I’ll make my first trip to Edgar Street on Saturday to see if they can build on the performance I watched last weekend in Cheltenham and get another point or three.
But Oxford will prove a sterner test if they play to their best ability and so the home fans will need to give the same excellent backing that the away support gave at Whaddon Road.
I haven’t seen Oxford for a few weeks now, but they are still the best footballing outfits I have seen in League Two when they’re on song and Bulls’ strikers Sam Winnall (who has just signed an extension to his loan deal from Wolves) and Delroy Facey will need to be at their best to get any change out of Michael Duberry and his fellow defenders.
Much like last weekend’s fixture, it’s one of those games where I can be truly neutral as they are both clubs that I follow quite a bit during the course of the season – and I like them both as well.
However, I fear that the result will go Oxford’s way on the form shown so far this season by them both.
Hereford midfielder Simon Clist will not face parent club Oxford tomorrow. Clist signed a loan deal with the Bulls in August which will take him through to January, but the agreement included a clause which prevents his involvement in this weekend's fixture.
Striker Sean Canham, 27, has left Edgar Street and joined Bath City on a one month emergency loan deal.
Meanwhile, Chris Wilder has said that skipper Jake Wright will return to the Oxford line-up following a one match suspension picked up at Barnet.
Jamie Pitman has told the local press: "Once we have two or three wins, and a few goals, under our belts then we are more than capable of going on a run of games where we win a few more. But first and foremost, we have got to keep some clean sheets and we have got to start scoring some goals. Once we start doing that, then the points will start coming in." (spotted at: http://bullsnews.blogspot.com/)
Pitman is of course correct. A clean sheet tomorrow would - and should - be greeted as a moral victory by the home fans as it will be another positive step in the right direction and serve as an even better confidence boost that last weekend's result.
I've set up this blog (Monday-Friday) to give extra coverage to teams I cover for the national press. Any views and opinions are all my own. Best wishes, Jeff. Follow me on Twitter and I'll update you each time I blog. http://twitter.com/JeffTaplin P.S. During the summer break I reserve the right to ramble on about anything and everything!
Friday 30 September 2011
Thursday 29 September 2011
Kedeem Harris
I'm a bit pushed for time today and so I'll keep this post brief, but I thought that a little "shout out" was deserved for 18 year old winger Kadeem Harris who I saw tormenting Preston on Tuesday evening.
The young Wycombe winger ended up on the losing side in a 4-3 thriller at Adams Park, but deservedly picked up the club's man of the match award and saw off opposing full back Conor McLaughlin who was given the hook after only 30 minutes.
I don't wish ill on any player and hope McLaughlin - who is only 20 himself and a Northern Ireland U-21 international - recovers and can eventually laugh off this mini nightmare as what it was, all part of the learning experience.
Harris would have given most defenders a run for their money the other night though and you could see why the Chairboys turned down a reported £50k offer for him from Fulham in the summer. He was League Two's Apprentice of the Year at the Football League awards in April and if he continues with this form (and he only made his full debut last Saturday in the win over Sheffield United), he'll be worth a lot more come the end of this season or the season after.
It's always about "ifs" in football though and one of the downsides of following clubs closely week in week out is that you often see some youngsters getting a little ahead of themselves once nice things are written about them in the media or said to them by fans.
I had a brief chat with Kadeem after the game and he also came across as a pleasant, level-headed lad. I hope I'm right because the key is to keep everything in proportion and to this end he is wise to stick with Wycombe for the time being and learn his trade properly.
A manager like Gary Waddock and team mates like Gareth Ainsworth will look after him, keep his feet on the ground when he's having 'stormers' and build him up again when he has the inevitable bad day. Because football is all about highs and lows and, if you don't believe me, just ask Conor McLaughlin.
The young Wycombe winger ended up on the losing side in a 4-3 thriller at Adams Park, but deservedly picked up the club's man of the match award and saw off opposing full back Conor McLaughlin who was given the hook after only 30 minutes.
I don't wish ill on any player and hope McLaughlin - who is only 20 himself and a Northern Ireland U-21 international - recovers and can eventually laugh off this mini nightmare as what it was, all part of the learning experience.
Harris would have given most defenders a run for their money the other night though and you could see why the Chairboys turned down a reported £50k offer for him from Fulham in the summer. He was League Two's Apprentice of the Year at the Football League awards in April and if he continues with this form (and he only made his full debut last Saturday in the win over Sheffield United), he'll be worth a lot more come the end of this season or the season after.
It's always about "ifs" in football though and one of the downsides of following clubs closely week in week out is that you often see some youngsters getting a little ahead of themselves once nice things are written about them in the media or said to them by fans.
I had a brief chat with Kadeem after the game and he also came across as a pleasant, level-headed lad. I hope I'm right because the key is to keep everything in proportion and to this end he is wise to stick with Wycombe for the time being and learn his trade properly.
A manager like Gary Waddock and team mates like Gareth Ainsworth will look after him, keep his feet on the ground when he's having 'stormers' and build him up again when he has the inevitable bad day. Because football is all about highs and lows and, if you don't believe me, just ask Conor McLaughlin.
Wednesday 28 September 2011
Wycombe Wanderers 3 Preston North End 4
This was one of those games that reminds you what football should be about - pure entertainment.
Even Gary Waddock described it as a "great game", but the Wycombe boss must have been gutted that his side didn't hang on and get something from it.
In yesterday's post I highlighted the threat that Neil Mellor posed and the former Liverpool striker proved I was spot on (yeah, I know, unusual for me). Within ten minutes he had scored the opener - his seventh of the season - and then setting up team mate Iain Hume for the second. Game over - or so I thought. Wycombe briefly looked stunned.
Indeed, Phil Brown thought so to, but pointed out afterwards: "You don't go 2-0 up and take your foot off the gas after only nine minutes." He also mentioned the effect the game had on his greying locks, but that's one for his hairdresser.
To give Wycombe their due though, they battled to get back into the game and within 14 minutes had pulled level through goals by veteren skipper Gareth Ainsworth - after keeper Arestidou had spilled a free kick - and a Scott Donnelly penalty that looked a little harsh on the visitors.
Bad decision by the ref or not, Wycombe continued to press forward and then took the lead deservedly in the 27th minute when Scott Beavon glanced in Donnelly's corner at the near post.
It was Preston's turn to look shell-shocked and the break couldn't come soon enough for them I suspect.
Brown didn't expand too much on what was said in the dressing room at half time, but whatever it was and whoever said it, it did the trick.
Preston came back out determined that, when they got back on the bus, they weren't going home empty handed.
Hume scored his second in the 64th minute after latching on to a pass from Clark Carlisle and scampering away from the half way line before lifting the ball over Nikki Bull in the Wycombe goal.
The last word went to Mellor though in the 73rd minute when he buried another close range effort in front of the visiting fans to send them nuts.
I'm sure that the home support will have felt a little down as they climbed into their sacks last night, but if they can set their partisanship aside today, they'll realise that they will have witnessed one of this season's best League One games.
Even Gary Waddock described it as a "great game", but the Wycombe boss must have been gutted that his side didn't hang on and get something from it.
In yesterday's post I highlighted the threat that Neil Mellor posed and the former Liverpool striker proved I was spot on (yeah, I know, unusual for me). Within ten minutes he had scored the opener - his seventh of the season - and then setting up team mate Iain Hume for the second. Game over - or so I thought. Wycombe briefly looked stunned.
Indeed, Phil Brown thought so to, but pointed out afterwards: "You don't go 2-0 up and take your foot off the gas after only nine minutes." He also mentioned the effect the game had on his greying locks, but that's one for his hairdresser.
To give Wycombe their due though, they battled to get back into the game and within 14 minutes had pulled level through goals by veteren skipper Gareth Ainsworth - after keeper Arestidou had spilled a free kick - and a Scott Donnelly penalty that looked a little harsh on the visitors.
Bad decision by the ref or not, Wycombe continued to press forward and then took the lead deservedly in the 27th minute when Scott Beavon glanced in Donnelly's corner at the near post.
It was Preston's turn to look shell-shocked and the break couldn't come soon enough for them I suspect.
Brown didn't expand too much on what was said in the dressing room at half time, but whatever it was and whoever said it, it did the trick.
Preston came back out determined that, when they got back on the bus, they weren't going home empty handed.
Hume scored his second in the 64th minute after latching on to a pass from Clark Carlisle and scampering away from the half way line before lifting the ball over Nikki Bull in the Wycombe goal.
The last word went to Mellor though in the 73rd minute when he buried another close range effort in front of the visiting fans to send them nuts.
I'm sure that the home support will have felt a little down as they climbed into their sacks last night, but if they can set their partisanship aside today, they'll realise that they will have witnessed one of this season's best League One games.
My clipping from this morning's paper
Tuesday 27 September 2011
Wycombe V Preston
It was nice to see Wycombe back up my words from this blog and show they have some quality by doing the business against Sheffield United on Saturday.
While I have never said that the Chairboys are ‘bankers’ for promotion to the Championship, Gary Waddock has put together a side that is more than capable of staying in League One this season and I felt that they were a match for any other team in the division on their day. They just needed to believe in themselves and after beating the Blades, this will hopefully be the case.
Stuart Beavon got off the mark for the season in the league with the winner on Saturday, although he has already scored a goal in the League Cup and a hat trick in the JP Trophy and so it can't be said he's forgotten where the net is.
Meanwhile Waddock has signed experienced midfielder Martin Rowlands from QPR on a three month loan deal. Rowlands returns to the club where he started off as a youth team player before being bombed out and going on the play for Farnborough, Brentford and then QPR where he made nearly 200 appearances. I guess that if any kid finds himself being rejected by a professional club, they need look no further than Rowlands to realise that there's still a chance if you work hard enough.
Rowlands has also chalked up five caps for the Republic of Ireland playing in a World Cup game against Italy.
Tonight’s game against Preston will be another stern test though given that the visitors have won SIX games on the bounce. But all good things must come to an end and so Wycombe will be hoping they are the ones to bring North End back down to earth with a bump.
Neil Mellor seems to be the main threat and has scored six times this season already. He’s a decent and experienced pro who I saw several times last season playing for Sheffield Wednesday on loan and will present a real test for the Wycombe defence.
