Crash, bang, wallop. What a welcome back to second division football.

The draw at Cambridge might have finished goalless but there was enough incident to keep everybody interested. There was a row in the tunnel beforehand, a ridiculous red card as well as a host of yellows, a clear-cut penalty not given and nearly a last-minute winner. Not bad for starters.

The match was the first time I had started a league fixture since the April 1 2000, so I was mightily relieved to survive the 90 minutes and keep a clean sheet although I was in need of a spare lung by the finish. The sheer pace of the game took some adjusting to and the Cambridge tactics meant that Danny and I were suffering from severe headaches on the coach journey home.

When you play a team like Cambridge it is important to apply the basic principles of defending. It is not always possible to win the first ball so it is vital you offer your team-mates cover. I thought we dealt with everything they threw at us and because the lads in midfield and attack worked so hard to protect us, they rarely threatened our goal. The only dodgy moment was in the final minutes when Jonesy, the Welsh lionheart, broke an eyelash and started limping about.

As per usual the season opened with a flood of red cards as referees up and down the country tried to stamp their authority on proceedings. Dodge was particularly unlucky to be shown a red card for two trivial offences. A sending-off like that would never have occurred when Dodge first started his career back in the Fifties.

The referee also got it wrong when Cambridge appealed for a first-half penalty. I was definitely guilty of tripping their forward so both teams were quite rightly aggrieved at the finish. My Brighton debut also included a silly booking, which means I now have the same number of yellow cards as that well-known hardman 'Chopper' Brooker.

The referee's nerves were not helped beforehand by a row with Dirk over his earrings. Dirk never, ever takes them out but this referee ordered him to otherwise he couldn't play. Dirk then tried to put tape on his ears as part of a superstition that he has carried throughout his career, but he wasn't allowed to do that either. Needless to say Dirk was not amused.

The trip was my first experience of an overnight stay with the lads. I roomed with Geoff Pitcher and, apart from me having to make his tea, fetch the papers and watch while he flooded the bathroom, he was a perfect roommate. I did notice that Dodge slipped away very quickly after dinner to watch his favourite Friday night gardening programmes. Apparently he has green fingers, and last year he planted some runner beans. He hasn't been able to catch any of them yet though. Then he fed his lawn with whisky and his grass came up half cut.

On Tuesday night we start out on the cup trail with a difficult tie with Wimbledon. The Wombles were one of the best teams in the first division during the latter stages of last season and picked up where they left off with an opening day win over Birmingham. They have very quick front men and, in contrast to the old days of Corky and the Crazy Gang, they now prefer to pass the ball around. We have to believe in ourselves and think we are capable of making the headlines as giant-killers. Remember Wycombe? Cup wins breed confidence as well as providing the supporters with additional excitement and keeping the bank manager happy.

Finally, I'd like to take this opportunity to wish my old club, Fulham, the best of luck as they start their Premiership campaign this weekend. Five years ago, on August 17, 1996, Fulham kicked off their Third Division campaign at home to Hereford. A certain Mr M. Adams was the manager and the squad included Messrs Cullip, Watson, Morgan and Brooker. It just shows what is possible. Where will Brighton be in five years time? Fulham start with an easy fixture away to Manchester United. Good luck boys, I think you're going to need it.