We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
After another international we're back to the Premiership (and the early morning) schedule today. The action starts with Villa vs. Chelski on ESPN2 in just moments and continues through a full slate of 3pm EST fixtures. Join me for all the action.
posted by The Blue Devil @ 7:25 AM
We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
281 Comments:
Here are my predictions for today:
Villa 1 Chelski 2
Arse 3 Brum 0
Everton 2 Wolves 0
United 3 Bolton 1
Pompey 0 Spurs 2
Stoke 1 West Hall 1
Sunderland 1 Pool 0
Apparently there will be a delayed start to the match as the referee Steve Bennett has a touch of the flu and can't continue. The fourth official will take his place but we'll need a replacement for him now who is busily winging his way to Birmingham. Remarkable!
I've got a great Sky stream up through VSS and Andy Gray is talking about how big Emile Heskey is out of the side again today and has played more minutes for England than for Villa this season.
ESPN2 coverage has started but we're stuck with a live picture of Villa Park with no players on it. Why are we waiting....la la la....
Hey Bob,
I am here for a while.
Will The Deuce cut off for college football at the end of the match because of the delay!
I like Costa losing in your prediction!
Of course, you were hopeless a fortnight ago!
Teams coming out
That gives me some time to talk about League 1. Leeds again have the day off; we're playing Monday at Carrow Road.
That means that Charlton, who are two points behind us in second, have another chance to move up top. They're at home to our local rivals Huddersfield. Colchester in third have an away day at Wycombe while the Dons in fourth host Gillingham.
The players are coming out at least, which must mean that they've scraped up a referee from somewhere.
First blood to Scunthorpe in the early game in the Coca-Cola Championship. Grant McCann fires them in front on 22 minutes against Sheffield United. The Blades could go third for now with a win - looks a little unlikely at present.
Drogba and Anelka of course up front for Chelski with Malouda taking Ballack's place today. Joe Cole is back on the bench after that horrific knee injury in January.
Matthew has just predicted that a team will score in the 17th minute. Will he be right?
And we're off
Morning, Dave. Yes, I did have a mare in the last round of predictions. But without Torres and Gerrard, I think Sunderland have a chance at home to Pool, don't you?
We'll soon see if Matt is right. We're off? Good to have you on board.
The VSS stream is about five seconds behind ESPN2, so I'll stick with the commentary on the Deuce. You?
Someone said will be a happy chappy:
Big goal up in Scotland where St Johnstone have gone ahead against Rangers. Collin Samuel with the goal on 17 minutes.
How's your weather in Scotia? Any flurries yet? We got close the other night.
I am on ESPN.
Our weather has been very cold but no flurries
Where's Chelskilad - we haven't heard from him in yonks!
Dunno, he has been working a lot.
He just turned 56 on Thursday
Half time at Scunny - 1-0 to the home side.
ENOUGH OF THE FOURTH OFFICIAL!!!
IT IS NOT IMPORTANT!!
Blimey, we're all getting old, eh? Happy belated birthday, Tone!
Well, the football on offer hasn't been that much to comment on, has it?
WHy is Chelsea wearing this kit?
Their normal blue doesn't clash. I swear Villa wear their normal at the Bridge
Free kick from Ashley Young hit straight to Cech. Story of the match so far. zzzzzzzzz
COME ON REF!!
PENALTY!!
He never touched the ball
Surely that was a penalty! Agbon hauled down by Bosingwa. The sub ref is clearly still in his car driving to the match. How did he not see that?
That chance seems to have spurred Villa on. They're pouring forward now. That's added some spark to the proceedings.
Ag spins and hits one straight into Carvalho's chest. Corner. It's knocked in hopelessly and cleared out.
Good turn but weak shot by Ags
I'm not too sure about playing Gabby straight up front. I like him better wide and then you could have Heskey and Carew in the middle up front, right?
Drogs rifles one in
Horrible bounce to beat Brad!
BUGGER!!
Not such a rifle!
GOAL! Drogs hits one from Leicester and somehow it eludes Big Brad. How did that one sneak in?
0-1!
Matt's minute is coming up
Your Leicester comment made me laugh out loud
Nice one Cyril
Now it is the 18th minute
MATT SUCKS!!!
ooh, Anelka takes down O'Neil!!
Surely a foul ref!
Anelka goes tumbling straight into Martin O'Neill there. One for the blooper reels.
Glad to have given you a chuckle.
