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!
I'm up early to check out Arsenal's trip to Ewood Park, not their happiest hunting grounds in recent years, to take on Fat Sam's Blackburn. Anyone care to join me?
posted by The Blue Devil @ 7:15 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!
692 Comments:
It's been a while but I'm giving Live VSS a whirl again this morning. Seems to be working:
livevss.com
Sorry, that's livevss.tv/
The line-ups for the early kickoffs:
Blackburn: Robinson, Salgado, Nelsen, Samba, Givet, E. Diouf, Jones, Pedersen, Grellam, M. Diouf, Kalinic
Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Clichy, Diaby, Song, Fabregas, Walcott, van Persie, Arshavin
The ESPN2 coverage has started and here's a pleasant surprise - Steve McManaman is subbing for Lexi Lalas alongside Robbie Mustoe in the pundit's seat.
This seems like a full-strength Arsenal. Koscielny is back after suspension and Jack Wilshere and Maurane Chamakh have dropped to the bench for Fabregas and RVP.
My VSS link is on the preview of the match of Sky Sports 2. I'm hoping that it'll turn into Soccer Saturday as we get closer to 10 am.
Not as many 10 am kickoffs in the Premiership this morning, but we still have Chelski taking on Stoke at the Bridge, Spurs against the woeful Wigan and Wolves v. Newcastle to keep us going, of course along with the full slate of Championship fixtures including my Leeds boys away to Watford. Then it's United v. the Hammers at 12:30.
Andy Gray on the Sky coverage is already commenting that Blackburn will have to defend deep against the Arse. That's disappointing for a home side.
Good morning BD. How was your first week back with the students?
McManaman is talking about Liverpool's prospects. He's being quite honest in saying that his beloved Reds have a "near impossible" task of getting back into the CL slots.
The teams are heading out of the tunnel as they are about to kick off at Fat Sam's place.
Morning, MUR - I had a terrific but busy first week back. How about you?
I agree with Stevie Mac.
Unfortunately Stevie Mac is trotting out the usual mythology about Van Persie. I don't get it - he's not very good. He doesn't score that much. Of course, now that I've said that, he'll probably get a hat-trick today.
My first week was the same. I was really tired each evening because I am not used to the pace.I apologize for not responding to your FB post. I went to bed early each evening. I should get used to the pace after next week.
It's Ian Darke and Andy Gray on the Sky commentary. Rowling and O'Neill on the ESPN2 commentary. I'm going to see if they're synced up so that I can follow Ian and Andy on Sky.
Unfortunately, the online Sky stream is about five seconds behind ESPN2. Shame that.
I turned in early on a couple of nights too. Glad that your week went well, mate.
Some Route 1 stuff right from the off from Blackburn.
Almunia collects well there and that will do him some confidence early on. Still no movement on the Schwarzer deal, I hear.
The Gunners attack early and win an early corner.
Oh - mad scramble there in the Blackburn box and that final shot from Diaby could have gone anywhere. Pinball football.
Walcott has it in the net but it's been called back for offside. Good bright start to this match.
Theo's shot takes a deflection similar to that of a pinball machine and Robinson saves even though he knew absolutely nothing about the shot.
Wenger says that his squad can win things this season. I am skeptical.
I'm skeptical too, MUR. The goalkeeping spot is an obvious weakness, but I also think they need another world class central defender and a world class striker before they really challenge. You know my feelings about RVP and the jury's out for me on Chamakh.
A bit of Rory Delap towel action from Blackburn here. Arsenal's defense under pressure.
The gunners easily handle the "up and under" as the weather conditions deteriorate in Lancashire. Now we have match in the Northwest of England.
Spitty Diouf and Almunia having some "discussions."
Oh - Fabregas heads off the line!
It's noticeable that RVP was back defending those aerial assaults.
And now Almunia does really well to claw one out. I thought that was going in.
Fabregas heads off the line after a well worked corner and a header from Ryan Nelsen. The Gunners clear the following corner out for a throw.Almunia struggles to save a mishit cross the nearly puts Blackburn ahead.
Almunia hit his head on the post in saving that one. That'll leave a mark for sure.