Co-striker Iain Hume has weighed in with three goals himself and midfielders Barry Nicholson and Jamie Proctor have also grabbed a pair each - and so the Preston team are by no means a one trick pony.
Midfielder Steven Smith is set to replace Paul Parry, who serves a one-match suspension after being sent-off in Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Tranmere.
Manager Phil Brown also has a point to prove following his dismissal from Hull in March 2010. He took the Tigers to the promised land of the Premier League and will want to add another promotion to his CV as soon as possible so he can get his name in the frame for a job back in the top flight.
Monday 26 September 2011
Cheltenham Town 0 Hereford United 0
Delroy Facey told me that he and his Hereford team mates had “a little base to build on now” after picking up a first point in four games and I think he’s right.
I 'tweeted' on a regular basis for the first time during a game on Saturday and while it was a complete pain in the bum (as I seemed to spend too much time tapping away rather than watching the game), I remember making the point that confidence seemed to be growing in the Bulls camp as the game wore on. On reflection, I think I got that one right (the tweeting is another matter though and I might have to rethink that one!).
I also chatted to both Delroy and keeper David Cornell about the pressure Jamie Pitman is under from some fans (definitely not all given the superb support by 370 in the away end) and both were fully behind their boss.
It’s interesting to note how the local newspaper and the board are behind the board and yet some supporters aren’t. In my experience the dreaded vote of confidence given to an under-fire manager becomes worthless as soon as the directors find out he’s lost the dressing room.
Equally, those managers who manage to pull back from the abyss do so because players like Facey and Cornell are fully behind them.
Pitman sent Russell Hoult out to face the media after the game and so I’m afraid I can’t give an insight into his demeanor, but going by Hoult’s body language, they were pleased with the draw.
Hereford’s assistant boss said:
“It was never going to be an easy one with the situation we’re in. We just need that little bit of luck that we’re not getting at the moment, but we’ll keep working and digging out points like this.”
And if they do that, I for one think they’ll turn it around.
While I was looking forward to seeing Cheltenham as well, I think manager Mark Yates summed up the way everyone was feeling in the Robins’ camp. He said:
“It’s frustrating when you don’t win your home games, but I can’t fault the players efforts. If we play like that more often than not, the points will come.”
Poor Josh Low was left hoping the pitch would swallow him up in the second half when he lobbed Cornell … and the bar. And while he was left with his head in his hands at the time, he was a little more philosophical afterwards. Let’s face it, he didn’t mean to miss and nine times out of ten you’d put your mortgage on him scoring.
Josh is the sort who won’t let it get to him and I’d bank on him more than making amends before too long.
I’m afraid that it was just one of those days for Cheltenham. A lot of effort, little luck and opponents who were determined not to leave empty handed.
Finally, a special mention to Cheltenham midfielder Marlon Pack who looks an excellent prospect. He has a presence about him, a good engine can spray the ball about and – as the guy next to me in the Press Box said – has an ability to find space. Worth watching this lad.
I 'tweeted' on a regular basis for the first time during a game on Saturday and while it was a complete pain in the bum (as I seemed to spend too much time tapping away rather than watching the game), I remember making the point that confidence seemed to be growing in the Bulls camp as the game wore on. On reflection, I think I got that one right (the tweeting is another matter though and I might have to rethink that one!).
I also chatted to both Delroy and keeper David Cornell about the pressure Jamie Pitman is under from some fans (definitely not all given the superb support by 370 in the away end) and both were fully behind their boss.
It’s interesting to note how the local newspaper and the board are behind the board and yet some supporters aren’t. In my experience the dreaded vote of confidence given to an under-fire manager becomes worthless as soon as the directors find out he’s lost the dressing room.
Equally, those managers who manage to pull back from the abyss do so because players like Facey and Cornell are fully behind them.
Pitman sent Russell Hoult out to face the media after the game and so I’m afraid I can’t give an insight into his demeanor, but going by Hoult’s body language, they were pleased with the draw.
Hereford’s assistant boss said:
“It was never going to be an easy one with the situation we’re in. We just need that little bit of luck that we’re not getting at the moment, but we’ll keep working and digging out points like this.”
And if they do that, I for one think they’ll turn it around.
While I was looking forward to seeing Cheltenham as well, I think manager Mark Yates summed up the way everyone was feeling in the Robins’ camp. He said:
“It’s frustrating when you don’t win your home games, but I can’t fault the players efforts. If we play like that more often than not, the points will come.”
Poor Josh Low was left hoping the pitch would swallow him up in the second half when he lobbed Cornell … and the bar. And while he was left with his head in his hands at the time, he was a little more philosophical afterwards. Let’s face it, he didn’t mean to miss and nine times out of ten you’d put your mortgage on him scoring.
Josh is the sort who won’t let it get to him and I’d bank on him more than making amends before too long.
I’m afraid that it was just one of those days for Cheltenham. A lot of effort, little luck and opponents who were determined not to leave empty handed.
Finally, a special mention to Cheltenham midfielder Marlon Pack who looks an excellent prospect. He has a presence about him, a good engine can spray the ball about and – as the guy next to me in the Press Box said – has an ability to find space. Worth watching this lad.
My clipping from this morning copy of The Sun
Friday 23 September 2011
Cheltenham Town v Hereford United
I'm off to Whaddon Road tomorrow where I'll get to see - for the first time this season - two of the teams on my patch fight it out.
Cheltenham have had a mixed start to the campaign while Hereford have suffered badly - so much so that there has been talk of the demise (in a professional sense) of manager Jamie Pitman.
Pitman though appears to have the support of the local paper and - more importantly - the Chairman David Keyte.
The manager has told the BBC that his board have told him: "There is no pressure that if you lose on Saturday you are going to get the sack. But at the end of the day that is their decision. All I can do is continue to do the job I've been asked to do. And I will do that because that's what I'm like. And I will do that until I'm told otherwise."
Everyone at the club will be hoping that Pitman can perform the same miracle he did last term when he guided the Bulls to safety.
It's difficult to judge how the players are feeling at the moment. It's often the case that a bad run is precisely that and that if everyone sticks together, you can turn things around. This is what happened to Keith Millen and Bristol City last season.
On the other had, if Pitman has lost the dressing room ...
It will be interesting to find out which of the two scenarios exists and I'll let you know my thoughts on Monday.
Mark Yates position at Cheltenham looks a little more solid and he appears to have built on last season's efforts, but again, it will be nice to catch up with some old faces (and meet new ones) to find out how the land lies.
Every home supporter will be expecting three points from this one, but as any football fan of any club will tell you: This game has a habit of biting you on the bum when you don't expect it!
Yates himself told the Gloucestershire Echo:
"We have to deal with the expectancy at home, which we didn't do during the second half of last season, but I don't see it being an issue now because we have played well there in most games this year. We are at home, against a team who lost 6-1 last weekend and it's up to us to make things happen. If we turn up with the right attitude and endeavour, we have a great chance of beating them."
And striker Jeff Goulding has said: "The fans will get behind us and they were brilliant at Wimbledon. We really appreciated their support and it was a shame we couldn't put on a show for them. Hopefully we can put in a performance for them against Hereford and I am sure we'll react in the right way."
Joe Colbeck and Jordan Rose are likely to be unavailable for struggling Hereford as they make the trip to local rivals Cheltenham. Colbeck recurrence of his recent knee injury, while defender Rose also pulled his thigh.
Cheltenham have had a mixed start to the campaign while Hereford have suffered badly - so much so that there has been talk of the demise (in a professional sense) of manager Jamie Pitman.
Pitman though appears to have the support of the local paper and - more importantly - the Chairman David Keyte.
The manager has told the BBC that his board have told him: "There is no pressure that if you lose on Saturday you are going to get the sack. But at the end of the day that is their decision. All I can do is continue to do the job I've been asked to do. And I will do that because that's what I'm like. And I will do that until I'm told otherwise."
Everyone at the club will be hoping that Pitman can perform the same miracle he did last term when he guided the Bulls to safety.
It's difficult to judge how the players are feeling at the moment. It's often the case that a bad run is precisely that and that if everyone sticks together, you can turn things around. This is what happened to Keith Millen and Bristol City last season.
On the other had, if Pitman has lost the dressing room ...
It will be interesting to find out which of the two scenarios exists and I'll let you know my thoughts on Monday.
Mark Yates position at Cheltenham looks a little more solid and he appears to have built on last season's efforts, but again, it will be nice to catch up with some old faces (and meet new ones) to find out how the land lies.
Every home supporter will be expecting three points from this one, but as any football fan of any club will tell you: This game has a habit of biting you on the bum when you don't expect it!
Yates himself told the Gloucestershire Echo:
"We have to deal with the expectancy at home, which we didn't do during the second half of last season, but I don't see it being an issue now because we have played well there in most games this year. We are at home, against a team who lost 6-1 last weekend and it's up to us to make things happen. If we turn up with the right attitude and endeavour, we have a great chance of beating them."
And striker Jeff Goulding has said: "The fans will get behind us and they were brilliant at Wimbledon. We really appreciated their support and it was a shame we couldn't put on a show for them. Hopefully we can put in a performance for them against Hereford and I am sure we'll react in the right way."
Joe Colbeck and Jordan Rose are likely to be unavailable for struggling Hereford as they make the trip to local rivals Cheltenham. Colbeck recurrence of his recent knee injury, while defender Rose also pulled his thigh.
Thursday 22 September 2011
Weak, flat and pointless?
So we're down to the latest sixteen of the League Cup (I know it's sponsored by Carling, but I'm a bit of a traditionalist) and once again questions are being asked about the point of this competition.
I must admit I have mixed feelings. As much as I like football, I can't help but feel that the industry is flogging itself to death with the number of games it puts on and by the look of the team selections by managers of the top clubs, it is once again seen as an irritation or distraction from the main business of the Premier League or Euro competition.
The clubs who may face a relegation battle towards the end of the season also seem to be making "full use" of their squads as they want to wrap their few stars in cotton wool to protect them for the survival battle ahead. I wonder whether the Brummie fans would swap their League Cup success of last season for another term in the Premier League.
