BarberSaint

Bloody was, wasn't it?

But Middlesborough can only get to the semis if they're reinstated and they're not gonna win the final, so what can he do?

Was this 72 hours before a game?

Well in that case, standard practice is stupid. How come people don't do better (are their plans crap?) if they follow the drills, can't they learn basic things like marking, tackling, etc outside of those 72 hours and is football now played, I don't know, on a computer and not on a pitch with a huge number of random factors (and diving) which are much more likely to affect the result? The whole premise is stupid.

Might. Might not.

But he did blag the Rangers gig, and for him that was the equivalent of a top top top top club.

Answered your own question. Although I'd have JS as club captain and playing alongside THB but the latter should be the captain on the pitch.

From what I've seen of him so far, he's far too safe and/or negative so I would move him on.

The touch 'past/round' the keeper is poor and quite lucky; he doesn't go to the side to go round the keeper's dive nor does he push it on quickly to 'beat' or get under it; clearly he doesn't have full control of the ball at that time. That can happen so it's not much of a deal but it would be wrong to say it was good or clever play. The second one (the 'chop back with the instep') is ok. Again, he gets a bit lucky in that the defender doesn't get clean contact or block him off but clearly he does enough to then score. He did try a couple of things at Eastleigh and seemed more at home but I have seen nothing yet to make me think he's turned a corner/is able to demonstrate sufficient ability. The other thing is that he clearly is a cut below Larin and doesn't seem to mesh with the team in a comparable fashion; often it's like he's playing his game which is different to everyone else's. Think we'll have to see what he brings to the Colchester game and a couple of others. If not enough (which will have to be a lot more than I've seen so far), I can only see a loan/sale beckoning.

Is 'against the rules', whatever they may be, dishonest? If I tell a fib, am I dishonest? A white lie? Etc. I don't think he's dishonest as he's never said he wasn't involved in it and been shown/had it proved that his comment(s) were dishonest. Equally, by that measure and irregardless of accusations other, Mr Salt *is* dishonest. But he, here, is allegedly the 'victim'. And of course, then, Mr Gibson and the Crying Swede are both honest and dishonest.

Well it actually does put it into perspective: it's not that bad if everyone does it or it is that bad and so then is everyone for doing it. As I've said before, watching Doku and stopping Doku are different things entirely so I doubt spying on Man City would have helped much prior to them really taking it to us (while in first gear) at Wembley.

Hope so as he's worth considerably more as a player.

Except we can take it that they didn't. If they want to 'punish' him they can take away his 'manager of the month' awards. Then if he wins them again, it'll be down to him, not a squirrel in a tree.

They were a lot better this year, too. (Yes, we were crap under Still).

It looks like a bib. All the time, I just wondered why they were wearing bibs. It's awful.

Looks like he's gained a couple of yards of pace, too.

Depending on how you run e.g. if you're planting your foot to the side slightly to change your angle of motion so it's more lateral then you have to. Equally if you want to shoulder-charge/block someone when they do the same you have to. There are many occasions when your legs don't just go from front to back and if you're slightly ahead of someone and then cut across them (Leo does this a lot) then effectively you're doing what you've just said you can't do. While it might be shit for the defender, as far as I'm concerned that is good and proper forward play so could you be more explicit unless you mean someone has just decided to throw their leg out sideways as though they intend to just trip the other player up. If you mean that, then patently you've fouled them. Have to ask, can't remember last night's incident. Doesn't matter anyway, we'll end up 4th to Spain after the France v Argentina final has been arranged (as many said it would be before the tournament started). The only real thing I've noted about the French is that they shoot early which seems to be a good tactic.

Reality?

Exactly the kind of forward who'd thrive under Russball.

SS does kind of address that though: 'closed shop' etc. Unless things change dramatically that side of the sport is only going to be (really) for either those who just generally support sport/their local club and everything to do with it or those with an agenda to push it. While I understand that a century or so ago crowds were very large they aren't now and what is going to galvanise that in view of the fact that this is a commercial product now and one removed from the working classes? As the answer is nothing, it really seems to be only predominantly a vanity project

Which simply means you missed the point of the post. Journeyman? Yes. He will be once he moves and he's never been a standout - always (to avoid arguments) 'middling'.

Then buy him back.

I do love people who think that a player is 'guaranteed' to 'improve' because they're young. Or words to that effect. Some might, e.g. Fernandes, but he was clearly very good even from his youtube videos. Even with TE at the helm. How many players do 'improve' dramatically and how many erase all the failings from their game e.g. poor first touch, needs too long on the ball, doesn't find the right areas in front of goal, is Che Adams, etc?

Let's forget the initials JWP and move on.

That'll be it. Certainly towards the end of the season.