Good post. To be fair the defensive improvement was noticeable pre-Lambert. My biggest gripe with Bowyer was the goals conceeded column and I was pleasantly suprised this season. The loss of Cairney and Gestede didn't help him going forward however. That's why I was so relaxed as we lost five on the bounce one nil. Narrow, narrow margins too close to call. We're going to be ok under Lambert and already look more of a team to me. Conceeding less than 40 will be vital if we are to hit the play-offs. Fair play to our Captain. I've been a critic in the past, but I've no complaints this season and hes really won me over.

Phew indeed! Sundays game feels like a free hit now. The players should be able to look forward to it.

Eddie Hearn told Khan he could earn 10 million for the Brook fight. When Khan asked Hearn for the 10 million to fight Brook and called his bluff, the problems started. Three of Price's defeats came against two boxers who have now been caught using banned substances. Hard not to feel a tad sorry for him and the deleterious impact these results have had on his standing and career. Bruno lost in 11 to Bonecrusher and in 9/10 to Witherspoon I think. Bruno was never beating Tyson in a million years. Intriguing fight against Martin and I am pleased he has taken this decision. With Khan v Canello, Fury v Klitchko, Ward v Kovalev, BJS maybe against GGG, or Brook against GGG, Frampton v Quigg with the winner fighting Rigondeux, AJ v Martin etc at long last some decents fights that are hard to call.

First time ever I have not had Sky this year. Not missed the football, apart from the odd game, but have missed the cricket very much, especially with us doing so well in the test arena. Not concerned at losing the one dayer's. Bet the players are dying to come home. Very pleased with the test performances against a decent side.

Yup. Shuts a few up who say he's scared. The glass chin stuffs being peddled everywhere as well. He was meant to lose to Maidana. And Alexander. Every fight he's ever had people predict hes getting sparked out. He's not favourite, but I wish him well. I think he's trying to smoke Mayweather out. Either way the Brook fight is still big.

As much as I loved watching KP batting his time with England has gone now. The arrogance that made him dynamite on the field, ultimately became his undoing off it. Disappointing really as we could have enjoyed him for a lot longer. When you see the likes of Hales and Lyth and Compton getting a game, often averaging below 25, it frustrates knowing he is sat around watching. All teams require standards of behaviour however and KP acted like a fool. Liking the current emphasis on youth, mixed with seasoned campaigners. Enjoying the positive mindset and attacking new approach as well. Great that we can now change a test in a session wth both bat and ball. Need a top quality opener with the technique to survive and bat for long periods. Cook can normally hold one end up but needs some support. No good your number three coming in at 15 for 1 all the time. Hoping Bell scores early runs this season and challenges for his place. Form is temporary....

A good series win. Well done England. Back to normal today. Need an opener asap.

Go on Jimmy. 77 for 9.

8 down. Be good if Anderson can get a wicket.

Absolute dynamite. Broad 5 for 1 in 31. Go on England. Come on Rovers.

160 + for 4 at tea chasing just over 300. Cook and Hayes both failed again. Root and Stokes leading the fight back. Important final session. Don't lose it here England!!!

Good first day for England. The pitch will suit their attack so we need to polish off the last three quickly tomorrow. Come in England! Be good if Cook can get a big score first innings.

We dropped 8 catches. The ball was lifting off a length on the last day. Good test cricket wicket. Catch your catches, win your matches.

Think you can calm down now. 1-0 to the good guys.

Whose side are you on Hope it chucks it down.

Big trouble indeed. What a collapse. Need to somehow survive the session. Ali and Bairstow are in.

Thought Shearers header was just as good as the left footed shot. Was in the Blackburn End upper tier. Bloke sat on my left didn't celebrate when we scored the first. Watched him closely for the 2nd goal still no movement, not that I cared one iota. The mush behind us cared though. Big row after the 2nd goal, some argy bargy, mush next to me thrown out

Well done Joshua. A proper test. Good fight, credit to both. Eubank also did well, great work rate and combinations. Mitchell should retire. Campbell was up against a tough kid, no disgrace losing, but equally he struggled and looked ordinary.

Agree with most of this, especially the last paragraph. Disagree Fury should have commented differently pre-fight. His comments and acting were simply designed to upset his rival and promote interest in the fight. Job done in hindsight. Klitchko didn't turn up. Pathetic. 18 power shots thrown all fight? That should have been his tally at the end of round 4. Fury was also crap. Just not as crap as Klitchko. You have to hope there are tougher tests ahead. I personally scored it level after the point deduction. Styles make matches / fights as we all know. Too big units cancelling each other out with both of them frightened to get levelled.

