Barnsley v Sheffield United
Barnsley are unbeaten in their last four matches. Sheffield United… aren’t but Barnsley aren’t very good at scoring at home and if they don’t score at home, Sheffield United can’t lose. But if they do lose, they could find themselves in the bottom three.
Ched Evans will play for Sheffield United as he’s the only fit striker. He says he’s happy to play as the Blades’ loan striker and he believes Sheffield United can get a result.
Bristol City v Derby County
Bristol City hope to continue their ascent of the Championship table against a Derby side who have lost three of their last four matches.
Brett Pitman will hope for another start after scoring three in his last four games. Christian Ribeiro is fine to play for Bristol City after having knee problems. Lewin Nyatanga and Gavin Williams could play for the first time since returning from loan spelsl at Peterborough United and Yeovil Town respectively but Gavin doesn’t believe he has a future at Bristol City.
Sam Vokes is in a race against time to recover from a hamstring injury before his loan spell comes to an end and add to the thirteen minutes of game time he’s notched up so far at Bristol City. He must have done well in those thirteen minutes though as Bristol City do want to keep him for longer.
Robbie Savage and Gareth Roberts might keep their places in Derby’s starting line-up… or they might not. Gareth in particular could be in trouble as manager Nigel Clough is reportedly not happy with his defenders but Gareth says the fans haven’t seen the best of him yet.
This week, Robbie won the Plain English award. Well done to Robbie but he doesn’t think he’ll win the Plain Welsh award, probably at least partly because it doesn’t seem to exist.. Robbie’s plain speaking this week includes his opinion on the sacking of Chris Hughton.
Burnley v Leeds United
Leeds are unbeaten in seven but at least this match will be at Turf Moor, the venue for all Burnley’s league wins this season. Despite their recent wobbles, Burnley still have an excellent home form while Leeds’ away form reads like a team formation – 4 4 2.
Leeds have an Arsenal player on loan, a young striker called Sanchez Watt who is eligible to play for Wales. Has anyone seen him lately?
Crystal Palace v Hull City
Palace aren’t exactly doing brilliantly this season but their best work has come at home, most recently beating Doncaster Rovers and Coventry City, who are pretty good. Hull aren’t quite as good as those two but they are unbeaten in four.
Andy Dorman and Lewis Price are most likely to be on the bench.
Saturday, 11 December 2010
Premier League Fixtures 11th December 2010
Aston Villa v West Bromwich Albion
Villa have never lost to West Brom in the Premier League but the two midlands clubs meet with West Brom the side on form. Villa have only lost once at home this season and that was to Arsenal.
Gerard Houllier is said to be unhappy with Villa’s defending. James Collins is in trouble for going clubbing the night before a match, although he says it was just a meal with his wife, but Houllier says he won’t punish him.
One Welshman likely to be sitting on the bench though is West Brom’s Boaz Myhill.
Fulham v Sunderland
Fulham are only out of the bottom three on goal difference and really need a win. But one thing Fulham and Sunderland share is the fact that they’ve drawn at least as many games as they’ve won and lost put together. Managers Mark Hughes and Steve Bruce did better when they were on the same team.
Simon Davies should play for Fulham.
Stoke City v Blackpool
Blackpool have been training on the beach. It sounds nice… but then I remembered the temperature. Blackpool are unbeaten in three but Stoke are notoriously strong at the Britannia Stadium and are themselves unbeaten in five.
Danny Collins and Ryan Shawcross should both start for Stoke. And if anyone from Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Real Madrid or Juventus happens to be reading, Ryan is not for sale. Okay?
Neal Eardley will be making his 150th league appearance if he plays some part in this match – I’d expect both him and David Vaughan to start with Rob Edwards on the bench.
David can expect a lot of support today from his fan club – of which Everon are apparently members.
West Ham United v Manchester City
The papers are full of rumours of Manchester City bust-ups but they are still fourth in the league and could be second after this match (or top if they win by seven goals). West Ham are unbeaten in five home games in all competitions.
Jack Collison is back in training for West Ham! He won’t be playing in this fixture and he probably still won’t play again in 2010. Maybe he’ll inspire West Ham to win. They have done quite well against teams from Manchester recently.
