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!
After a punishing week of tedious, contentious meetings, I'm really looking forward to putting my feet up and watching a bit of the good stuff this morning. It all starts in a moment with Wolves v. Everton. The 3pm GMT fixtures are dominated by ManYoo v. Fulham and there's even a vital, late Championship clash between Swansea and Norwich. Join me for the weekend's best.
posted by The Blue Devil @ 7:07 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!
723 Comments:
The team news is in from Molineux:
Wolves: Hennessey, Foley, Stearman, Berra, Elokobi, Guedioura, Henry, O'Hara, Jarvis, Ebanks-Blake, Fletcher. Subs: Hahnemann, Craddock, Kightly, Ward, Hammill, Milijas, Mancienne.
Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Distin, Jagielka, Baines, Gueye, Neville, Heitinga, Bilyaletdinov, Osman, Beckford. Subs: Mucha, Vellios, Anichebe, Mustafi, McAleny, Forshaw, Nsiala.
Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire)
ESPN is still on its "NFL Live" show. Uh - isn't the gridiron season six months away?
Wolves come into this match desperate for a win, which would lift them out of the relegation zone. They're on 32 points and a -17 GD.
In contrast, Everton don't really have much to play for. On 41 points, they're safe. But they won't be able to catch Spurs in 5th on 50 points in order to qualify for the Europa.
It's my least favorite commentary team - Ian Darke and Efan Ekoku - on the mic this afternoon, sadly.
Good f*@!ng Morning BD. Ooops. That is a red card and a tow match suspension for domestic matches only. Actually , I will be here until halftime then I ma off to present at an AP Prep session.
I noticed that I woke up , it is dark outside ,and it's Darke and f@%n Ekoku.
Morning, MUR. Yes - unfortunately it is f&%king Efan on the mic. We'll have to grit our teeth a lot. But it's great to have you on board.
The match kicks off from Molineaux.
Everton to get us underway on a really pretty, sunny day in Birmingham. It's sunny here as well but chilly.
Thank you, BD. I will be here until halftime when I begin my two match suspension, LOL.
And just by kicking off, Wolves rise to 17th, outside the dropzone at least temporarily, albeit only due to a one-goal advantage over Blackpool. That's how close things are at the bottom of the Prem.
It has been unusually hot and windy this week.
Jarvis wins a corner off of Hibbert. The corner is cleared.
If it helps, UWS banned me after I swore in the aftermath of Wayne Rooney's crucial goal on Wednesday against Chelski. You must have been leaping up and down when you saw that result.
Guediora has a shot deflected for a corner after a long throw by Elokobi.
The Little Neviller gets a nice block in there to prevent a Wolves goal. Wolves have come out firing from the outset.
Ohara shoots well over from the corner.
I was thrilled, especially after a busy day. It appears as if we will play Schalke in the semis. I still have not watched Spurs vs Real.
I'd like to see my old buddy, Jermaine Beckford, do well today. He was robbed last week when his goal was ruled out.
What a shame As that denied Everton victory too.
It does seem as if the CL Quarterfinals are sorted already. The semis will likely be United v. Schalke and Real v. Barca. Barca v. United in the final then?
O'Hara has a cross deflected for a corner.
Leon Osman nods off the line! Wolves really giving it a go!
Heitinga clears for a corner as Flecther's header from the corner is headed off the line by Leon Osman.
Wolves do well to win a corner as Fletcher chased a lost cause.Distin heads away from the corner.
Of course at 10 am EST, my eyes will be squarely on the match at the Den. Leeds traveling to Millwall. It always gets a bit spicy between the two sets of fans and also on the pitch. Swansea host Norwich in the big one in the Championship later in the afternoon.
Distin concedes a free kick in a decent position for a cross.
Fletcher could not keep in the cross from O' Hara.
I disagree with Ian Darke. I think Everton have a slight chance of overtaking Liversox for sixth place. That sounds like they still have something to play for.
Ebanks-Blake did really well there, but didn't have anyone backing him up.
That was a nice cross and run from Jarvis, but the cross could not find anyone.
If I'm right, though, only #5 will go into the Europa, along with Birmingham as the Carling Cup winners and the winners of the also-ran FA Cup semi final. Both Merseyside clubs could well end up outside European play next season.
