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!
We're down to 12 matches left in the nPower Championship and this is a big one - a six pointer. Swansea in 2nd and Leeds in 6th at the start of play. It starts early but it should be epic. Don't miss it. Oh - and there's the usual Premiership rubbish later in the day (yawn). See you in the morning.
posted by The Blue Devil @ 12:45 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!
597 Comments:
Here are our remaining 12 fixtures along with the points I'm estimating from them:
1. Swansea away (1 pt)
2. Doncaster at home (3 pts)
3. PNE away (3 pts)
4. Ipswich at home (3 pts)
5. Sheffield Utd away (3 pts)
6. Forest home (1 pt)
7. Millwall away (0 pts)
8. Derby away (3 pts)
9. Watford at home (1 pt)
10. Reading at home (3 pts)
11. Palace away (3 pts)
12. Burnley at home (1 pt)
25 pts.
Total = 79 pts.
I'm back for the start of the epic Championship match this morning. The teams are in:
Leeds: Schmeichel, Lichaj, Bruce, O'Brien, McCartney, Snoddy, Kilkenny, Howson, Gradel, Becchio, Somma.
Subs: Higgs, Naylor, Paynter, Watt, Parker, Bromby, McCormack
Swansea: De Vries, Rangel, Williams, Tate, Taylor, Gower, Dyer, Allen, Sinclair, Moore, Dibbie.
Subs: Ma-Kalamby, Pratley, Beattie, Van der Gun, Serran, Richards, Britton.
Still having a devil of a time looking for a working link. Help!
Ah - this one seems to be working:
http://footylive.info/
Definitely the "B" team on the commentary for Sky. Bill Leslie and Andy Hinchliffe.
Kick-off!
Leeds in the lovely royal blue and yellow trim away kit. Hinchliffe is right - both managers are going for the win today with attacking looking line-up.
First free kick chance for the good guys....
Rubbish free kick from Snoddy. He can do better.
Swansea have Dobbie the house elf up front - and he's got a mohawk for some reason.
Dobbie the house elf breaking forward for the first time. Neither team really into their rhythm yet.
Morning Bob,
I am here for you
Bill Leslie keeps on talking up Swansea. Put a sock in it, mate.
Jonny Howson gets a bollocking there from Phil Dowd for a chop.
Morning, Dave! I appreciate the early morning effort. I'm good - how was your week?
Dobbie the House Elf is really getting up my nose here.
From Flynn, via text: "Leeds need a win a here or it could be our last weekend in the play-off places."
We are a bit under the cosh now, the Swans with the momentum. But very few chances for either side in the first ten minutes.
My week has been too short. I can't believe my week off is over!
Had to dig out of a big storm yesterday. The weather men said we would get 1 to 3 inches... we got a FOOT!
I don't know about that. A point should be enough for us today. We've got a reasonably easy run-in. Take a look at the first post in this thread. Of our matches left, only three of thirteen are with top half teams.
Bugger! The Swansea pressure has paid off. Sinclair sticks home after a good move.
1-0 Swans!
And the Swans are back on the attack from the kick-off. What on earth are we playing at. We've been sluggish so far. Too many matches recently?
Sorry mate,
that went in as I was leaving the house to take the dog out for a pee.
Was it a good goal?
Like I say - a point would be enough today. We've been scoring freely recently. It's been a long time since we haven't scored in a match.
Useless free kick
It was a decent goal. And Swansea are a decent side too. The Championship is good quality this season.
Our defense is all at sea! Come on, lads - pull your fingers out!
Even if we were to lose this one, Leicester would have to score ten in order to jump over us into sixth today. But I want a point in order to close the gap on the others.
Snoddy and Lichaj sandwich Sinclair and the Yank picks up the card.
And now Snoddy is getting a bollocking for encroachment. Silly boy.
Leeds are starting to lose their rag!
Come on Leeds...play well for our Bob
Fortunately, the free kick is drifted well over big Kasper's goal. Still - twenty minutes in and we haven't had a sniff up front. Come on!
