Before he arrived at West Ham as a 22-year-old in the summer of 2019, Albian Ajeti had a steady progression from promising youth at St Gallen to scoring in the Champions League for Basel and leading the line for Switzerland in European Championship qualification. 31 goals from 52 league appearances across his final two seasons in Switzerland is the form that attracts EPL clubs.
We have seen better players than Albian suffer at the wrong club, so there’s every reason to believe West Ham fans have no idea what his genuine talents are (I felt a bit the same about Ismailia Soro until recently), but damage has been done to his repute, as well as his sharpness.
If you wanted to go somewhere in the summer of 2020 to repair your confidence and to enjoy your football again, Celtic Park did not turn out to be a wise choice. Celtic quickly descended into crisis where even idolised Odsonne Edouard found form from previous seasons illusive.
With Odsonne in the final 18 months of his contract and zero chance of him extending, one of the tasks for the remainder of the season should be to repair what’s necessary for Albian and return him to his peak for the summer.
It has been decades since we have had as many games ahead without a genuine chance of winning the league. These games now have a different purpose with preparing the squad for next season a top requirement. Albian should play as many games as possible.
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HH
Test
It’s a funny old world isn’t it? People on forums, differing views…… Who wins? Can a parable help us decipher?
—————————
What GameStop Has to Do With the Parable of the Rich Fool
Just because I invested in GameStop doesn’t mean I’m a David battling a Goliath.
Justin Speak
Youth pastor
This hasn’t been a typical month for the New York Stock Exchange—or for me. An unexpected battle between retail investors and a few prominent hedge funds over GameStop has brought disorienting volatility to the whole market. I am one of those retail investors; my family saw a return of $1,200 and counting on a $35 investment in GameStop. But things got really intense when I explained my perspective as a youth pastor and an amateur investor on Hallie Jackson’s MSNBC morning show.
In my plaid shirt, I defaulted to what comes naturally, and linked the economic events to a parable Jesus tells in Luke 12. In the parable, Jesus describes a rich man who, with no concern for his less fortunate neighbors, builds bigger and bigger barns to store his overabundant harvest. After that interview, I started getting calls from bookers at CNN and Fox News, who wanted a repeat performance.
While I believe that Jesus has a lot to say about wealth and wealth inequality—as if my speaking for two uninterrupted minutes about it on national television didn’t make that clear—I also think that giving in to the temptation to frame the narrative in terms of another, more popular biblical story is a mistake. Major outlets including The New York Times and Fox News have compared the GameStop saga to David and Goliath: the menacing giant of Big Investment defeated by the humble and crafty youthfulness of a subreddit. That framing is not quite right—and certainly not what I envisioned when I brought up Jesus’s rich fool. What’s more, the narrative of David and Goliath takes too much moral pressure off people like me who have participated in what’s likely a stock bubble.
Let me back up. I assume that you are not especially familiar with Reddit or the now notorious r/WallStreetBets forum. The participants do not present themselves as respectable sources of investing information. They proudly refer to themselves as “dumb apes” and resort to calling both their biggest winners and their worst losers names that you might overhear your teenager yelling while playing Call of Duty with friends. Understanding what people are saying on the message board requires a sort of modern-day Rosetta Stone to translate the various memes and emojis—diamond hands, rocket ships, moons—that have specific meanings and connotations. The “dumb apes” end nearly every post with an explicit caveat to the effect that “this is not financial advice.” One recent contributor noted that his price target for GameStop was $1,600 a share. The professional experience grounding this opinion? Twenty-five years of welding and fabrication.
If the forum is more passionate than professional, it’s also infectious. My wife, Riane, and I decided to take the risk of investing $35 in GameStop options at market open on Friday, January 22. A short two hours later, we sold those options for $1,250. Had we held on to them for just two more hours, they would have been worth $7,000. But we were far from disappointed. Our two hours of profits were worth my week’s salary as a pastor. At that point, we converted those gains into 10 shares of GameStop at a cost of $61 each, using the rest to buy a Caillou iPad game for our 3-year-old, to get a new bed for ourselves, and to tithe.
Did I feel good about turning a profit at Wall Street’s game? Absolutely. But I did not think to myself, We GameStop investors are like David, taking down Goliath.
Unlike in the Bible, David here is not a single and transparently well-motivated hero. Although a majority of the participants in the GameStop drama may be individual retail investors, no small amount of the money “betting” on the company has come from hedge funds and multimillionaires.
