The Business End of the Season
posted by The Blue Devil @ 7:11 AM
Lakenheath Old Boys
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!
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Lakenheath Old Boys
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!
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- A Big Day in Two Competitions
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- A Big Day in the Wenger Cup
515 Comments:
Since there's no telly coverage of the early matches, I'm in Bedfordshire with a bagel and coffee, searching for a good link for Burnley v. Cardiff.
Team news out of Turf Moor:
Burnley: Grant, Trippier, Long, Shackell, Lafferty, Marney, McCann, Wallace, Ings, Stanislas, Vokes.
Cardiff: Marshall, McNaughton, Barnett, Turner, Taylor, Mutch, Gunnarsson, Noone, Kim, Conway, Gestede.
Good morning Bob. I will be watching Burnley vs Cardiff on BEIN. Their owner, Vincent Tan, said that he hopes they can be successful without spending too much money. Your thoughts?
A draw will be enough for the red Bluebirds to clinch the title. Some fans are still upset that the esteemed Mr. Tan changed their uniforms to red.
In the first couple of Championship matches, three sides - Hudders, Millwall and Burnley - could all theoretically be relegated. Right now, Hudders are in the dreaded 22nd spot on 51 pts and a hideous -25 GD.
Mr. Tan is a numpty. Have a look at that starting XI for Cardiff today and tell me that's a Premiership side. They'll go straight back down with their dreaded red shirts - and good riddance. I don't think even their home fans like them these days.
Burnley are on 54 points. They would be safe if they lose today.
Good morning, MUR, I should say. Great to have you around early doors.
I agree, Bob. I was hoping you would see it that way. I do like Malky Macaky. I have always rated him.
Cheers, BD. Great to have you around too.
Yes - Burnley would still be safe today because of Hudders' inferior GD. But a loss for them and a win for the ones below them - Wolves at Charlton, Posh at Derby, Blackburn at Watford, and Not a Big Club against Ipswich - would put them right in it.
Prior to the pregame show they were discussing that Sao Paolo's keeper has scored 112 goals form either pens or free kicks, a world record for a keeper!Your thoughts?
Kick off time and Hudders have leapt out of the relegation zone immediately. That's how crazy the bottom of the table is right now. Two sides on 55, two sides on 54, one on 53, one on 52, two on 51. Cor!
Crikey - that's even more impressive than Chilavert's record from pens and free kicks. Amazing!
That is correct. If Blackburn win at UW, also on BEIN, then Hull City would be promoted today.
I've got the BEin coverage up and running now here:
http://www.firstrow1.eu/watch/181932/1/watch-burnley-fc-vs-cardiff-city.html
Cardiff have a lot of Scots in the lineup and a Scottish manager! I guess that's still Celtic!
Great stuff - it's the classic Geordie vocal stylings of Ray Hudson on the color commentary. Luv him!
I am listening to the annoying Ray Hudson and his rambling.
A win for Millwall at Huddersfield helps Leeds.
I have to say that I love the guy, particularly when he's doing the Spanish stuff.
The announcer said that Cardiff have never won the second tier title.I guess they were promoted as runners up in their previous spells.
Lovely day in the North of England. 52F and sunny. I could use a bit of that.
You do have a point, Bob.The teams are coming out of the tunnel.
I thought it was warm in your area yesterday. It was in the 70s in Boston yesterday. You didn't get any of that?
I notice that the majority of Cardiff fans are still wearing the traditional blue rather than the new red kits. Only a couple of old lady bandwagoners.
CRICKEY! it's 48 outside , breaking our old record for this date.It's supposed to be sunny and 78 today. Nice after a our first few days of summer like weather earlier this week.
We got a weird tropical heatwave on Thursday that built up to a storm yesterday. Now it's 34F and snowing.
I never heard of a red bluebird. Only Mr. Tan.
It sounds like we have a warmer version of what you had and like we got the front the same time you did. We didn't get any precip and haven't since you and Steve Visited!
Cardiff kicking off in a weird black and red kit.
