Tuesday Open Thread. Wembley Beckons?

Such beauty...I want it!

Such beauty...I want it!

That there, on the left, is one of the most desirable, coveted, stunning, important trophies in the whole of World football. That my friends is the Johnstone’s Paint trophy, known commonly as the ‘Paint Pot’. Of course, my tongue is firmly in my cheek.

Why am I sharing the beauty of such a wonderful trophy? Because my beloved Norwich City are playing away to Southampton in the regional semi-final today. Ninety minutes and then penalties if needed. However, we will likely be missing 19 goal hit-man Grant Holt and number one CB Jens Askou among others. Manager Paul Lambert does not relish a trip to Wembley as much as I do and has said his focus is on the league. BUT, I really, really, really, really, really, REALLY want to go to Wembley this season.

So, best team or not, keep your fingers crossed for me today as I listen to my super yellas at St Mary’s. I’ve been pacing my way through this competition for months and a win puts us in the regional two-legged final with either Hereford or Milton Keynes. Yeah, I KNOW, that would be extremely tasty!!!! Kick off at 2.45 EST.

There are also some Premier League games on today so let’s look at those.

Birmingham play host to Blackburn, Bolton are at home to the woeful and road weary West Ham. Wolves prepare for a thumping at Old Trafford as Villa’s win last Saturday is sure to fuel a beat-down, and Old Trafford conquerors, Aston Villa visit Sunderland. Kick off at the Stadium of Light is at 2.45 and the rest go at 3pm.

Elsewhere, Stockport and Torquay play their FA Cup second round fixture and the other 3 Paint Pot games will see Carlisle V Bradford, Hereford V MK Dons and Leeds v Accrington Stanley. There are a few games in Scotland and a bunch of non-leaguers play in the FA Trophy. Oh and also today some thing called the ‘FIFA World Club Championship’ saw a semi-final between the Pohang Steelers (no idea) v Club Estudiantes de La Plata (Argentina). The latter of the two have the wonderful nickname “Los Pincharratas” (if Wikipedia is to be believed) meaning ‘the rat stabbers’. And the final was Steelers 1 Rat Stabbers 2.

So come on in for banter, goals, rat stabbing and plenty of the jibber-jaber. It may be ’broke ass Tuesday’ but we are all rich when the football is on. GET IN!

Today’s fixtures in full…
FIFA Club World Cup
Pohang Steelers v Club Estudiantes de La Plata, SF, 16:00
Barclays Premier League
Birmingham v Blackburn, 20:00
Bolton v West Ham, 20:00
Man Utd v Wolverhampton, 20:00
Sunderland v Aston Villa, 19:45
The FA Cup
Stockport v Torquay, R2, 19:45
Johnstone’s Paint Trophy
Carlisle v Bradford, SFN, 19:30
Hereford v MK Dons, SFS, 19:00
Leeds United v Accrington Stanley, SFN, 19:45
Southampton v Norwich, SFS, 19:45
Clydesdale Bank Premier League
Dundee Utd v Rangers, 19:45
The Irn-Bru Scottish Football League Championship First Division
Raith v Airdrie Utd, 19:45
The Irn-Bru Scottish Football League Championship Second Division
Brechin v Peterhead, 19:45
Cowdenbeath v Stenhousemuir, 19:45
Stirling v Dumbarton, 19:30
The FA Carlsberg Trophy
Altrincham v Wrexham, R1R, 19:45
Chippenham v Arlesey, R1R, 19:45
Gainsborough v Southport, R1R, 19:45
Harrogate Town v Gateshead, R1R, 19:45
Maidstone Utd OFF Histon, R1, 19:45
Northwood v Carshalton, R1R, 19:45
Truro City v Chelmsford, R1R, 19:45
York v Hinckley Utd, R1R, 19:45

Discuss…

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Comments

  1. On December 15, 2009 @ 14:34 James T says:

    Team News:

    Bolton (19th): Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Cahill, Knight, Robinson, Lee, Muamba, Cohen, Taylor, Kevin Davies, Klasnic.
    Subs: Al Habsi, Samuel, Elmander, Gardner, Ricketts, Basham, Andrew O’Brien.
    West Ham (18th): Green, Faubert, Gabbidon, Tomkins, Ilunga, Dyer, Parker, Kovac, Collison, Franco, Diamanti.
    Subs: Kurucz, Spector, Da Costa, Nouble, Daprela, Payne, Stanislas.

