Reluctant Striker

Yes. Newcastle always seemed a dangerous mix of a side both capable of that & also quite motivated to do that. Feels like they still see Villa as a rival, or a side to make a point against. If all had been fully fit, I'd have expected Ramsey ahead of Bailey for Newcastle (a) I feel sure both Diaby & Bailey in same Newcastle (a) line up would not have been Plan A or B. Both capable of looking impressive going forward, but very much a front 3. Which hasn't actually been the case for most of the good run with Emery. More 4-2-2-2. I have been wondering why Tielemans was not starting. Emery seems so switched on, I kind of assume it must be fitness level issues. Apparently Villa want Zaniolo with option to buy, but Galatasaray wanting straight sale, or obligation to buy. Rumours already around before Mings injury was a RB that could cover CB. As they do have 4 fit CBs, I do think the original plan may still be best. Lots of random suggestions of Maguire around, but not from anyone official looking.

England continue to be very fortunate. Any side remaining could win from what I've seen. The England - Australia match will be quite an atmosphere. I suspect the Aussie crowd will turn it up another notch.

I read 1 article suggesting he could pick up a few medals & still return for the Premier League scoring record. It would be possible if only stays 2 seasons & he's 1 that plays well past 35. Maybe dips a level, 10 to 15 a season. But, I think he already looks to be constantly carrying so many ongoing pulls & strains that I question if he'll last the full 4 year contract.

I would guess Pep sees him as adding a midfield goal threat. Still lots of money though. For someone who failed in Serie A.

You were not asking me, but there are 3 distinct types of English obsessions on Germany. The first is Hitler & WWII The modern opposition to the first type are those that think Germany 2023 should be what we aspire to be. While doing away with a whole political party. And then third are those that just like Adidas, Puma, BMW, Mercedes Benz, hot dogs & so on. I am wearing an Adidas item today..

Very good point. Yes, being a serial winner tends to get post career opportunities of Hansen & Lawrenson. Neville & Keane. etc. etc. But nobody remembers Shearer as anything other than the Newcastle & England striker that scored lots of goals & lost 2 consecutive FA Cup finals. I'm not saying he would ever match Kane for Spurs. But they do have that guy who generally is used as a winger. Seen as slightly overrated. Unless he's playing for his nation, Brazil. And then he starts bicycle kicking & keepy-upping on the biggest stage possible. As a striker. If he can't help Spurs get over Kane, there's not too many other options. Especially when you consider Man United & Chelsea's never ending striker searches.

If he rejects, he must want the Premier League scoring record & perhaps hoping an English title contender wants him for free next summer. Going to Bayern for a few guaranteed winners medals would surely save his esteem with Spurs fans, much more than having a try with Man United, Chelsea, whoever next year.

I'm not at all against the idea of Lauren James earning as much as Reece James or Raheem Sterling. But, who should be doing more to make that happen? Broadcasters? Clubs? Fans? Sponsors? Why is this thread nothing compared to Qatar ? Are all the not-even-here posters part of the issue ?

Any ideas why I can not see the 'like' button? I can see others have clicked like on posts. But not there for me to click on anyones post if I did want to?

In America, nearly all sports have that college-draft route. If it is not the same for womens soccer it probably should be. In Britain, every 4 years many watch a group of Scottish women who become the GB curling team at the winter Olympics. I think they & many niche sports receive National Lottery funding. But I would guess it is largely a televised hobby. Soon after the England women won the Euros, some new guidance was brought in for all school girls to be able to play football at school. And many of the leading football clubs have a womens team. There is a real chance women's football could become much more profitable than it is. And like the mens game, there will likely be many generations of former players looking on as the numbers keep increasing. Karen Carney seemed to get it right recently. She was chosen to lead a review into women's football. And in the findings, was asking for minimum standards to be raised. And it seems sponsors are listening. An advert campaign around Wembley today was for girls football.

