Brussels Saint

7. The question is now, are we better set than 3 other teams. I would say we have more quality than Everton, Leicester and maybe Ipswich. I know that it does not always work out like that and there’s a 1st 11 v squad consideration but we should have enough to stay up imo

I know most won't agree with me, but when you remove all the noise around the game last night, I personally felt England played pretty well.

I watched the game with commentary in Dutch, so not understanding a thing they were saying, just made up my mind on what I saw from the game. 

Whilst obviously disappointed it ended 0-0, England to me seemed completely dominant. None of the passivity seen in the dross of the first 2 games and pressing higher up.

Big pluses in the performances of Mainoo & Palmer. Slovenia defended really well, so I was pretty happy.

Went online right after expecting a generally positive tone 😄 ..........  seems I have lower expectations than most!

Thought I would have a go at working out what we need (playing 4-1-2-3):

GK: New + Baz + Lum

RB: KWP + Bree

LB: New + Larios + Meghoma

CB: THB + Jan + ABK + Stephens

DM: New or Downes + Shea

CM: New + Will + Charlie + Aribo

LW: AA + Ryan F

RW: New + Kamaldeen + SAA

ST: New + Ross

So basically new starting 11 at GK, LB, DM, CM, RW & ST

Probably a pipe dream!

Loan Out: Sekou & Sam Edozie

Out: Alex, Manning, Rothwell, Stu, Che, Brooks, Lyanco, Tall Paul & Perraud

Probably harsh to keep Kamaldeen rather than Edozie, but I think Sam needs a complete season as a first choice like Tella at Burnley to see if he can ever develop the end product.

Can probably make an argument to offer Stu a short term deal too, but personally I reckon its time to move on.

Voted unsure in the poll as never heard of him before linked. Certainly lacks the feel good impact of a big name.

Perhaps interestingly it actually gives me more confidence that we paid a big sum for him and his team (4m or so)

This is no penny pinching exercise that’s clear, but a planned appointment of the man they wanted.

No discussion and interviewing of different candidates, they had a name at the top of the list and it was done in less than a week. That’s hopeful. 
 

When SR came in we were all generally impressed……no doubt this is the first big test………

Welcome NJ …. Everyone was a who? once.

Mario Licka.....though not in the PL era.

His wife however ....... absolutely tip top 

Cant see it, other than potentially loans for Gunn and some of the B team.

If you look at the squad listing on the official site for Ralphs favoured 4-2-2-2 formation, you have exactly 2 players for each position, which is probably what the club is aiming for in its first team squad.

Regarding CB's and considering the current market, in order to get better than Bednarek, Yoshida & Vestergaard we are surely going to need to pay +25m.

I cant see us doing that and if we do get one in, it will surely be in the Bednarek mould as one who potentially could be better.

Interestingly, what do you reckon Bednarek is actually worth in todays market?

I'm not sure the age demographic quite works like that - you're basing that on the assumption that people won't change their mind as they get older. To illustrate - JFK was elected largely by his popularity among younger voters and those same voters are now OAPS and voting for Trump. I've no figures and stats to back this up by the way so it's just my muddled thinking. Everyone has been saying the same about the Tory party for ages as well - they'll be wiped out within a generation and it never happens. I think a lot of people naturally become more conservative as they get older. Interesting stuff though.

It's a good point that peoples views can change over time, but I dont think its really about being conservative or not (there are plenty of solid Labour voters who are for Leave). I just think its a generational question. The young in the main have grown up in a globalized world, are quite tolerant of immigration, have a looser connection to national ideals etc. That to me seems the driving motivations. They don't remember how great we were or aspire to that version of what being great means.

Genuine question for Leave supporters. Why do you think the determined Brexiteers hold out for no deal?

The reason why I ask, is that demographics will always at some point work against the Brexit ideal.

As older voters die out and youngsters gain the franchise, its not beyond the realms of possibility that in a couple of general election cycles one party or another will run on a ticket to rejoin the EU.

