'Exceptional' is how I'd describe the majority of Sean Dyche's signings at Burnley, and certainly not a word I'd use to describe more than a small handful of Mowbray's signings.

If you think about it, the number of shirts the club thinks they can shift will correlate to the number of supporters they think they can atract. If they can't be arsed with being proactive in increasing the latter, then implicitly they'll never need to increase the former, so they just lazily carry on as-is.

It could be rephrased to 'They're not bothered if a decent number don't turn up', hence the lack of effort.

FWIW, my opinion is that - with all other aspects and abilities being equal - it's preferable to choose an English manager over a foreign one, as they'd naturally be more invested etc. However, to choose an English manager over a foreign one, purely because they're English and not necessarily the better choice otherwise, is short sighted.

I think Middlesborough are one to watch. They seem to be on a roll and have the Clampets up next.

Presumably then, you are of the opinion that the manager of the women's team should not be in that role, even though she's just won the Euros, purely because she's not English.

In what will be a backs-to-the wall game, I'd be bringing Ayala back in as he's the best we've got when it comes to dealing with pressure in our box. As for the midfield, we need someone who can harry and play out-balls, so Adam Wharton. I can't see beyond anything other than another pasting. 3-0 Norwich.

Chaddy moving the goal posts. Shock. Horror.

Tell that to the Lionesses.

He's not even been in the squad for a lot of games recently. That suggests to me that Tomasson doesn't rate him. If he's not playing, it's only a matter of time before he goes somewhere where he is.

Every chance. Buckley is a professional footballer. He'll go whereever to get game time.

JDT must sign off on them though, otherwise the whole thing is unworkable. But then again .... 🙂

I'm hanging onto some hope that, given a transfer window or two, he will find more suitable players. In the meantime, he has to be more pragmatic, foresake his philosophy, and play to our limited strengths. My faith is wavering though, and as MattyBlue said somewhere else, things could unravel quickly.

One moment of magic is all you need at that level.

I think you're right re: Venkys. It will take a season of monumental fluke to get promoted under them. All this tippy tappy shite, however, is nothing to do with Venkys. It's solely on JDT.

Rice needs to move to one of the 'elite' CL clubs where he plays regularly with and against elite level players. He could be, but he's not world class at all at the moment. 'World class' to me is prime Busquets, Iniesta, Xavi, Modric, Cassemiro...

The writing is on the wall for Tomasson. It's been gradually building for quite a while, ever poorer performances being masked by an elevated league position. Fans voted with their feet today. I've never seen a ground empty so early in a game. Fans are seeing through his smiles. Come February, after a transfer window in which he has the opportunity to bring in players of his own choosing, unless we see a marked improvement, then the knives will be out big time.

I was thinking the same on the way home. On one hand, I'm thinking 'let's give him a proper transfer window so he can bring in his own players'. But on the other hand, if Szmodics, Mola and Hirst are anything to go by, we'll just get lumped with another load of crap who aren't good enought to play how he's wanting to.

I'm looking forward to getting back to Ewood. The World Cup has been great, but nothing beats watching the boys in blue and white. 2-1 Rovers

Kaminski was with Benson in Tiggis on Sunday evening, so they must get on pretty well I imagine!

I must be in the minority, but - when it works - I really enjoy watching tika taka. As has been pointed out, Spain are currently lacking top class forwards, quick thinkers who can find space. I think as a result, tika taka breaks down. They have an abundance of young players coming through - Gavi, Pedri, Balde, Garcia, Fati et al - who will only get better.

Morocco hung in and deserved that. Well played.

Dembele will fancy his chances against Maguire.

I certainly am, Chaddy. The difference being that I know he's ripping me off, much as it grates. I have a breaking point though with pricing, and I'm not far off it. I know I'm being fleeced, but I'll only be fleeced so far.

There's Dembele on the other wing also. He's no slouch.