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jacquesderrida

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    Ratings and reactions: Villa 1-2 Arsenal

    in PL: Arsenal h

    Posted

    I only caught the last 20 minutes of the game, online, so I can't really make any comment on the overall performance. I'll leave that to others and – no doubt painfully – learn all about it.

    Maybe this isn't the right place to say this (the Match thread) but over the last few games I've seen online (living abroad, I try and manage one VP visit a year, but that's about it) I've noticed that Dunne and Collins seem to be: a) playing much further forward; B) stroking the ball around. Is this just me, from the distance of a dodgy stream? the thing is, they seem to be playing as if they've been told that they need to distribute much better, play smart passes on the floor; but neither of them is bloody Messi. Remembering the shambolic Liverpool match: in those last 20 minutes, while we 'retained possession', every passing move in that dumbduck period seemed to be coordinated by Collins or Dunne. And to absolutely no real effect.

    Hmm. Does that make sense? I just keep seeing seeing Dunne or Collins marauding into the opposition half and that seems quite disturbing. (Why Collins on the halfway line with ball and not Barry, for instance?)

    Murdoch Scum

    in Off Topic

    Posted

    .

    Should OFCOM decide that Rupe and his lot aren't fit and proper, wouldn't they have to get rid of their 39% and wouldn't James Murdoch have to step down?

    Precisely. As I understand it, if the 'fit and proper' ruling is applied to the takeover, it will also impact on News Corp's (or is it News International's) existing holding. In other words, if they are deemed not 'fit and proper' to own the entire company, that ruling, logically, extends to their existing holding.

    I'm a bit confused by the whole thing, but wasn't NI's latest move – withdrawing their initial offer to spin off Sky News in return for ownership of BSKyB – an attempt to circumvent OFCOM? Because, it's clear that in the current environment, it would be very hard for them to pass that 'fit' test. The 'fit and proper' test OFCOM rules on?

    Instead, now that NI is saying it's going to hold on to Sky News, the whole deal gets passed to the competition commission: i.e the body responsible for ensuring that no company has a monopoly in any given industry.

    Ironically, Sky's initial offer to get rid of Sky News was a way of them avoiding the CC: OFCOM is known to be pretty easy going compared to them, I think. But now, Murdoch clearly sees the CC as a better option. It's also a body that takes years to make rulings, I think: so maybe the hope is that we will all forget about what's happened as time goes by.

    Is this right? This is how I see it. I admit, my knowledge is a little patchy on all of this.

    What I would say is that, clearly, Murdoch is an utterly malign influence. Whether you're a left-winger like I am, or a free-market fan: surely we can all agree that this guy is just in it for himself. He presents himself as an ultra-capitalist, all about the market: but he's not. He's a control freak, a wannabe totalitarian. If reports are true, there will be cross-party consensus tomorrow, backing the Labour motion to censure him, endorsing the idea that he should withdraw his bid for BSkyB. If this happens, it will be interesting to see how he responds. I get the feeling that we'll see the true face then: will he ignore what everyone is telling him? If he does, christ, it'll be interesting to see what happens next...

    As a left-winger, if you'll forgive me, I can't help adding: although Gordon Brown was clearly not suited to being a Prime Minister in a modern world, I really hope that some of the stuff we've heard today mellows some folks' opinion of him. He was and is not a bad man. He was targeted and **** over by the Murdoch press, vilified and crucified. You don't have to like him, but he was a man who TRIED to do what he thought was right. (He was **** from the start, because he never looked the part, nor sounded the part: oddly, we always complain that we don't want image-obsessed politicians; when we don't have them, we destroy them...)

    And Brown's economic plan for recovery is kind of proving itself to be the right one, no? ;)

    The New Condem Government

    in Off Topic

    Posted

    I don't approve of the way the Gov't has proceeded either, but what you wrote is factually incorrect.

    They have not "reduced employment" (either by choice or accident) - the opposite is the case. Unemployment is less now than it was when they started.

    Pete, the headline figure is that unemployment has fallen by 88,000 in the quarter. Let's look behind the headline a bit.

    61,000 of that is the increase in the number of 16-24 year olds in education.

    The number of people claiming JSA rose by 19,600 in the one month since the headline figures were produced. The number of women JSA claimants is now the highest since 1996.

