Trouble down t’mill (or the County Ground if you prefer)

I was stunned by the video of Paolo di Canio and new signing Leon Clarke having a bust up following Swindon’s 3-1 League Cup defeat to Southampton.

Of course it’s not unusual for players, coaches and managers to clash from time to time – it is a hard, physically demanding environment after all - but Clarke’s gripe seemed to be with the training methods. After a tough game he was being asked told to “run again tomorrow” and the player obviously felt he was being worked too hard.

Di Canio has had his squad working hard nearly every day and while some people may take the view that “they’re paid big wages and so should be made to train every day”, they are still human beings and their bodies need recovery time. It’s all about balance.

More worryingly for Swindon fans is the fact that Clarke has just signed a deal and immediately fallen out with the main man. And the main man looked like he was ready for a punch up himself – not want you want to see from the boss.

Di Canio has made no secret about his admiration for the dictator Mussolini, but he should be made aware that while he feels he’s Il Duce at Swindon, the players live in the real world and it’s one where they won’t be dictated to. Unless you do wield absolute power, it’s advisable to learn the arts of man management.

I saw Clarke against Oxford and frankly only he a Matt Ritchie looked like goal threats. Ritchie bagged one in that game and Clarke cam close only a couple of days after signing from QPR. He got into some good positions and showed that he could be a good asset. But now?

Di Canio has already fallen out with defender Joe Devera, allegedly, and this lad was no sulking kid at previous club Barnet. He played nearly two hundred games for them and so knows what it’s like in the lower leagues.

Former West Ham player di Canio needs to sort things out pretty quickly before discontent spreads like a virus through the dressing room.

Swindon chairman Jeremy Wray has promised to conduct a full investigation. I wonder whether this will include asking questions about the wisdom of appointing di Canio in the first place.

For me, di Canio isn’t a football manager and never will be until he curbs his more eccentric ways.

Whatever the outcome of this particular fracas, the Robins need to sort themselves out pretty quickly. One win and three points for the season so far is the really worrying stat.

It’s Rotherham up next in the league though and fortunately for Swindon, goal machine Adam ‘Alfie’ Le Fondre has jumped ship to Reading. Mind you the Millers still stuffed Gillingham 3-0 on Saturday without him and I’m sure that manager and former Oxford player Andy Scott will still want to top the league on Saturday evening.

Losing to Southampton in the cup is no disgrace. The Saints have an exceptional squad and a cool, calm and measured manager in former physio Nigel Adkins. Paolo take note; being a great player doesn’t necessarily translate into being a great manager.

You've got to play by the rules

Just a quick thought on Sir Alex Ferguson and his moan about the FA. While I have little good to say about the FA myself, I wonder what the Man Utd players think when he criticizes the governing body for censuring him.

In truth they probably don’t give it a second thought, but isn’t there a little hypocrisy in it all?

He apparently said some nice things about a referee before a game and was hauled up for doing so which he, in turn, objected to. But surely rules are rules and you have to stick to them.

I can’t imagine Fergie letting it go if a player ignored the rules he expects them to abide by at Old Trafford or at the training ground at Carrington. So why does he think he can break the FA rules without being brought to task? Surely only an absolute ruler or dictator is above the rules or laws laid down for everyone else to follow.

And if the defence is: He wasn’t criticizing the referee, merely complimenting him - I’m afraid that doesn’t wash. Sir Alex as his mind games go well before him and he’s played them so often, others are within their rights to cast suspicion on anything that comes out of his mouth. The reason you don’t say ANYTHING about a referee before the game is because you could just as easily be currying favour as attacking them.

Respect them or not (and, as I’ve indicated in previous posts, I don’t), the FA rules are there for everyone, whether you are a Sunday morning footballer or, arguably, the best manager that English football has ever seen.

Doente como um papagaio, ou, sobre a lua?* - Read on ...

*Sick as a parrot, or, over the moon? (courtesy of an English/Portuguese web translation website)

I was well away from the action last weekend in South America, but checked the results as soon as the plane landed and two scores from League Tow definitely stood out.

Cheltenham’s win against the club with all of the dosh was a great one and just goes to prove that team spirit and hard work can out do a bank account stuffed with cash whoever has it and wherever it comes from.

I was particularly taken with Crawley manager Steve Evans ‘s quote on the BBC that: “The gulf in class was evident in the second half, but at the end of the day class never beats effort".

I can’t comment on the first part of the quote and I’d appreciate feedback on Cheltenham on how classy they thought Crawley were, but it was good to note the opposing manager making reference to the Cheltenham players’ effort.

To a lesser extent Hereford’s result at Bristol Rovers also caught the eye. Rovers have started well and – like Crawley – are pre-season favourites. The Bulls, on the other hand, haven’t exactly set the world alight in the early stages of the season, but as I mentioned in the post on Friday, Jamie Pitman knows his players and can get them to perform. I suspect he’ll need to keep using and honing his man management skills as the campaign progresses.

Paul Buckle will have been given some food for thought after this one. It’s not a disaster, but he’ll be expecting more for his team against sides that may not match his squads in terms of skill level, but are ready to battle for the shirt.

Oxford will see a draw at home to Aldershot as two points dropped and from what Chris Wilder has said (again on the Beeb) it sounds as if t was a similar performance to the one I witnessed against Bradford a couple of weeks back. He said: "We got the goal, but after that we tried to cruise over the finishing line. We didn't work hard enough to get the ball back and when we got it we didn't work hard enough to get forward quick enough.”

Aldershot went down to ten men fairly early on before Oxford scored and then once the Us had gone ahead, it looks like they thought it was done and dusted and took their collective feet of the pedal. Fair comment, Oxford fans?

Swindon have now lost four game straight in the league and, even though they did well to beat Bristol City at Ashton Gate in the League Cup, they need to sort out their bread and butter form because with the best will in the world they aren’t going to win the cups.

That’s now three points from the first five games for the Robins, but there’s still a long way to go.

Wycombe were undone by Huddersfield who many people believe will be up there at the business end of the season. I suspect very few teams will go to the Galpharm and come away with a result this season and wonder whether Chairboys manager Gary Waddock will tell his lads to erase this one from their memories and focus on the teams that they should be taking points from.

Bristol City got a good point up at Donny despite taking the lead and letting it slip. It was also Doncaster’s first point of the season in five attempts. Still, they were always going to get one against somebody.

It’s very hard to be objective from such a great distance and I know better than anyone that football reports don’t always tell the real story or describe what the fans felt they saw. Let me have your thoughts ... if only to give me something to do while I lie in the Brazilian sun!

Will City miss Maynard ‘when’ he moves to Leicester this week?

Will survival in League One be a good result for Wycombe come the end of May next year?

Have Paul Buckle and Chris Wilder built Rovers and Oxford squads capable of winning promotion?

Will Paolo di Canio get it right or are Swindon fans already starting to get nervous?

Can Cheltenham and/or Hereford surprise a few people this season and force their way into the mix?

