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!
The race is on starting early this morning for a chance of grasping the gold ring of promotion to the Premiership. I'll be around from 7:45 am EST onward for a full day's commentary on the Championship culminating in Leeds' opening match at St. Mary's. I'll look forward to the pleasure of your company.
posted by The Blue Devil @ 12:15 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!
587 Comments:
So, I suppose we'll have to be creative in covering this morning's Coventry v. Leicester City match at the Ricoh. A combination of Sky News and text updates from Football 365 for me.
Here's the team news out of Coventry this morning:
Coventry: Murphy, Christie, Keogh, Cranie, Hussey, Baker, Clingan, Bell, Bigrimana, McSheffrey, Jutkiewicz.
Subs: Dunn, McPake, O'Donovan, Wood, Thomas.
Leicester: Schmeichel, Peltier, Mills, Bamba, Konchesky, Vassell, Weller, Abe, Danns, Fernandez, Nugent.
Subs: Weale, Gallagher, King, Dyer, St. Ledger.
Coventry look fairly unimpressive on paper and I don't expect much from them. The only name I recognize there is Gary McSheffrey who was on loan to Leeds a couple of seasons ago and didn't impress.
The pundits and bookies are going mad for Leicester City, but I don't rate them. I may be absolutely wrong in this one but I reckon that they'll have a slow start to the season and that Sven will win the sack race. They've bought nine new players in but no one who will really win them games IMHO. Instead, the journeymen they've brought in - the likes of David Nugent and Paul Konchesky - are more likely to destabilize the squad.
Kasper Schmeichel is also making his debut in goal for the Foxes today. I'm surprised that Sven hasn't noticed that Leeds had the second worst goals against record in the league. Some of that can be put at the feet of the back four but I think that the consensus among LUFC fans is that we're well shod of him.
And we're away at the Ricoh.
Leicester will want to start with a tasty away win today in order to keep up with the enormous expectations that have been placed on them.
A real fairy tale story is about to start as AFC Wimbledon start their first season in the Football League. That's marvelous news. I'd love to see MK Dons relegated out of the league into the Blue Square as well.
Coventry making the early running. Free kick swung in by Gael Bigirimana.
Ten minutes gone at the Ricoh - Coventry still on the attack.
Bloody hell - Darius Vassell, who has converted to a defensive midfielder late in his career - has been sent off a mere 12 minutes into his debut for Leicester. Disaster for the Foxes!
It looks to have been a straight red for Vassell for "serious foul play." Wow!
Good morning BD. I typed your link and git an interview with Cashley instead of the match. Is there a different link for the match?
Oh - David Bell has a shot blocked off the line for Coventry. Leicester really on the ropes now and down to ten men.
Sorry, mate - there is no televised match either at 7:30 or later at 10am. The only ones being televised are the AFC Wimbledon v. Bristol Rovers L2 match coming up in a moment and then Soton v. Leeds later on this afternoon. The link I gave you is for the BBC "Football Focus" magazine show that's part of "Grandstand."
There is a link later on at 9:45 am EST for "Soccer Saturday," which should have the usual crew commenting on the 10 am kickoffs.
More pressure now from Coventry. Sven can't be liking what he's seeing here from the Championship favorites.
I see. How are you keeping up to date with events at the Ricoh?
I picked the Foxes for promotion. I hope I did not make a huge mistake.
There is radio commentary on BBC Five Live but it's only intermittent with reports from the match as part of their usual magazine coverage.
I'm following the text updates on the Football 365 site here:
http://live.skysports.com/Live/football365/live.html
BLOODY HELL! Some Italian sports magazine has stated that Wesley Schneijder is moving to Citeh instead of United.
I think yours is the common wisdom about Leicester. I'm certainly going out on a limb by not picking them but there just something about them that doesn't add up for me.
Thanks BD! I will follow that.
Wow - that's a huge story. I can't really see how Sneijder would fit into the Citeh set-up. I certainly wouldn't pick him over either Yaya or David Silva. He fits more naturally into the United side right now IMHO.
Coventry still in control of the match after twenty minutes. 0-0.
The new boys: "The real Dons" are drawing 0-0 with Bristol Rovers on their league debut, with eight minutes played.
