Carling Cup Semi Final

It's a biggie - the second leg of the Carling Cup semi final and not insignificantly a North London derby between Arsenal and Spurs. In addition there are four Premiership matches, including ones involving the top two, and a couple of Coke matches. If you're around this afternoon, give us your thoughts on the match.

Midweek Matches Part 1

I am here at home before I go to teach at the college.
Hope to have some company

F.A. Cup 5th Round Draw!

The draw for the 5th Round of the F.A. Cup was made this morning. All that groping around for plastic balls in a velvet bag produced this list of fixtures:

Chelsea v Blackpool / Norwich City
Watford v Ipswich Town
Preston North End v Manchester City
Plymouth Argyle v Derby County
Manchester United v Reading
Arsenal / Bolton Wanderers v Blackburn Rovers
Bristol City / Middlesbrough v West Bromwich Albion
Fulham v Tottenham Hotspur

Fixtures will be played the weekend of February 17th.

Comments, gents?

Footie Riddle of the Week

A tricky riddle for you to start your week off right this week.

"Which is the only English league club whose name starts with five consecutive consonants?"

More Osgood!

Right. In order to please the Gooner, here's Peter Osgood's equalizer against Leeds in the 1970 F.A. Cup Final replay. I can't claim to remember watching it live - I was six at the time and still living in Deutschland - but I do see it frequently in my nightmares. Miles offside. Chelski went on to win 2-1. Another trophy slipped through our fingers in the great Revie era.

The Fourth Round Continues

Let's hope this is about to happen to Chelski's FA Cup hopes.
Hope to have some company.

Dave

Great Stretcher Footage

THE FOURTH ROUND BEGINS

Let's hope we see this happen a lot today.
Luton and Blackburn have just kicked off. Spurs vs Southend at 10. I am thinking about PPV United vs Pompey at Noon.
I will be here until Bob knocks me off.

Goals I Remember, Volume Three

A classic volley from the 1972/3 season courtesy of the king of Stamford Bridge. Pick that one out, Bob Wilson! (Apologies to Gooner)

Meet the New Boss

French great Michel Platini has beaten off the challenge of Michelin Man Lennart Johannson to become the new FIFA president. This will send shock waves through the game, as Platini has threatened to take on the money men. He's also in favor of reforming the Champions League, by reducing the numbers of slots available for the big countries. I say it's high time for a shake-up - what say you, lads?

You can read more at:

http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8652_1873174,00.html

Tevez shows off his moves

Midweek Footie Action

There are a hodgepodge of matches today and tomorrow. Join me if you're around and about the telly or Internet following along.

The Ruck of the Season!

For those of you who didn't see it this weekend, here are the highlights of the ruck of the season during Reading vs. Sheffield Utd.

1) Neil Warnock is not pleased by a challenge by Reading's Steve Sidwell.

2) Keith Gillespie comes on to replace the injured player.

3) Five minutes later, Gillespie clocks Stephen Hunt as a throw is taken.

4) After consulting with his assistant, the referee sends Gillespie off.

5) Gillespie walks up to Hunt like a huffy maiden aunt and clips his ear on the way off the pitch.

6) Warnock is incensed and is clearly seen giving instructions on how to stamp on Hunt.

7) Reading coach Wally Downes comes over into Warnock's area to give him a piece of his mind.

8) Both Warnock and Downes are sent off!

Lovely!

Footie Trivia Question of the Week

It's been a good week for U.S. soccer. First, Becks announces he's coming to L.A. Then Clint Dempsey makes an impressive debut for Fulham and finally the U.S. national team put up a decent 3-1 win against Denmark. With that in mind, who was the U.S. international who played in the inaugural season of the Premiership and scored in that year's F.A. Cup Final - the first to score at Wembley? Who was he playing for and who were the opponents on the day? Bonus points for the score.

Good luck, lads!

A Little Game

I will be here for the Big Game until Gator-Bob kicks me off.
Stevo will be too scared to join us.
Come on you Devils!!!!!

Grand Slam Weekend

The Big Weekend of the Premiership has already started.
The big matches of Portsmouth v Charlton and Newcastle v West Ham are almost here.
Ok, there are a couple of games as well.
The first one has already started.

Colbert Visits "Papa Bear" O'Reilly

In case you didn't see it last night, here's Stephen Colbert's appearance on the "O'Reilly Factor" last night. As you no doubt know, Colbert's schtick on the "Report" is largely a piss-take on O'Reilly. Later in the evening, O'Reilly made a brief return trip to Colbert's show, but the earlier performance is far superior. Enjoy!

