Football League: Discussion

(15-08-2012 16:58 )gazfc Wrote:  Can't wait till Saturday, bring on eagles favorite team

Don't, you'll set me off again

(15-08-2012 16:58 )gazfc Wrote:  Gonna be strange this year, first year without a season pass in years, I predict at least a top six finish this year, if our strikers pull their finger out we should be challenging the top two automatic spots

I think a lot of fans of Championship teams will be saying something similar. We've lacked a quality striker ever since Andy Johnson left, which was six years ago, so I'm not expecting a promotion push. A safe mid-table finish will do me, as long as we can get a couple of wins from our six derby matches as well.

All i ask is that Peterborough get promoted so i have a local Prem team to go and watch.......easy right?

but seriously it would be amazing if it was possible :/

Looks like we've been rumbled...

http://www.sportinglife.com/football/new...to-deliver

Although the transfer window is not shut yet, I'm going to make predictions on who will finish where in the Championship, League 1 and League 2

Championship

Top 2
Bolton
Leicester

Play offs
Wolves
Cardiff City
Leeds United
Hull City, Brighton or Blackpool (I'm finding it difficult to decide between the three)

Relegation
Peterborough United
Huddersfield United
Millwall

League 1

Top 2
Sheffield United
MK Dons

Play offs
Stevenage
Carlisle United
Swindon Town
Bournemouth

Relegation
Hartlepool United
Yeovil Town
Portsmouth
Shrewsberry Town

League 1
Top 3
Chesterfield United
Rotherham United
Bradford City

Play offs
Exeter City
Gillingham
Southend United
Oxford United, Aldershot Town or Fleetwood Town (Like in the Championship, it could be tight for the final play off place)

Relegation
Barnet
Accrington Stanley

The way I predict, I will probably get all these completely wrong

A round-up of a weekend in the Football League.


Npower Championship

Cardiff and Huddersfield kicked off the Football League season on Friday night, both teams with something to prove. But it was Cardiff who came out on top in the end thanks to a injury time winner by captain Mark Hudson which saw new boys Huddersfield return to the Championship end in defeat.
Saturday's games began at Ellend Road where Leeds took on Wolves in the lunch time kick off. It was Leeds who took all three points after a first half header from Becchio.
Barnsley started off their campaign by defeating Championship hopefuls Middlesbrough 1-0 at Oakwell, striker Craig Davies carrying on his form from last season. It was Burnley who came out on top of a heated game when they took on Bolton. Goals from Martin Paterson and Charlie Austin either side of the break ensured Owen Coyle would leave Turf More with nothing more then boo's ringing in his ears.
Gianfranco Zola began his reign at Watford with a win thanks to two late goals against Crystal Palace. Owen Garvan twice giving the Eagles the lead before Almen Abdi and Matej Vydra scored late on to sneak a 3-2 win. Zola wasn't the only new manager to get off to a winning start as Steve Bruce's Hull beat Brighton 1-0 thanks to a late goal from Jay Simpson.
Blackburn Rovers return to the Championship ended in a 1-1 draw away to Ipswich after late own-goal from Jason Lowe cancelled out Kazim-Richards first half header. There were 2 goals a piece at Pride Park as yet again more late drama saw Reda Johnson's 90th minute header ensure Sheffield Wednesday came away with a battling point against Derby.
Late goals were the theme of the day in the Championship as Charlton's dream start was cancelled out at St Andrews. Leon Cort's 82nd minute goal stunned Birmingham and seemed to be enough to grab a win until Nikola Zigic snatched a injury time equaliser in a 1-1 draw. Play-off finalist's from last season, Blackpool got off to a good start as they defeated Millwall 2-0 at the New Den, and a 71st minute strike from Adlene Guedioura's meant Nottingham Forest also got off to a winning start against Bristol City.
And finally goals from Wes Morgan and Andy King helped Leicester to a 2-0 victory against Peterborough.

NPower League 1

Crawley started life in League One in great fashion by beating Scunthorpe 3-0 with the help of two goals from Gary Alexander and a third from on-loan striker Johnathan Forte. Colchester were the visitors to Deepdale, but Graham Westley's men couldn't find a way past 'keeper Mark Cousins who was in inspired form, meaning Preston had to settle for a goaless draw. Bury and Brentford both drew blanks at Gigg Lane in a tightly fought fixture which saw a late Clayton Donaldson shot go begging for the visitors.
Swindon Town began life in League 1 with an even 0-0 draw away to Hartlepool, a game they felt was a point gained rather then two lost.
Notts County grabbed a 2-1 away win at Crewe Alexandra despite being reduced to ten men thanks to goals from Francois Zoko and Yoann Arquin. Crewe did hit back with a strike from Mathias Pogba but they couldn't do enough to get anything else out of the game.
League 1 hopefuls MK Dons comfortably beat Oldham Athletic 2-0 at home thanks to strikes from Darren Potter and Daniel Powell. Antony Kay did see red late on for MK Dons, but it wasn't going to spoil their day.
Cash-strapped Portsmouth drew 1-1 with south coast rivals Bournemouth in a lively encounter at Fratton Park. Pompey fielded a team of debutants and it was ex Barnet striker Izale McLeod's who opened the scoring before on loan Southampton man Lee Barnard equalised in the 78th minute. Portsmouth continued to press late on but couldn't find the winner, despite hitting the post.
An early goal from David McAllister gave Sheffield United a 1-0 win over Shrewsbury Town. The visitors did push forwards in the second half in search of an eqauliser but the hosts held on for the 3 points.
A late goal from Robin Shroot in the 88th minute earned Stevenage a point against Carlisle United as the game ended 1-1, Matt Robson grabbing the goal for the visitors.
Tranmere Rovers beat Leyton Orient 3-1 at Prenton Park, with two goals coming from new signing Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro. Walsall began their campaign in misery after Doncaster Rovers completely dominated from the off, coming away with an impressive 3-0 win. Dean Saunders summed it up well by saying "We've scored three great goals and could have had a few more."
Life in League 1 for Coventry started with an away trip to Somerset against Yeovil. Both teams played their part in an entertaining 1-1 draw, both goals coming in the first half.