More important, the Goliath of the biblical account is a clear agent of evil, taunting both God and God’s people—a figure whose defeat is unambiguously good. We don’t have to worry about whether our opposition to Goliath has put us on the side of the angels or the demons. In our present story, the hedge funds that have taken up short positions against GameStop will have to be our Goliath. Although I am deeply concerned about the ability of Wall Street, as it presently operates, to contribute to the common good, that is some distance away from the view that hedge funds are an unambiguous evil that we can destroy without conscience.
Further, the hedge fund is not just its manager. Many private individuals have their financial well-being tied up in these funds. They count on returns on their investments to send children to college, to support their retirement, and to contribute philanthropically. If the hedge funds that have shorted GameStop to the point of creating this bubble are defeated by Redditors and retail traders (a result that is looking more and more unlikely), then the people who have invested with firms such as Melvin Capital will pay the financial price. Perhaps no one should invest their life savings in complex derivative markets. Still, doing so surely doesn’t make one an agent of the kind of evil we can remorselessly destroy.
Ultimately, my commitment to the way of Jesus involves a corresponding commitment to loving all people, including hedge-fund managers. And here’s where the distinction between the story of David and Goliath and the parable of Luke 12 comes in: Loving a hedge-fund manager might very well involve seeking the destruction of his method of building bigger and bigger barns, but it cannot involve a gleeful celebration of his loss.
The GameStop phenomenon is not a tale of good versus evil. What the world of WallStreetBets reveals is a widespread desire for freer and more-democratic access to the mechanisms of wealth creation that is consistent with the common good—the kind of pursuit of the common good that could legitimately draw a Christian pastor to join the cause. But I am no expert, and that narrative should be laid out by the economists and policy advocates who pursue economic justice not just through GameStop, but also through restructuring the systems that have allowed wealth inequality to form in our society.
And for what it is worth, I just like the stock.
TONTINE TIM on 4TH FEBRUARY 2021 10:19 PM
MALONE BHOY on 4TH FEBRUARY 2021 10:00 PM
Genuine question: has Dermot Desmond put any money into Celtic in the last 20 years? Aside from potentially paying managers on the side, has there been any money from his pocket put into the club? Is he even allowed to?
*he underwrote 3 share issues. Bader did that once for the huns and it cost him his business, 51m.
Tontine
some of the ‘risk’ reports done by the underwriters for that would be fun to look at.They knew the issue was going to fail and the writing was on the wall for the levered up Minty.
;-)
HH
eh Vmhan
hope you and yours are tickin over
HH
Vmhan on 5th February 2021 12:26 am
HH
Test
—————-
True story.
If there were a route to varied funds incoming via DD it would be through Dafabet shirt sponsor deal. This could either be less than generous or more than generous, i suspect (and it only a suspicion) it’s just not the going rate. There could be bonus schemes written into contract, it would only have to come under ‘sponsorship’ in audit and DD’s Dafabet could probably right it off……however, i have no clue and can’t sleep.
Scratch that^^^^^
I was sure DD was linked to Dafabet but happilly admit to being wrong…… whoops.
If mods would like to delete- up to you 🤣
DD has in actual fact has holdings in “Betdaq”
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dermot_Desmond
“The Rangers football club does not exist, it is an idea in people’s minds, a myth of continuity ”
Alan Dewar QC.
Court of session 29th Jan 2016.
Good morning cqn from a rainy, cold and dark Garngad
Is anyone surprised that referees and their pay masters are treating us with contempt?
We have custodians that let them walk all over us.
Disgraceful, Shameful and cowardly from our custodians not speaking up for the health and safety of our staff.
By the way I include Neil Lennon in that, why would a manager not speak out and stand up for his players.
Come on Neil let’s see you today sticking up for Albuan and Scott and the rest of our players.
On a different note what an utter shambles these Governments are, talking about quarantine for thousands flying into the UK.
WHAT THE F#%K
Why are we still letting planes into the UK ?
Grant Shapps doesn’t even know Australia is an Island. I think the UK Government are running our club as well, total feckwits.
I am sick to my back teeth of stupid politicians and our custodians, I honestly believe that I could make better decisions than these overpaid CHUMPS.
Big Jimmy – I hope you and wee Rocky are well my friend.
