Championship. Results, Reviews and Table for 2008/9

[Dirko]

Derby 3 - those pricks from the other side of the river 1...

Cloughy's legend rides again...**** you Trees !!

and trust Earnshaw to knock one in for the Trees too

[johntheclaret]

Last weeks results upto Sun 1st Mar

Sunday, 1 March 2009
Sheff.Utd 2-1 Birmingham

Saturday, 28 February 2009
Barnsley 2-1 Q.P.R.
Bristol C. 0-0 Blackpool
Burnley 2-4 Sheff.Wed
Norwich 1-2 Coventry
Preston 3-2 Ipswich
Reading 0-1 Nott'm Forest
Southampton 1-0 Cardiff
Swansea 1-1 Charlton
Watford 2-0 C.Palace
Wolves 0-1 Plymouth

Friday, 27 February 2009
Doncaster 2-1 Derby

Wednesday, 25 February 2009
Cardiff 0-0 Q.P.R.

Round Up

Struggling Plymouth increased their hopes of survival as they recorded a shock 1-0 win at Coca-Cola Championship leaders Wolves.
Argyle got off to the perfect start as Paul Gallagher's superb overhead kick gave them a surprise lead with less than a minute on the clock.
And they held on to secure their second win in 17 matches and leave Wolves without a victory since January.

Fellow strugglers Southampton also recorded a surprise 1-0 victory over promotion-chasing Cardiff.
Southampton were gifted the lead in the 11th minute when Mark Kennedy handled in the area and David McGoldrick stepped up to convert the resulting penalty.
They remain in the relegation zone, however, following Nottingham Forest's 1-0 triumph at Reading.
Steve Coppell's third-placed team dominated the game but failed to score for a fourth consecutive game and Lewis McGugan claimed the only goal after 61 minutes.

Bristol City failed to capitalise on their promotion rivals' slip-ups as they were held to a goalless draw at home by Blackpool.

Preston moved into fourth spot with an entertaining 3-2 win over Ipswich.
Town got off to the worst possible start as Alex Bruce fouled Stephen Elliott in the area and Callum Davidson drilled home the resulting penalty in the sixth minute.
The visitors equalised on the half-hour mark thanks to a brilliant goal by Tommy Miller but Jon Parkin headed home four minutes from the break to restore Preston's advantage.
Stephen Elliott extended their lead on the hour mark before Miller grabbed another stunner two minutes later with a wonderful free-kick.

Marcus Tudgay and Leon Clarke both claimed doubles as Sheffield Wednesday blew a massive hole in Burnley's play-off aspirations with a 4-2 victory.
Tudgay found the net with a clinical 19th-minute opener before Chris McCann headed the Clarets level in the 53rd minute - but Wednesday ran riot thereafter.
Tudgay - who also netted a brace in the Owls' thumping 4-1 win over Burnley at Hillsborough on the opening day of the season - claimed his second goal in the 69th minute with another good finish.
Clarke then took centre stage with two fine left-footed strikes to ensure substitute Chris Eagles' 85th-minute free-kick was no more than consolation for the Clarets.

Rock-bottom Charlton took a vital point from a 1-1 draw at Swansea, who now lie just a point outside the play-off spots.
Nathan Dyer drilled home a low shot three minutes from the break to give the hosts the lead but Nick Bailey levelled matters 10 minutes after the interval with his third goal in four matches.

Norwich are now three points from safety after they lost 2-1 at home to Coventry.
The visitors took the lead in the 19th minute thanks to Jordan Henderson but Jonathan Grounds fired in the equaliser eight minutes after the break. Daniel Fox curled home the winner 17 minutes from time.

Barnsley moved into 18th with a 2-1 triumph at home to Queens Park Rangers.
Daniel Bogdanovic headed Barnsley in front in the 26th minute before a Dexter Blackstock header levelled matters 10 minutes later, but Anderson De Silva restored their lead two minutes from the break.

Watford also moved up a place thanks to a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace.
Don Cowie scored his first goal for Watford as the Hornets' resurgence under manager Brendan Rodgers continued.
Cowie - signed in January from Scottish side Inverness Caledonian Thistle - took advantage of a faulty offside trap to score a simple opener in the 22nd minute before Jose Fonte's own goal sealed the points for the hosts.

