Reluctant Striker

Will probably record it & watch through it Monday evening here. I think I like the neutral entertainment I can get from American sports. Consciously decided never to pick a team in it. When I have played Madden games, I've gone with Dolphins, Steelers, Giants, Jets, Packers, Rams & Cowboys.

If I played for Kansas City Chiefs I think I'd genuinely struggle every match not in Kansas, to not be pointing out that we're not in Kansas anymore. And it would be funny every time.

I do keep an eye on the Villa women's team. Really happy to see them in the top half of the WSL. Signed up England Euro winner Rachel Daly, to play as a striker, at start of the season. Brought in Jordan Nobbs & Lucy Staniforth, I think both early 30's former (& unretired) England midfielders. And they have Alisha Lehmann, the Swiss winger, who now has more social media followers than Roger Federer.. Apparently she is always disappointed by her 'fans' who don't watch her play football..

Emi Martinez has made his first comments about having desires to win a Champions League. How he'd like to win a title with Villa, but the club is on a journey toward better things. Will be disappointing if he goes, but any side in European competition wanting a top class goalkeeper & prepared to pay big (he's only recently signed a long term contract) it's really feeling like he'll be on the move sooner than later. You would think he would only move somewhere as a number 1.

Wife beaters played on as recently as the 90's. Probably even more high profile too, the 2 that I remember. But accused rapists is new to me. It will be, interesting, for want of a better word, to see what happens with the not guilty Mendy & charges dropped Greenwood. But if either want to play. Feel confident enough to be in the public arena. You just know some club somewhere will take them on. Even if their current clubs decide it will not be with them.

It seems bad they've not been able to bring anyone in. Even on loan. From anywhere. Including the Championship. The 1 point to feel some hope on is that Dyche kept Burnley up. Multiple times. From similar situations. With a side built around Ashley Westwood as it's play maker. Believe me, Onana & Iwobi are miles better players.

Seems no surprise deadline day signing. But: Bertrand Traore recalled. (perhaps a pity El Ghazi had gone perm) A few fringe players have been loaned out. Including Sanson & Nakamba. While Bednarek & Augustinsson released from their loans in. If the right players are not available right now, this may be aswell. A split reaction to find online. I'd tend toward that we do have more depth than it would seem at first glance: 1st 11: Martinez Cash Konsa Mings Digne McGinn Douglas Luiz Kamara Buendia Bailey Watkins 2nd Choice: Olsen Young Chambers Carlos (returning from injury) Moreno ? Dendonker Ramsey Coutinho Traore Duran

Jhon Duran has been signed. A 19 year old Columbian international attacking player. Supposedly a pacy striker. From Chicago Fire. Must feel a bit of a blow to Villa's home grown 21 year old Cameron Archer, out on loan at Middlesbrough now. But I guess there are questions over how much time Watkins may or may not be out for. And if that's not going to be too long, is Watkins being seen as a wide attacker, or perhaps Danny Ings not entirely unavailable to the right bidder. Continuing to feel a slightly unexpected transfer window to me. I expected wingers, midfielders & maybe centre backs. So far, a left back & a striker.

Yes. It is one aspect of Liverpool that can grate. They perhaps are funded, like Man United, on self generated income. Yes, there is perhaps a false income for some clubs, with some owners. But the level of sympathy & portrayal as some kind of Robin Hood club, is an insular thing. When to everyone outside they spent massive money on many players in the team. Often attracting players from lesser fan-funded clubs. Lesser brand names, shifting less replica shirts in every corner of the planet. And, I agree on Gakpo. It doesn't make immediate sense to me. But perhaps the 'right' midfielder/s just aren't doable right now? Bellingham & Enzo Fernandez both linked, but both supposedly more than Grealish.

It seems a bit weird for there to have been so many charges. I'd say it's safe to assume there must have been something a bit creepy, or out of the ordinary, about whatever was going on. But, he should be treated as not guilty though now. Unless any follow up decides different.

