oxford blue

I was very disappointed to see VK leave. Although last season it was clear there were areas he needed to improve I would have no doubt he can take on new ideas to improve his performance. He is one of the (too few) players that always seemed to give 100% every game. I am sure Bologna will take up option to buy him. I would have liked Maresca be more patient and retain him until at least the January window; did he decide that his team don't have the ability to bring out a different way of playing? There may also be times it would be helpful to revert to traditional full backs Bologna have got a very good player.

Richard Keogh scored his first goal for Wycombe in their win at Northampton on Saturday. Only 18 years after he had first played for Wycombe!

Iheanacho still a City player is one of the best aspects of the transfer window. Just hope he signs a new contract.

I think a game should end as soon after 90 minutes as possible. No-one (I think) wants to see time wasting, nor excessive goal celebrations even if that time gets added on at end. (I also think some injuries can be treated by player going off pitch - depending on proximity to touchline and nature of injury). There is scope within laws: https://www.thefa.com/football-rules-governance/lawsandrules/laws/football-11-11/law-12---fouls-and-misconduct for referees to to act on incidents I have mentioned. It would be better if the did, rather than excessively extended games.

I agree regarding an attack on Poland. However, this may make sense from Russia's point of view: Belarus has a very long border with Ukraine, so Ukraine may feel the need to deploy troops to cover a possible incursion (depleting those elsewhere).

True, it would be an involved debate. However, on that basis, all cars should be banned everywhere. Even electric vehicles emit particulate as tyres wear. As generally heavier, EV's likely to be greater for tyre particulates than petrol/diesel cars. There may be some merit in ULEZ in central cities, but this expansion includes normal residential roads. If, for example, you were getting the underground from Hillingdon Underground to Wembley (play-offs if not automatically promoted ) you may have to travel less than a mile within zone, but unless your caris exempt that is £12.50

Smudger63 Thanks for your post - I remember the players featured in the video posted. It's very sad when very good players you watched in their time at City pass away. Chris Garland certainly scored some important goals when we played some fantastic football in the 70's. (The 5 minute clip does show how good Weller (one of the most talented players to play for City), Whitworth and Rofe ( his 'no nonsense' tackling was second to none) - all were.)

Given his mistakes in first two tests, he may already have done that? I presume while Stokes is captain Bairstow will play. (Isn't Foakes is a far better keeper and is likely to score as many, or probably more runs.?)

She had previously had a warning for throwing her racket so a penalty point seemed perfectly reasonable.; I have no doubt she slammed the racket because of her frustration. She will learn from this; an amazing talent at just 16. Separately, delighted to see Eubanks win. He was impressive in pre-match interview; more so on court (and good to see players look as if they are enjoying the match). His next match v Medvedev will be a real test for him; hopefully he can win this too.

If this development can be scaled up, this is the breakthrough electric vehicles need: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/jul/04/toyota-claims-battery-breakthrough-electric-cars Hopefully the wheels won't drop off these cars!

Just to comment on last two posts - I fully agree with AKCJ regarding Foakes (as I have said previously) - he should be in the team. Not sure about including Ali - isn't his finger problem likely to flair? Also, could we really drop the best bowler at Lords(Tongue)? Yes, Bairstow does miss too many chances and I also think byes (26 in last test) would be reduced with a better wicketkeeper. I am sure his best moment of the series will be carting the the JSO protester off the pitch at Lords.

I agree with this post. However, when clicking on link I was expecting to see wise words about Piroe Any chance everyone could stick to thread topic - nearly all recent posts have nothing to with Piroe.

True, but his wages at City are more than enough to cover his wife's legal costs in 'wagatha' and still enjoy a comfortable lifestyle... Little chance he will move so I hope he can stay fit at least. I guess the new doctor when appointed can only improve matters

Quote from Jim Maxwell ('veteran' Aussie commentator) regarding picking Bairstow as wicketkeeper: "You can't have a bloke who is a bit overweight , been out of nick because of his injury, doing the job of a Foakes" Summarises situation perfectly. And it is not as if Foakes can't bat; not as quick as Bairstow and averages slightly less, but too many errors by Bairstow are costly.

