West Ham United 0-0 Blackpool
I didn’t look at many prediction sites but they all predicted an away win and that just shows you how impressive Blackpool have been. Before the start of the season, would you have predicted an away win? But with West Ham struggling and Blackpool not caring whether they’re playing Manchester United or FC United of Manchester (though on current form, the latter look more of a threat), an away win looked very possible and the only mystery is how it didn’t happen – although if West Ham had been awarded a penalty in the first half, things could have been very different.
Danny Gabbidon played in defence for West Ham and nearly scored.
Neal Eardley and David Vaughan, who scored against Aston Villa, came pretty close to repeating the feat against West Ham. Rob Edwards was on the bench for once.
Ian Holloway will offer David a new contract in the next fortnight – but if he won’t sign it, he’ll be moving clubs in January. David – just sign it.
Wigan Athletic 1-0 West Bromwich Albion
Wigan are a point above the relegation zone after getting three against West Brom. After flirting with the Champions’ League places, the Baggies seem to be heading for the place where everyone expected to see them. This match saw Wigan substitute an injured player for his brother – I wonder how many times that has happened.
Boaz Myhill was on the bench for West Brom. But maybe not for much longer if they keep going like this.
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-3 Bolton Wanderers
Wolves played well again but were left with nothing – a situation with which, as an Arsenal supporter, I can sympathise - as Bolton claimed three points with three goals. Bolton were 3-0 up but only for two minutes, with Wolves taking the opportunity to give Bolton a scare.
David Jones came back into Wolves’ squad, joining Wayne Hennessey on the bench. Dave Edwards was out with a thigh injury.
Sam Ricketts was in Bolton’s starting line-up and it was his sliding challenge that prevented Wolves from equalising shortly after Bolton’s first goal.
Tuesday, 16 November 2010
Premier League Results 13th November 2010 (Part 1)
Aston Villa 2-2 Manchester United
Aston Villa kept their unbeaten home record intact but let a 2-0 lead slip in the last ten minutes to give Manchester United another undeserved point. Manchester United are unbeaten both home and away.
James Collins scored for Villa in their last game and could have made it two in two but his effort hit the crossbar. James believes Villa should have won and he’s kind of right really.
Ryan Giggs, Owen Hargreaves and Michael Owen were sitting on Utd’s treatment table nursing their hamstrings.
Jordan Henderson says he really looked up to Ryan as a child. Not when you were sitting on his shoulders, you didn’t, Jordan.
Newcastle United 0-0 Fulham
When you’ve just suffered the agony of watching your team being beaten by Newcastle, the last thing you want is then to see that team only managing to draw against a team who can’t win away.
Unfortunately, this is what they did. Imagine how embarrassing it would have been if Bobby Zamora was fit.
Simon Davies played the full match for Fulham. He used to do things like that for Wales.
Stoke City 2-0 Liverpool
Those people who say Liverpool are back to their old selves are not wrong. After a couple of blips which saw Fernando Torres score goals, Liverpool are back to what they do best. Stoke moved into the top half of the table, ahead of Liverpool on goal difference after beating them for the first time for twenty-six years. Torres would have been a few months old at most. But there is some good news for the Liverpool fans: Lucas won’t be playing next week.
Ryan Shawcross and Danny Collins helped Stoke to keep a clean sheet.
Tony Pulis isn’t going to criticise Fabio Capello for leaving Ryan Shawcross out of the England side (neither am I!) but he does make it clear he’s left out the best young centre back in the country.
Tottenham Hotspur 4-2 Blackburn Rovers
There, you see. He doesn’t just do it against the big sides. He does it against Blackburn too. Gareth Bale tied Michel Salgado in so many knots (again), he was taken off after 37 minutes and replaced by a striker. Well, Gareth went past him like he wasn’t there so he might as well not be.
Gareth, who was making his 100th league appearance, scored Tottenham’s first goal, set up the second and scored the fourth, ensuring that a first-half penalty miss (not from Gareth) didn’t matter. I don’t know what he was doing when the third goal went in, probably doing his hair or something. But if Gareth keeps being Man of the Match, they need to change the rules and give him a bottle of something he’ll actually drink.