The match is underway from Turf Moor.Cardiff In Navy Blue Shirts and red shirts.Gunnarsson shoots over for Cardiff as a free kick was headed away
Early chance for Cardiff to pump the ball into the area. That's the kind of Stoke like strategy that I've noticed when I've watched them. I don't know what kind of "sparkling" football that Hudson is talking about.
It was so windy and we've had so little rain that it looked like the dust bowl from the 1930s in our area.
OH! About six inches over from, French striker, Rudy Gestede,as Cardiff want a title!He's probably the one top level quality player in their side.
Gestede with an early pop from distance on the volley. Shaved the bar.
Burnley with sort of a thuggish start as they are battling against the drop to League One.
Poor cross from Vokes and Bob may have snmething to say about that .
Just had a look at the top scorers in the Championship. Not a single Cardiff City player in the Top Twenty scorers. None of them - not Gestede or Bellamy - on even double figures.
Did I tell you that Elizabeth's dad was born in Watertown?
Burnley's Sam Vokes had an unimpressive loan spell at LUFC last season.
Yeah - you mentioned that on Skype last night. Wild times in Watertown.
I think Gestede is probably the one player good enough to play in the top flight. Bellamy a few years ago, but I'm not sure if he still is.
He was surprised as he recognized the neighborhood and said it was always quiet and peaceful growing up.
If McKay has built his side around Scots players, could the Scotland national side rebuild around them?
I think the National side has, but to little avail. They have top flight starters, so I don't know why they do so poorly. I think they have a history of picking poor managers as there are decent players
Still 0-0 in the other match.
Cardiff may be a route one team do to Malky's background at Watford.
I would think a Millwall win helps Leeds
Still waiting to see some "sparkling football."
I'm not sure, unless you're saying that they'll be softened up for us in mid-week.
Gunnarsson shoots well wide as Burnley yet again fail to clear a long free kick. Their best chances have been from long free kicks and poor Burnley defending.
Gunnarsson on the end of a knock down from a traditional free kick set up. Well wide.
That's what I've noticed in the past when I've watched them. They're a Welsh version of Stoke City.
If they defeat Huddersfield today and Blackburn in midweek then they will have helped your team's cause twice in a few days.Will you be sending them a Thank You note???
And as if to emphasize my point, here's a long throw routine.
The first corner of the match for either team and headed well wide by Cardiff.
Finally a decent attack and a great save by Grant from Conway for a corner.
Actually, I'm hoping that both Hudders and Blackburn survive. I've a soft spot for Hudders as another Yorkshire side and I fear for Blackburn with two successive relegations.
Poor corner by Conway headed out by the first man.
I don;t want Young Fergie relegated and wolves would suffer the same fate a s Blackburn. This happened to wolves in the 80s.
Lee Grant did well to palm that deflected cross from Conway up over the bar. Corner cleared.
True - my hope is still to see Not a Big Club, Barnsley and Bristol City go down.
The best football of the match as South Korean international, Kim Bo Kyung went on a solo run , and shot just wide. Cardiff starting to dominate.
Hudson is in raptures but that strike from Kim was well wide. Is Mr. Tan paying Ray's wages today?
The South Korean wanted a pen , but that would have been really soft.
Kim went down too easily there. Ref not impressed.
You have one third of your wish as Bristol City have been down since Tuesday.
Hudders and MIllwall edging toward half-time. 0-0. Not a good result for either side really.
I will be rooting for Bolton vs Middlesbrough today as the Trotters are one point outside the playoff spots. These teams met in the Carling Cup Final in either 2006 or 2007.
Yes! I spoke too soon - my boy Jermaine Beckford has put Hudders into the lead just before half time.
Hey Boys
I am here.
I 'll be around for the 3 o'clockers but maybe not 100%
Agreed, Bob. That means all Huddeersfield can do is match Leeds points total and with a far inferior goal difference.
That goal now has Hudders up into 19th on 54 points.
Good morning UWS. How have you been?
Disregard my last comment about Huddersfield.
Morning, UWS! Since you're all here now, here's a trivia question that I heard on Five Live last night:
"Which BBC presenter is the only person to have won a league title medal and to be relegated in the same season?"
