We had a form of break through recently with West Ham unable to poach Rafa from Newcastle and it being reported that the Spaniard has committed to being at Newcastle next season. However, he stopped short of signing a new deal, with the just 12 months left on his current contract.
Some may wonder just why he didn’t sign a new deal if ‘positive talks’ had led to him committing himself to the club for next season, but he’s a wise man and knows exactly what he’s doing.
Rafa is a master politician and knows once he sings his leverage also goes with Ashley, so is wisely using the contract to get the reassurances he wants in place before he commits. He wants to sign, but he’ll use this summer and next January as a test – ‘show me you’re capable and willing to match my ambitions over the next two windows and then i’ll sign’. Why would he commit to a new deal before he’s seen first hand whether Ashley will deliver on his ‘promises’? After all, what Ashley says he’ll do and what he actually does are often two very different things, so Rafa’s bound to demand proof before he makes the same mistake again. Once bitten, twice as shy..
So, with this in mind, what will be the priorities for Rafa before he considers a news deal?
Will they match his ambition?
This is the biggest sticking point – Rafa wants to win trophies and Ashley wants to stay up, spend as little as possible and continue to use NUFC as a vehicle to promote Sports Direct. There needs to be some intent from Ashley to do something with the club or sell up – and Rafa is forcing him to do one of them. Even Ashley must know it would be toxic to a whole new level if he let Rafa walk away. He back McClaren with cash – so why not do the same for a genuine, world class manager?
If you have some free time, watch an interview Sky Sports La Liga expert Guillem Balague did with Rafa on his YouTube channel. It is an hour long but near the end he covers NUFC and Rafa tellingly says it is always easy to agree salary and contracts with him, deals are held up when he wants the club to back him in making things more professional – the academy, growth for the future and a commitment to wanting to win trophies. The ball is firmly in Ashley’s court.
Will we sign a proper striker?
After a frustrating last few windows, Rafa bailed us out with two shrewd loan moves in Kenedy and Dubravka last January to fire us to a top half finish. However, with TV money now secured again – he will want a quality striker and not on loan. He is always linked to us but if we did manage to get someone of the ilk of Bas Dost this summer it would be a real signal of intent to Rafa that we mean business and that his future lies here for the longer term.
Rafa will also be keen to ensure we do these type of deals quicker. We lost out on the likes of Caballero, Loftus Cheek and Abraham last summer as we dragged our heels. Ashley needs to lay the budget out clearly and let Rafa get on with it – and now.
Can we even compete to sign Kenedy?
Fresh speculation has surfaced claiming German side RB Leipzig are now also keen on the Brazilian, along with Arsenal and PSG. He seems open to returning, but a move is looking more and more unlikely for us based on his likely cost and those big guns interested.
Regardless of where he ends up gong, it will be telling for Rafa to see the club even compete to sign a player of his quality and potential price tag. That will at least be a sign for Benitez that finances/ a show of ambition are in place this summer. If we weren’t able to sign him or bring him back on loan, there’d be another big whole to fill out wide.
Will we finally break our transfer record?
This ties into our pursuit of a top striker but it is long overdue we break our transfer record. Every other top flight team had broken it within the last two years and our record should not be half of the likes of Leicester. We have went backwards under Ashley but even he must realise we need to spend more to even just stagnate. We can likely sell Gayle and Mitrovic for a combined fee of nearly £30m so that £17m fee paid for Michael Owen must be a thing of the past come August. In fact, to sign a new deal, Rafa will want the record broken 2/3 times this summer which in today’s climate, isn’t much to ask.
Rafa forcing these questions is brilliant for the fans, even if we live in fear in case he leaves. At least someone is making Ashley answer for his lack of ambition and Rafa knows he has the power and pedigree to back Ashley into a corner.
Long may it continue; we can celebrate finally having such an ambitious manager at the helm. It does mean though we don’t get the news we want this summer, that Benitez has signed a new deal. But while he stays in some capacity – he must have hope he can win the power battle with Ashley – otherwise he would take up one of the other offers he will no doubt be getting.
“Is it a case if Rafa having another player in mind or the club just fu**ing about again waiting for the fat lad to get off his sun lounger?”
