The Bard

We simply have to go up automatically.  The idea of play offs against Sheff U, Preston and possibly Bradford is not a welcome one.  They have all shown they are good at winning one off games.  We have shown that we can accumulate points over the season so hopefully this will carry us up.  

Should we get up, I can see that SC will change his approach as we won't be able to dominate sides as we have done this season.  We'll  need to be less open.

It's what happens when you put a more or less inexperienced bowling line up out there/one that isn't threatening. However last nights total wasn't big enough, Stokes at 3 and Ballance 4? 

 

Stokes definitely isn't the answer at 3 and then I'd have thought Morgan would have gone ahead of Ballance. I expected something more like

 

Cook

Bell

Bopara

Morgan

Ballance

Buttler

Stokes

That Ballance should go in at number 24..  

The one day side is as big a mess as the test side.  There is wishful thinking everywhere and we are still thinking along the lines of plodding along at 4.5 an over and not losing wickets before having a thrash at the end.

We need to have someone up top who will get on with it.  The Aussies have Warner, India have Dharwan, even the Kiwis have Jessie Ryder. They all  take the game to the bowlers.  We've got Cook and Bell who just play test innings but maybe a little quicker.  

I don't get why Buttler is preferred over Kieswetter. He would be my choice to open the batting.  I'd drop Cook as he is shot and needs to concentrate on test cricket.  I'd put Carberry in (he's a good one day opener) and a very good fielder.  Gooch tried to coach his shot playing out of him in Australia.  

They also need to stop messing Stokes about.  He is having far too much responsibility shoved his way because he was the only one to impress in the ashes.  He is still learning and could do with having a more defined role - number 7 or 8 and bowling at a particular time in the innings.  Why he was bowling at the death the other day is beyond me. Too much too young.

I like that Jordan - he has a bit of attitude about him. Decent fielder and he can swing his bat too - good enough for the no. 10 position.

Bresnan is the James Milner of the England cricket team reliable and stoic but is he going to win us games? Like Milner a good squad player.

My side for the world cup would be

Kieswetter (wk)

Carberry

Bell

Pietersen

Morgan ©

Root

Bopara

Stokes

Broad

Jordan 

Anderson

If a pitch meant we had to have a specialist spinner then fine drop Jordan for this 'sepecialist'.  However, it's becoming apparent how good Graeme Swann was. No point playing a sub standard spinner for the sake of it.  Especially in Australia and New Zealand.

4 front line quicks, the 5th bowling duties shared by Root and Bopara - some good fielders (with the exception of Bell and Pietersen) and plenty of batting.  

Add Bresnan, a spinner and either Buttler or Bairstow in as batting and keeping cover and you have your world cup squad.

Totally agree, people don't realise JET don't do no running off the ball which Sam does!!

And the 'multiple use of negatives' award goes to....

I've never not heard nothing like that never.

Mizz Greer, G, is a regular columnist in the Saturday Telegraph, Mr Bard. Weekend section. Drones on about countryside affairs, trying to kid us all on she's not still scheming and plotting against us fellers. I may well have glanced at a copy of 'The Female Enoch' whilst in George's bookshop, Park St, back in the 70s too. Just to see what all the fuss was about. Greer, Bonnie, well known to the authorities too. Know your NME, Bard...

I bow to your superior knowledge of the telegraph your lordship.  

The female Enoch!    Do we now refer to the former city striker as Ms Showunmi?

Perhaps we have Neil Kilkenny to thank for this signing? If he hadn't torn up his contract, I can't see that this would have happened.

Sorry. Another question. Not about Big Adam, though. This one's about your man, Greer: you lot call him Bonnie, or Germaine?

Can't believe you read the guardian Sir Les.  Always had you down as a torygraph man.

Team unchanged. A vote of confidence for SoD, or lack of options?

No.  He thinks we played well on Tuesday and wants to keep it the same.

This formation suits the players we have. It will also suit Bobby when he's fit again.

Blimey.  What a ridiculous discussion.  

Why on earth is anyone getting annoyed about our manager simply acknowledging reality?  As Harry has said it's blindingly obvious that JET is too good for us and this division.  The only decision that matters is the price we agree to sell at in January.   He has  been covering us as an attacking force.  When the team shows signs of functioning properly on a consistent basis, I think we should sell.  If this happens by January then sell then as we can buy a decent League 1 striker with the money from the transfer and the saved wages.  He will be worth less next summer that's for sure.