Colin

In previous seasons I would be quite happy that QPR are doing well as they are one of those teams I've liked watching in the past going back to the Stan Bowles, Gerry Francis era when they were fun to watch.
Sadly at the end of last season they decided to employ Colin Wanker as their manager and like most football fans you just want to see that obnoxious git fail.
Hopefully he'll do or say something stupid before the end of the season and they'll sack him so that I can wish QPR well on their return to the big time?

Unpredictable

This has to be one of the worst seasons for amateur tipsters like me, luckily my own credit crunch means I'm not putting money on very often.
Teams like Everton, West Brom, Arsenal, Blackpool etc are really becoming unpredictable, abject losses one week followed by brilliant wins the next week.
Today's odd results included an amazing win for West Brom away who have looked awful recently against Everton who don't usually give too much away.
Arsenal looking like world beaters again after several dodgy results.
Mis-firing Man Utd banging in seven against Blackburn who have been much improved recently.
Form team Bolton scraping a draw against Blackpool who continue to surprise but again threw away a two goal lead.
West Ham at least got the result I'd hoped for :)

Predictions (Week 14)

Trying to go for more realistic results this week (apart from the Hammers game) in the hope of ending the run of really bad predictions.

Aston Villa v Arsenal 1-1
Bolton v Blackpool 3-1
Everton v West Brom 2-0
Fulham v Birmingham 1-1
Man Utd v Blackburn 2-1
Stoke v Man City 1-2
West Ham v Wigan 2-1
Wolves v Sunderland 1-1
Newcastle v Chelsea 1-3
Tottenham v Liverpool 2-0

West Ham v Wigan is another "must win" game for us and hopefully new coach Wally Downes will lighten the mood in the Hammers dressing room after they kicked out Zeljko Petrovic who I've heard the players couldn't stand.
Chelsea should overcome Newcastle who have lost both centre backs to suspension.
Robert Pires v Arsenal adds a bit of interest for that game.
Man Utd should stay unbeaten against Blackburn but will probably have to work hard to get the win.
Tottenham v Liverpool I really don't care, hopefully a mass brawl with both teams deducted points :)

Footy Related Music

We need some music on this blog.
I listened to this for the first time in ages today and came to the conclusion it's not half bad and even includes a little bit of vuvuzela (or might be air horn?).
A collaboration between French superstar Jarre and Apollo 440 on this theme tune for the 1998 World cup in France.

1 Rendez-Vous 98
2 Rendez-Vous 98 (440 Remix)
3 Oxygene 10 (440 Remix Dub)

Link - Removed

And Then Like My Dreams etc

Being an armchair fan these days meant today was the first time I've watched a full West Ham game this season.
I can now understand why everyone is tipping us for the drop we were rubbish :(
I know most of the first team were out injured but those making up the numbers weren't a bunch of untried kids they were all players who have been first teamers at some stage.
Rob Green comes out blameless as he had no chance with the goals and made several excellent saves to keep us from total humiliation, Fred Piquionne again showed the pace and talent to look our best forward although missing a good chance in the second half, as for the rest Mark Noble is probably not fit yet after his appendix op a couple of weeks ago.
We sold a really good Welsh defender last season for some reason and kept Danny Gabbidon who is about 4 years past his best, Ilunga and Jacobsen are average at best and we always look better when Matthew Upson is injured obviously I'm not a fan of his.
Luis Boa Morte has talent shame he only shows it for about 2 minutes every game, Kovac is no Scott Parker (nor any other good midfielder), Obinna looked good earlier in the season but was anonymous today, Carton Cole is looking like the player we signed a few years back .. distinctly average.
Pablo Berrera came on and looked lively but with little service.
Luckily Liverpool didn't play in the second half and saved us a hiding but we were awful, I've accused Liverpool of being a one man team and we should have had a chance with Gerrard missing but sadly we are also a one man team and Scotty Parker was badly missed today.

Predictions (Week 13)

After last weeks variety of weird scores ... who knows??
The only good thing after my worst predictions week of the season was that I still beat Longy 2-1 :)

West Ham go to Anfield and every season I pray for a win and it just never happens, I was in still in nappies and Bobby Moore was a kid the last time the Hammers came away with the points so I'm ready for another disappointment, but after Sunderland's amazing win at Chelsea last week it shows the impossible can happen?
Our chances must be boosted after Liverpool's player got injured in England's rubbish midweek defeat by France, their other occasional player Torres might be out although he did come on in Spain's surprise thrashing by Portugal.
Other games include the North London derby which could be one of the last after the Spuds desire to move to East London?
Chelsea go to Birmingham who are not looking as good this season.
Man Utd take on Wigan which should be an easy home win but you never know as Man U lack the killer instinct so far and Wigan are just unpredictable.
Blackpool who survived the Hammers onslaught last week will be missing their goalie who broke his kneecap last week against an unlucky Wolves team who are far better than their league position.

