egg

True, it may have been poor scouting. The fees wouldn't have been down to him for sure.

Sounds plausible. I think he's a decent manager, although his transfer dealings have been shite

So overseas travel and the late night time industry? Nightlife and music venues have it hard still, that I agree with. That said, places around here are pleading for staff and some have closed as they can't get enough workers. We could end all regs tomorrow re travel but our rising numbers will mean some countries won't want us. I have clients who supply food on a large scale. They've diversified and done well. Elsewhere, Harvest Fine Foods have pleaded for staff as demand is huge. They are not suffering because of restrictions. Ditto farming. The issue as I understand it is staffing, but if I've missed something regulation based, what have I missed? Back to my point on this, the "lockdown" we have is not a lockdown. The lives of most people is relatively normal. Sure, a couple of industries and related businesses are impacted, but it's the minority.

My pub quiz this week was brilliant. Old fashioned banter, etc. The people who usually stood at the bar together sat at a table together. That issue is a doddle. Can't help with your missus though.

All we can do is be grateful for what we have, and accept that we can't do shit about the situation. I don't see what we have as the new normal. It's the here and now. We will get back to the normal proper, and we can enjoy life in the mean time. I'll have a bbq later with mates, there'll be no masks or flapping, just people enjoying themselves. Sure I had to pop a mask on for the 5 minutes I was in the butchers earlier but that's no hardship. Life goes on, unless you're preoccupied by what you can't do at the moment. I wouldn't want to be in that headspace.

Whitey, theatres can reopen, sporting venues are open, horse racing and weddings are happening. Sure, numbers are limited, but don't kid yourself that life isn't going on normally for the masses. I mean no disrespect, but I'm fed up with whingers focusing on the little bits that they can't do, or can only do in a limited way. Life's what you make it, and I'd rather do and enjoy what I can.

Good post and I get that, but save for those in hospitality who are still affected (although many pubs, hotels and restaurants are desperate for staff), what you're describing is the impact of covid on people's lives, not the impact of the limited restrictions we still have. Those are not restrictive.

Whitey, there is no lockdown. Shops are open, schools, businesses, pubs, restaurants, people are meeting friends and family. Unless you're desperate to boost the economy of a foreign country or go nightclubbing, there ain't a lot different. If anyone says that they're lives are being impacted in any significant way but the limited restrictions we still have, they need to give their head a wobble.

Yours

Still opinion. You'll get the saints tinted spec crowd crowing for JWP, others opining that it'll be a right back for a right back, others who'll say it's an opportunity for a more attack minded player. Personally I think it'll be Lingard or Watkins.

No idea, but I think he will. Let's see. Pointless speculation, and we all have a different opinion.

Lingard or Watkins for me. More creativity / goal threat.

You're a third right. Let's see who comes in.

All this to keep Klopp happy talk is bollox. Southgate isn't picking players for England to cheer a German manager up. He picked TAA as his end of season form was superb. Nobody should have to ask why Trippier is in the squad. He's just one La Liga where he's had a brilliant season.

All that does is defer the problem of replacing him, but with the added problem of replacing him without a transfer fee. Crazy idea. It's a simple sell him or tie him down situation.

He probably got on it in January at 70/1 and is busy planning his retirement in the South of France.

If it wasn't for their odd rivalry, I think he'd have been great for Palace. If Nuno takes that job, and Howe goes to Everton, I can't see where Potter will go to be honest. The only option is Spurs but they want more of a name I'd imagine.

Rice, yes for me but Philips I'm not convinced about.

Yep. He's decent but not an international central midfielder by a long distance.

Walker will play right of a 3. James will give cover at CB and midfield as well as RB. Trippier will cover both sides. The only player picked as just a RB is TAA. He's picked 10 defenders for a team that'll play with a 3 plus wing backs, so essentially 5 at the back. 2 players per position, with some offering flexibility and 1 of them giving midfield cover is sensible.

I can't see him getting in ahead of those 3, although I reckon the last spot will be between Phillips and JWP. The saving grace for JWP could be Reece James. If he goes as a utility player, he could oust Phillips and free up a place for JWP. No way Henderson or Rice would be left behind unless they won't be 100% for the first match.

Calling

I think we may see a couple of those lads reintegrated. We need players, we haven't got cash, they've all done OK on loan and we won't sell them.

Yep, they also did Beziers for a while which was only an hour from Perpignan. Beziers was always cheaper so I used it a few times. They also did Toulon I think and a few others. Those routes were never sustainable.

I expect he'll replace Fuchs as back up and play him left of a 3 when needed. They struggled for experience when Evans was out. I can't see them playing him left wing back, although he'd do a job at LB if needed.