Premiership Plus Predictions Game - Final Update

Congratulations to Simon! He's our winner for the 2014/2015 season, with another come-from-behind win. With a whopping fourteen points from wins in the Europa League (for Sevilla) and FA Cup (for his beloved Gunners) this week, he has retained his title for a second consecutive year. The vaunted LOB Shield will remain in DC for another year.

Here are the final standings for this season:

1. What's Up Wheaton Simon - 40 points
2. Blue Devil - 36 pts
3. STRose - 34 pts
4. Chelskilad - 32 pts
5. Gooner71 - 30 pts
6. The Red Devil 1FCK - 28 pts
7. Man Utd Rules - 27 pts
8. Swansong - 26 pts
9. The Red Dragon - 22 pts
10. Someone Said - 20 pts
- Yellows - 20 pts
12. United We Stand - 15 pts
13. West Ham Rising - 9 pts

Can't wait for next season!

THE FA CUP FINAL

One of my favorite days of the year. The memories of my childhood are all based on Cup Finals! The first one that I remember is the 1972 version where there was a battle of the Dahlgren brothers took place. The younger was the happier with a Sniffer Clark diving header!
There was a stretch of time where I missed the Cup Final but now, thankfully, it is on the telly. Of course, Fox won't do as good a job as NBC but I'll take it.

Of course, there the small matter of the PPP to be decided

Join me

UWS

Meet the FIFA Supergrass!

He may look more than a little like Father Christmas, but Chuck Blazer - an American board member of FIFA - is apparently the supergrass behind the US Attorney General Office's indictments against seven FIFA officials this week. According to the crackerjack BBC reporting on this matter this week, Blazer - a 70 year-old New Yorker who has served at the highest levels of international football for decades - was approached by the FBI two years ago and given the opportunity to turn evidence against his fellow FIFA officials in exchange for legal immunity. Loretta Lynch's office is building their case against Sepp Blatter largely based on Blazer's evidence. Let's hope Santa has the goods.

Europa League Final Live!

It's time for the first big European final of the season. The Europa League is still the ugly step-sister to the Champions League but the Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and East European sides seem to take it seriously. Tonight's final pits the current holders Sevilla against upstart Ukrainians Dnipro who saw off the stiff challenge of Napoli in the semi-final. Join me from 2:45pm onward for all the action.

FIFA Officials Arrested!

In a major move overnight, Swiss officials conducted overnight raids on several five-star hotels in Zurich, arresting seven FIFA officials on a range of corruption charges. This ahead of Friday's vote for FIFA presidency means additional pressure on the Sepp Blatter, who must know that the cops are just behind him. Does this mean that the Qatar World Cup in 2022, the bid for which is at the center of these charges, is under threat? Let's hope so. Can't wait to see Blatter in the dock.

More from the New York Times here: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/28/sports/soccer/fifa-officials-arrested-on-corruption-charges-blatter-isnt-among-them.html?_r=0

Premiership Plus Predictions Game - Week 38 Update

It's all come down to this, lads. We've only got three things to sort out now - the Europa League tomorrow (worth 6 points to a few of us who picked Sevilla), the FA Cup on Saturday (again worth either 2 or 8 points for those of us who chose Arsenal to either lose or win) and the Champions League (which we're all out of us - Real Madrid were the run-away favorites on the PPP). Most of us lost three or four points when Liverpool threw away their 5th spot on Sunday, so all the scores will be low this season. Young STRose is still holding on to his slim lead but he's maxed out on 34 points now, just hoping that none of us will get any more points this week. Chelskilad is merely two points behind and would draw his nephew if both Sevilla and Arsenal were to lose. Your humble Blue Devil host is four points back but could win with a Sevilla win and an Arsenal loss (38 pts). And don't count out our current Shield holder Simon, who - at 26 points - looks well out of it but could pick up a whopping 14 points this week if both Sevilla and Arsenal were to win (40 pts).

Here are the current standings:

1. STRose - 34 points
2. Chelskilad - 32 pts
3. Blue Devil - 30 pts
4. What's Up Wheaton Simon - 26 pts
- Swansong - 26 pts
6. Gooner71 - 22 pts
- The Red Devil 1FCK - 22 pts
- The Red Dragon - 22 pts
9. Man Utd Rules - 21 pts
10. Yellows - 20 pts
- Someone Said - 20 pts
12. United We Stand - 15 pts
13. West Ham Rising - 9 pts

It's the Wealthiest Match in World Football

It's the wealthiest match in the world because the winner becomes a Premier League club and has access to all that telly money. It should be a cracking Championship Final that is BEIN shown on the telly. Only one point separated the teams in the regular season. It's a day off , so we should be able to watch

The End of the Road

So, here we are boys. We have reached the end of the Premier League road for another season. I still hate to think there is no more footer to watch every week.
Not much excitement going on at the top. Chelsea have been crowned Champs months ago. City have second secured. Arsenal are going to lose 1-0 today and United will win by 7 to pip them to third.... I'm just saying! Ok, Arsenal are set to be third and United fourth. The unwanted EL places are up in the air with Liverpool, Spurs and Southampton separated by two points. Of course, an Arsenal win next week will mean they all are in
The big fight of the day is down at the bottom. Hull City or Newcastle will be visiting Elland Road next season. Hull are down if they fail to beat Man United. Newcastle will be down if Hull win and they drop any points at home to West Ham. A side note, Sam Allardyce was fired by Newcastle...payback?

