Football

just watched the game was a great game, so much quality I really enjoyed it.
Hazard was amazing M'bape always a threat.
which one to Madrid ??

My bad! Won’t happen again

So grumpy one, the certainty with which you backed Belgium called for a response to their loss, and the silence was deafening.

France have grown into the tournament, and defensively they stifled Belgium last night. Game of fine margins came down to who scored first.. and after France did, Belgium threatened but never looked like getting back on terms. Lloris made more saves first half than he did second..

My bad! Won’t happen again

So grumpy one, the certainty with which you backed Belgium called for a response to their loss, and the silence was deafening.

No, you've shown yourself up to be a two-faced crybaby, spitting your dummy out when a mate takes the piss out of ya... Fuck that shit...

FYI Game was on at 3am, I woke up at 7.30am, apart from the snoring I'm normally pretty silent when I'm fast asleep...

You're a fucking idiot...

Both?

I suppose yes, plan b was hoik it tlinto the box. But I think I meant that mertens first touch was more than the sum of twinkle toes' minutes on the pitch.

Thanks for that.
Glad you made that clear.

Bit disappointed M’bape didn’t pick up a second yellow after his ludicrous attempt at time wasting. He’ll be more than a nuisance come Sunday.

Didn't understand why he bought on Mertens, then took off Fellaini surley Fellaini would have been a good option to have if the crosses were coming in?

Clearly the world cup is affecting people. This is yentzing season. No yentzing and lots of bickering. It's like the last week of term at junior school in here.

Well, let me get things back on track.

Mixed feelings about Mahrez going to Man City, not that everyone hasn't been expecting it since the last day of the season. I've never seen a player like him at my club in 50 years and he was astonishingly good in the 15/16 season. But he's also incredibly frustrating and inconsistent, and sulks like a cunt. £60M is a good deal for a player with little sell-on value (although it highlights how low Liverpool had their pants pulled down for Van Dijk) and is a tidy £59.5M profit.

I'm not sure Man City is such a good move for him (apparently they were the only ones seriously interested) given their squad, but maybe the drug cheat will find a way to keep him happy in rotation. It might depend on how Rita-from-Gravesend settles in the grim industrial north.

I'm more concerned about the offers that will come in for our 'Arry, which will highlight how low Liverpool had their pants pulled down for Van Dijk...

glad I didn't bother with the France Belgium game. sounded only vaguely interesting. looking forward to the game tonight. but Tour de France and other things have already taken prime.

let's have penalties tonight please.

In retrospect, I don't see how you cant accept that Liverpool paid relatively ok money for VVD. The upturn in their defensive displays and stats towards the end of the season and his relative youth.

I think mark's point is that value exists out there without looking too hard.

This is slightly depressing
https://www.vice.com/amp/en_uk/article/pawyqv/pubs-are-tripling-their-beer-reserves-ahead-of-tomorrows-match

Bouncers
Beer

I'd seen Van Dijk put in repeatedly average performances for Southampton before his move to Liverpool, and I don't think he's been that great since. Improved defensive displays are relative, Liverpool were laughably bad at the back, so the bar was pretty low.

Even if he turns out to be good, at £75M he was massively overpriced at the time they bought him. However, Liverpool were desperate and paid accordingly, Man City weren't desperate for Mahrez and the price reflects that.

Laughably bad is OTT. They conceded the same number of goals over the season as Chelsea. 2 more than Spurs. In fact they had the joint 4th best defence. And they came 4th.

Would they have finished runners up in the Champions League or top 4 in the premier league without that midseason £75m spunk of cash?

I think he naturally struggled early on, but he might have saved Lovren's Premier League career and helped win Alexander-Arnold a cap with his late season performances.

Ugh, that was sickening.

Of course it's OTT, it's Liverpool we're talking about.

going to be hard to hold on to 'Arry @Markyboy. along with pickford and sterling he has been England's stand out player in this cup.

I reckon he will prove his worth tonight too not that Mandzucic has looked in any way dangerous so far. But reckon Maguire will be busy helping Hendo stop Modric, Rebic, and Perisic

I'd swap Trippier and Kane for Sterling, but otherwise agree.

I was nervous for Maguire at the start, but he's been calm and solid at the back. He could do with players make better runs when he comes out with the ball, but we seem to be relying on set-pieces and that's where he's making an impact. Tonight will be a step up for him.

Our owners need to have a new, improved contract in his hand when he gets off the plane.

yeah I would put Trippier and Kane up there too. but your point about players making better runs, seems to me it is only Sterling that is willing to do that. his decision making is as questionable as ever when he gets there. but still reckon he is the key to England scoring from open play.

proper tournament analysis to follow next Monday when I catch up with you dude

Looking forward to it - reckon we should dial in @>>>>>> to effect a reconciliation with Corndog

Bouncers
Beer

Boobs?

#yentzingseason

How does giroud get picked?

'cos he does the job that the coach needs him to do well.

Nah he can get to fuck!!!
looking forward to the catch up and the World Cup analysis.

Just fucking run around!
(In a French accent)