martyn

Conservatives pretty much completely wiped out in London according to the exit poll. My constituency has been Tory since 1950's and is projected to go to Labour. Would expect Reform to have cannibalised the Tory vote.

Did not have Reform getting more seats than the SNP on my bingo card.

We are hamstrung by having no attacking threat from full back, the 2 wide players being players who prefer it to feet, whilst Kane wanders into midfield with no runners to exploit in behind. At least Southgate now appears to have realised that alongside Rice we need a player who can progress the ball. I don't expect massive improvements now from the abjectly low bar we are setting, but we can make clear and obvious improvements to the balance of the side, albeit within the constraints of the squad (no natural left back other than an injured Shaw looks even sillier now). Pickford Trent Guehi Stones Walker (lb) Rice Mainoo Gordon Bellingham Saka Kane That, or move Bellingham deeper and play Foden in the 10. There's an argument for Palmer over Saka and I expect a clamour for it, but i think too much stock will be placed on a decent 15 minute cameo against a tired defence. Don't think he moves the needle sufficiently over Saka as a starter.

He isn't a holder. He's a box to box.

Yep the replays they've shown after the game make it look less likely that Maignan was impeded from making a genuine play at the ball.

Yep that was the issue, took too long for them to confirm their correct decision.

The on field call was offside.

Nowhere in the rules does it state whether a keeper getting there or not impacts the decision.

On field decision was offside, fair enough to stick with it.

Yes on the replay he clearly thought he only had Saka to deal with, someone should have helped him out

Terrible from Kristiansen

Draper definitely has the game to reach the top 10 if he can stay injury free for a period.

Was all good. Would say Topkapi Palace, Dolmabahce Palace, Sulemaniye Mosque, and Blue Mosque are unmissable, and we did a really nice sunset Bosphorous Cruise on a yacht with only 15 or so others, and i'm glad we did that over the bigger boats as it felt pretty special. Hagia Sophia too, for the history, albeit they now charge to get in and you can only walk around the first floor gallery if you aren't a practising Muslim, so probably a tier below those. Was also very nice to stroll around Kadikoy on the Asian side, and Fener/Balat on the European sides. I do think we benefitted from a quiet week though, there was no real wait to get into any of the attractions so whilst we bought an Istanbul "e-pass", it probably wasn't necessary for the benefit that gives you of skipping the lines. Also went to the Basilica Cistern, walked the full length of Istiklal Street starting near Galata Tower up to Taksim Square, went to the Yeni Cami mosque, but i wouldn't class any of those as essential, but worthwhile with time. Food wise we ate street food most days and had 1 splurge at a place called Yeni Lokanta, which was lovely. Of the street food, the fish sandwiches and Tantuni (sliced steak served in a wrap / sandwich) near our hotel in Karakoy were the highlights, along with Baklava/sweet treats every day in Karakoy Gulluoglu (get the triangular baklava with "kaymak", clotted cream ice cream inside it, absolutely outstanding).

Just spent 5 enjoyable days in Istanbul. So much to see, delicious food, and very clean. Was the week of Eid so city was pretty quiet as well.

I'll go against the grain a bit based on what I'm seeing in this thread but France have been totally comfortable. Could have had 2 or 3 on another day and were untroubled apart from the one Maignan save first half. Austria showed good endeavour but that was about it.

Maignan is a quality keeper, should have displaced Lloris ages ago

I don't know Playa del Carmen that well tbh, have only been a couple of times on trips whilst already in Mexico and not since 2019, but there will absolutely be good authentic Mexican food available, but likely to be off the main drag. It's not going to be Mexico City / Oaxaca levels of choice and quality for the most part.

Yes Playa del Carmen is fine. Depending on the time of year you go they may have an issue with seaweed which now plagues that coast, but they have teams removing it non stop. Around the area you have Tulum, Akumal, Xcaret, even Chichen Itza isn't that far, albeit not sure you'd want to go with youngster in tow.

Heathrow T5 was fine this morning. Through security in 10 mins

Heathrow T5 was fine this morning. Through security in 10 mins

Good intel, i'll be there Thursday and I'm not going to get there until 1hr 30 before flight so i'll hurry on through.

Yes the value is entirely subjective. As im tall I highly value flying in premium cabins so have collected air miles religiously and will always look to get decent cash PE fares if not using miles.

I'd always choose the legroom in front as I'm 6'4" so options 1 or 2. Much more inclined for premium economy on a true long hauler if it's not too much more than economy (say up to £250) as also gives a small chance of an upgrade to business or allows an air miles upgrade if you have them.

Vinicius Jr was unlucky to get the first yellow, but the ref absolutely bottled that dive. Gave a foul about 5 seconds after he fell over to avoid the difficult decision.

Not really an opportunity he can turn down, and even if it goes wrong at Chelsea it won't really dent his standing too much given how much of a basket case they have been. Would like to have seen how we fared under him at the highest level even if most of us felt it might be a bit of a disaster given his football philosophy and lack of finance to make that work at premier league level. Overall I liked Enzo, he did a good job righting the ship, reconnecting the club with it's fans and took, in my opinion unfair stick from certain fans who conflated our squad quality with it's cost. Having said that, i don't think losing him as manager is catastrophic, I just don't trust the board to get the next appointment right.