Coppello

I guess it’s a bit of a catch 22 though. If they don’t get an overseas and Tres came in and flopped, fans would be claiming the board haven’t given their all to win the title. There’s definitely pros and cons to it all. Today was a huge day with regards to the title race.

I think we’ll bat close up to lunch tomorrow and get the lead past 400. It is improbable that they would win from here but we still need to put the game completely out of sight. Thankfully the best Essex can hope for is a draw!

Abell gone for 62. We probably have done enough but I would like a little more on the board so I can be completely comfortable!

I'd somehow completely missed the game next week and was just sat there wondering how you can have a season where everyone's only played 13 games ? Agreed, it is a dangerous game but I wonder if it is something they would consider. Given that we haven't scored that many runs this season it would be a huge risk!

If we win and Essex lose this week, can we not create an absolute road for the final game?!

4-2!

Bloody hell. I went into a meeting at half 10, come out at 11.15 and it's all over!

Great day in the context of Essex too with them struggling at Edgbaston and Warwickshire finishing the day with seven wickets in hand. If they could bat out 60% of tomorrow they could almost eradicate the chance of Essex winning.

27-1 - Gregory with the wicket.

Yorkshire are off to a very aggressive start - 2 sixes in the first 3 and a half overs. They do realise the game isn't finished today?!

199 is gutting, we've got to hope that Essex struggle to get anything with the bat in the first innings. Having said that, if we match their result this week and beat them on the final day, we should win regardless of the batting points situation.

Until I jinxed it again. No more updates from me.

At least Warwickshire are going well. 81-0 off 25 overs.

I was going to refrain from posting as I knew that I would jinx it!

Somerset currently 28-1 against Yorkshire, whilst Essex are bowling against Warwickshire who are 40-0. Big four days of cricket coming up!

For what it is worth @ZiderEyed and @Ska Junkie, there is already a 4% levy on all transfers paid by the purchasing club which is used by the PFA. This would've been used to foot the shortfall in wages during the difficult periods faced by Bolton and Bury. It doesn't go the extra step that you stated previously, in terms of being used as a more concrete fund to keep the club afloat but it is a good idea. In reality, if they completed annual proof of funding checks for owners, it would alleviate many of the issues early doors. It's a sad day for Bury football club day and really hope they survive.

This is a joke. The only saving grace is that the pitch is apparently all over the place and Essex have to bat on it too.

Any now 7-4

And now Kent are 7-3 ??

Essex have lost a few early wickets against Kent. Currently 44-4.

I can't help but feel that the Championship is running away from us a little. Essex going well against Kent and Somerset have a big first innings total to chase in a rain affected match. There's not too many games left and, if we're not careful, it won't even go down to the final day.

Another decent article about Leach: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/49322966

@Mr Popodopolous, thanks but you clearly wear that crown! In all honesty, I've taken a bit of a backseat regarding Championship FFP as I've found the whole thing a little disheartening and feel like we're part of a losing battle. I will have a little read of this over the coming days and share my thoughts. The whole thing is an absolute shambles though no doubt!

Cheers, I've just found it: It's actually a completely pointless post by him as the losses haven't been adjusted for infrastructure spend and therefore we are fine. We were probably closer than we should've been in 17/18 but we will register significantly better results in 18/19 because of the sales of Reid, Bryan and Flint. It's actually misleading and no doubt someone will start circulating it when we're complaining about the FFP dealing of Derby and Sheffield Wednesday etc.