Branthwaite called up to senior England squad

I fail to see how a 10 minute cameo is going to sharpen him up or improve match fitness.

Sorry chaps but all that’s going to do is put him at more risk.

He’s hardly going to get 90 minutes is he? Actually that many are pulling out I might get a call yet. 🤔

Ah, yes, Pickford!

Love the way our own fans put down our own players, like Pickford. England number one.

I can’t think of many keepers that so consistently make 1 point three or zero points one.

Injured in training is just a big a risk, this is true.

Dennis, the bookies will let you bet on anything, I’m sure you could find one to take that bet 😁

Please don't come back gloating about all your winnings, though

All I want is for any Everton player on international duty to come back un-injured (is that even a word) and safe.

I think we all probably agree on that one.

On a totally different topic if I may in here?

Has anyone seen the new Lucan documentary? It is him? 🤔

The time Seamus had the horrific injury from the cowardly tackle against Wales, Ireland had to pay his club wages, probably insurance.

I often enjoy a bit of nonsense peddling, but you are embarrassing yourself. How many times will you try to force this "Dyche prefers Keane to Branthwaithe" idea ?

He dropped Keane after a couple of Games last season. He replaced him with...Guess who ?. That decision was not reversed. Jarrad played thirty five games. Only injury prevented Jarrad from starting this season, but he was back as soon as he was declared fit. We all know how that went.

You seem to believe you are revealing something blindingly insightful to the TW community with all these posts, but It's probably safe to say that the overwhelming majority already know Jarrad is better than Keane. Dyche knows it, The crowd in attendance know it. Hell the whole of football knows it. Thats why one is worth 70m+ and the other will probably have to drop down the leagues if he wants to continue playing. By being cautious with Branthwaite's recovery process. Dyche was protecting the interest of the player and the club - Not to mention his own neck. Another breakdown would have been catastrophic.

Think about the logic of your posts. If Dyche really did prefer Keane as you repeatedly claim. Our boy Jarrad would be just another youngster unable to break through. He certainly would not be near the England squad.

If it's a necessary evil, then it would be much better, imo, if they had all the qualifiers over one summer & then the tournament Finals the following summer. That way, they could leave the domestic season alone.

He has everything. He should have been in the Euros squad.

Whilst happy for Branthwaite, Seamus' international shenanigans and returning re-injured did come to mind. Gulp!

Also, O'Brien got a late call up, which I think will also help him gain some confidence and sharpness.

Not one for counting subs, but I do think we should rotate players more early season. O'Briens call got me thinking, it would make more sense to send him on to play upfront than keep a tired, slow, Keane on the pitch. The whole thing is a Dyche tactical mystery masterclass that I can't fathom.

But for a player, it's a massive thing to be selected for your country. It's one of the pinnacles of your career and a recognition of how good you are.

I find it a bit churlish when fans undermine how important it is for players.

Forgive me, but I have never argued with you. It's a footy forum for goodness sake. Argument? I did point out that you had laboured this point many times on the matchday thread. You agreed and said you would drop it.

I tell you what I do know. I know it has long been established there is a difference between being fit and being match fit. That some injuries require more care than others. That you do not risk your best player if there is any doubt.

I also vaguely know Michael Ball. Nice guy from what little I know of him; deffo a good Evertonian, but I have still to hear him say anything I hadn't already heard in an alehouse or read on a forum like this.

If he's your gospel, then start drinking on County Road. That way, you can enjoy a few pints while you take in the gossip which forms many of his articles. He would have been acutely embarrassed when it was revealed that Jarrad had broken down several times. before he played his first game this season, only to break down again after one game. Those facts made his claims look a little foolish.

It was only last week McNeil was being held up as a prime example of why Dyche should bring a man back as soon as fit – he was a lot of good to us at West Ham?

I think you are embarrassing yourself. Your repeated claim that Dyche prefers Keane was once again proven wrong when both players were deemed match fit and Jarrad once again got the nod... Yet you continue to gnaw on that bone.

But let's assume he knows his body and what he can and can't do yet.

Hopefully a spell with England is a positive. Though it's going to look very stupid if he pulls up again.

I also had no idea that he was going to be with the U21s. Now that would have been senseless.

What would you expect Dyche to say, that Keane was just a placeholder and he couldn't wait for Jarrad to get well? Keane is a confidence player who has recently been on the best form of his Everton career. Saying otherwise would have been sabotage.

