January 2022 Transfer Deadline Day!

 

Morning, boys -  it's January 2022 Transfer Deadline Day. You can follow all of the news today using this great, live feature from The Guardian. 

https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2022/jan/31/transfer-deadline-day-premier-league-tottenham-newcastle-live-updates

So, who would you like to see your team buy or sell today? I'll start with my beloved Leeds United. As Marcelo Bielsa famously likes to work with a small, senior squad, I don't expect any major moves. That said, we have made a £20 million bid for Salzburg's US international Brendan Aaronson and are trying to work out a loan deal for Liverpool forward Takumi Minimino. Mainly, though, I'm just hoping that we don't sell off our jewels, especially Kal Phillips and Raphinha. What about the rest of you? 

The Friends to the North

 

Afternoon, chaps - I'm settling in to enjoy the big WC qualifier this afternoon. It's not exactly a must-win for Greg Berhalter's US outfit but a loss would be a real blow in World Cup qualifying. So, I expect them to play it cautiously against a dangerous opponent this afternoon. Come on, you Yanks!

A Big Night for Concacaf Qualifying

 

Evening, chaps - it's a big night in Concacaf qualifying tonight, with the US hosting El Salvador in Columbus, while Mexico and Jamaica square off as well. This is an eminently winnable match for Greg Berhalter's side, as El Salvador currently lie seventh in qualifying. It'll be vital for them to pick up all three points heading into the critical top two match up with Canada at the weekend. 

I'll be a bit in and out of the action tonight what with dinner and such, but join in if you're watching on ESPN2. 

Premiership Plus Predictions Game - Week 21 Update

Happy Tuesday, everyone! As we head into the international break, I thought it was high time to take stock of the current standings. Quite a bit changed over the weekend, so you'll notice a significant shift in our scores. First, Man Utd are back in the top four after their late win on Saturday, so that means some point for quite a few of us. Even more surprisingly, Norwich are out of the dropzone for the first time since September, replaced by Watford in the bottom three. In the Championship, Blackburn are now in the automatic slots alongside Fulham, nudging out perennial promotion favorites such as Bournemouth and WBA into the playoff spots. 

And then some things have stayed the same. In Europe, Real, Inter and Bayern continue to run away with their respective leagues, much as Man City seems to be doing in England. Likewise, Mo Salah and Trent Alexander Arnold and Ederson still sit atop the Golden Boot, Assist and Golden Glove categories. I've also noted that Liverpool booked their place in the League Cup Final with Chelsea last week. 

So, all that means is that we've got a new leader this week - two-time past winner Man Utd Rules. Here are the current standings: 

1. Man Utd Rules - 51 points

2. Teddy Goalsevelt - 47 pts

3. Swansong - 46 pts

4. Gooner71 - 44 pts

-  MOT the Hoople - 44 pts

6. Yellows - 38 pts

7. What's Up Wheaton Simon - 37 pts

8. Pink Kits - 36 pts

9. The Bee's Knees - 34 pts

10. Someone Said - 33 pts

11. United We Stand - 28 pts

12. The Saint - 27 pts

13. Red Devil 1FCK - 23 pts

-  West Ham Rising - 23 pts

15. Red Dragon - 20 pts

16. Blue Devil - 17 pts

 

Sunday in the Prem

 

I'm just getting into my usual perch to enjoy the morning's action after our usual late night Saturday routine. I've chosen Arsenal v. Burnley on USA to watch but there is also Crystal Palace v. Liverpool and Leicester v. Brighton going on on The Cock if you'd prefer. 

Later on, there is a tasty sounding London Derby between Chelsea and Tottenham to enjoy. Let's be having ya, eh? 

A Wintry Weekend of Footer Action

 

Morning, chaps! It's a bitter cold weekend up and down the East Coast, so perfect for bunkering in with some of the good stuff. We start this morning with the intriguing match-up of struggling Everton against the improving but not entirely out of danger Aston Villa. It's 16th vs. 13th, so I'll take a draw in that one. 

That's followed by the regular 10 o'clock kickoffs, including the big one for me with my beloved Leeds United hosting relegation strugglers Newcastle. The stand-out match-up is Man Utd v. West Ham - a real battle royale between two sides battling for European spots. 

Finally Man City travel to Soton for the late fixture. Join me for all the action today, won't you? 

Friday Footie Fiesta!

 

TGIF, chap! I've finished my work for today, so I thought I'd drop in on the relegation dogfight between Watford and Norwich. Of course, I'm hoping for a hard-fought and exhausting draw. If you're around this afternoon, drop by for a chat. 

Premiership Plus Predictions Game - Week 20 Update

Hi there, everyone! I'm taking a break in the snow removal agenda for the day to post our weekly update of the PPP game. Man City's narrow win over Chelsea virtually assures them the title at this point, as it's hard to see them dropping even eight points. Chelsea will have to be happy challenging with Liverpool for second spot. Below them, the race for the fourth slot continues, especially as the North London Derby was postponed and Arsenal, Spurs and others have games in hand on West Ham in fourth. 

At the bottom, Norwich secured a big win over Everton, which vaulted them up to 18th above Newcastle and Burnley. The Toffees have now been sucked in the relegation battle with Watford, while my beloved Leeds have some breathing space. At the top of the Championship, Fulham and Bournemouth continue in the automatic promotion spots, but Blackburn are now level on points with the Cherries. 

Bayern, Inter and Real continue at the top of their respective leagues and seem to be coasting. Mo Salah is still at the top of the scoring charts on 16 points, while his Liverpool compatriot Trent Alexander Arnold is now ahead in assists with 10. And Ederson added another clean sheet on Saturday morning; he's now on 12. 