Melbourne Mick – if you are lurking we all miss your posts, come back on fella.
Jobo – If you are lurking, I hope you are well to. Again you are missed. Get back on here.
Come on Bhoys
D :)
DAVID66 on 5TH FEBRUARY 2021 6:17 AM
Morning David. Yes, I second your call for Melbourne Mick to return.
AIPPLE
Interesting post. Have you read any of David Graebar’s books? A very smart guy, pity he died so young.
DAVID66…
Cheers mate, I am okay but rather concerned about the wee Rocky Bhoy as has been unwell this week. He usually eats me out of house and home, but hes been off his food….which in turn means that I can NOT give him his two Insulin Jags each day, as he is supposed to get his Jags while/during and/or after he has eaten.
I may need to take him back to the Vet early next week if hes still not eating very much ?
I get very upset whenever he is unwell, as he is my best Pal.
Thanks for asking about him.
Ive to go to the Louise Jordan ( SEC) Tomorrow for my 1st Vaccine Jag at 4.30pm. I will book a Taxi for 4pm, which means that I will miss the 2nd half of the Celtic game Tomorrow. I was very surprised to get the Vaccione letter so soon as I expected to be waiting until next Month as I am ” only” 65 ?
I can only guess that Ive been called in sooner because of my other health issues ?
In this Louise Jordan place….I wonder IF there will be any Burds there ?
LOL.
I hope that you and the family are as well and healthy as possible, and that we can get Pure Steaming Drunk once the PUBs are reopened ?
I STILL havent had ANY Drink since October 9th last year….I dont feel any better for it !
LOL.
HH Mate.
Those Cowardly CHUMPS at Celtic FC….SHOULD be telling the Compliance Panel to go and take a running jump in relation to Ajeti… ( You can call me AL). I will bet that whoever the Ref is against Motherwell Tomorrow and IF Al Ajeti is playing, THAT Ref will be looking for ANY excuse to give him at least a Yellow Card….even for complaining about a decision given against him for Offside etc ?
Think of the number of times that the Hun CHUMP Morelos throws himself to the deck anytime someone even looks at him…EVERY Feckin game !
I have seen too many HUN Chump Thugs and Divers in my lifetime.. but Morelos is without doubt the WORST Ever !
I would never get tired of Punching that ugly Mush of his…and really giving him something to complain about.
HH.
Greenpinta 6.01..
That is my favourite paragraph in the whole liquidation shitshow..
Nails it!! .
Aw the best Jimmy. .
Take care..🍀
HH
big jimmy,
absolutely correct
celtic board we are Astonished, we are Disappointed then nothing
SMSM, sky, referee assoc. sfa, and everybody else not celtic,
GIRFUY we hate u and will do anything we like, cos you are shitebags
i realise the vernacular is uncouth but thats exactly what they think
I hope we have a buy option for Jonjoe but I doubt we have. It’s only one game, but it was a most impressive debut. I think he can only get better.
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2021/february/Jonjoe-Kenny-Celtic-team-mates-have-helped-me-settle-quickly/
DAVID66
Alright Davie..did you play junior up at the Roch at all?
You know what..after looking at the close uo the keeper pushing Ajetis ankle away its the bloody goalie that should get done for so called simulation..simulation is trying to make the referee make a wrong decision through your actions….well this guy has went even further.. hes got the beaks making a wrong decision with his sneaky wee foul..look at the hassle hes caused
Worst thing about the shitshow this season is seeing people writing off next season. Yes we have been poor but in football no two seasons are the same.
Get the right manager (organiser/ developer)
Sell the want away pl ayers.
Get the right players (want to be here motivate)
STEPHBHOY67 on 5TH FEBRUARY 2021 9:37 AM
‘Get the right manager (organiser/ developer)’
###
Would the right manager be allowed to bring their own coaches and back up staff this time?
Ernie Lynch
If he doesnt demand that hes no the right manager mate
Get the right players (want to be here motivate)
—-
I’d argue all players want to be motivated. Problem is, they have regressed, value dropped, development dropped off which is why they are in a hurry to ‘wantaway’.
Fix the problem (coaches) and the symptoms will start to go away.
HH
https://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/embarassing-oli-back-tracks/
Another unsavoury article on CQN, written by Jer MacDonagh.
——————————————————————-
What I find “embarrassing” is the way you (Jer) treat a player currently contracted to Celtic.
