RIP: Ronnie Corbett (1930-2016)

Sad news today that Ronnie Corbett, the beloved shorter half of "The Two Ronnies" crew has died at the age of 85. He and Ronnie Barker (who died in 2005) were a huge part of my childhood and I have many warm memories of watching him tell his silly stories in the large, overstuffed chair. He's a national treasure and will be greatly missed.

The BBC has a lovely tribute including great video clips here:

http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-35934024

England v. Holland Live!

Tonight's match-up between the Three Lions and the Brilliant Orange at Wemberley may technically be listed as a friendly, but there is plenty of import to it. First, after the untimely death of Johan Cruyff, tonight's match will be a tribute to the great man's legacy. Second, Fleet Street went absolutely goggins after England's win in Berlin on Friday, so this will be a chance to possibly tamp down expectations before this summer rolls around. Let's hope it's a suitably tribute to Johan tonight. See you all around 3pm here at the LOB.

Can England Win the Euros?

Bloody hell - are we having a Vardy party or what? After last night's shitshow between the US and the Guats, I wasn't feeling terribly hopeful for today. When we went two goals down with some shocking defending, I was feeling even less sanguine about it all. But then...Hodgson pushed the Brazil button. What on earth was that last half hour? Harry Kane with a Cruyff tribute? Vardy with a back flick to beat the best keeper on the planet at his near post. And then Eric Dier with a stoppage time winner?!

Of course, I'm jumping on the bandwagon after merely one win, but...can England win it all this summer? Well, can they? Color me excited, chaps.

Johan Cruyff RIP

I posted on FB, but I'm repeating here too. My childhood was consumed with my idolization of Johan Cruyff so I'm particularly broken up to hear that he passed away today from cancer. My first memory of him was in the 1974 final against Germany. I'd collected the Panini stamps at the beach in Italy and had watched the matches that led into the final. I was sure that he would lead the Dutch to victory. I needed him to because of the Gunter Netzer inspired 1972 qualifier win over England which is the first match I watched that I can remember bitterly. And of course, the Germans beat Cruyff's Dutchmen that day too. I got my only chance to see him play live when Coach Hunter got the Host Nation Club members tickets for Barcelona's visit to Ipswich Town in 1977('78?). And during the match, standing at the front in the stands, the ball came out of play right in front of our group. Johan ambled over to take the throw and backed up as far as he could so he was right up against us. Before he could throw the ball back into play, I reached up and over the guy in front of me and touched him on the lower back. He looked around at me with undisguised contempt, like I was an insect he'd spotted on his shirt. He then threw the ball back into play and ambled away. Barcelona lost that match. He was sublime in the way he could slalom around the field stopping, starting, and making the tempo match his will. But what he taught me was this: Football can be a bastard. Today that lesson is pressed home again. RIP #9, #14, my hero.

Premiership Plus Predictions Game - Week 31 Update

Before we get mired in another tedious international break, let's take some time to take stock of our PPP game. At this point, with a mere seven matches left in the Premiership season and Leicester five points up on Spurs and a whopping eight points up on Arsenal, the Foxes can start engraving their names on the trophy. That will mean that none of us ends up with the ten precious points for predicting the champions. Our scores are also being kept low by West Ham's over performance and Chelsea and United's under performance. That means that the scores are tight at the top and the cups will take on even more importance this season. Here are the current standings.

1. Swansong - 31 points
2. Red Devil 1FCK - 30 pts
3. Man Utd Rules - 29 pts
4. What's Up Wheaton Simon - 28 pts
5. Gooner71 - 27 pts
6. The Red Dragon - 25 pts
-  Yellows - 25 pts
8. United We Stand - 24 pts
9. The Saint - 23 pts
-  West Ham Rising - 23 pts
11. Blue Devil - 22 pts
-  Chelskilad - 22 pts
13. Someone Said - 20 pts

Derby Day on Tyneside and in Manc Land

It's a huge day in the Premiership with derby matches at both the bottom and the top of the Premiership. We start at the bottom - on Tyneside - with the relegation dogfight between old rivals Newcastle and Sunderland. The Toon have a new boss on board - Rafa Benitez - who knows his way around a derby match. Later, we've got the Manc Derby, which will be crucial in terms of the Champions League places. Join me this morning for all the banter on the LOB.

Saturday Means....Premiership Football

With eight matches to go, this is the point where champions are made. Can Leicester keep up their improbable quest for the title? Can Spurs or Arsenal catch them? What about West Ham and United - can either of them (or both) creep up into the Champions League slots? We'll get some of those answers straight away today. We start off at 8:45am at Goodison for Everton v. Arsenal. Then at 11am, The Foxes travel to Selhurt Park. Join me for all the action here on the LOB this morning.

The Draw for the Champions League and Europa League Quarters

Braga(POR)

v

Shakhtar Donetsk(UKR)

Villarreal(ESP)

v

Sparta Praha(CZE)

Athletic(ESP)

v

Sevilla(ESP)

Dortmund(GER)

v

Liverpool(ENG)

Name of the Year Bracket

I'm sorry that I missed voting for Lancelot Supersad Jr. last year. I think my vote could have put him over the winner from 2015, Amanda Miranda Panda. Have an evil laugh at the unfortunate contenders of 2016 HERE C'mon Zeus Preckwinkle!