I agree. I was surprised when I went to soccernet and saw that plastered all over the front page. If I wasn't awake, I am now! Citeh denied the transfer, so did SAF for United. Those mind games!
The guy running the link I was on is moving about now. He's landed on ITV 3, which seems to have an Italian Serie A match on. Not a live one, I suspect.
Talking about Serie A, is Gooner pleased or disappointed that the Gunners play Udinese in the qualifying round of the CL?
The real Dons wear the real Wimbledon colors. I think they have had five promotions! What a fairy tale story! One more promotion and they would play the fake Dons nest year.
There have been three yellow cards in the match between the Dons and Rovers, all for "unsporting behavior."
Oh dear - two quick goals and Bristol Rovers are 0-2 up. Not the fairy tale start for the Real Dons.
Paul Konchesky, another LOB favorite, is playing for Sven's men. My brother, a Scouse fan, was glad to see the back of him last year.
Gooner is with the family in Sweden right now. I suspect he's pleased with the CL draw but not pleased to hear that both Cesc and Nasri "missed the flight" to Lisbon for the friendly with Benfica this weekend. A bit of a shambles at Arsenal at the moment and it's Wenger's fault IMHO. They should have shopped both of those miscreants earlier in the summer and brought in the replacements. They have the cash in hand - I don't understand the parsimony.
Oh -Kasper tips one over from David Bell, who's come close on a couple of occasions already.
That's it exactly. Does anyone really rate the likes of Paul Konchesky, Darius Vassell (who's already been sent off this morning), Neil Danns and David Nugent? They're all names but they haven't had the best of times at other clubs.
Now Carl Baker has been sent off for Coventry! Both sides are down to ten men! Wow!
I'm picking up the Sneijder story now on 365. It says that Gazetta Della Sport are reporting that he's been sold to Citeh for £31 million. Wow! That's a reputable newspaper, not some Murdoch rag reporting it. Huge story.
I and pleased that Gooner & family are having a great time in Sweden. I missed the goals because I was typing . One was scored by Scott McGleish, who played for for Orient vs the Gunners last season. You called him the old timer.
I guess we missed out on a much needed player.
Coventry are still pressing for that opening goal, despite being a man down now. Gael Bigirimana has apparently been their danger man.
First real chance for Leicester. Nugent with a header just wide of the mark.
Time just about up in the first half at the Ricoh.
We are approaching halftime and it is still 0-0. This would be a creditable result for the Foxes as it is on the road at a tricky venue. According to Wikkipedia, these two sides consider each other their fiercest rivals.Considering everything , this is a tricky start to the season for the Foxes, so a draw would be a creditable result.
Rovers have out shot the Dons 5-1 and 4-0 with shots on target despite the Dons having 53% of the possession. This is not the Conference; it is the big time!
Oh - Luke Moore was nearly in there for AFC Wimbledon. Where are they playing? It's a cute little ground.
The halftime score from the Ricoh Arena is 0-0 and it is still 0-2 to Bristol Rovers with 33 minutes played.
If Leicester want to go up, they're going to need to win matches like this one. There is a tremendous amount of competition in the Championship this season. It was really hard for me to pick three to go up. I could've picked six or seven. Even Ipswich have a chance with Banjo Boy drafted in.
According to Soccernet it is the Fans Stadium Kingsmeadow. I guess it's not Plough Lane. do you have a link for this match or is it the text updates?
I am skeptical about Ipswich even though I want to see them go up.This is a local derby on the road against a bitter rival on opening day. As they say your home results determine everything and if you can pick up some wins and draws then they should be fine. I would say that Doncaster and Peterbororugh are must win away matches.
Yeah - here's the link for the match:
http://tykestv.eu/channel1.php
Yes! AFC Wimbledon are back in it. Jamie Stuart with their first goal back in the Football League - great header!
YES!!! AFC WIMBLEDON HAVE PEGGED IT BACK TO 1-2 CTHANKS TO A GOAL BY SAM HATTON JUST A FEW MINUTES BEFORE HALFTIME. GAME ON!
My link has just crapped out a few minutes before half-time.
This one's working:
http://www.norwaysport.co.uk/Norgeidrett4/
I had the link for a few seconds then it crashed. AFC Wimbledon keeper , Seb Brown , appeared to be in the wars. I guess the Dons were in white and Rovers in green and black stripes.Both teams were wearing their away kits.
