steveybadger

And we got him even cheaper than his dad ?

There would no argument at all if we’d had that sell on clause ?

Dare I say Southgate. You can argue with results (though personally I think that is really harsh), but he’s the first England manager I’ve warmed to since Bobby Robson. He’s got a bit of emotional intelligence and I think it shows, like Potter.

I did until he stuck his head in the sand and took over the Death Star (see David Squires in the Guardian ?).

This Gloucester Rugby fan wholeheartedly agrees ?

See I think after yesterday Sykes has to play there - we had so much more cutting edge I thought. So yes behind the striker but which of the midfield 3 do you leave out? If Scott goes it’s less of a problem but until then…

Here’s a thought. If we keep this formation when Weimann returns, where does he play? Appreciate it’s a squad game and selection varies for a variety of reasons game to game, but this formation worked a treat (and IMO made us look a lot more dangerous), yet I can’t believe Pearson would leave him out?

Hope we didn’t get a £30m offer phoned in after 65 minutes

I’d quite enjoy the winning but the turgid style of play, constant moaning at refs under NW? Not so much. Although I have to say I quite warm to him off the pitch.

Yes that’s it!

Imagine if somehow Pearson was a pundit. Sod the game, 90 minutes of that! World class subtle eyebrow movement?

So you don’t think the 100+ international caps gives her a depth of understanding? Regardless, the fact she actually does some research puts her above most pundits. Not a high bar you’d think,but too high for many.

There’s just something about his style that really grates with me. But he is a pro.

He’s far and away the best football presenter, simply because he has been there and done it. And (admittedly in a field of cosy, bland, non-informative golf club types) he’s actually the best pundit too. He’s come along way and while I appreciate his ‘wider’ opinions aren’t to some tastes (though right up my street for the record), at least he actually has some and can express them intelligently. As for who replaces him, Gabby Logan is the most competent but in terms of footballers? Hhhmmm.

Oh but those 2 and a half games v Liverpool, when we kept the solid back line, knocked the ball around like Barcelona but with Junior B up front….. Did that make up for the rest of the turgid tosh? Hhhmmm.

I guess in an attacking sense I’d say Sykes (and possibly the lesser spotted Wilson) offer more. But it’s keeping goals out that has been our problem and he’s been solid, so all power to him.

Reminds me of the similar cricket one which Nasser Hussain used to quote about a selector (Gatting?) talking about Graham Thorpe, except he was talking about runs!

Without the need for any half time rocket

Spent last night with a Charlton supporting mate, who took me through the latest of their basket case owners. There is a phrase about grass and how green it is somewhere else….

Yep that’s fair.

Was going to post something similar - given his age I feel slightly uneasy about this. He’s undoubtedly worth a contract on this season’s form, but in2 years time? There’s no point offering a contract extension which costs a similar amount over the longer term, if the player isn’t able to cut it in the future. But on balance I guess it’s a good deal overall

Am I right in thinking top 2 qualify automatically but still possibility of play offs?

Can’t believe the crowd and commentators giving Ronaldo all the plaudits because he smiled when his team scored and tried hard when he came on. sort of thing I did for my kids when they were toddlers!

My theory is that his face only gets shown for a second now, as the moment fabs see him on screen they start booing ?

Messi is a genius but the Beeb pundits saying he meant to stick it through the defender’s legs are so wrong. And I know it pales into insignificance alongside the bribery and corruption needed to actually be awarded the tournament, the thousands of (denied)worker deaths building the stadiums, and the previous and ongoing human rights abuses, but the pitches are really shit in this WC. Loads of players falling over, cutting up badly, like a mid winter UK Sunday League pitch. And it’s in a ruddy desert!