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!

Sunday, December 06, 2015

Sunday's Match of the Day

Morning, chaps - I've taken advantage of the lack of an early match in the Prem to have a much-needed lie-in. A good night's sleep and a stack of pancakes later, and I'm well and truly ready to enjoy this morning's big match - Newcastle v. Liverpool. Will the Wally's men turn it around? Will Klippety Klopp's men continue their good run of form? We'll see next. Join me this morning, won't you?

124 Comments:

Blogger manunitedrules said...

Good morning mate. I'm here to join you after some much needed extra kip. I'm betting on Klippety Klopp's men and for a similar score to that at St. Mary's.

10:49 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Morning, MUR - you deserved the extra kip, mate. I expect that you're right that Liverpool should be able to fill their boots today and that Wally's days are numbered at SJP.

10:52 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

It looks like Cambridge's dreams of making wembley have come to an end as they trail Donny 1-3 in second half stoppage time. Colchester score a last second winner to defeat Altrincham 3-2

10:53 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Cheers mate. I hope you got some too. Wally's men were thrashed at Palace, let alone the clinical finishing of Klopp's men. Will Sturridge and Origi start today or will Beneteke be in the starting lineup?

10:54 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

The teams lining up in the tunnel now at SJP:

Newcastle United: Elliot; Janmaat, Mbemba, Coloccini, Dummett; Anita, Colback, Sissoko, Wijnaldum; De Jong, Cissé. Subs: Gouffran, Pérez, Thauvin, Darlow, Sterry, Mbabu, Mitrovic.

Liverpool: Mignolet, Clyne, Skrtel, Lovren, Moreno, Lucas, Allen, Milner, Ibe, Firmino, Benteke Subs: Bogdan, Touré, Henderson, Sturridge, Lallana, Origi, Randall.

Referee: Andre Marriner

10:55 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Klopp has, as you can see, gone with the Benteke front line as opposed to the Sturrridge and Origi front line that was rampant in mid-week.

10:58 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Some more FA Cup Second round matches are concluding and no real upsets. Daggenham are holding on to a 1-0 lead vs Whitehawk in stoppage time and Oxford are doing the exact same thing vs Conference leaders, Forest Green.

10:58 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

I wonder why. No wonder why his teams struggle at home. I bet they could hit these mugs for eight is enough whether Wally or Dick Van Patton is in charge.

10:59 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

It looks like Firemino will play just behind Beneteke in place of a striker. Fairly close to the tactics at St. Mary's and they're off.

11:01 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Pool win a corner.

11:01 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Liverpool get us underway, wearing their traditional all red.

11:01 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Early corner chance for Pool through Jamie Milner. Nodded on at the front post but cleared out for another corner.

11:02 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

A poor LUFC Academy corner is sliced out by Colback.. Take two.Skrtel has a shot deflected out for take three, which is out for a Toon throw.

11:02 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

How about those Cherries. You and UWS must have gone bonkers yesterday. No excuses from Jose for once

11:03 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

This fixture hasn't had a 0-0 draw since 1974. I don't see that streak ending today

11:05 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Nice solo run by Clyne then he list control just outside the Toon box.

11:06 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

I was lovely to see the Cherries triumph.

11:06 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

How was Janmaat the NE Footballer of the year. Surely, someone on Middlesbrough was more deserving

11:06 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Yikes!!! The PPP table is wide open as the Cherries are out of the drop zone and the Foxes are top of the pops. Well done Eddie Howe considering three key players are injured.

11:08 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Wally's lads need to score five to move out of the drop zone. What do you think, mate>?

11:09 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Liverpool seem to be going more long ball today with Benteke the main target man. Not sure that's as effective.

11:10 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

WAY HAY!!! Congratulations on a fantastic result yesterday. Hopefully that kick starts your season.

11:11 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Yes, that was entirely unexpected. I thought we'd be lucky to get a point from Hull who started the day in third. We're now ahead of schedule, with 22 points earned from 20 matches.

11:12 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

I didn't really notice any upsets in the cup so far other than Jeff's lads being held 1-1 at Salford Friday night. Yeovil defeating Stevenage was perhaps a minor upset.

11:13 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

At this rate , you would end with about 50 or 51 points. That should be enough.The Tigers are in a slight slump.

11:14 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Your lads are a half dozen points clear of the drop zone and seven up out of a playoff spot. All to play for.

11:16 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Exactly - that should be good enough for lower half safety.

11:17 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

An extended round of applause now, not sure what that's for.

11:18 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Newcastle have really settled down over the last few minutes. They don’t look nervous, they don’t look overawed, they are snapping into tackles, they are closing down Liverpool with speed.

11:19 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

So far it's going according to plan for Wally's lads after a slow start.

11:19 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Not a good weekend for me in the PPP. Citeh off the top, the Cherries out of the drop zone , and Brum out of a playoff spot. I calculate about fifteen lost points.

11:21 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

A corner to Pool.

11:21 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

OH!!! How did Beneteke miss that one? Loveren headed on a nice corner from Moreno and Benetke shot over from two yards out.