Weekend Preview

As I'm off to Rio this weekend and will be out of action for the next two Saturdays, I thought I'd just post a little preview about what I expect to happen to local teams (not that it will of course, as regular readers will testify) along with my usual rambling thoughts.
Everyone connected with Bristol City will hold their breath in the coming days as they wait to see whether Nicky Maynard makes a move to Leicester after Sven Goran Eriksson's latest bid. The reported price is up to £6.5m apparently and - if this figure is correct - it is going to be difficult for the club to turn the offer down, especially with Nicky's contract due to run out next summer.
This weekend they take on Doncaster away, but with Donny rooted to the foot of the table and yet to chalk up a point, it could be a good time to play them whoever is playing up front. And don't forget, they still have some decent strikers (if fit) in Brett Pitman, Ryan Taylor and Jon Stead. It's a great time for one of these guys to send a positive message to boss Keith Millen.
I was sorry to hear that keeper Dean Gerken picked up an injury in the League Cup defeat to Swindon on Wednesday night, before being replaced by former England number one, David James. The lad has waited patiently for his chance during the last couple of seasons and played really well last weekend. I hope he comes back soon and no doubt his 'understudy' will do the club proud.
Wycombe Wanderers travel to Yorkshire to take on promotion favourites Huddersfield and boss Gary Waddock will be hoping that they can rustle up some of the spirit they showed in the cup defeat to Forest. It's a tough game, but the Chairboys will welcome back veteran schemer Gareth Ainsworth into the squad and will feel like they can get a result. I fancy them to bounce back after the disappointment of Tuesday night and get a decent point.
In League Two, Bristol Rovers take on another of the clubs I cover during the course of the season - Hereford United.
I haven't had the pleasure of seeing either team yet this term and so can only go on the reports I've read, but Rovers are looking very strong 'early doors' while the Bulls haven't set the world alight and have picked up just one point from four games. Mind you, if their performances last season are anything to go by, Paul Buckle's Rovers are in for a surprise if they let their guard down. Hereford manager Jamie Pitman showed he could rally his troops back then and there's no reason to think he can't do it again. I think this one will be a home win though.
Cheltenham take on moneybags, league two new boys and current leaders Crawley at Whaddon Road and welcome back striker Wes Thomas who scored nineteen times for the Robins last season. Who would bet against him coming back to do the business against his old mates? Crawley have yet to lose in the four previous games, but I'm going to stick my neck out on this one and go for a home win.
Oxford host Aldershot and I expect them to get back to the style of play they showed when beating Shrewsbury a couple of week ago rather than the dogged stuff they had to employ when they beat rivals Swindon last Sunday. A home win this one.
Finally, Swindon travel to the Shrews and must have a happy camp after knocking Bristol City out of the cup. Hopefully that result will kick start their season, although Shrewsbury themselves must be riding high after seeing off Swansea in the same competition. I suspect this one will end all square, but Swindon will be more than happy to take a point off one of the pre-season promotion favourites.
Have a good and safe weekend whoever you support and wherever you travel. The next post will come from the Copacabana and be accompanied by a photograph of me in a thong (XL of course)!

Name dropping

While attending the Wycombe v Forest League Cup fixture at Adams Park on Tuesday evening I bumped into breakfast telly host and Strictly Coming Dancing star Bill Turnbull who is a fully paid up member of the Chairboys fan club.

Bill was preparing to do a little work with the club's website and asked the commentator where he should sit.

"With your back to the pitch." I suggested with my tongue in my cheek. However, never a 'truer' word ...

Defending his boys to the last, Turnbull told me it would be like watching Brazil (I think I saw his tongue shift in his mouth as well).

At half time after watching Forest play some great stuff, he ruefully said: "I didn't say which side would play like Brazil."

The following morning I dragged myself out of my pit at about seven o'clock looking like an extra from Dawn of the Dead, flicked on the TV and saw a bright eyed Turnbull looking back at me. Credit to the man. I don't know how much sleep he managed, but he must have been up at about three or four o'clock to get to the studio. The mark of a really professional broadcaster and - more importantly - a true footy fan. Nice fella too, although I couldn't help but be disapponted that Susanna Reid didn't support Wycombe.

The BBC will soon be shifting its operation to Salford from London and Bill has confirmed that he will also make the move. It'll make it tough for him to attend games like the one the other night, but don't rule out spotting him at Rochdale, Preston or Bury on a cold winter's evening.

I also bumped into veteran winger Gareth Ainsworth at half time who - although rested for the game - was feeling the pain of his colleagues, but remained positive and realistic. Gareth is one of the games' good guys and told me that Wycombe's priority was to ensure they reached safety as soon as possible in the league so the club could continue to build from there.

Wycombe Wanderers 1 Nottingham Forest 4

Okay, so I may have go a little carried away when I described Forest’s display last night a master class in this morning's paper, but they were extremely good for large chunks of the game.

And I make no apologies for calling Wycombe plucky. The Chairboys could have been forgiven for letting their heads drop after shipping two goals in the first six minutes and the fact that they kept plugging away probably gave boss Gary Waddock a little hope for the rest of the season.

Wycombe’s min aim has to be survival in League One this season, but to do that they are going to need a squad of battlers not bottlers and, on last night’s performance, that’s what they’ve got.

Back to Forest though.

Steve McClaren told me after the game that he is down to eighteen fit players (although he hopes to have four more back before the weekend game against West Ham) and, if he can keep this eighteen healthy, who knows what they could do?

The biggest surprise of the evening was that Lewis McGugan only scored from the spot as he peppered Nikki Bull’s goal from all angles. More often than not Bull was the man to keep him out – whether it be finger tip saves or blocks with his chest!

Veteran Jonathan Greening and Poland international Radoslaw Majewski ran the midfield alongside McGugan and were pinging the ball about for fun. Majewski in particular caught my eye in the first half and set the tone for the way Forest played by making himself available for every pass everywhere on the park.

Miller looks a beast of a man (in the nicest possible way) and there won’t be too many central defenders who fancy taking him on this season.

All in all, this was a good evening’s entertainment which showed the gulf in class. As Waddock pointed out afterwards: “We’ve just come up from League Two and they have been finishing in or about the Championship play-off places for the last few seasons. They came to do a job and did it.” They certainly did Gary, but you can be just as proud of the spirit and guts your boys showed.

Wycombe v Forest - A wally? Don't you believe it!

The Chairboys will be looking to bounce back from a poor weekend home defeat to Bury when they take on Championship outfit Nottingham Forest at Adams Park.

It will be first visit to Buckinghamshire this season and it will be interesting to see find out how Wycombe are coping with the demands of life in League One following their promotion last season.

On paper, the results would suggest that they haven’t been overawed and have chalked up one away wine and draws away and at home. They also edged out Colchester in the first round of the League Cup on penalties and so while confidence won’t necessarily be high, there shouldn’t be an air of despondency about the place either.

Boss Gary Waddock told the Buckinghamshire Advertiser:

““They are still a huge club and when I began playing football they were English champions and conquering Europe so it is always exciting to be playing them.

“The fact they have been able to attract a former England manager shows just how big Forest still is in British football and we can't wait for the game.”

Forest also squeaked through into the second round via a penalty shoot out against city rivals County and they have also notched up two draws, a win and a defeat (last Saturday) in the league.

