Johnson is just on another level at the moment, shame he is 32 and not 22

Is it hell! What's he been taking?

Well Australia just absolutely took apart the no.1 ranked team in the world on their own patch. Making the removal of Flower an all the more ludicrous decision in my opinion.

Does rather add a different perspective to the ashes series. And that Mitchell Johnson validated my comments completely about half a dozen posts back.

Totally agree. Professional sport isn't about building a squad of well-rounded, decent individuals. Its about building a squad of the very best players, regardless of their personalities, and getting it to work. Thats good management. Dumping every "trouble-maker" in the team isn't good management, its giving up and reducing the one thing that wins matches, ability.

Ive frequently pointed out that my cricketing knowledge could probably be written on the back of a stamp but in my lifetime I'd have to say that the match winners at Test match level are nearly always the bowlers. Most teams have a few quality batsman and middle order is usually Ok but the quality of the bowlers are almost always the difference.

btw Steve.... I'm sure this Ashes series has proven that as a necessary ingredient for success attitude is right up there if not above ability.

The Pietersen situation is an odd one as he has always been troubling in dressing rooms be it at Natal, Notts, Hants or England. However I can't help but feel that he is a scape goat as his influence in the dressing room obviously wasn't a problem when England won home and away to Australia or when they beat India 4-0 to go to 1 in the world, or when they won the T20 WC. My biggest problem with dropping Pietersen is the fact that Cook had a choice in the matter and I feel that you go down a dangerous road when your captain effectively becomes a selector as Australia found out when they made Clarke a selector.

I heard on the radio this week that it was Cookes personal intervention that got Pieterson re-instated when he'd been dropped previously for being a knob. I guess he must have bitten the hand that fed him somewhere along the ashes tour.

Careful then. They had a bad chef who did em lots of damage. New one I think is ex Ribble Valley Inns and the food is much better.

I've been championing the O&O since it opened Abbey. You cant go wrong there.

If you like that then try the Butlers Arms too. They have a 'Market menu' on at £9.99 for two courses. As far as the starter is concerned I can't get past the superb poached egg on bacon and chorizo and there is always an interesting and varied choice of main course. If there is nothing on that that you fancy they will happily oblige with something from the A la carte menu.

So much competition that at the moment people around here can't go far wrong when dining out .

Apropos KP, if there's no one better at the moment to replace him, why shaft him. He can be the game breaker, he's proved it many times before.

No doubt you've often heard the saying "If it aint broke dont fix it." Well this is the counter argument. I find it odd that after months of crowing about Australia's superiority over England that you now criticise when we take remedial action.

Nobody is indespensible and change needs to be continual and progressive. Switching sport but look at the rejuvination of Germany under Joachim Low's 'out with the old and in with the new' policy. (better I suggest if someone could get Woy to.). Low binned off many of Germany's tired old stalwarts to much criticism but the new look Germany performed brilliantly.

Does anybody know any nice restaurants around the north Cheshire area (Macclesfield, Knutsford, Altrincham, Wilmslow, etc.)? I'm wondering where to take my beloved for dinner for Valentines. Or if I should cook at home...

Also, what's the procedure for proposing?

That reminds me of an old un............

A bloke brings his mate home to meet his wife after work. Afterwards she screams at him .

"You stupid @#/?! Why did you do that without warning me? My hair is a right mess and I've no make up on. The house is an absolute tip, the dishes aren't done and I'm still in my pyjamas. It's the wrong time of the month and I couldn't be arsed to cook you any tea. Why the bloody hell did you bring him round here?

Her husband replies.....

"Cos he's thinking of getting married"!

We had a few do it in the Auberge, the knee jobs seemed to work best

I imagine it's 'blow' rather than 'knee' that are responsible for most proposals.

btw did you have Auberge in a past life yoda?

Correct.... Hindsight is easy of course but it couldnt have been worse if we'd binned him off 4 months ago. He appears to be the scapegoat but I doubt he is the only rotten apple in that barrell though. If he could influence the squad to such detriment it doesn't say much for the rest of em does it?

Or a similar bill!

Personally I'm not a great fan of the Northcote experience. probably a case of 'pearls before swine' but it's a little too stuffed shirt for me with lots of diners who are there primarily to be seen.

What's the rest of the:

Don't sell my Rhodes,

My super Jordan Rhodes,

I just don't think you understand,

If you sell my Rhodes,

My super Jordan Rhodes..

Dunno.... but I'm working on it.

All seating hasnt helped with chants. Was easier to start new songs when groups where all stood together.

Given the amount of empty spaces on the Blackburn End there should be no problem for singers to get together.

You lot are lucky to have chants - I am in the Jack walker stand - we don't have chants.

Magic isn't it.

