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 up and at 'em early for us again tomorrow as the Gunners take on Villa from 7:45 EST on ESPN2. That's followed by the 3pm GMT kickoffs including ManYoo hosting Blackburn and Leeds away to Reading. Join me for all the usual LOB fun and games, won't you? Cheers!
posted by The Blue Devil @ 12:09 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!
372 Comments:
The headlines this morning are all about north of the border where the Scottish Football Association are set to bring in a fleet of scab referees from Israeli in an attempt to break a strike of Scots refs. We're still not sure that today's matches will actually come off.
Right - here are the teams for this morning's match:
Aston Villa: Friedel, Luke Young, Dunne, Collins, Warnock, Ashley Young, Clark, Bannan, Downing, Pires, Carew. Subs: Guzan, Ireland, Delfouneso, Beye, Hogg, Lichaj, Herd.
Arsenal: Fabianski, Sagna, Squillaci, Koscielny, Clichy, Rosicky, Song, Wilshere, Nasri, Chamakh, Arshavin. Subs: Szczesny, van Persie, Walcott, Denilson, Djourou, Gibbs, Bendtner.
So - Bobby Pires makes his debut in the Villa first team today against his old club. What drama!
Villa are yet to lose at home this season but they've also drawn ten matches at Villa Park in 2010. Not the most inspiring record for the home faithful.
The scary hunting show is just about off and we should get the ESPN2 preview show in moments. Yes - here's Ian Darke right on cue.
It's a really cold wintry day in London but the match will go ahead due to Villa Park's undersoil heating.
I'm happy to report that the FA Cup 2nd Round is going on without the participation of Leeds United today. We'll get into the action with the big boys in January. It's Reading away for us today. I hope our away form holds up.
Good morning Bob
I am here for about 10 minutes before I have to go!
I do want you to explain yourself about the weather in London affecting the match in Birmingham!
Morning, Dave - my apologies for the geographical slip. How are you this morning, mate?
Arsenal can go top, at least temporarily, with a win today at Villa Park.
The Gooner is wearing his away strip fittingly there as the Gunners kick off. And they run straight up the pitch and nearly score through Chamakh!
Villa are rocking here early doors.
Oh - Rosicky fires one straight across the goal and just wide. Jack Wilshere is tearing the Villa defense apart.
Best of luck to the Gooner... send him my regards. Of course, their stay at the top will be a short after United turn on the style against Blackburn!
I am off
Take Care
UWS
I'll have my eye firmly on the FA Cup 2nd Round match with FC United of Manchester away to Brighton. I would love to see a 3rd Round match between ManYoo and FC United at Old Trafford.
Cheerio, mate!
Another tasty one would be MK Dons traveling to AFC Wimbledon in the 3rd Round.
Wenger has apparently been having a war of words in the tabloids with Jose Mourinho. Why?
Warnock goes in hard on Squillaci and picks up a yellow card. No - he's got off but should have picked up a card.
I agree with Macca - Arsenal are completely on top of Villa early on. Villa only have Carew up front with Pires theoretically tucking in behind him in the hole. Not much ambition from Houllier at home.
Koscielny has had to change his shirt because of a head wound and is now the man with no name.
Oh - Rosicky got behind Richard Dunne there but didn't get his shot off quickly enough. Smothered by big Brad.
The big match in the Championship today is first place QPR against second place Cardiff.
Good morning BD. I am here to join you after a our Thanks giving meals. I read your comments. Are some EPL matches in jeopardy today?
A quick break through Chamakh ends with a deflected shot from Arshavin.
Nasri shoots wide off of a corner.The shot lacked power.
Now Villa have a corner.
The poor corner from Ashley Young is cleared by Rosicky.
Morning, MUR! No, it's just the SPL at risk today. The controversy comes from the Scots referees taking umbrage from some negative treatment in the media, from managers and, to some extent, from the fans on gamedays. The SFA has responded to their threatened job action today by bringing in the Israeli refs. We'll see if anyone shows up.
The situation north of the border sounds hilarious. Now the Scots referees will really be a laughing stock.