I'm giving you my thoughts any way.. I've only ever been to 1 international team match of any kind, and it was a Cricket ODI at Lords. As others have suggested, I found it to be a very tolerant, mild, laid back, family friendly sort of experience. Mixed crowd with no agitation at all. Even when England lost. Be aware over a decade ago the prices were ludicrous. It was much more economical to share multi-bed rooms in a hostel type thing. Your own pocket food & drinks for the day time may be wise. We were searched. So check what's ok & not ok. £20+ for a portion of chips, etc. I wouldn't expect any to be cheap, but likely a London/Lords price on top. Other things I do know is Lords is the 1 ground where fancy dress is not allowed. So it may well be less of a party that you would likely get elsewhere. It is near enough that you could fit in seeing the postcard/TV sights of London, as part of it all. But it may just all seem a bit Conservative & almost Royal formality. Perhaps. I can't recommend Birmingham as a tourist destination. But I'm fairly sure Edgbaston is considered to be a reliable results pitch. And has a very multi cultural fan base. That may be less evident for England - Australia. I'd suggest in both London & Birmingham people may take interest in you being there & what your story is. Especially if you sound Australian. The further up North you go, IMO, the more you may find people ready to tell you all about their great region & the great choice you made. So it depends what you're looking for.

Alex Moreno from Real Betis for £12.5m is first signing of January 23. A left back. With Digne, Augustinsson & Young to cover the spot, perhaps not the most predicted position to add to. At 29, he's the same rather seasoned age as Digne. Midfielders to perhaps upgrade the likes of backup squad players; Nakamba, Sanson & Dendoncker have been anticipated. Adding a proper wing-attacker to compliment the frustrating/frustrated Bailey, perhaps with more pace than the more finesse style options of Coutinho & Buendia also highly rumoured. A 29 year old left back really seems quite an unexpected addition this window. Perhaps he can play left midfield - wing. Supposedly Moreno had very good stats in 2022. But I am kind of hoping the next signing feels a bit more sexy tbh..

Not sure it needs it's own transfer rumour thread or not, but apparently Maguire & his agent were spotted in a restaurant not too far from Villa's training grounds. Some now have him 1-6 to join Villa before the end of the transfer window. With Spurs also interested, depending what rumour source you look for.

Yes, it's difficult to know what to make of the last 4 years. And all the 'this group of players' type pundits. But, if World Class means struggling to find a team anywhere not giving them a start, I'd agree Kane (though I do think he is going downhill rapidly. Not still sulking that Grealish stole his apparent dream move) Bellingham (though still plenty of potential) & most of the right backs. Also, the 5 of Rashford, Grealish, Foden, Sterling & Saka, probably make most squads. I still think it was a better than credited win over Croatia at the Euros. I hope we stay away from playing the Man U formation now. It wouldn't seem to suit Bellingham. And on an incidental, Man U would likely be improved with the Henderson-Liverpool style midfield set up. And Maguire & company would be having an easier time of things.

Apparently there is a Jobe Bellingham, midfielder, currently 17 & at Birmingham City. Some brothers get to similar levels, but not all. I have been reading lots of fear stories that England will be struggling for a striker soon. Well, at 2026 Kane would be 33 & already looks 35 to me. And Wilson is 31 already. But then Ivan Toney 26, Tammy Abraham 25, Ollie Watkins 26, Marcus Rashford 25. Only a couple more options need to appear & I'm sure England will have a couple of Number 9's at the next few tournaments, with reasonable backup options missing out.

Many keeping the same squad number. Grealish was 7 yet wasn't used in any such way in the Euro's. A very occasional 11. Bellingham seems much more box-to-box than Phillips, so should be a bit different, unless under heavy managerial restraint. For all group games it really should be 4-3-3, with Rice as the 1 deep sitter & play to win in dominant manner. Only must starts for me are: Pickford, Trippier, Stones, Shaw, Rice, Bellingham & Kane. Feel like Southgate will see them that way too. Perhaps most likely other 4 will be Maguire, Sterling, Mount & Saka. But so much of Maguire & Sterling is based on brand loyalty. And not being sure anyone else would offer anything drastically different. Maddison, Grealish & Rashford all wow me at times. Foden just doesn't for some reason. And he doesn't have De Bruyne, Haaland & Bernardo, etc to feed off here. Grealish doesn't feed off, he is a feeder, struggling to find his place in a long queue at City. Maddison & Rashford really deserve to be ahead of Grealish. That's my take anyway.

The white-ness of the England women's team causing problems again. Beth Mead was recently asked about lack of black players in an interview & said: 'I think it's completely coincidental. We put out our best 11 and you don't think of anyone's race or anything like that. I think that's more an outsiders perspective.' Apparently Ian Wright has been on the phone to her over the 'disappointing' comments. Personally I think she was highly likely just being honest. And if there are inclusivity problems, and it is indeed more white than the men's team, maybe the end of production line England team is the wrong end to be barking at. But it's obviously where her mind will be & responded to the question from. She's a young footballer not a politician or social activist.