I know American sport is almost nationalised compared to Britain. But women's football has been given a vastly increased platform in Britain, because they have offered up a viable product. And a very competitive England team. But wherever in the world, more money in women's football, or any sport, surely needs more fans & sponsors. And that is something that is not provided on an equality basis. It's earned by the methods of supply & demand for the product.

Crazy ending to Sweden - USA. I was as convinced as the US goalkeeper the ball had not gone in, but it did cross the line. That really is both giants gone now, in the women's game. USA & Germany both gone before the Quarter Finals? Nobody who has even vaguely followed women's football in recent years would have expected that.

Definitely lots more like a contenders performance from England today ! James looking like that special kind of player other teams usually have. Only just randomly found they did a Vindaloo2.. I think for the last mens Euro's :

Almost agree with England's line up today. Hemp & James feel clearly ahead of Kelly. And Rachel Daly now in the midfield.. getting closer to striker.. Still feels less stressful to me than the men would do, but I want a star in my lifetime & long past caring too much about genders.

Well, it's been Villa & Brentford linked this summer. If Forest finish comfortable mid table, and he's a star feature, next summer it could be clubs going for multiple trophies every season. Any Forest to Brentford move is all going to be on individual player variables.

Bizarre. Any footballing or finance person would surely look at the situation of the manager choosing left backs ahead of him & take any money asap.

Wesley to Stoke City from Aston Villa on a permanent transfer. He was never the same player after being horrifically hacked down Vs Burnley. Scored 1 memorable hat trick vs Norwich. And has 1 full cap for Brazil.

England dropping 1 of the front 3.. but it is Hemp. Also, Rachel Daly comes in.. but as left back. Not at all the changes I would have been making. I will wait & hope to be proved wrong, but does feel like too much stock being placed in Russo (the back heel) & Kelly (the winner)

Thought starting Russo as striker & Kelly as winger didn't look as good as retired White & injured Mead. Personally, I would get Rachel Daly in as starting number 9. She's had a far, far better season than any other England forward.

Umbro would have done. When they were making England & Barcelona kits. But that's American too now. Not sure why they stick with Nike really. May aswell be trying New Balance, Castore, Asics, Canterbury, even Adidas & Puma. Apparently even the mens keeper tops are not sold via England FA store.

Fabrizio Romano & Sky Sports Germany seem confident Moussa Diaby is choosing Villa over Al Nassr.

Have not seen him waste possession once for Villa. But does not offer much at all going forward. Think that was what ultimately kept him behind direct corner scoring Douglas Luiz, McGinn & then other more recent players like Kamara & Ramsey. Add Tielemans & he was jostling for 6th choice with Sanson, who has returned from his loan back to France. I remember predicting he'd seem like Kante in the Championship. Not sure how close that was to what happened, but Luton very happy to get him. And I hope he does well & gets regular playing time.

The target has to be another title challenge. It is a lot of money for England's CM. And Havertz does not seem quite the player he was supposed to be, but he is certainly not a striker. I that has been obvious for a long time to everyone outside Chelsea. I would be very surprised if Arsenal play him there, except in any emergency. But for me, I do see them staying ahead of Man United & Liverpool. I think Chelsea & Spurs have a journey ahead to get to where they may want to be. Newcastle still have not really made a crazy game changing signing.

League Positions: Man City Arsenal Liverpool Man United Aston Villa Newcastle Chelsea Brighton Spurs West Ham Crystal Palace Fulham Wolves Nottingham Forest Brentford (because Toney seems very significant) Sheffield United Burnley Bournemouth Everton Luton Town Top Scorer - Haaland Golden Glove - Martinez Most Goals From Outside the Box - Son Most Assists - Gabriel Jesus Most Red Cards (Player) - Dunk Most Red Cards (Club) - Everton Most Penalties Conceded (Club) - Bournemouth Most Own Goals (Club) - West Ham

I suppose Villa & Leicester would have been laughed at if predicted correctly last season.