As someone who spends his Saturdays covering matches in the bottom three divisions though, I also know for a fact that the Cup competitions still stir the emotions and passions of players and fans alike - not to mention the directors and their bank managers.
I watched Aldershot on Saturday as they won at Bristol Rovers and then was pleased to see them beat Rochdale on Tuesday to give themselves a chance of playing one of the big boys in the next round. Some of these lads are good honest pros, journeymen who know they will never earn tens of thousands each week, represent their countries or make it into Europe without the aid of the Dover-Calais ferry. While others have plied their trade higher up the leagues, but Father Time is now against them.
But for maybe one or two, there is the opportunity to shine, impress and to let the managers in the Prem know that they are there as an option to big money foreign signings come the next transfer window.
The lower league clubs themselves could also set themselves up financially for the rest of the season with a game at Anfield or Old Trafford. Remember Orient's FA Cup run last season? Barry Hearn cited their Cup run as the reason why the east end outfit would turn a profit for the only time in all the years he had been chairman.
And years ago I saw Chelmsford play at Cheltenham in the same competition and remember the visitors' Chairman telling me that the draw and resulting replay they achieved would ensure the club could pay everyone for the rest of that season.
I don't blame the top clubs for playing weakened teams in the League Cup and of course some of the fringe players go on to be the superstars of tomorrow, but would urge fans of those clubs to turn out in force if they draw a minnow in the next round.
Watching Aldershot play Arsenal at the Emirates might not be as enticing on paper as seeing the Gunners take on Inter Milan, but your cut price League Cup ticket will go some way to supporting the smaller clubs and will benefit domestic football at all levels.
In conclusion I guess that I come down on the side of the Milk/Coca Cola/Carling/League Cup given that it does benefit the teams I watch and who make up the largest section of English football's pyramid. However, I still feel that, as an industry, football needs to ensure it doesn't reach the point where we have overkill and people start drifting away. But that's a rant for another day.
I must admit I have mixed feelings. As much as I like football, I can't help but feel that the industry is flogging itself to death with the number of games it puts on and by the look of the team selections by managers of the top clubs, it is once again seen as an irritation or distraction from the main business of the Premier League or Euro competition.
The clubs who may face a relegation battle towards the end of the season also seem to be making "full use" of their squads as they want to wrap their few stars in cotton wool to protect them for the survival battle ahead. I wonder whether the Brummie fans would swap their League Cup success of last season for another term in the Premier League.
As someone who spends his Saturdays covering matches in the bottom three divisions though, I also know for a fact that the Cup competitions still stir the emotions and passions of players and fans alike - not to mention the directors and their bank managers.
I watched Aldershot on Saturday as they won at Bristol Rovers and then was pleased to see them beat Rochdale on Tuesday to give themselves a chance of playing one of the big boys in the next round. Some of these lads are good honest pros, journeymen who know they will never earn tens of thousands each week, represent their countries or make it into Europe without the aid of the Dover-Calais ferry. While others have plied their trade higher up the leagues, but Father Time is now against them.
But for maybe one or two, there is the opportunity to shine, impress and to let the managers in the Prem know that they are there as an option to big money foreign signings come the next transfer window.
The lower league clubs themselves could also set themselves up financially for the rest of the season with a game at Anfield or Old Trafford. Remember Orient's FA Cup run last season? Barry Hearn cited their Cup run as the reason why the east end outfit would turn a profit for the only time in all the years he had been chairman.
And years ago I saw Chelmsford play at Cheltenham in the same competition and remember the visitors' Chairman telling me that the draw and resulting replay they achieved would ensure the club could pay everyone for the rest of that season.
I don't blame the top clubs for playing weakened teams in the League Cup and of course some of the fringe players go on to be the superstars of tomorrow, but would urge fans of those clubs to turn out in force if they draw a minnow in the next round.
Watching Aldershot play Arsenal at the Emirates might not be as enticing on paper as seeing the Gunners take on Inter Milan, but your cut price League Cup ticket will go some way to supporting the smaller clubs and will benefit domestic football at all levels.
In conclusion I guess that I come down on the side of the Milk/Coca Cola/Carling/League Cup given that it does benefit the teams I watch and who make up the largest section of English football's pyramid. However, I still feel that, as an industry, football needs to ensure it doesn't reach the point where we have overkill and people start drifting away. But that's a rant for another day.
Wednesday 21 September 2011
Who's for the chop? Who's safe? ... for now
Following yesterday's post about the unfortunate (or maybe 'fortunate' given the fact that he has been forced to wash his hands of the mess at Plymouth) sacking, I started to think about how secure the managers were on my patch.
At Bristol City Keith Millen has had a rough start with two draws and one win. Unfortunately the win came away from home and so the Ashton Gate faithful are yet to see a victory seven games in. However, Keith proved himself against all of the odds last season and so I hope that he will be given a little more time to turn things around again. There's no doubt that if City turn over Hull at home this weekend, the pressure will ease a touch. A defeat though might see the natives becoming restless and, in turn, pile more grief on the board.
Hereford boss Jamie Pitman appears to be in a similar situation from what I can tell. I'll be able to get a better impression when I watch them play Cheltenham at the weekend - if he survives until then. Jamie has said he is 'not a quitter', but the Bulls board are under the same amount of pressure they were under last season when Simon Davy failed to get the results. Ironically it was Pitman who came in and, to a very great extent, turned things around. What a fickle game this is.
Paul Buckle's Rovers were jeered off the pitch last weekend and the board at the Mem showed last season that they don't like (and can't handle) it when things turn rough. Rovers take on league leaders Morecambe on Saturday and then entertain near neighbours Cheltenham the following week. If they lose both of these fixtures, the 'suits' might well buckle under the pressure (no pun intended).
At Wycombe, Gary Waddock's position is safe despite the fact that the Chairboys are sitting in the relegation zone at the moment. Waddock still has the fans on side following promotion last term and the board at Adams Park have a reputation for sticking by their men for as long as possible. The players are also behind Waddock - and that always helps!
Swindon boss Paolo di Canio survived a dodgy August when they couldn't buy a win before stringing together three on the bounce. They lost their last game at Burton though, but the County Ground board have invested too much cash in the Italian and his plans to get rid of him this early in the season. I suspect that last Saturday was just a blip though and the Robins will return to winning ways when they take on Barnet at home this weekend.
I still believe that Cheltenham manager Mark Yates could surprise a few people this season and edge his team into the play-off places. If he does so - and early season form swould suggest that they're on track - he will have done well to build on last season's efforts.
Finally, Oxford boss Chris Wilder should be sacked or given the freedom of the city depending on which Us fan you talk to. Opinion among the fans at the Kassam has always been split as to whether Wilder - who brought the club back into the Football League - has got what it takes. Personally I'm a fan of his and think that like Yates down the road, he is learning all of the time. If Oxford continue to play the way they are, they will end up with a decent number of points come next May. I don't see Wilder being under any serious pressure at the moment, but a string of four or five defeats could change things. Then again, isn't that the case for all of the above?
Who'd be a football manager?
At Bristol City Keith Millen has had a rough start with two draws and one win. Unfortunately the win came away from home and so the Ashton Gate faithful are yet to see a victory seven games in. However, Keith proved himself against all of the odds last season and so I hope that he will be given a little more time to turn things around again. There's no doubt that if City turn over Hull at home this weekend, the pressure will ease a touch. A defeat though might see the natives becoming restless and, in turn, pile more grief on the board.
Hereford boss Jamie Pitman appears to be in a similar situation from what I can tell. I'll be able to get a better impression when I watch them play Cheltenham at the weekend - if he survives until then. Jamie has said he is 'not a quitter', but the Bulls board are under the same amount of pressure they were under last season when Simon Davy failed to get the results. Ironically it was Pitman who came in and, to a very great extent, turned things around. What a fickle game this is.
Paul Buckle's Rovers were jeered off the pitch last weekend and the board at the Mem showed last season that they don't like (and can't handle) it when things turn rough. Rovers take on league leaders Morecambe on Saturday and then entertain near neighbours Cheltenham the following week. If they lose both of these fixtures, the 'suits' might well buckle under the pressure (no pun intended).
At Wycombe, Gary Waddock's position is safe despite the fact that the Chairboys are sitting in the relegation zone at the moment. Waddock still has the fans on side following promotion last term and the board at Adams Park have a reputation for sticking by their men for as long as possible. The players are also behind Waddock - and that always helps!
Swindon boss Paolo di Canio survived a dodgy August when they couldn't buy a win before stringing together three on the bounce. They lost their last game at Burton though, but the County Ground board have invested too much cash in the Italian and his plans to get rid of him this early in the season. I suspect that last Saturday was just a blip though and the Robins will return to winning ways when they take on Barnet at home this weekend.
I still believe that Cheltenham manager Mark Yates could surprise a few people this season and edge his team into the play-off places. If he does so - and early season form swould suggest that they're on track - he will have done well to build on last season's efforts.
Finally, Oxford boss Chris Wilder should be sacked or given the freedom of the city depending on which Us fan you talk to. Opinion among the fans at the Kassam has always been split as to whether Wilder - who brought the club back into the Football League - has got what it takes. Personally I'm a fan of his and think that like Yates down the road, he is learning all of the time. If Oxford continue to play the way they are, they will end up with a decent number of points come next May. I don't see Wilder being under any serious pressure at the moment, but a string of four or five defeats could change things. Then again, isn't that the case for all of the above?
Who'd be a football manager?
Tuesday 20 September 2011
Poor Peter
We've now reached the point of the season when the first wave of panic traditionally sets in and any manager who hasn't chalked up at least two wins is reviewing his contract to see what the pay-off might be.
Was I the only person stunned though by Plymouth's sacking of Peter Reid given what he has had to contend with down there on the south coast?
I've been fortunate enough to cover a few Argyle games in the past and - even though it is located at the back end of beyond as far as most of the rest of the football world is concerned - it is a genuine sleeping giant. On support and passion alone the club belongs in the Championship, but years of poor management have led to it propping up the other 91 professional league clubs.
But by 'poor management' I don't necessarily mean by the football level of management at the club, but rather those suits who have given (or taken) stewardship of the club in the boardroom.
