Rousseau

What about that idiot that threw the ball away? Idiotic behaviour. Total contempt shown towards our Captain, and players in general to be honest.

Agreed, they are as annoying as each other. Sutton was quite adamant it was a handball from the defender in the box, but Stewart kept suggestion is wasn't deliberate!? Mute does look like a good option with those two...

We looked lively throughout going forward, but one always got the impression that Motherwell could get chances; a combination of lack of cover and poor aerial ability let us down. Two wonderful goals. We struggle to deal with any ball lumped into the box. Motherwell are a poor side, and we got away with their poor finishing. O'Halloran looks good, but he showed that pace and trickery last year without doing much with it; we need to wait and see how it goes. Kranjcar looks slow and heavy, but with a cultured right-foot he looked good also; he was unlucky not to get a goal. Windass also was good on occasion, running at defenders -- loved the nutmeg! I think we'll all enjoy watching Josh this season. All-in-all, some good additions; adding quality to the side. I thought Waghorn was better second-half when he played central, after Miller went off. I don't mind Kiernan; I think he'd do better with a better partner. Wilson looks slow and cumbersome.

I think that was Stewart, not Sutton. His voice is grating but I think I agree with him on the final few decisions.

Looks like Kranjcar is about to come on. And O'Halloran. Forester and Miller go off.

We're dominating -- as one would expect -- but one gets the feeling Motherwell can cut us open with a stupid long-ball. It's encouraging offensively, but it's the same old problems defensively.

I know what you mean, but I don't think it's tactics per se; it's individuals not winning an aerial duel or not staying with the runner.

We're not dealing with silly long-balls! Halliday is not defensively-minded enough -- he was in the box for that last attack!? They've had 2/3 one-on-one's! We look lively going forward, though.

Sheesh! We are very nervy at the back.

The butterflies have started, but I'm excited for this! C'mon!

Here I was looking forward to seeing some of the new guys and none start! Gilks, Hodson, Hill, Kranjcar and Windass are on the bench; it's nice to see Thompson on the also on the bench, though.

Mmmm... [tweet]754300446496395264[/tweet]

RVP went to Turkey for that money, and he's picked up a year (or two) of it. Even Premier League sides are not going to be paying him 240k! He will be taking a pay cut wherever he goes. But he's not trading in 240k for 10-15k at Rangers! This is a delusional link usual seen across the city, not here.

Calm down, mate. I really don't care that much. It was just my opinion that Halliday may be preferred to Holt in the coming season. I can see Halliday playing because I think he's more 'effective', i.e. he's scored more goals, even from deep - but yes, you are correct it was probably penalties more than anything else, and a few free-kicks also. But, I think the more assists is maybe a better judge. You're right in regards to runs, Holts movement is far superior and that probably is quite beneficial to the players around him. We can't ignore the leadership skills of Halliday too. The games he played AM were against Hibs, Falkirk, Kilmarnock, QotS, Peterhead, Dundee and Celtic. Arguably our hardest games? Again, I like Holt a lot, but I think Barton will be a shoe-in for DM, which means, I think, that Halliday and Holt may be fighting for the same spot -- although they have played together before on opposite sides? -- and so I was merely making the point that Halliday may be preferred. The stats do suggest Halliday is more 'effective' in terms of Goals and Assists, but you are right that that excludes all those runs Holt makes.

I can't recall really, and it's not worth trudging through the games to find out. I suppose it would be the games where Ball played DM? Which there were a few -- well, 7 to be exact!

He may look better, but I think Halliday is more effective; the stats suggest as much: Halliday has played attacking midfield 7 times, with 3 goals and 1 assist. While Holt has played there 32 times, with 6 goals and 2 assists. Even from a deeper position Halliday has scored the same as Holt and, crucially, assisted more. I like Holt a lot, but I think Halliday may be preferred.

I can see Holt dropping out for Halliday, in the long-term. However, I don't think Barton will play against Motherwell, so Halliday will take his usual DM slot.

Two for this season, but over the last 2 years they've loaned Kalas, Piazon, Baker, Solankie, Brown, Nathan, Pantic, McEachran, Wallace, Traore, Van Aanholt and Kakuta.

Agreed, Mrs Craig deserves to be placed above! IFRAME Not Available. Direct Link to Spreadsheet.

Many thanks for your participation and company over this past month. Perhaps, not the greatest of tournaments, but although the games have been poor there were some great moments. I have enjoyed running our little game, and it really makes it worthwhile when so many take part. Thanks again, everyone! Congratulations Whosthedado!

Final Standings: IFRAME Not Available. Direct Link to Spreadsheet.

The WINNER of the Gersnet EURO 2016 Prediction League is: Whosthedado Congratulations!

Another poor scoring game. onevision, BEARGER and Mrs Craig are the only point-scorers, gaining 1 point for correctly predicting the Portugal win.

Brown looks a decent talent. He is part of a crop of young Chelsea players coming through -- winning, I think, an FA Youth Cup? The majority of the crop were loaned to Vitesse Arnham last year.

Pete, have you made a prediction?