Abacus

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.

I know that's tongue in cheek, but this is exactly why I think it's the PSR rules need to change before the associated party rules do. That way, it's a slightly fairer and more level playing field for everyone, rather than some clubs (who able to) using various tactics to get around them. The other way around, i.e. keep PSR but allowing any sort of sponsorships etc to meet those rules, then it's just pulling up the drawbridge in a different way. In which case, I can completely understand fans of other clubs thinking that's just a different way to turn the league into a closed shop.

He'd be the outstanding English candidate for the job, so not surprising this speculation comes up every now and again. Doesn't mean he'd want it and in terms of the way he works and at this point in his career, I don't think it would suit him for a lot of years. Think he's shrewd enough and invested enough in club management to realise that. As to your point, rather than blaming a couple of oddball fans that the vast majority think are daft, IF he was going to walk from here, it would be much more likely to be because of internal politics such as if there was any clash with the likes of the fondly remembered Ashworth, in my opinion.

Well, at least you can't be turned down by an unknown candidate. They probably don't even know they're on any shortlist, and would be shocked and horrified to find out they are. "Who are you, and how did you get my number?" (Block and report spam)

Probably sick of them wandering around his garden.

Can we just shock you? We like Eric ten Hag, despite what we said to all the other managers just earlier.

If either ATP or PSR rules were meaningfully changed (and on balance I'd prefer it was the PSR ones as that seems fairer overall to rest the league to me), I wonder what the reaction would be from some of the owners of clubs who would see their current dominance threatened. A few more clubs going up for sale?

Dubravka was a bit of a revelation when he first came here and contributed lots when, at the time many thought we didn't really need a new keeper. But I do think that, as well as being a bit rusty recently, he just doesn't suit our style of play now - nobody's fault, it happens. Under Rafa we tended to sit back more, so his shot stopping and then onward distribution were pretty key. Now, we need a keeper who comes off his line more than Dubs is used to or comfortable with. That makes him look worse than he would be in a different set up, and probably hits his confidence at the same time. As well as clearly being second choice here when Pope is fit. Then there was the Man U loan, probably as a result of being second choice where he basically then didn't play either, which set him back further. I'm sure he could do a job somewhere and if that's Celtic, then great for all concerned.

I hope that PETER LIM doesn't listen to this rumour, and accepts £41m instead.

With Pope's shoulder and Karius off as well, I wonder if we're after two keepers, including Trafford as one for the longer term.

It's being reported that the Dell owners are backing a bid to buy Everton. More mega-rich owners who won't be allowed to spend, then. Anyway, I'm sure Sunderland will have some spare shirts to send them.

Me too. Still, bit tired of being dragged into everything as if we're some great white shark ready to bite.

Damage is already done, though.

Paulo, if he does go, we'll have a support group ready for you man. (You may need a space for me in there too.)

They'll all have estimates of where they'd expect to end up at this point. It would then take a while to approve and file the official numbers, and to make the various deductions and additions required by FFP, I'd guess. Which is probably why you won't find out who was actually officially in breach, if anyone is, till next year after the season starts. But I've been beaten to the punch by huss9.

You do wonder where this rumour / information came from about which clubs apparently need to sell. Let's say you could sell a player now for £20m - everyone you deal with now would lowball, in the hope you'd accept e.g. half that, if that's the magical amount that you'd need to make up. So surely this stuff should be commercially confidential till after the deadline, or these rules distort the market downwards for the specific named clubs.

Why don't we just sell a fringe player to Villa and they sell us one back to the same value on June 30th, for £30m. We're not related parties, so it's fine. We both take all the sales proceeds this year, and only each take one days worth of the amortisation in the period on the player neither of us wants, allowing us both to meet the FFP limit, with no need for tedious votes. See? My new game is really going to catch on.