Smallen

Seems especially mad considering who will be going instead (Maguire, Dier).

Who's in your 26 man squad? - My World Cup Squad | Transfermarkt Here's Smallen's: Squad value of over £1bn. Cue the calls of buying the league

Just got to continue the trajectory of our last two tournaments and it's ours

Ah man. Trees are cool though! And there are plenty to count!

Did you get the bee thing?

Will watch as much of it as I can because it’s football and there’ll be no other football I want to watch on at the time. But yeah, it’s the least excited I’ve been for a world cup. Even when Pardew had almost completely killed my love for the game I was more excited.

It's nice that these people pop up every now and then to remind me that there are at least some people I can feel morally superior to.

This was in the beta for those two players right at the start of a save too. Weirdly seems to correct to something more realistic after a couple of weeks iirc

yeah, scum company dressed up in anti-establishment marketing. The worst kind. https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/mar/14/brewdog-boss-hired-private-investigators-to-gather-evidence-of-alleged-smear-campaign Amongst other things they hired private investigators to investigate their own staff who were whistleblowing about their toxic/sexist working environment.

Joelinton robbed

Been ill all week and it's been confirmed it was for that.

Then Tite is an idiot!

Where’s the England thread Rob? 😤

I agree but that’s the same for most british liberals . Think we just have to accept that trait. I can’t hate them all for it!

I think Neville’s heart is in the right place. You don’t do what he did during the pandemic if it’s not. He’s just a bit dim and naive.

If Bruno Guimaraes plays then Brazil will win.

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No problem and nice one. The only other one I have major issues with is Botman but appreciate he's not been in your file long!

Not sure who does the Newcastle research now, but they've done a good job I think. I'm here to make a case for a significant upgrade to Kieran Trippier though! Bruno Guimaraes has been getting a lot of the plaudits for our performances this season but imo Trippier is at least - if not more - responsible for this. Trips has recently said himself that he is playing the best football of his career right now and there's a lot of evidence available to back that up. I realise we're a bit late for full release so something to consider for winter update maybe. Set Pieces Our effectiveness in set pieces is in part due to the innovation of our coaches (some upgrades to the coaching staff to be made??), but also thanks to Trippier's delivery. His corners, long or short are fantastic. Trippier has the most shot creating actions from dead balls this season so far: He has 3 direct free kick goals this calendar year despite being injured for months. Also has hit the post on a few occasions. I think he should be amongst the best in the league for this. Suggestion: Corners: 14 > 16 Free kicks: 16 > 17 Technicals Kieran Trippier's passing and crossing ability is on a par with Trent Alexander-Arnold's. Yes, you heard! He is a very, very technical player. PL full backs this season: Obviously, his set pieces contribute to a lot of the above (same as Trent), but he has the joint most through balls from full back (with Trent), joint 4th in the league overall and is really high up on progressive passes. His long passing completion rate is fantastic. I don't think any of the above is reflected in the game. See also this xThreat graph: His xThreat from passes is second only to KDB in the league. He is a playmaker who is controlling games from right back. Suggestions: Passing: 13 > 16 Crossing: 16 > 17 First touch: 14 > 16 Technique: 14 > 16 Dribbling: 12 > 10. He doesn't dribble. Giving him the same attribute as Schar and only a point behind Almiron is too generous. Vision: 14 > 15 Physicals He's not quick and can be ran at/dribbled past reasonably easily. Thankfully he makes up for this by marking his opponent very tightly/aggressively and rarely giving them the opportunity (perhaps add ppm marks opponent tightly?). He is however exceptionally fit. He plays the entire right flank for us. He plays right back but as soon as we win the ball his is sprinting to be in a right winger position and this is all game every game. He came back from injury very well, is able to play every game and doesn't seem to be declining at all at 32 years of age. Suggestions: Acceleration: 13 > 12 Pace: 14 > 12 Stamina: 16 > 18 Natural Fitness: 16 > 19 Mentals and Hidden: Assuming the Newcastle researcher is a Newcastle fan I don't need to explain how transformative his leadership and professionalism have been for us. He is the best leader we have had since Shearer and a model pro. Suggestions: Leadership: 16 > 19 Professionalism: 15 > 18 Important matches: 11 > 16 Pressure: 13 > 18 Temperament: 14 > 16 Determination: 15 > 18 ---- I think the above will require a substantial CA rise or 6 or 7 points (using fmrte to get a guage), but he is one of the best full backs in the world now. In the game he's miles off this and I don't think his profile reflects the technical nature of his game.

Next game and another slightly different but equally bizarre example attached. Daka goal on 48 minutes. Ok, ball over the top is a good one, but both Botman (LCB) and Lamptey (LB) don't have anyone to mark and - instead of trying to cover or challenge Daka - just continue to run straight back towards the goal as though they are not aware he has the ball. Leicester v Newcastle.pkm

A slightly different example attached here. Sinisterra goal on 57 minutes - firstly an unrealistic pass animation where the ball loops up incredibly high, followed by an absurd reaction by Lamptey my LB(d), who jumps to head the ball long after it's past him. Yes, it's just a coincidence all the examples are against me Newcastle v Leeds.pkm