Another Drive4show 'Anything goes' thread

[McLaren]

First topic message reminder :

Kwini

I reckon Harry has scored a double eagle.

She's a weird looking bird, more a bogey I'd say.

Kwini, you have very high standards. I seem to remember you thought Lexi was a bit of a minger.

[Diggers]

I’m no legal expert, but how on earth does Ben Stokes think he can get away with not guilty of affray? The video footage is pretty damning, surely some form if suspended custodial sentence is coming his way, which must entail an England ban?

[Eyetoldyouso]

"I’m no legal expert............
Clearly some legal expert does.

Sorry Digs, normally your thoughts are rational and considered.

[dynamark]

I have a little experience as my son was involved in a regrettable incident .
If the lad he hit suffered a broken eye socket that must be GBH not affray .We were discussing at work today and someone made the point that spitting(carragher) may be seen as horrendous but a few punches not so bad.

[Diggers]

"I’m no legal expert............
Clearly some legal expert does.

Sorry Digs,  normally your thoughts are rational and considered.

Well I guess we will find out if that expert is right. It could though be the case that Stokes, a very stubborn guy by all accounts, insisted on a not guilty plea. Haven’t the other guys who were clattered been cleared, in which case as there was clearly affray taking place someone must have been guilty of causing it.
I don’t want him to be banned, I just don’t really see, when you have such clear video footage and lots of witness evidence against him, how he has a hope.

[JAS]

Of course he can do what he wants with his body. But I do understand that some people may think it will reflect badly on the England team. But it just reflects the nation so nothing to be ashamed of really.

Wasn’t there some Oxford undergraduate girl who got ridiculously let off a horrendous charge (forget what it was, maybe a drunk/drug driving accident?) because she had prospects and was generally of good character and likely to be an asset to society in future. Bet Stokes is wishing for a judge of similar “character”

[Diggers]

Jas, Stokes has previous for mocking a disabled lad. Not sure he can rely on being of impeccable character really. Doesn’t really help his argument that he was standing up for the gay guys, who I think have said he was mocking them and flicking cigarette butts in their direction (apparently CCTV backs this up).
As for saying he only slapped the guys...really? Some slap he has, if your slap can knock someone out/over, how is it less of a violent act then a punch - and he clearly did punch them anyway.

[NedB-H]

The girl from Oxford didn’t get let off, she just got a very lenient sentence from the judge having been found guilty of her offence.

As I understand it, the key to an “affray” charge is.to have been acting in a way that could reasonably endanger an unrelated bystander. So what Stokes was doing to the other two guys, and vice versa, isn’t necessarily relevant; unless they were acting so wildly that a random passer by would be in trouble. We’ll see how his defence unfolds...

[Diggers]

Looking sunny in Strathclyde for the triathlon. Raining so hard on the south coast our satellite signal keeps dropping. Just back from mid 30’s in France, too hot for me, glad it’s cooler here but very, very wet.

[super_realist]

It seems rather a lot of legal effort for something which is a pretty minor offence.

Minor scuffles and affray like this happen all the time, but surely they don't have to go to this sort of level? This sort of thing used to be dealt with in a magistrates court on a Monday morning. Why the need for this Rumpole of the Bailey stuff?

[super_realist]

Of course he can do what he wants with his body. But I do understand that some people may think it will reflect badly on the England team. But it just reflects the nation so nothing to be ashamed of really.

Wasn’t there some Oxford undergraduate girl who got ridiculously let off a horrendous charge (forget what it was, maybe a drunk/drug driving accident?) because she had prospects and was generally of good character and likely to be an asset to society in future. Bet Stokes is wishing for a judge of similar “character”

She stabbed her boyfriend with a bread knife whilst bladderated. The doctor let her off incredibly lightly because she wanted to be a doctor and "wasn't suited to prison" if I recall.

[kwinigolfer]

Sounds like Miss Oxford & Mr Stokes are a bunch of amateurs when trying to defend themselves. Take a butcher's at this clean thoroughbred white beauty:

https://abc6onyourside.com/news/nation-world/video-sc-clean-thoroughbred-white-girl-touts-career-clean-record-to-avoid-jail

[Diggers]

England doing OK today without Ben, though suspect they’d have skittles them even quicker with him on a pitch doing this much.

[Diggers]

Modern test cricket. Chris Woakes, world class at home. Worthless (tad harsh perhaps) abroad.

[Diggers]

If you get a chance watch Iniesta’s debut J league goal on the BBC sports site. It’s a gem, he’s still got it.

[kwinigolfer]

Nice to see Wayne Rooney making his mark, showing how to defend when your goalie's up for a corner:

https://twitter.com/MLS/status/1028827728298954752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1028974942971412480&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.com%2Fsport%2Flive%2Ffootball%2F45168457

And getting a v.cool assist when the opposition's sleeping, all in the same sequence of play.