The latest suit is the publicity shy Peter Ridsdale - the man whose ego and bad judgment nearly saw off another great club in Leeds United.
After dismissing Reid, Risible cited that " football is a results business". Agreed, but to achieve results you need to be equipped to do the job.
The club's best players have been sold to keep the club alive (in fact around forty have been sold or released since the summer of last year), the squad has not been paid in full since the end of 2010 after the club went into administration (and these aren't highly paid superstars we're talking about) and the players are contemplating going on strike
Acting chairman Ridsdale said he left with "unreserved thanks for his contribution in helping keep the club alive during this turbulent period." He also admitted that: "Peter was sold a job that wasn’t at it was described." Given all of the above, surely it's better to stick with the man and all of his experience rather than effectively make him the scapegoat.
I suspect though that the Green Army won't forget Reid in a hurry - the man who sold his 1986 FA Cup runners-up medal to help ensure other staff members were paid and who forked out for the club's heating bill using his own cash.
And wasn't he the man who stuck by the club when he could have walked away as the going got tough last term?
Was I the only person stunned though by Plymouth's sacking of Peter Reid given what he has had to contend with down there on the south coast?
I've been fortunate enough to cover a few Argyle games in the past and - even though it is located at the back end of beyond as far as most of the rest of the football world is concerned - it is a genuine sleeping giant. On support and passion alone the club belongs in the Championship, but years of poor management have led to it propping up the other 91 professional league clubs.
But by 'poor management' I don't necessarily mean by the football level of management at the club, but rather those suits who have given (or taken) stewardship of the club in the boardroom.
The latest suit is the publicity shy Peter Ridsdale - the man whose ego and bad judgment nearly saw off another great club in Leeds United.
After dismissing Reid, Risible cited that " football is a results business". Agreed, but to achieve results you need to be equipped to do the job.
The club's best players have been sold to keep the club alive (in fact around forty have been sold or released since the summer of last year), the squad has not been paid in full since the end of 2010 after the club went into administration (and these aren't highly paid superstars we're talking about) and the players are contemplating going on strike
Acting chairman Ridsdale said he left with "unreserved thanks for his contribution in helping keep the club alive during this turbulent period." He also admitted that: "Peter was sold a job that wasn’t at it was described." Given all of the above, surely it's better to stick with the man and all of his experience rather than effectively make him the scapegoat.
I suspect though that the Green Army won't forget Reid in a hurry - the man who sold his 1986 FA Cup runners-up medal to help ensure other staff members were paid and who forked out for the club's heating bill using his own cash.
And wasn't he the man who stuck by the club when he could have walked away as the going got tough last term?
Monday 19 September 2011
Bristol Rovers 0 Aldershot Town 1
Chants of "What a load of rubbish" and players being jeered as they attempt to thank their own fans at the end of the game - normal service has been resumed at the Mem.
This was my first visit to see Rovers on their home turf this season and it was eerily reminiscent of what happened last term.
Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't be happy either if I were a Gashead, but shouting abuse at the eleven men wearing the club's colours is hardly going to motivate them to do better for you. Doesn't anyone remember the last campaign? The one that saw Rovers go down?
The same thing happened at Swindon - and they are playing in League Two as well!
Once Stuart Campbell took over the reins at Rovers last season, everyone - fans, players and staff alike - started pulling in the same direction and they nearly achieved what had seemed unlikely - League One survival.
I went on record at the end of last season to say that Campbell should have been given the job full time. He probably would have been able to keep hold of most of the squad - a squad that started to prove they were League One standard - and certainly wouldn't have needed to have made as many signings as Paul Buckle has. In the process he would have saved the club a small fortune.
However, the board decided to appoint Buckle, a young coach with a decent track record.
Buckle has brought in numerous signings and it will take them time to gel (I know it sounds like an early season cliche, but that is because it's often true). Injuries haven't helped his cause either, but you can be sure that anyone sitting on the pyhsio's table at the moment won't be busting a gut to get back out on the pitch to play for fans who give their players the treatment they received on Saturday. And that's when the rot can set in.
So why am I so critical? I'm a neutral. What's it to me? Well from a purely mercenary point of view, I'd prefer to be watching Rovers playing in the football league next season then have to travel further afield to watch Yeovil! Have you seen the price of petrol?
On a more positive note, the 367 Shots fans who by nature - and given the total collapse of their club a few years back - don't expect quite as much from their team, were rewarded with three points.
Manager Dean Holdsworth has got Aldershot playing to their strengths and has assembled a group of players who can play decent football to boot.
Winger Alex Rodman showed what a good footballer he is at this level and - his goal aside - was a constant threat. Rodman has got his education out of the way before embarking on his career (see clipping below) and who is to say he won't go on to bigger and better things?
Holdsworth is certainly a big fan, is keen to keep hold of him and keep him out of the limelight for understandably selfish reasons. When I asked about the lad in the press conference he joked: "Tell everyone he is rubbish and that he only played because someone else was ill!"
And when Rovers pushed to get something out of the game, keeper Ross Worner managed to keep them out by saving with his feet in the dying minutes.
Worner may have been lucky to get away with clattering Matt Harrold in the box as well, although he told me the referee had felt the Rovers striker was as much to blame in the collision. I wasn't overly impressed with that decision or the referee's overall performance, but Aldershot also had a penalty appeal turned down and so maybe it was honours even on that score.
There are a few sides in this division who feel they 'should' be promoted. Their fans expect it. Rovers and the Gasheads are one example. There are others - often smaller clubs with smaller squads - who know it's an outside chance, but they are all in it together and may even end up upsetting the odds if they can steer clear of injuries. Who knows? Aldershot may be one of these.
This was my first visit to see Rovers on their home turf this season and it was eerily reminiscent of what happened last term.
Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't be happy either if I were a Gashead, but shouting abuse at the eleven men wearing the club's colours is hardly going to motivate them to do better for you. Doesn't anyone remember the last campaign? The one that saw Rovers go down?
The same thing happened at Swindon - and they are playing in League Two as well!
Once Stuart Campbell took over the reins at Rovers last season, everyone - fans, players and staff alike - started pulling in the same direction and they nearly achieved what had seemed unlikely - League One survival.
I went on record at the end of last season to say that Campbell should have been given the job full time. He probably would have been able to keep hold of most of the squad - a squad that started to prove they were League One standard - and certainly wouldn't have needed to have made as many signings as Paul Buckle has. In the process he would have saved the club a small fortune.
However, the board decided to appoint Buckle, a young coach with a decent track record.
Buckle has brought in numerous signings and it will take them time to gel (I know it sounds like an early season cliche, but that is because it's often true). Injuries haven't helped his cause either, but you can be sure that anyone sitting on the pyhsio's table at the moment won't be busting a gut to get back out on the pitch to play for fans who give their players the treatment they received on Saturday. And that's when the rot can set in.
So why am I so critical? I'm a neutral. What's it to me? Well from a purely mercenary point of view, I'd prefer to be watching Rovers playing in the football league next season then have to travel further afield to watch Yeovil! Have you seen the price of petrol?
On a more positive note, the 367 Shots fans who by nature - and given the total collapse of their club a few years back - don't expect quite as much from their team, were rewarded with three points.
Manager Dean Holdsworth has got Aldershot playing to their strengths and has assembled a group of players who can play decent football to boot.
Winger Alex Rodman showed what a good footballer he is at this level and - his goal aside - was a constant threat. Rodman has got his education out of the way before embarking on his career (see clipping below) and who is to say he won't go on to bigger and better things?
Holdsworth is certainly a big fan, is keen to keep hold of him and keep him out of the limelight for understandably selfish reasons. When I asked about the lad in the press conference he joked: "Tell everyone he is rubbish and that he only played because someone else was ill!"
And when Rovers pushed to get something out of the game, keeper Ross Worner managed to keep them out by saving with his feet in the dying minutes.
Worner may have been lucky to get away with clattering Matt Harrold in the box as well, although he told me the referee had felt the Rovers striker was as much to blame in the collision. I wasn't overly impressed with that decision or the referee's overall performance, but Aldershot also had a penalty appeal turned down and so maybe it was honours even on that score.
There are a few sides in this division who feel they 'should' be promoted. Their fans expect it. Rovers and the Gasheads are one example. There are others - often smaller clubs with smaller squads - who know it's an outside chance, but they are all in it together and may even end up upsetting the odds if they can steer clear of injuries. Who knows? Aldershot may be one of these.
My clipping from this morning's paper
Friday 16 September 2011
Gas looking for a Shot of confidence
Bristol Rovers take on Aldershot tomorrow at the Mem with manager Paul Buckle hoping that his side can build on Tuesday's win over Shrewsbury to get a little momentum going.
This will be my first trip to the Memorial Ground this season and Buckle has told the Bristol Evening Post: "Confidence plays a huge part and the win on Tuesday lifted everybody. We had felt hard done by in recent games, but we got our reward the other night. Now we have something to build on. We have only lost two league games and the table has become very tight."
We let ourselves down at Crawley by not defending our 18-yard box properly, but we did it at Bradford last weekend and we did it again on Tuesday. We looked strong and for all the ball Shrewsbury had, they never really hurt us. We have worked on clearing our lines.
Against Aldershot we have to try and get the first goal, because if we do that, teams have got to come at us and it leaves them susceptible on the break. Aldershot have just come off the back of a 2-0 away win and they will be confident. I think they will play open football and come to try and win the game."
The full report can be read here: http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/story-13342287-detail/story.html
Aldershot are only one point behind Rovers in the table, although at this stage of the season every team is within touching season of each other of course.
Current Shots's boss and former PFA chairman Dean Holdsworth is slowly making a name for himself in the world of football management and so despite the club's unfashionable label, Rovers need to treat this fixture with caution.
He steered Newport to promotion to the Conference National in 2010 and was then snapped up by relegation threatened Aldershot in January of this year. The club then lost only four games to move from 20th to the safety of a 14th place finish.
The former Crazy Gang member played nearly 200 games for Wimbledon as a striker and combined his post-playing, per-management days with a string of reality TV appearances. As Aldershot lie only just behind Rovers in the table and within spitting distance of the play-off places, he is unlikely to be 'voted off' by the Recreation Ground faithful just yet.
