Jonesy7211

It used to be a joy watching teams like Madrid and Barcelona back in the 90s and early 2000s. Now I can't stand it. Tackled fairly? Why not fall over and scream. I know a lot of teams play for fouls but Madrid take it to a whole other level.

8 minutes ago, Zatman said:

laughable, 18 months at the top which could easily be a blip in form. If thats the case surely Ruben Dias must be among the best as well, Apparently he is in the top 5 on that list, doubt he would make the top 20 if honest

 

 

Can't disagree at all. This is the kind of wind up comment I'd expect from Talksport, not the BBC. He's probably not even Liverpool's best Premier League centre half, Sami Hyypia was massive for them.

This is a tricky one. The Glazers have spent a lot of money on transfers, however they've taken a lot out of the club too.

Gary Neville made a good point earlier today as well. There's been no improvements or servicing of Old Trafford, with some of it in need of repair. The training ground hasn't been updated, and unlike some of the other top European clubs there's been no improvement to the area immediately outside the ground.

Undoubtedly the ESL was the tipping point; it's pretty clear the Yanks owners along with Perez were the ones pushing it.

That being said, the attempts to stop the game with protests should not have lead to a break in at ground. In my opinion, the act undermines the process. Although it will greatly annoy the owners of both clubs, the advertisers, and sky. I'm conflicted tbh.

2 minutes ago, limpid said:

IANAL, but I think that after 12+ months of working from home, that is now your place of work, de facto and de jure. Most employment law is built around "usual practice" and working from home is now your usual practice.

I think some employers will get some unexpected changes forced on them as the claims for unfair / constructive dismissals start to land. And then there's the claims for expenses for travelling to the office...

Never heard of IANAL before but a quick Google search and I've had my lesson for the day. Thanks!

The technology is there to support greater home working, unified comms, hosted technology etc, all you need is an internet connection. A lot of companies have invested in this to support their staff. However there will always be a case for some office working, but I agree entirely with you regarding enforced changes. I believe there will also have to be enforced changes as a result of social distancing in the workplace. Some offices I've worked in have been 2 steps below a battery farm.

1 minute ago, limpid said:

Sounds like constructive dismissal to me.

I think you're right. He's made comments about being back in the office before, but this time it was definitive.

Over the last 12-14 months there's been so much made of people being lucky to be in work because of the impact of covid on the economy, but I think the wider public simply have not recognized that so many companies would have gone to the wall if people hadn't carried on as normal whilst juggling families and/or crisis with work. My CEO certainly doesn't recognize that.

1 hour ago, mikeyp102 said:

Hadn’t seen Lawes was injured again. In which case yes a big loss. 
Agree that Manu shouldn’t be picked, but it’s amazing how many people who have played with or against him, say if he has a chance to be fit for the last 2 years they’d pick him as he’s that good. 

I don't doubt his ability, he's an incredible centre. Completely unique, so powerful and explosive. He's had so many injuries the last few years, I just don't think he'll be fit enough.

Gueye off. PSG losing their heads

Both Lawes and Tuilagi are injured and won't have much chance, if any, to prove fitness. Lawes was ruled out for a few months at the start of March. Manu did his Achilles last year, and I suffered that fate and it stopped me ever playing again. Granted he's a professional player, but it takes a while to recover from.

Real shame about Lawes, his physicality would be great against the boks.

Edit. With North and May ruled out too, I don't want any more drop outs. Be a shame if injuries ruined the tour before it started, as we'll definitely pick up a few in the warm up games.

Fly-halfs will be from Biggar, Finn Russell, Sexton, and an outside shot for Joe Simmonds. With Gatland being a pragmatist I don't think he'll want to take players who haven't been playing elite level rugby this season, especially in such a key position.

If Farrell goes it'll be as a 12 and for his previous Lions experience, but there are many better choices for 12 based on recent form including Robbie Henshaw and Jonathon Davies who played very well for Wales when he moved in from 13. The way Farrell, amongst a few others, were dismantled by SA in the RWC final in 19 will have been noted too.