    The number of people working part-time or self-employed because they can't find a full-time job increased by 46,000, and is now at the highest level since records began (1992).

    Figures from ONS.

    There is also the point (though I can't find the source) that the comparison of this period with the last hasn't allowed for changing labour market figures (entrants and leavers, for demographic reasons), meaning that a smaller proportion of those wanting work are in work now than before.

    The overall picture is claimants up, more young people going into education because they can't find work, more people being counted as employed (looks like success) though they are in part-time work when they want full-time work (not success). And around all of that, a headline figure which shows unemployment falling.

    Sincerely Peter, I applaud your lucid prose. Expertly written, sir.

    What is you take – and indeed, yours Blandy – on the idea of the 'Robin Hood Tax'? Unfortunately, it seems to have lost a little impetus recently.

    This: http://robinhoodtax.org/

    The Next Villa Manager Part 3

    in Villa Talk

    Posted

    I don't often post, but two thoughts occur to me (for what they're worth).

    Under Randy's tenure, we have never ever leaked information to the press; never played that game. So it's curious to me that now, if we were interested in MacLeish, we would suddenly drop our guard and just send this supposed email: especially given the obviously contentious nature of such an appointment.

    Second, MacLeish suddenly resigns from Birmingham (after receiving much publicised backing from Yeung). On a quiet news day, wouldn't the hacks be asking: what's happened here? What discussions have taken place, internally? Instead, nameless sources deflect all attention from such questions towards us: that we've been sniffing around MacLeish. And suddenly, this Pannu chap can come out in the press, playing the honourable MD role: coming across as the injured party. That seems a bit convenient to me. (No questioning from the press of why MacLeish has decided to leave them, note...)

    Of course, who knows what's going on. But I have no reason to doubt that we'd be careful enough not to let emails leak now. And I have to question why Bloose seem to be playing the injured party card so hard (in the wretched Express, for instance).

    Just a couple of thoughts.

    Situation vacant... who do you want as the new Villa manager

    in Villa Talk

    Posted

    I'm tempted to make an "education in football" video and post it on youtube for some of you lot to view.

    Go ahead. I need a laugh.

    The amount of bickering on this forum is shocking. You kids really need to settle down. All of you (not just the two quoted).

    Can't people play nice?

    Amen.

    Striking a lighter tone, this made me laugh: http://bit.ly/lZ5WsG

    Who knows what the hell is going on here.

    Carlo A – well, he would be a coup and would be terribly exciting. But would his style work for us, bringing youth through, inevitably having to handle some journeymen in the interim before we have a team packed with stars? I'm not saying it would or won't, and I'd love to see him here. But surely we have to agree that the board and Randy have to think these deeper, long term issues through. (Which we can overlook in our enthusiasm.)

    Rafa – I never quite get the animosity towards him. I'd be intrigued to have him with us.

    Hughes – bah! A careerist. That said, if Randy happens to be convinced by him, I'd be happy to go with that. (I still have faith in RL, I really do.)

    The Curbishleys and MacLarens of this world – good god, no!

    And Moyes – I'm surely not the only one who can't see his luminous appeal. What are his credentials, exactly? (I'm not saying I wouldn't like him here, but I don't see how his experience fits for us. Why he is 'the one'. Maybe it's just me.)

    Let's see, people. And like that erstwhile Villa fan Pike might have been told: "don't panic". (Yet.)

    Situation vacant... who do you want as the new Villa manager

    in Villa Talk

    Posted

    Steve MacLaren is the jumping lizard: Aston Villa Football Club is the the news anchor. About sums up my reaction...

    http://bit.ly/k2eJkS

    (Hopefully a bit of light relief in these stressful times!)

    We have to laugh, chaps, and stay strong together! :)

    Thanks for this, now I cant stop watching it over and over!

    The reaction has me in stitches, guy looks like hes being electrocuted.

    Imagine the newsflash: MacLaren appointed...

    "Ker-ker-tch-tch-ker-tch! WHAT THE FU... GET THIS THING OFF ME MAN!" (12 seconds)

    Exactly!

    The Film Thread

    in Off Topic

    Posted

    Robert Altman's 'Short Cuts' is just fantastic. Always moves me incredibly.

    Kieslowski's Three Colours series is, to my mind, possibly cinema's greatest tour de force – ever. (Three movies: Three Colours Red, Three Colours White, Three Colours Blue.)

