Better than expected. Full backs are just atrocious. Bell can’t control the ball.

Struggling to think of a worse Rovers defence. That Fulham side will have a field day. Let’s hope they declare at 4 goals.

Reed on their bench.

Jesus Christ. That back 4. Let’s hope Tosin turns out to be Bobby Moore

Not holding out much hope today or in the next month of fixtures. Defence was that Achilles heel of last season and not convinced much has been done about it. With no lenihan then it’s a very makeshift back 4. The Charlton goals were classic rovers. An unchallenged cross which found a man either unmarked or untracked. Then a header off a corner unchallenged. I suspect more of the same.

This is true one year we were sat in a pub in York and a wheelie bin floated past the window at lunch time. 20 miles away at skeletors lair they still got a game on. Cracking the flags now.

Like that one.

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https://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/news/17814840.catalans-dragons-v-warrington-wolves-crowd-trouble-video/

I reckon Tony will be desperate to shoehorn his favourites and signings in so wouldn't be surprised to see: Walton Bennett Lenihan Tosin Downing Evans Johnson Gallagher Dack Armstrong Graham In which case 1-3 Charlton

That’s come around quickly. Disappointed that going into the first game with the defensive issues not really addressed. I’d go with: Walton Nyambe Lenihan Mulgrew Bell Travis Johnson Rothwell Dack Armstrong Graham I know Mulgrew is a defensive liability but think it would be unfair on tosin to expect he can form a centre half partnership after a handshake with Leninhan a few days ago. Id rather not see Evans or Bennett. I don’t want to see Gallagher or Brererton stuck out on the wing either 2-1 Rovers. And with the fixtures really need 3 points.

Hopefully more of the same today. Still impressed by the doggedness of Burns. He’s not the most pleasant to watch and on another day could have been out 6 times. But all that being said Smith is horrible to watch and he’s arguably the most effective batsman in the world. I’ll be so pissed off if bairstow comes in, having watched Burns graft all day, gets frustrated after not scoring a boundary for 5 deliveries skips down the wicket trying to put the bowler back over his head only to see his middle stump cartwheeling out of the ground. I do think some of the white ball superstars of Roy, Buttler, Bairstow, even Ali need to remember test cricket can exploit a batsman’s technique in a way that doesn’t happen in ODIs. I know they’re in because they play in a certain flashy way but I just wish they’d remember that in this format strike rate is the least important factor. There’s 450 overs in a match not 4.

Great day. Didn’t see that coming especially from Burns.

Not sure what to make of this transfer window. Hive of activity but Reed out and better than anyone we’ve brought in. Raya out no one properly replaced him. Then still haven’t really addressed defensive issues. Or putting massive hope in this kid from citeh.

As a Lancastrian I’d defend jimmy to the hilt. But he clearly played when wasn’t fit and hadn’t recovered from his injury at Sedburgh. Think he needs to be more honest. So difficult when operating with a bowler down.

Phew.

Say 2 overs left. I fully expect Burns out followed by the night watchman soon after.

Hugely frustrating. We had them well and truly on the ropes. I don’t think we’re capable of 300. We have just got to be content with the fact we’ll be 30/3 then build from that and not panic at that point. We’ve given up trying to get Smith out now. 9 men on the boundary. Making it very easy for him.

Definitely need to work out a way of getting Smith out. Otherwise he’ll singlehandedly beat us.

The annoying thing about the Australians is they never know when they’re beaten. At 122/8 we’d have been all out 130 maybe 140.

I must be a curmudgeon because I don’t like names and numbers on cricket whites let alone in a test match, an ashes no less. Particularly as the numbers seem arbitrary. I fear it’s the slow walk to colours, fireworks, stumps lighting up and music.

Technically Blackburn and Blackpool are unitary authorities. Do we even qualify as Lancastrian from the boundary butchering act.

Not what I was expecting clicking on a topic about Lancashire’s greatest player. Think from what older boys have said Finney. From what I’ve seen Shearer.

I had one of those head in hands moment at someone’s (who I’m guessing is Lancastrian) knowledge of traditional county boundaries.

We might not know how to get Smith out (ashes average of 137.4) but not to worry just get the rest of them. Terrible shot by Paine. 112/7??