Alex

:lol: CT's 'views' summed up right there.

I don't think Carver had anything to do with getting the team 'over the line'. In the end I think it was done inspite of rather than because of him. And I think he made the comment about being the best coach because his ego is inversely proportional to his talent.

Same happened to me recently with Paddington.

Following on from MF's post

I think the bigger picture is that, if we rate him and want him, £8m is a snip for a (relatively, at least) proven PL goal scorer.

Aye, definitely. But it was because Peter Moores and (to a lesser extent) Cook were worried about their jobs, so they picked conservative teams. It backfired anyway as they drew a series they should've won and Moores got the bullet. I suppose that was probably a good thing for English cricket in the long term. And while I didn't agree with it at the time (particularly not playing Rashid on pitches which would've helped him, especially when Moeen wasn't even available for the first test), I could see why they played it safe under the circumstances. Playing Trott as an opener as well smacked of desperation. Lyth or Hales could've been given valuable experience in those games.

It's owned by the Mail. I think they've a decent recent record with reporting our signings (The Daily Mail that is).

I think Bell has had a strange career in general because, given the talent he has, take away the odd purple patch and his average is pretty ordinary. I think he'll struggle at 3 tbh because, as you allude to, he usually has. I just think he should go there because of his seniority and it's then a case of 'now or never' to step up. In fairness anyone bar the true greats would struggle a bit having to come in in the first 5 overs all the time. I think you could play Hales or Lyth there and have the other one of those opening. That would keep Root in the middle order where he's done so well. Hales at 3 could counter-attack too. Think he should have been picked earlier in the summer though when he scored that big hundred in a 4 day game.

Love a stat attack with cricket like. The game lends itself so much to statistical analysis and it was a massive part of the game ages before football got on board.

We'll have to agree to differ then.

He was very good for us in the Championship I thought. I think it's his level.

That was back during his cocktail phase.

Williamson is a good championship defender but even though he won't be on much here it'll be big money for a championship side. Would need to sell him low probably to offset the loss in wages via a decent signing on fee or something like that.

Tell you what's a nice dessert wine, that Brown Brother's Orange Muscat and Flora. It's about a tenner for a half bottle so it's not exactly cheap but it's not crazy money either and it's not something you'd drink every day. Plus, you can get it loads of places.

It's hilarious in there like. I mean, it's canny nice and that but it's Gosforth to a fucking tee

La plume de ma tante, Rodney

http://www.toontastic.net/board/topic/26635-what-are-you-drinking/page-37#entry1152431

Oasis never lived up to Definitely Maybe iyam. They were like a tribute act after that. Probably prefer Blur but could happily live without either tbh.

I actually bought some of that rum from there

Find port and vin santo goes well with dark chocolate but neither are really sweet enough for dessert where you'd go for something like a Sauternes. Not that I would get a dessert wine very often, just maybe Xmas time and the like. Just mentioned those spirits as Gloom doesn't go in for sweet wines. Actually, this would go well with dark chocolate too. https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/P-4475.aspx Amazing stuff

Got a one with Royal London (was Co-Op) that's done canny well. Based on Stocks and shares across Asian and US markets rather than just the usual FTSE 100 tracker. If it's a longer term thing it's probably going to outperform a cash only one with the current interest rates. Only problem is if you're likely to need your money in the short-term you're cattled if there's a share price crash.

I know but it was a revelation to a certain Boldon-based poster about a year ago or so.