Cheltenham fans might be spooked at the thought of relegation, but Paul Baker thinks the team will come good in the final furlong..
The Cotswold spa town is better known for GCHQ spies and horse racing, but club Chairman Baker has rallied his troops to make sure their survival odds are slashed before next month's Gold Cup.
Baker called a meeting of players and staff last Friday following the dismissal of manager Paul Buckle and the appointment of academy boss Russell Milton as caretaker boss. He revealed:
"I spoke to everyone at the training ground - the players, the coaching staff, the secretary, the stewards, the groundsman, the ticket and commercial people. The big issue I wanted to talk to them about was the consequences of relegation as it's a very serious situation.
"It would mean job losses, the end of the academy and the training ground. We'll possibly have to go part-time as we couldn't maintain those things on crowds of two thousand, but the focus now is to make sure we don't reach that point and the positive attitude shown by the players and the fans today showed we don't have to."
Despite losing to play-off chasing Bury and seeing the club slip into the relegation places, Baker said:
"There are about eight teams in our position and I bet none of them were applauded off by their fans this weekend like our team was. As a club we've spent the last sixteen years in the league scraping for what we have. We'll continue doing that now.
"Obviously we'd prefer to be mid-table or in the play-offs, but we're all up for the battle."
Former manager John Ward has been linked with a return to Whaddon Road, but Baker said:
"You could see the positive effect Russell had on the team. If he needs it, we may look to appoint an experienced Technical Director who can help him."
Mark Yates lasted five years at the Robins' helm, twice leading the Whaddon Road outfit to the promotion play-offs, but was sacked in November, ending the third longest managerial reign in the country - behind only Arsene Wenger and Exeter's Paul Tisdale - with Cheltenham 18th.
Less than two months later, with the club sliding to the brink of the drop zone after one win in thirteen games, Buckle was axed after just 79 days.
Milton played under current Bristol City boss Steve Cotterill when the club were first promoted to the League in 1999 and was a member of the squad that won promotion to what is now League One three years later. He said:
"I've been at the club for eighteen years now and feel the time is right for me to step up. I would have preferred to start with a win obviously, but I'm chuffed to get the job and even more pleased to see the spirit shown by the lads. There are definitely worse teams than us in this fight."
Baker also asked player-coach Steve Elliott back to the club to support Milton - only one week after he had been ditched by Buckle.
Central defender Elliott was given a round of applause by the squad on his return and is now working on a voluntary basis. He said:
"I saw what happened when my former club Bristol Rovers got relegated last season. A lot of very good people and friends of mine lost their jobs - that isn't happening here.
"I had always hoped to return to Cheltenham one day. I love the place, but even I was surprised to be back after one week.
"We have just had three tough games against top sides, but the next few are against teams in the same situation as us. If the boys show the same desire as they did against Bury, we'll do okay."
Birmingham loanee striker Denny Johnstone, 20, scored Cheltenham's 24th minute consolation before saying:
"I was brought up at Celtic where the emphasis was on technical ability, but in the position we're in we'll do whatever it takes to fight our way out of trouble. No one here wants a relegation on their CV - whether they are on loan or not. We're all in this together."
Meanwhile, sources close to Buckle say the former Bristol Rovers and Luton boss is disappointed he could not stop the rot at the Robins, but is looking at several options for jobs in English football rather than returning to the USA where wife Rebecca Lowe is an NBC sports presenter.
Bury raced to a two goal lead in seventeen minutes as they edged to within one point of the play-offs.
Danny Mayor opened the scoring before Danny Rose chested in the second, but boss David Flitcroft was especially pleased with skipper and central defender Nathan Cameron. He said:
"I'm delighted for the two lads who scored, but Nathan led an incredible second half performance. Crosses, long throws - he dealt with them all.
"He looks a different player from a year ago. He buzzes you up. You come in every day wanting to improve people and he's the person who gets better - better as a person, better as a football player. It's a double positive with that kid."
And Flitcroft sees teams like Cheltenham having a say in the promotion race. He said:
"The teams down at the bottom have got new managers and new impetuous and they are really having a go. They'll take points off the middle and top teams and that'll make it a fascinating run in."
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!
Monday, 16 February 2015
Sunday, 8 February 2015
Cheltenham Town 1 Burton Albion 3
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink saw his team take top spot and push Cheltenham closer to the trap door.
