Happy Birthday LOB!

It's the first anniversary of Lakenheath Old Boys today! This time last year I was propped up in bed recovering from surgery when I decided that we needed a forum for our Anglophilic reminiscences and ramblings. It's been a great year and I look forward to many memories in the future.

Big Sam is Off...

...but where is he headed? That's right, Allardyce has said goodbye to the cosy confines of the Reebox, and only a few weeks before the end of the season with Bolton fighting for a UEFA spot. What's the explanation for this bizarre behavior? 365 predicts that he's going to take over at Citeh at the end of the season. But would you really leave Bolton to go to Citeh, if you were Big Sam? My fear is that Macca will be out of the England job in the summer and Allardyce swiftly installed when he goes. Any thoughts, gents?

...And the Bottom!

And now that the big boys have had their say, it's time to get down to the real business - the relegation battle. My eyes mainly be on Elland Road, where the Whites must beat Ipswich to have any hope of staying up. We also need some help with Hull. It's all on the line. It's not an understatement to say that this match is one of the most important in the club's history.

Come on you Whites!

The Top...

Treble or quadruple. They're both on the line this morning. You know the details: ManYoo are on 82 pts, Chelski on 79. Both are scheduled for intiguing early matches this morning - Chelski host Bolton and ManYoo go to Goodison Pk. to take on a hungry Everton. It's all up for grabs....join me or be a numpty.

Let the Debates Begin!

The Democratic candidates met tonight in Orangeburg, SC. The early buzz is that Edwards was the winner, although Dennis the K could claim top honors. What say you?

Footie Trivia Question of the Week

So all in footie have their minds on one thing - treble or quadruple. Turns out it isn't the easiest thing in the world to negotiate. So....

"Name the four European club sides who have won a proper treble (i.e. top-flight domestic championship, European Cup and highest level knock-out competition (e.g. FA Cup). Clubs and years, please."

Good luck, lads!

Chelsea vs. Liverpool Live!

I'm hoping for more of the thrilling stuff that we saw yesterday between ManYoo and Milan today as Chelski and Liverpool meet in the Champions League semi final first leg at Stamford Bridge. Defender Ricardo Carvalho has passed a fitness test on his hamstring and Joe Cole and Sheva return to the Chelski line-up, but Jose Mourinho is without Bollock (knee) and the suspended Essien . Rafael Benitez opts for two strikers in Kuyt and Bellamy, with Arbeloa in at right-back for Finnan, who hasn't recovered from a neck problem. The big surprise is the inclusion of former Chelsea player Zenden on the left of midfield.
Join me for all of the live action on ESPN2, won't you?

Cricket World Cup Update

The Super Eights stage ended on Friday and, sadly, England bowed out, albeit with a thrilling last ball win over the hosts West Indies, who were also eliminated. "Who's still in this," you ask? I'm here to enlighten you. The semi-finals will be held Tuesday and Wednesday this week:

Tuesday - Sri Lanka vs. NZ
Wednesday - Australia vs. S. Africa

This will be followed by the final match next Saturday, which will likely be an all-antipodean affair. Anyone else out there following this stuff?

Another Big Day

I hope this isn't a sign of the day.
Best of luck to West Ham, Leeds and of course my lot.
Hope for some company

Great Monty Python Moments

Here's my all-time favorite Python clip - International Philosophy Football. As a kid I didn't get all of the philosophical references, but there is some clever stuff in there. I love it, for example that the German strike force is made up of Heidegger and Wittgenstein and that Marx is warming up on the bench as a super sub. Looking at it again, it appears that what I once thought was a really good goal by the Greeks is in fact a really good own goal. Check it out - it appears the Greeks when they finally sort themselves out kick off into their own half and then score in their own net - am I wrong? In any case, it's magic. Enjoy!

Footie Trivia Question of the Week

It's been a while since the last trivia spot, so to welcome Davey back from Blighty, here's a real skull scratcher:

"Which player is the top goalscorer in the history of the Premiership...of own goals?"

Any ideas, lads?

COME ON YOU 'AMMERS

DO ME A FAVOR YOU IRONS!!!!

Poland/Ukraine Get Euro 2012

Italy may have won the World Cup, but they've been overlooked in favor of a joint bid from Poland and the Ukraine to host Euro 2012. Any thoughts, gents?

Angel Moves to the Red Bulls

In a shock move, Villa's Colombian striker Juan Pablo Angel completed a deal that will see him line up for the Red Bulls this season. It's the latest big move for the MLS, with Robbie Fowler, Luis Figo and Djibril Cisse removed to be on the way. Read more: http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8652_2070873,00.html

Blackburn vs. Chelski Live!

