EastSaxCol

Not very good. The first half was summed up by Aidy Boothroyd in the post match interview when he said that he had wished he was at home watching Eastenders during the first half.

Second half the U's did look better, but no doubt the neutrals watching on Sky would have changed channel long before that.

But fair do's to Brighton, they look a good side under manager Gus Poyet, and next season I wouldn't bet against them and Southampton being there , or thereabouts for the promotion places.

There's a minutes silence for Keith at ColU's home game against Brighton next Monday.

The Guardian also carried an article following his death.

RIP Big man

Just one of those days. Bit worried by those creeping up behind us - but there's still a fair way to go. The lottery of the play-offs seems more likely than ever for the U's though.

Steve Cotterill new manager

Cracking appointment, if only he's given the time.

We've got you lot in our sights

And we've got an automatic promotion place in ours

With Leeds failing to win at home, saving losing all three points with a last kick of the match equaliser leaves ColU only one point behind them in the table. A 65th minute header from Danny Batth provided the U's another ground out win, in which goalkeeper Ben Williams was not only ColU's best player but overall MOTM as well. But it's the goals scored that counts and that the U's having managed 5 clean sheets out of the last 8 games is what matters at this stage.

Brentford at home on Tuesday could see another twist in the battle for an automatic promotion place.

Kayode Odejayi's goal puts the U's up into third place and only three points behind Leeds for the automatic promotion place - albeit that they have a game in hand. But if they (and Norwich) keep faltering , then who knows. A good win this against a team with a decent home record.

Anyone sell underwear in Leeds ?

Now back to the serious stuff. A shocking performance by all accounts in throwing away an early two-goal lead (and with it any chance that there might have been for an automatic promotion place) against, let's face it, relegation fodder and the worst team in the division.

The

For your enjoyment, and certainly mine. ColU's, now infamous, first comedy goal against Southend on Monday.

No punishment for Henry and now the Swedish referee has been selected on the panel for the finals. Reward perhaps for making sure the big team got to the finals. I find it interesting to speculate the scenario if the cock up had gone against France.

you used the right expression there. it was a cock up. it wasn't a conspiracy.

Another dogged performance from the U's on a pitch that would have the Premiership pansies knickers in a twist worrying about their £500 hair do's.

Given the way that other results went on Saturday, gives me some sceptical hope of an automatic promotion place.

Well done the U's.

if gerrard, lampard and barry are fit then they are all in capello's first XI without question.

Of course that's the case.

Who's he been knobbing?

My answer to your eloquent question is , no one of any significance as far as I know. However, there's probably going to be a shutting up of shop at Chelsea concerning these affairs, and Lampard is part of that, It's a question of team unity that extends beyond Chelsea and encroaches upon country.

He is one of the first names on the teamsheet. When was the last time that the was dropped ? Whether or not you think he's having a good or bad season, in fact he's having an ok one, is irrelevant to the point that it's on his England performance that he's judged. In those games he's certainly been more impressive than say, Gerrard.

Lampard? Yeah, not a bad shout. Is he guaranteed a start though?

Lampard would have been my choice, if not too soon because of the Chelsea connection. But I think that he's now one of the first names on the teamsheet - so no problem there.

In the meantime I'd have chosen Gerrard for sure - he may not have shown his best for England up until now, but he does lead by example on the pitch.

Ferdinand it is then.

Speaking as a United fan, i don't think it's a big step up... but it is a step up.

Certainly wouldn't have been my choice, nor most others I suspect. But there you go.

England Manager Fabio Capello today issued the following statement:

“After much thought, I have made the decision that it will be best for me to take the captaincy away from John Terry.

“As a captain with the team, John Terry has displayed extremely positive behaviour. However, I have to take into account other considerations and what is best for all of the England squad.

“What is best for all of the England team has inspired my choice.

“John Terry was notified first.

“When I chose John Terry as captain, I also selected a vice-captain and also named a third choice. There is no reason to change this decision.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank The FA, particularly Lord David Triesman and Ian Watmore for allowing me to make this decision in my own time and in the best interest of the team.

Ferdinand it is then.

try the bulls head sukhumvit soi 33. coyi .

ps invite bkkjames for a beer and listen to his tales of following manure,lifelong support etc etc,

that should thoroughly entertaining

There used to be a West Ham bar on Sukhumvit called the Living Room, run by a friend of mine but he's now in Manila, so I guess that's no help. I don't think that there's another. You could try a couple of West Ham forums as I know that there are ex-pats living in Bangkok who post on a couple of them. But for general football related bars you should get enough advice here.

ColU 2 Carlisle 1

The U's needed to win this one of the two games in hand and in a poor first half ,that saw Harte score for the visitors in the 24th minute, looked as though they'd be lucky to salvage a draw. The second half was a different story (a game of two halves) and the U's came out in the ascendency. Clive Platt scored the U's equaliser and substitute Kayode Odejayi scored the winner with the last kick of the match. The U's remain in 4th place ,four ponts behind third placed Charlton (who drew away to Wallsall) , with still one game in hand.

So here's to next Saturday and a home win against, erm ... Southend United.

Not forgetting the postponed match against Carlisle on Tuesday of coure.

No surprises there really. Nor that it was two goals from Beckford that did for the U's. The plus side is that loanee, Pat Baldwin, to major Essex rivals Southend last week sealed a draw in the 89th minute for the 'seaweeders' against U's promotion rivals Swindon ,when it looked like they were going to go ahead of us in the league table with a game in hand until the 85th minute. However, as it stands the U's remain at fourth with Swindon and Millwall behind the U's in the play-offs positions.

Not often I'll get the chance to cheer Southend -- but rather than look to other team's dropping points we need to pick up our own results. So here's to next Saturday and a home win against, erm ... Southend United.

Captaincy should be passed over to Rooney. He's a man in great form and his mind will be on the job

Think that I'd agree now, despite never quite understanding why Gerrard was never made captain after Beckham.

Anyway, the bottom line is that they're all just minicab drivers who happen to be good at playing football.

im of out the ian dury bio sex and drugs and rock and roll

Off topic I know , but I read Ian Balls excellent biography of the same name. Mixed reviews of the film. Enjoy all the same.

Made me smile when recently I read via an article in The Independent that Mourinho's favourite book was the Bible. Must think it's about him I suppose.