a tragic accident when the thread breaks. I've often wondered where the laws stands with Ice Hockey where punching the crap out of one another is allowed and part of the game. If someone dies from a punch... manslaughter, murder? The same with football...a player reacts to a physical challenge and throws an elbow to the head...someone dies. Is it part of the game? Challenges have happened in football and people have died...a challenge within the rules or a reaction out of the rules can be all the difference. The disparity between the cotton wool society we live in, H&S and the opposite end of fighting, killing within ' rules and laws' is often mind boggling when you step back and think about the bigger picture. I've massively digressed, but it's all relevent on how we react and judge violence.

I've read numerous books on hooliganism and the reasoning behind it. Desmond Morris's The Soccer Tribe being the most information. I've a balanced view and understand it. However...it still comes down to having No respect for the consequences and actions to others who don't wish to be involved. Often by default. It also often shows a lack of self respect and failings in other parts of their lives. If they had fulfilled lives they wouldn't need it. It's misguided. And totally selfish. And yes imo...pathetic.

Isn't that exactly what hooligans are looking to do? Injure someone else, put their's and others life at risk. And ignore all the consequences of their actions. That's what you were originally implying wasn't pathetic ?

Not just seen as scum by society, but also seen as scum and distanced by Football Clubs. The hypocrisy is ridiculous. The deceased went to injure other people in the name of Blackpool FC.

I haven't said it was. And I don't know the circumstances of this case. However...anyone that does something on purpose that puts others lives at risk is imo, selfish and often pathetic.