jim mk2

Interesting thread - vast majority condemning his sacking and suggesting ulterior motives. Funny to see GAV struggling to hide his delight.

Nothing to do with hindsight. Call it experience or old age but it wasn't difficult for many people to see at the time that sacking Sam Allardyce at that stage made no sense and was likely to lead to disaster.

I had a gut feeling the day Sam was sacked that it was the beginning of the end for us. It was not the "right idea" at all and probably the worst decision I have seen at Ewood in 50 plus years of supporting the club.

Me too - I'd love to know what they are trying to do. Because from the outside looking in it looks as though they are trying to relegate us.

Ballance will return - he averages 50 in Tests (only the very best players average more than 50). He's been batting at No 5 for Yorkshire, which they see as his best position.

Nonsense. Winter tour places are at stake, plus these players have the incentive of a 4-1 win which would be a best ever Ashes winning margin in this country. Cook has been saying all week how important this match is.

It's been the same all series - two abject batting teams neither of whom know how to knuckle down in adverse conditions. At least we've won the series - which is all that can be said from England's indifferent performances.

Airbrushing of the truth here. Williams made good appointments in Souness and Hughes but he dithered far too long over sacking Souness when it was clear he had lost the plot - in the end Newcastle made the decision for him by taking Souness off our hands. As for Ince, Williams made an absolute howler in appointing Ince in the first place. .

Correct. Rub their noses in it, especially Smith, the next captain. But this is England - we're too nice. I'd keep Lyth one last time.

Root's a net bowler !

Que ?

The popular papers back all the "big clubs" - because it is in their interests to do so. The big clubs have the most fans / readers. How do you know "the majority of their readers hate United" ? Seeing as United probably have the biggest fanbase in the country it is highly unlikely anyway. Was the Moyes reporting gleeful ? I don't think so - just a cracking story. You're wrong on this. There's no anti-ManU agenda in the media.

So ManU aren't "media darlings" ? Every paper I read backs them to the hilt.

Sir Les Patterson, Kylie Minogue, Ned Kelly your boys took one hell of a beating !

I must admit I don't understand the way they play modern Test cricket. Watching England this morning, with so much time left in the match I can only think players from the past would have batted all day, posted a huge score and given Australia no sniff of a chance. Has Buttler never heard of the forward defensive shot ?

Bairstow's technique still isn't right. Mixture of good shots and awkward defence. Root is in the form of his life. Most enjoyable day of cricket in years - England must build on this tomorrow and make at least 450. .

How would you describe Australia's batting - criminal ? At least they've got one decent batter - Extras. Perhaps he should open the 2nd innings.

Cook was playing beautifully before he was out - a ridiculous dismissal. Lyth found wanting again but Bell should be made to do 100 lines for getting himself out like that.

Managers have to take difficult decisions with maverick big name footballers too - and the ones who cause problems in the dressing room or whose egos and the circus surrounding them gets so big they think they are bigger than the team itself (eg Beckham at ManU) don't usually last long. Pietersen has only himself to blame.

Edited: I've looked at some of his other stuff. It's all puerile, schoolboy rubbish. Does that count for serious comment down there ?

Usual one eyed view. Someone should tell him England have won the last 3 Ashes series at home. Not quite so "pathetic".

3rd series here in 6 years - it's getting boring to be honest. With the way they played I'd have preferred New Zealand to be here all summer.

It's a 450 minimum pitch, very placcid with nothing in it for the bowlers. Anything less is below par. Losing Buttler near the end was a blow. Bell has been out of form for so long I don't know why he was selected.

None of you have mentioned that Harris, their best bowler, is out of the tour and has announced his retirement,.

What does your post mean in plain English ?