Baba

I wonder whether Kev will get a look in whilst Roberto is in charge... Or whether he'll start Lukaku in every game, but rarely play to his strengths.

And 1 as well.

I'd imagine that 90% of leaks to the press are from an 'unknown source'. Info is probably given with the proviso that the provider is not revealed. Agents will certainly have close relationships with certain journos and if that reporter were to breach trust and reveal who had said what then he'll not be getting any scoops again. Didn't the BBC have the scoop on him submitting a request last time as well; maybe same reporter and same mole. Link to last years scoop here in fact, with terminology such as 'it is understood that' which generally might mean 'we have been told but can't tell you by whom': http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34079982 Very few players or agents are daft enough to be quoted or worse still, say stuff in person on camera. Lukaku has clearly proven to be that stupid and has/ will continue to pay the price for doing so.

Who is leaking all of these Stones stories, for the last two seasons now? The consensus is that we are notoriously guarded about transfers and nobody knows until it's done, and I can't see it being City as they are fairly dignified and that respect as well (since the Lescott days at least) so I suspect that it's always been his 'camp'. Sooner gone the better for me, but everybody knows we have ~£50m to invest now, so that's not a great starting position when we are negotiating.

Mark, Blackburn were the invention of a relatively small or long-term mid-table club spending on a level almost unparalleled at the time, to achieve instant success. They invested massive amounts to assemble a squad and big name manager within a very short timeframe. They were the first contemporary Chelsea or Man City, and were not at all comparable to Leicester. Blackburn were regularly breaking transfer record fees both for outfield players and their goalkeeper with their spending, and were paying salaries rarely seen before. The only club spending on a similar level were United, but that was supported by their huge worldwide revenues - ie. they were a big club, and Blackburn were new money.

I think it's equally important that we are focusing efforts behind the scenes on selling, getting the wage bill down and creating a bit of headspace to recruit without breaching any PL barriers on FFP. I'm thinking along the lines of Kone, Niasse, Stones (if the money is as mad as has been suggested in the papers), McGeady, possibly McCarthy if we can get a chunk of the investment back. Frustrating that no new signings have been made, or even appear close, but if by this time next week we've sold a couple of those names above then that would be a step forward.

I'd say that both are correct. Two is definitely a couple, three definitely a few - but also possibly several, as would more than three likewise be. Can we set up a three way poll to decide it; eg. Bill is right, Newty is right, both are right?

Absolutely agree. Baresi is the greatest CB of all time for me, and whilst it's absurd to compare him with Terry and Ferdinand (like it would be to compare Maradona with Rooney), he combined all of the timing of tackle, reading of the game/ positioning (Terry stuff for me), distribution and composure (Ferdinand strengths) that they had between them, but it was the 'Terry' aspects of tackle timing and positioning to intercept that made him imperious for me. I remember watching games on C4 on a Sunday where he played for 90 minutes and wasn't beaten by an opponent once - in a time when the likes of Batistuta, Balbo, Mancini, Signori, Zamorano, Baggio etc. we're all at the peak of their powers in the same league

I don't see how his sources yet again blabbing to all of the press is any less despicable than him doing so himself. For me it's even more gutless and thus worse, but I acknowledge that I'm in a minority of one in that opinion. I'd have more respect for him, though no lesser dislike of the fact, if he'd come out and said so himself rather than scheming behind the scenes. At least then he could be held to account, like Lukaku has been and is being.

Stones to Man City for £40m and I'd carry him on my back. We risk him upsetting the equilibrium like arguably he did during last close season if we don't get rid quick.

Worked on an industrial construction site with Billy a couple of years ago. He was a storeman, sat in an ISO container handing out PPE. Still got an edge to him and you can tell he's suffered injuries over the years because of how he walks. He was treated with respect and caution, even by the much younger and bigger lads - he's probably only about 15 stone himself and must be early to mid 50s now.

Though the fact remains that Wales were also the only team in the tournament that England fairly comprehensively outplayed. Iceland and a very poor Russia both did better against the English than Wales did...

Surely he or one of his people has gone to the media though, just like they did last summer, otherwise it wouldn't be known. We can speculate that it's rumour, but it turned out to be spot on last year when the papers said he'd asked for a move. Only difference I can see between Lukaku and Stones is that Lukaku is open and shows his face when making his thoughts or intentions known whereas Stones does it surreptitiously. Not sure which is worse really, but would prefer both gone if they don't want to be here. Stones contempt for the fans was clear last season, irrespective of whether he was goaded.

Mata doesn't primarily rely on athleticism, pace or power so his age is of lesser significance. Like Pirlo, there's no reason why Mata couldn't still be doing what he does now with equal effect at 35 years+

The Belgian Galacticos going out to a team of championship journeymen and PL bench warmers would wrestle the newly won crown of shame from England surely?

Lukaku deserves to be subbed for that pathetic attempt at a header

Hoping for a cricket score against the Welsh tonight. Belgium ought to be 2 up already, Carasco missing a sitter!

He did play for someone else until we bought him, so the answer then was yes. If you're asking whether on current and recent showings he would be worthy of consideration then it would have to be a no, but on the last 3 months evidence and if you'd never seen him before you could say exactly the same about Kane, who didn't score in Euro 2016 at all, and whose control and effort etc. was worse than Lukaku. Form can be a massive frustration with strikers, going missing for months at times. Defoe has always been the epitome of this. I'm surprised that the rumour mill is so quiet with regard to Lukaku, and can only think that the price is prohibitive to all but the few who don't really need or want him. PSG best bet perhaps.

One thing that this tournament might have taught us is that Kane is only a third tier striker when the pressure is on. If players like Messi and Aguero, Ronaldo are top tier, and Gomez, Mandzukic, Lewandowski etc. are one click down then Kane is definitely one level down again - which is borne out by his end of season where Tottenham collapsed. He's still young I suppose but the proof is there that he's never going to be the new Lineker, Shearer, or Sheringham even, when the big games are played.

Roy has that Martinez 2nd half of season look. 'I've no idea how I'll get us out of this mess'.

I think Hodgson really dislikes Ross though. The only reason he's taken him is to spoil his plans for a holiday in Ibiza with his mates.

Finding another club that'll pay the lad £150k(?)pw for his remaining 4(?) years of contract would be Pep's greatest triumph were he to pull it off though.

Not sure about that; other countries tend to have a higher opinion of England's capability than the English do. We really don't rate them as a tournament team, the rest of the world has a slightly less pessimistic view. Ignore the media, they aren't representative and you are buying into their ruse.

And striking the ball very well. There's hope yet.

Looks like england pissed them off by suggesting that they'll park the bus. Kane is defending well.