If Dyche favors Keane over Branthwaite, he should be back in the lineup the moment Jarrad makes a mistake, like getting beaten in the air right before Pickford's final great save. I'll bet you my next mortgage payment against that one.

Shaun #21, that's the only thing you've posted that I agree with.

It is not just Michael Ball who has written that Jarrad Branthwaite has been fit for the last 2 games. It has been reported in a number of media points that I respect. More importantly, Dyche himself has not said Branthwaite is unfit to play. He has made the point that he thinks Keane has done well and is deserving of his spot in the team - therefore it is a selection decision and not a fitness decision.

I have seen posts on here claiming that Branthwaite is carrying 'a niggle', training footage has been edited to confuse the opposition, and now he is "fit" but not "match fit". He has also broken down "again after one game". Well not really, as the latest injury was completely separate to the injury in the summer.

Dyche thought that Keane had earned his place into the team and wanted to give him a chance – fair enough. Hence Jarrad was on the bench as he is fit to play. The decision the manager should have made is to drop Tarkowski – another selection decision.

It's not fecking rocket science, Shaun. I think that a baby in the womb would be able to figure it out.

"For what"? Because these players want to play for their countries. Is that too hard to take on board? It might be for pride and country. It might be for recognition and confidence. It might be for all of these things. But they want to play for their country.

Wheels within wheels… although Pickford seems an exception given the prices and number of clubs seeking to improve their goalkeepers.

It will also be interesting to see how O'Brien goes with Ireland.

I hope he gets some game time in the 2 internationals coming up because he looked quite rusty at times against West Ham, he definitely needs competitive minutes in his legs, let’s hope he keeps fit.

It's hilarious, isn't it, the guy has only 3 days ago, pulled off one of the best saves I've seen for a long, long time and it's still not enough to prevent criticism.

Shaun, some fans, like myself, also take a lot of pride in seeing Everton players represent their countries. Surely it's good for the players' development and, in this case, fitness levels. Sometimes they get injured, most of the time they don't, players get injured in training all the time.

Keep your powder dry, Jarrad and see what happens with the take-over, new stadium move etc.

Whisper it quietly, but these Nations League matches under an outgoing interim manager are pretty much meaningless.

A recalibration of priorities when it comes to international football is needed.

I've said many times there are far too many international breaks during the domestic season, this is already the third break now and it's only November.

Managers are moaning about ditching FA Cup replays or having too many matches etc etc etc.

The breaks interrupt too frequently and really these are weekends when the likes of the Wolves home game which is at a ridiculous 7:30pm on a December Wednesday night could have been pencilled in.

The only bonus this time is a break from Everton and a few live games to watch for those that don't possess all the viewing platforms

You may see Michael Ball as a seeker of truth and justice. I see him every week and know better. I also know how journalism works and that your much respected "other sources" were simply regurgitating his claims.

FYI. Sean Dyche knew JB was recovered from his latest injury. No deceit or slight of hand he told us straight up. - "Vitalii Mykolenko looking good, Seamus Coleman has also returned to training. However Jarrad Branthwaite is a bit behind them. It's just the training schedule now. He has recovered from his injury. We just have to be careful".

There you have it. Dyche told you two weeks before mischievous Michael had your jaw dropping with his blinding revelation.

As for the "Gotcha" - " Ah yes, but It was a different injury" ? It has long since been established that a sportsman coming back too soon from long term injury is far more likely to pick up a different injury whilst nursing the first one. There is a very good chance that is exactly what happened with Jarrad.

Unlike you and Christy. Dyche has a responsibility to the player. The club and the fans. Whilst he was happy to continue

with Tarkowski and Keane to ensure the club's best player made a full recovery. He has demonstrated beyond all reasonable doubt that Branthwaite is his preferred choice. He didn't just tell us that. He showed us.

I have said everything I know to be true about this issue. I 'm not going to let debate turn to an argument. I see lots of fair and insightful criticism aimed at Dyche on these pages. but I don't consider yours to be one of them. I simply cannot afford it credibility. Of all the sticks available with which to beat Dyche. I think you two have picked up the one made of balsa wood.

I believe you and Chrisys 's numerous posts on this issue Is more about attacking the manager than concern for the players wellbeing, but as Dyche critic. I and virtually every Evertonian I know support him 100% on this issue.

As a big admirer of Jarrad. I wish him well in what should be the early stages of a long international career

The issues have been all catalogued widely by a number of posters who all seem to be called Colin.

