Blackburn vs. Arsenal

AKA Sparky vs. Arsene. The 5th Round FA Cup replay. It's on. You know you want to watch it but probably can't, so join us on the blog, won't you? Ta very much.

Japanese Kitten Rock

Forgive me for the digression from the footie chatter, but I had to post this - the latest music craze in Japan - the punk rock kittens! Dozo yorishiku!

Another Important Night

A big day in the FA Cup with two replays on tap tonight.
WBA host Middlesbrough and Reading take on my Manchester United.
The picture chosen is with an FA Cup Theme but also with best of luck to Leeds who take on Birmingham tonight at St. Andrews. Maybe it is a good time to meet them. They have struggled lately. Luton could also take a loss tonight as well
Best of luck to the white United and the RED
I will be around hopefully until the end of everything. I do have to teach at the college tonight so no extra time please.

More Handbags!

And in case you missed it, here's the argy bargy from yesterday's Carling Cup. I give it a 5.5 on the 'Enry Cooper "Great Smell of Brut" Punchometer. I would have loved to have seen Arsene and Jose throw down. Also, can any of you lipreaders make out what Cesc Fabregas is saying to Lamps? Bet it's rather spicy!

United vs. Lille Recap

I know it's a bit dated now, but here's a really good recap of the Lille vs. United match from last week. After looking at it again, I'm still convinced that the goal should have been called back but that Lille should be thrown out of the competition for their behavior. I fart in their general direction!

Entertaining Match

I was able to go to a friend's house to watch this match.
Arsenal ran riot over Chelski and definitely deserved to be in the lead.
Drogba's goal could have been offside.
Chelsea fans were throwing celery at the Arsenal players.
Terry's injury was nasty
Droba's second was a great header
The brawl was nasty. Two Arsenal and one Chelsea players sent off. Lamps and Cesc should have been sent off as well.
Adebayor could be in major trouble with his actions after being sent off.
Amazing scenes.
Over 100 minutes of play

West Ham vs. Charlton

It couldn't be any more tense. Simply put - it's a must win for both clubs. You can tell who I'm pulling for - come on you Hammers! Join me for the big match and for live chat on the rest of the Premiership and Championship schedule.

This Much Clear?

I sitting here listening to United on the computer. No goals in the first few minutes. If we get a win, we could be 9 points clear in a couple of ours.

Of course, there are other big games down the wrong half of both divisions.
Best of luck both of you.

Goals I Remember, Volume Five

It's a massive day for the Happy Hammers tomorrow - another true relegation dogfight. So in the effort to raise claret and blue spirits ahead of the match, here's a happier memory - Sir Trevor Brooking's "rare headed goal" in the 1980 FA Cup Final. Where were all of you when this one went in?

Giggs Free-kick - You Be the Ref!

Dave the ManYoo partisan won't like it, but after reviewing this Giggs free-kick from yesterday's match against Lille, I think it should have been retaken. Most of the blame falls on the referee. FIFA rules specify that the referee is to raise his arm and blow his whistle once sharply to indicate a direct free kick. This clown does neither but just sort of shuffles out of the way. I'm not sure he's even watching when the ball goes in. The rule is there but it's rarely enforced. I've seen the opposite where the ref has raised his arm, blown his whistle and called back a perfectly good goal because the wall wasn't set. That's equally wrong. A little consistency, referee?!

More Champions League

The next set of games in the Champions League is today.
ESPN2 is showing Chelski at Porto.
The Liverpool/Barca game is on at 5 pm on ESPN Classic

Also, a very big Premiership game is on tap.
Wigan go to Watford. A Watford win is must for West Ham followers.
I will be here until Bob kicks me off.

Hope for some company

Copa America Draw!

The draw for Copa America 2007 has been made and has thrown up some fascinating clashes. Here are the three groups in the first stage:

Group A:
Venezuela (The Hosts)
Uruguay
Bolivia
Peru

Group B:
Brazil
Ecuador
Chile
Mexico (Invited Guest)

Group C:
Argentina
USA (Invited Guest)
Paraguay
Colombia

Two teams from each group as well as the two best third place finishers make up the quarter final pool. All games will be played in Venezuela between June 26 and July 15, which will give us some footer to watch since it's not a WC or Euro summer.

A Fascinating Day On All Levels

A great day of football is in store.
We have the Champions League and the Coca Cola League all over the place today.
I will be watching the PSV/Arsenal match on ESPN2, listening to Lille/Man Utd on the computer and following the scores of all the rest of the scores from the Champions League and Coke. VERY IMPORTANT GAMES. None bigger than at Elland Road. Leeds United vs Queens Park Rangers. There is also Barnsley/Hull, Luton/Wednesdy, Southend/Palace.
Best of luck Bob.

Hope to have some company come 2:30

THE QUARTER FINALS

Here is the draw

Middlesbrough/WBA vs Manchester United/Reading
Arsenal/Blackburn vs Manchester City
Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur
Plymouth Argyle vs Watford

The big three kept apart again. Chelsea gets another home draw. Glad to see that Plymouth/Watford will make the semis. Let's hope it is Argyle

Sunday Footie Wrap-up

Well, it's been a painful few day's with the desktop in the shop for repairs and the laptop in NYC with KC, so I've missed out on the footie discussion as I've watched the matches this weekend. Any thoughts, gents?

