Sorry Yoss. Wasn't wanting to get into the politics - rather just the realities for visa-waiver travellers, and why it is hitting tourist numbers. Of course it's not the only factor
I think you might be underestimating the level of concern for visa-waiver travellers. I've had the conversation come up 3 times alone this week with various people. Imagine your own daughter went to italy on holiday, but instead was put in chains by border control because they decided she intended to do so waitressing on the side. Then instead of turning her around - the generally accepted practice for decades - italian police sent her to the worst prison in italy for 3 weeks. You then spend lots of money and time getting a lawyer in country and working with the embassy to try to get her out. Now I agree this has been a ongoing concern elsewhere e.g Dubai but even they didn't generally throw Canadian/Australian tourists into the dungeon even before they'd managed to enter the country I do agree with you the broader optics/concerns also play - see the collapse of Tesla sales - but the border situation is a high visibility issue for visa waiver / ETSA travel.
No worries. And yeah, it's tough because there is a big overlap here between sport and politics, so divorcing the two in this context is not easy.
Some surprises at Anfield today: * Salah on the bench (for last hurrah?) * Goal by Ekitike in <1' * Salah gets on the pitch, not for the last 25 mins, but AT 25' (odd sub for injured Gomez I thought) Nevertheless they're still a bit of a shadow of themselves, just clinging to 1-0 as HT approaches.
Not an odd sub at all Szobiszlai moves to right back — is the only cover for right back because Bradley and frimpong are unavailable.
Its not odd in the sense they have put him at RB multiple times this season, but it is odd because he has been their best midfielder by far this season and they are worse as a team with him at RB. It would be like if we were using Rice as a CB.
Watchin and very much enjoying Roger Bennett & Trevor Noah at the Stony Pony! You might like it too? He's a Pool fan, and even funnier than Scouser John Oliver. A philosopher about football fandom. And RN as he's talkin about Arsenal probably winning this season.
10 points behind, I am no longer in fear of what Liverpool might do. If they turn it around, I won't like it but I won't be worried for this season. Next season for sure if they turn things around. I am only focused on City. City stands between us and the league. Getting to 7 points or more by February is what I am hoping for.
A pretty good morning for the Goal Rush show. Tyne-Wear is spicy. Spuds slipping up. Villa struggling a bit. Now we just need Palace and their famous supporters to come back and rise up
Oops, Citeh just went up 2-0. I guess we should have a little doubt who is our real rival at this time. Edit: well well Villa says don’t write us off yet. We may be in for quite a scrap.
So… as much as we might have hoped this morning, we now have both Citeh and Villa nipping at our heels.
That was a statement win by City. Palace away is a very tough game these days. Also, City has a horrible record against Palace the last few games. I may be accused of sounding defeatist but I am just being objective but right now, I'd say City are slight favorites over us for the title. They (and Villa) are on fire form wise. Villa has at least a half dozen wins on the trot from what I remember and City has won about 5 of their last 6 games. How we looked against Wolves and how City looked at Palace, along with our present form of not killing off league games, I have to say City are in the here and now. Can things change? Sure. If we can survive (meaning stay on top of the table or at worst a point behind) until our injured players are back then we can go on a run.
...I am also questioning our title winning mentality. This season felt very differnt. Arteta was visibly upset and should be. Right now, the CL is easier to win than the league. This may change once all our players are back. I am also seeing a shift where the players seem to be preferring Jesus out there rather than Gyokeres.
Early in the season yes, but lately with Munoz out for a solid injury break, Mateta is now really struggling, they have a very thin squad and still in all comps. Lost to City, lost to Man U at home before that, and a 0-0 draw to BHA before that. They are lucky that their next few games are Leeds, Spuds, Fulham, Newcastle but they aren't looking like they were early in the season. Seems this season it will be Arsenal/City 1 and 2 and then a team hitting form takes the next spots. MD10 it was Pool, Sunderland, Bournemouth and Spurs. MD16 its Villa, Chelsea, Palace (barely) and Liverpool bounce back into top 6 after crumbling for 6 weeks. In 10 games time it could be anyone top 6 (besides Spurs )