AndyinLiverpool

10 minutes ago, BaaLocks said:

I'm not sure too many buy this "it's not gone very well in the first 96 hours" story. This is a country the size of France, if Russia wanted to take it lock, stock and barrel in that time it would have need a blitzkrieg style attack - which it clearly has not taken. The 40 mile convoy on it's way to Kyiv at the moment - however - looks like the start of that. It feels like an attempt to do this with minimal casualties has not resulted in Ukraine surrendering weakly so a much more fierce conflict is now being readied.

On this point I will offer a view. Zelensky should surrender now, move for a semi-autonomous republic style of rule, resign and save thousands of lives. There is simply no way they can win this war and all it will do is line the streets with the blood of Ukranians and Russians. It's horrible for them, but the only way for him to save the lives of his people now is to end this quickly. Then, in the years to come, push for more independent powers but play the long game and don't play the hero of my people role. Not easy, but the path of least bloodshed and escalation.

Would you have offered the same view to Churchill in 1940?

Can he even do this? Charities have certain rules and laws to follow, don't they?

2 minutes ago, Alpha said:

Brilliant post. 

Spent days trying to convince people in real life that Putin is not evil. That it's possible to disagree with his actions but understand his thought process. 

Personally I have a strong dislike of the way USA conducts itself. More so than Russia. But anyway, whatever. 

 

Where does the stuff about drug addicts and neo-nazis come from?

2 minutes ago, ketteringram said:

Anybody think he's not mad enough to use it?

He definitely is. We have to hope there are people inside the regime that can stop him.

34 minutes ago, PistoldPete said:

That's a bit over cynical. Principle is that if Russia can just waltz into Ukraine , it could start taking over other European countries. So it could be us next.  Ok, unlikely but thats the principle. Ukraine is the thin end of the wedge.

What bit of that isn't self-interest?

And now Russia's nuclear deterrent is on something called 'special mode of combat duty'

6 minutes ago, I am Ram said:

Where's the EU in all this, the response from them is all self interest. Germany - gas, Italy- fashion etc, EU do nothing on the world stage, it's just a vip club.   

Any response by any country is self-interest. That's essentially what foreign policy is.

3 minutes ago, cstand said:

No it’s just a distraction from the real issues of why Putin invaded Ukraine.

It's because he's clearly gay in a very homophobic society.

14 minutes ago, Stive Pesley said:

I can't find it now,but I was reading an article that seemed reputable which said that the Russian gas pipeline to Europe goes through Ukraine and Russia has to pay Ukraine a huge some (multi millions) per year for the privilege. It might go some way to explain what's in it for Russia to annex Ukraine

Very little else makes sense

 

A new pipeline was being built that would have bypassed Ukraine. That's been put on hold (at best) by the war.

9 hours ago, cstand said:

Why would anyone would bring up current domestic politics into this debate its irrelevant and a distraction. Let’s hope it’s the last.

You don't think a governing party's relationship with a military aggressor is relevant?

3 minutes ago, Rammy03 said:

The money just wasn't invested correctly. I suspect Ashley put trust in the wrong people. 

The thing with Newcastle is that nobody wants to go there. A drafty old dump buttressed up against Hadrian's wall. Next stop Norway.

Runs up curtains, falls down stairs.

31 minutes ago, B4ev6is said:

No pink 

I flaming hate that kit

What's up with pink?

2 minutes ago, Joe said:

season over

Blimey

Hunter Killer

Gerrard Butler saves the world in a submarine.

As limited as you might imagine but I got caught up in it and watched it to the end.

Steve Cross.

3 minutes ago, Shadowplay said:

I note josh shonibare is on the bench tonight

I thought he left

3 minutes ago, TigerTedd said:

How did we manage that? I mean, I’m as excited as the next man about climbing up the league, and I know we played well*, but in truth we only beat a crap team 1-0 at home with a last minute screamer. I’m not sure how that qualifies us as being the best team. 

* this always has the caveat of ‘considering the circumstances’ it’s not like we’d be first by 10 points without the points deduction. We’re still a fairly average at best team, which is amazing ‘considering the circumstances’, but still doesn’t make us team of the week does it?

Thanks, Mr Downer ?

3 hours ago, Yani P said:

Tough day at the office for Moore..

It was a 'perfect hattrick' too - left foot, right foot, head.

1 hour ago, Alpha said:

He should just let her hit him cus she's a woman 

I know a lad that gets battered by his Mrs regularly so I'm not down with that "man should never hit a woman" poo. 

She hit him, she got hit back. Exactly what you and I or anyone else should expect. 

Or, you know, just walk away like a civilised person.

1 hour ago, Alpha said:

Report - someone hits Fodens mum

Truth - someone hits Fodens mum back

Yes, he's a really big man, isn't he?

6 minutes ago, Tyler Durden said:

Are you really suggesting that Preston threw the game yesterday to further the EFLs alleged vendetta against us

It's the best efl conspiracy theory so far.

Which is some prize.

Just now, StrawHillRam said:

A draw at home to a team this bad isn’t enough. This would kill any chance we may have had

Calm down. There are a lot of games left.

And some of this one.

3 minutes ago, 86 Hair Islands said:

Oh Vienna....

Think it means that with the £2.5M Covid concession, we'd have escaped the part of the points deduction levied for overspend in 20/21.

Would Reading have escaped too?

That'll do

1 hour ago, 86 Hair Islands said:

Posh vs Reading - from the Beeb site:

Tonight's referee is Matthew Donohue. And, he loves a card. Six reds already this season, and 92 bookings.

Mass brawl anyone?

Fat chance. It's been more like Come Dancing so far.