LionOfGosforth

It's kind of amazing to me that they were able to amass such a great group of players in the first place.

Agree and that comes with coaching, time and experience, not changing fundamental physical aspects of the game which one or two seem to be suggesting.

During this tournament, I haven't seen much to indicate goal size changes are necessary. Imagine the outcry if it was even suggested. A lot of goalkeeping is about positioning and footwork. Most of the keepers i've seen have been pretty decent in both cases and women keepers, at least at this level, are more than capable of making acrobatic saves and taking crosses. Comparing them to their male counterparts is a bit strange and pointless, it's the women's game, leave them to it and enjoy it for what it is, a sport that is improving all the time.

Great cross and finish, Germany will be tough to say the least Sunday if they get through

Weird how much the German coach resembles Klinsmann. Anyway, canny game, France look a bit more technical, Germany look super strong physically and well-drilled.

I think, regardless of the divisive arguing in the other thread over the whys and wherefores of the HSBC news, we can all agree that we're finally being run by people who know what the fuck they're doing and are putting the infrastructure and financing in place in order to support EH and succeed short and long term. I finally trust our owners (at least in the common goal sense) for the first time in 15 years and it feels great honestly.

Mead and Hemp look great, problems defensively down both flanks though and yet to see Kirby do a thing in this whole tournament. Russo needs to be on at some point, Sweden (Blackstenius in particular) look excellent, very physical too.

The sports scientists telt him to do that

Started a post about how it wasn't even worth saying Neymar's name, he's so polar opposite to what our new management and coaching structure would be after. Then I just kept laughing, thinking of Breaking Bad..."Say my name"..."You're Neymar"..."You're god-damn right". I mean doesn't the bloke get a hotel for each time he scores in a win or something ludicrous like that? Only PSG could be this stupid man...

Ikon makes a lot of sense and we clearly have both ends of the spectrum in here

Loving the new content even if it isn't quite as polished as some being produced at other clubs. As an aside, had no idea what Steve Nickson looked like. For some reason I had him down as that bloke who looked a bit like Rod Stewart crossed with a Coronation Street character. Who the hell am I thinking of there?

Both exceptional players. Since getting back into watching the game, Tielemans has been one of the most impressive and consistent performers in the league for me and he has years of experience to call on. But for me, Paqueta is another level with his vision and technical ability on the ball and if you add his chemistry with Bruno to it, if we were lucky enough to choose between them, i'd personally go for Paqueta. Can't see us getting either one but it'd be amazing like.

I can't speak to that claim but that group with the experience and sheer quality of Maldini, Nesta, Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf, Rui Costa, Shevchenko and I think Crespo (?) was absolutely outstanding and I doubt there were many better.

I'm still finding my way "back" to being someone who watches football every week and still re-developing my knowledge of the game as much has changed. Fan since the early 80's but the Ashley years broke me and I distanced myself from the sport almost entirely since Rafa left and until the takeover and EH happened. You write with such eloquence and knowledge, I hope you stick around, you've been a very valuable addition to our forum

Top notch analysis as usual. To address one of those points, I think Chelsea were supposed to be buying Kounde, not sure where that stands though

Came across really well in his interview on NufcTV. Speaks well, looks happy and relaxed and appeared humble and excited to progress with us. If he settles quickly and bring his physical and technical qualities to the team, he's going to be loved here. I get the feeling his signing for Milan would have been met by their fanbase with mostly indifference whereas here, I think and hope he'll end up revered, or at the least a cult hero

Aye but howay man, the Robledo's were aal ower Twitter

Grim. Speaks to a complete lack of common sense and judgement.

Tear-soaked poster of Maldini just out of shot, strained smile, grim.

Looks sick to his stomach in that picture

Incredible side. Always loved Savicevic in that 94 team. They ran Barcelona ragged in the EC Final. Hard to believe thinking back that a bit earlier they also had Rikaard, Gullit and Van Basten as well. Christ almighty.

Think you're right, Mark Leyland might be his name? Edit - googled it and his name is indeed Mark Leyland, no idea where I plucked that from like

As alluded to by @Milanista, we're going down the data-driven route like RB Leipzig, Liverpool and one or two others, rather than the flash-the-cash PSG/Chelsea route. I think it's great, this guy, rumoured lack of pace aside, could be a mainstay of our backline for a decade.

James Allcott I think is who you mean

Still remember the back page of the Daily Mirror after Kitson initially turned us down over wages (IIRC)... "IT'S PAUL TWITSON!"