Join me

UWS

Premiership Plus Predictions Game - Week 37 Update

Just a quick check-in on our PPP scores before the Premiership flurry of last day action tomorrow morning. They are virtually to the last time we looked at them, with young STRose hanging on to a narrow lead over his uncle Chelskilad. Here are the standings:

1. STRose - 38 points
2. Chelskilad - 36 pts
3. Blue Devil 33 pts
4. What's Up Wheaton Simon - 30 pts
- Swansong - 30 pts
6. Gooner71 - 26 pts
7. The Red Dragon - 25 pts
8. Yellows - 24 pts
9. The Red Devil 1FCK - 22 pts
10. Man Utd Rules - 21 pts
11. Someone Said - 20 pts
12. United We Stand - 19 pts
13. West Ham Rising - 12 pts

Uwe Rosler in at Elland Road!

Leeds United have appointed their fifth boss in less than a year - cor! The new gaffer with the poisoned chalice is the Teutonic Bomber Uwe Rosler, best known for his spells at Man Citeh as both player and later manager. I would have preferred Gus Poyet, but Rosler is at least a fairly big name who might attract some fresh talent to Elland Road. I'm cautiously hopeful.

Your thoughts, gents?

Footie Trivia Question of the Week!

While I'm at it, here's a brain tickler from 606 to start your workweeks:

1. He made 13 appearances for Cardiff City.

2. In April 2009, he was given a $750 fine from Major League Soccer for comments about the poor standard of officiating in the league.

3. In his first spell for his current side, had a 100% win record.

Who is he?

MLS... The Early Years!

Just got this very interesting... if though quite long.... article about the start of the MLS
Some very interesting stuff in here. Of course Lexi Lalas is a complete idiot and Eric Wynalda is a know it all. I like how Tab Ramos came over

Some of the proposed rule changes were interesting to say the least! Shoot outs, bigger goals.. extending the pitch beyond the goal ala hockey.

Take a read following this link.


MLS First Season

Enjoy,

UWS

A Manchester Sunday

It's a late season Sunday double header which starts with Swansea vs Citeh followed by a cracker as United host the Gunners . It should be an interesting Sunday morning.

All to Play For....

I'm up early to watch the biggest East Anglian Derby match in a generation. It's advantage Canaries going into this leg at Carrow Road, but anything could happen. The winner will join a rampant Boro, who put Brentford to the sword 3-0 at the Riverside last night. Join me for all the action this morning!

The Europa League Crunch Time!

It's crunch time in the Europa League, chaps. This evening, they'll sort out the finalists who will meet up in Warsaw on Wednesday, May 27. I'm all in for Sevilla who are my last, best hope for the PPP title. Fortunately, the current holders put Fiorentina to the sword at home, which means they go into the away leg 0-3 up. Barring a disaster in Florence, my boys should make it. Meanwhile, in the other tie, Dinipro scored an impressive 1-1 draw away to a powerful Napoli side. I would love to see the Eastern Europeans manage their home leg, as they would seem the easier match-up for Sevilla in the final. Join me from 2:45pm EST onward for all the Thursday afternoon EL action!

Premiership Plus Predictions Game - Week 36 Update

Hiya, PPPers. It's been one heck of a week in domestic and European footie. Burnley were relegated over the weekend and just today, the Champions League Final line-up was sorted. Barcelona v. Juve. Here's the problem, though - none of us picked either of them. So that's eight points lost. The PPP scores are thus likely to be rather low this season. Young STRose continues his reign on top, leading by five points. But his brother Chelskilad and the Blue Devil are in hot pursuit. Here are the current standings:

1. STRose - 38 points
2. Chelskilad - 36 pts
3. Blue Devil - 33 pts
4. What's Up Wheaton Simon - 30 pts
- Swansong - 30 pts
6. Gooner71 - 28 pts
7. The Red Dragon - 25 pts
8. Yellows - 24 pts
9. The Red Devil 1FCK - 22 pts
10. Man Utd Rules - 21 pts
11. Someone Said - 20 pts
12. United We Stand - 19 pts
13. West Ham Rising 12 pts

Bayern v. Barcelona Live!