Table

Teams P GD PTS
1 Wolves 35 20 64
2 Birmingham 35 10 61
-----------------------
3 Reading 33 29 59
4 Preston 35 4 56
5 SheffUtd 34 15 55
6 Bristol C 35 7 54
-----------------------
7 Cardiff 32 14 53
8 Swansea 34 13 52
9 Burnley 35 -1 52
10 Ipswich 35 10 50
11 QPR 34 1 48
12 SheffWed 35 -7 48
13 Coventry 34 -1 47
14 CPalace 33 3 44
15 Doncaster 34 -10 43
16 Derby 33 -4 41
17 Watford 33 -5 39
18 Barnsley 33 -10 39
19 Plymouth 35 -12 39
20 Blackpool 35 -14 39
21 Nott'm Forest 35 -13 37
---------------------------
22 Southampton 34 -18 34
23 Norwich 35 -10 33
24 Charlton 34 -21 27

[JK]

Always amazes me to see the drop from some teams leaving the EPL and then struggling to survive in the division below ... Obviously it's a great sign for the alround quality of English Football.

Perhaps Curbishly did a much better job with the Addic's than I'd given him credit for??

[johntheclaret]

Always amazes me to see the drop from some teams leaving the EPL and then struggling to survive in the division below ... Obviously it's a great sign for the alround quality of English Football.

Perhaps Curbishly did a much better job with the Addic's than I'd given him credit for??

Sure did Connie, It was that kind of one man one club thing. You know what I mean, even if I can't explain it.

Curbishley and Charlton
Allardyce and Bolton
Wilkinson and Sheffield Wednesday
Taylor and Watford
Sanchez and Wimbledon
Ferguson and Man U (might fit into this category)

You know..... they do ok togther and then when they split, neither really have the same level of success again. OK maybe not Fergie and Utd.

[drebin]

Always amazes me to see the drop from some teams leaving the EPL and then struggling to survive in the division below ... Obviously it's a great sign for the alround quality of English Football.

Perhaps Curbishly did a much better job with the Addic's than I'd given him credit for??

Sure did Connie, It was that kind of one man one club thing. You know what I mean, even if I can't explain it.

Curbishley and Charlton
Allardyce and Bolton
Wilkinson and Sheffield Wednesday
Taylor and Watford
Sanchez and Wimbledon
Ferguson and Man U (might fit into this category)

O'Neill and Leicester

[johntheclaret]

Agreed. Although he did ok at Celtic (I guess my mum would do ok at Celtic), and made a pretty good job at Vila. But take your point.

[drebin]

Agreed. Although he did ok at Celtic (I guess my mum would do ok at Celtic), and made a pretty good job at Vila. But take your point.

Very good Manager O'Neill and it was a sad day when he left Filbert Street. His replacement Peter Taylor bungled a few purchases of players to replace Heskey when he was sold to Liverpool yet managed to have us sitting top of the Premier at Xmas (the first time since 1962) in his first year but it all went down hill rapidly after the festive season and within 18 months we were in the championship!

Still I shouldn't dwell in the past.....................!

[johntheclaret]

Taylor is another good manager. In charge at Wycombe I think and diong a good job too. Had them on a great unbeaten run earlier this year and iirc, Wycombe was the last club in the league this year unbeated from the start of the season.

He did a phenomenal job for England U21s too. then for some inexplicable reason the FA decided to put Wilkinson in charge and that was the end of that.

there are a few good managers floating around the leagues, Tayor, O'Niell and Curbishley amoungst them.