There’s two choices I put out there. Where did I say I thought it was the latter? FYI I don’t think Rafa wanted to sign him. I don’t see Rafa taking risks with defenders. All the defenders he’s bought have had experience in the top flight of various European leagues.
But anyway, this will be the most pointless blog on line if you just assume and guess what people think. How about engaging with people in future to gain their views before assuming…
Stuart79(Quote)
Ice – thanks mate, I hope she’s ok ??
Sharpy17(Quote)
Kim might just be off on her holidays. There’s some on here could do with a break! 🙂
georgio(Quote)
Why wouldn’t the Aussies get behind there team?.
I’ve never once heard them rave about their ‘superstar’ or their chances of reacting semi finals – not like us deluded English.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I am a bit concerned about Kim. She would normally say if she is going offline for a bit. Maybe Internet troubles? It’s been a while now mind.
Shamrock(Quote)
Georgio – I really hope that’s just the reason mate. She’s a good egg is Kim and generally has it tough (not that she complains. She just gets on with it, but I suspect this site is a bit of an escape sometimes).
Sharpy17(Quote)
I don’t think you are referring to me but can I just state for the record that I absolutely love Shane Warne. He did go through his fat stage and the screwing of that skinny posh actress bird. I can’t remember her name, but you know who, the female Hugh Grant (I think he might also have been her boyfriend). But Shane was probably the best bowler the world has ever seen and tells it like it is as a commentator.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
`
If you didn’t mean it you woulkd not have bothered mentioning. It’s not as if your position hasn’t been made fairly clear in the past
PremAndUp(Quote)
I am just farting around. There has been a small controversy about Cahill’s age.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Also Sharpy, I explained my reasoning about getting to the WC semi-final. England have the easiest group and then the easiest path to the quarter final where they will most likely face Brasil or Germany.
My thought was that for once the tide would be in England’s favour and there would be a surprise. I am not doing a Troy and saying we will win it.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric dont underestimate Belgium, Panama and Tunisia mate. Belgium capable of beating England and Tunisia might get a draw
Stem(Quote)
I will say England wont win the world cup and risk being wrong like Troy
Stem(Quote)
Eric – hahaha – I was talking in general terms – I didn’t know you made that prediction.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Thanks georgio!
Conte still has one year left for his contract with Chelsea. He will have to pay a big sum to Chelsea if he leaves, so I don’t see him leaving. it is actually good for us so we can try to loan Kennedy again since we will never be able to afford his price.
funrafa(Quote)
Agree. I am a little worried too. Wish her all well and be back soon.
funrafa(Quote)
Just checked my emails still nothing from Kim
Icedog(Quote)
There can’t be many on here who think Jabba is great and never ***** anything up!
Stuart79(Quote)
I’m sure Kim is just having a rest. Well, I hope so anyway.
Stuart79(Quote)
I am not mate. But it is the easiest group on paper. But then again the Iceland game was easy on paper 🙂 The second easiest group is Group H which England will face probably the winners of IF England get out of their group.
I am certainly not putting any money on it because the quarters will be against Brasil or Germany. It is sort of a counter intuitive feeling on my part, a can England suck this badly for so long, could our luck change? And, the players aren’t as bad as some people make out. A very week centre both in defense and midfield but there is some attacking flair.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And Olly. Poor little Mackem fan wanting all of the hatred to stop now that they are in the 3rd division. I have met surprisingly few Mackems and a few I have met said they were from Newcastle. I have never met a single one in almost 30 years in Chicago which again is surprising since I go to a “soccer” bar most weekends and there are fans mixing from a lot of clubs – Everton and Liverpool in the same bar with their club shirts on, Spurs, Chelsea and West Ham. NO MACKEMS, not even when they were in the PL for 10 years.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I was going to say I should rephrase the insult “have you ever seen a Mackem in Milan?” to “have you ever seen a Mackem in Chicago”? But, I don’t hate Mackems. I find it quite funny that they now refer to themselves by a term that was meant as an insult by Geordies, ie Mackems.
