Championship. Results, Reviews and Table for 2008/9

[devilsadvocate]

Crap, crap, crap.

3 words to describe this morning.

Not for the Clarets!
Perfect set of results should Owen's boys be able to make the most of their games in hand.

Come on you Clarets!

[johntheclaret]

Unbelievable result tonight

2 - 0 down to come back and win 4 - 2shows real bottle and to stick it up warnocks are made it even sweeter

Back in the play offs

Fanbloodyfastic

Felt like my head was going to explode. You all know the feeling

[Dirko]

and don't forget Blacbkurn have climbed out of the drop zone overnight too.....

[johntheclaret]

and don't forget Blacbkurn have climbed out of the drop zone overnight too.....

oi this is the F CC thread so take your filthy language elsewhere

[RoosterMarty]

I didn't realise you were 2 down JTC. I saw the 4-2 score and thought "what a cracking game"... it makes it even more remarkable that you were 2 down. I'm guessing you still haven't calmed down from it.

[johntheclaret]

I didn't realise you were 2 down JTC. I saw the 4-2 score and thought "what a cracking game"... it makes it even more remarkable that you were 2 down. I'm guessing you still haven't calmed down from it.

Unbelievable Marty. This game was 100 times more exciting than that Arsenal game on sunday. For a start off there was an atmosphere. And the home fans actually sang for their team.

Sorry Bulldog, but the Arseanl home fans don't make much noise do they.

To top it off, we stuck it up that tosser Warnock. He was going ballistic when we got the penalty and then went 3 - 2 up. The 4th was just the icing on the cake. I thought he was going to have a heart attack. Then he came onto the field at the final whistle and had to be restrained by the old bill as he was trying to get to the ref. All the Clarets were sinking Warnock is a wanker, warnock is a wanker. So funny.

I watched the highlights on sky and then his interview afterwards. He never mentioned the ref, only that his team just weren't good enough. Daft thing is, the Eagles got the rub with the ref all night long, so much so that "you don't know what you're doing" was the main Burnley song for the night, that and "the referee's a wanker". He was going to send off a Palace defender, for clearly pulling down Thompson who was through one on one with the keeper, but the Palace players mobbed him so he went and had a chat with the linesman, put his red card away and gave a yellow instead.

I have no idea what the linesman could have said to change the ref's mind. Afterall the ref was only about 40 yards closer to what happened and surely had a better view ???

Anyway, water under the bridge now, we gave a soft goal away (keeper waits for the last man to clear / last man waits for the keeper to clear, and the striker, which just happened to be ex b4st4rd Chef key Kook key, didn't you just know it would be him, nips in and scores.) then Carlisle chips in with an own goal and you think, "f$%k, it's gonna be one of those nights. So banging in 4 of our own, including one from Carlisle, to make amends, is doubly satisfying.

[johntheclaret]

Been away in London on "business" so here's a quick catch up

Results

Saturday 7th March 2009
Birmingham 1-0 Southamptn
Blackpool 2-0 Norwich C
Cardiff C 3-0 Doncaster
Charlton A 2-3 Watford
Crystal P 2-1 Preston NE
Derby Co 2-1 Bristol C
Nottm For 1-1 Swansea C
Plymouth A 2-2 Reading
QPR 0-0 Sheff Utd
Sheff Wed 0-1 Wolves

Tuesday 10th March 2009
Barnsley 1-1 Birmingham
Bristol C 2-0 Coventry C
Doncaster 2-0 QPR
Norwich C 2-0 Cardiff C
Preston NE 1-1 Sheff Wed
Reading 2-2 Charlton A
Sheff Utd 2-2 Blackpool
Southamptn 1-1 Derby Co
Swansea C 1-0 Plymouth A
Watford 2-1 Nottm For
Wolves 0-0 Ipswich T

Wednesday 11th March 2009
Burnley 4-2 Crystal P

Mid Week Round Up

Automatic promotion contenders Wolves, Birmingham and Reading were all held to draws in the Championship on Tuesday night.

