Gloucester Saint

Really is a case of overmanning.

Correctly - awful high foot straight into the head. Could have been a second yellow but misses playing us regardless.

Wasted that opportunity to get a cross in.

Derby down to 10 although leading 1-0. Agyemang scoring again on a rapid counter. How the heck he got signed from Minnesota for less than Damian Downs beggars belief. Derby clearly actually watched him live a few times.

Outside of Rasmus Ankerson and the board I don’t think most people at the club do either. Tonda’s clearly been told to play him but I think that’s as much about McCarthy slowing up as protecting Bazunu’s ‘value’. Judging by the flurry of keeper rumours this month and Gavin finishing 24th in the divisional performance stats yet again, it’s an area there will be movement in. My sense is that Gavin will be offered an extension as cover - #2 or #3 (more likely) on much-reduced wages to an incoming #1 on buy-now, pay later deal (eg loan with mandatory option in July so the club can get Alex and Ramsdale off the wage bill). Whether he accepts that, sees out his final year and hopes that the #1 gets long-term injured and he suddenly starts looking like a goalkeeper and not an emergency outfield player remains to be seen.

Controversial view, but IMHO Root is only world class in England and Asia eg India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. In Australia, he’s always looked vulnerable to bounce on 5th stump to steepling deliveries best left alone and has never entirely convinced me in SA either. Similar to David Warner who was also world class in certain conditions favouring him but struggled in others.

You knew when Duckett was in by the empties at his end. Bowling much better lengths but the bowlers don’t have a chance when the batting has all the fibre of wet toilet tissue. Yes it’s a green seamer but techniques are terrible. England need a new top 3 and Bethell is more Root’s longer term replacement. Unfair to expect him to turn up and perform - needs a full season of red ball for Warwick’s and some 100s and time in the middle under those sort of surfaces under his belt. Jordan Cox, McKinnie, and Haines probably replacing the hapless Duckett, Crawley and Pope in the summer. I don’t believe those top three are consistently Test quality against the best quicks, NZ and Pakistan attacks are high quality next summer as well. Jamie Smith competing against Cox and Rew for his place. Up to Duckett, Crawley and Pope to score 1500-2000 runs for their counties next summer and prove me wrong.

MLT special v Wimbledon Boxing Day 1994 Beating Chelsea 3-1 and Frankie Bennett’s only goal Matt Oakley 30 yard rocket 1st or 2nd minute v Palace in a 2-0 win. Didn’t we beat Spurs with Hoddle in charge 1-0 first season at SMS, very low and strong sun all game?

If he has a pair, wouldn’t mind borrowing them and chucking all of the unsold and gone off Christmas veg at Brendon McCullum and Rob Key after the Ashes has finished.

BTOOR - By the Orders of Rasmus

Free Speech my arse, it’s censorship of views they don’t agree with. No better than Russia or China. The US is on the brink of not being a democracy https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp39kngz008o

Was in Malham during October for a short break. The Dales road you really don’t want to do in any motor home is Park Rash going into Kettlewell from Coverdale. 25%+ and a couple of very sharp hairpins where your bonnet disappears…

Cheer up though lads, a Reform voter is coming home 😉https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgke51rzpvro

Although it stops for a couple of days, the World Championship Darts I enjoy at this time of year.

Was a bit of hoo-hah a few years back when we holidayed in the Dales and Jason Gillespie was Yorks CCC Head Coach. Gillespie is an outspoken vegan and had a rant about the dairy industry and how it should cease. Yorks CCC’s main and shirt sponsor? Wensleydale Creamery. Lovely area, the Fleet Moss road from Hawes via Gayle going past the Creamery is stunning, climbing over 2000ft and gives your transmission a workout. Top marks to those who cycle it.

And associated bad tempers/horns beeping/automated tills and 25 checks slowing everything.

Ruddock probably has more of an issue with Short seeing it as was a final excuse/justification for Branfoot to sack him!

I suspect the plan was that he’d miraculously be better and that they wouldn’t need to pay him off but alas no. Down to last 18 months of his deal so the last 12 months subsidised or part-subsidised somewhere else wouldn’t hurt as much for SR. McCarthy out of contract so the keeping department needs a wholesale rethink. Preferably with goalkeepers who can catch/dive/use their hands, with the Hollywood passing a nice to have.

Family members getting older so enjoying each Christmas with them to the full. Made most of our food now - mincemeat and marzipan loaves cooled down on the rack, some for us and some for presents. Trifle - 🍒 with cherry amaretto sponge fingers, vanilla custard (lactose free) and lactose free double cream on top the main item still to make other than the Christmas Day veg we will prep tomorrow and roasties made on the day. Having our Christmas Eve meal at a local Cotswolds Stone pub, CAMRA branch winner. Got some great beers in, alcoholic and non alcohol. Hopefully, England cricketers (if they can stay off the booze long enough themselves) and Saints/Cheltenham footballers give some sporting entertainment on Boxing Day.

Timothy Taylor is my favourite.

Been on Barmy Army Tours and mixed with the lads on night out. All OK when you’re competing well, but don’t remember meeting a senior England player in this state

It wouldn’t be the EU Customs Union the UK left in 2020 but a bespoke one https://ukandeu.ac.uk/is-a-customs-union-worth-it/ Pros and cons in the link above

Trump listed as a passenger at least eight times on Epstein’s private jet on the latest releases. The walls in the MAGA have huge visible cracks. Thomas Massie now joining in with the Democrats calling for Pam Bondi to resign.

And fouled Beattie for the penalty here (very harsh it seemed from my seat in Kingsland North) http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3564570.stm That win didn’t ease the pressure on Sturrock either. One of the strangest games I ever went to at SMS atmosphere-wise. You knew something was up.

Streeting on manoeuvres. I agree with him though, Customs Union is common sense. The Red Wall don’t want foreigners living here (Single Market and FoM) but they’ve never been upset about trading with them https://news.sky.com/story/no-10-sticking-to-red-lines-on-uk-eu-customs-union-after-streeting-comments-13486691