I had several messages from "Yellows" ahead of this weekend. I'm hoping that he might join in at some point.
Oh - what a rescue job by Wimbledon!
And there's half time. You suspect that AFC Wimbledon will have a steep learning curve in this division. But they're full of spirit as are their fans.
Thanks, BD! It is up and running as Rovers nearly made it 1-3. Now it is halftime as Rovers lead 1-2.
That sounds like an accurate description. I would say that survival is their goal and then they can consolidate.
The second half has started at the Ricoh.
I saw Rovers' second goal. it was a horrible one to concede. AFC Wimbledon have a lot to learn if they are to survive, but I will be rooting for them this year.
GOAL! Leicester take the lead with a goal by Lee Peltier!
Rolling back the years as Dave Beasant, a former Don is on the touchline. I wonder what he is making of this , MK and everything else.
Bloody Hell! I am Nostradamus!
I did not realize that ten minutes of the second half had been played.
Yes, you are, mate. Sounds like it was a header from a set piece by Peltier.
Yes - the kick-off time was a strange one - 12:30 pm GMT.
COME ON KASPER!
That sounds like a lunch time kick off.
The sun is finally out as the bagel and coffee have been dispatched. Not a good thing as it will start to heat up. I woke up at the perfect time if I was to go out for a walk.
To be honest, Dave Beasant is a decent announcer.
Kasper saves well from a shot by Jutkiewicz.
The second half kicks off from Wimbledon. Oh no, not Gary Birtles.I can't stand him. It's bad enough that it took him 25 games to score a goal for us.
Looks to be a cooler one for us. I was up extra early as I felt inspired to do some writing this morning. Bagel and coffee also dispatched.
Goal scorer , Lee Pelltier is off injured and replaced by Andy King. I am surprised he did not start.
Morning Fellas
This is from Sky Sports
Sky Sports sources understand Manchester City have not wrapped up a deal for Wesley Sneijder, contrary to reports in Italy.
Sneijder: City deal played down
Renowned publication Gazetto dello Sport suggests City have snatched the Inter midfielder from under the noses of rivals Manchester United, who have been courting the Dutchman all summer.
They believe Sneijder will feature in Inter's Italian Super Cup meeting with AC Milan in Beijing before jetting to England to sign an alleged agreement with City.
There appears to be no truth in the revelation, though, with City and United preparing to go head-to-head in Sunday's FA Community Shield.
Inter have repeatedly denied talks are being held with any Premier League club over Sneijder, and insist it will take a "non-refusable" offer to tempt them to sell.
It sounds like the Foxes are under the cosh as Gelson Fernandes, another Sven old boy, is playing for the Foxes.
Good morning UWS.I hope this is true. I guess the Community Shield will be a local derby / battle of Schneijder match as he plays in the Italian version, also a local derby.
Morning, UWS - thanks for the update on the Sneijder case. Strange one that.
I like the atmosphere at the Dons' Stadium.
This might spur Fergie into making the deal
It sure caught my attention so early in the morning.
If that was a live link I had for the Inter-Milan match, Sneijder was definitely lining up for Inter. I thought it was an old one because it was dark but that would make sense with 14 hour time difference with Japan.
I do too - I would love to support a local club like that. If I lived where my parents do, I'd likely go down to watch Barnet regularly.
He's definitely supposed to play in that match. I thought it was in China
The announcer is stating that Rovers are having a tougher start to the second half as opposed to the first half, where they had their own way.
Twenty minutes left at the Ricoh - still 0-1 Leicester. Coventry still on the attack.
Correct UWS. I think I read that Schneijder would play in the Italian Super Cup. I was not aware that it would be played in China.
It may well be in China. If so, 15 hours ahead.
Bob, your parents must live in North London, heading toward Hertfordshire. Is that correct?
Interesting
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/aug/05/bbc-legal-dispute-leeds-united
That's right - in NW6 near Golder's Green.
That is a disturbing story. I'm still not quite sure why there's so much mystery about who owns the club. Are they hiding the fact that it's owned by Al Qaeda or summit. How bad could it be?
I think I remember that area.It's been so many years.
Header by Jutkiewicz but saved well by Schmeichel.
