Tom Jones sang about The Green Green grass of home.

Lets just hope that as a result of Robert Green's howler against the USA in England's opening world Cup encounter with the USA the team won't be returning to this green and pleasant land much sooner than we'd hoped or expected.

Based on the evidence of the turgid contest between Algeria and Slovenia, I suspect they could put me in goal and still beat both those teams with something to spare so I'm not too worried.

USA were never going to be easy opponents and despite Slovenia (who i happen to have picked in not one but two sweepstakes) temporarily heading the group I expect our boys and the USA to qualify from Group C.

The early decision-making by Fabio looks less than fabulous already, doesn't it?

I - and most Rovers fans - would have definitely taken Robinson rather than Green in the first place and no less a qualified expert than Gordon Banks agreed with that view.

He hasn't had a good season with West Ham, unlike the other inexperienced keeper Joe Hart who did star for Birmingham.

I can only think that Capello was not satisfied with James' fitness or he would surely have opted for his experience.

What happened to that vow to only take players on the plane who were fully fit and ready for action?

So we have Gareth Barry sitting out the first game and Ledley King managing his usual one half before succumbing to an injury which must surely have been the banker bet of the whole tournament.

Rio's injury was perhaps less predictable but he's not exactly been a model of fitness this season has he?

At this rate Beckham might just get a game after all.

Have you ever played centre back, David?

I was disappointed with Australia's showing against the ever efficient Germans.

With a strong Rovers presence of present and past players (although that could easily become a strong Galatasary presence by the start of next season) I was hoping for a shock.

What we got was a shocking decision from the Mexican ref, a Count Dracula double, to send off Tim Cahill for a clumsy tackle that barely warranted a booking.

It wouldn't have altered the result but a 4-0 hammering has probably knocked the stuffing out of the Socceroos and they'll probably be without their best provider of goals for the next two qualifiers.

It's probably back to the "Land Down Under" for the Aussies in the not too distant future.