Derby County v Cardiff City
Derby manager Nigel Clough wants his team to finish the season on a high note but they face an in-form Cardiff, who could finish in 3rd if they win and Nottingham Forest lose (or draw, if Cardiff win by enough goals to overcome Forest’s superior goal difference.
Robbie Savage played for Derby’s reserves in midweek, in an effort to help them win their league. So he might be too tired to face Cardiff although I have trouble imagining a tired Robbie Savage. Robbie has been named Derby’s Player of the Year. Robbie may also be going goal again over the summer, facing penalties from children in a charity event for former Derby star Nigel Callaghan, who is undergoing chemotherapy.
Joe Ledley should be playing in this match – but, play-offs aside, it could be his last for Cardiff. Joe says he will stay with Cardiff if they get promoted but the implication is if they don’t, he won’t. There is some talk of Cardiff’s new investors selling Joe but that would be difficult as he’s out of contract.
Darcy Blake – another whose contract is coming to an end - was substituted in Cardiff’s last match after suffering a head injury but there’s nothing to suggest he’s not fine now. Cardiff captain Mark Hudson is an option to replace Darcy but he feels Darcy deserves to stay in the team. Aaron Wildig could get a start if manager Dave Jones opts to rest players. Adam Matthews is another who could play.
If some players are rested, Aaron Morris (who is also out of contract) and Jonathan Meades could be among the ‘young players’ on the bench.
Ipswich Town v Sheffield United
If Ipswich win by enough goals and Doncaster Rovers lose by enough, Ipswich could finish in the top half of the table. But it’s not very likely and maybe most fans will just be glad they’re not adrift at the bottom of the table anymore. Sheffield United have a chance of finishing 8th.
Again, Roy Keane has said some of Ipswich’s young players will be involved but Troy Brown was left out last week and the same could happen again. Troy has however been given a one-year contract extension so maybe he’ll get his chance next season.
Ched Evans might get his first start since returning from a collarbone injury. He says his collarbone is still a bit sore but otherwise he’s in good shape and he’d love to end the Blades’ disappointing season with a win.
Leicester City v Middlesbrough
Leicester are already in the play-offs but even if they win they’re unlikely to catch Cardiff City on goal difference. Of the three teams that were relegated from the Premier League last season, Boro are the only team who aren’t going back up.
Andy King is almost certain to start for Leicester again, probably with Nicky Adams on the bench. Andy is one of Leicester’s two Players’ Players of the Year was shortlisted for the Championship Player of the Season award but it went to Newcastle United’s Kevin Nolan instead. If he plays, this match will be Andy’s 100th appearance for Leicester. Not bad for a twenty-one year old.
Rhys Williams won’t play as he has a pelvis injury and really wants to be fit enough to play for Australia in the World Cup. He’s being assessed this week. Danny Coyne will be on the bench.
Sunday, 2 May 2010
Championship Fixtures 2nd May Part 1
Blackpool v Bristol City
Blackpool go into the final game of the season in 6th place but only a win will guarantee they stay there. Bristol City could finish 8th if results go their way but they could also drop to 12th.
David Vaughan will probably start for Blackpool again with Rob Edwards on the bench. Neal Eardley might possibly return to the starting line-up but maybe it’s better not to change a winning team. Daniel Nardiello scored for Blackpool’s reserves a few days ago so presumably his groin is beter.
Lewin Nyatanga will probably start for Bristol City with Christian Ribeiro on the bench. If Bristol City can get a result at Blackpool, Lewin would like Bristol City’s season to end with a win and if that means helping Swansea City into the play-offs, that’s more than fine with him.
Coventry City v Watford
A win for Coventry would push them closer to a mid-table finish. Watford’s win against Reading means they will be playing Championship football next season but their away form is not as good as their home form.
Freddy Eastwood should start for Coventry. He didn’t score in his last game but he did in the one before that. His manager Chris Coleman is planning on playing 3-5-2 again, a formation which he feels suits Freddy.
Jonathan North is expected to leave Watford at the end of the season after not featuring for the club at all. Well as he’s nineteen years old, a goalkeeper and he’s been on loan for half the season, is that really surprising?