Speaking of the Italian Super Cup, it is being played in Beijing. It has reached half time and Inter are leading AC 1-0... goal scorer... you guessed it... Sneijder
I will need to read that story. I hope it's not more unnecessary drama at ER. There has been more than enough of that over the past few years.
The closest ground to my parents' flat is actually Loftus Road.
A perfect script based on today's events, UWS!
That's more like London NW than London N. That sounds more like the city then the outskirts. I had some free time a few months ago and saw that Loftus Road is just a couple of miles north of the Thames.
Fifteen minutes left at the Ricoh. This would be a terrific start to the season for Sven's boys if the scoreline holds up.
Yes - it's definitely still part of the city although it has a village feel to it with a main street and village green.
Still 0-1 as Andy King is a threat to Coventry's defense. He will be a key player in the Foxes promotion run.
It would be a good start ,considering this is a tricky fixture.
I think this side is good enough to get promoted, but would need to be strengthened if they want to survive in the EPL.
Coventry have made two late changes with ten minutes remaining.
YES! AFC Wimbledon are back in it and the crowd explodes!
2-2!
Just a quick hello to you all. Pleased with my play today in the morning kick-about which is at best a fifty-fifty proposition these days. Need to run Maggie to a math tutoring session -- getting ready for the PSAT. The going rate in DC is $70 / hour. Ouch. BTW . . . to brag on Maggie, she was selected as one of one hundred outstanding students in DC Summer Youth Jobs program. 14,000 kids participated so it's a nice accomplishment. I kid her it was an affirmative action award as she was the only white student so recognized.
GOAL!!! 2-2 AS AFC COME FOR TWO GOALS DOWN TO TIE IT UP
Good morning ,WHR! CONGRATULATIONS TO MAGGIE!
WOW... where did she get her brains?
Congrats to her and to her proud papa
Morning, WHR. Good luck to Maggie on her PSAT prep. And to your Happy Hammers this weekend. I hope to hear from you tomorrow morning.
Still 0-1 to the Foxes.
The Wimbledon crowd having a load of fun now with the "Oles" ringing around the ground for every touch.
Have you heard from Chelskilad recently, mate? I sent him a message about the beginning of the season.
Yes, I'll be on tomorrow. Looks from mama, brains from dada. FYI, I just had the "last of the summer tomatoes" from my parents' garden. Delicious.
Did you do a fry up with the tomatoes, some bangers, egg, mushroom and fried bread all in the same pan, mate?
Will look forward to hearing from you tomorrow as the Hammers face Evil Cardiff. I am sure Maggie got her brains from both Mom and Dad.
Home grown tomatoes are delicious.
Did you see who I chose to be promoted boys?
I am going to finish is last place this season!
There will be three minutes of stoppage time from the Ricoh.
I did notice you've predicted United for a bloody treble. Struth!
Not necessarily, UWS. I think it will come down to the last match of the season. I do not to expect to win the pool again.
Nice save from Seb Brown from Kuffour to protect the 2-2 scoreline.
we are now in the fourth minute of stoppage time from the Ricoh as AFC keeper, Seb Brown, made a great save.
Two red cards and five bookings in that match at the Ricoh. The FA will want to look at that.
Leicester have won 0-1 at the Ricoh as the first two Championship matches have resulted in 0-1 away wins.
That's it - Leicester are now level with Blackpool at the top of the Championship - both sides with excellent away wins to start the season. I hope we can match them.
I am not sure as it was an opening day local derby.
I think the match from St. Mary's will be the MOTD as both sides have promotion aspirations.
Aren't there automatic fines when a club reaches a certain number of cards?
It seems to be all Rovers as there are about ten minutes remaining.
Rovers have won a penalty.
Oh dear - Wimbledon have conceded a late late penalty. Handball there. I hate those. Very dodgy.
Adam Virgo knocks in the penalty and Rovers are 3-2 up.
Adam Virgo has put Rovers 2-3 up from the spot as the replay shows it was definite hand ball. A horrible way for AFC to lose on their debut.
There will be four minutes of stoppage time from Kings Meadow.
Rovers have a player down with cramp or it may be time wasting.
Time almost up for AFC Wimbledon now.
Bush volleys over from a cross by Luke Moore.
What did you think of that handball penalty call? I hate those because I don't think you can say that they're deliberate.
That's it - Bristol Rovers have an opening day victory then.