11:22 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

You will never see a goalkeeper get rid of the ball as quickly as Mignolet is today. Think Jürgen might have had a word with him about that.

11:26 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Liverpool certainly are racking up the corners today. Let's see if they can take advantage of them. Nope.

11:27 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Ibe wins a corner off of Dummit after being put through by Milner. Moreno plays it short to Ibe, who puts in an atrocious cross.

11:27 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

I agree with you. Klopp sure has changed the mentality of this team.

11:28 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

I'm sure that you'll bounce back. You're likely still in the lead, regardless. But I don't see Citeh running out winners this season.

11:28 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

The home fans are becoming disgruntled despite their team's first attack of the match

11:30 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

That's a tough one. I don't see us winning it. For some reason, nobody wants to take the Prem title race by the scruff of the neck and the Foxes should run out of steam before the season's end.

11:31 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

This is a scrappy affair. Neither side are stringing any passes together and neither side is attacking with any real verve.

Oh - Cisse comes close - but he's ruled out anyway for a push.

11:32 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

OH!!! Now Cisse misses a sitter with the Toon's first chance of the match. He's let off the hook as he was called for climbing on Clyne. A warning for Pool.

11:33 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

I was expecting more chances from this one given the difference in form of these two.

11:33 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Colback gets his requisite booking for a foul from behind on Firmino.

11:34 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Cisse does well to release Cissoko down the right, but just too long and goes out of play. That was the right idea.

11:36 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Are you supporting Newcastle today? I'm neutral on this one.

11:39 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

I guess I am since Pool is our main rival.

11:41 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Cisse keeps making the wrong choices today. At the other end, Benteke doesn't seem interested at all. He's barely had a touch and hasn't really attacked any crosses yet.

11:42 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

I don't see Liverpool as a rival of yours. They're challenging for a CL spot while you lot are challenging for the title. Your rivals IMHO are Citeh and Arse.

11:42 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

The top match next weekend must surely be the Monday nighter where the Foxes host Chelski. Claudio would love to get one over the team that let him go.

11:42 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

They are the main enemy than a rival. I guess that would be the way to see it.

11:43 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Oh - Mbenga had a free header there.

11:44 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Well, yes, historic enemies but I don't see them in the same set of teams this season. Perhaps next season.

11:44 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

OH!!!! Mebema gets a great vertical leap after a corner from Janmaaat was headed on, but headed over with a free header in the six yard box.

11:45 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Lucas is booked . There didn't seem much in that challenge.

11:45 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

A minute of stoppage time.

11:46 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Agreed. The two teams may renew their historic rivalry next season.

11:46 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Ibe cuts inside Cissoko and shoots just over and it's 0-0 at the half.

11:47 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Disappointing, really. Sturrridge appears to be warming up and he's definitely needed to elevate this match.

12:00 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

We're back on at SJP with Newcastle in their traditional black and white stripes kicking us off. No changes for either side yet.

12:02 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

The second half is underway

12:02 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Firmino drags an early shot wide of the mark.

12:03 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

This one seems wide open now with attacks swinging back and forth. That said, there have been precious few real chances and Mignolet and Eliot haven't been overtaxed.

12:06 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Will this fixture finish 0-0 for the first time since 1974?

12:06 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Wijnaldum diverts a shot wide off a pass from Cisse. Nicer possession from the Toon.

12:08 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

It could easily if the forward play continues like this - there no incision to it right now.

12:08 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Wijnaldum has a long range effort deflected for a corner.

12:11 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

The corner from Colback is cleared.

12:12 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

How often do you see a foul throw penalized? Wow.

12:15 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Very scrappy at the hour mark now. We really need an injection of some quality.

12:15 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Agreed. I'm needing a refill on the coffee despite a good night's sleep. Anita booked for a foul on Joe Allen.

12:17 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Agreed. you rarely see foul throws at this level. Not meaning to brag, but I was never once penalized for a foul throw and I wasn't exactly a top level footballer.

12:18 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Pool make the first change and Lallana is on for Beneteke while Sturridge is on for Firmino. The end result is basically like for like , but with fresher legs. I guess Sturridge adds more pace.

12:19 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

It hasn't been good, has it? This is why I don't fancy Liverpool for the title. They're brilliant one week, and then flat the next.

12:20 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

The fresher legs will definitely help but I would have had Benteke off. Have you even heard his name?

12:20 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

I don't blame Klopp. He's having to change the mentality of this team and get rid of the bad habits picked up from Brendan. I expect them to be a much improved team next season. Its a work in progress.

12:22 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Nope. Just once or twice. He missed that sitter in the first half, but otherwise was really quiet.

12:23 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

I don't blame him, either. He's still basically working with Brendan Rogers' them. It will take him a couple of transfer windows to really stamp his style on the team.

12:23 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Ayoze is on for Nigel Young, who had a similar type game to Beneteke, but did lots of selfless running.

12:24 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Agreed mate. He might keep some of the players, but will have to get rid of the dead wood.

12:25 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

The Toon Army roaring their team forward now. They want to see attacking football as much as OT fans do.

GOAL! There it is!

12:25 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

GOAL !!! WIJNALDUM GIVES THE TOON THE LEAD WITH A DEFLECTED EFFORT.

