peterw

That's quite the opposite of a liberalist doctrine. There is no scope for war other than when a state is looking to protect itself; and its developed to export not just economic interdependence but also democracy, as the idea is that democracies do not go to war with each other. Neorealism and neo liberalism are more normative in their outlook since the end of the Cold War (adding int he human aspect of state behaviour), but there is no economic 'profit' in your understanding in liberalist theory.

Well that's the arguement of those that are liberalists compared to realists; the greater economic interdependence that there is within the international state system, then the less likely they would be to get into meaningful conflict with each other as it will hurt everyone economically.

Nothing written down as that would fly in the face of NATO opening its doors to all potential members (including russia), but more that assurances were given. It may be that the west then took advantage of Russia's relative weakness in the early 90s and that there was nothing they would be able to do to repsons; it may be that russia misunderstood the aims of NATO or what they were really advocating. However, there was the "not one inch eastwards" phrase/promise/assurance that the Russians have always hung onto. National Security Archive

I haven't trawled through the last 57 pages so apologies if this has already covered but... We seem to be falling into the western narrative of Putin being a madman or a dictator. That he is wrong and that we are right. Russia has a relatively recent history of being distrusted by western Europe/US and has been invaded twice. Twice they pushed back and twice 'victories' in the west after Napoleon and Hitler have been assigned to the western powers with Russia largely ignored. Russia attempted to create buffer zones that fell at the end of the Cold War and NATO did give assurances that they would not push further eastwards than its 1990 'borders'. NATO in its defence, has always stated that membership is open to anybody but one by one Russia's sphrere of influence is declining and it sees hostile neighbours on its western flank once more. it could largely ignore the Baltic states due to their size and that Belarus and Ukraine still offer protection. That Ukraine is looking westwards is a clear red flag. Putin has said that what is being proposed is similar to the Russian putting troops and weapons in central America and pointing them at the US. Also you only have to look back to 1962 and the Cuban missile crisis and the reaction from the US once they saw the threat from who they consider to be a hostile power, putting weapons and manpower on their doorstep. The world was under no illusion that the US would be prepared to use weaponry that in history only they had ever used. I'm in no way a Putin apologist and think he is trying to recover the Soviet style influence for Russia. However, Russia is always seen as a threat due to its size and the red flag was not, and still isn't being taking seriously. Now the west are paying attention and its NATO and the EU that have to seriously negotitate to calm Russia's fears. This isn't about Ukraine but about the west's attitude towards Russia since 1917, 1945, 1990, and now. We've created this.

UK time?

I think he'll be one of the players most of risk under Gerrard - not just yet but needs to improve his numbers in terms of the threat he poses and useful balls he gets into the box. I'd also add Konsa into this. I rate him highly and it may be that he needs someone better next to him as the 'talker', but I think under Gerrard we'll be after another starting centre-back who is better in possession than Konsa.

So Preece went from "reading between the lines", to "Gerrard told me..." Preece has no idea what is going on and appears to never have had. Even right up to Grealish going he was telling all and sundry on the podcasts that he thought he wasn't. He's known nothing about any Villa news that any ITK journalist would have and Gerrard clearly hasn't told him anything. He's making it up. It may well turn out to be true (Luiz not wanting to stay) but you can bet Preece has absolutely no idea or an 'in' with Gerrard.

and of those 4, I think 3 have been scored by those replacing him. So you don't think they have may raised their game knowing that there is a new kid in town who has got their starting spot. They are obviously being driven to trya nd get the shirt back, and yet they can't because of what Davis is currently bringing to the team. Also, once you've had a skilful battering ram go at you for an hour its difficult to switch on to the nippier playrs with their movement for the last 30 mins or so. Again, all thanks to what davis had been doing for the 60 mins or so he's been playing without scoring in games.

It also could be a sign to Bissouma and his agent. We've got other rods in the fire so if you don't come to the Gerrard revlution then this door may be permanently closed to you: your move.

Absolutely.We've gone from signing players from Middlesbrough and Swansea, to Barcelona and (potentially) Juventus. I think that needs a bit of perspective.

I actually thought he looked a bit leggy for Everton and hopefully he can have a rest at some point as it's easy to forget this is really only his first proper season as a fully-fledged starter. With that in mide there will need to be a run of games where he will need to be rested just for his own saje as much as anything. That will also allow the likes of Sanson and Chukwuemeka to get the minutes they also need.

