Garber: MLS is 7th Biggest League in the World!

MLS commish Don Garber raised some eyebrows this week by claiming that MLS is now the 7th biggest footie league in the world. But he's got some evidence on his side, including an average attendance of 19,000. Take that, Dutch Eredivisie!!

Your thoughts, gents?

Bonus LOB trivia - name the top six leagues in order - good luck!

Boro v. Chelski Live!

Just when Rafa Benitez thought that life at Chelski couldn't get any more irritating, he's got a tricky away match on a rainy night in North Yorkshire to contend with. It's just about the last thing his out of form Chelski boys need right now. Tune in to watch the implosion and Boro glee from 2:45pm onward.

Premier League Trivia Time

Just saw MotD3 on the BBC website and heard these questions... How many can you get

Premier League History Trivia 

1. Most Premier League wins ?(team)

2. Most Premier League Draws?(team)

3. Most Premier League Defeats?(team)

4. Most goals conceded in Premier League?

5. Most Appearances in Premier League?(player)

6. Most Red Cards? (3 Players)

7. Most substitute appearances?

8. Most substituted player?

9. Most goals? (player)

10. Most OGs scored?(player)

GIve it go

UWS

West Ham v. Spurs Live!

The Monday night football match this week is a tasty affair between two London sides trying to get into Europe for next season. Spurs have a grip on that fourth CL spot while West Ham will be hoping to qualify for the Europa. Join me to see who will triumph today from 2:45pm onward.

Oscar Night 2013!

Okay, movie buffs out there in LOB-land - it's Oscar Night! I know, I know, I know - it's a big industry event where the glitterati gets to pat themselves on the backs for making megabucks off fairly mediocre product. However, these evenings also always include some cultural gems. So join me for some snarky commenting on the good, the bad and the absurd during the Academy Awards ceremony.

The First Silverware of the Year

Today the first trophy is up for grabs. I am sure many people had this final chosen before the tourney began. Will Swansea win it for the Premier League? Will Bradford add another Premier League Scalp to Wigan, Arsenal and Villa? Sadly, only MUR will be able to watch it on the TV. The rest of us have to find a link.
By the way, there's another match on today. A small Premier League match pitting second v third. Will either of them challenge United? Newcastle and Sotton round out today's matches

Join me

UWS

The American Connection

A very good morning to all of you out in LOB-land. We start this morning with a fascinating match-up at Craven Cottage between two teams that have made a strategic effort to bring along American players from the MLS. Fulham pioneered the trend but the likes of Brian McBridge, Carlos Bocanegra and Clint Dempsey are all long gone. Enter Stoke City: Jeff Cameron is now at the heart of their defense and new boy Brek Shea starts on the bench for the first time today. Join me for all of the Yank action.

Premiership Plus Predictions Game - Week 26 Update

Before we get into the hurly burly of another weekend of domestic footer, it's time to take stock of this week's action as it applies to our predictions game. MUR has strengthened his position at the top of the chats. However, he was knocked out of the Europa League along with several other LOBers, so that's advantage Chelsklad, Someone Said and Thomas who all picked Spurs to pick up Europe's least fancied tournament. Here are the latest standings:

1. Man Utd Rules - 30 points
2. United We Stand - 29 pts
3. Matthew - 26 pts
- Thomas 26 pts
5. West Ham Rising - 19 pts
6. AZ Kicker - 14 pts
- Someone Said - 14 pts
8. Blue Devil - 13 pts
9. Chelskilad - 11 pts
10. Gooner71 - 9 pts
11. Red Devil FCK1 - 8 pts
- Simon Burke - 8 pts

Another Day, Another Big Match!

Leeds v. Blackpool, that is - boom boom! But seriously, though, there will be a lot of eyeballs on the Champions League knock-out first leg tie between two of Europe's most massive clubs - Milan and Barca. Join me from 2:45pm onward for all the action.

If It's Tuesday...

...it must be another big, big match in the Champions League knock-out stages. Today it's Arsenal, fresh off a disappointing Cup exit to Blackburn at the weekend and an explosive Wenger press conference yesterday against Teutonic titans Bayern. I'm going to try to race home from work in time for kick-off. Hope to see you then!

RVP WANTS IT!!!

Manchester United finally play their FA Cup 5th Round tie against Reading at Old Trafford. A home tie is waiting for the winner of tonight's match against Boro or Chelsea
Will Fergie make lots of changes? Will United take a win for granted?

Join Me

UWS

Marching on Together!

We continue our 5th Round matches today with a match with just a little bit of history as my beloved Whites travel to Eastlands to take on Man Citeh. Before that, we've got the 4th Round replay between Chelski and Brentford. Join me for all of the early morning FA Cup action.

FA Cup 5th Round Live!

The world's greatest knock-out competition continues this morning. We start with a real corker - Luton, the non-league conquerors of the Premiership's Norwich City, face off against Evil Millwall. The last time these two met in 1985 there was an almighty ruck, a pitch invasion and bobbies on the pitch. Let's hope that all of the action today is about the football. Join me early doors for this one. And then hang in there for the 3pm GMT kick-offs, including Arsenal v. Blackburn. And then round off the day with Oldham v. Everton. See you then!

