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Post by ZeroTheHero on Sept 22, 2017 14:51:34 GMT
Interestingly I'm in shanghai this week with work and have to say it's surprised me how "communist china" under a one party rule has so much individual freedom and such a good quality of life. Which suggests that political machinery is almost irrelevant when matched up against market forces. And it's refreshing not to listen to politicians bickering in hope of power. Not a view I ever expected to hold, This is the same country that has a huge firewall to try to prevent any dissenting views coming in (or details of non-approved news going out), is quite happy to bulldoze whole communities to make room for development, annexes neighbouring countries, ignores human rights and that 'disappears' anyone who looks like they might upset the status quo? 'Individual freedom' to do what the state allows you to do in such constrained circumstances is not freedom. I expect the trains run on time though.
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Post by ZeroTheHero on Sept 22, 2017 12:37:48 GMT
Who do we think is behind the (I hope!) spoof account 'williammuir'?
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Post by ZeroTheHero on Sept 22, 2017 8:49:59 GMT
Well I voted to remain (probably because I watched Pointless on the pinko commie leftie liberal BBC or something) and thoroughly wish we hadn't voted to leave. I won't rehash the arguments here.
But vote to leave we did (even though we didn't actually know what we were voting for - only what we were voting against) and the decision is made. We have burned our boats now, so hoping to rewind is pointless (see - the BBC again!).
It has become obvious that the politicians (of all sorts) have absolutely not got the faintest idea how leaving is going to happen in any orderly way though, and trying to get alternative trade deals by cozying up to the likes of Trump is vomit making. The chances of it all coming together in the next 18 months are very slim indeed - and none of us know how it is going to pan out.
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Post by ZeroTheHero on Sept 20, 2017 19:59:22 GMT
I voted Leave because I was told we'd have a World War III, that there would be job losses of 500,000, and that we would now be deep into a recession if we regained independence. I just feel as though I've been let down. None of the above has happened and I'm thoroughly disappointed. I don't think we'll be invaded by at least 2020 at this rate. Wish I could go back and vote Remain. We haven't left yet, give it time...
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Post by ZeroTheHero on Sept 17, 2017 17:41:01 GMT
It's still impressive that we are the only team to stop a very good Shrewsbury side winning this season in league one. I don't know if you went to the match but (IMO, of course) events conspired to get us that point. Shrewsbury would have won it nine times out of ten. None of us could actually believe we went in level at half time!
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Post by ZeroTheHero on Sept 17, 2017 13:56:16 GMT
Don't think GvK is all that. Doesn't close down or track back and isn't capable of playing up front alone. Amazing debut goal but besides that I've been largely unimpressed. We have multiple players who are technically gifted but can still put the work in, so you can't say that work rate and teamwork has to suffer in return for the odd moment of brilliance. To me he's just a bit too much like that kid in the playground who thinks he's amazing and doesn't want to do anything but stand up front and shoot. Well I sort of agree. He won't track back, that's for sure. Here's his record in terms of minutes played and goal threat. 11 minutes (scored), 23 minutes, whole game (scored), 18 minutes, 31 minutes, 28 minutes (goal scored after his shot was parried), 57 minutes. I'd say two goals and a direct 'assist' is OK for that amount of time on the pitch (about three games in total). From what we have seen, only Obika is anywhere near capable of playing as a lone striker. Thomas isn't and Van Kessel very certainly isn't, and as we feared both Thomas and Obika are already picking up injuries. Agon Mehmeti is fast becoming my favourite striker GvK does have some pace, gets in decent forward positions, is prepared to shoot and adds something different. Whether that's enough remains to be seen.
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Post by ZeroTheHero on Sept 16, 2017 20:30:18 GMT
Speaking personally, the jury is very much still out as to whether the approach to the way we play is likely to be positive in the long term.
When it works properly (first 20 minutes at MK, 30 mins of the second half vs Bradford) it is both effective and lovely to watch. That's when the ball is being moved quickly and when there is plenty of movement off the ball. However, when it doesn't work (when the tempo is slower) it looks incredibly predicable, rather toothless and relatively easy to play against.
