bearded_red

Solid argument well done.

Yeah it can’t just be that James Piercy who unlike you actually dealt with Nigel Pearson was telling the truth can it? Gosh, you’re so clever you’ve seen straight through it. Yeah I for one, can’t think of any other possible reason why a 60 year old with health issues, enough money in the bank and still getting paid by his former employer hasn’t taken another job. Must be that’s he’s an awkward customer.

Good lord, you must be due a readable post soon.

Have enjoyed this theme on here from people looking to criticise Pearson, yet James Piercy when Pearson was sacked described him as ‘an absolute joy to deal with’ who he’ll ‘genuinely miss speaking to’.

I think the criticism of mentality and throwing games away can certainly apply to the game they lost in New Zealand and the first two of The Ashes. I don’t necessarily buy it for the games on this tour though. I think ultimately England haven’t got the players to beat India in these conditions. The fact they’ve been able to match them for parts of matches and even get themselves ahead deserves real credit in my opinion. Winning test matches is hard though, over five (four) days the likelihood is the better team will end up winning. Jaiswal, Bumrah and in this game the three spinners have all been too good and taken the game away from them at different times, I don’t think there’s any disgrace in that. Shouldn’t be overlooked that while India have the three spinners they have, England this morning were relying on Hartley who will be carrying the drinks for Lancashire next season as they’ve signed Nathan Lyon and Bashir who will likely do the same while Leach plays. (I’d actually pick Bashir over Leach at this point, but that’s a different conversation). India are missing some serious players, but it still shouldn’t be taken for granted how well England have done on this tour just to give them a game in my opinion.

Incredible stuff this. Bashir was picked for this tour after 10 first class wickets, now already has 12 test wickets.

Still extremely unlikely, but they’ve got a slight chance that I didn’t think they’d have half an hour ago.

What an absolutely pathetic effort from Chelsea.

Agreed. Easier said than done attacking those spinners on this wicket with the field spread, but didn’t really see how scoring at one an over, knowing that before too long you’ll get a ball with your name on it, was a great plan.

Every time he has spoken in the last 7/8 years he’s managed to say something that makes me dislike him even more, so his silence is absolutely fine by me. I have absolutely no interest in hearing from him or his son.

Your first first-class five for coming in a test match against India must be a pretty unique achievement.

Gets asked whether Manning will come under pressure any time soon.. instantly starts talking about Nigel Pearson.

This is spot on. In many ways Liam Manning, and the tedious dross his teams play, is the perfect manager for Bristol City. So soul destroyingly boring. I’d actually much rather City made me angry, rather than just struggling to care because it’s so dull.

Jesus Christ he’s boring.

Not impressed by Manning or the utterly tedious football his team attempts to play, but removing Brian Tinnion and Jon Lansdown would be a much better start.

Once he’s fit if he hits the ground running I think he could really help us cement twelfth place. Complete waste of money.

Boring team, boring football, boring manager. A ******* boring club that pats itself on the back for achieving utter mediocrity. Still, they beat West Ham in the cup so the crayon shagger can bring out a commemorative kit.

He’s 30 now.

I said in the pub after the game last weekend ‘why does he still play for them? He must have something wrong with him’. Have to say I was thinking something like a chronic injury rather than this to be honest.

Harsh on Jonathan Trott this, strike rate of 47 in test cricket which is absolutely fine for a number three.

112/5 off 24.1 in the first session 86/0 off 36.5 in the second session

This game isn’t lasting long.

When your communication is mainly coming from Jon Lansdown and Brian Tinnion you can see why silence may be preferred.

At the risk of this turning into yet another Pearson/Manning debate, there are two things that can never be let go I’m afraid. Any suggestion that Pearson inherited a ‘better group of players’ than Manning is absolutely ******* mental. One of the worst shouts I’ve ever heard on any topic. Genuinely staggering. Liam Manning does not deserve the same time afforded to Pearson either. Pearson was given that time because he inherited an absolute onnishambles and had the track record and experience required to navigate the absolute cluster**** of a situation he found. Liam Manning was supposedly brought in to improve us this season, he hasn't achieved that.

Could rename it as well while you’re there. Billy Wedlock or Terry Cooper, not bothered which, the other one can go on the South Stand.