southernmag

Huijsen would very likely strengthen our squad but I really don't like throwing 50m at players that were available for a quarter of that just one year ago. Bournemouth will be laughing all the way to the bank and it makes a bit of a mockery of our supposedly super clever transfer dealings.

To be fair, we've delivered some dire performances after week long breaks between games in the not too distant past, so I don't put too much weight on that. But 8 days rest is better than half that, and we're in good form. So what could go wrong...

There definitely seems to be a fear element among match officials, even at lower levels. But if the refs, and the FA etc, had the balls to boldly and consistently implement certain laws, the players would soon cotton on and come into line imo.

He looked hungry today, which was good. Seems to me to be a slightly moody player. Sometimes looks miserable and not up for it, whereas days like today he had a point to prove, which made him much more dangerous.

Thought the ref had a poor game and I'm not detracting from that. But I'm still dumbfounded by how football continues to allow players (and coaching staff sometimes) to surround refs, scream things at them, wag fingers, and other cynical/nasty things. In rugby, it's not tolerated, there's actual consequences for it, so it doesn't happen. That's respect. Football could stamp it out in 5 minutes if it wanted, but my theory is that the powers that be view the players as their hallowed cash cows and don't want to upset them, even if it's clearly for the good of the game. It grates me virtually every game I watch. Don't let the players behave like morons. Book them for surrounding the ref for example, even if you book half the team at once, and I bet they'll stop it pretty quick. It's not rocket science. There are obviously many other issues affecting refereeing standards, but could we actually try treating them as human beings? Might help them be better.

I don't think he's Newcastle level, and particularly not Juve level, but he's not a rubbish player either. Truth is somewhere in the middle. Agree we've got a good deal here though.

I believe so, according to Football Manager anyway. We need a certain number of players trained at our club before they turned 21 (or something).

Watch them spend quarter of a billion this summer to try and fix it.

Would rather an ancient Vardy than an immobile Wilson tbf.

Came through Derby's academy for 10 years, then onto City. So no links to Man U and they're about as bad as it's possible to be these days. He'd be mad to go there, mad I tell ya. Watch it happen.

Even if he has been naughty and rushed back slightly, he's got a handful of games then a summer of (theoretical) rest. I think he'll be alright.

I'd like to think there's a good chance someone like Delap sees that moving to Man United has a huge number of drawbacks. Yes he'd be second fiddle to Isak, but at a far healthier club, and he'd play a crap ton of games with Europe etc. He's also one Isak injury or an Isak sale (not impossible if Real or someone come in with 150m plus) from being our permanent lead striker. Also surely we won't be daft enough to hang on to Wilson. It's high time we made some intelligent and bold decisions with regards to moving players on. I'm excited but nervous about the summer. Here's hoping it's a good one.

You'll be glad to hear I'm not gonna nibble on any more God stuff in this thread. Much as I'm tempted, it's not really the place.

FWIW I think Guehi could be a good signing for a reasonable (say sub 40m) fee. I'm not fully convinced by him but we've seen what Eddie and co can do to players to raise their level.

I think the short answer is that the Bible asserts Jesus 'fulfilled' the Old Testament law (as in, without exception and to the fullest degree), therefore endorsing all of its contents, even if his views on specific issues aren't always recorded in the New Testament. But again I'm happy to discuss further elsewhere - I'm trying to resist clogging this thread up further with a God debate.

Look, I'm a Christian, and I understand the strong opinions on this issue. I'm going to stick my neck out though and receive criticism if necessary, because there are one or two things I think need clarifying. What it ultimately comes down to is our underlying beliefs about where we get out moral authority from. Some believe it comes from God (or a god), while others believe it's based on the opinion of the majority, etc etc. I have my view on what holds more weight in that regard, as do others. It's interesting that some insist that someone like me is clearly hateful, a bigot, backward, a c**t, all terms used in the last few pages of this thread. I think if you actually met me you'd have a hard time convincing yourself I was those things. Maybe I'm wrong. The Christian standpoint is effectively that God a) exists and b) because of his nature has the authority to assert what is right and wrong. This is obviously offensive/unpalatable to many, but that is the assertion. When people diverge on this fundamental worldview, then of course we're going to see stuff like homosexuality completely differently. It shouldn't surprise us. I'm still learning and growing as I go through life, but the Christian claim - as I understand it - is that God's judgement of sin, and him being loving, work together, and are not a contradiction. Again - offensive to many. A decent analogy to relate to this (in my view) is that as a parent, you tell your children what's right and wrong, as you have the right to do so, and you love them too much to do otherwise. You hope that they'll trust you, and do what you say. When they defy you, do you hate them? Of course not. You're disappointed, but you desire them to learn obedience. You want to reconcile with them. That's how the Bible says God views us. Any true Christian views homosexuality as one of many sins that lead us away from God (and we're all equally guilty of sin), but not that cause God to "hate" us. Again - I know people have very different views on all this. But at the very least, I'd hope you wouldn't be so quick to automatically label me (or someone with my worldview) hateful etc. I think if we're honest we all know that Marc Guehi is very likely a decent human being, not a hateful, bigoted, c**t of a man. At worst, ignorant, but again, that's a claim based on wider worldviews which we could discuss till the cows come home. PS not sure if NO has a private message feature but I'd be happy to talk about this stuff further in private if anyone wanted.

But some are more moral than others. Based on what?

Guess we can add dumb to Guehi's list of disqualifying characteristics. What's your basis for deciding you're in the right on this? Are you familiar with moral relativism?

I have been advised that due to Guehi having beliefs some people don't like, he is some combination of dickhead, bigot and/or c**t. If we signed him he'd clearly stink out the entire club. Why are we even discussing him?

It's interesting how the term 'homophobia' has been hijacked to accuse some of having a phobia of a whole people group, when actually it means (in many cases, and clearly Guehi's) a moral objection to an aspect of their lifestyle. Two completely different things. He doesn't have a mortal fear (or, contrary to popular rhetoric, a loathing) of homosexuals. He just dislikes something they do. You can think he's a 'dickhead' for that, and want to shut him out of our club. But that also strikes me as odd from those often claiming love and tolerance as surpassing virtues. Clearly love and tolerance are very, very selective.

Crikey. Yes I hope he takes absolutely as long as he needs, even if it's the rest of the season. It's only football.

I literally did this in my current Football Manager save. Brought in Woodman, even Tavernier and Mbabu. Now got Anderson back. Kept Longstaff for donkey's years and played him about three times a season...

I could probably handle Collins for a lowish fee.

Agreed, there are plenty more Huijsens in the sea. We need to stop being lazy and beta, picking them up for exorbitant prices a year after other clubs made their move.

I agree that Delap has the potential to go to the top, but like others have said, we'd be signing him a year after we should've. And paying the price (literally) for it. IMO David on a free is smarter business in the current PSR climate.