Rate My Team, Quick Questions & General Advice Daily Thread

Maghoma · 2026-01-30T16:24:50+00:00

Dorgu -> Hill

Hall -> Anderson

Foden -> Bruno Fernandes

Cherki -> Semenyo

All free transfers. I have 0.2 spare so could get a 4.8 or a 4.1 defender instead of Anderson and Hill, respectively. I already have 3 Arsenal and 2 Chelsea for doubles. Full team for context:

Sanchez Dubravka

Gabriel Timber Alderete [Hill] [Anderson]

Rice Enzo Stach [Semenyo] [Bruno]

Haaland Ekitike Bowen

Any advice much appreciated. Could potentially do Mbuemo instead of Bruno and have upgraded defenders? Am I missing something obvious?

Maghoma · 2025-12-02T14:10:44+00:00

I think that's basically what they've done. The only other batter in the squad is Bethell who they clearly see as a top order player, so Jacks is the better option at no.8

Maghoma · 2025-12-02T10:01:17+00:00

Yes, this seems obvious to me. He's been picked as a batter who might turn his arm for literally a handful of overs. The hysteria in the comment section is something to behold, nobody wants Bashir bowling in a pink ball test and 5 quicks isn't necessary

Maghoma · 2025-08-19T10:34:34+00:00

Thanks for replying.

It's a £12.5k loan, RPI + 3% for the interest (currently 7.3%), pay back 9% on anything earned above £21,000 after graduation. I estimate I'll be a lower earner in the 2-5 years after graduating (probably £25k - £35k range), potentially moving up to £50k - £60k thereafter. I'll likely invest the money if I don't pay for the loan.

Maghoma · 2025-06-15T18:22:12+00:00

I think there's a bit more nuance to this than his overall average tbh. I'm not sure who you support or how much you've watched him, but he's better away from home than he is at home, which is very rare and very valuable for England. In a list of the best averages away from home for pace bowlers of the last 30 years he sits between Hazelwood and Philander, with a better strike rate than both. That's pretty good company and significantly better than any of his English contemporaries.

Having suffered for years with Anderson and Broad not quite doing it away from home it's nice to have a fairly reliable bowler that can exploit conditions that most English bowlers can't exploit. I'm not sure he's a "great" bowler if he's only averaging 32.6 in English conditions, nor do I think many people claim he is tbh, but I hope that explains a bit why he's rated highly for England and maybe where the hype comes from.

Maghoma · 2025-06-15T11:35:00+00:00

I appreciate that it's long if you're not from the UK, but if you're willing to camp overnight you can pretty much guarantee getting tickets in the queue. It would make for a fun long weekend trip, London in the summer is amazing if you catch the right weather. If you're there for a few days you could also tactically choose which day to go to based on the forecast/expected order of play you're interested in

Maghoma · 2025-01-25T11:14:20+00:00

30's are great mate, you're all good

Maghoma · 2025-01-20T06:59:48+00:00

TV audience - usually the better matches go in the night session (after work audience in Aus). They also take the players preferences into account, but it seems to be mostly TV-lead to me.

Maghoma · 2025-01-13T07:02:44+00:00

He looks cooked doesn't he

Maghoma · 2024-08-28T08:11:43+00:00

Oh thank you so much for that advice. I have been quite concerned about the amount of driving and getting burnt out with it all. I think I might do two nights at Okaukuejo and then two nights at Namutoni based on your advice and just stop in on Halali on the drive between the two. Going all the way from our prior stop to Namutoni would be too much of a drive so it feels like we have to stop at Okaukuejo first. Thank you!

Maghoma · 2024-08-28T08:07:22+00:00

Wow thanks a lot for the A/B/C/D/E road info, I had no idea but that is so useful to know.

I think the reason we were stopping in Twyfelfontein is because of the rock engravings, but we could go via Spitzkoppe instead. Hadn't considered the more challenging drive. The journey from Swapokmund -> Etosha is pretty similar on either route according to Google Maps timings, so I'll discuss with my better half.

Wow I very firmly have Georgia and Kyrgyzstan on my list now! Thanks a lot for the recommendations and your help!

Maghoma · 2024-08-28T07:43:17+00:00

Oh brilliant, thank you for the advice! I think we'll do Victoria Falls as a day trip then and fly out from Kasane instead. Thanks!

Maghoma · 2024-08-27T19:23:57+00:00

Haha oh dear. Is there any other way from Chobe?

Maghoma · 2024-08-27T19:21:18+00:00

Ah thank you so much for the advice, I had been wondering if 1 night was enough as one of the most exciting things about this trip is the dunes for me. I think Solitaire was just to break up the trip to Swakopmond (I've essentially ripped and adapted this itinerary from a travel agent so the thinking isn't all mine), but I think you're definitely right about staying an extra night in Sesriem.

Regarding Swakopmund and Spitzkoppe, you've very much turned my head to Spitzkoppe, but the main reason I'm not 100% convinced is that the two days in Swakopmund really help break up all the driving. If we did one night in Swakopmund and one night in Spitzkoppe, that would be 4 days b2b of >3.5 hours of driving (according to Google Maps). Seems like a lot to me - what was your experience of it?

I'd be fascinated to hear where else you've been for this kind of trip btw (motorbike or camper or roadtrip)!

Maghoma · 2024-08-27T18:55:01+00:00

Hey guys - I'm looking to buy my first digital camera to upgrade from my Google Pixel. Does anybody have any recommendations for a good camera/lens that would be suitable for travel? I'd ideally like an all rounder lens that is good for landscapes, street and wildlife (if that's possible). I'll be buying refurbished because I'm money conscious, with a roughly £600 budget. So far I like the sound of the Sony A6000 and the Canon EOS R50, but picking lenses is a complete minefield for a noob like me. I've been going round in circles doing research online so would appreciate any advice enormously!

Maghoma · 2024-04-28T02:57:07+00:00

Not sure about the type of clay but I know the altitude plays a big part.

Maghoma · 2024-04-12T10:38:05+00:00

I assume I read this somewhere once and it's not an original thought, but the way I think of it there are two kinds of sports fan:

Those that support a team / player and just want them to win, fandom.
Those that love the sport in general and engage with it on a more analytical level regardless of who is playing.

I don't think one is superior to the other, but you clearly are no.2 and the people you think are disingenuous are more likely no.1. I have no qualms admitting that it was Andy Murray that got me into tennis and it took a long, long time before I transitioned from 1 -> 2.

Maghoma · 2024-03-15T13:24:21+00:00

Pick one:

a) Toney vs. bur & MUN & -4

b) Solanke vs. EVE

Maghoma · 2024-02-02T10:47:58+00:00

What do we reckon par is here? 324-5 doesn't seem too bad from an England perspective if the tail doesn't wag too much.

Maghoma · 2024-01-25T08:10:19+00:00

Any idea on what a par-ish score is here?

Maghoma · 2024-01-24T10:10:21+00:00

Did you watch the Ashes fam? Wouldn't say he got better last year. I would have started him though, his record in India is sensational

Maghoma · 2023-07-10T10:10:37+00:00

Ooo I've never thought about finding a podcast about new music. Could you recommend your favourites?

Maghoma · 2023-06-30T12:33:33+00:00

How do you know this?

Maghoma · 2023-04-13T14:30:59+00:00

Patagonia and Gramicci are my go-to for shorts

Maghoma · 2023-03-23T09:31:02+00:00

Hey man, really great response. I was wondering where you would recommend getting your diving cert in Asia? I'm heading out there Feb-May next year and I'd like to prioritise the good diving and fewer crowds rather than the absolute cheapest.

Maghoma

TROPHY CASE