jim mk2

Stokes is an astonishing cricketer - in the context of the game that innings today has to be one of the best in the game's history. It was probably better than Botham;s too. Botham had Grahah Dilley with him- Dilley scored 56 while Stokes had to protect Leach, who is a rabbit despite his heroics against Ireland. And Stokes was probably our best bowler in Australia's 2nd innings. I just hope England can follow it up winning the series.

We haven't had a draw this season so this one looks a fair bet for a 1-1.

Hameed's problem is his over-protective, overbearing parents, I've read. Lancs have tried but the parents always have the final say. The lad has talent but there must be doubts now he will ever make it as a pro

I was there yesterday. I couldn't understand it either but Archer didn;t seem to be running at full pace - maybe because of the very soft outfield because of the rain . Apart from Broad and Archer, England bowled poorly overall. Australia at one stage were 130-2 on a bowling day Weren't any of England's batsmen watching Labuschagne who gave a demonstartion in the art of leaving the ball. If England lose this Root has to give up the captaincy

34-4, and 3 of those batsmen got out with horrendous shots. Only Root got a good ball.

Letting the opposition get round the back of our defence umpteen times in the first 30 mins is not a pattern you want to see every game. Cunningham shows the difference a solid full back makes. Mowbray needs to sort out the right back position now. Good win though. Unexpected.

Someone should remind him there is no law against successive promotions - many clubs have achieved it over the years. Tony loves playing for time. And so does his pension adviser

Mowbray is already overdue to leave the club, according to these stats. https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11688/9875915/average-tenure-of-managers-in-england-just-1-23-years The vast majority of managers have a limited shelf life. They do well for a while, then get found out or cannot sustain it long term. Mowbray probably knows his time at Ewood is almost up.

Madame thought Big Ben was a clock in London. At £7m it was a snip.

Do our owners know who Brereton is ?

There's a "feeling" something's not right at Ewood. Call it experience or just old age, but these feelings have been right in the past and it has not ended well for Rovers. Mowbray's demeanour is different too. Does he know he's made a mess of the transfer window, signed the wrong players, wasted money, and failed to fix the team's problems? Or has he realised he cannot take the club any further and his days are numbered as results gets worse? Either way, there's a growing sense of unease among supporters.

I'm not bothered about being entertained, Philip. Nor do I want fancy formations and strategies that confuse fans as well as the players. And yes, he's wasted money on players who aren't good enough and we don't need. I just want a pragmatic manager who gets the basics right. And for my own sanity I would like to see a defence that does not cave in under the slightest pressure. Mowbray shows no sign of delivering any of these.

Irrelevant. The comment was about how the best managers back their kids, and don't berate them in public like Mowbray.

You don't hang them out to dry in public, like Mowbray loves doing. Ferguson used to give the class of 92 the hairdryer treatment behind the scenes but would always back his kids 100% i the media

.............as we try to retrieve yet another 2-0 deficit.

Woodgate seems a daft appointment by Boro - would he have got the job if he hadn't been a Boro lad and former player? It seems they are short of money and are looking for the cheap and cheerful solution like most clubs in the hope it might work. Early signs are that Woodgate is a mistake but they have some potent players who will easily penetrate our soft and useless defence. 2-2 draw at the very best but wouldn't be surprised at another defeat.

Provides alot of compensation when the club you're supposed to be managing is doing badly.

Smallwood was a good player for us in League One. He deserves better than being humiliated tonight. The club should have helped him find another club this summer - and he would have departed with a farewell with a job well done.

Why should they look concerned? They've got another £30,000 pay slip coming next month.

Pep Mowbray decided to sacrifice a trip to Wembley so we can concentrate on our promotion push. The fans are with him on his strategy.

Is there a new football law that we have to concede 2 goals every game we play?

Dack's goal - awful League 2 defending. This is still an embarrassment.

No point trying to work out Pep Mowbray's strategy. Something's rotten in the state of Ewood.

Mowbray on easy street. £500k a year (guessing) going into his retirement fund and no one looking over his shoulder. His pension advisers love the commission.

In a proper football club, the manager would be hauled into the boardroom for an explanation after the start to the season we've had. Who is he answerable to?