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!
I'm over my "Opening Day of the Season Hammering" case of the grumpies and looking forward to better fortunes today as the Happy Hammers meet up with Evil Cardiff this morning. That gets us started at 8am EST. Then at 9:30 am, FSC start the season with the traditional curtain opener - the Community Shield match from Wembley - and it's a Manc Derby classico! Join me if you're not walking the dog, eh?
posted by The Blue Devil @ 7:56 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!
501 Comments:
I've got a lovely stream up for the early match here:
http://real-tv-sport.com/channel-4.php
Hammers fans blowing bubbles as they start the last season at Upton Park. Sad but true.
The team news this morning:
Fat Sam's New Look Hammers: Green, O'Brien, Ilunga, Reid, Tomkins, Noble, Parker, Nolan, Sears, Taylor, Piquionne.
Subs: Boffin, Faye, Collison, Barrera, Cole.
Evil Cardiff: Marshall, McNaughton, Hudson, Gerrard, Taylor, Cowie, Gunnarsson, Whittingham, Conway, Earnshaw, Miller.
Subs: Heaton, Quinn, Gestede, Parkin, Mason.
Oh - Piquionne had a chance to burst through but was well handled by keeper Marshall.
Oh - Matty Taylor with a wicked, dipping strike that was just tipped over by Marshall.
The West Ham midfield clicking nicely at the moment.
New Cardiff manager Matthew McKay is one of the youngest in the league at 39.
Good morning BD. I was guilty of getting some extra kip.I loved that long throw from Gunnarson, but Green saved superbly from Cowie's header.
I think Villas-Boas would be close at age 33 and Burnley's manager is around that age.
Wow - I hadn't realized that the Hammers had bought big John Carew. He's not available for today's match but he'll be an excellent foil for Freddie Piquionne. Are Carlton Cole's days at Upton Park numbered?
Fat Sam wants to sign Carew so he can turn the Hammers into a long ball team and he has brought over his Bolton players in Mattie Taylor and Kevin Nolan.
Morning, MUR! Great to have you on board. How are you?
The free kick from Winston Reid was headed away.
Spot on about Fat Sam's designs. I think that Route 1 power style will suit the Championship but it's too retrograde for the Premiership. It'll be fascinating to see if the Hammers fans - who have traditionally been brought up on silky football - will take to Allardyce's approach if they're winning.
Thanks, BD. I am still out of it even though I went to bed early last night. How are you?
I think the Hammer's have kept it on the ground since the 50's, so the fans may not take to it. They have kept it on the ground today, but for how long? What does WHR think?
Doing okay. I couldn't sleep last night for some reason, so I got up around 3am and wrote for a couple of hours. I may go back for a nap after the Community Shield match.
I'm hoping that WHR will come by this morning to add his thoughts.
Kevin Nolan shoots over after some great football by the Hammers.
Good move there leads to Nolan having a go but it rocketed off his own man.
I agree - the Hammers have played well so far. Good signs for them.
Are you working on your book?
That was a useless short corner by Evil Cardiff.
Did you notice that there was a riot in Tottenham yesterday? Something like 200 people arrested. It all stemmed from some police abuse on Thursday where a local man was killed.
Yeah - trying to finish up the proposal for it and two sample chapters before the semester starts up.
That was a useless long ball by Illunga. Fat Sam might be pleased.
Not quite sure what that bit of ball-grabbing by Gerrard on Tomkins was all about. Reminds me of the famous Vinnie Jones ball squeezing routine on Gazza.
I read about the riot on ATT@T's web site. It was horrible. I heard that there was racial abuse by the police or at least that is what AAT&T is stating.
Why so many empty seats on either side of the crowd behind the goal that West Ham are attacking? It reminds me of the MLS crowds.
Piquionne heads nowhere close to the goal. No wonder why Fat Sam would want to replace him.
I was noticing the empty seats. I thought this would be one of the marquee matches in the Championship. I thought the Football League had clamped down on incidents like Vinnie Jones on Gazza.
Piquionne shoots straight to David Marshall.
Piquionne hits one "from downtown" but it's straight at Marshall.
The rain is coming down in East London.
It could be some kind of organized protest against the owners for the move to the Olympic Stadium or the hiring of Fat Sam - or both. A lot for Hammers fans to complain about right now. But it's very patchy, even on the sides. You'd think that the faithful would want to savor every moment at Upton Park.
Earnshaw shot the free kick into the wall, but Howard Webb said Scott Parker encroached too quickly.