That Drogba one has Chelski five points ahead of United. That can't make you happy.
1309: The Aston Villa fans are still not happy at being denied that penalty earlier. They're singing "you're not fit to referee" at Kevin Friend - nobody left to replace him though
Nice clearance from Terry - that's the kind of cross that defenders love to slice into the net.
I just saw that!!
We better not blow it at home again this week
Nice run by Cashley... useless shot
Oh, that was nearly there from Cashley after a jinking run that reminds us of his past as a winger.
I kind of like these new Chelski away kits. They don't really shout out Chelski to me but they are stylish nonetheless. Much better than the home kits with the breast implants.
Drogba nearly in again. The home fans are really not happy with Kevin Friend, are they?
Rangers have equalized at St. Johnstone. That'll have them level on points at the top with Celtic.
Mostly rearguard action from Villa now. They haven't looked the same since the Drog goal.
Cover up the kids' ears, Dave. The Villa fans are in full voice.
Scunny are now 3-1 up against the Blades. Lovely jubbly.
GOAL! Richard Dunne scores his second goal in two games. The corner wasn't cleared sufficiently by Lampard. He just really helped it on at the near post and Dunne snuck into the six yard box to nod home.
1-1!
Agbonlahor picks up a yellow for no apparent reason and the fans are booing the referee again.
Deco with a cheeky chip that nearly got over Friedel. Brad saved well this time and banged into the post after the save.
Super play from Chelski but the final shot by Drogs was blocked well by James Collins.
Coming up on half-time here. Villa have done well to get back into this one after the earlier disappointments.
Yellow card for Cashley. He just couldn't keep up with Gabby Ag and hacked him down there.
Half time at Villa Park - 1-1.
Sorry, I was in the loo for quite awhile!
Pleased to see Villa even it up!
I am off to Rec soccer for Matt and Jon. Tom is normally their coach but he is taking the PSAT this morning.
I will be back for the 10 o'clock games a little after KO
Uh oh, it's Onion Bag man Tommy Smyth on the half time coverage.
Good luck to Tom on the PSAT. And to the young ones in their rec soccer. Off you go, dad!
Villa are wearing shirts sponsored by something called "Acorns." Clearly they're not Fox News Channel fans.
Second half starting up now....
A goal from Chelski would give me a nice start to the weekend.
A nice free kick oppo lined up by Drogs. Straight into the wall, though.
Villa are looking almost like the away side, trying to hit Chelksi on the break rather than controlling the game.
GOAL! Almost a carbon copy of the first Villa goal. Cech is left in no man's land and Collins heads home easily. It's back to the drawing board for the Chelski defense at set pieces.
2-1!
Chelski now down to 21 points, which would give United a priceless chance to take the top of the league.
Chelski really haven't made the most of their set pieces, in contrast to Villa. Seven corners and not a sniff for the strikers.
That Collins headers has Villa firmly in European contention in fifth place ahead of Arsenal now.
Essien hits one from distance but this time Big Brad has everything behind it.
Deco is in one-on-one with Friedel after a brilliant pass from Drogba but the Portugeezer completely blows the chance.
I've just noticed that I listed a "West Hall" in my predictions. Don't know who they are. But I reckon that "West Ham" will draw 1-1 today. It won't unfortunately be enough to haul them out of the drop zone. Sorry Sir Trev.
Half an hour left for Chelski to pull something out here.
Surely it's about time for a change. Anelka and Malouda both look a bit frustrated. I might have Solomon Kalou on in a moment.
Looks like Bosingwa is hobbling off.
Twenty minutes left at Villa Park.
Oh, Anelka was nearly in there. Hit a tepid shot straight into Friedel's feet. Close call.
Emile Heskey warming up....
Free kick chance for Lamps....
Carew trooping off to be replaced by Heskey. Not really sure what that does for Villa at this point. It's all hands to the pump to keep Chelski out in the last ten minutes now.
Final whistle in Scotland and that late Papac goal has given Rangers a 2-1 win at St Johnstone after they trailed early. They go two points clear at the top of the SPL for the time being.
Into stoppage time, now. If Davey weren't off at rec soccer, he'd be dancing up and down about this result. What a turn up!
Villa definitely deserve this. Apart from that long range effort from Drogba, Friedel really hasn't been that troubled today. And Villa had a stone cold pen in the first half.
Millner picks up a yellow for the team. Just about there for Villa.