So similar results by two clubs separated by one division.

Former England boss Steve McLaren is in charge of Forest now and any Wycombe fans who have fallen for the media image of a “wally with a brolley” may end up being rudely awakened. McLaren has bags of experience and is still widely respected in the game – and of course he also won this completion with Boro back in 2004 – the only silverware in the club’s history. He was also Sir Alex Ferguson's number two at Manchester United and tasted a little success there as well.

When he first joined United he was relatively unknown to the wider world and was introduced by United chairman Martin Edwards to the media as "Steve McClaridge". This probably says more about Edwards than McLaren. By the time he left to pursue his own managerial career, he had helped Fergie to win the treble - The Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League. Less wally with a brolley than walley in the boardroom then.

McLaren has been quoted the Nottingham press as saying:

“We will focus on how high we can finish in the league and the cups will be used to build up fitness in certain players, to bring back injured players and to try out the squad.

"But it is also about building momentum. When you are associated with Forest, you have to go out to win every single game. If you don't, that is not good enough."

Forest are again likely to be without Andy Reid, Paul Anderson, Garath McCleary and Guy Moussi.

Bristol City 0 Portsmouth 0

A busy weekend for me kicked off at Ashton Gate on Saturday before my visit to the County Ground on Sunday (see post below).

This one was less a game of football and more of a game of chess, but nevertheless a good result for both teams.

A point at this stage or the season is never to be sniffed at and, let's face it, no-one wants to be on the end of one of the crazy results we see in the first month ... do they Ipswich fans?

City and Portsmouth were very evenly matched and any insomniacs in the stadium will have been grateful for the ninety minute cure.

City played with Nicky Maynard fighting alone up front and it was going to take more than even a striker of his quality to break down the Pompey defence.

At the other end, Lewin Nyatanga and James Wilson had the measure of experienced campaigners Kanu, Dave Kitson and substitute Benjani.

Youngster Wilson stood out for me and when I spoke to the equally impressive keeper Dean Gerken after the game, he agreed with me that there were similarities between Wilson and Stephen Caulker who spent much of last term on loan at Ashton Gate from Spurs.

Wilson suffered from injuries last season, but does have a league champions medal to his name after a stint with Brentford when Andy Scott took them to top spot in League Two a couple of years ago.

Gerken himself looks to have come of age and the battle between him and David James will be an interesting one this season. The younger man is also a character. When I stated the bleedin' obvious - that there was only one position to play for - Gerken took joking exception to this observation and told me that he could definitely do a job getting to the flick-ons for Maynard up front. His confidence is such at the moment that who am I to doubt him.

I suspect though that Millen will err on the side of caution though and keep Gerken between the sticks and, after performances like the one on Saturday, he might find himself there for some time.

See my clipping from this morning's paper
NB: A public apology to Dean for the lame intro!

Swindon Town 1 Oxford United 2

Paolo di Canio felt his team were unlucky not to win this encounter and thought they controlled the game for 85 minutes. Really?
I thought Oxford controlled the game for at least sixty minutes and ‘allowed’ Swindon back into the game before waking themselves up again.

Di Canio's press conference went on and on and eventually I quietly slipped out so that I could file copy for today's paper - if I hadn't, you'd have been reading the report on Tuesday.

The gist of what he was saying was that they had been done by two set pieces and that was something they had to work on, but that Oxford didn’t pose any more of a threat. Maybe, but then again they didn’t need to. They came to get a result and set themselves up accordingly.

Chris Wilder will have known that this game wasn’t one in which he could expect his team to play the ‘pretty’ football they had the previous Tuesday against Shrewsbury. A derby game is unlike any other and the form book is often torn up. You know that – as the away team – you’re not going to get a lot of chances and so you have to take advantage of things like - set pieces … or guard against them.

It was my first trip to the County Ground this season and I have to say I am now really worried for the club. Forget the local ‘derby defeat’ bull. This is a club that has signed fourteen players (possibly fifteen by the time you read this) since the end of last season and frankly I'm not sure that more than even four are up to the job.

The fans are riding on the excitement of having a big name in charge, but that is now three defeats on the trot and, with a League Cup game coming up at Ashton Gate on Wednesday, it could well be four by next weekend when they visit Shrewsbury.

I wonder how many Swindon supporters will still be singing the Italian's name by the time they next pay at home against Rotherham on September 3rd. Being a talented player with an offbeat character doesn't necessarily make you a good manger.

And what legacy will he be leaving the club when he does go? Do Swindon fans really think that this squad is strong enough to stay in the division – let alone get promoted?

Long before di Canio’s appointment in the summer, I warned against believing automatic promotion was easy and even suggested that relegation to the Conference was even a possibility if the board didn’t put the right man in place. I felt that this was still unlikely, but after yesterday’s game, I now fear for them.

As I have admitted above, I have only seen them in action once and so can only go on this experience and a look at previous results, but defeats against Cheltenham and Dagenham, and a win against a very young side Dario Gradi is re-building at Crewe. Hardly the stuff of the Champions elect or promotion candidates. I hope that I am wrong and maybe some Robins fans will put me right.

Oxford weren't exceptional by any means, but they came to do a job in what they knew would be a hostile environment - and do a job they did.

After di Canio's mind games during the build up to the match in which he claimed James Constable was a closet Robins' fan, the former Oxford skipper grabbed a brace to show where his true colours lay and then told the media that they could forget any rumours of a move to Luton or anywhere else and he pledged his future to the OUs.

Meanwhile the excitable di Canio watched the last 35 minutes or so from the stands after confronting a linesman laver a dodgy offside decision and being given his marching orders by referee Mark Haywood.

The fans sang out his name loyally as he made his way to a seat in the directors box - forgetting maybe that he should have been sitting in the dug out where he was needed and that his side were about to be beaten by their local rivals for the first time in 38 years on home turf.

I suspect that the directors won’t fancy sitting too close to the Italian in future if they continue to put in performances like this.
 

My clipping from this morning's paper

Bristol City v Portsmouth

Any clouds that may have been gathering over Ashton Gate were dispersed by City’s away win at Leicester this week and they will be hoping that victory over Pompey tomorrow will ensure the fans are of a sunny disposition for the rest of the weekend.

It looks as though David James will again make way for Dean Gerken between the sticks and unless someone comes in with an acceptable offer for Nicky Maynard in the next 24 hours, the lively striker will hope to add to the three goals he has scored in as many appearances so far this term.

West Ham is the latest club to be linked with Nicky by the way which, by my reckoning, leaves Forest Green Rovers as the only club in the land not to show an interest.

Keith Millen is expected to – injuries permitting –stick with the line up at Leicester which was: D Gerken, L Nyatanga, J McAllister (M Woolford, 77), J Wilson, J Spence, J Campbell-Ryce, M Elliott, N Kilkenny (K Cisse, 80), C Skuse, A Adomah (R Taylor, 89), N Maynard

The only real concern is with left-back Jamie McAllister who hurt his knee at the Walkers Stadium.

Pompey won their first game in eleven at home to Reading on Tuesday evening and hope to welcome back striker Benjani as a member of the starting eleven for the first time since 2008 when he moved up to Man City in a £4 million deal. He then played for both Sunderland and Blackburn before returning on a free this August. A great bit of business for the Zimbabwe international.

