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Pogba gave glimpses last night of what he may be like in a decent team... him, Dembele and Mbappe ran circles around England especially in the 2nd half when France played with 10 men.

He was very good last night. Its clear he needs quick,clever players in front of him as he is excellent as seeing first time passes through/behind the defense. As good as Zlatan was last year, these balls were never going to suit him.

Mbappe looks like he could be a monster. Still naive but his pace and directness is impressive

This season had thrown up major upsets practically every week. While the Swans beating the Bulldogs well might not be regarded as an upset most seasons it is this time.  Swans on their day can beat or be beaten by anyone.  Freo snapping brisbanes losing streak was a shock but the the if the round was 2nd bottom Carlton beating 2nd from top and flag favourites the Giants by a point. This game was great viewing for the neutral with a lot of end to end action.

Other notable result was Essendon handing Port a real hiding to nice into the top 8. Essendon have some real stars in Hurley, Fantasia, Tippet Woody and Daniher and if the likes of Hepple, Watson and Hooker continue to improve after t their enforced year of they could make a real impact in September. Connor McKenna was outstanding as well and got rave reviews. Great moment in the commentary where one of the local commentators said McKenna was from Northern England and was quickly (and sharply ) corrected by co-commentator Tadgh Kennelly

I dont see Solanke going on to be a world beater, but for 3m quid, he is certainly worth a  punt and could be a valuable squad player.

Agreed. Although he clearly has issues with being a "squad player" so up to him to give Klopp a selection headache by performing.

Mbappe will never happen. 

Solanke seems to be doing a job for England at the U20 World Cup

He won player of the tournament. Previous winners of the award include Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, Luis Figo, Sergio Aguero and Paul Pogba. I d take the first 4 to Anfield anyway. ..

I was going to say you missed Anthony Le Tallec from that list. But it was the U17 World Cup where he was the best player and Florent Sinama Pongolle was top scorer.

Incidentally both are 32 now; TLT is a free agent with the expiry of his contract at Greek side Atromitos, and FSP is playing in the Thai 2nd division (17 goals in 15 games)!

Lol I was being selective with my names. Having taken another look at it there are some other  big names in there. Adriano, Saviola, Keita. Adama Traore was the winner in 2015.

I remember when FSP & ALT came into Liverpool, really thought they would do the business.  Pongo to be fair got some important goals In 2005 I think but they never really cut it at the top level.

Solanke seems to be doing a job for England at the U20 World Cup

He won player of the tournament. Previous winners of the award include Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, Luis Figo, Sergio Aguero and Paul Pogba. I d take the first 4 to Anfield anyway. ..

Rafa eases to La Decima. Incredible in the open era. His record at the French since his first match is Won 79 Lost 2!! And I'm pretty sure the two he lost were years he was struggling with injury?

Him and the Fed sharing the Majors this year so far.  Incredible and shows just how good those two were in their prime

Did any of ye hear what Marty Clarke said on BBC "The Championship" on Sunday that in Aussie rules if there is a scuffle during a break in play the ref throws the ball up again and play resumes which ends the messing.
Would be interesting to see does this work in GAA.

I was at one of our league games in Clonoe a few weeks back, for the life on me I can't think who we were playing, but there was a alot of pushing, pulling, with perhaps ten players involved, the ref had blown for a free, then he just threw the ball up between two players not involved, it was so funny as you never seen ten players move so fast to get back into the game especially the defenders involved, it was really funny to watch how the players reacted to it. It sorted the messing

I think  Aussie Rules deal with this really well. Any scuffles the ball gets put back into play immediately and generally you are only left with the two original protagonists still involved. Everyone else justs gets back into position. Really think GAA shoudl go down this route.

The only problem is what happens if a ref throws up the ball and 2 or more lads continue messing - what happens if one of these lads gets a broken jaw or something similar.
Also is the ref supposed to keep an eye on the two lads or is he supposed to track the action?

I would assume the AFL penalise/cite the players after the match if they continue messing when play goes on.
There's also the fact that it's somewhat easier to hand out match bans or fines in a professional game.
If you ban someone for 3 games in AFL, Rugby or Soccer it's a severe punishment but it doesn't mean the end of their season - if the GAA were to hand out 3 game bans for an offence in a championship game, the odds are high it will end a players entire season.

Edit : I was typing while Stall the Bailer posted about the two refs in AFL

Agreed the two refs does make a big difference and I think Aussie rules have no in-game sanction, i.e. you cannot be sent off. Its all retrospective based on video and Umpire report. Not sure how its dealt with at  at club level over there when I assume they dont have multiple refs.

In AFL a hop/bounce ball is the normal way to restart if there is a sideline/maul etc even if there is no foul which helps. A player with the ball in AFL can be tackled as soon as the Umpire calls play on, he doe snot need to kick it.   Generally a scuffle in the GAA follows a foul so the referee cannot dictate how the game restarts as the team awarded the foul have to take their free.

continue saving for 10 years and to hell with the mortgage, just buy the house outright, will work out way cheaper

I'm genuinely unsure if you're being serious or not lol

LOL seriously there is absolutely no reason why someone on a decent wage, 25 grand say, can't save 10 grand a year.

if they want to of course.

if there are 2 of you in 10 years you are mortgage free with a 200k house.

there are sacrifices obviously but you will be amazed how quickly capital builds up with discipline.