You targeted Christy for stating correctly that Dyche decided not to select Branthwaite when he was available to play. Perhaps stop digging when you have simply got something wrong.

I just hope we keep hold of him for a bit longer.

I don't think Christy's claims that Michael Keane is a favourite of Dyche's are ridiculous at all and it is not he is embarrassing himself in my opinion and I would suggest a large majority of the fanbase would agree with him.

Let's look at whether Keane is a favourite of the manager firstly. In Dyche's premier escape act he was constantly picking Michael Keane to partner James Tarkowski and this was clearly to the detriment of the side as he produced some calamitous performances. At this time he preferred Keane over Mina, Godfrey and Cody. In fact it wasn't until we are in deep trouble and our premier League survival on the line that Dyche was eventually forced to bring Mina back to the fold with four games remaining to help save us and we all know what happened next.

When we play Michael we are forced to defend deeper therefore inviting the opposition onto us and causing us to ship more goals and win less football matches. Statistically this trend is astonishing and has continued this season despite Michael's perceived good form.

The beginning of the 23/24 campaign saw both Mina and Cody depart the club. With Jarrad Branthwaite tearing it up in Holland and now back at Everton who did Sean favour at the start of the season? yep you guessed it Michael Keane. It wasn't until another 4-0 dubbing and another disastrous performance from Michael that he put Jarrad in. Branthwaite's immediate impact made him undroppable and with Keane missing for the following game there was never an opportunity to promote Michael as Dyche is no fool.

Following on to this season with a £17 million arrival who was outstanding both in France and in preseason and Jarrads injury, Keane once again the chosen man. We have had 8 central defenders including Michael under Dyche and the only centre half who he hasn't favoured at one time or another whether performances merited or not, was James Tarkowski, another favourite of Sean's.

Now let's talk about the real bone of contention. The basis of your standpoints as far as I can see revolves around what you claim to be a fact; the alleged 'knock' Jarrad Branthwaite received which came to our attention in Sean Dyche's pre-match West Ham press conference. Indeed on hearing this you jumped two footed into Christy as you felt Sean's words contradicted Christy's previous assertions.

Let's rewind to Dyches pre-match presser on Thursday prior to the Southampton game. The manager was specifically asked about the form of Michael Keane making it a hard selection dilemma given Branthwaite was now fit This was an opportunity to correct Vinny O Connor, that he was not fit or something had occurred, for a coach who is normally very forthcoming, expansive and direct when speaking about injury issues..In Sean's response he went on to eulogise about Keane's form and that he was a very good player, then reminded us not to forget about O'Brien who had been magnificent in training before concluding that we have four really decent centre backs. At no time did he suggest Branthwaite had taken a backward step, was touch and go or that he had a knock which affected his training, no wait and see or we will have to take due care.The only other training session before the game would have been on the Friday which are normally very light on the eve of a game so highly unlikely it occurred here.

Fast forward one week the pre West Ham conference where Dyche has suffered an embarrassing defeat with mounting pressure and unparalleled criticism throughout the week, with his omission of Branthwaite a key component of the ire. Dyche was clearly well prepared and the first questions were all centred on this subject in what was one of the most hostile pre match conferences I had seen. Indeed I thought Dyche conducted himself exceptionally despite some stupid and disrespectful questioning.

However it is only now when Dyche is under the microscope that this 'knock' becomes apparent. No detail, no substance, no date when it occurred, just a vague flippant description of a knock camouflaged in a lengthy detailed prognosis of his previous injuries as to highlight why Jarrad was again on the bench.

Colin you have suggested that the manager is taking 'due care' of a player coming back from an injury. So if the severity of the injury and an adverse reaction of some description has meant he is only fit for a few minutes against Southampton, would you consider this to be 'due care' to follow it with 95 minutes against West Ham. Not 60, not 75. I had no doubt he would play the entire match and predicted so jokingly in the pre-match thread.

I think Christy's assertion was spot on and the substitutions will tell you all you need to know. On the 86th minute of the Fulham game,with Everton behind and in desperation he introduces Branthwaite to get Keane up front. Just like the previous game we conceded, this time in the 85th minute, 3 mins later in desperation Branthwaite comes on with the intention of repeating the same trick. Neither substitution nor playing the 95 mins of the following game were about 'due care' to Branthwaite.This was not the act of a manager trying to protect his best player. Indeed had Michael himself been injured for these two games do you believe Jake O'Brien would have started with Branthwaite on the bench? I think not.