[johntheclaret]

this weeks action from Sunday 1st Mar

Results

Wednesday 4th Mar
Birmingham 1 Bristol C 0
Coventry 1 Sheffield U 2
Tuesday 3rd Mar
Crystal Palace 0 Wolves 1
Sheffield Wed 1 Reading 2
Cardiff 3 Barnsley 1
Nottm Forest 2 Preston 1
QPR 0 Norwich 1
Ipswich 0 Southampton 3
Blackpool 0 Burnley 1
Plymouth 2 Watford 1
Charlton 1 Doncaster 2
Derby 2 Swansea 2

Sunday 1st Mar
Sheff Utd 2 Birmingham 1

Round Up

Wolves extended their lead at the top of the Coca-Cola Championship after Sylvan Ebanks-Blake held his nerve to convert a penalty and claim a 1-0 win at Crystal Palace.
It was only Wolves' second win in 12 games but with second-placed Birmingham not playing tonight, the victory was enough to send the Black Country five points clear of Reading.
Winger Michael Kightly was brought down in the box by Clint Hill and Ebanks-Blake sidefooted home with 17 minutes to go.
The visitors had adapted better to the swirling wind and driving rain in south London in the first half but could not find a way through.
Kightly came closest when he drove in a low cross-shot which was blocked on the goalline in unorthodox fashion by the heel of the diving Hill.
Wolves were poor in the second half and the game appeared to be heading for a draw before the spot kick.

Reading leapfrogged Birmingham into second after coming from behind to win 2-1 at Sheffield Wednesday.
The hosts took the lead on the stroke of half-time when Sean McAllister volleyed home Leon Clarke's lay-off from 12 yards.
The Royals pulled level when an unmarked Kevin Doyle headed in in the 56th minute before Shane Long got the winner with nine minutes to go.

Preston stay fourth despite a 2-1 defeat at Nottingham Forest thanks to Rob Earnshaw's double.
Earnshaw headed home in the 58th minute following Joel Lynch's cross.
The lead lasted just five minutes, though, with Jon Parkin volleying the visitors level.
However, Forest soon regained the lead when Earnshaw took advantage of a mix-up between Preston keeper Andy Lonergan and defender Simon Davies to grab his second.

Cardiff drew level on points with the Lilywhites after a 3-1 home win over 10-man Barnsley.
Cardiff went ahead when Joe Ledley converted Peter Whittingham's corner in the fourth minute.
The Bluebirds doubled their lead just before half-time when Michael Chopra pounced after Whittingham's shot was spilt by Heinz Muller.
Barnsley got one back through substitute Jon Macken's first-time shot.
The Tykes, though, were down to 10 men when Andranik Teymourian was sent off for his second bookable offence and Whittingham confirmed the win.

Chris Porter marked his full home debut with his first goals for Derby but the Rams squandered a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with promotion chasing Swansea.
Angel Rangel pulled one back and Swansea then levelled through Gorka Pintado with three minutes to go.

Burnley are just one place outside the play-offs after a 1-0 win at Blackpool thanks to Christian Kalvenes' left-footed shot from the six-yard box with five minutes to go.

Darel Russell scored the only goal as relegation-threatened Norwich ended a run of seven championship matches without a win at faltering QPR.

Doncaster's fine run continued but the future looks bleak for Charlton after Rovers won 2-1 at The Valley.
Rovers went ahead five minutes after the break through James Coppinger but Nick Bailey pulled the hosts level with a 25-yard volley in the 73rd minute.
Going in search of a winner, the hosts left themselves open and Rovers took advantage to break with Bailey conceding a penalty which Brian Stock converted.

Southampton remain in the relegation zone but they had a 3-0 win at Ipswich.
Two goals from Jason Euell and a long-range shot from Matthew Paterson earned the win.

Paul Gallagher scored twice as Plymouth beat Watford 2-1, Tommy Smith scoring for the Hornets.

[johntheclaret]

Oops.... and here is the table

Teams P GD PTS
1 Wolves 36 21 67
2 Birmingham 36 11 64
-----------------------
3 Reading 34 30 62
4 SheffUtd 35 16 58
5 Cardiff 33 16 56
6 Preston 36 3 56
-----------------------
7 Burnley 36 0 55
8 Bristol C 36 6 54
9 Swansea 35 13 53
10 Ipswich 36 7 50
11 QPR 35 0 48
12 SheffWed 36 -8 48
13 Coventry 35 -2 47
14 Doncaster 35 -9 46
15 CPalace 34 2 44
16 Derby 34 -4 42
17 Plymouth 36 -11 42
18 Nott'm Forest 36 -12 40
19 Watford 34 -6 39
20 Barnsley 34 -12 39
21 Blackpool 36 -15 39
----------------------------
22 Southampton 35 -15 37
23 Norwich 36 -9 36
24 Charlton 35 -22 27

[devilsadvocate]

Pity that Cardiff Sheff U and Reading all have games in hand.......would be great if the Clarets were truly only a win off 4th.