I think this Robert Hall displaced Mackem should worry more about administration with the new chancers owning the club than he does about Newcastle and Sunderland “hatred”. We will not see each other for a long time, but maybe they will be playing Gateshead soon, eh?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
https://nothingbutnewcastle.com/2018/06/blogs/nowt-but-newc-natter/10m-limit-is-disastrous-for-newcastle/
This has to be a bloody joke ffs
Icedog(Quote)
I know I have blathered on about Sunderland on here but that was more about the journos not seeing this train wreck coming, or at least not writing about it. Even now, there is no critical analysis of what is going on. That they are running off a financial cliff, Wyle E. Coyote style just waiting to realise there is nothing but air below them before plunging into a canyon. The new guys are spinning a roulette wheel with just a little bit of their money bet on 13 black. They may succeed, but probably wont and have really no connection to Sunderland anyway. It would probably be better for their “PR Guru” not to be talking about NUFC fans and for them not to be guaranteeing promotion.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Ice – I know for a fact that Rafa is “pulling his hair out” at the reluctance of Jabba to actually back him. Not financially but in his judgment. The words he used were “Acting like a Micky Mouse club and we should be much more.”
Stuart79(Quote)
I mean, you have this new PR guy attacking a straw man in a black and white shirt when they should be concentrating on getting their wages under control and rid of a few players who are not mercenaries willing to sit on the bench and collect 2 million a year. And their new manager guaranteeing promotion. Season tickets for sale lads? Thought so.
These new owners have no connection to Sunderland and Ellis Short still pretty much owns the club with his lien on the parachute payments. He wants rid and these 2 chancers are the only ones that would agree to his terms.
Good luck, you will need all you can get.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Ice – of course it’s a joke mate. They say in this article ‘the latest report’ – what latest report??? I never saw the previous report never mind the latest one – or is this a report just nothingbutnewcastle.com get to update all us Geordies on.
It’s yet an source who have a theory, but know absolutely nothing for a fact, yet write as though they do.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Stu – you know for a fact do you?!
Sharpy17(Quote)
It is click baiting Sharpy. Ed fires out over 100 stories a day. Olly bashes out quite a few on here, although most are well written and give a balanced view. I only wish he would show more hatred towards Mackems and Aussies.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I know it is only the Daily HateMail but Poch to Real getting closer:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-5794683/Tottenham-left-fearing-worst-Mauricio-Pochettino-remains-coy-Real-Madrid.html
Eric Sykes(Quote)
aye and the talk is if he goes they want Rafa
icedog(Quote)
Icedog. I hadn’t even though of that scenario but it would make sense and I think Rafa would take the job.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Spurs have that massive stadium debt which will probably hold them back in the long term but they have very good players they can sell and generate income to buy Rafa players in the short term – say 3 years.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The Spurs “stadium” is a bit of a joke. An homage to the City of London brokers and fly-boys built in a very working class neighbourhood. A cathedral to tacky money with a cheese room (seriously) and Michelin starred chefs. Instead of having Harry Kane on the giant screens on their façade they should just have Gordon Ramsay, an admittedly brilliant chef but also self absorbed and a charlatan – even his accent is fake, and he never played for Rangers.
It has gone beyond Roy Keane’s “prawn sandwiches” to a nightmare of foie gras canapes and 200 hundred pound a kilo of aged in caves Yak milk cheeses. Don’t do it Rafa. But then the alternative is Ashley!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Other than CL footy, I don’t see why Rafa would go to Spurs.
They are one of the few clubs that have actually spent less than us, and with the Stadium, that’s not changing any time soon.
Plus, Daniel Levy is a known ball bag who doesn’t always get the players his managers want – I refer you to Sissoko. They aren’t going to be able to increase the wages of there top players – so they will all start leaving over the next few years – and Spurs will go backwards … but they’ll have a lovely stadium ??
Sharpy17(Quote)
Since somebody brought up Gordon Ramsey.
I bought a cookbook by him on Amazon and threw it away on the first day. He may as well have put “Pretentious Moi” on the cover. I remember one recipe where you had to shell your own peas, grow your own mint and milk your own goat to make cheese for a side dish.
