@attempting-reentry.bsky.social
Opinions you didn't ask for. Mainly on football but expect the unexpected
Pinned
Astonishingly lacking in humanity. Letting someone as intellectually feeble as Oli Dugmore make an argument on a subject so serious is one thing. Publishing this nasty drivel is a moral obscenity. The whole article reads like the work of sub-Sixth Form 'pick-me' imbecile.
99 is bloody good going. Weirdly I was thinking only *last night* (what is it with all these weird synchronicities?!) that it's been ages since I last watched The Fast Lady. Was quite a Sunday afternoon comfort film in my house growing up.
December 12, 2025 at 4:21 PM
99 is bloody good going. Weirdly I was thinking only *last night* (what is it with all these weird synchronicities?!) that it's been ages since I last watched The Fast Lady. Was quite a Sunday afternoon comfort film in my house growing up.
Just had someone called Kae Tempest come up on my Spotify. Absolutely abysmal. Have blocked fewer than ten musicians on there but that was an instant red. So wanky.
December 12, 2025 at 6:31 AM
Just had someone called Kae Tempest come up on my Spotify. Absolutely abysmal. Have blocked fewer than ten musicians on there but that was an instant red. So wanky.
Although they've just won the Euros - the standard of the top nations was poor - I do think 2026 might be a cycle too early. Can definitely see them starting to dominate from their home World Cup in 2030 onwards. Incredible spine (but they could use a 9).
Yamal
Pedri
Gavi
Huijsen
Cubarsi
Yamal
Pedri
Gavi
Huijsen
Cubarsi
Wondering why Spain are favourites to win the 2026 World Cup? @robbiejdunne.bsky.social explains why for @optaanalyst.optajoe.com
theanalyst.com/articles/spa...
theanalyst.com/articles/spa...
Why Are Spain Favourites to Win the 2026 World Cup? | Opta Analyst
The 2026 World Cup draw takes place on Friday and the Opta supercomputer has no doubt Spain are favourites for the tournament.
theanalyst.com
December 11, 2025 at 3:25 AM
Although they've just won the Euros - the standard of the top nations was poor - I do think 2026 might be a cycle too early. Can definitely see them starting to dominate from their home World Cup in 2030 onwards. Incredible spine (but they could use a 9).
Yamal
Pedri
Gavi
Huijsen
Cubarsi
Yamal
Pedri
Gavi
Huijsen
Cubarsi
Bit suspect defensively for Rodrygo's goal - remember he's an attack-minded midfielder rather than a full back - but got one himself and generally looked class. So intelligent. O'Reilly is top drawer
O'Reilly has to be the starting LB at the World Cup. Technically proficient, calm in tight spaces. Economical + purposeful with his use of the ball. Perfect for the heat of N America. Actually a midfielder, but compare the ease with which he handled Salah to the mess Bradley made of Doku..
BREAKING: Nico O’Reilly is set to make his England debut tonight vs Serbia.
[Sami Mokbel, BBC Sport]
[Sami Mokbel, BBC Sport]
December 11, 2025 at 3:16 AM
Bit suspect defensively for Rodrygo's goal - remember he's an attack-minded midfielder rather than a full back - but got one himself and generally looked class. So intelligent. O'Reilly is top drawer
16/20
Could You Be a Cricket Umpire? by The Times
YouTube video by Empty Fellow
www.youtube.com
December 10, 2025 at 12:38 PM
16/20
One of my most vivid memories from childhood was playing in the final of a regional schools tournament. Got played in for a 1 on 1 from the half way line. The old cliché but time stood still. Could hear the screaming from mums on the touchline and just felt pure adrenaline. Scored - and then relief!
December 9, 2025 at 9:22 PM
One of my most vivid memories from childhood was playing in the final of a regional schools tournament. Got played in for a 1 on 1 from the half way line. The old cliché but time stood still. Could hear the screaming from mums on the touchline and just felt pure adrenaline. Scored - and then relief!
He said himself he's not always pretty but when I saw Selby in the flesh he actually attacked and was unplayable as a result. One of the best when he hits his stride. Glad to see him deny another title to that sweaty sore loser Judd Trump.
December 7, 2025 at 11:15 PM
He said himself he's not always pretty but when I saw Selby in the flesh he actually attacked and was unplayable as a result. One of the best when he hits his stride. Glad to see him deny another title to that sweaty sore loser Judd Trump.
Reposted
"Ooh Betty, I'm being inarticulate-ed!"
December 7, 2025 at 2:30 PM
"Ooh Betty, I'm being inarticulate-ed!"
Yes that is Frank Spencer
He was busy taking one of the more insane pictures he’s ever taken, which is no small feat.