[McLaren]

If Ashley Young gets a shot at left back I still fail to see why Rooney was tossed away by Utd. When you see how a lot of the current team struggle with their first touch even having him around the training pitch as a benchmark would have been useful.

Now that him and Carrick have gone there isn't anyone to judge the new players against to see if they are actually top quality.

[1GrumpyGolfer]

Nice to see Wayne Rooney making his mark, showing how to defend when your goalie's up for a corner:

https://twitter.com/MLS/status/1028827728298954752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1028974942971412480&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.com%2Fsport%2Flive%2Ffootball%2F45168457

And getting a v.cool assist when the opposition's sleeping, all in the same sequence of play.

Love how Rooney was too knackered to go join in the celebrations.

[Davie]

I’m no legal expert, but how on earth does Ben Stokes think he can get away with not guilty of affray? The video footage is pretty damning, surely some form if suspended custodial sentence is coming his way, which must entail an England ban?  

Stokes found not guilty....

[wiretapper]

I’m no legal expert, but how on earth does Ben Stokes think he can get away with not guilty of affray? The video footage is pretty damning, surely some form if suspended custodial sentence is coming his way, which must entail an England ban?  

Stokes found not guilty....

So presumably straight back into the team? Woakes wont be getting dropped after his excellent display last weekend so who goes, Pope maybe? A bit unfair considering he did fine on his debut but I can't see it being anyone else.

[wiretapper]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45182066

In my humble opinion Bale's overhead kick was much better than Ronaldo's

[Diggers]

I’m no legal expert, but how on earth does Ben Stokes think he can get away with not guilty of affray? The video footage is pretty damning, surely some form if suspended custodial sentence is coming his way, which must entail an England ban?  

Stokes found not guilty....

As I said, In no legal expert...

[Diggers]

Same squad for third test, one from Woakes or Curran to make way for the 4th I’d guess. Could be Pope but you don’t need 5 seamers and Stokes average/influence with the bat is less than with the ball and we need to sort out our top order.

[wiretapper]

According to the Beeb he's in the 3rd test squad. I agree he's much more influential with the ball I just don't think Woakes or Curran deserve to loose their place.

[Diggers]

That’s odd, they named it yesterday without him, hey ho. Agree neither deserves to be dropped, could say it’s a nice position to be in. I know he’s started well but not sure about Curran long term, looks like a bits and pieces cricketer, more suited to white ball. He is really young though so plenty of time to develop.
Broad might have been an option to drop before the last innings, can’t see it now but feel he is definitely in decline.

[NedB-H]

You could drop Buttler, I think he’s a waste of a position at 7. They’d lose nothing by batting Stokes there instead. But given the position 2-0 in a best of five, I’d leave Stokes out for the last three on the pretence of some minor suspension for bringing the game into disrepute. We all know what he can do on the pitch, that would allow us to assess the other players rather than Woakes/Curran/Pope/Rashid missing out unfairly. Then bring Stokes back in for the winter when he’ll actually be needed.

[beninho]

I saw sonetjing explaining affray, and it needs to have put other members of public at risk, therefore it was never hping to stick in this instance. Cps messed up the charge it seems, which is why they wanted to add abh before the trial but left it to late!

I'd leave Stokes out for this test. When he vones back you leave out Pope bat Jb at 4, stokes 5, buttler 6 with the gloves, cw, sc, ar, sb ja. But dependent on pitch and conditions so many are changeable, even with moeen as part of the mix.

[Diggers]

So, Cipriani waits years for an England chance, does OK...and then gets into a ruckus. What is wrong with these tools, can’t see Eddy Jones being as forgiving as the ECB.

[navyblueshorts]

So, Cipriani waits years for an England chance, does OK...and then gets into a ruckus. What is wrong with these tools, can’t see Eddy Jones being as forgiving as the ECB.

Yeah, my thoughts pretty much too. What a wally. EJ may be lenient as he's on record as saying he considers more or less on behaviour etc while on England duty/training camps etc. Also, I suspect he'll want to know a little more about it than what's been reported in tabloids.

[Diggers]

Stokes straight back into the side, can’t say I like that. At least one test to stew would have said something. Wonder what the public outcry would be if Raheem Sterling laid out a few blokes and got back into the England team...

[kwinigolfer]

Just as reprehensible is that Sam Curran has been dumped; makes you wonder whether commercial media interests/sponsorships etc are making selection decisions. Ridiculous.

[navyblueshorts]

Stokes straight back into the side, can’t say I like that. At least one test to stew would have said something. Wonder what the public outcry would be if Raheem Sterling laid out a few blokes and got back into the England team...

I hear what you're saying, but Raheem would undoubtedly take a dive...

[super_realist]

Sterling is so frail and flouncing that I doubt he could stretch to a slap.