Chris Samba saves Blackburn's bacon there as Arshavin was nearly clear.
Samba prevents the Gunners from going ahead with a last ditch tackle, then the Gunners win a corner.
Oh - Kalanic really should have been able to stay on side there as Spitty laid a ball through for him.
Now Kalanic is flagged offside as Diouf breaks from Arsenal's corner and puts Kalanic through.
I thought this would be a dull match so early in the morning, but this looks like it might be an entertaining match.
There is finally some daylight in Texas.
I agree - I'm quite enjoying this one. It's an intriguing match of contrasts.
How's the weather for you this week?
I did not realize that there are two Diouf's playing for Blackburn, who win a corner after some curious defending.
Oh - Samba probably should have scored there. He got ahead of Diaby but didn't get over the ball with his header.
Smaba, with a free header heads well over. He is angry with himself.
Yes - Mame Diouf (no relation) scored a brace for Blackburn last weekend and was able to keep his place. I assume that both are from Senegal.
One of the Dioufs is on loan from Man United.
I believe that is correct.
I've just checked and it appears that Mame Diouf is on loan from Manchester United this season. He's only 22. Has he ever played for you lot?
Almunia close to hitting his noggin on that post again.
And GOAL! Theo Walcott fires himself into the Premiership scoring lead after a delightful flick through from RVP. Great finish.
0-1!
Pedersen's long throw ends up in the arms of Almunia who is knocked over by Kalanic then the Gunners break and Theo finishes cooly past Robinson in the puring rain. GOAL 0-1 TO THE GUNNERS!!!
It's a cliche at this point that every beginning of a season brings the promise of Theo Walcott really showing his potential. But maybe, just maybe, this is the season for him to step up?
This time the Gunners clear from Pedersen's long throw.
Nearly in again but this time Mame Diouf is flagged offside. The Blackburn players really need to discipline themselves to look across the line. They could have had a couple of one-on-ones with Almunia at this point.
Arsenal's passing game starting to click now.
We must not forget that fantastic pass from RVP as Theo scored. The goal followed after that old fashioned challenge on Almunia.
Arsenal now temporarily into top spot on seven points and +6 GD.
The coner from RVP is cleared and Blacburn break. Meme Diouf crosses straight to Diouf.
I've never questioned RVP overall skill as a footballer. I just don't think that he has the clinical instincts to be a top-class striker, which is what Arsenal need. They've got loads of players who can play those kinds of killer passes but so often you see a great ball fizzing across the goalmouth and no Arsenal player following in. They need a 25+ goal a season player. RVP ain't that.
GOAL 1-1!!! AS THE TWO DIOUFS COMBINE. EL HADJ WITH A FANTASTIC RUN DOWN THE LEFT AND MEME WITH A SIMPLE FINISH. BOTH GOALS STARTED WITH THE KEEPER!!!
GOAL! Mame Diouf taps in the equalizer. They seem to have found a goalscorer in the Senegalese youngster. Spitty did all the hard work on the left and Vermaelen lost his man in the box. Easy tap in.
1-1 Game on!
Spitty finds Kalanic now but the big Croatian doesn't seem to have found the pace of the Premiership yet.
Arsenal fans are cringing as RVP goes down under a heavy challenge from Pedersen.
I agree with you about RVP. Perhaps he can contribute with many assists. I believe that is his strength. Theo may become that score this season. He now has three EPL goals.Our man is limping off injured.
Arsenal back down to second, with Chelski on top again now.
Actually, I think that's four for Theo after a hat-trick last weekend. I can't really see Theo scoring 25+. They'll be happy with a return of 15 or so from him.
Pedersen is down injured in the box after an awkward fall on the wet pitch.
You are correct. Theo does have four.
Blackburn back to mid-table where they'll hope to stay this season. You would think that they've got enough quality to stave off relegation worries. And Fat Sam tends to organize sides well enough to survive.
What do you think of Song's new blond "doo"
Oh - Diaby made a gut-busting run to get into the box there but Clichy decided to go the other way.
RVP down again. This doesn't look good at all. Chamakh up and stripping off. Not good.
