Chesterfield v Crewe Alexandra
The Chesterfield goalkeeper has struggled lately so Mark Crossley might just possibly replace him. But probably not.
Tuesday, 1 December 2009
League Two Fixtures 1st December
Barnet v Bournemouth
Bournemouth have only 17 fit players so Joe Partington must be on the bench at least. Unless he’s one of the injured players, that is.
Dagenham & Redbridge v Aldershot Town
Tony Roberts should be on Dagenham’s bench. If Dagenham lose tonight it won’t be his fault. But if Arsenal lose on Wednesday, he could perhaps take some of the blame – Tony is also a goalkeeping coach at Arsenal.
(I won’t blame him really. He’s done an amazing job with Arsenal’s goalkeepers. Vito Mannone had a great run in Arsenal’s first team whilst Wojciech Szczesny has been keeping Wales’ Lewis Price out of Brentford’s team.)
Lincoln City v Port Vale
These two teams have at least three Welsh players between them but there’s a good chance none of them will play. Lincoln’s Anthony Pulis and Port Vale’s Gareth Owen are definitely out with knee and cheek injuries (one each that is). Vale’s Lewis Haldane is a doubt due to a knee injury but he was a doubt on Saturday too and he still played. Vale fans are divided on Lewis. Some think he doesn’t score enough goals (leave him alone, the bloke’s hurt his knee) and others think he was Man of the Match (yes that’s more like it).
Moercambe v Bury
Daniel Nardiello should start for Bury, who are hoping to ‘continue an 11-match unbeaten run’. They won’t. They can get a 12-match unbeaten run if they want to but there’s no way it can stay at 11 matches.
Northampton Town v Hereford United
Northampton confuse me. First they were called Northampton Town, then they were Northampton, now they seem to be Northampton Town again. I’m not saying I’ve never tried to change my name. Who hasn’t wished they were called something else? I used to want to be called Oxtail. But changing it back and forth just confuses me.
Whatever they’re called, Peter Gilbert should play for them. But it’s not going to be an easy task up against Hereford defender Ryan Green. He’s played well in the last couple of weeks despite having two dead legs. And he’s never going to get more than two.
Shrewsbury Town v Rotherham United
Shrewsbury will have to continue to try and stop other teams scoring despite the absence of goalkeeper Glyn Garner – there’s no news on when he will be back.
Bournemouth have only 17 fit players so Joe Partington must be on the bench at least. Unless he’s one of the injured players, that is.
Dagenham & Redbridge v Aldershot Town
Tony Roberts should be on Dagenham’s bench. If Dagenham lose tonight it won’t be his fault. But if Arsenal lose on Wednesday, he could perhaps take some of the blame – Tony is also a goalkeeping coach at Arsenal.
(I won’t blame him really. He’s done an amazing job with Arsenal’s goalkeepers. Vito Mannone had a great run in Arsenal’s first team whilst Wojciech Szczesny has been keeping Wales’ Lewis Price out of Brentford’s team.)
Lincoln City v Port Vale
These two teams have at least three Welsh players between them but there’s a good chance none of them will play. Lincoln’s Anthony Pulis and Port Vale’s Gareth Owen are definitely out with knee and cheek injuries (one each that is). Vale’s Lewis Haldane is a doubt due to a knee injury but he was a doubt on Saturday too and he still played. Vale fans are divided on Lewis. Some think he doesn’t score enough goals (leave him alone, the bloke’s hurt his knee) and others think he was Man of the Match (yes that’s more like it).
Moercambe v Bury
Daniel Nardiello should start for Bury, who are hoping to ‘continue an 11-match unbeaten run’. They won’t. They can get a 12-match unbeaten run if they want to but there’s no way it can stay at 11 matches.
Northampton Town v Hereford United
Northampton confuse me. First they were called Northampton Town, then they were Northampton, now they seem to be Northampton Town again. I’m not saying I’ve never tried to change my name. Who hasn’t wished they were called something else? I used to want to be called Oxtail. But changing it back and forth just confuses me.
Whatever they’re called, Peter Gilbert should play for them. But it’s not going to be an easy task up against Hereford defender Ryan Green. He’s played well in the last couple of weeks despite having two dead legs. And he’s never going to get more than two.
Shrewsbury Town v Rotherham United
Shrewsbury will have to continue to try and stop other teams scoring despite the absence of goalkeeper Glyn Garner – there’s no news on when he will be back.
League One Fixtures 1st December Part 3
Yeovil Town v Walsall
Walsall’s Wales under-21 star Mark Bradley will be up against the captain of the Wales under-21 side, Shaun MacDonald, who is on loan at Yeovil. I have nothing against Walsall but it’s good to see Yeovil, a non-league side for so long, up in League One. So Mark, if Shaun asks you for the ball, give it to him okay? You can’t ignore your captain.
