Lucas

Completely agree, daft and the EFL have probably made a rod for their own back there just as they will if they allowed the game to be postponed when they have enforced this Covid rule previously at the expense of other sides. The irony in all this is if Liverpool were to name who was available for the game, it would arguably be a virtual League Cup side they have been close to fielding before anyway. The fact it's a semi and the League has blown away from them in the past week or so has flipped the importance of this for them suddenly.

In fairness, you played a team of kids in the Quarter Final at Villa whilst taking the full team to the World Club Cup. I know that was out of your hands but just to play devil's advocate here. I'm not sure one extra round makes a difference now.

I appreciate that, fair point given your tie last year had about a shorter space in which to be completed. Just seems odd to me that the goalposts keep moving all the time that there is no consistancy in any of these situations.

I'm sure Liverpool fans couldn't give a fuck about this cup but, surely they should be made to play no? I mean, Aston Villa had to play a team of kids in the FA Cup against Liverpool last season. What is the difference?

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.