Win One for Psycho, Boys!

This may be the only time that Stuart Pearce gets to manage the senior side in a full international. And it's a biggie - England v. Holland and Wemberley. Join me to see how Psycho and new young side get on today against one of the favorites for Euro 2012. Come on, Engerland!

Premiership Plus Predictions Game - Week 26

It's high time for an update of the PPP game, as we've had plenty to tense English footie action over the past couple of weeks. A lot of us have taken a beating with the subtle shifting of the top seven positions in the Premiership, which means that WHR - the sole Citeh supporter - seems to be running away with it. Steady on, though. There are plenty of points left in the game. Matthew and Thomas, for example, benefited from that Liverpool penalty win on Sunday in the Carling Cup Final to the tune of six points each. And AZ Kicker (Pool), MUR (Everton), Simon (Chelski) and Yellows (Pool) are still in with a shot at the eight points for an FA Cup win. So - here are the current, tentative, standings after 26 weeks:

1. West Ham Rising – 25 points
2. Blue Devil – 19 pts
3. Matthew – 13 pts
- Thomas – 13 pts
5. Gooner71 – 12 pts
6. Someone Said – 11 pts
7. AZ Kicker – 9 pts
- Man Utd Rules – 9 pts
- Yellows – 9 pts
10. Simon Burke – 5 pts
11. United We Stand – 3 pts

The LOB Goes to the Academy Awards!

I love the Oscars, I have to admit. Sure - the Academy rarely awards the kind of movies I love, but it's a cultural moment that I always take the time to watch. Tonight, it's Billy Crystal pinch-hitting as host for Eddie Murphy, with "The Artist" the hot favorite to sweep the awards. I'll be pulling for "The Descendants," Alexander Payne, Gary Oldman and Christopher Plummer. Join me if you're watching, won't you?

A Big Sunday

Two BIG matches in the League today followed by the first silverware up for grabs at Wembley

Join me

UWS

The Glory of Saturday!

If it's Saturday morning, it's time to brew some strong coffee, toast up a bagel and sit back and relax in front of some of the beautiful game. West Ham are up first this morning followed by the debut of Evil Leeds under the tutelage of Neil Warnock for the first time. Oh - and there are a few Premiership matches on today as well. Join me?

United Need to Complete the Job

We have a Europa League double header as the opening act is Valencia vs Stoke City at 1 PM. The Potters basically need a miracle to progress and face the winner of PSV and Trabzonspor in the next round. They trail 0-1 from the first leg and have a tough match in Spain. This is followed by United vs Ajax at 3:05 PM where they should progress after winning 0-2 in Amsterdam last week. There is even a Championship match as Derby County hosts Leicester City in an East Midlands Derby make up form the frozen weather earlier this month. Come join us for all the Thursday action.

RIP Frank Carson

I read today that Frank Carson, the comedian that some of us will remember from the Granada TV show, "The Comedians" passed away. It was the way he told 'em.

More Champions League Knock-out Nonsense

We're back to the Champions League trip today with Chelski's vital clash with Napoli. Not sure why UEFA is parceling out these matches the way they are but no matter. I'll be following this afternoon's proceedings up until my class time, so join me to see if AVB will be able to survive the week.

A Giant Killer Sunday ?

The FA Cup starts bright and early this Sunday morning as Stoke travel to those giant killers , Crawley and their tiny compact stadium in what promises to be a tricky fixture for last year's finalists. This is followed by a tricky fixture for Spurs as they take the short journey to Stevenage in what is potentially a tricky fixture. The final match could be the most discusses match as history may repeat itself.Liverpool hosts Brighton and in case anyone does not remember,Brighton won 1-2 at Anfield at this same stage and on a Sunday to boot as former player Jimmy Case scored the winning goal.They were managed by former Liverpool player, Jimmy Melia.Brighton have never lost at Anfield in the FA Cup as they held Liverpool,l 2-2 in 1991 and defeated Liverpool 2-0 in 1984, albeit at the Goldstone Ground.They defeated Newcastle as they did on route to the final in 1983 .Brighton for the Cup? That is virtually impossible , but they said the same in 1983.Come join us bright and early with some strong coffee to see what happens.

FA Cup 5th Round Day!

The FA Cup 5th Round has rolled around and we start early with Chelski at home to high flying Championship side Birmingham City. Join me from 7:30am EST for all the FA Cup and Championship action today.

The Champions League Knock-out Stages Begin!

The Champions League swings into its spring knock-out stages today, along with a full slate of Championship and L1 matches. Join me for a bit of Tuesday afternoon footer action if you're around and about.

Another Handshake Controversy!

Fantastic! On the heels of the whole Suarez/Evra contratemps, check out this outrageous snub by the Villa mascot of his opposite Citeh number before yesterday's fixture. Enjoy!

Grammywatching 2012!