It all means that our current champion Teddy Goalesevelt is back on top of the standings: 

1. Teddy Goalesevelt - 45 points 

2. Man Utd Rules - 42 pts

3. Swansong - 40 pts

4. What's Up Wheaton Simon - 39 pts

5. The Bee's Knees - 38 pts

-  Gooner71 - 38 pts

7. MOT the Hoople - 33 pts

8. Someone Said - 32 pts

9. Pink Kits - 31 pts

10. Yellows - 28 pts

11. Blue Devil - 27 pts

12. The Saint - 26 pts

13. Red Devil 1FCK - 25 pts

14. United We Stand - 24 pts

15. Red Dragon - 20 pts

16. West Ham Rising - 19 pts

 

Footie in the Deep Freeze

 

Morning, boys! It may be in the single digits outside but it's warm and cozy inside. And the football is on! I'll be watching my beloved Leeds United as they take on West Ham...again. We're a bit sick of the sight of the Hammers and of the London Stadium, but there it is. My patented rubric says that we don't need anything from this match; yet, a point would be nice. Come on, you Leeds! #MOT! 

While we're on the Cock, Liverpool will be taking on Brentford. That'll be it for today, as the North London Derby is off. Join me for the morning, eh? 

Back to the Prem

 

I'm up a bit late for the first match today due to our usual weekend late night. We're heading back into Premier League play this morning after the 3rd Round FA Cup interlude. The first half of the Citeh v. Chelsea match is coming to a goalless end on Peacock at the moment. 

That's followed today by the 10 o'clockers, including the relegation dogfight between Newcastle and Watford on USA. Of course, I'm hoping for a draw in that one. 

And we come to an with Villa v. United, which Ralf Rangnick's boys will hope to get back to winning ways. Join me if you're around today.

Dahlgren Day in the Cup!

 

Morning, boys! I hope you're enjoying your FA Cup 3rd Round weekend as much as I am. This morning, we've got matches of interest to the Dahlgren family starting with a challenging visit to the capital for my beloved Leeds United to meet up with West Ham. David Moyes has had Marcelo Bielsa's number since we returned to the Premier League, but perhaps the the magic of the Cup will help us today. That's followed by high flying Arsenal's visit to Championship side Nottingham Forest. It should be a fascinating afternoon. 

Join me for all the action.

FA Cup 3rd Round Saturday

 

It's still one of my favorite days of the season - FA Cup 3rd Round Saturday. Join me for all of the Cup magic today, won't you? 

The FA Cup Saga Begins Here!

 

Happy TGIF, chaps! I've hit my data writing goal today, so I'm settling in to watch the beginning of the long and winding road to the Cup Final in May. It all kicks off with a bang this evening with Swindon Town hosting the Premier League Champions Man City. The FA has given strict instructions to teams that there will be no postponements, as we saw yesterday in the Carabao, so they either need to show up or forfeit. That should make things interesting. 

Join me from 3pm onward on the Plus, won't you? 

League Cup Semi Final Time!

 

Afternoon, chaps! How's about a spot of Carabao action? It's semi-final time and we've got matches today and tomorrow. First up, it's Antonio Conte visiting his old employers at Stamford Bridge. Should be lively!

Join me for all the action! 

Premiership Plus Predictions Game - Week 19 Update

 

Happy Tuesday, everyone! It's been a while since I updated our humble PPP Game standings, due to holiday travel and match cancellations. The haphazard holiday schedule of matches produced some interesting results and some excellent matches, but it hasn't changed much in the league tables. The top five are the same, the bottom three are the same. In the Championship, Blackburn have risen to second, nudging Fulham down into the playoff spots. Mo Salah is still on top of the Golden Boot race, now on 16 goals. He's been joined by his teammate Trent Alexander Arnold on 9 assists, while City's Ederson is now alone in the Golden Gloves chart on 11 clean sheets from 20 matches played. 

In the coming week, we'll see the League Cup semi finals sorted out, which will pare Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Spurs down to two finalists. 

Here are the current results, with our current champion Swansong on top: 

1. Swansong - 43 points

2. Teddy Goalsevelt - 42 pts

3. Man Utd Rules - 41 pts

4. What's Up Wheaton Simon - 38 pts

5. Gooner71 - 37 pts

6. MOT the Hoople - 35 pts

7. Someone Said - 33 pts

8. Pink Kits - 31 pts

9. The Bee's Knees - 30 pts

10. The Saint - 29 pts

11. Yellows - 28 pts

12. Red Devil 1FCK - 24 pts

13. United We Stand - 23 pts

14. Red Dragon - 21 pts

15. Blue Devil - 20 pts

16. West Ham Rising - 19 pts

ManYoo Monday!

 

Afternoon, chaps - what's better for a snowy afternoon than a spot of Premier League footer. I've done my morning errands, including shoveling the walkway for the postman, so I'm settling in for the match. It's United v. Wolves. The hosts sit seventh in the table, having played just 18 matches, the same number as Wolves, who are six points and two places further back. A win for United this evening would move them to within a point of Arsenal in fourth. 

Join me if you're about and your power is still on. 

MOT into the New Year!

 

My beloved Leeds United haven't played for a fortnight due to a Covid outbreak in the camp. That makes the relegation dogfight with Burnley at Elland Road today all the more important. We've got several of our starters back, including Junior Firpo, Jack Harrison, Dan James, Diego Llorente and Robin Koch back. The teams shared the spoils earlier in the season at Turf Moor, which Lord Bamford equalizing late on. My patented rubric says that this one is a must-win. Come on, you Whites! #MOT!