Badger

Don't seem anything that special to be honest when compared with earlier 'generations'. First time ever ??? This has been similar to the line trotted out for as long as I can remember, certainly since our failure to qualify in 1974. After that we had the emerging talents of Peter Barnes and David Fairclough who would see us through to glory in 1978, we didn't qualify. Around the late 70's the press highlighted the emerging young talented black players (they were allowed to write such stuff then) that gave us an advantage over the rest of Europe with Anderson, Cunningham, and Regis ... as good as they were at club level it didn't help the national team.. We've since had the 'golden generation' that probably gave us what should have been the basis for a dominant and possibly our most successful national team ever, didn't win anything, then the arrival of Rooney (one goal in a World Cup Finals series) ! Rather like struggling at club level it's very easy to point to what's in the pipeline for the future (even Ian Branfoot did it!) but whilst we do this Germany and France produce successive generations and teams in the 'here and now' who deliver.

Have seen articles saying he'll join Flick in the national team set up, but wonder if RH would want to bring him back, or be able to.

Who would we then face by finishing second ?

Who for ? Did think he'd be a good option for us if Ralph had left towards the end of last season.

Thought Ally McCoist did a great job in talking Che's value up for us.

Credit for some originality, but this bloke must be win the Golden Anorak Award, or Euros 2020 Super Nerd Achievement : https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-57485487

Dixon & Speedie will score more goals than Danny Ings...

I thought Brighton made a couple of astute signings in Moder and another Polish lad last season. Relatively modest sums on two players linked with bigger clubs. The sort of signing we should be in for.

We still seem a bit lightweight in MF, Romeu is the only one who offers some strength. Whichever permutation we go for it's still a far cry from the Schneiderlin-Wanyama partnership.

Don't think he showed up well in the parts of two games I've seen of Austria but their 'Crouch-clone' up front Kalajdzic has had a half decent season for Stuttgart. Shame Ralph hasn't got the readies available to bring him and or some of his team mates in.

Or, at what stage of the tournament will we see his natty waistcoat ?

Leeds now interested ? https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-leeds-hijack-norwich-deal-for-gunn-after-fee-agreed/ Probably not a reliable source.

Mills and Crainie were both talked about as outstanding prospects and a future CB pairing for us. Didn't they both left during 'Arry's time with us ?

Exception to the rule perhaps..... although still hasn't 'made it' in England

Haven't re-read the thread but it's probably a safe bet that if they hadn't made it in 2010 they still haven't.

Crying shame that we start the season with either of them as first choice let alone both.

Probably in fear of it being noticed by the authorities in China, which Ashley doesn't have to worry about. Assuming of course it was connected to Gao.

Perhaps a common theme in your posts. I realise that Watson is no longer our GK coach but it did seem they all regressed during his time coaching, although no improvement has been detected since either. Will be interesting if Gunn goes to Norwich if he starts to improve again, certainly being "home" and having a run in the team might help his confidence.

Age 27, outside of our profile and age "to improve" ! Personally would like to see some experienced players brought in as well as those to develop.

Is that the same as Watmough (OG) as he appears in the press ?

Surprised you're allowed to use "gammon" as a term of abuse in fear of offending vegans, and the animal welfare lobby. Pigslivesmatter# and all that.

Neither of whom played as a full back in the Premier League. Will give you the benefit of the doubt though Whitey, as I don't know how an illustrious playing career you may have had.

Surprised Leeds have according to reports last week dropped out due to the fee, although they've since been linked with some Spanish lb at €3.5m.

Will also depend on what is in his contract, and whether the club agreed to let him know of any bids over a certain amount, or from Top 6 (which Villa aren't of course).

Forget padded seats in the Kingsland, perhaps we should have one stand for Guardian readers, and another for Daily Mail.