Championship Results 13th February Part 2

Preston North End 0-0 Blackpool
Ian Holloway finally let Neal Eardley and his clubbing friends know what his decision was – they wouldn’t play against Preston either. But Blackpool looked fine in defence, with Rob Edwards filling in well (without his intervention, Preston probably would have gone ahead), while David Vaughan – FansOnLine’s Man of the Match - came close to putting Blackpool in front.

Sheffield United 2-0 Bristol City
Ched Evans was on the bench as Sheffield United claimed another three points. Lewin Nyatanga and Gavin Williams both started for Bristol City, who didn’t look that bad at times, but it was the Blades who left with the three points at the end of the match.

Swansea City 1-1 Newcastle United
David Cotterill scored another great goal for Swansea, with Ashley Williams not that far away from making it two and also doing a fine job in defence. Joe Allen was also back in the starting line-up and apparently helped to make some of Newcastle’s players look like part-timers, at least according to Planet Swans. But Newcastle got a late goal and Swansea had to be happy with a point. And I think they probably will be quite happy as the point took them above Cardiff. David Cornell and Ashley Richards were both on the bench for Swansea.

Championship Fixtures 13th February Part 2

Preston North End v Blackpool
Paul Parry is obviously still out with a knee injury so he won’t play for Preston. But the Blackpool situation is less clear-cut. Neal Eardley was one of three places to be dropped from the midweek squad after they were caught clubbing. Ian Holloway won’t tell them just yet whether they’ll be able to face Preston or not – although there are rumours that Neal is injured. If Neal doesn’t play, Rob Edwards is almost certain to keep his place in defence but he might play even if Neal is back. Daniel Nardiello is also a bit of a mystery as Blackpool fans seem to think he’s injured and he hasn’t been getting into recent squads but there’s been no definite news. But David Vaughan will probably play for Blackpool no matter what. As long as he’s been staying away from the clubs, that is.

Sheffield United v Bristol City
Ched Evans is one of Sheffield United’s striking options – he hasn’t been prolific as far as goals are concerned but he does play his part for the team. Lewin Nyatanga is likely to be in defence for Bristol City. Gavin Williams is an option but since scoring the late equaliser against Cardiff City to win Bristol City an FA Cup replay, he has mostly either been on the bench or absent from the squad altogether,

Swansea City v Newcastle United
Newcastle lost to Derby County this week so they’ll be pushing extra hard for a win this time. Ashley Williams, David Cotterill and Joe Allen will hope for a starting place but might have to settle for sharing the substitutes’ bench with David Cornell. It’s very hard to predict which player Paolo Sousa will drop next. Ashley Richards is another who could be included in the squad.

Championship Results 6th February Part 2

Ipswich Town 1-1 Middlesbrough
Danny Coyne conceded a goal for Middlesbrough in the first minute but he held firm after that with Boro finally scoring to get a point from the fixture. Rhys Williams missed the match with a pelvic injury. But it’s a worry. There has been an improvement since Danny came into the team but wins for Middlesbrough still seem to be all too rare.

Nottingham Forest 2-1 Sheffield Wednesday
Nottingham Forest got back into winning ways. Chris Gunter and Robert Earnshaw both started for Southampton and Rob was unlucky when his free kick was met by an excellent save from Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Lee Grant.

Peterborough United 1-0 Queen’s Park Rangers
Craig Morgan returned from suspension and took his place in the centre of defence as Peterborough got a valuable win over troubled QPR. QPR’s two red cards probably helped Peterborough but the first one didn’t come until an hour had been played with the second one coming eleven minutes later.

Plymouth Argyle 0-1 West Bromwich Albion
Plymouth probably did quite well only to lose by one goal – some reports have pointed out that West Brom had ten men at the end of the game but as the red card didn’t come until the 90th minute, Plymouth deserve a lot of credit. It’s just a shame for Plymouth, whose captain is former Welsh international Carl Fletcher, that losing by one goal to the team in second place doesn’t actually get you any points.