Leaders Wolves could find no way past Ipswich in a 0-0 draw at Molineux, while Birmingham suffered a late scare at lowly Barnsley before salvaging a 1-1 draw.

The Blues had seemed destined for a goalless stalemate themselves before Michael Mifsud put the Tykes in front with eight minutes to go.
Martin Taylor rose to head in the equaliser two minutes later to keep Alex McLeish's men three points off the top.

Reading will be most disappointed after coming from behind to lead against bottom club Charlton, only to concede late on at the Madejski Stadium to make it 2-2 at the final whistle.

Charlton's top scorer Nicky Bailey caused an early shock when he smashed home the opening goal from Tresor Kandol's whipped delivery on the quarter hour, but Shane Long pulled it back for Steve Coppell's side with a penalty two minutes after the break after he was fouled in the box by Darren Ward.
Long looked to have won it with a little over 20 minutes left, heading home Jay Tabb's inswinging cross but Addicks captain Mark Hudson stole a point for the visitors with five minutes to go.

Second-bottom Norwich pulled off a coup by defeating in-form Cardiff 2-0 at Carrow Road to take them to within two points of safety. The Canaries moved above Southampton, who fell to 23rd after Steve Davies' late goal nicked a 1-1 draw for Derby.

Further up the table, Sheffield United moved up to fourth above Cardiff after battling to secure a 2-2 draw at home to Blackpool.

Swansea moved into the fourth and final play-off spot with a 1-0 win over Plymouth thanks to Jason Scotland's penalty.
The Welsh side hold the prized position on goal difference from Bristol City, who defeated Coventry 2-0 at home, and Preston, who were held 1-1 by Sheffield Wednesday at Deepdale.

Watford moved eight points clear of the relegation zone with a priceless 2-1 win over fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest at Vicarage Road.
The hosts took the lead after five minutes through Grzegorz Rasiak's header, Matt Thornhill equalised for Forest after 17 minutes and Tamas Priskin wrapped up the points two minutes before the break.
It was the Hornets' fifth win in six games, while Billy Davies' Forest are left hovering precariously in 19th place, just two points above the drop zone.

Elsewhere, Doncaster increased the pressure on QPR manager Paulo Sousa, beating the Hoops 2-0 at the Keepmoat Stadium.

Table

Teams P GD PTS
1 Wolves 38 22 71
2 Birmingham 38 12 68
-----------------------
3 Reading 36 30 64
4 SheffUtd 37 16 60
5 Cardiff 35 17 59
6 Burnley 37 2 58
------------------------
7 Swansea 37 14 57
8 Bristol C 38 7 57
9 Preston 38 2 57
10 Ipswich 37 7 51
11 QPR 37 -2 49
12 SheffWed 38 -9 49
13 Doncaster 37 -10 49
14 CPalace 36 1 47
15 Coventry 36 -4 47
16 Derby 36 -3 46
17 Watford 36 -4 45
18 Plymouth 38 -12 43
19 Blackpool 38 -13 43
20 Nott'm Forest 38 -13 41
21 Barnsley 35 -12 40
-----------------------------
22 Norwich 38 -9 39
23 Southampton 37 -16 38
24 Charlton 37 -23 28

[Bully]

I didn't realise you were 2 down JTC. I saw the 4-2 score and thought "what a cracking game"... it makes it even more remarkable that you were 2 down. I'm guessing you still haven't calmed down from it.

Unbelievable Marty. This game was 100 times more exciting than that Arsenal game on sunday. For a start off there was an atmosphere. And the home fans actually sang for their team.

Sorry Bulldog, but the Arseanl home fans don't make much noise do they.

To top it off, we stuck it up that tosser Warnock. He was going ballistic when we got the penalty and then went 3 - 2 up. The 4th was just the icing on the cake. I thought he was going to have a heart attack. Then he came onto the field at the final whistle and had to be restrained by the old bill as he was trying to get to the ref. All the Clarets were sinking Warnock is a wanker, warnock is a wanker. So funny.

