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!
In most seasons, Liverpool would be one of the top four clubs and Birmingham City would be staring down the barrel of a long battle against the drop. Instead the Blues have the chance of sliding into fourth spot (currently occupied by Blackpool!) with a win that would send Pool spiraling toward the dropzone. Join me for all the usual LOB banter this morning.
posted by The Blue Devil @ 10:36 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!
144 Comments:
Here are the teams for this afternoon's clash:
Birmingham: Foster, Carr, Johnson, Dann, Ridgewell, Larsson, Ferguson, Bowyer, Gardner, McFadden, Jerome. Subs: Taylor, Murphy, Derbyshire, Michel, Fahey, Zigic, Jiranek.
Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Konchesky, Maxi, Poulsen, Lucas, Gerrard, Jovanovic, Torres. Subs: Jones, Meireles, Agger, Pacheco, Kyrgiakos, Babel, Ngog.
Fernando Torres has seemed to be getting back toward his best form in recent. It will be interesting to see what he can do today alongside new boy Jovanovic. Maxi comes in in the absence of the suspended Joe Cole.
The FSC coverage starts up at 10:59 with the usual race through the line-ups and then straight to kick-off.
Brum get us underway at St. Andrew's.
Good morning BD. I made it just in time for the kickoff.
Early pressure from the home side.
The Blues are unbeaten in eight against Liverpool. May the streak continue.
Morning, MUR. How are things in Texas?
Barry Ferguson's shot is well wide and into the upper deck.
Everything is well in Texas. It is still hot and humid. How is everything in Fredonia?
I've got mixed feelings about Liverpool this season. I quite like Roy Hodgson and wouldn't mind seeing him as England manager at some point. A disastrous stint and quick departure would probably put paid to those ambitions. At the same time, I'm quite happy to see them drop out of the automatic CL spots in order to make room for other sides.
Busy as ever here. Along with my usual duties, which I basically have under control at this point, I've been taking on more of an activist/advocacy role recently. It's a lot of fun but keeps me jumping.
Brum defend well against Maxi Rodriguez . They have been a well organized under McLeish.
It sounds like lots of work and fun.I have been busy as well.
I am surprised by the drop in form of Cameron Jerome. At one point when Brum were still in the Championship I wondered if he might make the jump to the England set-up.
Fall is always busy - the conference season (October/November) is looming. I've got one in Boston and one in Denver coming up. Then New Orleans in March.
Jerome has never made the adjustment to the premiership. I do agree with your statements about Liverpool and Hodgson. We discovered earlier this week that England will be looking for a new manager in two years.
Yes - apparently 'Arry Redknapp is in pole position. I'm not happy with that choice - you?
Spring is usually the busy time of the year for me. The girls are in sports and I usually get more tutoring jobs. I will probably attend a conference in San Antonio in December.
Paul Konchesky is an interesting acquisition for Liverpool. He could add quite a bit.
For math educators?
I am not sure. Other then Arry and Hodgson, England would probably need to go with a foreign manager again. It's still two years away,so you never know.A lot can happen.
The conference is with the College Board for AP math teachers.
Oh - Torres should have done better there. Johnson did well in a similar way that he did for England this week but while his movement was good Torres scuffed his final shot.
Nice - good for you. I'll bet San Antonio is nice in December. I've never been. Would love to see the Alamo at some point.
I am not sure about Konchesky. He has not made the England squad,so I am not sure if he is a Champions League caliber player.I wonder if he made the move because he was one of Hodgson's Fulham players.
The infamous Jerome is offside to end what looked like Brum's most promising move of the match.
McFadden is working his socks off in the Birmingham midfield but I'd like to see the Blues run out a strike partner alongside Jerome.
Will you be attending Social Studies conferences?
I agree. Brum would be more of an attacking threat,but McLeish like to keep it tight.
You're absolutely right - Konchesky is a Hodgson favorite. That always seems to happen when a new boss comes in. UWS tipped me off to a wonderful documentary series about LUFC part of which reminded me that part of Brian Clough's disastrous 44-day run at the club included bringing in a load of Derby County players who unsettled the squad.
I straddle the worlds of social studies and history of education, so the Boston conference is the History of Education Society and the Denver conference is National Council for the Social Studies. New Orleans in the spring is the biggie - American Educational Research Association. 10K people in attendance - too big for my taste.
Fortunately, we have a transfer window, so there is no threat of a repeat until January at the earliest.Was the documentary on BBC America or was it online?
Bit nasty from Torres with studs up. Could easily have been a booking.
The New Orleans conference is huge. I winder what they would do with 10k people.
Stevie G took a knock,but he should be okay.