If one of the Manchester clubs win the FA Cup then sixth place will be good enough for Europe. Bolton or Stoke have to actually win the cup to qualify for Europe.
Everton's first fee kick from Baines is headed away .
I may be wrong, but given that either United are Citeh are thought to be presumptive winners of the FA Cup, the beaten finalists would automatically qualify for the Europa rather than the 6th place Prem club, no?
Phil Dowd waves off a penalty appeal from Ebanks-Blake who thought he was impeded by Jags.
Those were the old rules. I don't think the beaten finalists have an automatic entry to Europe under the new rules.
It seemed to me to be a decent shout for a penalty.
Fair enough, then. Everton do have something to play for. They could definitely edge out Pool and I'd love to see it.
YES! JB nips in at the near post and nods home an excellent goal. Well done to him!
0-1 Everton!
GOAL!! LEEDS OLD BOY JB SCORES WITH HEADER AT THE NEAR POST WITH A TYPICAL FORWARD'S GOAL OFF OF A GREAT CROSS AND A NICE LONG BALL BY HEITINGA. THAT WAS A RARE EVERTON ATTACK AFTER CONSTANT WOLVES PRESSURE.
That goal has really quietened the home crowd. They'll need to keep on singing if they're going to raise their side.
I would love to see Everton edge their rivals for sixth too.
Everton come within a point of Pool now. They're on +2 GD to Pool's +4. Very tight. Wolves, meanwhile, drop back down to 19th.
O'Hara os down after a challenge by Bily.
It's looking more like Wigan, Wolves and the Tangerines for the dreaded drop.
O'Hara is required to change his shirt do to a blood stain.
A strong cup of java has really aided me as the first signs of daylight appear outside.
A cross bu Guediora is cleared by the Neviller for a corner.
I do appreciate the early morning effort, mate. I'm guessing that UWS is tucked up in bed watching this. Lazy sod.
The corner is cleared and Everton attempt to counter again.
Morning Fellas
I have been around but now have lost the TV to the Wii and miss the goal.
I won't be around much today. It is Matt's 15th Birthday so I have other stuff to do.
Thank you, BD. I am sure UWS will be available for United's match vs Fulham.
I'm going to stick with my "Three W's" prediction - West Ham, Wolves, Wigan for the drop.
'LAZY SOD'!!!
Good morning UWS. Happy Birthday to Matt. I will not be around after halftime as I will be doing some presentations at an AP Prep session.
I do agree with Mick that Wolves' fate will not be decided until May 22nd.
I'm really surprised by the behavior of the Wolves fans. They're team is notorious for late come-backs, especially at home. They're acting as if it's the 90th minute. Appalling behavior from them.
What a save as Hennessey saved superbly from a JB header as Osman went past Berra and supplied a superb cross.
European Qualification.... are you ready?
Qualification for the Europa League is even more complicated. As with the Champions League, the Europa League winners are expected to be able to defend their trophy. This means that if an English team wins the Europa League they will get a place in next year’s competition. However, if an English team does not win the Europa League – or the winners have already qualified for European football – then the Europa League place will be awarded to the team that finished highest in the Premier League, that has not already qualified for European football next season via another route (winning either the Champions League or the Europa League). Still with me? The other two places are awarded to the winners of the F.A Cup and the League Cup. If the winners of the F.A Cup have already qualified for European football then the place goes to the runners up. If the F.A cup finalists and/or the Carling cup winners (the runners up in the League cup are not given qualification in to Europe) have already gained qualification then the extra places will be awarded based on league standings. If England were to gain an extra spot based on the UEFA Fair Play rankings this would also be awarded based on league position.
So as it stands, qualification for next year’s European competition would be as follows:
Champions League: Manchester United, Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea.
Europa League: Birmingham, Stoke or Bolton and Tottenham. Liverpool would qualify if a 4th Europa League spot was awarded to England.
Morning, UWS! Definitely extend my birthday wishes to Matt. I believe that I was on hand to celebrate his 13th a couple of years back.
You are a lazy sod, though. ;-)
A great free kick by Baines is headed wide by JB. He thought he should have had a corner as it might have come off of Berra.
