Good post mustard, some very good points. But Parsons support, for or against Bowyer, doesn't make the blindest but of difference. Some could argue that supporting Bowyer is supporting the football club, nothing wrong with that surely. But when it all boils down to it, the owners hire, the owners fire, what Parson you or me thinks is irrelevant. Bowyer is here for the season at least, unless the owners sod off.

When you look at the clubs transfer business alone, Barrow aside, we're going to struggle. I've read with interest some posters trying to tell the board what decent players the new signings really are, thats complete and utter bun_kum, they'd not be here on poor contracts if they'd been any good, so lets put that one to bed. We're significantly weaker this season on the playing side than last, look where we finished last season. Bowyer himself is trying his best, he's out of the his depth but is trying his best. The main consideration here is he's untouchable, he'll not be sacked because he's cheap and he's just made the owners 8m in transfer fees. They're not interested in league position, they're interested in getting some money back on their investment, Bowyer has done that this season and so thats a success. If the owners did sack Bowyer who would they bring in? Craig Short would be my guess, cheap option and easy option, back to square 1. The owners are the problem, until they go we better get used to the hysterics on here over the past 24hrs. If Rhodes goes we'll be relegated simple as that. VENKYS OUT

Butler needs to learn how to play a few defensive shots at Test level, its not all about knocking he paint of the ball, at times you need to dig in and occupy the crease at this level.

Credit to Chaddy I say, he said we'd not need KP to win the ashes and he was absolutely bang on the money. Tremendous display by England, no idea where it came from, but I'm not complaining.

2 catches gone down so far, Bell and Cook, what a difference a day makes. Still we're in total control

and the sun comes out

Stokes catch was tremendous, as Nassar said it was almost behind him when he caught it, great bit of cricket.

Broad is unplayable at the moment, they're not bad shots these, just putting the ball in the right place.

Great toss to win by Cook and Broad takes his 300th wicket to dismiss Rodgers and SMITHS JUST GONE!! We could win this today! LoL

£91 a ticket Shaun, don't feel sorry for them, they're robbing the public at those prices. Great win today, I'm stunned to be honest, I thought we'd lose the series 5-0 as we showed no form whatsoever in the lead up to this series. Interesting stat today, in the last 9 tests England have wlwlwlwlw - so the next is a loss, but we'll see.

What a fantastic days cricket, whilst £90 was steep you certainly got value for money yesterday, I know Tris went also. Lets hope we get these polished off in the next hour or so and on to Trent Bridge, minus Anderson, but leading 2-1

Good decision so far. Enjoy the live action tomorrow den, sadly we can't make it now, gutted

Harbourmasters Oysters stood up well a few weeks back Mike, from Ireland I believe, possibly the best I've had.

I fancy going to Canterbury also, we'll see what happens. Tough game.

On the beach rubbing the ECB's noses in it! Who can blame him.

Richard Ashcroft - A song for the lovers

To be honest I thought we'd lose every game in this series so winning 1 was a bonus. Stating the obvious but our top order needs to find some form, how many times in the past 2yrs have be been 50-3, then Root saves us? Not good enough.

I think Lyth, Balance and Bell should all be feeling vulnerable for the next test. Balance looks petrified, Bell looks past it and Lyth will come again I'm sure. But with KP never getting in the side I'm not sure we can replace any them to be honest.

England are 33/1 currently

Agreed, dropped catch also.

With Lyth going early and Balance looking anything but confident its going to be a long few days for England, in fact I'd be surprised if Balance lasts the day out. Aussies need 19 wickets, I think they'll probably get them, hope I'm wrong. Thought so, gone

Bob Dylan - It's all over baby blue

Absolutely spanked today, long day in the field, could be something in this pitch for the spinners as the game goes on, but hopefully it has draw written all over it if we bat well.

Froch retires, pity really I fancied a trip to Vegas... Very good fighter, all action, big heart and worth the admission fee. Where's the next Froch esq fighter coming from?

Leo Sayer - You make me feel like dancing