Betamaxman

...or you'd better start practicing your 'Saaf London' accent.

The thing is do people think Flint is good because hes a good defender or because he gets a lot of goals for a defender? He's a unit. Very powerful and doesn't shy out of strong challenges - reads the game well too, so despite not being the most mobile he gets himself into good positions to close off options and areas. Obviously good in the air, which is why he gets goals. Watched him a fair bit at Swindon and Bristol. Swindon had some good young lads when he was there, so peaked my interest a bit then. I've wanted him at Boro since then... But always saw him as a partner as oppos

To be honest, I actually thought that Panama showed more attacking intent against Belgium than Tunisia did against us. I reckon Panama will be more likely to create a proper chance against us than Tunisia did. I was actually sitting in disbelief when it looked like we were going to draw that game last night, as Tunisia didn't create anything at all. Even their penalty wasn't a great chance. If Kyle Walker had just stood his ground, with his hands in his shorts holding his nuts, I don't think the Tunisian striker would have got on the end of it. I will be interested to see if it's a total

OMG. Our finishing has been gash. We should have had it in the net four times. Stones swings and misses.

Well that was a tw*ttish thing for Kyle Walker to do!

GET IN indeed!! Although I thought Kane was going to get a broken rib being at the bottom of that pile-on after his goal.

Gutting. Can't believe Lingard didn't score that.... and can't believe Stirling didn't tuck that away (even though it was offside)!

But that purple patch is right now, aren’t we all usually calling for in form players to play? I didn't rate the lad but I've changed my mind a bit. I think he's got decent movement and some intelligence and I like both those things. I can see why he's in there to be fair. Agree. Lingard was excellent in the England friendly against Italy.

Agree with all of that. Belgium Will definitely score eventually. (Unfortunately). Edit: Ooh. They just did. Shame!

That's the team I'd pick but I think he'll pick Cahill, Young and Henderson rather than Maguire, Rose and Dier. I thought it was being pretty much reported last night that Maguire was in. (Maybe I misunderstood what they were saying) - I know that the whole team isn't announced yet, but they seemed to be saying that Maguire was starting.

Comparing Maddison's value with Gibson's didn't really make sense to me. Totally different players. Centre backs will always sell for less. As for Maddison, I read a while back that he was being valued at £25M, with Grealish at £30M. I thought that both those values were interesting in the context of Traore. Personally I think they are both better all round footballers than Traore. As such I'd expect Traore's value to be a bit lower.

I can’t see Traore playing in the middle. He needs the space on the wing. I would be thrilled to see a more attacking formation but I don’t see it happening with three at the back because it’ll be alongside two defensive wing backs and likely at least one DM. I want him to prove me wrong but I don’t see it. Maybe this was what Braithwaite was on about in a previous interview where he said that Pulis almost wanted him to play a wingback position. Just for conversation sake. I think Traore would be the most dangerous right wing back in world football. If we found a similar player for left w

Fair play Billy you are a master of utilising any situation to your own advantage. Love it To be honest I wanted to nip the debate about who the 4th best team was in the bud, before it got too tedious. I reckon the Belgiums are 7th best though ;) INTERESTINGLY.... I think it was on the on BBC, they were saying that some 'analysts' had created a computer model of all the factors throughout your team that you need in order to win the World Cup. (Things like having the golden glove winner in your team 4 of the last 5 times apparently - but obviously makes sense, if you don't conced

Bamford started at Forest didn't he, so it might appeal to him. Let's hope not!

Instead of Besic I guess? Not overly excited by that. Can someone who is, give the reasons why please? (Also agree with Besic £5M MAX posts previously).

Yeah, decent that. Reminded me of watching Boro!

LOL - yeah, I wondered why he was QUITE so far over. Decent free kick mind. I'm not sure, but I think Ronaldo has copied Bamford's goal celebration a bit.

He dropped a clanger in his last game as well Billy. Maybe they should have brought Thomas Meijas lol Yeah.... it was a bit of a Karius moment. I wonder if he's concussed?!

I hope Ramos loses.

Ouch. Horrible own goal at the end of that Morocco v Iran match. Iran lucky to win!

Mate - Do you actually see our style of football at the moment as being anything worse than that under AK? [Genuine question, before anyone else gets on their high horse that "Betamaxman" is asking a question about Karanka]. Personally I don't. AK and Pulis are both pretty negative. I don't see much difference... which is partly why I don't understand so many people slating Pulis, who previously embraced Karanka? Or is it the fact that people feel like we've tried the negative approach for a while now, and they fancy seeing something different? Edit: As you say though.... the trouble

Yeah, I agree. We've been linked with Flint, who I've rated for years. However, I don't think we need him now. Cheaper back up CB, and spend the money elsewhere, where we need it more.

After seeing him score a goal today I suspect Pulis was sat somewhere with a semi-on just thinking of all the possibilities with not one but two goalscoring central defenders ;) LOL. Only a semi? Full on boner I reckon. Thinking about it, if we get a decent offer for Gibson, then Ayala/Fry is pretty much a ready made starting line up. We'd then need a back up CB, but I think Fry is ready to step up.

"Selling Leadbitter/Braithwaite/Johnson and Fletcher should see us make around 12m-ish (my guestimate)" Fletcher must be worth nearly £10M on his own?? He cost us £7M and he's improved a bit since we've had him.

Do you reckon we'll use Dael Fry more this coming season?