    Man Utd (2nd): Kuszczak, De Laet, Carrick, Vidic, Evra, Valencia, Scholes, Gibson, Obertan, Berbatov, Rooney.
    Subs: Foster, Owen, Anderson, Park, Welbeck, Fabio Da Silva, Fletcher.
    Wolves (17th): Hahnemann, Zubar, Mancienne, Elokobi, Hill, Halford, Foley, Castillo, Friend, Surman, Maierhofer.
    Subs: Hennessey, Henry, Ebanks-Blake, Jones, Berra, Jarvis, Iwelumo.

    Sunderland (10th): Fulop, Nosworthy, Turner, Da Silva, McCartney, Henderson, Cana, Richardson, Reid, Bent, Jones.
    Subs: Carson, Bardsley, Malbranque, Campbell, Mensah, Healy, Cattermole.
    Aston Villa (3rd): Friedel, Luke Young, Cuellar, Dunne, Warnock, Ashley Young, Petrov, Milner, Downing, Heskey, Agbonlahor.
    Subs: Guzan, Sidwell, Carew, Delph, Reo-Coker, Beye, Collins.

  2. On December 15, 2009 @ 14:35 James T says:

    and MK Dons is up 1-0 with 35 mins gone.

  3. On December 15, 2009 @ 14:42 Norfolk Ned says:

    We just called a bluff, love it. Askou and Smith the only absentees. Camon City!!!!!

  4. On December 15, 2009 @ 14:42 Precious Roy says:

    Weren’t both Norwich and Southampton in the Prem like four years ago?

  5. On December 15, 2009 @ 14:44 ebullientfatalist says:

    You guys are my updates for this afternoon’s action. Try not to let me down.

  6. On December 15, 2009 @ 14:44 James T says:

    We’ll do our best, EF. Might even have a nice liveblog for tomorrow afternoon.

  7. On December 15, 2009 @ 14:48 ebullientfatalist says:

    Excellent, JT. I’m tivo’ing the Arsenal-Burnley match but I know I’m gonna be weak and check the score before I get home.

  8. On December 15, 2009 @ 14:49 James T says:

    EF: every time I’ve tried to avoid hearing the score of an LFC game, I’ve failed miserably. I just have to know ahead of time.

  9. On December 15, 2009 @ 14:49 Norfolk Ned says:

    @PR Didn’t Precious Roy used to be funny?

  10. On December 15, 2009 @ 14:51 Precious Roy says:

    That wasn’t a joke Ned. I was trying to remember how recent that both were up in the Prem without bothering to use wikipedia. Pretty sure they went down together. Was that 04-05 or 05-06?

  11. On December 15, 2009 @ 14:52 Highbury Library says:

    Because I, too, am lazy, I’ll guess 04-05.

  12. On December 15, 2009 @ 14:53 James T says:

    Also… anyone taking umbrage with Wolves gaffer Mick McCarthy tonight? He’s kinda phoning it in at Old Trafford by making 10 changes to the side that won this past weekend.

  13. On December 15, 2009 @ 14:55 Anonsters says:

    And in addition, he will be slobbing Fergie’s knob after the match.

  14. On December 15, 2009 @ 14:58 Norfolk Ned says:

    @PR sod off, Glory chasing Gooner! :)

  15. On December 15, 2009 @ 14:59 Anonsters says:

    I swear the Spanish commentator of the Sunderland-Villa match just said that Sunderland, Everton, & Wolves are “chintzy.”

  16. On December 15, 2009 @ 15:00 Precious Roy says:

    Yes, may I never know the pain of relegation.

  17. On December 15, 2009 @ 15:01 Anonsters says:

    Ok, I swear that I pretended that’s what I heard, b/c I heard those names and the word “chintzy.”

  18. On December 15, 2009 @ 15:01 Norfolk Ned says:

    Shite. One down, bugger. Stay calm Ned, stay calm Ned. Icy calm Ned.

  19. On December 15, 2009 @ 15:06 Anonsters says:

    Aaaand, Ashley Young acts like a twat.

  20. On December 15, 2009 @ 15:08 Georger says:

    Emile Heskey, professional pussy.

  21. On December 15, 2009 @ 15:10 Georger says:

    And of course Heskey scores.

  22. On December 15, 2009 @ 15:10 Anonsters says:

    A scoring pussy.

  23. On December 15, 2009 @ 15:11 Anonsters says:

    Of course, to miss that, he would have ot have been a huge ass.

  24. On December 15, 2009 @ 15:13 Georger says:

    Wow Mick drops all but the keeper from the team that beat Spurs. Way to roll over, dick.

