Geordie Ahmed

Rafa nails it when talking about investment being linked to his contract extension. Normal football clubs invest for the purpose of improving and getting better, that investment should be done regardless of who the manager is or how long he is planning on staying. It just sums Ashley up and the stupid games he likes to play. I think Ashley's heart giving up is probably the best we can hope for otherwise we'll be stuck in this rut for many years to come.

Unless we're missing something BUT that's what I was thinking too?

Not massively disappointed, he didn't quite make the step up to this level that I thought he would. The concern I have is that it's another body we need to replace and we know how successful we are at signing players. Also think it's canny pathetic of people to doubt his intentions and questioning his reasons. Let's accept it for what it is BUT also let's make sure we don't just sell on the cheap (although not sure how much that matters since Rafa won't see it)

Not enough

I'm sure they're doing it in parts so holding sessions over a number of days. Don't think it would have been safe to unleash them all at once.

Nah, think that's a bit too much. They were absolute dogshit last season and they weren't that far off staying up. Although it's a poor standard league and getting out shouldn't be an issue the business they've done so far isn't great. Hopefully they get off to a shocking start and then the fans can turn on The Don.

Courtois wants to go back to Madrid to be closer to his kids so not sure he'd join Liverpool Though it's imperative Liverpool buy a top keeper, Karius will just cost them important points. They should go for Oblak if they're not willing to pay what's needed for Allison

Aye Barca have done well out of that. They could do with shifting Andre Gomes as well.

I read that it's a one year loan with an option to buy next year, the amount more than Barca paid last year.

He met the Russian Newcastle fans last week so must be

Could have sworn they play for Liverpool and Everton and not Sunderland. Guivarch won the World Cup just before joining us BUT it's hardly something we try to link to ourselves. They're really tragic.

High standard of penalties so far

Chance to make up for his awful performance wasted

What a shot and save

Sums Ashley up and shows he'll be up to his usual tricks again. Why on earth does Rafa signing a contract matter when it comes to spending money? Surely an ambitious owner (yes I know) would want his team to be strengthened regardless of who the manager is. Reality is if Rafa signs a contract Ashley will screw him over.

Think it will be France and Portugal to go through BUT hope I'm wrong. Would be immense for Ronaldo to get knocked out whilst Messi progresses.

I think he is a canny player, wanted us to go for him, good for the squad. Though it should be a signing to beef up the squad BUT we know that is unlikely.

I think it's difficult to get all 3 on the pitch

France haven't been great BUT I expect them to beat Argentina, defensively Argentina are simply not good enough

Only because of Messi, couldn't give a shit about the rest of them

Get in Croatia, just don't concede now

Argentina just killing the time now, understandable BUT Iceland scoring would ruin them here

All it takes is an Iceland winner though

Maradona being Maradona

Get in, class finish that