benhben

Wow what an absolute shambles. The start of a Tomasson death spiral....lost my faith in him.

After watching the shambles vs Sunderland, and 4 abject performances out of 5 my enthusiasm is quickly waning. I cant fathom how we've been so crap for long periods and are still 3rd. Despite all the issues, were still in a great place and a few additions in January could cement a play off spot. The top 2 are miles ahead. Out of everyone, Buckleys performance was an abomination the other day. Bad attitude and bad ability. Hes 100% out and back to the U23s for me. Gallagher wasnt much better. Midfield is just trying something different, and two players who might actually run abit. Weve not seen Markanday much, he cant be worse than Hirst. Pretty damning that apart from Hyam, none of the summer transfers are anywhere near the squad. Desperate for some investment in Jan to keep it going. Kaminski Hyam Ayala Wharton Hedges Garrett Travis Pickering Dack Markanday BBD

We've been 2nd best all game. Apart from the GK, CBs and BBD they can all be sold for me. How the fuck are we third??? Awful

Buckley has been woeful. Gives the ball away and plays with 10% effort. A player who thinks he's miles better than he is.

We've been properly shit this half. Forwards haven't had a touch and the midfield has been miles off it. Midfield has to be a focus in January. Said it for ages we don't have enough power or energy in there. That's the weak point of this side.

Unreal game. France did what they did against England, second best for long periods but score their first chance. The extra time was the most frantic I've ever seen. Amazing way for Messi to go out. Bit like an end of an era this world cup as some of the best players to have ever play the game (Messi, Ronaldo and Modric) probably won't be seen on the international stage again.

Burnley looking a class above this season. Some good business in the transfer window as well. Their winger Manuel Benson looks a good find. 7 goals and 4 assists signed from Royal Antwerp.

Wow didn't see that result coming after the last few performances, especially with that starting 11. Jekyll and Hyde team this one. The fact we're still picking up wins rather than draws has kept us in the promotion hunt. We're not as good as the top two but as long as we don't go on a Mowbray spiral and maybe do some business in January the playoffs are definitely possible.

Pleased to see he has gone for the same side as last game. I was convinced he would get nervous and revert back to his defensive 5 at the back.

Back to back hammerings to the dingles and preston is a shocking return. Mega unconvinced by JDT as I think or league position is false. We've been awful for large parts of the season. I don't think we will finish anywhere near the top 6 which is a shame as the league this year is as bad as I can remember. Hope I'm wrong

Same team as last game for me, perhaps Rashford for Saka as hes more of a goal threat. I think if we go 3 at the back we will loose a midfielder which has been key for our good performances. It would be a mistake to loose the midfield battle and hand France large amounts of possession just because were worried about Mbappe. Southgate should have faith in our ability and stick to what has worked. Both sides weakness is defence so I can see a decent scoring game. 3-2. No idea which way.

Selling off/releasing some fringe players (Rankin Costello, Hirst, Dack if hes not going to play) might free up some wage space To me, two areas of improvement are a pacey CF and a hard man in midfield. Still think were too soft. Every top playmaker has always had a midfield general covering behind them. Don't think the other options are too bad. Werent we in for Dembele from Bournemouth in the summer. Did he go anywhere? Doesnt seem to get a game there.

Still looks fit and sharp for a 36 year old. Crazy how long players are staying at their peak these days. Chelsea got rid far too early!

He will want to try and forge a career at club level I imagine as top level club management is where the big money and accolade is. International managers tend to be departure lounge to retirement or failed club bosses. It would amuse me greatly though if he left Turd Moor part way through the season.

I drew Canada in our sweepstake. They played some of the most exciting build up play ive seen, full of pace and direct running. Alfonso Davis is a top class winger/full back. They were absolutely terrible when it came to composure infront of goal. Had Belgium all over the place but couldnt hit a barn door.