Blackpool go into the final game of the season in 6th place but only a win will guarantee they stay there. Bristol City could finish 8th if results go their way but they could also drop to 12th.
David Vaughan will probably start for Blackpool again with Rob Edwards on the bench. Neal Eardley might possibly return to the starting line-up but maybe it’s better not to change a winning team. Daniel Nardiello scored for Blackpool’s reserves a few days ago so presumably his groin is beter.
Lewin Nyatanga will probably start for Bristol City with Christian Ribeiro on the bench. If Bristol City can get a result at Blackpool, Lewin would like Bristol City’s season to end with a win and if that means helping Swansea City into the play-offs, that’s more than fine with him.
Coventry City v Watford
A win for Coventry would push them closer to a mid-table finish. Watford’s win against Reading means they will be playing Championship football next season but their away form is not as good as their home form.
Freddy Eastwood should start for Coventry. He didn’t score in his last game but he did in the one before that. His manager Chris Coleman is planning on playing 3-5-2 again, a formation which he feels suits Freddy.
Jonathan North is expected to leave Watford at the end of the season after not featuring for the club at all. Well as he’s nineteen years old, a goalkeeper and he’s been on loan for half the season, is that really surprising?
Saturday, 1 May 2010
Wales under-21 squad v Austria
Wales under-21s play Austria away on Tuesday May 18th.
Goalkeepers: David Cornell (Swansea City), Chris Maxwell (Wrexham
Defenders: Neal Eardley (Blackpool), Aaron Morris (Cardiff City), Christian Ribeito (Bristol City), Ashley 'Jazz' Richards (Swansea City), Ash Taylor (Tranmere Rovers), Neil Taylor (Wrexham)
Midfield: Billy Bodin (Swindon Town), Nathan Craig (Everton), Ryan Doble (Southampton), Lloyd James (Southampton), Joe Partington (Bournemouth)
Forwards: Elliott Chamberlain (Leicester City), Hal Robson-Kanu (Reading), Jake Taylor (Reading)
Stand-by:
Goalkeeper: Jonathan Bond (Watford)
Defender: James Bloom (Falkirk),
Midfielders: David Stephens (Norwich City, currently on loan at Lincoln City), Lee Lucas (Swansea City)
Forward: Richard Periket (Fulham)
Goalkeepers: David Cornell (Swansea City), Chris Maxwell (Wrexham
Defenders: Neal Eardley (Blackpool), Aaron Morris (Cardiff City), Christian Ribeito (Bristol City), Ashley 'Jazz' Richards (Swansea City), Ash Taylor (Tranmere Rovers), Neil Taylor (Wrexham)
Midfield: Billy Bodin (Swindon Town), Nathan Craig (Everton), Ryan Doble (Southampton), Lloyd James (Southampton), Joe Partington (Bournemouth)
Forwards: Elliott Chamberlain (Leicester City), Hal Robson-Kanu (Reading), Jake Taylor (Reading)
Stand-by:
Goalkeeper: Jonathan Bond (Watford)
Defender: James Bloom (Falkirk),
Midfielders: David Stephens (Norwich City, currently on loan at Lincoln City), Lee Lucas (Swansea City)
Forward: Richard Periket (Fulham)
Wales v Northern Ireland (under-19 friendly)
I meant to post the squad ages ago but I'm useless so I didn't. The match was played on Wednesday but the result isn't on the FA Wales site yet. So I don't know what the result was but I'm sure Wales won ;)
WALES v NORTHERN IRELAND
The revised squad for the unofficial Under 19 friendly against Northern Ireland at Lileshall on Wednesday has been named.
Revised Wales squad:
Connor Roberts (Everton), Joseph Perry (Cheltenham Town), Daniel Alfei (Swansea City), Alex Evans (Cardiff City), Joe Walsh (Swansea City), Tom Bender (Colchester United), Jake Maceneaney (Burnley), Aynsley Mcdonald (Rushden & Diamonds), Jonathan Evans (Accrington Stanley), Lee Lucas (Swansea City), Jon Meades (Cardiff City), Jay Gibbs (Tranmere Rovers), Billy Bodin (Swindon Town), Kieron Freeman (Nottingham Forest), Josh Dawkin (Norwich City), Jonathan Williams (Crystal Palace), Kayelden Brown (West Bromwich Albion), Shane Williams (Unattached).