Actually the first mistake is in Sanson's decision making. We were trying to relieve pressure and the ball should have gone down the line to whichever player was there (I can't remeber who it was now). Sanson should have stayed where he was plugging any gaps should the ball have then come back but by taking the decision to come wide, he exposed the midde and left Digne with no real option but to try and ping it to him to get quick distribution. Sanson then - because of the run he made, the space he closed off for Digne, and the weight of pass to deal with all contributed to his poor touch. It was a Sanson error strewn moment that will be eliminated through playing more games. Sadly, at this level you have to take your chances when they come, I thoguht he was lacking on Saturday and has done more damage than good in trying to impress Gerrard.

you don't this is just a distraction? The timing of it? For Dorries to then say that it will there will be a consultation period that will be in 5 or 6 years (before they come up with a competent model for replacing or considering what to do with the licence fee). Literally all Qs were - this may not be anything yet, let's just wait. So, why announce it now? It wasn't in a manifesto. She said herself to the Select Committee that something would need to be in place before the govt. would even get to thsi point of freezing the licence fee. So, you have to ask yourself, what has changed? Why are they suddenly announcing this now? Why do they want people to be thinking about something other than the shit show that Johnson has created? I think its plain to see.

Forward line? Ahead of Watkins/Ings/Coutinho/Bailey/Buendia? I'd be very surprised.

I'm a big fan but think that if Gerrard is here for anther couple of seasons minimum SJM is one of the players that may find themselves in danger of being replaced. He's a huge fan's favourite but the numbers that he produces are not good enough if we're being clinical. I hopehe can push himself even further and become even more dominant in every game because each season with us he's had large parts of the season where he has become anonymous after very bright starts. He can't afford those spells any more or he'll be moved on.

I doubt it. He'll have been brought back so Gerrard can have a prper look at him and then will in all likelihood look for a better placed club to loan him to if he feels sitting on our bench isn't the best thing for him. Sometimes it is, as some players get motivated by what's around them and feeling part of it rather than going away to a League One club (he won't go back to League Two). Either way, I'd say we are more likely to buy a new right-back to challenge rather than expect KKH to get minutes at Cash's expense.

no idea

Found it impossible to watch this without the internal jukebox flicking straight through to Massive Attack - Unfinished Symapthy.

I suppose we'd better sign him first, then.

Whether Grealish has tarnished this that or the other (personally not fussed), the point is he will be comparedwith grealish simply interms of output. Grealish was one of the leading playrs in Europe for chances created and Buendia was signed to try and do domething similar. It hasn't worked so far for him but with the reputation Coutinho comes with he will not be given much time before expectations of what he has shown previously, are demanded. It will then be oft mentioned and compared in relation to Grealish's stats for us, not just by Villa fans but by the media suddenly star struck with Villa because of Gerrard. They will be waiting to see what Coutinho cvould do, if it goes well they will be falling over themselves to point to Gerrard as the reason, but he has been brought in to do what Grealish did and will be judged accordingly. Interestingly, this could also help Buendia. He looks like he's playing with the pressure to produce being too much for him and he is also always compared to Greaslish in terms of output. With the spotlight elsewhere he may now be able to settle into his game a lot easier.

To be honest, a midfield of Ramsey - Coutinho - Bissouma feels and sounds better than a midfield of Ramsey - McGinn - Luiz

I can't remember Digne having great games against us and I've always seen him as a side to attack - with Cash did effectively this season, and others previously. It may work out and where Targett lets himself down is the final third which is what Gerrard is looking for. So, sacrificing Targett's better defending for Digne's better attacking. I can see why we'd go for him and let's just hope it works.

Bill Nighy as Ron Bendall

Begbie as Des Bremner

With Grealish being one side Traore (and whoeverelse) were seldomly used during games in comparison, and so when they were they utilised their inconsistency was indulged. Some good things, some poor things. However, we now need all players - especiqally those in the attacking areas to take it upon themselves to imprint themselves into the team's identity and to win games for us. Whether Traore is good enough to do that we'll find out in the second part of the season. If not, he could find himself replaced in the summer.