Danny Gabbidon should play for West Ham – which is also very exciting when you consider his own injury problems.
Villa have never lost to West Brom in the Premier League but the two midlands clubs meet with West Brom the side on form. Villa have only lost once at home this season and that was to Arsenal.
Gerard Houllier is said to be unhappy with Villa’s defending. James Collins is in trouble for going clubbing the night before a match, although he says it was just a meal with his wife, but Houllier says he won’t punish him.
One Welshman likely to be sitting on the bench though is West Brom’s Boaz Myhill.
Fulham v Sunderland
Fulham are only out of the bottom three on goal difference and really need a win. But one thing Fulham and Sunderland share is the fact that they’ve drawn at least as many games as they’ve won and lost put together. Managers Mark Hughes and Steve Bruce did better when they were on the same team.
Simon Davies should play for Fulham.
Stoke City v Blackpool
Blackpool have been training on the beach. It sounds nice… but then I remembered the temperature. Blackpool are unbeaten in three but Stoke are notoriously strong at the Britannia Stadium and are themselves unbeaten in five.
Danny Collins and Ryan Shawcross should both start for Stoke. And if anyone from Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Real Madrid or Juventus happens to be reading, Ryan is not for sale. Okay?
Neal Eardley will be making his 150th league appearance if he plays some part in this match – I’d expect both him and David Vaughan to start with Rob Edwards on the bench.
David can expect a lot of support today from his fan club – of which Everon are apparently members.
West Ham United v Manchester City
The papers are full of rumours of Manchester City bust-ups but they are still fourth in the league and could be second after this match (or top if they win by seven goals). West Ham are unbeaten in five home games in all competitions.
Jack Collison is back in training for West Ham! He won’t be playing in this fixture and he probably still won’t play again in 2010. Maybe he’ll inspire West Ham to win. They have done quite well against teams from Manchester recently.
Danny Gabbidon should play for West Ham – which is also very exciting when you consider his own injury problems.
Friday, 10 December 2010
League One Fixture 10th December 2010
Peterborough United v Rochdale
If Peterborough win this match 10-0, they’ll be in the play-off places. But being outside only on goal difference is a definite possibility considering Rochdale haven’t won any of their last seven games. Including their tie with FC United of Manchester, whom I’m sure will be back in the FA Cup next season.
Arron Davies will hope to start for Peterborough.
Nicky Adams is likely to start for Rochdale with Matt Done on the bench.
If Peterborough win this match 10-0, they’ll be in the play-off places. But being outside only on goal difference is a definite possibility considering Rochdale haven’t won any of their last seven games. Including their tie with FC United of Manchester, whom I’m sure will be back in the FA Cup next season.
Arron Davies will hope to start for Peterborough.
Nicky Adams is likely to start for Rochdale with Matt Done on the bench.
Championship Fixture 10th December 2010
Swansea City v Millwall
So it’s up to my dad’s team to stop Swansea from moving ahead of my Welsh team. So if it works out, I’ll be happy. And if it doesn’t work out, I’ll be happy for all those lovely Welsh players. Sort of. Maybe.
Letting in the goals for Swansea will be defenders Ashley Williams and Neil Taylor with Joe Allen and David Cotterill possibly chipping in too. As for Jermaine Easter, I don’t know where he’s pissed off to but if he does finally make his Swansea debut, he’ll be playing against a former club.
Steve Morison scored twice in his last game so he should remember how it’s done.
So it’s up to my dad’s team to stop Swansea from moving ahead of my Welsh team. So if it works out, I’ll be happy. And if it doesn’t work out, I’ll be happy for all those lovely Welsh players. Sort of. Maybe.
Letting in the goals for Swansea will be defenders Ashley Williams and Neil Taylor with Joe Allen and David Cotterill possibly chipping in too. As for Jermaine Easter, I don’t know where he’s pissed off to but if he does finally make his Swansea debut, he’ll be playing against a former club.
Steve Morison scored twice in his last game so he should remember how it’s done.
