1-1 Fulham still have Malbranque and Boa Morte. We couldn't cope in May so why should we do so now? However, I expect Sparky will find a way of stemming the damage but finding a way of getting the midfield to make dangerous passes (dangerous to the opposition, not dangerously reckless like yesterday) from open play will be beyond the coaching staff. At least we don't have to worry about defending an unbeaten start to the season.

Mark Hughes' after match comments on the official board are one of the few grounds for optimism following yesterday's defeat. Certainly, it is very unlikely that West Ham will have another 45 minutes in the Premiership where everything will fall for them just so right as it did in the second half yesterday. We made their good breaks for them. As for Dickov- he had gone up to Emerton to give him a piece of his mind immediately after the third goal so was obviously wound up and passionate. Another interpretation is that he was an idiot. I would imagine that the Rovers appearance before the FA because of our disciplinary record will be coming up this week. All the arguments from Hughes and William of new season, new approach etc. can be chucked in the bin now. Guess the fine went up another £25K or so when Dickov lunged in.

Great day for Australia- all three sessions went their way. Fortunately, England are still in a potential match-winning position. However, we need good weather and three quick wickets or we can forget about winning this Test.

How do the Rovers manage to make me feel ashamed to be a Rovers fan quite so often? Dickov and Emerton were utterly unprofessional.

Suddenly this is a very big game for us.

or until it stops raining?

Just taken hotmail off my PC preferring Skype and MSN (Skype is brilliant- can have multiple conversations as well as chat!) but I can log in through another account.

I've just tried the chat section to see whether we can go online today but it looped me back to the forums. Is this completely dead now? I guess I'd better ring round the bars of San julian's to find out who is carrying the Rovers game- the Britannia Bar has closed to make way for a new road.

Word of warning- anyone getting into difficulty with the Old bill will not be going. Zero tolerance will no doubt catch some innocents as well.

Three London clubs in the first three games. Here's hoping we give them all a lesson in how the noble game should be played. The Guardian's writers have their stab at 1 to 20 here. two put us challenging for Europe, the rest well down the bottom half but not in trouble.

Islam in fact being the more recent religion is generally recognised as a more advanced theology and does not promote primitive teachings. Islamic philosophy, mathematics, archectural design, engineering have all been in advance of those practised by Christians at numerous stages throughout history. A very interesting poll carried out by the BBC showed a sizeable majority of British muslims in favour of islamic teaching in the UK to be carried out in English. Christianity outlawed preaching the Bible in English for centuries and within my life time was conducting services in latin. Religions and their institutions by their very nature are conservative and slow moving but I have enormous confidence in the strength of Islam to preach the message of peace and to survive the great stresses it is going through at present. Would there have been the "radicalisation" had the Soviets not invaded Afghanistan in 1979 and the West intervened by finding the only muslims willing to take up arms against the Soviets?- the small minority of nutcase clerics who promised 72 virgins to every youngster willing to go to certain death against the Russian tanks and armour.

Good first day for England helped by the Aussies having a bad one but its still very possible for England to be all out sub-400 and a couple of Aussie to make big tons on that track. No need for rain dancing by either side.

Another prediction, this time from a Spurs supporter. I think its very well argued and pretty fair. Incidentally don't moan until you get to the bottom. Then moan then realise what he is really saying.

Nelsen has told New Zealand Radio that he doesn't think his knee will be ready for this week-end.

The official site has a figure of 11,200 season tickets sold or 2,000 down on this time last year. I guess its going to be important the Rovers get off to a good start in the Prem to raise interest levels. English season ticket prices are the highest in Europe according to this report. The FA Premiership response to Lib Dem Don Foster's point about normal market forces not working is a classic piece of not answering the question put. It seems ordinary rules of supply and demand only work at Ewood

Thenodrog's Islamophobia seems totally out of control so its almost pointless explaining that stonings for adultery are so rare that the western press picks up on them from the rural back of beyond in Nigeria or Pakistan. As I've pointed out, the Bible also has some pretty outlandish punishments prescribed. This is gruesome reading. It recounts systematic murder, rape and torture perpetrated by Christians on Muslims in Europe in one town (largely unknown to the world at large) within the last ten years. I condemn this utterly as much as I abhor the executions of Iran, and the barbaric excesses of Shariah.

Can we just ban Vinjay for being so boring and spineless? Let him back when he files a report of his meeting with John Williams.

At the moment, Australia are carrying a lame duck skipper in Ponting. His innings at some point tomorrow will be one of the biggest challenges in his career.

Read page 4 of this thread Great minds and all that

Hoggard did his job OK. At least Freddie didn't have to come out tonight and Old Trafford will be packed before the players emerge in the morning. What price a Freddie first ball duck? Excellent day for England today- we're on for either a good total or a massive total tomorrow.

Funny, I hadn't thought about that possibility Shillito.

The LET are reporting that both Bellamy and Nelsen are doubtful for the game at West Ham. So who is correct?

With the number of chances being missed by Australia, this has the feeling of the 1st Test in reverse.

Ok, ignore the stab in the dark on page 1. Kick off two days away and many of the transfers I had expected haven't occured so my final prediction is: 1. Liverpool 2. Chelsea 3. Arsenal 4. Man U 5. Middlesbrough 6. Spurs 7. Rovers 8. Everton 9. Charlton 10. Villa 11. City 12. Pompey 13. Newcastle 14. Bolton 15. Birmingham 16. Fulham 17. West Ham 18. Sunderland 19. West Brom 20. Wigan

No - and I expect Sparky to keep the uncertainty over Bellamy and Nelsen going until the team sheet is announced at 2pm on Saturday. Whilst West Ham will be buoyant following their promotion, the lack of Prem experience in their squad means there will be plenty of pre-big match nerves as well. Winding that up a notch so they don't know whether they will be dealing with one of the Prem's quickest forwards and most effective and uncompromising defenders has got to be good psychology in my book. ... and give Matt Jansen and Tugay an on-pitch pre-match fitness test which involves practising ball juggling skills. That one will psyche them out as well. Ripley giving a virtuoso display along the half way line in the warm up at the County Ground terrified the Swindon players before our game there early in the season they spent in the Prem! Another example- Ibrahimovich, Ljungberg and Larssen's keepy uppy session with two balls between them during the warm-up here in Malta so mesmerised the opposition that Sweden were 4-0 up after 16 minutes!