Another Drive4show 'Anything goes' thread

[JAS]

First topic message reminder :

Right now I would rather we still had Wellbeck and little pea and that Falcao had never arrived.  Not too impressed by the signing of Di Maria either.

"We"?? I'm surprised you associate yourself to an organisation that has squandered over £135 this summer, whilst there are homeless people on the streets and starving children in the world!! They could have spent £135m on those things and left the squad alone, finishing top half would still be ok wouldn't it? Especially if so many peoples lives were improved by redirecting transfer monies to charity.

[super_realist]

Not to mention that Norway has still to open up the Barents and Voring areas. They've got massive prospective areas yet to be fully explored, yet the UK is a very mature basin constrained by commercial limitations.
The two are comparable only in certain geology and Salmond is lying to the nation when he makes a comparison between the two countries.

[Bob_the_Job]

I'm sure you've all seen it, but this recent article on the Beeb site was interesting, wrt Norway, Oil etc.. look HERE if you haven't read it already.

Yeah. I read that. Not sure how Norway's approach remotely squares the circle for Salmond's claims re. Scottish oil reserves. If they were to follow that approach, there'd be a lot of disappointed people who were hoping for free NHS, free education, free health care for the elderly, free prescriptions etc etc etc.

I more read into it that Norway had adopted a more long term and considered approach. I feel (gut instinct) that it's somewhat too late for the UK/Scotland to plan for the future using oil revenues - well past peak production and historically the revenue has been used to subsidise the economy or as been p'eed up against the wall.

[super_realist]

Way too late Bob, Norway paid all their debt off ages ago. UK Oil revenue wouldn't even touch the sides of our debt, in fact, at current rates it would take 20 years of oil revenue just to pay Scotlands debts at 0% interest.

The revenue hasn't been wasted though, it's just not been put into a fund.

[navyblueshorts]

I'm sure you've all seen it, but this recent article on the Beeb site was interesting, wrt Norway, Oil etc.. look HERE if you haven't read it already.

Yeah. I read that. Not sure how Norway's approach remotely squares the circle for Salmond's claims re. Scottish oil reserves. If they were to follow that approach, there'd be a lot of disappointed people who were hoping for free NHS, free education, free health care for the elderly, free prescriptions etc etc etc.

I more read into it that Norway had adopted a more long term and considered approach.  I feel (gut instinct) that it's somewhat too late for the UK/Scotland to plan for the future using oil revenues - well past peak production and historically the revenue has been used to subsidise the economy or as been p'eed up against the wall.

He shoots, he scores. Salmond can shout all he likes about what should have been done with UK oil over the last decades but that's hardly a sensible argument now is it? Doesn't help going forward either.

[Davie]

I'm curious to know what people think about media coverage of the referendum .. and what SHOULD be impartial reporting by particularly TV outlets

For the record I hope for a "no" vote but really don't care that much - but watching BBC news reports and then Sky News reports of the same story

Both were a little too prejudiced IMO opinion in slanting he story in favour of the no vote, but the BBC was much more opinionated that I like to see from a news channel

[raycastleunited]

It would be ridiculous for Scotland to aspire to be Norway. The Norwegian state fund will be worth $1 trillion in a couple of years, they didn't just start saving yesterday... they've been building it up for decades in a sensible conservative manner.

Stereotype alert: In Scotland, like the rest of Britain, there is a sense of entitlement among an increasing part of the population. Many people, egged on by the celebrity culture of instant fame, seem to think they can live beyond their means and enjoy luxuries they cannot afford, and the government will bail them out.  This culture isn't compatible with long term prudent saving.

[pedro]

So, so far you've got it wrong about Norway being religious, you got it wrong about Oslo, Stavanger and Bergen and you've glossed over that until the recent coalition government they have a tradition of socialist governments.

There is nothing remotely xenophobic about being anti-Europe. They've no reason to be in Europe. Why would they?

So, what we've established is, that Norway is a non-religious, self sufficient, diverse, proud to be norwegian country with strong social support for its citizens and those who live there.

Well done, that sounds a terrible place.

Nope super, you're manipulating. Don't understand your "love" for Norway when they represent exactly what you despise about Scotland, Ireland and the US.

1) Oslo is the capital city hence always different mentality. Bergen and Stavanger are smallish cities with a lot of expats and oil money. You should know. (A steak is easily 40-50 quid btw.) They don't represent the "real" Norway. Just go to the suburbs and you'll see a different (still expensive tho) world.

2) The socialdemocrats are just as xenophobic as the national party. Obviously not officially but to a large extent their voters are. The largest voter movements are between those two parties. In the past there was no real alternative to the social dems and conservatives, the natl party filled that void. The same voter movements apply for their sister parties in Denmark and Sweden by the way. Huge anti-immigration (and anti-EU) sentiment across the board. That's the political correctness and hypocracy I'm talking about.

