International stars join group for pre-season

He's the one who is half a world away from home and he's genuinely been active throughout the summer, playing all his country's games, and reaching a final.

Sharpy on the radio a couple of weeks ago said realistically we neèd 8 players to improve as a squad.... Mr Moshiri, get it sorted, kid... buy the other shares and move the con man, his side kick, and Suntan Bob out to pasture.

Always pandering to him in one form or another.

I hope he doesn't come back and sulk the place out.

Oh and please keep some them out of the weights room, especially Ross, upper body muscle is a energy sapper for midfielder/strikers who cover a lot of mileage during a game.

As I said, I don't get it – he should be back in my opinion.

This contrasts with the buzz of flies around dung under the latter days of the previous incumbent's tenure.

In retrospect, the bollocking Baines received after voicing some mild criticisms towards the end of last season really was a turning point, as others have pointed out.

Think Stones is off as soon as, Michael, be nice if he stays but I think he mentally left last season. Sooner we offload if that's what he wants, the better so we can get as much cash as possible and get suitable replacements in.

But as Ronald Koeman, would you not want to at least sit down with the lad, talk to him about his aspirations, compliment him on his tremendous potential, spit-ball some defensive strategies and 'filosofies' (arrgh!) that may not have been suggested to him these last three barren years of defensive blight... and maybe, just maybe invite him to rethink — given the absorbing prospect of working with a world-renowned Dutch international defender of outstanding pedigree?

Just sayin'...

Quite a pickle, but a nice one to have I guess.

I just feel that the damage has already been done regarding Stones and his 'affinity'(?) with the club. He was happy to go to the Chavs last season given half a chance and now he reportedly has said he wants to go to Citeh. Of course, this may all be paper talk, as is most of it at the moment. We shall just have to wait and see I guess.

So, Stones IS convinced, "Gaffer, I'm convinced. You will make me better at defending, God bless you."

"Now about that £65,000 a week wage increase Man City is promising me....?"

"Stars......." Words just don't have any meaning anymore.

Partying not holidaying. How times have changed for young professional footballers.

It's a hard life.

Are you trying to say that footballers of the past didn't enjoy a good time away from the pitch? What footballers are you thinking of exactly? Hell, back in the day they used to have a couple during half time. God forbid the guys spend 1-2 weeks enjoying themselves.

To me, he is an incomplete footballer, who should be at Finch Farm, working his ass off to improve his fitness and improve his skills in the areas he needs improvement in.

So much potential; so much pointing and walking.

Koeman has four weeks to assess the squad. A difficult job when your "star" is missing.

It's a very long season, especially if we have a good one, and to expect a young man to go and play 95/98 weeks on the spin without a break will only catch up with him when he's probably needed the most.

I know people will say he had a break from March till May, but we are talking about athletes these days.

When Cantana, was at Leeds, I always remember his quote when they had to play a load of games, very early in the season. "We're English, the Leeds players kept saying, but Eric's reply was that they were not from outer space, they were human beings. And it didn't matter where they were from because the team were fucking shattered.

As if there's a binary distinction between the two. Partying and holidaying are the same thing for 23-year-olds. It's more about mentally switching off from football than the physical side.

Lukaku's been overplayed. He was never rested last season and I don't care what numbers go into your bank account each month, you can't 'peak' all the time. He'll be a much better player if he has adequate rest.

David, footballers past and present have always had a reputation for enjoying themselves. Difference is, getting the bus to the Dog & Duck for a shed full and taking a private jet from LA to Miami? The stuff of dreams. I know which I'd prefer.

I used to love that Dog & Duck......

Still, as long as he comes back fit and raring to go in OUR blue shirt, eh?

I think I'm right in saying that Roy Vernon was tracked down there by Stoke City when they were trying to sign him.

TBH I'm more concerned that Funes Mori hasn't taken a holiday than that Lukaku has.

And please don't give me the 'tired' excuse. If he aspires to be called a world class athlete, send him on the pro tennis tour as Andy Murray's ball boy, mascot, racket carrier!!! He would soon be back at Finch Farm, tail firmly between his legs.

