Rayvin

I want to say for the record that I fundamentally reject CT's stance on poverty - it does exist here, even if it isn't as widespread as the emerging economies. I'd argue that if we had to wait until we were at the same level as them before taking any action, we'd be in serious bother. With that said, the recession has apparently managed to level the playing field a bit more, and our Gini coefficient has fallen in 2012 - which would be encouraging except that I can't shake this feeling that the super rich aren't paying for it. http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/jul/10/income-gap-narrowest-margin-25-years With that said, you may also be interested in this graph showing that Thatcher was responsible for the coefficient going through the roof while she was in power. Which I think sums up the Tory viewpoint. Sweden is at around 25%. http://www.the-crises.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/gini-index-uk.jpg

CT - out of interest - do you truly believe that the Tories have your best interests at heart? Take Labour and the Lib Dems out of it, and just focus on the Tories without comparing them to anyone. They're awful. Labour and the Lib Dems might be worse in your opinion, but the Tories, in the cold light of day, are undeniably awful. That would be my guess anyway - I just wonder sometimes why we all spend so much time point scoring one party against another when they all suck, all lie to us, and generally don't operate in our best interests unless there's a key vote winning opportunity. Democracy isn't the answer, it's failed. We vote for the same parties over and over again, with no choice in our future at all. But we put up with it because it's something to take sides over. If we stopped arguing over whether Labour were better than the Tories or vice versa, I wonder if we'd sit down and go 'actually, this political system isn't working for us on any level, and we need to address this'. I reckon they've just used 'divide and conquer' on this.

Just had a quick look at their fixtures at the end of the season - he's right, they've all the massive teams, away from home, almost one after the other. Interspersed with home games against midtable teams. They're fucking doomed.

Rest in Peace. 95 though, he had a bloody good innings.

Seriously??The guy they all hated for the past few months..?? Wait, I assume that includes his own goals - he's had two of those hasn't he? I'm glad Sunderland continue to be hilarious even with Poyet in charge.

Which is a really juvenile response from a journalist. He should take it in his stride really - or up his game, one of the two. I find the way the paper has towed the club line on so many issues to be deeply unsettling. That Wonga interview a few pages back was actually cringeworthy.

You mean you aren't worried about Welbeck?!

I think this loss was always coming. I wouldn't rule us out totally against Man U mind, since they have both decent forwards out, but the run wasn't going to last. Still feel that at this point, I'm happy with where we are.

That last one is a classic - old as the films, but still awesome!

Just read the start of this thread versus the last few posts, it's an interesting contrast! This is Shola's time I reckon. His opportunity to finally show all that potential we always didn't really think he had. I'm pleased for him, I hope he has a great year, both for us and Nigeria.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday!

The way their season is going though, they may not be able to provide the 'Champions League football' he craves so much...!

At least Cabaye has his arse in gear this season. And we'll get a fair sum for him I'm sure. We've had him for three years now, that's more than I thought we would.

Love that the TV is just on screen there, to replicate the 'look and feel' of a proper news studio no doubt. Does seem very poor...

Ah fair enough then. To be honest, if he had to go anywhere, Juventus is as good as any.

If no one had suggested him, I'd not have said Williamson - it just flat out wouldn't have occurred to me. With that said though, I think I'd agree based on how far he's improved himself in my opinion of him. In terms of just being really good, it has to be Remy.

I'd be surprised if Juve were able/prepared to stump up £20mill for a keeper... Quite an honour for Krul though, to be seen as a successor to Buffon.

Where is Krul going?

Is there not a remote possibility that Liverpool will end up top four? I think Man Utd will struggle to oust them...

Agreed, but I'd take it if it came. In truth, I suspect that the Guardian has pulled that figure out of its ass.

Were they not looking to consume our resources? I think the point was that they moved from planet to planet consuming the resource (in much the same way humanity would do), rather than creating a galactic empire. So I reckon they'd have flat out exterminated us, leaving anyone left to pick over the corpse of a dying planet. EDIT - I now suspect that this is a spoof of CT's earlier thread. Shows me for being involved in the General Chat section...!

The Guardian seems to think we're after £5mill. I'd probably take that, not that I can see San Lorenzo stumping it up...

He had a couple of hairy moments with short passes and ball watching though...

Might swap Anita for Tiote...not sure what the latter is offering currently.