Some fans may have come up in a bubble on the Mersey, I don't think this applies to Christy

I fail to see what Tarkowski, Cody, Mina, Godfrey, or O'Brien have to do with this. Why on earth do you think they are relevant ?

Christy recently posted about 15 times on the same Matchday thread. Criticising Dyche for preferring Keane. I pointed out to him that he was labouring the point. He accepted the point, blamed the wine he had been drinking and said he would 'nt mention it again. unfortunately that wasn't the case. He at least doubled the number of posts since, making the same point over and over.. What a pity he chose a thread meant for people to congratulate Jarrad to do it again.

When somebody makes the same point 3-4 times I always think they are anxious to get that point across. When somebody makes the same point 30-40 times, I believe they are trying to force the point on others. If you think that is merely giving an opinion. Fair play, but It irked me. So I did a bit of investigating and found he simply didn't know what he was talking about - Michael Ball ????

I decided to put up quotes from long before Mystic Michael Dived in. They document that Dyche admitted bringing Brantwaite back from the first injury too early - Unless of course you think he was lying about the second injury and the medical staff too.

I also put up a quote from the Ipswich presser where he tells us outright that jarrad had recovered, but said it was now about his training schedule. "We just have to be careful". Did that extra time give him more of a chance to get match fit ? of course it did.

If Sean Dyche wanted to lose his best player in the next window. The best way to go about it would be to tell the public blatant lies about him. Do you really believe he did that ? The second injury was a tissue injury. The "knock" you repeatedly refer to is a new one to me

I'm a Dyche critic, but I would not come on here and deny it like two people above who relentlessly hammer him and try to hide my motives by denying it. I just wouldnt. Unlike some. I haven't just discovered that Dyche and Keane are mates either. But the suggestion that a guy would give up his seat on a lifeboat to a friend simply because he is a mate is frankly absurd. Dyche would have been traumatised watching his team without Jarrad. He wasn't going to risk it again.

Anyway Conor. Just to inform you that us Scousers don't solely exist in a bubble on the mersey. We have radio, telly, internet and everything.

Keep swinging those balsa wood clubs my friend. You'll have him out by the weekend

Is the fact not that we don't really know what logic Dyche has for not playing Jarrad if he is fit or if he is fit or not? We all agree that it is a mistake if he is but I for one wouldn't state that he was fit as I really don't know.

If Dyche wanted to play Keane based on his form, then I'm not sure that is a sin.

Enough from me, sorry, just pointing it out. Good luck, Jarrad.

We know he is something special but, to start with, he was not in the frame.

Christy (multiple), the latest evidence that even now Jarrad isn't 100% fit is that today he was the only player not to participate in England team training. He worked out indoors while the rest of the squad was on the grass. And Carsley elevated Quansah from the U21s into today's training session to replace him. Seems to put a dent in your assertion that Jarrad has been fully fit for 2 weeks.

Conor #56, I had to laugh when you cited Dyche choosing Keane over Coady and Godfrey as evidence of favoritism when anything else would have been evidence of insanity. Those two simply couldn't cut it. And still can't.

Coady, who is younger than Keane, has exactly one appearance for 7 minutes this season for Leicester. Glued to the bench every game. And Godfrey, for whom we somehow robbed Atalanta of £10M, played 22 minutes in their first league game and has never appeared again. Not once. Again, bench every game. He's been a disastrous buy for them.

Now there was no bigger Mina booster here than me. Loved the guy, still do, hope he keeps Cagliari out of relegation. But back then he was on one leg. Even when restored to the lineup for those final games, he was trucking around the pitch on a game gam, throwing his body around because that's who Yerry Mina is. But you could see why Keane had been playing instead.

I looked at the comments.

Seems I was right.

I just don't get the willingness to bang head on wall for that.

It's become more complex than a 'JFK was assassinated by the CIA' conspiracy theory, with Michael Ball suddenly thrown into the mix like the alleged shooter on the grassy knoll.

Christy, I think you've made your point!!

Composed left footed defender with a bit of steel.

Had he not been overplayed through injuries as a youngster, he might have had a magnificent career.

I think his knee / cartilage was destroyed with injections that helped him play through the pain.