Saturday, 4 December 2010
Premier Leagur Fixtures 5th December 2010
West Bromwich Albion v Newcastle United
The Premier League’s two automatically promoted teams have had some great moments this season but more recently they’ve been on a downward slide. Not that (to my knowledge) there’s any such thing as an upward slide. Newcastle haven’t lost to West Brom since 1984.
I would love to see Boaz Myhill start for West Brom again but he did just lose to Ipswich Town.
Sunderland v West Ham United
West Ham haven’t won many games this season but two of their wins came in their last two matches. However, Sunderland are unbeaten at home this season.
Danny Gabbidon will hope to make his 100th appearance for West Ham after sitting out their shock win over Manchester United with a knock. Jack Collison has a long-term knee injury.
The Premier League’s two automatically promoted teams have had some great moments this season but more recently they’ve been on a downward slide. Not that (to my knowledge) there’s any such thing as an upward slide. Newcastle haven’t lost to West Brom since 1984.
I would love to see Boaz Myhill start for West Brom again but he did just lose to Ipswich Town.
Sunderland v West Ham United
West Ham haven’t won many games this season but two of their wins came in their last two matches. However, Sunderland are unbeaten at home this season.
Danny Gabbidon will hope to make his 100th appearance for West Ham after sitting out their shock win over Manchester United with a knock. Jack Collison has a long-term knee injury.
League Two Fixtures (and Postponements) 4th December 2010
Accrington Stanley P-P Shrewsbury
This match won’t happen as apparently there’s something wrong with the weather.
Aldershot Town P-P Bradford City
Aldershot have a frozen pitch so this match has been postponed.
Bradford’s loan striker Jason Price gets what is probably a welcome break from the rough and tumble of League Two. Michael Flynn is at least two months away from a return.
Bury P-P Chesterfield
Bury have a frozen pitch too. There’s a lot of it going around.
Owain fon Williams says Bury v Chesterfield is a massive game – but depending on when the rearranged fixture is, he might not get to play in it.
Craig Davies has a hamstring injury so I bet Chesterfield are quite glad they (probably) won’t have to play such a big game without him.
Robert Page says he’s ready to wait for his chance to play in the first team as he is getting on a bit.
Cheltenham Town P-P Lincoln City
And another frozen pitch.
Josh Low says Cheltenham have come a long way in the last twelve months. I’d say they’ve come a long way in the last six months too. At the end of last season, they were fourteen places lower than they are now.
Crewe Alexandra P-P Wycombe Wanderers
Crewe have one fewer match to show Rhys Taylor why he should stay for the whole season. Centre back Danny Blanchett certainly seems to like him.
Rhys wants to stay with Crewe for the rest of the season. Wales might be short of players who can score penalties – but here’s one who can save them.
Gillingham P-P Rotherham United
Gillingham’s pitch is a foot deep in snow so this match is off.
Hereford United P-P Morecambe
Hereford’s pitch is frozen but at least it’s theirs.
Northampton Town v Stockport
Northampton have only won once away while Stockport have only won once at home. Both teams will be glad it’s not the other around.
Paul Walker will be on the bench for Northampton.
Anthony Pulis should start for Stockport after extending his loan deal to 4th January. Highlights of his loan spell so far include a debut goal and three 5-0 defeats. But I’m sure that’s not Anthony’s fault.
Oxford United v Barnet
This match is still on but there will be a pitch inspection tomorrow to check it’s not too cold. Barnet have only two points from away matches this season but a first win would lift them out of the bottom two.
Oxford defender Rhys Day still wants to join loan club Mansfield Town full-time despite a change of manager. Rhys has recently been Mansfield stand-in captain.
Port Vale P-P Stevenage
How many ways are there of saying ‘the pitch is frozen’? I reckon I’ve got most of them.
Lewis Haldane believes he’ll struggle to get back into Port Vale’s starting eleven.
Southend United P-P Macclesfield Town
For the reasons for this postponement, see above.
Peter Gilbert would have been suspended for this match after Southend made the decision not to appeal against his red card on the grounds that it might be deemed frivolous.
Torquay United P-P Burton Albion
I’m not even going to tell you why this one’s off.
Garyn Preen has joined Stafford Rangers on loan from Burton.
This match won’t happen as apparently there’s something wrong with the weather.
