Classic Sunday Footie

 It's a really big Sunday in the Prem as it starts with the second place Saints vs third place Citeh and a chance to edge into Chelsea's lead as they were held 0-0 by Fred's Black Cats. This is followed by another imprtant match as the Spuds host the Toffees from SFL. Yes , they are both in mid table positions, but the winner moves up to seventh place , behind the Gunners on goal difference and one point behind the fifth place Hammers. How can you miss the coverage on NBC?

The Post-Thanksgiving Footie Feast

Now that we've all recovered from our turkey-induced comas, it's time for some serious feasting again, this time on some Premiership footie. We start with a fascinating encounter between an Arsenal trying to bounce back from their loss to United last weekend and a WBA side that includes young Saido Berahino who has revealed an October DUI arrest to his club. And that's just the start of things to come - join me for the usual LOB banter.

Premiership Plus Predictions Game - Week 12 Update

It's time to take a look at our PPP standings again, chaps. With Southampton and Villa's 1-1 draw today, we came to the end of Week 12 of the Premiership season. Chelsea are still on top, but United have crept back up into the Champions League slots. Sergio Aguero is still edging Diego Costa out of the Golden Boot place by one goal. Here are the current standings: 

1. Chelskilad - 35 points

2. Blue Devil - 32 pts

3. STRose - 32 pts

4. Swansong - 30 pts

5. Gooner71 - 29 pts

6. Yellows - 24 pts

7. The Red Dragon - 22 puts

- What's Up Wheaton Simon - 22 pts

9. Red Devil FCK1 - 21 pts

10. Someone Said - 17 pts

11. United We Stand - 15 pts

- Man Utd Rules - 15 pts

13. West Ham Rising - 10 pts 

A Sunday of Underachieving Teams

It's a Sunday double header starting with Palace vs Liverpool, the venue where Liverpool's title dreams ended last season as they blew a three goal lead. They really haven't recovered from that and this is a chance for them to put that right. Palace need the points because they are in the drop zone. The final match is Hull City vs the Spuds, who were expected to do much better this season. what will happen. Well, you can watch the first match on CNBC and the second one on NBCSN.

The Premiership is Back!

Morning, chaps! The Premiership is back after another interminably long international break - and we've got a mid-season cracker to enjoy this afternoon. It's Arsenal and United from the Emirates and it could be a season-definer for both sides. Join me this morning to follow all of the matches live. Cheers!

Footie Trivia of the Week!

It seems fitting to round off the week with an international oriented trivia. This one is in the form of a "Who am I" riddle:

1. In 2000, I graduated from the Celtic youth academy.
2. I was the first player to win both the SPFA Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year in the 2005/2006 season.
3. In an international last weekend, I played against the very same manager who gave me my professional debut.

Who Am I?

Good luck, chaps!

The Malky Mackay Question

Fresh on the heels of Sheffield United's disgraceful decision to allow convicted rapist Ched Evans back into their ranks, Wigan have brought football into disrepute by announcing Scots bigot Malky Mackay as their new manager. Wigan owner Dave Whelan has laughed off Mackay's notorious tweets as "just a bit of banter," so it's useful to remind everyone of the substance of those texts:

On the arrival of South Korean international Kim Bo-Kyung:

"Fkn chinkys. Fk it. There's enough dogs in Cardiff for us all to go around."

On football agent Phil Smith:

"Go on, fat Phil. Nothing like a Jew that sees money slipping through his fingers"

On transfer target list:

"Not many white faces amongst that lot but worth considering."

On a player's female agent:

"I hope she's looking after your needs. I bet you'd love a bounce on her falsies."

On an official at another club:

"He's a snake, a gay snake. Not to be trusted"

To members of Cardiff's staff: 

A picture entitled 'Black Monopoly' - where every square was a "Go to Jail" square

Your thoughts, gents - bit of banter or something that should rule him out of a job in football. 

England v. the Auld Enemy Live!