You were correct,BD. I guess Bolton/Stoke will be in the Europa League.
Cheers, Statto! So, I think I am right then. Bolton or Stoke get a slot before the 6th place. So Liverpool or Everton would have to hope for a Fair Play award of another slot, right?
O'Hara shoots just wide as the shot was deflected for a corner.
Everton scramble the corner clear and an Everton counter comes to nothing.
I do agree, BD, that Wolves fans need to get behind their team as they are still in this match.
That was a clumsy challenge by Guediora on JB near the corner flag.
GOAL! The Little Neviller rockets in Everton's second and Wolves are really up against it now!
WOW! WHAT A SUPERB GOAL BY THE NEVILLER AS A LONG RANGE EFFORT FINISHES IN THE TOP CORNER AS HENNESSEY MADE A SUPERB SAVE FROM A HEADER OFF THE FREE KICK SECONDS EARLIER.
Hennessy was terribly unlucky there. He did really well to claw out the initial effort and then Neville's shot was deflected by him.
Nearly 0-3 as Hennessey made a great save from the debutant.
Hennessey punches away, then O'Hara clears.
Wolves fans were booing there after the second goal went in. That's shocking behavior. Wolves haven't been bad. They've actually dominated possession but Everton have taken their few chances well.
Everton should not be 0-2 in front as that was an unnecessary free kick to concede by the corner flag. JB was not going anywhere.
This set of fans doesn't deserve Premiership footie if this is their response. We were getting 30K+ in League 1 when we were playing the likes of Yeovil Town!
Everton win another corner after a great cross by Osman
Staerman clears as Everton miss their header from the corner.
Typical behavior form UWS as well. He drops in to say 'hi," drops a bit of Statto on us and then buggers off for a long sit on the khazi. Yellow card for him for bringing the LOB into disrepute.
I do agree that Wolves fans are displaying appalling behavior. They should not be booing their team.
Ian Darke stated that that Neviller goal was his first in three years.
Guedioura seems to want to shoot from any position on the pitch.
GOAL! Bily with a screamer for 0-3. Game over!
GOAL!! 0-3 EVERTON AS BILY SCORES WITH A GREAT FINISH!
I am not on the loo yet!!!
I am about to go but...
Someone Said will have been enjoying that one.
It was poor defending by O'Hara and Elokobi.
LOL, UWS!
There is two minutes of stoppage time.
Not getting any better for Wolves as Billy makes it 3-0. I'm pleased, obviously, but this is gutting the home side.
Been very busy, good morning.
I have a red card and will be available starting with the opening match tomorrow as Blackpool host the Gunners. A yellow for Uws is not as severe.
Hello Someone. You must be delighted.
Wolves win a late free kick. This one will have to go in if they're going to have anything to play for in the second half.
A poor free kick by O'Hara is miles over and Everton have a 0-3 halftime lead.
Peep peep. That's the half-time whistle then.
Morning, Someone. I hope you're enjoying this one.
Just as I type that the ESPN feed crashes for a second.
I'm a Man. City supporter on Monday.
Wolves started fast, but Neville's goal took all the wind out of them.
I'm liking Gueye in there, but the rest of Everton's bench are teenagers. Velios saw his first action last week. None of the others have played in a first team match.
What about those PFA Young Player nominations? Of course, my boy Nani is my nod.
I have missed couple of corkers apparently!
I am looking at the table and Man Utd have 66 pts
Liverpool have 45 points. They have seven games to go for a possible 21 points... United beat Fulham today and Liverpool cannot win the league 21st year in a row!! United went 26.... long may the string continue
I am off to serve my two game suspension. I will see everyone tomorrow. CHEERS!
Cheerio, mate! See you tomorrow.
Kightly has come on for Wolves at the beginning of the second half.
I can't believe how quiet Molineux is at this point.
Wolves are a team I wanted to stay up, but I do not know now.
Early free kick opportunity for Wolves here.
Bily gets a yellow.
Maybe that fan in the wolf mask can take the free kick?
I've never liked Wolves with Mick McCarthy in charge. I'd be happy to see them go. Wigan too. I'd prefer to see West and Blackpool stay up but I fear that it's one or the other. It's a shame that Bolton and Stoke are safe.