3) Europe: "they have no reason to be in Europe"?? They ARE Europe. EU legislation is cc'ed into Norwegian law every day! They ARE ruled by Brussels, like it or not. Only their oil money keeps them happy. It's exactly that mentality I'm talking about. "We have enough in ourselves, we have our money, we are better than you, we can learn nothing from you." Plus anti-German, anti-French, anti-S.Europe sentiment. Both from left and right, in various shades. That's the Norwegian anti-EU campaign in a nutshell: Emotional and self-sufficient BS.
With Xenophobia obviously playing a huge part in that debate; can't see how you can deny that.
And EU is / should be more than just money if I may.

Well, they have the oil money and that makes it a good place for people to live - and so they can give a sh!te about everybody else. And? I don't deny that.

[super_realist]

Pedro, I don't care about the price of stuff in Norway, it's relative to Norwegian salaries.

I don't despise Scotland, Ireland or the US, I despise Scottishness, that's about it.

You said Norway is religious, it isn't, you said it was against immigration. Have you been lately?

I've been to Oslo, Stavanger (several times obviously), Bergen and right up the West Coast, and I've never seen any of the things you are claiming. I'm sure you could find similar attitudes to what you are saying in every country.
UKIP sound like the equivalent here, but I don't see you hand-wringing over that.

You can't blame Norway for making the best of its resources, and if that makes them a bit more arrogant due to being self-sufficient and not needing to be part of the European Union, then so bloody what. All countries can be arrogant, the French are the Germans are, the British are.

What anti German, anti French sentiment? Got any citations for that or are you just asserting it?
I would doubt it's any worse than the UK in regards to their view of other countries.

[Davie]

Looking like Pistorius is going to walk .. well perhaps not literally but you know what I mean

[incontinentia]

Looking like Pistorius is going to walk .. well perhaps not literally but you know what I mean

The correct decision should be: not guilty of murder, guilty of culpable homocide(manslaughter)

[beninho]

that is what i was thinking. He cannot get away with it completely, and i do not think he will. I dont think those Saffer prisons are going to be that comfy for him either.

[raycastleunited]

Looking like Pistorius is going to walk .. well perhaps not literally but you know what I mean

The correct decision should be: not guilty of murder, guilty of culpable homocide(manslaughter)

Inco - were you there? Maybe you best step forward as a witness

[incontinentia]

No its my opinion ray

[kwinigolfer]

Pistorius seems to be a loose cannon (although I'm not suggesting that's what he used to rid his bathroom of infidels).
Whatever happens this time, he'll be a polarising figure in the pokey and get in to trouble again if he gets off scot-free (although that might be an unfortunate idiom just now).

Hardly worthy of all the media attention either.

[navyblueshorts]

...Hardly worthy of all the media attention either.

Certainly with you there!

[SmithersJones]

The judge obviously reads this forum and took Inco's advice!

[super_realist]

Pistorius sounds like an absolute dick.

[navyblueshorts]

Unusual hazards on a golf course:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-29174094

Really, rather cute.

[kwinigolfer]

Talking of an "absolute d1ck":
Looks from here as if Man Utd's van Gaal falls in to that category, complaining about everything from balance of the squad to Welbeck's goal ratio.
About time he shut up and got on with the job, he's 14th in the League and that's not David Moyes's fault, or Ferguson's fault, it's his fault. Plus he looks as if he's just stepped out from an exhibit at Madame Tussauds.
Man Utd blaming their financial results on Moyes's failure; just wait to see what they say when trying to explain away van Gaal's reckless OTT spending with similar or worse results.
Always hated Man Utd, came to respect them, but can't respect their self-serving rhetoric and drivel.

[beninho]

Van Gaal has been a very good manager, but he has always rubbed people up the wrong way, and seems a very annoying person. Probably more annoying than Mourinho. Why do managers act this way, Pellegrini just seems to get on with it. MAn Utd got lucky with a very good crop of youngsters years ago. This was timed perfectly for the premier league and the cash bubble it brought. Since the initial group have they really brought through anyone that good?

[incontinentia]

Agree on Van Gaal, also a terrible haircut.

[Roller_Coaster]

That haircut is the fault of Ferguson, who left the barbers with an underinvestment in cutting talent which wasn't helped by Moyes' who's entire budget was blown on afro combs for his big signing. Utd have recently invested heavily on world renowned talent who will cut in and attack, but locals are worried about the locally produced hairdressers who may now find themselves on the fringe.

Sorry.

[incontinentia]

Perhaps Fergie should comb over for a visit and give a few pointers? Things haven't been the same since his parting.

[kwinigolfer]

I thought parting was such sweet sorrow, but it hasn't quite worked out like that at Old Traff.

[navyblueshorts]

van Gaal seems a good fit for ManU. Arrogance is breathtaking. Wonder how Welbeck feels, being blamed for not scoring enough when, even if he got a game, it was never as a principal striker.

[Diggers]

Even the managers who are not dicks as people usually act like dicks when managing. Neil Warnock is probably the classic example of someone who has a personality change when he's managing.
Honourable mention goes to Martinez and Peter Reid, exceptions that prove the rule. That Pinochio bloke at Spurs seems OK but to be fair he can't speak English. Actually Pellegrini seems OK but I hate Man City too much to give him credit.

[super_realist]

Football, and to a larger extent sportsmen seldom come across all that well.