I watched the highlights on sky and then his interview afterwards. He never mentioned the ref, only that his team just weren't good enough. Daft thing is, the Eagles got the rub with the ref all night long, so much so that "you don't know what you're doing" was the main Burnley song for the night, that and "the referee's a wanker". He was going to send off a Palace defender, for clearly pulling down Thompson who was through one on one with the keeper, but the Palace players mobbed him so he went and had a chat with the linesman, put his red card away and gave a yellow instead.

I have no idea what the linesman could have said to change the ref's mind. Afterall the ref was only about 40 yards closer to what happened and surely had a better view ???

Anyway, water under the bridge now, we gave a soft goal away (keeper waits for the last man to clear / last man waits for the keeper to clear, and the striker, which just happened to be ex b4st4rd Chef key Kook key, didn't you just know it would be him, nips in and scores.) then Carlisle chips in with an own goal and you think, "f$%k, it's gonna be one of those nights. So banging in 4 of our own, including one from Carlisle, to make amends, is doubly satisfying.

yeah i know, as it was called before we moved, highbury the library. same with the emirates, they only tend to stir when Man Poo comes visiting or totts ( If you hate tottenham stand up , if you hate tottenham stand up ) but much aware the yids do the same to us at the lane.

[johntheclaret]

Clarets 5 (FIVE) Forest 0 Yep....Read em and weep

Jabber, I know the rams lost after a bit of a fight back, but we did good for ya.

[devilsadvocate]

Clarets 5 (FIVE) Forest 0 Yep....Read em and weep

Jabber, I know the rams lost after a bit of a fight back, but we did good for ya.

MATE!!! What a result. The Clarets do need a boost to their goal difference, so this is perfect!

Keep up this form and you may add Wembley to your national football ground tour. Stamford Bridge, White Hart Lane, Emirates.....Wembley? Then with a bit of luck, Anfield and Old Trafford in the not so distant future......????

Don't want to count chickens and all that, but it's nice to dream!

[devilsadvocate]

Sorry Bulldog, but the Arseanl home fans don't make much noise do they.

yeah i know, as it was called before we moved, highbury the library. same with the emirates, they only tend to stir when Man Poo comes visiting or totts ( If you hate tottenham stand up , if you hate tottenham stand up ) but much aware the yids do the same to us at the lane.

A couple of points there mate:

1. I was at the Emirates this season for the North London Derby. On the tube on the way in, I was the only Yid in a carriage packed armpit to nose with Gooners, so about 90-100 people. There were 3 Arse fans singing, the rest had their heads down in silence. Not even when the 3 rowdy goons gave it to the rest of the mutes did one of them perk up, which made the trio start singing "Are you Tottenham in disguise"....if only they knew! Hahahaha! The whole way in from the tube to the shitbowl, these 3 gave it out to the thousands of zombies just going through the motions........so sorry mate, If that's what Arsenal fans call 'stirring' then It'd be more depressing than a wake for a visit from the likes of Stoke, West Brom or Hull.

2. The song actually goes "Stand up....If you hate Tottenham, Stand up....if hate Tottenham.........etc, etc, not the other way round.

I prefer a bit of "Heeeeeeee's oooooonly FOOOOUUUURRRRR, Wenger's boyfriedn's only four", which was sung for about 90 mins in the pub before I got on the tube to head in. Nutters.

[devilsadvocate]

Now, I realise this is the Championship thread, but per my previous post, if anyone wants to see an example of outstanding support, chuck on the Villa v Spurs game. Spurs fans are singing the house down. Deafening.