But I've seen with my own eyes (cheers again JTC ) that the Clarets are better than Preston!!!

[The Real Number 3]

Saw this on SkySports rumour pages.

"Lee Gardiner says...
owen coyle is going down to fratton park tommorow to agree personal terms to be the next pompey manager. this is just speculation but the reason that i found out was because Peter Storrie is my 2nd cousin"

[devilsadvocate]

Saw this on SkySports rumour pages.

"Lee Gardiner says...
owen coyle is going down to fratton park tommorow to agree personal terms to be the next pompey manager. this is just speculation but the reason that i found out was because Peter Storrie is my 2nd cousin"

He's done a great job as Clarets boss. Pompey could certainly do worse.

Bad news for Burnley if true.

Cheers for posting RN3. If this does happen, you'll be ITK!

[johntheclaret]

Saw this on SkySports rumour pages.

"Lee Gardiner says...
owen coyle is going down to fratton park tommorow to agree personal terms to be the next pompey manager. this is just speculation but the reason that i found out was because Peter Storrie is my 2nd cousin"

In the words of Mo Syszlak.. WHHHAAAAAAAAAAT.

Does "tomoorw" mean Saturday or Friday ?? I would be very, very suprised if that rumour has any substance. He is currently in talks with the Clarets board to extend his contract at Turf Moor until 2014. He is under contract until 2011. Also did a press conference for who else, yes you've guessed it Skysports, that he is very happy at Burnley and will stay as long as Burnley want him.

In fact it was the board who approached him about an extension, but maybe, just maybe, they got wind on the Pompey thing. who knows.

cheers TR3 for the post though. ya bar steward

[johntheclaret]

After reading your post TN3 i completely forgot about this

Thanks to guess who

Hart wants to repay board

Portsmouth temporary manager Paul Hart is determined to repay the board's faith in him by keeping the club in the Premier League.

Pompey announced on Tuesday that Hart and his assistant Brian Kidd would be staying on until the end of the season.

[devilsadvocate]

After reading your post TN3 i completely forgot about this

Thanks to guess who

Hart wants to repay board

Portsmouth temporary manager Paul Hart is determined to repay the board's faith in him by keeping the club in the Premier League.

Pompey announced on Tuesday that Hart and his assistant Brian Kidd would be staying on until the end of the season.

Does that qualify as the dreaded vote of confidence?

[johntheclaret]

Nah. He was only appointed on tuesday. i know managers don't last long but 3 days, surely not.

[devilsadvocate]

Nah. He was only appointed on tuesday. i know managers don't last long but 3 days, surely not.

Unless it's those Geordies!

[mighty_tiger_79]

Tuesday, 10 March 2009
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Barnsley 0-0
Birmingham HT
Bookings:
Hassell 43

Bookings:
Carr 28
Johnson 41

Bristol City 0-0
Coventry HT

Doncaster 2-0
QPR HT
Stewart o.g. 23
Heffernan 30
Bookings:
Mills 28

Norwich 0-0
Cardiff HT

Preston 0-1
Sheff Wed HT
Jeffers 30

Reading 0-1
Charlton L
Bailey 16

Sheff Utd 1-1
Blackpool HT
Coid o.g. 5
Blackman 42
Bookings:
Barker 37

Southampton 0-0
Derby HT

Swansea 0-0
Plymouth HT


Bookings:
Gomez 33
Serran 44

Bookings:
Judge 18
Gray 21
Duguid 26




Watford 2-1
Nottm Forest HT
Rasiak 5
Priskin 43
Thornhill 17


Bookings:
Tyson 29




Wolverhampton 0-0
Ipswich HT


Bookings:
Thatcher 45
Norris 45+3

[RoosterMarty]

Crap, crap, crap.

3 words to describe this morning.