Pompey’s line up against the Royals was: J Ashdown, G Halford, T Ben-Haim, J Pearce, L Lawrence (J Ward, 86), A Mokoena, H Mullins, D Norris, D Kitson, L Varney, N Kanu (Benjani, 75)

Some very familiar names and quality players in this team and so City won’t be taking a result for granted.

City also ended six successive victories for Steve Cotterill’s men back in March (636 minutes without conceding – a post-war league record for Pompey) and the lads from the south coast will be looking for payback.

I’ll have splinters in my bum on Sunday – you keep it real

And so Oxford visit the ‘dark place’ on Sunday while Swindon entertain the ‘in-breds’ – just a couple of descriptive and rude comments I’ve read from respective fans of these two clubs in recent days.

Harmless, if naughty, insults, but hopefully the first derby game between the clubs in living memory (well it is if you’re under nine years of age) will be remembered for what happens on the pitch.

I have yet to make an appearance at the County Ground this season, while I’ve been sent to the Kassam on three occasions, but I’m looking forward to seeing what sort of side Paolo di Canio has put together.

I will be sitting firmly on the fence for this one and just hope to see a really good game. The atmosphere should be electric with a few choice words being sent down from the stands to opposing players courtesy of the two sets of supporters, but that’s where the line needs to be drawn.

A few years ago in the north east, the local police force decided that the Newcastle/Sunderland derby had become too hostile and banned the away support from the fixtures at St. James’s Park and Roker Park. Neither set of fans enjoyed the experience at fixtures the following season as the games had all the atmosphere of the Emirates on a cold February evening. And so – aside from a few numpties – once the local bill had relented, they restricted themselves to chanting abuse at each other and – depending on bragging rights - winding each other up at work the following week.

The game means a lot to both sets of supporters, but you can be sure that the players will be taking the longer view. Speaking to several Oxford lads about the fixture after Tuesday night’s win over Shrewsbury, they confirmed as much and I’d put money on the attitude of Swindon’s players being the same.

Don’t get me wrong, the players I spoke to are up for the game and want to win it desperately, but if Oxford win and end up fighting relegation, who’ll remember that?

Equally, if Swindon win and Oxford get promoted – who cares?

Is there really a sane fan out there from either club who would sacrifice league glory or safety for a derby win?

I have heard from officials of both clubs that the risk of the potential trouble and therefore the increase in policing costs makes the fixture less lucrative than a winter, midweek game against Macclesfield. In fact it is doubtful that either club will turn a profit on the two games this year. It would be ironic then if Oxford or Swindon needed to buy a player in January for a promotion push, but couldn’t afford it because of the revenue they lost in this fixture - due primarily to the potential or actual behaviour of their fans.

While I will remain neutral for this game whether I’m there or not, I don’t expect Us and Robins to join me on the fence. I know lots of really decent supporters at both clubs and I hope they enjoy the day. Equally, there are a few muppets who follow EVERY club and so if you see trouble developing – walk away.

I’m not sure whether I’ll get along to see the game yet, but hope I’m asked to cover it for the paper.

Enjoy the game, enjoy the banter, but keep it real. Your club needs you supporting them not undermining them.

Here endeth the lesson.

Nicky Maynard – A fond farewell?

I will be visiting Ashton Gate for the first time this season on Saturday to watch Bristol City take on Pompey.

Manager Keith Millen brought in a few new faces in the summer and – as is often the case – the players needed time to gel with each other. With the best will in the world though, pre-season games aren’t always enough for this to happen. Last night, however, they clicked for the first time in a 2-1 away win at the Walkers Stadium.

Millen has enough about him to get City up the table as he showed when he took over from Steve Coppell last season and steadied the ship, but he may have to do it without striker Nicky Maynard who has only one year left on his contract and is being touted with move to Newcastle, Leicester and Forest depending on which newspaper you read.

I could have understood a move to Leicester in the summer - as Sven Goran Eriksson was trying to build a promotion winning squad – but even though it is very early in the season, I now wonder whether the owners of the Foxes will be patient enough to allow Sven top turn things around. A few more bad results and the old trigger finger might start itching. I hope they allow him to sort things out, but can’t help but remember the messages they were putting out last year. Promotion to the Premier League was what they wanted at the very least and Sven’s job appeared to be on the line if it wasn’t achieved. The owners have obviously decided to stick with him for the time being, but …

The thought of playing in front of 52,000 at St. James’s Park, Newcastle where they treat their strikers like Gods would be tempting for any professional, but is it possible for a City goalscorer to handle the pressure that comes with the Toon number nine shirt (still available by the way)? Well Andy Cole didn’t do too badly there by setting goal scoring records galore.

I really can't see the attraction of leaving City and playing for Forest as it would seem a sideways step for the lad.

Last night Maynard knocked in a brace against Leicester and probably pushed his value up a little more, but you would think that for a player of his quality, Leicester, Newcastle and others would be prepared to push the boat out a little.

Personally, I think that if the $5 million plus that City are expected to get for him is reinvested in two or three players, it could prove good business and for that kind of money, Millen could certainly attract a decent couple of players.

As I’ve said on this blog before, Maynard has impressed me by not getting drawn into the whole transfer circus of words – even if it has meant that reporters have little to go on! He has always been an honest and level headed lad and, given his exploits last night, he is still giving his all for the City cause. If, or when, he does go he will probably receive a warm welcome if ever he returned to the red half of Brizzle.

Oxford United 2 Shrewsbury Town 0

On Saturday Simon Heslop scored a long range goal for Oxford which he told me wasn't as good as one he scored last season. Last night he hit a belter and even though he still wasn't going to get carried away, the smile that stretched from ear to ear when we chatted in the car park told its own story.

In the eighth minute, the midfielder received a pass from the equally impressive Asa Hall (who pinged cross field passes around as the match wore on, such was his growing confidence) and Heslop just let rip from 35 yards into the top right hand corner to leave Shrews keeper Ben Smith without a prayer.

Afterwards, Shrewsbury boss Graham Turner even admitted "it was a great strike", although he was less impressed with his team's defending for Oxford's second goal in the 52nd minute describing it as a "disaster" and saying "it slaughtered us".

The goal that finished Shrewsbury off was converted by loanee Lewis Guy who blasted home from ten yards after good and unselfish work by co-striker James Constable.

It seemed fitting that Guy should get on the scoresheet last night as he epitomises the three Oxford displays I have seen this season in that he has grown with each game. I have to admit that I wasn't sold on the fella after his sub's appearance in the League Cup against Cardiff or in the draw with Bradford, but last night - like every other U's player - he showed a lot of class, commitment and desire.

Guy floated around up front seeking out the ball and trying to make things happen in support of Constable and Dean Smalley and all three gave the Shrewsbury defence a torrid time.

The Oxford defence was extremely solid and you can see a good understanding developing between Michael Duberry and Jake Wright in the centre. No doubt they - like every other player in the country - will have their off days this season, but if Chris Wilder can keep them fit, opposition strikers won't fancy coming up against them.