Good performance yesterday without ever getting into top gear. Thought the midfield three were the key by dominating the ball but also working hard off it. Next game is where the real tests start. Kanes hold up play and use of the ball was excellent, but he seems to be playing deeper and deeper. There were numerous good crosses accross the 6 yard box in the first 20 minutes and he was no where near. I can see why his goalscoring rate for England has been lower recently. In terms of who's better, hard to tell. Mbappe, Frances best player is better than our best player and can be devastating. Their front three as a whole is flying and they have a strong first 11. However, England have a stronger squad overall in my opinion. We have players on the bench who would be in the France side and can make numerous changes without weakening the side. Bellingham is also better than any of their midfielders. This lads the most talented 19 year old I've seen probably since Rooney.

I was just telling my work colleagues about this. Two proven scumbags, who have been in and out of Jail umpteen times over the last 10 years get caught with bolt cutters and a crowbar breaking into a guys house. Guy chases them away and gives chase in his car. They escape on a stolen motorbike, which results in a crash and injures them (not life threatening). Homeowner is arrested for dangerous driving and causing injury. In the meantime the two scumbags are arrested again in a stolen car and no insurance. Final result, the homeowner, with a pregnant wife is given 22 months in jail. The guy and wife end up terminating the pregnancy as she cant afford to live while he's in jail. The scumbags are given a suspended sentence and no further action. The justice system in this country is utterly wrong. It cannot be easier to live a life of crime than work. The police interviewing the persons involved all had sympathy for the homeowner. It is the judge handing out that sentence who must be held accountable. Utterly flawed. Decisions like this only promote vigilantism and discontent amongst the public. One of the scumbags even said to the camera he doesnt want to work as there are "easier ways" to make money. Completely wrong in every aspect. Sickening.

Any manager worth any respect, would look at Wales last two games and tell the squad, there's nothing to fear lets go for it, push high up and get a few goals. A good chance to get our attacking players back in the flow and some momentum going into the knockout games. Southgate however, like Mowbray used to, will talk up the opposition, give 100 defensive duties on all the attackers and hope to nick a 1-0. This will give Wales confidence after 15 minutes and make an edgy unnecessarily awkward game. Id assume Mount and Trippier will be first names on the team sheet again. Any decent manager id go 4-0 England, with Southgate id go 1-0 in extra time

I think if Kane is out injured, it would be glaringly obvious how much we reply on him to link up the attack with midfield and hold the ball upfront. I do think he drops too deep these days and is becoming more of a 10 than a centre forward, but he isnt replacable for England. It would require a change in style.

Read something last week that Rovers are worrier about Burnley wide forwards cutting inside. Maybe why he's played a right sider on the left. I'd personally rather see them in their natural position

Shop window goal that. Glad it's straight to pens and not ET.

Hoping this is the game where Dack has a blinder and works his way back into the starting 11. Also keen to see if Markanday gets a game upfront and what he can offer. The article on Lancs live sounds like JDT has been getting into Buckley lately to up his game so interesting to see if he plays with a point to prove. West Ham likely to make a lot of changes so I dont think it will be a walkover in their favour. Great chance for some fringe players. Kaminski Carter Ayala Phillips Brittain Mola Buckley Garrett Dack Markanday Vale

There is no point selling Brereton in January if the money wont be re-invested immediately which is unlikely. Our goal tally would fall off a cliff. He's won us 3 or 4 games already by scoring the only goal. If we did do some business in January my first action would be to send Hirst back to Leicester and replace him with a better loan or permanent CF. The scouting job on him has been awful whoever did it. A strong, mobile centre midfielder who likes a tackle would be a massive plus for us. Were all a bit small and nice in there. Wasnt Mola supposed to be this? We seem to be spending wage budget on loanees who never play at the moment.

Shouldn't be settling for anything but a win here. Forget the wing backs out of position nonsense from Midweek. Can see Huddersfield sitting fairly deep. Backing up a loss with a win means this week isnt a complete disaster. Kaminski Brittain Hyam Ayala Pickering Morton Travis Wharton Dack BBD Gallagher Out of interest does anyone know how our points tally this season compares with the same number of games last year?

Really got to hope Broughton and Tomasson can see Hirst isn't up to it and terminate the loan in Jan. Worrying that he was their main target all summer. A win on Saturday and it's not the end of the world, but we will get a mauling of the dingles I fear.