Cronky

Well the strikers are getting chances. Wilson is doing particularly well. Carroll actually looks fit. Apart from putting in a few blocks, Hendrick is offering nothing on the ball. Hopefully Fraser will be taking his place in the near future. We still can't play the ball through the midfield though.

I suspect that this whole thing is getting bogged down with the nuances of words. It looks like the PL rejected the bid, saying that they needed more clarity over ownership. It could then either be stated that they rejected the bid, or that they were seeking more information, depending on the impression you are trying to make. It doesn't alter the reality, which is that the Saudis failed to establish a clear enough dividing line between the PIF and the Saudi Government, at least to the Premiership's satisfaction. There's no need to get into a debate about who is telling the truth.

Premiership Winners: Man City Runners Up: Man Utd 3rd-6th: Liverpool Arsenal Chelsea Wolves Relegation: Brighton, Fulham, Burnley Overachievers: Us (9th) Underperformers: Leicester Top Goal Scorer: Jesus Break Out Year: Foden (or maybe sneak out year?) Season to Forget: Spurs PFA Player of the Year: De Bruyne PFA Young Player of the Year: Mason Greenwood Manager of the Year: Solksjaer First manager to quit/be sacked: Mourinho will walk

I'm sure that kind of conversation takes place in every manager's office on a regular basis. But I'm a bit baffled that it's been filmed and has leaked out. Am I missing something here? It looks genuine. Whenever I hear players complaining about being dropped, I'm reminded of the great middle distance runner Steve Ovett. When he was 18, he just missed out on being chosen for the Commonwealth games, and he was so annoyed he even considered jacking in athletics altogether. Then he said to himself - no, next time I'm going to be so good, they can't leave me out. That's the kind of attitude that gets you places. But I think the underlying issue here is that Rose has lost a bit of pace, and that's making a crucial difference to how he's playing the game.

Yup. Spurs didn't want him for a reason.

Well I think he chose us because he wanted to be closer to home in Scotland, so that probably ruled out most other clubs tbh. He's been pining for the lochs

If Shelvey had just a bit more pace to match his skill, the midfield would look quite good. His lack of mobility really holds us back. Yeah I know, if if if.

The only time I saw Joelinton play for Hoffenheim, he was actually in central midfield, with two speedy strikers ahead of him. He looks like a striker, but somehow he isn't.

A good signing, this. In modern single striker systems, you need someone who can do a bit of everything - head, shoot, lay the ball off, run with pace. He's a good overall package.

I imagine Bruce will pick two from Fraser, Miggy and ASM, depending on fitness, the need for rest etc My bet is that Fraser will play the most games, ASM the least. Just an opinion, chaps.

I do struggle with that concept.

I've just watched that interview on the strength of what you said. Yeah, it's an honest, intelligent and convincing account of his time here, and of why ultimately we weren't successful. A great watch.

The trouble is that Caulkin's source is Staveley, who is scarcely in an objective position.

Mum had cancer Yeah I checked after I posted. I always felt that he should have played more games whilst he was here. Good all-round midfield player.

It’s what it’s all about, what he’s all about. It’s why I get no enjoyment out of football now. So many teams just play to “not get beat” which results in negative, boring one sided football matches, where one of the superior teams just try to break down a 10 man defence. Keegan was never scared of the opposition, and only ever concentrated on how his team were going to win. Such an exciting time it was. I think a big part of that can be put down to how much money is in top level football now. Clubs that come up to the Premier League are so far away in terms of quality of player from many established PL clubs, never mind the top 6, that they have to play that way to stand a chance of stopping up and collecting that TV money. We've been doing it for the past 3 years (bar two spells under Benitez in the latter parts of his two PL seasons here), 2 of which because we've had to. In the 90s that wasn't so much the case I don't think. Correct me if I'm wrong as I didn't live through that era, but during the 90s there was nowhere near as much of a gulf or as much money so teams had more incentive to attack teams and play attacking football. Well, apart from Wimbledon. I'd agree up to a point. There is more pressure on teams to avoid the financial penalties of relegation, and certain teams opt for a very defensive approach, home and away. To be honest, we may have a slightly more warped view as to the extent of the problem, as our own club has adopted an ultra defensive approach over the last four years, which may be down to the quality and nature of the squad as well. What I'd say though is that the quality of top division football has improved a lot, and the general entertainment value has been enhanced. With the influx of foreign players and foreign coaches, the football is more refined and skilful. I'm not one who looks back fondly on the 'good old days'.

Interesting to see the way Bayern kept attacking and closing PSG down high up the pitch right up to the end. I've often wondered whether the usual tactic of protecting a lead for the last 10 minutes by funnelling back into defence is actually the right call. Yes, you don't get caught on the break, but you surrender all the initiative. Too often, Neymar seems to lack composure and tries to do too much. He's improved in that regard, but it's still an issue.

Yeah, he was shoved in the back. Not hard, but enough to get him over. VAR has been more reluctant to over-rule refs in this tournament, than in the Premiership. Good game, though. A bit of a scrap in midfield, but plenty of skill to enjoy.

Kiss of death time, but I can't see any way it's not going to be a great game. Could get a bit feisty too.

Always looked like a good player. Now proving it.

Good point. It doesn't seem that the likes of Bayern and Man U are breaking down the door for his signature. I don't think he's going to get a better offer than the one that we're said to be giving him. He shows a lot of skill but lacks pace and the defensive side of his game isn't great. There has been the suggestion that he and Sean's agent likes to hardball, and I think that's what's happening here.

Man U seemed to lack nous in the final third. Rashford I still find a very frustrating player. Often seems to hang on to the ball too long, or try to beat players when it's not on. I know he's young, but he seems to be on a very slow learning curve. Greenwood will overtake him, if he hasn't done so already.

Messi's been playing like that for a while though, hasn't he? It looks like, by agreement, he's allowed to play in bursts and not contribute when the opposition have the ball. Maybe it's just a fitness issue, and when you're the best player in the world, I guess a manager can make those sorts of allowances. But should anyone playing like that be the captain? He's not exactly in a good position to fire up his team mates, and Messi doesn't come across as a natural leader anyway.

As with Staveley's previous takeover attempt, Caulkin seems to have some exclusive access to her. On the one hand, he gets information and access that the others don't have. On the other hand, that information can be propaganda as much as hard facts. Staveley is scapegoating the Premier League and two clubs in particular. But it looks like the issue of the Saudi government's complicity with BeOut has never been completely resolved. If the Saudis were complicit and they have a controlling interest in our club, then that's a big problem. PIF have attempted to circumvent that by portraying themselves as an independent company, but that hasn't been convincing. That's not to mention the human rights issue, of course. My desire to see my club in the hands of the seriously rich tended to be stronger than my willingness to face up to the reality of those issues. I'm sure I'm not the only one.

As far as I'm aware, the UAE haven't been accused of allowing the piracy of televised Premiership matches. That seems to be the main reason why the PIF needed to distance themselves from the Saudi government. But clearly the link is there.

It looks to me like it floundered on the issue of the connection between PIF and the Saudi government. If PIF acknowledged it, they'd end up with problems on the human rights issue, and possibly the issue of influence over Sheffield United as well. It looks like they tried to minimise it, but then that didn't make any sense in terms of where the power and wealth ultimately lay within the company. It looks like Staveley is a bit of a chancer and has overplayed her hand again. I'm not disappointed right now because over the last week I'd finally concluded that, given the circumstances, the bid couldn't go through. My fear was that it was going to drag out even longer and effectively paralyse the club.