Could well be the case. How was your Thanksgiving?
Clichy wins a corner off of Luke Young after some great possession.
Arshavin goes down in the area but the ref is not interested.
Oh - that was a close call. Downing put a tasty ball over and Ashley Young should have done better at the back post.
We had a great Thanksgiving with lots of food to eat and a chance to catch up on some much needed rest. We stayed home and finally enjoyed some cool weather. How was your Thanksgiving ?
Fabulous time here too. Put together a nice spread for the day and then enjoyed a movie afternoon with nephew Eric yesterday.
Arsenal are playing their pretty football but no sharp edge as yet. Another corner chance.
I believe you saw the new Harry Potter movie . Was it entertaining?
Song wins another corner after more great possession.
Yeah - if you're an HP fan, you'll be quite satisfied. They've set themselves up nicely for the final episode.
To know Efan is to understand Efan . Ian Darke asked if the Gunners have a soft underbelly.Efan stated that it is down to lack of experience and youth, but that the players are 23-24 years of age with lots of games under their belt. Ian Darke asked what does that mean? I have the same question since Efan contradicted himself twice in one sentence.
OOh. That clearance from Dunne could have gone anywhere after the cross from Nasri. The Gunners have done nothing with their corners.
Efan is hopeless. Earlier on he was predicting that Pires would run the game for Villa today? A 37 year-old just coming back into the Prem? Not likely. He hasn't figured yet.
I might catch the HP movie this weekend. You stated that it might not be appropriate for children.
I think it's probably too scary for kids younger than 12 or so, but your judgment is more accurate than mine.
I agree. Efan needs to get a clue.It is as if he never played professionally.
Unfortunately, Stevenage have taken the lead away to AFC Wimbledon in the Cup.
I wonder if history will repeat itself. last week the Gunners were on top then fell apart against Spurs in the second half.
GOAL! Arshavin with a bit of magic there from nothing. Jinked inside from the left and shot deflected past Friedel.
0-1 Arsenal!
GOAL !!! 0-1 to the Gunners as Arshavin scores a great solo goal fooling Luke Young. Was that his first of the season?
Oh - Nasri nearly nips in and makes it 0-2. That might have really put Villa out of this one. I wonder if they'll rue that miss.
And theh that should have been two as Nasri rounds Brad and misses with an empty goal facing him.
I think it is his first goal in the Premiership. He's scored in the Champions League.
I was noticing that Stevenage and AFC Wimbledon could face each other in League 2 next season. I noticed that Crawley came from behind to draw with Swindon yesterday and Pompey played up in South Wales with a great result yesterday.
I was hoping for a 3rd Round MK Dons v. AFC Wimbledon match.
And what about my idea of a Manchester United v. FC United of Manchester 3rd Round match? I'd like to see it.
what a fantastic save from Brad off of the header from Chamakh. That was great football from the Gunners.
Oh - great save from Brad as Chamakh rises to meet Sagna's cross.
And now it is 0-2! Nasri rockets home a volley from the resulting corner.
Goal 0-2 Arsenal as Nasri volleys and sees his shot deflected off of Luke Young directly from the corner.
Gooner's doing his little Gooner jig now. Arsenal will go in 0-2 and top of the league.
Two minutes of stoppage time. The Villans will do anything to hear the halftime whistle.
Just wanted to let you know it is 39 degrees in Harlingen this morning.
There it is then. 0-2 at the interval.
Halftime as the Gunners lead 0-2. A score that accurately reflects the state of the match this half. IMHO.
I can top that. It's currently 33F in Fredonia and snowing. It's going to be a sloppy drive for me tomorrow. I'll take it easy.
Drive carefully. We are fortunate that snow is a are event in Harlingen.
You never know how others will drive.
The teams are back out. So much for Efan's predictions. Robert Pires has been withdrawn at the interval. Alfonso is on beside Carew.
My car is pretty well winterized. I should be okay.
As long as I get home, I have no problem getting home late. I don't teach until 4:30 on Monday, so I can sleep in.
