buster.

I can't make my mind up as to who I think will win. Will switch on the TV bang on KO time and enjoy the football. I will probably watch it with Norwegian commentary (NRK) via NordVPN.

Get your bridesmaids dress out again!!

The numbers involved at the high end of the sport are obscene. I am gradually drifting away from the game. Generational to a degree, in that I remember when things were more basic.

If it is from those 4 names and he has said it ain't Kent and it surely can't be Helander. Morelos or Davis ? WTF is a term that would come to mind.

The current focus on Messi to win WC is in good part, down to the vomit inducing media coverage. I love watching the football player strutt his stuff, but I now turn off anyone who wants to talk about it.

An interesting Final in prospect with no clear favourite. Wanted Argentina to win it until I heard Messi was working for the Saudis,... greedy bastard without morals.

The French are sending you a bottle over from Épernay !!

A couple of years ago Jack was an excellent player. That he is currently considered by some as such, says everything about our midfield.

If Hibs were a decent team I wouldn't be just as confident but they aren't.

That is a bit like saying it isn't fair that only good looking women with good bodies win beauty contests. Yes, of course you can get great defenders but they don't offer nearly as much as your elite game changers, middle to front. The latter are what most people want to see and who are worth far more in the transfer market for the same obvious reasons. Zidane is almost more middle than front but he was a supreme game changer whose level of skill and imagination was off the scale. Sometimes the lack of supreme quality up front will give the defenders a chance, WC 2006 Canavaro (Zidane decided to headbutt an Italian)

Toby Young is the arsehole's arsehole.

Getting closer now. Tomorrow is a non-negotiable win and three points, with a very reasonable demand that the attacking style of the team resemble Brazil 1970. I am actually confident that we will scud them 😱 I can remember we took seven off them one December back in the 90's.

I can also report that in todays presser, Beale said it wasn't Kent. (On utube) Please, don't let it be Morelos (or Jack for that matter)

I hope you actually mean 1970.

What is more surprising is that the Kent Express is so busy 😁

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63934955

They are more important in allowing Messi to do what he does. Alvarez is more important to actually winning matches because he is in goal scoring form. Really, you have to look at the whole thing together and it has fell nicely in place at the right time. Fair play to Morocco but hoping for a France v Argentina Final (football reasons) It would be the first time Messi&Co have played a top team

We all get that. But Alvarez is the vital cog in that support mechanism. The one that is on a role and adds the important stat of goals scored.

I think the lad Alvarez has been hugely important to their progress. Messi is beyond brilliant but he needed an effective foil who can take a chance. Without the young lad, I don't think they would have went so far. Still haven't played a top side yet. Will it work against France*? Every time I see McAllister, I think of Ryan Stevenson. It is doing my nut in 🤪

We can't really get much out of a World Cup in terms of signings. We have to do it before they get to that stage. That brings you to a scouting network and/or contacts. We can't cover the globe, so better IMO to concentrate efforts in certain areas.

Answers already on page 2 Scott ! Baker was the very first player to get an England cap whilst playing outside England (with Hibs).

Correct Answers on page 2

Time Gentlemen ! Third Player was Tery Butcher with 32 caps whilst at Ibrox. Club Nation Player Caps (total) First cap – Last cap Atlético Madrid Kieran Trippier 19 (40) 7 September 2019 – 9 October 2021 Barcelona Gary Lineker 24 (80) 15 October 1986 – 7 June 1989 Bari David Platt 10 (62) 11 September 1991 – 17 June 1992 Bayern Munich Owen Hargreaves 39 (42) 15 August 2001 – 28 Mar 2007[note 50] Borussia Dortmund Jadon Sancho 22 (23) 12 October 2018 – 11 July 2021 Jude Bellingham 22 12 November 2020 – 10 December 2022 Bursaspor Scott Carson 1 (4) 15 November 2011 Cardiff City Jay Bothroyd 1 17 November 2010 Celtic Fraser Forster 2 (6) 15 November 2013 – 7 June 2014 D.C. United Wayne Rooney 1 (120) 15 November 2018 1. FC Köln Tony Woodcock 18 (42) 22 November 1979 – 5 July 1982 Hamburger SV Kevin Keegan 25 (63) 8 June 1977 – 18 June 1980[note 51] Hibernian Joe Baker 5 (8) 18 November 1959 – 22 May 1960[note 52] Inter Milan Paul Ince 17 (53) 27 March 1996 – 10 June 1997 Juventus David Platt 10 (62) 9 September 1992 – 19 June 1993 Lazio Paul Gascoigne 12 (57) 14 October 1992 – 11 June 1995 LA Galaxy David Beckham 14 (115) 22 August 2007 – 14 October 2009[note 53] Marseille Chris Waddle 18 (62) 6 September 1989 – 16 October 1991 Milan Ray Wilkins 22 (84) 12 September 1984 – 12 November 1986 Monaco Glenn Hoddle 9 (53) 9 September 1987 – 18 June 1988 Rangers Terry Butcher 32 (77) 10 September 1986 – 4 July 1990 Real Madrid David Beckham 36 (115) 20 August 2003 – 6 June 2007 Roma Tammy Abraham 5 (11) 17 August 2021 – 11 June 2022 Sampdoria Trevor Francis 20 (52) 22 September 1982 – 23 April 1986 Swansea City Jonjo Shelvey 5 (6) 5 September 2015 – 17 November 2015 Torino Joe Hart 5 (75) 4 September 2016 – 15 November 2016 Werder Bremen Dave Watson 2 (65) 12 September 1979 – 17 October 1979

I reckon Mbappe will be playing on the Sunday. 2018 WC France 4 Argentina 3

No Lineker neither ! @compo