@TodBrennanEng @CMDaygo That's just to get into the talent funnel - a more professionalised academy system, requiring more travel, greater time commitment + standards that lend itself to those who adapt quicker to these more structured environments.

@TodBrennanEng @CMDaygo I'd argue it's already happening (parallels to the NBA now being drastically less working class in the US) - reasons why are varied but as with most things, comes down to how we've structured society + the economic principles driving it.

@TodBrennanEng @CMDaygo Olympians aren't a great measure for this - access to participate in most of them is now heavily linked to your schools budget + facilities and therefore selective schools. Bad enough, but to see similar trends in something as 'meritocratic' as football, is inevitable.

There's a goal in youth football (weaker leagues) that's hard to take seriously sometimes, with more space + much worse GKs. Corner box to far corner. Nwaneri's translated it instantly. Can wrap it into the far corner off any stride, even if his body is pointing at the dugout.

@GraceOnFootball the main argument 'against' the Ligue 1 titles, isn't even the level. He only played 50% of minutes twice in seven years and the most he ever played was 54% of the season. Funnily enough, that's exactly the same % of a full season Salah has played this year, with 16 games left.

The idea of Tamworth playing away at Tottenham is interesting in theory. The idea of Tamworth being knocked out in a 2nd round replay v Burton Albion, is a lot less romantic.

@JakeEntwistle It's all good, was a rare tweet by me these days anyway, so new followers will have to wait for the Athletics season to begin again for a reminder to unfollow me!

I don’t think it helps him to receive + retain either, becomes predictable, never goes spins right, combines with right side or gives himself chance to receive right side and drive infield on strong foot. Flagged at Atalanta but he’s not really evolved.

@GraceOnFootball I get + don't even disagree with the logic of the argument, but come back to two things - 1) examples of coaches who weather such bad starts, with so few positives + it suddenly clicks, 2) all coaches want to do is win games short term + he genuinely thinks this is the best way.

@ST_MachidaKoki @jeorgebird Thanks to you both

@ST_MachidaKoki @jeorgebird do you have a squad list?

@mixedknuts @GraceOnFootball Pietro Pellegri scoring 2 goals in 28 Italy U15-U17 games despite being physically able to play some senior minutes at 15, the poster boy for this.

@GraceOnFootball @mixedknuts He’s been able to get deep into the box at will at basically every level he’s played at, but has never been a shot threat. Lack of goals at youth level for player who transitions to senior football physically at such an advanced age, always a bit of a red flag to me.