DuncanRG

Just had a look and Brighton played a fairly weakened team in their League Cup games last season, including one against Bournemouth. They've got a bigger squad this year, though.

That was a bit less nutter-heavy than the last one. Hughes spoke well but I did find it funny how he'd get a round of applause for repeating something Reed or Krueger had said five minutes earlier to frosty silence. Interesting line from Reed about developing different sorts of youth players to those we have in the past. Any academy watchers who can fill me in?

His excuses have always annoyed me.

The formation was a mistake in this game , with a packed Burnley midfield, but it was really encouraging to see Hughes make the switch in good time and have the players respond. It won't spell the end of three at the back but shows we may not have the quality to pull it off against all opposition. Vestergaard was good but needs to work on his clearances. He did well to make them but quite often hoofed or headed it aimlessly away, allowing them to come back at us.

I thought the predictions of relegation in 14/15 were daft. Now? I don't think anyone's certain but I'd still be surprised.

His season didn't resemble what was sold to us, either.

I'd expect much more European demand for tickets than Russia, especially given it's going to Qatar and the States next. Would be the first World Cup in western Europe for 24 years!

Not sure we'd make the cut if the home nations were involved, even for a 48-team tournament. That said we're further from London than Milton Keynes, which was in the 2018 bid, so a south coast option's hardly impossible.

Que?

Not as many, though. That's important.

You think? By the standards of international football there's been as much good attacking football as I can remember.

I think it would for most outside the Saints fanbase - record signing from January.

The bit about Hughes getting his own men makes me wonder if it's Carrillo. Is that wishful thinking?

He's really hot, my friend.

Of course it doesn't change everything. Like I said in my other post, it's a small step which may be of small benefit. Even if it doesn't help England much, the summer tournaments are better for everyone if players are fresh. Some of them have played less, certainly not all, but that's why a bigger and more important step for England is for our players to find game time abroad or at smaller clubs. See the Belgian squad, many of whom racked up 100+ appearances in Dutch and French football before arriving at the elite clubs as first XI players.

Nothing wrong with the interview, but there was (understandably) a lot more fluff than Kreuger got stick for. Funny how perceptions work.

What do you mean by populist propaganda? A break will help prevent fatigue in Premier League players, which includes all but a few English players. That's it.

Good news and one of many small steps that could help the England side. Hopefully there are bigger ones to come. Don't know why anyone would be bothered as a fan, it's not like breaking up the Christmas fixtures even though that woud help the players much more.

Not sure you can level that accusation at a side which reaches the Champions League final, to be honest.

Has your dad been shot dead? No?

Players influence children and need to adjust their behaviour accordingly. However, the tabloid targeting of Sterling is deeply unfair and tinged with racism.

Not a bad bit of trolling, in fairness.

If Madrid were gonna win I'm glad it's Bale that did it. What a goal

I like Liverpool and hope they win. If you want to take a principled stand against rich clubs poaching players, don't support Real Madrid.

Simon Peach saying on Total Saints Podcast that Hughes and the club are all agreed and it's just taking time to get through lawyers.