[devilsadvocate]

Thought I'd do a bit of a look at the Championship promotion race. Obvious starting point - the Clarets Run In:

March
Tue 17 19:45 A Ipswich Town - WIN (Although GIO Dos Santos will be a handful )
Sat 21 15:00 A Plymouth - DRAW
April
Sat 4 15:00 A Derby County - DRAW
Sat 11 15:00 H QPR - WIN (Although Adel Taarabt will also be a handful )
Mon 13 15:00 A Cardiff City - LOSE - tough place to go this season, but any points here would be mighty helpful to the cause.
Sat 18 15:00 H Sheffield Utd - DRAW - Critical game. A win would almost cement a playoff spot, a loss will make it tough.
Sat 25 15:00 A Southampton - WIN
May
Sun 3 13:15 H Bristol City - WIN

So I make that 12 points. Enough for a playoff place? I think so. Last season, 70 points got you 7th, but this season seems a bit closer around the playoff spots. With the Clarets total being 61 points already, 73 should see them over the line and possibly 5-6th.

Thoughts JTC?

Will try to do some more at 'work' tonight. Tough league to predict results. WAY tougher than the EPL IMO.

[johntheclaret]

W/C 14th Mar

Results

Sunday, 15 March 2009
Bristol C. 1-1 Cardiff

Saturday, 14 March 2009
Barnsley 0-1 Blackpool
Burnley 5-0 Nott'm Forest
Doncaster 0-2 Birmingham
Norwich 1-0 Plymouth
Preston 2-1 Coventry
Reading 0-1 Ipswich
Sheff.Utd 4-2 Derby
Southampton 0-0 Q.P.R.
Swansea 1-3 C.Palace
Watford 2-2 Sheff.Wed
Wolves 2-1 Charlton

Round Up

Wolves produced another jittery home performance but did enough to defeat rock-bottom Charlton 2-1 and end their four-game winless run at Molineux.
Mick McCarthy's Championship leaders have looked nervy in front of their home fans lately and it looked like they would endure another frustrating afternoon until Sylvan Ebanks-Blake bundled home a winner with 11 minutes remaining.
The goal was the striker's 24th of the campaign and his relief was palpable after he had a penalty saved by Robert Elliot just nine minutes earlier.
Former Charlton striker Chris Iwelumo had put Wolves ahead after 36 minutes, the first time he had netted in 17 league games, only for his strike to be cancelled out by Zheng Zhi six minutes after half-time.

Birmingham moved seven points clear of Reading in the automatic promotion places after recording a comfortable 2-0 victory over Doncaster.
First-half goals from Cameron Jerome and Hameur Bouazza sealed the points for Blues as they secured their first away win since Boxing Day.

Reading's poor run continued as an athletic Jon Stead strike condemned them to a 1-0 defeat at home to Ipswich.
Steve Coppell's side have now won just once in eight league games and saw the chasing pack draw closer with Sheffield United and Preston both winning.

Burnley marched into the play-off places with a thumping 5-0 win at home to Nottingham Forest, which leaves the visitors a point above the drop zone.
Robbie Blake got the ball rolling with his 19th-minute strike before laying off a pass for Wade Elliott to double the home side's advantage after 39 minutes.
Clarke Carlisle and Jay Rodriguez put the game beyond doubt with quickfire goals 10 minutes into the second half before Joey Gudjonsson added further gloss to the scoreline in the 73rd minute.

Darius Henderson scored a brace for Sheffield United as the Blades beat Derby 4-2 to move within a point of Reading.
Kyle Naughton had opened the scoring before Henderson's double, but Derby threatened a comeback when Barry Bannan added to Rob Hulse's earlier strike to make it 3-2 with 20 minutes left.
United held on though and got a fourth through Craig Beattie in injury time.

Preston had to come from behind to beat Coventry 2-1.
Clinton Morrison put the Sky Blues ahead after 17 minutes, but the Lancastrians would clinch victory thanks to a Ben Turner own goal and Jon Parkin's winner after 72 minutes.

Swansea missed the chance to move back into the play-off places as they lost 3-1 to Crystal Palace - just their second home defeat of the season.
Second-half goals from Victor Moses and Jose Fonte gave Palace a two-goal lead and while substitute Gorka Pintado pulled a goal back, Shefki Kuqi added a third right at the death.

