YCbrs

When Webster first arrived he reminded me of Caulker. Was obviously far and above the level we were at. Of course their careers have gone in opposite directions but I really think Webster will be going to the World Cup this year if he keeps this kind of form up, he is dealing with world class strikers with relative ease, Dunk is a good player but if you put Webster in the Arsenal/Spurs level side he wouldn’t look out of place whatsoever. Plus a centre half that can notch a few is always a bonus. 

I didn’t realise this was a thread in the general chat forum but I’ve been doing some stand up comedy and this one seems to go down kinda well. Hard without the stage presence but I’ll give it a go;

I suffer from some mental health issues, but I deal with it with travelling and diving etc. I’ve been all around the World, all 7 continents - seen some absolutely beautiful places and met some great people, but the one question everyone asks is which continent was your favourite? I always have to explain that I can’t narrow it down to one so it’s split between two; the Arctic and the Antarctic. People then proceed to look at me like I’m mental and ask me why? I just explain to them that I’m bi-polar.

Thats an abridged version but usually gets a laugh.

55 minutes ago, Dr Balls said:

Having been involved with Paediatric Major Trauma for a while, I can tell you that knife crime and stabbings are a huge problem in London particularly, and the age of those involved is dropping, such that it’s now not uncommon among 13 and 14 year olds. It is a huge societal issue which feeds into poverty and I also hate to say it, race and ethnicity. Family breakdown is another big problem as are the gangs with their involvement in drugs and other crime.

Anything that highlights this issue and tries to reduce its incidence is good, but unfortunately until many of the wider problems are resolved, then it will be impossible to root out completely.

Idris said that during his pre match speech that realistically there is no way you’ll completely root out gang culture as a whole, it’s too endemic now. Even in other cities, Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester probably being the other most prevalent alongside London. I don’t know what the answer is whatsoever, but I think the whole safe space that keeps kids away from gangs idea is crucial and would make a major impact.

Just now, AshtonGreat said:

I think that goes some way to explaining why youths gather in groups (and in some cases get involved in crime). A lot of us did that when we were teenagers. But there's still a fairly large leap from that to stabbing someone. 

100%, but my guess (and it is a guess) is that it’s influence from the older members of gangs that make the kids think it’s normal and/or okay to stab or shoot someone if needs be. The youth club aspect takes the older influence out and would just be kids, I’m sure there would be fights etc because everyone has fights when they’re younger but if I had one I’d rather my son came home with a black eye or a busted hand than a stab wound.

6 hours ago, AshtonGreat said:

How do you mean?

Like someone else said, and the whole speech Idris gave before the game was largely related to youth clubs. It’s basically easier for kids to get involved in crime and gangs than to have something constructive to do in a safer place. If there was more safe places for kids to spend time after school before going home for the evening then over time violence would decrease. That’s why they’re emphasising youth clubs so much because it’s a place they can go to on a daily basis. Obviously you (not you, just anyone in general) could argue they could just go straight home every night but it’s a bit unrealistic to expect every teenager to want to spend every second between school and home. Short version is just keeping kids occupied I guess.

Being two years above JoJo at school I can’t wait to see him in goal in a major tournament and hopefully the World Cup this Winter. Great keeper, although I did put a few past him in the lower quad (playground)

Admittedly not the point but the kit is beautiful. The message is far more important and it’s difficult to change every young lad’s mind because of the glamorisation of violence and the allure of the money of being involved in crime and gang culture. BUT there is definitely a lot of kids that do get involved because they have genuinely nothing to do, and whilst not being particularly religious the phrase “the devil makes work for idle hands” is 100% true. 
 

At the end of the day it’s a one off kit being worn for one day and if it inspires just one person to try and make a difference it’s a good thing. Not like they’ve shelled out millions on a hit or miss attempt that could have been better spent.

And in response to a previous poster, everyone is aware of the knife crime epidemic in London - obviously. But messages like this inspire people to actually become active in helping kids which they might not have thought about doing before, not because they’re bad people, just not something that had crossed their mind - you’d be surprised how initiatives like this actually make an impact. And I’m sure Idris Elba does fund youth clubs considering that’s literally what his one of his charity’s main aims is.

I don’t think there’s anything explicitly wrong with it, kicking off at a woman wearing a different sides shirt is pretty low so I hope no one did give her a hard time.

On the other hand I do think it’s a bit weird, I could understand if it was a foreign team or a local semi-pro team etc but a team in the same league is just a bit odd, but no big deal - definitely didn’t deserve any abuse.

1 hour ago, Bristol Rob said:

Not sure the fact he came from Chelsea holds much water.

