Holmes_and_Watson

His agent pretending to the new manager that his client is in demand?

I don't disagree. I was just picturing a group that had no idea, hanging on our every post for some kind of sign. Chewy mentioned GKs. I had started on a line with Romeu replacements. But I took it out to maintain the comedy focus. So, that worked well for me. 🙂

World

Just had a thought of them sitting round a table reading our posts... "Ah hell, they're right! We *will* need an extra player there!" 🙂

It seems, due to the obvious outcome of this one, Labour have been in increasing contact with the civil service as far back as January. That was to establish relationships and strategies on how manifesto commitments could be implemented. Sue Gray has been running a team to help execute these plans. So, they've been at work for quite a while to hit the ground running.

Ice

Super penalties. A game where England showed one bit of higher tempo play, that got them a goal. The rest of the time was lack luster and Pickford ended up having to make late saves. Silly for it to be like that.

One team happy to sit back for penalties. Then happy to hang on for penalties. And that was England. The Swiss brought on a Burnley player, to a decently organised side and England's stars sruggled to cope.

Good to see England proactive after the equaliser. Proactively making sure they fall back into predicta-football. Another bit of individual magic needed.

Another bit of individual brightness, lifts the lack of energy of the team.

Wow. Adopting a hanging on tactic, when they weren't hanging on. Sitting back and back, inviting pressure. And there you have it. Belated subs now?

Plenty of possession. Not much to show for it. Some decent movement, with Saka having freedom. If they double up on him, it might create some space elsewhere. Mainoo getting some freedom too. Early, with a more wing back look, the Swiss got to exploit the flanks. But that faded away during the half. England need to be sharper in getting a final ball in. A change in tempo will make all the difference. Just have to bedside to have enough cover if it breaks down and Mainoo isn't central.

I thought the one and only was Chesney Hawkes? 🙂

A quick check says that out of 16 Euros participated in (including qualification, and not entering the first one), England have got past the group stages only 7 times. 2 of those campaigns involved Hodgson and 2 are under Southgate. Southgate absolutely sets out a team to secure 4 points, ideally in the first 2 games. Completely removed the pressure of having to win a one off game. My view is that, while it might be far from entertaining, it gets the side through, which is what he's employed to do.

Could there be something in place, as part of the federation hiring Martinez? Doesn't even have to be as blunt as "pick him." "As you know, we gave an endlessly profitable superstar who raises our profile, and brings us a load of money. How do you see yourself getting the best out of such a player?"

Kindle

Very nice. Edit: And I'm someone who thinks the Airdrie shirts are the worst, so you can go very wrong with a v on the front for me.

A combination of insecurity, ignorance and mistaken moral superiority is frequently behind it.

One reverse takeover away from running Reform Link up with the Conservatives Reverse takeover of Conservatives Use world class radio station to communicate to the masses. Keep hacks onside with world class catering Sweep to power Build new parliament on Jackson Farm Hire Woodward to coach politicians to become world class Secure further sweep to power Build monkey chicken petting zoo Retire as hero of the nation

One of last night's outcomes was the hammering of the SNP. While there's no shortage of reasons for that, part of it is how their own Shortbread Parliament runs a PR system. It runs a combination of constituency and regional seats. You get fptp for the constituency, and or with the regional, with them offset against each other. What happened in practice was that, partly to keep other parties out, the greens (not to be confused with the greens in the rest of the UK) got a lot of regional votes. They found themselves as kingmakers, and drove their policies through. They were as unsuccessful as the SNPs, but the agreement had the cart in front of the horse for years. Elsewhere, there are rounds of voting, allowing coalitions to form and block others, or endless hung parliaments formed of squabbling minority parties. PR was sold to my year at school as being the fairest system. A bit older, I don't see much fair about having my vote up for trade at every decision to get it through, often beholden to far less popular groups. I'm not disappointed to see Labour having a clear mandate to make its mark, free for dilution or interference. They can be judged entirely on their own actions.

Clearly the Deep State at work.

Clip from Mordaunt didn't mention 'fight" once.

Tice talks about how far they've got in 3 years, since it started. Farage talks about how far they've come in 4 weeks, since he came back. Lowe about to launch a reverse takeover of reform.

Pompey Penny is gone.

Radio studio discussing implications of religious/ cultural blocks securing seats/ shaping party politics. Elsewhere, Braverman stays.