ponsaelius

This time it actually makes sense to go with an experienced head rather than an expensive investment if they genuinely think Camarda has what it takes in a couple of years.

Feels like a decent fee considering he's off the back of probably best goalscoring season of his career.

They won't get a group as it's a league format now.

Gnonto should have been in Italy's squad this summer I thought. I don't really know why he's faded out of the NT picture after breaking through so young - given the quality of the top 3 in the Championship is certainly comparable to Serie A sides outside the top 7. I think he'd be underwhelming though if he was our main RW signing. I also don't think he's a legitimate option upfront - so doesn't fulfil that 'versatile forward' profile we keep hearing is on the radar to replace Wilson. He could probably do a job as a second striker but not a CF.

Yeah that would pretty much go without saying. Basically how the Rugby World Cup qualifying works. Or - and I think this would possibly be even better - you do it how Asian qualifying works where they have a joint system for both Asian Cup and World Cup Qualifying. Phase 1 would wittle down the teams to 32 (who qualify for the Euros), and then phase 2 narrows it down to the now 16 that will go to the 46 team World Cup. That could reduce the amount of qualifying games teams play overall. It does basically mean that smaller teams can be fucked straight away and effectively lose an entire cycle of qualifying opportunity though. That's a big issue with Asian/Concacaf in that smaller nations can go 4 years without meaningful footy. You'd probably need to set up a secondary Euros or Nations League style competition for minnows.

He'd already left Napoli when the Italy job came up though (after Mancini went to Saudi). It wasn't like he left the job for the Italy one directly. I think the point that managers very rarely leave club jobs following an international approach. I can't even think of any examples tbh.

Thing is they had stumbled on a kind of solution to the lack of a left hand side with the 3-4-3. That did allow Bellingham and Foden to both have influence particularly against Netherlands. I don't really understand why we got rid of that just because Shaw was back. Unless we didn't and they were trying badly to do both systems, which did kind of seem to be the case.

I take back my comment about swapping them, but only because these Basque lads love getting homesick straight away so would be far too much of a gamble. All being equal and just looking at them as players Williams is another level IMO.

Btw I think Southgate was genuinely a good manager for England 2018-2022. Personally never agreed with any of the criticism previously, both in terms of performances and results considering the relative personnel available each time. However I think we were actually terrible throughout this tournament and think it would have been more befitting if we had gone out against Slovakia.

Some truth to the first, but not the latter. I'd swap Gordon for Williams in a heartbeat.

I don't rate Cucurella but I genuinely reckon he's been good all tournament.

Yeah Spain in 2010

Spain 2008 were fun btw, to give credit where it's due to the owld racist they had in charge.

Greece 2004 were a better watch.

Under Del Bosque they were slow, methodical, anti-football merchants who used technical ability to dominant possession to such a degree that it was effectively impossible for a football match to actually break out. This continued pretty much up to 2022 with increasing ineffectiveness tbh. Thoroughly enjoyed watching this team. Scored more goals, played with vigour and pace and generally very entertaining. Well done to them.

Not as much as you clearly

Give me this Spain team over the 2010-2012 class btw, the most boring side I've ever seen, regardless of quality.

Wish his passing was half as good as his media training. Great moments player for sure, but he doesn't inspire me at all at the level he's supposed to be at. If he's a Ballon D'or candidate then football really has fallen off a cliff.

I thought he was fucking tripe

Why wouldn't they?

You're going on like this wasn't completely expected to happen at some point. It always was - just a matter of when. They are not wealthy enough in themselves to retain the stake in the club as we invest and grow.

Seems like the expensive alternative to Hawk Thiaw. I don't doubt we've genuinely had contact - profile is pretty much perfect if you're looking for a young right sided CB.

For me it's an exciting point. It suggests we're ready to kick into gear with major infrastructure projects that she can't stick around for as she doesn't have the cash to support her stake. I just hope they both remain involved in the club, even just in an ambassadorial role.

Is it? I'm pretty sure it has always been absolutely nailed on that she would sell her shares in the club. She is not rich enough to hold such a significant stake as the club grows - hence the gradual dilution of her stake even up to now. I'd imagine there's a pretty good chance she retains some kind of role going forward in the club even when she sells.

Was La Masia wasn't he? Odd move to make.