  25. On December 15, 2009 @ 15:15 Anonsters says:

    Didn’t you mean bend over, Georger?

  26. On December 15, 2009 @ 15:17 James T says:

    Birmingham go up 1-0 at home to Blackburn, and Damarcus Beasley scores for Rangers at Dundee United. 1-0 there also

  27. On December 15, 2009 @ 15:19 Anonsters says:

    Is it just me, or does Kieran Richardson not look a little bit like jermaine Pennant?

  28. On December 15, 2009 @ 15:19 Norfolk Ned says:

    WWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTTTTTTT

    GARY DOC DOHERTY!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO F’N HOOOOOOOOOOOO

    GET IN CITY

    1-1

  29. On December 15, 2009 @ 15:21 James T says:

    Ginger Pele strikes!

  30. On December 15, 2009 @ 15:22 Georger says:

    What a save by Friedel.

  31. On December 15, 2009 @ 15:23 Steve says:

    Ned, you said this is the regional semi-final – does a win get them to Wembley or to they go to a regional final and other national games (national quarters, semis) first? Afraid I don’t know about about the JPT.

  32. On December 15, 2009 @ 15:24 Steve says:

    Ah I see you said they’d get into the regional final, do they go to Wembley if they win that?

  33. On December 15, 2009 @ 15:28 Norfolk Ned says:

    @Steve,

    Yes, win this, play MK Dons or Hereford and Wembley awaits and maybe even Leeds. WOOOOO HOOOOO!!!! Camon!!!!!

  34. On December 15, 2009 @ 15:29 ebullientfatalist says:

    @Georger: I made this comment via text on Saturday, but Friedel is our number two, right? And by that I don’t mean he’s shit, so there goes your poop joke.

  35. On December 15, 2009 @ 15:30 Georger says:

    No he retired from international duty five years ago actually.

  36. On December 15, 2009 @ 15:33 James T says:

    Dammit… Rooney scores from the spot to give United a 1-0 lead over Wolves’ Reserves

  37. On December 15, 2009 @ 15:33 Georger says:

    Rooney scores a penalty. Media likely to describe it as eighty yard backheel.

  38. On December 15, 2009 @ 15:40 ebullientfatalist says:

    @Georger: Oh. Yeah. Right. Of course.

  39. On December 15, 2009 @ 15:42 Georger says:

    Right, right, robot. Yeah I had to look it up, they’re all interchangeable. For all I know, Keller is still there.

  40. On December 15, 2009 @ 15:43 James T says:

    is it Neckbeard Guzan as #2, then?

  41. On December 15, 2009 @ 15:43 Steve says:

    Guzan is 2 I believe.

  42. On December 15, 2009 @ 15:44 Anonsters says:

    Vidic w/ the 2nd.

  43. On December 15, 2009 @ 15:44 Anonsters says:

    This Wolves team is an absolute fucking joke.

  44. On December 15, 2009 @ 15:45 ebullientfatalist says:

    Kaycee Keller? K.C. Keller?

    I tried to forget everyone from our WC98 selection, but Friedel keeps making me remember him.

  45. On December 15, 2009 @ 15:49 James T says:

    Nikola Kalinic looks for a PK against Brum, but is turned down. If he’d stayed on his feet, he could have scored with ease. It’s irritating enough when players dive to get cheap PKs, but even more frustrating/confusing when they do it in situations where they have a clear goal-scoring chance. Just fucking shoot, dammit!

  46. On December 15, 2009 @ 15:51 Anonsters says:

    How sweet. Niall Quinn had his arm around the referee at halftime of the Sunderland-Villa match, after the Sunderland crowd booed the ref off the pitch at half.

  47. On December 15, 2009 @ 15:53 Anonsters says:

    Jesus Fucking Christ, Andy Reid. Score that fucker.

  48. On December 15, 2009 @ 15:54 Anonsters says:

    Aww. Heskey got a widdle booboo.

  49. On December 15, 2009 @ 15:56 The NY Kid says:

    why does everyone hate Marcus Hahnemann?

  50. On December 15, 2009 @ 15:59 Anonsters says:

    Heskey just Zamora’d it. I swear, he always looks about to burst into tears.

    @NYK: I’d say it’s his disastrous facial hair decisions.

  51. On December 15, 2009 @ 15:59 Norfolk Ned says:

    WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

    CAMON!!!!!! MARTIN!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT 2-1 CITY! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

  52. On December 15, 2009 @ 16:01 WhiteSpeedReceiver says:

    This Wolves team is an absolute fucking joke.