It was a good effort from Degale. Viewed on Showtime and apparently the Americans liked what they saw. Must be in a good position to now challenge Jack. I know the smart money is on Joshua. At the risk of being called clueless, I am stating now that I think Whyte has a cracking chance against him. I base this on their history as youngsters, the fact they have previously fought and also the fact that Whyte has had 80 kick-boxing fights. If you are used to being kicked in the chops maybe he can take Joshua's punches to the face? Meanwhile, what is Joshua's chin like? I'm thinking and hoping their is an upset. Love seeing Eddie Hearn go white about the gills and Joshua needs testing. Needless, its not a career defining fight for either and time is on their sides. Happy whoever wins. Fury ironed out? Not sure why everyone dislikes him and you can only beat what is stood in front of you. He bigged up his chances and sold his fight. If wanting to see the real Fury, watch the Gloves are Off or Behind the Ropes in the fight build-up. Bullshit baffles brains.

I'm not spoiling anything. If you don't want your ill-thought out posts repeating, don't write them. Your always moaning people do not read back a few pages but when someone does and reminds you, suddenly it is crass. You said I knew nothing about heavyweight boxing because I thought Fury would win. Care to retract that stupid comment? I saw the fight. Bute away was always going to be a tough fight, irrespective of how easily Froch beat him up. Last chance saloon and he put up a great effort. Ring commentators and Eddie Hearn had the fight close, maybe one round in it. Mcdonald told Degale he needed to win the last two rounds to win. Suprisingly, the judges saw it heavily in Degales favour, the result bringing boos and dsisacontent from the partisan home crowd. I thought Degale had won, but felt it was very close. Courageous of Degale to take his first defence away from home. He is a very confident fighter indeed. Won the title away, defended it away and now talking about unifying belts away again against Badou Jack. I think he wins that fight on points, too slick, too quick. Problem for Degale going up the levels is I don''t think he can knock the very best out and also suffers from stamina / concentration in the later rounds. I think Froch would get him on the ropes walking through his shots and take it away from him. On the stamina issue he looked tight at the weight which is a concern only one defence in. Meanwhile Froch is stating his current weight is 13 stone 7 with 8% body fat. Says there is no way he could get back to super middle-weight and if returning would have to fight at light-heavy. (Froch also thought Joshua is ill-matched against Whyte. I'm ot so sure and think it could be a cracker. Pleased for Crolla, Liam Smith, Fury and Degale. I think I am correct in saying we have 12 world champions at this time which is a cracking effort.

Smart arse? Cool. I only comment on stuff I know about and don't claim any expertise or knowledge when I'm clueless. Make of that what you will. The lack of class came from you. Surprised me back then. Read your own words. Told me I knew jack about heavyweight boxing because I dared to suggest Fury could win. No wonder you don't like me reminding you. It was obvious Fury had a cracking chance, even away from home.

Disappointing fight. Summed up Klitchko perfectly. The minute he faced a bigger man he struggled. Relatively easy fight for Fury. Wished he'd have stood his ground and pushed him back a bit more. If Klitchko fancies a re-match he deserves it for his lasting record, not based on his performance last night. Will need to change tactics however, take some chances and risk getting sparked out.

Nah Abbey wouldn't beat him Gav. He's the heavy weight champion of the world, not the bouncer at the dog and duck. I think you meant Klitchko wouldn't get near Fury. Just got your words mixed up. Yeah I appreciate the sport at all levels. And heavyweight obviously. More importantly I know what I am talking about. What about you? Congratulations to Tyson Fury. Chuffed for the lad. To all those suprised a bigger, younger, longer, quicker and hungrier man won the fight you need to actually study and learn about the sport and employ a tad of common sense as well. Three belt Heavyweight World Champion. Go on lad. Made for life. Dynamite.

Cotto was small at the weight. Canello massive. Maybe as many as 15 pounds heavier by the time the first bell went. Cotto's punches just bounced off him. Little difference in their skill levels, just a lack of power prevented Cotto making any positive strides forward. Soon find out whether Fury is simply good at talking the talk, or can actually walk the walk. I'm quietly confident in him, but realise he is the underdog and fgew agree. Would be great for UK boxing if he could win, especially with Whyte, Joshua and now Haye all milling about as well. Would certainly propel Hennessey into the big time as promoter of a three belt champion.