This will be my first trip to the Memorial Ground this season and Buckle has told the Bristol Evening Post: "Confidence plays a huge part and the win on Tuesday lifted everybody. We had felt hard done by in recent games, but we got our reward the other night. Now we have something to build on. We have only lost two league games and the table has become very tight."
We let ourselves down at Crawley by not defending our 18-yard box properly, but we did it at Bradford last weekend and we did it again on Tuesday. We looked strong and for all the ball Shrewsbury had, they never really hurt us. We have worked on clearing our lines.
Against Aldershot we have to try and get the first goal, because if we do that, teams have got to come at us and it leaves them susceptible on the break. Aldershot have just come off the back of a 2-0 away win and they will be confident. I think they will play open football and come to try and win the game."
The full report can be read here: http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/story-13342287-detail/story.html
Aldershot are only one point behind Rovers in the table, although at this stage of the season every team is within touching season of each other of course.
Current Shots's boss and former PFA chairman Dean Holdsworth is slowly making a name for himself in the world of football management and so despite the club's unfashionable label, Rovers need to treat this fixture with caution.
He steered Newport to promotion to the Conference National in 2010 and was then snapped up by relegation threatened Aldershot in January of this year. The club then lost only four games to move from 20th to the safety of a 14th place finish.
The former Crazy Gang member played nearly 200 games for Wimbledon as a striker and combined his post-playing, per-management days with a string of reality TV appearances. As Aldershot lie only just behind Rovers in the table and within spitting distance of the play-off places, he is unlikely to be 'voted off' by the Recreation Ground faithful just yet.
Apologies ...
... for the lack of a post yesterday, but I was travelling back from Belgrade and couldn't connect to the Internet as I was too busy buying my Duty Frees. Normal service will now be resumed :-)
Wednesday 14 September 2011
Midweek Round Up
Good results last night for Swindon, Oxford and Bristol Rovers last night while Cheltenham picked up a useful point and lead the charge of the local clubs in League Two.
Swindon boss Paolo di Canio watched his team put three goals past moneybags Crawley with one of his 15 summer signings - Algerian Mehdi Kerrouche - grabbing a brace as the tide continues to turn for the Wiltshire outfit. Alan Connell netted the Robins's other goal.
Oxford boss Chris Wilder blooded 17 year old loan striker Robert Hall in last night's win at Daggers and the West Ham kid rewarded his faith with his first senior goal to seal the win. Hall signed on Monday for one month and has already scored seven other times this season for the Hammers' development squad.
Chris Zebroski replaced Scott McGleish in the Bristol Rovers line up and repaid boss Paul Buckle's faith by scoring the only goal of the game as they beat Shrewsbury at the Mem. I make my first visit to Rovers on Saturday and so it will be interesting to report back on the mood around the place. From what I have heard, the Gas have been playing some decent football and didn't do too badly when I watched them lose to Wycombe in the League Cup recently.
Meanwhile Cheltenham were pegged back twice against Buckle's former club Torquay with Josh Low and Kaid Mohamed putting them ahead twice before the break and leaving them in the play-off places. However, without the point they would have been level with Rovers who currently sit in 12th place.
And that just about sums up where we are at this point of the season. A couple of wins can see you bounce from the relegation places to the edge of the play off positions - or vice versa. All the more reason for cool heads on terraces and the dressing room.
And I hope for Jamie Pitman's sake that there are cool heads in and about Edgar Street following Hereford's 0-2 home defeat to Aldershot. Reading some websites it would appear that the Bulls fans have had enough of the manager and comparisons are being made with Simon Davy who was sacked after a similarly poor start last season.
Finally, Wycombe also suffered as defeat in League One last night and have the same number of points - five - and also sit in the relegation zone. However, unlike Pitman, Gary Waddock still has the fans on his side and built up a substantial amount of goodwill during the club's promotion run last season and have been playing decent football even if the results have gone against them. I suspect that Waddock will stick to his guns and that he'll be rewarded with a run of wins before too long.
Swindon boss Paolo di Canio watched his team put three goals past moneybags Crawley with one of his 15 summer signings - Algerian Mehdi Kerrouche - grabbing a brace as the tide continues to turn for the Wiltshire outfit. Alan Connell netted the Robins's other goal.
Oxford boss Chris Wilder blooded 17 year old loan striker Robert Hall in last night's win at Daggers and the West Ham kid rewarded his faith with his first senior goal to seal the win. Hall signed on Monday for one month and has already scored seven other times this season for the Hammers' development squad.
Chris Zebroski replaced Scott McGleish in the Bristol Rovers line up and repaid boss Paul Buckle's faith by scoring the only goal of the game as they beat Shrewsbury at the Mem. I make my first visit to Rovers on Saturday and so it will be interesting to report back on the mood around the place. From what I have heard, the Gas have been playing some decent football and didn't do too badly when I watched them lose to Wycombe in the League Cup recently.
Meanwhile Cheltenham were pegged back twice against Buckle's former club Torquay with Josh Low and Kaid Mohamed putting them ahead twice before the break and leaving them in the play-off places. However, without the point they would have been level with Rovers who currently sit in 12th place.
And that just about sums up where we are at this point of the season. A couple of wins can see you bounce from the relegation places to the edge of the play off positions - or vice versa. All the more reason for cool heads on terraces and the dressing room.
And I hope for Jamie Pitman's sake that there are cool heads in and about Edgar Street following Hereford's 0-2 home defeat to Aldershot. Reading some websites it would appear that the Bulls fans have had enough of the manager and comparisons are being made with Simon Davy who was sacked after a similarly poor start last season.
Finally, Wycombe also suffered as defeat in League One last night and have the same number of points - five - and also sit in the relegation zone. However, unlike Pitman, Gary Waddock still has the fans on his side and built up a substantial amount of goodwill during the club's promotion run last season and have been playing decent football even if the results have gone against them. I suspect that Waddock will stick to his guns and that he'll be rewarded with a run of wins before too long.
Tuesday 13 September 2011
From Shepherd's Bush to Flushing Meadow via Belgrade
I started yesterday evening in The Three Carrots - an Irish Bar in Belgrade - to watch the QPR v Newcastle game and ended up watching Djokovic win the US Open in the family's bar "Novaks".
Given the time difference, the late hour the match finished, the feverish celebrations of the locals and the vast quantities of alcohol consumed in a selfless act designed to improve Serian-British relations, today's post will be a brief one.
Suffice to say that it was ultimately one of those few occasions when football took a back seat to tennis, although I was the only person in The Three Carrots watching the bore draw play out from Loftus Road while the first set was played in Flushing Meadow.
Normal service will be resumed tomorrow.
Given the time difference, the late hour the match finished, the feverish celebrations of the locals and the vast quantities of alcohol consumed in a selfless act designed to improve Serian-British relations, today's post will be a brief one.
Suffice to say that it was ultimately one of those few occasions when football took a back seat to tennis, although I was the only person in The Three Carrots watching the bore draw play out from Loftus Road while the first set was played in Flushing Meadow.
Normal service will be resumed tomorrow.
Monday 12 September 2011
Oxford United 2 Burton Albion 2
Paul Peschisolido was honest enough to admit he didn’t think that the penalty that triggered Burton’s fightback was clear cut, but was happy to take the point.
And so the Albion manager should be. Oxford blew this one and the players and coaching staff knew it when they came out to face the media at the end.
Boss Chris Wilder sent out assistant Mickey Lewis to face the music after locking the dressing room door for the best part of an hour. Presumably he was afraid he wouldn’t be able to keep a lid on his emotions, although I suspect he wasn’t quite so restrained once he’d turned the key in the lock!
Oxford looked classy until the penalty and then inexplicably seemed to lose self-belief and focus.
Whether Liam Davis actually took out winger Jacques Maghoma in the box or not in the 54th minute is a bit of a mute point because they were in so much control at that point that they should have shrugged it off and continued to dominate.
For the record I felt it was merely a coming together of the two players and neither should have been penalised, but I was at the far end of the stadium and so I’ll admit I couldn’t be totally sure.
As it was, they seemed to sit back and once Justin Richards had converted the spot kick and then added a deflected second from close range in the 66th minute, it looked as though the only winners would be the visitors.
In fact, when I spoke to him afterwards, Richards was kicking himself for not netting his hat trick two minutes after pulling Burton level.
Richards also revealed how much the hostility shown towards him by the home support really only served to spur him on. Richards spent a brief loan spell with Oxford a couple of years ago and the chants of “reject” did more to galvanise him than anything.
As an aside, I wonder sometimes whether there’s any point in goading opposition players as it always seems to backfire. Surely a gentle ripple of applause and a cry of “jolly well played sir” each time they get the ball is more likely to confuse them and put them off!
The scrap between Burton strikers Richards, Calvin Zola and Us central defensive duo was an interesting side show in this game and Richards told me afterwards that Dubes was still “a class act” and he’d “never had to work so hard”.
He told me that Duberry had “bought a foul” at one point in the game and then winked slyly at the Burton man. Richards then “bought one back” and told Duberry it was “now 1-1”.
Richards also said something quite interesting about Oxford. He said that they were a great footballing side and in the first half had been the best he had come up against for a while, but he also said they were a very quiet team and wondered whether they needed someone to bark out the orders on the pitch.
I put this to midfielder Peter Leven when he and Alfie Potter were released from the dressing room, dressing down and he admitted that while Oxford had “a nice group of lads and some very good footballers” they needed to start getting angry with each other on the pitch when it called for it.
Peter drew parallels with his time at MK Dons last season and said that there were times there when, again, it would have been useful to have had someone on the pitch who ruffled a few feathers. I guess it is better to identify this problem now and address it rather than work it out next February.
Ultimately this was a disappointing result for Oxford and Peschisolido said he didn’t think that too many sides would visit the Kassam this season and walk away with all three points. For that reason, he was more than happy with the point.
But it’s not all doom and gloom. Oxford DID play some smashing football, look like they could be on the verge of really clicking and, let’s face it, every team is going to learn harsh lessons about themselves as the season wears on.
And so the Albion manager should be. Oxford blew this one and the players and coaching staff knew it when they came out to face the media at the end.
