jim mk2

The only hope is that Toth, Tronstad, Wharton and Hedges (!!!) come back as soon as possible and none of them get injured to the end of the season. Without them, we’re certain to be relegated. Even with them playing regularly, and alot of luck, it’s going to be tough. This is as poor a squad as I can remember in my 60 plus year lifetime of support

Yes, been saying it all season

It's been pointed out several times that Ismael's lasted an average of 7 months at all the clubs he's managed, so he's already overdue for potting. But the great minds at Ewood saw fit to give him a 3-year contract so we better get used to it. Onwards and downwards.

England were basing their “feared” pace attack on a fit and firing Wood - which was always a gamble given his injury record. File his inevitable departure in the debacle file along with Stokes’s poor captaincy, McCullum’s unwarranted bravado, and the players’ inept batting, bowling and fielding. England could of course win 3-2 but I’ll eat my flat cap if they do

Whether (geddit?) or not the match goes ahead, one thing is almost certain: that the uncertainty will mean the attendance is likely to be among the lowest in the modern era. Sub 8,000 is my prediction, though of course the official figure will be higher. The resident statto wildesdenover will provide the relevant figures in due course.

England played some decent cricket against India last summer, battled hard and got their heads down when they had to against a top team. Then the final Test, a chance to beat India 3-1, England needed about 40 to win with 6 wickets in hand and loads of time to do it. So why did Smith dance down the pitch and try to smash the ball for 4 when England could have to the target easily nudging singles? It’s brainless stupid unthinking cricket to me and I blame McCullum and Stokes for this muddle headed approach that has led to the present debacle

A fine gesture towards fans who attended yesterday (including Sheffield Wednesday) would be free entry for the replay and half price for everyone else. What odds above nil are there of that happening?

Sorry I don’t understand why fans would want us docked points that would almost certainly lead to relegation. Docking us points won’t lead to a change of ownership - or any other positive outcomes. A fine is appropriate

Remember it well Parson unfortunately. Pitches were terrible in winter then (and into the 1990s - watch some of the title winning matches) but soil and grass technology has improved enormously since and there is no excuse for what is happening now. We’re the talk of football again - but this time for the wrong reasons. It’s embarrassing and very damaging for the club

The league will be scrutinising us now and I think some sort of heavy fine is inevitable and probably welcome if it forces the Ewood hierarchy to act and buy or hire proper equipment to keep the pitch playable. In the longer term the pitch clearly needs relaying in the summer. The worry is if another match is called off this season, and then the risk is that league might consider docking us points, which would be a disaster given our current position. It's just another sign that the club is slowly being run into the ground, as the reporter from the Sheffield Star noted. Ewood is being starved of investment and tired and shabby, and it looks it. Even in the posh seats in the Jack Walker Stand it's noticeable. We had a meal there a few years ago and the whole place looked like it needed a revamp. The toilets, quite frankly, were disgusting. This is also so sad ....... and the torment of these despicable owners shows no sign of ending

Pathetic and predicted It was said of previous England teams but this is the same: they can't bowl, they can't field and they can't bat (Root sometimes excepted) England should have won the last home Ashes series but Stokes blew it with his stupid declaration in the first Test England should have beaten India last summer but threw it away in the last Test because of the stupid Bazball mentality It isn't "arrogance"; it's downright stupidity England are an embarrassment against a very average team. Stokes and McCullum should be sacked when the inevitable Ashes defeat is confirmed And Keys can go too

You were saying old chap? I thought England were 100 light on 1st innings and it looks like going that way. You don’t win by Tests by dropping catches and giving wickets away - the difference between us and them

Archer’s 32 is the surprise of the day, the lad can hardly hold a bat properly. Hats off to Root, a proper Test cricketer. Why can’t the others play like him and treat each ball on its merits instead of trying to attack all the time? Bazball nonsense. Is 325 a decent score? Let’s see

Seven down, Jacks chasing another wide one. Brainless batting. The bowler didn't have to do anything. I'd take anything above 270. Root 100. Well played Joe. Hope it sticks in the convicts' craw

This lot have a death wish it seems. Brook and Stokes both nicely settled and then doing something silly. The useless Smyth gone too. 250 all out?