Hart is pretty average. No surprise that Pep is looking to replace him according to the media reports. Can judge a player alright.

Yes it was in The Sun and Mail so it must be true.

Since his wobble a couple of years ago when Pellers dropped him, he's been pretty much rock solid. Like every keeper, he does have the odd moment, but his crucial and often world class saves more than offset this.

Look at his performances in the Champions League. In the biggest games, against the best players, he is more than up to the task. England need big game players and that is exactly what Hart is. We are very lucky to have a keeper of that calibre at City.

Lol Hart is comfortably England's best keeper, and has been for a number of years. If Butland gets anywhere near Joe's level he'll have done very well for himself.

Is that your unbiased opinion based on a careful study of the relative merits of the candidates?

It's my opinion based on having watched him week in week out for numerous years, seen him pick up the golden glove for 4 of the past 6 seasons, seen him make some stunning saves and keep City in various games across all competitions. Look at some of his performances in Europe if you're in any doubt about his ability. Butland is a decent keeper and could go far in the game but he really isn't at Joe's level yet.

Who would you have starting vs Russia, Hart or Butland?

Lol Hart is comfortably England's best keeper, and has been for a number of years. If Butland gets anywhere near Joe's level he'll have done very well for himself.

PEA will be a bargain at 60 milly ball if Watford want for £30m for Troy! Although Deeney does have a fun Wiki page...

''Having joined Chelmsley Town, he was scouted by Walsall head of youth Mick Halsall, who only attended the game Deeney was playing in because his son was also playing and due to the game he was scheduled to attend being postponed. Deeney was playing while drunk, but scored seven goals in an 11–4 win. He was offered a trial by the then League Two club, but only attended after his Chelmsley manager got him out of bed and paid for his taxi''

Can fred get on at Boylesport? Before I dig deeper with Nani

Any thoughts on the assists market? Ozil and Hazard are the obvious favourites at 12s and 14s, but looking a bit further down the list you have Pogba at 20/1, KDB at 20 and Martial at 25.

Does Ozil getting a bucketload of assists for Arsenal translate to him getting a bucketload of assists for Germany?

http://www.oddschecker.com/football/euro-2016/most-assists

How many assists will win this market? 10 way dead way with 2?  3 maybe?   Doesn't look a market to back a short priced one in.

Yeah was thinking you could win it outright with as few as 3 assists. Need a team with good chances of going far, excellent attacking options to stick the assists away, and preferably an 'easy' group. We can obv rule England out

I know Croatia are a lot of people's dark horses, I'm not convinced and they are in a tough group, but Modric is lurking further down the pecking order at 50s. Also Nani at 40s, with Portugal facing up against Iceland, Hungary and Austria and Ronaldo on hand to dispatch the chances.

Any thoughts on the assists market? Ozil and Hazard are the obvious favourites at 12s and 14s, but looking a bit further down the list you have Pogba at 20/1, KDB at 20 and Martial at 25.

Does Ozil getting a bucketload of assists for Arsenal translate to him getting a bucketload of assists for Germany?

http://www.oddschecker.com/football/euro-2016/most-assists

All the best Tikay.

A great prospect and hopefully gets some game time under Pep. Would be mortified if we shelled out £40m or whatever on Stones (whom I don't rate) over giving this lad a chance.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/jun/08/jason-denayer-belgium-euro-2016-manchester-city

Not for Fred but this market is pretty interesting as none of these players are really first choice
http://www.oddschecker.com/football/euro-2016/top-liverpool-goalscorer

For me this is a three horse race - Benteke, Sturridge, Origi. With Lallana fourth favourite.

In the overall top scorer betting the three are priced closely together. However here they go 7/2 Benteke, 6/1 Sturridge and 8/1 Origi. In Belgiums last warm up match Lukaku started with Origi coming on as sub. Benteke didn't get on the pitch.

Bizarrely they have Skrtel and Can up there in the betting too.

I'd say Origi looks well priced in this market at 8/1. But perhaps the value is on no goalscorer at 12/1?

I was looking at this market last night for City, no goalscorer was 14/1 which I thought was decent, but that has since been shrunk to 9/1. Felt KDB was the only real threat to it as can't see Sterling getting much game time and Silva doesn't score many.

I've done chunks in PH's cardroom in recent years, not a happy hunting ground for my wallet.

Not sure how you can be expected to concentrate when the Pleasure Pit is within touching distance.

I'm far too biased and I struggle to be objective so need other opinions.

Aubameyang believed to be very close (his agent/representative were apparently at City today, just need to agree a fee with Dortmund), strong rumours that Laporte is next through the door. Gundogan already in though won't be fit for the start of the season.

Apparently the spending won't stop there either. Best priced 9/4 for the title with Choral, this seems destined to shorten once Aubameyang is confirmed.

Negatives....Kompany's fitness, both full back positions look the weak link, Pep new to the league and this is clearly his toughest job yet.

Spreading like wildfire that Aubameyang is soon to be announced. They are a bit delirious over at Blue Moon

Great article in The Guardian. Well worth a read. Sahin married his cousin, surprised he didn't fit in at Liverpool tbh.

Surprising to see how many ex City players will be present in France. Obvious ones like Boateng and Given, but plenty of more obscure ones like Fernades, Westwood and Chorluka that I'm sure had slipped off many people's radars.

Roll on wall to wall football from Friday.

How do we expect France to line up? Not particularly interested in their defence, more their midfield and forwards. Do they play both Griezmann and Giroud? Is Payet a regular now? How far forward and how much freedom does Pogba get?

Got my eye on a few potential bets....