ferguson1

Leeds basically missing their spine (Cooper, Phillips and Bamford). At best, Bamford and another may make the bench. Bamford didn’t even get any minutes last weekend off the bench.

1 minute ago, turvontour said:

Feels like we are as full strength as we've ever been tonight. Is it only Nakamba out injured now?

Yep, Gerrard stated yesterday that he has a full squad to choose from, apart from Nakamba.

15 minutes ago, NurembergVillan said:

According to Percy in the Torygraph, Phil's on £480k per week.

That's gonna be some climbdown in wages if he wants to stay at VP.

Clearly, he'd still be earning an unimaginable amount of cash here but it won't even be half what he's getting there. Unless he's a vital figurehead for the project, in which case his value will go beyond goals and assists.

I think the part in bold might be the case. Our branding and any commercial enterprises could include him going forward. World Cup year as well, he’ll get plenty of exposure.  I reckon we’ll agree a deal with him of around £200k-£250k a week.

Scored again this evening. 

Can’t see Bamford, Phillips or Copper starting this one, with only Bamford returning to the bench yesterday but not coming on. That has to be a plus.

If we can repeat the performance of yesterday we’ll be too much for them but showing some consistency is key now. 

Incredible that this guy has come in on a free or some ridiculously low nominal fee.

27 years of age and can probably give us 5 plus years service.

Fantastic signing.

Just now, The_Steve said:

We want Timmy Time

Just now, jim said:

Been terrible just limping it forward with no real intent.

I knew it. Gerrard Out.

Just got in, anything happened or is it another yawn fest?? 

Steer down and looks bad.

Strange start to the game where both sides looked devoid of confidence. It then got a little feisty, we scored and the ref lost control.

Second half we were ok and scored again. In truth, Brighton didn’t really lay a glove on us and I can’t remember Martinez having a lot to do. 

Positives: Two goals scored and a clean sheet. Hopefully no injuries and no one sent off. McGinn MOTM. 

Clean sheet and no injuries will be the icing on the cake now.

Lovely goal

Chambers on for Luiz. Need some control in the middle.

Someone is going to see red today. Ref is losing control.

Something to build on now. Both sides looked devoid of confidence but hopefully we’ll be lifted by the goal.

Out of nothing

One word:

fragile 

8 hours ago, jackbauer24 said:

Whilst the financial debate is relevant to your personal circumstances, the career is clearly incredibly stressful and I would always argue a happy life is far more important than the money that is earnt. Obviously there is always a balancing act in that, as lack of money in itself can be stressful.

I am a teacher, in primary, and have been for a fair time myself (UPS2) but not 26 years! I have also had a long time on supply previously. So with there in mind, and recognising the myriad of differences each circumstance can bring, I'd say/suggest/ask a few things;

1. Is it the school? The environment from school to school is hugely different and one school will do something hugely different to another. One school made me practically suicidal with its culture of observation, criticism and pressure, another is the polar opposite. A new head can swing a school in either direction.

2. Is it the TLR that causes the stress more than the basic job? Could these be relinquished in either the current setting or in a new full time role? Dropping TLRs often isn't that great of a financial impact. SLT drops may be more significant.

3. Could she negotiate a Part Time role in her current setting? Going from 5 to 4 days equates to less than 20% drop in wage you'd expect. I have a Wednesday off and this helps manage my stress as there's only ever two days in a row. I use the Wednesday for my mental health at the Foundation.

4. The need for supply is currently massive BUT wages rarely match experienced staff's daily rate. A handful of agencies do offer guaranteed work for five days a week and pay regardless of whether they can find you work, but you have to accept all work offered. Holidays are accrued actually, but normally in the form of pay (if you get to that point, agency would explain clearly). Obviously no real sick pay. Biggest issue however is she would leave the pension scheme. Supply itself is stress free IF she's happy going in to new settings - no planning, parents, observations etc!

5. Is it worth having a period of sickness?! If she's properly stressed with it, then use the sick pay rights she will have accrued over the last 26 years. The break itself may help recharge the batteries, the length of service she has had will give her the maximum full sick pay I believe. Also, ultimately, she can use this to negotiate a better job on her return using occupational health.

I will reiterate, without consideration of circumstances, happiness trumps wages. This will be incredibly stressful for her too so be as supportive as you possibly can be, the last thing you need is to create resentment because you're forcing her to stay in an incredibly stressful career (if you know, you know) or feeling like she's letting you down by leaving. There are lots of ways to tighten the finances if needed, if you lose a few luxuries but gain a happier wife and mother then it's worth it. You will know her working week is probably in excess of 60hrs considering before/after school, weekend work, even work during the half term so she might suddenly be in all your lives much more. Good luck.

Firstly, many thanks for the detailed post and thought put into your response. It’s good to hear some reasoning from another teacher.

In answer and in short, it’s the head. My wife has worked in the same school for all her 26 years and worked her way up to gain TLR and UPS3. However, the new head of 4 years is very driven and has bought a lot of previous staff from her old school with her and continues to do so. My wife feels very isolated now. The head also expects blood and very long hours with it. Being in our middle to late forties now, she just doesn't want it.

Rightly or wrongly, she has been advised by the head that if she wants to drop her TLR/UPS3, then she needs to either leave the school or drop to some form of basic teacher/assistant rate because she needs a committed management team? The head also won’t allow her to go part-time because she needs full-time staff/management around her.

She is now considering sick leave or waiting until the summer and not returning in September. The plan would be to go on sick until early next year and then quit, and register with a supply agency.

Whatever happens, it’s only money and I’d rather have a happy home. Cheers again mate, much appreciated

It’s been a little tense in our household this week. Mrs F and I have both had the week off work but we’ve been bickering about our jobs.

After 26 years in the teaching profession as a primary school teacher, Mrs F is ready to quit. She’s had enough of the micromanagement and constant criticism. It’s not what she went into teaching for she says. She leads in certain subjects and is middle management (TLR) or something but she’s heavily stressed and wants out.

My concern is her wage is significantly better than mine and even if she does supply teaching from September, it’s a worry with bills increasing all the time and two young children.

Any current or previous teachers on here that are thinking of leaving or have left teaching completely? Supply teacher work seems very hit and miss, with no holiday or sick pay. I’ll accept whatever final decision she goes with but not working at all is just not an option for us.