James

There is still hope for Argentina tbh mostly because of the quality of Croatia (even with a second team) and the fact that Iceland and Nigeria could now go in all sorts of directions. In a way it isn’t fair that group games are on different days as it allows teams to adjust their mindsets accordingly. They need to find a new role for Messi though as it isn’t working.

It shows how bad Argentina and Portugal are when people can seriously envisage Iceland and Iran qualifying.

I know what my line would be - one holiday a year (your holiday) invite who you want plus stag dos if you are a groomsman or family member. If a mate invites you on holiday politely decline but come up with an appropriate apology such as bringing them along to your holiday or paying for a night out. I suppose you need to be generous to genuine friends and tight on hangers on. It’s a tough line but it is fair and achievable.

To be fair, he probably has mates that aren't absolutely minted that he might have wanted to go away with. These out of touch footballers having the audacity to go on holiday with their mates, outrageous. Surely he can afford to take them somewhere nicer and classier and still just as fun though?

FIFA aren’t happy with Russia, Blatter was allowed to attend the Portugal game as Putin’s personal guest.

So Russia have an improved chance of getting Iran in the 2nd round if Morocco can draw with Portugal. So when Portugal should have a blatant penalty to finish the match off, the referee’s headset breaks???

There were two others it was agreed at the time that that one was not a penalty.

My information is that it will be midday at noon tomorrow.

I think there are a number of fundamental issues with having VAR at this World Cup: a) it’s been introduced too quickly referees have not had the full training or practical experience before being jumped into it for the World Cup b) I don’t think all refs are ready to accept the view of others not on the pitch c) It’s doubled the number of officials. Ref teams aren’t consistent and speak different languages d) no accountability through public availability of conversations or video footage of VAR officials at work. For something this big it needed a much larger and much more extensive and phased introduction towards 2022. It’s a mistake really. In addition I’ve no doubt that Putin and his KGB chums saw VAR coming in and tried to figure out how they could turn such a weak and formative system to their advantage. Why not bribe some officials or even tamper with the audio link to turn matters to their advantage.

A lot of the groups are wide open now especially for 1st and 2nd place. I could only confidently put Uruguay and England into the 2nd round at this moment.

Call me bitter but if I was a billionaire in a position to buy the club, the first thing I would literally do is write a lengthy club statement about how Pardew and Carver bought the club into disrepute and issue them both with life bans. Then I would invite Jonas to host a fundraising match at SJP. Only then would I talk to Rafa about the current playing side.

Would be stupid to set the price before the World Cup surely? It’s a good strategic move. Establish he is worth £20m now and then wait to see what happens at the WC. After the World Cup clubs can’t go to is and say: we think he’s had a great World Cup and is now worth £20m It will allow us to increase his price above the baseline.

If Spain play England and it goes to penalties it will mean that one of the penalty missers can redeem themselves as manager.

The Spanish FA should just relegate Real to the regional divisions would be incredible scenes making Ronaldo play in those leagues.

Aye he has potential but he didn’t bother to learn English or follow Rafas instructions so he can do one, good riddance.

I completely get why we aren’t doing any business right now. A lot of the quality will be at the World Cup. This includes Mitrovic as a prime example. I’m sure we could do a deal with Fulham for £20m with Mitrovic commanding a £50k p/w salary. However on good World Cup and that figure doubles. Why would Newcastle or Mitrovic’s agent agree to a quick sale now? We could apply that thinking to a lot of the players at the World Cup, clubs don’t want to sell, but also if Rafa has a chance to wait and up how transfer budget based on how well Mitrovic performs, why sign mediocre now? I’m sure we will compete for any good opportunities come up but I won’t start worrying until the World Cup is nearly done.

Anyone know why the trophy was dedicated to Freddy Shepherd?

Byrne was absolute shite considering he won the FA Youth Cup as a goalkeeper for Leeds!

If only someone could invent a device which allowed communictaion between people in different places. Its bollocks isn’t it, didn’t Charley meet with both our last two managers in North Yorkshire to agree their appointments. It’s practically home for him.

Didn't expect us to lowball...So fucking frustrating, just pay the going rate for once. I know it's stupid to start with a high bid, but we always refuse go more than 1p over our first offer. Nothing wrong with starting low it’s just how we progress from there which is the problem.

Fair play to Burnley for bailing out Villa last month, helping Villa to pay their players.

Using Van Dijk as a barge pole here we should probably be holding out for £85m for Lascelles

What a great day player he was, significantly more talented than Ben Arfa

My mate seems sure it'll be Loftus-Cheek. Isn’t he more of an attacking central midfielder?

Lack of Wilshere could indicate a last minute change of heart after all who is there to pass a ball? Southgate really isn’t going to pick Livermore before Shelvey and Wilshere is he?