Francis Jeffers converted a penalty six minutes into injury time as Sheffield Wednesday drew 2-2 at Watford.
The Owls had gone ahead through Marcus Tudgay, following a goalkeeping error from Scott Loach, but the game was level at the break when Mark Beevers put through his own net.
Jobi McAnuff headed the Hornets in front after 56 minutes, but they would be denied victory for just the second time in their past seven league outings.

Norwich and Blackpool both secured important 1-0 wins as they both fight against relegation.
David Mooney hit Norwich's winner after 53 minutes as they beat Plymouth while a thunderous volley from debutant Wade Small helped Blackpool beat fellow strugglers Barnsley, who drop into the bottom three.

Southampton remained second from bottom after they played out a goalless draw with QPR.

Adriano Basso's late howler handed Cardiff a share of the spoils in an enthralling Coca-Cola Championship encounter at Ashton Gate.
The Brazilian goalkeeper spilled a tame shot from Bluebirds substitute Eddie Johnson in the 88th minute, allowing fellow sub Ross McCormack to sneak in and slot home the rebound.
Nicky Maynard had put the hosts ahead in the 70th minute, cutting in from the left flank before unleashing an unstoppable drive past Stuart Taylor from 20 yards.
However, Dave Jones' side responded well to going behind and struck the woodwork twice before McCormack's late leveller.

Table

Teams P GD PTS
1 Wolves 39 23 74
2 Birmingham 39 14 71
-----------------------
3 Reading 37 29 64
4 SheffUtd 38 18 63
5 Burnley 38 7 61
6 Cardiff 36 17 60
-----------------------
7 Preston 39 3 60
8 Bristol C 39 7 58
9 Swansea 38 12 57
10 Ipswich 38 8 54
11 CPalace 37 3 50
12 QPR 38 -2 50
13 SheffWed 39 -9 50
14 Doncaster 38 -12 49
15 Coventry 37 -5 47
16 Watford 37 -4 46
17 Derby 37 -5 46
18 Blackpool 39 -12 46
19 Plymouth 39 -13 43
20 Norwich 39 -8 42
21 Nott'm Forest 39 -18 41
---------------------------
22 Barnsley 36 -13 40
23 Southampton 38 -16 39
24 Charlton 38 -24 28

[johntheclaret]

Thought I'd do a bit of a look at the Championship promotion race. Obvious starting point - the Clarets Run In:

March
Tue 17 19:45 A Ipswich Town - WIN (Although GIO Dos Santos will be a handful )
Sat 21 15:00 A Plymouth - DRAW
April
Sat 4 15:00 A Derby County - DRAW
Sat 11 15:00 H QPR - WIN (Although Adel Taarabt will also be a handful )
Mon 13 15:00 A Cardiff City - LOSE - tough place to go this season, but any points here would be mighty helpful to the cause.
Sat 18 15:00 H Sheffield Utd - DRAW - Critical game. A win would almost cement a playoff spot, a loss will make it tough.
Sat 25 15:00 A Southampton - WIN
May
Sun 3 13:15 H Bristol City - WIN

So I make that 12 points. Enough for a playoff place? I think so. Last season, 70 points got you 7th, but this season seems a bit closer around the playoff spots. With the Clarets total being 61 points already, 73 should see them over the line and possibly 5-6th.

Thoughts JTC?

Will try to do some more at 'work' tonight. Tough league to predict results. WAY tougher than the EPL IMO.

Agree that it is much tighter this year. Cardiff have games in hand on everyone, but after that, anyone can beat anyone.

