jackbauer24

I have a Toyota CHR which lease comes to an end in August. They will not extend it. I have ordered a Kia EV6 which will arrive no earlier than January 2023. So what do I do for four months plus?! I knew lead times were big but nearly a year?! I've looked at onto.com which is a monthly subscription service but it's on the pricier side. I've considered buying a car and selling it a few months later, but that might prove expensive after any depreciation and I don't really want a banger for a few months. But I am stuck...

That was bad from minute one. We turned up today ready to rollover and have our bellies tickled. Absolutely nothing in that performance. The most convincing 1-0 you'll ever see and Arsenal were in first gear at most. Was practically a training session. Yes, they're better than us but the lack of effort is far more annoying. We lose to Chelsea by more but the effort was there. Martinez. 7. Largely solid. Distribution is still weak. If we want to play out from the back we need to be better at it. Cash. 7. Only player who seemed up for the challenge. Doesn't have to be great to be MOTM, just better than the rest. And that was easy. Mings. 4. Ok, dodgy card aside, he never looks in command of a situation. Deal with it, don't dither. Got outmuscled a lot. Konsa. 5. As above, but slightly better. Young. 3. Influence might be good but defending and attacking is not. Awful and letting Targett go was a mistake. Ramsey. 4. Really bad game. Will happen. Upset by England?! Not a good way to say Southgate was wrong! Luiz. 3. Sorry, but I didn't see a single thing others saw. I saw slow, ponderous, backward, lazy, hopeful punts, passive. Needed strength and he possess none. McGinn. 5. Some good, some poor. Doesn't know his role at the moment. Do any of them? Corners awful. Coutinho. 4. Should have been hooked but best mates with Gerrard will help. Lost possession loads but he's a superstar so gets let off. Buendia. 6. Was not influnetial in the set up but harried and tried. But he's not a superstar or Gerard's mate so he gets hooked and scapegoated. Watkins. 5. Nothing really happening. Don't think he believes in the system or the project really. Bailey and Traore 5. Changed the formation which briefly helped Coutinho but they both offer 99% nothing, 1% flash. Ings. 5. Formation change was more relevant than the personnel one. Nothing to deserve to be ahead of Watkins... Or behind. Much the same issues. Gerrard. 4. Poor. Set up was wrong, substitutions were late and flawed. Has favourites already and clearly wasn't reading the game. Looking at the difference between the two managers on the touchline today, and he didn't convey confidence or energy much like his team. Ref. 3. Shocking. Again. Made no difference to result though.

Got to say, I think we've been average at best. A mix of poor refereeing in our favour, Leeds being awful and a lucky deflection for goal has given us a slim lead. I think we've been passive in the main, lost the 50/50s but been helped out by lots of mistakes by Leeds players and refereeing decisions. We've not felt in control really, it's all quite frantic and scrappy. We need someone to get a hold of the game and make it look a little more assured. Leeds and the ref can't be that bad in the second half.

My Toyota CHR lease ends in August. I've already been warned it's unlikely any new car I want will be available in time. I haven't even decided what to go for. I'd like to go fully electric but options are still quite limited, either very very expensive luxury brands or seemingly over-priced hatchbacks (which are largely dull anyway; corsa, honda e and other small cars). So I'd got it down to either the Polestar 2 or the Kia EV6. I'm test driving the P2 this weekend but have just been informed they're no longer taking leasing orders on the cheapest model (£465pm) due to chip crisis so I'd be forced to go for the long range (£500pm) or the Dual Motor (£540). This brings it firmly in to the EV6 budget which I'd initially ruled out due to cost. My CHR (hybrid) was £380pm and I'm using about £75 a month on fuel (and rising obviously). I'd worked out that, very roughly, anything around £450pm month and my monthly out goings wouldn't be greatly higher. That budget now looks shot. Anything to contribute on thoughts about the two cars? Or electric cars in general? Or my budget?! All seems way too expensive now but it's way of the world at the moment!

I read this thread and the news but never comment, largely through lack of knowledge of the details. However, I'm really confused by one element of this as I can't get my head around the basic thinking of the Russian population or any fear they may have. It's not that important but is relevant. Scenario 1 (what we're lead to believe as I understand it); the population are being kept in the dark and believe Russia are saving Ukrainians from Nazis in the non-war. If this is the case, a) huge numbers of youth would access global news and b) why wouldn't your average person on the street question why all these major chains are leaving Russia and they suddenly can't access social media or entertainment. Or Scenario 2 (which features one element we're also led to believe); the population are scared to object/question. So why bother misleading them about the war at all? Tell them the truth and go completely despot. Basically, I don't understand why, if the people have no power, they bother trying to cover it up. And if the people do have power, how come even in this day and age they have neither been able to access free media or question why the rest of the world has isolated them? I'm not exactly youthful and I've known about Tor networks for over a decade! I don't understand the thinking process of a normal Russian in Russia.

