I don’t follow cricket as much as I used to. I did see Underwood bowl out the Aussies. I had just got home from work about 4-50 pm and I immediately turned on the tv to watch the cricket. it was on the BBC live back then. One camera only at one end ! As I recall it the Aussies were about 50 for 2 with just over an hour to play. I thought that’s it - a draw. Then Underwood got going and we brought the field in around the bat. If my memory serves me well one of the Aussies openers dug in but Underwood kept bamboozling the incoming batsmen. Even when we had 6 down I thought we’d run out of time. However we got down to the last couple of wickets every England outfield player was in camera shot. They were all in an arc around the bat. They picked up the last wicket with minutes to go. Unforgettable. It’ll be on YouTube somewhere. So many memories. Colin Cowdrey coming in as last man see out the last couple of overs to get a draw with a broken arm. Only he was facing Wes Hall and Charlie Griffith. Cowdrey , who was a really top slip fielder, taking a catch and then whipping the ball into his pocket so fast that nobody knew where the ball had gone. Brian Close and John Edrich facing the most hostile fast bowling I’ve ever seen. The only time I’ve thought “ Somebody could get killed here “ at a cricket match. Just batting in a cap ! The photo of Close the next day with ball marks , complete with seam mark p, all over his upper body. The Aussie Bob Massie swinging the ball like a banana to skittle out England and take about 17 wickets in the match. Just too many memories really.

Still no news on who we are playing on the weekend of 2nd August? Only 4 friendlies announced to date with no clarity as to the opponents in our two Spanish matches. Waggo was claiming he'd been arranging showpiece fixtures against sides in commemoration of the 150th anniversary so I'm intrigued as to who they have lined up here.

The gym and the programmes looked very impressive, but how come we always seem to have loads of soft tissue injuries ?

Dolan has usually been the first name on every managers team sheet, that tells its own story! The lads had some well documented off the field issues which have certainly impacted his game at times, but you simply don't allow your best players to leave the club unless you have money to replace them, its the first rule in football! As for Rhodes and Armstrong, absolute goalscoring machines in Championship, we were blessed to have them here, but I do agree on your take about ability, they both just fell short for PL.

That's all a bit Hush-Hush.

Looks like Poku is going to QPR.

The Style Council - Walking the Night

I'd like to upgrade on both.

i think there is a trust meeting tonight at Blackburn library and perhaps after that, there will be some news.

If we do lose Dolan, we won't sign a better replacement. Venky's are truly in their stingy era.

Poku from Peterborough maybe as good as Dolan. Free agent. Likely going to Rangers, but there are players to be found. £1m for sign-on fee and wages... You can find them, but it aint an easy task to get them to sign for this lot.

Maybe it’s just the calm before the storm.

Yep. Jilted lover stuff.

If Dolan had put the same amount of effort he showed in the last few weeks of the season into his earlier Rovers' career, I suspect he might have already moved on. Clearly, put himself in the 'shop window'. A very frustrating player who, IMO, lacks the two essentials for a forward with PL aspirations - pace (Rhodes had none and bombed in PL) and football intelligence (Adam Armstrong has little and also bombed in PL). As for 'circle spins', Stuart Metcalfe liked a few though in fairness Metcalfe was a talented footballer who for various reasons didn't make the most of his abilities.

Unfortunately some people fall for this.

I have been critical of Dolan but he has improved this season especially since he has played on the right. He is a good Championship wide man, not outstanding or stand out but he is our best player by quite a bit in that position. If we signed him for a million from another Championship club, we would see it as a good signing. Its not impossible that he makes a poor career move and doesnt kick on but some of the crap on here because he is leaving us this morning is laughable.

To paraphrase Paul on Nyambe however, Mum and daughter are probably the best judges of footballing ability in their house. 🙂

I said many moons ago that we should have targeted him to replace Rhodes. Wish we had, but at 35 I think the ship has sailed.

Pick's missus and Mani's 9 yr old daughter, neither with any football knowledge and barely any interest. Yes, great judges of footballing ability, thanks for that, that's that debate settled then...

It shouldn’t be forgotten that the reason the owners have conditions on sending money is because they broke the law, it’s a situation entirely of their own making.

He is into double figures against us.

Plus the conveyor belt of boardroom, management and coaching staff - again a direct result of their poor recruitment, negligence, cost cuts, lies and lack of ambition - enables them to continually hide behind a 'new era' as each new manager/CEO/Head of can come along and ask for a clean slate, forget about the past, nothing to do with me, lessons have been learned and the cycle starts all over again.

My worry is it's all over and disbanded.

Not the point. If he or anyone does enquire and there is no answer, more fuel to the protest group against Pasha. You said you would take credible offers to Venkys…

Dolan has his faults. Completely agree he slows down attacking plays with his needless circle spins. Could move the ball quicker,Be more consistent. yet this is the championship and players who have quality and don’t tick all boxes usually end up at that level. On the other hand is his work ethic,determination, gave everything he had despite his performances. These type of players don’t come very often and yes we could replace his ability but it would take more than we can afford.