timeEd32

I think the clamour for a new RW will settle down a bit after this game. Gordon is clearly going to be very involved across the frontline.

Gordon more involved in 5 minutes than Isak was the whole first half.

I agree they will probably spread them out but the east coast is going to get regular preference to minimize time zone changes.

Sure, I'll add that to all of Barnes' goals as things we're not counting.

That's a really excellent ball from Gordon.

Miley aside our weakness has been the spine of the team - Schar, Botman, Tonali, Joelinton, and Isak. I'm not even really sure what the exact problem is but something is not working through the middle.

Presumably not wanting certain guys to play in three games this week.

First game ever in this stadium with natural grass. I actually had trouble falling back to sleep the other night when I thought for a second we’d be on turf. I need help. Hope it’s not a mess by the second half.

Kind of disappointed with the Chelsea team since we’re putting out a strong side.

Regardless of the plan for minutes tonight it makes sense to not push three separate 45s in under a week for Bruno and Wilson.

Hm, also not working for me. That link has rc-lens in it and I'm getting a page not found error with other suggested RC Lens kits.

Yeah, there are a lot better things to do with limited time in NYC than trek out to Newark or Long Island (unless that's the reason you're there). It'd be kind of like telling someone with a weekend in Newcastle to spend some of it at the Riverside or SoL.

PIF potentially going to make a significant investment as a sponsor of The R&A to allow The Open to offer a bigger purse. They've really upended the world of golf. Yasir may get that R&A membership after all.

We got £15m for Wood and actual legal currency for Shelvey. There’s only one man to blame if you’re unhappy about fees, loans, or lack of sales for the likes of Darlow, Lewis, Manquillo, Hayden, etc.

MSG? I think it's one of the five or so biggest. Barclays is on the smaller side.

She knows what's up. Barclays Center is fine, but even post-renovation MSG has a vibe to it that most other buildings can't match.

Worth it. No one cares about the Nets.

Stadium concessions in America always cost a fortune, but the water was a step too far. Many stadiums - including Yankee Stadium, where they are not above trying to rob you of your next mortgage payment at every turn - let you bring in sealed water bottles. For a summer event in those kinds of temperatures, especially one that is basically at half capacity, they could have relaxed that rule. I think we spent almost $50 on water and some italian ice and we didn't even go in until halftime of the first game.

Just wait until Friday in NY/NJ -- supposed to be 95F (35C) and will feel like 104F (40C) from the humidity.

There definitely seems to be a lack of difference-making LBs. It could possibly work for someone like Hall though who is not on big wages right now. It's Targett's wages, not his fee, that could unlock a purchase. Hypothetical exercise Sell Targett for ~£12m - break even on remaining fee Remove £5.2m in wages Buy Hall for £40m* (+ some add ons maybe) - £8m per year FFP £60k/wk (huge pay rise) = £3.1m Net: £5.9m in new money or roughly the equivalent of a £22m player on £40k/wk * I have no idea what Chelsea would want ----------------------------- Honestly I think it's more likely we're banking on a return to form for Targett as he gets further removed from injury and gets his fitness up. But if he doesn't become a much more significant contributor this season his wages are probably the single worst thing on our books.

If it were possible to sell Targett as a way to upgrade at LB it would be the biggest no-brainer of all. His wages are far too high for a squad player for where we are. The injuries to him and Krafth have given us two out-of-form fullbacks making over £8m/yr (plus remaining amortization). Really hurts.

Really worries me how people will be acting if our season goes something like: 6th-8th in the league Out of Europe in December (or maybe knocked out of the Europa League in Feb.) No significant cup run That's an entirely realistic scenario and could still be plenty enjoyable. It would be disappointing after this past season, but I think it would be viewed as a sky-is-falling outcome by many.

I'm sure something longer sustaining is in mind, but there's no bigger event than the World Cup and the fact a smaller Middle East country hosted it first probably annoys them. They will want to be the showcase of the world for a month and then continue building from there.

Agreed, there was an interview not long ago where the UEFA president laughed at a question about being concerned with what Saudi Arabia is doing. That's a dangerous attitude to be sharing openly. The one thing that may keep the Saudis at bay is FIFA clearly wants to elevate the Club World Cup and Saudi Arabia's end game (presumably) is to host a World Cup, so they need to keep FIFA on their side (not to mention the pull UEFA has with FIFA). There's no doubt going to be some interesting backroom dealing happening here. Saudi Arabia (and potentially other non-European nations / confederations) conspiring with FIFA to make the Club World Cup bigger than the Champions League seems like one potential path.

It's a small thing, but of the four teams in Philly yesterday we were the only ones that had players running sprints after each half. I love how business-like we are.