Thats ambitious! £25k is about £20k take home with no pension payments. Saying minimum monthly outgoings of £300k for rent/rates (assuming you are sharing a house and not living at home), £100 for car/travel, £200 for groceries, £100 utilities. That leaves you with about £13k left and you have not set foot out the door.  I think I am being very conservative on the car/groceries/utilities. No clothes/holidays etc included either. Thats all fine for maybe one year but longterm?

I know you could live on beans and toast etc as a student/graduate but for ten years?? Also, if your going to live like this you can factor in nappies, baby wipes etc after about 9 months because you have fcuk all else entertainment budgeted for! 

So yes, theoretically you might be able to but in real terms no way.

Did any of ye hear what Marty Clarke said on BBC "The Championship" on Sunday that in Aussie rules if there is a scuffle during a break in play the ref throws the ball up again and play resumes which ends the messing.
Would be interesting to see does this work in GAA.

I was at one of our league games in Clonoe a few weeks back, for the life on me I can't think who we were playing, but there was a alot of pushing, pulling, with perhaps ten players involved, the ref had blown for a free, then he just threw the ball up between two players not involved, it was so funny as you never seen ten players move so fast to get back into the game especially the defenders involved, it was really funny to watch how the players reacted to it. It sorted the messing

I think  Aussie Rules deal with this really well. Any scuffles the ball gets put back into play immediately and generally you are only left with the two original protagonists still involved. Everyone else justs gets back into position. Really think GAA shoudl go down this route.

Just on the Murphy incident as well, the "jumper punch" is being cracked down on now in the AFL. It was a  loophole, seemed to be if you had a handful of jumper all bets were off and you could do what you want. Those guys got  good at it though

https://thewest.com.au/sport/afl/trent-cotchin-in-trouble-after-jumper-punching-fremantles-lachie-neale-in-the-face-ng-b88475548z

Apparently Southampton owner might be forced to sell to settle tax bill.

Asking price about £200m. FSG could just buy the club, merge the two and forget about the annual summer tango between the two!!! Their scouting department alone must be worth £200m given their track record. 

Brilliant,  just buy the scout !!

Off the top of my head

Bale
Walcott
Ox hamberlain
Mane
Llanna
Clyne
Van Dijk
Schnerderlin
Shaw
Lovren

What's the markup on these guys compared to what Southampton paid? Scouts are the real money men! !

In all seriousness I wonder how much poaching goes on with these backroom guys.  That's a pretty serous track record above

Apparently Southampton owner might be forced to sell to settle tax bill.

Asking price about £200m. FSG could just buy the club, merge the two and forget about the annual summer tango between the two!!! Their scouting department alone must be worth £200m given their track record. 

Fecking embarrassing...I'd say Southampton showed Liverpool the evidence and said walk away or we'll send it to the FA.

Absolute ridiculous f**k up all round

Since Southampton want to cash in on him would you not expect them just to ask Liverpool for more money rather that telling them to walk??

Think they probably fancy a bidding war with Chelsea & City

So if they fancy a bidding war why tell one party to GTF?   Does that hike the price?

Might take the players preferred option but least financially capable  out of th he equation if the stories were true. Get the deepest pockets to the table. 

Pity as he is what is needed.

Ok so Southampton have expressed faux outrage and threatened FA action to get rid of VVDs preferred club, but relative pauper in the whole saga?  All seems a bit strange.  "Ok Virgil son,  we know you wanted to go to Merseyside but you can't as the scallys have been caught with their pants down, so now you have to go to a bigger club for more money!" 

if he was telling city, Chelsea et Al he wanted to go to Anfield  those clubs may start to consider other options.Southampton would rather City and Chelsea were both going all out in a bidding war rather than Liverpool and a half interested City.

Fecking embarrassing...I'd say Southampton showed Liverpool the evidence and said walk away or we'll send it to the FA.

Absolute ridiculous f**k up all round

Since Southampton want to cash in on him would you not expect them just to ask Liverpool for more money rather that telling them to walk??

Think they probably fancy a bidding war with Chelsea & City

So if they fancy a bidding war why tell one party to GTF?   Does that hike the price?

Might take the players preferred option but least financially capable  out of th he equation if the stories were true. Get the deepest pockets to the table. 

Pity as he is what is needed.

I think this is a positive step from the county board.

As you can see on here there will always be people happy to complain no matter what the ruling.

However they have to draw a line in the sand somehwere so that the reserve championship can be played at a sensible time of year. Nothing worse for players who are either trying to develop or trying to just play recreationally than having to train from Jan/Feb to wait to Oct/Nov to get playing a championship match.

12 named players doesn't count in Reserve Championship
County players are not allowed to play in Reserve Championship (although this rule was flaunted in a game involving my club one year when Donaghmore played a county player and then said he had left the panel but he hadn't)

Absolutely agree that it is a positive that the Reserve Championship gets played at a sensible time of year and of course there will have to be eligibility criteria. I just think that there is scope to improve it to address the obvious issue with basing eligibility for one years competition on a previous year.

Kolasinac is a big strong LB who was one of the best performers for Shalke. Great bit of business.

How do you know?

Because I'm aware of more than the EPL?

This move was on for months. The only reason it's free and not £20-25m (lad is only 23 to boot) is the player let his contract run down.

Same way liverpool picked up Matip last year. Turned out decent value for £0