Rhys Weston got cramp in his last match for Walsall but he should have got over it by now.
Walsall’s Wales under-21 star Mark Bradley will be up against the captain of the Wales under-21 side, Shaun MacDonald, who is on loan at Yeovil. I have nothing against Walsall but it’s good to see Yeovil, a non-league side for so long, up in League One. So Mark, if Shaun asks you for the ball, give it to him okay? You can’t ignore your captain.
Rhys Weston got cramp in his last match for Walsall but he should have got over it by now.
League One Fixtures 1st December Part 2
Millwall v Milton Keynes Dons
Jermaine Easter hopes to get into MK Dons’ starting line-up against old club Millwall. Jason Price and his Millwall team-mates are probably hoping Jermaine stays on the bench.
Oldham Athletic v Leeds United
Sam Vokes could play up front for Leeds but I actually hope he doesn’t. He’s too good. I want Millwall to win League One.
Southampton v Wycombe Wanderers
Lloyd James will be hoping Southampton can prove Wycombe’s win over Millwall was no more than a fluke. His team-mate Ryan Doble has returned to training following a shin injury. According to the Southampton site Ryan had ‘shin splints which [were] proving difficult to shake off’. I should hope so, if shin splints are doing their job properly it should take more than shaking a leg to remove them.
Southend United v Norwich City
Owain Tudur Jones definitely won’t play for Norwich but there’s no news on Rhoys Wiggins, who seems to have dropped off the face of the earth - or at least the face of Google News. 17 year old Josh Dawkin has become a regular on Norwich’s bench so don’t be surprised if he’s there again. Even the bench is a great achievement for such a young player. It’s not like he’s playing for Arsenal or Wales when half the team are too young to drink in America.
Stockport County v Swindon Town
Owain Fon Williams, Craig Roberts and Christian Ribeiro don’t seem to have injured so they have a good chance of beng part of Stockport’s team.
Jermaine Easter hopes to get into MK Dons’ starting line-up against old club Millwall. Jason Price and his Millwall team-mates are probably hoping Jermaine stays on the bench.
Oldham Athletic v Leeds United
Sam Vokes could play up front for Leeds but I actually hope he doesn’t. He’s too good. I want Millwall to win League One.
Southampton v Wycombe Wanderers
Lloyd James will be hoping Southampton can prove Wycombe’s win over Millwall was no more than a fluke. His team-mate Ryan Doble has returned to training following a shin injury. According to the Southampton site Ryan had ‘shin splints which [were] proving difficult to shake off’. I should hope so, if shin splints are doing their job properly it should take more than shaking a leg to remove them.
Southend United v Norwich City
Owain Tudur Jones definitely won’t play for Norwich but there’s no news on Rhoys Wiggins, who seems to have dropped off the face of the earth - or at least the face of Google News. 17 year old Josh Dawkin has become a regular on Norwich’s bench so don’t be surprised if he’s there again. Even the bench is a great achievement for such a young player. It’s not like he’s playing for Arsenal or Wales when half the team are too young to drink in America.
Stockport County v Swindon Town
Owain Fon Williams, Craig Roberts and Christian Ribeiro don’t seem to have injured so they have a good chance of beng part of Stockport’s team.
League One Fixtures 1st December
Brentford v Colchester United
James Wilson missed Brentford’s FA Cup match as he’s on loan from Bristol City but he should be recalled for this match. If Brentford have any sense they will play Lewis Price in goal but there is a limit on the number of loanees that can be in the squad and Brentford seem to have almost enough of those to make up a full team.
Lee Beevers’ shoulder still isn’t better so he won’t play for Colchester.
Brighton & Hove Albion v Charlton Athletic
Andrew Crofts should play for Brighton and might be their captain again. I expect Craig Davies to be in the squad but I’ve got no idea about Arron Davies, he hasn’t even been on the bench since new manager Gus Poyet took over at Brighton. Unfortunately Poyet used to be at Tottenham and we know Tottenham managers don’t like Welsh players.
Grant Basey is expected to start at left back for Charlton.
Bristol Rovers v Exeter City
Byron Anthony is one of three Bristol Rovers centre backs fighting to fill two places. So he could find himself on the bench alongside Rhys Evans and Ben Swallow. And there are worse people to share a bench with unless either of them has a farting problem I don’t know about.
Richard Duffy was injured in Exeter’s last match and is not expected to play. Robert Edwards is likely to be on the bench unless he’s hurt himself too.
Huddersfield Town v Tranmere Rovers
Ash Taylor is likely to be a key player in Tranmere’s desperate quests for points.
James Wilson missed Brentford’s FA Cup match as he’s on loan from Bristol City but he should be recalled for this match. If Brentford have any sense they will play Lewis Price in goal but there is a limit on the number of loanees that can be in the squad and Brentford seem to have almost enough of those to make up a full team.
Lee Beevers’ shoulder still isn’t better so he won’t play for Colchester.