Don’t get me started on Gordon Ramsay.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sharpy: I have said that a few times about Spurs and their players’ wages. But they can get a lot of money for players like Kane and Alli so there is a short term opportunity.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
They can, but it will start this summer – Alderweireld will leave and possibly Rose – having lost Walker last season it will leave a lot of players questioning the clubs ambition. They will get big money for Kane & Ali without doubt – but sell them as well as the 3 I mention and what are the likes of Eriksen and Lloris going to be thinking – and selling those players – who of any real quality is going to want to go to Spurs.
If prove is needed, just look at their neighbours – Arsenal – who were far more successful than Spurs before their new Stadium, but fell from grace in that period of paying the stadium off and trying to fund that period by selling their best players.
Also, in his final few games, Wenger himself said if he could turn back the clock, he wouldn’t choose to be Arsenal manager through that period – speaks volumes that I reckon.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I agree with everything you said except there is a small window when they can sell players for silly money and possibly recruit good players for about half the price. The “stadium” will drag them down in the long term though.
It makes you think that if they have to spend 1 billion on it then we are in decent shape with a paid for “stadium”, but without a cheese room that I know of. That’s why the chancers have gone after the Mackems as well because they have the infrastructure.
Everton are talking about a new 500 million ground on the Liverpool docks . That just seems like madness to me. How many stolen car tyres would it take to finance that?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
These chancers at Sunderland have a good gamble going. The Mackems are worth about 200 million in the PL and they only have to put 5 million down. That’s a good return if they can miraculously pull it off. It has happened before. Clough at Derby and Forest. Swansea, Bournemouth, Huddersfield.
When you look at the economics of a 500 million Everton stadium and 1 million pound Spurs ground you can see why Stewart Donald and his PR ***** would roll the dice.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – yeah, Arsenal had a similar small window where they signed players like Henry, Fabregas and Van Persie – who did pretty well for them to be fair, but eventually became the sellable assets and were themselves sold off.
I also think (and this is no disrespect to Rafa) but I also think that Spurs seem too cosmopolitan a club to sign an old timer like Rafa. I see them going for a young new kid on the block. I think that better suits their ‘image’.
Sharpy17(Quote)
There aren’t any new kids on the block. Eddie Howe? Simeone is too defensive. Rafa is only 2 years removed from Real Madrid. FC Bayern went for Juup Henckyes as a stabalising force when he was 72 years old.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
How about Lee Clark? According to Troy he was great at Birmingham and Bury.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sharpy: name me any new kids on the block? And I don’t mean it facetiously because I can’t think of any. The names out there for the big jobs are Simeone, Sacci and Pochettino. Eddie Howe gets brought up in England but he failed miserably at Burnley so has that black mark.
That could be why we keep seeing Pards, Ugly John and Moyes in good jobs?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I have thought about it but I can name a few but up-and-comers but they are probably not big enough for Spurs. Viera at NYC, Arteta who Arsenal seriously looked at and van der Sar who is Director of Football at Ajax I think.
That’s about it though.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
What this tells me is that we, NUFC, are seriously fcked if we lose Rafa. There just isn’t anybody else out there. The fatman should therefore stop playing this game of transfer Russian roulette.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – maybe new kid on the block was the wrong wording. I basically mean a younger manager who would fit there cosmopolitan image – like a Zidane type manager. Eddie Howe would be a good shout actually, or Brendan Rodgers.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Eric – we don’t know that he’s playing any game. We really need to wait and see what pans out by the end of this window.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy: if past is prologue we do know that Ashley is playing games.
Do I have to name the names?
Keegan, Shearer, Hughton – the good guys! All of whom he fcked over. Shearer did hire Iain Dowey so Fatty had a bit of a point there.
The idiots – Pardew, Ugly John, Liambastard, Wise, Kinnear, Tony Soprano.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I’m very encouraged (and impressed) to see you talking like this, Sharpy. It is always a pleasure to find a Newcastle fan that sees through the bullshit.
The reality of the “talks” between Rafa and Charnley is that we don’t know what they are talking about and everything is speculation based on a few interviews – and often the quotes used in “reports” are taken out of context, attached t some other nugget of conversation, mixed with a dash of myth and paranoia, and revealed as some kind of hint at what’s truly going on. This new truth then gets a headline like “Click me because I have some insider information that might be of interest”.
