Transfer Deadline Day Live!

Happy Transfer Deadline Day, chaps! Today, we enjoy that twice-yearly ritual of following the goings-on in our clubs as players are helicoptered around the country heading from medical exams to media pressers. So, which players would you like to see you team sign at the 11th hour today?

Goldenballs Gets His MLS Franchise!

David Beckham became the latest MLS franchise owner this morning when he and MLS Commish Don Garber appeared at a presser to announce the new team in Miami. Becks commented, "When I was awarded the team there was only one city for me - and it was here. I was drawn to this city for the same reason millions are - diversity, the culture, the weather, beaches and the people." Cor!

No word yet as to the name of this team. So, will this Miami venture be any more successful than the  Miami Fusion team introduced to the league in 1998 and disbanded several years later? Your thoughts, gents?

Who's Up for Some More 4th Round Cup Action?

Thought that we'd exhausted the 4th Round Cup action yesterday? Think again, chaps. There are still two more matches left for us to enjoy this morning. Chelsea and Newcastle are up first, with a Premier League side's Cup scalp on the line. In the later one, league leaders Citeh travel to Evil Cardiff. I'd like a 0-10 win, don't you know? Join me to see it, eh?

More 4th Round Cup Magic!

It was a particularly long and busy first week of classes for me this week, which precluded me from joining you for United's exploits at Yeovil yesterday, so I'm especially looking forward to joining you this morning for the 4th Round Saturday action. We start out with a bit of romance - Premier League Leicester visiting L1's Peterborough United. That's followed by West Ham's visit to Wigan Athletic. Finally, the late one is the one that kills me, as it should have been Leeds v. Spurs. Instead, it's upstart Newport County taking on Tottenham. I'll look forward to the pleasure of your company.

The FA Cup Fourth Round Starts with Yeovil vs United

 United travel to Yeovil, a team they have faced a couple of times in the FA Cup. The most recent meeting was three years ago at the Huish, where they meet today. United were less than convincing when they won 0-2 three years ago . Let's see how they fare today as they travel to the lowest ranked team left in the competition, who are fourth from bottom of the Football League

RIP Jimmy Armfield (1935-2018)

I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge the death this week of an Elland Road legend, Jimmy Armfield. Jimmy took over at an awkward time for the club, after the disastrous 44 day tenure of Brian Clough. He steadied the ship that season and took the side to the European Cup Final against Bayern Munich. Under Armfield, Leeds always finished in the top 10 of the First Division, qualified for the Uefa Cup, and reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup in 197601977 and the League Cup in 1977-1978.

Jimmy died at the age of 82 - he'll be missed.

Premiership Plus Predictions - Week 24 Update

A very happy Tuesday morning to all of you LOBers. I'm checking in as usual with the PPP update for this week. With Swansea's shock 1-0 win over Liverpool in the Monday Night Football last night, Week 24 came to a close. That loss, dropped Liverpool back below Chelsea in third. It also lifted Swansea out of the drop zone and plunged Southampton into the depths. Apart from those slight changes, nothing much shifted in our table. However, even those few points changes has meant that we now have a tie at the top of our league between MOT the Hoople and Swansong.

Here are the current standings:

1. MOT the Hoople - 37 points
-  Swansong - 37 pts
3. Gooner71 - 34 pts
4. What's Up Wheaton Simon - 32 pts
5. Man Utd Rules - 26 pts
-  Someone Said - 26 pts
7. The Saint - 25 pts
8. Red Devil 1FCK - 23 pts
9. Red Dragon - 20 pts
10. Yellows - 17 pts
11. West Ham Rising - 15 pts
12. Blue Devil - 14 pts
13. United We Stand - 13 pts

The Saints vs the Spuds Sunday Footie

It's the only show in town as the Saints host the Spuds. It's not the most anticipated match on paper, but it's a must win for both teams. The Saints are surprisingly in the drop zone while the Spuds need a win to stay in the top five. It's a battle of Argie managers wits as MO Po returns to St. Mary's

Hurrah! It's the Weekend!

A very good Saturday morning, chaps - we've reached the weekend again and have a morning of the good stuff awaiting us. First up is the champions Chelski's visit of the South Coast to meet Brighton. At 10am EST, we've got a load of good matches, including Arsenal hosting Palace and United away to Burnley. I'll have my eye on Leeds' match with Evil Millwall. Finally, we wrap things up at 12:30pm with title favorites Citeh at home to Newcastle. Join me for all the weekend fun!

