SecretSam

On 08/10/2022 at 23:45, Logical-City said:

At what point do people start to recognise that Frankie Fielding was better ? And that our next signing should be a keeper? Sorry he can make all the random world class saves he wants but give me a steady reliable safe hands keeper all day   

I didn't know David Bentley was still playing, he must be getting on a bit

Needs a bit more peripheral vision, ITKWIM

2 hours ago, BTRFTG said:

Football doesn't negate the decency of respecting others cultures but I agree Qatar should not be hosting the World Cup. We shouldn't however impose western values on an arabic long, proud & influential culture.

I travelled extensively throughout the Middle East, was considerate of its culture even where it didn't concur with my own values and never had a problem other than once inadvertently sitting in a women's area in a cafe in Jeddah (not there was any obvious way to identify,) where having highlighted my error the locals watered and fed me with a smile and for gratis.

You use the term 'strict', so what say we flip cultural norms to see whether you consider us to be as strict as they? I was once travelling in a cab in Bahrain, fancy top-of-the-range Merc, not some backstreet mini cab. Chauffeur smartly dressed in crystal white dishdasha, butterfly style shumagh, classy. A slight delay at a set of lights and he gets out the car, hoicks up his thwab and proceeds to curl one out in the road. Nobody (save me) batted an eyelid. He climbed back in and life continued. Do you reckon he'd think us strict for not allowing him to do likewise here?

:laugh: getting an Uber back to the airport in Riyadh during a massive downpour (including lightning) was...an experience

9 minutes ago, Cowshed said:

Bristol City lads have been there before for a game  v Brazil and? Drank in a gated complex for tourists. Drinking alcohol was restricted and it is exceptionally expensive.

Years later. Drinking alcohol is stiil restricted and it is exceptionally expensive.

It will be unlike any other tournament.

I don't know current prices, but back in the day it was (say) double London prices.

I understand in many Scandi countries, alcohol is very pricey. 

End of the day, it's their country, if they have rules you don't like...don't go.

5 hours ago, Red-Robbo said:

 

The very fact there is any sort of dress code makes it strict. Think they'll allow female fans to wear shorts around town?

I can only go by the word of my mate, who has worked in UAE, Bahrain and Qatar.

He found the Bahrainis the friendliest and Qataris the least. He had friends among the expat and South Asian community there, but not the Arabs. 

At any rate, it isn't a football culture,  nor one used to josting large numbers of fans from across the world.

It is a farce it was ever considered, let alone granted the gig. 

There's a dress code in lots of places. You can't go into St Peter's Square with uncovered arms and legs, for example (IIRC). Similarly, women topless on general beaches here is forbidden. That's a dress code.

Whether the local authorities in Qatar relax some rules during the World Cup remains to be seen. The drunkeness rule is going to be a problem, and I'm told Qatari jails are not pleasant.

And if you are going to Qatar, the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha is well worth a visit, stunning building and some amazing exhibits.

6 minutes ago, SecretSam said:

A few queries (been there twice with work):

• "Strict dress codes"? Not really, when I went there (twice), t-shirts and shorts were fine. Sure, walking round with your shirt off probably isn't the done thing, but nor is it in many countries
• "Unfriendly society" - I found the locals (there's very few actual locals) to be pretty pleasant
• "Weather" - your friend is talking about summer. This will be winter. I've been there twice in winter, perfectly pleasant, warm, yes, but mid-30s and dry heat. Evenings cooler. Quite pleasant.

Mind you, the whole regime is unpleasant and the way they treat their migrant workers is appalling. As a side note, the working standards for them makes you realise why the much-criticised "health and safety" culture of this country is a good thing. 

PS and it bloody rained one day, too.

PPS: did the same in Saudi, pissed it down. I'm cursed.

On 12/11/2021 at 10:50, Red-Robbo said:

Even if you ignored the evil regime, the exploited virtual slave labour building the stadiums and the corruption that landed them the gig, it will be a crap experience.

