Bannofan

Fast , fearless teams. I think I've already posted but teams like Japan, Morocco, Senegal, Cote D'Ivoire, Ghana & South Korea. I think the European and South American Teams are a ' known quantity', full of Premiership players. We would do well to beat Spain , Portugal and Argentina, maybe Uruguay..but I reckon we could cope with the rest including Brazil, Germany and France.

Jordan, Uzbekistan and now Cape Verde have all qualified for next years WC. It's great that new teams now have the chance to compete in it, but I will reserve judgement on how good a thing the added number of teams is until I see the tournament functioning. Uzebekistan are managed by Fabio Cannavaro, their star player is Kushanov from Man City, and they are the first double landlocked country to play in a World Cup. Just need the Faroe Islands to complete their miracle now!

It's interesting to see a lot more British players moving to Serie A and Bundesliga than ever before. It has to be to do with home grown talent just not coming through in the numbers that are necessary. Italy, as you say, have just a few players that really stand out, and even have Championship players in their squad, They are a real mess. The teams that England struggle again now will not be fellow European teams, although Portugal and Spain should give anyone a game. England's issue will now be how to beat fast, attacking fearless teams like Morocco, Senegal, Ghana, South Korea and Japan. I have no doubt we can get top side of Germany, France and Belgium for example, but I worry about some of these so called ' smaller nations' who have technically excellent players doing very well in the best leagues in the world.

I know he's said he hasn't got a problem with him, but I don't think Tuchel likes Bellingham's attitude and thinks he doesn't fit into what he's trying to create. I think Bellingham needs to ' stay humble ' and stop doing the Billy big balls thing. Whilst he's a great player playing for arguably the best club side in the world, he's not irreplaceable in this England set up.

I found this article interesting : https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c15kezxe9j3o Rooney saying that this current era of players that have got to two finals and a semi final, are no more of a team than the one of Rooney and Gerrards era and they were just unlucky. Those two both played in six tournaments and never got past a QF. Stevie G 114 caps, Rooney 120 . I watched all of those tournaments, and despite the players on paper being of equal quality to those we have now , and their club form absolutely without question was excellent, there was always something missing, always something ' not turning up ' about them that this current team don't have. Gerrard speaks the truth when he says he never felt part of a team playing for England. That always came across loud and clear . I'll never forget the 2010 WC where England were just awful, so many players obviously didn't want to be there. I don't know if it was Southgate that changed the England ' vibe' , but whether we show up to tournaments and play well, or are just plain lucky with the draw, something changed surely? Or have I got it wrong and Rooney is right? just a few penalty shoot outs away from a good tournament record in their era?

On the face of it, you'd say this WC will be a farce, but I thought right up until 6 months before it happened that Qatar 2022 would collapse with teams pulling out etc...ended up being brilliant football wise. Football always to find a way..Brazil corruption, Russia , Qatar..all with issues but it came rogether on match day.

Rice, Saka, Eze, Madueke. Basically they have the best England midfielders in one squad. Shame Myles Lewis-Skelly isn't getting the side, he's looked like England's best option at LB Hell of a squad Arteta and the director of football has built, and it's not come cheap. They need silverware this season, I don't think there is a stronger side on paper.

It's a poor division this year, 7 games gone and 12 points is enough for a play off position. Put three wins together and you'll fly up the table.

He just doesn't seem to care, which I'm sure isn't true but his attitude and manner are very strange. I hate this new intransigence that some managers have about playing styles and systems. His job is to get points on the board for the team he is being paid an extortionate amount to manage; it's not to defend his reputation and 'philosophy ' at any cost. He looks like a manager that can't wait to be sacked, and the players will know he's checked out anyway.

None of our forwards are going to get many goal scoring opportunities this season, I very much doubt we'll have a player in double figures by the end of the campaign. That means it's crucial that they have other aspects to their game, like the ability to hold the ball up, and help out with defence and midfield. Bailey Cadz and Brown look like they can do this, Ugbo just hasn't got it in him.

What I found amazing yesterday was the attendance....62'000! 60k plus to watch a team on its backside. Pretty bonkers. I noticed Brighton are getting over 30k as well. Are fans that fickle that they only turn up in big numbers to watch Premier Leagur football?

MOTD has lost some of its gravitas now Lineker has gone. I feel like I want presenters and pundits in shirts and ties again. There's too many changes in pundits now anyway, you knew where you were with Hansen & Lawrenson + one other.

I want to see 61 year old Fiona Bruce in a bikini now...

I'm genuinely surprised we have 1 point at this stage to be honest. Paddy Power offering me 39p cash out on my bet for us being promoted. Not tempted yet.

Great start to the big Ange era. Particularly liked Arsenal just lofting it over the high line for Eze to run on to, simple pass into the middle for Gyorkeres to finish. Early prediction : Postecoglu will be able to spend Christmas back in Aus, free from the burden of employment.