And then it gets quoted in places like this. And then producers of blogs take that story and add their own bit of fakery. And so it goes.
As for the world cup, the height of Australian achievement would be to get out of the group stage. A significant achievement would be to win one game. Cahill needs to be in the Socceroos to mentor a guy called Daniel Arzani. Neither may get a game – though Timmy will probably get one run at least and Arzani might get a sub appearance.
I see my alter ego didn’t take up the option of posting. We aren’t well co-ordinated.
Sorry for the multiple topics in the one post. The time difference means that it is usually useless for me to hang around and wait for a reply … except from Eric. But I’ve come to the logical conclusion that he is not a valid person. I think he is some kind of bot programmed to post random comments. It is the only way I can explain the nature of his stuff.
Brisvegas(Quote)
Good comments there BrisV. I will see the next post of yours in 3 months or later, mate.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
BrisV: There is some connection to what I usually say – NUFC, PL, some SAFC. A bit of wondering why Aussies come on here and talk about just about anything else apart from NUFC, then disappear for months and come back and have a little dig.
See you in 3 months BrisV.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
One of the things about the transfers during the window is that you don’t want to have too many come in. After last season, where a good camaraderie was formed in the squad, bringing in say 5-6 new guys could disrupt that. So it’s a delicate balancing act to bring in new bods and integrate them into the existing team morale.
I think Charnley said something like that a couple of weeks back, and I recall Rafa mentioning it in an interview months ago. It seems like a good strategy to me. 3 good buys alongside Dubravka and Kenedy might be about the sum of it.
No doubt some young guys will come in as well as Rafa has mentioned the reserves and youth set up a few times as well.
Brisvegas(Quote)
Agreed Bris
For Me Dubravka, Kenedy & a new No 9 for the Starting 11
Replacements for Manquillo, Haidara, Mbemba,
Back-ups for new No 9 and Perez
That’s a lot to ask for but that still means less players than we currently have when you clear out the dross.
PremAndUp(Quote)
Ice Thanks for trying to find out if Kim is ok. Miss her postings. Hopefully she is on a well earned break.
Groucho(Quote)
Not been on for a while but I see Arma had a very good game for England U21’s … I really hope we keep him and Rafa gives him a chance. Probably the best chance we have of getting an international level striker…
The silly season is here and we are linked with every Tom, ****, or Harry that happens to have held or kicked a football at one time in their life… I find it all so damned depressing as I know we are not signing anyone until d-day with a few desperate loans…
I didn’t realise Kim had been absent a while… maybe, like me, she’s just down on silly season and missing the weekly fix of footy that at least helped to relieve the pain sometimes. Hope she’s ok…
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Bris – I agree, to a point. I think the important thing is to keep the core group together – and in particular Lascelles as his captaincy clearly works with this group. This summer is about adding the RIGHT players to that group. It’s no good bring in a play who will disrupt what we’ve built – a Balotelli type player for example. But getting the right character takes time too.
I think we need the numbers because we lack strength in depth. I’m not saying have a 2nd 11 as strong as the 1st coz we don’t need that. But quality in key areas.
I think we need 2 forwards, a winger and cover for Shelvey – coz if he’s missing then that play maker isn’t there. I’d happily see that be Merino if he pulls his socks up but don’t know if he’s off to Spain – he spoke well the other day saying he’s staying and working hard, so we’ll see on that on.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy – Merino needs to beef up a bit in my opinion. He’s easily jostled into trouble and has this habit of getting his body above the ball, stuck under his feet.
Clearly a talent though.
I agree with Bris and Prem. Striker, No 10, Dubravka and Kenedy (more and more possible if Conte stays). Speedy winger, Atsu has the skillset to be really successful but lacks the belief or balls to do it, and a few kids – that would do for me.
georgio(Quote)
Georgio – I know what you mean but I’m not even sure it’s a case of beefing up, he just needs to adapt to the pace of the PL. If you look at the likes of Kante – he’s not the physical presence of a Diame for example, but he moves at the pace of the game. Merino seems to want to put his foot on the ball, have a look round and take his time – not in this league bonnylad.
Sharpy17(Quote)
That is part of his problem, adapting to the pace but he’s a tall slim ******. He needs to be a lot stronger too.