Sheffield United 1-1 Derby County
Derby were hoping to build on their, er, derby win over Nottingham Forest and they looked on course to do just that. Robbie Savage put Derby 1-0 up after 17 minutes and got himself into the Championship Team of the Week at the same time. But a Sheffield United goal in stoppage time spoiled the fun and the sides shared the points. And unfortunately the equaliser didn’t come from Ched Evans, who was substituted after 63 minutes.

Swansea City 2-0 Preston North End
Swansea are now only behind Cardiff on goal difference after beating Preston North End. Both goals came from David Cotterill free kicks – the first one went straight into the goal and the second one set up defender Ashley Williams. Joe Allen played the first 87 minutes of the match (so pretty much most of it) and added some much-needed midfield creativity in a more than encouraging performance. David Cornell and Ashley Richards were both on the bench.

Welsh Transfers: More Speculation (Championship Players)

Adam Matthews (Cardiff City to Arsenal or Manchester United)
John Oster (Doncaster Rovers to whoever wanted a player who’d just been arrested for being drink and disorderly)
Lewis Price (Brentford back to parent club Derby in premature termination of season-long loan)
Brian Stock (Doncaster Rovers to Southampton or a ‘bigger club#)
Troy Brown (Ipswich Town to somewhere on loan)
Craig Morgan (Peterborough United to Notts County)
Ben Thatcher (Ipswich Town to somewhere a long way away from Roy Keane)
Ashley Williams (Swansea City to Wigan Athletic)
Ashley Richards (Swansea City to Rangers)

Championship Fixtures 30th January Part 3

Reading v Barnsley
Simon Church will be hoping to be back in Reading’s starting line-up so he can score some goals and get them away from the relegation places.

Sheffield Wednesday v Plymouth Argyle
Carl Fletcher thinks Plymouth can avoid relegation from the Championship. A win over Sheffield Wednesday, who are still close enough for the match to count as a six-pointer, would certainly help.

Watford v Swansea City
Jonathan North’s chances of featuring in Watford’s squad were probably never that high but his chances of being in the squad for this game are absolutely impossible as the young goalkeeper has signed for Oxford City on loan.
Ashley Williams, Joe Allen and David Cotterill are all in with a chance of getting a start for Swansea as they try to consolidate their place in the play-off zone. If they don't start, they'll be on the bench with David Cornell.
Rangers are said to be tracking Swansea's Ashley Richards.

West Bromwich Albion v Sheffield United
Sheffield United are now only six points behind West Brom and who knows, maybe Ched Evans will get Sheffield Utd the winning goal. He really deserves it as he’s worked really hard for his team and played well. The only thing he doesn’t do is score goals.

Championship Postponements 9th January

Middlesbrough P-P Swansea City
This game is one of many to be cancelled but the way things are going, they might all be off. So it’s a weekend off for Danny Coyne and Rhys Williams at Middlsbrough and Swansea’s Ashley Williams, Joe Allen, David Cotterill, David Cornell and Ashley Richards. David Cotterill has now officially signed for Swansea after several weeks on loan from Sheffield United.

Preston North End P-P Doncaster Rovers
Preston’s Paul Parry has another week to recover from his knee injury while Doncaster’s Brian Stock has had his comeback cut short a bit after another postponement. John Oster’s contract runs out later this month but Doncaster have offered him an extension and are waiting for his response. Gareth Roberts is Doncaster's other Welsh representative.

Queen’s Park Rangers P-P Plymouth Argyle
Both clubs will have to manage without their Welsh loan stars as QPR have sent Rhys Taylor back to Chelsea and Darcy Blake has returned to Cardiff. Carl Fletcher would probably have played for Plymouth but I guess we’ll never know.

Reading P-P Newcastle United
After getting a draw with the mighty Liverpool, Simon Church must wait for the chance to go one better against Newcastle. Who were also quite good at one time. Simon has also signed a new contract that will keep him at Reading until 2013.

Watford P-P Sheffield United
Ched Evans will have to wait for the chance to improve his strike rate for Sheffield United.