Simon Grayson is up and animated in his trackie. He's not happy with what he's seen so far.
Good Morning BD and UWS. I am Here to support Leeds in this vital N Power Championship clash.
Over three thousand Leeds fans at the Liberty Stadium today. Well done, lads!
Snoddy doing his best Nani impersonation... good move... crap cross
Morning, MUR! Thanks for the early morning effort and the support.
We could use Nani, eh UWS?
Almost a good quick break there. Becchio a bit ambitious with his ball to Snoddy.
Morning MUR
Another corner after a scrambled clearance.
Leeds are not at the races right now.
The commentator is dead right about the defenders just letting Swansea run right at them and not challenge
Slowly but surely we're digging ourselves back into this one but I'd like to see a few decent chances before half time.
Uh oh - Becchio is down after wrapping his foot around the defenders studs. He's up and jogging it off though.
Becchio is down injured after a foul, but he should be okay. The Liberty Stadium sure looks much better than the Vetch Field I remember from our visit to Swansea.
Come on, referee. Brucey got all ball there. And yet he seems to be getting a booking. And the referee's having a word with the gaffer too.
Wonder if Phil Dowd was supposed to be doing the North London derby this morning
Bruce in the book
Now Alex Bruce is booked after a late tackle. Simon Grayson is not pleased.
There was no malice in that - his follow through after winning the ball took Dyer out, that's it.
Phil Dowd's definitely wearing white today. Struth!
Did you actually go to the Vetch Field MUR? I think Bob did and I am not sure why I didn't
Commentator Bill Leslie is definitely a Swansea fan. Sure - we're a goal down but we're hardly "up against it."
I overslept and missed the beginning of the match. The announcer just stated that the Swans are the best at keeping a lead in the Championship.
COME ON LEEDS!
Yeah - we did visit the Vetch on that exchange trip. Good times.
I sort of agree with the guy. Leeds have created nowt
The gaffer's making his half-time notes. Half an hour in and I'm sure he's not happy with what he's seen.
I did go to the Vetch Field in 1979 on an exchange trip to South Wales when I was playing AYA footie. Tosh was the manager at the time.
Yeah - but beyond the goal, how many chances have Swansea had? We're not being over-run.
BTW, England vs France from Twickenham at Noon on BBC America.
I may give it a watch
Max Gradel seems to be dropping back in order to take care of Dobbie the House Elf.
What exchange program? Host Nations?
Where was I?
I will be looking for another link as this channel has been deleted due to a copyright infringement.
Were Swansea in the first division? They were runners-up in the early eighties
The exchange program was through AYA soccer.
MUR's right - AYA had an exchange program with Swansea. I was on the trip the year before. We did fairly well in Wales, only losing something like 5-3. But we got tonked 25-0 when they came back to Lakenheath. I think that the kid staying with us was embarrassed by the score-line. Even their keeper scored!
They won promotion from the Third division the season I went.
That makes sense. I didn't play AYA soccer until later. I was playing for Safepac
I think that they were second division at that point. But we were just ordinary teenagers and they sent the Swansea City youth academy side. The kids were several years older and quite a bit better than us.
The dog has to go out again Bob... do I take him? Last time I did, you know what happened!
I'm off
Alex Bruce is struggling now. Hopefully he can continue.
Has Shadow got irritable bowl syndrome - crikey!
I know that this is asking a lot at this point, but if we could win this one by two clear goals, we'd leapfrog Norwich City into 5th temporarily.
He just wants the fresh air I think
Still nothing happening for us up front today.
He doesn't mind all the snow then?
Did you see that former Wolves player, Dean Richards, died at the age of 36 after a long illness!
Didn't he play for Spurs too. He made his debut against United and scored in the first half to make it 3-0.
UNITED WON 5-3!!!
We're giving the ball away for fun in midfield. Bradley Johnson's suspension really seems to have disturbed our rhythm today.
Oh - handball ref! Come on - that was stone cold. Phil Dowd is a prawn!
Leeds want a penalty.... IT WAS!!!
Ask your linesman!!