Green tipped peter Whittingham's free kick around the post as the corner was cleared.
A lot of idle chatter on 606 last night about how Leeds are "in crisis." Load of rubbish. I think we know exactly where our weaknesses are at the moment - and exactly how much we'll miss Becchio while he's injured. I see us as roughly where we were at the start of last season.
A useless cross by Illunga.
I agree BD. I think you played one of the top teams in the division yesterday and will beat plenty of teams during the course of the season.
News out of the Chelski camp that they've paid £19 million for 18 year old Anderlecht striker Romelu Lukaku, who they expect to be the next Didier Drogba.
Cardiff are giving it a go at the end of the half here.
A third ex Bolton in O'Brien at the right back position is playing for the Hammers.
Yes. Cardiff have finished strongly and the groans can be heard from the Hammers fans.
Cardiff have a free kick chance here. Earnshaw fouls.
There will be one minute of stoppage time.
Kenny Miller is offside for Cardiff.
The halftime score is 0-0.
The half-time whistle goes. Two strong sides battling it out here at 0-0. Nothing to suggest to me that I was wrong to pick both to go up.
Morning Boys
i pulled up your link but it was some foreign station
Here is one for the BBC
http://softsportstv.blogspot.com/
From Wembley
Manchester United starting XI:
De Gea, Smalling, Evra, Vidic, Ferdinand, Nani, Carrick, Anderson, Young, Roney, Wellbeck.
Manchester City's starting XI;
Hart, Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Kolarov, De Jong, Silva, Yaya Toure, Milner, Balotelli, Dzeko.
Surprised that Berbatov isn't starting
Maybe he will be off to PSG
I'll be walking the dog.
;-p
Charity Shield preview show on FSC
Good morning UWS. The match was in English, but the ads sound like Arabic. Knowing SAF, I am not surprised to see Drac on the bench, or is he even on the bench. Wellbeck is getting an extended run after a great preseason.
The Hammers coming out for the second half
Morning, UWS!
Did you hear about the riots in Tottenham, UWS . It was very sad. BD and I were talking about it during the first half.
Evil Cardiff are making the Hammers wait for them at the beginning of the second half. Was that a "USA, USA, USA" chant at Upton Park?
The teams are out in the pitch and we are back to English commentary after some Arabic language ads during halftime.
Barely anyone in the Trevor Brooking Stand! Sir Trev would be shocked!
The second half is underway. Those were USA chants.
I did just see some of the stuff on various websites
Awful
FSC still have some FA Cup preview show on.
An early corner by Sears is cleared. Can we call him Sears-KMART as a result of the merger?
Where the hell is Chicharito? Is he injured?
Not exactly what people want to see a year away from the Olympics
Heavy rain at Upton Park... should be raining at Wembley too
I like that nickname, MUR.
Great free kick tipped around by Green.
The free kick from Whittingham free kick went just wide, but Green would have saved it had it been on target.
Yes, he got a concussion at practice a day before the all star game. He was going to be out three or four weeks
I'll bet that there are fewer than 20K people at Upton Park today.
I think Chicharito will be out for two more weeks due to an injury.
FSC are calling it FA Cup Preview but it is the C. Shield show
Ah - that's it, is it? Shame. Although it will allow my Golden Boot pick Luis Suarez to get the jump on him - loads of you have picked Javier as your Golden Boot boy.
I read about Romelu Lukaku. You would hope he is a definite replacement if that kind of cash is being spent for an eighteen year old.
Berbs is on the bench as is Aguero
Why are they featuring Derby County then?
I didn't pick him!
That is a shame that Trev's stand out of all the stands are empty. I think Hammers fans are disenchanted due to a combination of recent events.
Now there's boxing on - FSC are all over the shop!
Shame about Hernandez not playing. He scored in last season's victory over Chelsea off of his nose. Ball came across and he kicked the ball off his nose and in
No - you've got Rooney, Yellows picked Drogba and I picked Suarez. Everyone else has Chicharito so far, I think.
It's all about the COMMUNITY!!!
The pitch at Wembley should be pretty slick as a result of the recent rain. The old Wembley would have been fine, but I am not sure about the New Wembley pitch.
The fizz has gone out of this match. We could use a goal or some changes.
The USA chants are from the Cardiff fans due to Green's famous howler.
Celtic have won 1-0 at Aberdeen
You would not be happy with this coverage if you were in Britain, would you UWS. You'd want Bryan Robson, Sammy McIroy and Jimmy Greenhoff sitting next to Des Lynam in the studio having a chat with Wembley in the backdrop.