Poor cross by Trippier from BVurnley after he was put through down the right and
GOAL !!!! 0-1 CARDIFF AS KIM PLAYS A SUPERB THROUGH BALL AND CONWAY SCORES WITH A NICE FINISH
GOAL! That was quality. Great passing move ended by Conway with a cracking drive right footed.
0-1 Cardiff - they're on their way.
Clinical by the Red Birds as they scored 30 seconds and three passes after that poor cross by Trippier.
Wolves are now the club in 22nd spot - on 51 points and -10 GD. Not a Big Club are on 54 points and -9 GD. I am dreaming.
Cardiff have been the better team and have not been brilliant, but it has been a professional performance.Burnley have been lethargic, considering they need the points.
The announcer says Ipswich are safe. I disagree. He also stated that Burnley have an easy match vs Wolves. I disagree there too as Wolves have actually been in good form recently.
Vokes heads out a Cardiff free kick for a corner.Conway took it short to Kim.Ross wallace just gave Kim what looked an intentional elbow. Why wasn't he given an early bath??He may be suspended pending video evidence which would be the last two matches and the first of next season.
Hudeersfield lead Millwall 1-0 a the half thanks to a goal from Bob's boy.
Interesting question. I'll have to think about that
Here's SS
http://www.firstrow1.eu/watch/181928/1/watch-soccer-saturday.html
Sean Dyche , the Burnley manager, was Malky's assistant at Watford. That explains why both teams play route one.
I think Ipswich are safe
The teams below them play each other so both can't win
Into the wall by Ross wallace and Cardiff break through Conway.
I think Bob would disagree as there are three matches left and they two points below Leeds.
Cardiff are just seven minutes plus one half away from clinching the title.
Trippier is booked for fouling Craig conway on the break. It started with a great tackle on Junior Stanislaus. Leon Barnet heads the free kick from Conway over.
I am really rooting for a Spurs win tomorrow to put United a point away from the title... I am not feeling good about Villa's trip to OT. They have been playing well... my lot.. no so much.
I know we are far ahed but I don't want any doubts come in. Citeh could make it ten
The announcer says that Luton are closer to the conference than the Prem. They are in it! How much closer can they get . Also Hudson said Luton were in the Prem. They were not as they were relegated the season before the Prem started.
Curled over by Conway
Yeah - I would argue that any side not on 60 points yet aren't really safe.
I am confident that we will defeat Villa at OT. A spurs win would be lovely!
Trivia Question
how about Mark Lawerenson... he won mega titles with Pool. I know he went to somewhere like Oxford!
Burnley are playing as if they are intent on helping Leeds.
That said, I'm hoping for a big Ipswich win over Not a Big Club that will put another big nail in their coffin.
I do;'t think so. How about Chris K. He played for Leeds and Luton in the 91-92 season.Did he play enough matches to win a medal for Leeds.
I think that so many teams at the bottom play each other so they both can't get points
Another dirty foul by Ross Wallace, this time on Kim and not even a booking. Into stoppage time
Wow - you are spot on UWS. Lawro did his Achilles in his last season at Pool after he'd already played enough matches to secure a winner's medal. Then went on to manage Oxford United and took them down.
Well done!
That's not really the case today, mate. Lots of top v. bottom clashes.
A long throw by Gunnarsson Stoke style and Burnley clear
WELL DONE, UWS!THAT MUST HAVE BEEN IN 1988.I would have never guessed that
Cardiff lead 0-1 at the half and Burnley are deservedly booed off the pitch as they are surprisingly not up for the match. Cardiff are 45 minutes away from clinching the title.
Half-time, then. Cardiff 0-1 up. I disagree with Hudson. Cardiff haven't been that good.
Hudders about to start up again against Millwall in the second half.
The second half has started in West Yorkshire about twenty miles from Turf Moor.
Cardiff have been the better side and deserve their lead. Burnley have been really poor and may need the hairdryer treatment from Sean Dyche.
WOW... I can't believe I got that!!!
