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!
It's another big day of Premiership footer as Liverpool travel to the Emirates, ManYoo travel to Villa Park and Chelski travel to Goodison Park. The results in these matches could have a huge bearing on what is turning out to be a particular riveting season. I'll be in and out in the afternoon but I'll look forward to reading your comments as the goals fly in.
posted by The Blue Devil @ 11:23 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!
192 Comments:
Here are the teams for this afternoon's Big Four clash:
Liverpool: Reina, Carragher, Insua, Skrtel, Agger, Mascherano, Lucas, Maxi, Kuyt, Gerrard, Ngog. Subs: Cavalieri, Riera, Aurelio, Babel, Spearing, Degen, Kelly.
Arsenal: Almunia, Eboue, Gallas, Vermaelen, Clichy, Song, Diaby, Fabregas, Nasri, Arshavin, Bendtner. Subs: Sagna, Rosicky, Walcott, Denilson, Fabianski, Traore, Campbell
It will interesting to see how Arsenal get on with big Nick Bendtner up front today.
Meanwhile, Liverpool will still miss Torres, which means that Kuyt and Ngog are the front two with Stevie G. in the hole.
Wenger's insistence on playing Almunia is driving me crazy. We don't have any recognized striker to throw into play. I understand that we don't have any backup for Clichy other than Traore, and that's why he's kept his place. But in goal, I want to see Fabianski now. There's no way back for Manuel, and only the way forward for Lukas.
This is such a crucial game for us, I can't understand why he can't see what simply everyone else can.
Nik's gotta do the biz for us. Arshavin and Fabregas have had big games for us against Liverpool in their careers. I hope they can again today.
I agree with you that Fabianski is the answer for now, but you've got to be looking for another keeper in the summer, right?
True - Nik's got to be up for this one.
I've got a nice stream up through VSS, if you have a chance to take a look. Did you make it into work today? It's nasty here but I would imagine worse where you are.
no chance. the roads have not been ploughed, there is no above ground public transportation, and the conditions outside are a full scale white out.
what's that vss link?
And we're away for the first half - come on, you Gunner!
Here's that link:
http://livevss.net/channel1.php
First free kick goes to Liverpool. Comes of nothing, though.
I don't like what Rafa has done with Maxi Rodriguez. He's such a positive player and yet Liverpool have him in such a negative role.
I'll try that again if there's a stop in play. It's not working for me. I'm watching this in German for now. At least it's clear.
FFS, we let that hit the ground with tons of red shirts about. Almunia just about gets hold of it.
Oh, now English! Yessss,
Maxi Rodriguez was available but somehow, we don't put in a bid for him. Unbelievable.
Gallas misses that header.
Oooh, Gallas had a real chance there. He rose above all the others at the free kick but ballooned his header over the top.
Remember Inamoto who played for us. I listened to a podcast where the commentator remembered a brilliant song for him. It went, "ying-tong, ying-tong, ying-tong, ying-tong In-a-mo-to"
Fabregas with a free kick attempt...
I've lost the VSS link so I'm on to Atdhe. The link is at:
http://www.atdhe.net/
and nothing. straight into the wall.
back to the songs, right now, we're also singing, "E-man-uel E-bou-e" to the tune of 7 Nation Army. Pretty good.
Nasri took a knock there and is coming off temporarily for a bit of treatment.
I love how "Seven Nation Army" has insinuated itself into the footie lexicon. Jack White referenced it a while back in the Rolling Stone. He was amazed to hear a bunch of Dutch singing it.
having to hop around a bit for a feed today. on rifmax.com now.
They're referring to some knock to the head that Nasri took? And a chance from Ngogo too?
Did you try Atdhe? It's working fine for me.
Yeah - both of those happened while you'd lost your feed. Nasri's back on.
Ngog's pants in my estimation. He only scores if it's on a plate for him.
Have I told you about the weird questionnaire that's been in the current Arsenal home programs? The team has selected the Great Ormand Street Hospital this year to support for charity. And apparently, that's where JM Barrie wrote Peter Pan. So every match day, they've been asking our players questions to do with Peter Pan. And they have asked all the players this question: Tinkerbell is a trickster; who is the current Arsenal "Tinkerbell?"
And right now, the players are all answering, Eboue. Because he's the team joker based on the fact that he's always hiding their stuff from them. Car keys, shoes, mp3 players... Sounds bloody annoying to me.
I got here and played the match on DVR.
1-1 at Villa Park
Villa take the lead and the Giggs shot was put in by a defender. Another OG for United
Good ball in from Nasri, I would like to see Nik trying a little harder to get there.
Come on Arsenal
Good afternoon Dahlgrens
Hope you both have survived the snow.
We got a dusting!
Two quick goals there at Villa Park, first for Villa through Cuellar (I assume a header from a set piece) and then an equalizer through a James Collins own goal.
