1960maaan

That would have been a decent colour combo. The thing with the away kits, they can't please everyone. Some are over purple and lime , some hate the Black , the white has been criticised. I can understand why they try and mix it up and introducing a totally new colour makes some sense . I wonder if they will launch it this week and have it on sale for Saturday , or is that too sensible ? That Home collar in some photos has looked bad, but I looked at some of the recent game photos and it looks ok . Not sure what has happened and TBH I'd be tempted to try an exchange or return if I got a bad one.

Another good finish

I'll wait for VAR but .... What a finish

Harsh, but not sure the defender could be counted as deliberately playing that.

Looking more like the Euros team now. Lovely strike

That's a great goal. Good nick , laid it off , good touch and sweet finish.

I don't mind it's on training wear , it would have been an ok 'different' item . I like a selection of stuff, it makes sense. Putting on the shirt was a massive error.

Interesting all the suggestions of who we should have gone with, how do we know we didn't try all of them ? As I said, the normal turnaround of a shirt is around 18 months , ours was done in about 2 for the home and 3 for the 3rd. When we started looking for a new supplier we wanted ; Imediate start Our own designs Quick supplies of 2 different kits That would limit the companies we could work with, all the main ones would be too busy. In fact I would think that a major part of O'Neils productivity would have been moved onto us for some time. I'm repeating myself, but the Away shirt will be our first collaboration `with O'Neils that has even been close to a normal shirt run. Let's see what it's like first, then slag it off.

As others have said, Wael was quite easy to find out about. This bloke , not so much. I found one link which had Hussain Al Saeed as General Manager of a bank. Hard to know what's what, the Post has been like the advertising or promotional wing of the Squatters for years. They would Print any old shit that Wael sends their way as Gospel. We all remember "Billionaire with the nice watch" don't we.

Elite Sports Group went into admin and they were the UK Distributors. @W-S-M Seagull has explained the Coventry situation, Everton weren't with ESG but a company called Fanatics based in the USA. I posted a brilliant video from Hashtag United explaining how the problems affected them. I'll repost at the bottom in case anyone wants to watch it. They say to organise a new kit, from design to supply , would usually take 18 months. Our first shirt was done in a couple of months. In fact Elite went into Admin in December. We used the new shirt in February and the 3rd kit was launched in March. Allowing for the fact we want our own designs and not Template fodder, that is actually really good going , and probably one reason why we are with O'Neils. I think we were in a weak position when doing the deal and only a few companies would be able to do that turnaround. The away shirt should be the first one that has a reasonable time to get right. I'll make no comment on design or quality. Design as that has little to do with O'Neils and quality as I haven't seen anything in the flesh . As for the Blue, if it was the same as the training tops I would have quite liked it, but because the training tops are that colour I'd guess it won't be. If they are trying to unite the Rugby & Football colours and it's a dark blue it may not be so bad. Things they should absolutely stay clear of.... That shit insipid blue the squatters use. Pirates Quarters Otherwise I don't think we have to worry. Hopefully either O'Neils really turn it around or we have started looking at another Company for when this deal ends. The Away kit will be the game changer or the end I think. That Video;

Weather robbed us of an even better last day and what surely would have been a victory, but what a series . I ******* hate the ( playing ) Aussies , but I love the Ashes and I think the ex players like Ponting really add to it . How can you not love Test Cricket ?

Some way to sign off a great career

Broady gets a wicket now, last ball bowled is a wicket, last ball faced 6 !

Can't believe that worked again ?

All day it's been going on, Ponting's been raging. TBF when you see those photos of the old and new , if it was the other way round I'd be raging.

Sadly can only see one result , if it doesn't rain.

I think that's it done, we needed a couple more this morning IMO and Stokes drop finished it. With rain expected and Smith given a life I don't think they can take the last 7 in time. I would love to know why the Ump didn't give the catch, if he thought it was pad we should keep the review. If it was because Stokes threw the ball away fair do's .

But if you look at games played, which if you research lots of Clubs could be one easy way, then you could make a case for it. Naismith involved in 30 games, James 30, King 31 , Weimann 37, Martin 19, Klose 12 thats a lot of games (159) . Now where the research should have gone to, is why . Then it shows most of those games were due to injuries and lack of options. They have obviously done some research, but unless you really dig you wont get the whole picture, and TBF I doubt many will be willing. There were over 100 games played by teenagers last year , but if you have a cursory look there were 5 over 30s involved in the last game. There is a limit to how deep they will dive into their research, who in reality will research the entire EFL. I quite like looking at them, I'm pleased if they think we will do well, but doubt those that have us to struggle. FWIW , I agree with you.

He shows he's not stuck in his ways. He came in and said he preferred a back 4, but he predominantly played a 3 as he thought that was best for what we had. He's got around to a back 4 but now he seems to think for what we have we suit a sort of front 3 . I will say though, what ever team he has put out , they have been flexible and fluid. Who's to say we won't play 2 up top at times. I like how Nige has evolved the side , taking notice of what he has and how best to use them, not blinkered at all when it comes to shape.

I loved those two as a pair , and I think it was as threatening a pairing we have had for some time, but .... I think Nige likes the (sort of) front 3 ( though he has also said he likes a 2 ) and even I think Wells is wasted as that left side forward. There will probably be times we may go back to the 2, we are very flexible , but I believe to start we will see one of TC & NW.

I tend to stay off the MDT for a while after a game, points can get lost in a flurry of posts. I agree it can be better to discuss specific points later, in a separate thread .

Chatting to a mate who knows a guy in recruitment for a Prem side. The player he flagged up as being watched was Bell. Said there are a few teams keeping an eye on him. I think this year will be big for him as a learning curve for his development . I could see why he started ahead of Mehmetti in games, his willingness to go outside the full back gave a little more balance, where as Anis was too reliant on cutting inside. I've always liked players making FBs think , not knowing which way they will go. Gives you a yard start at times. I've not seen any of the games but I was pleased when I saw a Dave post this. Something I was critical of last year, and will make him much more of a threat this coming season. I hope Bell develops quickly as he can be a real threat. He has pace, he is one of the best finishers at the club, happy to use either foot and just needs better game management maybe.

Watching Switzerland Vs New Zealand and Jonathan Pearce has just managed to get his City mention in as always. Good work from JP. New Zealand bossing the game but need to score or go out.

Max Tanner Vyner Dickie ????? James ???? Scott ???? ???? ???? I could guess at the rest , but it would be a guess. Good competition/cover , specially when you add McCrorie & Naismith.

Bugger only just seen this post What channel was it on and what time ? Just searched on catch up and it shows 1977, 1979 & 1980