Blackburn weren’t great but at least they had a go at fighting back. That’s not something you’ll see from every team.
Aston Villa kept their unbeaten home record intact but let a 2-0 lead slip in the last ten minutes to give Manchester United another undeserved point. Manchester United are unbeaten both home and away.
James Collins scored for Villa in their last game and could have made it two in two but his effort hit the crossbar. James believes Villa should have won and he’s kind of right really.
Ryan Giggs, Owen Hargreaves and Michael Owen were sitting on Utd’s treatment table nursing their hamstrings.
Jordan Henderson says he really looked up to Ryan as a child. Not when you were sitting on his shoulders, you didn’t, Jordan.
Newcastle United 0-0 Fulham
When you’ve just suffered the agony of watching your team being beaten by Newcastle, the last thing you want is then to see that team only managing to draw against a team who can’t win away.
Unfortunately, this is what they did. Imagine how embarrassing it would have been if Bobby Zamora was fit.
Simon Davies played the full match for Fulham. He used to do things like that for Wales.
Stoke City 2-0 Liverpool
Those people who say Liverpool are back to their old selves are not wrong. After a couple of blips which saw Fernando Torres score goals, Liverpool are back to what they do best. Stoke moved into the top half of the table, ahead of Liverpool on goal difference after beating them for the first time for twenty-six years. Torres would have been a few months old at most. But there is some good news for the Liverpool fans: Lucas won’t be playing next week.
Ryan Shawcross and Danny Collins helped Stoke to keep a clean sheet.
Tony Pulis isn’t going to criticise Fabio Capello for leaving Ryan Shawcross out of the England side (neither am I!) but he does make it clear he’s left out the best young centre back in the country.
Tottenham Hotspur 4-2 Blackburn Rovers
There, you see. He doesn’t just do it against the big sides. He does it against Blackburn too. Gareth Bale tied Michel Salgado in so many knots (again), he was taken off after 37 minutes and replaced by a striker. Well, Gareth went past him like he wasn’t there so he might as well not be.
Gareth, who was making his 100th league appearance, scored Tottenham’s first goal, set up the second and scored the fourth, ensuring that a first-half penalty miss (not from Gareth) didn’t matter. I don’t know what he was doing when the third goal went in, probably doing his hair or something. But if Gareth keeps being Man of the Match, they need to change the rules and give him a bottle of something he’ll actually drink.
Blackburn weren’t great but at least they had a go at fighting back. That’s not something you’ll see from every team.
Championship Result 12th November 2010
Preston North End 0-2 Hull City
Hull went over a year without recording an away win and they’re determined not to forget how it’s done. Preston became their second victims of the season as Hull overcome their relegation rivals and moved out of the bottom three.
Craig Morgan and Paul Parry kept their places in Preston’s starting line-up and Paul might have scored if Hull hadn’t had an Arsenal loanee (Vito Mannone) in goal. Lucky Hull. I don’t think Arsenal have ever lost with Vito in goal. I prefer him to Lukasz Fabianski even though Flappyhandski has done really well recently.
Debutant defender Connor McLaughlin says it was a great help playing alongside someone as brilliant as Craig. Though maybe those weren’t his exact words.
Hull went over a year without recording an away win and they’re determined not to forget how it’s done. Preston became their second victims of the season as Hull overcome their relegation rivals and moved out of the bottom three.
Craig Morgan and Paul Parry kept their places in Preston’s starting line-up and Paul might have scored if Hull hadn’t had an Arsenal loanee (Vito Mannone) in goal. Lucky Hull. I don’t think Arsenal have ever lost with Vito in goal. I prefer him to Lukasz Fabianski even though Flappyhandski has done really well recently.
Debutant defender Connor McLaughlin says it was a great help playing alongside someone as brilliant as Craig. Though maybe those weren’t his exact words.
Friday, 12 November 2010
Championship Fixtures 13th November 2010 (Part 2)
Nottingham Forest v Queen’s Park Rangers
QPR remain unbeaten but not many teams win at the City Ground. No team has won there for fourteen months which is probably a bit more impressive than QPR’s record.