It was online. If you type "Leeds, Leeds, Leeds" into the YouTube search engine you'll find it. There are seven episodes covering the period of Revie's arrival in the early 60s to CL semi final in 2001.
The clips appear to be transfers from home video by a fan. I suspect that the original was a ITV Yorkshire Television production but it's unclear. It's a fascinating show, even for non-LUFC fans. I would definitely watch a similar program on MUFC history.
Wow - tremendous save by Pepe from a good solid header from Jerome. Jerome couldn't have done better - it was just a top save by Reina.
WOW!! what a save by Reina as Jerome's header was destined for the bottom corner, but Reina tipped it around the post.The corner was a waste.
AERA is really too big. The program looks like a phone book, with a dozen concurrent sessions every hour. The registration fee alone is $275. I'm really disenchanted with it, but for some reason speaking at it, which I've done since 2005, is still considered the gold standard in the field.
Dangerous free kick chance now for Birmingham after that Carragher foul.
Free kick to Brum Just outside the penalty area as McFadden is tripped by Carradonna.
McFadden takes but it was always going to be hard to get it up and down from the distance.
McFadden curls the free kick well wide.
Mark Halsey has lost his patience now. Gardner into the book.
Craig Gardener is booked for a nasty challenge on Lucas. That could have been a red card.
Stevie G tries an ambitious shot from long range and it is well over to the delight of the Birmingham fans.
Lucas is down on the turf again. Ferguson getting some attention from Halsey now. Brum fans chanting "Same old Scousers - always cheating," somehow forgetting that Lucas is actually from Brazil.
Barry Ferguson is upset at Lucas for claiming to be injured after minimal contact. I don't blame him. I wonder if the same was true after Gardener's challenge.
As it stands, Birmingham are in fifth spot with six points, just behind the surprising Tangerines. Liverpool are just below mid-table on five points.
That was just over by Gardener after great work by Larsson.
That was great idea by Stevie G ,but the attempted through ball to Torres fails to come off.
Ferguson again, now on Maxi. Halsey waves on and the Blues fans are booing.
Great stuff from Reina again. I really thought that ball was going in from the cross.
Reina did well to punch away the cross as there was a player pressuring him.
Torres goes down in the box but Halsey points toward a goal kick. I don't know - that looked a penalty to me.
That could have been a penalty. Then Reina with a similar save against Gardener.
More heroics from Reina after a point blank header from Gardener. The header could have been more in the corner but it was still terrific reflexes.
Stevie G heads away the corner.
The tabloids this morning were claiming that Fergie dropped Roon yesterday because the kid is depressed about the whole sordid affair story. What are your thoughts about that?
I think Mark Halsey is fed with antics from the Liverpool players after Lucas twice and Maxi Rodriguez. I think he wants them to think twice before going down.
Jerome with an ambitious volley out wide left. Nowhere near the goal.
Agreed - Halsey has done well. It's good to see him back in the middle after seven months out battling cancer.
I am not sure. Roon was definitely thinking with the little head instead of the big one. I think he did the right thing. It will give Roon some time to get this out of his system. Hopefully, he learned his lesson.The fans will give him some stick for a while . He was unpopular already due to his poor World Cup and the remark he made on youtube after the match against Algeria.
I was not aware that Halsey was battling cancer. We wish him a speedy recovery.
This fixture has been a low scoring affair over the past few seasons.
I think he's in full remission now. It was throat cancer - not as deadly as a lot of other forms but still no fun, I'm sure.
Shame - this one could really use a goal to spice it up. It's been full of interest but I'd like to see one or two fly in early in the second half.
I am glad to see him progressing. He has been going through a difficult time.
One minute of stoppage time .
Half-time then - 0-0
I'm off for a quick shower. Back in a tick.
Halftime and still 0-0. I think Brum were the slightly better team as Reina had to make three outstanding saves and Ben Foster has been a spectator.
The second half kicks off.
Birmingham took a free kick from the left which created a few problems with some pinball action in the penalty area.
Still little action as the match has failed to settle since the beginning of the second half.
Konchesky passes to Jovanovic in the penalty area, but Jovanovic fials to control the pass. Goal kick.
Stevie G has blood dripping from his ear. He will need to come off for treatment.
I'm back and it's still 0-0 in the 55th minute. Brum seem to be dropping deep in this half. Are they satisfied with a point?
Scott Dann was unmarked from the free kick, but he heads into the ground and sees his header bounce just over. He missed with a free header.
Welcome back BD. I seems as if the pattern is similar to that of the first half. I wonder if one goal will decide this.
One more chance goes begging for Brum.
