Lucas

I think if given the option, Chelsea would be open to a sell whilst the futures of Haaland and Kane were still up in the air, especially the former.

Think you're being a tad harsh to Stokes. Never forget what he's done for us in the past including Headingley. Don't forget he's missed most of the year battling mental health, I don't think the Ashes was the best time to come back for him personally but given our predicament, I think he felt he owed it to us to play. He was a shadow of himself unfortunately. We've not had a decent opener since Cook unfortunately so everytime Root is coming to the crease, we are 1 or 2 down for 20 odd. I don't rate Burns or Hameed at all. They are incapable of seeing off the new ball and rarely put together big scores. Definitely don't put the pressure back on the bowling attack like Trescothick or Strauss would. Buttler deserves dropping. He's the biggest one for me, a brilliant ODI and T20 star but at test level its not for him. I'd also drop Bairstow. They both survive on their name and because we have no emerging back ups but it's time to drop them from the test equation going forward. I do think we miss Archer and we've been unlucky to lose him as long as we have, which puts yet more emphasis on Jimmy Anderson who we over rely on. The others like Wood, Woakes etc are majorly inconsistent. And finally, we miss a good spinner. Giles and Swann carried the flag for the best part of recent years but other than Rashid, we've really struggled to produce top class spin. Leach doesn't have the weapons and he's a specialist. I'd even rate Moheen above him.

To be perfectly blunt, Auba is not a leader anyway. He's not really demonstrated that in the time he has been there, seems a bit of a liability to me. Arsenal, despite the one step forward, one step back form they have been showing in the league, are progressively getting better and with the likes of Ramsdale, White, Tierney, Saka, Smith Rowe etc have the perfect excuse to make one of those with a long term future at the club, as Captain. They are the faces of the club now and the one's, the next generation of Arsenal players will look up to.

My work colleague is a Chelsea STH in the Shed and said we were one of the best set of fans to come down for a while. Not that it's any crumb of comfort. But we did play well and we should have won. Missing some big players and yet Bielsa didn't bat an eye lid. He said we'd be competitive still and he was right. Gameplan almost worked to a tee.

Cracking day for England in salvaging the game but it's the hope that kills you. When you are on top like that, you don't want the day to end so for me, the morning session is absolutely huge tomorrow. These are set now and we need them to go on. If we collapse for 100-150 more then all that hard work is undone. If we can get to Tea with 5 wickets in hand and a rough lead of 100, Stokes and Buttler could come in and have some fun and really turn the momentum. All ifs and bits though.

I agree on the batting side of things for sure, if they had hung in there and even made 250-300, it's a start. We needed the likes of Malan, Root, Stokes to steady the ship. I just think the experience of not having those seamers, especially Broad v Warner and Jimmy steaming in, especially given the cloud cover and conditions would have been ideal and made it easy for us to bowl first. I also wonder if playing Jack Leach over say Broad was a good call also but its done now and we are staring probable defeat in the face.

1-0 is a formality. England have really gambled on the Day/Night tests resting Jimmy and Broad IMO. Just play your best team and deal with the consequences as they happen.

There could be 12 down with Covid and Dele Alli still wouldn't become an option.

Yeah, you're right it did and after some amazing seasons, especially series 4 where IMO it peaked at its highest, it became a bit of a disappointment in the way it headed. That said, I do like this new series.

Dexter New Blood. 4 Episodes in so far and it's warming up quite nicely. I like the route they have gone with it and the back and forth Dexter is having trying to shake his 'Dark Passenger'. Having a teenage Harrison now in the frame has really added a new dynamic.

Third wheeling with my girls.

The other thing with kits constantly changing every year is people are never happy. Kit manufacturers have to show some kind of visable change. They either go for something completely different to the previous design which nearly always upsets many or look to tweak it and it's too boring and similar to what they had before. I think if you at least got used to wearing the same strips two years on the trot, by the time new kits were released they would all feel a little fresher and people would be a bit more positive about them. The internationals have it about right, seems to be a couple years before every tournament. I also think for those that commit to a season ticket, they should get a shirt of their choice half price with the money they are already putting into the club, as a thankyou.

Netflix is superior but they have to do something about these bullshit 'exclusive' Netflix films they make. They are lucky to hit the target, I don't think it's unfair to say two, or three out of every ten are watchable. I say this as someone that always get's sucked in

Can't knock it. That's how we roll lad.

My turn. Sausage Casserole with some freshly cut buttered Tiger Bread. Proper winter grub.

You can just tell that will taste nice by the coating on the Cheese. I'd give that a right go!

If you liked that Halloumi @Tommy, try making some home made kebabs sometime. I did some with Chorizo, Tomatoes and Peppers on the kebab stick and a drizzle of sweet Chilli sauce over the Halloumi. Hits the spot.

Poor thing, looks like it's either infected or got some kind of cataract (no pun intended)

I just finished watching The Chestnut Man on Netflix. Basically Danish police in a Cat and Mouse chase, hunting a serial killer who leaves a little man made of chestnuts as his calling card but obviously, much more to it than that but it's the jist. Only 6 episodes but really enjoyed it. Cleverly done and all came together nicely with no loose ends. I do like that moody Nordic noir vibe, especially this time of year. Proper good wintery, afternoon TV. Would recommend particularly if you like that style.

Well, if he is good looking, kind hearted, decent in the kitchen and also doesn't read before he speaks then yes My bad, it's a Male thing. We can't help ourselves.

Stir of Echoes, Kevin Bacon is your man.

Woy Hodgson. Actually wouldn't be surprised at all. Experienced, done it at West Brom, Fulham and Palace, players seem to like him and tactically would probably have you more organised. Infact, as a short term option to just get through to next summer and keep you up, it's not a bad idea.

Ok, I'm just gonna chuck this out there. I actually wondered whether there was a small chance they might look at Gareth Southgate. The FA haven't offered him a new deal yet, currently runs to end of the World Cup next year. His stock has probably risen during his time with England enough to be considered for certain big roles, such as Newcastle and what's going on there. Fully appreciate he isn't just going to walk away from the World Cup with a year to go, it's what he's ultimately built towards after all, but it feels like that might be his last stab at a tournament before wanting to go back into club management. Makes you wonder if they would possibly come to some arrangement where they stick someone in as interim boss until Southgate becomes available. Graeme Jones is obviously a coach there now, knows the players, and he's worked with Southgate in the England set up. It could be a seamless transition. They may not want to go with a big bang approach straight away. I don't know, may not be the case either but I'm just chucking it out there. Could be one potential thought. Could you envisage Southgate there? I definitely think I could. And if they do target some English players, they would be well aware he'd know a lot about them. I think it might split the fanbase though expecting a bigger name with more credentials.

That's a shame. I was hoping it would be Temuri Ketsbaia.

More chance of Newcastle resigning Peter Beardsley.