So astonishingly it turns out that England's cricket team is in fact even worse than the football team! How unlikely was that?
Luckily, as most of the action has taken place deep in the night hours we have been largely spared the sad sight. If this applies to you let me bring you up to date. The one day game in cricket has moved on all over the world, with the style of play and levels of aggression a million miles from where they were a few years ago. All over the world that is except with England, who amazingly have managed to go backwards while everyone else went forwards. We persist with a "gameplan" based on a complete refusal to face up to reality, a belief in long outdated ideas and a love of a cute single rolled down to fine leg. "Keeping the scoreboard ticking over". Useless. Almost a textbook example of British management uselessness in fact. And all those opposition batsmen constantly wondering whether to hit it for four or six. Will anything change? Doubt it.
Back to football though. Lots of signs of continuing life over the fence as the season gets to the business end. Although, as I lamented the other day, all of our best performances seem to be reserved for away trips. Six goals over in Carlisle! How many times have we scored six in the First Division? Not many I guess, can't think of any in fact, no doubt one of our long term sages will remember and put me right, come on down Will, Keith or Joe. Stokesley or Ryton maybe? And a point up at Dunston is never to be sniffed at. But now we must tackle the home problem, two vital fixtures against Bedlington and Synners in the space of four days. Could all look good by 9:30 on Tuesday night. Or not....