Messages

I didn't know this :

"To stop him selling, flooding the market and destabilising the bank, Anglo lent him the money to pay the margin calls"

I think thats been the argument, that Anglo took actions to prop up the price and that without this when the share price went against him initially he would have closed out the CFDs, taken the hit of a few hundred million    and moved on. The issue was that transactions involving this volume of shares would have negatively impacted the share price further which is why Anglo bosses took steps to avoid this happening. By staying in longer the scale of his losses grew exponetially as the share price fell further.

Above all caveated by its my hazy memory of the news reports, could be completely wrong. In any case,  I assume that if Quinn Group had decided to take the hit, either before Anglo got involved or by telling them that it was not interested in the plan they pulled together they could have done so. It would have been catastrophic for Anglo and a massive financial hit for QG to close out the CFDs but the Group would have survived. They chose to go along with the Anglo plan and the most likely assumption is that this was to try to reduce Group losses. The legality actions of Anglo/Receivers etc after this I think is a separate conversation.

A scary weekend in the junior championship in terms of mismatches. Surely some sort of reform for junior is required asap?
Will need amalgamation of clubs within the next 5 years at current rate.

Unfortunately this is always going to be the way in Junior, there can be a massive gap between the top few and the bottom and unfortunately this year the draw seemed to be particularly unkind. I dont think any of the top 3-4 teams drew a team in the top half. Not sure splitting it is the answer, even the teams down the table would rather have the chance to go for the main prize in a knock out. Its not great to see some of the hammerings handed out this weekend but unfortunately that's sport. Look back to Killyman a few years ago who finished bottom intermediate but won the Championship. Also, Newtownstewart got out of Junior through the Championship about 5 years ago from a league position of 7 (I think) and they have stayed up in Intermediate since. In a knockout game anything can happen.

Cookstown only narrowly beat Fintona and Drumragh at home in the league and if the venue had have been reversed they would have dropped points for sure, so if they were to meet either of those teams later on in the championship it will be close. If the draw is A v B then they will likely play Aghaloo in the 1/4 Finals which would be very tricky for them also.

Would agree with that. Drumragh missed an injury time penalty against them that would have given them full points and Fintona will consider themselves unlucky up there as well.

Aghaloo have experience of playing and winning big games so they will be difficult s as well. If they can get their best 15 on the field for the championship they will be hard to beat but I don't think they have the strength in depth of the other contenders. The short turnaround between opening rounds could be an issue for teams if key men pick up injuries

Read somewhere average AFL salary is around Aus$400k c €240k.
A few got up to a Million$ so...
Rookies prob get around €20k average I'd suspect.

The international rookie minimum is at least €50k per year plus there are a fair few perks/allowances guaranteed as well.
It means even the lads who go for two years on rookie contracts can come back with a nice chunk of change especially for lads around 18/19/20.
Heard before that Tuohy was definitely a Euro millionaire and that Mark O'Connor will likely end up one if he signs another contract.
Salaries in the women's game were doubled last year or the year before so while it's nowhere near to what the men can make - it's not a bad earner for a few month's work.
The minimum salary in the women's game works out about €24k per season which when you consider the length of their season (about 4 months including pre-season) is not too shabby.
There's going to be no change in the flow of lads or lasses willing to get it a go any time soon.

Conor Nash has moved onto another level with Hawthorn this year as well, He has been one of their best players albeit in a transitioning team.

[Interesting, as in the bit I watched that they highlighted, he was free but not really looking for it at all!]

I think this counter attack or dominating the ball debate is a little distracting.

Arsenal are now a good bit down the track of their system of play and have backed that system in the market bringing in the exact players Arteta requests, while he has spent money I dont think ETH is getting the targets that would be top of the lists. So it's a bit catch 22.

Full out with first 11 they could match most of the top six on their day, but thing that would worry me more is the mentality of lack of it in the tough moments in games. Doesnt seem to be a steely edge to them that teams of the past had, this Sancho carry on it just another example of the type of character that they have at the club.

Antony was Ten Haags man and nearly 100 million wasted on him. Most players brought in played in Dutch league so he's definitely getting his targets.

Looking at MOTD2 I actually felt sorry for Antony they couldn't get him the ball. I think he's fairly limited anyway but he was free and looking for it on a number of occasions!

