Bris Vegas

I’m torn on Wayne Rooney.
On the one hand I despise the fact he signed with talk of him as an understudy to Phillip Cocu while winding down his career. I felt his presence immediately undermined Cocu who didn’t deserve that at all, and his post lockdown performances on the pitch were horrible. We were stuck with an out-of-shape superstar who was seemingly undroppable, and his presence in the team made Cocu’s job of getting results all-but impossible. I then hated the fact Rooney benefited from Cocu’s exit with the managerial job despite his evident lack of experience. His ensuing results towards the end of the season did little to sway that opinion.
However, on the flip side, none of the above was Rooney’s fault. As a player he was on a natural steep decline. Anyone in his shoes would have done the same. The club signed him on ridiculous terms with a stepping stone into management. A big Championship club may I add. And the club later appointed him manager. I can’t hate him for simply taking up the opportunities which have come his way, as much as I disagree with it all. 
My displeasure is directed more at those who made the decisions. Simply terrible.
We’re stuck with Rooney, and he and the players need all the support they can get.

I’m torn on Wayne Rooney.
On the one hand I despise the fact he signed with talk of him as an understudy to Phillip Cocu while winding down his career. I felt his presence immediately undermined Cocu who didn’t deserve that at all, and his post lockdown performances on the pitch were horrible. We were stuck with an out-of-shape superstar who was seemingly undroppable, and his presence in the team made Cocu’s job of getting results all-but impossible. I then hated the fact Rooney benefited from Cocu’s exit with the managerial job despite his evident lack of experience. His ensuing results towards the end of the season did little to sway that opinion.
However, on the flip side, none of the above was Rooney’s fault. As a player he was on a natural steep decline. Anyone in his shoes would have done the same. The club signed him on ridiculous terms with a stepping stone into management. A big Championship club may I add. And the club later appointed him manager. I can’t hate him for simply taking up the opportunities which have come his way, as much as I disagree with it all. 
My displeasure is directed more at those who made the decisions. Simply terrible.
We’re stuck with Rooney, and he and the players need all the support they can get.

Play nicely!
That was almost a decade ago now. Simpler times back then as we debated Nigel Clough’s pitfalls. Seems small compared to the problems we face now, on and off the pitch.
 

A noticeable difference in the pattern of play was when Andres Guardado was subbed off at half-time. He absolutely ran it for Betis in the first half, dropping deep and pinging 40-yard passes to the fullbacks high up the pitch. He supplied the pass for their one-on-one. Byrne and Buchanan had to tuck in, otherwise they could have just played through the middle. That deep-lying playmaker role is vital.
Derby have actually lacked once since Wayne Rooney pre lockdown and Tom Huddlestone. It’s partly why, IMO, Cocu struggled last season. Ironically, Cocu had Guardado at PSV.
As much as I like Shinnie’s tenacious tackling, Jason Knight’s energy and Max Bird’s simple ball retention, we desperately lack a creativity midfielder from deep. Krystian Bielik has it in his locker, and despite having a great defensive presence, his absence has hurt us immensely from at attacking/controlling perspective too.
 

I’m torn on Wayne Rooney.
On the one hand I despise the fact he signed with talk of him as an understudy to Phillip Cocu while winding down his career. I felt his presence immediately undermined Cocu who didn’t deserve that at all, and his post lockdown performances on the pitch were horrible. We were stuck with an out-of-shape superstar who was seemingly undroppable, and his presence in the team made Cocu’s job of getting results all-but impossible. I then hated the fact Rooney benefited from Cocu’s exit with the managerial job despite his evident lack of experience. His ensuing results towards the end of the season did little to sway that opinion.
However, on the flip side, none of the above was Rooney’s fault. As a player he was on a natural steep decline. Anyone in his shoes would have done the same. The club signed him on ridiculous terms with a stepping stone into management. A big Championship club may I add. And the club later appointed him manager. I can’t hate him for simply taking up the opportunities which have come his way, as much as I disagree with it all. 
My displeasure is directed more at those who made the decisions. Simply terrible.
We’re stuck with Rooney, and he and the players need all the support they can get.