Yes. Blackburn should be a mid-table side.They may not be the most entertaining side,but they have been decent entertainment value today.
I'm not really one to throw stones in the hairstyle department but...I'm giving Song's new one the thumb's down. You?
That may be it for RVP as Chamakh is about to replace him. RVP actually had a decent match.
The same regarding Song's hair.
Morning Gentlemen,
I had a little laziness this morning and watched the first part of the match in bed. I miss the Rovers goal while was in transit from upstairs to downstairs.
Good finish by Theo
A United player doing United a favor with the goal
Speaking of hairstyles, what about Chamakh's scarecrow with gel look?
Morning, UWS. Good to have you on board.
The sun is back out as the afternoon monsoon comes to an end .
Good morning UWS.How have you been?
Interesting comments from you, MUR, on the CL draw thread. I had thought that maybe Group B - with Lyon, Benfica and Shalke - might be competitive. I just don't enough about those sides to know for sure.
Chamakh's hairstyle is bizarre as well,but to the same extent as Song.
Song's hair is grey not blond
Yes, Dioff has played the odd minute last season and he played a lot on the preseason tour
Great cross over but for some reason Kalanic decided not to commit to a flying header. I'm not impressed by the Croatian.
I don't rate that Kalanic. He seems to be clueless out there
I think that might be an interesting group.I doubt that any of those sides will win the CL,but they are almost evenly matched . It should be a close group that goes down to the last set of matches.
Then why loan him out? How much more juice can you squeeze out of the Scholes orange?
Link for SS but I think it may change to Spurs Wigan at 10
http://www.justin.tv/caughtworld#/w/347339008
You can see it too, can't you UWS? With a cross into the danger area like that one, you'd want a true striker to be beating the defender and sticking his head in where it counts. You'd be having that one, eh?
I agree BD and UWS. I am not sure why Slaven Bilic refers to him as the next superstar. That might explain why Croatia did not qualify for the 2010 World Cup.
I agree. I would have kept him. There is talk that Cleverley is going to be loaned out too
Did you see Leeds got a striker from Cardiff yesterday?
I'm leaving my link on VSS to see if it goes straight into SS on Sky Sports 2 like last season.
Fine... be that way!
Theo wins a corner as the Gunners up the tempo just before halftime.
Yeah - Ross McCormack. Don't know him at all. But with Bothroyd, Bellamy and Chopra all on board, Cardiff are pretty much set in the striking department.
I know you don't care now Bob but Spurs v Arsenal in the Carling Cup!
Three minutes of stoppage time.
Sagna seems to be really struggling with the pace of the two Dioufs out on the left. He's dropped off quite a bit.
Here's the Full DrawBrentford v Everton
Portsmouth v Leicester City
Stoke City v Fulham
Chelsea v Newcastle United
Aston Villa v Blackburn Rovers
Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal
Millwall v Ipswich Town
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Notts County
Burnley v Bolton Wanderers
Birmingham City v MK Dons
Liverpool v Northampton Town
Scunthorpe United v Manchester United
West Bromwich Albion v Manchester City
Sunderland v West Ham United
Peterborough United v Swansea City
Wigan Athletic v Preston North End
Ties will be played in the week commencing 20 September.
I didn't see the draw for obvious reasons, but that is a corker. Who did United get?
The two Dioufs have created some problems for the Arsenal defenders. That should be an interesting Carling Cup tie unless both teams put out their reserve sides.
Scunthorpe away, eh? Not too bad.
Scunthorpe away.... A good start for a run for a hat-trick of trophies
Half time
1-1
Fair score I think
Well - you know Arsene doesn't give a monkey's about the Carling Cup so you'll have the likes of Vela and the kids in there. Spurs might put out a full strength side though.
Halftime and the match is perfectly balanced at 1-1 after an entertaining first half.
Yeah - fairly even in that first half. Gooner won't be happy, especially with those tackles that crippled RVP. Another season and another injury problem for the Dutchman. He's made of glass, isn't he?
Scunthorpe away should be a great start. We can put out the reserves such as Cleverly and start with a victory while resting the starters.
I think Arsene should care about the League Cup.
