Ashes 2013/14

[Villan For Life]

I'm certain that Flower is going, I just hope he takes Gooch with him, our struggles with the bat have coincided far too neatly with his appointment for my liking.

Indeed. I think Saker's time is up too. Graeme Welch is doing a great job with the bowlers at Edgbaston, he'd be worth a shout as bowling coach.

My ideal coaching set up would be Moody, Welch and Graeme Thorpe who is part of the development team.

If Moody isn't tempted then I'd have Michael Vaughan. He was an innovative captain and would have the respect of the players for what he achieved as a player.

[eastie]

I'm certain that Flower is going, I just hope he takes Gooch with him, our struggles with the bat have coincided far too neatly with his appointment for my liking.

New man , clean sweep of staff and a new era for me - I think flower  had made his mind up in the summer that he was going to go after this series and its sad he will leave on a low note as he's been great for us.

[PaulWinch again]

I'm not sure Saker should go, we have on the whole bowled very well up to this series. However our batting has gone downhill since Gooch became full time batting coach.

[tomd2103]

Carberry has earned the chance to stay there, Root has already shown he struggles a bit opening at this stage of his career. If Carberry and Cook can form a solid partnership over the next couple of years it'll give Root the perfect platform.

Not sure he has done as well as Compton did and he still got moved on.  I'd probably keep Carberry at opener for the remainder of the series, but have a major rethink after that.  I'd move Bell up to three for the remaining two tests and bat Root at five to take the pressure off him a little.   

[Simon Ward]

Carberry is a liability in the field!

[eastie]

I'm not sure Saker should go, we have on the whole bowled very well up to this series. However our batting has gone downhill since Gooch became full time batting coach.

A new coach must choose his own specialist coaches , not inherit the old ones - time to sweep the board clean and look ahead to the future .

[eastie]

Carberry has earned the chance to stay there, Root has already shown he struggles a bit opening at this stage of his career. If Carberry and Cook can form a solid partnership over the next couple of years it'll give Root the perfect platform.

Not sure he has done as well as Compton did and he still got moved on.  I'd probably keep Carberry at opener for the remainder of the series, but have a major rethink after that.  I'd move Bell up to three for the remaining two tests and bat Root at five to take the pressure off him a little.   

Carberry has done ok - hardly set the world alight though and not made a really big score - poor fielder and in his mid 30s - the future is root and cook for me and now we have sorted the number 6 spot with stokes I'd be happy to see bell at 3 .

Bring in ballance at 5 and Bairstow for prior and there are stronger batting options.

[Villan For Life]

I'm not sure Saker should go, we have on the whole bowled very well up to this series. However our batting has gone downhill since Gooch became full time batting coach.

I agree with you about Gooch but think that Saker should go.

They have bowled well at times and had the Aussies 130-odd for 6 in Adelaide. What we have not been able to do for some time is finish sides off. The coach must take responsibility for that.

[PaulWinch again]

Compton could be an option if he relaxes and gets his scoring rate going.

[PaulWinch again]

Saker has coached what was deemed one of the best bowling units in world cricket and there has been an upturn since he got involved overall. Gooch it's quite the opposite. Also cricket isn't like football, head coaches don't often have a group of coaches who follow them around. Gooch should go, I don't think Saker should go.

[eastie]

Saker has coached what was deemed one of the best bowling units in world cricket and there has been an upturn since he got involved overall. Gooch it's quite the opposite. Also cricket isn't like football, head coaches don't often have a group of coaches who follow them around. Gooch should go, I don't think Saker should go.

I think who stays or goes should be the decision of the head coach - saker looked pissed off with the selection when interviewed - maybe overruled.

[PaulWinch again]

I don't disagree that the head coach should have the decision, but like I said it tends to be a bit different to football in that head coaches often keep on members of staff in cricket. I think Saker still has plenty to offer and unlike Gooch he has shown he can get us bowling very well. Also he just signed a new contract, so I don't think he's going. Gooch has to go though, because we have gradually got worse since he came on board.

[OzVilla]

I'm not sure Saker should go, we have on the whole bowled very well up to this series. However our batting has gone downhill since Gooch became full time batting coach.

I agree with you about Gooch but think that Saker should go.

They have bowled well at times and had the Aussies 130-odd for 6 in Adelaide. What we have not been able to do for some time is finish sides off. The coach must take responsibility for that.

Or Brad Haddin. Or fielders dropping regulation catches.

[PaulWinch again]

Yeah I think that's a big issue, Saker has done enough to deserve more time.

[tomd2103]

I'm not sure Saker should go, we have on the whole bowled very well up to this series. However our batting has gone downhill since Gooch became full time batting coach.

I agree with you about Gooch but think that Saker should go.

They have bowled well at times and had the Aussies 130-odd for 6 in Adelaide. What we have not been able to do for some time is finish sides off. The coach must take responsibility for that.

As should the captain.  Cook seems to run out of ideas very quickly when we are under the slightest bit of pressure.