Holmes_and_Watson

There's that bit in 2001: A Space Odyssey where one caveman raises a boulder to bludgeon his victim. As the rock falls, Budgie dives in and deflects it round the mouth of the cave. 🙂

Whew! That's a weight off. Thanks for confirming. 🙂

In breaking news, Sport Republic buy a club in Rwanda allowing certain travelling Saints fans the full trafficking experience...🙂

Maple

Although, we've had a poor experience with a young City keeper before, it shouldn't make us Gunn shy, if the talent is there. 🙂

Anyone else get a sudden craving for lemon sherbets? Nice. Thanks for that Nolan.

You'd have thought Williams would have benefitted for exactly the reason you say. But they thought they were Chelsea's player farm instead. I can imagine them needing every penny they can get their mittens on, to bring in the quality of players they'd need.

But before he goes, he wants to relive part of the career of his idol... Kevin Keegan, and joins us. "I didn't start the rumour, but I'll keep it runnin', while the window is turnin' " as a more football interested Billy Joel could have sung. 🙂

Considering they wanting a fair amount for Williams to join us, I wonder how much they'd charge for Elanga?

100% of the population will die... eventually. Nice to hear about relatives putting in a compensation claim to offset the funeral costs though. 🙂

Alexander Isak please! 🙂

I think the argument was that, as there was a lack of emerging talent from the youth ranks, we had to buy in players just about to make a break through. There's more financial outlay, but less risk as they're further along their development. That also works nicely with our pathway, which I think is going to get our new 'keeper the nod sooner rather than later. We can use that as a selling point to others, especially with Tino out. The youth ranks are now looking more promising, so we could see smaller signings there in future, earlier on in their careers, to boost those ranks where needed. This deal works for all parties. We'd still make a decent amount even with a buy back. If City don't want him back, then we could get more, and they'd get a healthy cut of it. In the meantime, we'll hopefully have an excellent keeper to watch.

Yeah, even with a competative full time salary at this level, there are other, longer term considerations to be made. A couple may have another club lined up, and we just couldn't keep them. EDIT: Our move to full time may mean we can offer a step up to the best of the league we left. And depending on the finances involved prove attractive to others in our league, or even above. Of course, any success means fending off "bigger" clubs too.

Sorry to see them go, after such a successful season. It's going to be interesting to see the calibre of player Saints can bring in, to push forward next season. Wishing all the departing players all the best (except, as always if appearing in an opponent's team)

Service

I was going to use Pompey, but changed it to make it at least slightly believable. 🙂

Sunderland away.... hang on.... my leaked fixture list is from even further into the future... 🙂

Parachute

Overlord

Just waiting for the new kit to arrive, so our new signings can be announced in it. 🙂

I agreed with this. Tournament football is seen by some as requiring a more pragmatic, risk based approach. Supposedly due to the fine margins against such talented players. But the fine margins also apply to short camps, where training a group of players from a variety of clubs in various complex tactics is difficult. We saw that tonight, where errors from Phillips resulted in goals. Then pushing up resulted in more as Hungary finished clinically. So when Southgate talks about being too attacking or having to get Grealish to understand defensive duties, he has a point. Because chances will be fewer and getting back into a game tougher. The flip side of this is that, as S-Clarke said, is that he can't get the team to switch to a ruthless attacking unit when required. Worse, the standard transitions offer little when getting between the defensive lines, or breaking down teams is required. England have a natural finisher, but can't get him chances. There are players who play for teams that rip defences apart in the league, but aren't set up to do that under these tactics. The league nearly all of them play in operates at a tempo that brings the best from their attacks, but is not part of passing it from side to side to slowly build up a chance at Southgate's preferred pace. There's a directness of purpose that's missing, and which they struggle to switch to, when required. There's also the feeling that some of these players are supported by better players at their clubs, and simply aren't up to dictating games at this level. His approach has provided a platform to go deep into two tournaments. It can be argued that the opposition wasn't spectacular. But you can only play who you get. He's easily earned taking England to the World Cup, and should be judged on that. I caught 5 mins of Beeb while making coffee. They were coyly asking Kane about Southgate's future. Not for them of course. But in the interests of their listeners. Right. In the studio various pundits who still struggle with when the assistant puts their flag up, and who wouldn't be able to train a tactic if Pep's Playbook dropped on their heads, were offering similar insightful remarks. I think it was channel 4 where Joe "show pony" Cole was giving his verdict on players not turning up.

Phillips' errors involved in both their goals. But they've been clinical with the few chances they've had. England, partly due to Hungary sitting a little deeper, pass across and back, across and back which has suited Hungary perfectly. England haven't had any joy in dribbling past opponents either. They've had no outlets to build through the middle. So a switch to a back 3"with Sterling coming on was a decent option, but they've not been good enough in the final third to make much from it. Could get relegated if they lose to Italy, into the EuroDisney Cartoon Conference or something.

Going so well until the not paring with him cheaply bit. 🙂

Sure, but Haaland might come good in time, and shouldn't get too discouraged. 🙂

Man CIty away for me, so I can enjoy the media shock at Haaland being in the pocket of Bednarek/ Stephens/ Lyanco all game. 🙂