Holmes_and_Watson

I don't see Targett as much. And I recall him as decent enough. But as Upweysaint said, Manning is doing well under Tonda (and did well under Russ at Swansea). Welington is a decent back up, offering some different strengths. So, it would be an upgrade in some areas, but probably not enough for me.

The part I heard on the news was damning. A reminder that putting the lives of healthcare workers at risk to fund dodgy mates contracts is what you can expect from your own government in a crisis.

Thanks for that Christophe. There's certainly scope for young players to make their mark in the side this season. There are a few 22 year olds as well as those 21 and under. If it's a difficult time to be moving players between the first teams of SR clubs, there's scope to bring academy players through. It was a brief glimpse, but Abu's distribution worked well with Nyemb. I'm looking forward to seeing more of that. VA being able to attack in different ways. For him and Kouakou, in a forward lite squad, it's the perfect chance to break through.

Whatever you do, don't read out the bit about "some years it's lower, if the teacher isn't as good," to your wife! 🙂 Wasn't a thing for me. I'd only heard it sporadically. For someone thought of as a great teacher, or a retirement. But an expected, multi year commitment, is on another level.

Whip-rounds for teachers and their assistants, at the end of each year. The article shows the pressure, but gives a number of options on how it can be done to reduce pressure. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckg8x4vk04vo Or perhaps not add yet another collection to the list, and not bother at all. No pressure.

Sand

On

End of an era 😭

Rumour has it that Infantino is in the pocket of Panini.

I thought the whole point of AI was to work out the 3rd place finishes, when FIFA invites any nation in the UN to the tournament. 🙂

He might say that he finds the more experienced players to be a bit more versatile, but that amounts to much the same thing. 🙂

Funny that you found a bit of wood, that if you look closely, looks sort of like a dog. Anyway, what are you going to use the scroll saw to turn it into? 🙂 Looks lovely.

I applaud Infantino's plan to bring the world together in such difficult times, so that all nations can feel the love and joy of FIFA's festival of football. With the tournament split across multiple hosts, let a host continent host all nations! Qualification means that some countries lose out, and that's what we don't want. Remember: The more rounds, the funnier it is to watch Scotland go out in the first one.

Yup. Lots of twists and turns to come. Henderson's forearm smash, with his cast, on Messi as he races down the byline, will be a shock, but is he the nation's hero or a villain? Especially after Infantino suspends the punishment for a decade.

Bulge

Henderson has had some minutes. Because he is an experienced leader and inspiration, and not at all because Tuchel was pre-empting your post and giving minutes to save face. 🙂 Mainoo now waits in the wings for that role. Chalobah was a late call up, so wouldn't have been there otherwise (could have brought over a full back, but never TAA). No idea what level Toney is now at. Cover for Kane and Watkins anyway.

Station

Thanks for the update Christophe! Ipiele and Landre were players I was expecting to see stay. On the other hand, good to see Nyemb sign. Boiteau gives some cover in attacking midfield. I also noticed Airhiavbere and Maréchal in the sides for the friendlies. I wasn;t sure about their contract situation. So, if they stay... GK- Jean Louchet; Justin Lacombe DR- Derrick Abu; Erin Airhiavbere DL- Abdelwahed Wahib; Noam Blé DC- Dany Goprou; Abou Meité (DL); Nolann Bourichon (Under-21) DC- Bryan Passi; Maël Zogba MC- Mabrouk Rouaï; Thibault Maréchal MC- Samir Belloumou, Kaïs Lesueur (Under-21) AML- Daou Kader Diomandé; Zaïd Amir AMR- Salif Lebouath (MR); Rayane Ekra AMC- Vincent Marcel (BTB); Luka Boiteau (Under-21) FC- Gaëtan Courtet; Kylian Kouakou (Under-21) FC- Charles Abi; Célestin Nyemb (Under-21) The numbers and depth of squad are getting there. But there's no doubt it's a different approach. Only around half of the incoming players have played remotely regularly at the level VA find themselves at. So, it's very much a side where the recruitment has to have unearthed players eager to and capable of moving up.

Raid

When all the others are rubbish, vote Binface.

Interesting. They now desperately need a forward. He also brings in a load of top experience. After Vardy, they also have no issues with ageing forwards. However, it's been a long time since he was prolific, even in the Championship. There could still be injury concerns around him too, although they may have been a while back too. If they get a fit, Ings who buys into RussBall, that could be a nice statement signing.

There won't be many more. Like everything in the world cup, touts have been viking up the price of puns.

Just picturing MPs crossing the floor in the commons to join the Binface party.

Maybe they thought we were finnish-ed with puns.

"When a problem comes along, you must whippet." - From Devo's Larry single