Aldershot Town P-P Bradford City
Aldershot have a frozen pitch so this match has been postponed.
Bradford’s loan striker Jason Price gets what is probably a welcome break from the rough and tumble of League Two. Michael Flynn is at least two months away from a return.
Bury P-P Chesterfield
Bury have a frozen pitch too. There’s a lot of it going around.
Owain fon Williams says Bury v Chesterfield is a massive game – but depending on when the rearranged fixture is, he might not get to play in it.
Craig Davies has a hamstring injury so I bet Chesterfield are quite glad they (probably) won’t have to play such a big game without him.
Robert Page says he’s ready to wait for his chance to play in the first team as he is getting on a bit.
Cheltenham Town P-P Lincoln City
And another frozen pitch.
Josh Low says Cheltenham have come a long way in the last twelve months. I’d say they’ve come a long way in the last six months too. At the end of last season, they were fourteen places lower than they are now.
Crewe Alexandra P-P Wycombe Wanderers
Crewe have one fewer match to show Rhys Taylor why he should stay for the whole season. Centre back Danny Blanchett certainly seems to like him.
Rhys wants to stay with Crewe for the rest of the season. Wales might be short of players who can score penalties – but here’s one who can save them.
Gillingham P-P Rotherham United
Gillingham’s pitch is a foot deep in snow so this match is off.
Hereford United P-P Morecambe
Hereford’s pitch is frozen but at least it’s theirs.
Northampton Town v Stockport
Northampton have only won once away while Stockport have only won once at home. Both teams will be glad it’s not the other around.
Paul Walker will be on the bench for Northampton.
Anthony Pulis should start for Stockport after extending his loan deal to 4th January. Highlights of his loan spell so far include a debut goal and three 5-0 defeats. But I’m sure that’s not Anthony’s fault.
Oxford United v Barnet
This match is still on but there will be a pitch inspection tomorrow to check it’s not too cold. Barnet have only two points from away matches this season but a first win would lift them out of the bottom two.
Oxford defender Rhys Day still wants to join loan club Mansfield Town full-time despite a change of manager. Rhys has recently been Mansfield stand-in captain.
Port Vale P-P Stevenage
How many ways are there of saying ‘the pitch is frozen’? I reckon I’ve got most of them.
Lewis Haldane believes he’ll struggle to get back into Port Vale’s starting eleven.
Southend United P-P Macclesfield Town
For the reasons for this postponement, see above.
Peter Gilbert would have been suspended for this match after Southend made the decision not to appeal against his red card on the grounds that it might be deemed frivolous.
Torquay United P-P Burton Albion
I’m not even going to tell you why this one’s off.
Garyn Preen has joined Stafford Rangers on loan from Burton.
League One Fixtures (and Postponements) 4th December 2010
Brentford P-P Notts County
Notts County are considering under-soil heating but even if they did have it, it wouldn’t be much help as this match is at Brentford, who have a frozen pitch.
Ben Davies says Notts County can build on their victory over Swindon Town. Ben will meet the board soon to discuss his future.
Brighton P-P Colchester United
This game can’t be played as Brighton just isn’t a safe place for supporters.
Bristol Rovers v Bournemouth
This game isn’t cancelled yet but there’s going to be a pitch inspection tomorrow. So don’t go out without checking though if you do it won’t be a big disaster, it’s not like the match is in Carlisle. A win for Bournemouth would put them into the top two although Charlton Athletic would have a game in hand – and Bournemouth, despite their good position, have won away only once this season.
Byron Anthony returns from suspension for Bristol Rovers with Eliot Richards and Ben Swallow on the bench.
Rhoys Wiggins will start for Bournemouth
Joe Partington has extended his loan spell at Eastbourne Borough.
Dagenham & Redbridge P-P Huddersfield Town
There’s a safety issue in Dagenham so this match won’t be played.
Exeter City v Tranmere Rovers
Exeter are three points from the top six but they’d need a to win by ten goals in order to overturn Oldham Athletic’s goal difference. Tranmere won’t be in the bottom three if they lose because not enough of the teams below tham are playing but it would be uncomfortably close.
