phantom

Can't see Arsenal winning all their remaining games, but if they do massive credit to them Tottenham and Man Utd away are two very tricky ties ahead I agree it's Man City's to lose now

This seems dubious to me, surely the pitch would need to naturally fuse with the ground below it? TAKEN FROM: Men's T20 World Cup: Australian cricket pitches shipped to USA - BBC Sport The pitches used in the United States at this summer's men's T20 World Cup will have had quite the journey when the first ball is bowled at the tournament - being transported over 14,000 miles. They have come in by ship from Adelaide in Australia, via Florida, as organisers run a major global cricket tournament in the USA for the very first time. Matches will be played at bespoke venues in New York, Texas and Florida. The opening game between USA and Canada, and the biggest game of the group stages, India versus Pakistan, will both be played in the States. There are 16 matches being played in the US, with the other 39 being held in the West Indies. And getting the States ready for cricket is quite the undertaking, especially when it comes to preparing cricket pitches. "Our aim is to produce pitches that have pace and consistent bounce, on which the players can play their shots," said Adelaide Oval pitch curator Damian Hough, who has been tasked with growing pitches in Australia and transporting them to the US. "We want entertaining cricket, but there are challenges." Work on the 10 drop-in pitches started at the beginning of October 2023 when they were initially planted in trays. Each pitch was split into two trays, with the end aim being the production of four match-ready pitches and six practice strips. A clay-like soil, which is also used at baseball venues in the US, is being used together with a particular grass which is suited to warmer climates and resistant to rolling and heavy use. The trays were transported in a shipping container on a boat from Adelaide to Florida in January. They have since grown in a warm climate - New York was enduring freezing temperatures at the time - prior to being taken by road to their eventual destination. To limit the time they are on the back of a lorry, two drivers will be employed to drive each vehicle, limiting the need to stop for breaks. It will then take Hough and his team 12 hours to bed the pitch in at the venues, some of which are being purpose built for the tournament. "I have mixed feelings," said Hough, who is a guest on this week's Stumped podcast. "I'm really excited, but I'm a bit anxious at the same time - there are still unknowns. "This is a long process. What we do know is we've given it our best shot. "We've thoroughly thought through every possible outcome and issue along the way and we're hoping that they're going to be some good cricket pitches."

Watching the Everton game it got me thinking about what Chris Wilder said yesterday If his team or an individual player suddenly played at a higher level than before over the run in he'd want to know why they hadn't played like that before I'm sure Sean Dyche could be asking his players that question tonight? I've also just seen it's Man Utd 2-2 Sheffield United, Wilder must have seen it coming

Obviously everyone is entitled to their own opinion and let's be honest this forum would be dull if we didn't, but surely you must be seeing things differently now?

Yeah, that's what I meant in my first sentence

That's the end of Liverpools title charge

Not surprised Mykolenko subbed at half time, the way he landed looked horrific Amazed he didn't break his ankle or damage ligaments

The only limit is the same that's a set number have to be made available Gavin Marshall confirmed club are pushing for more season ticket sales than ever before People are misunderstanding what he said about if we kept increasing sales, in the future we may have to limit the sales

I am curious how you see the club prioritising POTD? On the basis average crowds are the best in 40 years, ST sales are up for comparable time last season things are going in the right way

Sadly I can't ignore anyone

My thoughts exactly

On the point about contract discussions, it seems a common theme when other Managers and players are asked they usually say it's not discussed until the end of the season so no reason to disbelief what he said

Liverpool and Manchester United falling apart again Everton deservedly winning and Sheffield United winning at Old Trafford too

I guess it'd be like when Yeovil got promoted you have to create a rivalry

It looked like Curbishly doing shots with him

They're things contracted though Moving games isn't I personally can't see it happening It may end up being a glorified out of season tournament like we get now, but nothing more

Numbers are up at the comparable point to last year though

But with a sell out on Saturday, our highest average attendance for over 40 years and higher season ticket sales compared to last season it clearly shows fans are backing the team and those staying away are a very small minority

This happens every season We lose a %, but a new % come on board

Will be interesting to see how many central lower Lansdown tickets become available now. Just under 250 corporate tickets for sale

They do indeed I'd be confident the backlash to any official fixture being played out of the country would never happen due to the fan backlash

Mind blowing figures

I guess they are only supporters and not reporters

I think you've added the wrong URL, this link is about the Swindon area