He is... no, just to book the Leeds man for yelling at the linesman
And now Phil Dowd is booking Neil Kilkenny for a big too much chat. Corner to us....
Good leap by Luciano but it's over. That's as close as we've got.
How did the linesman not see that!!!
The replays show even more clearly how Alan Tate moved his arm toward the ball. No doubt in that at all. What are they playing at?
oooh, off the bar!!
We were robbed - that would have really changed the picture.
Oh - Somma nods onto the crossbar. Close call there but at least we're starting to get somewhere.
My link gave out . Does anyone have another link for this match?
Thank You.
We don't want to hear the half-time whistle now. The momentum has really switched.
It is the same bloke
He played for Bradford, Wolves, Southampton and Spurs
Were you on this one?
http://footylive.info/
Still working for me.
The one Bob posted earlier is still working strong
http://footylive.info/
Two minutes of stoppage time then.
Time for one more chance....
This has been more like it from Leeds in the last five minutes
The commentator said that maybe Dowd is a little worried about calling a penalty because of the two he gave to Newcastle v Arse.... what a plonker
Half time... good last five minutes for Leeds... hope they can continue
Pump it up, Kasper!
No - there's the half-time whistle from Phil Dowd who's no doubt trooping off to collect his cash from the Swansea boss. I ask you!
cheers UWS and BD. The Link works
I see the First Division Trophy in the background of the studio. Is that the original one? I was watching Match of the 80s this week. Andy Gray was talking about winning the league in '85. All he could think about was what a pathetic trophy they were given. It was the Cannon League Trophy. Skinny and gold. He said he wanted to hold up the great silver trophy!
Wonder what they did with it and then brought it back
The Match of the 80s is just like the 70s but they only went up to 86. BBC lost TV coverage after that
BBC Football League pundit Steve Claridge at Swansea-Leeds on BBC Radio 5 live: "Leeds have slowly come into the game after Swansea dominated for most of the first half but they are going to have to be brave and go for it more in the second half."
The second half kicks off at the Liberty Stadium.
Alex Bruce is playing on despite a broken finger.Now George McCartney is booked by Phil Dowd.
Good start to the half by Leeds
Now Somma is offside by a matter of inches.
Was this from our resident White
From anonymous Leeds fan via text: "I'd just like to reassure everyone who watched that first half, that's one of the worst Leeds performances of the season so far. Normally we can keep the ball for at least three passes. Penalty was cast iron though."
A dangerous attack by Swansea ends with Dyer shooting straight at Kasper.
Leeds lose possession but survive with a header straight at Wee Schmeichel
Where is Bob?
THE WHISTLE HAS BLOWN ALREADY FOR THE SECOND HALF BOB!!
Leeds to e careful as the speedy Sinclair is dangerous on counters.
I agree.WHERE ARE YOU BOB?
Bloody hell!! Now Dowd gives a penalty to Swansea... it was
penalty. Gradel is deemed to have fouled Dyer.
Easily put in the corner of the net
2-0
2-0 to Swansea as Sinclair sends Schmeichel the wrong way.
I have no problems with that penalty but Leeds should have had one too
Where is Bob???
STRUTH... a big scramble but Leeds survive
It will be an uphill battle as Swansea have given up the lead fewer times than any other team in the Championship. Now Schmeichel saves from Sinclair.
It's his fault... he isn't blogging!
He's pooping, showering or talking to his brother,
GET BACK ON HERE BOB BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE
I missed the Leeds penalty decision. I wonder if that was when I was having problems with the other link.
ooh, Leeds should have scored there!
STRUTH! Somma should have scored despite a good save from DeVries.
Bugger!
Sorry, lads - my laptop had an almighty meltdown at the end of the interval and I've had to give it a time-out. I'm on my desktop which is too old to be able to get streaming vid. I'll be relying on you lot for the visuals.
Welcome back Bob.
Sanchez Watt is on for Beccio.
YIKES... what a disaster
Try and see if you can listen to Five Live. I know it is being broadcasted. Maybe it isn't blacked out
Sorry to hear that Bob. We will do our best. The Swans lead 2-0.
