GENTLEMAN

Quite. WC 2018 was an absolute chill route to get to a final. In a one off game maybe could have shithoused a superior French side. Next Tuesday, I reckon it’ll be the Germans. We owe them 1. What momentum we will gain if it was to pass.

Southgate ^. JWP says hi

I just want claret shorts...

Its like an FM save challenge. Even the way he took over in the Championship with no centre backs.

Hmmm, pinch of salt of course but that would suggest straight swap for Mount. System remains. That would mean Jack would need to have output in assists and goals to retain his place.

I like the 'idea' of Dele Alli, if he could recapture that form 16-17 season (crikey that long). As a sort of raumdeuter behind Ollie. A rose between two roses of Grealish and Buendia. Then two from the hardworking, energetic (with a dash of guile) midfield trio of Sanson, Luiz and McGinn. Now comes the slap of reality. Levy, of course (£££). Attitude and our fingers being well and truly burnt with previous out of favor prodigal son projects. What the hell am I thinking.

Not been keeping abreast of betting markets. Are the odds shortening or lengthening for City transfer?

Just want him to show what we know he's capable of. Perhaps a bit of Jungian synchronicity at play. Mount's unconscious mind knew that for the good of the nation Jack had to get minutes to show Southgate the error in his thinking. Therefore, the urge to frolic in the tunnel with Gilmour manifested in Mount's conscious mind. Meaning Mount misses the game and thereby allowing Jack to become un-droppable for the subsequent games and shining throughout the tournament.

Tell me about. I tried to talk myself round before the match against Scotland but I was all bile inside and moping about when chatting to local mates about England. Absolutely buzzing for tonight's game now.

Wouldn't there be WP issues with this one?

Watching that at 1.5x, I really do no see the comparisons. Jack is a far superior 'consistent' dribbler and passer. God I'm so nostalgic for that era though. Love the aesthetic. Clips I've seen of Best are closer. I say without shame. Of course I think that I should be England first and foremost but I will be really upset if Jack does not start tonight. Sad that it will make such a difference to my night whether Jack starts or not, but this is true.

I've seen the Italia 90' doc. Was in tears. Might search out that whole game. Found this youtube clip I am going to watch...

I do not see this myself. Granted it was a touch before my lifetime, so I cannot judge properly. I consider Gascoigne more unreliable and unprofessional on the pitch. A moments player, so to speak. Someone who would go missing for large portions of a game and then pop up with a moment of absolute skill to wow. Jack drives a team, demands a standard. He is constant and relentless threat. Jack is an absolute athlete too. Would really like to hear peoples views on why the comparison is apt though. As I do not really know much about Gazza, other than the sad stuff.

I'm torn between wanting to be patriotic, get behind the boys not matter what is and will happen and an incandescent rage for Southgate that he is wasting a lot of attacking talent with his idiocy. Jack is top of that pile. England have not had a player like him in my lifetime.

Nailed it!

So I've been racking my brain for who Gareth Southgate reminds me of. Finally narrowed it down to two contenders:

With a proper pre-season too, I think he's going to shine next season. Going to be a real selection headache for Smith.

Oh I agree. But you work with what you've got and make a judgement on what has passed previously. We cannot oust Southgate now, so just hope a combination of individuals could work.

Honestly I don't think Foden and Sterling have done enough to remain in starting 11. Grealish Kane Sancho. Rice Phillips Bellingham. Shaw Mings Stones James. For me that has a nice balance. The way Southgate is talking, what I expect is a return of Trippier, Walker, Maguire and Henderson. Foden Kane Sterling. Rice Henderson Bellingham. Trippier Maguire Stones Walker.

Yaya appreciating something we've been appreciating for a good while now.

I think it could be a back 3 to accommodate Maguire. Rumblings that he may reintroduce Henderson too.

God. I cannot wait for the season to start.

Come now, I kid. That was clearly a JWP post. But I do admire your conviction and assertiveness in posts. You always hook me in even when there is sometimes only ‘small’ truth to your statements. I suppose it’s testament to the adage that it’s not what you say but how you say it. ‘Contrary X player has more free kicks won per 90 than mainstream Y player therefore X player is better at dribbling than player Y. Duh you dummies!’ Hmm I think maybe Moto has a point. Someone posts the actual stats that contradict this. ‘Well I meant more free kicks won in last 15 mins per 90 mins so therefore my point stands, also if you combine this stat with the throw ins won per last 5 min when opposition is at home, clearly what I said is absolute objective truth’. Well hot damn. Someone posts the actual stats that contradict this. ’Whoops I misread those. However, my point still stands, if you look at just the last 10 games when dribbling is most likely to be an important match moment and you will clearly see that I am right to hold my contrarian view.’ You’re certainly one not to follow a crowd. Anyway, what do you make of ESR?

I do love how you post with such conviction.