Marvin Morgan, the Shrewsbury front man, started brightly last night, but couldn't find a way through. The only time he got the better of Wright was when the Oxford man had to leave the pitch for two stitches and Morgan must have been cursing under his breath as Jake ran back on to the field a couple of minutes later.

To be fair to Morgan, he did make a point of apologising and Wright told me afterwards: "There was nothing nasty in it, it was just one of those things. I know him and he's not that type of player."

Duberry was just solid throughout, snuffing out threats before Shrewsbury even got a look in on goal.

Keeper Ryan Clarke had a fairly untroubled evening and when Morgan did get a shot away he got his body behind it before Wright tidied up.

Andy Whing, 26, is another player who looks to be settling in. The former Coventry and Brighton full back has a wealth of experience and, like Duberry, seemed to give his colleagues confidence with his assured display.

Special mention should go to the final two Oxford players.

Midfielder Paul McLaren, 34, unexpectedly made his first appearance of the campaign and looked very comfortable on the ball. The Shrewsbury midfield seemed to stand off him after he bamboozled them on a couple of occasions with his quick feet and equally quick brain. His presence gave Heslop and Hall licence to get forward and cause problems.

But on an evening when every Oxford played their part, I'd have to give my man of the match to full back Liam Davis.

In the three games I've seen, Davis has been the most consistent performer and last night he summed up the squad attitude ... after he'd been skinned by Shrewsbury winger Lionel Ainsworth early on.

Ainsworth is no slouch at this level and was arguably the away side's biggest threat. Rather than sit back, worry and, in turn, invite more trouble, Davis 'manned-up' and took the fight back to him by skinning him in return a few minutes later AND stinging Smith's hands with a fierce shot. It was a case of "back at ya" or "anything you can do I can do better"!

From that moment on, Ainsworth knew he had to keep a close eye on the Oxford man and also knew he wouldn't have things all his own way. To be fair to Ainsworth, he did continue to press forward when he could, but Davis is a quick learner, it appears, and won their personal duel handsomely.

My clipping from this morning's paper

Oxford v Shrewsbury

I'm back to Oxford again tonight for the third game on the trot and it will be interesting to see how U's boss Chris Wilder fares against wily and experienced Shrews manager Graham Turner (more about him below).
Oxford are still looking for their first win, but showed glimpses of what they are capable of on Saturday - despite allowing Bradford back into the game to steal a point. However, better that than showing no potential at all. Chris Wilder will be hoping that his players learn the lessons from that game quickly and increase the pressure on the opposition and kill them off rather than feeling they can coast once they are ahead. I have to say though that Wilder and his players all seemed to be singing from the same hymn sheet after that game. They knew they had goofed and weren't hiding from the fact and I fully expect them to come flying out of the traps tonight to put things right and get their first win.
Shrewsbury's start to the season has seen them pick up two points in the league and notch up a very creditable win away at Derby in the League Cup. But then again, Oxford weren't too far away from beating Championship opposition in the same competition last Wednesday.
It's still very early in the season and I have never seen any point about getting too gloomy (or optimistic) about results until the end of September at the earliest. Having said that, a first league win will take the pressure off whichever group of players chalks it up.
Graham Turner started his managerial career in a player/manager role at Shrewsbury (the club he had turned out for on more that 350 occasions) and did a good job with little resources for six years and took them into what is now League One. This was noted by Aston Villa who appointed him as their boss, but Turner only survived two years before the then Chairman, "Deadly" Doug Ellis, removed him.
Moving on to Wolves - a club at that time in turmoil and languishing in the bottom tier - he masterminded a revival that took them back to the Second Division (now the Championship) and won the Football League Trophy as well. Not a great piece of silverware given the history of the club, but at that time it was a little light relief from the chaos engulfing Molineux.
Leaving Wolves in 1994, Turner took a year out from the game before resurfacing at Hereford. A first season run to the play-offs was followed by relegation to the Conference. Turner resigned, but then reappeared as the club's majority shareholder and Chairman.
Turner combined the roles of Chairman and manager (and from what I saw at the time, barman, cook and bottle washer) as he saved Hereford from financial ruin, took them to three runners up spots and then promotion back into the Football League in 2006. Two season later he took the Bulls up to League One.
Unfortunately the club couldn't survive and dropped back down to League Two, but in his time at the club, he stabilised the finances and even turned a profit in his final six seasons. How many clubs have done that in recent times? Who said footballers don't make good businessmen?
Turner briefly stepped aside to allow coach John Trewick to take on the manager's job in 2009, but then was forced to sack his friend and resume control in March 2010. Shortly afterwards he announced his decision to sell his shares in the hope that new owners could take the club forward.
In the summer of 2010 he returned to Shrewsbury on a three year contract with the option of an extra year as Director of Football. His appointment has had the bookies slashing the odds on promotion and so tonight's encounter will be by no means easy. Let's face it, the bookies are rarely wrong!

Shane’s World

I had the pleasure of sitting next to former Cheltenham and Bradford central defender Shane Duff on Saturday who - during the game - was singing the praises of former Robins team mate and current Oxford midfielder Josh Payne. Duff described Payne as “gifted” and his comments made me keep an eye on the lad.
I decided to pay closer attention to Payne and, sure enough, every time he was given the ball in a yard of space he dictated the play and picked out team mates with a variety accurate passing. Nothing fancy, nothing too clever, but very effective. Apparently he’s not afraid to get stuck in either!
While hours of coverage and immeasurable column inches are given over to highly paid stars of the Prem, Duff finds himself in a situation pretty much ignored by football media and fans alike. Still only 29 years old, he turned out in nearly 200 games for Cheltenham before moving to Bradford at the start of last season on a one year contract with the option of another. He played 14 game and scored once but unfortunately a back injury put paid to that offer and he is now working hard to get back in shape having suffered the usual array of surgeries and injections. Ah, the gamourous lifestyle of a professional sportsman.
I can’t help but feel that at some point before Xmas, one club is going to pick themselves up a bargain if they offer him a win-win contract. The sort that offers him first team football and his face in the shop window and in return receive the services of a defender who has proven himself in Leagues One and Two.
Living with the uncertainty of what the future holds isn’t necessarily something a Chelsea or Man Utd player has to contend with these days and talking to Shane made me realize how fickle a business it can be. Having said that, he has managed to retain both his humour and a positive outlook and was an excellent ‘free’ expert summariser for me.

Oxford United 1 Bradford City 1

How Oxford didn't kill this one off in the first half is beyond me ... and probably everyone else at the Kassam on Saturday as well!

Michael Duberry, Simon Heslop and Chris Wilder were all unhappy that the referee allowed a push on Dubes by Bantams central defender Luke Oliver in the build up to the equaliser, but they were all honest enough to admit they should have wrapped the points up long before Ross Hannah's 78th minute goal. And you can be sure that Wilder didn't have the lads locked in the dressing room afterwards to discuss the poor performance by the officials.

It was interesting to hear a few moans from the Oxford faithful after the game, but it's far too early in the season to get gloomy surely? Six or even four points in the next two fixtures at home against Shrewsbury tomorrow evening and then away at the County Ground on Sunday will put smiles back on everyone's faces.