If that happens it would likely mean loss of the rebate and requiring the Euro. As I understand, already if no one changed their minds about Brexit, the death of leave voters means we are already a remainer nation if the referendum was rerun and its only likely to continue (demographics right)

My thinking if I was a Leave MP would be to accept whatever possible to at least get out, in the hope that a softer form of Brexit lasts as long as possible.

Just for disclosure, I'm a remainer (considering where I live no surprise) who thinks not implementing Brexit would create a democratic deficit. (but hopes for another referendum anyway even though I know its wrong!)

Interested in peoples views on this as I'm bored on a Friday afternoon

Wasn't that Pilchards?

 

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Definitely Pilchards........something about Pardew doing random clapping too if memory serves me.

I’m quite happy with Ings to be honest, not sure why all the negativity. it’s a risk, but unless you play in the proven quality field (and even Man U it seems don’t want to pay for that at current fees) it’s a punt.

I would Give him a chance. If he's another JS, it will become apparent pretty quickly!

Excellent. Thanks Guan. Some hopeful messages for sure and also sounded reasonable.

Calling Guan 2.0........ As our ITK man, Are you ITK about whether AR 10 is actually ITK or is he a mere fantasist ITK? Thanks!

Fedex

Current UEFA Cup main sponsor and for the next 3 years, so highly unlikely.

P.S. I'm am finally ITK for something on this one

Good work and I'm even in one of your photos (well my leg anyway.......and even then I'm not 100% sure its my leg!)...but good work! ;-)

Parking is always a crime so you better come early. Especially now as there are roadworks going on at the "Brienenoord bridge" and delay is expected.

Cheers. Will Park at the P+R Beverwaard and get the tram. I guess too much risk trying to park anywhere near the stadium. Should get to Rotterdam around 18.45. I've been to De Kuip before and I'm pretty confident the atmosphere will be great.

Feyenoord definitely my European team now and as I work in Amsterdam a lot, I'm quite happy to wind up many of the Ajax supporters who work for me ;-)

I'm going tomorrow and can't wait. As its a sell out though, I'm now a bit worried about parking. Any tips from our feyenoord regulars?

Did you pay the £1 booking fee mate? DISGRACE!

 

This wasn't charged when we were in the 1969/70 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. They're having you for a MUG!

 

I bet they plan to charge any prestigious and lucrative European home matches as Category A - just you watch - and this didn't happen last year. Scandalous.

How are we 23 posts in and the picture has not been posted yet?

So villa are losing Delph and Benteke in one week not a good time ( if there ever is a good time) to be a villa fan.

Dread to think the level of meltdown on the Villa forums at the moment. Poor sods.

This is 100% reliable.

Can you still get to the Stadium by water taxi? I remember a few fine afternoons of drinking at a hotel by the water before catching the taxi to the stadium. Would love to do the same but with a Saints Feyenoord game at the end.

I doubt he regrets it.

Boyhood club.

Playing at Anfield (it's history & importance for a fan)

CL appearances

Closing in on the end of a career

More cash

Close to family

If I was a footballer and had a chance to spend the last few years of my career at the Saints, that would be pretty special even if I was not playing as much as I would like.

"Hunter and his 50-strong development staff seek to shape the person as well as the player."

***** a duck!

Pelle is fast becoming the striker I hoped Osvaldo would/could be.

Dominant and deserved win, though we did not kill it. Exactly the type of games we used to lose as someone already said.

Pelle MOTM for me, though Bertrand, Wanyama, Tadic and Davis also very good.

Mane, was influential for a player having just arrived and will cause many teams problems, though he will need to learn how to defend properly when we dont have the ball.

Thought Clyne had an off day, but maybe the early booking did not help.

Never really troubled in defence (Austins goal was just great skill) and we do have such strength in depth at CB.

Forster

Clyne

Fonte

Alderweireld

Bertrand

Wanyama

Schneiderlin

Cork

Rodriguez

Tadic

Pelle

Subs: Mane, Long, Gardos, Davis, JWP, Yoshida, K.Davis, Targett, Gallagher

433 - Mane off the bench

Apart from the GK the bench looks strong when everyones fit.