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!
You can tell that I'm hungry for the Beautiful Game if I'm up early for Wigan v. Wolves. No late match today, so we'll have to get most of our banter in during the regular 3pm GMT kick-offs, including ManYoo at Sunderland live on ESPN2. Join me for the Saturday fix.
posted by The Blue Devil @ 7:24 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!
230 Comments:
Live VSS has a link for Soccer Saturday: http://www.livevss.tv/
Wayne Rooney is on now trying to explain why he's suddenly become so pants.
Rooney (and the rest of us) are saved additional embarrassment when the VSS administrator switches over to pre-match coverage of Wigan v. Wolves.
This one's a true relegation dogfight between 17th and 18th in the table.
I'll have my eye particularly on the Championship - the most exciting English league - and Leeds United's trek to Portman Road to meet the Tractor Roys.
Wigan get us started at the DW this morning. The feed isn't the best and I suspect that will mirror the quality of the football.
Hearts have gone 1-0 up against Rangers through Skacel.
I've just had a peek at the SPL table. Even a win today would have Hearts seven points back on Celtic and Rangers. (sigh)
Lots of seats available at the DW today. I'm not surprised - would you buy a season ticket to watch Wigan?
Nearly ten minutes in. Lots of sturm, not a lot of drang. I don't think we've had a shot on goal yet.
WOW! Karl Henry - the villain of the Bobby Zamora legbreaking challenge - goes in two-footed and he's straight off. It was a horror tackle and the ref was right to get the red out in a hurry. Wolves and Mick McCarthy down to ten men inside fifteen minutes.
Fortunately, Gomez has managed to get up after that tackle. He's going to be wearing a pair of Henry stud marks on his shins for quite some time.
Figueroa manages to burst through the Wolves defense and lashes one left-footed over the bar. Should have tested Hahnemann with that one at least.
As it stands, Wolves have temporarily hopped over Liverpool leaving the Mersysiders level with Wigan for the drop. Liverpool have a really intriguing match tomorrow morning with Blackpool. It's been a bizarre start for the Mersey duo with Everton sitting dead last.
Half way through the first half and all we've had so far is that one wayward Figueroa shot.
Wolves get their first corner. With ten men they'll have to take these chances. Unfortunately Foley hits the first man not once, but twice.
Oh - that was good. Charles N'Zogbia - who apparently wants away to Marseille - bursts through and lays a great ball across the six yard box, but no one is there to tap in.
Martin Tyler is already talking about half-time. You can tell that he's looking forward to his interval cuppa and pie more than watching more of this dross.
Hey Bob, I won't be around much today. The boys have a car wash to work on today so I will be helping them out. Jon goes now and then the other two go at 10:15
Craddock earns Wolves another corner. Let's see if they can do any better. Nope.
Morning, Dave! Missing the United match for a cash wash? That is dedication!
Di Santo jinks inside and has a go but it's blocked out.
Thomas picks up a yellow card for a nasty lunge.
Martin Tyler wants to give Mick McCarthy and Wolves plaudits for digging in after Karl Henry's sending off - why?
Half-time: Precious little quality on display so far. 0-0.
Did you expect any more?
I am watching the Ryder Cup right now
I have an SS link going
http://www.justin.tv/cosoccer#/w/433816848/2
The pundits want to see Wigan "really go for it." Here here. Second half about to kick off here.
Cheers, mate. I might just pop that SS link on rather than the match.
Oh Rodallega plays Di Santo in but he whiffed on it. You can see why Wigan fans have only seen one goal this season at the DW.
Rangers score the winner at Hearts in the 4th minute of added time
Right - I'm on to Soccer Saturday and the crossword. I've given up on Wigan v. Wolves.
So how many goals do United need today in order to top the table for tonight?
12!
I am bummed that I am going to miss it.
I am going to miss most of the big one tomorrow because of my second game of the season
They're reviewing the three penalties that Spurs got in midweek. First one was fair enough. Crouchie wrestled to the ground. Second one - very dodgy. Bale went down without much contact. Third one as well - very harsh. Ball to hand, I reckon.
Gareth Bale - the most improved player in the Premiership? Your thought, Dave?
Still 0-0 after an hour at the DW.
Wigan take the lead
GOAL! Wigan have finally broken the deadlock. It's Gomez with a curling effort. 1-0 Wigan!
Wolves drop into the relegation zone and Wigan hop up to mid-table. Liverpool are a point off relegation now.
Sven is at the Walkers today. Surely he is their new manager
Lost my SS link unfortunately.
mine is still going strong
Doing my crossword
Five letter word
City of West Yorkshire!
