bt50

The curfews are predominantly theatre to show they mean business and are cracking down. IMO it was folly to reintroduce it this lockdown, as blind Freddy could see that compliance was on the wane as it is; and doubling down in that circumstance rarely produces results, its often counter-productive. The theory only works if everyone is buying in, and the Andrews government exhausted a lot of that goodwill last winter. Plus a lot of people dont have much more left to lose. That's not a political statement or opinion, or even a statement of my views personally, its just the cold, hard fact of the matter and as such the policy was doomed to fail.

We played ok, but the real story is how garbage the Chinese were. Rolled over and let us tickle their belly really.

I think the reality is that everyone is going to get COVID, and will likely repeatedly get it, just like the flu. COVID is obv more powerful and deadly than the flu, but ultimately it is just a super saiyan version of the same thing in a practical sense. All the strategy has done so far is delay the masses from getting it the first time, til such time as the people can get vaccinated and the effects of getting it are considerably less. The point that is up for debate is when the tipping point comes that the human cost of keeping the virus at bay outweighs the cost of contracting the virus at large unvaccinated. The governments have made that arbitrary line at 70 and 80%, many people will disagree and think that point has well passed. That's their prerogative, as it is those that think we should be locked in a bubble forever. Tying that back to the hospital staff, effectively once we hit the tipping point it will be staff are working infectious or not, provided they are up to it from a health perspective imo. The alternative is to have hospitals critically understaffed at the risk of infecting someone. Its a numbers game.

Pretty sure this is untrue. The 'stress' that the NSW system is under is largely due to staff being furloughed to ensure they dont catch it and pass it on within the hospital setting, creating a shortfall of staff. Basically once we open up we'll dispense of this strategy as its no longer about containing cases, and more about maximising the care.

This is correct, albeit the morons in charge have been aiming at the wrong goal. Now, and as it should have been all along imo, or at very least since the virus first mutated, the aim should be to flatten the curve as much as possible, without flattening the people. The people in charge don't seem to have much regard for the latter it would appear.

Its a fair point, but id prob argue it was the reason he was never ultimately successful too. JVS was too nice and didnt step on anyones toes, and as a result we had a team full of stars with bad habits and a soft underbelly. That said, you're spot on that we played some gorgeous football under him at times and the cup run was a moment in time for sure.

Id suggest even last seasons extension came with a hefty pay cut

If our first choice front three start more than 50% of the games together we've probably had a groundbreaking season in terms of form and injury. Never happens, hence why player 4 (Tilio) in particular will still get more than ample time to showcase his ability and/or cement a starting spot.

Absolutely. I'll be shocked if we take more than 4 visas into the season imo, i think we'll carry one over to make sure we have flexibility in January if we need it.

Their was a late winner for MV in one of our Etihad derbies that was this exactly; Manny Muscat played at a ball with i think Berisha off side behind him and turned it in to his own net. He doesnt play that ball in that manner with Berisha not there, nor does Victory have any avenue to goal otherwise. Actually pretty sure that was against the rules at the time and we got stitched up tbh

I couldnt care less what they do in terms of stadium music, as long as SHT stays. The minute we change that song then we'll deserve the plastic label so many mongs like to give us. Culture and identity isnt created instantly, it's built over a long time and whether you love it or hate it, thats one of the most important pieces in our identity that there is.

Imo start nabbout, noone off the bench

If its not City blue i'll eat my kit.

Shit press release. Didnt even say where they were putting his statue.

You'd have to talk to players specifically but shes fallen out with her teammates at pretty well every club shes been to. Pretty sure there was some kinda incident involving kicking one of our players (Fishlock?) deliberately at training that led to us getting rid of her.

She's a piece of shit. If she hadnt been banging them in for the Matildas she'd have been put in her box long ago.

Pretty well. I despise him personality wise, and from the limited inside words ive had he deserved his sacking at the Tillies. In saying that he steered at a garbage CCM squad, riddled with no self belief to 3rd on the table which in itself is a pretty solid achievement. Going to be tough for them to recover next season i suspect.

Tbh i personally dont think it matters that much as i generally view Aus, Japan, Nice Korea and Iran as relatively equal across the board, with a decent gap back to the 5th best team.

Pots for the all important third round as below. Iran, SA, UAE, Oman & Lebanon prob the ideal matchups, although the only ones i'd be overly keen to avoid are China, Syria and Japan tbh. Syria are in good nick atm and look a way better prospect than Oman, and whilst trips away to the UAE and Iran would be difficult, i likewise think we are a far more likely prospect should we face them at home. China and Japan are both more likely to come here and get a result imo. Of course if its hubbed again, which is still a very decent chance, then it doesnt matter and you take each team as they come.

Meh, games were played on dog tracks and tbf i think we barely scored from open play at all. Most goals came from pens and set pieces.

Flo for me but a lot of meh performances tonight.

Worth noting, whether its Noone, Nabbout or Tilio as the first choice bench player, that the best starting three takes to the pitch less often than not be it due to injury, suspension or form so there will always be plenty of opportunity for that first cab off the rank. I'd suggest that of our 26 games this season our theoretical front three of Noone, Maclaren and Nabbout has probably started only 10 or so games together.

Interesting, weird how it states the designated player v the marquee roles as different when as far as i can tell they are exactly the same thing. Not to be confused with the guest and previous marquee guest slots that had to meet FFA criterion. Perhaps theyre looking at tightening the marquee rule up a bit again to seek names?

Oh not at all, and it may well be that if Luna opts to leave then Flo goes too to free up cap space given that most people would view him as the first choice bench/backup option rather than starter. I spose all things being equal though, my preference is to maintain what we've got than to chase the golden snitch

Agree that we wont do much better for the same money, not when retaining the chemistry level that we currently have. Agreeing twice in five minutes, must be a solar eclipse or something