December 7, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Yes that is Frank Spencer
Perhaps there should also be no place for surly so-called leaders blindly following a moronic cult
The Ashes: Ben Stokes questions mentality of England team
Captain Ben Stokes questioned his England players' mentality after their crushing defeat by Australia, while Brendon McCullum says they trained
www.bbc.co.uk
December 7, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Perhaps there should also be no place for surly so-called leaders blindly following a moronic cult
When Gareth Southgate became England manager we'd only won 2 knockout matches on foreign soil in 26 years. During his eight year tenure we won 7 (out of 10). Despicable how the man was treated. In my mind one of the greatest living Englishmen.
December 7, 2025 at 5:36 PM
When Gareth Southgate became England manager we'd only won 2 knockout matches on foreign soil in 26 years. During his eight year tenure we won 7 (out of 10). Despicable how the man was treated. In my mind one of the greatest living Englishmen.
Does Harry Brooks still think Bissouma is a better player than Rice lol
December 7, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Does Harry Brooks still think Bissouma is a better player than Rice lol
Tyrick Mitchell was worth the call-up and handful of caps he got but, although an excellent defender, he's not great OTB. Got far better - and versatile - LB options. The calls for his selection come from either partisans or people trying to look learned. It's the "call up Lewis Dunk" mentality...
December 7, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Tyrick Mitchell was worth the call-up and handful of caps he got but, although an excellent defender, he's not great OTB. Got far better - and versatile - LB options. The calls for his selection come from either partisans or people trying to look learned. It's the "call up Lewis Dunk" mentality...
This turned out to be a very good prediction...
Likely R32 fixtures:
Netherlands v Morocco
Colombia v Croatia
Spain v Austria
Uruguay v Argentina
Likely R16 fixtures:
France v Germany
Italy v Portugal
Top nations either playing each other or facing tricky tests well before the Quarter Finals
Likely R32 fixtures:
Netherlands v Morocco
Colombia v Croatia
Spain v Austria
Uruguay v Argentina
Likely R16 fixtures:
France v Germany
Italy v Portugal
Top nations either playing each other or facing tricky tests well before the Quarter Finals
Major Nations will have to survive an extra 'free hit'/'bad day at office' after the group stage.
The extra round also increases chances of major nations taking each other out before Quarter-Final.
More time for physical and psychological toll to tell (top teams already have drained players).
The extra round also increases chances of major nations taking each other out before Quarter-Final.
More time for physical and psychological toll to tell (top teams already have drained players).
December 7, 2025 at 6:00 AM
This turned out to be a very good prediction...
Likely R32 fixtures:
Netherlands v Morocco
Colombia v Croatia
Spain v Austria
Uruguay v Argentina
Likely R16 fixtures:
France v Germany
Italy v Portugal
Top nations either playing each other or facing tricky tests well before the Quarter Finals
Likely R32 fixtures:
Netherlands v Morocco
Colombia v Croatia
Spain v Austria
Uruguay v Argentina
Likely R16 fixtures:
France v Germany
Italy v Portugal
Top nations either playing each other or facing tricky tests well before the Quarter Finals
Reposted
Everyone I've seen post on the matter has assumed Mexico will win Group A and are therefore on course to meet England (all going to plan) at the Azteca in Round of 16. Personally think there's every chance they finish 3rd behind Denmark and South Korea. Of the hosts Mexico are ones I fancy the least
December 7, 2025 at 5:29 AM
Everyone I've seen post on the matter has assumed Mexico will win Group A and are therefore on course to meet England (all going to plan) at the Azteca in Round of 16. Personally think there's every chance they finish 3rd behind Denmark and South Korea. Of the hosts Mexico are ones I fancy the least
Ecuador against Brazil could be interesting in R16. On the plus side they've only lost 1 of the last 4 against them - indicating a penalty shootout is a very plausible scenario.
However, they haven't beaten them since 2004, despite having played them 15 times in between.
However, they haven't beaten them since 2004, despite having played them 15 times in between.
Ecuador were on one of my pre-draw potential dark horses but it didn't work out favourably. Think they'll finish 2nd in group ahead of the Ivory Coast but then would likely face Norway (R32) and Brazil (R16).
December 7, 2025 at 5:40 AM
Ecuador against Brazil could be interesting in R16. On the plus side they've only lost 1 of the last 4 against them - indicating a penalty shootout is a very plausible scenario.
However, they haven't beaten them since 2004, despite having played them 15 times in between.
However, they haven't beaten them since 2004, despite having played them 15 times in between.
Having bad flashbacks to when Southgate, having been resolute against external pressure his whole tenure, caved at the last & deployed TAA as a midfielder. As he did with picking players he didn't fancy as well as shifting emphasis from defence. Euro 2024 was a parable abt sticking to your guns!