    Roy Keane knows why.

  53. On December 15, 2009 @ 16:02 Anonsters says:

    Come on, Sunderland, you feline fucks.

  54. On December 15, 2009 @ 16:05 Anonsters says:

    Holy shit, what a strike by Milner.

  55. On December 15, 2009 @ 16:06 Anonsters says:

    Wow. Hell of a goal. Villa 2-0.

  56. On December 15, 2009 @ 16:09 Precious Roy says:

    Why do I suddenly get the feeling that the Arse are going to regret not having played Villa early when they were sucking.

    Not who you play, it’s when you play them.

  57. On December 15, 2009 @ 16:10 ebullientfatalist says:

    @PR: Villa may be thinking the same thing.

  58. On December 15, 2009 @ 16:12 James T says:

    We all agree, right? James Milner absolutely has to be in England’s World Cup squad.

  59. On December 15, 2009 @ 16:12 jjf3 says:

    Dammit, Jerome, go back to The Time and quit screwing up our attempt to get into the top half of the table!

  60. On December 15, 2009 @ 16:13 dmvdc says:

    If that’s normal for him, hell yes.

  61. On December 15, 2009 @ 16:14 jjf3 says:

    @JT: I’d assume he would have to be, if for no other reason than the flexibility he provides.

  62. On December 15, 2009 @ 16:15 James T says:

    Birmingham are this season’s Hull, clearly, though something tells me they have the organization and squad to actually maintain this decent form.

  63. On December 15, 2009 @ 16:15 James T says:

    @jjf3: and stunning goals like that one can’t hurt his case, either

  64. On December 15, 2009 @ 16:17 jjf3 says:

    Won’t get to see it until tonight, but I’ll take your word for it…

  65. On December 15, 2009 @ 16:23 dmvdc says:

    Byebye, Cana. Sunderland down to 10.

  66. On December 15, 2009 @ 16:24 dmvdc says:

    For a second yellow, studs-up two-footer challenge on Milner.

  67. On December 15, 2009 @ 16:30 dmvdc says:

    What are the EPL Europa League spots?

  68. On December 15, 2009 @ 16:31 jjf3 says:

    C’mon, Rovers, let’s follow up the captain’s goal with another!

  69. On December 15, 2009 @ 16:37 Norfolk Ned says:

    AGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. 20 secs left and they score!!! God Damn IT

    Penalties coming.

  70. On December 15, 2009 @ 16:39 Ryan says:

    @dmvdc 5th for sure, 6th and 7th depending on Carling and FA Cups.

  71. On December 15, 2009 @ 16:42 James T says:

    and the Hammers are in trouble once more…. Green’s gaffe gifts Bolton a 2-1 lead

  72. On December 15, 2009 @ 16:43 Norfolk Ned says:

    Holt scores!

    1-0

  73. On December 15, 2009 @ 16:43 Norfolk Ned says:

    Lambert. Scores. 1-1

  74. On December 15, 2009 @ 16:44 Norfolk Ned says:

    Russell Martin for Norwich. 2-1 nice.

  75. On December 15, 2009 @ 16:44 Norfolk Ned says:

    Papa John for Saints. Scores 2-2

  76. On December 15, 2009 @ 16:44 spectator says:

    So is Zola in danger now? West Ham in 19th place assuming nothing changes. It really isn’t Zola’s fault that the team is strapped financially, but I can see him taking the fall.

  77. On December 15, 2009 @ 16:45 Norfolk Ned says:

    Chris Martin for City. Scores. 3-2

  78. On December 15, 2009 @ 16:45 Norfolk Ned says:

    Lloyd James for Saints. SAVED WOOOOOOOOOOOOOTTTT

    Fraser I LOVE YOU!!!!!

  79. On December 15, 2009 @ 16:46 Norfolk Ned says:

    Nelson for City……..Camon big man… SHIT Saved!

  80. On December 15, 2009 @ 16:46 spectator says:

    C’mon you yellow canaries!

  81. On December 15, 2009 @ 16:46 Norfolk Ned says:

    Llanna 3-3. poo

  82. On December 15, 2009 @ 16:47 Norfolk Ned says:

    Russell for Norwich…..Scores. 4-3

  83. On December 15, 2009 @ 16:47 Norfolk Ned says:

    Camon Fraser!!!!!

    Watson….Scores. 4-4

  84. On December 15, 2009 @ 16:48 WhiteSpeedReceiver says:

    C’mon, Tweedy Birds.