Anyway here's my predictions for this week for what it's worth -
Arsenal v Tottenham 2-2
Birmingham v Chelsea 1-1
Blackpool v Wolves 1-1
Bolton v Newcastle 2-1
Man Utd v Wigan 3-0
West Brom v Stoke 2-1
Liverpool v West Ham 1-2
Blackburn v Aston Villa 1-1
Fulham v Man City 1-1
Sunderland v Everton 0-1

I've just seen on the Beeb website that X-factor person Olly Murs has made some predictions so I'll take him on as well :)
Here's his lot - Arsenal v Tottenham 2-1, Birmingham v Chelsea 0-2, Blackpool v Wolves 3-1, Bolton v Newcastle 1-1, Man Utd v Wigan 3-0, West Brom v Stoke 0-0, Liverpool v West Ham 3-2, Blackburn v Aston Villa 2-2, Fulham v Man City 1-2, Sunderland v Everton 0-1

As always, if anyone else is reading this have a go as well just post your scores in the comments.

Souness v Yosser

Loosely football related,
I was talking to someone about "Boys from the Blackstuff" and remembered this classic scene from Yosser's story featuring Liverpool's Graeme Souness and Sammy Lee.
Although at the time I hoped Yosser would headbutt Souness it's still a great scene :)
So thanks to the person who put it on youtube.

Is It April 1st?

Chelsea 0 Sunderland 3, Did anyone see that coming?
Sorry Longy after I tipped Sunderland for relegation it had to happen!!

Crossed Off

My favourite trip to White Hart lane back in 1981, we had just been promoted and Tottenham had just won the FA cup so this should have been an easy win for the Spuds but Psycho Cross had other ideas :)

Once A Thug

Always a thug.
So Barton gets a 3 match ban for his punch on Pedersen, which is the rules so it's probably right but considering this idiot's record maybe someone one day will say that's it enough is enough now fuck off and go play rugby or some sport where his victim is likely to punch the little cunts head in if he tried this with them.
It would be great if Football was a proper contact sport and players fought like they used to when I was young but it's not anymore so there isn't a place for people like Barton.

From Another Era

I love watching some of the ancient games posted on youtube lots from the old Big Match programme which used to be shown on a Sunday afternoon on ITV.
Here's a good one West Ham's win at Tottenham in the 1969/70 season with World cup heroes Hurst, Peters and Moore playing for the Hammers alongside tricky winger Harry Redknapp (whatever happened to him?), Tottenham's star player was Jimmy Greaves who had a nightmare.
Anyone who says diving is a new thing should look at the dramatic dive taken by Jimmy Pearce to earn the spuds a penalty which Greaves misses :)
Muddy pitches, dodgy haircuts and beardy Jimmy Hill ... great stuff :)

Predictions (Week 12)

Another weekend of Premier action approaches and from my point of view the big game is the Hammers v Blackpool which is getting to the stage of a "must win" game.
Anyway here's the predictions

Aston Villa v Man Utd 1-1
Man City v Birmingham 2-0
Newcastle v Fulham 2-1
Tottenham v Blackburn 1-1
West Ham v Blackpool 3-2
Wigan v West Brom 0-0
Wolves v Bolton 1-1
Stoke v Liverpool 1-0
Everton v Arsenal 2-2
Chelsea v Sunderland 4-0

Longy's Predictions
# Aston Villa v Man Utd 1 2
# Man City v Birmingham 2 0
# Newcastle v Fulham 2 1
# Tottenham v Blackburn 3 1
# West Ham v Blackpool 0 2
# Wigan v West Brom 1 2
# Wolves v Bolton 1 0
# Stoke City v Liverpool 1 2
# Everton v Arsenal 1 0
# Chelsea v Sunderland 3 0

Holloway

Ian Holloway was on form tonight in his after match interview with Radio 5 :)
Have a listen -

Prediction Competition

Round 1 (6th Nov - 7th Nov) - Lee 4 Longy 9
Round 2 (9th Nov - 10th Nov) - Lee 7 Longy 4
Neither of us did very well, but the Everton v Bolton 1-1 swung it for me this time :)
If anyone else reads this blog? you're welcome to join in, just post your predictions in the comments before matchday and I'll do the maths.