Richard Duffy has a slight hamstring injury but he’s expected to be fit to play for Exeter and first team coach/team-mate Rob Edwards believes Richard could be playing for Wales again before too long. Brian Flynn was at a recent match and Rob doesn’t think he was there to watch him and has concluded he must have been watching Richard – though Daniel Nardiello is Welsh too, you know, Rob.
Rob believes the current Exeter side is the strongest he’s seen at the club but he is worried about facing Tranmere’s Dale Jennings. Ash Taylor isn’t too bad either but he’ll probably only be on the bench as he’s coming back from injury.
Leyton Orient P-P Carlisle United
Orient imply there’s nothing wrong with their stadium, it’s the roads around it that are the problem.
Milton Keynes Dons P-P Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth’s financial problems are unlikely to be helped by the cancellation of this match due to a frozen pitch in Milton Keynes.
Plymouth captain Carl Fletcher is still yet to make his comeback from injury. He was set to play in a reserve match this week but I’m not sure if it happened.
Rochdale P-P Charlton Athletic
It’s not just London where the pitches are frozen. Stadia that were due to be visited by a London club are having problems too.
Matt Done visited a school in Rochdale this week as part of Anti-Bullying week.
Yeovil Town P-P Peterborough United
Yeovil and Peterborough can’t play this match due to an excess of snow.
Yeovil loanee Owain Tudur Jones, who has returned to Norwich. His final match was meant to be an FA Cup match but it was postponed.
Notts County are considering under-soil heating but even if they did have it, it wouldn’t be much help as this match is at Brentford, who have a frozen pitch.
Ben Davies says Notts County can build on their victory over Swindon Town. Ben will meet the board soon to discuss his future.
Brighton P-P Colchester United
This game can’t be played as Brighton just isn’t a safe place for supporters.
Bristol Rovers v Bournemouth
This game isn’t cancelled yet but there’s going to be a pitch inspection tomorrow. So don’t go out without checking though if you do it won’t be a big disaster, it’s not like the match is in Carlisle. A win for Bournemouth would put them into the top two although Charlton Athletic would have a game in hand – and Bournemouth, despite their good position, have won away only once this season.
Byron Anthony returns from suspension for Bristol Rovers with Eliot Richards and Ben Swallow on the bench.
Rhoys Wiggins will start for Bournemouth
Joe Partington has extended his loan spell at Eastbourne Borough.
Dagenham & Redbridge P-P Huddersfield Town
There’s a safety issue in Dagenham so this match won’t be played.
Exeter City v Tranmere Rovers
Exeter are three points from the top six but they’d need a to win by ten goals in order to overturn Oldham Athletic’s goal difference. Tranmere won’t be in the bottom three if they lose because not enough of the teams below tham are playing but it would be uncomfortably close.
Richard Duffy has a slight hamstring injury but he’s expected to be fit to play for Exeter and first team coach/team-mate Rob Edwards believes Richard could be playing for Wales again before too long. Brian Flynn was at a recent match and Rob doesn’t think he was there to watch him and has concluded he must have been watching Richard – though Daniel Nardiello is Welsh too, you know, Rob.
Rob believes the current Exeter side is the strongest he’s seen at the club but he is worried about facing Tranmere’s Dale Jennings. Ash Taylor isn’t too bad either but he’ll probably only be on the bench as he’s coming back from injury.
Leyton Orient P-P Carlisle United
Orient imply there’s nothing wrong with their stadium, it’s the roads around it that are the problem.
Milton Keynes Dons P-P Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth’s financial problems are unlikely to be helped by the cancellation of this match due to a frozen pitch in Milton Keynes.
Plymouth captain Carl Fletcher is still yet to make his comeback from injury. He was set to play in a reserve match this week but I’m not sure if it happened.
Rochdale P-P Charlton Athletic
It’s not just London where the pitches are frozen. Stadia that were due to be visited by a London club are having problems too.
Matt Done visited a school in Rochdale this week as part of Anti-Bullying week.
Yeovil Town P-P Peterborough United
Yeovil and Peterborough can’t play this match due to an excess of snow.
Yeovil loanee Owain Tudur Jones, who has returned to Norwich. His final match was meant to be an FA Cup match but it was postponed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