It was a shot in the dark but he works for the Beeb
I still think that teams in the bottom play each other too much that makes Ipswich safe
Barnsley and Huddersfield play each other
Peterboro and Wednesday play
SS talking about Rooney going to PSG
He was pathetic on Wednesday
5Live didn't have a game on Wednesday so they were in the studio with Michael Owen and others. They were saying how bad Rooney was doing.
When he was taken off, the TV guys sounded surprised
What do you think about him leaving?
He has been very poor. Fergie used to never take him off no matter how he was playing. Now he is taking him off needing goals.
I would care him leaving
You have good point, UWS. I still think Bob would have peace of mind if Leeds win at St, Andrews today.Should Brian McDermott take a nine iron or some woods?
"Paul Scholes best English player in the Premier League ever'
Agreed
Barnsley are just about gone, so a Hudders win against them in midweek would put sides like Ipswich under even more pressure, even if Posh and Not a Big Club only share a point each. Ipswich need a win today against Not a Big Club.
Huddersfield two up
James Vaughan, the former Everton and Palace player. puts Huddersfield two up. Bob will be pleased.
Marvelous!
I definitely agree with you about the Ginga Ninja.
Add Millwall vs Blackburn to the list. They play on Tuesday
Top Cardiff scorer and former United trainee, Frazier Campbell, is BEIN rested today
If Wolves beat Charlton, Posh beat Derby and Hudders go on to win, the 22nd slot would be Hudders on 54 points. If Ipswich lose today, they'd only be two points above them. That's how crazy this league is.
Scholes better than Ryan Giggs?
I think Burnely made some changes and quite right as they were horrible in the first half.The second half is underway.
Giggs is not English.Best English Prem player
Huddersfield 3-0 up.
Ah, yeah, alright. Fair point. I was thinking British.
Doing some good to their GD - but still at -22.
The two subs David Edgar and Martin Patterson combine as Patterson shoots wide.Edgar the Canadian international and former Toon player. Patterson is a survivor from Burnlely's one season in the Prem.
Patterson has an early half chance. Just came in off the bench. Alarming neck tattoos on him.
Barnsley and Young Fergie have surpassed their points total from last season and could still be relegated.
Bob will be delighted as JB has a brace for the Terriers.
I'd have JB back at Elland Road - no probs.
Turf Moor is nice and sunny just like Harlingen today
I think there are more Cardiff fans than Burnley fans at Turf Moor.They are all clad in blue, NOT RED MR. TAN!
The announcer is correct about Stuart Atwell having a poor match and career. Relegated from the Prem. He missed an intentional elbow from Burnley's Ross Wallace when he was two feet away and did not book Wallace for a cynical foul , again two feet away!
Burnley's team is nothing but o bunch of BPL rejects who couldn't hack it in the top flight.
Kim looks a decent player and may be key to Cardiff's survival chances.He's been trying to play decent footie.
I think Scholes was better than Giggs without a doubt
Too close to call, IMHO. Both played different roles and were both were brilliant at what they did.
BREAKING TEAM NEWS - QPR v Stoke (1500 BST)
Rob Green is back in goal for QPR, who make five changes for this must-win game. Also in are Tal Ben Haim, Shaun Derry, Stephane Mbia and Adel Taarabt.
Giggsy over Scholes any day of the week for me.
What are the games on the tellie today?
That won't be the prettiest of matches today but it might be the most consequential.
Paul Scholes scores goals!!!
Cardiff fans are delighted as they are about fifteen minutes away from clinching the title.
It's Fulham v. Arse on FSC. No late one.
Did you see that Pompey did get docked 10 points yesterday? They had been relegated midweek. It is good to get the points deducted now. They start next season at 0
Didn't Leeds do the same one season? Didn't they take abuse for abusing the system?
ESPN?
Fulham vs Arsenal ESPN 2
Sunderland vs Everton FSC
West Brom vs Toon FSC +
Udinese West vs Blackburn BEIN
The bloke with a blue mustache is getting a lot of camera time today.
KEEP YOUR TWO CHANNELS TO YOURSELF MUR!!!
BTW, is BEIN spanish?
I guess it's academic for Pompey. As you stated they've already been relegated and better than being docked at the beginning of next season. I sure hope they get promoted next season.
