I don't know about anyone else, but for the past few years the media hasn't had a whiff of whats truly going on as far as I could tell? Maybe I'm reading the wrong newspapers or not reading the correct sites. This site on the other hand has had bullshit story after bullshit story from one source, all proven to be untrue, but I'll leave that one alone.

Our transfer business is much like the managerial appointment, laboured, pedestrian and eventually desperate. We are now waiting for other clubs with bigger budgets to do there bidding and see whats left. I remember Mowbray having the same predicament last season, his "A" targets went, his "B" targets went and he had to make do with "C" list, which actually turned out to be much better than anyone expected.

Clubs that get promoted from this division are not hamstrung by a wage structures such as ours, I know thats not your main point and most probably said in jest JH.

Spot on. We haven't got a pot to piss in, thats the reality in my opinion and has been for a few years now. Looking at the current squad, we are in dire straights before a ball is kicked, this could be a long old season.

Come on Lancashire. Send those soft southern fairies back to Essex with nowt other than fake tan, lips gloss and white stilettoes, and thats just the men!

James Caan has died aged 82, most will remember him playing Sonny in The Godfather, but also played a kidnapped writer in Misery.

Bumaneshwar Khumar is swinging the white ball around corners right now and has just cleaned up Butler for 0.

We are skint Neal, they’ll not play for peanuts regardless of who the manager is. JDT is now working under the same financial restraints as Mowbray, time to earn his money and use those European contacts, or we’re right in the mire.

Decent chase on here for England, 199 to win.

Would you concede he does belong at test match level? I take your point about Boycott, an England great no doubt about it, but he was often criticised for playing for the draw rather than trying to win matches, was that your take on him?

If take administration now to get rid of these owners, it’s death by 1000 cuts. Venkys Out.

Test match cricket has moved on Jim, the likes of Boycott blocking for 4 days for a draw in 1975 don't fit with the modern game. He's also ground out plenty of scores in the last 2 series, haven't you been watching? Bairstow game is mainly attack, he has the technique and temperament to attack the 2 best test teams in the world in NZ and India and has been phenomenal and long may it continue.

You told us Bairstow had poor technique, no cricketing brain and wasn't a test match batsman. Those comments look rather silly right now.

Paul Lambert was made promises by the owners on financial backing, they reneged of those promises almost immediately and Lambert walked. I have no doubt in my mind JDT was given assurances on transfer funds, if not why would he come here? I just hope those assurances are being stick to, or we'll see him move away from Ewood rather sharpish in my opinion and it won't be on our terms.

Tramlines festival for us in a few weeks time, promised some fiends we'd go a few years back and finally making it to the event in Sheffield. Someone will need to explain who most of the acts are, but I know James, Kasabian and The Coral 😎

Phenomenal, outstanding, what a difference a few months makes and a change of leadership. Just brilliant England.

Been sloppy so far Lancs, I’m not holding out much hope for this run chase, which normally would be routine.

Had tickets for a while o2g, given them to a mate and his wife. They’re currently struggling to download the app 😂

Trying to decide if I should go, weather looks ok, playing for a home ground advantage.

Has anyone watched the Sex Pistols mini series on Disney+? Mrs watching the first few right now, soundtrack sounds epic.

https://bobwillisfund.org/ Saving lives and supporting research. Cheers Bob.

Andy Gorman has died of cancer, I read recently that he’d refused treatment. Great keeper for Rangers and Scotland, good cricketer too. RIP Andy.

The football club is skint, that hasn't changed since Mowbray left, he spent nothing of note for 2yrs and I don't expect that promotion busting approach to change anytime soon. The rhetoric coming out of the club, talking about promoting academy players only lends strength to that. You need healthy transfer funds to get out of this league, or hefty wages, we have neither, but even in the face of adversity I'm looking forward to the season ahead. Venkys Out.

India 38/1 having been put into bat by England under grey skies.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-61980343 Dame Deborah James - She raised awareness of Bowel cancer and raised over £7m. A real hero. RIP Deborah.