No worries. Well based on what you're saying, she should look for another job rather than think this is the profession. The Head shouldn't be able to make her feel she should bring a premature end to her career. Knowing you're applying for other jobs is very freeing as it gives a light at the end of the tunnel. Supply can also lead to those jobs and is why I'm back in a school despite vowing to never going back! Good luck with it all!

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.

Buendia joined in the summer and has 2 goals and 3 assists in 23 games (22 league) Grealish left in the summer and has 2 goals and three assists in 24 games (17 league) Now he was never supposed to be a direct replacement, but comparing the two at the moment... One plays for a top of the table, brushing everyone aside, multiple chances and high possession team. The other plays for a struggling, sacked their manager side that is rarely controlling games. I think he's doing ok... Buendia is not the problem at all.

For the first time this season, I can't give a MOTM, to a man they were all awful. Martinez, several mad moments, CB slow and route one, Digne and Cash both horrific, midfield was weak or missing and the front three did nothing but overplay or lose the ball. The subs made zero difference and Ings was every inch as bad as Watkins had been. And what screams out most is this isn't a surprise. We lose to big teams becuase of talent but we lose to teams like this because of desire and mentality. Pretty much no excuse to be that poor against Newcastle, exactly the same lack of fight as against Leeds. We're weak and put us under pressure and we crumble... Same every week. Don't let some VAR shambles distract us from the fact we were lucky that was only 1-0. Newcastle looked far better than us.

Lose valiantly to the big boys and lose pathetically to the poor teams. So who do we actually win against and control the game. New bounce gone, the mentality of this squad is awful. No desire, no fight, no responsibility. And yes, some of that comes from our captain but the squad as a whole. Watkins and Luiz are weak physical and mentally too. I'm not surprised, I said this weeks ago. Just weak. We won't make top half this season.

He was in completely the wrong position for 90% of the game. He was playing in the DM role with Luiz in front of him. Why I'm not sure, Luiz is pretty awful in both positions but to nullify attackong McGinn seems a bad tactical decision. He wasn't great tonight but most of that was down to where he was playing.

Villa have had a habit, for the best part of this century, of being valiant losers against the big teams (picking up the occasional scalp) and woefully poor against middling to relegation teams. If we have any real designs on becoming a big team we need to start consistently beating teams in these positions. We have Leeds, Newcastle, Watford, Brighton and Southampton in next five games. We should be looking to win 3 or 4 and be going unbeaten really. However, the pessimistic Villa fan in me sees a loss tonight - we seem to struggle against them and are always the team that helps teams begin a run or a striker to break his barren run or the opposition have their best performance of the season!! I hate Leeds and Newcastle too! Be lovely to just put four or five past them!!

This is all.

Whilst they certainly would strengthen us, I still don't think it's enough or even the priority. We have a very soft core and with a midfield three of Ramsey, McGinn and Luiz we are going to struggle against a lot of teams as we lose the middle of the park both offensively and defensively. Coutinho Watkins Buendia strengthens our attack. Cash Konsa Mings Digne marginally strengthens our defence (possibly more strengthens attack). But no changes to our midfield mean there is no engine in our flashy sports car. You'd think Gerrard of all people would identify this quickly and have a solution. Let's hope Purslow and Co are on it.

I love Cash but he has zero competition for his position. Bring back Guilbert and let's give him a proper go at fighting for the position. Improves both players. We don't need to spend money in this area particularly, there are several other priorities.

You can't afford to go slow anymore. Building with a young team is lovely and all in fantasy land but realistically you need four or five top quality youth players in the first team for that to work. Have a handful that pull us up to 10th, 9th, 8th etc and the good players in the squad get impatient and go looking for that top 4/6 challenge. Then the promising players and outstanding individuals get picked off by bigger teams anyway and the club stagnate, financially sound but not really moving forward, always building for the future. Or you go full force. You get to the top by outspending, within FFP, all those around you and gambling it works. If it doesn't, you quit or go again and again until it does. If and when it does, then you have different problems. You get decimated by big teams who come and take all your big stars (a little like Leicester) and you rebuild wisely or you invest badly and plummet back to midtable. Or you keep spending and spending to become that big club. Then, and only then, can you start signing young cheap players for the future because you can send them out on loan and cherry pick the ones who make the cut. Man City have a few decent homegrown players because they have a thousand youngsters on loan while their multimillion pound players bring them success. If there has been a change in the transfer strategy I hope its because, rightly or wrong, they've realised you can't always build for the future. We need the success first which is slightly ridiculous scenario but it's how football works now. Brentford are admirable but unsuccessful. Man City etc are vultures but successful. You have to choose what you want Villa to be and that's modern football in my opinion.