I just checked it. It is blacked out
I'll give it a shot in a moment. I'm following the text on LUFC.co.uk.
Te penalty is being replayed.
1407: A change for Leeds, who have got around half-an-hour left to try to salvage something from this game. Luciano Becchio is replaced by Sanchez Watt.
Rangel is booked for a foul from behind on Sanchez Watt.
Was it a reasonable pen or were we robbed again?
Bruce fouls Dyer just outside the box.
Down to twenty five minutes now to salvage something from this disaster.
Come on, you Whites!
I think it was a penalty. It was a stupid foul by Gradel. He clipped his ankles just after he went into the box... there was cover
Decent free kick well saved low by Schmeichel
Schmeichel tips the free kick from Gower aoround the post.Leeds counter from the corner and Like Moore is booked for Swansea.
The free kick from Kilkenny is cleared.
Sounds like Brucey is close to his second yellow there.
Dowd threatening to send off McCartney... only a warning. Identical to when he was booked in the first place
I agree with Uws. It was a trip . The foul was on the line so the question is whether the foul was in or out of the box.
Phil Dowd has been well paid for today's effort.
Sinclair shoots just wide for Swansea. He has been the main threat for Swansea.
I'd have Billy Paynter on for Gradel at this point.
Both Brucey and McCartney were close to two yellows.
1413: BREAKING MAN UTD TEAM NEWS
Javier Hernandez starts at the DW Stadium. Dimitar Berbatov is on the bench. More to come on that very soon.
Three nil!!
Sorry mate
Straight down the middle... where are the defenders?
BLOODY HELL! LUKE MOORE MAKES IT 3-0 TO SWANSEA WITH A NICE FINISH AND A NICE PASS FROM DOBBIE.
I like the idea of Eric Lichaj being with us but I have to admit that we've been leaking a lot of goals since he joined us on loan. Would Leigh Bromby not be a decent change for him at the moment? He just got skinned again by Sinclair.
Parker on for McCartney
Painter on for Snoddy
Bloody hell - I want to strangle Dobbie the House Elf!
Ben Parker is on for McCartney.Paynter as come on too.
As UWS stated the Leeds defense were static for that last goal.
That's another three goals our back four has leaked in. By my count, that's nine goals let in in three matches this week. No wonder you lot want us up in the Premiership.
Our GD is taking a beating today. Down to +7 now.
As for United's team, what does Fergie see from Rooney? Berbatov is the highest scorer in the league!
Did Wayne have it written in his contract that he has to play? Does Fergie have a deal with Bob so Tev will be the highest scorer?
I like to see Simon Grayson giving Paynter a run out. I was very hopeful about his joining the club in the summer but then he picked up an injury early on and has never got back into the side with Becchio, Gradel and Somma firing so well.
This is my first time watching the Swans this season, but they seem to be the best team in the Championship based on this showing. I would say they are best prepared for the EPL.
Rooney has the dirty pictures of Fergie in his bottom drawer, for sure.
Leon Britton is on for Dobbie.
BBC Football League pundit Steve Claridge at the Liberty Stadium on BBC Radio 5 live: "This Swansea performance is probably as accomplished as any I have seen in the Championship this season."
When did Wigan's manager leave Swansea? Is this his first or second year at the DW... Swansea haven't skipped a beat
The LUFC commentator is pinning all of this on Bradley Johnson's being missing today. I can't believe that one player can make that much of a difference.
My theory is that Fergie wants Tev to be the leading scorer to help Bob.
Is he hurt or suspended?
Dobbie the House Elf finally comes off. I'd kick him in the nads.
I agree with you MUR
Johnson got sent off against Barnsley for two yellows. He's suspended - should be back for the Doncaster match next Saturday.
Swansea have Norwich and Forest at home but the rest of their opponents are also rans... a good run in then.
I'd pick them for promotion
This Martinez's second season at the DW. I agree. Swansea don't seem to miss him.. Perhaps Martinez might want to think about the gig at ESPN.