Trent Alexander-Arnold insists you ‘can’t go wrong’ in midfield for England
Trent Alexander-Arnold insists you 'can't go wrong' in midfield for England | CaughtOffside
www.caughtoffside.com
December 6, 2025 at 3:19 AM
Having bad flashbacks to when Southgate, having been resolute against external pressure his whole tenure, caved at the last & deployed TAA as a midfielder. As he did with picking players he didn't fancy as well as shifting emphasis from defence. Euro 2024 was a parable abt sticking to your guns!
Reposted
In terms of what’s understood to be socially acceptable behavior, normalizing the filming/taking pictures of people in public who are minding their own business (and putting it online) is one of the worst developments of the past 15 years.
Woman Hailed as Hero for Smashing Man's Meta Smart Glasses on Subway
A New York subway rider has accused a woman of breaking his Meta smart glasses. She was later hailed as a hero.
futurism.com
December 5, 2025 at 9:52 PM
In terms of what’s understood to be socially acceptable behavior, normalizing the filming/taking pictures of people in public who are minding their own business (and putting it online) is one of the worst developments of the past 15 years.
Reposted
The first football tournament I remember was France '98 when I was 6. I struggle to name a *single* genuinely good England performance in either the World Cup or Euros between then and Southgate becoming manager. Maybe Argentina in '02 and possibly one or two at Euro 2004. That's it.
December 6, 2025 at 2:01 AM
The first football tournament I remember was France '98 when I was 6. I struggle to name a *single* genuinely good England performance in either the World Cup or Euros between then and Southgate becoming manager. Maybe Argentina in '02 and possibly one or two at Euro 2004. That's it.
In a football gc where somebody has said the WC22 performance vs France was a 'disgrace'. Absolutely jaw-dropping. Probably the best I've ever seen England play. We were better team and lost because of a freak long-range goal and a missed pen. Obviously doesn't remember the pre-Southgate era...
December 6, 2025 at 1:54 AM
In a football gc where somebody has said the WC22 performance vs France was a 'disgrace'. Absolutely jaw-dropping. Probably the best I've ever seen England play. We were better team and lost because of a freak long-range goal and a missed pen. Obviously doesn't remember the pre-Southgate era...
Reposted
Austria are one to keep an eye on. Obviously did well at the Euros. Should easily get 2nd in their group. Difficulty is they will likely face Spain in R32 *but* should they pull off a shock would have a likely path of Croatia and then Belgium into the semis. Very tricky but wouldn't rule it out.
December 5, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Austria are one to keep an eye on. Obviously did well at the Euros. Should easily get 2nd in their group. Difficulty is they will likely face Spain in R32 *but* should they pull off a shock would have a likely path of Croatia and then Belgium into the semis. Very tricky but wouldn't rule it out.
On the flip side if we could unexpectedly blow away Brazil 3-0 in the QF maybe that could be finally be the thing that gives the players *genuine* belief that they're good enough. Real wishful thinking though!
In all likelihood England will be knocked out again Brazil in the quarter final or Portugal in the semis.
December 5, 2025 at 8:09 PM
On the flip side if we could unexpectedly blow away Brazil 3-0 in the QF maybe that could be finally be the thing that gives the players *genuine* belief that they're good enough. Real wishful thinking though!
Reposted
ENGLAND MOST PROBABLE ROUTE TO FINAL AS GROUP WINNERS:
PLAY-OFF PLACEHOLDER (R32)
DENMARK (R16)
BRAZIL (QF)
PORTUGAL (SF)
SPAIN (F)
PLAY-OFF PLACEHOLDER (R32)
DENMARK (R16)
BRAZIL (QF)
PORTUGAL (SF)
SPAIN (F)
December 5, 2025 at 7:12 PM
ENGLAND MOST PROBABLE ROUTE TO FINAL AS GROUP WINNERS:
PLAY-OFF PLACEHOLDER (R32)
DENMARK (R16)
BRAZIL (QF)
PORTUGAL (SF)
SPAIN (F)
PLAY-OFF PLACEHOLDER (R32)
DENMARK (R16)
BRAZIL (QF)
PORTUGAL (SF)
SPAIN (F)
Reposted
ENGLAND PROBABLE ROUTE TO FINAL AS GROUP RUNNERS-UP:
COLOMBIA (R32)
SPAIN (R16)
BELGIUM (QF)
FRANCE (SF)
PORTUGAL (F)
COLOMBIA (R32)
SPAIN (R16)
BELGIUM (QF)
FRANCE (SF)
PORTUGAL (F)
December 5, 2025 at 7:14 PM
ENGLAND PROBABLE ROUTE TO FINAL AS GROUP RUNNERS-UP:
COLOMBIA (R32)
SPAIN (R16)
BELGIUM (QF)
FRANCE (SF)
PORTUGAL (F)
COLOMBIA (R32)
SPAIN (R16)
BELGIUM (QF)
FRANCE (SF)
PORTUGAL (F)