I am one of Davis' biggest critics, the idea that he can ever be a Premier League footballer is laughable to me. However, I watched today and he didnt have a bad game or anything, yes he was a nuisance and he even held the ball up reasonably well. You can't say he was embarrassing or anything... BUT, I'm afraid my view hasn't changed. He doesn't offer anything other than being physical. He doesn't put himself in the right positions, he doesnt play the right balls, he makes the wrong runs. I really doubt he'll score many goals at Championship level. He won't get many assists, he's hot-headed and he's injury prone. Today, he was largely ineffective but didn't hinder Forest as his role was as outlet. Put him in a game where they are being a lot more attacking and his deficiencies become even more apparent. Being a nuisance, and holding the ball up does not make a footballer. He's miles off that and even today's game demonstrated it's the absolute basics that he struggles with. I get the feeling he's relied so long on his physicality that he has no clue what to do against players with any positional sense and he then just has to go looking for the ball in dead areas and playing short passes to midfielders. And we all know his finishing skills are awful. So what level is he? As a striker, League One. Maybe not even that. OR, is it worth reviewing his position? Big, physical with a bit of pace when needed, that's old school CB. Again, not Premier League in a million years but maybe Championship. I could see him being similar to Hause who is also that level. As a striker... The game has moved on in the last twenty years since the big physical striker was effective - you need so so much more than that.

Researched... ahh, OK. I'll edit... Elsa is hottest drawn character that was drawn for children and not for adults....

The Hotel Inspector - Alex Polizzi. Might be a power thing... Elsa is the hottest drawn character too... although honourable mention to Elastigirl and Jasmine from Aladdin.

My view is that these days any big signings for Villa are fairly quick. You get some drawn out transfers but they are generally lower league/ less in demand players. Larger names all feels a bit press and agent manipulated when it drags on and Villa aren't (currently?) of the size we normally benefit from that. I get the feeling this will join those ranks and he'll be pulling on a different shirt by the end of the transfer window.

Luiz falls firmly in to that category of players who is good enough, normally, for where we are, shows glimpses of promise for greater things occasionally but often has games where he's painfully poor. He is massively inconsistent. So if he is sold then I won't care and I'll wish him well but I suspect his career will be fairly mundane. If he stays I won't be disappointed and will hope he gets a lot more consistently good. But I doubt he'll ever be a Champions League starter.

Targett - loads of effort, no talent at all. Traore - loads of talent, no effort at all. Trez - I really think bans should come inforthat type of simulation. Disgraceful and stupid in the world of VAR. Hause - Great in the air, shit on the ground/positioning If we have any desires to improve or creep in to Europe, those players shouldn't be anywhere near our team. That's not to say others were good. Luiz was particularly poor, Ings offers little other than pot shots. But, ultimately, we are a weak side. Physically and mentally we can not cope with pressure. So 2022 starts well...

Having an opinion is part of being a grown up. Strange. But anyway, where do I base my post purely on the last half of the current football match? My opinion, based on his career here, is that he offers us less than El Ghazi and Trez despite having marginally better ball juggling skills. I apologise for having a different opinion than you but an adult accepts there are different views. And currently I don't think there'd be many takers for him at all.

Personally I think he needs selling while we can still get pennies for him. He is sublime for 1% of the time but is a liability for the other 99%. It just hasn't worked. He just doesn't work hard enough, his decision making is atrocious and he's still only about 1% as good as he thinks he is. El Ghazi and Trez may not be as good when they're all at their best but they will offer way more for the other parts of the game and actually try to work rather than sulk. We are not blessed with enough quality and depth to cater for Traore. He needs to go.

I am so incredibly bored of reading about CASES. Sensationalist crap about tens of thousands of cases and exponential increases etc etc. Who f'in cares?! Hospitalisations barely moving (especially considering cold snap) and deaths remain stable. Still, deep in to this pandemic, no data on whether deaths are with or because of covid (or even contributing factor). Yet this is conspicuous by it's absence in news reports now as it's not as headline grabbing. This really feels like it's forever now, and people have just accepted it through the belief it somehow makes them self-righteous. I've got my jabs, I've taken the precautions I'm supposed to, data shows nothing is actually happening and yet football is cancelled within hours of kick and talk of strict lockdowns. Fed up.