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The players being on the piss is criminal for me, as more and more stories come out about the the 6 day piss up when fans have paid thousands to travel. I'd fine them the players fees for the remaining tests as a minimum, astounding they they think thats acceptable. English cricket was in a very good place before we left for Oz, the numbers don't tell lies, make changes now and its back to 2 wins in 17 tests, stick with the current regime for me, let me own this Ashes series and make adjustments to suite.

Rovers have a very good record in the north east but Boro are in fine fettle and it's going to be a tough game. We'll probably be Driving Home after Christmas with nul points

How does and in what way does McCullum think England are "making progress" and "improved as a cricket team"? If the past 3 Tests is "progress" perhaps he could what going backwards looks like. The man is deluded and making ridiculous statements like that is holding fans and the public in contempt. And of course he wants to stay on. He's being paid a shed load of money. Get rid now.

Jason Roberts to miss an open net in injury time

Lucky initially but a really good cross. Espanol's first goal wasn't bad either!

I’d honestly be surprised if we went for a centre back. Wharton can’t be far off a return, maybe Carter too. Then you have the three young lads - Acheson, Pratt and Litherland all knocking on the door. In the unlikely event that we do bring somebody in it’ll probably be O’Riordan back from his loan at Donny.

I like the way we are set up now. It’s a coherent way of playing that suits our playing staff. If we can ever get this team on the pitch we’ll be looking good for the play-offs. Problem is - we can’t. Toth Alebeoso, Carter, McClouglin, Wharton, Hedges Baradji, Tronstad Cantwell Gudjohnsen, Ohashi.

Yeah he wasn't great last year was he? That's quite often the case for first loans though, particularly with attacking players. From what I've seen of him at Bolton I'd be confident he could step up to the level this time. Even if Brighton decide to keep him where he is for now, he'll get another loan to a Championship promotion contender next season.

Great work by Dolan for Espanyols second. https://youtu.be/KY0CxbbtllU?si=pqaz3VwVsxFVQ5nu

It's difficult to guess what his price might be. Go back eighteen months and it would've been 10m+ so way out of range for most Championship clubs - it'll be significantly less now though. Cheers! Andersen has struggled since he left Barnsley, might work in the middle of a back three but I think his lack of pace would be exposed as an outside CB or even in a back four.

Cozier- Duberry? no we don't play with wingers

Would you have him back ?

agreed, His loan here was a year or 2 too soon. Ayari was here and hardly play now a regular at 18 months onwards

what sweeping changes do you want to see? a new captain, head coach and director of cricket? new players? which players have impress you over the last year? I like to see Stokes remain as captain and Key as DoC but a new head coach. Is Bethall ready to be England number 3? who should opener with Crawley? what pace bowlers should be our future? when did this last happen? I can't see Australia cricket agreeing to that or England wanted that. 2 warm up games before the first test and a first class game between 3rd test and 4th test

I know, but it’s a big step up.

Done very well at Bolton this season tho

Well in spite of everything we usually do.

Regarding Cozier-Duberry, he was really poor for us last season. Championship full backs had him weighed up pretty quickly. Keep him facing down field, don’t let him turn with the ball and he’s out of the game.

Venky’s…Fool If You Think It’s Over…😆

I can never understand that. If we manage to clear the ball it’ll only come straight back again because we have nobody down field.

No doubt there will be a big tribute to Chris Rea at the Riverside on Boxing Day. Insert your own remarks about Rovers, Venkys and the road to hell.

@rog of the rovers made this precise point on the Christmas Special podcast…👌

Up to Smoggyland…can Rovers return with a point or three..?

For me, nothing less than sweeping changes will now suffice. Because there is simply nothing good to have come out of the first three games. So theres absolutely nothing to lose. And nothing to gain by repeating the process with these players. Root made a ton. Archer got a 5 for and bowled at 90+ and made a 50. Stokes showed true grit, with bat and ball. All of which we expected. The bare minimum from those three. What else did we get? Wood got injured. Crawley got past 50 a couple of times. Brook hit a few sixes. Duckett and Pope collapsed. We dropped catches. All of which we expected. The series is over in eleven short days. Of which we enjoyed maybe four. Eleven days. Its pitiful. Which has far wider implications than just irritating me. The travelling English fans. The Aussie fans that bought tickets. The Aussie venues. The TV companies. Corporate and hospitality. Grass roots. Promotion of the game. Millions of pounds have been lost. Touring England teams used to have 4 x 4 day warm up games before the first test. Acclimatising to the timezones, weather, pitches, humidity, conditions, different ball. You know, like being professional! This lot are going on a 6 day bender when 2-0 down. They are slovenly and it shows. There's something badly wrong and rotten about the set up. No standards, no responsility and no accountabiliy. Failure is constantly rewarded. I'm really disappinted.