speeeeeeedie

Here here. Excellent coach, awful manager.

I had a conversation with a Burnley season ticket holding mate of mine. He's well and truly fallen off the Dyche band wagon, less than 6 months after wanting to anoint him as being the second coming too. He says that Dyche has lost it, and as he's bought loads of dross shouldn't be allowed near the cheque book. He also reckons that Joe Hart is to blame for their defensive woes. Heaton and Pope are organisers, he says Hart isn't.

Is the Paul Stretford listed Wayne Rooney's Paul Stretford?

Interesting point Gav. I've had this discussion many times. As usual with complex matters there is no single answer. It's even harder to explain to English people who live in a place with no history of natural disasters. America is massive, covering all that land is hard hard work. California has had forest fires since day 1, population moving in has made it more dangerous. It's been reported that power lines falling caused the latest ones, yet again a man made issue. Forest fires, hurricanes, tornadoes, river flooding, have always occurred, great numbers of people living in their vicinity is a recent development. Hurricane Katrina was a watershed. That was very badly managed. Since then hurricane preparation and relief has improved dramatically. Americans are willing to take the risk of living somewhere nice so they'll put up with natural disasters. Conversely, there are also a lot of rural poor who can't live anywhere else but on cheap land in disaster prone areas so suffer through each time. I've been through a couple of hurricanes. They aren't nice, but it gets back to normal pretty quickly afterwards. Secondary is the need for massive investment in US infrastructure. America's roads, bridges, dams, locks, airports, canals, power grid, you name it, needs billions upon billions investing in them to get them up to scratch. The only entity capable of doing it is the government, but they don't have the money without raising taxes. There's a running joke amongst US political reporters that Trump has been rolling out "infrastructure week" for over a year whereby he wants to highlight and eventually legislate to get all this done. However, due to his many antics, and the fact that Republican politicians know the cost means that it never sees the light of day.

England have a lot to look forward too. A core of young, talented players who most importantly believe in the manager and each other. Rooney's comments over the weekend that some ex-England internationals are jealous of this team is interesting. The "golden generation" had some very good players, but too many ego's who wouldn't let it go even when playing for England. I'll try not to go all Vinjay but I also think that Alex Ferguson shoulders some of the blame for them underperforming. His Man U players did not like those from other clubs, notably Liverpool, and latterly Chelsea. I believe that the mentality was fostered by him as he had contempt for international football. Giggs with Wales is another one. He played 20 years in the top flight yet only has 60 or so caps.

Not good. But no American played well. England's reserves looked very good.

Money spinning cynicism aside I'm not that bothered. He'll play for 15/20 minutes, maybe even 10 (his number) then be off. It's a friendly. Germany did it with Podolski, and he played England off the park. Hopefully Rooney can have a lasting impression on some of the younger players - don't do what I did as I won nothing with England.

I like a good stat too. His season by season comparison is almost identical. Tony Mowbray's Rovers in the Championship 2016-2017; P-15 W-5 D-7 L-3 Pts-22. League Win Percentage - 33.33% League Points per game - 1.47 2018-2019; P-16 W-6 D-7 L-3 Pts-25. League Win Percentage - 37.5% League Points per game - 1.56 Extrapolating this out over a season puts Rovers ending on around 70 points. Looking at history this probably isn't enough for a play off spot. Mowbray needs a Souness like bump to achieve that. Here are the points totals for 6th spot since the year before Rovers dropped out of the Premier League up until last season; 2017-2018; 75 2016-2017; 80 2015-2016; 74 2014-2015; 78 2013-2014; 72 2012-2013; 68 2011-2012; 70 2 things strike me from this. Coyle was an abysmal manager. There must not have been many draws in the season Rovers were relegated to League 1. 80 points for 6th. Rovers relegated on 51.

But apart from that it's great. I am a fan of football. I enjoy the premier league. I don't get wrapped up what happens off the pitch.

I read about this on Monday. 4 were charged, now just one. An odd and sad situation.

Some good points raised. I think a majority would enable more action and less stopping. What about sin bins? Don't send them off but give them a few minutes away from the pitch a la ice hockey. One team plays with 10 for a short period of time. In junior football where I live they've banned heading until u13 due to safety concerns. However, they haven't banned keepers from booting the ball out of their hands which causes no end of problems.

I don't know if this has been done on here before but I'll give it a whirl. If you could add, change, or remove a rule in football to make the game better what would it be? Mine would be to treat injuries like they do in rugby. Instead of players lying prostrate followed by a few seconds of benign passing before someone puts it out of play so that a physio can come on, I'd have play continue as normal. The ref waves on the physio who tends to the injured player whilst the game goes on around them. The ref still has discretion to halt proceedings if they deem that it's warranted. To me this would not only cut down on time wasting, but it would ensure that those who aren't really injured would think twice before asking for the magic sponge.

