skolfoxes

I can't say I've looked that deeply into it no, I'm just a fan offering my 2 cents on the internet. I don't see how we can't be desperate, we've got several players making in excess of 10x the average L1 wages, and my understanding is that parachute payments are already committed to paying off the Macquarie loans, if that's the case I can't see how we're not struggling financially. Of course that doesn't mean that you need to accept the first offer, but it's early and Arsenal (or whoever is interested) won't need to get this done particularly quickly. I'm sure the offer is still on the table and the terms might change slightly, but they'll know we're in a pickle financially and their offers will reflect that, maybe we get a lower fee but more of it upfront. I'd love to be wrong and for it to get to over £10M with a sell on clause, but I just can't see it. It won't be obscene by the usual standards we are used to, but I'd be willing to bet by League 1 standards it will be.

We have no bargaining power, I don't know how people can't see that. Talk of 10M+ with a hefty sell on fee just isn't going to happen. We're desperate. We need money through the door more than other teams need our players at this point, and currently we have less than a handful of somewhat desirable assets. In the case of Monga we probably need to get rid before his professional contract kicks in and he's suddenly on an obscene amount each week. It's sh1t, it hurts, but it's the reality of being a team with players on PL wages playing in L1.

All feels very Pep and Man City, doing what they did was their best chance to get a result. Go toe to two with England and you'd have put 3 past them comfortably. Missing a couple of technical players capable of operating more in tight spaces, understand not taking Palmer and/or Foden after the season's they had for their clubs, but they'd have been more useful than Madueke against a team set up as Ghana did.

Tee'd off around 4:30 yesterday, first 12 holes were brutal! Breeze kicked up around 7:00 and it turned into a rather pleasant evening.

Yeah it should have been, but we played scared and it definitely felt like it set the tone. With only +1 GD to play with it definitely affected the feeling around the next 2 games. To be fair, and I am aware this does sound a bit like I'm coping, but people forget that McTominay hit the post and McGinn spooned a great chance wide in the first game, on another day one of those goes in and we're in a decent spot. But that's the way football goes sometimes. Haha sorry, that may have been a bit strong! Probably still grumpy from last nights result The fans are just there for a good time, we know we're not great, getting out of the group by hook or by crook is a result, we don't know when we'll be back! If it's the same again I'll nearly be retired next time, which is a terrifying thought. And you're right, the Mexicans and South Americans are where the real party is at. We can drink Tennants for days but whack out the tequila and the party would be over pretty quickly! As someone born in Scotland, but grew up in England from a pretty young age I've always wanted to see England do well (unless they're playing Scotland), and seeing as it looks like we won't be winning the whole thing I hope you guys do.

Not sure I'd call it over analysis, but we can agree to disagree on that one. After Haiti people absolutely got caught up in the fact it was our first World Cup win in 36 years, but you'll find no arguments from me that the performance wasn't good enough. Losing to Brazil and Morocco was no surprise, although the manor in which we conceded 3 of the 4 goals felt pretty self inflicted, 'only' beating Haiti 1-0 is what will likely cost us, although they showed last night again that they're no pushovers.

Copium? Most of what I have seen is people saying we've not been good enough and key players haven't turned up. Highlighting the fact the most of the defense, bar Robertson, are journeymen SPL/EFL pro's, and bit part players for their clubs, is a fact. You could say it's an excuse, but it's also a pretty valid point as to one of the reasons we struggle. Not sure why so many England fans get so butthurt whenever there's any analysis when it comes to Scotland. Of course we're not held to the same standards as England, it's our first World Cup in nigh on 30 years, and we've been largely crap in that time.

This is the crux of it really, Brazil and Morocco are likely to comfortably beat teams better than us in the next round, it's the timid showing against Haiti that's going to cost us. It's just all felt very meek, which is the biggest disappointment.

Seems to want an eternity on the ball, keeps getting his pocket picked. The gulf between our best and worst players is so vast, we can’t afford for any of our best players to be off it.

Bitterly disappointed in McTominay so far, been way off it in all 3 games

In what world is it not a foul? He sticks his foot in as Hendry goes to play it, doesn’t get the ball, and trips him up. It’s fortunate, but it is a foul.

I know they want to let the game flow a bit more, and not every bit of contact automatically means foul, but that's about as stonewall a penalty as you'll see. Wrong side, out of control, high and nowhere near the ball. To have not even looked at it is genuinely unbelievable. If it had been the other way round, there would be riots in the streets and it would be headline news for a couple of days.

I know the English have been trying their best to be like the Scots in Boston the last few days, but you don’t have to play like us as well.

If he's heart set on going to one of the traditional 'Big 6' then Arsenal probably the best place for him, in the past couple of years alone they've introduced and given meaningful gametime to Lewis-Skelly, Nwaneri and Dowman, all a similar age to Monga. I know Nwaneri looks like he could be on his way out, but they seem less interested in playing the homegrown and sell for pure profit PSR game that teams like Man City and Chelsea do. Although not sure how his commitment to us affects his eligibility to be homegrown from a PSR perspective. I wouldn't expect to see much of him this season, maybe a few cup appearances, but there's clearly a willingness to play these guys if they're good enough, which I have no doubt Monga will prove to be. If Trossard and Martinelli are potentially on their way out as well, and Saka is good for missing time through injury each season, there may be opportunities pick up some minutes, although I'm sure they'll go out and get someone proven. Sucks that we're in this position, but the club have no-one but themselves to blame. We as fans are well within our rights to be angry with them, and let them know about it, but we have to start making sensible decisions and unfortunately if we can get close to £10M for Monga in our current position we need to do it.

Went to Fenway Park last year for a Red Sox game, they literally have cans of beer in fridges and you pick up what you want, walk to front of the line, and put everything down on the counter. The machine on the counter somehow knows what you've got without needing to scan and all the attendant did was open the can for you, when it comes up to pay it asks for a tip (with 10%, 15% and 20% suggestions) and they're standing over your shoulder. Being an absolute pussy I clicked 15% tip, went back to the seat and my mate who lives there was like 'nah you don't have to tip them' so didn't from then on and no one batted an eyelid. I think it's different in bars where it's often the same person serving you each time and if you don't tip they'll just pretty much ignore you.