KaKa

27 minutes ago, SUPERTOON said:

Said it before and I’ll say it again, nothing better than watching the rest of the footy after we have won.

Honestly man!

Couldn't really enjoy the early game and was on edge throughout our game.

Only now just relaxed and settling in to enjoy these last two games. It's the best.

Just now, Kimbo said:

Wtf was that from Nunez

He's a one man comedy act

Jumping over a simple tap in for goodness sake. He's talented but he can be so strange man

1 minute ago, elbee909 said:

"And, by the way, it's not a "fairy tale" if it happens after tens of millions of spend, funded by blood money"

 

Yawn

What a team this is man. What a team.

Enjoyed that battling defending in the second half to deny them even one goal, just as much as I enjoyed the way we went forward and scored in the first.

Brilliant performance and result.

1 minute ago, mouldy_uk said:

Joe MOTM so far for me 

Looks so good on the left now too.

He's been amazing.

My God man ... I can't handle this level of excitement

What a header by the big man. Love that so so much.

1 minute ago, Sean said:

Forgot this was on, just started watching 

 

Who scored?

Chris Wood penalty.

Almiron after some outrageous build up play, ending with a one two with Bruno to play him in to slot home.

Just now, Shak said:

 

At this point in his tenure, Bruce was still talking about how hard it was to change the style of play of the team under Rafa 

And he never stopped talking about it either

Pretty sure he was still claiming the same right up until close to the time he left

Complete charlatan.

Just now, Shak said:

 

That was like watching fucking Xavi and Messi FFS

I was staring at the screen for 5 mins after that goal with my mouth open.

Just a year ago our players couldn't string together two passes man.

What is this man. Honestly, its a bit overwhelming tbh

This is getting so ridiculous man ... I can't believe it.

As soon as he popped that ball off to Bruno, I knew exactly what happened after was going to happen.

Unreal man ...

20 minutes ago, Shak said:

 

Can't really fault your post and this part in particular I agree with.

 

Think we're going to be signing a lot of players nobody has heard much about and the idea will be to get them at the stage Napoli did Kvar last year of Brighton got MaCallister.

 

Just think we also won't be afraid of making the odd splash signing if the right player presents themselves and this guy looks like the kind of winger Howe would create in a video game to be the perfect fit for his system. You're probably right in that it's unlikely, but the idea we've no chance seems wrong to me. Think we're gonna make some head turning signings over the next year or two.

The phrasing 'we have no chance' was the wrong way to express what I meant, actually, so you are correct.

It's more that I don't think the club would be looking at players of that high a price point and profile at this stage. Trying to go toe to toe with the types of clubs that would be involved. That's going to mean having to offer huge wages as well.

I think we are going to be the club that signs exceptional players at the perfect time. So the likes of Kvaratskhelia will be signed at the time Napoli signed him for just 10 million Euros and the likes of Enzo Fernandez at the time Benfica signed him for just 12 million Euros. 

Unreal to think that this past summer. Kvaratskhelia, Enzo Fernandez and Julian Alvarez could all have been signed for under 50 million euros.

The Matheus Franca link has really freaked me out, because he was a bit of an obscure signing that I made on FM 23 a few weeks back.

2 hours ago, Shak said:

 

Obviously we'd have to finish in a CL position but if we do then thinking we have no chance is mad to me.

 

The policy seems to be that we go for quality rather than quantity, I'd expect next summer will be the same with one or two eye catching signings and then opportunistic deals for players with contract situations we can exploit or for youngsters that Ashworth has identified.

 

If we have CL money coming in then I could see us pushing the boat out if this guy is someone we really want. They did it with Isak, no reason they wouldn't again.

 

Of course, it'll depend who else is after him. But I think you underestimate the appeal that NUFC would have if we made it into the CL. As Klopp said, with the spending power we have there is no ceiling and players and agents know it.

It has nothing to do with NUFCs appeal.

Isak we got at the perfect time. Due to the funky system the new Sociedad manager played his goal stats fell off and so a lot of teams looked elsewhere. If you look back there was no real competition for him.

The Georgian kid has had an explosive season that is going to likely lead to Napoli winning the league. He has also shone in the Champions League, and he is still young.

They are likely going to be asking for at least £100 million for him. Like I said before the likes of PSG, Man City, Bayern, Barcelona and Real will all be interested. We are not going to be getting involved with trying to sign him ahead of these types of clubs for the type of money that it will take.