Shameful headline and article from you.
And not the first distasteful article you’ve written about one of our French players either. 🤔
With supporters like you, who needs enemies…
Why Paul Brennan allows this on his site truly baffles me.
HH
Call me Gerry
I wonder what his motivation is?
GTTS
Indeed.
HH
DREW1967 on 5TH FEBRUARY 2021 9:59 AM
Ernie Lynch
If he doesnt demand that hes no the right manager mate
###
And if the Board insist?
fine century from Joe Root
(Cricket Quick News)
this working from home lark is brilliant
cricket on all morning
golf also been on most of the morning and will resume shortly for the rest of the day
racing will start just after midday as well
im never going back into an office
too much like hard work and boring as hell compared to my home ‘sports bar’
and i can have a beer with my lunch
😄
STEPHBHOY67 on 5TH FEBRUARY 2021 9:37 AM
Worst thing about the shitshow this season is seeing people writing off next season. Yes we have been poor but in football no two seasons are the same.
Get the right manager (organiser/ developer)
Sell the want away pl ayers.
Get the right players (want to be here motivate)
——————–++++——————————-
Probably the 3 hardest things to get right in football.
And the 3 most likely to get wrong when you are doing it off the back of a failed season.
World football is littered with big clubs that have success, fail, then make more mistakes trying to get back to the top, then suddenly they’ve gone years without winning a title.
Ernie Lynch
Then we’ve got the wrong man.would the right man take a new job with his authority undermined..i hope not..and considering what looks like a split management team i would doubt the same scenario and would be made again
It’s Friday and so It’s pre-match press conference.
Always entertaining and usually for all the wrong reasons.
Set your watch.
HH
My team for ra morra:
Barkas (Get him in and give him a run)
Kenny (Looks like a RB. Which is great)
Welsh (He’s ours and needs developed)
Ajer (Currently our best ‘fit’ CH)
Taylor as LB (I expect little but hey ho)
Soro (More discipline, more athleticicm and more creativity than Brown)
McGregor and Moi as 8s
Turnbull as a 10
Eddie and Ajeti as forwards. Eddie drops and Ajeti stays in the box.
Christie dropped, Griff dropped and Duffy told it’s an away match in Aberdeen to avoid any risk of his appearance.
HH
FrankTerry on 5th February 2021 6:59 am
DAVID66 on 5TH FEBRUARY 2021 6:17 AM
Morning David. Yes, I second your call for Melbourne Mick to return.
AIPPLE
Interesting post. Have you read any of David Graebar’s books? A very smart guy, pity he died so young.
———————-
I have not, I only know of him from the Occupy movement.
AIPPLE on 5TH FEBRUARY 2021 11:01 AM
I just finished Bullshit Jobs which was great – although i never read the article he wrote that inspired it. Might be worth reading if you don’t have time for the book :-)
FrankTerry on 5th February 2021 11:12 am
Will take a peek, thank ye!
big wavy on 5th February 2021 10:55 am
For the most part I think thats our best team at the moment its the second 8 I struggle with, I don’t think anyone really stands out. Christie has been rotten, Moi only plays in patches ( although he is a goal threat), I would like to have see young Henderson get a chance.
jamesie will stroll into that team when fit.
Latest I heard in Killie
ex husband stabbed his ex wife in Crosshouse Hospital after her cleaning shift, fatally. Staff nurse who tried to help is critical
He drove to Killie centre (portland St) and stabbed his ex wife’s daughter outside Indian restaurant, fatally
Drove into a tree on outskirts of town and died
God bless them all
I can never imagine how anyone can be in such a desperate position that they resort to something like that, its like suicide until you are there you just can’t understand.
TIMMY7_NOTED on 5TH FEBRUARY 2021 11:17 AM
Cheers fella. I struggled writing it down. It strikes me how much we have regressed as a squad from the time we were able to write down KT, Sinclair, Lustig, Roberts, Armstrong, Forster, Dembele, etc in their pomp.
You also hit on the problem of Moi – an EPL level player with high levels of inconsistency. Can we keep him and get more consistency or lose him and get consistency from a lesser performer?
I liked wee Henderson in the short blasts I seen of him but the midfield is jam-packed of go-to guys Lennon won’t drop like Brown, Christie, McGregor and Forrest….regardless of their form…
HH