  85. On December 15, 2009 @ 16:48 Steve says:

    Come on Canaries!

  86. On December 15, 2009 @ 16:48 Norfolk Ned says:

    Otsemobor…I have a bad feeling…..Scores 5-4…

  87. On December 15, 2009 @ 16:48 jjf3 says:

    Camon Canaries!

  88. On December 15, 2009 @ 16:49 The Fan's Attic says:

    that Klasnic fellow has been pumping in the goals lately. five in last six league matches he has appeared.

  89. On December 15, 2009 @ 16:49 Norfolk Ned says:

    Hammond for Saints…Camon big Fraser!!!!

    Scores…5-5

  90. On December 15, 2009 @ 16:49 Ryan says:

    Camon Canaries!

  91. On December 15, 2009 @ 16:50 Norfolk Ned says:

    Gill. I am scared!

    Pacing now….Camon son….

    Oh no….saved oh no..NOOOOOOOO

    NOOOOOOOOOOO.

  92. On December 15, 2009 @ 16:50 Norfolk Ned says:

    Wooooooowwwwww

    a LIFELINE

    FORSTER SAVES ANTONIO. 5-5

  93. On December 15, 2009 @ 16:51 Norfolk Ned says:

    McDonald, saved!! AGGGGGRRRRRRRRR

  94. On December 15, 2009 @ 16:51 Steve says:

    whew

  95. On December 15, 2009 @ 16:51 Steve says:

    oh damn

  96. On December 15, 2009 @ 16:51 James T says:

    Spectator: don’t know how much direct danger Zola is in, but something has to give at Upton Park. The club just rejected the buyout offer from Gold and Sullivan, formerly from Birmingham City as well…

  97. On December 15, 2009 @ 16:52 Norfolk Ned says:

    and Thomas scores. we are done. Wembley dream is over…I am off to jump out of the window. Cruel, cruel, cruel. 20 god damn seconds to go.

  98. On December 15, 2009 @ 16:52 spectator says:

    @Ned: Of course the former Grecian didn’t score!

    @TFA: Same with Gary Cahill. I feel like Bolton may need to have “Stupid Fucking” retired… They’ve been scoring goals like mad this season. Maybe the tag should just attach to whichever team Sam Allardyce is managing.

  99. On December 15, 2009 @ 16:52 Steve says:

    Sorry, Ned. Tough tough break.

  100. On December 15, 2009 @ 16:53 spectator says:

    :( Sorry Ned. Maybe you’ll have a trip to Wembley in your future soon for the League One playoffs.

  101. On December 15, 2009 @ 16:57 WhiteSpeedReceiver says:

    Great, now after the untimely demise of Bigus Dickus it looks like Norfolk Ned is going to off himself. Who’s going to show up next? The 3rd brother Canary Carl?

  102. On December 15, 2009 @ 18:09 Goat says:

    I think the name Carl is inherently funny. Except, of course, if anyone on here is actually named Carl. Tough one, though, Ned.

  103. On December 15, 2009 @ 20:59 Keith says:

    So I was avoiding the score, and so avoiding this thread, to watch at Nevada’s after work.

    But yeah, Milner’s gotta be on the plane to SA. And I was joking that he’d be taking Barry’s spot, but since seeing him in central midfield for the past few matches, he might well pip Fat Frank’s spot.

    And I do find it funny that McLeish has Blues playing so well, but he’s not gonna surpass O’Neill– just like in Glasgow.

    And so, so sorry, Ned.

  104. On December 15, 2009 @ 23:08 Texster says:

    Sorry I wasn’t hear for this little liveblog, but I must say I am thrilled to be heading to the regional final! My m8s that went to SMS said your boys were the better side, Ned, and one of the better sides they have seen. I was over in England a few weeks ago and saw Saints v Norwich at SMS in the league, and I expect you to be challenging Charlton for automatic promotion, if you can stay healthy. Your front line is huge!

    Anyway, not too much gloating, but Come On You Reds! Take Me to Wembley!

  105. On December 16, 2009 @ 00:07 Norfolk Ned says:

    @Tex, well done mate. I’m not bitter, annoyed at the goal 20 seconds from time still tho’. Good luck!

  106. On December 16, 2009 @ 10:58 dmvdc says:

    ^^^ And that, my friends, is class. Well done, Ned.

  107. On December 16, 2009 @ 11:28 Goat says:

    BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! Sportsmanship sucks!

  108. On December 16, 2009 @ 18:15 dmvdc says:

    Don’t make me shepherd your ass, Goat.

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