PHILINFRANCE

I've been out since just before the start, but I saw the toss just before leaving and would have said 'foolhardy', unintelligible even. South Africa's bowling attack destroyed England twice in the first Test; this morning's overhead conditions were conducive to their fast bowling attack, especially as England would surely have been petrified at producing a repeat performance, yet they picked an extra spinner and chose to bat first. I came back just after England started batting, and when I saw that Lees was out early, I feared the worst. To be fair to Crawley, though, he is still there, which means we have an opener ready to start again tomorrow morning.

Huh? I always thought Trevor was Mark's father.

Do you know, I was really pondering when I read your initial post, thinking how strange it was that your son or your daughter were Liverpool fans.

That sounds very much like the Nigel Pearson we have here.

I may be mistaken, but didn’t they play in green in their cup match against Burnley a few years ago, the one in which Joey Barton played?

Both. FFS for a silly post and Get In for a goal from Semenyo.

From the BBC site. Wycombe 1-2 Bristol City Bristol City breaking out their second new goal gif of the night. Kane Wilson was a summer signing from West Brom.

Why do you say that? It looked to me that Tanner got turned, a deep cross to the far post and a free header.

Is he any relation to Mark and Trevor, or is his name just a remarkable coincidence?

On a (vaguely) related subject, I see that Mr and W Mrs Barton are proud parents once again, a baby boy. I wish happiness and good health to all three, and, perhaps somewhat churlishly, wonder what bearing this happy event might have on Mr B’s upcoming Court case.

OK, sorry about that. Didn’t you sometimes use Subbuteo players to demonstrate tactics, or am I still confused?

Very sad indeed; apparently, he suffered a heart attack. Aged 37 and so fit.

In principle, I agree with your comment entirely, and it is certainly not something I would normally do. It has been mentioned by several knowledgeable posters on this forum, however, that the three players I highlighted were all suffering before or after Saturday’s game. Weimann was apparently shattered before the match, so I doubt very much he would be risked before Blackpool. Atkinson appeared to be struggling with a groin injury, so ditto. And, finally, poor old (young) Tommy Conway ran himself in to the ground and was kicked from pillar to post, so, despite his current rich vein of form and, I am sure, a desire to add to his goal scoring spree, would surely be best advised to rest and recover for Blackpool. To clarify, my comment wasn’t aimed at the poster, rather at the article from that awful journal to which he provided a link. Still, I suppose we shall all find out later this evening.

I think it was @spudski, wasn’t it?

He’s probably sharpening his crayons as I type.

Not only that, but Rovers' erstwhile star forward, Tom Nichols, scored Crawley's first goal.

What nonsense. Famous last words, but there is no way, in my opinon, Atkinson, Weimann or Conway are playing tomorrow.

I was watching earlier as the stand (JR and LG) was approaching 200 and was willing both to get Centuries and bring up that stand. LG got his Century, but was out for 111, just two runs before the 200. Unfortunately, JR seemed to stutter in his approach to his Century and was out for 96. Still, what promise they both show, and just hoping they don't get pinched by the awful Hundred before Thursday - I have no idea whether Matt Renshaw will be fit.

First win of the season and off the bottom.

I’m not sure where exactly, but Tommy B’s name seems to be cropping up increasingly on this forum - in a very positive way.

Lewis Goldsworthy just out LBW for 111, just two runs short of a 200 run stand with James Rew (currently on 96 NO). I know the 50 over competition has now been given almost reserve team status, but it is good to see our youngsters doing well. Such a shame, James Rew just gone for 96.

That would explain it. I was surprised to read about ‘sleet/snow’, as my recollection was of driving along quiet roads in the countryside in lovely winter sunshine, but I avoided The M25 and went via Milton Keynes.

Was that back in the early 1990s, lost 2-1? I drove there myself, but left very early and, as far as I recall, had a very smooth drive. I also spent a very enjoyable evening in Norwich town centre.

Norwich always used to be a bit of a bugger for us when it concerned promotion. I am not sure whether it was the same Easter weekend to which you referred, but there was one when we were right in the mix, but lost (or perhaps drew one) to both Norwich and Southampton.

I have suggested previously (without being in any way ITK) that if Han-Noah is considering returning to France it is more likely than not due to personal/family reasons, rather than pure football or financial reasons. I imagine his younger sisters, over here studying if I understand correctly, would like to return and get to know the country of their birth, and I assume a combination of higher education/work is a strong pull. Perhaps, understandably at his tender age, he has some trepidation about living alone, without family support, in a foreign country. Still, for many reasons, I hope he stays here and signs a new contract, even if it is only for two or three years.