Robert Earnshaw will hope to start again for Forest but Chris Gunter should definitely start.
Portsmouth v Doncaster Rovers
Portsmouth started the season by failing to win in seven matches. They have now won seven matches in their last ten. A definite improvement, I’d say.
Brian Stock and John Oster should both start for Doncaster.
Scunthorpe United v Cardiff City
Cardiff are back chasing QPR after a horrible horrible defeat to you know who and a draw with Reading.
Craig Bellamy was rested midweek because of his knee problem but he could be back in the squad to face Scunthorpe. I’m pretty sure Cardiff have won every away match with Craig in the team but maybe that’s not true anymore. My spreadsheets are on the other computer.
Adam Matthews and Darcy Blake startes for Cardiff midweek and will hope to keep their places. It was Adam’s first start since you know what and he did fine. Darcy however is thought to have the most chance of staying in the starting line-up. Jason Koumas and Aaron Wildig will also hope to be included.
Reading v Norwich City
Norwich haven’t won any of their last three matches but they remain in the top five –although this is unlikely to continue to be the case if they lose to Reading. Reading failed to win their last two matches at least but they were playing QPR and Cardiff so they should be forgiven.
Andrew Crofts is back for Norwich after serving a one-match suspension. He believes Norwich will be even better once they have their injured players back but Andrew could be the next to disappear – one more yellow card and he’ll be banned again.
Simon Church and Hal Robson-Kanu will both want to start for Reading but I’m really not sure they will. Simon is the one in the driving seat at the moment although I’m not sure why that’s so positive, who wants to be a chauffeur when they could be the star?
QPR remain unbeaten but not many teams win at the City Ground. No team has won there for fourteen months which is probably a bit more impressive than QPR’s record.
Robert Earnshaw will hope to start again for Forest but Chris Gunter should definitely start.
Portsmouth v Doncaster Rovers
Portsmouth started the season by failing to win in seven matches. They have now won seven matches in their last ten. A definite improvement, I’d say.
Brian Stock and John Oster should both start for Doncaster.
Scunthorpe United v Cardiff City
Cardiff are back chasing QPR after a horrible horrible defeat to you know who and a draw with Reading.
Craig Bellamy was rested midweek because of his knee problem but he could be back in the squad to face Scunthorpe. I’m pretty sure Cardiff have won every away match with Craig in the team but maybe that’s not true anymore. My spreadsheets are on the other computer.
Adam Matthews and Darcy Blake startes for Cardiff midweek and will hope to keep their places. It was Adam’s first start since you know what and he did fine. Darcy however is thought to have the most chance of staying in the starting line-up. Jason Koumas and Aaron Wildig will also hope to be included.
Reading v Norwich City
Norwich haven’t won any of their last three matches but they remain in the top five –although this is unlikely to continue to be the case if they lose to Reading. Reading failed to win their last two matches at least but they were playing QPR and Cardiff so they should be forgiven.
Andrew Crofts is back for Norwich after serving a one-match suspension. He believes Norwich will be even better once they have their injured players back but Andrew could be the next to disappear – one more yellow card and he’ll be banned again.
Simon Church and Hal Robson-Kanu will both want to start for Reading but I’m really not sure they will. Simon is the one in the driving seat at the moment although I’m not sure why that’s so positive, who wants to be a chauffeur when they could be the star?
Championship Fixtures 13th November 2010 (Part 1)
Crystal Palace v Coventry City
If Palace win this one, they could get off the bottom of the table – they’re only bottom on goal difference at the moment.
Andy Dorman will hope to start for Palace. Lewis Price could be on the bench if he’s recovered from a back injury.
Freddy Eastwood was back in the squad for Coventry’s last match – maybe he’ll actually get to play a bit this time.
Ipswich Town v Barnsley
Ipswich have not lost to Barnsley for twelve years. I’m not sure how often they were in the same division as they’ve spent three seasons between them in the Premier League and Barnsley had some time in League One but whatever. Barnsley haven’t been known for their away wins but they did get one in their last game. It was only against Preston North End but maybe it’s given them a bit of confidence.