Stand by players:
Jonathan Bond (Watford), Daniel Ward (Wrexham), Max Penk (Wrexham), Emyr Huws (Manchester City), Thomas Lopes Da Silva (Swansea City). James Loveridge (Swansea City), Richard Peniket (Fulham).
WALES v NORTHERN IRELAND
The revised squad for the unofficial Under 19 friendly against Northern Ireland at Lileshall on Wednesday has been named.
Revised Wales squad:
Connor Roberts (Everton), Joseph Perry (Cheltenham Town), Daniel Alfei (Swansea City), Alex Evans (Cardiff City), Joe Walsh (Swansea City), Tom Bender (Colchester United), Jake Maceneaney (Burnley), Aynsley Mcdonald (Rushden & Diamonds), Jonathan Evans (Accrington Stanley), Lee Lucas (Swansea City), Jon Meades (Cardiff City), Jay Gibbs (Tranmere Rovers), Billy Bodin (Swindon Town), Kieron Freeman (Nottingham Forest), Josh Dawkin (Norwich City), Jonathan Williams (Crystal Palace), Kayelden Brown (West Bromwich Albion), Shane Williams (Unattached).
Stand by players:
Jonathan Bond (Watford), Daniel Ward (Wrexham), Max Penk (Wrexham), Emyr Huws (Manchester City), Thomas Lopes Da Silva (Swansea City). James Loveridge (Swansea City), Richard Peniket (Fulham).
League Two Fixtures 1st May Part 3
Rochdale v Burton Albion
Rochdale could be caught by third-placed Bournemouth if they lose this game. If they draw, Bournemouth will be behind on goal difference if they win/ Burton could still just about finish in the top half.
Tony James was rested for Burton’s last match. They lost but they were playing Bournemouth. Still, I hope he’ll be back to face Rochdale. At 31, Tony isn’t exactly one of the youngest in Burton’s squad. But the man who’ll be between the sticks tomorrow, Kevin Poole, is almost old enough to be Tony’s father.
Shrewsbury Town v Morecambe
Both sides harbour hopes of the play-offs although Shrewsbury would have to win all their games and rely on six of the other play-off hopefuls to drop lots of points. They’ve also just sacked their manager which usually doesn’t help at this stage. Morecambe are currently eighth and are only outside the play-offs on goal difference.
Shrewsbury have a few injuries so maybe Will Richards will come back into the squad. He was on the losing side when Shrewsbury Reserves played Derby County Reserves in the League Central division. But Derby’s team did include Robbie Savage. Also in Shrewsbury’s team were Tom Bradshaw, Wayne Farmer and some other players with Welsh-sounding names. Iain Edmunds was on the bench.
Darren Moss just has to keep his place after scoring that brilliant goal for Morecambe last weekend. But that doesn’t mean he’ll be picked.
Rochdale could be caught by third-placed Bournemouth if they lose this game. If they draw, Bournemouth will be behind on goal difference if they win/ Burton could still just about finish in the top half.
Tony James was rested for Burton’s last match. They lost but they were playing Bournemouth. Still, I hope he’ll be back to face Rochdale. At 31, Tony isn’t exactly one of the youngest in Burton’s squad. But the man who’ll be between the sticks tomorrow, Kevin Poole, is almost old enough to be Tony’s father.
Shrewsbury Town v Morecambe
Both sides harbour hopes of the play-offs although Shrewsbury would have to win all their games and rely on six of the other play-off hopefuls to drop lots of points. They’ve also just sacked their manager which usually doesn’t help at this stage. Morecambe are currently eighth and are only outside the play-offs on goal difference.
Shrewsbury have a few injuries so maybe Will Richards will come back into the squad. He was on the losing side when Shrewsbury Reserves played Derby County Reserves in the League Central division. But Derby’s team did include Robbie Savage. Also in Shrewsbury’s team were Tom Bradshaw, Wayne Farmer and some other players with Welsh-sounding names. Iain Edmunds was on the bench.