1-1 there.
I have a Sky Soccer Special on thru Justin TV
Wolves take the lead against Spurs
We're getting a right pasting here in DC/VA.
Nik took that very wide and then he got below the return pass from Arshavin. Still, better play.
Nani has just been given a straight red for a foul
Welcome, Dave - how's the weather where you are? We've got loads of the white stuff here. Can I send some your way?
Two footed tackle and got the ball but still reckless
SS think it is too harsh
Another free kick for Fabregas...
The color man thinks a yellow would have been sufficient
They need to stop picking on my boy Nani! (no sarcasm!)
Hey Bob and I Steve
Gallas is just off-side but the shot was wild there.
Nasri's effort charged down. Good stuff with no end product tbf
Hello there Davey.
Way hay! Wolves are 1-0 up over Spurs. Jones with the goal.
How are you doing in the snow?
We got none!
Blackburn just took the lead against Hull
Who's dominating at the Em?
I'll stick some in a box for you - air mail special!
BTW, COME ON EVERTON!!
Close shave there. Maxi over the bar and possibly deflected. Nice punch from Almunia, but that's negated when he stands on his line for the return cross over his 6-yard area.
Bugger... Chelski just took the lead
I'd say it's been fairly even in the first half hour - one shot each for Ngog and Arshavin. That's your lot. Really tight.
Carrick has a rocket saved by that bloody Yank!
Blackburn have also taken the lead against hapless Hull.
Good, Nik gets there for a 50-50 ball. Makes you happy to see him put himself about a bit.
Down to ten men but I am still confident.
We are creating more
Malouda with that Chelski goal at Goodison.
Nasri hasn't recovered from that earlier knock and has been replaced by Tomas Rosicky.
Which link do you have for the match? I only have SS on
Nasri looked okay but Rosicky is on for the rest of the match.
Just watch, he'll be unavailable for a month with a concussion or the onset of monkey-pox.
The only link that I've been able to make work sucks. Ask Bob.
I'm on Atdhe - working well so far.
Or a rare foot disease....
Cheers,
the first atdhe link is a strong Setanta link going
Listen, there's the Eboue song right there.
I am a real geek!
I have SS in one window, LOB in another, Arsenal in another and Chelsea in another
Clichy gets a yellow for not even coming close to touching the cheating Steven Gerrard. Honestly - how does he get away with it week in week out?
not sure that Gerrard didn't dive there. Clichy in the book nevertheless.
Yeah - shame that it is a Setanta link. The VSS link I had earlier had Sky with Martin and Andy. But it crapped out early on.
Great thru pass by Giggs to Roon,The yank comes out well
Whoooo, start clapping so Tinkerbell can come back to life.
I caught that Eboue song that time. Nice one, but it doesn't top "You're Sylvain," my all-time favorite Gooner song. One for the ages.
Brad Friedel does like to play well against United, doesn't he?
Yes he does.. bugger
YES, West Ham have taken the lead!
Coming up to half time at Villa Park. It doesn't look like 10 v 11
That was proper good wasn't it?
That goal at Upton Park was very late
Half time
Not a lot of quality football here today. Liverpool have been playing this kind of stuff all season - really negative. I'm sure that the Professor will have a few sharp remarks about them in the post-match presser.
Half time at Villa Park and it is all level... well in score not players
A good drive from Fabregas, but put off in the end by Carragher leaning in on his shooting leg.
Martin Tyler is the commentator on FSC
Corner to Everton... goal by Saha!!!
Landy with the corner
That West Ham goal lifts them out of the dropzone and up to 14th! Of course there are four sides on 24 points and one on 23. Very tight down there.
Half-time at the Emirates. I'm off to set up my classroom. Back in a tick.
Actually, I'd like a bit of radio silence from Le Boss. He's had plenty of time to freshen up the squad since RVP went down, and another year where we only manage to get into the CL next year is simply not enough. His confidence that Eddie, and Vela and a misused Arshavin could manage to keep us in the race with Chelsea and Man United is misplaced. The more he talks, the bigger rod for his back.
I will never understand why Le Boss brought in Sol? He was too old for Notts County!
As for Sol, does he really need the money from Pompey for image rights!!!
Hull are down to ten men. Boateng sent off
Bugger.. Saha missed a penalty!!!
They're off again
United on the front foot... who needs 11 men?
Celtic score two quick goals against Hearts
Valencia has replaced Scholes
I don't understand the Campbell thing at all. He's not come in to relieve either Billy or Thomas yet, and now that we're out of the domestic cups, he's not likely to start unless God-forbid, those two pick up a knock.
And that financial argument that he's got with Pompey is downright embarrassing. He should totally forgive that debit or allow them to postpone it until a time when Pompey are a more viable outfit again. But he's obviously getting in line because he doesn't think that Pompey have a chance of surviving.
