Dark Munster

That's not the point, the club gambled by shipping those players out without replacements. And Ralph later admitted that he was worried when the already sparse attack got lighter when Obafemi got injured. The criticism remains valid even if they got away with it.

A lot of straw men there that you've given a jolly good rogering to. Regarding selling/loaning Gabbi and Cedric, bringing in replacements would not have been "panic buys". They didn't have to go in the middle of the season. Ralph admitted getting worried after Obafemi got injured almost immediately after getting rid of Gabby, and the club was lucky Valery only missed one match after Cedric was loaned out. They gambled and got away with it.

http://static.espncricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1970S/1974/ENG_LOCAL/CC/ESSEX_WORCS_CC_31AUG-03SEP1974.html 4 points for bowling Essex out for 84 in a one-dayer. They finished 2 points ahead

This. RB is perfect for a club our size, a quality player but who isn't quite so brilliant that the big boys have taken him off us. Even if he goes for a free in 2 years he's been a great professional, a good buy and served us well. Hopefully he can be convinced to sign an extension.

At least it's better than the bad old days, when a rained out match gave 0 points to both teams (madness!) That gave Worcs the championship at Hants' expense. http://static.espncricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1970S/1974/ENG_LOCAL/CC/HANTS_YORKS_CC_31AUG-03SEP1974.html

Absolutely! We have to demand them. What was the question again?

We obviously need a new centre forward who can score. Fail here and we're in trouble again.

That's the big If. If we go down the club (and Gao) are ****ed. Fortunately he and the board now seem to realise a good manager is worth his weight in gold, and (according to Adam Leitch) appear to be doing everything they can to keep Ralph happy. Despite that, Ralph won't be with us forever, and when he does leave we can really get worried. Unless someone less dodgy has taken Saints over before then.

The Macau XI. With one way tickets.

No mention here about the elephant in the room: over £100 million per year in player wages.

I think so. He's hoping the pig will fatten itself without being fed.

So we learnt Mr. Gao is "flamboyant". Being a private person he must be annoyed that came out.

Which one? There've been half a dozen!

Maguire and Stones? Agreed.

I don't think he did. In fact the opposite, it seemed he was ready to run down his contract, rejected an extension (which of course was his right) and it was Saints who wanted to sell him because of that.

Indeed. Apart from the Clown and Dr. Bunsen Honeydew.

Read it again, that was not about their club. That was referring to their manager who will be on his way to Real Madrid soon, according to some.

She was the only good part about the match. Anyway, congratulations to Poch on cementing his place as the greatest manager in the world who's won **** all.

AR 15 Sorry, I live in the USA.

39-3, needing another 240 to win. Rahane and Northeast out already (plus Soames of course). Any chance of rain?

A rhetorical question of course.

Yes indeed. I'm struggling to hold back my tears.

Definitely not if the Skates finish third. In fact I'd expand it 8 teams if they do.

Don't forget Dave Watson. He's really gash.