Big shout for handball against Hibbert but Phil Dowd decides it's unintentional.
Hibbert was sliding on the ground.
I thought Bolton were going to be relegated before the season started.
More exciting to see who is going on than winning the championship at this point.
I agree - I've given up the title to United at this point. All the action is at the bottom.
Oh - that was woeful from Jarvis, the new England cap. He did all the hard running but then hit his cross well over everyone's heads.
The fizz has gone out of this match now. Everton clearly don't have to do anything more. And Wolves haven't got the quality to break them down. Molineux sounds like a kid's park on a Sunday afternoon.
Darke's going to be making more things up in a few minutes to keep himself awake.
I'll need another cup of coffee to get through it.
Karl Henry with a crack at goal well tipped around by Timmy.
And another save from Timmy!
Howard keeping a clean sheet. Couple of decent saves.
Hibbert has done well to smother Jarvis all match. Corner to Wolves.
Anichebe coming on for Gueye now.
I am now watching FSC and the Premier League Preview show... If Chelsea don't win a trophy this year, it will be the first season without a trophy since 2002!
Anchibe in for Gueye.
Of all the players to put in...
Can't find a link for SS yet
I know I have asked this before but when does the show start in England?
Oh - JB nearly in for his brace there. He was flagged off but I reckon he was level.
http://veetle.com/index.php/channel/view#4d9e4e1fb4906
I have got a great link that says it is SS but still on commericial
LOVELY JUBBLEY it is
Hi again, UWS. The start time for SS varies in Britain but it usually starts at 2pm GMT (that is, 9am EST). But sometimes they wait until the early match coverage goes off. So around 9:45 EST/2:45 GMT. Check again in another half hour.
Lovely - thanks, UWS!
It is working great
Who's your tip for the Grand National?
I'm putting my money on Red Rum!
I'd like to see another goal scored in the match so I can see where the SS link is in comparison
No John Terry for the Blues today
Torres on the bench. Drogs and Anelka are up top
Love to see Chelsea drop more points today
Ruud Van Nistelnose for the Grand National, as always.
Oh dear - the silly sod has gone over to the Grand National coverage just as they were talking about the United side. Berba up front alone. Chicha on the bench. Roon is f$%king suspended. What?!
There's another full slate of Championship matches on Tuesday with Leeds away to Derby. I'm hoping this week isn't quite as heavy as last week.
About five minutes left plus stoppage time at Molineux. In truth, this one was over at half-time.
Paynter suspended but no injury problems for Leeds
I was outside...did the guy change it back? Mine is working great
United make EIGHT changes from Wednesday... it better not come back and bite us!
United's side includes Nani, Smalling and Berbatov
How did United lose to this lot???
United are 7 points clear but if you think about the points we've dropped.
Wolves 3
WBA 2 (being two up and VDS with a clanger)
Everton 2 (two goals up after the 90 min)
Fulham 2 (a goal up and a pen... miss... 90th min equalizer)
I know we came back against Blackpool and West Ham
I'd love a TEN point gap open up today!
All over at Molineux
A cake walk for the Toffees
Our link did change to the GN for a sec and back again. What time is the race? This guy is going to change it
Man Utd v Fulham line-ups
Man Utd: Kuszczak, O'Shea, Smalling, Vidic, Evra, Gibson, Scholes, Anderson, Valencia, Berbatov, Nani. Subs: Van der Sar, Brown, Owen, Park, Hernandez, Carrick, Fabio Da Silva.
Fulham: Schwarzer, Baird, Hughes, Hangeland, Salcido, Kakuta, Murphy, Etuhu, Dempsey, Dembele, Zamora. Subs: Stockdale, Kelly, Sidwell, Gera, Gudjohnsen, Greening, Halliche .
Referee: Mike Jones (Cheshire)
Everton wrap up an impressive 0-3 win that brings them within a point of the Reds who play at home to Citeh on Monday.
The link is just behind ESPN
Hope FSC are on time
Nani will score! Nostrabobus has spoken!
