Old Trafford last night

[mjd]

Nixxy - They did do very well to keep it at 3-0, as on the night United really were 'On it' relentlessly. Roy Hodgson has done a stunning job there since taking over, really transforming the club which is great to see, long may it continue!

Thanks all for the feedback all, Inc Anfield
I probably class as one of those day trippers but United are in my heart, and often find myself in the pub watching them on the foreign links! first two times Ive been to OT, but cant do it often mainly because a) its very hard to get tickets, and b) im not what you'd call well off financially.. on 13K (ish) PA

Hope I can go again sometime, One thing I will admit, as much as I love the experience, If I went every week I would miss the experience of watching the game on TV in the crowded pub, Magic of football, Wherever we finish in the Premier league.

Im sure Liverpools time will come at some point, and we will have to suffer it hopefully not this year, but its going to be tough!

[anfield road]

Nixxy - They did do very well to keep it at 3-0, as on the night United really were 'On it' relentlessly. Roy Hodgson has done a stunning job there since taking over, really transforming the club which is great to see, long may it continue!

I AGREE!!

Hope I can go again sometime, One thing I will admit, as much as I love the experience, If I went every week I would miss the experience of watching the game on TV in the crowded pub, Magic of football, Wherever we finish in the Premier league.

How can you'miss' the expreience of watching it on tv? I hate watching football in a crowded pub, as a Liverpool fan, alot of the time there are plastic supporters in there who just fashionably support the team as a something to do trend. Where as with me its alot lot more than that!!!!

MJD I see where you are coming from in your way as a man ure supporter so dont think im coming across personally at you, because im not!!

[mjd]

I see where your coming from too![/code]

[ob]

Matt V - The rain didn't deprive England of a test victory, Andrew Strauss wasting time yesterday with his bizarre notion that the total HAD to be 500+ was what did it for us - why on earth would he send in a nightwatchman when you're effectively 315/1? It lost valuable time and ultimately, the final wicket ...

Yeah I'm glad I'm not the only one thinking this about putting Anderson in as a nightwatchman, we were 315 in front, just stick Shah or KP in, bat like a one dayer for 15 overs and then a 20/20 for 20 overs, then you get 5 sessions to bowl them out and you still get the 500 lead.

I didn't see the game live but in the media that I read and listened to, the decision to send Anderson in wasn't questioned but it was fucking odd and IMO very unnecessary given the match situation.

Okay from my point of view, having bet on england at price of 2.68 (betfair) after the first day (ie. when england were on a big score erm 300-3 or something like that), I was thinking I was looking very good until the point the nonsensical decision to not enforce the follow on was made...

I mean that made no sense at all, who cares a couple of bowlers were tired, there were only 11 overs left in the day anyhow, bowl swann and pietersen if you are that concerned. Absolute madness to then send a nightwatchman out when we were so far infront too. I mean for the love of god what are we doing here trying to win a test match or trying to give the players an easy ride?!

Anyhow came back home that day (ie. the end of the 3rd day when follow on not enforced) to see england at 1.5 to win (betfair) and I just had visions of England batting way too long and then it turning out in a draw... layed it off to make basically evens (well 4/5 to be precise) on my oringinal bet for sure (ie. I won at evens whatever the result doing this)...

Thankfucking god I did when it turns out to be a draw which is soley due to poor decision making by strauss, and it reeks of the usual poor negative tacitcs england always employ which damages their chances time and time again.

[CrosbyRules]

CITY TILL I DIE!!

[Nixxy]

Okay from my point of view, having bet on england at price of 2.68 (betfair) after the first day (ie. when england were on a big score erm 300-3 or something like that), I was thinking I was looking very good until the point the nonsensical decision to not enforce the follow on was made...

I mean that made no sense at all, who cares a couple of bowlers were tired, there were only 11 overs left in the day anyhow, bowl swann and pietersen if you are that concerned. Absolute madness to then send a nightwatchman out when we were so far infront too. I mean for the love of god what are we doing here trying to win a test match or trying to give the players an easy ride?!

Anyhow came back home that day (ie. the end of the 3rd day when follow on not enforced) to see england at 1.5 to win (betfair) and I just had visions of England batting way too long and then it turning out in a draw... layed it off to make basically evens (well 4/5 to be precise) on my oringinal bet for sure (ie. I won at evens whatever the result doing this)...

Thankfucking god I did when it turns out to be a draw which is soley due to poor decision making by strauss, and it reeks of the usual poor negative tacitcs england always employ which damages their chances time and time again.

I just think that Strauss didn't look at the bigger picture - namely that the game only had 2 days and 11 overs remaining when the Windies 1st innings ended. If you really have to bat again, you have to accept that time is against you and bat VERY positively. In the event, we spent the best part of 3 hours accumulating 120 surplus runs, when a lower target would've left us with more time and a slightly-dangled carrot ... and more positive chasing would almost certainly have meant more wickets.

You have to risk losing in order to win on a wicket like that - maybe memories of India's run-chase before Christmas had something to do with the decision.

Ironically, collapsing to 51 all out in our second innings here would've done us a favour!