In a back five, that's definitely my centre three.

I'd add Schwarzer and Craig Johnston to that list. Few will agree with me but I'd also add Aaron Mooy (on his day). If you saw the match against France in Russia, 2018, Mooy was voted MOTM by the BBC and totally bossed the midfield against the likes of Kante and Pogba. His tackle on Griesmann...

Kewell was 17 when everyone went mad about him. Irankunda's problem seems to be that he gets emotional and says/does rash things. I would bet thousands that he and Popa had words at half time v China when he was played out of position. So Popa thought he was good enough to start against China...

Much prefer Strain at RB with Triantis and Balard in midfield.

Grobelaar? Seriously, I think Kewell was our best ever attacking player and just as good as Johnston. Hard to compare players from different eras though - the game changes and so do the players.

Kewell at his peak (early 20s) might have made it. No-one else though.

All of those comments (especially your favourite) were perfectly reasonable at the time. He was bang out of form for Hibs and his last few games for Oz were underwhelming to say the most. The Hibs fans were calling for his blood at the time and now he's the king of Easter Road. We're all happy...

Maybe. Triantis has said numerous times he wants to fight for his place in the Sunderland squad next season.

I was a huge fan of Jedi (another CCM player) but Triantis is much better with a far higher ceiling. IMnsHO

Sunderland won through to the playoff final. It would (probably) be better for Triantis if they aren't promoted but I reckon he's already good enough to be a squad player in the EPL. Gonna be some player.

Thanks again D. In fact, I've always tried to refrain from promotion on football sites (with the exception of my user name - which I don't always use). I'm mainly here to talk shit with other fans but every now and then someone makes the connection, which is nice. Funnily enough, years ago on...

I voted for him.

It's a tough gig. Since 2010 (when Mr C was published) I've made about $50k from six books. It's not nothing but you couldn't live on it. My problem is that all three of my publishers were tiny little one man operations who outsourced editing, printing etc and had virtually zero marketing...

I wouldn't mind him at Portsmouth (with the exception that our players keep getting injured there). I'd rather seee him part of a Sunderland team that wins promotion next year.

Makes sense but loan or permanent?

Agreed. He has ten times the technique Jedi had, and I was a major Jedi fan.

Crichton has great ideas but I find his execution a little dry sometimes. My fave of his would be Time Storm. Meanwhile, I'm a little embarrassed by Decentric's praise. Thanks D. very generous of you. Glad you're enjoying the book. I've not read it myself for about ten years and idly picked it...

Me too but Triantis (along with Circati) is the best of the new options for the Socceroos - he's a fantastic player and likely to improve with every step up he makes. Still only 21 I think. Even if they do go up, they're likely to lose one or two of their current midfielders and will certainly...

I reckon he's ready for the Championship and that will be the making of him. After that, I reckon he'll be in the EPL by the season after next. Seriously good player.

Given that he's already played for Oz... what issue could there possibly be?