Brighton & Hove Albion v Charlton Athletic
Andrew Crofts should play for Brighton and might be their captain again. I expect Craig Davies to be in the squad but I’ve got no idea about Arron Davies, he hasn’t even been on the bench since new manager Gus Poyet took over at Brighton. Unfortunately Poyet used to be at Tottenham and we know Tottenham managers don’t like Welsh players.
Grant Basey is expected to start at left back for Charlton.
Bristol Rovers v Exeter City
Byron Anthony is one of three Bristol Rovers centre backs fighting to fill two places. So he could find himself on the bench alongside Rhys Evans and Ben Swallow. And there are worse people to share a bench with unless either of them has a farting problem I don’t know about.
Richard Duffy was injured in Exeter’s last match and is not expected to play. Robert Edwards is likely to be on the bench unless he’s hurt himself too.
Huddersfield Town v Tranmere Rovers
Ash Taylor is likely to be a key player in Tranmere’s desperate quests for points.
Wales News 1st December
There are two sides to Craig Bellamy and both were shown this weekend. On the pitch (and in the tunnel), he became involved in an argument with Hull City’s Paul McShane – although Hull’s Jimmy Bullard was quick to laugh it off as a ‘classic’ incident between a Welsh player and an Irish player. No doubt Bullard has some ‘classic’ stories of his own to tell, about himself, an Irish player and a Scottish player.
Craig is also in contention for the People’s Choice Award at SCORE4Africa. He has been shortlisted a number of times since creating The Craig Bellamy Foundation, which uses the power of football to help disadvantaged children.
Peterborough United’s Craig Morgan has been linked with a move to Notts County. It’s not clear what’s going to happen (and I don’t think anything can happen before January) but Craig missed Peterborough’s last game.
Craig is also in contention for the People’s Choice Award at SCORE4Africa. He has been shortlisted a number of times since creating The Craig Bellamy Foundation, which uses the power of football to help disadvantaged children.
Peterborough United’s Craig Morgan has been linked with a move to Notts County. It’s not clear what’s going to happen (and I don’t think anything can happen before January) but Craig missed Peterborough’s last game.
Carling Cup News 1st/2nd December
1st December matches
Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur
This quarter final draw is a repeat of last year’s final, which saw Man United claim the trophy by virtue of having a goalkeeper with his own iPod.
Both sides are likely to play what the managers consider a weakened team. But whereas Man Utd are likely to be without Ryan Giggs (who played an important role in their weekend game) and as Gareth Bale looks relatively certain to feature for Tottenham it’s not impossible that Man Utd will have a bit of a shock tomorrow night.
Not that I don’t hate Tottenham but Come on Gareth!
Portsmouth v Aston Villa
James Collins is still having trouble with his groin and is almost certain not to feature for Aston Villa. You know, if there’s anything I can do to help you with it, James…
(That’s a joke btw. I love James but I would still die if he accepted my offer.)
2nd December matches
Blackburn Rovers v Chelsea
Jason Brown has been playing in goal for Blackburn in earlier matches but this is Chelsea so Blackburn might play their usual first team. I just say, play the team that’s going to beat the wankers.
Manchester City v Arsenal
Craig Bellamy was rested at the weekend so Man City were probably saving his knee for this match. Man Shitty are so desperate for a trophy, even the Carling Cup will do. Arsenal only want it if they can win it with centre back Mikael Silvestre and a load of kids who are nearly young enough to be his children. But luckily there’s only one Aaron Ramsey and Arsenal have got him. So there.
Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur
This quarter final draw is a repeat of last year’s final, which saw Man United claim the trophy by virtue of having a goalkeeper with his own iPod.
Both sides are likely to play what the managers consider a weakened team. But whereas Man Utd are likely to be without Ryan Giggs (who played an important role in their weekend game) and as Gareth Bale looks relatively certain to feature for Tottenham it’s not impossible that Man Utd will have a bit of a shock tomorrow night.
Not that I don’t hate Tottenham but Come on Gareth!
Portsmouth v Aston Villa
James Collins is still having trouble with his groin and is almost certain not to feature for Aston Villa. You know, if there’s anything I can do to help you with it, James…
(That’s a joke btw. I love James but I would still die if he accepted my offer.)
2nd December matches
Blackburn Rovers v Chelsea
Jason Brown has been playing in goal for Blackburn in earlier matches but this is Chelsea so Blackburn might play their usual first team. I just say, play the team that’s going to beat the wankers.
Manchester City v Arsenal
Craig Bellamy was rested at the weekend so Man City were probably saving his knee for this match. Man Shitty are so desperate for a trophy, even the Carling Cup will do. Arsenal only want it if they can win it with centre back Mikael Silvestre and a load of kids who are nearly young enough to be his children. But luckily there’s only one Aaron Ramsey and Arsenal have got him. So there.
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