Happy Valentine's Day, LOBers!

Here's my go-to number for tonight's karaoke fest here in Fred-town. Happy Valentine's Day, all you lovebirds!

The Match the Whole World is Waiting For!

So, the day has finally arrived. My wife's birthday! Ok, there is also a footer match to watch!
There is a lot of hype surrounding this one but is it warranted? Both these versions of United and Real are not the top of the line. Real are miles behind(16 pts) Barca in third place. United are miles (A DOZEN pts) ahead of Citeh but as you know... I have not been impressed with their performances!
Are Real favorites? Is it because of Ronaldo? Do they have much more after him?

Join me and found out

UWS

The Champions League Knock-Out Stages Begin!

Thank goodness - the group stages are past and the knock-out stages, where the rubber meets the road, begin today. First up, we've got Celtic v. Juve and Valencia v. PSG. FSC is favoring us with the former, starting in just a few minutes. Join me for all the action!

Liverpool v. West Brom Live!

I've got a reasonably light afternoon before my class today, so I'm settling in to watch today's Premiership morsel from across the Pond - The Reds v. The Baggies. Join me from 2:45 pm onward for all the usual LOB coverage of events.

Blogging the Grammys!

It's an LOB tradition - tonight the music industry celebrates its own and we have a chance to chat about it all. Join me from 8pm onward here and on CBS for the big show.

Sunday in the Premiership

We've got a contrast of fortunes this morning. Our first match is a relegation six-pointer between two claret and blue sides, West Ham and Villa. Later, we've got United v. Everton - a top half clash. Join me for all of the LOB fun this morning.

A Wintry Soccer Saturday

A very wintry good morning to all of you LOBers. It's a fine day to waste half the day watching the good stuff. I've already been out on the tundra, fetched my bagels and am back in Blue Devil HQ anticipating a cracking day, starting with Spurs v. Newcastle, peaking with Wolves v. Leeds and culminating with Soton v. Citeh. Join me for all the usual high jinks, won't you?

Phoenix from the Flames - Part 5

I've saved the best for last in our Phoenix from the Flames homages, with Stoke fans (Blue Devil and MUR) doing "The Wenger" behind Arsene himself (Gooner71).  That's all we've got until we get together for another reunion.

To tide you over, here's the classic Alexi Lalas clip from Baddiel and Skinner. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ni2NXRbhzqk

56 Up!

Michael Apted's documentary "Up" series is the gift that keeps giving. Based on the premise of the Jesuit motto "give me the boy at seven and I'll show you the man," each film since the original "7 Up" in 1964 returns to see how the original participants are doing seven years on. For those of us who have followed the series, the participants have become somewhat like family now and their conversations about life in Britain, education, family, marriage, health and the burdens of being in the series are profound and fascinating.

It opens in New York this weekend. For those of you in big cities, you'll have a chance to see it in the coming weeks and I encourage you to do so. For those of us in the hinterlands, it's Netflix or bust.

Woy Meets the Boys from Brazil

Wot - it's Brazil this evening? At Wembley? Surely not! Yes, Woy - an understrength England face off against one of the perennial powerhouses of international football. Can you say - "on a hiding to nowt?" Oh - and the US college boys travel to hostile Honduras for a crucial WC qualifier this afternoon. Join me for all the morale sapping action this from 2pm onward.

Quizinho!

Anyone want to take a quiz about Brazilian Footie? Anyone other than Edson? Take the quiz here

Premiership Plus Predictions Game - Week 25 Update

Another week in the Premiership and very little shift in our rankings. That's because United are still on top, QPR are still on the bottom and Cardiff are running away with the Championship, with help from the Leeds United back four. Here are the current standings:

1. Man United Rules - 28 points
2. Thomas - 27 pts
- United We Stand - 27 pts
4. Matthew - 22 pts
5. West Ham Rising 19 pts
6. AZ Kicker - 13 pts
- Someone Said - 13 pts
8. Blue Devil - 11 pts
9. NotChelskilad - 9 pts
10. The Red Devil FCK1 - 8 pts
- Simon Burke - 8 pts
12. Gooner71 - 7 pts

Who Will Have a Happy Sunday?

A very good Sunday to you LOB community members. I'm up early again to follow today's very interesting set of fixtures. It starts in mere minutes with WBA v. Spurs. That's followed by the biggest game of the weekend - Citeh v. Liverpool. Join me for all the fun.

The New Look Premiership

I'm up early and dying to see what the transfer window has done for the Premiership. We get started the right way with QPR v. Norwich, two clubs who did some significant business. That's followed by the usual 3pm GMT kick-offs. And then we round things off with Fulham v. ManYoo in the late one.

Phoenix From the Flames - Part 4

It's time to unleash another episode of our (hopefully) long-running series of Phoenix from the Flame homages. This one features Sir Alex Ferguson (MUR) giving an earful to the fourth official (Blue Devil), much as he'll likely do tomorrow at Craven Cottage.

And if that's not enough Phoenix from the Flames action for you, here's the classic Terry Butcher clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJLsx7dKVaU