Every year, as a loyal pop music fan, I tune into the Grammy awards show groaning at the cheesy bits and hoping for a few moments of pop genius. Last year, I enjoyed seeing Esperanza Spalding and Arcade Fire pick up some surprise awards. This year I'll be pulling for Bon Iver, Radiohead and The Decemberists. Join me for a night of inevitable Whitney Houston tributes from 8pm onward on CBS.

come on You Villains

We have an early west Midlands Derby that is into the second half. I missed the first half because I preferred to get some extra kip. The big match is at Villa Park as Aston Villa hosts Man Citeh. I am hoping for a Villa win so United end the weekend with a one point lead.This match will be a reunion of sorts as Villa welcome some old friends in James Milner and Gareth Barry while Shay Given , Richard Dunne, and Stephen Ireland get reacquainted with their old friends at Citeh. In this respect here's hoping that Irish eyes are smiling at the end of the match.

Another Weekend, Another Handshake Problem?

Two weeks ago, we had another handshake controversy when the FA bottled in the 4th Round FA Cup tie between Chelski and QPR; this morning we've got Suarez and Evra on the pitch for the first time since that infamous Anfield encounter. Join me early to see what happens. OH - and we've got a full slate of English footie to come.

Premiership Plus Predictions Game - Week 24

Before we get into another big weekend of English footie action, it's high time for me to get off my idle bum and update our Premiership Plus Predictions Game. Here are the current standings:

1. West Ham Rising – 20 points
2. Someone Said – 16 pts
3. Blue Devil – 14 pts
- Matthew – 14 pts
5. AZ Kicker – 12 pts
- Gooner71 – 12 pts
7. Thomas – 10 pts
- United We Stand – 10 pts
9. Simon Burke – 9 pts
- Yellows – 9 pts
11. Man Utd Rules – 8 pts

FABIO IS OUT!!!!

So, Fabio's has resigned as manager of the England! He supported John Terry to the end. I have no idea why he wanted to support a bloke that cheated on a teammate's wife and was racist to another teammate's brother.
Innocent until proved guilty but it is on VIDEO!
I say good riddance! I think he should have been canned after the debacle of World Cup '10. He hasn't impressed me at all
I think, with England thinking they have no chance, we could do well in the summer

Who will take over until after the season? Who will take over full time?

Thoughts

UWS

Harry - Not Guilty on All Counts

Happy Harry Redknapp and his sidekick Milan Mandaric have been found "not guilty" of two counts of defrauding the public revenue during their time at Pompey. After the unanimous verdict was announced, a triumphant Redknapp said, "It really has been a nightmare. It's been five years. It's a case that never should have come to court." So - full speed ahead to the England job now? Your thoughts, gentlemen?

The Neviller's XI

The Neviller apparently responded to the question of who should Don Fabio test together at the next opportunity.

His XI:

Hart; Walker, Jones, Smalling, A. Cole; Gerrard, Parker, Wilshire, Sturridge, Rooney, Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Obviously Jack won't be back in shape in time to feature this summer, and Rooney's 2 match suspension poses lots of questions, but it's the nod to the future that a few of us LOBbers would cheer.

SNL Deconstructs "Downton Abbey"

In case you missed it, the funniest bit in the weekend's SNL broadcast was this spot-on deconstruction of "Downton Abbey" for the Spike TV audience. Enjoy!

Monday Night Football!

Howay! Now that the NFL season is well and truly buried, we can return to the true traditions of Monday Night Football - today, it's a cracker with high flying Spurs traveling to Anfield to meet the Reds. And Liverpool will have bad boy Luis Suarez back in the fold. Hope he scores a hat-full! Join me to find out from 2:45pm EST onward.

Better than the Stupor Bowl

Well the Toon just beat Villa as the Dembans were just a bit too much for them. Now time for the showcase event as Chelsea host United. Here's hoping that United get three points to keep pace with Citeh.

EPL Football is on despite the Snow

England saw its first major snow of the season, but we still have EPL footie despite all that.Most of the lower division matches have been cancelled and even a few in the Championship, but none in the EPL, so join us for all the fun and great banter.

NFL Stars Re-Enact "Jerry Maguire" on Fallon

As we go into Stuporbowl weekend, I thought you might enjoy this moment from last night's Late Night show where Jimmy Fallon somehow managed to coax Jerry Rice and Tony Gonzalez into re-enacting the classic "You complete me" scene from "Jerry Maguire." Enjoy!

Grayson Walks the Plank!

I thought Leeds fans had dodged a bullet yesterday by somehow managing to hang on to Snoddy beyond the January transfer window. And then...I've woken up to the news that Simon Grayson has been sacked by the club. Sure - a 1-4 result to Birmingham (and our home form in general) is disgraceful; however, I'm not sure which manager would be able to do better with our current resources. We're a top half Championship club that sells our best players each transfer window but somehow Cap'n Birdseye has decided we should be challenging for promotion. I don't get it. Can any of you lads talk me off the ledge this morning?