Wigan double their lead. Roddy scores when SS were there
Rodallega has wrapped up Wigan's win with a second goal five minutes from time.
Macheda and Owen start up front today
Big news out of the United camp - Owen and Macheda start up front. Your thoughts, Dave?
I wouldn't rest Berba while he is on fire
Everyone is saying that United have had an indifferent start. They and Fulham are the only two teams undefeated in the Prem
Man Utd: Van der Sar, Rafael Da Silva, Ferdinand, Vidic, O'Shea, Nani, Scholes, Fletcher, Anderson, Macheda, Owen. Subs: Kuszczak, Evra, Berbatov, Smalling, Hernandez, Gibson, Bebe.
Wigan won 2 nil
So... no help for my crossword clue!
Sorry, mate. I missed your crossword clue. The answer is obviously -
LEEDS!
ESPN2 is still wrapping up it's creepy coverage of the Bassmaster Elite Challenge. Some bloke in what looks like a racing outfit is holding up a couple of fish and the crowd is going nuts. This is truly a weird country.
Hope you're not watching SS at the moment.... they're showing Preston!
There was some chatter on the Guardian Football Weekly podcast about how no United players go over to congratulate Nani when he scores. I wonder why? He's a lovely lad!
I've already seen the goals from the mid-week match. I've written that one off. Full steam ahead. I'll take a point at Portman Road today. Ta very much.
I don't believe that is true. I see them trying to go over there but he pulls himself away
"A burst pipe in the United dressing room at the Stadium of Light" has delayed the kick-off for 20 minutes!"
Y-O-R-K-E.
Morning Chaps.
20 minute delay for the United match because United's dressing room ceiling collapsed... was Fergie screaming?
How will this affect ESPN2 programing. Surely they have college football right after the final whistle!
Here's the Leeds side for today's match, which is about to kick off:
Higgs, Bruce, Collins, Naylor, McCartney, Howson, Faye, Kilkenny, Johnson, Snoddy!, Somma.
Great to see Snoddy back in the line-up. Becchio drops to the bench.
Nice spelling Stevee
Morning, Gooner!
Just typical... I was going to be able to watch the first 20 minutes...not now!
That match at Portman Road has started. 7th place against 10th place.
I've switched over to the Spurs v. Villa match on FSC for a moment.
Hamilton have taken the lead at Celtic Park.
Gomez has picked up a knock after Albrighton slid in on him.
Burnley are down to ten men against Millwall.
Looks like all Ipswich possession now.
I am leaving right now... fingers crossed for my lot!
TTFN
Stoke well on top in the early stages of their clash with Blackburn, but can't yet find a way past Paul Robinson.
Cheerio, mate!
Villa are really pouring it on now. I don't fancy this Spurs central pairing of Bassong and Fatty Huddlestone.
GOAL! Albrighton sticks in Villa's first and it was coming. Heskey did well to win the ball off the fullback, rolls it across the area and Albrighton slides in at the backpost to score.
0-1 Villa!
Leicester have taken the lead against Scunny. They definitely need a win today.
Bugger! Ipswich have taken the lead. Another goal leaked.
1-0 Ipswich.
Oh - Spurs should have scored there. Pavs hit one and it hit the back of Richard Dunne.
Sunderland v. United has finally kicked off.
It's great to see Rio Ferdinand back in his regular slot next to Vidic.
Ten men Burnley have gone 0-1 up at Millwall now.
PNE have followed up their goal clutch at Elland Road in mid-week with another early goal today against Reading.
Celtic have equalized against Hamilton.
Excellent news - Norwich have taken the lead against second-bottom Bristol City.
Boro have taken the lead against hapless Pompey.
Oh - great save, VDS! Malbranque was straight through on goal but the keeper did well.
Millwall have equalized against ten men Burnley.
Clint Dempsey has tortured Rob Green again - Fulham are 1-0 up!
Good thing Dave has buggered off - he wouldn't be happy with this United performance so far. They've barely got out of their own half!
Two quick goals at Doncaster and it's 1-1 with Forest.
Fergie's not happy - Nani's been clattered there. Took a cuff round the ear.
John Carew has come on for an ailing Emile Heskey.
Norwich 2-0 up now against Bristol City.
We need a goal! Com up, lads. MOT!
Boro now 2-0 up against Pompey, who are back down in the dropzone.
Somma hits one just by the post. We're slowly coming back into this one. Nearly half time now.
GOAL! Van der Vaart has equalized for Spurs. Ball in, Crouchie knock down and Van der Vaart nods home at the backpost. Easy.
1-1.
Half-time at Portman Road - Ipswich still 1-0 up through that Jason Scotland goal. I want better in the second half.
