Lucas

Is it a coincidence this story comes out literally two weeks before the World Cup starts? They could have done this at any time if they are really going that far back but they chose to release the story now. Honestly, our media are absolute scum, they really are. They know what they are doing. Don't know why they got to be so vindicitive and bring our own players down at a time when we should be as united as possible over the next month or so.

Speaking of dark horses, I wonder if we are gonna see someone like Dan Burn come out of nowhere and make the squad. Newcastle's English players must surely be knocking on the door.

Jesus, it's scary how life like games are getting now. I wonder if your character can go i to the Banana Bar there, now that would be amazing

A bit shaky in parts, and a little confusing seeing actors and actresses swap so frequently over a few episodes, but a solid ending to the first season I thought, enough to leave you wanting more for sure. You could see that ending coming a mile off before it did but it still made for great watching. Definitely think I prefer the latter actress as Rhaenyra for sure. Her and Olivia Cooke as Alicent have been great to watch together, hopefully both actresses remain into the next series a lot longer. P.S Thank god we're seeing more of Daemon's darker side again. He was a bit tame for a few episodes there and went a little beige but he's shown a bit more spark, particularly in this episode now, to show he carries a big threat.

Well they will have Arsenal v City to rearrange and that's one of their games so an Arteta/Pep chat is a possibility.

Yes, that's right, Makarska. Lovely little place that and our base for the holiday. Would thoroughly recommend as it was ideal for our boat trips to Hvar and Brac and visit to Krka National Park. I actually found it surreal that one side was engulfed with mountains behind you and open sea in front, never quite been in a place like that. Mostar was something else, bit of a throwback actually. I didn't realise that Bosnia was so 50/50 religion wise but where we were, it felt very islam, I guess off the back of the Ballkan war. Didn't feel European at all.

It's been a little while since we went now but here are some pictures from our holiday to Croatia. ...And for a little brucie bonus, we took this shot of Mostar Bridge on a day trip to Bosnia which was an experience. Thoroughly recommend it if you haven't been and all of that was without even getting down to the heavily tourist infected Dubrovnik.

Did anyone catch this last night? I thought this was thoroughly refreshing and brilliant from Amazon to interview both opposing managers and let them ask eachother a question before the game.

Let Southgate have the World Cup and then pack his bags please. He's done ok and probably just deserves another crack at an International tournament based on where we finished the last two but it's more luck than judgement isn't it. I mean, if we are being savage about it, he's actually lost two winnable games where we have been winning, we might have passed up two of the best chances we'll get to win a major tournament. He's got some seriously talented players at his disposal but he's finding it hard to find a formula with them. This Natuons League has been a disaster and it feels like his reign is coming to an end. Got to surely be looking at someone new to bring fresh ideas after we've bored our way to the quaters or the World Cup and get knocked out.

One last dance tomorrow pairing up with Rafa in the Laver Cup. What a guy. There was a time when his dominance used to annoy me, particularly at Wimbledon as a Nadal fan, but I grew to appreciate what a great Champion he was and the way he carried himself with such style and grace. Even more so when you see Champions across other Sports who come across such assholes. Not sure I've ever heard a bad word said about Fed. Three memorable matches for me with Fed. Will always remember the day he knocked Pete Sampras out at Wimbledon as a youngster and promptly took over the Sport. The 5 set Nadal Wimbledon final he lost in '08 which is the best match I've ever seen and the 5 set Roddick final at Wimbledon where he looked beat several times and just kept coming back off the canvas. Amazing man.

Maybe Leicester cannot afford to sack Rodgers? Not sure how far into his deal he is but I keep reading about a £10m severence pay should they pull the plug. We're all aware there was a very limited kitty to bring players in this Summer so I can't inagine they will be too hasty to want to pay Rodgers off. Maybe they are thinking he's got some easier games coming up, win a couple of those and gain some positive momentum to kickstart the season. Managers have turned around difficult starts before, although I'm not saying that should be the case here. I also kinda feel like the Leicester heirachy are being incredibly patient because they feel they owe it to Rodgers to be. I mean, they suffered with the injuries last season and he goton with his job. He didn't get to strengthen the club in the summer and he got on with it again. They must have a decent relationship with him hense why they are affording him some grace, but equally from a business critical decision, it's probably one they have no choice but to make now. If he's not gone by Forest, he certainly will be if they lose that. And if he goes, I can see Solskjaer getting it. Leicester do have the players set up for his way of thinking.

I've never heard that expression before but I'm definitely using that line on her if she starts getting carried away

I thought my power only existed in @Pyfish 's games but looks like I've gone global

Done something stupid on holiday. Fucked it haven't I, goodbye happiness Jokes. Up the Whites.

As it was against Barcelona, I'm wholeheartedly on board with it.

What a great idea to have a friendly mid-season.

It could be the kind of job that Ronald Koeman needs to get his managerial career back on track. He did lead Southampton to 7th and 6th places respectively in the league, and 7th in his first season at Everton before it went tits up. It's just his more recent jobs have tainted his appeal.

Same. Game of Thrones will always draw heavy criticism from some that will not be happy with the direction it took and almost feel the need to nit pick at everything House of Dragon attempts to do. If you really hate it, fine, don't get yourself worked up by watching it I'd say. Simple. I enjoyed the first episode. It always takes a few episodes to get on board with the characters but for an opening episode, there was enough going on to keep me invested. The only thing personally I'd criticise is the CGI of the dragons, they didn't look great to me, certainly not to what we'd previously seen but I can let that slide.

Looks good mate however, not a fan of your portion control

That's really helpful info mate, ta very much, appreciated. Baska Voda looks a lovely little gem actually, just 10mins from our apartments. I'd be tempted to hire bikes and ride round there. All suggestions have been put forward to she who must be obeyed and are on the list. I'm really looking forward to it now I must admit. I reckon at this rate, I might get one and a half days for chilling by the pool

We are staying in Makarska, essentially that is our base for relaxtion, chill etc. From there, it seems quite handy to get to islands like Hvar and Brac on a boat trip, whilst we plan to get a hire car and go to Plitvice Lakes, maybe Krka as well, and we want to go see Split as it's closer to where we are. The old town looks amazing. Dubrovnik we are weighing up for a day excursion but not decided yet. We know its a little bit 'Santorini' but we are tempted to go to say we've been. Would you have any tips or further recomendations we might have missed?

Going to Croatia in a few weeks for 10 days, never been but my missus really sold it to me so we're both looking forward to the break now. Been a good while since our last holiday away to Cyprus so we're busting for it now. Looks a beautiful place so hopefully it meets expectations.

I'm glad you specified exactly what that was John because if you hadn't, I'd have been stumped

I watched this last night. I'd echo a lot of that, it was a very solid film all round. What I particularly liked was the film never felt like it dragged. Just an hour and 40mins and the pacing of the film in relation to the action was just right. Built up enough tension until the Predator was introduced fully. Really liked the scenery and interaction with the animal predators too (Cougar, Bear) to add a bit more to the story. The only thing I'd have possibly said is, would have maybe set the scene of the film better if they introduced the French Voyageurs at the start of the film and that the Comanche people were aware of their threat as they just seemed to be a bit too randomly introduced. What was interesting is if you watch the immediate credits where they had the Comanche drawings detailing the film, at the end they had 3 Predator ships coming their way. Not sure that means anything in terms of a sequel specifically but was a little tease anyway.

Working from home Fridays.