This is legit
Sat here watching England vs Italy in the women’s semi (with Lionesses exiting 0-1 as I write).  Admittedly, and presumably like many of you, I don’t watch a ton of women’s footie, but to me the standard of play appears quite good.  More than good.  I see definitive patterns of play, I see very respectable levels of technical skill, I see endeavor and shape and coherent tactics.  I don’t know if women’s football has always been to this high a level (penalty shootouts notwithstanding) but it’s been a decent watch.

I hazily recall a few years ago there was also a pretty entertaining women’s tournament but I’d thought it a one-off at the time.  Now I’m convinced women’s football is legit.  Not to sound misogynistic but I am in fact pleasantly surprised and pleased to have something to watch while my (men’s) club summers about in Japan, Hong Kong, etc.

One thing I’d like to say is, I’ve seen coverage and highlights of Jess Carter and in fairness she’s been the weak link in the Lioness side, conspicuously flailing and in frame for nearly every England breakdown or concession.  That said, her abuse online is atrocious and wrong.

We should be able to be critical of football players without venturing into hate and racism and the like.  It’s a clear line, a really obvious line not to cross.  I find Andre Onana to be a hugely comical and horrendous goalkeeper for example, and it’s been funny calling him Biscuithands (ever since I’d read it in these pages).  But Biscuithands’ race, creed, color or where he’s come from has never ever come to mind.  Why’s that so difficult to stay onside from.
Eric, Los Angeles  CA

Went too early there.  What a Lioness equaliser !

Fulfills my point though…  women’s football is legit, and legit entertaining.
Eric, Los Angeles  CA

Arsenal 2025-30
Arteta is what you call ‘a person of 2 extremities’. He’s Marmite. He’s either the best manager Arsenal has ever had or the worst ever after 6 years of failure.

The pros – fans love him. He preaches belief. Hope. Arteta has convinced a huge swath of Norn London that he is THE ONE. He owns the original factory that makes Kool-AId and the fans happily drink it while being charged. The cons? Aside from the 6 years of nothing, the 1 billion spent, the hubris, the lack of ability, this season’s signings are touch and go. They signed Zoobido (replacement for Mr Unmentionable), Madooks (to challenge Saks), Nodergaard (rhymes with Martin) and the big one, Gyokrash. Not what you’d call earth-shattering.

So will Arteta last the season? Yes. The fans see miracles in Arteta, he’ll land them the big one, he just needs one more shot at it without PGMOL interference.

Put it this way. If Klopp came to Liverpool and didn’t win anything for 5 years, would the fans want to get rid? No way, not me anyways. I’ll say, c’mon, he is a GREAT manager, weird circumstances worked against him.

Expect Arteta to stick around for the next 5 years, he may win another FA Cup while City and Liverpool hoover up the League between them.
Les Goh Guise.
Vinnie Pee

Season and summer World Cup
1966 – 2026 .

Coming off of a strong season not knackered is key for any England success at the World Cup.

It appears clear that our front six is an embarrassment of riches and subbing on five sets of fresh legs there would appear to be the best tactic especially in Americas summer heat. So that part does not worry me. But the five at the back, a solid defensive base this is where we need a smidgeon of luck.

In the centre back department it looks like John Stones, Marc Guehi and Levi Colwill are going to be key . Stones may even be fresh through lack of game time as could Guehi be  if he is transfered and plays second fiddle.

In the full back areas Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento look strong but MLS and Ben White could surge with Reece James and TAA in the reckoning.

Pickford will probably get the nod ahead of Dean Henderson unless Jordan has a shambles of a season .

As the sitting defensive midfielder, what used to be called the ‘Makeléle role’ Wharton may steam in and become undroppable.

If Thomas Tuchel can create a reliable defensive unit with cool heads under pressure England can glide to the semi finals where luck and the rub of the green make a difference in rizzla thin distances in levels.

What is clear is than Walker, Maguire, Shaw and Jordan Henderson will not be starting. Kalvin Philips is long gone.

