Virginia went blue--contrary to your map. It does reinforce the point, though.

Question to the forum.
Would you take a double domestic cup win but 4th in the league and KO of the CL in the QF?
If the answer is yes would you take the same scenario but 5th in the league and no Champions League next year?

Its a big fear if we drop our level. But yet when Liverpool finished 5th not one of their players who won the title 3 seasons prior jumped ship.

Slot has done really well at Liverpool but people forget that this team threw the title away last year far more than Arsenal ever did, we put up the fight when Liverpool crumbled. They also have a hugely settled squad with the backbone of title and CL winners still there. And possibly the biggest difference is they have one of the top 5 players to ever play in the prem right now in Salah. City with Haaland also, these are top class match winners who can turn a drab performance in to an easy win with moments of individual brilliance, we don't have that absolute world level superstar match winner yet. Which makes it all the more wonder how we've kept pace with City and beaten Liverpool these past 2 seasons.

On one hand pundits and rival fans tell us we have to win the league or are expected to win the league, but on the other they tell us we're missing a proper striker and have no cover for our best players. As always the right answer is in the middle, but that doesn't suit click bait engagement

I also doubt there is such a thing as a 'working class' anymore. I don't think there ever was in the US.

A working class would have organic working class politics and leaders. Republicans peddling insincere populist and ultraNationalist policies just doesn't quite fit the profile for me. If you want to frame it in Marxist terms, it is more a Bonapartist/Caesarist--lumpenproletarian formation.

If there is a lesson, it is that the internet and social media have killed the independent media, and replaced it with echo-chambers, and platforms for billionaire to protect their interests and pollute public option with their worldviews. I don't know if that qualifies as a lesson, any more that finding out you have terminal disease is a lesson.

Marxists, like todays hyper-globalists, always struggle with the reality that people are nationalistic or patriotic. It doesn't conform to their utopian belief that a world without physical, social or cultural boundaries or differences is somehow better. It also offends their idea of how people should think. Internationalism good, nationalism or patriotism bad. As for the legacy and mainstream media, they are killing themselves with their bias, misinformation and denial of what is really happening in the world. If social media is nothing but an echo chamber (which it is not) at least it has the virtue of many voices having a chance to have their say.

The reality in the UK is that at the July election people didn't choose only A or B. Over 42% of those eligible to vote didn't do so at all - no choice made there! And, remarkably, of those who did vote, about 43% went for neither Labour or Tory - the highest ever number of votes were cast outside the traditional two main parties. If you are saying that the cycle will simply return the Tories in 2029 then they are going to have to do something special to lift their vote from the wretched 24% they gained in the summer. It feels to me as if we are heading away from the traditional two-choice politics. As Mr. Zimmerman said, something is happening here and that is what it is.

The reality in the UK is that at the July election people didn't choose only A or B. Over 42% of those eligible to vote didn't do so at all - no choice made there! And, remarkably, of those who did vote, about 43% went for neither Labour or Tory - the highest ever number of votes were cast outside the traditional two main parties. If you are saying that the cycle will simply return the Tories in 2029 then they are going to have to do something special to lift their vote from the wretched 24% they gained in the summer. It feels to me as if we are heading away from the traditional two-choice politics. As Mr. Zimmerman said, something is happening here and that is what it is.

You are right on one thing - Trump did not have to come up with a bewildering strategy to win so big - his opponents left the field open to him and are astounded when voters then went his way.

The US is totally different though. There are only two parties and there is no scope for a third because the funding required is simply astronomical. You get the odd billionaire such as Ross Perot, who has a go but barely causes a ripple. So if the economy has performed poorly, or in the current case, there has been a period of damaging inflation (caused by a global pandemic and a European war), then the incumbent government will take a hit. In the US, that means the other crowd get in.

So there can be plenty of theories as to how Trump tapped into something or other (the notion that he is not part of the elite establishment is mental. His father was a real estate mogul, whereas Harris is the middle class daughter of two non-white immigrants!) but ultimately it came down to how far the paycheck was going every week.

I'm a well travelled geezer but do you know what demographic of person I have never encountered ? A British Marxist. I've met all sorts of folks , different religions, politics and ethnicities. I even met a gay midget once and we had a night out with some of my mates. "Dont fancy my chances of pulling tonight " He said. He was sound.

However a British marxist? nah. I'm not saying they don't exist (they do) just that I've never met one. I have met a whole bunch of largely conservative types who are fed up with overpriced Public transport, utlities and insufficient Healthcare but not one single bonafide marxist...

Away from home this season we’ve played
Villa, spurs, Atalanta, Man City, Bournemouth, Newcastle, Inter Milan and Chelsea up next (and PNE in the cup)

That’s a staggeringly difficult set of matches. Except Bournemouth, who showed they are no mugs by beating City, every single one of those is a really tough game.

Here you go:

“Now, I know folks are feeling and experiencing a range of emotions right now,” Harris said. “I get it, but we must accept the results of this election. Earlier today, I spoke with President-elect Trump and congratulated him on his victory. I also told him that we will help him and his team with their transition, and that we will engage in a peaceful transfer of power.”

Stop watching rubbish. Try a comic book, it will do less damage to your mind.

What is the point? That educated people's vote has a greater value?

Marxists, like todays hyper-globalists, always struggle with the reality that people are nationalistic or patriotic. It doesn't conform to their utopian belief that a world without physical, social or cultural boundaries or differences is somehow better. It also offends their idea of how people should think. Internationalism good, nationalism or patriotism bad. As for the legacy and mainstream media, they are killing themselves with their bias, misinformation and denial of what is really happening in the world. If social media is nothing but an echo chamber (which it is not) at least it has the virtue of many voices having a chance to have their say.

https://youtu.be/2EmeIJRdurA?si=y9tEMdcl8PX2TlD7

Some interesting analysis of the US election

Forgot to mention in the Inter game Arteta was lucky not to be sent off, he touched the ball before it had fully gone out of play, he got a yellow, but the rules state he could/should have been sent off.

I don’t think his touchline behaviour is anywhere near to what certain pundits make out, and mostly no worse than many other coaches but this sort of thing really doesn’t help his cause

Brighton’s Baleba is a player I really like, just 20, incredibly raw and can be up and down but very talented

That Fulham attacking midfielder had a very good game today. Forgot his name. We should take a look at him.

Referee assisted Pool are EPL champions elect at the moment

Who would be your somewhat realistic top targets from premier league clubs?

Isak seems to be the one Arsenal are keenest on if reporting is to be believed..

No excuses today. I don’t care if we are away from home we are a better team and should be winning this. Theres players on big money who frankly need to step up here in particular messrs Martinelli, Merino and Rice plus a few others who owe us some performances.

I just don’t think I can deal with another performance where all our football is played in front of their defence.

COYG