It's another big evening in the Champions League today. Last week, Barcelona ran over Bayern with a Catalan truck, which means they go into this away leg up three goals. Bayern will have to have a quick start and it's hard to imagine them shutting out that front line of Messi, Suarez, Neymar and co. Join me to see the outcome from 2:45pm onward.

Footie Trivia of the Week

I thought I'd start our workweek out right with an LOB trivia riddler:

1. His side have made over 22,000 passes, the highest in their respective league.

2. He was the manager of his current side on New Year's Eve 2008.

3. He has gained promotion to every division all the way to the top flight but has never managed a side in a Premiership match.

Who is he?

The Highs and Lows of Football

Join me this morning as we sort out a few more of the puzzle pieces in the Premiership season. First up is QPR's visit to Citeh. We all remember what happened last time around. This time, QPR need a win to survive. That's followed by Chelsea v. Liverpool. The Reds need a result in order to stay in contention for a Champions League spot. Should be an absorbing morning. Join me?

East Anglia's Big Day!

The footballing world shines a light on our old stomping grounds in East Anglia during this next week. The winners of this tie will meet (likely) Middlesbrough in the playoff final in Wembley. Join me from early doors to find out which side - the Canaries or Tractor Boyz - will take another step closer to Premiership footie.

The Richest Prize in World Football Begins Here!

This afternoon sees the beginning of the Premiership playoffs, with Brentford kicking off their playoff first leg with Boro. Join me on BEin this afternoon as we get started.

Life of Ryan

Hey Guys,
Tom was home for the weekend and he showed me this movie on Netflix. Life of Ryan- Caretaker Manager. Very interesting behind the scenes of Ryan Giggs at Old Trafford in his last season and when he gets the Old Trafford gig. A must see for all you Red Devils out there but also a great watch for Gunners, Mighty Whites, Hammers and and any other fan
Get on Netflix and give it a watch

Cheers
UWS

Europa League - Semi Final Day

The Europa League - it's the last vestige of footballing scoundrels. And that's true for me - it's Sevilla for the title or bust for me in the PPP. Unfortunately, I've got back to back to back meetings this afternoon, so I won't be able to watch my Spanish lads against Fiorentina. But I thought I'd post this thread so those of you who are available could chip in. Cheers!

Champions League Semi Final Wednesday!

It's Champions League semi final time, chaps. Unfortunately, I had to miss the tense, cagey first leg between Juventus and Real Madrid yesterday, which ended in a 2-1 victory for the home side thanks to a second half penalty from Carlos Tevez. But I'll certainly be watching today as Barcelona take on Bayern at the Camp Nou. It's a classic European evening - don't miss it. Join me here at 2:45 for all the action.

Premiership Plus Predictions Game - Week 35 Update

Hiya, chaps - we've entered the last month of the domestic footie season and it's neck and neck at the top of the PPP. With three matches to play, young STrose is still out in front, albeit only two points ahead of his uncle Chelskilad. I'm back at 34 points but banking on Sevilla to rescue my season. And don't count out current champion Simon who's only seven points off the top. As we begin to sort out these final competitions, points will be gained and lost and there will certainly be some movement. Here are the current standing:

1. STRose - 39 points
2. Chelskilad - 37 pts
3. Blue Devil - 34 pts
4. What's Up Wheaton Simon - 32 pts
5. Swansong - 30 pts
6. Gooner71 - 26 pts
7. Yellows - 25 pts
8. The Red Devil 1FCK - 22 pts
9. Someone Said - 21 pts
10. Man Utd Rules - 20 pts
- The Red Dragon - 20 pts
- United We Stand - 20 pts
13. West Ham Rising - 14 pts

A Special Day for "The Special One?"

Chelski have the chance to wrap up the Premiership title today with a win at Stamford Bridge against Crystal Palace. It will be a special day for "The Special One," but is the Premiership title alone good enough for their ambitious owner, Roman Abramovic? Join me to see....

The Battle at the Bottom

Morning, chaps. It's all about the bottom of the Premiership this morning, as Leicester and Newcastle kick off in half an hour. Before that, we've got the final slate of Championship matches. The relegation slots are settled with Evil Millwall, Wigan and Blackpool consigned to L1 next season. So the only drama left is whether Derby will balls it up against Reading and allow either Brentford or Wolves back into the playoff picture. Join me for all the action this morning, won't you?

Happy 9th Birthday, LOB!

My apologies, friends. For the first time in nine years, I missed marking the LOB's April 30th birthday, yesterday. As you can imagine, a busy week at work was the culprit. But never fear - even after nine years, we're still going strong and I've enjoyed every moment that I've shared with all of you here. Who would have thought nine years ago when I was convalescing after surgery that we'd still be blogging about footie nearly a decade later. Thanks to all of you who have been a part of it. Here's to many more years of blogging to come!