Boss Chris Wilder sent out assistant Mickey Lewis to face the music after locking the dressing room door for the best part of an hour. Presumably he was afraid he wouldn’t be able to keep a lid on his emotions, although I suspect he wasn’t quite so restrained once he’d turned the key in the lock!
Oxford looked classy until the penalty and then inexplicably seemed to lose self-belief and focus.
Whether Liam Davis actually took out winger Jacques Maghoma in the box or not in the 54th minute is a bit of a mute point because they were in so much control at that point that they should have shrugged it off and continued to dominate.
For the record I felt it was merely a coming together of the two players and neither should have been penalised, but I was at the far end of the stadium and so I’ll admit I couldn’t be totally sure.
As it was, they seemed to sit back and once Justin Richards had converted the spot kick and then added a deflected second from close range in the 66th minute, it looked as though the only winners would be the visitors.
In fact, when I spoke to him afterwards, Richards was kicking himself for not netting his hat trick two minutes after pulling Burton level.
Richards also revealed how much the hostility shown towards him by the home support really only served to spur him on. Richards spent a brief loan spell with Oxford a couple of years ago and the chants of “reject” did more to galvanise him than anything.
As an aside, I wonder sometimes whether there’s any point in goading opposition players as it always seems to backfire. Surely a gentle ripple of applause and a cry of “jolly well played sir” each time they get the ball is more likely to confuse them and put them off!
The scrap between Burton strikers Richards, Calvin Zola and Us central defensive duo was an interesting side show in this game and Richards told me afterwards that Dubes was still “a class act” and he’d “never had to work so hard”.
He told me that Duberry had “bought a foul” at one point in the game and then winked slyly at the Burton man. Richards then “bought one back” and told Duberry it was “now 1-1”.
Richards also said something quite interesting about Oxford. He said that they were a great footballing side and in the first half had been the best he had come up against for a while, but he also said they were a very quiet team and wondered whether they needed someone to bark out the orders on the pitch.
I put this to midfielder Peter Leven when he and Alfie Potter were released from the dressing room, dressing down and he admitted that while Oxford had “a nice group of lads and some very good footballers” they needed to start getting angry with each other on the pitch when it called for it.
Peter drew parallels with his time at MK Dons last season and said that there were times there when, again, it would have been useful to have had someone on the pitch who ruffled a few feathers. I guess it is better to identify this problem now and address it rather than work it out next February.
Ultimately this was a disappointing result for Oxford and Peschisolido said he didn’t think that too many sides would visit the Kassam this season and walk away with all three points. For that reason, he was more than happy with the point.
But it’s not all doom and gloom. Oxford DID play some smashing football, look like they could be on the verge of really clicking and, let’s face it, every team is going to learn harsh lessons about themselves as the season wears on.
Friday 9 September 2011
Oxford v Burton
I'm going for a Burton tomorrow to watch them take on Oxford at the Kassam,
And manager Paul Peschisolido is looking for revenge after the Us did a demolition job on his side in the same fixture last term. The Canadian told the Derby Telegraph:
"They were probably the only team that properly steamrollered us for 90 minutes all season.
They are a strong, athletic side with two full-backs who like to bomb on and can score goals. They have a midfield who like to pass through you and two good strong strikers. So I think this game could be a good pointer for us, if we want to be challenging at all near the top this season.
We'll perhaps be a little more cautious than we were at home against Plymouth last week. The game plan will be different. I'm looking for a performance with a lot of energy – spoiling their game in midfield wherever we can, containing their passing. Our attacking players will have to be prepared to defend when we haven't got possession. Then, if we can contain their threats, we can be a threat too – we can be a force to be reckoned with."
And defender Ryan Austin, 26, recalled the defeat at the Kassam and told the Burton Mail:
"“We were disappointed. I think Mooro (Darren Moore) and Parkesy (Tom Parkes) got sent off there and they turned us over, so that’s something we’ll be looking to rectify this year, and there’s no reason why we should be scared on anyone this season.
We’ve beaten some of the so-called bigger names in the league so there’s no reason that we shouldn’t go to Oxford, in good form, and try and get a positive result. Last year we were perhaps in a little bit of a negative run, we were perhaps feeling sorry for ourselves a little bit because we were playing a million games a week, or so it seemed.
Oxford appear to have finally put to bed the speculation that has linked James Constable with several clubs recently, but unfortunately they will be without co-striker Jonathan Franks, 21, after the Boro loanee was ruled out for at least a month with a dislocated shoulder.
Arguably Constable would have been allowed to move on if it hadn't been for Franks injury, but he's one of those players who you know will commit to the cause no matter what his personal situation is. And he'll be up for another battle with Moore who - as Constable told me himself - gave him a wretched time in the reverse fixture (a draw) last season.
And manager Paul Peschisolido is looking for revenge after the Us did a demolition job on his side in the same fixture last term. The Canadian told the Derby Telegraph:
"They were probably the only team that properly steamrollered us for 90 minutes all season.
They are a strong, athletic side with two full-backs who like to bomb on and can score goals. They have a midfield who like to pass through you and two good strong strikers. So I think this game could be a good pointer for us, if we want to be challenging at all near the top this season.
We'll perhaps be a little more cautious than we were at home against Plymouth last week. The game plan will be different. I'm looking for a performance with a lot of energy – spoiling their game in midfield wherever we can, containing their passing. Our attacking players will have to be prepared to defend when we haven't got possession. Then, if we can contain their threats, we can be a threat too – we can be a force to be reckoned with."
And defender Ryan Austin, 26, recalled the defeat at the Kassam and told the Burton Mail:
"“We were disappointed. I think Mooro (Darren Moore) and Parkesy (Tom Parkes) got sent off there and they turned us over, so that’s something we’ll be looking to rectify this year, and there’s no reason why we should be scared on anyone this season.
We’ve beaten some of the so-called bigger names in the league so there’s no reason that we shouldn’t go to Oxford, in good form, and try and get a positive result. Last year we were perhaps in a little bit of a negative run, we were perhaps feeling sorry for ourselves a little bit because we were playing a million games a week, or so it seemed.
Oxford appear to have finally put to bed the speculation that has linked James Constable with several clubs recently, but unfortunately they will be without co-striker Jonathan Franks, 21, after the Boro loanee was ruled out for at least a month with a dislocated shoulder.
Arguably Constable would have been allowed to move on if it hadn't been for Franks injury, but he's one of those players who you know will commit to the cause no matter what his personal situation is. And he'll be up for another battle with Moore who - as Constable told me himself - gave him a wretched time in the reverse fixture (a draw) last season.
Thursday 8 September 2011
Who has most to gain from Twittering footballers ... and who loses?
On an almost daily basis more and more players are opening Twitter accounts and it is putting the fear of God into some, less less enlightened, people in the game.
Players (and ex-players) like Rio Ferdinand, Joey Barton and Robbie Savage have followers in the hundreds of thousands, if not millions, and it gives them an opportunity to talk directly to their fans ... or enemies in Robbie's case!
If you are a canny operator like Ferdinand, there is also the potential to generate revenue by providing links to your own website where you can sell products or carry advertising. And frankly I have no problem with that. He's putting the effort in and so good luck to him.
But there are club officials out there who have for years tried to control what their players say and who they say it to - whether it be by insisting on knowing what questions are to be asked before journalists put them, sanitising interviews via a club's web TV feed or, in at least one case that I know of, insisting the players use club mobiles so they can see who they've spoken to when they get the itemised bills!
In my lifetime (and I generalise here) I've seen media relations with players go from cordial, mutual respect - in a sense that everyone is playing a part in the same circus - to mistrust as money (in football) and sensationalism (in the media) take hold.
Before the advent of Twitter, increasing number of players were becoming media savvy, but in the process, actually saying less. Now social networking is becoming the norm, it seems as though a weight has been lifted from their shoulders. They're liberated and they feel can just be themselves. That's got to be a good thing for the fans - not to mention the players themselves.
The traditional media have little to worry about. On the contrary, in some cases it's another source of material. And anyway, a 140 character message doesn't compete directly with a newspaper article of a television feature. Fans will still want to hear, see or read more substantial interviews.
In a funny sort of way, Twitter is allowing the clock to be turned back as players feel that they no longer need give stock answers and can be themselves. It's refreshing and I'm all in favour of them asserting themselves. One of the nice things about what I do is getting to know players as human beings and Twitter allows fans to do this to a certain extent.
I'm just not sure that some club officials are feeling the same way though as some will believe they are losing the control they have enjoyed for so long.
Players (and ex-players) like Rio Ferdinand, Joey Barton and Robbie Savage have followers in the hundreds of thousands, if not millions, and it gives them an opportunity to talk directly to their fans ... or enemies in Robbie's case!
If you are a canny operator like Ferdinand, there is also the potential to generate revenue by providing links to your own website where you can sell products or carry advertising. And frankly I have no problem with that. He's putting the effort in and so good luck to him.
But there are club officials out there who have for years tried to control what their players say and who they say it to - whether it be by insisting on knowing what questions are to be asked before journalists put them, sanitising interviews via a club's web TV feed or, in at least one case that I know of, insisting the players use club mobiles so they can see who they've spoken to when they get the itemised bills!
In my lifetime (and I generalise here) I've seen media relations with players go from cordial, mutual respect - in a sense that everyone is playing a part in the same circus - to mistrust as money (in football) and sensationalism (in the media) take hold.
Before the advent of Twitter, increasing number of players were becoming media savvy, but in the process, actually saying less. Now social networking is becoming the norm, it seems as though a weight has been lifted from their shoulders. They're liberated and they feel can just be themselves. That's got to be a good thing for the fans - not to mention the players themselves.
The traditional media have little to worry about. On the contrary, in some cases it's another source of material. And anyway, a 140 character message doesn't compete directly with a newspaper article of a television feature. Fans will still want to hear, see or read more substantial interviews.
In a funny sort of way, Twitter is allowing the clock to be turned back as players feel that they no longer need give stock answers and can be themselves. It's refreshing and I'm all in favour of them asserting themselves. One of the nice things about what I do is getting to know players as human beings and Twitter allows fans to do this to a certain extent.
I'm just not sure that some club officials are feeling the same way though as some will believe they are losing the control they have enjoyed for so long.
