Shak

Fuck I love the idea of having our backups be a bunch of teenagers that we've signed for a few million. The odd one breaking through into the first team, just having backups you're excited to see rather than just hoping they don't kick their own faces off. And of course sending them all out together and absolutely rinsing lower league teams in the early rounds of the cup. That's the real dream

Feel like the point of getting Ashworth is that we'll be signing the likes of Caicedo from South America for a few million rather than other Premier League clubs a couple of years later for ten times the price. Maybe they think he's going to be an absolute superstar and it'll be worth it but I'd guess the likes of Perrone or Andrey Santos are more likely.

I think these two things could end up going hand in hand, to some extent. Wouldn't be at all surprised to see 2 or 3 brought in from South America with the idea that it's a good time for those clubs to sell and the players will basically have six months to settle in England and integrate into the squad without being expected to play a lot of first team football. If they hit the ground running all the better but with no European football our squad shouldn't be stretched too badly until next season. Any other signings from Europe will probably be contract dependent, the likes of Ashby or Thuram. Maddison might fall into that category if Leicester feel they're safe and that he definitely isn't gonna sign a new contract. Might be able to get more for him in January than they would in summer.

I mean, your lads were just as impressive last night tbh. Personally would have Brazil as slight favourites over France and then a bit of a gap back to England, Argentina and Portugal who are all much of a muchness IMO. Anything can happen, of course, but I have a hard time seeing any of the other three winning it. Second round was a bit shit tbh, hopefully the quarters are a bit better.

Aye, Spain are absolutely miserable to watch.

Still reckon he's moved ahead of Fred and was being kept in case Neymar wasn't ready. But whatever, the less he plays the better for Newcastle so it's all good.

Gave up when she didn't have Twitter. I'll sort it out though Mike, she'll bring a friend with her to Norway to visit me don't worry.

I think part of the attraction with Maddison will be that he could play a number of roles in our team. Could see him playing as one of the three midfielders or out wide. Think the role we have Miggy in might ultimately be where he plays a lot of his football if he does sign. It's not really a true wide role as Trippier just has so much license and ability to basically be a winger when we're in possession so Maddison would tuck in and play just off the striker like Miggy does. Guy clearly has an eye for goal and you'd think he'd be lethal picking out passes in that area too. Not that displacing Almiron will be easy. Looking at the two big signings we've made in terms of attackers/midfielders, Bruno can play either as a holder or a more advanced CM, while Isak can lead the line or play just off or out wide. Think we'll see that continue as further players join.

He's very obviously going to start the next game, lads. All the reserves starting today yet Fred keeping his place is pretty fucking obvious. He'll replace Fred in the front six from last game, Neymar on the bench at best as they'll assume they have enough to beat Korea without him needing to start.

There isn't I dunno, you do you man but I can't get my head around not wanting to see that match on such a stage. Don't think there are many Irish football fans over the age of 45 or so who wouldn't have the game in Euro 88 when they beat England 1-0 at the Euros as their favourite game. I was just too young but even the World Cup in 1990, beating Romania on penalties in the last 16 is what made me a football fan. By all accounts it was the dullest 0-0 of all time to get to there but man... that shootout I'll remember forever. But yeah, you'll likely get levelled by Brazil and Japan are unlikely to beat Croatia you'd think.

I did sit on the ground outside the pub for like an hour when Ireland lost the shootout to Spain in 2002. We'd have beat the piss out of your lot in the quarters, too. I'm convinced of it

You might win though.

Man, I don't get the mentality. Would be the biggest game of football in your country's history, would be class.

That was class, delighted for you @oldtype Korea v Japan in the quarters?

Yeah reckon the idea will be to replace our poorer squad players with talented youngsters who won't necessarily represent a massive immediate upgrade but will have time to bed in as fringe players and push for starts next year and beyond. Would hope we sign at least one player for the front three, even with everyone back fit and Joelinton showing he can play well on the left I think we're thin there. Aside from that, I'm very much all-in on the signing a bunch of teenagers 10 or 15 million camp.

I mean it's not like he had time to think it all through, the ball came at him and in that split second he instinctively put his hand out to block it. Something in his subconscious told him the only way to stop it was with the hand and that's what he did. Personally think it's a bit weird he gets so much stick for that, to me it was no different to any of the professional fouls that you see on a regular basis. It's just because he's a cunt, really.

I mean if they play a team full of backups and he's not part of it you'd imagine he's pencilled in to start the second round game? Teach two classes full of mostly Brazilians and they all say there's a lot of people calling for him to be in the first team.

Was in Korea at the time, went into my class the next day and took the piss relentlessly about those penalties. Possibly a dick move

Spain's route with a loss is Morocco then probably Portugal and with a loss it's Croatia then probably Brazil... is that right?

I assume it's not possible for St. James Park to be expanded by building down into the ground and having the pitch significantly below ground level? Like the Camp Nou, for example. Would mean you wouldn't have to make the East Stand any taller and get around that issue that way. I've no idea if it's architecturally feasible at all to lower the Leazes and Gallowgate stands, probably not or would be more hassle than it's worth? Would be a real shame if the stadium moved significantly from its current location, best thing about SJP is where it is.

Some very suspect lack of added time and then blowing it up 10 seconds early there mind.

Wish the defender hadn't reached that and Lukaku blazed it over.

What a touch by the defender there.

Lukaku should have scored at least 11 goals this half by my count.

That counter attack a minute ago was so good and then they just slowly wasted it by not even attempting a shot or pass