Championship Results 23rd March Part 1

Blackpool 5-1 Swansea City
It was Sky Sports News’ fault. If they hadn’t made such a big fuss about how Swansea don’t let in many goals, the result could have been very different. But as I’m a Cardiff fan I can’t say I’m overly upset by this result. It’s just a shame not one of Blackpool’s Welsh players played.
Before this match, Swansea were looking like certainties for the play-offs, while Blackpool’s own play-off hopes appeared to be over.
Swansea still look fairly comfortable, seven points ahead of 7th place but Blackpool are now just five points behind Cardiff City.
Neal Eardley and David Vaughan didn’t play for Blackpool due to hamstring and ankle injuries respectively. Rob Edwards was on the bench.
Ashley Williams and David Cotterill both started for Swansea but David’s half-time substitution has got me more than a little bit worried. David Cornell was on the bench but Jazz Richards missed out with injury

Bristol City 5-3 Barnsley
This result gave Bristol City a very valuable three points, which took them ten points above the drop zone – and also ten points behind the play-offs. Before this match, Barnsley were touted as promotion hopefuls but they’re now behind Bristol City on goal difference.
Bristol City still have reasons to be concerned about their defence but they’re attacking players were looking in good shape in this match. And they were without defender Lewin Nyatanga, who suffered an Achilles injury in the warm-up. Christian Ribeiro started his second successive match and got his first Man of the Match award..

Doncaster Rovers 0-1 Newcastle United
Doncaster actually acquitted themselves well against a team that were four divisions above them not that long ago. Plenty of teams have let Newcastle score more than once, and considering what the papers are saying about goalscorer Andy Carroll, I would certainly consider getting out of his way if he tried to score against me.
Doncaster’s Gareth Roberts was substituted just three minutes from the end of normal time. He was a doubt before the match with a hamstring problem. John Oster was a big attacking threat for Doncaster

Ipswich Town 0-2 Plymouth Argyle
Ipswich have been on good form lately so for Plymouth to beat them away is a very good – and necessary – three points for them.
Carl Fletcher started off the move that led to Plymouth’s first goal.