Can't be bothered watching this as I too have no time for Talk Sh*te. I think the argument you're benefiting from a rigged system, one that has become gradually more and more bent over time is a valid one. Burnley have however done well. Some smart purchases, clearing out of average players on high wages. The rigged system enables this but there is credit due. There's even an argument relegation has been a good thing as its allowed the club to hit reset. Prior to the season I had some raised eyebrows around how the club would faire, mainly due to the change in ownership. But they'd obviously done their homework in the recruitment department as by and large the money has been well spent and you now have a number of players with the potential to increase in value. As well as Dyche did for you the change in style must be refreshing. So credit where its due. But you're still buying the league 😉

@Dreams of 1995 Just chirping in to commend you on a superbly articulated argument. We all know it's a rigged system but I really enjoyed reading the additional info you included around the comparative growth levels of the Championship vs the Premier League and how closely those dates coincided with FFP. Reading that discussion was a throwback to what brfcs used to be (no dig intended at the current overlords. You're all doing a great job). The only one bit I can add..... Burnley have definitely bought the league

The funny thing about Giles is that Tony insisted on playing Gallagher wide right for years. A bit of work on the training ground and I'm sure he could have made a nuisance of himself coming in from the right with quality balls in from Giles from the left. Tony knew better though...

Ben Pearson would be an excellent signing. Exactly what is needed. Him and an adequate Hirst replacement and I'd be very happy. I highly doubt we have the funds for this though

Van Hecke doesn't play in a priority position, however we know he's quality, has a fondness for the club, will be available at a reasonable price and is young. It's a no brainer. Him and Hyam would be mainstays of our side for years to come. Good resale value too. If Brittain could stay fit I'd argue that Kaminski, Brittain, Hyam and JpvH are all promotion quality players.

You'd like to think with the new scouting set up and a better structure in general we'll be in a place to act proactively, rather than the reactive nature of our past dealings which always felt like a case of camp out in the office on deadline day and see what's available.

I agree with this. Foden has the potential to be an Iniesta. He can play as a wide forward, as Iniesta did for parts of his career because he has the ability to play anywhere. However if England want to see a generational talent hit his potential, he needs to learn how to run a game which would only happen with regular playing time in a central position.

I see Gyokeres as a peak possible signing. I don't think a Premier League club would be in for him quite yet. A parachute payment club certainly could be. He's the type of player whom we should be monitoring and if circumstances align push the boat out for. He's not totally unrealistic, however if a club with more money than us decide they want him, we'll have no chance.

They still won though didn't they 😉 Name is on the trophy. History is written

Lionel Messi. The best there is, the best there ever was, the best there will ever be. The complaints about the Argentines... they do what I'd love England to do. Absolute commitment and would kick their own granny just to get that extra 1% in a game. It's why they're winners and we are losers. Nice guys never win. I'm elated. They deserved this victory completely. And as for Messi. We've just witnessed history.

I'm so disillusioned after Rovers recent performances that this weekend I could barely care about our game vs Norwich. All I care about is Argentina vs France. If Rovers performances dont improve, its gonna be one hell of come down once the world cup ends

Luck has really favoured France the last two games. Deflections/scrambles to score, whilst at the other end the ball just didn't bounce right for Morocco. In saying that Morocco did lack punch in the final third.

Don't think it was a pen. But how on earth the ref deemed the Morocco player to get a yellow I don't know

My thoughts exactly. The entire game against France I felt we played well, probably deserves the victory, but deep down, at no point did I think we'd win. It's the intangible final few % the top clubs and nations squeeze out of themselves which edges them over the line. We don't have that mentality. I felt Kanes response which was something along the lines of "its hurts right now, but these things happen, I'll pick myself up and come back stronger" typified it. No mate, it's the world cup. If its not do or die you'll always be a nearly man.