Just seen the vid of Arma playing really well for the U21s. The kid could still make it if Rafa gave him a go. Much much better finisher than Joselu or Perez.
georgio(Quote)
Quite an attacking team Southgate has picked. That’s how I think we should play in WC.
Stuart79(Quote)
2-0 up now, playing well
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Yeah i know it’s only a friendly against Nigeria, who are hardly one of the top teams in World football. But I like the urgency we are playing with here. Too many times I’ve watched and it’s been slow passing it round without making any real ground.
I think playing with the wing backs and Sterling & Lingard, there’s lots of pace and getting in behind them – if only Sterling was a better finisher.
Sharpy17(Quote)
The movement we have is something that we aren’t use to seeing from England. Alli, Sterling, Lingard and Kane all have great movement.
Be disappointed if we don’t make the QF to be honest.
Stuart79(Quote)
Georgio – I’d love for Armaz to at least get a chance. He’s done it at a lower level but is the PL a step up too far?!. Maybe keep him and loan him to a championship side season.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Seems to be a common thread with England. Good first half followed by poor second half. Wonder if it’s fatigue.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu – I think it was more complacency. They went in at half time totally in control of the game and seemed to come out expecting Nigeria to just try and contain us and keep the score down.
Hopefully a lesson learned tonight – that’s the point of these pre tournament games after all.
Sharpy17(Quote)
England’s first game is in Volgograd. I had never heard of it so had to look it up. It was formerly Stalingrad.
Click on the link below, the city’s coat of arms is very strange. I think that is the t-shirt I would be buying if I went. But there was no chance of that as I don’t want to be attacked by Russian “ultras” and have witnessed too much terrible football by England in recent tournaments to be that bothered.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volgograd
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Not sure what the crossed fish are on the Volgograd coat of arms. Sturgeon? Any fish experts out there 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Ryder says that Mitro COULD be set to leave this summer and SUDDENLY his price tag appears to have risen above 15 million (paraphrasing Ryder quotes). Yes, Lee, have you been in a coma for the past 2 months. And Sherlock Ryder went on to say that Mitro’s price tag could be affected if Mitro has a good World Cup. Does this guy live and write from a cave? Under a rock? Barstool?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
IMO England are **** one way of playing,they cannot vary their game
Icedog(Quote)
Merino’s a strange one, isn’t he? He looked to be the best thing since sliced bread when he first came. At one stage there, early on in the season, I thought he was the only guy in the team worthy of being in the PL. Then he went off the boil when the rest of the team improved. There was some talk of a back injury, and they can be debilitating (He should do yoga; it works wonders for my back.) He was so much slower in the couple of games I saw when he returned from the injury.
With any luck, though, he’ll get over it and start looking like the player he seemed to be at the start. Because if he does, he’ll be a valuable addition to the depth of the squad.
Brisvegas(Quote)
Yup .. sturgeon. Thats the old coat if arms
(Source is wiki) .. new arms were adopted on March 4, 1968. The upper half shows a star, the symbol of the Hero of the Soviet Union, which was introduced after the heroic defense of the city during the Second World War.
The upper half of the shield also symbolises the Tsaritsyn fortress. The red colour symbolises the braveness and the blood shed for the Motherland.
The lower half of the arms shows a wheel, symbol for the many industries in the city. The wheat ears symbolise the fertility of the lands and the city. The blue colour symbolises the Volga river
Anyhow .. back to England. Some decent individuals with poor manager working in a constrictive, backward looking, old boys network organisation that will only stifle talent while it focusses on self interest rather than footballing success
GlosMag(Quote)
Really good assessment of the England setup.
* Southgate should never have been hired but at least he is not Big Fat Sam 🙂
* I have a gut feeling that the individual talent will get us to at least the quarters.
* because we have the easiest route there.
* As I have said before, if Southgate just lets picks the City, Liverpool and Spurs players and lets them play the same way as Pep, Klopp and Poch then it might be fun for once.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Pickford has a mistake in him (not as much as Karius 🙂 ) but also has a brilliant game in him which is why I think we might make the SF.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
What’s this? Optimism about England? Don’t be silly!
georgio(Quote)