Alex

I find the idea of getting the government involved in your most intimate relationship for stranger than having separate bank accounts.

You can't officially watch Skygo abroad but there's probably some way round it. No idea re: internet connection but I would guess it'll be fine.

If only a few weeks, why don't you go and you could spend a few weekends in Budapest? As it's only an hour and a half away on the train. Vienna and even Krakow and Prague would also be doable if you had overnight stays.

You get more like CT with every post

Heard from a very good source at the weekend that he's an absolute disgrace in training and is badly liked at the club amongst his peers now because his attitude fucking stinks.

I think he wants to have some players on the bench who can make an impact too. It's also an attempt to force a performance out of the likes of Cisse.

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If the result at Narge can't motivate these cunts nothing can

Ball deep?

Tin foil hat off

He's only just turned 34. Normally I'd agree but it's such a young side I don't think he should be discounted as a relatively short-term fix. Loads of batsmen down the years have performed well into their late 30s and beyond. If he's in form I'd be inclined to pick him.

There's enough quick scorers in the team so I don't really mind the idea of those two opening. Hales has played at 3 a lot for Notts too. Ideally you'd have a more attacking opener but there aren't many around who are also good enough.

I wouldn't be averse to switching Hales and Compton round.

Aye, more likely. I hope they don't in a way for the reasons mentioned above. Contrariwise, there aren't loads of other options. I think what you suggest is more likely because Butler needs to play with freedom. When he tries to rein his game in he isn't half the player - see his performances against Australia last summer in the tests. I think that would only be made more the case were he a specialist batsman. I suppose another option is moving Moeen and the wicket-keeper up the order one place and bringing is someone like Woakes or Jordan. With Rashid being another option, especially on a pitch that looks likely to offer some turn. None of which really helps much in solving the problem of Number 3 and the other opener.

I'd forgotten what J69 did for a living there.

Ashley's record in tribunals comparable with the club's recent record on the pitch.

Was just thinking about that the other day. RIP

I know that but I think the current set-up have (rightly imo) decided Bairstow is the wicket-keeping option. I.e. it's where he's had the great recent success with his county. Being an all-rounder (in the wicket-keeper / batsman sense) is similar to a traditional all-rounder in the sense that there's less pressure on your batting. I'm not saying it's impossible but the other issue you have by bringing a WK into the test side as a specialist batsman (and one that particularly applies to these two who are still very much learning their trade) is that you hinder their development as a wicket-keeper. Particularly with the amount of time spent away from your county whilst playing for England (but, conversely the dearth of practice games available to England with the schedules now).

Surprised (not really) that CT has the gall to comment on players who don't play for NUFC

Probably, aye. Moot anyway. It might have made a difference getting him and Mitrovic at the start of the season so we had more striking options but that was never going to happen

Playing to his audience tbh.

I don't think they'll play Butler as a specialist batsman and the 'keeper's spot is Bairstow's to lose now.