The fact that we cannot sustain the quality for longer periods is worrying. As is the fact that we start slowly quite a lot of the time and seem to have a habit of conceding late (and important) goals. Whether that is because the team needs more time playing together or hasn't yet learned what Pep is trying to teach them, who knows? Of course, it maybe that he is trying to play Championship football with L1 quality players; who are much more likely to play a poor pass, lose the ball or fail to take advantage of the chances created.
It will be interesting to see what he has learned form today's poor performance. While I am sure he won't throw the baby out with the bathwater, maybe it will cause him to rethink some aspects (and well done to him for changing the shape in the second half today).
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Post by ZeroTheHero on Sept 15, 2017 13:53:19 GMT
The 800k option to buy Gino is interesting... surely too much for a league 1 club. I'm guessing they reckon they can get him up to scratch and then sign him in for our first season in the champ? Or (if he has a stunning season) buy him and then sell him on for a profit? Are you even allowed to do that?
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Post by ZeroTheHero on Sept 15, 2017 13:51:26 GMT
Nice to see Communism working in all its finery. Tactical strikes to take out their nuclear capacity and their leadership, they will soon toe the line with the rest of the planet. It would be quicker and more easily resolved than any "war on terror". Sanctions & negotiations will have zero effect on a dictator who wants to wave his big toys around. Simple as that. Not really. China back NK as a buffer between China itself and the US backed SK. If Trump launches an attack that close to the Chinese borders on a China backed regime, then it would escalate really quickly. The sensible solution is to get China to rein Un in - and that does seem to be getting closer to happening. I'll keep my fingers crossed as I'd like to see what happens this season before nuclear armageddon makes it all a bit pointless!
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Post by ZeroTheHero on Sept 15, 2017 12:37:31 GMT
Is this bloke fit? (And I mean as in 'fit to play' ) Seems to have been forgotten by some. When he signed he said he needs a few weeks to get fit. So i assume he won't be in contention. OWS: "New signing Agon Mehmeti could be involved for the first time"
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Post by ZeroTheHero on Sept 15, 2017 12:34:55 GMT
The lack of religion in NK is the difference between Iraq and Libya. Less religious fundamentalist factional fighting should occur in NK Except that for many of the populace of NK, their leader is a god and their belief in the system is at least as fervent as any religion. They have a million men under arms (apparently) - there might be little factional fighting within the country if Un is assassinated, but who knows what the reaction of that army and their generals might be? Especially towards SK?
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Post by ZeroTheHero on Sept 14, 2017 17:31:24 GMT
Eales is a businessman first and foremost, not a philanthropist, he has invested in Oxford United for one reason only...to make money. And the good thing from the fans' perspective is that there's only one way Eales makes money out of OUFC - and that's by steering the club into the Championship (and selling at that point to someone with deeper pockets). Zero chance he ever gets his investment up to this point back, let alone makes money, whilst the club sits in the lower leagues and doesn't own its stadium. That has to be correct. He would have had a chance to cut his losses with the Sartori deal and seemingly turned it down (rather than Sartori walking away), so the obvious conclusion is that he thinks he can get us up into the Championship - which will be both exciting and financially profitable for him.
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Post by ZeroTheHero on Sept 13, 2017 8:26:53 GMT
As has been said, a thoroughly entertaining match between two sides who actually wanted to play football. At 0-1 and 1-1 I would have settled for a point, but blimey that was a frustrating end to the game! Thomas looked to be limping a bit after he scored, and was never as mobile after that. Rothwell had a blinder again, and although Hall was probably the man of the match he did try to go through rather than round players too often, losing the ball many times. In fact if I had some constructive criticism of last night's performance it would be that for a team seemingly intent on playing the ball around, we didn't half give it away cheaply at times. Oddly enough, there was only one corner in the match! Funny how people see different things. I thought man of the match was Thomas with Rothwell a close second. However, apart from a couple of moments i thought Hall was one of the poorer players. Struggled to beat his man and he lost the ball a lot. Maybe that is the player he is, someone who comes in and out of games. I think with a player like Hall then you have to accept the bad with the good - for me there was much more good than bad last night. He put in a couple of lovely crosses that I thought Thomas should have been in a position to attack (especially since that's the most effective aspect of his game) but was on his heels - but as you say it's all subjective!