Wednesday 7 September 2011
Wycombe Wanderers 3 Bristol Rovers 1
The last time I visited Adams Park a couple of weeks ago, there was a noticeable gulf in class between the Chairboys and the opposition - Championship outfit Nottingham Forest.
Forest won that League Cup tie quite convincingly, but in last night's Johnstone Paint Trophy clash with Bristol Rovers, Wycombe highlighted the difference between Leagues One and Two. There wasn't a massive gap between the two sides, but it was definitely there.
Manager Gary Waddock had the summer luxury of adding to a promotion winning side and even though no-one in the town is expecting too much from the team this season, he has cultivated a good spirit within the camp which will serve them well in the months ahead.
I asked Gary where the JPT stood in his list of priorities this season given that "with the best will in the world" Wycombe weren't going to win the FA Cup and his immediate retort was: "Why not?" Admittedly he had a slight grin on his face, but he pointed out that every game was important as each win bred confidence.
The great thing about listening and talking to Gary is that he is a pleasant guy seemingly full of self belief, but without any of the arrogance displayed by some managers. He appears relaxed and has a good sense of humour and I can't imagine him panicking - character traits which will serve him well when times get tough, as they inevitably will in the career he has chosen.
Waddock is in the early stages of his managerial career, but has already saved QPR from relegation in a caretaker capacity, won promotion from the Conference and the Conference League Cup with Aldershot, and despite failing to save Wycombe from relegation to League Two (after replacing Peter Taylor in October 2009) he brought them back up last season.
Wycombe appears to be a great club for young managers to be allowed time to develop their skills and has seen the likes of Martin O'Neill, Paul Lambert, John Gregory (Waddock's replacement at QPR) and Lawrie Sanchez move on to bigger and better things.
Only a fool would make a prediction about what the future will hold for Gary Waddock at this juncture. So here goes.
At 49 years old he still has a way to go, but I really do believe that he has the potential to make it at the very top. He appears to have the trust and respect of the media, the players, the fans and the club officials and no small amount of tactical nous to go with it. Expect to see his name in the frame for a top Championship club or a bottom half Premier League team at some point in the next two years.
Rovers manager Paul Buckle still has some work to do, but he has signed a decent bunch of players who, as Waddock said: "Will serve the club well once they gel and see them in the mix at the end of the season."
I agree. Rovers needed to be completely rebuilt following last season's relegation and when wholesale changes are made as they were at the Mem, its not often that everything clicks into place immediately.
Gasheads will need to have a little patience with Buckle and his boys in the coming weeks as he decides on his best side - and clears the treatment room. Once that happens, I'm sure that they'll tun things around.
Forest won that League Cup tie quite convincingly, but in last night's Johnstone Paint Trophy clash with Bristol Rovers, Wycombe highlighted the difference between Leagues One and Two. There wasn't a massive gap between the two sides, but it was definitely there.
Manager Gary Waddock had the summer luxury of adding to a promotion winning side and even though no-one in the town is expecting too much from the team this season, he has cultivated a good spirit within the camp which will serve them well in the months ahead.
I asked Gary where the JPT stood in his list of priorities this season given that "with the best will in the world" Wycombe weren't going to win the FA Cup and his immediate retort was: "Why not?" Admittedly he had a slight grin on his face, but he pointed out that every game was important as each win bred confidence.
The great thing about listening and talking to Gary is that he is a pleasant guy seemingly full of self belief, but without any of the arrogance displayed by some managers. He appears relaxed and has a good sense of humour and I can't imagine him panicking - character traits which will serve him well when times get tough, as they inevitably will in the career he has chosen.
Waddock is in the early stages of his managerial career, but has already saved QPR from relegation in a caretaker capacity, won promotion from the Conference and the Conference League Cup with Aldershot, and despite failing to save Wycombe from relegation to League Two (after replacing Peter Taylor in October 2009) he brought them back up last season.
Wycombe appears to be a great club for young managers to be allowed time to develop their skills and has seen the likes of Martin O'Neill, Paul Lambert, John Gregory (Waddock's replacement at QPR) and Lawrie Sanchez move on to bigger and better things.
Only a fool would make a prediction about what the future will hold for Gary Waddock at this juncture. So here goes.
At 49 years old he still has a way to go, but I really do believe that he has the potential to make it at the very top. He appears to have the trust and respect of the media, the players, the fans and the club officials and no small amount of tactical nous to go with it. Expect to see his name in the frame for a top Championship club or a bottom half Premier League team at some point in the next two years.
Rovers manager Paul Buckle still has some work to do, but he has signed a decent bunch of players who, as Waddock said: "Will serve the club well once they gel and see them in the mix at the end of the season."
I agree. Rovers needed to be completely rebuilt following last season's relegation and when wholesale changes are made as they were at the Mem, its not often that everything clicks into place immediately.
Gasheads will need to have a little patience with Buckle and his boys in the coming weeks as he decides on his best side - and clears the treatment room. Once that happens, I'm sure that they'll tun things around.
Tuesday 6 September 2011
Wycombe v Bristol Rovers - Putting a nice gloss on things
Wycombe take on Bristol Rovers in a Johnstone's Paint Trophy second round tie tonight at Adams Park with the winners due to face Cheltenham - and I'm looking forward to being back in the Press Box for the first time in a couple of weeks.
Both sides are looking to bounce back after poor recent results.
Wycombe have lost their last three games (two at home) while Rovers haven't won in open play in five - although they did sneak through on penalties in the League Cup tie against Watford.
Meawhile, Chairboys boss Gary Waddock is keen to show the sponsors some "respect", but understandably also wants to take a look at some of his squad players in action ad has said:
"I would like to give our young players some match time. With the (number of) league substitutes being cut down, you look at the cup games to give them a chance. But the rules are there and we will respect them.Other clubs will do what they think is best for them, but Bristol Rovers are a good team and we will respect them and we will have a strong team out."
Former Wycombe players Matt Harrold, Scott McGleish and Chris Zebroski* return to their former club tonight following a 4-1 weekend drubbing at Crawely and Harrold has told the local Bristol paper:
""I got an alright reception from their supporters when I went back there last season, but their away fans booed me when they came to Shrewsbury! It's all a bit of pantomime I suppose. We can't hide from the fact that Saturday wasn't good – they were the better team for pretty much the whole game. We saw Crawley on a good day and us on a bad one. We did look sluggish in comparison to them. We have had a lot of games and, although that's not an excuse, maybe it caught up with us.
I've been on the receiving end of beatings like that before and it's not nice, because everybody goes home with the hump. We were all in on Sunday and a few home truths were said. Everyone who follows the club had a bad weekend, and now we just have to put it behind us. Nobody is happy with how things went on Saturday, but we are only six games into the season and it's how you finish it rather than start it that matters."
Ten months ago, Rovers came out on top in a 6-3 thriller in the same competition, but since then the clubs have swapped divisions and Rovers now start as the League Two underdogs.
*Zebroski has picked up a knock and so is now doubtful.
Both sides are looking to bounce back after poor recent results.
Wycombe have lost their last three games (two at home) while Rovers haven't won in open play in five - although they did sneak through on penalties in the League Cup tie against Watford.
Meawhile, Chairboys boss Gary Waddock is keen to show the sponsors some "respect", but understandably also wants to take a look at some of his squad players in action ad has said:
"I would like to give our young players some match time. With the (number of) league substitutes being cut down, you look at the cup games to give them a chance. But the rules are there and we will respect them.Other clubs will do what they think is best for them, but Bristol Rovers are a good team and we will respect them and we will have a strong team out."
Former Wycombe players Matt Harrold, Scott McGleish and Chris Zebroski* return to their former club tonight following a 4-1 weekend drubbing at Crawely and Harrold has told the local Bristol paper:
""I got an alright reception from their supporters when I went back there last season, but their away fans booed me when they came to Shrewsbury! It's all a bit of pantomime I suppose. We can't hide from the fact that Saturday wasn't good – they were the better team for pretty much the whole game. We saw Crawley on a good day and us on a bad one. We did look sluggish in comparison to them. We have had a lot of games and, although that's not an excuse, maybe it caught up with us.
I've been on the receiving end of beatings like that before and it's not nice, because everybody goes home with the hump. We were all in on Sunday and a few home truths were said. Everyone who follows the club had a bad weekend, and now we just have to put it behind us. Nobody is happy with how things went on Saturday, but we are only six games into the season and it's how you finish it rather than start it that matters."
Ten months ago, Rovers came out on top in a 6-3 thriller in the same competition, but since then the clubs have swapped divisions and Rovers now start as the League Two underdogs.
*Zebroski has picked up a knock and so is now doubtful.
Monday 5 September 2011
Weekend Round Up
Good to see Swindon notch up a win against League Two leaders Rotherham on Saturday - and also Hereford pick up their first win of the season.
Everyone - including me I'll admit - wondered whether Swindon were about to implode following their recent run of defeats and manager Paolo di Canio's bust up with striker Leon Clarke, but great credit goes to the players for shrugging off the growing uncertainty to beat one of the division's fancied sides.
Rotherham had lost goal machine Adam Le Fondre just before the transfer deadline, but there is no excuse there for the Millers as his replacement - Alex Revell - came in and scored a brace himself.
Hopefully this will kick start Swindon's season, although I still have concerns over the unpredictable nature of di Canio's character and whether it is conducive to good man management.
There is also talk this morning that di Canio is set to sign another striker and defender when the loan window opens this week.
Bulls boss Jamie Pitman possesses a much more measured personality and I had hoped - and suspected - that the club would get their first three point haul before too much longer.
I'm sure that Pitman will have been delighted with the result against a Daggers side who had started the season in fine form themselves.
The results for Bristol Rovers and Oxford were not so good!
Rovers will be smarting after a 4-1 thumping by Crawley. The League Two new boys are making the most of their financial muscle as they go for back to back promotions, but credit to the players as they still need to find the net on the pitch no matter how good the club's bank balance looks. Rovers boss Paul Buckle will have been seething after seeing his team beaten so comprehensively though.
Oxford manager Chris Wilder won't be much happier either, although I suspect that a young Crewe - under Dario Gradi - will beat a few of the fancied sides this season ... while dropping points against some of the lesser fancied clubs.