    Confirmed: Houllier is the new Villa manager

    in Hall of Fame

    Posted

    IF this appointment is what the board of Aston Villa have decided, then I will place my firm support behind their choice. It has obviously been made with a great deal of thought and it has been done by consulting with various skilled and experienced authorities within the game on a number of levels.

    I was extremely disappointed when MON left, it was unexpected and the timing was devastating. It was very clear that because of the poor timing, the "shortlist" of possible replacements would be short indeed. It has become clear that the owners of our club did not want to poach another clubs manager, but did try within the boundaries of decency and without using unethical means to attract other currently working managers (Moyes' contracted club was approached but they rejected that approach firmly as far as we are aware, and the Martin Jol situation was really quite clear and we had little hope from the beginning as far as that was concerned.) I, personally, am happy with this approach, I want my club to be conducting itself with dignity and treating other clubs and their staff with respect.

    I am certain, and have been given no reason to suspect otherwise, that our club has searched and examined many candidates from far and wide. It has become clear that many candidates that were mooted here were either unsuitable when measured up to our expectations and aspirations, they had neither the experience or stature (Curbs?, Brown? KMac?) . On the other hand, it may well be that some candidates had their own expectations or demands that were not in keeping with our LIMITATIONS and a realistic business vision, given the particular circumstances of this current financial climate. (Sven??)

    I really don't see how we can be certain with regard to how the club viewed any possible candidates until or unless the club decided to share their philosophy or methods with us, but to be frank, I rather suspect that information will never be forthcoming. Neither is there much point in debating who might or might not have had a chance to interview. (or for that matter who might never have been given a chance...) Of one thing we can be certain, the process has been challenging and not without some frustration.

    The club has chosen a man with a great deal of experience in other leagues as well as our own, an international recognised profile and reputation, he has won titles and cups at a very high level, he could easily be placed in the same bracket as our former manager when his experience and success are considered, and it is arguable that his resume is actually considerably more impressive than that of the enigmatic MON. Yes, the choice might have been Klinsman, it may have been Hiddinck, but it may have also been Curbs or Bradley. I believe we've done well, even landed on our feet, if you like. If the prospective candidate has men he knows within the job that he would like to have as assistants, then he is more than welcome to bring them in as far as I'm concerned, whether they at one time wore the redscouse shirt or not. I would hope that the staff in charge of the team I support would have a professional attitude and conduct their affairs without childish partisanship getting in the way, as is the case, for example, with our own Ashley Young, who is of course not a boyhood Villa fan but a gunner, after all.

    Welcome, Mr Houllier, as it would appear your arrival is imminent, I will trust the clubs decision, not only because

    a) I have little choice

    but also because

    B) I have been given NO REASON not to.

    Up The Villa!!!!!!!!

    That, my friend, is a perfect post. Couldn't agree more.

    Absolutely perfect.

    (Actually, if I'm being picky, I might have lost the exclamation marks at the very end – as F. Scott Fitzgerald noted, the use of said marks is a little like laughing at one's own jokes...)

    Vienna fans throwing & spraying at our youngsters

    in EL: Rapid Vienna a

    Posted

    Some of you might not agree with this, but if a Rapid player happens to be taken off injured during next week's return leg, I really hope that the whole of Villa Park stands up to applaud him. For me, THAT would be the perfect riposte to the horrible stuff going on last night.

    Class and dignity can't be bought, eh? I hope that we show the world that we have that. Which we know we do.

    (As well as spanking their arses out of the competition, obviously!)

    General Krulak (No Transfer Questions allowed)

    in Hall of Fame

    Posted

    7. Not to worry about Bill Howell. I won't comment on his remarks other than to say he was correct re. my comment....I know better and, as I said, did not follow my own rules.

    You're the bigger man and a better person for it. You'd hope that a Birmingham newspaper would be more supportive of a Birmingham team. Maybe then he'd get a bit more response from MON, et al.

    What Hobbo says is spot on. Howell's comments were a cheap jibe. If he's any kind of journalist, he must know that.

    General, in the light of recent media comments, can you reassure us that you won't let piss-poor, 50-cent hacks prevent you from posting here? Can you re-assure us that, whatever they write, they won't make you think twice about sharing your real thoughts with us?

    You're a vital part of the Randy revolution – vital to the resurgence of AVFC. We need you!

    n

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