I saw that news this morning about Jarrad, hopefully just a precaution. Wouldn't he have been sent back to his club if it was something serious? But he did play 95 minutes against The Hammers, so that puts a dent in your assertion that he wasn't fit!

Mike, Mina was made of glass, but Conor was correct, he made a massive difference in the last four games of that season.

I was a massive Michael Ball fan as well.

Branthwaite playing last weekend does not indicate he was fully fit anytime before that. You have no evidence of him being held back while ample statements of concern were voiced by the club. And Conor's suggestion of Mina's influence doesn't change the point you are avoiding.

Of course I can refute what Mike says, just because you, Mike and Colin are singing of the same hymn sheet, don't try quoting supposed facts to me, and saying I'm over the top.

Jarrad says not training on grass today dents my assertions, and I respond, he played 95 minutes against West Ham – that's a fact, so he was fit.

Regarding Mina, Conor was correct, he made a massive difference for the last four games of the season., Mike said he didn't, so don't try putting words in my mouth, about some bullshit point I was avoiding, so we definitely disagree.

Since you used the word bullshit, Christy, I'll use it too.

BULLSHIT.

Don't YOU try putting words in MY mouth either. I said no such thing. All I said was that Mina wasn't healthy for those four games.

Which in my view made his efforts all the more magnificent. As he so often was for us.

And unless the word "refute" means something different in British English than it does in American English, you can't refute a damn thing I say. Refute means to prove something wrong. All you can do is express an opinion about it.

Mike you are missing the point as I would have only strongly preferred Mina and what they have done since is irrelevant as I would have liked them all to go. I'm glad I was able to give you a laugh however now is the time to wipe that off because here is the kicker;In the first 20 games of Dyche's tenure prior to introducing Jarrad; Tweedledum,Tweedledee and the One legged Glass Trucker all were key participants in a defence that combined to earn 13 points and concede 9 goals without Michael Keane as opposed to 8 points and 25 goals conceded with him starting. Don't worry Mike though I will give you something to put that laughter back on; one poster claims Michael Keane is in the form of his life despite marshalling a defence which has conceded 18 goals in 10 games and claimed 9 point largely against teams akin to the dog and duck, this being the 4th best defence in the previous season (and probably higher if we hadn't conceded 5 goals in the 2 games Michael played). Thank God Jarrad is back as the prospect of Keane against Halland, Nunez and Jackson would fill me with dread.

Conor seemed to believe Jarrad had issues. Otherwise, why prefer the soft approach of 45 then 60 minutes. In fact, he said he differed with your position on that.

I hate international breaks!

Against West Ham on occasions he did not look match fit to me, but was a stand apart defender anyway.

Given the number of frustrating and inexplicable injuries our boys are, and have been sustaining over countless years, I cannot believe that Jarrad is at any more risk in the England environment than staying at home.

If anything he's probably better off all round experiencing being with higher quality players, training staff etc and team tactics with the purpose of actually winning games.

COYBs

Mina's final games are a fond memory for me. I'd watched him since his early Colombia days -- awkward, graceless, but astonishingly talented in his own way, and the heart of a lion. I remember the abuse he took on the Forum when he returned for those four games. He was a crock, a fake, just running down his contract and taking our money, you know the routine. Well, he ran down his contract with sheer heroism.

He'll always be in my heart for that reason, and for his willingness to stand before the angry supporters with his broken English in the car park on the same day that punk Gordon just drove away.

Everton has had much better players. We've never had a better man.

Mark #80, welcome aboard!

Agree regarding Mina. He saved Everton from relegation and oblivion.He was worth his transfer fee and wages for doing that

7 years ago he left Brazil for Barcelona 100 million Euro transfer fee, but injury and Brands got him to Everton.His rest and recovery treatment ( On which I have my views and player use of it) at Everton did not work out, but he still looked the part anytime he played.He was by far the best Manager of the defensive line and could make Keane look like a International when he partnered him.

Since leaving on a free transfer he has played four times for Florentina and signed a contract in Fed 24 with Cagliari, making 11 appearances and scoring 2 goals, with the option to extent to the 24/25 season.He has made 9 appearances this season.His International Career continues.

Good luck to him.

I actually think Michael Keane, is playing as well as I’ve ever seen him play for Everton, Conor, but this just shows how low he has set the bar, over the many torturous years, although I will forever be indebted for his extremely beautiful goal against Palace. Extremely indebted!

Dyche out!!

David Coote is a victim of a rs honey trap.