This is the kind of match that Liverpool have a nagging habit of sneaking in the end, although they miss the scheming of Dirk Kuyt who is often good for a late goal.
Stevie G crossed from the right, but nobody was in the penalty area to attack the ball. I am surprised he has been permitted to play with that cut. He has had blood on his ear for the last ten minutes.
It's about bloody time. It's been at least ten minutes.
That was a great challenge by Konchesky, but yet again someone failed to control the ball in the penalty area.
Foster punches away for a corner as Torres tried to catch him out at the far post. The corner is cleared,but Liverpool still have possession.
Stevie G. is trotting off again for treatment.
Better from Liverpool. Stevie G still has blood coming from his ear.
Hey guys
I have been around for the match but not on the computer... pretty dire stuff!!
Hello UWS.
United v Liverpool next Sunday on FSC Plus... buggers
Morning, UWS! I don't think that it's been quite as bad as "dire," but it could use a goal.
Torres has been hopeless today... South African Roonylike
I agree with the commentator (Jon Champion?). Torres hasn't looked the part today. I know that UWS thinks it's the hairstyle change. Should he return to the blond mullet?
Pepe has made two great saves but that is about it. What has Liverpool done?
That must be an early match because I thought it said 5:25 AM. The advert was on for only a split second.
Oh well - I'm sure Justin will sort us out next Sunday.
Jerome heads just wide after a great cross from Carr.
Hodgson should drop Torres if he is not doing the job.he should not start based on his name alone.
Konchesky and Reina have had good matches. Stevie G has been decent. Konchesky has been let down by players with poor ball control.
I think that 5:25 time (I saw it too) was Pacific time
Glad to hear that. I did not want to get up at 4:15 AM.
Liverpool are hopeless!!
Well stated. A poor match by Maxi Rodriguez and a poor shot.Raul Mireles is on for Lucas.
This could be interesting. Raul Meireles looked impressive for Portugal in South Africa, one of the few who did.
They played ok with 10 men against Arsenal but were second best
Got crushed by Citeh
WBA were the better side!
Perhaps Hodgson drop Torres and replace him with Ngog. He is always good for a few goals.
Is Knonchesky going off... he has done well down the left
I thought so too. MUR doesn't rate him.
Ngog has certainly looked in better form than Torres but I'm not sure he's CL quality either.
Bloody Ear hasn't done much either.... I am okay with that. Stink it up in Liverpool Red and play blinders in with the Three Lions
I am not sure how Konchesky will do over a period of time,but I will admit he did look the part today. If he shows this from, then I will admit to being wrong about him.
Have I told you that I am still gutted about yesterday morning!!
I feel the same,UWS.
That was better from Fernando but he waited too long to pull the trigger.
I don't think he is that great but he was creating a lot for Liverpool today
I can only imagine!
That was the first glimpse of Torres as he weaved his way past several players,but the finish was really tame.
We both feel that way and the other bloke on this blog is cockahoop with a comeback win against Swansea!
Inside the last ten minutes then. I still smell a goal coming.
Liverpool definitely don't deserve three points today
Hey - I haven't been rubbing your face in that one. I would have been plenty pleased with a 1-1 draw.
I really dislike Mark Bright as the colorman. He talks too much
I agree. Liverpool will be lucky to get a point out of this match, which would actually be a decent result at St. Andrews.
Of course, I expect Carson to do a Green at some point
Why? He's an LUFC Academy product. That's quality, that is.
I heard that Joe Hart was in on the act yesterday.
I expected Jovanovic to play further forward. He's just been tucking in all afternoon.
I heard that too. I only saw the highlights but Hart dropped a couple for England on Tuesday as well
Yeah - Joe got away with one yesterday.
Banjo Boy nearly gifts one to Stevie G.
Gerrard's got the bandage off again and there's more blood from the ear.
3 added minutes
I used to like that number until yesterday!!!!
Zigic is on for McFadden. Is this his debut? He should have come on earlier.
Of course, when we scored two in 3 added minutes, we won the European Cup!! Everton only got a draw!!!!
Is that enough time for Zigic to score a winner?
Uh oh - the commentator mentioned GP. Sorry, chaps!
That was nearly a winner for Liverpool,but Mireles could not finish the cross.
Once more into the abyss for Liverpool. Comes to nothing. Come on, Brum!
That's it!
Nil Nil
Seven straight draws between these two
Have a good rest of the weekend
UWS
Well, apparently that was lunch I was smelling rather than a late goal. I'm off to enjoy it, lads. I'll catch up with you for some Champions League/Championship action on Tuesday afternoon.
That's it . Sven consecutive league draws between these two as the match finishes at 0-0.
Take care BD and UWS.
Cheerio, lads!
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