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Post by ZeroTheHero on Sept 13, 2017 7:51:26 GMT
As has been said, a thoroughly entertaining match between two sides who actually wanted to play football. At 0-1 and 1-1 I would have settled for a point, but blimey that was a frustrating end to the game!
Thomas looked to be limping a bit after he scored, and was never as mobile after that. Rothwell had a blinder again, and although Hall was probably the man of the match he did try to go through rather than round players too often, losing the ball many times. In fact if I had some constructive criticism of last night's performance it would be that for a team seemingly intent on playing the ball around, we didn't half give it away cheaply at times.
Oddly enough, there was only one corner in the match!
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Post by ZeroTheHero on Sept 11, 2017 13:29:40 GMT
I'm just waiting for one of these idiots to be caught, get banned (or imprisoned) and then to pop up on here moaning how "it isn't fair, it was only a bit of fun, smoke never hurt nobody, it all for the atmosphere" etc etc etc. They won't get any sympathy from me. Do you think that it's right that they should be imprisoned? No - I think it's ridiculously over the top and another example of football supporters being some sort of lower species in the eyes of the law. The punishment does not fit the gravity of the (fairly minor) offence. But nevertheless that IS the case (whether I agree with it or not) and they KNOW it is the case. The club have asked them to stop, fellow supporters have asked them to stop, even the Ultras have said they don't agree with it and they know the consequences if they don't stop. It isn't something they are doing accidentally, it is completely purposeful. Getting caught for doing something you know you shouldn't and then bleating about what happens afterwards would not get any sympathy from me (even though I think the law is in this case an ass).
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Post by ZeroTheHero on Sept 11, 2017 7:42:11 GMT
I've been fairly impressed with TRJ - he has (unlike Broad) been bright enough to change his length and direction to suit the atmospheric and pitch conditions. I'm not sure what the size of the touring party is going to be, but I'd probably try to squeeze both Wood and TRJ.
Westley seems to have fundamental errors in his technique that the Aussies are sure to exploit, but is there an alternative?
Re commentators. I'm fairly glad that Blowers has retired - I felt in later years he was becoming a bit of a caricature of himself. Just a few too many 'dear old thing's, busses, cranes, pigeons etc.
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Post by ZeroTheHero on Sept 10, 2017 18:03:25 GMT
I'm just waiting for one of these idiots to be caught, get banned (or imprisoned) and then to pop up on here moaning how "it isn't fair, it was only a bit of fun, smoke never hurt nobody, it all for the atmosphere" etc etc etc.
They won't get any sympathy from me.
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Post by ZeroTheHero on Sept 1, 2017 21:06:12 GMT
How on earth is this the lead story on the TV news?
Horrible floods in America, worse ones in India, NK trying to provoke the apocalypse and the Tories failing to deal with Europe properly? And they lead with a rich idiot who could afford to buy a taxi to take him home but instead drinks and drives?
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Post by ZeroTheHero on Sept 1, 2017 13:42:33 GMT
If you want to book a space in the Park and Walk car park at £6 (probably cheaper than a fine or clamping fee) which is where I parked last year, there are still spaces: www.ticketmonkey.eu/event/23_mk-match-parkingFrom memory its a 5-10 minute walk. You get directions and a e-ticket emailed to you.
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Post by ZeroTheHero on Sept 1, 2017 7:59:08 GMT
It's very difficult to tell how we will do. The side has already been very disrupted from last season and we have now added two probable starters to that mix.
My feeling is that we now have little pace out wide in midfield (Henry isn't quick and Hall cuts in all the time). So we are going to try to play our way through the middle and that is always difficult against some of the packed defences we'll encounter. We are very light on reliable strikers - two of those we have are often injured, one is an unknown quantity and one is probably fortunate to still be at the club.
For those reasons I would guess mid-table. But if the team really click maybe the lower reaches of the playoffs.
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Post by ZeroTheHero on Aug 31, 2017 21:19:05 GMT
We haven't as yet spent a single penny have we? One in on loan, and one who had no transfer fee? We're paying their wages (well at least one, the other uncertain). I'd wager Mousinho is costing us a fair bit. Transfer money doesn't have to just go on transfers to improve the squad. Well yes, wages of course. For one player and probably a good proportion of the other. We have got rid of players who were probably on a decent wage though. I'm actually not complaining about these two signings - they look excellent and in areas of the pitch we needed to bolster - but (despite knocking 6 past a L2 outfit ) we know we need a striker. And we surely must have some of the MJ money to spend? I guess finding someone decent to spend it on might well be the problem, but is isn't going to get any easier in the January window that's for sure!
