BCFCGav

Well here we go then. No pressure! 

Just re-read the kit update from early August, I remembered it as reading the away kit was due 'early September' (which is a bit more ambiguous and gives some leeway) but it actually stated it'd be 'delivered at the beginning of September'. So they have simply missed a self-reported deadline by 13 days, a deadline you'd imagine they added a bit of padding to in case of problems. I'd be so fascinated to hear the tale of this kits development and (eventual) release, it does not feel like it has run smoothly 

Shoulda ****** the whole thing off and just promoted the yellow kit to away kit for the season. Odds of an opponent kit clashing with our yellow and red kits are so low. 

Quirky XI but ‘auld enemy’ or not, it’s a friendly, so time to try some things out. Good experience for Dunk and Guehi in a position where we’re a bit thin. Ramsdale has earned minutes. And still plenty of elite talent in Walker, Rice, Bellingham, Rashford, Foden and Kane, so I’m hopeful we’ll do them relatively comfortably.

9 minutes ago, Superjack said:

Well I am gonna love this tomorrow!

Thank you. (no emoji) 

Welcome!

Been saying it to mates for a few months now, but so it’s etched in the annals of history:

We win the Euros next summer.

Stones, Rice, Bellingham, Kane and Saka are all world class (Rice the only maybe but I’ll give him the benefit).

Pickford, Ramsdale, Reece James (if fit), Trent (if used right), Walker, Shaw, Chilwell, Eze, Foden, Grealish, Sterling and post-ban Ivan Toney all excellent. 8 who have good seasons to pad out the rest.

This isn’t even blind optimism because it’s England, I’ve often said ‘it’s coming home’ but usually then whispered ‘if we avoid w, x, y and z somehow..’.

This time I just think we have the best squad, barring maybe our southern friends in France, who I’m convinced we run mighty close.

Anyway that’s 9 months away, up Nige’s mighty cider drinking reds ️

Fwiw I use it to mean ‘that was useful information, thank you’.

Apart from on the original post here, where it just felt needed.

I was having problems with the allocating tickets thing, it was saying my pops had 'exceeded his allowance' which wasn't true, I'd only allocated him one and he's a ST holder.

Regardless, he's tried his end and secured us two. Take a point now! COYR.

Looking at FBREF, he has the joint 5th highest save percentage in the league, and he's overperforming his post-shot xg, which is to say he's let in fewer goals than the shots he's faced suggest he should. 

And while not perfect from crosses, he's doing ok there too.

Doing well and a big upgrade on Bentley imo, from our own academy nonetheless. 

@Never to the dark side might be very keen. Thoughtful of his brothers.

Lucky they blurred out the bush in the background. Hear he's got a record.

5 hours ago, SydneyCity said:

Watch us wreck the mic,

Watch us wreck the mic,

Watch us wreck the mic,

Sykes

I'd drive home immediately

Surely this international break for the away kit then? Seems a good time to do it, little else to worry about!

His last contribution was a fabulous tackle. Happy enough with him yesterday. 

3 minutes ago, SydneyCity said:

There has to be some version of Jingle Bells sung over the Christmas period.

Sammy Bell, Sammy Bell, Every Saturday,

Oh what fun it is to watch Bell score for the City 

OH

We can be frustrated about the lack of investment and happy with the points return. You could argue the doom and gloomers (happy clappers antithesis) need to chill a bit, but Brum and Norwich (League Cup) were concerning.

My take heading into the first international break, after todays win, is: defence is the best it’s been in some years and we’re putting points on the board. So I’m optimistic. I also know we’re two more injuries from disaster. So I’m cautious. 
 

But for tonight, I’m 4 pints in, we’re 8th, and life is good.

He’s bloody brilliant. He’ll either leave us for the Prem or be an absolute club hero. I’ve always liked him, but WBA in the cup last season cemented for me that he’s destined for amazing things. 

Bellingham scores a Madrid winner. 5 league goals in 4 games. Man’s a phenomenon.

13 minutes ago, Port Said Red said:

'boro currently 0-2 down at home to QPR, bottom of the table 0 - 1 - 4 and a -8 GD. Will they pull the trigger on Carrick this early in the season?

Worked well enough for them last season, the change of manager very nearly got them up. But surely Carrick is still in credit? Fickle sport so we’ll see.

Don’t rule out Duff at Swansea! Not proving popular.

There’s so many facets that go into determining an atmosphere imo. I sit in E30 and unless we’ve just scored or are really knocking on the door I’m often singing alone! Well, maybe 3 or 4 others.

Hopefully recent away performances and results will be reflected in home atmosphere as we’re all a bit happier. Also - as mentioned earlier - the lack of financial backing from big Steve may lead to more love to the very narrow squad we have. No one can ever say they don’t work their balls off for the badge.

10 minutes ago, Curr Avon said:

I was right! For once.

I wanted to feel this way at HT but I couldn’t. I knew we were schooling them but I also knew the ref was an imbecile and the football Gods don’t care. I applaud your optimism, rightly rewarded ️

And with that, we get the lift we so need. 8 points from 5 matches is really tidy. James in the wars but played through it so seemingly ok, 2 weeks rest for the boys now regardless. And a much more enjoyable 2 weeks for that performance and result ️️

Injured:

Atkinson

McCrorie

Benarous

Weimann

Conway

Man of the match but there are plenty of honourable mentions. The lads in the first XI will rightly get their plaudits but the subs were on the money, Cornick and Dickie kept us so solid.

Nothing to report injury wise from todays line up. Same personnel as Tuesday (plus TGH who was cup tied, but starts at RB today).

Mood lifting 3 points PLEASE ️

Injured:

Atkinson

McCrorie

Benarous

Weimann

Conway 

Would love them to break Derby’s record. They could be a fun little side-focus this season. 

Ohhhhhhh Zak Vyner ️️