Abacus

I've thought that too, but there we are.

I'd expect to see a bit of a reaction in the Slovenia game, a bit disappointing he's only swapped in Gallagher rather than experimenting a bit more, but there you go. In isolation, it's not a bad change - at least Gallagher is playing a more familiar role and not out of position. Gordon could help him hugely but that's been said before, and better. Maybe he'll get a run in the second half. Wouldn't be surprised if England top the group easily and get through the next couple of rounds. Then, the talk will be about just having needed time to get the team to gel, coming good at the right time, the important thing being qualification etc. That's all true, and I've criticised Southgate for some things in the past without giving him credit for all the good things he has definitely done, so I don't want to be too critical. Like many, I'm just not convinced about his selections, his tactics or his ability to influence a game enough to think he's the manager to win a tournament. I think it will need a captain style player to step up and drive the team on when it gets tough. Been a bit disappointed in Rice so far to be honest - given how he plays in the league I thought he might be that player.

Stuffs Everton right up as well. He seems a really promising prospect - hope he does well.

Good job certain clubs were acting in good faith when they proposed the ESL then.

Bit of a coincidence Ratcliffe is trying to get Branthwaite for a knock down fee, knowing Everton would have been in trouble.

Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and finally acceptance. All in one thread, it's the FFP way.

I could see a newly promoted team taking a punt on an experienced striker who might give you the 10 goals that will keep you up for a season, and to be a positive influence in the dressing room, even for those times when he can't play. Genuinely could/should have been an England regular.

And this why it's impossible to fairly value players with the inflated prices paid by the Saudi League. He's been in the England squad and a champions league team for a league wanting to raise it's profile, so there's logically that. But then we'd still have to prove it. West Ham apparently showing interest at those prices might be interesting, then.

As a hypothetical, Wilson just on pure finishing and leadership. But, he's 33 so it would probably have been one last hurrah for him next year in any case. On the other hand, if roles were reversed and DCL was guaranteed to stay fit for the season, you'd pick him instead for sure. As it stands, you'd guess there's more chance they're both out for a decent or equal amount of time. But at least if DCL has a good fairly injury free season, there's more chance of then wanting to keep him, or being able to move him on with willing buyers. With Wilson, sadly, his race looks run - and a damn good one it's been.

Ah, you might be right then mate. I can't see anything official either now you say it and I'm sure you'd have been on it if there was, PauloRomanoGeordio

His contract has been paid up, hasn't it? I.e. no more years.

Probably a bit - we'd have had a bit more money and it would have counted in this year, but if the gaps guesstimated at by Swiss Ramble are close to accurate it's unlikely to have gone the whole way had we survived another round or two (not to even get into coefficient payments and all that). Maybe Tonali was ironically a bit of a gamble in that respect, hoping for a bit of further progression in the CL and the PL. Pure guess, but we may have been thinking of a couple of low level sales of fringe players in Jan more than CL progression as a back up, if we were likely to be at the edge or slightly over it. But then nobody could have guessed at what happened or our injury crisis either, meaning any fringe sale would become an even greater risk. Minteh seems a talent alright and if so I'd hate not to be able to give him a chance, but so did Kuol and, without wanting to write him off already, I'd guess this was always part of the strategy too.

The more he talks waffle, the more he sounds like a grandiose Ashley. As even Pardew said, Ashley didn't really understand how football works, and Ratcliffe admits being confused about elements of football being so different to how he's used to working. Tough m8. Thing is, I remember being quite happy right at the start of Ashley's time about how he was cutting out unnecessary waste, not overspending, that we weren't being taken for mugs, driving hard bargains in the transfer market etc. Didn't take too long for that to go badly. If it was a mistake us appointing Ashworth, at least we're not making one in how he is going. Really don't think Ratcliffe has taken on the right club to try and play hardball with in public

If he goes, I assume it's an FFP/PSR thing. Particularly if he goes to Everton, as was rumoured in the DCL thread and we end up getting him back in return. I jokingly said that kind of deal might happen between clubs at their limit in the FFP thread. But anyway I don't suppose it matters too much where he ends up if the monetary outcome is the same. It'd be a huge shame if he has a real chance of making it obviously, especially if it was going to be with us. On the other hand, I'd console myself with this. Either, we've been watching his development while he's on loan and perhaps we don't think he fits our team or the PL. Or, maybe we think he could make it with the right coaching but still have to sell him anyway for FFP reasons. In that case, at least there's the silver lining that we don't have to sell one of our established stars instead. I guess we'll know which of those it is if he gets sold before or after 30 June.