That's it. 2-1 Villa. A very interesting start to the weekend of footie, but it does me no good at all on the predictions.
Next up - the full line-up of fixtures.
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez makes wholesale changes for the trip to Sunderland in the midst of a selection crisis.
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp makes his return to Fratton Park after leaving Portsmouth last season, with Jermain Defoe and Niko Kranjcar also facing their former club.
Goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar is in the Manchester United starting line-up for the first time this season as the champions take on Bolton at Old Trafford.
Teams are coming out of tunnels across the country.
Sunderland have kicked off against a makeshift Liverpool side with the likes of Lucas Lever and Spearman in the side.
I've got a brilliant stream of SS through VSS up and running.
Spurs are already pressing for the first goal down at Fratton Park.
Early goal for United. Michael Owen was involved but it's gone in off Zat Knight for an own goal.
1-0 United!
A hilarious goal at the Stadium of Light. Darren Bent hit a shot straight at Reina, but it deflected off a balloon left in the goalmouth from the pre-match celebrations and zipped past him into the goal.
1-0 Sunderland!
Carl Cort has put Leyton Orient up over Brentford in L1.
Reading are 0-1 up at the Hawthorns.
Oh dear - it looks as if Theo Walcott has picked up a bad injury. That's not good news for England or Arsene Wenger.
Bugger - Charlton are already 1-0 up against Huddersfield. That'll have them on 28 points, one point ahead of us.
Liverpool definitely look rattled and disjointed after that freakish goal. It's well worth a look again on the highlights shows.
Oh dear - the Tractor Boys are already 0-1 down to Swansea. They look dead and buried.
Oh dear again - James Beattie has scored his first goal of the season for Stoke against the Hammers.
Southhampton are 0-1 up against Oldham.
No surprise. Arsenal are 1-0 up against Brum. RVP with the goal. He's had a better goalscoring start than usual to the season.
Ipswich are back into it - 1-1.
Southend are 1-0 up against Bristol Rovers. Lovely.
2-0 Arsenal! Diaby with this one. The Arse are rampant and the Gooner will be dancing.
Big Nose Phil reckons that Pompey have missed the chance of the century.
Millwall are 0-1 up at Stockport in L1.
Everton dominant against Wolves at Goodison but squandering chances, the most recent one from Saha.
Everton dominant against Wolves at Goodison but squandering chances, the most recent one from Saha.
Colchester have taken the lead, which means that they're level with us on points now. We've still got two games in hand, though.
Millwall now 0-2 up at Stockport.
Bolton certainly not overawed by falling behind at OT - they've come into the match of late and are building pretty well.
Soton are 0-2 up at Oldham now. They're moving up out of relegation.
Ledley King has headed Spurs into the lead at Fratton Park. Pompey are losing again.
With those goals in the Premiership, United are top, Chelski second, Arse third and Spurs fourth. Liverpool really not enjoying the weekend. They're down into mid-table.
Jeff Stellings is delighted. Hartlepool are 0-2 up at Swindon.
After all that pressure from Bolton, United are 2-0 up. Valencia with the strike. Dave will be dancing at rec soccer.
I am back!
Very happy with all the scores!!!!
Yahoo - the Hammers are back. 1-1. That's my prediction there. Wrap it up, lads.
I'm sure you are - welcome back!
Leyton Orient are back in it. 1-1 there against Brentford. The reporter sounds as if he's at the bottom of the ocean.
Brum have pegged one back at the Emirates. Manone with a bit of a howler and Banjo Boy has capitalized.
Spearing nearly equalizing for Liverpool there, just over the top. A heckuva strike.
Birmingham have a goal back at the Em
Millwall are 0-3 up at Stockport!
How was the rec soccer?
Lovely jubbly - Charlton have been pegged back by 'Uddersfield. I believe that puts Colchester up top on GD from us on 27 points. Charlton back to 26.
Nearly half time now...
I now United, SS and LOB on the computer and Costa on the TV!
Ipswich only drawing with Swansea
They need to win!!
VDS in goal for United.
Lovely jubbly
Did you say Charlton are drawing?
One minute of added time at OT
Pompey two down
Spurs are 0-2 up. It's Defoe scoring against his old side. Poor old Pompey.
Half time at OT
Same again please
Yeah - it's 1-1 Charlton v. Huddersfield.
Half times coming in. Back in a tick.
Mornin' chaps. Sorry I'm late.