I'll always be grateful of him sliding that one in at the 99th minute at Wolves. I didn't know whether to cheer or cry, such was the emotion.

Keane has been playing well and deserves credit for it as many of us have criticised him in the past.

Colin, your last sentence made me smile!!

I’ll remember him for coming off injured then gesturing with the trainer escorting him round the pitch that he wanted to stay on minutes after the board came up telling him his time was up! That was the Mina I knew and glad to see the back of.

Richarlison was a proper sulker!!

I wasn't too fussy on him either. Come to think of it, has Onana got some South American blood in him!

South America? They're all useless, that guy Messi as well, nowhere near as good as Alex Young! (er well, actually no he isn't). Are there any South Americans you do like? (See I haven't even mentioned a certain player, lol!)

On Branthwaite, I see there is conjecture as to why he is training indoors, a no-show outside for the second day...

Encourage him and lift his head rather than have a Park End moment like we had with John Stones.

Now he has got his call up and the monkey off his back, people would rather he be kept wrapped up in cotton wool, for me he will learn a great deal under the England squad and different method of training.

If he gets a decent run out, it will give him extra minutes on the pitch and get the rustiness out of his system, will make it harder for Dyche justifying he is not ready for 90 minutes yet, the fact he has been called up seems to be Carsley has a lot more belief in Branthwaite than his club Manager.

Some might see it as a meaningless game, but not for the player, he has earned his call up, let’s not be too hasty on hoping he does not get injured, let the player go out there and enjoy pulling on the England shirt.

Last season, I posted that we should build a statue of Dyche if he kept us up. See of you can find that one?

This season it has been a lot more difficult to rationalise away a number of the decisions Dyche has made, but I wouldn’t be opposed if he was still manager for our first season into the new stadium. Unfortunately, unless he can maximise the playing squad he now has then he is at risk.

But Christy has been targeted for two weeks by Colin, Colin, Mike G and now you for stating 1) that Jarrad was available for selection after the Ipswich game 2) Dyche chose to retain Keane in the line-up due to the latter’s form. Those two points are correct and I cannot understand the histronic reaction it has caused.

Some of the comments have verged on bullying (see 79), and I don’t like it. So if you keep piling in then respectfully I am going to keep posting as well. We can keep this going for weeks if you like.

He did get a goal at a crucial time and did help in defence. I do think he saved Everton from relegation, which I am grateful for. He was a bit of a con artist on the pitch. Recently had a stand-off with Lukaku in Italy.

I do think of his photo with the Head of Medical Services that Benitez sacked, which was too comfortable and staying in South America for two weeks after an International injury.

He is a devout Christian.

I still can't understand the issue over two correct points; I was going to quit the forum, but the comment @79 definitely made me change my mind.

In the bigger picture it seems like Branthwaite will need to be nursed through the next few weeks. We certainly can’t afford to lose his services for another prolonged period.

Jerome (96) I always enjoy your posts and if thought Mina helped us to escape relegation that just us having different opinions although I definitely agree with the rest of your post about how Mina conducted himself for a lot of the time he was with us.

Christine #91, that made me chuckle. I debate Dave about various players all the time, but I never thought his opinions might be based on geography.

Christy #98, don't ever quit this forum, even if you're incorrect. Which you are about one of your two points. In Dyche's view, Jarrad was available for substitution, not starting selection. AND he thought Keane was playing well enough to keep his place. Why can't both be true? Anyway, definitely stay so we can have another set-to about something else.

Steve #95, I never targeted Christy -- just his opinion -- until he mischaracterized my Mina comment, which pissed me off and for which he apologized, which made everything cool. Targeting? I don't think so.

Rob #97 and John #99, yep, it does seem the congratulations to Jarrad must turn into condolences, because it's obvious now that the continuing injury has cost him any chance to play for his country this time around, or even train with the national team. Can't imagine how disappointed he must be.

Dave #101, I played with a Spaniard who had watched Di Stefano play in his boyhood and spoke of him in almost mystical terms. I greatly envy your having watched him as well. If I could go back in time, he and Eusebio would be the two I would want most to see.

Thanks. I do understand your frustrations with Mina. I often felt the same, But he did put in performances at the end of that season and going into the Championship looked to me that League Two was on the Cards.

Though I did have a friend who travelled to Burnley in Division Three, met the Manager and players before the match and went to Joe's Hotspot (Night Club) with the players in the evening after the match.