Premiership Plus Predictions Game - Week 30 Update

Another big week has spun around in the world of domestic football. In terms of the league, nothing has changed - the same teams are on top and on the bottom, so points have stayed the same. The big change you'll notice is in the teams have been knocked out of the Champions League and FA Cup at the quarter-final stage, including Chelsea in both competitions and FA Cup holders Arsenal. Otherwise, here are the current standings with eight matches to go:

1. Swansong - 31 points
2. Man Utd Rules - 30 pts
- The Red Devil 1FCK - 30 pts
4. Gooner71 - 26 pts
5. What's Up Wheaton Simon - 25 pts
6. United We Stand - 24 pts
7. The Saint - 23 pts
- West Ham Rising - 23 pts
9 Blue Devil - 22 pts
- Chelskilad - 22 pts
- Yellows - 22 pts
12. The Red Dragon - 21 pts
- Someone - 21 pts

The FA Cup Semifinal Draw and an Important Monday Night Football Match

It's an interesting Monday that begins with the draw for the FA Cup semis at 3:20 PM EDT followed by a key Monday night football match as the Foxes , who continue to surprise us all by topping the table,host second from bottom Newcastle United.Kickoff is at 4 PM EDT.  Toon addressed the issue by sacking Wally in a Brolly on Friday and replacing him with the more respected  Raffa Benitez, who himself, was recently sacked by Real. Will the Spaniard, who has a successful track record be able to make an instant impact by getting an upset result at the league leaders or will it be as stated on the link of the above where it stated that Raffa Benitez starts with tricky fixture that will likely end in defeat? You will have to watch to determine what unfolds

FA Cup Quarter Final Sunday!

Morning, chaps - and a happy Spring Forward Day to you all. We've got two Cup matches on tap this morning. First up is the Arse v. Watford at the Emirates. Then at noon is the big 'un between United and West Ham. At the same time there is a rubbishy Premiership match between Spurs and Villa. Join me for all the action here at the LOB.

A Tale of Two Cities

No respect for the Leeds boys this morning at BEin; they'd rather be showing some naff infomercial about "The Miracle Machine." So, instead, I'm up early doors to watch the Dickensian battle between the two cities - Norwich and Manchester. That's followed by a couple of rubbish matches and then the Cup match between Chelski and Everton at 12:30. Join me for the day, won't you?

Happy Birthday, WHR!

Many happy returns today to the LOB's Happy Hammer. Hope you had a great day today, Johnno!

Liverpool v. United Live!

Afternoon, chaps - I've settling in here at the office to follow the afternoon's Europa Leagues matches, highlighted by Liverpool and United's meeting of the minds at Anfield. I'm not sure that either side really wants to be in the EL but here they are in the latter stages and with a chance to grab some silverware. But first they need to get beyond each other. The first leg starts tonight at 2:45 pm. Join me on Fox and here on the LOB for a natter.

Sasha Baron Cohen on WTF

I finally got around to listening to Marc Maron's interview with Sasha Baron Cohen today and it was well worth the wait. The best part is listening to Marc pissing himself laughing as Cohen talks about his experiences dealing with the Kazakh government numpties during the Borat filming. It's from February 22, but you can still download it from the WTF website, iTunes or wherever else you get your podcasts. Enjoy!

Premiership Plus Predictions Game - Week 29 Update

We've been through two rounds of matches since the last update, so there has been a lot of shifting in the rankings. United have dropped out of the top five and Leicester and Spurs continue to upset expectations. Norwich have replaced Sunderland at the bottom and promotion hopefuls have shifted a bit below. So, the Fredonia boys Swansong and Red Devil are back on top...for this week. With nine matches left plus cup matches, it should be a wild ride right up until May.

1. Swansong - 31 points
2. Man Utd Rules - 30 pts
- The Red Devil - 30 pts
4. Gooner71 - 26 pts
5. What's Up Wheaton Simon - 25 pts
6. United We Stand - 24 pts
7. The Saint - 23 pts
- West Ham Rising - 23 pts
9. Blue Devil - 22 pts
- Chelskilad - 22 pts
- Yellows - 22 pts
12. The Red Dragon - 21 pts
- Someone Said - 21 pts

SHHHH....It's Sunday Morning!

I'm barely awake but I'm here as usual to follow's the morning's action, starting first with Crystal Palace v. Liverpool. That's followed at 11am by the Baggies hosting United. Come by for a cuppa and a chat, won't you?

Will the Title Contenders Please Stand Up!

Does anyone really want to win the title this season? That's the question that's on everyone's mind after those crazy mid-week results that left Leicester three points clear of Spurs and six points clear of Arsenal. The North Londoners play each other early doors this morning in what should be the turning point of the season. A win for either side puts pressure on the Foxes, especially if they were to slip up at Watford later on in the day. But a hard-fought draw brings them closer to that miracle title. Can't wait to watch it all with you lads.