Yorkie

I know I go on but I honestly can't get my head around the sheer amount of grief Southgate is getting atm. I feel like it's not grounded in anything actually real or new, just everyone revving up the pre-disposed view that he's not cut out for the job or is too negative - despite all the actual evidence indicating that we'll go deep in the tournament under him, because that's what we've done every time. The team is flawed, by the way. As usual there's an embarrassment of riches to choose from across the front four - Walker and Rice - and then problems. The constant inference that he's got this unbelievable team to work with and we do anything in spite of him/we're worse than the sum of our parts because of him has always been bollocks.

If Longstaff ends up staying I have some optimism that he'll go back to being a useful squad player, assuming he isn't expected to play 46 games again. He's not a terrible footballer at all, like. He's got some useful attributes and did score eight times last year despite being worse than shit.

2-2. Everyone excited for more Matterface this summer?

Iheanacho barely kicked a ball for Leicester in the second half of last season. Weird link.

Don't think it's about being 'hard up,' it's about what represents good business. If we can turn a humongous profit on an asset we've invested pennies in, it's going to be tempting and, sadly, exactly the sort of thing we should be doing in the backward world of PSR. The order of which we sell players is barely relevant, especially when it's going to be a huge bonus if we can shift the likes of Almiron at all (for any meaningful fee). Murphy shouldn't come into it imo; he's far too useful to sell for a negligible fee.

https://www.uptheclarets.com/messageboard/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=76036 Burnley fans' view (from the other day when Chelsea () supposedly bid). Most commonly held view appears to be that he was hung out to dry by Kompany and will make a decent keeper in time.

Might just be me but I don't see him as captain at all. We do need to be careful with leadership this summer though; Ritchie gone already with Wilson and Trippier allegedly to follow would leave us with only Burn and Lascelles, neither of whom should/can be featuring as much if we're to progress.

Would be a shame not to have seen him when he appears to be such a talent, but would sooner make bank now than when emotionally attached.

I'm not sure how you could watch last season and come to any other conclusion....

Adidas, being worth only around £40billion, could definitely use the free advertising. Let's do it!

Never seen him play so can't comment on his ability but it's obviously a relief that we're looking to upgrade Dubravka. Feel like Burnley shouldn't have that strong a hand in negotiations here so would seem likely we'll get him if we really want him. Do wonder if this was really Plan A, mind you. Seems doubtful.

WOAT

It's as cynical as it gets; exploiting the massive interest in football shirts has gradually become normalised over the last twenty years. Personalisation was the start, then blank backs, cheaper materials, going from a shirt every two years to every one, multiple kits a year, dumbing down the iconography, player version vs fan version. Could go on, really. I think this kit is okay but I honestly think expectations have absolutely plummeted over time, too. If this one came along immediately after 01-03, for instance, people would be wondering wtf had happened. There certainly wouldn't have been a queue to Haymarket.

If he's that coveted then he needs to be straight in the team. Fuck loaning and definitely fuck selling. It'll cost a fortune to sign a significant upgrade on Almiron and Murphy.

If we play anything like that in a competitive game I'd call it exactly as you have there. Mind you I agree that Mainoo should barely see the pitch in the tournament. It is a problem position though; unless you're putting a square peg in there, it's gonna be someone a bit naff.

Not defending anything, it's just utterly meaningless isn't it. There's no 'but' where you've put one; it's not even worthy of analysis. The players couldn't give a shit and are playing at about 25% cos they don't want to get injured on the eve of the tournament.

The problem with losing a game like this where there's zero stakes and no one gives a single fuck - it's a really good indicator of the polar-opposite situations to come. Germany also turning it around against European middleweights Greece makes it all the more pointless for us.

swashbuckling stuff

Hilariously shit, this. Every rare cross just punted over everyone's head and out.

very good

Haha that little bellend with the paper aeroplane. Blame your folks for taking you to a friendly, mate.

Never seems to do a thing for England.

Johnny Depp dies of old age before the Sauvage advert gets dropped.

Yeah he's good. Should probably stick to that like of work really.

Walker did not give a single fuck about that Iceland counter. A true reflection of the tournament to come I'm sure.