Interesting, as in the bit I watched that they highlighted, he was free but not really looking for it at all!

Possibly a case of

1) Arsenal happy for him to have it as they have seen what he does with it and ;
2) Team mates not happy for him to have it as they have seen what he does with it

[He's of little use to the Saudis I imagine. It's names they want, not footballers.]

He's of little use to the Saudis I imagine. It's names they want, not footballers.

United statement a bit daft putting it out there that they've concluded he didn't commit the offences with which he was charged. Feels a bit needless and they could have just stfu about that side of things.

Would agree with that. Italy might be a more likely destination as they are historically a bit more "accommodating" and can afford decent money.

What a waste of talent.

[relying on Endo as a deep lying midfielder, destroyer]

One of Thiago, Bajcetic, Endo, Trent alongside MacAllister and Szobo is a top quality midfield in my view. Jones, Elliott, Gakpo can fill in when injuries intervene. Thiago available this weekend, Baj back training too, though this week may be too soon for him.

We did dominate midfield for the first 30 min against a good Chelsea team last week. While the remainder of the game wasn't good , I thought it was more to do with too many players not being able to retain possession (and gifting it back to Chelsea), more than missing someone sitting in front of the back 4. Alexis and Szobo both had poor enough second halfs, but they both showed early on they are class operators, so they will settle and contribute lots.

If we are to splurge 70-80m on a player, I'd prefer a new top class defender.

"Baj" " Hendo" "Robbo" "Szobo" "Trent" "Virg" "Mo" "Bobby"

Cringe.

Maybe he knows them personally. Liverpool is a big family. Except in a pandemic and they want to lay off their staff. Or when the supported the racist Luis Suarez. But a big family all the same.

Big families are complicated things. You might see them idolizing men who f**k around for years with their brothers' wives. Or you might see them debating about whether to let men who beat their partners back into the fold.

Indeed. 

Back to the football. I wouldn't be comfortable relying on Endo as a deep lying midfielder, destroyer type.  He will get games ok but not every week and I don't see any of Thiago, Baj(!!!) or the others being able to play that role or stay fit long enough.  We're only papering over cracks with trying to fit one of them as a 6.

Not sure about that as from what I have read that is exactly what he is and hes very highly thought of at Stuttgart. The issue might be more the other way in terms of his ability on the ball. I would imagine he will play most games against the bigger teams with maybe TAA moving into that role alongside Thiago for other games.

David Ornstein
@David_Ornstein
·
17m
🚨 Liverpool closing in on signing Stuttgart defensive midfielder Wataru Endo. #VfB wanted to renew contract (2024) but Liverpool in advanced talks + 30yo granted permission to travel to Merseyside to complete move
@TheAthleticFC
after
@FabrizioRomano
#LFC

Know nothing about the lad and on face value is an underwhelming signing given that last week looked as though going to break the British transfer record for a player in the same position. 

There has been some positive feedback from those who watch German football on him and he is captain of club and country which would indicate that he is a good character.  The dressing room has lost huge leadership in Milner/Henderson, so getting a leader into the squad can be no bad thing.  Can also fill in at centre half if required. 

Would hope that there is minimum one further signing to come in midfield.

Underwhelming i sthe word but I would rather a stopgap that recycles Henderson type money for a season or two than blow £60-£70m on a panic buy who is a) overpriced because the seller knows theyhave the club over a barrel and b) is not the right fit. The new transfer committe has a lot of work to do to redeem themselves after the last week......

Can't blame Southampton either. I'm suprised they didn't ask for higher.

Its a rare fcuk up by Liverpool in these situations. Hopefully its only a coincidence that the new Sporting Director only started but you cant help but feel it would not have happened under Edwards.

Yesterday demonstrated how important this player is to Liverpool. They were overrun in midfield until Jones came on. I would have concerns about just how many times Szobolazki, MacAllister (and Jones) turned into trouble yesterday, and thats against a team that is not renowned for pressing.

Not trying to be insensitive or argue that the road does not need improving but is it not true that about 95% of Road deaths are caused by driver error, not paying attention, speeding, driving while impaired etc ?

It is true but there is no point saying that everyone will just sit at 40mph behind a tractor. Yes if everyone did deaths would reduce dramatically but its not going to happen. On that logic why do cars need seatbelts?