FA Cup Third Round Results 2nd January Part 2

Leicester City 2-1 Swansea City
David Cotterill started things off with one of the goals of the round for Swansea City, his first for the club (although I haven’t given up hope that Arsenal will score several tomorrow that are even better). But Leicester’s Andy King soon levelled and the place in the fourth round went to Leicester after they scored again in the 89th minute.
As usual, Leicester left Nicky Adams on the bench and surprisingly Ashley Williams was on Swansea’s bench alongside David Cornell and Ashley Richards – who might be heading to Scotland after attracting the attention of the Old Firm. Joe Allen must have been particularly happy to get a start for Swansea after his early substitution midweek – he was heavily involved in David Cotterill’s goal, probably getting the assist, and he nearly scored a goal of his own not long afterwards.

Middlesbrough 0-1 Manchester City
Middlesbrough played very well with Danny Coyne making some good saves and Rhys Williams managed to get one on the roof of the net which is pretty close really. It’s a measure of their success that not even Craig Bellamy, when he came on as a substitute, could put one past him. It’s always sad to see a team you like go out of the FA Cup but Middlesbrough gave an excellent account against the richest team in the League.

Millwall 1-1 Derby County
Millwall manager Kenny Jackett was so desperate for Millwall to snatch a winner, he even let Jason Price come off the bench. Sadly Jason couldn’t take advantage and it’s fair to say the replay at Pride Park will be very different. Particularly if Robbie Savage doesn’t get himself suspended again in the meantime.

Championship Fixtures 26th December Part 3

Reading v Swansea
Reading’s Simon Church is suspended after being a silly boy last week but Ashley Williams is certain to start for Swansea with David Cornell, David Cotterill and Joe Allen likely to be in the matchday squad. Possibly Ashley Richards too if he’s been a good boy this year. Shaun MacDonald has returned from his loan to Yeovil but he doesn’t look likely to play. I could be wrong though, I often am.

Watford v Nottingham Forest
Chris Gunter believes Forest are in with a chance of getting themselves promoted – as long as they don’t think about it too much. Rob Earnshaw’s goal last week was disallowed so don’t rule out the possibility of seeing him on the bench again.

West Bromwich v Peterborough United
Craig Morgan could play central defence for Peterborough ‘if requred’ but if not he might be in the squad at all. I think someone could be going to Notts County.

Wales News

Southampton Reserves 3-0 Swansea City
Kayne McLaggon got an assist as Southampton thrashed Swansea. Ryan Doble replaced Kayne after 70 minutes with Garyn Preen coming off the bench fifteen minutes later.
However Swansea’s Welsh players had a lot less to be happy about. David Cornell played in goal Ashley Richards, Daniel Sheehan, Matty Collins, Scott Evans (replaced by Casey Thomas after 73 minutes) and Chad Bond also played with Daniel Alfei coming on after 73 minutes. Lee Lucas stayed on the bench. (At least, I think all these players played. I only saw their surnames so some of them could be other people.)

Championship Fixtures 19th December Part 3

Plymouth Argyle v Coventry City
Carl Fletcher should play for Plymouth but Darcy Blake has hurt his heel and is a doubt. Poor Kyle Letheren was in goal when Plymouth Reserves were beaten 2-1 by Salisbury City Reserves but I hope he’ll still be on the bench.
Coventry manager Chris Coleman has challenged Freddy Eastwood to build on last week’s hat-trick – and Plymouth aren’t a bad team to practise against.

Queen’s Park Rangers v Sheffield United
No news on QPR’s Rhys Taylor so I can only assume it’ll be the bench for him again. Sheffield United’s Ched Evans will be hoping to get a start and improve his goal ratio.

Scunthorpe United v Ipswich Town
Roy Keane says Ipswich were able to train on Friday morning despite the snow and that only one player was late. He doesn’t say who but TWTD.co.uk thinks it was Ben Thatcher. But as, according to the same site, Ben lives further away from the ground than the rest of his team-mates, it would be understandable if he was late.