Going off his twiiter it Seems Bradley was real impressed with the love your lot was giving him yesterday, defenders don't always get the love they deserve from the fans so you can always tell a good a defender is by how the fans react to him

nPower League 2

Morecambe started their League 2 campaign in style after beating Exeter City 3-0 away from home on the opening day of the season. Two goals from Andrew Fleming including a 35-yard lob sent Morecambe racing into a 2-0 lead. Izak Reid then wrapped up a convincing display from the travelling side.
Rotherham United also showed their intent with a comfortable 3-0 win over 10-man Burton Albion. Daniel Nardiello scored from the spot early on before Odejayi headed the Millers two up before half time. It was Ben Pringle who finished things off by grabbing the third goal in the second half.
Port Vale also won by a 3-0 margin beating a poor Barnet side at Vale Park. Louis Dodds opened the scoring early on before Jennison Myrie-Williams doubled the lead from the spot after Tom Pope was fouled by Jon Nurse. It was Pope who popped up again in the 75th minute to seal the victory.
Oxford United overcame a tough opening day tie against Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Stadium by defeating the hosts 2-0 thanks to two first half goals from Jake Forster-Caskey and Alfie Potter.
Cheltenham Town hope to go one better then last season and began with a convincing 2-0 win Dagenham and Redbridge. Shaun Harrad got the first of the two goals on the brink of half time, poking home from a Sido Jombati cross. Jermaine McGlashan struck in the second half to kill the game off, the ex Aldershot winger scoring from 25 yards.
Promotion hopefuls Gillingham hosted Bradford City in what was anticipated to be a tight fixture. However a brace from Danny Kedwell and a goal from Myles Weston on his debut meant Gillingham ran out 3-1 winners.
Newly-promoted York City were to find out quickly the hard task ahead of them as they were soundly beaten 3-1 at home by Wycombe Wanderers. Matt Bloomfield, Sam Wood and Gareth Ainsworth all scored for Wanderers. Jason Walker's did score for the home side after 54 minutes but it was nothing more then a consolation.
Dean Holdsworth's men began their season with a tricky tie away to Plymouth Argyle, but it was Aldershot Town who ran out deserved winners, beating the home side 2-0. Troy Brown got the 'Shots off to a good start, heading past the Argyle 'keeper from a Anthony Tonkin freekick after 5 minutes. Michael Rankine was bundled down in the box just after the second half began and the ref awarded a penalty. The home fans did their best to put of Josh Payne, but failed as he slotted home to ensure the 'Shots took all three points home with them.
Accrington Stanley caused the biggest upset of the day as they beat the mighty Southend United 1-0 at Roots Hall. Karl Sheppard scoring the only goal of the game
Blue Square Premier winners Fleetwood Town drew 0-0 with Torquay United. Micky Mellons side unable to break the dead lock had to settle for a point in the end.
Rochdale and Northampton Town also played out a goalless draw, Rochdale who had several chances failed to convert any against a dogged Northampton.
Finally Jack Midson's first-half goal was enough for AFC Wimbledon to beat relegated League 1 side Chesterfield at home. Terry Brown was delighted with the win and said after the game "I can't get the smile off my face, we've had one of the most dismal pre-seasons I can remember having."

(19-08-2012 17:17 )gazfc Wrote:  Going off his twiiter it Seems Bradley was real impressed with the love your lot was giving him yesterday, defenders don't always get the love they deserve from the fans so you can always tell a good a defender is by how the fans react to him

Sonny Bradley was immense yet again yesterday for us. He has made a huge impact since joining last season and everyone was gutted when he left. He only joined for the second half the season and was being spoken about for player of the season. As soon as it was confirmed he was coming back everyone reacted the same way - positive!
After every game everyone always picks him out for his effort, work ethic or just quality defending. We've had a right touch getting him on a season long loan, but I wouldn't be surprised if he was called back early. Displays like yesterday's and against Wolves were nothing short of brilliant.

Does anyone else find it strange that Warnock signed Diouf for Leeds?

I thought they both hated each other

Warnock called Diouf a sewer rat, although he is right and Diouf basically said Warnock was a shit manager

Sounds weird to me anyway