The A4 to Dungannon is a example of what happens when the road is upgraded. Journey times reduced and deaths reduced dramatically. Yes it costs money but it is the only realistic way of reducing deaths because driver behaviour is unlikely to change dramatically.

[and a smaller bag at that]

Hope he wasn't whinging about it. I've just had a look at their menu and he has bought the dearest burger, drink and if he's buying Diet Coke and Haribo at that price then fcuk him.

if you really want to eat a bag of haribo in the cinema just buy it in a local shop at a 1/4 of the price before you head in!

Haribo are £1.25 a bag now... and a smaller bag at that!!

This. Think shrinkflation annoys me more than prices going up. If the can size reduces by 10% or a Multipacks move from 6 to 5 units I'm less inclined to notice than a simple price hike.

Only a matter of time before pubs start moving to 500ml beers on draught for an easy 10% margin improvement.  (I think there might be some legal red tape around this so maybe its not that straightforward).

[a younger signing like a Lavia]

Hendo gone for £13 mill seems to be a done deal, expected to be completed this week.

We have bid £35m + £5m addons for Southampton's 19 year old Belgian defensive midfielder Romeo Lavia, but Southampton have turned it down saying their price tag is £50m. Can't say I noticed him at all last season.

You'd normally think that's close enough to get a deal done, but it seems Fabinho's £40m move to Saudi is becoming doubtful and he's to join up with Liverpool's pre season preparations. Apparently a blocker to the move is that Fabinho can't get a guarantee that he can get his two French bulldogs into Saudi! If that falls through I wonder will that scupper our bid for Lavia?

I also read that when Soton bought Lavia from City for 10.5m + 2.5m addons, City have a 20% sell on clause and they have first refusal if Soton sell. No sign so far of City showing interest, but that could change quickly.

Trent has played both pre-season games in midfield, so that positional switch could well be permanent. Not sure we've a good enough right back now though. Bradley has more development to get through. I would like to see Kostas tried there. With Trent and McAllister in midfield, less pressure on the right back to be a creator.

If Fabinho goes Liverpool would need to bring in 2 more midfielders - an experienced defensive midfielder, a specialist in that role who can slot right in and a younger signing like a Lavia. Wouldn't want to be relying on a 19 year old.

Wonder what the plans for Bajetic are this year. He is not a true 6 like Fabinho, Rodri etc which is what Liverpool need. I think last year proved just how important this role is, Liverpool form fell of a cliff when Fabinho did not perform.

Agree about pinning all your hopes on a 19 year old, especially with the track record with injuries under Klopps system.

Nobody wants maths banned.

It's just that GCSE Maths shouldn't prohibit people from pursuing career choices that have fcuk all to do with GCSE Maths.

Ah gothcha, might have misunderstood your original post. Agree with that. Maths should be mandatory on the curriculum but a pass in GCSE maths should not be a prerequisite for  jobs where it is irrelevant.

[Maths and the weight given to it is a sham]

Was at uni in the 80s and luckily did a vocation  degree which has led me to having a good life but times have changed .
Daughter graduation  was at start of summer and the reality struck that uni is now a money making exercise .
60% we're foreign nationals who queens are simply extracting cash from.
A lot to be said for apprenticeships but even that's a mess , why does a kid need English and maths gcse to become a brick layer or joiner .

I couldn't agree more. GCSE Maths and the weight given to it is a sham. Virtually all of it is entirely redundant to the vast majority of people. Much of it is redundant to everyone. Who the hell needs to know highest common factors?
Like a lot of things in education, traditionalist, classist bullshit.

See I would totally disagree with this. In my view Maths is the one thing that is needed across the board by everyone, whether household budgeting, understanding a loan, working out angles for a roof, getting ratios right for a cement mix etc.

We had a former client who could barely read or write but was a sharp as a tack on numbers, engineering plans etc. He set up his own manufacturing business when he left school and sold it for over £20m a few years ago

Liverpool will have none of that experience/leadership qualities in the dressing room if Hendo leaves now as well and the midfield begins to look a bit light again after 2 good additions

They would need to bring in an experienced leader. However, moving experience on at the right time is something that City  (Silva, Kompany, Aguero) and Ferguson did with United (Stam, Beckham etc). I would rather sacrifice one good year of Henderson at the top level for bringing through the likes of Bajectic for next 5.