I think Sheff United & Jokanovic may take time to gel & what looks a good match up may actually end up backfiring.  He's inherited a squad familiar with one manager & his style of play. The likes of Brewster may thrive under the new boss, but the Blades are unsettled (Berge). I think Wilder's reputation took a massive knock after the owner revealed his side of the story. He basically said that he'd back him if they got relegated but asked questions about why some of the signings, like Brewster, were not working out. That seems a fair criticism. Wilder came across as a bit of a Billy Davies, pursuing his own agenda, agitating to leave a lot earlier than he did and clearly something must be amiss if WBA were divided about appointing him.
As for us, I think we are in a desperate situation. We have some talented players, but we also need the types flagged up by Steve Nicholson, 26-29 in age, experienced and in their physical prime to cope with a demanding league (know how). We, too, could receive a points deduction. If you flip things round and another side was in our predicament & experienced the close season we've had, you'd probably have them in the bottom three.
I think several sides in/around us last season have gone quietly about their business and have experienced managers who may not be spectacular but know football & the division. The likes of Coventry will be boosted by the return to the Ricoh, I agree about QPR, Blackpool have a promising manager, many of our rivals in our division play as teams (Luton). At the end of last season, we fell apart and were in freefall. 
I think Preston could struggle, if Alex Neil couldn't turn around things, the new boss may struggle and interim bosses struggle to continue making the same impact after getting the job on a permanent basis. Swansea have had a difficult summer and lost the spine of a team like we did under Frank Lampard: on loan GK Woodman, Guehi, Hourihane & Ayew in attack, whose contract came to an end. It's a good job & yet Eustace turned it down, perhaps because it'll be hard to maintain the momentum they've had for the last two seasons. 
Blackburn may struggle, Mowbray has done a great job but it seemed to fizzle out & there was speculation about his role - and if they lose Armstrong, he could be hard to replace. I also agree about Bristol City though they have enough experience to stay out of danger. They lack goals, but Weimann's return could be key.
You'd expect some of the promoted sides to struggle, Hull are under an embargo as well.
As for the top end of the divison, Fulham look most likely. Usually a side with a manager in situ for at least one season challenges. QPR & Middlesbrough perhaps with Warnock, love him or hate him.
 

I remember former Preston manager Alex Neil have a right pop at Derby over the deal.
And as you point out, they’re also sponsored by 32Red so it came across as jealousy on their part.

Who is this imposter…? Bris who.!?

I’m torn on Wayne Rooney.
On the one hand I despise the fact he signed with talk of him as an understudy to Phillip Cocu while winding down his career. I felt his presence immediately undermined Cocu who didn’t deserve that at all, and his post lockdown performances on the pitch were horrible. We were stuck with an out-of-shape superstar who was seemingly undroppable, and his presence in the team made Cocu’s job of getting results all-but impossible. I then hated the fact Rooney benefited from Cocu’s exit with the managerial job despite his evident lack of experience. His ensuing results towards the end of the season did little to sway that opinion.
However, on the flip side, none of the above was Rooney’s fault. As a player he was on a natural steep decline. Anyone in his shoes would have done the same. The club signed him on ridiculous terms with a stepping stone into management. A big Championship club may I add. And the club later appointed him manager. I can’t hate him for simply taking up the opportunities which have come his way, as much as I disagree with it all. 
My displeasure is directed more at those who made the decisions. Simply terrible.
We’re stuck with Rooney, and he and the players need all the support they can get.

It would be interesting to know how fellow supporters rank the importance of the current trialists, assuming we sign them.
I can’t help but feel Jags is the most important. Not only are we desperately short on defenders, but his experience could play a vital role too.
I know we need another striker and attackers, but I’d place Carroll over Aluko and Baldock. I think we need to place greater importance of adding creativity in midfield over flushing out options in attack. Carroll is a potential vital first-teamer, whereas Aluko and Baldock would surely be squad players only?

QPR had an excellent second half of the season last year. I think they will fancy a run at the playoffs.
I think Coventry and Blackpool could surprise too with decent midtable finishes.
On the flip side, I see Preston struggling (I think they’ll go down) while Reading and Swansea may disappoint too. 
West Brom to win the league. Derby’s fate to depend on signings. Currently I find it tough to see three worst sides in the league, but that could all change before the transfer deadline.

Jagielka
Davies
Morrison
Carroll
Aluko
Baldock
Wisdom
Stearman
Allsop
2 CBs are absolutely vital. I personally don't rate Wisdom and Stearman anywhere near Jags and Davies.
I'm not too keen on Baldock either - a decent striker would be 3rd for me, otherwise.
And I wouldn't say Morrison and Carroll were absolutely necessary, but I think they can both add something to the team immediately.

I was only joking and am genuinely glad you are back on here.
 