Friday Footie Police Blotter

'Allo 'allo, What's all this then? Just as the dust has begun to settle on the whole Sunderland sex tape scandal, today brings a fresh crop of footballers behaving badly. First up in the dock - Pompey's Congolese striker Lomana Lua Lua, who apparently got into a ruck with his significant other in the wee hours of the night and has been charged with assault with bodily harm. More bizarre is the case of Lua Lua's teammate Glen Johnson, who's on loan at Pompey this season on loan from Chelski. You'd have thought that Premiership footballers would be paid reasonably well; however, Glen and a mate were nicked yesterday for stealing a load of toilet seats from a DIY shop in Kent. What on earth will 'Appy 'Arry have to say to them? Whatever it is, I'm betting it won't be suitable for family consumption!

Chaos at Chelski

Reports out of the Chelski camp are really heartening these days. That is, Stamford Bridge seems to be all but falling down. Apparently Peter Kenyon has frozen the funds for Mourinho to use during this transfer window. The "Special One" would like to shop the hapless Sheva but has been blocked by our favorite frightening Russian oligarch. So the signs are that Mourinho will be out at the end of the season. So far the size of the squad and the play of Drogba and Essien in particular has sheltered the side from the effects of these backroom shenanigans but for how long? Your comments, gents?

Goals I Remember, Volume Two

Continuing the 70s footie theme, here's the 1974 Goal of the Season from Alan Mullery. Cracking goal - voom - pick that one out! Note the classic "Oh, What a Goal!" verbal ejaculation from Motty on Match of the Day. Brings some memories back, eh lads?

Footie Trivia Question of the Week

Happy MLK Day to all of you - here's a tricky footie trivia question to help you celebrate:

"There are twenty last names of English footie clubs (for example, "United" as in "Leeds United"). How many can you name?"

Blogger Update

I've been looking at how to switch to the updated version of blogger and there's a hitch that I can't work out at the moment. Namely, we're too prolific. Blogs of a 100 or more posts aren't elligible yet for the transfer.

But eventually that transfer will be offered and we'll go ahead at that time.

The main reason to do it is more reliable team blogging so that all of us can participate and not get blocked out by blooger's spam or blog attack protection.

Stay tuned.

Saturday, Saturday, Saturday!

My Leeds have been saved a near inevitable thrashing at the hands of Birmingham by a rubbish pitch, but there are still plenty of games of interest on today. In a few minutes, FSC will broadcast Chelsea vs. Wigan followed by Blackburn vs. Arsenal at noon. Join me?

Becks Joins the Galaxy!

David Beckham announced today that he's joining the LA Galaxy at the end of the European season. Now sneer if you will about how his career is over or how Posh sealed the deal because she wants to lark about with the Paris/Lindsay/Brittney crowd, but the bottom line is that it's a GREAT deal for the MLS. It's a no brainer that he'll bring a greater profile to the league and will put bums in seats at the Home Depot Center next season. He's the perfect sort of big player to bring over - he's got a season or two in the tank and is a recognized star worldwide. Your thoughts, gents?

Read more at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/6248835.stm

On a Lighter Note

Happy 43rd Birthday Robert.
For your birthday, I have organized it with the Coke that Leeds United will survive this season.
You're welcome!

Happy Birthday mate!!

DISGRACEFUL

We Are The Champions!

FA Cup 4th Round Draw!

I'm guessing that Gooner won't be well please with this draw which pits his beloved Arse against Big Sam's "Goblin Horde," but how will Dave feel about a draw against high-flying Pompey? All fixtures will be played January 27. Here's the full draw:

Arsenal v Bolton Wanderers
West Ham United v Watford
Bristol City or Coventry City v Hull City or Middlesbrough
Chelsea v Nottingham Forest
Chester City or Ipswich Town v Swansea City
Cardiff City or Tottenham Hotspur v Southend United or Barnsley
Barnet or Colchester United v Peterborough United or Plymouth Argyle
Birmingham City or Newcastle United v Reading or Burnley
Derby County v Bristol Rovers
Sheffield Wednesday or Manchester City v Southampton
Crystal Palace v Preston North End
Manchester United v Portsmouth
Blackpool v Norwich City
Queens Park Rangers or Luton Town v Blackburn Rovers
Wolverhampton Wanderers or Oldham Athletic v West Bromwich Albion
Leicester City or Fulham v Stoke City

Footie Trivia Question of the Week

From "Blue is the Color" to "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles" to "You'll Never Walk Alone" we all know the classic songs associated with footie clubs in England. However, underneath the surface are some classic fans favorites. Can you guess which anthem goes with which Premiership side?

1) Celery!
2) We've Never Won Sod All
3) Blue Moon
4) I Was Born Under the Lever End
5) Yid Army!
6) Hail, Hail the Toffeemen are Here
7) Seasiders!
8) She Wore a Claret Ribbon
9) We Hate Burnley
10) There's Only One Elton John
11) We are the Red Army
12) Stand Up if You Hate ManYoo!

Good luck, lads!

Bit of the Handbags...

From the Zaragosa Seville game. It was seconds from the final whistle when it just went OFF.

THE THIRD ROUND

One of the best days of the year!!
I will be here for most of the day.(until Bob knocks me off) I will be watching the tellie and listening to Talksport.