[Diggers]

Don't really agree, most cricketers, golfers, tennis players, athletes, rugby players etc all seem OK. To be honest most footballers are fine most of the time. Depends what you are expecting.
Managers though just basically spout one eyed rabid nonsense most of the time.
Take Wenger, seems like a nice guy, very bright, even pretty funny at times. But completely capable of being as big a dick as any manager when the mood takes him.

[super_realist]

I suppose being a dick, does at least mean you have some sort of personality, even if it is one which isn't likeable.
Far worse are the overly media trained sportsmen, who turn every interview into the same paint by numbers exercise in banality which result in absolutely nothing insightful gained whatsoever.
Golfers and footballers are especially bad at stating the obvious, using a lot of words and cliches to say nothing and avoiding even the slightest controversy or interest.
Might as well not even bother asking anything in the first place. Mind you, you have to put quite a bit of that at the foot of the interviewer asking the same questions.

[raycastleunited]

What chance does QPR have against the new man u on Sunday?

Have to say I'm very interested to see how van Gaal will set up the team. Could be incredibly exciting with Falcao Van Persie, Rooney, Di Maria,. Blind is quality as well. And where do Mata, Young, Valencia, Herrera, Januzaj fit in?

I'm hoping that it takes another week to integrate all these new signings.

[kwinigolfer]

Quite the game at The Emirates.
Why doesn't Wilshere play like that all the time? Well, some of the time at least.
Why does Ozil always play like that for Arsenal? Not good enough.

[Diggers]

Wilshire was out for a long time Kwini. On his first season back after a year out Ramsey was average, then he had a great season. Wouldn't be surprised to see Wilshire do the same this year after being patchy last year.

[Diggers]

Fabregas and Costa for about the same price as Di Maria. Looking like very good business for Chekski, both are on fire.

[kwinigolfer]

Fair point about JW, Digs, but his style of play means he's always going to get nobbled and injured.

[Diggers]

MPB must be ecstatic. No way do Villa look like a relegation side.

[kwinigolfer]

This year's Liverpool like last year's Tottenham.
Sell a World Class player and the odds and sods they bring in are either out of their depth or taking a long time to fit in, while proven players warm their bench.
Gerrard must see the writing on his career's wall already.

The Villa of the last two years massively underperformed, not least Delph. The last few months he's solidified midfield instead of running around on personal vendettas.

[MustPuttBetter]

MPB must be ecstatic. No way do Villa look like a  relegation side.

Maybe I'm a negative person but I thought we were dreadful!!
Don't get me wrong it was a great result and I'm loving sitting 2nd in the table but today was grab a goal and then don't leave your half. Hmm not much to be excited about for me

[Diggers]

Not in the first half mate, Senderos had a free header and there were other chances. You miserable git

[MustPuttBetter]

He did that's true but I'm pretty sure that was the last concerted effort to get forward...
Liverpool were clearly the better side and would probably have got something if Balotelli had fancied it or they'd started someone else. How rubbish was Mario?!
I'm hopeful that wracking up some wins might give them the confidence to go and actually play and therefore this period will be worthwhile.
Benteke to come back yet which can only be a good thing

[Diggers]

Only takes one goal and you nullified them really well. Let's face it 35 points keeps you up and you are nearly a quarter there and the players are confident.
You have to enjoy the good times mate.

[MustPuttBetter]

I think I'm worried that bagging a goal and then spending 70 mins nullifying them are the good times!
But you're right, this start might be enough momentum to see us not relegated so that's a plus

[raycastleunited]

Really surprising result for Villa yesterday. I know they have started well, but victory at Anfield is a hell of a result. I wouldn't get too excited though, just look at the run of fixtures they've got coming up.

[Diggers]

Anyone else find the whole concept of the Invictus Games more than a tad patronising?

[MustPuttBetter]

Yes, I had been thinking this. Especially the fact that 'non injured' (able bodied?) people are competing

[Diggers]

I'm sure LVG will sleep better tonight. Interesting to see what happens when they play a top side.

[kwinigolfer]

David Moyes was probably happy enough when he got four goals in last season's opener at Swansea - early days yet, but they face their third promoted club in five games next week at Leicester.
Their really tough challenges will come thick and fast soon enough, hopefully on cold, wet nights when the sleet is sleeting, the hail is hailing and Vinny Jones playing for the opposition. Too bad Joey Barton wasn't QPR'ing it today.

[Diggers]

Its a better side than last year Kwini, as it should be. Blind and Herrero way better than Cleverly and whoever else. Massive competition up front,might give RVP a kick up the backside he needs, Blind protects the back 4 so they aren't as exposed.
Not saying they are sorted, still need a decent CB for a start, but good signs today if you are a United fan.

[MustPuttBetter]

Di Maria might turn out to be a lot better than I expected. He was fantastic today

[Diggers]

Whenever I watched Real last year he was their best player,he is class, I just wasn't sure for 60 million he fixed Uniteds main problems, but maybe he does.

[Davie]

Anyone else find the whole concept of the Invictus Games more than a tad patronising?

Not me. If the athletes themselves felt patronised they wouldn't compete

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