Darren Moss just has to keep his place after scoring that brilliant goal for Morecambe last weekend. But that doesn’t mean he’ll be picked.
League Two Fixtures 1st May Part 2
Dagenham & Redbridge v Hereford United
Dagenham are one of many teams vying for a play-off place. They face Hereford, who could very very possibly sneak into the play-offs, fixtures permitting.
Tony Roberts should be in goal for Dagenham.
Ryan Green, Ryan Valentine and Darren Jones all have a very good chance of being part of Hereford’s defence.
Macclesfield Town v Darlington
It hasn’t been a great season for Macclesfield for various reasons. In many ways, they have had an even worse season than Darlington. Would you rather drop into the Conference or lose a manager who was also a close friend? I hope next season is happier for both clubs.
Matthew Tipton will probably be on the bench for Macclesfield.
Notts County v Cheltenham Town
Champions Notts County face Cheltenham, who are officially safe despite having enough points to be caught by Grimsby Town. But they can’t be caught by Grimsby and Barnet. The bottom two clubs play each other this weekend.
Ben Davies recovered from his groin injury to play 72 minutes as Notts beat Darlington and won the title. He says he’s still having some trouble with his groin but he doesn’t seem to be an injury doubt.
Josh Low is considering quitting football to become a lawyer. He’s going to take his Legal Practice Course next year, he works one day a week at a local firm and he’s been offered a full-time job. His contract ends this season and he’s going to make a decision then. He loves football but the job might not be available next year and he doesn’t want to be out of work with a wife and three kids to support. That’s quite sad really. So many footballers have enough money to support several families (and maybe some of them do have several).But League Two is a different world. Josh will however l be able to play against Notts County this weekend.
Dagenham are one of many teams vying for a play-off place. They face Hereford, who could very very possibly sneak into the play-offs, fixtures permitting.
Tony Roberts should be in goal for Dagenham.
Ryan Green, Ryan Valentine and Darren Jones all have a very good chance of being part of Hereford’s defence.
Macclesfield Town v Darlington
It hasn’t been a great season for Macclesfield for various reasons. In many ways, they have had an even worse season than Darlington. Would you rather drop into the Conference or lose a manager who was also a close friend? I hope next season is happier for both clubs.
Matthew Tipton will probably be on the bench for Macclesfield.
Notts County v Cheltenham Town
Champions Notts County face Cheltenham, who are officially safe despite having enough points to be caught by Grimsby Town. But they can’t be caught by Grimsby and Barnet. The bottom two clubs play each other this weekend.
Ben Davies recovered from his groin injury to play 72 minutes as Notts beat Darlington and won the title. He says he’s still having some trouble with his groin but he doesn’t seem to be an injury doubt.
Josh Low is considering quitting football to become a lawyer. He’s going to take his Legal Practice Course next year, he works one day a week at a local firm and he’s been offered a full-time job. His contract ends this season and he’s going to make a decision then. He loves football but the job might not be available next year and he doesn’t want to be out of work with a wife and three kids to support. That’s quite sad really. So many footballers have enough money to support several families (and maybe some of them do have several).But League Two is a different world. Josh will however l be able to play against Notts County this weekend.
League Two Fixtures 1st May Part 1
Accrington Stanley v Chesterfield
Accrington hope to build on their victory over, well, Barnet by getting another win against Chesterfield. Chesterfield are only out of the play-offs on goal difference so they’ll really really want to beat Accrington.
Mark Crossley and Robert Page were on the bench for Chesterfield’s last two matches. They didn’t win. But they also didn’t win the last time Robert played…
Aldershot Town v Lincoln City
Aldershot are in 5th place and in any other division that would mean their place in the play-offs was confirmed. In League Two, all it really means is that they’re guaranteed to finish in the top half of the table. But Lincon’s recent victories include matches against play-off contenders Bury (last week) and promoted Bournemouth. Then again, they’ve also recently lost to play-off contenders Shrewsbury Town and Morecambe, and promoted Notts County.
David Stephens was impressive in his surprise debut for Lincoln and it would be very mean to drop him after that.
