The Cat

Bit annoyed to miss Leicester away because we'll be at a festival. Was looking forward to another amazing curry. Also miss Wolves away for another festival but not so fussed as it's a shit away end.

Man Utd at home. Always seems to be an early season fixture for some reason.

That's probably the main concern. Look at how De Gea struggled in his first season for Man Utd on crosses and balls played into a crowded area. He sorted that out to become one of the best.

His confidence is shot. Go back a couple of seasons and he was fine. Had the ability to pull off some very good saves and was decent on crosses. Kicking has always been average to poor but clearly not comfortable with how he was asked to change that aspect of his game. I don't think he commands the defence that well. Not a bad back up, but should definitely not be a regular starter. Hopefully Bazunu will show his skills and McCarthy can be taken out of the firing line and get some confidence for when he's needed.

Andrew Sparkes managed to build Forster back up to be vaguely competent again this season. I'm not really sure how highly rated he is to be honest. Monk may know. This video with Courtois is good in regards 1v1 saves, he talks through the technical aspect of how he deals with them. It's pretty much down to good decision making and at what point you move towards the striker. In the Bazunu video he picks the right moment to close the space by moving just at the moment the striker goes to shoot. Then it's down to making himself big. If you watch the video below Courtois has slightly different style but same end result. Alisson is the one though. He's 1v1 stats are insane. He does this crazy negative step thing where it looks like his weight is going the wrong way and then he adjusts. Absolutely ridiculous skill to be honest. There's some examples in this video.

The first and last saves were very good. His trigger movement is excellent in those situations.

I think it was just one of those moments. All keepers, even the best, make errors. Look at Allisson, can't remember what game it was but he gave 2 goals away with bad kicks. Donnarumma has made quite a few this season, Oblak has the odd poor moment as does Mendy. And they are right up there with the best. As you say it's consistency which is key, and that's something we haven't had in a keeper for a long time.

Italy were leathered 5-2 by Germany and were 5-0 down.

Netherlands v Wales had a frantic finish. Bale equalised with a penalty in the 92nd minute and then Netherlands went up the other end and scored a 93rd minute winner.

Quality goal too.

This is fucking hilarious

They should go all out to get Pochettino. At least the football would be more exciting.

I dunno. Was alright when a lot of others weren't that good so he stood out as being less crap, especially in group games. England had pretty easy matches. Weird red card that. Bloke just ran into Stones.

Some hit that.

Gallagher still quite young and hasn't had a great deal of top flight football experience so time there to develop. Mount is a bit hot and cold I think. Pundits blather on about him for Chelsea, but as you say, surrounded by better players whose quality and movement gives him more time and space. Where's Foden? I haven't watched all of these games but haven't seen him. 3-0, hahaha 😂😂

Half decent Premier League player. Nowhere near good enough at international level if you want to be winning tournaments.

Remember when people on here we're saying that Kalvin Phillips was good when he got picked ahead of Ward Prowse for the Euros?

Just enforce a time limit like they did with keepers holding the ball (is it still even a law as I haven't seen it enforced for ages?) and start carding people if they take the piss.

Exactly. Stephens will pull off one his prime shithouse performances before clattering Haaland and forcing him off injured. Aguero in his prime failed to score against a defence including Jos Hooiveld and Danny Fox, so anything's possible.

New Zealand vs Costa Rica today for the last place.

Next it will be roll on roll off subs and specialist players employed just to lump kick ins into the opposition box from their own half.

What's "we go again" in Swedish?

Didn't they trial this in the Wessex League a while back and bin it off as a bit of a crap idea?

I'm guessing the new scholars will be announced later in June when they have finished their GCSE's. Pretty sure they've already filmed some stuff for it but are just waiting for the boys to have some free time before going live with the media etc.

He was born in Germany, moved to Southampton at about 7 or 8 because his mum was studying here. Played for City Central in mini soccer where he was obviously incredible. Saints picked him up and he was there for a little bit before Chelsea came in, offered the parents one of those crazy deals, took him away, put him in a posh school etc etc.