Don't embarrass yourself by using it.

Yet another sign of pandering to already large enough egos. Do it on the pitch lads, prove yourselves worthy of the "star" tag, and we will love you; stroll around like last season and we will not love you quite as much... your choice!

COYMB

Earns thousands and thousands of pounds a week, he is young fit and good looking healthy lad but can't raise a smile for the camera! – hilarious.

Are you saying it's okay for Lukaku to become another Stan Bowles?

My biggest issue is that I believe all the internationals should have reported back at the same time and would have wanted to but Mr Ego personified decides he needs another 4 days.

I really worry about the effect this has on team spirit – especially if he is given a huge wage increase.

I would love to be a footballer right now, I'm sure I'd like the money they earn, but I know for a fact I would hate to be getting followed by a man with a camera.

The kid's probably got a lot on his mind right now, and maybe when everything's sorted in his head, he might be able to smile.

I'm with Stonesy on this one, mate, I really fuckin hate shopping!

One time on a Saturday (we were away) and the ex had me in bloody "Dollopy Porkins" by bloody 5 past 9. She spotted a bloody dress that was fine, in her size and colour (which incidentally, I could afford!). Did she buy the bloody thing? No!

So for the next FOUR hours we traipsed up an down sodding Lord Street, Whitechapel, Church Street, Bold Street, St Johns... then pass go and do not collect £200 as we began again... at bloody "Dollopy Porkins", where she tries on the self-same sodding dress. Did "we" buy it? No!

As we are about to go to the same sodding shops, possibly in the same order, to try on the same shite as at 9:30am, I pressed the ejector button and as she stomped off towards Next or River Island or fuckin Fantasy Island(!) I dived off towards Bluecoat Chambers, swift left and into "The Old Post Office" for a pint of draught Bass. Possibly one of the best pints I've ever had in my entire life.

No mobile phones then, so a couple in there, then off to "The Swan" in Wood Street, same script in there, then up to "Ye Cracke", couple in there (at which point I flogged whatever shite was in the bloody carrier bags that I was still carting around, for a pint). Then off to "The Phil", downhill to the "Post Office" in for a couple more. "The Ropewalk" then popped down and jumped the bus home (only pausing for the worst pint of the day in "The Flat House").

Sound does not travel in a vacuum.

Why should Stonesy have to smile just because someone feels they have the right to invade his privacy when he's doing everyday normal stuff.? Some may say it goes with the territory... I disagree.

Now if he was asked is it okay and he said yes, then that's different. But to have some wanker walking along taking photos of you without having the common courtesy to ask... I'd hope he fell over a bench and broke his camera/phone and was then unable to put the photos on every sad social media site and thus miss out on his 15 minutes of fame!!

A 23-year-old getting slated for going on holiday and "partying". As for Rom being on the sauce, isn't it the case that he does not drink?

"Just trying this pint on, dear."

Points taken, but the fact is everything is better when you smile, and for me he has a lot to smile about!

Try to expand your world view slightly outside of Everton, and then you'd see that all of the players who went deeper in the tournament are on holiday. The French players, Portuguese players, even Zlatan is still on holiday. It is the only time off they get. They do perform year round. Get over yourself.

It's a new era so let's forget the last two years and stop panicking about every little thing. Some of us on here, must have serious issues in our lives. Chill out. COYB

Leave it be. It's not anything you're going to change. It's done.

The problem was Stones not Howard (Arsenal away notwithstanding). Stones would make Southall look poor. Get rid.

Yes, you're quite right, and clearly have spotted that that beer + Tony = not professional footballer. There may just (only just, mind) have been some "other issues" too, pace akin to continental drift but frankly that was down to me Mam selecting them "Timpson's Shooting Stars Boots",

Then... stuff that I was working on... TBH some of it really has progressed... For instance, I buy my own boots now!

