Lucas

3 last year, it's normally about 2 or 3 a year but strangely none for next year. I'm running out of mates getting married, think I'm one of the last one's now which is not ideal. My GF's holiday is limited next year work wise so we may have to ease up on our trips. We have Rhodes for her Dad's 60th end of May booked in but other than that, nothing else. I'm keen for a city break. Would like to get Reykjavik done soon so I can cross that off but the fact its so 50/50 whether you see the Northern Lights clearly has always put me off. Still, the place has more to offer than that. For anyone that has been, any tips on best time to go? Better to hire a car and do a Golden Circle tour of your own?

Went to Hamburg for a Stag Do in June. It's so big I think I only saw a quater of it and all we did was get smashed but yeah, it was decent. Reeperbahn was interesting.

In the Tall Grass. Well, you just knew it was going to be a shitter 20mins in. It had that vibe about it the minute it started to go a bit 'weird'. But there is a part of you that feels you have to stick with it because you don't know what the fuck is actually going on and you want an explanation. When you do kinda realise how it's happening, it's all a bit of an anti-climax, you moan at your other half for wasting an hour on a terrible choice (again) but to save face and an arguement, you see it to through to the end. Honestly? 2/10. Garbage. Thank god the next pick lays with me.

@RandoEFC @Danny - To be fair, I did say we may need more steel, so a Henderson/Rice/Dier character could fit in there, theragainst weak opposition we could get away with it I think. Maybe worth trying in a friendly or home game against a shitter. I agree, jury is out on Gomez. Tomori could make a late run also, but they do have talent. I think it's important to also remember that this is possibly the most even Euro's tournament we will be entering for a while. I think our team is capable of going a long way when you consider Italy, Germany are in transition, Holland are of probably equal ability and France, as well as maybe Spain and Portugal are just ahead of us. It's closer though than its ever been. @Cicero - I disagree. Why can't we try and play a game using a similar method to Pep and have Maddison and Mount working like De Bruyne and David Silva do for City? I totally get the class of player is lower but I think the one thing that always annoys me is how we feel we have to conform to picking too many 'solid' players, like having Henderson, Rice, Dier etc. We have never been great at holding the ball with these players in, why don't we use players with better ability on the ball? I'd like to see us try at least.

Although the squad is not strong, I actually think we're not far off having a really strong XI that are capable of going all the way in a tournament. For me, by the time we kick off the Euro's, we could line up like this, and I would try it in the next game where we know we'll dominate the ball. If that team kicked off next Summer, I'd be reasonably optimistic we could trouble some teams. Two forward-thinking full backs who are improving better defensively. A centre back pairing that offers strength, speed and can bring out the ball. Creativity in midfield with Maddison, who coincidentally for me is the man we need to build that midfield around IMO with lots of mobility and movement from Mount and Winks, followed by a devastating front 3. Infact, how many countries would give for that front 3 now in Europe? Predatory marksman in Kane, followed by two of the game's most in form wingers in Sterling and Sancho. My only gripe is that I think central midfield is possibly a little light weight. So potentially there is a spot for a Henderson/Rice/Dier man to do the ugly work as necessary. But is that essential against weak opponents at home? No. That being said, I don't think we are in a privileged position of having a world class defensive midfielder and think we should adapt to what we actually have, which is a talented ball playing team. Pep's City play KDB in an '8' role but with the freedom to roam, in addition with having David Silva. Yes these are World Class players but I'd love to see us try something similar with Maddison and Mount than revert to the usual typical England midfield we'd use.

No worries fella. Good luck getting it all sorted.

My advice would be that you have to cover your ass in these situations and I may be thinking quite presumptuously here but I think quite a few people wouldn't hesitate to claim if they could. Maybe see how you feel next couple days before all the insurance companies get involved and your head clears. It might be worth checking up with the doctor too to give you the once over. Sometimes once adrenalin has gone, the pain came come out later so be cautious of that as your gf rightly said. Got to look after yourself in this world.

I've been in a situation where I've been the guilty party and been on the receiving end. When it happened to me, I felt reasonably ok, had a dull ache in my back and my neck was achy for around a week or so but I was young, naive and didn't claim. I had an accident caused by another driver but went in the back of a taxi and the bloke who seemed quite nice and understanding about it at the time, went on to claim whiplash when it was transparent he was ok. So I naturally feel like life has stuck two fingers up at me in that situation and feel naive I didn't claim before. I salute your attitude and how you are about it, but there are some bloody wankers on the road and sometimes you got to take your chances.

Claiming whiplash? Surely you got to consider it. Fuck 'em.

Personally, I'm really pleased Tammy Abraham is starting to fire. I remember last year on here where I kept reinforcing the point in Chelsea threads that he should be given a chance than that overweight waste of space Higuain and an inconsistent Giroud, and so far, that's looking justified. Having seen him banging goals in, regardless of it being a level below, his confidence is sky high and sometimes thats all you need. I hope he continues it because it's good from an England point of view too ahead of a major tournament next summer especially given Rashford is so hot and cold.

I like the fact nothing is stopping you travelling solo. My mate has done this and went to Barca funnily enough, where he took in a game and the F1 at the same time when it was on. You're right, you don't have to answer to anyone and can do exactly what you want to do so I'd make the most of it and see as much as you can before that changes. Mexico is definitely on our hit list. Can see us doing that at some point but we are already committed to Greece next year and possibly the Algarve.

Where abouts? If you want any pointers let me know. Might be able to help.

Why don't you get away somewhere like that? Or do you just prefer the trips back and forth over to Amsterdam instead?

