England shambles

[afinetickletoleg]

Re: Swan, I'm reminded of a saying by quite a well known and successful football manager ...
...
Team spirit is a myth, perpetuated only by success.

No sign of team spirit with Swan. Going to be dropped so decides that's it. Didn't fancy carrying the drinks for his 'team mates' even though they have had to do it for him.

I'm increasingly of the view that this shambles is a failure of management (as are all failures btw). Various personnel issues have been apparent for a while and the management team have failed to act.

A growing number of people have been calling for Swann to be left out so he bites the bullet and announces his retirement and that seems to annoy people as well.  Brilliant.

In addition it is seemingly the fault of the 'management' that they have allowed him to retire.  What should they have done? Force him to continue to tour for the next couple of weeks?

The biggest issue for me is that if his elbow is shot then he should have raised the issue before the tour and retired then but what could the 'management' do if their top spinner advised that he was fit to tour?

[Andy]

Who's paying Swans ticket back home? Cheeky so and so.

Which one of the numerous reality shows is coming in the new year? I'm trying to be a celebrity or Big Brother? I'm assuming he'll follow Tuffers into the z list arena...

To be honest, I didn't think that Team England would have to enforce changes, that the rats would leave the sinking ship etc. I have an ominous feeling that Cook will have a bunch of youngsters and KP to lead next summer...

[firehazard]

...I have an ominous feeling that Cook will have a bunch of youngsters and KP to lead next summer...

Indeed. Assuming Cook is still captain.

There's something seriously wrong in the England set-up. At some point someone will tell the story (probably for a good publishing / media deal).

[Oldhasbeen]

Ally's futire as captain must be under question, but who's the alternative?
Prior's vice-captain - enough said.
Bell?
Borad - surely not.
A N Other?

Answers on a postcard please

[nat]

Ally's futire as captain must be under question, but who's the alternative?
Prior's vice-captain - enough said.
Bell?
Borad - surely not.
A N Other?

Answers on a postcard please

Why, it has to be Ravi.

[IlfordEagle]

I am dreading watching the 4th & 5th Tests wondering what sort of team Cook will be leading & will they actually give it everything & play for pride?
I expect Swann will give his full side of the story soon, maybe in a book or a series of lucrative interviews, if he is genuinely spent then maybe some credit is due for being honest but the suspicion remains about the timing - hardly in the team's best interests at present that's for sure.

[Blocky]

Swann, Selfish in the extreme.  When we need a few old heads to stand up and be counted, he has bottled it in the extreme. 

I await the announcment of him joining Sky's team.

What a total shambles.  The Australian's must be absoluely pissing themselves laughing.

[Valentines Park]

this shambles is a failure of management (as are all failures btw).

Why are you seemingly so keen for the Essex management to remain in place then?

[Andy]

Swann, Selfish in the extreme.  When we need a few old heads to stand up and be counted, he has bottled it in the extreme. 

I await the announcment of him joining Sky's team.

What a total shambles.  The Australian's must be absoluely pissing themselves laughing.

Totally agree, seemingly all the ex cricketers who cried off careers in order to get lucrative mejia careers back Swan whilst those of us in the real world see this action for what it is.

Ironically, I for once seem to agree with Piers Morgan. I feel sort of dirty.

I don't mind the Aussies laughing at us. I fear that they might even start to feeling sorry. Who'd have thought that they would be the ones with a settled side, good player managers relations and solid performances when they got of Mickey Arthur?

[DT]

Who's paying Swans ticket back home? Cheeky so and so.

Which one of the numerous reality shows is coming in the new year? I'm trying to be a celebrity or Big Brother? I'm assuming he'll follow Tuffers into the z list arena...

To be honest, I didn't think that Team England would have to enforce changes, that the rats would leave the sinking ship etc. I have an ominous feeling that Cook will have a bunch of youngsters and KP to lead next summer...

Strictly Come Dancing - I'm sure of it!!!

[Perov]

And he will probably leave soon after the mid point of the series.

[Andy]

And he will probably leave soon after the mid point of the series.

No, he'll go at the first opportunity...his dancing partner is over 6ft tall, Australian, and has a rather alarming moustache.   

[firehazard]

And he will probably leave soon after the mid point of the series.

No, he'll go at the first opportunity...his dancing partner is over 6ft tall, Australian, and has a rather alarming moustache.   

I have always deliberately avoided the programme, but I have to say I'd watch that!

[Andy]

Graham, I have to say that performance was strictly lacklustre, you failed to keep up with Mi(t)chelle, I'm afraid that was a 4 from me, dahling.