Championship Results 28th December Part 1

Barnsley 2-1 Middlesbrough
Boro thought they had finally turned the corner and so did I – but despite keeping Danny Coyne in goal and Rhys Williams in defence, Middlesbrough got another defeat.
I’ve just realised that Gordon Strachan has the same initials as Gareth Southgate. Not only that, they’re the reverse of Boro chairman Steve Gibson’s initials. Who will be next? Graeme Souness maybe?

Bristol City 2-2 Watford
After a good display two days ago (not to mention an assist) it was a surprise to see Gavin Williams omitted from Bristol City’s squad altogether – he has concussion after clashing heads with another player on the training ground. Lewin Nyatanga did play for Bristol City but not for the whole match - he was sent off not long after the hour mark. His manager Gary Johnson isn’t very happy with him but team-mate Danny Haynes thinks he’ll bounce back.

Ipswich Town 3-1 Queen’s Park Rangers
Roy Keane was right not to walk out. Ipswich have been going very well lately. He put Troy Brown on the bench, which I approve of. QPR put Rhys Taylor on the bench again but I don’t approve of that quite so much.

Newcastle United 0-0 Derby County
Robbie Savage’s Derby ideally needed more than one point from this game but a point away at Newcastle really isn’t bad. Robbie came close to scoring in the last minute.

Nottingham Forest 2-0 Coventry City
Robert Earnshaw got the start he deserved for Forest – without that, he probably wouldn’t have scored the first goal. He actually scored two goals but only if you count the disallowed one. Chris Gunter kept another clean sheet for Forest but it wasn’t quite such a good day for Coventry’s Freddy Eastwood, although admittedly he was rested until the 64th minute.