Back in the UK now after my week in the Rio sun and now waiting to find out where I'll be next weekend. I'll keep you posted.
Everyone - including me I'll admit - wondered whether Swindon were about to implode following their recent run of defeats and manager Paolo di Canio's bust up with striker Leon Clarke, but great credit goes to the players for shrugging off the growing uncertainty to beat one of the division's fancied sides.
Rotherham had lost goal machine Adam Le Fondre just before the transfer deadline, but there is no excuse there for the Millers as his replacement - Alex Revell - came in and scored a brace himself.
Hopefully this will kick start Swindon's season, although I still have concerns over the unpredictable nature of di Canio's character and whether it is conducive to good man management.
There is also talk this morning that di Canio is set to sign another striker and defender when the loan window opens this week.
Bulls boss Jamie Pitman possesses a much more measured personality and I had hoped - and suspected - that the club would get their first three point haul before too much longer.
I'm sure that Pitman will have been delighted with the result against a Daggers side who had started the season in fine form themselves.
The results for Bristol Rovers and Oxford were not so good!
Rovers will be smarting after a 4-1 thumping by Crawley. The League Two new boys are making the most of their financial muscle as they go for back to back promotions, but credit to the players as they still need to find the net on the pitch no matter how good the club's bank balance looks. Rovers boss Paul Buckle will have been seething after seeing his team beaten so comprehensively though.
Oxford manager Chris Wilder won't be much happier either, although I suspect that a young Crewe - under Dario Gradi - will beat a few of the fancied sides this season ... while dropping points against some of the lesser fancied clubs.
Back in the UK now after my week in the Rio sun and now waiting to find out where I'll be next weekend. I'll keep you posted.
Friday 2 September 2011
On the way home today
As I'm coming back from Brazil today, I don't have time to write a proper post, but did share my hotel breakfast room near the Copacabana with some of the Fluminense club players and officials. Ther was, er, well okay I didn't recognise any of them, but then again none have thhem have played for Hereford.
Good luck to all of the local teams playing this weekend. Jeff
Good luck to all of the local teams playing this weekend. Jeff
Thursday 1 September 2011
So what news from the local clubs on transfer deadline day?
Better late than never!
As I'm still in South America and barely keeping myself sober, please forgive me if I've missed anything!
Bristol City have managed to hold on to Nicky Maynard and will now be hoping that they can get him to sign a new contract so that he is worth something rather than seeing him go n the summer for nowt. Either way, this is as good as a new signing for the Robins. Nicky is a proven goalscorer and has proved he is as good as his word – he always said he was happy at the club, maybe the board should make him a little happier now.
Manchester City youth product Ryan McGivern, 21, has also joined City on loan until the end of the season. The lad has already picked up 13 caps for Northern Ireland despite only turning out for the light blue City once. However, he does have leagu experience and has played on loan for Crystal Palace, Leicester, Walsall and Morecambe. It proved to be a good signed by manager Keith Millen especially as Jamie McAllister now looks set to be sidelined for around eight weeks with an ankle injury.
In League ONE, Wycombe pretty much kept btheir heads down yseterday. Manager Gary Waddock had already stated that his bbusiness was done for the summer and s it was merely a case of pulling the plug on the fax machine and turning off the mobiles to ensure no-one left.
It seems that Cheltenham and Mark Yates were in the same boat and, again, nothing much happened n Gloucestershire – no change there then :-) I suspect that Mark will be happy with that though.
No-one came in at Bristol Rover, but Paul Buckle has allowed midfielder Ben Swallow to go out on loan to neighbours Bath City. Not a bad move for either Ben or the club. Swallow is a bright prospect, but needs experience and Buckle has brought a few players in this summer and so an early Bath beats playing in the stiffs.
And striker Jo Kuffour looks to be on his way as soon as the emergency loan window opens next week. Buckle has been quoted as saying: "He's definitely in the departure lounge. It will have to be a loan now the window has closed, we were confident he would go yesterday but sometimes players are not willing to compromise.It's a very small market for Kuffour as he wants to go back to London. We've had interest from League One clubs around the country but he's not interested."
I can’t help but feel that Hereford fans might be sorry to see striker Stuart Fleetwood go to Luton and at the same time wonder whether it is a good move for the fella. You could argue that Luton are a bigger club than Hereford, but the Bulls are a league side whereas the Hatters seem to be stuck in the Blue Square and are not finding it easy to get back to where they undoubtably belong. Only time will tell on this one and Stuart’s a decent guy and I wish him well.
Oxford boss Chris Wilder has signed Jonathan Franks from Middlesboro’. Striker Franks, 21, has appeared for Boro on 28 occasions. He’s also represented England at U-16, 17, 18 and 19 levels.
Finally Swindon have let midfielder Michael Timlin join Southend until January which will allow him to get his career back n track and ensure that he isn’t assaulted by any deranged Italians.
Kevin Amankwaa has also left the club after being given a free transfer and so the former Bristol City and Swansea defender is a free agent and can sign for a new ooutfit at any time.
And it looks like striker Leon Clarke, who only joined the club from QPR 12 days ago, will be allowed to leave emergency loan window opens next week following his bust-up with manager Paolo Di Canio after Tuesday's game against Southampton.
Chairman Jeremy Wray told the local paper: "I have not had chance to speak to Leon but I have spoken to his agent and it has been agreed by everyone that a loan move elsewhere would be best for everyone."
Incredibly di Canio has admitted he was informed that Clarke wanted to leave the Robins on Sunday and is quoted as saying: “I thought during the night whether he did what he did because he wanted to make a big show to leave the club. After the game I discovered that two days before he had asked to leave. I didn’t know this before the game because I will never allow a player to wear a Swindon shirt who asks to leave."
The obvious question being: "Why didn't you know? You are the manager after all."
The more the Swindon saga builds, the more I feel that their fans deserve much better than all of this.
Despite everything, some Swindon fans are managing a good stab at gallows humour and I salute them. While the messageboards were full of gloom, one wag pointed out: “ … if you look close enough you can see a fight at the end of the tunnel ;-) “.
Sir, you are a true football fan and I salute you and your humour – that would be a regular salute by the way and not a di Canio style salute.
As I'm still in South America and barely keeping myself sober, please forgive me if I've missed anything!
Bristol City have managed to hold on to Nicky Maynard and will now be hoping that they can get him to sign a new contract so that he is worth something rather than seeing him go n the summer for nowt. Either way, this is as good as a new signing for the Robins. Nicky is a proven goalscorer and has proved he is as good as his word – he always said he was happy at the club, maybe the board should make him a little happier now.
Manchester City youth product Ryan McGivern, 21, has also joined City on loan until the end of the season. The lad has already picked up 13 caps for Northern Ireland despite only turning out for the light blue City once. However, he does have leagu experience and has played on loan for Crystal Palace, Leicester, Walsall and Morecambe. It proved to be a good signed by manager Keith Millen especially as Jamie McAllister now looks set to be sidelined for around eight weeks with an ankle injury.
In League ONE, Wycombe pretty much kept btheir heads down yseterday. Manager Gary Waddock had already stated that his bbusiness was done for the summer and s it was merely a case of pulling the plug on the fax machine and turning off the mobiles to ensure no-one left.
It seems that Cheltenham and Mark Yates were in the same boat and, again, nothing much happened n Gloucestershire – no change there then :-) I suspect that Mark will be happy with that though.
No-one came in at Bristol Rover, but Paul Buckle has allowed midfielder Ben Swallow to go out on loan to neighbours Bath City. Not a bad move for either Ben or the club. Swallow is a bright prospect, but needs experience and Buckle has brought a few players in this summer and so an early Bath beats playing in the stiffs.
And striker Jo Kuffour looks to be on his way as soon as the emergency loan window opens next week. Buckle has been quoted as saying: "He's definitely in the departure lounge. It will have to be a loan now the window has closed, we were confident he would go yesterday but sometimes players are not willing to compromise.It's a very small market for Kuffour as he wants to go back to London. We've had interest from League One clubs around the country but he's not interested."
I can’t help but feel that Hereford fans might be sorry to see striker Stuart Fleetwood go to Luton and at the same time wonder whether it is a good move for the fella. You could argue that Luton are a bigger club than Hereford, but the Bulls are a league side whereas the Hatters seem to be stuck in the Blue Square and are not finding it easy to get back to where they undoubtably belong. Only time will tell on this one and Stuart’s a decent guy and I wish him well.
Oxford boss Chris Wilder has signed Jonathan Franks from Middlesboro’. Striker Franks, 21, has appeared for Boro on 28 occasions. He’s also represented England at U-16, 17, 18 and 19 levels.
Finally Swindon have let midfielder Michael Timlin join Southend until January which will allow him to get his career back n track and ensure that he isn’t assaulted by any deranged Italians.
Kevin Amankwaa has also left the club after being given a free transfer and so the former Bristol City and Swansea defender is a free agent and can sign for a new ooutfit at any time.
And it looks like striker Leon Clarke, who only joined the club from QPR 12 days ago, will be allowed to leave emergency loan window opens next week following his bust-up with manager Paolo Di Canio after Tuesday's game against Southampton.
Chairman Jeremy Wray told the local paper: "I have not had chance to speak to Leon but I have spoken to his agent and it has been agreed by everyone that a loan move elsewhere would be best for everyone."
Incredibly di Canio has admitted he was informed that Clarke wanted to leave the Robins on Sunday and is quoted as saying: “I thought during the night whether he did what he did because he wanted to make a big show to leave the club. After the game I discovered that two days before he had asked to leave. I didn’t know this before the game because I will never allow a player to wear a Swindon shirt who asks to leave."
The obvious question being: "Why didn't you know? You are the manager after all."
The more the Swindon saga builds, the more I feel that their fans deserve much better than all of this.
Despite everything, some Swindon fans are managing a good stab at gallows humour and I salute them. While the messageboards were full of gloom, one wag pointed out: “ … if you look close enough you can see a fight at the end of the tunnel ;-) “.
Sir, you are a true football fan and I salute you and your humour – that would be a regular salute by the way and not a di Canio style salute.
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