italian dave

That’s sounds familiar…l.!

I think the problem is that it’s not binary: it’s far more nuanced than that. It depends often on context and on intent. Lots of things that are funny the first time cease to be funny when they’re sung/said for the umpteenth time. Things are often funny precisely because they are close to the edge. But when they’re repeated endlessly and/or in a different context they no longer have that spontaneity, by definition they’re no longer ‘edgy’, and they’re usually being repeated because there’s an intent behind them which is the wrong side of that edge. ’Get your tits out…..’ probably was funny the first time, and there’s still occasionally a context where it’s funny (a couple of years ago City fans started singing it at an away game, directed at a very large male home fan with very obvious man boobs). But when it’s just sung at any randomly passing female steward etc then it’s not funny and it’s misogynist. So, it’s not so much about what you’re ‘allowed’ to think. More about thinking about the intent and the consequence and making your own judgement. Just my view, anyway.

I'm surprised it took half a page before his name came up.....

Look what you've started @Nogbad the Bad ?

Would we have got any insurance for Baker?

A lot more than that....especially at this stage of the season.

Ah, OK, get you! I don't know why. Maybe the issue of 'members' complicates it. There are already a fair number of existing commitments in terms of home games: season ticket holders, members, hospitality etc etc. I can see that away games are more straightforward. But I also take your point, especially in relation to 'exiled' fans.

They've done it before...several times.

It certainly would! Although, as you say, it's always a good away trip despite the facilities in the ground. The risk is we send them down and save Rotherham or Huddersfield in the process - both horrible away trips. I often think back to the opportunity we had to send Birmingham down a few years back - and fluffed it. So disappointing.

I don't feel so bad then ? It was only 10 words......no-one could have been bored for long!!! ?

Sorry if you were offended. Not intended. To be honest, I didn't even think it was particularly "political". More philosophical. And I was just responding directly to a specific question - and one you didn't seem to find offensive.

Completely agree. This is the one that just baffles me. The original would be the perfect funny, self-deprecating song that turns opposing fans chants back on themselves. A bit like the Welsh ‘1-0 to the sheepshaggers’ But we use an alternative version that’s just unfunny, crude and offensive - and then sing it about ourselves. Weird.

Well, Braverman’s colour doesn’t stop her being a racist bigot……..

Does anyone know who Joey Barton’s father is?

They’re so bad I’ve not even considered that possibility! Seriously, yes, you’re right; for some reason I had it in my mind that we’d beaten them. No idea why - it must be an instinctive reaction to forget pain! But, yes, if we manage to get results against both Sheff U and Burnley, then QPR could spoil the party. And knowing City that’s exactly what will happen!!

10/10……Paolo Nutini

I had to look twice, but it’s not necessarily about matches between those clubs. No one can do the double on Burnley or Sheff U: they’ve already beaten or drawn with everyone they’ve still got to play. If Luton lose to Middlesbrough next week then they’ll lose their record - but no-one else can do the double on them now. Rotherham have still got to play Burnley, Cardiff, Wigan and us - and if they lose any of those games then their record goes! And we’ve got to get a result against both Burnley and Sheff Utd if we’re going to keep our record.

They can’t. We can ruin their ‘not doubled’ record, same as Sheff U and Burnley could both ruin ours.

Although, Watford being Watford, I think he might be a bit optimistic believe it he’s going to last that long!

Bohemian Rhapsody…….Queen

What @richwwtk said….there will be people who’ve booked flights and hotels, never mind trains, around the Saturday…...plus, it’s also about plans for what you’re doing on the days the match wasn’t going to be played. You know what it’s like (even at our level) you have a degree of confidence 5 weeks prior to the game that it’s not going to be moved, so you plan other things for the Sunday or whatever. We’d be unhappy if there was an announcement today that the Burnley game was being moved.

That’s not what he’s said….

The other side to this coin: I haven’t researched this as diligently as @ExiledAjax, but I believe that Boro this season have gained 22 points from a losing position - more than any other side in the Championship. They’re adept at doing what they did last night: and when you’ve got that sort of record you still have the confidence to remain patient, keep plugging away, and do what they did second half. Edit - @cityexile - ha ha, after three pages we both have the same thought at the same time. Sorry, you posted just as I was typing mine!

Yeah, and sorry - that comment wasn’t intended as being directed at you: it’s just that the discussions here on loans often come across as being very black and white. I think we’re probably agreeing on the principles: and of course none of us really know who has and hasn’t been available and at what cost. I’d fully accept Pearson’s comments earlier in the season about good loan signings coming at a high cost and often with strings. I just think that, firstly, in response to your comment about Scott, very clearly the right loan signing would not have been one that impeded Scott’s progress this season. Or, indeed, Conway, Bell etc. And yes, as the season has panned out finishing mid table with the emergence of our youngsters is an OK outcome. But just say we’d been able to get the right two loans: say a centre back (a la Caulker) - which would also have given Pring the chance to develop at his preferred left back position - and a midfielder to give us some stability during those spells when we were without Williams, King and James. And that had made the difference between us being 13th and 4th?? And, picking up another of your points, probably not a disaster if those two didn’t get us up - but would have given our emerging youngsters even better experience of competing at that level. All speculation, I know!