One of my abiding memories is of watching the big home international between England and Scotland as a wee kiddie. This was back when were half decent and produced players such as Kenny Dalglish, Gordan Strachan and Joe Jordan on a regular basis. There are signs that they may be on another upswing again and could well qualify for Euro '16. So today's friendly international will be a fascinating test for both sides. Join me from 3pm onward to watch along on a dodgy link, won't you?

One Down, Five to Go

Python alert! There is a new film featuring the five remaining Python lads (minus Graham Chapman) appropriately titled "One Down, Five to Go." This was filmed live at the shows that they did for the 25th anniversary of Python at the 02 Center back in the spring. As I remember, UWS' sister Debbie had the good fortune to be able to attend one of the shows. For the rest of us Statesiders, however, the DVD version will the closest we'll get to the great ones. This one has gone to the top of my Netflix wish list.

Are England Really That Good?

Apologies for my lack of activity on the LOB during this international break. I was leading an Open House over on campus while England were playing yesterday. From what I gather from reading the reviews this morning, the boys were rather good, responding immediately to the unfortunate Henderson own goal. That's four wins out of four now in qualifiers. So, here's my question: is this England side really that good? Or is the group weaker than we'd anticipated and England will inevitably disappoint in France in eighteen months?

Your thoughts, gents?

The Blatter endorsed Whitewash

I didn't have the confidence to believe that FIFA has the integrity to police itself so this whitewashed report is a disappointment but not a surprise. I'm past believing that FIFA is flawed, because flawed solely implies incompetence. The longer FIFA drags this out, the more I believe people will realize that this is something altogether smellier than mere incompetence. Money has switched hands, corruption is rife, and as Simon Burke says, it's damaging their marquee tournament's reputation among the fans. I'll probably have to wait longer to watch Sepp take the perp-walk in irons from his office to waiting squad car, but would also accept him in fugitive status, after boarding an Aeroflot jet and so that he can spend the rest of his dismal life with Snowdon in the VIP lounge at Sherametyevo Airport. 2022 is a long way off, but if FIFA and the odious Blatter are not brought before the beak, will I bother to expend the energy I customarily do following it? Possibly not.

Premiership Plus Predictions Game - Week 11 Update

As we creep into another interminable international break, it's time to take stock of our PPP standings. We're through 11 matches in the Premiership and Chelsea are still unbeaten and seemingly heading for another Mourinho led title. Below them, Southampton, West Ham and Swansea continue to surprise. At the bottom, though, the three promoted sides - Leicester, QPR and Burnley have moved into the dropzone. Derby are on top of the Championship now and Sergio Aguero is two goals better than Diego Costa in the Golden Boot stakes. Here are the current standings:

1. Chelskilad - 33 points
2. STRose - 32 pts
3. Blue Devil - 30 pts
4. Gooner71 - 24 pts
- Swansong - 24 pts
6. The Red Dragon - 22 pts
7. Yellows - 21 pts
8. Someone Said - 20 pts
9. The Red Devil 1FCK - 18 pts
- What's Up Wheaton Simon - 18 pts
11. United We Stand - 16 pts
12. Man Utd Rules - 12 pts
- West Ham Rising - 12 pts

Sunday Footie Matches Before the International Break

It's a triple header of early Prem matches followed by Swansea vs Arsenal before the international break. The first televised match is the Spuds vs Stoke as Harry Kane gets his first ever Prem start. There are also some FA Cup First Round matches.

Some Crucial Tests

Every weekend in the Premiership throws up some critical tests of teams, but we start with just a test. Last season, Liverpool's title run came apart when Steven Gerrard's slip allowed Samuel Eto'o to slip in and score a crucial goal. This season they're a long way off the title and this match is about stopping Chelski's momentum and turning Liverpool's season around. We start there and then at the 10am hour we've got United v. Palace. We end the day with a chastened Citeh away to QPR. That and the Championship slate of matches makes for a crucial day - don't miss it!