I agree Itoje will go, but I can also see Anthony Watson going for his versatility in the back 3. Personally, I love watching him with the ball in hand. I don't think there'll be many English players going, which will only further highlight Eddie's poor squad selection and tactics for the 6 nations.

Rightly so, I believe the squad will be mostly made up of Welsh and Irish players.

The owners will be back at this definitely, but next time they'll have all their legal ducks lined up, so to speak. They won't leave anything to chance. They don't care about the reaction.

A real punishment must be handed out even if it only temporarily reduces the status of the teams who wanted in to the SL. Imagine spurs and arsenal signing up to this if they've been relegated?

36 minutes ago, sidcow said:

Arsenal and Liverpool will not qualify for the Champions league this year. 

Tottenham have hardly ever qualified. 

Arsenal  not been in for a coupe of years. 

Man United did not. Qualify this year. 

It's not currently a closed shop and they are sick of interlopers cutting them out. 

Historically in the CL era in England it's been 4 from Utd, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, and latterly Man City. In Italy Juventus have won Serie A 9 times on the bounce (I accept they won't this year), Spain is usually Real or Barca, Munich have won the Bundesliga 9 times out of the last 11 (or 16 times since 99), and PSG 7 times out of the last 8. I know Munich nor PSG haven't agreed to join yet but the point I was making is these clubs tend to have the financial advantages already, which is what the SL is blatantly all about.

This cabal of clubs tried to block Man City from joining the party by pushing FFP onto us, and I agree they're pushing for the super league to stop other clubs getting a piece of the pie. On that note, UEFA are as corrupt as an organization gets. They won't risk losing these clubs to another competition, they're cash cows for UEFA. They'll give them more incentive to stay in the CL. Same with the FA and the PL, as much as we may not like it they won't be able to generate the sales and revenue without some of the "Big 6" (Tottenham and Arsenal shouldn't be in this based on current history) remaining in the PL.

The top European leagues are pretty much a closed shop already when looking at league winners, and pretty much for the teams who finish in the CL places. It's the same teams always making it through to the Champions League latter stages too.

Don't these teams have enough of an advantage over every other club already? The breakaway league is a purely and simply a cash grab.

Being a cynical git, there's no way these clubs are going to come away worse when all is said and done. The drawbridge will be lifted further to protect the cartel.

15 minutes ago, S-Platt said:

If you were Kane would you leave for a chance of trophies or stay to be the record goal scorer at the club?

The thing with Kane that's different to Jack is that both Manchester clubs need a striker, and both will be competing for trophies next season. That'll be his driver when deciding to move 

Jack is a great player, but all the clubs that have a realistic chance of signing him already have players in his position that'll need to be moved on first. With covid cutting into budgets I think we've got a few more seasons with Jack yet.

Watched The Little Things last night. Favourite film of the year so far. Very dark, and Denzel is as great as usual. Not one to watch if you're not in a positive mindset.

27 minutes ago, HanoiVillan said:

Probably only I find this funny, but I was idly thinking about Godzilla v Kong when I spotted this album cover:

I saw it and thought they must be Hawaii's answer to Waddle and Hoddle

Just a great big clueless inept performance. Dodgy penalty and a set piece.

Kane looks off the pace. Sat far too deep. Rice is a center half, sits so deep. Philips is not an international player. Sterling runs up his own backside. Centre halfs aren't top level. GK is poor.

Mount and Foden only players with real quality. So frustrating when we have some top players ready to come in, and everybody can see it except for the FA yes man in a crap waistcoat.

1 minute ago, Genie said:

Just as the questions were starting to be asked he’s out of jail

Massively. Top managers change things and adapt when there's a problem. He's sat on his hands and won the lottery.

Lucky lucky Southgate

1 minute ago, EastEndVillan said:

what is the point of Phillips.

If it wasn't Philips it'd be Winks, Dier, or another wet blanket in midfield that only takes the ball from behind the back 4.

If he takes Foden off for Lingard Southgate needs taking out the back and shooting. 

Southgate has to bring on an attack minded midfielder for Philips, surely? He's got to push for the win, I can see Poland turning us over in their country.

Quality defending