Bournemouth v Port Vale
Bournemouth are up and nothing can stop them. They’re also out of administration. So no-one would blame them if they’ve spent the week partying. It’s a great achievement and they deserve it (I mean the promotion but they do deserve the party too). Port Vale on the other hand are one of seven teams with between 66 and 69 points. They’ll definitely be hoping for a Bournemouth hangover (not necessarily a literal one, just one of the sort teams often get when they’ve just done something amazing).
For some reason, this could be Rhoys Wiggins’ last game for Bournemouth. I thought he’d signed until the end of the season so he should have two more games. But actually, maybe he’ll play a lot more than two more games for Bournemouth. The fans would certainly like that. They’ve been chanting for manager Eddie Howe to sign him permanently.
Joe Partington could be left out of the squad again as for once there just isn’t room for everybody.
Gareth Owen missed Port Vale’s last match with a back and hip injury and he could be out for this match too. He’s had a sugar injection and he’ll be assessed before the match. Gareth is supporting a fun run called the 210k but he’s hoping he won’t be able to run in it because it’s on the same day as the play-off final.
Craig Davies and Lewis Haldane are fit as far as I know. I’m thrilled Bournemouth got promoted and not just because of Rhoys and Joe but it would be great to see Craig and Lewis banging the goals in for Port Vale.
Bradford City v Northampton Town
Bradford could yet sneak into the top of the table but it isn’t that likely. Northampton meanwhile are hoping to sneak into the play-offs. They’re currently tenth but just a point behind seventh place.
Michael Flynn and Peter Gilbert will probably play for Bradford and Northampton respectively (not that I’m suggesting it might happen the other way around).
Accrington hope to build on their victory over, well, Barnet by getting another win against Chesterfield. Chesterfield are only out of the play-offs on goal difference so they’ll really really want to beat Accrington.
Mark Crossley and Robert Page were on the bench for Chesterfield’s last two matches. They didn’t win. But they also didn’t win the last time Robert played…
Aldershot Town v Lincoln City
Aldershot are in 5th place and in any other division that would mean their place in the play-offs was confirmed. In League Two, all it really means is that they’re guaranteed to finish in the top half of the table. But Lincon’s recent victories include matches against play-off contenders Bury (last week) and promoted Bournemouth. Then again, they’ve also recently lost to play-off contenders Shrewsbury Town and Morecambe, and promoted Notts County.
David Stephens was impressive in his surprise debut for Lincoln and it would be very mean to drop him after that.
Bournemouth v Port Vale
Bournemouth are up and nothing can stop them. They’re also out of administration. So no-one would blame them if they’ve spent the week partying. It’s a great achievement and they deserve it (I mean the promotion but they do deserve the party too). Port Vale on the other hand are one of seven teams with between 66 and 69 points. They’ll definitely be hoping for a Bournemouth hangover (not necessarily a literal one, just one of the sort teams often get when they’ve just done something amazing).
For some reason, this could be Rhoys Wiggins’ last game for Bournemouth. I thought he’d signed until the end of the season so he should have two more games. But actually, maybe he’ll play a lot more than two more games for Bournemouth. The fans would certainly like that. They’ve been chanting for manager Eddie Howe to sign him permanently.
Joe Partington could be left out of the squad again as for once there just isn’t room for everybody.
Gareth Owen missed Port Vale’s last match with a back and hip injury and he could be out for this match too. He’s had a sugar injection and he’ll be assessed before the match. Gareth is supporting a fun run called the 210k but he’s hoping he won’t be able to run in it because it’s on the same day as the play-off final.
Craig Davies and Lewis Haldane are fit as far as I know. I’m thrilled Bournemouth got promoted and not just because of Rhoys and Joe but it would be great to see Craig and Lewis banging the goals in for Port Vale.
Bradford City v Northampton Town
Bradford could yet sneak into the top of the table but it isn’t that likely. Northampton meanwhile are hoping to sneak into the play-offs. They’re currently tenth but just a point behind seventh place.
Michael Flynn and Peter Gilbert will probably play for Bradford and Northampton respectively (not that I’m suggesting it might happen the other way around).
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