2-1 for us I see. What's this about Theo?
Manone should have come strong for that cross. He'll get a bollocking I would imagine. Le Boss has Almunia, and Fabianski back fit.
Boys won 5-0.
Both scored a goal. No ref, so I was the ref.... I was brilliant!
Sunderland's goal was off a balloon?
No late game today!
BTW, Villa's sponsors are Acorn. They don't get any money. It is a local children's hospital. Villa are giving them free advertising.
Well done Villa
Hey Steve, what are you talking about with Theo?
Just saw the Sunderland goal... deflected off a balloon!!
FANTASTIC!
They're underway at OT
United attacking the Stretford End
Tomorrow's headlines
Balloon sends Liverpool's title hopes up in the air
Free kick to United just outside the box on the left.
Nasty tackle!
I hope Evra is okay.. still on the ground
SS seems to be slightly ahead of my link
Underway at the SoL
United can't afford to lose Evra too.
Vidic is out with an ankle injury
Cambridge are two down
I'm back for the second half. Theo went down in a heap early on in the first half but has seemed to walk it off. Good news for England and Arse.
Nice save by VDS... glad to have him back
Bugger, Charlton take the lead again
Morning, Gooner. Sounds as if you're Gunners are good value for your lead. They were saying that Arshavin has been different class.
Bugger! Charlton take the lead again at the start of the second half. 2-1 there and they're back on top.
Southend are 2-0 up in L1 against Bristol Rovers.
Good news that Bristol Rovers are two down
Bob commented earlier that Theo had gone down with a nasty injury.
ooh, Owen almost in!
Penny's dropped
I hate those extra lines on the OT pitch... bloody Rugby League Grand Final!!
Well, at least Leeds won!
Valencia almost in... could have been a penalty
No way a pen
Great move by Giggs but saved
Boro score an equalizer as the reporter is looking away
NO THEY DON'T!!!
Berabatov with a volley but saved by the keeper
Bent almost in for Sunderland
COME SUNDERLAND!
Our Leeds old boy Ian Harte has pegged one back for Carlisle. It's 2-1 Yeovil there.
Come on United!!
Get a third
Do Liverpool look capable of scoring an equalizer? Don't think so.
Meanwhile that's more like the Darren Bent of old, trying to round the keeper and straight into Reina's stomach. Apparently he needs to carry a big red balloon around with him to deflect his shots in.
Hope not
boom boom
Zendon coming on for Sunderland
Who's that without his shirt on? Well, it's Boudewijn Zenden. Haven't seen him for a while. Lee Catermole being stretchered off for the Black Cats.
He was just signed this week
Glen Johnson's been the most dangerous striker for the Reds today. That about sums it up.
Defoe off at Fratton Park. Sounds like a straight red. Wow!
Pompey almost score.. gets Big Nose excited anyway... Defoe gets a red card
Pompey did score!!
Pompey have a chance to get back into this one now. Harry Redknapp must be having kittens!
oooh, Bent almost in again! Saved off the line
Please don't let Costa get anything.
Not off the line... off the post
Another big chance for Bent goes begging. Where is that red balloon?
I guess his welcome wasn't as bad as he feared.
I don't know what the Pompey fans have to complain about. He brought them in to the Premiership. Came back and saved them and then won the Cup.
He moved to a bigger club
My aunt and uncle are happy with him
I thought that the floodgates would have opened at the Emirates after those first two goals, but not so much. Well, what's happened Gooner?
Brucie and Rafa going at it!!
HIT HIM BRUCIE!!!
Oh dear, some great argy bargy between Benitez and Brucey on the sideline at the Stadium of Lights. Brucey's had to be restrained by the fourth official. Extraordinary scenes there. Kenwynne Jones being stretchered off.
Jaaskelainen saving Bolton all over the place
John Barnes gets booted out of Tranmere and they start winning.
Bugger! The Dons are 1-0 up now. The scores in L1 aren't going my way today win leads for Charlton, Colchester and bloody MK Dons.
They are in the Prem!!!
Liverpool look absolutely hopeless!!
Come on ManU
Come on ManU
Who's in the Prem, Dave?
Bolton get the ball in the net but it is called back for a foul on VDS
THE SCORES
Kuyt looked offside there!
Not given
Who is tired of an ex-striker, good one in his time, who once a commentator, extols the virtue of a team that pack 10 men in their own box to defend? Trevor Francis, you are a disgrace.
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