Coffee_Johnny

Looks like it. Man’s a competitor and knows he’s under threat, bet he’s been working his arse off.

Perhaps I am, and perhaps I always will. However, are you assuming that a metronomic, death by a thousand cuts, style of football is proven to be better than a more fluid flexible approach with all rounders (like Bruno) in the lynchpin/engine room positions? Theories and approaches come in and out of fashion. It only takes one ‘rule breaking’ side to break the mould and get coaches scrabbling to re-write the, usually over certain, coaching manuals.

Personally I think it is about flexibility. It can be soul destroying to watch a Ray Wilkins, Deschamps (two better versions of ‘our three’ mentioned) style midfield which over relies on possession and passing opponents to death. I’d prefer to watch a player who intelligently uses the ball, whether it be to pause and play the short pass awaiting an opportunity to materialise or to crack a long penetrating pass into the channels. I think Wijnaldum was our best recent example of this. And he went on to show what such flexibility, and willingness to follow-up, can produce when surrounded by well coached equally good players. I’m not knocking ‘specialist’ roles in midfield, I just think we need everyone to be able to do everything pretty well, and not be a predicable one trick pony, in order to progress. That said, I acknowledge that I have a bias. I absolutely loved the fluidity and flexibility of our attack under Keegan. Even in the 1st division (championship) and first premiership season, before the arrival of more expensive players.

Level flipping 5! Christ, I know nowt.

Yah! Get him a go-kart.

Also, eats healthily, even on the move. Not to be underrated ?

Would Conor Gallagher be Howe’s cup of tea, do you think?

Awesome for you all! Congratulations to her, you and the whole fambo!

Yep, heard good things. He was top scorer in a youth international tournament. He’s Rory Delap’s son.

Knew they wouldn’t pay close to what we reputably offered. He hasn’t done anything yet, beyond show first season potential.

That thin blue stripe on the left looks like he’s got a bag over his shoulder! ?

However, this would be ideal for another team I can think of. The most entertaining offering since their skinny striped plastic bag effort.

Those off-centre stripes! Are they actually mean to be like that! Looks like an error.

Gan canny Ciaran ?

Thinking through games with special atmospheres that I have witnessed. These factors spring to mind: 1. Significance of the points/cup progression (promotion, relegation, QF/SF/Final— three FA Cup semis, Portsmouth at home, Grimsby away in 1992 and 1993 [thank you David Kelly!] come to mind). 2. Emotional significance of result — own back, in a small way on Man Utd in 1996 immediately springs to mind. 3. Excitement over opposition/delight at being there/where we were as a club. Barcelona at home, 1997 (night game too); Monaco at home UEFA QF. 4. Specialness of an individual (showing love/release of tension)—Last home game of relegation season 2016, thumping a very good Spurs team who needed to win. Keegan’s first game as a player 1982. 5. Tribalism—some best forgotten West Ham and Chelsea matches in 1980s (home and away) with all that came with them in those days. O’Brien ‘the elder’s’ goal at Joker in 1992. First win there I had seen, after brutal journey to the ground.

Not sure my mood is wildly fluctuating that would fit the witty bipolar notion, but can’t lie… I still am hoping for a, probably 11th hour, marquee surprise. That said, won’t be disappointed with a young striker, and a wide right forward and hopefully a technical but workhorse CM. One or two on loan would be fine.

“Where’s the people around you to hug you bro?” ?

Everton also still linked with Conor Gallagher. I have a really good feeling about him, and what he could bring to us. I think he’s my favoured CM ‘could be’ of this summer. Some blurb below: https://www.coachesvoice.com/cv/conor-gallagher-crystal-palace-chelsea/

Just noticed there’s a city in Portugal (north east of Porto) called Guimarães. Think we need a supporters branch there!

Love seeing stuff like this. Really pleased they are releasing so much behind the scenes footage. Great team building.

Some of the forwards we’ve been linked with, in one place (with recents). Let me know if you want anyone added: Strikers Barbosa, 25yrs. 88 in 137 for Flamengo. 5 in 18 caps for Brazil. Market value £23.4m (probs add 10-15% to all estimates). Calvert-Lewin, 25yrs. 45 in 164 for Everton. 4 in 11 for England. Market value £36m. Broja, 20yrs. 6 in 32 for Southampton, previous 10 in 30 for Vitesse. 4 in 14 for Albania. Market value £19.8m. Osimhen, 22yrs. 24 in 51 for Napoli, previous 13 in 27 for Lille. 15 in 22 for Nigeria. Market value £55.8m. Ekitike, 20yrs. 10 in 26 for Reims, also 3 in 11 Vejle BK (loan). 0 in 6 France U20. Isak, 22yrs. 32 in 103 for Real Sociedad, previous 18 in 33 (in Germany mainly 2nd tier). 9 in 37 for Sweden. Market value £27m. Gabriel, 17 yrs. 0 in 54 Santos. 1 in 12 (Brazil u15 and u17). Market value £9m. Kalimuendo, 20yrs. 19 in 60 for Lens, previous 0 in 3 for PSG. 13 in 24 for France u17/u21. Market value £16.2m. de Tomás, 27 yrs. 44 in 85 for Espanyol, previous 82 in 128 in three Spanish loan deals from Real Madrid. 0 in 4 for Spain. Market value £22.5m. Zapata, 31 yrs. 66 in 126 for Atalanta. Previous 40 in 141 (various Serie A). 4 in 34 Colombia. Market value £25.2m. Scamacca, 23yrs. 16 in 39 for Sassuolo, previous 18 in 81 (various loans). 0 in 7 for Italy (9 in 15 at u21). Market value £27m. Gouiri, 22yrs. 22 in 72 for Nice. 10 in 21 for France u21. Market value £37.8m. Dennis, 24 yrs. 10 in 33 for Watford, previous 19 on 85 for Club Brugge. 1 in 7 for Nigeria. Market value £12.6m. (Has played both wings as well). Wingers Gordon, 21yrs. 4 in 49 for Everton. 4 in 7 caps for England U21. Market value £18m. Diaby, 22yrs. 22 in 92 for Leverkusen, previous 2 in 25 for PSG. 0 in 8 caps for France. Market value £54m. Paquetá, 25yrs. 18 in 65 for Lyon, previous 1 in 37 for Milan. 7 in 33 caps for Brazil. Market value £31.5m. Danjuma, 25 yrs. 10 in 23 for Villarreal, previous 15 in 47 for Bournemouth. 2 in 6 caps for Netherlands. Market value £45m. Hudson-Odoi, 21yrs. 4 in 72 for Chelsea. 0 in 3 full caps for England; 4 in 9 U21. Market value £22.8m. Harrison, 25yrs. 26 in 154 for Leeds. 0 in 2 for England U21. Market value £16.2m. Sarr, 24yrs. 23 in 89 for Watford, previous 13 in 59 for Rennes. 10 in 47 for Senegal. Market value £24.3m. Asensio, 26 yrs. 28 in 160 for Real Madrid, previous 11 in 90 (Mallorca & Espanyol). 1 in 28 for Spain. Market value £36m.

I signed in at about 9:55, and was 12,669. When I signed back in later (after reaching booking stage but being unsuccessful) the number had gone up above 20,000. Though latter would include others doing the same.

Well that was very frustrating. There were a few hundred left when I got in. Every time I tried to select a seat I got flashing tick sign but no option to add to basket. There seemed to be 12 left in whole ground when I gave up .

Just got in and it’s crashed!!!!

12,463 (kin hell!) ahead of me.