He needs to win a trophy! United were struggling and hadn't won the league three years in a row. They won the League Cup and went on and won the league three years in a row
Spurs v Wigan at 10 on FSC. Last year's score....9-1!
I wish the cameras would have been at Bloomfield Road for their Prem home debut
Yes, I remember. They beat Wigan 4-0. Spurs usually do well in the Carling Cup. Are there any potential upsets?
Ia m glad that Paul Scharner's handball goal was allowed. Otherwise, Spurs would have matched out 9-0 victory over Ipswich.
Do you think Blackburn have been over physical? I don't think so
Just saw the Rovers goal. I liked it. Nice run by Spitter and a great run by the United boy to be in the right place
Theo's fourth EPL goal is a career high for him? It is still August.
That was great work by Spitty . Sagna has struggled with the pace of both Dioufs. I agree. Blackburn have played some decent footie.
Speaking of Nine nil!
I want ten today!
We have scored 9 (Ipswich), 8 (Forest), 7 (West Ham, Bradford or Barnsley), 6 (many times, 5 (many times), 4 (many times), 3 (many times), 2 (sadly against Fulham last week), 1 (many times) and 0 (sadly against Blackburn last season... it cost us the league!)
Ten is sure on the docket!!
Did you know that Forester was in the goal for the Ipswich and West Ham matches? 16 times picking the ball out of the net!
No - I don't think Blackburn have been over the top with the physicality. They're just doing what they always do and keeping things tight at the back and competing for balls in midfield. But I just know that Gooner and other Arsenal fans want lesser sides to allow them to pass them to death and win 5-0. He won't be happy.
That's cruel, UWS. What would West Ham Rising think of that?
Teams back out. A slight delay due to a hole in the net.
It seems that Theo's goal was literally a "net-busting" shot!
We're off
The second half is underway.
I don't remember Cesc Fabregas being on the pitch in the first half. The commentators say that he had "a lot of football" in the summer. Rubbish - he barely got on the pitch for Spain due to the Xavi-Iniesta combo.
Sorry WHR... numbers don't lie!
How many times will Green pick the ball out of the net? He sure has plenty of practice.
My SS link buggered off
Well - I suppose if WHR is delinquent in logging on to LOB on a Saturday morning, he can hardly complain if the United contingent calls for a walloping, can he?
Theo's shot is deflected to Robinson. The Gunners begin the second half attacking.
My VSS stream is still going strong. Hoping it will convert to SS at the end of the broadcast.
A new SS link in case yours doesn't click over
http://www.justin.tv/vip____football#/w/347431168
Who do Leeds have today? I think I remember you saying during the week that it is Watford away
Who did Givet replace?
That was a bit better from Kalanic.
I believe that is correct.Leeds is away to Watford.
To be fair... I didn't exactly say that the Ten was going to be today. It should happen soon
Fab looks off the pace
Yeah - we're at Watford today. They're just above us in the league table. I'll take an away score draw, ta very much.
Bugger... my link just buggered off again!
The Arse have taken the lead
Arse Shaven (hehehe) gets a bit of luck off of Theo's butt
GOAL! Arshavin slots home after a pinball sequence with Cesc hitting Theo's backside.
2-1!
That was decent lon range effort from Pedersen after a great run from Meme Diouf. GOAL 1-2 TO THE GUNNERS AS ARSHAVIN SCORES AFTER SAGNA'S SHOT IS BLOCKED.
Givet's been on from the start, MUR.
I think there are more goals in this one. It's not over yet.
Arsenal back on top again with seven points. But of course Chelski have a gimme against Stoke today. Any predictions of the score? 6-0? 7-0? 8-0?
Thank you BD. My mistake. Sagna made the run down the right, and Cesc's shot deflected off of Theo's bum for Arshavin to score. Chamakh nearly put the Gunners 3-1 up.
Cricket update from Lords
England were 47 for 5 and then 102 for 7
An eight wicket partnership of 332 and England end at 446 all out
All sports here at Nocito SportsCenter
I am a little nervous that Chelsea will top United's output against the Tractor Roys
Kalanic has a half-chance after a poor clearance from Vermaelen. Blazed over the bar. Grella off and Dunn on.
