The College Dropout

Wales are terrible.

As bad as Wales have looked, i'm not banking on England on finishing 1st.

It was more than mindset from the start. Sitting back doesn't suit them nor most of the mid-ranking teams. Ecuador, Ghana, Senegal etc. have all been at their best with a slightly higher block and more aggressive press. Senegal pressed higher at 2-1 and kept the ball better rather than sitting in.

Aye. I thought Ecuador could've pushed for a winner against the Dutch who looked vulnerable. Senegal without Mane and Gana Gueye is a much weaker team. A full strength Senegal side would've been a major dark horse for the QFs/SFs imo. Without them in the R16, I fear for them.

I thought he looked devoid of confidence in that first game and a weak link from an attacking perspective. A more confident attacker would have had a goal or two like you say. I was a massive fan of Raphinha at Leeds and desperately wanted him here. If our DNA is high work-rate and ability he fits with that. But he's been really poor for Barca and I thought in that first game too.

If they come. Motivated to succeed. Good in the dressing room. Don't care why they come.

I don't think so. Chelsea win things and did so shortly before Abramovic. I think the sterile nature of the fanbase helps them win trophies.

I agree he has the work-rate. Not sure he has the end product mind

To me Chelsea is like Juventus or Atleti. A player not really shining there, doesn't mean all that much. But as such... Pulisic feels like a Juve or Atleti type signing. As others have said. I was very keen in the summer. Now? I'd take him for free or on loan. Not wages + fee. He's not guaranteed to start at this point.

I like Rice man. I would do it. I think would do well for Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Man United, genuine back-up for Rodri. He would want Chelsea level wages though. So best he goes to Chelsea.

I've grown to really enjoy Bruno F's style of football. He gets a lot of stick for losing the ball a lot. And it's an area for improvement, stops him functioning in a really slick team and maybe holds him back from being a truly elite player. And it's good that PL fans recognises the limitations of such a game. But his style of play is effective and entertaining. Mesut Ozil was a different style of 10. Much better at keeping the ball, keeping momentum and waiting for the right time to play that killer ball. And he got lots of stick too when in the PL. No pleasing some people.

I love it but i'm also not watching all of it.

He's played loads under Conte as well. Started every PL & CL game. Even had 60 minutes in the LC. Apart from his fullbacks, Conte doesn't seem to rotate much at all. I think that and injuries has been a big reason why Spurs performances have been so-so.

We've spoken about Rodrygo before. Until maybe the CL QF's, I didn't see it with him at all. He's scored some and assisted some lovely (and important) goals since. He doesn't fit into the team though. The weakest link in the attacking line-up is Raphiniha (based on the first game anyway) and RW isn't Rodrygo's best position.

Not been impressed with Paqueta whenever i've seen him

Was only half watching the game but I thought he moved the ball well and was progressive. Wanetd the ball and wanted to get forward with it. I mean obviously.... he's better than Fred (and Paqueta).

The last euros had poor teams qualifying with 3 points. A lot of boring matches. Outside of Italy and some of the games in their half of the draw, the entertainment and quality was generally low. Wales got to the last 16, scoring 2 goals or something. I loved Englands Euros run. But was the football good? Was it entertaining as a neutral? Did particular players stand out with quality? Legend defining moments?

Ghana are so much better on the front foot. Kudus is a very tidy player. Andre Ayew, Partey, Williams and J Ayew have their moments too. The defending is very early 2010's. Deep, narrow. Don't push out when the ball is cleared. And the GK is terrible. Ghana have looked good when chasing Portugal or in the ascendancy against SK. It's the sitting back that doesn't work.

Yeh he' slooked ropey to me. He suits our more aggressive game.

I think this has been a great World Cup in terms of football. Good amount of goals. Upsets. Some good football. And more teams giving it a real go. Entertainmenr and quality wise it's been better than the last Euros.

I think many in England under-rated Casemiro. As if he was only Kroos & Modric's bodyguard.

I'm joking about the slight upgrade but seriously - at worst he's an upgrade on Murphy. He doesn't walk into the first team based on the performances on the incumbants.

I liked him a lot but.... he's not delivered. For a good fee x wages, it might be worth the risk. Great work-rate and stamina too. Slight upgrade on Murphy for sure.

Also at a time where we needed to be careful about who we added to the dressing room - we brought in Lee Bowyer What a terribly run club we have been for a long time. So glad we have professionals in now.

Hated the Bowyer signing. Shit player too.