Yeah - we did get take that deduction one year after we'd been relegated. But then the league deducted another fifteen points at the beginning of the next season!
BEIN is owned by Al Jezeerah(spelling?) and all matches are English language. Ray Hudson is on of the commentators for this match
QPR SToke is a huge game for the Potters
None of the panel are picking Stoke
BEin seems like GolTV with Spanish language adverts but English language commentary.
Thanks for the info
I think the same happened to Sotton and look where they are now so there has to be hope for Pompey
Sorry - it's Fulham vs Arsenal on ESPN 2, Sunderland vs Everton on FSC
No probs, UWS. BEIN does Championship, Capital One Cup , French League One, La Liga ,and Serie A matches.
Oh - Patterson had another chance there from the corner. Should have done better.
You have to really have a strong pot of coffee to get through that Ligue 1 action.
Sotton never went down to the bottom tier!
QPR vs Stoke is definitely a relegation six pointer and there are several of those the next few weeks.it will be decisive in terms of who goes down with reading and QPR
I was talking about the third tier for Sotton as Bob was with Leeds.I do hope Pompey go up.I agree with Bob about French League Un.
I've needed a strong pot of coffee to get through this match!
Don Cowie, another Scotsman and former Watford player, on for Jordan Mutch as Cardiff make their first change.
It hasn't been good, despite Hudson's efforts to hype the Cardiff side.
Penalty to Burnley! No - Marney is getting a yellow for "simulation."
I thought Burnley had a penalty as Gunnarsson appeared to trip Dean Marney in the box, but it was a theatrical fall despite minimal contact
I thought that was a stone cold pen. Stepped on the foot. Maybe Marney was dramatic about it. But I reckon the ref got that wrong.
Sam Vokes is now called offside as he shots straight at David Marshall, who has been a virtual spectator in the Cardiff goal.
As he has with a lot of decisions today. it was a trip, but Marney would have got the pen, but for the dramatic fall.
In Stoppage time at the John Smith Stadium.
It's a final as The Terriers have defeated the Evil Lions 3-0. I guess those Evil Lions were toothless and not at the races today.
I'd be lining up Loic Remy's contract if I were Mr. Tan.
Well done, the Terriers. They've still got a lot to do in order to survive, especially as their next one is against mighty Leeds on a two-match flyer under new management.
Dean Marney with a stupid foul on Kim and Marney tries to pick a fight with the Korean. Why was Kim booked. This ref has been a disgrace.
Treacy ,the former Blackburn player, on for Marney, who was practically begging for an early bath
Kim picks up a yellow for retaliation.
Burnely have played more like an evil team than Cardiff .Based on this showing I wouldn't mind seeing Burnley in League One next season. They have been awful.
Bellamy whips a dangerous ball in but the big man Gestede couldn't direct it toward goal.
Another free kick for cardiff against a thuggish Burnley team and Grant easily catches the free kick from Bellamy
Finally a chance for Burnely and david Marshall does well to push away a shot from Danny Ings. Well done as he has to be focused as he had nothing to do the entire match
Oh - Ings nearly equalizes for Burnley. Well done, the goalkeeper.
No late match today because all the late matches are in the Conference today and it is the final day of their regular season.
As much as we hate Cardiff, we cannot deny that they have been the better team against a really thuggish Burnley side.
Also, Jeff's Hartlepool , who were also relegated on Tuesday, have a late match vs Brentford, who are challenging for promotion.
GOAL !!!! 1-1 AS DAVID EDGAR, THE CANUCK, SUPERBLY HEADS IN ROM A GWEAT CROSS.
That puts Burnley on 55 points. Cardiff will still be Champions with a draw.
GOAL! Supersub David Edgar has pulled Burnley back!
1-1!
Into stoppage time at Turf Moor.
Cardiff will still be going up champions but that could be a priceless point for Burnley.
Burnley must push on for a win here.
DO THE MATH RAY! A draw is enough for Cardiff to win the title.
78 + 6 is less than 85 , RAY!
It finishes 1-1 and Cardiff have won the title and Burnley get a vital point.Bob will not be pleased.
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