What a good result and performance. Kane, Rashford, and Sterling were very good. Can they do that against teams that sit back? I hope so. Spain were always going to dominate possession so counterattacking played into England's hands. I've always been far too positive regarding England but I do think that there is some hope for a decent side over the next couple of tournaments. Pickford is young and will improve. There are good options all across the back (Trippier or Walker at right back for one). Plenty of young attacking talent available. Ideally we find a midfielder who can knit play together, and a central striker who can deputise and eventually take over from Kane.

To the point I highlighted; probably not. It happened in the second half. It's fair to say that Marker's challenge was a poor one. Nobody knows what his intent was though, but very doubtful that it was to end a career. There's no video as far as I know, I've not been able to find out If he was sent off or not, and as the civil suit was settled out of court there is little to go on their either. Has Marker ever commented on it? Other players? Tony Parkes (reserve team manger at the time)? I'll suspect not. Those details may be in the book, but I'll not be buying it. I'll save the argument on which team should be more hated; Ferguson's Utd or Russian Chelsea or post Emerati City for a later date.

Holland beat Germany 3-0 yesterday. Jogi Low must be on borrowed time. Holland had Ryan Babel playing. I thought he'd given up years ago.

I'll say again that I seriously doubt that Marker's intent was to end Thornley's career, I'll also say that I'm not trying to pass it off as an "innocuous 50/50". He may have gone over the ball. If you can find a video of the tackle please post it. At this point it's all conjecture. As a side, my footballing days were ended by a double compound fracture of my leg. There was no malice at all in the tackle that did it, just 2 people going for a ball. Also, a mate of mine now walks with a permanent limp having had his ACL and MCL done and peroneal nerve snapped with one of the most tame tackles I've ever seen. It can happen.

Dier hit the post. Kane hit the bar. Rashford missed 2 absolute sitters, yet your main observation is to lambast England's central midfield. It certainly wasn't a classic but I've not seen Modric or Ratikic that quiet for a long time. England were by far the better team, and what is most promising is that there were no over 30's out there. I do think though that Dier should re purpose himself as a centre half. He doesn't have the speed to play in midfield, but he is an accomplished footballer.

It happens in football. It's a risk every player takes. Is there video? Did Marker get sent off because of it? I've no idea. I feel for Ben Thornley but I doubt Marker's motivation was to end his career.

Usain Bolt scored 2 for the Central Coast Mariners in a pre season game; Bolt scores 2 Is it a marketing stunt or a genuine opportunity? It is interesting. He is football mad, but spent the last 15 years running. Imagine having to mark him though? 6'5" and the quickest ever. Who was the British sprinter who was on trial at Wigan (I think) years ago?

What has he done wrong? He got a limited outfit to a World Cup semi final, got the squad to gel, and restored some pride in the shirt. He should be rewarded. England's problems aren't Southgate. It's a toothless FA. They need to regulate their own league to enable more English players opportunities to play. Talent such as Rashford, Loftus-Cheek, Lingard, not to mention some of the promising youth cup winners are being wasted by Prem clubs necessity to stay on the gravy train.

Rovers fans need to be very careful in their wishes. Mowbray has done a good job so far. He is methodical, but that is exactly what the club needs after years of idiocy. Signs are there that Venkys are listening to his plans. Shelling out for Bereton is one of them. I'd stick at the moment. Rovers aren't good enough to go up this year, but hopefully they can build a squad of challengers soon. As for Villa, Carvahal will do absolutely nothing. Let them have him.

Bruce is a good manager. Villa should stick with him. I feel a bit sorry for Rowett if Stoke do pot him. As Rovers fans well know dropping down a division after a long spell in the top flight isn't easily remedied.

Yet another fantastic Ryder Cup. Europe were far better than the USA. I thought that it would be much closer. 2 years ago the Americans couldn't miss a putt. This time out they couldn't hit a fairway. Lots of hand wringing over here on why the USA lost. From a lack of understanding of the course, no team chemistry, tiredness, to iffy partnerships, the USA is going back to the drawing board again. Furyk seems like a decent bloke, but he missed on his captain's picks. Woods, Mickelson, and DeChambeau combined for 0 points. Although Woods won last weekend, he looked spent. He already had a miserable Ryder Cup record, this should be the end to his participation. Europe too will have to reevaluate. Poulter and Garcia may be too old next time. Those 2 have under performed in tour events over the years but come alive come cup time. They will be missed.

One of my favourite sporting events begins tomorrow; the Ryder Cup. This year it's in Paris. The USA team looks to be stronger than the European one this time out but it will be close.

I've had a think about this. Southgate isn't going to drop Trippier or Walker off the back of a few good games by Gomez. I also think Rose will play ahead of Shaw, although Shaw is the long term replacement - if he keeps his form.