Could I suggest if anyone is posting a link from Telegraph or Times) the article is copied and pasted, because it can't be read unless you are a a subscriber. I think it has been established we almost certainly could sign Mahrez now given rule change from June (so premise of title is incorrect). https://www.thefa.com/news/2023/jun/14/new-gbe-criteria-140623

I think Matt's cartoon today is very funny:

Please tell us why.I am not convinced!

New Zealand refuse to come out after half time after racial abuse: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jun/20/new-zealand-fa-fifa-walk-off-alleged-racism-qatar I see Ireland u-21 also abandoned their game after racial abuse. I hope FIFA supports these actions and would do the same (or UEFA) if this was done in a professional competitive game.

I fully agree. I realise the need to rebuild the squad, but there is no urgency to sell Barnes as will go straight back up (),& Barnes could be instrumental in that. Furthermore, some stability must be helpful ie there has to be a balance between established players and new arrivals. Given Barnes is local and with LCFC a long time , I would hope he would be reluctant to leave. Provided he is fit, he would be dominant in Championship. In my view not worth selling (unless a silly offer - unlikely) given the importance of return to PL ASAP.

Slightly off topic as other posts have been. My worry is that Braybrooke (and Alves) will not be the players/they could have been after ACL injuries. Ok, I know Keane/ibrahimovic have done well after similar injuries, but neither are runners in same way as either of aforementioned (particularly Alves). I have no doubt without injury that both would have been in the squad/team next season. I also hope that if young players like KDH come through they ae not overplayed. I feel this is case with KDH and he was less effective as a result.

I would hope we would pay compensation for the best manager available - as works out cheaper rather than appointing a manager who is out of contract if that were the only reason for appointment. I can't understand any enthusiasm for Gerrard unless we are only interested in failed Villa mangers. I have said before - we should not be looking at managers who can only get us out of Championship. This suggests that person may fail in PL: in which case we are looking to get a new manager after start of a PL season. Any appointment must have ability to make progress in PL. My choice remains McKenna whom I think would do a good job and I think would take the job if offered. (Potter would be good also, but I don't think that's possibility currently.)

I agree with this view. Smith may have improved performances slightly, but his decision (if I am right) to get a point from Newcastle was misplaced, when it was unlikely to matter if we lost: a win was needed. Moreover, even if he he were to get promotion next season, I cannot see him being a PL manager. Some may want to appoint him but the board should be confident in any appointment that the manager can continue from promotion into a successful PL career., otherwise incumbent manager will get sacked (because of performances). I have already suggested a younger manager is needed, such as Mckenna (who has been a youth coach at City) or Wellens (who has played). Not that having a connection is important: there may be overseas managers who could do a good job. I just hope whoever appoints does a better job than recent player recruitment.)

Just returning to Foakes/Bairstow: Foakes played throughout 2022 because he is a far better wicketkeeper than Bairstow. The selectors decided (correctly in my view) Bairstow was making too many mistakes costing England too many runs). Nothing has changed; Bairstow is worth his place in the squad as a batter, but I believe Foakes should also be in side. His batting average in tests is better than Crawley who seems undroppable. His performances have underwhelmed (both with bat and in field) since his double century 25 tests ago. Couldn't Foakes (or Root/Stokes) open insted of Crawley. I think Foakes should be in team; too often the best w/k is undervalued and this is another example. I hope Bairstow's errors (they will come) behind stumps don't cost too many runs

This is the point I made several weeks ago. Stowell is our GK coach but his experience of the requirements of the modern keeper (distribution) is non-existent considering the problems we have had in this regard for many years (and the years he played). Surely it must be easier to coach distribution skills than most other aspects of a goalkeeping skills? Of course there ae better goalkeepers than Iversen but given the limited budget we have to rebuild the squad a goalkeeper falls well down the list (no matter what division we are in). {Goalkeepers without faults are in very short supply(!) and Iversen has been good - ok he had a poor first half yesterday but has performed very well since he replaced Ward.

Edwards did pretty well at Forest Green Rovers! I saw Watford thrash Luton 4-0 early in the season playing with passion and belief. Rob Edwards was the manager. (Just to note he had only been in charge 10 league games when sacked - it had seemed Watford were looking for a fresh start in their managerial appointments when he was appointed before start of season -they were higher in table than their finish at end - and had it not not been for a late equaliser by Sunderland would have been in top 6 (or one point below, I can't remember).) .