A Ipswich. I think the boys will be on a high after scoring 9 in two games. but Ipswich are on the back of a good away win at Reading. Readings' form has been crap lately though only winning once in 8. Prediction DRAW

A Plymouth. plymouth have come back from an attrocious run of poor form and anopther long away trip (the Clarets 52nd game of the season) so if Coyle wants to use the "they were tired" card he would every right. however, the Clarets have done well down at Home Park over the years and I think they will do it again this year. Prediction AWAY WIN

A Derby. Clarets 3rd successive away game against a Rams side that have found their self belief under Cloughie jnr. Unstoppable one day, pathetic the next so it really does depend which Claret team runs out, and which Derby team is there to greet them. Prediction DRAW

H QPR. We have 2 wins and a draw against the Hoops so far this season and I have been there for all 3 games. At home QPR were woeful both times and have left me embarrassed after tipping them for the playoffs tthis year. We outclassed them at Turf Moor earlier in the FA cup replay although we had to leave it until the 120th minute to win the game. No mistakes again this time Prediction HOME WIN

A Cardiff. Bluebirds look strong and fortress Ninian Park should prove a real toughie. I think they will be too good for the clarets this time around. Prediction AWAY LOSS

H Sheffield Utd. They don't pose the threat to us that they have done in the past. Another hot and cold side this year and if we can keep them quiet for the 1st half hour, I think we will take the points. Prediction HOME WIN

A Southampton. They are crap this year and are at the bottom of the league because they deserve to be. Have shown a little bit of form of late, but it is too little too late. They are slow at the back and Eagles, Blake, McCann and Rodriguez will destroy them. Prediction AWAY WIN

H Bristol City. This could be the decider. Our whole season could rest on this result. We nearly did them over down at Ashton gate but let a 2 goal lead slip away and came away with a point. They have been on fire, charging into the playoffs, but climbing to those heights must have given them dizzy spells as their form since has been rocky. Got to go out on a limg and say home advantage and a possible full house cherring the boys on, they should come in on top. Perdiction HOME WIN

Maybe a bit optimistic, 17 point haul giving us 78 should see us into the playoffs. But hey, you have to be an optimist to follow the Clarets

[RoosterMarty]

We have some home games coming up as well to go with the games in hand. Looking good for the playoffs but gotta aim for 2nd place at least...

[devilsadvocate]

So I make that 12 points. Enough for a playoff place? I think so. Last season, 70 points got you 7th, but this season seems a bit closer around the playoff spots. With the Clarets total being 61 points already, 73 should see them over the line and possibly 5-6th.

Ok, I'm an idiot. It's actually 15 points for a total of 76 points, which should easily see the Clarets 6th.

[devilsadvocate]

The Bluebirds turn:

March
Wed 18 19:45 H Watford - WIN
Sun 22 15:00 H Sheffield Utd - DRAW
April
Sun 5 11:00 H Swansea City - DRAW - because it's a big derby an all
Wed 8 19:45 H Derby County - WIN
Sat 11 15:00 A Crystal Palace - WIN
Mon 13 15:00 H Burnley - WIN
Sat 18 15:00 A Preston - LOSE
Tue 21 19:45 A Charlton - WIN
Sat 25 15:00 H Ipswich Town - WIN
May
Sun 3 13:15 A Sheffield Wed - WIN

So, that's an additional 23 points, to bring their total to 83. Could be good for an auto promotion spot depending on other results, but most likely 3-4.

[devilsadvocate]

Sheff U:

March
Sun 22 15:00 A Cardiff City - DRAW
April
Sat 4 15:00 H Ipswich Town - WIN
Tue 7 19:45 H Barnsley - WIN
Fri 10 17:30 A Reading - LOSE
Mon 13 15:00 H Nottm Forest - WIN
Sat 18 15:00 A Burnley - DRAW
Sat 25 15:00 H Swansea City - WIN
May
Sun 3 13:15 A Crystal Palace - WIN

17 more points for the Blades will take their tally to 80 points. So they'll finish where they currently are. 4th.

[johntheclaret]

17th Mar

Latest

Tykes 1 - 1 Eagles
Ipswich 0 - 1 Clarets
Donny 0 - 0 Reading
Hoops 0 - 0 Swans