For some reason I had a soft spot for Cool Brian Rice / PortuGrealish. He wasn't particularly technically gifted, but he charged around to occasional effect.
God loves a trier, and so do I sometimes.
30 Mar 2026
136
-
-
He'd probably have offered more than Bakwa (though I think Bakwa has much more potential, or 'ceiling' as they say).
-
One thing Jota would not have done is habitually cut in from the right wing onto his left foot. Or shy away from taking on his man (were our wide players under instruction from Dyche not to take their man on? It felt like it sometimes).
I still remember the joy of the Brighton 7-0 and him ramming home the 7th goal.
I also remember him coming on at Villa at half time 2-0 down following an abject 1st half display (Morato losing his man doing up his shoe lace) and scoring and absolutely terrifying Villa with his random charging around. Unfortunately the rest of his - and everyone else's - shots that day landed somewhere near spaghetti junction. -
He had a nice cameo at Ipswich last season, too. That was a fun away day.
-
Jota and Sosa were both better than what we had this season so thought it was odd that they were binned off. Apparently Nuno didn't really like Sosa. No idea about Jota though.
I think we should buy all the referees as Man Ure do it. Might even things out for next season.
Chicago: On a wing and a prayer.
-
Hoping we are smart and try to get some early business done before selling Anderson. If clubs see we've got £100m from Anderson all our potential purchases are going to get 10% added to them.
-
I think they are all probably aware that's going to happen.
-
Premiums already exist for 'ship teams - hence some owners probably already participate in 'complex business arrangements' with third parties and intermediary clubs.
-
Looking forward to the wild speculation to fill the summer.
-
Current hyperbole:
-
The Mane link just seems like an easy connection to make. He's 5'9", looks lightweight and seems to mostly play as a centre forward, which i don't see. Can he play wide at all?
-
Youtube videos can be a good indicator of a player about to move.
Mateus Mane - Has a recent 'skilz' compilation. Omari Hutchinson doesn't.
Hard to see us investing too heavily to pack the team with too many carnival shit off the ball merchants.
-
The World Famous City Ground, August 2026:
-
Nothing new here, just speculation, but I hadn't realised that he was in line to become the most expensive English player ever.
-
I did see a recent clip of Omari catch a 40 yard pass between his legs and proceed to do a standing somersault. Can Mane do that?
-
Disappointed he's never tried that in a game. Although partly because I've never seen a player booted over the main stand.
