Duquesne Whistle

Often has posts that provoke thought, whether you like it or not. Surely that's a good thing? Merry Christmas @The People's Hero

He's not really made the best job of that part. It's obvious the way he wants to play, we just don't have, and haven't signed, the correct players to do it. His folly was in continuing to play that way once it was clear we really couldn't. That's really what got us unto this rut. He obviously hasn't been helped by injuries but he should have found a way to adapt. So far, I don't think he has.

My main objection was the footballing authorities putting a blind man in charge of a football match. Cowardly (non) decisions were the biggest bugbear.

I don't think he's had the best of treatment at times, to be fair to the lad. He's retreated into the doleful looking character he was when he was last struggling. He has been messed about a bit though and it must be difficult to keep motivation when you've had the season he had last season yet find yourself on the periphery again.

He plays more like he has long Rigor mortis to be honest.

He's never done fvck all for us when you really think about it.. smh

Haha. I was being facetious, sorry. It was the fact your post had no text. Not my best attempt at humour tbf

That's true, but only in the short term I reckon. The financial implosion in English topflight football will come. It's just that no one knows when.

I think you need to turn your appliances volume up.

Griezmann below Ederson Tielemans below Luke Shaw This must be Ray Charles list of the top 100 male footballers...

Sad but almost expected news. At least the St Johnstone supporters won't have to attend for a month after 5 straight league defeats... This has to put a huge financial strain on Scottish league clubs, many of whom are existing on a shoestring. Sad times.

Robinson's body language didn't look great, granted. He's a young man though, not used to seeing his side dominated in 90 degree heat, like the other bowlers who played. I think it may just have been disappointment, in the main. I do agree that Root is allowed to call out any part of the team, it's something he's probably not done enough, but it's also a very fine line. Aussie tours are notoriously difficult for England, he can't afford to misjudge it and have any bowlers too pissed off. I sort of agree with you saying the bowlers should all grow a pair, but they bail out the batsmen usually, rather than the other way around. This bowling too short lark hasn't just appeared under the new coach though, it's been going on for a long time. When they pitched up on Saturday morning, they caused (all) of the Aussie batsmen problems, so they are all capable on these pitches. Wood is unfortunately just too fragile to play all the time.

As I said, I don't disagree. I'd personally say our batting has been worse than our bowling though, though neither has been anywhere near good enough. Australia haven't just beaten us twice in 2nd gear, they've thrashed us twice in 2nd gear.. For his first tour in Australia, I think Robinson has done alright. It's a harsh learning arena out there. The rest haven't been great, as you say

We haven't bowled particularly well, but the bowlers have been bailing out the batsmen for a long time now. It goes back years. I don't think there's anything wrong with Root trying this tactic, particularly if there's too much back chat from Broad and Anderson, but even Root knows where the continual fault lies. We've bowled too short in many a match, so there is a point to be made, but we've also bowled brilliantly at times (not this series), I can't say we've batted brilliantly too often, if at all really. Hard to argue with your contention that we haven't done any discipline nearly well enough in this particular series though.

Made his City debut against Bobby Moore and Geoff Hurst. One of my favourite players of that era and a great servant for the club.

I was being facetious tbh We really didn't lay a glove on them that day. Chilly is disliked on here (in the main), I can understand that somewhat, but there's no doubt he's been adding an extra dimension to Chelsea when fit. It's not simply a coincidence that they've faltered a bit since he's been out.

Might be setting myself up for a fall here, but I wonder if Overton is worth a go in the 3rd test. It'll depend on the pitch at the MCG, but his high delivery point from 6ft 5ins might just give the Australian batsmen something else to think about. I still don't think the Aussie batting is that great and Smith, has had a reasonably lean start, by his standards. I can't say Overton has particularly impressed me before, but it's an option. Woakes has been messed about by England and I'm a fan of his, but he has to make way in the next test. Robinson has done enough to play again, if he's fit enough, so the other place is between Wood, Overton and Leach, unless one of Broad or Anderson is rested so two of those three can play. They bowled much better this morning (pitching it up helped) and were pretty unlucky to pass the edge on a number of occasions, but we do need more variety. It sounds defeatist with 3 still to play, but I'm already just hoping we bugger up the Aussies Boxing day test by putting up an hitherto well hidden resistance. I'd take 1-4 now, if we could win that one.

We really softened Chelsea up in that 0-3 defeat. They've been shite ever since.

You used to feel you were indecisive, but now you're not so sure?

Were they Gola? That could explain it.