Holmes_and_Watson

A system can't just have systems of reliability in place. It must also be seen to be reliable. The CoT's actions and track record really speaks for itself. As we've seen in world events this week, and before, some people simply choose not to believe anyway. Electronic systems that are open to hacking/ manipulation, or third parties, who in turn are open to attack, don't seem to add anything to the core values at the heart of the CoT's ethos.

Just a way of capturing an audience, they are worried about losing. A bit belatedly, considering how long there have been podcasts. But with the advantage of their resources pushing them. They seem to be just the same programmes, with "pod cast" tagged on. But some also make use of the format with extended versions. And there can be a lot more of them, and the number of Election and Ameri cast podcasts indicates.

Reunion

Jolly

Trying to capture the older fan?

Looks okay. Basic, with a decent collar, feature at the bottom to give it a boost and an interesting back. The away kit looks more than okay. Shame I missed the stream, but I didn't want to risk flashbacks of cringy work events.

Hulk

Teenage

Having visited the oracle at Delphi, a few weeks before, I spent the day trying not to say "told you so" to all the unbelievers. I even got abuse when I had converted the prediction into a cryptic mosaic. Classical CoT. 🙂

Having CoT in it's own thread turned out to give the best of both worlds. Lots of people love reading the more general, often speculative links. As you say, it can be as fake, if not more so, than ever. But fun, in it's own way. Here, we get a different level of information. But protected and requiring some work to figure out. Fun and informative. Something for everyone. So always a bit sad to see some of the attacks appear.

Lots of activity. That we still have to replace a lot of first team minutes from last season, let alone get back to the depth/quality of the team that went down, shows what an overhaul is required. SR doing well with the pennies so far too. If we go 3 at the back, it reads to me as McCarthy KWP, THB, Bednarek, Stephens, Taylor Downes, Smallbone, Aribo AA, Stewart If it's a back 4 McCarthy KWP, THB, Bednarek, Taylor Downes, Smallbone, Aribo AA, Stewart, Edozie Defence: While SR could strengthen anywhere, I could see that being the defence for next season. If KWP leaves, Sugawara steps in, with Bree a more defensive option. Likewise, if Bednarek leaves, we've plenty of backups already bought. It's an improvement on the team that went down, moving to more unproven if Sugawara/Wood come in. Midfield: Downes coming in makes a massive difference. It was Charles before that happened, who needs more development. SR may consider Lallana to add the depth they need across some roles. They may also think an improved Aribo with Alcaraz enough for AMC. But a Stu replacement would be wise, and someone to compete with Downes, if RM doesn't fancy Charles, more of a must. Needs some improvement/ depth compared to a team that went down. That had JWP in it. Smallbone's development, Aribo's return towards his best and Downes arrival all going in the right direction. Attack: Currently missing a Fraser replacement. RM also wanted a Tella replacement, and we got Brooks in. Adams currently being replaced by unproven Stewart. AA might prefer being central, but does lots more from wide, if going 4-3-3. Edozie eeds more development, and Sule further back. Lots of improvement needed to be at level, of the team coming down, and Mo played in that a lot. SF could bring in a whole front 3, giving Edozie room, Stewart competition and giving us more flexibility in formation. The above would also need some departures so we don't have the squad bloat of before, and lower costs. ABK, Sule, Mara and Ounachu most likely, with a number of younger, fringe players possibly off on loan.

Nail

I've been reliably informed that Santa Cazorla isn't actually a footballer. 🙂

A ballot paper you roll out to 3ft, so you can see all the PR variations. There's a couple of blanks at the bottom. One for "Whichever one gives me what I want, or I want another referendum." And one where you can make up your own, as so many others have had a go. That's, of course, just the first round to see what will make the cut of 100 for the actual vote. There's still the multiple round, regional list run offs to go through. Naturally these will be weighted. 🙂

That wood be an insane signing! 🙂

Orbital

The quiet before the storm. Unless, you're reading in a library. Then, more quiet, I'm afraid. 🙂

Nope. Lost me. Any chance you could put your hint up as a picture clue? I do better with those. 🙂

18. Prizes are non-transferable, non-exchangeable and cannot be sold. You must attend. You must listen to him. There is no escape. You only think you are not broken. You will be broken, to be rebuilt. Resistance is futile. 🙂

Did Villa not just get him back from Sheffield United, paying to do so?

Serenity

England have definitely had easier sides of the draw. Although, Southgate's system works better against sides leaving some space, and not so compact. There's also been definite issues in changing tempo, and transition. Lots of the things seen in this tournament, have been there for a while. I guess I find it hard to criticise when they can only play who they get, and England have been beaten by smaller reputation teams in the past. That one step further was 4 mins from extra time, with Watkins getting a poor touch and a header off their line. We played a system in a massive unbeaten run that leaves gaps down the flanks on purpose. Which is sort of my view on it. I don't mind the set up, in principle. But it struggles because it's one requiring things his squad aren't great at, geared to players he doesn't have. For example, Mainoo and Rice don't offer enough to break up, control and progress the ball as a 2. There's not enough support for them ahead, and Foden, Bellingham and Kane can all be central. Saka gets marked out of games, but Walker in a back 4 isn't used efficiently in overlaps. Foden cuts in, offering support but with no directness. It's a system that struggles with it's own limitations. Yet, got England very close again.

The best team at the tournament fittingly won. Southgate's pragmatic, tournament focused approach gives a foundation to progress far into tournaments, which is to his credit. But it relies on areas that are not the strongest parts of his selections games. That's combined with players not playing either in their preferred roles, or with the fluidity they have at club football. The result was a bit disjointed, poor in transition, relying in compactness and individual brilliance. People will look to that talent, and wonder if a front footed team would have done more. Others will look at the lack of midfield options and wonder if that would have meant getting over ran and dumped out earlier. A few Southgate comments made me think he would move on. It's been a tough tournament, and he can look back proudly at his record. He's got another final, and was minutes away from extra time. The FA will certainly want him to stay.

No! So nearly.

Nearly from Watkins.