Wise: "We Have No Clue"

You said it, Dennis! Actually, Wisey was referring to the on-going Keystone Cops-like investigation of the "mole" who released the team sheet for Saturday's game to Palace officials on Friday, but it's a metaphor for everything that's going on down at the Elland these days.

Read more at: http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8652_1916418,00.html

Footie Trivia Question of the Week

Despite Gooner's suggestion of dumping the trivia, I've decided to persist because...well, the feature appeals to the public educator in me. That said, give the rest a chance Dave!

"Who are the two players who have scored in every season of the Premiership?"

Arsenal vs. Wigan Live!

Remember the "Big Match" with Brian Moore? Well, these days 11 a.m. on a Sunday on FSC is our equivalent. No more Gerry Harrison commenting on matches from Portman Road. Just live coverage on the LOB. Join me if you can be arsed.

Ali G Interviews the Beckhams

As Ali G would say, "This is wicked, man!" Gooner spotted this one, so I thought I'd post it for the amusement of all. Enjoy!

Soccer Saturday

Another Saturday, another opportunity for Leeds to save themselves. Unfortunately even a win keeps us rooted on the bottom of the Coke given Southend's spectacular win last night. Still, we need to keep focused on that fourth from bottom spot, which is five (or six) points away. We need a win today at the Elland against Palace. Join me for the action, lads.

Pazz and Jop 2007

The Village Voice's annual Pazz and Jop music poll has been a February tradition in my house for many years. The premise is simple - hundreds of music crits across the country are polled and their favorites listed. Here's this year's Top Ten:

1) Bob Dylan - Modern Times

2) TV on the Radio - Return to Cookie Mountain

3) Ghostface Killah - Fishscale

4) The Hold Steady - Boys and Girls in America

5) Gnarls Barkley - St. Elsewhere

6) Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not

7) The Clipse - Hell Hath No Fury

8) Neko Case - Fox Confessor Brings the Flood

9) Joanna Newsom - Ys

10) Tom Waits - Orphans

You can find the full results at: http://www.villagevoice.com/pazzandjop06/

A Friendly Day

Yes, it a day chock full of friendlies. Some, of course, are more important than others to us; and the England vs. Spain match will be my major focus of attention this afternoon as I'm trying to get through a raft of bad test papers. Join me for the footie if you're around and about, lads.

What Is This Guy Up To???

England: Foster (Watford); Gary Neville (Man Utd), Phil Neville (Everton), Rio Ferdinand (Man Utd), Woodgate (Middlesbrough); Gerrard (Liverpool, capt), Carrick (Man Utd), Wright-Phillips (Chelsea), Lampard (Chelsea), Dyer (Newcastle); Crouch (Liverpool).


Very strange!!!

Goals I Remember, Volume Four

Manchester United must be stopped! In an effort to put the hoodoo on their efforts, here's a gentle reminder of better days. Specifically, Old Trafford hero Denis Law putting the knife in his former colleagues with a cheeky backheel for Citeh that saw the Red Devils relegated. Enjoy!

Footie Trivia Question of the Week

Another week, another pesky trivia question:

"Which Midlands club has the ground that is the furthest above sea level in Great Britain?"

Guess Who's Coming to Denver?

Here's a special Saturday night brain tickler. Which Premiership side has recently inked a new special relationship with the Colorado Rapids? Apparently the term that sealed the deal is that the "Crapids" will change their name to "(Premiership side name) Colorado."

Any guesses?

Another Fascinating Weekend

The Merseyside Derby is still goaless at half.
Arsenal go to the Riverside in the late game.
West Ham are live on FSC in the battle of Claret and Blues.
Leeds hope to build on their midweek win, when they travel to Carrow Road.
United go to White Hart Lane tomorrow.

The big one is, of course, the battle of the Universities. Oxford welcome Cambridge United to the Kassam Stadium.

I will be here for a while before I am off to basketball but will be here for the late game.

Hope for some company until Bob knocks me off.

The Newest England Squad

Goalkeepers: Paul Robinson (Tottenham), Ben Foster (Manchester United, on loan at Watford), Chris Kirkland (Wigan).

Defenders: Gary Neville (Manchester United), Phil Neville (Everton), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Jonathan Woodgate (Real Madrid, on loan at Middlesbrough), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Michael Dawson (Tottenham), Micah Richards (Manchester City).

Midfield: Aaron Lennon (Tottenham), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Owen Hargreaves (Bayern Munich), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Chelsea), Scott Parker (Newcastle), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Gareth Barry (Aston Villa), Joey Barton (Manchester City), Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham), Kieron Dyer (Newcastle).

Forwards: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Peter Crouch (Liverpool), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham), Andrew Johnson (Everton).

I glad to see some new faces for this week's friendly with Spain.

Your thoughts?