Open Letter to Chris Smalling

I AGREE WITH EVERY WORD!!!


http://www.sportskeeda.com/football/open-letter-chris-smalling-manchester-united-fan


Your thoughts?


UWS

Woy's Squad for the Jocks

England manager Roy Hodgson announced his squad for the upcoming international friendly with the Auld Enemy Scotland, and it's got quite a few surprises, including a first call-up for West Brom goal machine Saido Berahino. England face Scotland at 7pm GMT. Here's the squad in full:

Hart (Manchester City), Forster (Southampton), Foster (West Brom), Cahill (Chelsea), Smalling (Manchester United), Baines (Everton), Jagielka (Everton), Clyne (Southampton), Gibbs (Arsenal), Chambers (Arsenal), Shaw (Manchester United), Henderson (Liverpool), Lallana (Liverpool), Milner (Manchester City), Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Sterling (Liverpool), Townsend (Spurs), Wilshere (Arsenal), Walcott (Arsenal), Barkley (Everton), Carrick (Manchester United), Downing (West Ham), Rooney (Manchester United), Welbeck (Arsenal), Lambert (Liverpool), Berahino (West Brom)

So what's the starting XI from that lot? 

More Champions League Matchday 4 Action!

I'm back in the office on Wednesday afternoon, consoling myself after a punishing night of politics, with a bit of Champions League footer. It's Citeh and Chelski up this afternoon. Citeh have under underwhelmed so far, but they have a chance today to put the Moscovites to the sword. Chelski have cruised it and should do well today away to Maribor. Join me from 2:45pm EST onward for all the usual LOB banter.

Election Night Special!

Evening, LOBers. It's a big, big night for our democracy, with the Senate on the line and lots of important governor's offices up for grabs. I'll be following it all for you here on the LOB. Please feel free to drop in for a chat if you're following the returns.

A Big Night in the Champions League

It's another big night in the Champions League, with Liverpool traveling to Madrid to meet the holders. Real turned them over at Anfield two weeks ago in Matchday 3; can they turn it around tonight? Will Balotelli start? Lots of questions to be answered - and that's just one of the matches on offer. Arsenal host Anderlecht and my beloved LUFC will try to get back to winning ways against Charlton at Elland Road. Join me from 2:45pm onward.

Premiership Plus Predictions Game - Week 10 Update

Points abound this week in the PPP Game, as some of the perennial favorites are back on top. It's clear, though, that the Continental leagues are, if anything, even more predictable than is the English Premier League - after all, eight of us are getting a full 12 points for predicting La Liga, Serie A and the Bundesliga correctly. Here are the current standings:

1. STrose - 40 points
2. Chelskilad - 38 pts
3. Blue Devil - 35 pts
4. Swansong - 31 pts
5. The Red Dragon - 27 pts
6. Gooner71 - 23 pts
7. Yellows - 22 pts
8. The Red Devil 1FCK - 21 pts
- Someone Said - 21 pts
- What's Up Wheaton Simon - 21 pts
11. United We Stand - 20 pts
12. Man Utd Rules - 19 pts
13. West Ham Rising - 13 pts

Quite a Big Game

So, here we go.... the battle for the city of Manchester's bragging rights. City have been in a bit of a funk this week and long may it continue. As for United, I am still not totally pleased with this lot... I don't like being thrilled by only drawing at home to Chelsea. This, of course, is an away game. United haven't won away from Old Trafford yet. They have played Sunderland, Burnley, Leicester and West Brom..... no wins! Do we have a chance at the Etihad!!

Join me

UWS

Thank Goodness It's Saturday!

After an especially long workweek, it's a pleasure to bunker in at the Cottage for some Premiership action. First up - a test of two under pressure managers as Newcastle take on Liverpool at the SJP. At 10am, there's the all-London clash of Chelski v. QPR and Arsenal taking on win-less Burnley. It's all an appetizer for tomorrow morning's Manc Derby. Join me, won't you?