Rayvin

I'm not Alex. And thanks. I am however curious as to what difference being Alex would have made? That's a really good example, glad to hear it worked out; I do think that more small employers should be persuaded to think this way, it's win-win. The fact that he had a long standing and capable employee for 9 years as a result of a six week trial speaks volumes. It also starts you off on the right foot, as you work hard to make an impression. There's nothing wrong with hard work as long as you feel you're a) appreciated and b ) getting something meaningful out of it, be it pay or skills. Something that you just wouldn't get from Tesco. I also agree with your later point though, perhaps there simply are too many people looking for work for this to be workable. I feel the government should find some way to efficiently manage this however, we're a nation predominantly made of small businesses, and something like this would perhaps mean they could out-compete bigger companies in some cases, if it could be made to work. Also, it's definitely true that constant rejection makes it much harder to motivate yourself for work, and I'm not sure why the Tories expect that this would not be the case. A lot of the language they've been using is threatening and aggressive, and it's just counter effective. They fundamentally misunderstand what it's like. It always gets me that Osborne was employed for something like 6 weeks in Selfridges before he made his career as a politician. So he's only had a real job for about 6 weeks in his entire life. He also has no academic or professional background in economics, he has a history degree.

Seems fair to say that Wales are stronger than Scotland by far now. Worrying for Scotland... San Marino might be about their level I guess.

Richard Wright is another good example. Only 240 games played in his career, 35 years old and was signed for Man City last year as a back up. That's his thing though, he goes from club to club as the reliable back up. We had that with Harper.

I can't believe I just watched England win 8-0 and was bored senseless through the whole thing...

I think it should be done differently to be honest, and probably only for young people who would otherwise be ejected from the school system into nothingness. I wonder for instance why big companies with seemingly endless resources seemed to be poised to make the most out of it - that shouldn't be allowed. Why not lots of smaller companies struggling to avoid going under. It could be looked at as internships - small businesses tend to require a bigger range of skills due to the variation in work, and you learn more as a result. For younger people, this might encourage them to go out and start their own businesses or have meaningful experience to show people instead of 'stacking shelves as Tesco'. Small companies are always hesitant to bring people in as another wage is a big deal; they're also really poorly informed about cheaper labour options like apprenticeships. But if you can bring in someone for nothing, give them skills, integrate them into a meaningful team - maybe you can employ them properly when the business becomes more competitive as a result of more resource at no additional cost. Even if you don't hire them, good experience for them to build on. With that said, I suppose this is what they're doing with apprenticeships to some extent. We hired 1 young lad and two girls on the apprenticeship scheme and they've been brilliant - really switched on and capable. Really eager to work and learn things, even for the crappy apprenticeship wage. I think this is what we should be encouraging in our young people. We hired them all full time when they completed their NVQ - not every business can afford to do that, but even if we hadn't they'd have been more employable at 19 than most graduates at 21 due to the skills they picked up. I reckon the same would be true for internships as well. When you're young, it's less about money and more about skills and experience. I think the opportunity to get that in such a competitive job market would be a reward in itself.

Er, not a song as such, but what do we make of this, clearly in response to the whole thing: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/mar/22/trouser-dropping-newcastle-fans-amateur-match I would kinda get going to an actual Wigan game and causing havoc, but I'm a bit unsure of what the point of this was? Makes us look kinda bad tbh, hope it doesn't dry up the goodwill we're getting from elsewhere.

Dunno like, my own preference tends to be for monochrome moustachioed men who smoke cigars... I guess I'd take the J69 experience if I get a home cooked meal at the end of it.

With 50,000 posts in three days, that statement wouldn't have been all that surprising. Alex then, cheers. 50,001's a good number to leave on. Thanks for satisfying my curiosity.

The avatars have always been consistently feminine in a reasonably authentic way - I don't know how many guys would think to post the sort of pictures Aeris has done. I'd give the benefit of the doubt I think, but then I lack the historical context. It's the previous one, the legend of korra avatar that makes me believe it. Anyway, I'm in no position to judge as a newcomer; I just lurked here for a while and read some of the LBT fall out stuff. I'd be interested to know, it's a bit like the Guardian's secret footballer. I also watched with interest the big fracas that everyone used to have with Leazes Kinda creepy aren't I?

