ponsaelius

I'm definitely of the view that there is a happy medium to strike. I say that as somebody who once had a ST with 50ish points, and has since been to many aways relying on others for tickets. The points system last year had effectively become an arms race, as if you didn't get one for every game you fell behind others who did. So people with high points totals would buy them even if they had no intention of going, safe in the knowledge you'd always be able to pass it on with such huge demand. In addition to this while above face value touting has never really happened in my experience, bus+ticket deals that are commonplace are effectively a backdoor form of touting and hoovered up a huge amount of tickets. Again those supplying their STs to buses were always happy to do so to keep getting loyalty points rolling in and maintain status quo and permanent access when they did want to go. The club probably were right to crack this situation as it was becoming a closed shop and had effectively taken sales control away from the club. The measures have drastically lowered the points threshold which is a good thing for those seeking to build points on their own tickets. The flip side of this is there are a lot of fans who have gone to away games for years on other people's tickets who are marginalised and unless have very trusting friends are now completely unable to go. Some of these people have done more miles than most and now miss out on the good times. The compromise is clearly there to be struck where deterrent remains, but there is increased flexibility for ticket transfers to known individuals over the course of the season. I would support awarding no points in these cases, so there is no incentive for people to do it just for the point but also no way to queue jump points accumulation for the individuals receiving them. IMO this is likely to result in a pretty fair equilibrium while also preventing the unsightly situation of empty seats in the away end when there's something like a last minute rail strike.

What transport infrastructure would it have needed? It's not quite as good a location as SJP but it benefits in the same way any city core location in that the transport infrastructure already exists. It would make a great location for a new stadium for all the same reasons it makes sense as a sustainable residential development. On a football fan level I dislike it because I don't really like new stadia built in urban extensions, they 'feel' soulless to me. But as a means of finally developing a long vacant brownfield site with hugely restrictive sunk costs it would make a lot of sense.

Hardly a mistake. If we hadn't extended his contract he could have left on a free this summer. This would have been a worse outcome given our need to trade players for money (and we have the same issue with Joelinton approaching). You have to extend contracts to protect the value of your assets. It is a balancing act to protect the club but also not price a player out of a move or leave them too comfortable heading towards decline. We don't know the terms of Miggy's latest deal (except that it lasts up to 2026) but you'd imagine it's been pitched at a wage that doesn't price him out of a move to Saudi, another PL club or as a DP in the MLS. The club won't be daft with contracts these days.

Saw this stat and it didn't surprise me. Feels like we've had loads of different goalscorers this season, in part due to the sheet rotation of injuries we've had throughout.

We absolutely should be trying to shift either one of Almiron or Murphy if we get a solid offer. We won't be signing a right sided player if have both of them still on the books. We have to sell and both of those players are right at the right point where they need to be sold or there will be no market for them going forward.

It's not just with Dubs tbf, Howe has been loath to change the midfield balance or system despite the fact it doesn't and hasn't really worked for months. Other than in game where we've now switched to a back 5 a couple of times to see out games. I think as a manager he clearly prioritises plan A and imposing on the opposition, rather than reacting tactically to circumstances or the opposition. And probably thinks in the long run it will benefit us more.

He's 35 and had injury problems. It's probably not too big of a surprise that this is his level now. He's being overexposed by our porous midfield and slow back line to be fair to him. We're still playing like we have a top level sweeper keeper in goal.

Yeah I'd have Kelly if we're expecting Lascelles, Dummett and Targett to depart. I know free transfers are never free but he would seem a shrewd signing in those circumstances. Billing to replace Joelinton seems far more underwhelming. I guess it may be that if we have to box clever with funds, then it's an exchange that could bring in decent money to spend elsewhere.

https://outsidewrite.co.uk/visiting-the-oval-glentorans-iconic-ground/

Mainly because it's pretty unique I'd say. Old distinctive main stand, open old school concrete terraces and fencing, industrial backdrop. If you're a ground nonce you're not looking for modern comforts. Not many grounds these days of that type that haven't either already been bulldozed or re-developed on all four sides.

Not been but The Oval is always top of ground hopper lists as being a cracking ground

Feels like a microcosm of the whole season really. That first goal was all of our weaknesses in one go. Too easy to play through the press in midfield, too slow in defence to follow the run, and then Dubravka nowhere near quick enough off his line like Pope would be. A massively jammy second to top things off.

Liner is the correct non league parlance I'm afraid

It happens pretty often. Not an everyday occurrence but definitely pretty regular in the NL. As far as I'm aware it's only for dissent. To be honest there has been occasions I've even missed it happening - as I don't believe they show a card. Only noticing afterwards when the player comes back on or it's mentioned by others there.

Had them in the Northern League for years. For dissent. Works well at that level, as it's a disgrace the way officials are treated. Not convinced of the point at the top level.

Qatar getting to a second consecutive Asian Cup final, will be favourites to win again against Jordan too (who knocked out Korea). Asian football is bizarre, they looked so shit at the World Cup.

It isn't like, it is surrounded closely by Madrid streets and buildings on all sides. Not as tight as we have it but certainly not a blank canvas.

Didn't think he was great today in terms of general play but going to put some respect on his name because they were both good finishes, something people have been asking from him. 6 goals for the season already is a big improvement on previous years.

Jesus Christ. I know I'm a broken record on this but I'm so done with this season. With Barnes back you could have basically guaranteed he'd get injured today.

This and the Forest game have been alarm bells for his stubbornness tactically. He gets a bit of a pass in that he has basically had no room for manoeuvre with the midfield 3 available and the balance hasn't worked at all really since Miley came in (even though individually he's shown promise, and definitely gonna be great). We could have tried another system though at some point to tweak things. He really is amazingly stubborn on that front - I nearly collapsed from shock when he went to a back 5 mid game against Villa.

He's been a huge miss like.

Love what he's done for us but the sooner he's a bench back up who can do a job in two positions, rather than a nailed on starter, the better.

Blowing with no additional time there is absurd.

Gordon injured now

Definitely been one of the biggest issues with the team for months I'd say. Like you say it's a shame because he's clearly going to be class, but the midfield is just so open with him in there.