Pires was playing?He was invisible. I am sure he wanted a better showing against his former team.
Phew . . . it's Villa, not West Ham
Congratulations, Bob . . . you are today's winner of the Monty Python, Sit on My Face, competition . . .
I agree. It is best to get home safe, so I wish you a safe journey back to Fredonia. I would sleep in late too. I will wake up early Monday, then three more weeks of school before another break.
Morning, WHR - good to have you on board.
Good morning WHR. I will be more than happy to let Bob win that competition.
Yes - I won't inquire as to how I've earned that reward.
WOW What a goal by young Kieran Clark. Now Villa have pulled it back to 1-2.
GOAL! Oh dear - could this be a repeat of last week? Great volley from Clark, but was Carew not in an offside position?
1-2.
Definitely should've been off-side. The goalie trying desperately to see the shot.
Will this be a repeat of last week? Now Clark is boo booked for a foul on Sagna.
You posted the 69th comment today!
Did anyone see Barcelona's third from mid-week? Set up by a 25 yard no look chip into the path of a Iniesta. Something special.
GOAL! Not the same narrative then as Chamakh slides home after a slide rule pass from Rosicky.
1-3!
Goal 1-3 Gunners as Chamakh was put through and slotted past Brad.
Friedel was weak on that . . .
Oh - I was wondering. Thanks, WHR!
I did not see the Barcelona goal. I think the Villa goal was allowed because Carew was deemed to be inactive despite being in an offside position.According to the rules the goal would stand.
I've committed to a morning pick-up with some college mates at 9:30 . . . need to get my kit on . . . Good to chat with you both . . . I'll check in later on the Blog . . . West Ham desperate for 3 points today. . .
Take care WHR. It was great chatting with you.
BD, do you agree with me about Carew being inactive for the Villa goal?
Cheerio, mate! I'll be plugging for your Hammers this morning. They definitely need the points.
Actually, I'm a bit of a traditionalist on the off-side rule. I reckon that a player is either offside or not, so I would have blown up for offside on Carew there. But I'm a fully paid up member of the Defender's Union.
Arsenal with the carnival football now with the "Oles" going up from the away supporters.
I am a member of the Defender's Union as well. I am sure UWS would have allowed the goal. I guess Clattenburg is obligated to allow the goal based on the new offside rule.
Stephen Ireland came on as a sub for Carew.
I reckon even under the new interpretation you could have said that Carew was impeding Flappy's vision.
Stephen Ireland coming on for Carew.
That was better from Villa, but there was not a Villa player able to score from Downing's cross. Ten Clark shoots just wide seconds later.
Oh - Clark nearly gobbled up his second. Just wide of the mark this time.
GOAL! Clark has got his brace now. A header off the underside of the bar and in.
2-3 Game on!
GOAL !!! Villa pull it back to 2-3 as Clark's header comes off the bar and trickles over the line as Sagna cannot clear in time.
This is the point when Arsenal need a real leader on the pitch but I'm not sure who that is. Rosicky is captain for the day in the absence of Fabregas but I'm not sure he relishes the role.
Arshavin shoots well wide.
Arshavin cuts in again but blazes wide this time.
The Gooner is doing his nut about Ian Darke's relentless anti-Arsenal comments here. The "C" word has been brandished.
I noticed that the Hammers host Wigan in a must win match. Failure to win would probably cost Avram Grant his job as Hammers manager.
I would think so too. The Hammers are at risk of being cut adrift along with Mick McCarthy's Wolves. History suggests that the side at the bottom at Christmas goes down.
Chamakh is booked for that trip.
Chamakh gets a yellow for an innocuous challenge on Dunne there.
Stevenage are holding on to a slender lead at AFC Wimbledon to prevent my dream 3rd Round draw.
Are you talking about AFC Wimbledon vs Milton Keynes?
Chamakh nearly in again but Friedel did well to block him off.
Yeah - I'd love to see that one as well as United v. United at Old Trafford.
Brad did well to block from Chamakh after some great skill by Arsahavin.
I would to see the Uniteds play as well.