I think that's probably true. The Danes look well drilled and would have a system to play those weaker players of ours in, they'd know their role so they would collectively look better than the sum of their parts. A bit like we have had under Howe when a few championship level players have suddenly shone in the PL in a defined role. The problem for me with these last couple of England games has been that I'm not sure what system, identity or style is being played. It looks like there are probably several players being shoehorned in because the manager wants to include his biggest names, rather than giving them a clear plan and dropping a few of them if their skills don't quite fit the plan. Sure he'd then be criticised for not having the vision to have a system to fit player X,Y or Z in, but better to have a plan and use the best ones that fit it, even if they're seen as less talented.

"Goodness me this is tense." Is it fuck.

Quite how anyone could take him seriously after that is beyond me Read this a few years back just when he joined us and some of the writing in that takedown review still makes me howl with laughter (thanks for sharing again BB). Whoever wrote that is a comic genius - I thought it must be someone like Armando Iannucci.

Thought Bowen did well enough so no problems with that sub, though it was essentially a similar plan to what had worked in the first half but wasn't by then. Still think not only would Gordon have balanced out the side in normal play, but would have been a speedy counter-attacking outlet when the Serbs later came on to us, stopping them from risking pressing us quite as aggressively. Ah well, club bias and all.

It's clear they haven't yet found a balance for a lot of the talented players England have, so that may come. The one thing is that, re second half in particular, we've seen this before at several tournaments. Even in the first half it was clear we had little coming down the left wing - not addressed in the second. When Serbia came on a bit stronger there was no real reaction and not much improvement, and that's on the manager. You can hope Southgate improves in this aspect, but we hope for that every time and it never seems to happen. For all the great things he's done and needs huge credit for, it's this which means you always fear that England will end up falling short when it matters. Maybe too pessimistic a take from one game and after an opening win, it just feels a bit familiar so far.

Anyone else watching this on iPlayer and finding the commentary has randomly shifted to 5live? Maybe I've just pressed a button after a pint. It's actually much better tbf. But yeah, Gordon would stretch them

Really hope they employ Steve Barnes. Looking forward to him solving the crisp packet attendance mystery. Just how can there be so many empty bags swirling around when half of the seats are empty and Nissan is on a double shift, ponders our hero

One of the Times writers made the point that if Southgate wins the Euros he'll probably want, and get, a crack at the next world cup. If he bombs out, does he really get a chance at a big club should ten Hag struggle? Also, if ten Hag stays there and extends his contract, it's reported to be on emasculating terms - i.e. less say on transfers and also knowing his club were speaking to other candidates, which surely undermines him from the outset. Just from the outside, it could be a right old mess Ah well, their mess if so. Mainly bothered about how we finish above them again next season.

Me too. Wondered why the 'other other games" thread was so quiet at first - I just thought everyone must be bored by it all

Can't remember what article it was, but there was something about him conducting a thorough 6 month audit of the issues at all the departments at the club, before presenting it back to the board. Have an image of someone wandering about talking to people for 6 months, popping it all into an interactive pdf for the board, just to repeat back to them everything they already knew. But GUYS! I have the solution! It's ME! In a system based on wheels!! And I'm the middle wheel! Do you see? Do you really? Wheels!! Aye Dan. We'd asked you to sort Joelinton's contract. Now, about these e-mails.

IF he was to go, and he's been excellent for us, now is probably the time tbf. An England international player having played champions league football with us this season - his stock won't be much higher for long.