Oh - off the post from Zenden. United really under the cosh now!
Nani lines up a free kick now....
Oh - just by the right post.
Half-time at the Stadium of Light. 0-0 between Sunderland and United. I have a feeling that Dave is having more fun at the carwash than he would have had watching this stuff.
I've switched back to Shite Fart Lane with Spurs kicking off the second half.
West Ham have equalized against Fulham. 1-1 there.
Cardiff are 0-1 up at Barnsley and move up to second slot in the Championship.
Oh - Van der Vaart misses a sitter! Nice diagonal ball in and the Dutchman put it wide!
Everton have scored through Tim Cahill slightly against the run of play. 0-1 there for the Toffees.
Actually it looks like an own goal off either the keeper or a defender there rather than Cahill.
Good morning BD. I just arrived home. My daughter had piano practice.
Brum players are going bonkers at the ref as they think they should have had a penalty.
Morning, MUR! Great to have you on board. Our buddy UWS is off on charity carwash duty today with his kids.
I'm not sure you're going to be happy with proceedings at the Stadium of Light. It's 0-0 at half-time and Sunderland have had the best of it. Kickoff was delayed by 20 minutes.
Still 1-0 Ipswich at Portman Road. I think Grayson got to start to think about sticking Becchio on to augment the attack.
I noticed that the kickoff was delayed just as we were leaving for piano practice.I heard there was a burst pipe in the dressing room. I would consider a 0-1 away win a success.
A second goal for Leicester against Scunthorpe as Lloyd Dyer scores at the second attempt. Sven'll be happy, and Leicester are good value for their lead.
Our 0-1 win in Spain was only our second in nineteen attempts despite a mediocre performance. I understand that there was a ten goal thriller at Elland Road earlier this week.
Yes - the burst pipe meant that the ceiling caved in in the dressing room. Doesn't say much for the facilities in Sunderland, does it?
Pompey have pegged Boro back to 2-1.
Yeah - it was a crazy match against PNE on Tuesday. They went 0-1 up, then we scored four unanswered goals in the first half. Went in 4-1 up at the interval and then gave up five goals in the second half. I have a feeling that it'll be an up and down season. Mid-table would be success for us.
The teams are back on the pitch. I am hoping for a better performance in the second half. Drac is coming on as a sub for Michael Owen. The second half is underway.
The second half starts at the Stadium of Light. I'm hoping for better stuff from United for your sake, MUR.
It's an experimental front line of Owen and Macheda. Surely, Drac will have to come on?
I am surprised as the Stadium of Light is a relatively modern facility.It is supposed to be one of the best in the country. I guess not.
Johan Elmander has stuck a goal in for Bolton away to WBA.
United have the ball in the net but Drac is called offside.
Drac was well offside as his goal was called back. That was better from United. An immediate impact from Drac.
I am sure that SAF let the players have it at halftime.
Our keeper Shane Higgs has gone off injured - our third string keeper Jason Brown is on now.
Scunthorpe back in the game at Leicester through Michael O'Connor. Still 2-1 down, though.
That was a poor corner from Nani as the defender headed it back to his keeper.
Villa nearly go back in front after Ashley Young plays in Mark Albrighton.
Jason Brown was the reserve keeper at Blackburn for many years.
Cardiff back in the lead. 1-2 at Barnsley. Back up to second.
Norwich are now 0-3 up at Bristol City. Calamity has been picking them out of the net all day!
United appear to be sluggish. I am hoping for better than a fourth consecutive away draw.
Is that right? Thanks for the info. That's quality anoraking, MUR. I'd never heard of him. We seem to have a policy of picking up journeyman footballers these days. It's been handy since we've had a lot of injuries but it makes me nervous to see the likes of Amdy Faye lining up in midfield for us these days.
I am surprised that Norwich are in the promotion race. Can they sustain this pace. I am surprised to see Bristol City struggling against relegation.
United have been a lot more positive in this half.
I saw Brown play a few years back against United when Paul Ince was in charge at Balckburn.
Aha! Nice one. I haven't seen a game in the UK for a long time now. I miss it.
The match was televised. I haven't seen a match in the UK for many years as well.
It's all the Rafael Van Der Vaart show at Shite Fart Lane. He's just put Spurs 2-1 up now. Good goal. Ball in from Lennon, knocked back and VDV was in the right place again.
Vidic wins a corner for United.
The keeper gathers the corner from Nani.
James Morrison has equalized for WBA against Bolton. 1-1 there.
According to the SS reporter, Leeds aren't creating much yet. Surely it's time for another change from Grayson.
It is still 1-0 so there is still plenty of time for Leeds.Perhaps one of the subs can make an impact.