Former Chelsea and Leeds defender Duberry has become a bit a of a cult hero already with the fans and, after watching the last two games, I can see why. He is typical of guys who have played at a much higher level and have dropped down the divisions for no other reason than Father Time is against him. He might not win many sprints in training any more, but his speed of thought has kept Oxford out of trouble on several occasions in the last couple of matches.

However, when the local radio reporter asked him about next Sunday's game against Swindon you could hear a little exasperation in his voice. "I've been asked about THAT game ever since I arrived," he said politely, "But we have to face Shrewsbury first." Duberry knows how much a win against Swindon would mean to the fans, but he also knows they will have forgotten all about it if the Robins get promoted at the end of the season and Oxford stay in League Two.

Duberry is a good professional. You know that he will be fully focused on Shrewsbury tomorrow and THEN turn his attention to Swindon. By Sunday evening he will then be thinking about the home game against Aldershot. And you can be sure that at nearly 36 years of age he will be using all of his experience to keep his team mates concentrating on the next task in hand whoever the opposition is.

It was good to see Simon Heslop back and he scored a cracker in the 29th minute to put Oxford in the driver's seat. It was just a shame that the team stayed in second gear.

Simon hasn't had a good pre-season with injuries and understandably ran out of steam, but I pointed out to him that at about the same time last season he scored another long range effort. In turn he reminded me that last year's strike was the better of the two!

Hannah's story is one to warm the heart of any football fan - dare I say even Us supporters after a decent interval of mourning! At 25 years of age he felt his time had come and gone, but after scoring 37 goals for Matlock Town two seasons ago and 52 last term, Peter Jackson decided to take a punt on him and was rewarded when Hannah flicked the ball home from four yards with his FIRST touch in league football.

The push on Duberry aside, Hannah showed what a predator he is by anticipating the flick-on to poke the ball home.

A special mention also goes to Oxford full back Liam Davis. This fella looks a class act and a great bit of business by Wilder. Signed on a free in the summer after running down his contract at Northampton, the winger has been playing at full back and tormented on loan defender Liam Moore who is on a one month deal with the Bantams. Any more afternoons like Saturday and 18 year Moore old will be begging Sven Goran Eriksson to take him home to Leicester.

Apologies for the excessive use of puns, but this is my clipping from this morning's paper.

Oxford v Bradford

I'm back at the Kassam tomorrow to see Oxford take on Bradford and it appears that both sides have had similar starts to the season.
Bradford lost their first league fixture at home to Aldershot and then followed this up with a heroic defeat to Leeds in the League Cup while Oxford lost to Rotherham on the opening day, but took another Championship side - Cardiff - to extra time before losing in the Cup.
It's too early in the season to pass judgement on either side - and I haven't even seen Bradford - but Oxford showed signs against the Welsh side that they have a little steel about them.
If Oxford can keep their two central defenders fit this season, they appear to have a great platform to build on. Michael Duberry has bags of experience and seemed to be one yard ahead of the Cardiff defence in the way he saw the game on Wednesday night. While team mate Jake Wright is decent a pacy centre half who can only learn from his former Chelsea partner.
Both full backs also look good prospects for the club. Damien Batt was unfortunate to get the final touch on Cardiff's first goal, but he was putting in a lot of effort to get back and clear the ball at the time and Liam Davis was all action throughout.
I suspect that Chris Wilder doesn't quite have his starting eleven sorted out in his own mind yet, but this squad is good enough to give any side a run for their money. Over the coming weeks the new boys will settle in and the players will begin to build up an understanding that maybe wasn't quite there in an attacking sense on Wednesday.
Bradford manager Peter Jackson will be tempted to stick with the team that had Leeds pinned back at 2-1 during Tuesday evening's encounter at Elland Road and he may stick with Spurs loanee Oscar Jansson who will be looking to make senior league debut.
Last season Bradford were expected to stroll to promotion, but everything went wrong for them despite their big crowds and the management of former England caretaker boss Peter Taylor. Taylor lost his job back in February and Jackson has steadied the ship. From what I hear the club haven't got a great deal of money (who has?), and so Jackson will have to use his contacts and the experience he gained when steering Huddersfield to a League Two play-off final win.
Jackson was the youngest ever captain of the Bantams during his playing days and skippered the team on the day they lifted the old Division Three Championship trophy in 1985. It was also the day of the terrible Bradford fire during which 56 fans lost their lives. He has also had to battle against throat cancer and, while signs are good, he will not be given the all clear until 2013.

Oxford United 1 Cardiff City 3

This was probably the scoreline that most football followers predicted before kick off, but Championship team Cardiff were made to work to book a place in the next round of the League Cup.

The Welsh side were missing eight players who were all off on international duty, but their replacements looked extremely able, as you would expect.

Winger Craig Conway put the visitor ahead in the 12th minute. His cross from a tight angle appeared to take a deflection off Us skipper Jake Wright and - from where the Press Box is situated at the furthest point from the action - full back Damian Batt appeared to put it in the net as he attempted to clear. Conway wheeled away celebrating his first goal for the club following a summer move from Dundee United and you ca be sure that neither Wright or Batt will argue the toss.

Transfer listed winger Simon Clist epitomised Oxford's fighting spirit though and dragged his team back into the tie on the half hour.

Jon-Paul Pittman wriggled his way into the box and his 14 yard shot was saved by keeper Tom Heaton's feet. Clist was on hand to stick in the rebound though from 20 yards for possibly his last goal for the club. The team sheets contained a misprint last night and had Ben Purkiss wearing the 23 shirt instead of Clist. I'm sure Ben will have been delighted to see on Sky that he had scored a goal - despite being hundreds of miles away in Darlington!

Once the full time whistle had sounded, I felt that Oxford might just go on an cause an upset, but withing eight minutes of the restart, Cardiff's best player, midfielder Peter Whittingham, struck with a 20 yard low shot that left keeper Ryan Clarke helpless.

Cardiff's final goal came in the dying seconds, but by that time Oxford were pressing to stay in the competition. A defensive mix up allowed sub Nat Jarvis to nod home a looping header and leave Oxford to concentrate on the more important matter of the league.

If Oxford continue to put in this effort this season then I don't think that the fans will have too much to grumble about and Cardiff supporters will also be impressed by the application and effort shown by what was, effectively, their second string.

My clipping in this morning's paper

Walsall 0 Middlesboro 3

Adam Chambers brainless challenge on Richard Smallwood cost Walsall any slim chance they had of advancing in this competition - and the home faithful applauded him off the field after referee Darren Deadman had flashed his FOURTH red card of the season.

But on this occasion Deadman was given no choice. Chambers two-footed lunge on the half way line was pointless as well as rash and left his team mates with a mountain to climb after only twelve minutes.

It took Boro only five more minutes to score their first. Debutant striker Malaury Martin crossed the ball from the right and Dutch U-21 international Marvin Emnes scuffed the ball into the net from about ten yards. Emnes explained afterwards:

"The ball bobbled through a defenders legs so I didn't see it clearly, but it went in when I stuck out my foot."

