STM

Went for 5 and nah. Basically I can't call it. We will be in with a shout but squeaky bum time will be crucial. My only main worry is that because of extra fixtures we might have problems with squad depth. An injury to Bruno or Trippier would kill us. January could be key.

He's local to me. Complete knacker.

Feel sorry for Jonjo but it's a blessing because it will speed up our search for a CM.

Again the targets we have will be young, mouldable, versatile and with mega potential. It's highly unlikely we go for anyone closing in on 30.

I don't for a second think we are in for anyone currently on high wages... unless something can be done about the high wages (like offsetting lower wages with a hefty signing on fee) but even in that scenario, I couldn't see us doing it unless it was a Trippier type.

Eddie Howe is a beautiful lying shite. Never believe a word when it comes to transfers and injuries. He's mentioned FFP prior to every window.

Not looking forward to this. Although it will be a refreshing change to have a side actually attack us. Might actually allow us to break.

We were easily the better side and just lacked a cutting edge, which has been an issue that crops up from time to time but thankfully once Botman and Schar got to grips with the Ogre up front, we were pretty cosy. A few players looked off it, Miggy, Trippier and Willock. On the other hand, Bruno, Joelinton and Wilson looked lively. Interesting that Joelinton out wide works in some games more than others. He was much better when moved centrally. ASM looked sharp too. I felt we didn't get the ball to him enough.

Joelinton is infinitely more reliable as a left winger than ASM and over the course of a season I'd wager that Big Joe would contribute more goal involvements + better all around team play. ASM is great in theory but in reality, he's injury prone, work shy and inconsistent. It told me everything that Jacob Murphy outperformed ASM on Saturday. However last time I slagged off ASM, he played a blinder.

Bloody shite game. That Miley kid is only 16? Jesus. Going to be some unit.

If I was Howe I'd be annoyed with a few things. We should have created more clear cut chances. Some sloppy passing at times. Lascelles failing to put pressure on them from their long balls.

Weird, because normally I'm super excited about the possibility of signing some good players. Now, because I know its a formality for us to sign good players (if we want them), I'm more relaxed than anything else. We've gone from having to beg good players to sign for us, to potentially players having to beg their clubs to let them leave for us. We can cherry pick who we want (with the exception of players currently on high wages). In the summer, someone like Diaby was a reach, now there is more a sense of, "are we sure he's worth it?" It's a lush position to be in. I still think we needn't rest on our laurels. We have some poor players in our squad and that's where the improvement should be made.

Should definitely tie that one up.

Reckon Rice is a non-starter, which should be put to a side. Besides which, his agent isn't his uncle Ben, it's his brothers Baz and Mati.

Shelvey looks way off the pace IMO. I'd really like another technical player in CM, whether that be a DM or AM. Longstaff, Willock and Joelinton are all physical players. We really need someone who can offer us SOME of what Bruno offers, for when he's not available or even to compliment him. With Isak as an option, I really don't see wide areas as a priority but if Diaby were to become available for a price we deem fair, we would sign him. We won't flip flap on our opinion of him based on form. Our scouts will be confident in their judgements.

Personally, I'd give them 3 days off to spend time with the family and get back onto English time etc, then back to training. Assess them for Bournemouth and back in for Leicester.

He's acting like we are getting bossed off them. We aren't. Need to up the tempo though.

If I was him, I'd be absolutely fuming. Knocked out AND not being given a chance to change their fortunes. Imagine if Brazil had decided to play Eddie ball and gone with a front six of: Casemiro Bruno Joelinton Raphinha Vini Jr Richarlison Played as a team. Pressed the ball. Options from the bench. Job done.

I screamed so loud when they equalised. Yes I like Messi but also the argies are the evil guys of football. The Dutch went old skool and it was kind of cool to see. Dunno if the argies can turn the tide again.

Come home my sweet son, where you are adored and show those daft cunts what you can do.

Beautiful. Knew they would need Joelinton. It's alright, just hoy on another winger, who can do step overs, that will help dominate the midfield.

Neither was Isak.

Every other nation has gone for pragmatism to win this tournament. Brazil went for the samba, dancing, fairies approach and rightly got dumped out. Part of their problem is that Neymar is undroppable. When your star player offers nothing for 85 minutes, it's no suprise that you struggle. If they actually decided to build a team out of hard working, pressing players, who were prepared to put a shift in and play football, they might get somewhere. I've no sympathy, they didn't select Joelinton who would have been perfect for them today and they played Paqueta and Fred over Bruno who is twice the player of either. Football has moved on, you don't get to just pick your flair players anymore. Fuck em.

Justice.

Gvardiol please.