Inside the last ten minutes now - this match is still on a knife's edge.
Two changes being prepared by Arsene Wenger. Denilson and Gibbs to come on to tighten things up at the back.
Corner to the Villa now...
Dunne heads but Flappy catches it well.
Arshavin gets free down the left , but Wilshere gets it all wrong with a poor finish.
Kieran Gibbs is on for Nasri and Denilson is on for Arshavin.
So the goalscorers Nasri and Arshavin are off.
Chris Herd is on Barry Bannon.
Brad is down after a nasty tumble on the hard pitch.
Gibbs win a corner for the Gunners.
Clattenburg blows for a foul off of the corner.
Nearly into stoppage time now. Could be a lot of time to come.
Four minutes of stoppage time.
They've got two minutes off the clock so far.
GOAL! That'll do it. Jack Wilshere nods home his Premiership debut goal there at the backpost after a lovely move.
2-4 Arsenal!
GOAL 2-4 Gunners. That seals the match as Wilshere heads into an empty net after chaos in the Villa defense.
Djourou on for Rosicky in the dying moments of the match.
Djourou is on for Rosiicky for a really brief cameo.
Full-time: Arsenal finish on top of the heap ahead of United's match against Blackburn to start in a few minutes. I'll be back in a tick.
That's it as Arsenal win 2-4. They are top until United defeat Fat Sam's army.Gooner should be delighted.
Stevenage lead 0-2 at AFC Wimbledon with seconds to play. So much for the dream match in the third round.
Good morning.
Scab refs in the SPL. Anichibe and Hibbert starting for Everton. Should be a fascinating morning.
Good morning Someone. BD stated that the matches in Scotland might be in jeopardy.However, I believe that Israeli refs might save the day in Scotland.
very happy with that result boys. I can't deny that I am relieved. seeing the villa win everything in the air was driving me insane. i don't know why we started the 2nd half trying to defend our 2 goal lead, that's not what we do.
Still, quite happy and I'm hoping that Andy Carroll doesn't go missing tomorrow and scores often to deepen the problems at the bridge.
It's official. Stevenage have won at AFC Wimbledon.Here is hoping for a United victory at OT and a United victory at Brighton after a shock win at Rochdale in round 1.
Got to watch those Malteasers too. Refs from Luxembourg have been brought it.
Hello Gooner. That was quite a match at Villa Park,but we will regain the EPL lead after defeating Blackburn.
I heard that refs from Israel would be brought in. Are they from Luxembourg instead?
The Guardian reported that the refs were from Israel but there may well be several countries referees involved.
It appears refs from Israel, Malta and Luxembourg have been brought in.
The Leeds line-up at Reading today:
Schmeichel, Connolly, O'Brien, Bruce, McCartney, Snoddy, Kilkenny, Howson, Johnson, Gradel and Becchio.
I just listen to an audio from soccernet that verifies your statement. Hugh Dallas quit as supervisor of the referees. Neil Lennon and Dr. John Reid are supposedly at the center of the controversy. The main question is what happens if the foreign officials do better than the Scottish refs. Will there be a call for foreign refs to officiate all SPL matches?
Morning, Someone. Best of luck to the Toffees today. It's kick-off time at Old Trafford.
The match is underway at OT. Here is hoping that the two Uniteds from Manchester and the one from Leeds win today.
GOAL! What a start! Berbatov in at the end of a quick cross. Robbo was someone knobbled by Anderson. Roon flicked on and Drac finished.
1-0!
YES!!! Drac scores inside two minutes. A great reaction and credit to Anderson for winning that tackle with Paul Robinson.
Eighteen games off due to weather and the referee's strike action in the SPL.
Salgado tackles Park and concedes a corner.
I think the SPL is the only division in Scotland where the matches are taking place today. Therefore, fifteen of the cancellations occurred in Scotland.
Can I just mention that the cross for the goal was provided by my boy Nani?
Sure. why not. Charlton take the lead against Luton in the FA Cup. Bristol lead 1-0 against the Blades.