Emnes second goal though was a stonker. This time former Arsenal defender Justin Hoyte provided a waist high cross from the right wing and Emnes lashed the ball home with a superb 12 yard volley.

Walsall then survived the remaining eight minutes before the break, but Boro were in full command of the game and looked to be a handy outfit even if they did have a one man advantage on the night.

Boss Tony Mowbray described it as a "professional performance", but also praised Walsall's players for "working very hard".

In the 52nd minute Smallwood was taken out by a sliding tackle in the area by Kevan Hurst and there was only ever going to be one penalty taker. Emnes stood patiently over the spot while Deadman booked Hurst and his body language said "over my dead body" to any team mate who fancied his chances.

Once things had settle down, the Dutchman then fired home for his hat trick - his first in senior football.

It was Walsall manager Dean Smith's first cup game in charge of Walsall and he admitted that the sending off was "a game changer". I do not expect Chambers to be applauded on to the training ground by his manager or team mates today as a senseless ban will now mean the talented midfielder is missing for vital games for a club that already has scarce footballing resources.

My clipping from today's paper

Up for the Cup

I’ll be following the Carling Cup tie at the Bescot (Bank’s Stadium) tonight when Walsall take on Boro’ and the home side might have a good chance of sneaking into the next round due to international commitments.

Tony Mowbray is reportedly putting out his strongest possible side against the Saddlers, but will be without Tarmo Kink, Scott McDonald, Rhys Williams and Barry Robson. And on loan Wolves keeper Carl Ikeme is ineligible.

Walsall chief Dean Smith did an excellent job towards the end of last season when he saved the club from the drop into League Two and he’ll be hoping to build on that limited success this season. The job that Smith did last season can’t be under-estimated. I saw them play in the dying days of chris Hutchings regime and they players looked resigned to failure, within a couple of games Smith had turned them into world beaters.

He certainly has the players fully behind him now and with luck they will be up for the fight – unlike the last time I saw them play cup football when they squeaked to victory in the FA Cup against Fleetwood Town. At half time that evening the local bookies were taking ets on whether the fanes would lynch the board or the manager first!

MK Dons 2 Hartlepool United 2

Even the Pools players admitted they rode their luck a little after this one. I spoke to Nobby Solano, Adam Boyd and James Poole after the game and all three were happy to come away with a point against – what appears to be – a very well organised and handy MK Dons side.

Mind you, the three lads correctly pointed to some great defending by the back four and, in the 41st minute, keeper Scott Flinders clattered three Dons players and left them on their backsides - so focused was he on clearing his lines.

Flinders also made one superb finger tipped save from ex-Man United winger Luke Chadwick, diving at full stretch to deflect a fierce 16 yard shot over the bar.

Every one of the back four – Evan Horwood, Peter Hartley, skipper Sam Collins and Neil Austin – had to throw themselves in front of goal bound shots at some stage in the game and Pools fans will have been impressed by their dedication.

Boyd led the attack for Hartlepool and opened his season’s account in the 20th minute when he converted Horwood’s precision cross at the far post and the striker told me later:

“It was such a good ball that I didn’t know whether to smile or head it home from five yards. James’s goal was a great one though. I think he went past three players before scoring, although by the time he got to the dressing room it was nine players and by the time we get home it’ll be thirteen.”

Poole wasn’t having any of it. “Thirteen and then I rounded the keeper he joked.”

The former Manchester City reserve striker was – like Boyd – very approachable and seems a bright kid. He told me how he had started out at Macclesfield, but then joined City – the team he also supports – when he was fourteen and how, even though last season’s success limited his chances professionally, he was still willing them to do well as a diehard Blue.

I was particularly impressed with Poole’s attitude following this summer’s switch from City to lowly Hartlepool. Having rubbed shoulders with the likes of Tevez, Silva and Robinho he might have been forgiven for feeling little Hartlepool were beneath him. Nothing could be further from the truth and he said:

“You’d learn from those players just by listening to them while having lunch, let alone training with them. But now I’m playing with the likes of Sam Collins and Ritchie Humphreys and it’s also an education. They’ve played hundreds of games in their careers and so I’d be a mug not to learn from them.”

Chadwick had cancelled out Boyd’s opener, but when Poole drifted in on goal from 40 yards out (beating only three players in the process) in the 85th minute, I think everyone at stadiummk thought the visitors had stolen all three points. Enter Dons cult hero and fans’ favourite Jabo Ibehre.

Ibehre had only come on as a substitute for Chadwick in the 75th minute, but still found time to rescue a draw for the Dons. He told me:

“It’s difficult coming on as a sub and having time to make a difference, but I’m pleased I managed to help get a point. The ball came off the back of one of their defenders and I just nodded it in. Obviously we wanted to win at home on the first day, but you have to give them credit because they defended well. There is still a long way to go of course.”

If Jabo’s never-say-die attitude is anything to go by, I wouldn’t bet against MK Dons this season. They have the stadium, facilities, management team (Karl Robinson and assistant John Gorman) and players to go one step further than they did last season when they got knocked out of the play-offs.

Former Newcastle and Peru winger Solano was impressed with Dons and said:

“They are a very good side who like to get the ball down and play. They’ll be up there at the end of the season.”

Robinson may only be thirty years old and the youngest boss in the top four divisions, but he has been shrewd enough to employ Gorman to back him up and Glenn Hoddle’s former England assistant has been there, done it and got a wardrobe of t-shirts.

It was an ‘interesting’ first game of the season and, although it wasn’t end-to-end fare, it was entertaining. A draw was probably a fair result. If Jabo Ibehre hadn’t popped up with the equaliser, the Dons would have found a defeat hard to stomach. Equally, Hartlepool’s defenders did enough during the first 45 minutes - when they were under near constant siege – to deserve a point. And Poole’s wonder goal (the one where he rounded every opposition player twice – not to mention referee - before scoring) was also worthy of a share of the spoils.

My clipping from this morning's paper

MK Dons v Hartlepool Preview and predictions for local clubs this term

As I mentioned earlier in the week, I have been sent off my usual patch for the first game of the season and will be at the stadiummk for the first time. A mini preview piece follows below, but if followers of either club wish to pitch in with some 'inside info', just use the comments box below.

I have also used this post to give my predictions for the clubs I do cover on a regular basis. These include; Bristol City, Wycombe Wanderers, Bristol Rovers, Cheltenham Town, Hereford United, Oxford United and Swindon Town.

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Hartlepool will be without a pair of their strikers when they take on MK Dons in tomorrow’s opening day fixture at stadiummk. James Brown and Colin Larkin are both carrying ankle injuries and it looks as though manager Mick Wadsworth will start with Paul Murray up front.

Dons manager Karl Robinson picked up a £1000 FA fine yesterday as a result of an altercation last term with then-Swindon assistant manager Ian McParland during his side’s 1-0 win at the County Ground. He was charged with improper conduct and warned about his future behaviour. However, Robbo is already looking ahead to this season and was quoted by the Milton Keynes Citizen as saying:

“The players want to go up automatically, so let’s see where the season takes us. If we get the luck that all our hard work deserves, then we will be there or thereabouts. We have the quality, the right people in place, the fans that are geared up, and we’re ready. It’s going to be a tough league – not one won by Christmas – and we’re prepared for the challenge.”