Ah - that's it. Thanks for figuring out that Cardiff chant. Nice one! I like it!
Absolutely
There are many Scottish players in this Cardiff side, some that were inherited by Malky Mackay. The Hammers have three ex Bolton players and the signing of Carew should turn the clock back for the Hammers to pre Fenton/Allison days.
United have won 16 Shields!
I second that. I wouldn't mind that coverage.
Piquionne heads straight to Marshall.
Mancini has no idea how to hold the FA Cup!!
I think United and Citeh once met in the shield, back in the 50's when it was known as the Charity Shield. It's about charity too.
Again.. holding it from the bottom!!!
A decent save by Marshall from Mattie Taylor.
It will always be the Charity Shield to me
The cross by Scott Parker is cleared.
That is how I remember it.
I was wearing a t-shirt yesterday with United's championships written on the back
United won the League in 1908 and 2008 AND 1911 and 2011.... has any other team won titles on the 100th anniversary. I would say no
Oh - off the post from Piquionne!
Nearly 1-0 as Mattie Taylor ran down the left and crossed to Piquionne whose shot came off the outside of the post.
Maybe the Red Sox?
Well done UWS.
Just looked it up and the answer is no!
Blackburn won it in 1912
Sunderland in 1913
Blackburn 1914
Everton 1915
Then came the war!
Not going to happen for a while!
Next possible years Liverpool won in '22 and '23
Sorry if i'm boring you
If things stay the same here, Cardiff and West Ham would start out in 15th and 18th respectively. Expect that to change.
Rob Earnshaw shot wide after a superb ball from Gunnarsson.
It is a no in Baseball
Red Sox won in 1912.. .may be next year
Zombie Blue Devil will look forward to a Championship winning season for Leeds in 2075.
And brains, of course. Delicious brains!
Teams are coming out at the tunnel.
It must start at 9:30
Here we go, then. FSC treating us to a whole two minutes of live preview of the Community Shield. Thanks, lads. Can't wait for Rupert Murdoch and his gang to be run out of business.
David De Gea is a big fan of those Twilight books - no doubt.
Rob Earnshaw is replaced on his return to Cardiff by Rudi Gestede. He poses a different threat due to his height.
I agree. The match is starting early. Rupert should have started the coverage earlier. No scandals I guess.
Oh - that was a real chance for Gestede but his header was well wide.
Seats available there is the Royal Box. Bloody aristocrats - they're always showing up late.
The Champions to kick off... going the same way at the Cup Semi last seasaon.. away we go
The match kicks off from Wemberley.
United get us underway, then. Has UWS gone off to walk the dog again? Shocking behavior!
;-p
Kompany fouls Evra.
Evra picks up an early free kick from Kompany. Young to swing one in with his right peg.
A poor free kick from Ashley Young is cleared.
I wish the teams brought out the two trophies with them. They used to do. I remember Leeds and Liverpool bringing it out in 74
Speaking of that, United brought out the Prem trophy in the US but NOT at the match I was at!
De Jong went in late on Anderson there but the ref waved it on.
Good start by United
I think Citeh are still scared of United
Gestede has posed more problems in five minutes than Earnshaw did in over an hour.
I was at that 74 match with my dad and the Gooner. I remember Bremner and King Kev throwing their shirts away after being sent off as if it were yesterday.
oooh, I though Young was going to do better there and SHUT DAHLGREN UP!!
COME ON UNITED!!
SHould have scored three times there!
Carlton Cole trotting on for the last fifteen minutes. Cardiff making a couple of changes too.
Jack Collison is on for Mark Noble and Carlton Cole is on for Piquionne as it is like for like on both subs. Joe mason replaces Craig Conway for Cardiff.
I am surprised how many of these guys played in the Scholes match two days ago
United clear the corner and counter.
Fergie got his Mac on now. How cold could it be? We could use a nice cool breeze here, I can tell you.
If they can win and last the whole 90 then we know there is nothing wrong with their fitness.
COME ON MAN U
COME ON MAN U
COME ON MAN U
Anoter Citeh corner is cleared.
It's an odd line-up. Welbeck, Young and Nani all seem to be running down the left. And they're all bloody right footers!
Lescoitt fouls Welbeck.
My bloke has changed the link the derby and back again!
Not nice by Evra on Richards.
Evra's done Richards there and the ref's let him off with a bollocking.
Micah Richards is just offside
I really don't want to see Anderson start the majority of the time in the midfield... bring on Wesley!