(Not the beer thing, well not in a "less is more" sense, more of a "more is, shitloads more" kind of direction. Based upon the much misunderstood Bernie Wright an Andy van Der Shandy. The Russian Athletic Federation have been most supportive in this regard.)

Besides, practicing and actually playing with the Belgian squad since the season ended surely must have helped Rom keep his fitness. I expect Rom can show up and still be in condition to play more minutes than either DelBoy and Barkley from day one.

I would hope he's two years wiser as well as older and quickly gets himself up to speed fitness wise. Sadly it's about the only outfield position where we don't have an eager youngster pushing for his position. I suppose there's always Niasse.... shudder.

I've re-read your posting and there's much to be credited to you, but possibly to the likes of me too (but in moderation). What follows is most certainly not directed at you, Oliver.

Although John and his girl are incredibly wealthy by my standards, are they "culturally enriched"? (Please forgive the "Social Worker Jargon".)

Does the expression upon John's face actually describe all the turmoil of emotions within? A year back, YouTube featured some utter bellends verbally abusing Stones at a motorway service station, the kid was visibly hurt. Similarly, Capt. Jags put an arm around Barkley's shoulder at the Wembley semi-final.

Multi-millionaires they may be at 22/23, and they can occasionally appear to be utter tools! But, around their age when I was (see post @50) a bellend, and I was occasionally (rare, extremely rare, I'll admit. *cough*) at least my folks, uncles, family mates could look me dead square in the eye and say "FFS Tony, you were shitfaced and acting like a right tit last night! Knock it off, mate!".

But, I was in a decent job, not fantastic just decent. These kids have bucketloads every single day. It attracts parasites, like stale ale in a beergarden attracts wasps.

Very few people in Stones's or Barkley's or Lukaku's life are there because they genuinely care. Sadly, not even their own kith 'n' kin.

Far from feeling wealthy, many of these young lads simply feel lonely, abandoned and can not trust anyone that they see upon a daily basis.

Their bloated wages (not earnings) are largely compensation for the intrusion of their trade. Ugly as it sounds, porn stars need STD checks, footballers need doping checks. Dreadful, but not entirely different.

So when anyone pokes a camera/phone in your face, it's what you are being paid for, the loss of true friends, being hunted by "fit birds" (who need very expensive fancy knickers etc).

Do I feel sorry for them? Nope, not for a single second. Did they feel sorry for me when I bloody near cut open an artery on a sliver of tile when I was removing a bath? Stopped me working for a month, zero income. Nope, not for a single second.

Money maketh misery?

However, what I cannot, and will not stand is Stonesy shopping in fucking Manchester!!!

Aren't there any decent shops in Liverpool John? Chester has good shops as does Preston, Bolton, Kirkby and Skem etc..... For gods sake, John, next time go to Paddy's Market, lad.

Got a few bob, have we? Oh! splash it on some unknown that we may have caught a glimpse of now and again or seen him score the same goal over and over again. The game of football is drifting away into fantasy football – more about off the field than on it.

Money
Fame
More money
More fame.
Medals as an afterthought.
MONEY.

Forward or backward step ?

Incidentally, anyone see the photo taken by Depay for some Isn'itgrim or Twatter page showing his luggage for his tour with Man Utd? 1 pair of boots, 1 pair of trainers and a load of what he called "grooming" products. WTF? The guys taking a horse to China!?!

I am chuffed for Big Sam and think he will indeed surprise many.

I remember Johnny Haines having the piss taken out of him in the 1960's for advertising Brylcreem, but at least he didn't look like some limp-wristed, effete footballer like Depay does. Depay, who turned up for training in a £250,000 Rolls Royce...... oh dear.

Previous England managers have been transformed from World Class to laughing stock within a couple of years. Hopefully Sam can do the reverse.

Link

That iconic photograph also shows Bremner up for what HE was. Like Giles, a superb footballer but a snidey little shit who'd fill his kecks when he came up against a real hard man like McKay or Kay but who was not averse to sly kicks off the ball when playing for Dirty Leeds..