[Diggers]

I’ve say pound for pound he’s as strong as anyone in the premier league, I’ve seen him hold off players way bigger than him. Frail is not a word I’d use, or flouncing. Do you like your golfers lean and your footballers burly, Super?

[super_realist]

I just think he's very lightweight Diggers and gets pushed off the ball very easily, though he might do that for effect or perhaps because of his odd running technique which seems to give him a higher centre of gravity.
He must be one of the lightest players at the club, almost Neymar in terms of being a flyweight.

[Diggers]

He doesn’t get knocked off the ball much unless he wants to to buy a foul, he’s pretty solid, certainly not frail. I think completely the opposite, his low centre of gravity makes him really hard to move off the ball, it’s one of the reasons he’s such a fantastic footballer.

[super_realist]

Still think someone should train him to run like a normal athlete though and not like he's a nurse on Benny Hill

[Diggers]

Well, Sane (who is very quick) reckons Sterling is the quickest at the club, so not sure that messing with his running style would be the most sensible option. I fancy Sterling to have a big, big year, 25 - 30 goals.

[McLaren]

If Sterling was easy to knock of the ball he would have been dispensed like Hart was by Guardiola. Pep is very particular about the traits of the players he uses and obviously strong on the ball is one of them.

[navyblueshorts]

Well, Sane (who is very quick) reckons Sterling is the quickest at the club, so not sure that messing with his running style would be the most sensible option. I fancy Sterling to have a big, big year, 25 - 30 goals.

Think that's possibly optimistic. Needs to learn how to get his feet in the right place at the right time when dealing with crosses and also needs to learn how to shoot. Still, City's other players should lay on enough for him to have a good season.

[Diggers]

Well he hit his shot OK last week, about 20 goals last season in all comps so he really doesn’t need to change that much, Navy. He now scores a lot of tap ins which he somehow gets stick for, why? Blinders dont count for double. People talk about finishing being natural and he isn’t one. Finishing is also about finding space through movement and being in the right place at the right time and he is brilliant at that, a much harder skill to coach than actually shooting IMO.

[Diggers]

Kane scores in August. Maybe this year he won’t score in every other month!

[super_realist]

If Sterling was easy to knock of the ball he would have been dispensed like Hart was by Guardiola. Pep is very particular about the traits of the players he uses and obviously strong on the ball is one of them.

The football expert arrives. He's had diving cheats wherever he's been Mac. 25-30 goals Diggers? Are you smoking crack? Kane only scored 30 and he is an out and out striker. Sterling is a winger, if he gets 15 he'll be doing very well as he was 18 last year.

Hart being dismissed was because he is a terrible keeper Mac.

[Diggers]

He isn’t a winger. Do you think starting on the right of a 3 makes you a winger these days? Do me a favour, actually watch a football match and look at how players move. Do you think Messi is a centre forward, do you think Henry used to start through the middle? Sterling will play 9, 10 and wide all in one game. It’s a completely fluid front 3, look at how often Sterling is in the box, he never hugs the touch line.
25+, I’m talking all comps here, not just the League.

[Diggers]

Was Hart a terrible keeper when he was helping City win the league? No, he was very good for a long time, for sure he’s lost form and confidence, though maybe he’s regaining some now.
Even if he was at the top of his game Mac is right, he’s not a Pep keepers he was always on his way out.

[beninho]

Realist, you lost the bet on palace going down last season, have you donated the £10 to the snp yet?

Fancy a wager on raheem scoring more then 15 goals this season, im happy to take that on?

[navyblueshorts]

Well he hit his shot OK last week, about 20 goals last season in all comps so he really doesn’t need to change that much, Navy. He now scores a lot of tap ins which he somehow gets stick for, why? Blinders dont count for double. People talk about finishing being natural and he isn’t one. Finishing is also about finding space through movement and being in the right place at the right time and he is brilliant at that, a much harder skill to coach than actually shooting IMO.

Yeah, I'll give you that. Still, obviously plenty he can work on.

[Diggers]

Definitely plenty to work on, Navy. He’s still only 23 so still pretty young.

[Diggers]

Private companies running prisons, who the hell ever thought that was a great of idea? It is definitely an area that requires direct accountability, in no way centred around profit making.

[navyblueshorts]

Private companies running prisons, who the hell ever thought that was a great of idea? It is definitely an area that requires direct accountability, in no way centred around profit making.

Well, it wasn't me. There are plenty of things that should be State-controlled and this is obviously one of them. Dogma - capitalism is the solution to everything, didn't you know?

[wiretapper]

I am not a fan of the Friedmanesque belief that everything is better and cheaper in the private sector.

Our poorly run, expensive train network compared to more efficient, less expensive, publicly run networks in Europe being one example.

Education is another as is, as demonstrated here, the prison service.

[Sponsored content]