ferguson1

Thoughts with you and many others in what is no doubt going to be a very emotional weekend. Take care

Absolutely brilliant film and probably my all time favourite. From the opening theme tune onwards, I can go through every emotion watching it.

Is Ruben Shakpoke still injured? He seems to have been terribly unlucky with injury since he joined us.

Don’t know why but my first thought when seeing that shirt was “Kent Nielsen”? Lovely shirt though and would be more than happy with it.

I’ve seen it as high as 12-1 today and think that price is still available.

Has to be a winnable game against West Ham tomorrow. Win and we top the WSL for 24 hours at least. Best of luck to them.

I remember the day like yesterday. In my 20’s at work and hearing firstly that there had been a plane crash in NYC. It was talked about briefly by a few of us and then back to work not knowing what was about to unfold. Not ignorance to the event but sheer innocence from us all in the office. I remember someone saying that it could be a tragic accident. With no TV, no radio, we thought no different and carried on working. At that time in my life, I don’t think I would have thought of it any differently because the world seemed a relatively safe place to be in. I couldn’t comprehend a major terrorist attack. Then the second plane hit and the news of it clearly spread fast. It was heading towards the end of the working day for us anyway and we were told if we wanted to go we could. I got home and my mother had the TV on. The magnitude of this terror attack was unfolding before our eyes like nothing I’d ever seen before. Then the Pentagon was hit and then the forced crash just outside Pennsylvania. Even living in the West Midlands, I remember thinking at the time “what next”? Attacks in Great Britain, something nuclear around the world? Silly thoughts really but probably fuelled by media coverage at the time. You couldn’t help but be fearful for what now? At this point, the world became a scarier place for me. Days and even weeks following it was like what happens now? Has anything happened today when I got home? Are we going to war then? I’ve watched many 9/11 documentaries since and footage still makes the hairs stand up. A horrible, horrible day in history and one we should never forget. Thoughts and prayers go out to anyone that was affected.

Following Dean’s presser, I honestly don’t expect to see Sanson, Traore and most notably Konsa starting the game. Not all bad news though, Ramsey, Bailey and Watkins confirmed as fit and available. Tough game this and much will depend on whether Lukaku plays for them. If he’s available, I think we’ll struggle but if he’s missing I think we can get something out of the game, even snatch an unlikely win. This is how I think Smith will start the game tomorrow: Steer Cash Axel Mings Targett Luiz McGinn Bailey Young El Ghazi Ings Subs: Sinisalo, Konsa, Hause, Nakamba, Ramsey, Sanson, Traore, Watkins, Archer

You’ve kindly reminded me of one of my favourite films of this type. The Vikings (1958) starring Kirk Douglas an Tony Curtis, is a truly swashbuckling bit of Hollywood. Dazzling visuals for it’s time and would highly recommend for anyone that’s never seen it.

The 13th Warrior. Just watching it again on Disney+/Star, after seeing it quite a few years ago. Over 20 years old now. Stars Antonio Banderas, it’s total bobbins of course but still an enjoyable watch.

I really have to agree. Never been keen on him presenting anything. Max & Paddy is about all I’ve ever liked him in.

Wasn’t quite sure where to post this but I really didn’t like the start/new series of a Question of Sport. Only one episode in mind, but…. New host (Paddy McGuinness) just failed to bring any charisma and charm to the role. A little annoying actually. New captains Sam Quek and Ugo Monye again failed to show any personality and really lacked humour. Perhaps needs time but I think this could be the start of the end of the show or they may require a drastic rethink.

I actually think this latest season has started off quite well. It’s been a little darker yes but I don’t mind that and am intrigued to see how all this pans out. The most annoying thing is the “filler” characters that seem to just appear in the group and you know aren’t going to last the episode. I do agree with many in that season’s 1-6 were very good to decent and then it has tailed off from season 7 onwards.

If Lukaku is missing then of course it weakens them and it’s ridiculous to suggest otherwise. The likely replacement would be Timo Werner, who is nowhere like the threat of Lukaku. Their team overall will still be strong but it’s certainly helpful to us if a few are out.

Phew, thought we’d got another one injured for a minute when I saw the thread had been bumped.

Trent in midfield is absolutely baffling, it really is. Do we really have no alternatives or better options who actually play the position at club level? He’s obviously a talented footballer but this logic of talented players can play any position is just ridiculous.

Agree that nobody starts ahead of Kane, but if you need a goal in tournament then I’d rather bring on Ings ahead of DCL and Bamford. Bamford is 28 and Ings only 29, so age shouldn’t play a part in Gareth’s decision making.

Shame Watkins or Ings aren’t playing in this match. Ings especially deserves a cap on his performances and goals so far this season.

Think he was all set to sign for Cheltenham Town after training with them this summer, however his agent got a little greedy with the deal and Cheltenham said no in the end. He’ll probably find a club but be lucky if it’s as high as League One or Two now. Proper fall from grace but we’ve seen this before.

Massive win and a great confidence boost. We’ll have much tougher tests but Leicester will be one of the teams in our lower half group, so the win is important. Integrating many new players is always going to be difficult and implementing Carla’s ideas will take time. We played some good stuff at times though. Neat and tidy and kept the ball better than last season. Hampton is a real quality pick up. She’s young, bit raw but obviously has a lot of ability. We’ll do well to keep hold of her.

Mayling hadn’t scored in her previous 4 seasons at Blues which is surprising. Seems a really tidy player and a good pick up on this showing.

Iwabuchi joined Arsenal in the summer.

Couldn’t see Ezri on any of the training pictures released today on the official site. A little worrying to say the least. Thankfully we have Axel as cover but hoping it’s weeks rather than months if Ezri is injured.