David Dunn comes on for Vince Grella.
Is Arse Shaven (heheh) wearing PINK boots?
I will need to check on that. I did not notice that,UWS. Rather interesting.
Is the Rafa affect or lack of Jose Affect hurting Inter?
Super Cup Final
Inter 0 Athletico Madrid 2
I don't remember Gary O'Reilly at all. Who did he play for?
Arshavin blazes well over after a great long range pass from Diaby. I could not see the boots.
I can't see Rafa's Inter being anywhere close to Jose's Inter.
Another link working
http://www.justin.tv/uk___tv#/w/347474592
I think Gary O'Reilly played for Spurs and Watford in the late 80s and early 90s.
Great long throw from Pedersen punched out by Almunia and it could have gone anywhere.
The Gunners clear from Pedersen's long throw after some difficulty.
That's the blackout period for me when I wasn't able to follow English football at all well.
I agree. I thought Inter looked tame yesterday.
I had a similar blackout period.It was more difficult to follow English footie at that time.
The struggling Kalanic is about to get the hook. Olson to come on for him.
SS talking about Giggs should have taken last week's pen!!
I agree
Yes - MLS haters such as UWS won't buy it but the World Cup in 94 and then particularly the introduction of MLS in 96 totally changed our world.
I agree. Giggs has been talking the penalties recently.
Now, now. Lay off my boy Nani. He'll be having a hat-trick against the Hammers today and you'll love him again.
Martin Olsson is on for the useless Kalanic.
Salgado hacks Arshavin there and should pick up a yellow card for his trouble. No - the ref's being very tolerant.
BREAKING TRANSFER NEWS:
Newcastle have announced the signing of Hatem Ben Arfa on an initial season-long loan deal from Marseille.
I think Liverpool wanted to hijack this deal
Salgado's not happy. Not only can he not find a decent paella in Blackburn but the ref's given a corner against him.
Guess the sequence
4, 7, 1, 7, 8 and 6
Salgado is complaining yet again. The corner from Cesc was poor , but was nearly put in. Rosicky is on for Cesc.
Cesc off and Rosicky on then. Not the best from the Spaniard yet. Rosicky looked lively in pre-season. Good change there.
Cesc off and Rosicky on then. Not the best from the Spaniard yet. Rosicky looked lively in pre-season. Good change there.
Is that Chelski's goal output in their most recent matches?
Chelski goalscoring at the end of last season, UWS?
Both are very close but not exact
Their goals in the Home games
Walcott's feeling his oats today. Shifted outside and then tried a pop. Smothered by Robbo.
Theo's shot is easily saved as Rosicky makes an immediate contribution. Will he replace Cesc ?
Just lost the bloody link again! What is going on?? Really clear and then shuts down.
So who is Fabio watching today? Not a lot of English players on display beyond Theo. Robbo's already announced his "international retirement."
This is the kind of match that can either go to 3-1 with a breakaway goal or to 2-2 with some Blackburn Route 1 pressure.
I can only think of Theo. Maybe he is just watching this game to take up some time and will be at Old Trafford for the late game of the day
Anyone want to put a bet on that we will see a shot of Mr. Capello in the OT crowd?
Replay of the Cup Final of a few years back
Portsmouth v Cardiff... how life has changed!
Wenger will be pleased with a win and a draw on his first two trips to the northwest to begin the season.
Do we get partial credit on the quiz, Mr. N?
Givet is booked for pulling Theo's shorts.
I would not be surprised to see Cap at OT. He also has an opportunity to get a look at Theo. I would pick him based on today's performance.
It depends... did you show your work?
The problem with Theo is that he turns it on in spurts but isn't consistent - or hasn't been to date - over the course of a season.
I am not sure about partial credit. we did not show our work.
Pakistan have lost their first wicket 9 for 1
I'll give you a point for mentioning Chelsea but that is it
Yes - x(2) + y(3) = eat my shorts!
The Carling Cup is unpredictable because the good teams usually play their reserve sides in this competition.
Of course, I would have given you full credit if you had said it was MY goalscoring!
9 for 2
Wot - you scored eight recently?
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