Get drinks only at a hotel bar, strict dress codes, an unfriendly society and weather that even my sun-loving friend who lives in Doha says is unbearable.  He says life is just leaving your air-conditioned apartment by lift to your air-conditioned garage then driving your air-conditioned vehicle to your employers' air-conditioned garage under their air-conditioned office. As little time as possible is spent outdoors.

Not really the travelling football fans ideal.

A few queries (been there twice with work):

• "Strict dress codes"? Not really, when I went there (twice), t-shirts and shorts were fine. Sure, walking round with your shirt off probably isn't the done thing, but nor is it in many countries
• "Unfriendly society" - I found the locals (there's very few actual locals) to be pretty pleasant
• "Weather" - your friend is talking about summer. This will be winter. I've been there twice in winter, perfectly pleasant, warm, yes, but mid-30s and dry heat. Evenings cooler. Quite pleasant.

Mind you, the whole regime is unpleasant and the way they treat their migrant workers is appalling. As a side note, the working standards for them makes you realise why the much-criticised "health and safety" culture of this country is a good thing. 

33 minutes ago, Red-Al said:

Pity SL didn't have the bollocks in sacking NP, we were 4th, then dropped down to 18th, I'm dreading Wednesday night, 

you might want to consider what that might do to our FFP position

On 08/10/2022 at 18:50, robinforlife2 said:

None of that has been achieved with Pearson at the helm ...... 4 of your points with a Johnson at the helm. Oh what I would give for a proper manager right now .....

You mean someone who left us with zero youth players, a bunch of time-expired has beens in the squad, no vision and horrid football? Ladies and gentlemen, Mr G J, who went on to such great things...oh

I recall someone years ago saying that the (then) current England team would batter the 1966 team, because the modern player is fitter, technically better and the game is so much faster now.

It never ceases to amaze me how amazingly mental the early rounds of the FA cup are, and how amazing it is that some of these teams make it to even the first round proper. Love it.

Well deserved, congrats

3 hours ago, Northern Red said:

Wouldn't surprise me. I'd really like one of the bigger clubs to give Graham Potter a shot though.

Potter would be nuts to leave Brighton for that horror show. A dressing room full of egos and a boss who doesn't understand the game?

Back in 92/3 season, away at Derby, our experiment to play wing backs was going wrong, but...

Tweet of nuts Derby v City game

Nice

On 27/08/2022 at 08:38, Yoyo2345 said:

No one cares, delete this pointless thread

Aww, did mummy take away your toys?

1 hour ago, harrys said:

Exactly this, can’t believe how they go on and on and on about it in the EP, a ‘sold out’ at the Mem against Oxford only actually had 6,800 home fans

Yeah, but infinity zillion shut out

8 hours ago, PHILINFRANCE said:

It’s the same in cricket.

Too many to mention, but Gower always comes to mind - quite rightly, in my opinion.

Gower had a magical left peg?

Well, he never really left, but his lot are playing the Slags tomorrow. No doubt there will be the usual 100k locked out.

Cotts back in the sacred city

5 hours ago, Sir Geoff said:

No one can deny that you are a real fan. In fact only you can answer how much of a fan you are. I would just ask one question. What will you remember in 10 years time? Driving 20 miles down the road to see some of City's legends of the past 15 years, Scott, Conway, Semenyo,, in the flesh as well as witnessing Kadji's debut goal, or your family tea ?

I'll remember my kids, I'd hope.

10 hours ago, Port Said Red said:

And scored

With a mis-control 

How did Tanner do as emergency CB? Odd choice, but shows our lack of depth there.

On 24/08/2022 at 07:48, The Horse With No Name said:

That would be Fulham reserves though, so maybe not such a shock.

Brighton reserves tonked FGR 3-0 at their place

10 hours ago, Silvio Dante said:

Never change.

 

The man is a legend. Should never have to buy a beer in a BS postcode