Premiership Plus Predictions Game - Week 23 Update

Hiya, chaps - I'm chipping in during a busy week of footer to update you all on the latest in our PPP game. A couple of slight changes to the league have meant the loss of a few points here or there. With Leeds dropping out of the Championship playoff spots, for example, several of us hopeless dreamers lost three or four points. Yet, we're just about in the same place we've been for several weeks, with those who plumped for Man City to win the title up at the top.

Here are the current standings:

1. MOT the Hoople - 40 points
2. Swansong - 36 pts
3. What's Up Wheaton Simon - 35 pts
4. Gooner71 - 34 pts
5. The Saint - 28 pts
-  Someone Said - 28 pts
7. Man Utd Rules - 25 pts
8. Red Devil 1FCK - 24 pts
9. Red Dragon - 23 pts
10. West Ham Rising - 17 pts
-  Yellows - 17 pts
12. United We Stand - 16 pts
13. Blue Devil - 14 pts

A Day Off From Work... Monday Night Football

So, can United close the gap to JUST twelve points when they host Sparky-less Stoke City at Old Trafford on this MLK Day afternoon. I really hope United can attack like the two teams did at Anfield yesterday. That is how fast and attacking I want my beloved United to be. United need to start fast and quick. Show everyone that you could be on that Anfield pitch yesterday. Will Stoke get a bump up in form after naming their new manager Paul Lambert this morning. I bloody well hope not.
Join me
UWS

RIP Cyrille Regis

Another of our childhood idols has left us. Cyrille Regis, a pioneering figure in British football, playing for West Bromwich Albion and England, has died of a heart attack at the tragically young age of 59. Regis came along when monkey chants were still common on English terraces and he, alongside other Black players such as Viv Anderson and John Barnes paved the way for the current crop of Black British players in the Premiership. He'll be missed.

Sunday Morning Coming Down

A very good Sunday morning to all of you. We've got two very interesting Premiership matches on tap this morning. All of the pundits are chattering about the late one between the two most exciting sides in the league - Liverpool and City at Anfield - however, before that is the Arsenal road trip to the South Coast to meet Bournemouth. Join me for all of the fun this morning, eh lads?

A Late Weekend Start

Morning, chaps - I took advantage of the lack of early morning games to have a lie in this morning. So, I'm just rousing myself ahead of the 10am EST matches. Those include Chelski v. Leicester on NBC Sports and my beloved Leeds United away to Ipswich at our old stomping grounds at Portman Road. Later on, we've got Spurs v. Everton. Join me here on the LOB for all the action.

Happy Birthday to our Commish!!!

Will you still need me, will you still feed me... when I'm FIFTY-FOUR!! Not exactly the same words as John and Paul wrote for us but it still works. Happy Birthday Bob... have a great day and hope to get together soon.

UWS

League Cup Semi Final Action!

The League Cup semi finals started yesterday with the first leg of the Citeh v. Bristol City tie. Citeh eked out a slim 2-1 win thanks to a late winner by Sergio Aguero, after a valiant effort by the Championship promotion contenders. Tonight, we've got another London Derby with Chelsea and Arsenal taking on each other in the first leg at the Bridge only a week after drawing 2-2 at the Emirates. It should be a tighter affair tonight, with two master technicians Conte and Wenger testing their mettle against each other.

I'll likely be in and out this afternoon, but join me for a cuppa and a chat if you have a chance.

FA Cup Fourth Round Draw

The draw for the Fourth Round was made earlier today with Dennis None Too Wise Picking the home teams and Rio picking the away teams. Here are the fixtures to be played the weekend of January 27th :

Liverpool vs the Baggies'
Posh vs Fleetwood Mac or the Foxes
Huddersfield vs Birmingham
Notts County vs Wolves or Swansea
Yeovil vs Manchester United
Carlisle or Not a Big Club vs Stevenage or the Reading Railroad
Cardiff or Mansfield vs Citeh
The Fake Dons vs Coventry
The Evil Lions vs Rochdale
Saints vs Watford
Middlesbrough vs Brighton
The Cherries or Wigan vs the Shrews or Hammers
Tigers vs Forest
Newport vs the Spuds
Canaries or Chelsea vs the Toon
Blades vs PNE

United travel to Yeovil , where the y played in the Third Round  three years ago. I'm not sure what the tie of the round is . Perhaps you can determine that.