I'm glad to see Anderson back in a United shirt but the Brazilian has always played a more defensive role for Fergie than I would like to see him play.
Free kick to Sunderland as Anderson fouls Malbranque.Mohamedi shoots well over after a scramble in the penalty area.
YESSSSSSS!!!!!!
Snoddy is back! First match back in the side and he taps one home!
1-1!
I agree . Anderson is a potential replacement for Scholes once the Ginger Prince retires.
An immediate impact there from two substitutions by Grayson - Sanchez Watt and Luciano Becchio on for Kilkenny and Johnson.
Oh dear - Alex Bruce, an ex-Ipswich player - has received his second yellow and now Leeds are down to ten men! Hang in there lads!
Well done Leeds! Hernandez is on for Macheda. Can he replicate what he did in Spain in midweek. The circumstances are identical.
Inside the last ten minutes at Portman Road. I'd be delighted with an away point, especially now. Hang on!
Go on, Chicharito!
I made the comment about the subs about a minute before the goal. Nearly 1-0 as Malbranque's shot is deflected on to the roof of the net.
I wonder if I was a good luck charm for the Whites.
Jeff Stelling has just mentioned that Stevie Bruce has never enjoyed a win over Alex Ferguson. His side just went close there.
BUGGER! We couldn't hang on. Carlos Edwards has scored a second for Ipswich. It'll be hard to grab an equalizer now. 2-1 now.
He nearly had one last season at OT,but for a last minute OG but Anton Ferdinand.
Bugger. It will be tough being a man down,but you never know.
Pompey have rescued a point. 2-2 through a penalty.
Vidic wins a free kick on the left wing.
We've got to throw everything at it now. 3-1 or 4-1 doesn't matter now. I'd love a point.
The free kick from Anderson was easily cleared.
Twenty minutes left for United to get something more out of their trip to Sunderland.
What happened there? Drac fell asleep in midfield and lost possession.
Inside the last five minutes at Portman Road. Come on, you Whites!
The crossing has been poor today. The same was true at Valencia, but we scored a late winner.
Bent nearly scored as he shot just wide.
COME ON UNITED!
COME ON YOU WHITES!
Unfortunately, it sounds like it's Ipswich on the front foot looking for a third rather than our lot pushing for an equalizer.
Cheers, mate!
Everton have scored a second goal through Tim Cahill from a Leighton Baines cross. 0-2!
QPR have won it late on. 1-2 there and they've sunk Palace into the dropzone today.
That looks the end to Brum's longest ever undefeated run at home.
Spurs have finished at 2-1. Two goals from Rafael Van der vaart have won the day.
Nearly 1-0 to United as Nani's dipping shot is saved by the keeper.
Into stoppage time now at PR. Come on!
The young Belgian keeper has been a great signing for Sunderland.
QPR now six points clear at the top of the Championshipl. Cardiff in second. Norwich in third.
COME ON LEEDS! LET'S GET A POINT!
Leicester now 3-1 up. Maybe Sven will come to the Walker Stadium after all.
Nasty one there by Zenden on my boy Nani. Hands off!
Oh - Drac just dragged it by the post. I thought that was it.
That was a nasty one by Zenden on Nani. Bebe is on Anderson. Drac shot just wide. Nearly 1- to United.
Asamoah Gyan is about to come on for Sunderlannd. Hacker Zenden is about to come off.
Full time at Portman Road. 2-1. Shame. We end where we started. In 10th. Fair enough but I would've loved the away point.
I don't think I know Bebe. Brazilian lad?
VDS saves from Gyan.
I am not sure about Bebe.Too bad about the Portman Road result. I think Alex Bruce is Steve Bruce's son.
I still haven't forgiven Asamoah Gyan for having knocked the US out of this summer's World Cup.
Hmmm...another interesting factoid. I didn't know that either. You're on fire today, MUR!
I agree.The U.S. must be blamed for not properly defending the long ball.Uruguay love him for missing a last minute penalty in the quarters after Suarez was sent off.
I've just done some Internet anoraking on Bebe. Apparently he's a 20 year old Portuguese winger who United got off Vitoria de Guimaraes this summer.
Thanks BD. Ian Darke has stated that a draw would be a good result, but I feel we need three points today if we are to keep pace with Chelski.
He must have been scouted extensively. He might be the next Nani or Ronaldo.
I agree - I know that United don't really like their trips up north but they'll need three points today. I'm not sure that Arsenal will be able to live with Chelski tomorrow, especially with all their injury problems.
Three minutes of stoppage time.
I think a draw would be the best result between Arsenal and Chelski.
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