Colinjb

Or he is doing a double bluff and baiting for his own amusement.

Had that Penalty been given and Rickie not missed a sitter that would have been a very different result. Just nice to see some football again to be fair!

They do look sharp. I'm more then happy to put it down to them being further along their pre-season prep then us for now. We really faded in the second half..... I'm sure I read somewhere that Poch was essentially sending the team into the game a little tired in an effort to work them hard to ensure they are as fit as possible for the new season, so this cannot be a surprise on that basis.

Should have been a penalty there. The overhead kick was blocked by a hand.

Naughton would be utterly perfect for us. Good enough in his own right to step into the first team while also capable of covering either full back position. Supplements and supports our two youngsters without undermining them.

Uchida looked good in the confederations cup too.

If it is Trippier.... well, I would be livid as a Burnley fan... first Fox, then Jay.....

Issues with the medical apparently.

Gino Peruzzi is being mentioned in the HCDAJFU thread.

Still feel it a bit early to Judge on Mayuka, he showed signs of playing his way into the team towards the end of the season. Sharp I do agree with. Damiao... he is someone who I feel would offer the immediate improvement required over the existing first eleven and covers all our usual bases. Vydra.... No.

Oh, as a business deal there is no argument.... Damiao or similar would be a better prospect. Sadly (?!?), the world of football doesn't work purely on cash. The reputation of the clubs concerned will also be a massive factor for most players. If Quagliarella wants to come here and a Damiao doesn't, the argument about figures because a little redundant.

Anyone who has played a part for an unbeaten Serie A team and with full international italian experience has to be worth a worth a look. 30 years old, therefore I wouldn't expect him to be an outright Lambert replacement.... he would either be at his peak or his best years would be behind him. The option he would provide would be fantastic.

The prospect of seeing certain players in our colours can be a very exciting prospect. Surely you can understand why that would appeal? Equally I can understand why you wouldn't get too worked up before something is confirmed.

I fear you may be confusing excitement with joy/satisfaction.

Would be curious. A very Jay Rod esque signing. And one which may go against our philosophy of signing players that only improve the first team.

Well, I would read that more of offsetting any risk.... betting money on him joining us will not pay off. Covers Skybet's backsides.

Quite. The whole of football is based on what if's.... What if that cross is good? What if he hadn't miss timed that tackle!? What if that shot had been just 1cm lower? What if City have an off day? The potential transfers are no less a part of it. Excitement when linked to names such as Wanyama, Osvaldo.... or Lambert back in League 1 are no less a part of things.

Nonetheless, the excitement is in the anticipation, not the event. The certainty of the event's occurrence is immaterial.

5/6 that he'll join us? That's very... very encouraging! Hoping that the bookies do have a little insider info.

The only two strikers of note we have are Rickie and Jay. Rickie is by far the most prolific and is central to how we play. Jay is still learning but is not the same kind of player, if anything at their best they are an excellent foil for each other. To significantly improve our striking options we would need to spend £20m upwards.... really..... And I would suggest those kind of players do not yet see us as a readily attractive destination. There is no logical reason to sell Rickie, even for 8 million. As someone on the Reading forum stated.... how he plays will not necessarily be undermined by his age. He relies on physical presence, not agility and speed. Keep him, use him.

Malta only has three main beaches but ticks the boxes of interesting and warm. Some superb Medieval and WW2 related history (check out Mdina and Valetta) it is warm pretty much throughout the year, only December to March is really temperate. For beaches, book a Hotel near Melieha bay. Alternatively, Paceville has the quite nice St Georges Bay beach right next to it's Hotels/Restaurants/Bars with easy bus access to all places of interest. Qawra/Buggiba tend to be cheaper with a major Bus terminal on it's doorstep.... I tend to go there twice/three times a year.

Apparently the monarchy is irrelevant. Tonight our country is in full global focus. Good health to the new royal.

What happened?

Guly hat trick. .. love it!! Nice confident 8-0.... hopefully bodes well.

Isgrove is certainly being given a chance to impress. From memory so did Reeves last year.