Chrissakes, Saha's penalty saved by Cech.
I agree with everything you said
Uh oh, Leeds Reserves are losing to Huddersfield 2-0
Gotta be a yellow, ref. Song was flying and he had options in front of him. Mascherano gets away with a cynical one.
Nice stuff from Arshavin. I disagree with Andy Gray, that was a viable option from him with Reina so far off his near post.
United fans in the crowd wearing Yellow and Green scarfs and a badge saying
"Love United, Hate Glazer"
Speaking of fans, did you see that Leeds players were 'attacked' by Carlisle fans during the pitch celebration according to Grayson
ooh, Valencia hits one over
What happened to Clichy? Two years ago, he was in the PFA team of the year. Now, he's a complete spazz. How can his form have fallen off so completely?
Villa can't get it out of their own half
We've only got ten men, we've only got ten men
Suicidal backpass from either Tinkerbell or Gallas there. Almunia to be fair took care of it, but that was very alarming.
SS say Arsenal go close?
United have a scramble in the box but can't get the shot off
The Ref is hopeless at VP
Clear hand ball missed by the blind man in yellow
FANTASTIC block from Billy there.
And Rosicky's touch deserts him at the other end. What a missed opportunity.
Nice save by VDS from Milner
That was Villa's first shot of the second half
Carew on for Young
Oh yeah, Liverpools break leads to one from us, and Rosicky is completely unmarked in their box. He takes one touch to bring it down, and a second to flub it over the byline. Bad missed opportunity.
SS are saying the second half is MILES better than the first
My bad, Leeds old boy Delph off not Young
Bendtner gets the ball by Reina, but Agger gets to it as it dribbles towards the line.
Another tilt at goal from Fabregas is turned away.
Tails up but still very much an open match.
Arshavin puts in a reckless tackle on Lucas. Should have been yellow but Lucas gets up quickly and saves the Russian. Fair play to him.
Good move by United... useless cross by Valencia
Roon makes a great move and hits one over!!
Diaby called back for nothing because Mascherano is rolling around like a baby.
Liverpool with a corner, Gerrard to take. And it's really crap.
Rodriguez picks up a long ball, but Vermaelen puts it behind.
Sidwell on for Petrov
Come on ManU
Come on ManU
Come on ManU
Another goal at West Ham.... to the HOSTS!!
Carlton Cole with the goal for the Hammers
Valencia getting so open down the right against Luke Young.
Just offside this time
Degan pulls down Arshavin. You have to notice that Liverpool make a lot of bad or cynical tackles in the 40 yard area. That's rehearsed in my opinion.
Carragher out with a groin problem so that's why Degen is on. Rosicky's nice turn and pass in the box blocked.
Crowd back in the match. At 62 minutes, I can't see anything wrong with the players on the pitch.
Ref books Bendtner for simulation, but replay shows that Degen stepped on his foot. Should have been a pen.
AGGGGHHHHH, Arshavin runs past the incoming ball and Rosicky shoots over, but it's deflected. Big chance.
Interesting, the commentator has simply accepted that we were ripped off for a penalty. If that had been Gallas who stood on Gerrard's foot, there would have been questions raised in Parliament.
Still all United at Villa Park
What is happening at the Em?
Ta very much Stevo
Cashley limps off for Chelski replaced by Bollocks
All Everton apparently
Goal at the Em... THE ARSE!!!!!
Well done mate!!
Diabi
Walcott for Arshavin after Song wrongly judged to have played the ball out. In the corner, Almunia jumped on by someone in black. Free for Arsenal.
C'mon you GUNNERSSSSSS!!!!
Berbatov coming on for Giggs. He hurt is arm but still not happy to come off
My clock says 69 minutes and it's 0-0. Please be true.
Andy Gray is now giving the ref an earful because he was well behind the penalty incident and unsighted.
70 minutes and 0-0, so please, please be true.
Rooney shot saved by that YANK again!
Sorry mate!!! I didn't mean to let you know before it happened
YESSSSS! Nostradamus Nocito sees that Diaby heads in Rosicky's fantastic cross on the run. Diaby really wanted that. Just before he headed it in, he and Agger ran into each other and both went down. Diaby got up and well, you know the rest!
Lovely. 1-0 Arsenal.
72 minutes
No worries at all. Too happy for words now.
12 minutes left at VP for United to go top
Still ALL United
I won't let you know if another goal goes in until you see it?
2122: Everton are on top against Chelsea, who are looking uncharacteristically shaky at the back. None more so than John Terry
Bit of silly buggers defending at the back for us leaves both Gallas and Diaby on the floor clutching their heads.
Get up boys.
Diaby up.
Ah, it wasn't Gallas, it was Tinkerbell. Applause at the Emirates revives him.
COME ON UNITED!!