Troy Brown could be in Ipswich’s squad again – and he’s one of Roy Keane’s reasons for not buying a right back although unfortunately some centre back is first choice instead of Troy.
Leeds United v Bristol City
Leeds and Bristol City play each other in the League for the first time in 31 years which just seems impossible but I suppose they must have passed each other when Leeds went down to League One and Bristol City came up.
Sanchez Watt could return to Leeds’ squad after recovering from an ankle injury but they might prefer not to risk him. They’ve risked him at least twice already and it so wasn’t worth it. Jason Brown will be on the bench for Leeds.
Brett Pitman is probably most likely to be on Bristol City’s bench (are you sure you didn’t want to go to Blackpool, Brett? A manager who thinks nothing of resting eleven players?). There is some dispute about whether Christian Ribeiro (groin) is ready to return to the squad but I think Sam Vokes (hamstring) is definitely out.
Leicester City v Derby County
Leicester have been doing really well lately, especially considering who their manager is. Derby, however, have been doing even better and have gone from relegation battle to play-off places in the space of a few games.
Andy King should start for Leicester.
Robbie Savage will hope to start for Derby against his old club but he does get rested every now and then. It’s his age. If he does play, it will be Robbie’s 100th appearance for Derby. Robbie feels Andy Carroll deserves to be in the England squad. Very true, he does, but I hope you don’t mean against Wales, Robbie. Hopefully you’ll be there to help deal with him but I don’t want good players like that playing against Wales. Not that I think Wales couldn’t beat a good England team, I just think the win will be even funnier if Emile Heskey plays. Yes, I know he’s retired but players are always coming out of retirement these days. And I only hope it becomes common among the Welsh.
Gareth Roberts will probably be on the bench. Apparently he was close to being recalled for Derby’s win over Ipswich but close doesn’t count.
Millwall v Sheffield United
Millwall are looking for their first win in five games but Sheffield United have won only one in the last nine.
Steve Morison is back in Millwall’s squad after serving a one-match suspension for receiving five yellow cards.
Ched Evans will hope to start for Sheffield United.
If Palace win this one, they could get off the bottom of the table – they’re only bottom on goal difference at the moment.
Andy Dorman will hope to start for Palace. Lewis Price could be on the bench if he’s recovered from a back injury.
Freddy Eastwood was back in the squad for Coventry’s last match – maybe he’ll actually get to play a bit this time.
Ipswich Town v Barnsley
Ipswich have not lost to Barnsley for twelve years. I’m not sure how often they were in the same division as they’ve spent three seasons between them in the Premier League and Barnsley had some time in League One but whatever. Barnsley haven’t been known for their away wins but they did get one in their last game. It was only against Preston North End but maybe it’s given them a bit of confidence.
Troy Brown could be in Ipswich’s squad again – and he’s one of Roy Keane’s reasons for not buying a right back although unfortunately some centre back is first choice instead of Troy.
Leeds United v Bristol City
Leeds and Bristol City play each other in the League for the first time in 31 years which just seems impossible but I suppose they must have passed each other when Leeds went down to League One and Bristol City came up.
Sanchez Watt could return to Leeds’ squad after recovering from an ankle injury but they might prefer not to risk him. They’ve risked him at least twice already and it so wasn’t worth it. Jason Brown will be on the bench for Leeds.
Brett Pitman is probably most likely to be on Bristol City’s bench (are you sure you didn’t want to go to Blackpool, Brett? A manager who thinks nothing of resting eleven players?). There is some dispute about whether Christian Ribeiro (groin) is ready to return to the squad but I think Sam Vokes (hamstring) is definitely out.
Leicester City v Derby County
Leicester have been doing really well lately, especially considering who their manager is. Derby, however, have been doing even better and have gone from relegation battle to play-off places in the space of a few games.
Andy King should start for Leicester.
