Rousseau

2-1.

It's sad but I just can't bring myself to support that team; It's somewhat irrational, but I always end up smirking when they concede.

Aww... 1-1.

Thumb, though...

I love Serie A -- always have done since the classic Football Italia on Channel 4! Napoli have been breathtaking in their attacking football; a real delight to watch. Milan have stuttered after so much promise on the back of significant investment. Juventus look vulnerable to me: they've consciously moved away from the strong defensive base to attempt to play more attacking and to score more goals; they score a fair few, but they also concede now -- what do you expect when you sell Bonucci?! It's a tactically fascinating league -- even unfancied Atalanta, who've been terrific over the last couple of years. I expected them to do well against Everton -- even when the English pundits did not, although that's not unusual -- but 3-0 was pretty impressive; they totally dominated in their 3-4-1-2.

I was impressed with Holt's contribution against Hamilton late on: energy to burn and good movement. However, he's bullied physically too often to be a regular for us. Always confident that he'll do a job, though.

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Partly, perhaps, but I think it's trying to fit too many similar-type players into the same side. Koeman is going to have to be ruthless.

Sounds like we have a good crop of youngsters coming through. Hopefully they get chances to play for the first-team; that's what it's all about. Hardie may get some minutes since Miller looks out of the picture.

Chelsea were really poor on the day - nothing to do with Conte; they were just giving away possession time after time, lazily. However, Guardiola had it tactically: those wide 8's and inside full-backs had Conte stumped.

We are conceding far too many, but the stats suggest we should be doing better. Our xG against -- those the opponent are expected to score, based on the quality of the chance -- is around 6; we've actually conceded 10 (from the first 7 games). Either we're conceding really poor goals, or we're really unlucky; probably a bit of both if the Hamilton goal is anything to go by.

Probably something to do with their CL loss. They maybe have to double-down on training after a defeat like that. Friendlies are not that important.

Get a room... I'm not jealous.

I thought Pena was poor; complacent on the ball and kept giving it away. In his defense tonight, though, I always thought he was having to chest it down to control it on occasion; which is difficult. Was that just me? Despite that, I think there is a player there. His positioning is excellent, he always gets into the box, links up well and he's not afraid of giving an opponent a wee dig at times! Who was saying a "Cardiff City reject was not Rangers quality"?

Their coverage of football in general on BT is exceptional: Many European leagues to gorge on; Premier League games; Champions League and Europa League games, and a fantastic goals as-they-happen show on CL nights with the legend James Richardson, and Hongistein, Lauren and Horcastle -- proper football journalists. I'm disappointed they got rid of the Eropean Football Show with the former as it was the best football show on TV. It's only the Scottish games that are unprofessional shite, and that's down to the so-called 'pundits'. I mean, "Pena for [PC's] thoughts"? Jesus wept! I switch over at Half-time.

No Miller...

Yes, I am. I really thought he'd do well in that league. He seemed to score every time he played for us. However, it does -- as others have stated -- perhaps suggests an attitude problem, and certainly explains why he wasn't quite getting the games for us.

I'm not sure throwing money at the situation constitutes a "grand plan". We were also throwing money at the situation, and that didn't work out too well.

He's still a class act, though. His record speaks for itself: Juventus UEFA Intertoto Cup: 1999 Milan Serie A: 2003–04 Coppa Italia: 2002–03 Supercoppa Italiana: 2004 UEFA Champions League: 2002–03, 2006–07 UEFA Super Cup: 2003, 2007 FIFA Club World Cup: 2007 Chelsea Premier League: 2009–10 FA Cup: 2009–10 FA Community Shield: 2009 Paris Saint-Germain Ligue 1: 2012–13 Real Madrid Copa del Rey: 2013–14 UEFA Champions League: 2013–14 UEFA Super Cup: 2014 FIFA Club World Cup: 2014 Bayern Munich Bundesliga: 2016–17 DFL-Supercup: 2016, 2017 Individual Serie A Coach of the Year: 2001, 2004[180] Panchina d'Oro: 2002–03, 2003–04[181] Ligue 1 Manager of the Year: 2012–13 (tie with Christophe Galtier) IFFHS World's Best Club Coach: 2007, 2014[182] European Coach of the Year—Alf Ramsey Award: 2003 World Soccer Magazine Manager of the Year: 2003[183] Globe Soccer Awards Best Coach of the Year: 2014[184] Globe Soccer Awards Best Media Attraction in Football: 2014[184] Enzo Bearzot Award: 2014[185] FIFA World Coach of the Year (Runner-up): 2014[186] Miguel Muñoz Trophy: 2014–15 Italian Football Hall of Fame: 2015[121] A.C. Milan Hall of Fame A.S. Roma Hall of Fame The sheer number and variety (leagues and counties) is second to none. Not even Guardiola, Mourinho nor Conte have won the Intertoto. I rest my case. Although, that Bayern team was really performing poorly.

That set of Sky Sports pundits needs replaced. Merson in particular is past it with his views; Thompson, Nicholas and Le Tissier are not much better. We're not going to improve as a footballing country if these guys are the source of wisdom. Sounds like a very Portuguese way of playing. I've not seen much of Watford, but I will look out for them from now on.

Foderingham 5 Tavernier 8 Cardoso 6 McCrorie 8 Hodson 4 Candeias 6 Jack 6 Dorrans 6 Windass 7 Pena 7 Morelos 7 Subs : Miller 4 Herrera 5 Nemane 5

If that's the same results with players that aren't "coping [...] well", then we should be in for a treat when they do start coping! I don't understand your logic.