12:25 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

The Toon army celebrate as a Winaljdum shot is deflected beyond Minoglet's grasp.

1-0 Newcastle!

12:26 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Does that pull Bournemouth back into the drop zone? I've got to check.

12:27 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

WIll it go down as a goal to Wijnaldum or a Skrtel OG?The shot took a wicked deflection off of Skrtel and wrong footed Minnie. Mbemba passed to Skrtel, who found Wijnaldum with a long ball and the goal was scored with that wicked deflection as Wijnaldum cut in to tkae that shot.

12:28 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

No - Newcastle will leapfrog their Northeast rivals into 18th but are still behind of GD - -12 GD for the Cherries and -15 for Toon.

12:28 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Looks to be a Skrtel OG - cruel, that. I would have given it to the Dutch boy.

12:28 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Nope. The Toon are behind the Cherries on GD. I think they need four more to pull out of the drop zone thanks to that thrashing at Selhurst Park last weekend.

12:29 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

He's the Toon's top scorer thanks to the four he scored vs the Canaries.

12:30 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Origi is warming up. Klopp should have started the duo that scored five out of six at St. Mary's as the Pool have been toothless up front today

12:31 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

You'd have to say that Newcastle deserved that goal for their perseverance.

Origi to come on for Ibe - don't know about that.

12:31 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Origi is on for Ibe.

12:31 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Sturridge shoots wide from a dfficult angle off a nice through ball as he got behind Collocini.

12:32 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

I still think that Norwich may get dragged into the relegation zone at some point. They're really poor.

12:32 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Guiffran on for Jack Colback now.

12:33 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

The Toon make sort of an attacking switch as Gouufran is on for Colback.

12:33 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

The Canaries are definitely in a relegation battle. How about Chelsea? Robbie Mustoe says no. Who is he kidding?

12:34 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Not a good weekend for the Black Cats, who have been overtaken by their NE rivals and are back in the drop zone.

12:35 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Nice finish by Moreno, but it won't count. It should have because he was played on and he's denied a superb finish from a really difficult angle.

12:36 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

I can't see Chelski as a realistic relegation struggler.

12:38 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

The final roll of the dice for Wally and Cisse now has gone 17 without a goal. His team lead 1-0 as he's replaced by Thauvin.

12:38 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

I agree, but they are at this time if they're only three points clear of the drop zone. Only one point above the Canaries is really poor.

12:39 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

If this finishes 1-0 then Pool will feel hard done by as Moreno was onside for that disallowed goal.

12:41 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Anita concedes a corner to Pool.

12:42 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Loveren heads wide off pressure from Toon keeper, Rob Elliot.

12:42 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

It's true, yes. But I think that the less well resourced clubs - Norwich, Bournemouth, Swansea - are likely to have more of a struggle as the sheer length of the season imposes itself.

12:42 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

I will say this, though. The Bournemouth and perhaps this Newcastle win will definitely make Abramovic a bit more antsy when he sees Chelski merely two points off the drop and with a -7 GD. It's been an incredible season for them - I can't remember a worse season for a big money club, can you?

12:45 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

That is probably true. I don;t see Chelsea doing better than mid table, which is basically a disasterous season for the club.

12:45 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Moreno will swing another corner in. Lovren finally gets a tame header in and Eliot gratefully collects.

12:45 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

I agree. I was thinking the same. How can Chelsea have just a few more points than the Cherries, Toon , or Canaries. Would you say that Jose has had the worst managerial season in Prem history?

12:46 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Moreno has a cross bounce off the top of the net. Five minutes of stoppage time.

12:47 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Five minutes of stoppage time to come. Don't know where that came from. Lovren now down getting treatment.

12:47 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Skrtel is down injured so it will be more. Plenty of time for Pool to tie it up.

12:48 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

It's got to be right up there. It's one thing taking an under-resourced team down, but it's another thing struggling with the likes of Eden Hazard, who won the PFA Player of the Year Award last season, playing in your side every week.

12:48 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

A shirtless Toon fan in these conditions? Well ,it is NE England.

12:49 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Agreed mate. Absolutely atrocious from Jose.

12:50 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

GOAL !!!! THE TOON GO TWO UP AS THIS ONE IS DONE AND DUSTED

12:50 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

GOAL! That seals it. A sweet little dink over Mignolet and that's that. Points in the bag for Toon.

2-0!

12:51 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

That's what we love about the Premiership. On any given week, any side can win. It's not like La Liga where you expect Real to romp it away to Getafe.

12:51 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

If the first wasn't Wijnaldum's , the second was. Cissoko got past Moreno at the halfway line and played a superb through ball for Wijnaldum, who got behind the Pool,defense and scored with a nice chip past the on rushing Minnie

12:51 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Absolutely. Well stated. That's why we love the Prem. Just look at the crazy results this weekend.

12:52 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

I winder if the disallowed goal will be the main talking point.

12:53 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

It's over and the Toon defeat Pool 2-0. they remain in the bottom three , but only on gd.

12:54 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

That's Pool's first away defeat since Klopp took charge.

12:54 PM  

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