F Diddy

I started liking Dogbreath after this :)

Any Takers

These 3 are looking for a new club, I'm guessing Fulham might be in with a shout.

Predictions (Week 11 - Part 2)

Midweek league games for the first time this season with the Manchester derby the highlight, United's injury crisis could favour City but you just don't bet against United in a tough game do you??
West ham have a must win game against West Brom so fingers crossed by me.
Arsenal have a tough one away to Wolves who I can't believe are one place above the Hammers despite playing some really good football this season.
Chelsea should overcome Fulham, Liverpool go to Wigan where they should win but you don't know which Liverpool is going to turn up, and there's some other games which don't really matter :)

If you haven't slit your wrists yet Longy you can try and give me another thrashing at the predictions, here's mine -

Stoke v Birmingham 2-0
Tottenham v Sunderland 2-1
Aston Villa v Blackpool 2-0
Chelsea v Fulham 2-0
Newcastle v Blackburn 2-1
West Ham v West Brom 2-0
Wigan v Liverpool 0-0
Everton v Bolton 1-1
Man City v Man Utd 0-1
Wolves v Arsenal 2-0

Saturday / Sunday

Longy wins the prediction challenge but won't be happy (send money if you don't want me to predict Chelsea wins again), Only die hard scouses could have expected that after the way the seasons gone so far.
Arsenal play some nice football again but Newcastle do the one thing Arsenal struggle with and put the ball in the net.
Tevez was back for City and they got back on the winning trail with 2 goals for hit and miss striker Balotelli who then got himself sent off, West Brom had their 3rd player of the week sent off as their 4th place a couple of weeks ago looks like the highlight of their season.
Yesterday West Ham managed to throw away a 2 goal lead and nearly lost but feel hard done by again by a dodgy ref decision who missed a blatant shirt pull near the end which should have given us a penalty.
Tottenham got stuffed by in form Bolton who are looking a really good team under Owen Coyle and should finish well clear of the relegation area.
Blackpool continue to surprise and if goalie Matt Gilkes hadn't of had an off day they could have shocked Everton.
Man Utd again failed to impress but got the 3 points with a late late goal, tough on Wolves who are looking much better than last season, Owen Hargreaves lasted just 5 minutes of his comeback match (the new Keiron Dyer?).
Fulham left it even later against Villa to snatch yet another draw.
Jason Roberts did his best to miss another open goal but luckily for Blackburn his mis-hit went in off the post for a 2-1 victory over Wigan.
Sunderland managed to win without Bent with Asamoah Gyan repaying some of that 13 million with 2 goals, but Stoke were again robbed by the officials who missed a blatant double handball by Cattermole and possibly the ball being over the line anyway? Cattermole should have had his 3rd red card of the season and Stoke must be thinking that the league have money on them being relegated as for the third game in a row they are cheated by crap refereeing.

Rough Justice

Predictions (Week 11 - Part 1)

The first double week of the season with all the Prem teams playing twice, I'll do another post on Sunday for next weeks games.
A vital period for West Ham with a trip to Birmingham then home games with West Brom and Blackpool plus a trip to Anfield to come, four wins and we're on for a good season, four defeats and we're in deep shit.
At the top Chelsea have a chance to put some distance between them and the rest this month before a difficult December, Man U's 5 wins and 5 draws is not title form, they are not playing well but are still unbeaten, Arsenal can be brilliant but still need a quality striker to put away some of the many chances they make, Man City have been found out this week as without Tevez they look pretty ordinary.

Also it's the Lee v Longy challenge .. ta da
if there is anyone else who reads this have a go as well, but I'm guessing it's just you and me mate :)
3 points for a correct score, 1 point for just getting the right result (Home, Away, Draw).

My predictions -
Bolton v Tottenham 1-1
Birmingham v West Ham 1-1
Blackburn v Wigan 1-0
Blackpool v Everton 1-2
Fulham v Aston Villa 2-1
Man Utd v Wolves 2-0
Sunderland v Stoke 2-1
Arsenal v Newcastle 3-0
West Brom v Man City 1-1
Liverpool v Chelsea 0-2

Longy (Goal friction) predictions
# Bolton v Tottenham 2 1
# Birmingham v West Ham 1 0
# Blackburn v Wigan 2 1
# Blackpool v Everton 0 1
# Fulham v Aston Villa 1 1
# Man Utd v Wolves 2 0
# Sunderland v Stoke City 1 1
# Arsenal v Newcastle 2 0
# West Brom v Man City 1 2
# Liverpool v Chelsea 1 1

Football Memories - The 1980/81 Season

More from the archives :) a bit long winded but ...
The 80/81 season was a pretty good year to be a Hammers fan, on the back of the FA Cup win we had the bonus of a European Cup Winners Cup run and a third attempt of getting back into the top league.
The season didn't start that well with a trip to Wembley to play league champs Liverpool in the Charity Shield.