His potential was probably all in the fact he was seen as someone with a bright future when he was an England U-21 player, since then he has had injury problems and hasn't really set the world alight.

Just remember McGivern managed to extract a wage from Man City for about 5 years.

They have a world renowned academy so there’s probably a manager out there that thinks he could get him playing well. Fingers crossed anyway because like the OP said I prefer Pring as well. You may well be right mate but I’m just under the impression someone would take him for a half decent fee. 

Never in a million years would I think Palmer would get sold and LB is a notoriously hard position to fill so more out of hope than expectation to be honest.

Means we can get some decent money for JD, somebody will definitely take him based on age, potential and the fact that he came from Chelsea’s academy.

Get a striker on loan (no idea who tbh and if we can sell Bentley then we could be in much better shape - maybe even a right back although personally I quite like him.

FYI - Strikers I had in mind for a permanent deal: Grigg, Hogan (poachers) or someone like Yaya Sanogo and before you saw it I’m not that guy from twitter! Just think him and Weimann look like they could complement each other. However, he did mention Ibe which if it is true and he’s back on the right track mentally would be a Great addition (although not a striker).

23 minutes ago, Lorenzos Only Goal said:

Nah it was after the Posh away game when people were singing cringy songs about Palmers knob.  Was trying to be funny and sarcastic at the same time but failed. 

Done that a million times myself man it’s all good. Sorry about the shite insult too  

On 22/10/2021 at 18:45, Lorenzos Only Goal said:

Alex Scott has a big somthing or other and did somthing with me missus, which was a shame because if he had asked I would have let him. 

 

Or do we oy make cringy songs about dingalings for our black players? 

Are you okay? Bad day?

Weimann is an amazing pressing forward to have in your side and no doubt he does “run around a lot” but that’s because he’s obviously extremely fit. I don’t think he’s a striker at all but if we can get our hands on somebody that is an out and our goal scorer and then your number 10 chipping in with 15+  then I think we taking steps towards a proper team.

I think it’s a big 9 (main striker) and a nippy, workhorse 10 (with goals up his sleeve) situation we really need with how we play. 
 

I don’t understand Semenyo playing where he is, that’s the biggest mystery but could be Bobby Reid v2? Only time will tell but I firmly believe that we can though yesterday improve and was a shit show with our current predicament. We need a proper big man and Weimann will thrive with goals and assists.

If JD is out of the frame we will get decent money from his sale, he’s just not quite a fit at the Gate unfortunately. 
 

Even if it’s a loan, a target man is a massive priority as well as maybe someone to replace Vyner - however I still think the striker is more important but it’s definitely a close call.

Happy New Year fellow Robins, here’s to hoping for some hidden gems or decent loans in January to guide us to comfortable safety

26 minutes ago, JoeAman08 said:

Maybe QPR is a bad example because get the pen it is 2-0 and at worst is 2-1 at HT. Although that changes the game and we may not concede. But generally you are correct. Seen us go 1-0 up a few times and we can’t ever get that crucial second. 

It’s weird because it’s happened throughout different managers and squads but seems endemic for City no matter what. And it was a definite pen but we did have a couple clear cut chances before they got their pen which was what disappointed me more, but the ref was absolutely awful don’t get me wrong.

Should have been 4-0 up at HT v QPR not 1-1. Combination of terrible composure in front of goal and bad refereeing.

8 hours ago, Bedred31 said:

Perhaps Pearson realises Bentley is a potential target and is looking to take him out of the shop window? LJ was reconciled to the continuous loss of his best players. Like to think that Pearson will put up more of a fight. 

I feel like it’s almost the opposite, he’s a proven championship keeper that we could get some alright money for and maybe doesn’t want him to keep conceding goals (that mostly aren’t his fault but would still count against a potential fee) and/or potentially get injured.

1 hour ago, The Swan and Cemetery said:

Not sure Max will ever dominate his box at set pieces to the level that gives real comfort, but Dan doesn’t either. Think the key thing NP was unhappy with DB about, Max was at least doing his best to try and improve, ie distribution (feet and hands). Didn’t get it right every time, but felt it contributed significantly to our ability to play more effectively through the 3rds (combined with solid centre mids, guile from Scott, plus pace wide and up top). Looks to have sweeper keeper potential, which DB doesn’t.
 

All sounds like a massive dig at DB, which guess it is up to a point (along with Massengo he’s the player I tend to have a lower opinion of than the OTIB average - based on deep AI analytics/guesswork), but still a decent mid Championship keeper, just not higher without some improvement, in my view. 