I've just been looking at the highest posters board on the forum because I note many of you have posted into the tens of thousands - which is impressive to say the least - and I note there is a guy called Hank at the top with 50,001. I'm assuming that's some sort of plant by the admins, but what was that about? He was only active for 3 days, so either he's made up somehow, or he's some sort of maniac. I'm hoping it's the latter obviously.

They're in mostly in power. More in power than anyone else. Unless you count corporate lobbyists. Look, at the end of the day none of the main parties have a real vision for this country, they're only worried about the next election (and lining their pockets). Where are we heading exactly? I thought it would be into Europe where we could return to global prosperity and global relevance (highly controversial statement, don't worry, I'm as disillusioned as everyone else - seemed like a good idea at the time though, and I'd still back it if it could sort itself out). Now, we're just in terminal decline as we are outdone in global markets by emerging and emerged economies alike. We need someone with vision for the country, and there's just nothing. What disappoints me more than anything is that the people of this country haven't come up with a credible alternative to this dross we get from the main parties. I include myself in this also of course, but aside from radical and insane right wing parties, we've no alternative. I sometimes find myself thinking that benevolent dictatorship would be a superior option to the sham that is democracy. If your vote is meaningless because manifesto promises are discarded when in power, what difference is there anyway?

I'm not even sure how impressed I am with Neymar. He's hardly set the world alight against decent opposition. Even crap opposition like England have held their own. With that said, I know little about Aubameyang either, and that video URL has been taken down now. The French FA must monitor this site. We do need another forward though; if he's tall, maybe he can be used as a much improved version of Shola. If he's fast as well then he sounds bloody perfect.

Not sure I can see that happening if he's leaving at the end of the season. We don't have any non-important games... shame like, it's kinda like the end of an era. I've not a bad word to say about him, always been a model professional. Also always been impressed by his sportsmanship on the field - always helping other players to their feet etc.

That was it, thanks. Given Joe Hart's form recently perhaps that would be a fair option. Also given his propensity for being in the other team's half.

Ahhh I remember that term from school, but I can't remember what it means... anyone?

I dunno, I'm inclined to agree with it. Obviously he tries hard, but it's so frustrating watching him punt it aimlessly up-field to nobody, and it happened several times per game...

What in the hell is the point of the FA. Seriously. What are they there for? Either this was unseen and a retrospective ban would apply, or it was seen and ignored and the linesman should be fired. It annoys the hell out of me when this shit happens because there's just nothing anyone can do about it, we just have to accept this incompetence. Maybe the best we can hope for is that it fires up the other lads, but frankly, I wouldn't blame them if they were terrified of every challenge coming in. Or were snapping people themselves pre-emptively.

I really hope he does, as much as I am disinterested in England, he's such an honest lad that I want him to do well. Who knows, he might rub off on some of the others...

... I'm not really sure what you can even say about that.

I've just read Whelan saying that both players were travelling at 20mph... wasn't Haidara stationery? Also, and I'd stress that this doesn't totally surprise me, apparently he 'dined' with Llambias afterwards where our MD apparently 'took it on the chin' and said that these things happen. Bit cold from Llambias if true. Wouldn't put it beyond Whelan to have imagined the whole thing though.

That's true, I'd be on side with that. There's just too many people I despise playing for England these days. Obviously it doesn't help that they're all shite as well.

If Taylor wants to play for England then I feel bad for him - criminally overlooked. If he doesn't though, then England can fuck right off; as someone else said, he'd just get injured anyway. Given my current feelings towards England, I'll be supporting San Marino anyway.

That's just awful. As if Haidara is going to be able to play next weekend. He bloody knows that. I guess next time around we should send Tiote in on a mission to snap McManaman in half and then claim that Dave Whelan practically endorsed it.

Well that isn't good to hear. I wonder if the FA will wait on hearing how bad it is before passing judgement. If at all.

Pardew apparently told the BBC that it's ligament damage and serious bruising. That actually (optimism) doesn't sound too bad... No medic though, ligament damage could be worse than a break for all I know.