rock bus

I am indeed referring to the 2005 and said they received honours (MBEs not knighthoods). Must admit probably showing my own bias in relation to their class! BUT even on above basis that means c50% were privately educated against an average of c7% for the population as a whole! To suggest the social demographic of cricketers is comparable to footballers is not true.

The Mens cricket team were awarded honours just for beating one team in a best of 5 game. Surely even you must accept that the women's football team being world cup runners up is more worthy than that? Especially given the impact that has had across the whole country. (Of course, they dont all come from the same upper class and privately educated sector of society so it is unlikely!)

Very disappointing performance from England, felt they froze on the day. Fair play to Spain, they played really well and deserved the win today,. Been an excellent World Cup overall and let’s hope it sees the women’s game grow and grow.

Disappointing half, Spain been very good. still think we can turn it around

Really pathetic that William hasn’t been arsed to go, no doubt he’d be at the men’s final. Not that I’d expect anything better from the Royals, also notable that Rishi can’t be bothered either..total disgrace

I know I’m wasting my time with this as clearly there are a group of people who have no interest or respect for the women’s game But I don’t get the arguments about it being inferior in terms of quality to the men’s game and that’s the reason you aren’t going to watch it… not even the World Cup final where they are two of the best teams in the world (and one is England).? Genuine question if that is your reasoning, why are you watching Norwich in the Championship?! Let’s be honest if you only want to see football of the highest quality, shouldn’t you be watching Man City in the premier league or following clubs like PSG or Real Madrid? I love Norwich but even I have to admit the current team doesn’t have the quality of those teams or play with their ability..If your whole desire to watch football is based on the highest quality and you’re watching a game like Norwich v Milwall then I’d suggest you need to reconsider your reasoning. Sure this won’t convince anyone because if you’re not even willing to support the England team in a World Cup final I expect there are other reasons (and yes I’d include a plain sexist attitude for some).

Really hope they move our game. This women’s England team deserve to have some respect shown so all us football fans can get behind them.

Really hope they move our game. This women’s England team deserve to have some respect shown so all us football fans can get behind them.

just made same point on the Aarons/saints thread: I know someone will identify a player to prove me wrong but I honestly think he is too small to be a modern full back. It was really noticeable last season that team were deliberately using cross field balls to target a larger winger or striker on Aaron's side. I agree about pace and ability but I don't think he is that defensively astute. In fact I think he can be a bit unaware at times. In the championship his pace and ability means he gets away with it but he is found out in the premier league. Whole heartedly agree with last point though, despite all of above he has been great for us (in the championship!)

I know someone will identify a player to prove me wrong but I honestly think he is too small to be a modern full back. It was really noticeable last season that team were deliberately using cross field balls to target a larger winger or striker on Aaron's side. I agree about pace and ability but I don't think he is that defensively astute. In fact I think he can be a bit unaware at times. In the championship his pace and ability means he gets away with it but he is found out in the premier league. Whole heartedly agree with last point though, despite all of above he has been great for us (in the championship!)

I get the point you are making but on the other hand it gives us £12m which we can use to strengthen our team to a level that is better than having Aarons. He has been brilliant for us but clearly stagnated and I don't think was that great last year. We appear to have a more than adequate replacement so even though I'd rather not sell to a rival £12m is better than none at the end of the season and IF spent wisely could make us a much better team than the current one just with Aarons. I feel a bit sorry for Aarons -you'd have thought a premier league club would take a c£12m punt on him. On another point, the Webber position is an interesting one... IF he is going to Leeds I do have some concerns on how robust he will be in negotiations with them, but can only hope the club is getting some form of independent oversight on the deal.

Have to say, seeing that, the save by Gunn was brilliant.

It seems very odd for this to be such a public outing. Is he a regular attendee does any one know? If not, then surely it must be almost done or we wouldn't publicly show his attendance at the game?

I know the goals were great (for different reasons), but My highlight of the game was towards the end of the second half when hull had a chance to break and Duffy unceremoniously fouled their player on the half way line. Terrible challenge and closer to penalty area would have been cries for a red card. Thats what we’ve really been missing for last couple of seasons. Hanley or Gibson would’ve run alongside him for the length of the half and either a)not tackled resulting in a shot/goal or b)clumsily fouled him in box and given penalty away. We desperately needed players strong in body and mind and I think Duffy, Barnes and Stacey all bring that.

I seem to be about the only one on here who rates Gibson. Duffy equally at fault for the goal (but was excellent for rest of game). They need time as a pair but think they’d be as good as any cb pairing in the championship. i honestly think Gibson is better than Omo. He looks more composed and classy mainly because he hangs around the edge of the game rather than getting stuck in. Sure many won’t agree but watch him in the game and you’ll see he al ways defers to other team mates defenders and also sits off the opposition way too much.

I think it will be a real shame for him if he goes to Southampton. Has been a great player for us over last couple of years but poor last two. Given last year of contract we have no option but to sell if a half decent offer is actually made. The only way I'd keep him is if he could play on the left (think he'd be better than Dimi and McCallum!)

I doubt it, but also that isnt what we would want. If he was dismissed he would no longer be an employee/in contract so he could leave for nothing. I suspect this is all just gesturing by us and we will eventually accept an offer - as distasteful as it is to us fans Rashica has made it clear he wont play for us again and when you look at his performances at the start of last season he clearly doesnt have any issues in displaying this openly on the pitich. He is a bad apple and I'd suggest we would be better off 'giving up' a couple of million just to get rid of him and have some funds to invest in a couple of quality players sooner rather than later

Cheap compared to what Webber said the offer was in January. If I'm honest though, I'd take £7.5M upfront with the caveat that a deal is structured with loads of add ons including sell on %, international call up. appearances etc. I know plenty rate him but I remain unconvinced. He certainly has potential but I think that is as much due to his build and athleticism. A bit like Godfrey and Lewis before him I think he lacks a 'footballers brain'. I think he will always come up short in terms of positioning and game management so not sure he will ever fulfill that potential. I should say I hope I'm wrong and that we either benefit from having a top player in the side or from the suggested contract terms.

For me this season is wholly dependent on Wagner building some confidence in the team. I think we have wisely brought in players with a bit more steel about them and this should help to stop us collapsing when things go against us. Unlike others, I think players like Gibson, McLean, Sargent etc are more than capable of playing in a promotion winning team but confidence is key to all of them. This means we need a good start which worryingly isn't something we normally do. In terms of the 'magic' I think this could come from one of the youngsters ending up being a surprise star of the season - Rowe or Gibbs or Fisher are my main hopes. Like most other fans I'd still like a tough tackling midfielder at least in the squad. The other key thing we need to do is get rid of the players who wont be in the squad ASAP (eg Rashica, Aarons, Omo (maybe), Tzolis (probably). I don't want us to waste a month having players who don't want to be here and not having the funds to make a couple of key signings that would hugely improve our chances of promotion (which I expect will have to be via play offs).

The big question for me is if we don’t get a decent offer will Max sign a new contract out of loyalty or just walk out?

Anyone with a little river?

Rashica and Aarons must have deals in pipeline then. will be disappointed if Tzolis not given a chance

Not sure what Kenny has done to lose the title! Cant be Idah, any dismay at him playing is justified.

Don’t know if I’m just being stupid but poll doesn’t seem to allow me to vote?

Villa friend really rates Buendia and thinks this year he could be their star player. Probably priced right at the time but could look cheap in a couple years time. I think Webber did a really good job with the money he got for the others