Rayvin

What has disturbed me in particular, is that 95% of Israelis back the government's action. This means that Netanyu isn't the problem, he's actually doing exactly what he was elected for. The problem is the way Israel views Palestine, and if you explored that, I'm certain you would see that the average Israeli would tell you this was necessary because Hamas wants to eradicate them. If Hamas stops with that, surely the situation can only improve? Hamas are at the very least providing Israel with every excuse it needs to carry out its aggression - this makes them irresponsible with the lives of their people. How many lives is that history worth, I wonder.

I'm aware of the history, but how does that help us now? How are we supposed to interpret history in order to save people's lives here? The history is irrelevant in terms of finding a solution. As I said earlier, either the solution is that both sides back down and restore normalised diplomatic relations, along with working towards a better future...or Israel just blows the almighty fuck out of anything and everything on the wrong side of the wall until there's nothing left to have diplomatic relations with. Much as it doesn't right the wrongs of the past, Hamas has a responsibility to its people now, not 60 or 70 years ago. They need to surrender for their own people's sake. Saying that doesn't make me pro-Israel, it makes me pro human life.

Being honest, we do seem to do this with players when we want to move them on. God knows why though, what harm does it do if we have players challenging to get into the first team and strength in depth. We're going to get fuck all for him anyway is this keeps up. What did happen to Marveaux anyway?

Parky, just to sate my curiosity - say Hamas got those tunnels to work. What would they do with them?

Ah, this is where that other thread came from...

This is an awesome thread, mind. Are we meant to reveal or is it all hypothetical? I heard (at the age of 11) that if was twice your foot size divided and then divided by three (in inches). With that said, I always thought the really arrogant people were those who were overcompensating. If you're confident that's one thing, but making a point of people knowing you're confident is a mask for insecurity.

Did they not turn down about £30m for both him and Fellaini? Given what they managed to sell the latter for, that would not have been a good deal for Baines.

I was surprised by the strength of the UN language actually. "The world stands ashamed and disgusted". I'm not sure I've heard such strong rhetoric from them. Obviously justifiable rhetoric considering what Israel is doing... This does rather show how powerless the international community is though.

This has to be true. There are tiny clubs throwing serious money around these days ffs. Fulham spent £11m on a single player and they just got relegated. We can definitely afford to put more money out there, but I suppose it's only fair to judge at the end of the window. Certainly makes sense for the club to play their cards close to their chest.

Where in hell did Everton get £28m from...is that the Fellaini cash? Looking at it that way, they've swapped Fellaini for Lukaku. Good business, IMO. I do rather feel that this is probably their entire summer budget mind, but at least it shows they're prepared to push on from last year.

That would be amazing...

Hahaha 370 pages!! in one month for a player who still hasn't signed yet! To be fair, at least a good number of them are aware of how mental that is. Quoting Borini's missus and everything - they're treating the guy as if he was Suarez (actually a lot of that looks familiar - they're approaching RAWK standards of crazy). He got 8 goals right? So this is a roughly 10 goal per season player we're talking about. Good God...

You're not wrong there - but they seem rich enough to strike an oil deal with the Chinese that runs at a loss... that's purely geopolitical, there's no economic benefit to Russia for at least 10 years (and even then it's tiny). Billions of dollars have gone on that. I dunno, I just think Israel is well positioned to fend off the West on this one. You're probably right that the US can influence things though, and I suppose it's just a matter of how long the Americans wait before acting. If they leave it to late, Israel will have achieved everything they need to. Which, come to think of it, is probably the perfect time for a climb down; Israel can demonstrate is responds to the international community and the US can look like it did something...

Can't say I read comics but I'm certainly a nerd by whatever standards the majority on this board operate by. That said, 'being cool' is a waste of a life. I actually believe you can reach a point where someone is so cool it's sad. Thus, cool and sad are two different points on a circular framework - and using that logic, I would then argue that I'm so sad, it's cool. It's not a great argument in truth...

Having a read of their message board, it seems that they have a belief that the owner wants to sell, but can't get anyone to match her valuation. As such, she's fireselling players in order to realise their value and take it off the amount required to buy the club. Seems like a false economy to me as the remaining valuation will still be 'too high' by the same factor it was previously, but there we go I suppose.

Is there any record of that having happened previously though? I'd like to believe you're right mind you. The reason I'm primarily sceptical about the US standing up to them is that Israel has been courting Russia recently - there was some kind or large scale agreement over gas supply that raised US eyebrows a couple of years back. I don't think Israel is beyond playing up to Russia, who, as we all know, will welcome it. I suspect the US would be concerned about pushing Israel too hard. What if Russia stepped in with the finance instead?

At this point, I'm not even certain that Israel would listen to the US. They're ignoring them quite frequently now. I'm sure the US could just about best them in a straight out confrontation, but Israel is a nuclear power and ultimately there is no way that would happen. I think Russia would be a bigger concern for Israel - much less predictable than the US - but Russia won't antagonise the US by directly pressuring a key ally so... There is a third option mind, which is that Israel, probably by accident, carries out something so horrific that the world stands aghast - much like the shooting down of that plane. That might force them to back down, but not certainly. And I dread to think what that event would have to be.

I think your points are valid ones in the overall context. Most people, and arguably Hamas itself, should look at this in the current context though. In the current context, Hamas are the aggressors - even if they haven't been originally. What you're saying more or less is that Palestine will inevitably hold a grudge here. And you're right, I'm sure I'd feel much the same way. The only way I can see to resolve this though, are: 1 - Palestine and Hamas let go of the past and start looking to the future, accepting where they are and making the most of it. 2 - Israel makes the idea of attacking it so horrifying that they're too afraid to do so. I'd say Israel is going for option 2 here. As right as I think you are about Palestine's position, they're no match for Israel. Their decision to continue attacking is getting more of their people killed. As such, I think they'll be forced to take Option 1 as a result of Option 2. The sooner they get there, the sooner Israel will stop. It's not fair, it's not right, but it's the only way out of this.

I read that he was haapy for 'any player who didn't want to be there, to leave', so he's brought this exodus on himself to some extent. Once a few go, others are going to start looking as well. Not sure I've ever seen such a wholesale dismantling of the squad.

Ok, in midfield I don't see the problem. I saw all the consternation on here about our defence in the MYM thread. I agree, that picture right there is a problem...

I always had the impression he was a deeper player as well... I thought he was supposed to be the more like for like Cabaye replacement actually, back in our January scramble. You have to say with Ashley, he does get the players he wants in the end. Usually several months after the point at which they'd have been useful, but even so. Anyway, I don't really see the problem here. Someone noted we're likely to be DJ up front - seems certain if this goes through. Meaning that we're going to have Cabella and Grenier in behind, and then Sissoko possibly playing in his actual position with Tiote and Anita...

This may have been said, but I'm looking at Southampton currently and thinking that we actually got off lucky this time...they've sold off half of their team already, with three others refusing to sign contracts apparently. And interested parties in another two... At least we're buying people.

Given his track record with player positions, it's not beyond the realms of possibility that Pardew is buying him with a view to him playing up front...

that is a brilliant article.