You're back! Brilliant 
 
Now then. Peterborough away 2012...

Welcome back Bris. ?

Canelo will destroy him. Interesting that he's moving up to 168. I think there is a real derth of talent at 168 with Groves and Smith the best two. Opportunity for Canelo to win another title at a different weight.

The build up to this Groves-Smith fight is truly bizarre. The music, the arena, no commentary or stats. Just a shot of the arena with random people walking about.
Weird.

I wasn’t suggesting heavyweights should drop down in weight. In some cases, like Fury, it would be impossible.
My gripe is at heavyweight, there generally tends to be a dearth of top talent and I think this particular era isn’t really a good one.
I don’t actually think AJ is that good of a fighter. He has great knockout power, but as Fury said, they all should at that weight.
I wouldn’t put him as a top 10 pound for pound in the world. But for some reason, he is the biggest name in boxing and earns the most. But why? Is Hearn that good of a promoter? Or what is it about heavyweights that attract more casuals than welterweights?
I can’t believe AJ makes like £20 million a fight for beating up the likes of Martin, Takam and a 39-year-old Povetkin. I’m not an AJ hater or anything, I just think he’s absolutely milking it for the talent that he has.
Far better pound for pound boxers are making 1/10 of what AJ earns for taking on far more difficult and skilled opponents.
 

I’m 29, so I was a bit young to really appreciate the likes of Julio Cesar Chavez, Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis... Even Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather in their early years rising up.
I don’t really have a standout favourite fighter. I appreciate the styles of many boxers, and I try to watch all of certain fighters’ fights live as they generally entertained.
The likes of GGG, Thurman, Canelo, Lomachenko, Mikey Garcia, Groves, Martinez, Cotto.
If I had to say one though I’d probably go for GGG.
The best boxer I’ve seen in my lifetime in terms of dominance is Andre Ward. That guy was leagues above anything else at 168.

Boxing has lost all its credit. What a farce.
GGG was nore dominant in this fight than the first. Jesus. Unbelievable.

People saying Canelo looks a lot leaner this time as to have more speed and stamina...
Good one. He looks a lot leaner as he’s off the PEDs.
Canelo won’t have the power as last time, or perhaps the durability in terms of receiving punches, but he could be quicker and lighter on his feet. Looks like he’s intent on a counterpunching points win Mayweather-esque.
His behavior at the weigh-in was an attempt to get in GGG’s head. I don’t think it worked. He came across as a big douche and probably lost some fans over it.
GGG is an impecable professional. So hope he wins. Don’t care about my Mexican bias. I’m firmly in the GGG camp.

I actually think Khan is a world class fighter. Or was. Either way he deserves respect for what he has achieved in the game despite having a glass chin.
The thing is, how the body reacts to big blows isn’t skill. It’s entirely lucky. GGG having a rock solid chin isn’t some kind of ability he has learned in the gym, it’s pot luck. Same goes for Khan.
Khan has won 2 world titles and defeated elite level boxers despite not being able to take a punch. If he had a chin like GGG or Froch, we’d be talking about a potential all-time great as he has incredible hand speed and movement.
Likewise, if Froch didn’t have a rock hard chin, he’d probably only be European level at best.

Just watched Porter vs Garcia. Porter won by UD 116-112, 115-113, 115-113.
It was a really tough fight to score. Porter outpunched Garcia by a lot, but his punches weren't effective. You know how he fights, just charges forward and unleashed seven or eight punch combos up close.
Garcia was smothering most of them. Some got through to the body, but they didn't seem to make much of an impact.
If anything I'd say Garcia lost the fight rather than Porter winning it. Brook laid down the perfect game plan to beat Porter, straight rights as he comes in. Thurman did also, by stepping back and counter hooking.
Garcia has a devastating left hook, but he barely used it when Porter came charging. He's a better technical fighter, but he didn't dominate enough at range and certainly didn't counterhook enough.
Having said that, Garcia did dish out the better power punches and more eye-catching blows, but too few it seems.
The 116-112 was harsh. I had it a draw or one round either way. 

I reckon Fury beats Wilder. I think he’ll make it a boring fight, dodge the windmills and box his way through.
Wilder isn’t a great boxer, just a very hard hitter. I can see him getting outclassed.

I have a cat, well actually he’s a hybrid gato montes. Found him all alone on the beach at just 3 weeks old. He used to sleep in my shoe, then he grew and now he’s about 1.5x the size of normal cats. Big paws and pointed ears give it away.