Northern Red

We'll have also had a couple of extra days preparation, as we play on the Friday before and they play on the Sunday.

27 minutes ago, RedZepperin said:

Even now after all these years do I still find it comforting that RR can wheel out his "can't understand the difference between news and a rumour" routine and still raise a smile.

There are a few words I'd use to describe it, I'm not sure "comforting" is one of them though.

7 minutes ago, Curr Avon said:

I'm surprised the Mail haven't announced a national day of mourning. Oh and love to the (Royal) family. Thoughts and prayers people.

Not far off tbh:

It's not that Cam can't improve, more the relentless negativity even after a good performance. If Cam wasn't an issue then there'd be something else, because there always is where that poster is concerned.

Lost count of the number of times Conway would make a run only to be ignored.

Absolutely sensational.

It'd be hilarious if it was Gerrard but there's no way they're that stupid.

It'll be Alonso if Bayern don't nab him first.

16 minutes ago, Lrrr said:

Certainly some managerial changes have made the bottom of League 2 exciting, Cotts at FGR, Cowley's at Colchester, Robinson at Salford, Artell at Grimsby

Steve Morison at Sutton.

1 hour ago, Bobby girl said:

It is surprising how many fans go there for a big breakfast before the game, away fans also .

I dunno, for all their faults they've done a great job in cornering the market in cheap, quick food. And because they're absolutely everywhere, you know what you're getting most of the time.

2 minutes ago, bearded_red said:

I’m not saying it’s right, as it isn’t, but warm up games have largely died off for all countries. It’s not unique to this tour, it’s happens pretty much all the time now.

This England team didn’t even arrive in the country until earlier this week as they decided they’d rather train (play golf) in UAE.

Used to love watching Somerset play games before the test series against the touring team, unless I’m forgetting one they haven’t had one since Pakistan in 2016 as like I said, warm up games don’t really exist anymore.

Yeah, the calendar means there's now barely any time for warmups and when they do take place they're against inferior opposition (e.g county 2nd XIs over here) that doesn't really do an awful lot for the touring team other than getting used to the conditions.

England are actually going back to the UAE in the break between the 2nd and 3rd Tests. Their argument is that they can control where and when they train and how they use the pitches, which they wouldn't be allowed to do in India. And it definitely has nothing to do with the golf course down the road from their base in Abu Dhabi....

Nice of England to pay tribute to Stuart Broad in their use of reviews.

Not Stokes' finest hour of captaincy, it has to be said.

2 minutes ago, Slacker said:

Didn't leave us on the best of terms so very much doubt it.

Relations have improved in recent years and he's been to several games both at AG and the HPC.

Exactly the sort of appointment they need.

Now in caretaker charge.

Means he can be recalled if needed, we wouldn't be able to do that with an EFL loan.

Bit late now (though we were that bad, I'm not sure how much difference it would have made).