Let’s be clear about something here. While we may be slightly disappointed at AUS getting 280 rather than 150, it wasn’t so much England ballsing it up as Smith playing a fabulous innings. If they had slipped from 220 for 4 to 280 all out we would all have been cock-a-hoop so let’s wait until England have batted before slashing our wrists eh?

It’s the constant negativity that pisses me off Jim. I rarely comment on matches until both sides have batted - though I have a feeling anything under 300 is below par. Smith showed everyone you can bat on that pitch once you’ve done the hard yards. We haven’t let tail enders double their score, Smith is head and shoulders their best test batsman. Siddle is no mug either. And as I said our best bowler was injured.

If you’re only in your early 50s you can’t possibly have seen enough of either of them to even have an opinion on whether Finney was better than Best.

One day you will post something positive about the England cricket team. I’m guessing most people would have taken bowling the Aussies our for around 250 when we lost the toss this morning. Their best batsman carried them along, it happens. We also lost our best bowler after just 4 overs. Give England some credit.

Love it. And does anyone remember Dickie Davies announcing on World of Sport that Charlie George had just pissed a late fartness test?

The use of that word in itself implies that they once did. I'm afraid you are just plain wrong about Manchester and Liverpool. Even in my lifetime they were considered part of Lancs. Hence the East Lancs Road that connects them! Condolences for your recent loss by the way mate.

Both before my time but my dad reckoned there was nothing to choose between Finney and Douglas. He wasn't overly complimentary about Matthews and I don't think Clayton and Lofthouse were quite at that same level. In the modern era Shearer by a mile - better than Kenny and Giggs at their peak while he was with us. Gerrard and Scholes aren't in the same league as the Bests and Charltons of this world either. All in my opinion of course (and my late dad's when it comes to the older mob).

Brilliant!! The art of terrace wit to that level has sadly been lost. I also remember the Kop spontaneously singing Careless Hands by Max Bygraves the instant that Gary Sprake chucked one in his own net at anfield.

Keith Fear, I think

A great read, thanks. Best wishes to JW. Those photos bring back some happy memories but quite shocking how many of the people in them passed away prematurely. RIP Kevin Stonehouse, Paul Comstive, Noel Brotherston, Mick Heaton, Howard Kendall

Bachman Turner Overdrive - You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet

Thanks for the information Joe, much appreciated.

The Move - Flowers in the Rain

Geno Washington - Michael (The Lover)

Nirvana - Heart Shaped Box

The Jam - Tales From the River Bank

I'm sure you're right but your post didn't half remind me of this and made me chuckle

Which I suppose all goes to prove that looking at the fixture list and worrying about where the points might be coming from is a bit of a waste of time just yet. Once we get two or three months into the season and have a better idea of the stronger and weaker sides, maybe it becomes more valid to do that. If we just go out and impose ourselves on every team we play we'll be just fine.

And yet we dropped two points to a demoralising last minute goal against the worst team in the league on the season's opening day. I don't disagree with the logic of what you say but it is way, way too early to be looking that far ahead (IMHO of course)

Used to drive me crazy mate, to be honest. Much preferred the Mark Hughes method of sticking it to the big boys, not lying down to them.

Maybe I'm just old fashioned but I was always taught that the best ploy is to concentrate on one game at a time. We have no idea who is going to be good, bad or indifferent yet so scanning the fixtures trying to work out where the points are coming from is futile. Its a bit like Mowbray worrying too much about what the opposition can do instead of focussing on our own strengths. I do agree that it is always better to kick off with a win, but plenty of teams start slowly, including those that look 'strong' on paper.

To the people describing this as a 'must win' game - give your heads a wobble. It is certainly a 'should win' game though, and I would like to see something akin to the team that finished the game at Rangers as the starting line up, but I suspect he will play all the experienced players and we will plod along until younger legs are introduced. I would do the opposite - send the young 'uns out to demolish Charlton and then bring the experience on to see the game out. 3-1 to Rovers

Them - Baby, Please Don't Go

Paul Weller - Blink and You Just Might Miss It

The Electric Light Orchestra - The Diary of Horace Wimp