Got back from Protaras in Cyprus yesterday. Probably one of the best holiday's I've ever had. Mix of chill time, Waterpark, Sailing, Kayaking and a quad bike round the island. Thoroughly recommend.

Frustrating series. Personally feel we lost it on Day 1 of the 1st Test. Can't have the Aussies at 122-8 and let them escape like that. You need to be clinical. Go 1-0 up and the momentum changes. Don't even think it was a case the Aussies were that special. Smith was outstanding but bar Labuschagne, no one else really got runs for them. We had Warner, the other dangerman on toast. Yes they have decent bowlers but at the same time, they aren't McGrath, Warne and Lee here. Difference for me was we made them look better by inviting pressure on with poor shot selection. Our mentality was shocking. This isn't one day cricket, you have to be patient and we weren't. Poor choices giving away our wickets, especially at times when the wickets were doing little for the bowlers. Roy, Root, Buttler and Bairstow should know better. I also think we relied too much on Broad and Archer. Woakes didn't deliver, Leach for all his efforts is not a world class spinner, Moeen Ali has completely lost it, and poor Stokesy can't do it all. Losing Anderson was unlucky too. If we had him available for the series then it could have been different but then the Aussies were missing Starc for a three tests too. Not a vintage Aussie team at all and yet they have been all over us. This will hurt but emotionally, I thought it was always going to be hardwork after the World Cup. Mentally, it was just too much to ask.

Love this picture that sums up the abuse Lukaku received last night

One of my work mates is Chelsea. Season ticket holder in the Shed and goes to a few aways. He was there Saturday. We had a similar discussion. I said it the other week and I'll say it again. As a neutral, for me, I find you extremely watchable again. You have that youthful, exuberance about you, exciting to watch. More of a rawness because these younger lads are gelling and being let loose. You've been too used to having players bought for the here and now to achieve short term success. There is a pressure on you to win a cup each year because of the money you have. Now your hands are tied, it's a little bit like you have a 'free' season, to give something different a go. Ok, yes there is a bit of naivety at times, but you can allow for that. What I would say is that the younger guys are taking it all in their stride. You can visibly see the belief they have given to them from Lampard and his team. Confidence will play a huge part in this team. There is no reliance on Hazard anymore and yet they are making chances from all sides of the pitch. And as you said, before Roman, you were kind of like an Everton. Up and down in the league, loved a cup run but that was it. The expectancy levels are not as high. People generally do not know what to expect from you, how you'll cope. Makes you an unknown quantity which is exciting. Feels a lot more realistic. Seeing this again will naturally be very reminiscent, it's like you have got your soul back. A weight off your shoulders almost.

Let's forget Stokes a minute, as genius as it was. The Aussies completely ballsed that up. We were incredibly lucky that they lost their heads. 1. Stokes being dropped by Harris. Not easy but he had his hand under it. It was a chance. 2. Harris again, losing his bottle by throwing to the bowler end to get Leach out, when Stokes was well out at Tim Paine's end. 3. The absolute waste of their last review. Cummins knew it was iffy, you could see that, but Paine went for the review. A sign of desperation. 4. Nathan Lyon bombing that run out. I mean you will not get many easier. Pressure got to him and he fumbled it. 5. The LBW on Stokes. The one bit of bad luck for the Aussies. It was pretty plum for me and I was shocked at the time the Umpire didn't give it. Of course, it all goes back to that waste of a review mind... Very unusual from them really not to deal with pressure but sometimes, it's just meant to be. Would never have seen the McGrath's/Warne's etc fuck that up. Mentally its great for us because really we have been second best overall in this series and we've managed to scrap to 1-1 with two to go. Need to raise our game now and press home the momentum swing.

Yeah it was good. Got to be honest, 4th time there so I was not really as pumped for it as going somewhere new but it was still a great laugh. Got reasonably lucky with the weather bar Friday night and Sunday morning too, which made things easier.

Got back from Amsterdam yesterday afternoon, 4th visit there and the 2nd time this year. Stag do on this occasion so zero culture but still a decent trip. Tried plenty of different bars this time, the highlight being The Supper Club on Saturday night. You all lay on beds, eat a 4 course meal (dishes are small) with entertainment in between, and then it turns into a club. Absolutely rammed in there. Was very good. 8/10's all over the shop. Beer bike was excellent too, mainly because of where we went and the bloke leading it. Lowlight was paying extortionate money to go in the overrated Banana Bar on the last night. Outnumbered and not wanting to be that one person who says no, I went along with it. Pretty poor if I'm honest. Coincidentally, I heard some big black woman called Rhonda from one of the red light windows asking if I'd seen a nice looking Asian lad by the name of Sunil. Something about "...if you see him, tell him not to worry about running out in tears, it happens to a lot of guys the first time they try it, apparently". Don't know what she meant?

I'm sceptical about placing our faith in an unproven kid essentially. Obviously he comes with bags of talent and potential but I was hoping for a bit more pedigree. Of course, if he comes, I'd give him every chance in a Leeds shirt. Victor Orta is great friends with Emery so you'd think that might swing the move our way against the other sides competing. Not to mention, working under Bielsa must be a big pull. So if it happens, what would we be getting with Nketiah?

I think you should consider that a blessing irrespective of the fact he's Chelsea. Don't think Zola has really shown much other than nearly getting Watford promoted in the Championship one year. Other than that, it's been a car crash for him.

To be fair, best bit of defending I've seen from Kolasinac since he's been at Arsenal.

Shambles. But in some ways, perfect timing this has happened now in the warm up. Rather we get a stern warning to shape up before a ball is bowled in the Ashes.

It's awesome, but it's no good for the wasteline when all you fancy is cold beer or ice cream.