Up Early for the Cup!

I'm up at the crack of dawn to follow the start of what I hope will be a lengthy FA Cup run for my beloved Leeds United this season. We're off to L2's Newport County this morning. I'll be hoping for a professional showing. Later Arsenal visit Championship side Nottingham Forest. Come on, you Whites! #MOT!

My Favorite Day of the Season!

It's my favorite day of the season: FA Cup 3rd Round Saturday. Back in the day, all of the matches started at 3pm GMT. Now they're spread out from Friday to Monday evening. The action starts early this morning with Jamie Vardy's Leicester City returning to his former club Fleetwood Town for one of those romantic match-ups that only the Cup delivers. Join me for all of the fun, won't you?

The Third Round Starts Here!

The FA Cup 3rd Round is my favorite time of the year. The weather is always horrible in WNY this time of year, so there's nothing to do but put my feet up in my favorite armchair and binge on loads of the good stuff. It all starts this afternoon with a couple of crackers. The biggest match of the draw - the Merseyside Derby between Liverpool and Everton - gets us started at 2:45pm EST. At 3pm, United start their Cup campaign with a home match against Championship playoff contenders Derby County. It should all be absorbing. Don't miss a minute of it this afternoon. Join me here on the LOB for all the fun and games, won't you?

Premiership Plus Predictions Game - New Year Update!

Happy New Year, PPPers! I'm checking in after the flurry of New Year football. A couple of changes have happened in the tables. In the Premiership, Stoke have dropped into the bottom three, which has helped a couple of our participants. In the Championship, Villa are back up in the playoff spots, which also helps out a couple of our friends. Elsewhere, Citeh are running away with the title; likewise, Wolves in the Championship. Harry Kane is hanging on to a slim lead as GBB over Mo Salah, which is giving half our cohort 6 points.

Here are the current standings, with MOT extending his lead at the top to seven points:

1. MOT the Hoople - 44 points
2. Gooner71 - 37 pts
-  Swansong - 37 pts
4. What's Up Wheaton Simon - 35 pts
5. The Saint - 32 pts
6. Someone Said - 29 pts
7. Man Utd Rules - 26 pts
-  Red Devil 1FCK - 26 pts
-  Red Dragon - 26 pts
10. United We Stand - 19 pts
11. Blue Devil - 18 pts
12. Yellows - 17 pts
-  West Ham Rising - 17 pts

The New Year's Resolution Thread

Happy New Year, LOBers! This is the time of year when we share New Year's Resolutions in this space. Last year in this space, I vowed to: 1) Get the Book Published; 2) See More Live Music; and 3) Get on the Bike. Well, my book on images of teachers in movies came out back in February.  And, largely due to a balmier than usual fall season, I got plenty of time on the bike. However, I failed on the live music front and only saw three lives shows in the whole year. That one goes back on the list again this year. So this year's resolutions are:

1. See More Live Music - The few live music experiences I had in 2015 were so vivid that I want more of it. Whether it's on my own campus or in more far-flung areas, I want to fill my head with some good music this year.

2. Organize a Charity Swim - Last year, a colleague swam across Lake Erie to raise awareness about the plight of plastic pollution in the Great Lakes. That's inspired me to organize a charity swim (in the campus pool, not the lake - I'm no fool!) to raise some much-needed cash for local schools.

3. Complete the Teacher Bill of Rights - For several years, I've been wanting to use my position as chair of the Academic Freedom Community of the National Council for the Social Studies to draft a Teacher Bill of Rights to protect the professional status of P-12 teachers.

So, what's on your list - do tell.

New Year's Day Footie

It's a chilly start to the New Year and what better way to stay warm than to watch some Premier League Footie. There seems to be an endless amount of matches, which continue today. It's Burnley vs Liverpool on NBCSN  and a relegation six pointer on CNBC as Stoke hosts the Toon. The late one is the Toffees vs United.. Leeds vs Forest is on ESPN3. Plenty on offer prior to New Year's dinner. Join me if you can