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Post by ZeroTheHero on Aug 31, 2017 21:11:44 GMT
We haven't as yet spent a single penny have we? One in on loan, and one who had no transfer fee?
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Post by ZeroTheHero on Aug 31, 2017 16:08:57 GMT
I thoroughly agree Charlie. We all know where the squad is paper thin - I think that the next few hours are going to tell us quite a lot about Eales' future intentions. Oh behave. It's as if we've forgotten where we've come from in the last several years...we're talking about transfers in the £Ms here, in and out! I don't see how anyone can judge the intentions of the chairman that has brought us to this point (with his own money) on 8 hours. We may have the intention to sign X, Y and Z but technically getting it over the line is another matter. How does 'where we've come from' influence what our transfer policy is now? We have a recruitment setup that will have had a pretty good idea that Johnson was going for a couple of weeks now. At least. If the intention is to get us into the Championship, then we NEED a couple more players - I know that, you know that and everyone at the club knows that. We now have the money to go and get them - yes, other clubs will know we have some money to spend, bu there's never a way around that. We will have targets (and presumably an idea of what their price would be) and alternatives if those go elsewhere or are hugely over-priced. Actually I think Eales' intentions ARE to try to get us into the Championship - it's the only way he is going to recoup his losses/maximise his profits/keep the club moving forwards (delete as suits your views!). The other option is to use the profits/transfer monies to reduce the debt - which is also a reasonable thing to do in terms of club stability - a safer (but less lucrative) option than using the money to 'gamble' on some new players who might take us up. So I am not necessarily being negative about the owner! For me personally, if midnight comes and we are told 'all the players we wanted were not available at a price we wanted to pay' then we were looking at the wrong players, undervaluing players or didn't really want to spend the money.
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Post by ZeroTheHero on Aug 31, 2017 14:50:25 GMT
I reckon a loan from a higher club for a young wide man and that'll be it. Possibly a young centre back too, though not essential. If that is that then it'll be midtable for us. And I don't understand why. This is a rare opportunity to take an already decent squad and use a small proportion of the incomings to maximise our chances. There's being a 'trading' club and then there's being a straight up selling club. I'm confident that we will do better than a measly loan signing. I thoroughly agree Charlie. We all know where the squad is paper thin - I think that the next few hours are going to tell us quite a lot about Eales' future intentions.
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Post by ZeroTheHero on Aug 31, 2017 14:26:14 GMT
It's an odd one really. Like most wide players he was in and out of games - and he isn't a full back: not at L1 level and certainly not in the Championship. So I don't feel we actually saw the best of him in his preferred position for some of his time with us. When he was playing further forward and was on his game he was sometimes excellent. It will be interesting to see how he gets on - I suspect he will find it quite difficult to achieve any level of consistency. Despite him playing silly buggers over the last few weeks, I wish him well.
The whole saga reinforces my view that the transfer window should close before the season starts.
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Post by ZeroTheHero on Aug 29, 2017 19:36:31 GMT
I'm not the Messiah, I'm a very naughty boy "You ARE the Messiah!"
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Post by ZeroTheHero on Aug 29, 2017 18:31:15 GMT
Apparently Pep doesn't even know who this bloke is, never mind sign him! (Source: RadOx - they asked him!) Confirmation he's signing him then! "Only the true Messiah denies he's the Messiah"
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Post by ZeroTheHero on Aug 29, 2017 18:13:41 GMT
Apparently Pep doesn't even know who this bloke is, never mind sign him!
(Source: RadOx - they asked him!)
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Post by ZeroTheHero on Aug 29, 2017 16:48:21 GMT
Payne has been sent to us on loan to get experience and improve, not as some sort of precursor to a sale.
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Post by ZeroTheHero on Aug 29, 2017 14:47:17 GMT
I don't know how the English team and players approached this match (although I can guess), but the commentators - both radio and TV - were guilty of overwhelming arrogance and over-confidence. This is a test series in itself, it isn't some sort of trials for the Ashes.
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