The funny thing is that just a year previously his agent was touting him to clubs all over the place and they turned their noses up at him. We need to be doing the kind of behind the scene work to have us recognising this kind of talent at that stage, not at the stage he is at now.

We will be fine. I have no doubt about our recruitment anymore at all. We will continue to sign excellent players under this regime, but they will continue to be very smart about it.

2 hours ago, Mikky said:

Been saying this all week - has nothing to do with money - the Napoli President won’t even bother picking up the phone

Yeah, and even come the summer, I just don't think we'll be getting involved in going for the likes of him or Bellingham both of who every top club will be after and will be willing to pay over the odds for.

5 hours ago, Shak said:

Could see Kvaratskhelia being the marquee summer signing. Hard to see Napoli selling in January but he seems perfect for what Howe wants us to do. Absolutely dynamite with the ball at his feet but will also run his bollocks off when we don't have the ball.

 

Could see ASM being moved on to balance the books at least somewhat.

People are seriously underestimating how expensive this guy is going to be by next summer and how much every top club is going to want to sign him. No chance we get him.

Just now, huss9 said:

got 2 years left on current one.

Ah, right. He's definitely not going anywhere then. No chance. 

Just now, TRon said:

Thank God that's the end of Southgate's time as manager. Totally uninspiring.

He's getting a new contract 100%.

27 minutes ago, rgk_lfc said:

I know folks will point to the two penalties as indication that the ref was balanced, but that was the worst refereeing performance in the quarter finals. The number of niggly fouls that France got away with was insane. Upamecano or whatever his name is was wrestling down players and didn't even get a yellow card. The sheer look of disbelief on Saka's face when he finally got the foul in his favor midway into the second half told the whole story. 

 

English players responded to Southgate after conceding the first goal. No doubt players like him. At the same time, taking of Saka for Sterling was a mental decision. Saka was running at them, creating trouble. Grealish should have come in sooner for Henderson.

 

I feel for Harry Kane. That was a brilliant performance. After conceding the goal, he rallied the England attack forward, wandered to midfield and played some brilliant passes. If you look at his overall game, it was better than Mbappe. But his performance will be remembered for that miss which is cruel. 

 

Maguire's header attempt on goal was better than Giroud's. Maguire's kissed the post and went wide. Giroud's hit Maguire and went inside the goal. That was the difference between the two sides. 

I feel for Harry Kane. He is an elite level deep lying striker at this stage of his career, who just doesn't have the luxury of playing with a lethal clinical wide forward like an Mbappe, Salah or even his team mate at Spurs Son.

Foden and Saka are world class talents, but they aren't that sort of player, and Sterling is more of a traditional winger IMO. The closest thing England has to that type of player is Rashford but he isn't anywhere near the level required.

I would have seriously considered playing Kane as an out and out support striker with our own Callum Wilson ahead of him. Think he'd benefit massively from having a quick all around striker ahead of him that runs in behind and runs the channels.

Can't believe anyone thinks Howe could be pressured into taking the job by the fucking press. No fucking chance man.

You lot and pens man ... just so unbelievably tragic. 

3 minutes ago, Ste said:

I’d be fuming if my captain stormed off down the tunnel instead of hanging around to congratulate the winners and pick up the young lads who will be devastated. 

Honestly think his presence on this team holds them back in recent times.

Think all the other players don't play at their full potential with him, and he's been a bad influence on Fernandes who now mirrors his negative attitude when things aren't going well on the pitch.

2 minutes ago, Ste said:

All about Ronaldo again. Tears or not you stay out on that pitch with the others like. Salty little bitch. 

He is so utterly pathetic man. Thinks the whole world revolves around him and he's the only one that should have any sort of success. Revolting.

Love Amrabat man. What an absolute warrior.

This Morrocan team just has too much heart. Belgium, Spain and Portugal dismissed? Unreal.

Imagine that guy going for a fucking dink in that situation man ... 

1 minute ago, rgk_lfc said:

I am wondering if European clubs will start to consider Walid Regragui. Not sure what will happen in the second half and the rest of their World cup journey, but this Morocco team is so well drilled. Their forwards press. When they get the ball they attack in defense. First 45 minutes, they have shut down the Portugal midfield and forced them to resort to long balls. In some way, this team reminds me of a Rafa Benitez team which manages to identify the opposition strength and neutralizes them. Irrespective of the outcome of this game, impressive tactical performance. 

Looks a fantastic manager. His record since he took over for them is almost silly.