I'd love to see Tev get a hat-trick this weekend, for sure.
That's right, I forgot about that red from midweek
1422: Swansea's turn for a substitution. Leon Britton replaces Stephen Dobbie, who gets a standing ovation as he jogs off. If he keeps playing like that, nobody will complain about his (awful) haircut.
Sinclair gets a standing ovation as he is replaced by ex Celtic player,Craig Beattie.
Citeh play at home against Fulham on Monday night
Bradley Johnson sure was missed today. He is key to Leeds as Sinclair is key to Swansea.
I can't believe Swansea lost at home to Orient unless they were playing a B team.
Sanchez Watt shot just wide.
Man Utd: Van der Sar, O'Shea, Smalling, Vidic, Evra, Fletcher, Carrick, Scholes, Nani, Hernandez, Rooney. Subs: Kuszczak, Brown, Berbatov, Fabio Da Silva, Rafael Da Silva, Gibson, King.
We are visiting Chelsea on Tuesday... I have a damn faculty meeting!
Johnson wanted out of the club in January but couldn't work out a deal. I've always thought of him as a solid member of the side but necessarily crucial as, say, Howson, Snoddy or Becchio.
Is this Bob
1429: Their side may appear to be well beaten but the Leeds fans are still enjoying themselves. The sun has gone in at the Liberty Stadium but that hasn't stopped many of them from removing their shirts - they are currently jumping around, and waving their scarves in the air.
I think this Swansea team would do better in the EPL than teams like Forest and QPR.
The Welsh are doing their best Spanish impersonations.
Oles all round
I'll look forward to that match on Tuesday. I can at least watch until 4:15 or so.
The attendance is 19309, a record for the Liberty Stadium
All time record attendance at the Liberty Stadium
Just under 20,000
Well done, the Leeds fans. 3,000 made the trip today, the team have been rotten but they're still enjoying the day out. That's the spirit!
More than that fit in the third tier at OT
Pathetic. We get 30K regularly. Better than most Premiership outfits.
I will have to record the match on Tuesday as I will be teaching.
Blow up, ref. I'm sick of this match.
ESPN are showing some soccer stuff right now
Some Chilean gets smacked in the face by a defender to win a penalty. In slow motion, the guy grabbed the defenders arm and hit himself in the face with the guys arm.... disgusting bit of cheating
I am off to find a Soccer Saturday link
two added minutes
Found a link
http://www.justin.tv/boxingukguru#/w/908096896/2
Leeds' last two defeats have been in Wales. Otherwise, they are undefeated.
After this debacle, I'll just be hoping that results go in our favor. Leicester are at home to Coventry, Norwich are away to Barnsley, Forest are away to evil Millwall, Cardiff are away to Hull and QPR are away at Boro.
Somma shoots wide with a decent effort. Great technique.
It's all over... sorry mate.
At this point, I wouldn't worry about the QPRs, Swanseas, Cardiffs, Forests and Norwiches... I would put the hex on Leicester, Hull, Burnley, Millwall and Watford
Thanks for the link, UWS. I'm going to try to do some surgery on my poor old laptop when the match is over and I'll try it.
Phil dowd blows the final whistle. Swansea win 3-0. Sorry Bob. Swansea will probably be playing in the EPL this August. I would not be surprised to see them finish on one of the automatic promotion spots.
Well - that was horrible. I'm in a right grump now. Off to work on the laptop. I'll join you hopefully from the front room for the United match shortly.
I'm back on the laptop, at least temporarily. A bit less grumpy. I've got the SS link up too. Nice one, UWS!
Thanks for the consoling words, lads. I'm willing to let that one go. Twelve matches to go - if we can win the ones that we should against lesser opposition - starting with Doncaster next weekend - we should be good for the playoffs.
I agree . The next matches are more important as Swansea will probably be in the top two instead of being a playoff rival.
Right - it's crossword help time:
"Band with 1985 #1 hit "Broken Wings" (8 letters).
According to soccernet, SAF has stated that the EPL title race is a two-horse race between United and the Gunners. I agree.
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