RobinRobin

Rafa signed a contract and honoured it.

I see that it is now being argued that VAR should have disallowed Schar's goal, because it touched Hayden's arm, so we were lucky to get a draw I also noted a couple of times on the broadcast when we had shouts for penalties, and there were few if any replays shown. If that had been one of the top four or six (or whatever it is now), we would have seen 43 replays to show it should have been a penalty (even the one where Joe tripped himself).

The game was calling out for Shelvey to replace one of Longstaff or Hayden in the last 15 minutes, but no, we get two defenders and another striker for no one to provide the ammunition. At least it was a right back this time, not a left back.

Probably could not have picked a worse series for him to start his test career, but you have to face them all some time. He was not that flash in the first innings against Ireland either, but got a good score in the second. I think they need to stick for the rest of the series. Then see how he goes against NZ in the winter. It needs someone else to start making good runs, to go on tour, and displace him. He needs some confidence, perhaps a dropped catch letting him off the leash, and he could go on to to be a Warner (without the punches and sandpaper).

What they said then, doesn't count now - don't you understand that yet?

I think that was the implication.

I agree. Not been at his best, really, and could have really stuffed up when letting the Aussies get off the leash in the second innings (as did Stokes), but then did not hold up the batting side of things, so not really missing his batting. Would like to get Curran in for his left arm difference and batting, but as you say, Broad has been brilliant and Archer is going nowhere either.

Did that for Botham all those years ago. Had to bring back Brearley as captian and he then went to Headingley

As if we needed more evidence of the inappropriateness of the decision.

Couldn't happen to a nicer Souness acolyte

Fulham?

Thank god for that.

For fuck's sake, stop sugar coating it

I assume he was a coward, though

Nice to dream but it is probably just that. Lightning unlikely to strike twice, I fear.

Wouldn't have been piss, though.

Certainly won't be Heckler & Kochs

Thrush?

Frighteningly prescient

Not just the turkeys voting for Christmas then.

Thanks for fucking that up then

Plenty of times to get their hopes up unrealistically, and much more fun when it all goes to shit

Need to hit towards the goal for that to help!

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