Sheffield Wednesday v Swansea City
David Cotterill is hoping to improve Swansea’s strike rate – and giving him a start alongside Ashley Williams can only help. Joe Allen has a chance of starting, David Cornell will be on the bench as long as he hasn’t got some injury I don’t know about, and Ashley Richards could be a substitute too.

Championship Fixtures 12th December Part 3

Swansea City v Nottingham Forest
Ashley Williams, Joe Allen, David Cotterill, David Cornell and Ashley Richards are all likely to be somewhere in Swansea’s matchday squad but only Ashley Williams is certain of starting although I’ll be a bit pissed off if David Cotterill is on the bench. Joe is another who could start. I wonder if it’s fun or lonely being the only first team Welsh player who doesn’t have the same name as another player.
Robert Earnshaw couldn’t score in his last match following his hat-trick the time before so he’ll be hoping to make up for this at Swansea. Chris Gunter got a clean sheet last time but he might prefer to go for the three points in this match.

Watford v Derby County
Robbie Savage will play for Derby but he can’t be all that far away from his one-match suspension. He seems to attract yellow cards like I attract sexy Spanish girls. (I do! There's a whole load of them who keep sending me e-mails. It's like Sophie's Harem).

Championship News 6th December Part 3

Swansea City v Plymouth Argyle
I hope David Cotterill is in with a chance of getting his first start for Swansea after a strong display from the bench at the weekend. David Cornell, Joe Allen and Ashley Richards should be at least on the bench again. Ashley Williams thinks Swansea could get into the promotion places. As Cardiff are my Welsh team I would love to laugh at him. But I can’t, I agree with him.
Plymouth also have a strong Welsh contingent. Like Swansea, they have a Welsh substitute goalkeeper – Kyle Letheren. Carl Fletcher should captain the side and Darcy Blake could play at right back. Manager paul Sturrock is hoping to extend Darcy’s loan so he can’t have messed up too badly.

West Bromwich Albion v Cardiff City
It’s not going to be an easy job for Cardiff – even if they have a fully fit side. Joe Ledley was substituted last week and it looks as though it is his hip which is the problem. Joe says he wants the operation to correct it sooner rather than later and although some Cardiff fans are having trouble believing he needs an operation I think he’s being quite sensible really, for a footballer. I would love to see Cardiff get promoted and that will be more difficult if Joe is missing for a few months. But I would much rather see that than see Joe struggle with his hip for the rest of his career. And I’d say that about any player, not just the Welsh ones.
I do sympathise with the fans who are upset Joe hasn’t signed a contract. But would you sign a contract with an employer who was asking you to compromise your long-term health?
Despite rumours that Adam Matthews has signed for Manchester United I fully expect him to be on the bench for Cardiff.

Championship Result s 5th December Part 2

Nottingham Forest 5-1 Leicester City
Robert Earnshaw scored a hat-trick as Nottingham Forest won. Chris Gunter started off the attacking move that led to one of Rob’s goals and he nearly kept a clean sheet. Actually Chris pretty much did keep a clean sheet – it certainly wasn’t his fault that Leicester’s penalty went in. It’s Robert’s first hat-trick for four and a half years but he’s scored plenty in his career. He has scored a hat-tricks in all four tiers of English football, as well as in both the FA Cup and the League Cup. And, of course, for Wales. He also completed a hat-trick of impressive somersaults that make the ones indulged in by Premiership players look a bit pathetic.
But spare a thought for Andy King – he plays for Leicester.

Peterborough United 2-2 Swansea City
Craig Morgan did some good work in Peterborough’s defence as they got a much-needed point against Swansea, whose squad included no fewer than five Welsh players. Ashley Williams was the only starter, with David Cotterill a 70th minute substitute. David Cornell, Joe Allen and Ashley Richards were also on the bench.

Plymouth Argyle 0-1 Sheffield United
Carl Fletcher nearly scored a good goal for Plymouth – which is something even some of the players who did score didn’t manage to do. Ched Evans didn’t come off the bench for Sheffield United until the 67th minute. He got a yellow card but who knows, he might have got two yellow cards if he’d started.