The game itself finished 1-0 to Liverpool, an early goal by McDermott.
I don't remember much else happening the only thing that sticks in my mind was our substitute Nicky Morgan coming on and brilliantly taking out serial bad tackler Graeme Souness with a lunging tackle, which left the so called hardman on the floor whining to the ref ... justice :)
The league season started badly with a home defeat by Luton then 2 away draws :(
Then things took off, new signing Paul Goddard fitted in well and by the end of the season we had run away with the league finishing well clear of second place Notts County!! the final tally was 28 wins 10 draws and just 4 defeats (including 2 by Luton). We did the double over Chelsea 1-0 away and 4-0 at home and didn't lose a league game after a boxing day defeat by QPR.
The European run was interesting we had drawn Castilla from Spain who were basically Real Madrid's reserve team? the first leg in Spain saw us lose 3-1 and after crowd trouble we nearly got thrown out, considering one of our fans died it seems harsh that we got the blame but a mate who went told me that we were far from blameless and that a load of our fans pissing on the Spaniards from an upper tier of the Bernabeau hadn't helped. The second leg was played behind closed doors and we ran out 5-1 winners, the only home game I missed that season.
The next round we beat Politechnia Timisoara of Rumania 4-0 after losing the away leg 1-0, then we had to play Russian team Dynamo Tbilisi who included some of Russia's best players, we started well with Alan Devonshire playing brilliantly but the Russians solved that with several really heavy tackles and he had to go off injured. By the end we had lost 4-1 and it was probably the only time I have ever clapped the opposition at the end as they were brilliant and would probably have beaten anyone at that time, amazingly we won the second leg 1-0 but the tie was over.
Tbilisi went on to win the competition and one odd piece of trivia from this competition was that the English league had 2 quarter finalists that year - us and 3rd division Newport County!!
Although we failed to defend the FA cup losing after 2 replays to Wrexham, we had a really good season in the League cup, we beat Tottenham 1-0 in the 5th round to get a Semi Final against Coventry, in the away leg we had gone 2-0 up but lost 3-2 in the home leg we were 1-0 up with seconds left expecting extra time when our other new signing Jimmy Neighbour scored an amazing winner to put us through to the final against Liverpool.

The final, excellent game as we matched Liverpool who were probably the best team in Europe at the time and after 90 minutes we were level at 0-0.
It all kicked off right at the end when Liverpool scored, Kennedy's shot went over the clearly offside Sammy Lee who ducked underneath it to decieve Phil Parkes, the linesman flagged the offside but welsh twat Clive Thomas gave the goal? even mild mannered Hammers manager John Lyall ran on to call him a cheat.
With seconds left of extra time Alvin Martin's goalbound shot was handled off the line by cheating bastard McDermott and Thomas finally got a decision right and gave us a penalty which super Jock Ray Stewart banged home to earn us a replay.


The replay was at Villa Park, I was in the Holt end which had been split into two with only a net between us and the scouses.
Liverpool had a young reserve in the team due to injuries called Ian Rush (whatever happened to him?) and cry baby Souness was also missing.
We took the lead early on after Jimmy Neighbour went flying down the right and crossed perfectly for Goddard, sadly Liverpool came back to win 2-1 after a scrappy own goal by Billy Bonds and Dalglish getting the winner.
Personally I only have bad memories of this game as during the second half I was hit on the head by a can of some liquid? thrown over the netting by the scouses which cut my head open, not too serious but it did bleed a bit, but I wasn't going to miss the rest of the game and a blood stained shirt wasn't that uncommon in those days.
After the game some nutty scouse decided to drive his car into our crowd outside the ground and me and many others ended up on the bonnet, he regretted that.

Benitez

A good excuse to use this old picture :)
The sayings of Rafa?
A few weeks back we got "We have a saying in Spanish White liquid in a bottle has to be milk" when talking about the former American owners at Liverpool.
Yesterday's gem "Some people cannot see a priest on a mountain of sugar" referring to Roy Hodgson.