Bielik is an interesting one. I saw him a few times for Charlton last season and the thing that is obvious is how techically gifted he is for such a big lad. Very composed on the ball with a great range of passing. Excellent in the air too.

The Charlton boss used him either at CB or DM, depending on the opposition.

He looks great striding out from the back with the ball into midfield to launch attacks and spray passes around but I have my reservations about him defensively because he's primarily a midfielder turned CB and I don't think he's that good when opposing players get a chance to run at him. However, in a defensive three he could work well.

I think he definitely deserves a chance in pre-season, he showed again last night in the Poland u21 game what an accomplished player he is, despite a couple of dodgy moments defensively. Scouts watching the game must be licking their lips at the thought of getting him on the cheap, as seems the custom with Arsenal sales.

Personally I think he's on a different level technically to Holding (and most CB's around to be honest), it just depends if Emery sees him as being reliable enough defensively to play CB or mobile enough to play as a DM.

I just hope we don't give him away.

'Twas ever thus soc. Don't think this year's activity will be much different to the last few years.

Although I hope and pray I'm wrong and we unearth a new Adams, Keown, Vieira, Overmars, Petit, Henry, Pires and Bergkamp. Oh, and a new Wiltord of course. Not much to ask.

and " for no other reason " I enjoyed this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_WxtBP4ePs

Shades of " Honky Tonk "....... didn't realise he could play .

Put around in the early days when embracing ' rock n roll ' was a surefire ticket to Hell and Damnation ; the knockers said he just held the guitar for effect .

Man U want £150m for Pogba. They bought him for £89m and he’s not even been in the top 15 central mids in the prem in that time. He turned up for 8 or so games but went completely missing for so many others. So why do Man U think they can put £60m on his price tag? And why would anyone pay it?
It annoys me how some players price tag is based on what their last transfer was and seem irrespective of their form

Man U want £150m for Pogba. They bought him for £89m and he’s not even been in the top 15 central mids in the prem in that time. He turned up for 8 or so games but went completely missing for so many others. So why do Man U think they can put £60m on his price tag? And why would anyone pay it?
It annoys me how some players price tag is based on what their last transfer was and seem irrespective of their form

Man U want £150m for Pogba. They bought him for £89m and he’s not even been in the top 15 central mids in the prem in that time. He turned up for 8 or so games but went completely missing for so many others. So why do Man U think they can put £60m on his price tag? And why would anyone pay it?
It annoys me how some players price tag is based on what their last transfer was and seem irrespective of their form

Why not throw him onto the market at an inflated price .... ?

Some filthy rich club might see him as the answer to their prayers and splash the cash .

Can't see why that should annoy you so much ... you need to buy yourself a V8 motor and pull it to bits in the shed .... great stress release .

What would you prefer ....? " The Arsenal " way of doing things .. spurn a decent offer ; hang on to someone for another year then accept a calimitous swap deal a la Sanchez .

.... or then of course there's our other method ; let whoever run down their contract completely then offload them for nothing .

Never mind Pogba .
What does annoy me ...... is these dumn as dog sh***t Americans blowing a couple of holes in two tankers , releasing images of a quality that wouldn't be out of place in an early 1920s silent movie

.... then immediately point the finger at Iran to justify turning another country into a shambolic mess .

Oh if you watched the video you'll see it was the Iranians alright.

But is there proof that they were deploying mines. The photos look like a bunch of guys in a boat

It’s odd that Japan and Norway are less worried than the US that their tankers were attacked.

I saw a bunch of lads in a boat take a mine put it in the boat and sail off. I doubt they'd be so cavalier if it wasnt their mine.

Supposedly as part of pushing young players to be part of the first team squad. Exciting if true. Think likes of Nelson, Willock and Emile Smith Rowe won't let us down if given a dozen starts especially in cup games.

Oh if you watched the video you'll see it was the Iranians alright.

How is it known they aren’t Americans and the video is doctored

Don’t you think it’s odd the way it’s just the Americans kicking off about it and not the Japanese or Norwegians as it was their ships ?

So, Celtic and Besiktas is interested in Jenkinson. Our Jenkinson, right?

Bielik playing for Poland U21's on Sky.

86. min. Argentina penalty by VAR
91. Scotland gk saves penalty
93. VAR says Take it again
93. Argentina scores
95. Although we have lost 7 mins the referee ends the game

I prefer a ref and two linos, warts and all.

Good point Big Boy

The two things that particularly annoy me about VAR are:

1. The new 'natural silhouette' interpretation of handball. It's no longer about whether it's hand-to-ball or ball-to-hand or whether it's deliberate or intentional. It's not about the distance the ball has travelled either, nor even speed of the ball on contact. No, all that's been junked. Now, if the offending player hasn't adopted a 'natural silhouette', then it's handball. The point about this is that this new interpretation is a direct function of the introduction of VAR since the circumstances can only be judged in retrospect by freeze-frame analysis. That's not the rules of the game we all grew up with

Agree 100%

Whisper it quietly but I thought the penalty decision in the champions league final was ludicrous. To decide a major competition like that was ridiculous. Handball needs to be deliberate and only the referee can decide what that consists of.

See Freddie has replaced Bould as Assistant Coach.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/48662806

As I understand it, Bouldy actually asked to be allowed to return to the academy last summer, but agreed to remain as was for continuity purposes; he was never fully comfortable with the role he had at 1st team level.

It will be good, from a personal level, to be around "uncle" again in the academy.

As I understand it, Bouldy actually asked to be allowed to return to the academy last summer, but agreed to remain as was for continuity purposes; he was never fully comfortable with the role he had at 1st team level.

It will be good, from a personal level, to be around "uncle" again in the academy.