For sure there will be late bursts from players not mentioned above so let mailboxers predict back five England possibilities from their clubs and also from the succesful under 21 winners . My hunch is AWB under the guidance of Potter could be in with a shout.
Peter. ( although they don’t have a striker Spain are favourites) Andalucia

READ MORE: Ten transfers required for England to win the World Cup features two Arsenal signings

One for the suggestions box
When City are finally acquitted on all charges I suspect you’re going to be bombarded by an absolute avalanche of emails from rival fans apologising to us for years of doubt about the veracity and legality of our wins, not to mention tons collectively congratulating us and wishing us well for the future. I imagine they’ll probably be a gigantic number highlighting just how unfair and mean the whole witch hunt has been as well.

Well I for one would really like to be able to enjoy all those emails and good wishes at my own leisure, in one easy-to-get-to spot on the site, so could you please set up a special tab for them? Under the existing ‘F365 Favourites’ tab is appropriate I think.

Thanks in advance.
Cal Loftus

What’s that, Darling?
I’m sure many of the F365 followers recall the “Spy” episode of Blackadder when The Cap. says he uncovered the spy when he quizzed her about her boyfriend attending one of the 3 great Universities, “Oxford, Cambridge, Hull”!

I was reminded of this at Mbeumo’s unveiling, when asked what players he was looking forward to playing with, his reply was “There’s some great players, Bruno, Cunha, Zirkzee”!
Howard (never mentioned Harry) Jones

Oh Joey Joey
Yet more sad news for LFC fans with the passing of Joey Jones.  A short but memorable stint at the club and truly a “team I supported as a boy (if you exclude Wrexham)” player.  His joy and passion when playing for LFC was undeniable and resonated clearly with the Anfield crowd.

Not the most gifted which was summed up by Kevin Keegan who once said, “When I played with Alec Lindsay I would make runs and expect the ball to arrive, with Joey I waited for him to kick it and would chase after it”!  However, his passing (no pun) will bring back only positive memories.

RIP Joey.
Howard (surely the best banner ever) Jones

England continued to battle without much success, while Sweden threatened to strike against a fragile defence on the counter-attack, but the game turned on its head during a frantic spell seconds before the end of normal time.

MORE ENGLAND COVERAGE ON F365…
👉 Ten transfers required for England to win the World Cup features two Arsenal signings
👉 Carsley for the World Cup? His England U21s retain Euro title with style and then grit
👉 England still high in World Cup favourites list after Senegal defeat

In times of need, you look to your bench for inspiration, and fortunately for England, they have game-changers to call upon when a match is on a knife-edge.

Three years after scoring England’s winning goal off the bench in the Euro 2022 final, Chloe Kelly produced again for her side to play a key role in their late comeback.

Firstly, her devilish deep cross was headed home at the back post by Lucy Bronze to pull a goal back. Then, she produced another teasing cross towards two more substitutes as Beth Mead expertly knocked the ball down to 19-year-old Michelle Adyemang, who tapped home from close range to restore parity.

It was unfortunate for Sweden, but the abundance of quality in England’s stacked squad proved vital as they kept themselves alive.

There were more uncomfortable minutes for the Lionesses in extra time as Sweden took back control of the match, but they could not restore what would have been a worthy lead, as instead, we were treated to one of the worst (or best…?) penalty shootouts in history.

England somehow survived four misses (including three in a row) to win 3-2 after seven kicks apiece after Bronze went for the good ol’ fashioned technique of smashing it and hoping for the best in sudden death before Smilla Holmberg became the ninth player to fail from the spot.

It was unbelievable, really. England were on the end of a one-sided domination for large portions of the match but somehow prevailed thanks to Wiegman’s masterful substitutes, Kelly’s impact off the bench, Hampton’s heroic penalty saves and more than their fair share of good fortune.

A repeat of this level of performance will end England’s tournament hopes, but surely the only way is up and this evening’s breathtaking events suggest the trophy may already have their names on it.

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