JRC

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Gareth Barry instead went into the terminal career decline of joining City and winning the PL, whilst Alonso left anyway (admittedly after being persuaded to stay for another, stellar season) and was never adequate!y replaced. I called Pepe after the Arsenal game, probably too early tbf (esp as I dismissed Henry after his shocking debut vs us), but not proven wrong yet.

Previously heard insider feedback from Finch Farm that no-one understood what Ferguson did there, and that he was definitely not well thought of.

Impressive coaching, because their discipline and commitment to doing nothing for the full 90 was absolute.

Long term injury acting as a career reboot maybe - last night he was back to his pre-crocked 2016 performances. Pity about him missing the headed chance he had later on - he was on for a perfect hat-trick.

I came away saying that was the best they had played against us for years. I think it was the previous season (under Allardyce) when they had the prime - and hilarious - tactic of booting the ball out of touch as deep as possible in our half and then marking up to win the ball back from our throw-in, rugby-style.

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Nah, in their heart of hearts, they love this. They're like Calvinists or Puritans, only truly alive, and closer to God, when they're miserable.

The Norfolk Griezmann

I get all the reasons for disliking Vardy, but I'd love him to come to us as an option. His performance yesterday was one that would have Klopp purring - a hint of Lewandowski about him, even.

I'd take Liverpool winning the toss over England winning a World Cup, but always pleased for any Red enjoying international success.

Meanwhile, our own - or used to be - Knox Harrington was running with a riff on Life During Wartime in his TAW review of Sundays game.

Maybe he was denying that one under his more liberal 'leeway' in the PL Referee guidelines when the ball is struck right at/deflected onto the player (which would also apply in Trent's case, as he was not much further away, if at all, and the ball did genuinely ricochet off Silva) OR because Sissoko was not making his body bigger per se, but directing other players - Riley seems to be requiring a more obvious level of intent on the part of the player handling the ball (which, tbf, I think is a reasonable, traditional view of handball)

Irrespective of Silva's deflection, Riley's guidance to PL refs cover this decision fairly clearly. They are meant to take into account how the player is travelling and recognise that some arm movement away from the body should be classed as natural - he doesn't expect defenders to put their hands behind their back or clamped to their sides. As a comparison, he says the CL final penalty would NOT have been given under his PL interpretation - and Trents was less egregious than that. Oliver also has a great clear view and calls it immediately

And hopefully putting them in a position where they need to do something similar again overwhelms them

Laporte was their only defender unavailable. Otamendi and Mendy were just not considered good enough atm. We had Matip - our first-choice defender - unavailable. OK, Laporte is more their VdV, and they had Ederson out, but we played 10 games or so with our 2nd choice keeper, and we are 9 points ahead of them. Just cryarsing.

Southgate is an FA employee, though. So, "The Agenda", as they call it, apparently.

Terry Mac's goal was on Granada, not MOTD, so not a Goal of the Season contender in those days of limited coverage.

How does he compare to Lahm? He had playmaker influence from full back, and great technique iirc.

Saving that one

Sheffield Utd had a plan and shape, combined with a combative approach, that we had to work hardest to overcome. I think we made it harder for ourselves against Leicester, Utd, Villa and Spurs, in that we weren't as aggressive or clinical.

Clyde Best, Cyrille Regis, Laurie Cunningham, John Barnes even - should they have even bothered with Football in England, or just moved abroad? * Best may have moved here to play even. Not sure - Well I am now courtesy of Google; moved from Bermuda at 18 to join West Ham. West Ham! Should have known better and boycotted them.