Badger

He's doing a good job to see that the men's team is going to reach the stature of the women's team in the English game at the moment.

Sad but true. We were a more attractive proposition in the summer, and still couldn’t bring a striker in.

Yet we spent c£66m in the summer, without a significant sale, and if reports are true we were prepared to shell out £20-30m on Ramos or Gakpo . (Whether that is in addition to the £66m is unknown and part of that could have been spent at the end of the window on Edozie and the Spanish lad). That is a lot less than West Ham (£140m), but it does show a willingness to spend. Problem as I see it is that rather than 2or3 key players to improve the team now, we go for an ‘investment portfolio’ approach of signing a number of young players who might be worth something after a year or two. No real thought as how it might pan out this season Source for figures (in case MLG asks) https://www.teamtalk.com/news/ranking-premier-league-clubs-overall-transfers-net-spend-2022-liverpool-11th-leeds-17th

20. A couple of ‘kick myself’ wrong, but a couple of wild guesses as well. Good quiz, thanks.

Isn’t this the Semmens way ? Or at least he’s the one that spouts it most now when given the opportunity. Annoying when you think Brighton signed a bloke for £8m, just played and won a World Cup, and regarded as an outstanding performer at that level. We on the other hand, talk a good game about recruitment. Unfortunately I think our recruitment dept are better at self publicity (Les, Ross, and it seems those that followed them) than they are bringing the right players in to improve the team.

Are we able to sell him to Chelsea or anyone else if we want to though ?If City have a buy-back clause that might prevent us from selling him. Too soon to tell, but with his injuries to date, selling now might not be too concerning if we reinvest properly. As for pissing City off, I’d like to think we’ve expanded our scouting network beyond this source which has been a mixed success.

Wasn’t it the prospect of being asked to play rb that influenced his decision to go to WBA rather than us two years ago ? Perhaps the problem is that in his own head he’s a midfielder, and an integral part of Arsenal. In truth though that’s not a position he shows anything in, and he’s probably now only a couple of loan moves away from a free transfer to Millwall or such. Hope we’re not committed to keeping him.

Seems to be some consistent themes developing. AA is just shot of confidence. Feel a bit sorry for him but it isn’t working. Interesting reading that Ralph didn’t want him. Wonder if and how this came across at Staplewood to erode his confidence further. ANM - always felt he didn’t want to be here after he turned us down a couple of years ago.

Crouch, Stephens at Turf Moor a couple of season ago springs to mind

Not much in the way of alternative options though.

looks like the Aussies have been taking lessons from Goztpe, and their rivals.

Only just reached Skatesmouth.

Gykores. Was going to ask if he'd get the same space from defenders in the EPL, or goalkeeping for that matter. Then got to 2.07.

He's been mentioned, although it might be just mooted on here without any substance to it.

That’s the sad truth then

England always play as if scared of the opposition, and are too slow and predictable in the build up. Don’t think that’s just a Southgate issue. It’s been the same for years.

I’m sure Semmens will include it in his negotiations.

Commentator and Jenas just talking about the fans of the tournament. Surprised they didn’t add ‘but no one parties like the Irish … ‘.

If only. It really is the ‘do you remember when you sold us those Exocet missiles?’ cosy friendly final.

Be good to bring off the bench for Saints at the end of his career. Wonder if he’d be interested?

If you were listening on radio I can see your point. But having seen Macron in the stands, with an off the scale look of smugness, it has to be the Argies for me ( as bitter as it is to say).

Perhapss Chelsea will offer us £35m for Che as his replacement now. Clouds, silver linings and all that.

for all the above reasons I hope Southgate continues with England. On top of which, for those saying he's taken England as far as he can, no one else of any note would want the England job and do better.

Better than some of the pundits ITV and BBC have desperately wheeled out.

I thought it was a case that Benfica didn't want to sell having reached the CL Group stages, and didn't need to having sold Nunez to LIverpool. Haven't read anything about agreeing terms or if he was even interested.