Queen’s Park Rangers 1-5 Middlesbrough
Rhys Williams played at right back as Middlesbrough got their first win since Gareth Southgate was sacked. Both teams had Welsh substitute goalkeepers - QPR had Rhys Taylor, on loan from Chelsea, and Boro had Danny Coyne.

Sheffield Wednesday 0-2 Reading
Simon Church only managed to play 23 minutes before he was substituted. I’m worried about him. He’s a brave lad who seems happy to play through injury but it’s the third week in a row where he’s had to be substituted. That’s the trouble with being the best player in a struggling team. Get well soon, Simon – but take all the time you need.

Championship News 4th December Part 2

Peterborough United v Swansea City
Still don’t know what’s going on with Peterborough’s Craig Morgan. Maybe he’s still recovering from the shock of looking at the league table - although Peterborough have done amazingly well just to be in the Championship.
Ashley Williams could be Swansea’s captain – and he’ll be shouting to his team-mates in Spanish. Ashley usually plays defence with three Spaniards so he talks to them in their own language. They should really all learn Welsh. It’s the national language, and it’s not as though there aren’t many opposition players who will understand it. Even Cardiff only have two Welsh players in the side.
Joe Allen feels Swansea could go on another unbeaten run after having Newcastle mess up the last one. This isn’t a totally unrealistic goal – they are playing Peterborough.
David Cornell, David Cotterill and Ashley Richards are likely to be on the bench at least.

Plymouth Argyle v Sheffield United
Carl Fletcher should return to the side after being suspended last week. Darcy Blake should also play.

Queen’s Park Rangers v Middlesbrough
Rhys Williams feels Middlesbrough can be promoted despite their recent run of poor form. Rhys helped Burnley to promotion to the Premier League last year. And if you can win promotion with Burnley, you can win promotion with anyone. Danny Coyne will be on the bench for Middlesbrough.
Rhys Taylor signed for QPR on emergency loan but he isn’t expected to be in the squad to face Middlesbrough. So he might as well have stayed at Chelsea really.

Sheffield Wednesday v Reading
Simon Church is almost certain to start for Reading, possibly as a lone striker. I’d love him to score but I’d almost prefer him to have a full 90 minutes. He keeps ‘limping off’.

Scunthorpe United v Coventry City (Sunday)
Freddy Eastwood has a very good chance of playing for Coventry due to an injury to one of the other strikers.

FA Cup Third Round Draw Part 4

Staines Town or Millwall v Derby County
Staines or Jason Price v Robbie Savage

Plymouth Argyle v Newcastle United
Carl Fletcher & Kyle Letheren v Newcastle

Leicester City v Swansea City
Nicky Adams, Andy King & Elliott Chamberlain v Ashley Williams, Joe Allen & Ashley Richards

Bolton Wanderers v Lincoln City
Sam Ricketts v Anthony Pulis (if permitted to play)

Accrington Stanley or Barnet v Gillingham

Manchester United v Kettering Town or Leeds United
Ryan Giggs v Kettering or Leeds

Championship Results 28th November Part 1

Bristol City 2-3 Sheffield United
Lewin Nyatanga and Gavin Williams stayed on the bench as Bristol City lost – Lewin was replaced by the manager’s son. It didn't work did it? I can't really blame him though. If I was a manager and I had the chance to drop an English player in favour of a Welsh player I would be so so tempted even if they weren't my children.
Ched Evans was also on the bench as he has been ill this week. He didn’t come either but Sheffield United just about managed without him.

Derby County 2-1 Reading
Robbie Savage came close to giving Derby an even bigger win whilst Simon Church could have got a point for Reading. Simon was replaced at half-time with a player who promptly got himself sent off. At least he won't steal your place next week, Simon. Simon injured his hip last week and was a big doubt to play so that was probably why he was substituted.