It sounds excessive but its been one of the privileges of my lifetime to have lived through the Messi era. The man is 35 and still the world's greatest player. His consistency this world cup has been scarey. He does it every single game. The greatest dribbler, finisher, passer and playmaker. It'll be a sad day when he retires. The Messi love in from pundits is simply because there are no words to describe just how good he is. Even the doubters are being silenced by his performance this world cup. I'll be cheering like an Argentinian on Sunday.

Imagine living to see the greatest footballer of all time and not appreciating him.

I'm looking forward to tonight's game. Croatia will be the biggest test the Argies have come up against. Their midfield 3 are genuinely world class and work together perfectly. I see Croatia dominating, Argentina keeping it tight and looking to the magic man to keep carrying them. With Messi, they always have a chance.

This is the frustrating part. We are literally shooting ourselves in the foot time and time again. We're capable of defending when sitting deep. We also seem capable of scoring when we get into the oppositions final third. We're utterly incapable of passing it out from the back when the opposition press us. Not only do we give away goals when we do this, but we also rarely play football in the opposition half, thus nullifying our own threat. For me Jdt has the season. We seriously need some players who are capable of his style of play in January. He's doesn't seem likely to shift from his philosophy, so hopefully we can recruit players capable of playing it. It doesn't take away the frustration of him not adapting to the squad he has, but I feel its too early to throw the project away. One thing for me is I do feel we need to sell Brereton in January. As we don't have a hope in hell of promotion.

The Messi dislike on here is mad. How much some try to downplay his ability is just confusing. Yes he walks around but literally every move Argentina make of any quality comes through him. He is absolutely carrying an extremely average team through this world cup. His assist for the first was one of the best assists I've ever seen. Forget about a player hitting a peach of a pass with the outside of their boot when they've got all the time in the world. He saw the run of the full back a full couple of seconds prior to playing it and calculated where he'd be at the time he made the pass. He'd just dribbled past a couple of players, was under pressure and it was a no-look pass. He won them the game... again. Someone said he's got his zimmer frame out. 100% true, yet he's still winning games for the Argies all by himself. Statistically he's one behind Mbappe for goal involvements and has created 16 chances so far this world cup, the most of any player in the tournament. Messi haters simple do not know football. Ronaldo is not and never has been fit to lace Messi's boots. One other point, Messi was part of the great Guardiola Barca team who were famous for buzzing around their opponents like a swarm of bees as soon as they lost the ball. He's old now. He can't do that any more. But this old dude who's legs have gone is still single handedly winning games with repeated moments of magic, even with his zimmer frame.

To use modern terminology Bellingham is an 8. Old-school terminology a box to box midfielder. I've a little more faith in Southgate now he's switched to a midfield 3. We can suddenly compete and control games a little more and it releases Bellingham from being shackled as a DM, to be that box to box player which links our defence and attack.

Very true. Look at Man City. Yes Haaland is an incredible player, but he is the type of player Guardiola the present day king of tika-taka would have typically not had in his side. With Haaland City have adapted. When they are having zero luck breaking down a defensive side they swing a cross into the box. Or go longer to use his physicality to disrupt. Tika-taka is still plan A, but they mix it up with plan B throughout a game. Pep has adapted. Spain had Morata. He's not in the same league as Haaland but has a similar style. I think he started every game on the bench, then anytime he came on they looked far more threatening. The need for a proper centre forward has returned.

Incredible performance from Portugal tonight. No way is Ronaldo starting next game. They looked so much more dynamic without him. And his replacement Ramos. What a game. First strike was out this world.

Coventry issued a stadium eviction notice. No idea what impact this will have on their finances / if there will be a bit of a fire sale.

Agree. The thing I like most about Southgate is the way he's not only handled himself off the pitch, but the way he's handled his players off the pitch too. He's made the England team likable. The represent good values. Prior to him supporting England felt like a chore, not only because of performances but also because the players were a difficult bunch to get behind. I do feel like they now represent the country. For that I'm very thankful. Tactically though. He's lacking.