24 May 2026 20:52:54
Few really good stories today imo.
Bournemouth and Sunderland getting Europa League is great for both clubs. Palace will be in it too I think if they win the Europa Conference League.
Brighton getting European football too.
Bruno getting his assist record is a great achievement.
De Zerbie keeping Spurs up was good achievement, I like De Zerbie and he has done well with what he had.
I'm sorry to see West Ham go down, I'm sure they will come straight back up although it will be some culture shock. It depends who they keep.
I like their lb Diouf very athletic and runs his line very well. Bit raw but I like what I've seen.
Fenandes is decent, still young and can play as 8 or 10, I think he will improve a lot.
Great season for United given last season. 3rd only 7 points off City. Is a giant leap and Carrick must take the credit. He has done so much better than I expected.
He has the chance now to bring us up another few notches next season and hopefully have a complete squad for the season after.
Can he do it? None of us know but I'll be fully behind him in the hope he can answer the tough questions ahead.
He has surpassed all my expectations and hopes so far.
Primarily off the pitch, his demeanor and his tone is fantastic with the press and if they get behind him he will be in great shape.
On the pitch there has been a mixed bag in terms of style or approach but given the fact that we have only 2 midfielders plus Ugarte and 2 less than ideal cbs fbs that can't or won't pose a threat in attack and a very raw cf I think it would be unfair to expect scintillating football.
In all I'd say the season was a lot easier playing just once a week so he does have a lot to prove. He has been given the chance because he has earned it.
Let's hope we have a good window ins and outs.
Enjoy the summer and for those of you interested the WC.
Spain Brazil and France all look strong. England have a punchers chance if they can get the ball to Kane enough. They look a bit ropey in defence.
Enjoy the summer and we can all agree on one thing I think, that, this season has seen the progress we all wanted many thought it unlikely but we got the 3rd by hook or by crook.
24 May 2026 21:42:39
What he said. ?
24 May 2026 21:56:05
Agree with all of this. I'd add Germany as a contender. England have some good players, but they lack balance, so I think they'll need a lot of luck to go deep in the tournament. But, as you say, a puncher's chance nonetheless.
Have a great summer, Ken.
24 May 2026 22:06:38
England starting 11 is very strong, but then we enter the realm of multi-taskers.
24 May 2026 22:41:35
Agree with those West Ham players if they are available. Would be reasonable additions.
Personally, not going to engage with the World Cup, I think it has become a farce with the extension of teams competing.
25 May 2026 05:14:15
Nice post, except for West Ham. I have an irrational dislike for them, dating back many years.
25 May 2026 07:56:25
Having many teams in the World Cup is good in my opinion. It's a festival of football and as many countries as possible should be able to participate. Clue is in the name.
25 May 2026 11:03:29
I agree, Unruly.
The qualifying should be done differently, imo, but lots of countries want to participate, and so they should. It is a World Cup for all the countries in the world.
No point promoting playing in the streets in countries all over the world if you can't play with the big boys once every 4 years. That makes no sense, imo.
25 May 2026 22:46:09
Have more teams, and make it more inclusive, but find a way to keep it down to 4 weeks, not 5 & 1/2. The decision to extend it is not based upon including more countries, it is based upon increasing the potential revenue to make the whole event sustainable for whichever nation is chosen to hold the event.
The costs associated with hosting the event historically have not yielded a positive financial outcome for the host nations.
2026 is an anomaly in that no new stadiums have been built to host the event, the intent is to return an event with a positive result for the host nation.
All that said, what really hinders the cost equation is the FIFA tunnelling of funds.
The most lucrative revenue streams generated by a World Cup do not go to the host country's treasury or local cities.
They are legally channeled directly to FIFA, completely tax-exempt under the hosting agreement.
Broadcast Rights: Television and streaming rights fetch billions (e.g., European television rights alone routinely top EUR1.1 billion), all pocketed by FIFA.
Sponsorships & Marketing: Global corporate partnerships go entirely to FIFA.
Ticket Sales & Merchandising: FIFA retains the ticket revenues. In recent tournaments, FIFA has even strictly limited host cities from selling corporate suites or retaining a cut of game-day concessions.
So, dare I say, get off your high horses, and take the blinkers off. You can swing it how you want and live in a different world if you want, but the facts remain, FIFA are not extending it to include more teams because they want to have Haiti at the WC.
26 May 2026 04:48:58
Like football is now, it’s all about money. They can now just try to justify and hide behind the rubbish they peddle about inclusivity. Anyone with an ounce of brain knows it’s all about money, money, money and nothing else. Of course, you get the romantics, and then those who can’t see the woods for the trees, and then there are those that just want to peddle their own themes and try to shout down those whose opinions differ, or try not to listen to different opinions.
Some even suggest blocking opinions they don’t like, and that’s the worst of all. But hey, it’s 2026. But don’t try to kid yourselves that it’s not just about the money.