Robbie Savage will hope to start for Derby against his old club but he does get rested every now and then. It’s his age. If he does play, it will be Robbie’s 100th appearance for Derby. Robbie feels Andy Carroll deserves to be in the England squad. Very true, he does, but I hope you don’t mean against Wales, Robbie. Hopefully you’ll be there to help deal with him but I don’t want good players like that playing against Wales. Not that I think Wales couldn’t beat a good England team, I just think the win will be even funnier if Emile Heskey plays. Yes, I know he’s retired but players are always coming out of retirement these days. And I only hope it becomes common among the Welsh.
Gareth Roberts will probably be on the bench. Apparently he was close to being recalled for Derby’s win over Ipswich but close doesn’t count.
Millwall v Sheffield United
Millwall are looking for their first win in five games but Sheffield United have won only one in the last nine.
Steve Morison is back in Millwall’s squad after serving a one-match suspension for receiving five yellow cards.
Ched Evans will hope to start for Sheffield United.
Premier League Fixtures 13th November 2010 (Part 2)
West Ham United v Blackpool
West Ham are gradually improving. They aren’t off the bottom of the table (although they could be if they draw this match) and they have only won one match but their performances have improved. Now they face Blackpool, who gave Aston Villa a big scare even with their second-string side. But if you play your second team against Villa, wouldn’t you play your youth team against West Ham? Don’t do it, Ian Holloway.
Danny Gabbidon should start for West Ham again. Jack Collison is out with a long-term knee injury.
Neal Eardley and David Vaughan will hope to be back in Blackpool’s starting line-up after being rested (so what was all that about?) against Aston Villa. Rob Edwards could drop to the bench or out of the squad. David is hoping he’ll be offered a new contract by Blackpool soon.
Wigan Athletic v West Bromwich Albion
The Premier League’s youngest managers, two of three Premier League managers with the first name Roberto, face off in a match many predicted would be a relegation decider. I still think both teams will be in the relegation battle but there could be six or seven teams in it and only three will go down.
Boaz Myhill will probably be on the bench for West Brom.
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Bolton Wanderers
Both Wolves’ wins have come at home this season so the good news for them is that they’re at home again. Bolton have only won once away this season – but they’ve also only lost one. This could be seen as good news or bad news, it depends what kind of mood you’re in really.
Dave Edwards injured a thigh muscle against Arsenal and is a doubt. Wayne Hennessey should be on the bench but I think Mick McCarthy has forgotten about David Jones. First-choice goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann is considering returning to the USA at the end of the season so hopefully Wayne will get his chance then, if he doesn’t outst Hahnemann before then.
Sam Ricketts has a very good chance of starting for Bolton as the regular right back is injured and suspended.
West Ham are gradually improving. They aren’t off the bottom of the table (although they could be if they draw this match) and they have only won one match but their performances have improved. Now they face Blackpool, who gave Aston Villa a big scare even with their second-string side. But if you play your second team against Villa, wouldn’t you play your youth team against West Ham? Don’t do it, Ian Holloway.
Danny Gabbidon should start for West Ham again. Jack Collison is out with a long-term knee injury.
Neal Eardley and David Vaughan will hope to be back in Blackpool’s starting line-up after being rested (so what was all that about?) against Aston Villa. Rob Edwards could drop to the bench or out of the squad. David is hoping he’ll be offered a new contract by Blackpool soon.
Wigan Athletic v West Bromwich Albion
The Premier League’s youngest managers, two of three Premier League managers with the first name Roberto, face off in a match many predicted would be a relegation decider. I still think both teams will be in the relegation battle but there could be six or seven teams in it and only three will go down.
Boaz Myhill will probably be on the bench for West Brom.
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Bolton Wanderers
Both Wolves’ wins have come at home this season so the good news for them is that they’re at home again. Bolton have only won once away this season – but they’ve also only lost one. This could be seen as good news or bad news, it depends what kind of mood you’re in really.
Dave Edwards injured a thigh muscle against Arsenal and is a doubt. Wayne Hennessey should be on the bench but I think Mick McCarthy has forgotten about David Jones. First-choice goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann is considering returning to the USA at the end of the season so hopefully Wayne will get his chance then, if he doesn’t outst Hahnemann before then.