I hope you're right... more than one please
Those two points dropped... by VDS... against WBA are the only two points United have dropped at home all season
Just saw the goals from this match.. not too shabby
DId Ian Darke just say..."TOTE enham
Thought I'd do my best Mark Lawrenson
impersonation
Blackburn 2 Brum 2
Bolton 1 West Ham 3
Chelsea 1 Wigan 1
Man U 3 Fulham 0
Sunderland 4 WBA 1
Tote ehham 3 Stoke 0
Wolves 0 Everton 3
Darke is a numpty.
He's turned the Channel to horse racing.... it's not even the National.... knock it off
I am going to keep it going because it is a really clear link
The Leeds line-up today at the Den:
Schmeichel, Connolly, Bromby, O'Brien, Lichaj, Johnson, Snoddy, Gradel, Becchio, Livermore. Subs: Higgs, Bruce, Naylor, Kilkenny, Bannan, Somma, McCormack.
Let's be 'havin ya.... predictions
Millwall 1 Leeds 4
Blackburn 1 Brum 1
Bolton 2 West Ham 0
Chelsea 3 Wigan 0
Man U 3 Fulham 1
Sunderland 2 WBA 0
Spurs 4 Stoke 0
Millwall 1 Leeds 2
Back to the footer... he is just going to change for the race... I'll live with that
Coming out of the tunnel at the Theatre of Dreams
1455: So, with Wayne Rooney serving the first of his two game ban for bad language, Sir Alex Ferguson can call upon the Premier League's 20-goal top scorer Dimitar Berbatov to replace him. United are really struggling for numbers at this crucial stage of the season, aren't they?
Interesting day in the Championship
Football League Al: "Runaway Championship leaders QPR could take another step towards the Premier League if they win at bottom-side Scunthorpe, while Nottingham Forest face in-form Reading and Millwall take on Leeds with play-off places up for grabs. Cardiff are at Doncaster while Swansea take on second-placed Norwich in a 1720 BST kick-off."
Fergie better not be watching the National... he has a horse entered
COME ON UNITED!!
We're off
Here we go, then - Fulham kick us off. United clearly won the toss and will attack the Stretford in the second half.
Fulham with a decent shot inside 40 seconds...COME ON UNITED!
You're right - it's a huge day in the Championship.
pass the ball Nani!
Nani's on the turf already. Come on!
It's great to see Valencia back on the right side of United's attack.
Merse is yelling - there's an early goal in the Prem.
Another HOPELESS corner from United
Bolton on top early doors against West Ham.
Dempsey's encouraged to shoot and does. Tipped around by Kusz.
Fulham having too many chances for my liking
Hull are 0-1 up now. That moves them up to 8th, two points behind Forest.
Hull are winning at Vicarage Road
QPR take an early lead
Zamora has a good chance... thankfully... hit wide
Bloody Rob Hulse has scored for bloody QPR. They're 0-1 up and on 82 points now. Don't care.
Come on United... turn up the heat and get some goals
I'm delighted to hear that Doncaster have started brightly against evil Cardiff.
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BERBATOV!!!
Nice passing
GOAL! Drac sticks in his 21st of the season. Slotted home easily.
1-0!
And what about my boy Nani's role in that goal. Sheer brilliance. Should be the Young Player of the Year.
Sunderland are winning
Berba could have been offside
Lucky pass off his shin
Spurs are one up
Silly Billy Crouchie with the goal
Alright, that's one United off to the right start. How about the other? Still 0-0 at the Den.
Come on your lot... 4-1 was my prediction
Bristol City are 0-1 up against Barnsley. Doesn't affect the top half of the Championship.
Bolton are 1-0 up over West Ham through Daniel Sturridge.
Cambridger are losing at home to Wimbledon
Bolton 1 West Ham 0... I guess their minds aren't on the Semi next week
Sounds like a slow start to the match at the Den. Neither side in charge there.
Cardiff one up
Bugger! Cardiff have scored against Doncaster. That'll bring them within a point of Norwich in second.
I'd still give Drac the benefit of the doubt on that offside call.
Spurs are 2-0 up now. Modric with the goal.
Spurs are two up
United should have been too... miss hit by Anderson...should have scored
More good work from Drac there but when he teed up Anderson the Brazilian scuffed it well wide.
Two nil to Bolton...oh dear
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