Raconteur

Wasn't Burnley taken over with a leveraged buyout recently, too? I've been thinking this lately - couldn't Staveley do the same thing? But perhaps that's what she was doing the first time around and couldn't make it work (although she was counting of winning against Barclays, wasn't she?)

I'm not sure, but I remember someone trying to explain it to me that it's because Colin Kaepernick was a QB and taking a knee had particular meaning via that. Just as likely I was receiving unfiltered bullshit that I accepted uncritically.

Isn't it specifically linked to (American) football because taking a knee in a game has meaning in that game? A QB will kneel before he gets sacked as a tactical move, and drawing a political symbol from that?

That's ambitious. I'd suggest something very different: Fans singing "Brucey, give us a wave" What I realistically see is a meek 0-3 surrender. Fans depart saying "See you next week, lads"

So everyone except Barca, Juve and Real Madrid is forgiven?

I hesitate to engage because racism in Australian culture is different from racism in the UK (or US). We have our own right-wing culture warrior fuckwits, but whenever I see the UK or US equivalent, I know I'm missing historical and cultural context. Even so, it strikes me that the original message of taking the knee - which was explicitly "No room for racism in football" - has been hijacked by right-wing cultural warrior fuckwits who have been allowed to rebrand anti-racism as Marxism. It shouldn't fall on black players to explain why racism is bad, but I'd have thought Wilson and Saint-Maximin (ie very popular players), via the club's social media, saying something like "Booing us taking the knee is cheering for racism" might refocus the message.

I’m not a fan of Almiron at centre midfield as it doesn’t make the most of his thrust on the counter. However, I thought he did a good job in the first half especially. He’s also one of the only players we have who can complete Shelvey’s running as well as his own. In Cabbage Heed’s team, we’re likely to see more of Miggy in the middle, which isn’t really his game and he’ll have poor games when he’s criticised for Bruce’s failings. Good times.

Yeah, not engaging with any of that. I was seeking clarity, and you provided it. Really disappointing attitude.

I don’t know that a Bruce-managed team is ever certain to stay up, but I wouldn’t go any higher than 1.

I have to say, that reads a bit like “you can’t stop racism, so don’t try”?

I know people weren’t sold on Solksjaer, but (ever) suggesting Bruce is a better option for Man U is a lunatic take. My tiny mind is blown.

Getting major déjà vu from last year - West Ham looked pony on the opening day and I spent the whole season wondering how they were placed so well…

Still fucking awful at throw ins, I see...

From the BBC rumours: Manchester United centre-back Phil Jones refused to give up his number four shirt for new signing Raphael Varane, despite not making an appearance for the club since January 2020. (Manchester Evening News, via Sun on Sunday) It’s a special level of shithousery to refuse to give up your number even though you’ll likely never wear it again…

Maybe Wor Jamaal is a bellend, but Krafth is a fucking donkey

Joelinton: Newcastle are too shit for me

That all sounds perfectly reasonable - which is precisely why I’m sure Ashley would happily sell Woodman and tell Bruce to make do with Gillespie (or as-yet unsigned loan) until Darlow and Dubravka are back. I’m also of the opinion Woodman would just as happily leave - his loan to Bournemouth was put off, and he’s only guaranteed to play the first handful of games. Or go to Arsenal and depose Leno?

Lovely bit of Benny Hill defending for the first

Can absolutely see Ashley signing off on this. No doubt he'll look amazing behind (what seems to be) an awful Arsenal defence and we'll be talking about the one who got away.

What an absolutely insane front four! NPW EDIT - Crespo, Balbo, Asprilla and Chiesa

With Steve Bruce telling everyone how much we wanted him, of course Willock was going to demand the earth to move - especially if it's true he preferred a loan to a permanent move. Clearly Willock isn't too fussed in extending his seven goals in seven games record...

If you mean Kiko, that was closer to 20 years ago now. EDIT: Maybe you don't - Kiko played for nothing at Atletico Madrid...

Our three year monitoring of Choudhury might bear fruit, too

Ashley seems to have a lot of faith in his daughter’s marriage - a damn sight more than I would!

Giggs sitting amongst the Villa fans.