Right, You'll all disagree but everyone is allowed an opinion (although, some disagree with that)
This England team is not very good and hasn't been for a very very long time. It's had some good knocks (then players are lauded as superstars) and it's had some wins but generally it's a poor team. England 'fans' have to start to be brutally honest about these players, the team, the set up and the fact that quite frankly.. They aren't very good
Sibley - The lad bats time and that's what this side (and test cricket top orders) need. Sure, he's no Cook (who was limited), Strauss or Trott but he is the best option we have currently and doing that role. Could be be better, dam right and should be training/learning to improve.
Burns - lad isn't very good.. lets be honest again.. However, again.. the best we have right now. Can he improve.. yep loads.. will he... probably not so lets just accept he's not great, enjoy the odd good knock for what it is but cast the eye to the next 15-20yr old and start creating a replacement
Crawley - Again, doesn't look unto it sadly but has been given a run. Pretty much the same as Burns .. unless there is someone better, why bother just switching lifeboats.. and no.. Barstow/Buttler/Stokes et all are not hte answer at 3..
Hameed - Would love him to be good enough again... question is... is he.. Only one way to find out but do we want to chop and change now before the Ashes..
Malan - badly treated by England (yet again).. Chances are he won't play a part and due to his age.. is it worth it anyway now?
Root - Englands ONLY test class batsmen. Just leave him batting at 4 or 5 though, don't start pushing him higher as he's not a top order batsmen
Stokes - All rounder. Great purple patch over the last 18-24 months but lets not kid ourselves. (although I'm sure people will wet themselves cause he's the greatest thing since sliced bread)... he should be at 6/7 BUT.. bUT.... England don't have any viable options currently but should be looking for some!!
Pope - looks the business... not scoring the runs.. Lets not make the same mistake and keep backing a dead donkey.. Given him another 10 tests and if he doesn't get that average to an actual test batters average then start to look for alternatives .. Maybe still play him while you find one, but stop bS'ing him up all the time
Buttler/Bairstow - Flogging dead horses. If they can't make it as test batters then kick them out and admit that we've wasted a lot of time on two players who just aren't good enough (although..... it's very impressive that Bairstow appears to have changed technique a bit.. it is too late though, he's had too many chances)
Foakes - for gods sake just put him in the side ... at 6/7 and tell him he's the man for 20 tests at least. see if he can average 40 because his keeping is far above the rest but we need the runs too sadly.
curran - for gods sake.. you guys seem to want to have his babies because he is a god $%^& (sorry, 'aggressive' and 'competitive')... biffs a few runs... he's there as a bowler.. and isn't good enough... admit he's just a modern bits and pieces player for white ball and kick him into touch.. laughable that he's in a test side.
Anderson/Broad - aging but still sadly the best we have.
Archer - They broke him.. He will be a 2020 merchant now.. maybe a few more odd games but accept he's not interested, his body can't take it and let him go earn his fortune as a mercenary
Robinson - fair play lad... looks tasty.. give him a run (shame about his stinking attitude though but hey ho)
Wood - not a 'good' bowler but sharp and we need some pace so he's in
leech - massively badly treated by England
We don't need 'team plans'.. just let each player play their game BUT expect them to adapt to each game situation. If they can't adapt to a game situation then they have no business playing red ball, let alone test cricket.. One dimensional players are to be left in white ball
I don't care if England aren't very good, I don't overly care if they lose.. just stop BS'ing them or the players up as something they aren't as we have from 2015 onwards.. accept it's a poor crop, admit it and then try and change it.. don't keep spouting the ECB line that they are some kind of 'world class' or when they happen to have a good day start saying 'look how good <insert player> is.. nailed on number x'... every dog has his day after all.. Bairstow has proven that with some timely knocks to keep saving his test skin.
Well played India but they aren't that hot either.. Enlgand only need to dig in and they can turn them over. Again, peopel over rate this India side due to the hype surrounding them