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Before a ball is kicked – and to show how little I really know about football – I thought I’d put together some brief predictions for the teams I cover on a regular basis:

Bristol City – I think that Keith Millen and his troops could end up being the surprise package of the Championship this season. I don’t think that they are strong enough to win automatic promotion, but they might well finish in a play-off position.

Wycombe Wanderers – Gary Waddock has tweaked the squad that won promotion from League Two and I think that they have enough strength to see them in the top half of the table.

Bristol Rovers – I actually see this lot storming back into League One via the automatic spots come next May. Paul Buckle is one of the lower leagues bright young managers and he has a healthy and talented squad to work with.

Cheltenham Town – Mark Yates has also tinkered with his squad, but I fear that it won’t be enough to get them promoted. Having said that, they are more than capable of turning any other team over on their day. A top ten finish.

Hereford United – Like Cheltenham, unfashionable with a limited budget and an enthusiastic and shrewd manager – this time in the form of former physio and player Jamie Pitman. The Bulls will also surprise some teams this term, but I see them having a bit more to offer than Cheltenham and may make it into the play-offs.

Oxford United – The fans expect, the board expects and boss Chris Wilder and his players will know that they have to deliver. Many Us fans expected to march straight through League Two and gain promotion at the first attempt last season having won their place back in the Football League, but most were sensible and accepted that consolidation was key. This time around the vast majority will expect to be pushing for promotion and I think they’ll end up smiling, going up automatically.

Swindon Town – Given my track record in predicting football matches and league positions, Robins’ fans will be delighted to read that I think they will miss out this time around (which of course means they’ll end up as Champions). I just feel that Paolo di Canio has too many new signings and very few of them make you lick your lips in anticipation. I wonder whether the board at Swindon have got caught up in the di Canio euphoria that swept SN1 this summer and let him have his head a little too much. I voiced concern at the end of last season that if they didn’t get it right they could end up dropping into the Blue Square Premier league. While I doubt this will happen, I can’t see them getting promoted either automatically or via the play-offs. Bottom half finish if they’re lucky I’m afraid.

Dons chairman expects success

MK Dons Chairman Pete Winkleman has been talking up his club's chances this season. The Dons just missed out on play-ff glory last term and Winkleman has said:

"Pound for pound, I think we're better than last year. We've still got maybe three things to do before we've got a finished squad. We'll get those players and then we can look forward to a really good season.We've got one of the best attacks, one of the best midfields and if we get it right one of the best defences. Put that together as a team and we've got a really good chance."

So no pressure there then for Karl Robinson and his lads!

Meanwhile Saturday's visitors to Milton Keynes, Hartlepool, are hoping to dent their host's hopes at the first hurdle and boss Mick Wadsworth has said: “We’re ready for the new season now and we’re raring to go."

Hereford went down 3-0 at home to a strong Bolton side last night and boss Jamie Pitman is under no illusions about the task ahead this season. He said: "It's going to be a tough one. It's another transition year for us. We've still got a lot to make up and a lot of hard work ahead of us."


Swindon are giving a trial to 6'5" Uruguayan striker Nicolas Raimondi.
As mentioned in yesterday's blog post, West Ham defender Jordan Spence has indeed sealed a one year loan deal with Bristol City and returns to Ashton Gate after spending three months with the club last season.

Spence returns

There could be some good news for the faithful down at Ashton Gate later today when it is expected that West Ham defender Jordan Spence will sign another loan deal and return to the club where he spent three months last term.

Spence, 21, impressed most Bristol City fans as he grew into the role of a regular first team player and he obviously caught manager Keith Millen's eye as well.

Oxford put out a fairly strong side at Thame last night, but only managed a 1-1 draw with Tom Craddock netting for the Us.

There seems to be little else happening on my 'patch' at the moment as the Championship and Football League sides gear up for the big kick-off on Saturday, but I'll keep you posted should I hear any snippets of news in the coming two days.

First game .... the Dons!

So you spend the best part of three months waffling on about clubs west of Wycombe - in anticipation that you'll spend the coming season covering the same teams as you did last season - and then you get the call telling you to go to Milton Keynes on the first day of the season. Go figure.

The Dons opener is a clash against the mighty monkey hangers of Hartlepool and it will be interesting to see if the players are still as fully behind boss Karl Robinson as they were last term. Robinson led the team to the play-offs last season and cut a very impressive figure when I met him after the Dons 1-0 win at Swindon towards the end of the season. True, the Robins appeared to be in self destruct mode at the time as they prepared for the drop into League Two, but for a 30 year old, Robinson certainly had the respect of everyone. At the age of 29, he was also the youngest person to ever acquire a UEFA Pro Licence

I spent some time chatting with former Swindon and England coach John Gorman (who is now Robinson's Number Two) and while Gorman didn't go overboard, he indicated that he felt Robinson could go a long way in the management game. Liverpool-born Robinson never actually made it with a league side during his playing days, but he's nobody's fool and might have a big say in this season's promotion battle.

Robinson is up against a highly regarded lower league boss is Mick Wadsworth. Wadsworth has assisted or managed a host of British clubs including Newcastle, Norwich and Southampton, but he has also travelled the world developing his coaching skills. Stints in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Portugal and even St. Kitts & Nevis have broadened his football knowledge and so it will be interesting to see how well Robinson does in the battle of the tactics.

Let the 'real' fun begin

Barring a couple of gentle kickabouts, the pre-season friendly games are now over and next Saturday sees the start of the new season.

It was a case of mixed fortunes for the teams I usually cover for the papers.

Bristol City went down at home to a single goal from Premier league opposition West Brom. Craig Dawson grabbed the winner with one minute left on the clock as the Baggies cranked up their own pre-season preparations and City readied themselves from the big kick-off this weekend.

Former City manager Gary Johnson's League Two Northampton side beat Wycombe 2-1 at home even thought the Chairboys had taken an 18th minute lead through a Gareth Ainsworth strike. Former Newcastle defender Ben Tozer levelled three minutes later and Nick Mckoy sealed the win in the 79th minute.

Bristol Rovers notched up their sixth win in eight pre-season games against Gloucester City by beating their near neighbours 3-2. Central defenders Adam Virgo and Byron Anthony both scored from set-pieces, while striker Scott McGleish again showed that his best years aren't necessarily behind him by scoring the winner.

Cheltenham won another west country derby by beating Bath City 4-0 at Twerton Park. New boy Darryl Duffy scored one, Josh Low grabbed a brace and youngster Marlon Pack wrapped things up for the League Two side.

Hereford's pre-season planing stuttered after a 3-0 defeat away at Forest Green Rovers, but Oxford showed their pre-season preparation is going well after beating an Everton eleven 1-0 - James Constable scoring the winner. The Us also added Liam Davis to the squad when the 24 year old left sided player signed a one year deal. Davis was released by Northampton at the end of last season.

Paolo di Canio's Swindon went down at home to Reading losing 1-2. However, all three goals were scored by the Royals with Alex Pearce putting through his own net before strikers Shane Long and former Hereford hit man Mathieu Manset made sure of the win.