Not sure how to post any links or images, but there is an opinion poll going on right now to decide Aston Villa's new badge. I genuinely had no idea any such plans were ongoing, but my current profile pic may accurately suggest I'm not a fan of the present 1. There are 2 choices. Both mainly claret & blue. Only club name in yellow. 1 is a modified version of the present badge. Lion blue & facing other direction. On a claret shield shape. Thin blue trim of the shield. 2nd option is a round 1, based on what would have been an early 80's design. Thick claret outer with blue centre. Claret lion. Again, facing other way. Both have club name in full, in yellow text. Only the round 1 has year established. Think I may have preferred a reimaging of the 90's (my stripped thing) but either option on offer would be some improvement on what has seemed a terribly designed badge. I've not seen any release date, but I assume it's for next season.

The way it's going, on form & fitness, I could see Ben White being a surprise inclusion. Southgate does like right backs that can play right CB. Rather than offering attacking width.

Spent a bit of time on FIFA22 the last few weeks. The old 1 now, as 23 is newly out. Impressed by AI ref improvements since my last FIFA, which was FIFA20. You can now get away with similar jostling/light tackles that only AI opposition could do in 20. And hard tackles are not mandatory red cards. And love the financial take over option. To make it a bit more Fantasy Football from day 1 of career mode. Sad such a chunk of Italian sides are only there in PES style. So many real German grounds included that Frankfurt were my 2nd build to Champions League after Villa. And do love their massive cube 4 side screen that hangs over the centre circle, NFL style. Would not want to play under it though..

It is literally the most crazy time I've ever known politics. It's all on the bad leadership & negotiations they've had since the 2019 election. Most of them know how awful they've been. If Labour do not end up as the biggest party next time round I will lose any remaining faith in the voting public. I do agree with much of what Simon Jordan had to say on politics in the Talksport radio show the other day. It is bizarre how reactionary politics & politicians are to the media these days.

Good to see Rupa Huq dealt with firmly by Labour. Really seems a problematic aspect of politics of those who imply race determines political wing. I really do think comments like hers are wrong. In itself it just perpetuates racial prejudice. And it's just lunacy to be making racial comments about Kwasi Kwarteng. There a far easier point winners right now. People may privately think what Huq said, but to many people who do not automatically see politics through race tinted glasses, it shows signs of the rules she would probably like everyone else to follow somehow do not apply to her type thinking.

Well I think that's where Southgate goes a bit too far. Thinking of defensive qualities of someone playing behind Kane, Sterling, etc. Like when he took Grealish back off in the Euro's. Sometimes you have to play to win games. And I'm not sure if England did have a true mega star attacking/creative talent, if Southgate could handle using him.

It is a bit odd that Mount is always in the team/squad and Maddison isn't. But I don't see Maddison as someone who would have made a dramatic difference. It seemed to take a long time for Maddison to get back into Leicester's team at 1 stage. And as much as Southgate was questioned over TAA missing out to Walker, Trippier & James.. even Liverpool fans are questioning TAA now. I guess because Southgate's England do not have a set formation it goes against having 2 CAM's in the squad. Utility & defensive seem to be qualities he favours. It's all Villa's fault really. They signed him as a midfielder from Palace. Then played him as the middle CB in a wing-back formation.

Germany, Italy & Brazil are the 3 sides who seem to win regularly. Who very much believe they will be doing so. And even they capitulate spectacularly at times. It's easy to be unaware of, or forget, that Spain & France for many years repeatedly failed despite growing expectations. They were not always in the Argentina division. And that Holland or The Netherlands, were & still remain, the nation described as the best footballing nation never to win a World Cup. When England win, it stirs memories & thoughts of 1966, of 1-5 in Germany, of 4-1 vs Holland at Wembley. Of 1-0, finally, vs Argentina in 2002. All when it mattered. The Dutch 1 giving Scotland every chance. When England lose, it's all the defeats. And more, it'll never work than anything coming home. I don't think England will win this next World Cup. I think this batch of players & manager have peaked. And have done beyond all reasonable expectations. But the nation very much could win, at some stage, with their Zidane, or Xavi, Iniesta, Villa, etc generation. Any side that ever wins a World Cup, it is all about a great many things being in alignment.