Now - on to the 3pm kickoffs. I'm going to try and find a link for SS.
AFC Wimbledon lose 2-3 to Bristol Rovers on their league debut. A shame, but they will learn quite a bit this season. They have a local derby at Daggenham next week.
This one looks good -
http://magictv.co/
It looks like there might be some links for intriguing Brighton v. Doncaster match-up of newly promoted sides.
I agree, but I think the ref had to call it because the player had his arms out. I think the Football League will say he followed the letter of the law even though he needed his arms out for leverage. I guess there is an argument either way.
Yes - Jeff and the boys are back!
I will be back in a few minutes after a much needed shower.
Surely the law is that a direct free kick for handball is given only when there is a deliberate handball. Any player raises his arms to get leverage for a header. The arms just naturally fly up. I don't know why those are given. AFC Wimbledon can feel aggrieved.
See you in a tick. I'm fortunate to live alone. The LUFC lucky shirt will not come off until after the match.
I am back boys from getting some milk
Can't Merse shave before the show!!!
The link you gave me keeps freezing!
You're right - it isn't great. I've switched to this one:
http://tykestv.eu/channel1.php
And we're away with the 3pm GMT kickoffs - way hay. Football is back!
Merse looks very tan and unshaven.
A classic as the announcer states the derby match with Derby is underway.
Brighton now play in "AmEx Stadium" (sigh)
Tan and unshaven Merse says there is a lively start from Millwall because the keeper had to make a save.
Pompey travel to Middlesbrough on opening day.
I went to the Tykes address and now I am back at your original one. It is working well
Is Paolo Di Canio managing Crewe?
Ten minutes into the new season and no goals yet.
No goals in the first ten minutes in any division.
No - he's managing Swindon Town who are hosting Crewe today.
Not one bloody goal in all the matches!!!
Jeff wants to go home already - he's bored!
Colchester breaks the ice at Deepdale
Colchester score the first goal as they take the lead at Preston.
Who is Jeff?
Preston are behind. By the way, we picked up their first team goalkeeper Andy Lonergan who may well start for us today. The wags at the Square Ball podcast were joking that Simon Grayson was impressed by Lonergan's work in the 6-4 thriller against us.
Sorry - the host of Soccer Saturday Jeff Stelling.
St. Mirren have taken the lead at Dundee United.
Thanks, BD. Southend have taken the lead against Hereford.
The Tractor Boys have scored
Ipswich are in front at Bristol City. New signing from Cardiff Michael Chopra with the goal.
Michael Chopra has given the Tractor Boys the lead at Ashton Gate and Notts County have taken the lead at Carlisle.
Ipswich jump into second place behind Blackpool on alpha order. Interestingly, all three matches with goals in the Championship so far have been 0-1 away wins.
Leeds Old Boy, Special K , reporting from London Road.
Wednesday have bounced back from their 14-0 tonking from last week and are leading.
Wednesday have taken the lead vs Rochdale. Brum have taken the lead vs Derby in The Derby.
Brum are 0-1 up at Derby. Another away lead. Will any home teams win today?
WOW! 14-0 vs Whom.
Aldershot have taken the lead at Bradford, Leeds' opponents on Tuesday.
Curtis Davies scored for Brum and Elgin lead Berwick 2-0.
It was a non-league side Alfreton Town who beat Sheff. Wednesday 14-0 last weekend. They tried to play it off that they played a weakened side but several pundits commented that no professional outfit should lose by that amount, especially to a non-league outfit.
Jeff should be pleased when they come back.. Hartlepool has scored at MK Dons
Commercials during football matches. I thought that only happened in the U.S.
I agree, BD. That is usually a sign that the players do not want to play for the team.
Jeff is already getting sarky and he's only been on air half an hour this season!
Jeff will be happy that Hartlepool took the lead.
Bugger.. Pompey are losing at Boro
Crawley is the better side , on their debut at Port Vale., according to match reports.
Finally, a home side has taken the lead. Boro 1-0 up against Pompey.
Charlton have taken the lead vs Bournemouth.
Wycombe Wanderers have taken the lead vs Scunny.
Derby are back in the match. 1-1.
Derby have tied it up vs Brum in the Derby.
I am surprised Dario Gradi is back in management . He must be at least as old as SAF.
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