James

I’m completely stumped as to how Delph is playing for England and Man City in 2018, Shelvey any day. I’m happy with our position to be honest I’d rather go out in the last 16 than the quarters before my hopes get to high. Was embarrassing watching the England mongs in the pub making out like we were going out of the World Cup.

Fell off my bike on my way home so yes

Apparently a Simpsons episode predicted a Mexico Portugal final and those crazy group games have now made that possible

So now we are getting well into the World Cup what are your pet hates either for this tournament or World Cups generally. For me (and we’ll see it tonight I’m sure) ITVs refusal to accept the historic ‘think it’s all over’ commentary of 66 as the legend everyone remembers and instead playing the much less memorable ‘and he has’ version. Also Clive Tydesley making commentary on Saudi Arabia vs Egypt all about Cristiano Ronaldo and Man Utd.

For me Godin has been the best player.

Neymar seems to have regressed, surrounded himself with the wrong people and gotten more selfish. Think Brazil would have won much more comfortably if he had been left out. Unless he sorts himself out quickly, it will be his fault if Brazil don’t win. I feel it’s the reverse situation to Messi and Ronaldo at Argentina / Portugal.

This Albanian thing is a right mess almost everyone has been charged by FIFA. It’s ridiculous that this has happened at a Switzerland game, not very neutral is it? This dual-nationality situation (in a number of nations) is starting to become a real problem and needs fixing as much as racism imo.

Whats the point in this? Assuming its the English media leaking it. Literally no one needs to know the line up yet, bar our opposition. Purely accidentally one of the coaches notebooks got photographed

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?