Yeah I feel like how I came across too, Bentley is no mug for a championship keeper, we’ve had some serious shockers. However Max does have the capability to do the job whereas further up the pitch it seems like we don’t know the answer at all and we need some new faces.

If we weren’t stuck financially I wouldn’t really be bothered and more than happy with Bents staying but I just feel like we could get a nice little wedge for him for some wages for loans/frees or a smallish transfer fee on a younger striker doing well in the League One like Scott Twine or someone of that nature.

7 minutes ago, Numero Uno said:

A younger version of Maaenpa.

Spot on mate.

5 minutes ago, Son of Fred said:

Always felt in the past he has been very steady & calm...

One game sticks in my mind was Villa away,,obviously a while ago - outstanding performance.

Yeah I feel more comfortable when he’s in goal, Bentley is good but he’s a bit sketchy at times and although he probably has the ability to pull off a wonder save that Max couldn’t, I just prefer an all round safer keeper personally.

Oh without a doubt I completely agree. I wouldn’t do it in January unless we had a back up deal done and dusted so think it would be more prudent to do any deal in the Summer. Obviously last night was only one game so nobody knows if it was just one good performance. Only time will tell I guess.

I think he had a a great game, neither of the goals were his fault and his handling of shots was great. He caught shots that Bentley would have parried and think he has better handling and distribution IMO.

Bentley is definitely not the issue with us at all but I think Max has improved a lot since his last run of games from what I saw last night. I think if we get a good offer for Bents and Max stays looking solid then we should probably take it because it would free up a little bit cash for a position we are weaker in.

47 minutes ago, Better Red said:

No problem.

I would think he will be gone.

Baker and Williams to come back will make it harder to get on the bench now that James and King are fit.

Unless we get rid of a few of the players who around the first team (hopefully not) because of the financial losses.

Yeah hopefully the competition helps spurs him on but you’re right he will struggle to get into the team with those two in front of him, especially James.

29 minutes ago, Better Red said:

Not even in the squad as predicted.

‘No idea about football’….. really?

Not just me who can see it.

Nige clearly can see it as well. 
 

I just can’t see what people see in him and can’t really understand how they can’t honestly judge a player.

Like I said he was ‘a disgrace’ and he is paying for those performances.

 

I apologise for the personal no idea about football mate attack but I still think we should keep him for the season at least and hope he can start being a lot more consistent. Just personal opinions but can see a player in there.

44 minutes ago, nebristolred said:

Yep exactly what I've been trying to bring across, great post this. And I'm sorry for your story - I think it is absolutely true that for many who can control it, I'd say it's arguably not that bad whatsoever, certainly not in comparison to alcohol. Doing a bit of MD here and there and a bump of coke on occasion cannot be worse than drinking 3 or 4 times a week, and there are psychological studies to back that up too.

But as you say, that's only when it goes okay, and clearly it doesn't for everyone, and to some extent it's just down to luck in some ways as to whether you're the sort to be addicted to it or to be negatively impacted by certain drugs. Let's not forget that some popular ones are not addictive (in the traditional sense) whatsoever. But I can't argue a case against those who are impacted because I'm lucky enough not to have an addictive personality as such, so seeing your opinion is really interesting. I hope you're doing alright because I know once you're in a group of mates and it's such a fundamental part of socialising with them, it's incredibly difficult to break out of.

I think 2 huge steps would be firstly for the public to realise just how everywhere it is. There will be so many people in restaurants and bars whinging about drugs to their group of mates, all while not having a clue that 2 or 3 of their company use or are on them. We can't address things until we have a grown up conversation about them. And secondly, the public needs to get a grasp of levels of drug impact. People automatically hear the words 'drugs' and instantly think 'bad', while being completely oblivious to the fact that drinking constantly is in fact worse than occasional use of some drugs.

I'll be honest, I'm a gig goer, festival goer, our group of mates use stuff routinely, and I've never met a person who has used or even seen heroin or crack cocaine.

I could be wrong, but I'd be amazed if either of those were anywhere near as prevalent as the ones we're talking about up to this point.

Don’t be sorry mate, I appreciate it but I’m happier now than I’ve ever been! And you’re bang on about heroine and crack also. Never seen either in my life.

My dad’s got that mindset of it being illegal so it must be bad but multiple studies have shown that moderate use of LSD and other psychedelics is actually beneficial for mental health, as well as CBD which is the non-narcotic chemical compound of Cannabis. Meanwhile he sits and drinks nigh on a bottle of vodka every night, just have to find it funny sometimes people are just so set in their ways it’s impossible to change their mindset.