8 to go at VP
United get fouled but the ref plays on for Evra to attack. He gets tackled and Roon runs back 60 yards to cover for Evra
Sagna on, and Bendtner(?) off. He's been good, if not productive on the record.
Reprise of the tiny Arsenal forward line. 82 minute mark.
Walcott and Fabregas combine for what looks like a very near thing. Replay shows it was never troubling Reina.
Five to go and Villa are pressing for the first time this half
Gerrard is very quick, isn't he? I don't hear that mentioned, but he was as fast as Clichy there.
Sidwell heads one over the bar... not that close
Shit, Babel clips the bar. Almunia credited with the save. From the corner, tame Gerrard header to Almunia.
I knew that was going to happen
I think United are holding for the draw now
They have deserved this game. I am upset if we don't win
Afternoon. Following Everton on a dodgy link. Can't believe Saha missed a penalty!
We're too deep now. Ever since Bendtner went off, we're playing in our half. And we've seen this story before. Maxi with acres of room and tame to Almunia.
We're now punting it forward to Walcott to head down?
Afternoon Someone
Celtic won... Rangers only drawing with little time left
Welcome.
Me neither SS, that's a crime when you're playing Chelsea.
Motherwell tied it? Nuts!
United get the ball in the box, Rooney lays one to the top of the box but no one was there
Rangers only draw
YES!!!!!!!!!!
SAHA!!!!!!!!!
If United hold on, we're top!
Ohhhhhh, that cross just misses getting to Vermaelen who has sprinted the length of the pitch to be the recipient. Deserved better.
4 extra minutes here at 90.08
Still about 15 to go at Goodison
Good news. Saha redeems himself.
No we wouldn't. We need the win to go top
West Ham have won!
Yes, Maxi open but the ball is handled. Deep exhalation of breath.
I missed it!!! But I don't care!!!
All over at Villa Park
Upset that we dropped two points. We deserved more
Could have been a hat trick :)
Wolves have beaten the Spurs
They did the double over them!!
Gerrard dives again! That's a disgrace. Free kick central, about 20 yards out. Fabregas gets booked for repeatedly placing the ball back.
Gerrard is a big diver and no one says anything!!
GAME OVER AT THE EM!!!!
WELL DONE MATE!!!
10 to go at Goodison. Lamps has a shot saved Timmy
Costa players saying it should be a penalty for a handball in the wall. Something for Rafa to complain about... of course, Arsene won't have seen it
Arsenal are only 5 points behind United and right now six behind Chelsea
Hang on Everton!
Gerrard bashes it into the wall. They're very angry that it hits Fabregas's raised hand. Cesc is very, very, very lucky.
Looking at it again, it would have only been a free, but Cesc certainly would have gone off for a second yellow if it had been given. Kuyt and Gerrard surround the ref and let him smell their breath.
And it's over. That was by the skin of our teeth. Brave but stupid from us.
And Wolves beat Spurs. Happy day.
Showing highlights of the game at Em on FSC right now
A scroll at the bottom says, watch matches from this competition on FSC as of March 1
Chelsea turning up the heat
That was the Setanta game
In the end it's justice because Gerrard should never have had the opportunity to hit that kick. He deserved a caution for persistent unsportsmanlike behavior.
Under 3 plus stoppages at GP
All Chelsea
Lots of Chelsea pressure. Taking a corner now.
Everton just hoofing it out
Senderos may or may not be coming on for Everton. Chelsea's throwing the kitchen sink at them
Five minutes stoppage.
No break for the Everton defensive
Five minutes of added time
Moyes is not happy
four added minutes to go
Everton corner flagging it. Saha gets a corner
Everton making a meal out of their corner.
Blackburn have beaten Hull 1-0
2 to go and a free kick to Everton in the center circle
I can't find a feed. Details!
Senderos finally on. Saha getting a big ovation as he's being subbed out.
Goal kick for Everton
1 minute to last.
About to make a substitution. WHY? The ref will add another 30 seconds.
30 seconds to go off added time if he doesn't add anymore. AND MY LINK FREEZES!
Merson very pleased with Donovan's loan deal
He is 'outstanding'
Blow the whistle Wiley!!!!!!!!!!!
YES!!!!!!
Have a fine one gentlemen, I'm off to see the Blue Jackets!
Yes, Everton win!!!
Well done!!
We have them next in the league early morning a week from Saturday
Still Chelsea's league Bob?
Great night for Arsenal
Good night for United
Great night for Citeh
The rest?
Have a good read of the evening Gentlemen
Take care
UWS
I AM LOVING IT!!!!!
I left my SS link going on Justin TV and I came back from walking Shadow and the link has changed to Match of the Day!!
Gary, Alan and co.... it is BRILLIANT!!
Good old Gary ends Match of the Day with
"United drops points with a goal by Cuellar. Chelsea lose with goals by Saha.... ta ra"
Dear oh dear, Gary.
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