Rousseau

Yes, you're right -- I had somehow thought we had skipped it last season, but then that was probably because we only had one round. I'll get it posted now. Thanks for reminding me.

He played in 19 league games, which is not bad. I think they were comfortable in the end, finishing 14th. It's arguably better than playing over 30 games for Bastia the season prior, when they finished bottom. It's certainly a step up. I think he's a Ligue 1 player, albeit around the bottom. I'm not sure how that translates into our league, though.

You can never have too many midfielders. I don't think there are too many, when we break it down, assuming it's a 4-3-3. #6/DM: McCrorie, Rossiter #8s: Jack, Docherty, Arfield, Coulibaly #10s: Ejaria, (Windass?) (Both these guys could/will play in the front line too). Crocked: Dorrans (could play any of the above positions). Probably Off: Halliday Rossiter will be injured too, so we have 1 DM, with Jack, Coulibaly coming in when needed. Docherty and Arfield can play #10 too. I think we have good options, covering multiple roles. We can go more defensive when needed, using a midfield trio of McCrorie, Jack/Coulibaly, Arfield, or more offensive with McCrorie, Arfield, Docherty/Ejaria.

I don't know. Perhaps.

You think? I thought crossing a few balls into him repeatedly so he can get the timing right would improve it a bit.

I think it's his (Morelos) timing: he's either jumping too early or too late, so he never gets a good contact on the ball. The goal he scored against Bury was a header, but he didn't actually jump for it. That has to be easy enough to correct?

Now we have a battle on!

Whomever comes last, I'm changing their avatar to a Celtic crest. Sindarin and BD don't count, as they've pretty much pulled out.

Solanke? Good point; he's not even a 'top' player at that level. It's his only redeeming attribute, for me; I don't think he's that great. I think Defoe would be good, though. His movement and natural goal-scoring ability could be a good asset for us. I'm not sure how likely that is, with his wages.

I'm not keen on the loan signings of Ings and Solanke -- the former is injury prone, and I doubt he'd take the pay cut at 24/25; and the latter is not a great striker for me -- but Defoe would be a good signing, IMO. He's an exemplary professional, and a natural goalscorer with a wealth of experience. Wages may be an issue. (However, going by the game against Bury, the high energy, pressing game, I can see a Solanke type forward fitting in nicely. And, to be fair, he may do well at this level.)

For me, Belgium are the only side that have been consistently 'good', with good attacking football and tactical flexibility. But they do have a fragility at the back. France were superb against Argentina, but Argentina were poor. The other games they scored from a set-piece and were gifted a goal against a Uruguay side set-up to defend; Once they scored Uruguay were screwed, doubly so without Cavani. England have been good in spells, but have had a fortunate run. I expect any side that plays well to beat them; the rest have the quality to do so. Croatia are a solid side, but they've not played well since the opening games. They are solid in possession, without cutting teams open. They are solid defensively from open-play, but have conceded sloppy goals from set-pieces. (England have been the best at set-pieces.)

Initially, yes, they looked very good. But the last few games have been poor: 2 penalty shoot-outs!

France 2 - 1 Belgium Croatia 2 - 1 England

Here are the fixtures for the Semi-finals: France - Belgium Croatia - England You have until 19:00 on Tuesday 10th July to get in your predictions. @Malangsob @Franc Ergs @craig @TheUKCrazyhorse @Whosthedado @lenny3k @Crimson Dynamo @johnnyk @Gaffer @forlanssister @onevision @buster. @Sindarin @Bill @der Berliner @BEARGER @Bluedell @compo @Barebear @Tannochsidebear @cooponthewing @Yorkie Bear @ranger_syntax @Gonzo79

I don't know how Croatia keep getting through. They look so poor and ponderous; they look flat on their feet with 20 minutes to go. So different from the first couple of games.

Minutes away from a Correct Score... Onevision, Whosthedado, Barebear, Gaffer, Coop and TB gained 1 point for the Correct Result. Latest Standings:

Never! No idea. I'm enjoying the fight back, though.

Rousseau, lenny, Craig, Franc, Gonzo, Yorkie, Gaffer, r_S, UKCrazyhorse and Coop gained 1 point for the Correct Result. Bill, compo and FS gained 3 points for the Correct Score. Latest Standings:

We don't have to endure Clive Tyldsley for this one, but we do have Martin Keown. Are Jon Champion and McCoist not BBC?

Yes, even a fit Rossiter is ahead of Jack too. I think Jack will do well further forward.

I thought it interesting Jack came on to play further forward, as an 8, with Halliday as DM. I always thought Jack was seen as a DM. He's got quite a good touch, and passes forward more than I expected. Going by how fluid we were, I can see Ejaria fitting in quite nicely: he can play a variety of positions in Midfield.

I don't disagree; he can do a lot better. Time will tell -- I don't see that need to slate the guy after a pre-season friendly, though. His decision-making is poor, which we saw last night. I feel like that will improve with a better system. Although his crosses last night were wasteful -- although he got an assist with one -- I felt like they were rehearsed; It was a cut back to someone going to the penalty spot, or trying to go far post.

Yes, stats over a game or two is meaningless, but over the course of a season they show patterns. That's quite a good comparison.

Scraping the barrel? It's just an opinion, based on a few stats. It's not the whole picture, but it's better than what you're basing your opinion on. Anyway, I'm done with this. We can agree to disagree.