The chants of "Rooney, Rooney, Rooney" are going up now at Old Trafford.
Wednesday have taken the lead against Northampton in the FA Cup.
I didn't get my dream of an MK Dons v. AFC Wimbledon draw, so my eye is now on Brighton v. FC of Manchester.
Any news out of Wednesday about whether they'll be taken into administration?
I am not sure about Wednesday's status. What a shame that one of football's giants is in such dire straights.
Southampton have taken the lead against Cheltenham.
My link-fu is way off this morning so I've found a Celtic/Inverness link in Spanish. Nothing in Hebrew or Maltese to honor the refs.
Cardiff have taken the lead away to QPR through Craig Bellamy after a big QPR penalty shout. Cardiff back on top.
Are there refs from Malta? Perhaps you meant Portugese.I guess the official languages of Luxembourg are French and German.
United have taken their foot off the gas now and are letting Blackburn back into this one.
From 365: "Maltese referee Christian Lautier takes centre stage at Easter Road as he was drafted in as a late, late replacement for Portuguese referee Cosme Machado."
That is a big match in the Championship. Two of the top three could end up losing after Pompey played up in South Wales yesterday.
The Baggies have taken the lead against Everton. Sorry, Someone.
My apologies Someone. I guess referees are coming from multiple countries.What a fiasco in Scotland.
Also from 365: "Israeli referee Eli Hacmon takes centre stage at Rugby Park as he filled in for striking Scottish match officials for the SPL match between Kilmarnock and Aberdeen."
The SPL is becoming a joke, and Lennon has a lot to answer for by helping cause this tiff with all his whining.
Everton need strikers.
Still 0-0 at Brighton as the other United is holding on .
I hear that Landycakes is being lined up as a loanee again for Everton.
I'd like to see Donovan come back. He was well respected and took to the EPL.
I laughed about Moyes comments on Beckham this morning.
No shots on goal at Reading at present.
That would be fantastic. He did well with the Toffees last season.
Yeah - I can't see Beckham adding much to your set-up at Goodison. He should concentrate on getting the Galaxy into the MLS Cup Final.
Nice goal by Park.
GOAL! United go 2-0 up through Park. Nice one two through Roon there. Lifted over Robbo. Easy.
GOAL 2-0 UNITED!!!Park scores after a nice one-two with Roon.
QPR have equalized against Cardiff. They're back on top of the Championship.
OOH!! That was a chance for Nani to make it three , but the pass was just overcooked.
Another lovely touch by Rooney. He looks up for it again. Fans are loving it.
Oh dear - Chimbonda gifts one to Drac who dispatches with ease. 3-0 - game over!
Yes!!! 3-0 United as Drac receives a gift from Chimbonda to score easily past Robinson.
Where was the Blackburn defense on that one???
Easy goal for Berbatov.
Toffees complete rubbish at home early.
The Gooner is having a go at "best manager in the world" Sam Allardyce.
Fat Sam has already made a change as Junior Hoilett is on for a debutant.
Sorry, mate. The Baggies are 0-2 at Goodison.
Ian Holloway's Orange Army keep rolling along. They're 0-1 up at Bolton.
How dare he criticize such a "world class" manager. Are you aware that he is in demand around the world.
Yellow card inevitably for Michel Salgado who really is the Spanish version of Robbie Savage in more ways than one.
Oh - Vidic was nearly in on that great Nani cross for 4-0.
That was a great chance for a fourth. Brum have taken the lead at the Cottage.
Colchester have taken the lead against Swindon Supermarine. That would be another dream match as we could have a Swindon Derby.
Lovely! The Hammers are 1-0 up over Wigan. Vital goal.
2-0 Bristol City over the Blades. I am loving it.
Still 0-0 at Reading after the first half hour. No chances. Not a lot to warm the crowd there.
Bristol City lead the Blades 2-0. It is Middlesbrough 1 Hull City 1.
Cambridge lead Altrincham 2-0
Wycombe have taken the lead against Chelmsford.
How about a Swindon Derby in round 3 of the FA Cup?
Post a Comment
<< Home