Saved off the line by Cardiff
Anonymous texts on 81111: "A midfield of Carrick and Anderson? That won't even get close to helping beat Barcelona never mind Man City. Schweinsteiger would be a stellar signing."
Nearly 1-0 to the Hammers as Thompkins headed the corner and Nolan got a touch as it was headed off the line . David Marshall was all over the place.
Who's the Mexican that came on for the Hammers?
Scored twice in the Gold Cup Final
west Ham make their final change as Mexican international Pablo Barerra is on for Sear-KMART.
Carlton Cole is flagged offside.
THe Cardiff shirts a lot like Leeds!
WHat the hell was that Nani!!!
Well, neither Sneijder nor the Pig Climber would play a defensive holding middie role for United. Sneijder IMHO would force Rooney out of the side, unless you were to play without a holding against some of the lesser Prem sides.
Blasphemy, UWS! Blasphemy!
Vidic fouls Balo and gets him wound up. Balo head butted him. It seemed a minor foul in my opinion.
That's Paulo Barrera who came on for the Hammers. He was with them last season too.
Sneijder would take over for Anderson... Roon wouldn't be affected. He just needs to stay up front!
Carrick would be the holding middie
I agree. No comparison.
You're right, MUR. It's Pablo, not Paulo.
White, Blue and Yellow... Leeds colors all the way
I think UWS is correct about Scheijder.
Mattie Taylor has been named MOTM.
Sneijder likes to play exactly where Rooney is - he doesn't drop deep where Anderson is and he doesn't track back or tackle.
If you do get Sneijder, Rooney either has to make up his mind that he's a striker or he'll lose his place in the side IMHO.
Rooney should have done better with that cross... another overhead kick Wayne
BTW, that was voted the goal of the season.
I preferred the Bolton goal and Bale's volley
Illunga heads out for a corner after pressure from Gestede.
Cardiff fans making a big racket now. They'll be the happier set of fans with this draw.
He would have to stay up top.... Fergie knows that
Green saves from a Gestede header.
GET IN THE BOX ROONEY!!!
Nice cross over from Anderson but no one's in the middle for United.
Anderson breaks down the left and his cross is cleared.
SHOOT CARRICK!!!!
He scored a couple of great goals against Roma in the 7-1 win... they were brilliant!
whittingham shoots wide as it is a downpour at Upton Park, Not so at Wemberley.
Oh - Dzeko had a nibble at Anderson and the Brazilian didn't like it. He retaliated. Dzeko definitely should be sent off for the shove.
Cardiff have scored!
A Scotsman has scored for the Welsh in the English league!
Kenny Miller
OH DEAR
GOAL! Cardiff have stolen it! Smash and grab effort from Kenny Miller!
BLOODY HELL! KENNY MILLER HAS WON IT FOR CARDIFF WITH A GREAT FINISH AFTER GREAT WORK BY GESTEDE! WE JUST STARTED STOPPAGE TIME!
Sorry, WHR - but you should have been here. It's the LOB curse!
Green should have done better
There are three minutes of stoppage time plus the time added on for the goal. This would be Cardiff's second win at Upton Park. The other one was also a 0-1 win.
Richards in the book... I don't think those challenges should be carded... the ball was there to be won and moved at the last minute
I was going to say earlier that West Ham have stayed with almost the same backline that leaked a whole load of goals in the Premiership there. They looked wobbly again as Miller turned and shot home.
Micah Richards is booked for a nasty challenge on Evra.
Not very friendly at Wembley today. Roon and Nani over the ball now.
Let my boy Nani take it, Roon!
Useless by Barrera as his cross is straight to Marshall and Cardiff win 0-1 at Upton Park.
Free kick chance... who... Roon... hits one wide
West Ham have lost... sorry WHR
Roon shoots just over from the free kick.
It's all over at Upton Park and the Fat Sam era has started with a bad loss to a side that has to be considered a promotion rival for the Hammers.
0-1 Cardiff!
Sorry WHR. It should be quite a match Between leeds and the Hammers next weekend. Is that correct?
So, West Ham are just above us in 22nd. Cardiff leap up to 7th.
I think we have Boro next at home and then the Hammers. Tough start to the season.
The match seemed to change once Gestede replaced Rob Earnshaw. The Hammers did not have an answer to his threat.
Wellbeck wins a corner after a great run by Nani.
The cross from Wellbeck is straight to Hart.
This match has had more afters than action. Not the most entertaining start.
Nani wins a corner off of Kolorov.
The corner is cleared, but United maintain possession.
Rio did well to put Milner off his shot there.
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