47er

Really concerned about Bucko. My best member of him is that stunning goal at Birmingham last match of last season but one! I thought he'd kick on last season and reach Wharton A status! Maybe make or break for him now?

Barrington--the Bazball antidote! Now there's a man who protected his wicket!

So, at the moment do you feel we are taking 2 steps backward in orer to advance 4 forward? It doesn't seem that way to me. It seems we are in a cash crisis and we can't afford to sufficiently strength the side. Whatever else Waggot is up to, the main priority for him isn't being addressed.

Well I gave you the chance but you've chosen to keep digging.

I think we did indicate to him at the time that we felt he'd been conned.

TBF----We simply read what you write and draw conclusions. We're still awaiting the revolution you told us was round the corner but which you couldn't reveal details of for reasons of confidentiality. Hasn't happened has it?

My expectations were high for this season. We had some flops but produced some great performances , none better than to come back from 3-0 down at Millwall to win. However the lack of money available not just to strengthen the squad but to make up for those players we have lost has quite dissipated my enthusiasm. I think we've gone backwards. We will really struggle unless some big rabbits are pulled out of several hats before the window closes, yet the money isn't there. A real lost opportunity.

Given our propensity for conceding late goals, our nerves are going to be in even greater shreds this season!

As a Lancastrian, what about Statham?

Well it was posted on here at the time. I can't possibly find it from all that time back, haven't got the skills or the patience. Need some comment from anyone else who posted on this topic then.

because he's almost 40 and because he's got a lucrative contract with SKY!

There was a bonus for relegation. Posted on here at the time. Even a bonus for relegation to League 1 when we were in the Premiership at that point!

Sad.

Sorry EA, just noticed your post. Great minds think alike!

Archer? How long will the Battle of Archer's Elbow last? You've listed batters there (Root still got a few years left in him at this level I hope), I think most feel quite confident in that area but bowling looks thin, especially outside England. Saying that, we have loads of West Indians (no such country I know), Pakistanis and Indians etc living here--why doesn't the Test team reflect that? We'd have a better chance then. Take players of colour out of the England football squad and we'd look weak wouldn't we?

I very much admire the spirit and enterprise England have brought to Test Cricket. However, it needs world class players and we haven't got enough of them It also needs some common sense as I keep saying. Don't declare on the first day when you have the enemy on the run. Pick your best keeper. Doesn't matter how many runs Bairstow gets if he drops 3 or fumbles a run-out. Root saved his blushes this time, Bairstow didn't even move. So, much to look forward to but lessons must be learned.

Yes---Windies deserve that accolade alright. Absolutely unbeatable at that time.

They drew with NZ and will probably lose this Ashes Series.That's the last 2 series. On that basis your claims seem a little far-fetched. England currently are very entertaining---I've never disputed that. Some tweaking required though don't you agree? Foakes in for me, replacements for Anderson and Broad required. Accept that the batting line-up looks very settled but must attach more importance to protecting their wicket at key times.

Lets have some actual results before we make that sort of claim!

Not really, he sued for constructive dismissal and Venkys paid up. That man had no shame and would have stayed forever.

I think many managers would look at the way we are mismanaged and conclude that the job is impossible and could only damage their career. We will find it progressively harder to attract a quality manager.

Wicket! Root 91.

The problem with Bazball, and I've said it before, is that when it works out as it did today it hands the initiative to the other side in two ways. 1) we score very quickly but but taking risks means losing wickets regularly so we didn't get a big score. 2) the other side then have as much time as they could possibly wish for to make a big score for themselves taking no risks, and plenty of time to get us out a second time and bat again. If we are losing wickets we should consolidate, not take any risks and try patiently to build a score we can defend, not be all back in the pavilion well before close of play on the first day. Chaddy says the crowd wouldn't like this approach but surely, above all else, the crowd wants us to win?

Hope you are right. Total is under par as I think the Aussies will show. In that sense it was a tentative recovery.

We'd have to be disappointed with that total wouldn't we?