The9

There are a pile of hasidic Jews gathering for some kind of prayer thing as well, no problem with the transport though, I have been reliably informed by a Romanian taxi driver.

I assure you we're having a great time.

You should be thrown out of FIFA, whiner. They're in UEFA due to the political situation, seeing as them qualifying for every World Cup due to Arab teams refusing to play them isn't really viable in the 2010s.

Hello from Molly Blooms in Tel Aviv. Where we are watching said Celtic game and they just did a 5 minute bit on Saints (with a lot of Yay/Boo moments) at half time.

Thanks, they work with European adaptors (I already checked).

The phone bit probably meant they did it then and there, my mate's ambulant and he got all of his. I'm not sure it's actually an error, tbh.

They do, and I'm looking forward to remembering to log on at 11am local time in 30 degrees when in a country I'm only spending a couple of days in as it is to buy tickets for the effing ell cup against Sunderbloodyland just so I can sit where I want... because that is certainly how you would want to reward your most loyal supporters for going to the trouble of pitching up in Asia on a Thursday.

We're up at 6 for a lunchtime flight.

I. Am. A. Robot. Does. Not. Compute. What. Is. This. Emotion. Of. Which. You. Speak. Question. Mark. Also any excuse to get a bit of Newport on Saintsweb.

He's been set up by scrupulous people desperate for a story, and barely given them one until the FA decided to get p155y about it. The only bit they're bothered about is "accusing the FA of being "all about making money" ".

Don't worry about him Brazzer, he's some kind of emotionless robot, all about statistics and no interest in the randomness of football reality.

Absolutely ridiculous, tbh - a nice little warning for all the future managers not to cross the media - which is of course the last thing the England team actually needs. Pardew's stock is up from when the last managerial appointment was made - assuming he doesn't get slurred.

Watched it last week and its been doing the rounds for a while - we're about the only ones to come out of it looking good tbh.

I suspect they'll be a little bit upset by anything with Palestine or in Palestinian colours too. I'm hopeful none of the people going are that much of an idiot though.

Everyone on Saintsweb and everyone I've spoken to in person is in this camp - however, my online history says "Printed" for the one I've had, and "Purchased" (or similar) for the ones I haven't. The useless fookers have completely failed to get our Leicester tickets to us in time though - leaving early tomorrow and they won't arrive in time. Hopeless - as is putting Sunderland League Cup tickets on sale as unreserved seating on Friday morning when 300 of your most loyal fans are in the middle east.

UEFA's Europa League rules, I should think.

If Yoshida or Hooiveld had had 4 years of improving performances, rarely made errors and been captain for a couple of seasons they'd have a bit more likely to have the leeway. However, Yoshida in particular has previous for one huge balls up pretty much every match (though he didn't manage against Palace) and is still a risk against either Leicester OR Be'er Sheva. Bags are packed, off to the airport tomorrow and can't wait, even if we stick the U21s out.

I'd say Yoshida was clearly a step down, Clasie is a different kind of player but probably slightly weaker overall, and there's not much in Cedric and Cuco. I also don't agree that the gap is smaller this season (and if it is it's because the overall standard is lower and not higher than last season), but I have no problem AT ALL with him rotating the first choice players as he sees fit with the intention of winning as many matches overall as possible. We've gone from having a first team that's good enough for the top 8 to a squad that's good enough for the top 8 and Europa League knockout stages, that's progress.

Not only is it not illegal, it's not against the rules.

But the only way to "get around" the rules is by buying the player outright, just like we did with Ramirez. That removes the third party ownership. There's nothing remotely dubious about that bit of it at all, nor is it in any way shape or form a news story. Not to mention that as FIFA have banned third party ownership according to you there is literally no way for a player to exist to begin with that he can pick for England and raise his value anyway.

We're allowing 3 hours for the drive and parking at the airport, and another 2.5 hours for security etc even though it's Easyjet, just because it's medium range rather than for any other reason, we've used them loads before internationally and pitched up just over an hour or so before and still been sat around for yonks. We're flying later though.

Where's Anthony Pulis on this scale? I know Forecast only got a half against Arsenal in a pre-season tournament which passed for the "first team".

Speaking of boxes, anyone want to see the Football Ramble podcast LIVE in Winchester on Friday evening? I'm on my way back from Israel so have two tickets going for face value, and have to shift them on by tomorrow (see Buy/Sell for details)... http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/showthread.php?57194-For-Sale-Football-Ramble-LIVE-in-Winchester-this-Friday-30-September-8pm#.V-mQocvTXqA

Just as well he doesn't fancy this (not that we'd have him) :

Vague hilarity that someone questioning Clasie's composure recommends the walking yellow card and far less experienced Harrison Reed.