Sam Ricketts has a very good chance of starting for Bolton as the regular right back is injured and suspended.
Premier League Fixtures 13th November 2010 (Part 1)
Aston Villa v Manchester United
Aston Villa are just a point behind fifth place and will hope to build on their late victory over Blackpool this week. And right now, Manchester United’s name probably doesn’t strike fear into the heart of every footballer.
Aston Villa would be very silly to leave James Collins out and he only made himself more valuable with his last-minute winner against Blackpool this week. But be careful, Man Utd. James hasn’t forgotten the Carling Cup final.
It was thought Ryan Giggs could return from a hamstring injury for Manchester United but it looks like he won’t make it. Michael Owen’s and Owen Hargreaves’ hamstrings are also still playing up. Owen is likely to be out until mid-December.
Newcastle United v Fulham
Newcastle were predicted to struggle and there’s plenty of time for them to struggle later on in the season. Fulham are looking for their first away win since August. And I’m not talking about August 2010.
There’s no word on Simon Davies’ ankle but he’s already played two in the last week for Fulham and that’s something likely to trouble any long-term injury.
Mark Hughes has only won four of his last 23 Premier League games but it’s not as bad as it sounds, most of them were draws so he was mostly unbeaten.
Stoke City v Liverpool
Stoke are out of the bottom three and they have the home advantage which can make a real difference to them. But Liverpool aren’t looking nearly as bad as they did two weeks ago. Relegation battle? Oh no, everyone’s talking about the Champions’ League now. Fernando Torres finds the net for once (or three times) and suddenly people are deleting the last three letters from the word Championship and adding the word League instead.
Ryan Shawcross has completed a one-match ban so he returns for Stoke. Danny Collins should also play.
Tottenham Hotspur v Blackburn Rovers
Tottenham can do the business against Inter Milan but when it comes to the Premier League, they’ve been struggling – although they are a point away from the Europa League place. Blackburn’s right back had a nightmare against Gareth Bale last time they played – and Gareth is even better now.
Tottenham will be hoping Gareth Bale stays fit. Not only is he a very important player for them, they have eleven players out injured already.
Aston Villa are just a point behind fifth place and will hope to build on their late victory over Blackpool this week. And right now, Manchester United’s name probably doesn’t strike fear into the heart of every footballer.
Aston Villa would be very silly to leave James Collins out and he only made himself more valuable with his last-minute winner against Blackpool this week. But be careful, Man Utd. James hasn’t forgotten the Carling Cup final.
It was thought Ryan Giggs could return from a hamstring injury for Manchester United but it looks like he won’t make it. Michael Owen’s and Owen Hargreaves’ hamstrings are also still playing up. Owen is likely to be out until mid-December.
Newcastle United v Fulham
Newcastle were predicted to struggle and there’s plenty of time for them to struggle later on in the season. Fulham are looking for their first away win since August. And I’m not talking about August 2010.
There’s no word on Simon Davies’ ankle but he’s already played two in the last week for Fulham and that’s something likely to trouble any long-term injury.
Mark Hughes has only won four of his last 23 Premier League games but it’s not as bad as it sounds, most of them were draws so he was mostly unbeaten.
Stoke City v Liverpool
Stoke are out of the bottom three and they have the home advantage which can make a real difference to them. But Liverpool aren’t looking nearly as bad as they did two weeks ago. Relegation battle? Oh no, everyone’s talking about the Champions’ League now. Fernando Torres finds the net for once (or three times) and suddenly people are deleting the last three letters from the word Championship and adding the word League instead.
Ryan Shawcross has completed a one-match ban so he returns for Stoke. Danny Collins should also play.
Tottenham Hotspur v Blackburn Rovers
Tottenham can do the business against Inter Milan but when it comes to the Premier League, they’ve been struggling – although they are a point away from the Europa League place. Blackburn’s right back had a nightmare against Gareth Bale last time they played – and Gareth is even better now.
Tottenham will be hoping Gareth Bale stays fit. Not only is he a very important player for them, they have eleven players out injured already.
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