Sorry I know it's a bit off topic one place that looks really nice is our very own catering Northcote at rovers. A very good friend of mine eats quite a lot at the one up near Brockhall and he advises me it (Northcote) is really good nosh well worth the dosh.

Hey you should write to them Brfcrule1. I'm sure Messrs Bancroft, Howarth and the owners of Northcote will be happy to adopt that as a strap line for their advertising and promotional literature. Who knows they may even print it on the napkins.

The one that is (was) very much in vogue during January was "Don't sell Rhodes, super Jordan Rhodes..." Pretty much drowned out every other chant at the games I went to in January!

I seriously doubt there was even a bid to turn down.

Our collection of chants (especially at home) is pretty poor and unimaginative. Years of having the drummer seemed to limit decent new chants

I blame comprehensive education and Playstations for the lack of humour, invention and wit.

Much more imagination and innovation employed in the 60's and 70's and much more spontaneity too. Sat was set up for a quick 'where's your incey gone?' to the tune of chirpy chirpy cheep cheep and 'Ruby , Ruby, Ruby' could be easily adapted too. 'Down with the North End' would've wound em up too. There's loads of opportunity for a spot of originallity now that we don't have to concentrate on the football as much. .

Personally I don't 'get' the attraction that he has. Crikey there is even a range of 'Heston' specs available.

Heard about this from someone who works there.

Hope they know what they are doing. It's not a great location and has changed owners many times. They'll be relying on their reputation to make it work.

It's a brilliant location Stuart! Big place, great setting massive car park etc. The only problem is the fact that it has been in a number of less than competent hands for years. If the owners have a good reputation (which I believe they have) I expect lots of their old regulars will follow them.

is nobody eating out at the moment? Or trying anywhere new? I keep looking for a good recommendation so that we can try somewhere new but haven't seen one for ages. See the Feildens have got their early bird offer back.

Somebody must be. Everybody I speak to who has been to the Millstones at Mellor keeps telling me that it's packed out.

btw Don't know if it's been mentioned but the tenants from the Myerscough are moving and opening up in their own right at the Spread Eagle at the top of Saccary Lane.

Audax the system you describe, usually referred to as "clipless," takes very little time to get used to, after a couple of falls it becomes instinctive.

I think if you fall off in London traffic you stand a Bloody good chance of going under someones wheels and ending up 'brown bread'. Damned inconsiderate too.... You would no doubt spoil the poor driver's tea.

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/01/28/how-to-test-the-brakes-on-a-tank_n_4678752.html?icid=maing-grid7|ukt1|dl6|sec1_lnk1%26pLid%3D239572

Good craic this.... but can anyone imagine the furore if they'd done this with Taliban prisoners?

Belligerent and overly aggressive cyclist here got his comeuppance. Asked for it too imo.

http://travel.aol.co.uk/2014/01/28/video-motorist-punches-cyclist-london-road-rage-attack/?icid=maing-grid7|ukt1|dl2|sec1_lnk1%26pLid%3D239657

I'd no idea there were so many of them in London. There seem to be bloody millions of them no wonder they are always getting knocked off their bikes..... one way or another. I'd have been tempted to check my cab for dents and get his name and address if I'd been the taxi driver.

Must say the authorities must take a share of the blame for setting up road markings which appear to promote undertaking by cyclists and then encouraging them to fill the centre of the road and block off of motorists. Daft bloody system must have been dreamt up by one of the buggers. I guess the solution should be to licence the bikes, make them display registration plates and then subject them to road tax and congestion charges.

*Pretty obvious to me that they wear head cameras to stir the pot too.

Dear Lord H-H,

As an Englishman why would you be celebrating this ? Also look at your pathetic signature.

You're like a Rover supporter who switches sides to Burnley and then comes on here to crow about it.

Contemptible.

I'm an Australian Citizen, John.

My pathetic signature highlights previous comments made by yourself, John.

BTW John, I'd never support Burnley, despite my late F-I-Law being a Claret.

But then, I've never compromised myself by working for someone whose politics has been the opposite to mine. Still taking Rupert's 30 pieces of silver, John?

Remember Rupert, John, he was Australian, sold his heritage for the Fox Network, didn't he John?

John? Whose John?

Flower..... stem? Are you suggesting we need a root and branch clear out?

Now now Jim. You did set yourself up didn't you. I guess this is payback time. Take your punishment.

As for Dave I guess it's either a case of 'home is where the heart is' or just another attempt to ingratiate himself with the locals. Note at this point that Britons are not alone in being held in contempt by the Australian immigrants cos they've never showed much concern for the proper Australians either.

btw My old Dad always held little respect for emigrants cos he reckoned anyone who emigrated only did so because they couldn't cut it in their homeland.

Allow me to educate you- only England and Australia compete for the Ashes trophy.

Gotcha! Didn't need much bait there did I?