Newcastle United 3-0 Swansea City
Swansea might not be my favourite Welsh side but I had to support them against Newcastle who are doing far better than any team I don't support has a right to. Ashley Williams played the whole match for Swansea with Joe Allen and new loan signing David Cotterill (who was probably Swansea’s biggest scoring threat) were second-half substitutes but Newcastle got both the three goals and the three points. David Cornell and Ashley Richards stayed on the bench.

Bosnia-Hercegovina 2-1 Wales

Wales’ unbeaten run in the Under-21 Championships came to an end last night. Wales took the lead through an excellent goal from Joe Allen (who also appeared for the senior side in their win over Scotland on Saturday), and Wrexham keeper Chris Maxwell saved a Bosnia penalty.

Wales remain at the top of the group but second-placed Hungary are four points behind with two games in hand. Wales won’t play again until September 2010.
Joe Allen wasn’t the only member of the squad against Scotland to appear for the under 21s. Strikers Simon Church, Ched Evans and Sam Vokes, and midfielder Andy King all of whom played against Scotland, also played against Bosnia. Adam Matthews made his Under-21 debut days after being part of the senior squad for the first time but was replaced at half-time due to a groin injury. Darcy Blake, who was also on the bench against Scotland, was the unlucky player to concede the penalty.

Simon, Ched, Mark Bradley and substitute Ashley Richards all came close to giving Wales an equaliser.

Would things have been different if a few more members of the senior squad had been able to play? Possibly. Jack Collison (knee) and Chris Gunter (virus) withdrew from the Scotland game as well as the Under-21 Bosnia tie. Aaron Ramsey (back), Gareth Bale (unspecified) and Lewin Nyatanga (unspecified) were also in the original squad to face Bosnia. They could have made a difference but Gareth has not played with the under-21s for a while. There would have been an advantage in putting a few experienced players in the squad, there is also much to be said for playing a team where the players are used to playing together.

Andy King was the Wales captain for the first time. Regular captain Shaun MacDonald, who has had a groin injury, came on as a substitute and set a new record for appearances with the Under-21s. It was his 22nd cap.

However Wales are still top and even if they do end up finishing second they are likely to advance to the play-offs alongside the group winners. A point in their next game could be enough.

Wales Under-21 team
Chris Maxwell (Wrexham), Neil Taylor (Wrexham), Christian Ribeiro (Bristol City), Andy King, captain (Leicester City), Darcy Blake (Plymouth Argyle, on loan from Cardiff City), Joe Allen (Swansea City), Mark Bradley (Walsall), Adam Matthews (Cardiff City), Simon Church (Reading), Ched Evans (Sheffield United), Sam Vokes (Leeds United, on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Substitutes: Ashley Richards, replaced Matthews 46 (Swansea City), Shaun MacDonald, replaced Vokes 57 (Yeovil Town, on loan from Swansea City)|
Subs not used: David Cornell (Swansea City), James Wilson (Brentford, on loan from Bristol City), Aaron Morris (Cardiff City), Marc Williams (Wrexham), Elliott Chamberlain (Leicester City)

Bosnia-Hercegovina v Wales – (Under 21s) Squad

Goalkeepers: David Cornell (Swansea City), Chris Maxwell (Wrexham)
Defenders: Darcy Blake (Plymouth Argyle, on loan from Cardiff City), Adam Matthews (Cardiff City), Aaron Morris (Cardiff City), Christian Ribeiro (Bristol City), Ashley Richards (Swansea City), Neil Taylor (Wrexham), James Wilson (Brentford, on loan from Bristol City)
Midfielders: Joe Allen (Swansea City), Billy Bodin (Swindon Town), Mark Bradley (Walsall), Andy King (Leicester City), Shaun MacDonald (Yeovil Town, on loan from Swansea City)
Strikers: Elliott Chamberlain (Leicester City), Simon Church (Reading), Ched Evans (Sheffield United), Jake Taylor (Reading), Sam Vokes (Leeds United, on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers), Marc Williams (Wrexham)

The strikers don't have tags because blogger said I've used too many characters. I guess the Wales managers don't use blogger then.