Hope to have some company

Bent for Sale

New Charlton manager Alan Pardew has announced that top striker Darren Bent is for sale to the highest bidder. This effectively ends the issue of Charlton's survival in the Premiership, but it provokes another question - does anyone else want him? Leeds has already solved it's striking problem in the shape of Scandinavian skyscraper Tore Andre Flo, but what about the rest of you lot?

My Favorite Podcasts of 2006

Podcasts have become my trusty companions during drives down to Gville this year. Here are the one’s that I make sure to download every week:
1) Democracy Now – Daily left-oriented alternative media; where else can you hear about Gerry Ford’s role in the Indonesian invasion of East Timor?
2) Guardian Unlimited Football Weekly – Weekly round-up of European football, hosted by Serie A maven James Richardson.
3) The Lost Podcast with Jay and Jack – As “Lost” has entered its “Twin Peaks” phase, this geekfest has been a life raft.
4) Left, Right and Center – A weekly wrap-up of punditry from KCRW with Tony Blankley on the right, Robert Scheer on the left, Matt Miller in the center and Arianne Huffington in the blogosphere.
5) BBC Radio Five Live 606 – As the Premiership has come to dominate coverage of the football world, the 606 call-in show has become the only place to hear how Chester, Macclesfield and Accrington Stanley are getting on.
6) All Songs Considered – A weekly music review show from NPR hosted by Bob Boilen; their year-end wrap-up was essential.
7) World Soccer Daily – Regular listeners have to put up with Nick and Steven’s retrograde political views but it’s still the only daily dose of footie in this country.
8) Le Show – A weekly hour-long dose of humor and politics from Harry Shearer.
9) This American Life – Audiocast of the weekend humor show on NPR.
10) Leeds United Worldwide – The voice of the long-suffering Leeds fan.

Other Notables:
• The Onion – an audio version of the satirical website.
• The Game – Danny Kelly’s weekly wrap-up.
• Meet the Press – Audio version of the influential Sunday chat show.
• Real Time with Bill Maher – Audio version of the HBO show.

Worst Podcast of 2006
• The Michael Medved Show – The right-wing movie critic has made a name for himself with his zany opinions about, among other matters, the supposed gay sensibilities of “Happy Feet!”

606 Football Stories

Hey lads: I just wanted to alert you to a special project that BBC Radio Five Live 606 has been conducting this season. They're collecting audiotapes of fans talking about their favorite footballing stories and occasionally they broadcast the best of the lot. If you download the 606 podcast from December 31, 2006, you'll get a load of goodies. The first one about the fan celebrating Paul Merson's goal for England against Czechoslovakia is worth the effort alone. Enjoy!

New Year's Footie!

I missed out on the New Year's festivities yesterday, but fortunately there are a couple of good 'uns available this afternoon. First up is Arsene vs. Alan Part II - This Time it's Serious (aka Arsenal vs. Charlton). Then FSC is being kind enough to show Chelski vs. Villa live. Join me if you're able to loaf off today.

Footie Moments of 2006

You might imagine that an England and Leeds fan wouldn’t have much to remember from 2006, but I suppose I’m an inveterate optimist – and a footie fan for life. So, yes, there were downs but also plenty of ups too. Here are some of them:

Game of the Year – The Cup Final (Liverpool vs. West Ham) With the F.A. Cup 3rd round coming up this weekend, it’s important to remember why the Cup is so magical. This final had everything and gave England fans hope that Stevie G. would lead us to World Cup glory.
Goal of the Year – Cambiasso’s goal (Argentina’s second in a 6-0 drubbing of Serbia) in Argentina’s second group match. It was the culmination of a 24-pass move and reinforced the view in most peoples’ minds that they were the best team in the tournament. Check out the goal courtesy of You Tube above.
Player of the Year – Italy’s Fabio Cannavaro; led a quite ordinary Italian side to the World Cup championship. It’s high time that central defenders got their fair dues.
Team of the Year – Barcelona; with injuries to Eto’o and Messi, they’ve dropped off a bit in the past six months, but when they have their full side together, there’s no one that can touch them.
Best Moment – Beckham’s goal against Ecuador; after sixty minutes of tension, it was a tremendous release to finally feel that England were through to the quarters.
Worst Moment – Leeds’s loss to Watford in the Play-off Final. Our tactics were abysmal; we set out to frustrate rather than take the match to Watford and they handed us our heads. The loss was worth about £20 million.
Funniest Moment – The “three-yellow card” incident courtesy of Graham Poll in the Aussie vs. Croatia match. Priceless!
Hope for 2007 – Fairly obvious; survival for Leeds United. But if we happen to fall into the Coca Cola Division One, so be it. I’ll follow the Whites into hell if need be.
Special Mention: Lakenheath Old Boys – my enjoyment of the game has been profoundly changed by the live blogging on LOB. Hats off to all of you who’ve taken part in our experiment. Long may it reign!

A New Year

I am here following all the action. Hope I have some company