With ManYoo's romping 4-1 win against Watford yesterday, this season seems to be heading for a triple-headed monster series of matches between ManYoo and Chelski. ManYoo have the treble (the Premiership title, FA Cup and Champions League) to fight for, while Chelski have an unprecedented quadruple (already won Carling Cup, title, FA Cup and Champions League) on the line.

There is just this one little hurdle today to jump over and Blackburn are no mugs, especially at Ewood Park. Should be a corker and I hope to have your company as I enjoy every kick of the ball.

Crunch Day!

There may be some footie fans who are dreaming of Wembley this weekend but not me. No, for your average fan today is all about survival, whether it's West Ham's survival in the Premiership - they have an almight relegation dogfight against the Blades today - or LUFC's survival in the Championship - we're at home to Burnley. Join me for all of the joy and tears of a footie Saturday.

Sir Trevor Back in Action . . .

After a temporary outage, STB has returned better than ever with his first ever post to the Blog. Thanks, Gator B, for the advice and counsel. STB's revival goes hand-in-hand with that of his beloved club. Come on you Hammers!

UEFA Cup Quarterfinals Second Leg

Join me this afternoon to see the second leg tie between Spurs and Sevilla at White Hart Lane, which is delicately poised at 1-2. Spurs have that precious away goal, so a simple 1-0 would see them through; however, given the way that the match started last week, we should look forward to plenty of goals.

Bayern vs. Milan Live!

It's day two of the Champions League quarterfinal second legs and I'm home from Gville and looking forward to today's ESPN2 broadcast of Bayern vs. Milan. The first leg in Italy ended 2-2, so Bayern are certainly in pole position. In today's other fixture, Liverpool will really have to commit suicide to give up a 3-0 advantage that they take back home to Anfield. PSV will need three goals just to get to extra time! Join me if you're around and loafing off this afternoon.

Manchester United vs. Roma Live!

It's "squeaky bum" time at Old Trafford this afternoon as United take on Roma in the second leg of their Champions League quarter final. United seem to be in pole position, having that vital away goal in reserve as they go into this match 1-2 down. The police are out in force again today, but let's hope we don't see a repeat of the shocking scenes in the stands in Rome last week. Join me for all the action live on ESPN2 this afternoon.

Easter Monday Footie!

No rest for the heathens, eh? Just when I was starting to bask in Leeds's fourth from bottom spot, here's another slate of fixtures for Easter Monday. Will we continue the resurrection or lay an Easter egg (sorry I couldn't resist!)? Join me to find out.

Alone Again...on Saturday?

It's been awfully quiet around here this week, but I'm hoping to hear from you lot today on a day of really exciting Premiership and Coke fixtures. The relegation battles in both leagues are on again after last nights losses for Fulham, Hull and Southend. The sheer size of Southend's loss - 0-3 - means that Leeds have leapfrogged to third bottom (with a game in hand) and no longer have the worst goal difference in the league.

Ban Italy Now!

You're looking at the latest evidence that Italian football is out of control. In the past year we've seen Italy's top clubs involved in a match-fixing scandal, police killed in fan violence, players and fans using fascist slogans and gestures and now police violence against visiting fans. According to all reliable reports, Rome police attacked United fans on the way to the ground last night and then waded into them with full baton charges during the match. There's only one conclusion to be made here - UEFA should pull their fingers out and ban Italian clubs from European competition for five years.

UEFA Cup Quarterfinals

Unlike the Champions League where England have three quarterfinal representatives, the UEFA Cup quarters, which start today, feature only one English team - Spurs. Watch them live on FSC this afternoon and share your comments on the match with me here.

Champions League Quarter Final Wednesday!

More Champions League midweek madness today. I hope to hear from you lot while ESPN2 is showing the ManYoo vs. Roma match. In other play, Chelski take on Valencia.

Champions League Quarter Finals!

It's semi-final day for the super rich clubs of Europe. Today it's:

PSV vs. Liverpool and
AC Milan vs. Bayern

In addition there are a couple of crucial Coke games involving the bottom dwellers. I'll be in and out during the day but will be checking the matches when I can. Enjoy!

We Are The Champions....Again!

Cricket World Cup 2007

I'm really enjoying the Cricket World Cup, which is in it's quarterfinal stages and will wind up on April 28th in the West Indies. All the matches are One-Day Internationals, which adds to the excitement. So far the Aussies are the team to beat, with England languishing in fourth spot and struggling to make the semis. Sound familiar? You can follow matches live at:

http://cricketworldcup.indya.com

New Zealand and Bangladesh are on now - enjoy!