Albion have lost only once since Hasselbaink took over as manager in mid-November, but the former Chelsea striker said:
"For me it's now all about Wimbledon on Tuesday. We were very professional and that was very pleasing. We're always happy with three points, but we're taking each game as it comes."
Striker Stuart Beavon opened the scoring in the 21st minute with his fifth of the campaign.
Blackburn loaned winger Darragh Lenihan's low shot from the edge of the box was poorly cleared by Robins skipper Matt Taylor and Beavon hooked in a volley from fourteen yards.
Adam McGurk took advantage of a flat-footed defence to add the second in the 36th minute.
Fellow winger Lucas Akins crossed the ball from the right flank and it was flicked on by striker Jacob Blyth for McGurk to nod in unopposed for his fourth goal of the season.
Right back Phil Edwards made sure Burton's unbeaten run stretched to ten games four minutes after the break.
McGurk floated over a corner from left and Edwards found himself totally unmarked five yards out to cooly head in his fourth goal of the season.
Bristol City loanee Wes Burns scored a consolation goal in the 55th minute.
Debutant winger Burns darted into the area from the right and unleashed an unstoppable shot past keeper Jon McLaughlin from twelve yards.
Cheltenham boss Paul Buckle started with five transfer deadline day signings as he tried to arrest the club's slide and he said:
"To get out of trouble or be a top team you need to do your jobs and then a little bit more. At this stage if we finish third from bottom it'll be a successful season."
Albion have lost only once since Hasselbaink took over as manager in mid-November, but the former Chelsea striker said:
"For me it's now all about Wimbledon on Tuesday. We were very professional and that was very pleasing. We're always happy with three points, but we're taking each game as it comes."
Striker Stuart Beavon opened the scoring in the 21st minute with his fifth of the campaign.
Blackburn loaned winger Darragh Lenihan's low shot from the edge of the box was poorly cleared by Robins skipper Matt Taylor and Beavon hooked in a volley from fourteen yards.
Adam McGurk took advantage of a flat-footed defence to add the second in the 36th minute.
Fellow winger Lucas Akins crossed the ball from the right flank and it was flicked on by striker Jacob Blyth for McGurk to nod in unopposed for his fourth goal of the season.
Right back Phil Edwards made sure Burton's unbeaten run stretched to ten games four minutes after the break.
McGurk floated over a corner from left and Edwards found himself totally unmarked five yards out to cooly head in his fourth goal of the season.
Bristol City loanee Wes Burns scored a consolation goal in the 55th minute.
Debutant winger Burns darted into the area from the right and unleashed an unstoppable shot past keeper Jon McLaughlin from twelve yards.
Cheltenham boss Paul Buckle started with five transfer deadline day signings as he tried to arrest the club's slide and he said:
"To get out of trouble or be a top team you need to do your jobs and then a little bit more. At this stage if we finish third from bottom it'll be a successful season."
Walsall 1 Gillingham 1
Ashley Grimes scored a rare goal to keep the Saddlers dreams of a Wembley double on track.
Walsall set up a Johnstone's Paint Trophy final clash with Bristol City when they beat Preston last week and are only five points off the play-off places.
Substitute Grimes last found the net for Rochdale in April 2013, but grabbed a scrappy equaliser in the 75th minute.
Full back Andy Taylor's free kick caused chaos in the Gillingham box and Grimes pounced to net from two yards after a snap shot from central defender Paul Downing bounced off the chest of keeper Stuart Nelson.
Frustrated Walsall manager Dean Smith admitted: "I'm disappointed a wee bit. We were well on top in the first half and then it got sloppy. You have to credit their keeper though. We worked him."
Bradley Dack had opened the scoring six minutes earlier as the Gills made a rare venture forward.
Central defender John Egan picked Dack out with a long ball forward and the midfielder raced into the area before nutmegging keeper Richard O'Donnell for his sixth goal of the campaign.
Gillingham are now unbeaten in three league games under caretaker boss Andy Hessenthaler and assistant Darren Hare said: "Good runs are all about self belief and confidence. We now have a very noisy dressing room. The players have worked hard recently and deserve a lot of credit."
Nelson had to stay alert in the first fifteen minutes to keep out long range efforts from strikers Romaine Sawyers and Tom Bradshaw and a curling twenty yard free kick from Taylor.
In the sixteenth minute Walsall peppered Nelson's goal and he was forced to claw away a stinging shot from Taylor and gather a Bradshaw header before midfielder Josh Pritchard helped him out by clearing a twelve yard effort from midfielder Michael Cain off the line.
In the second period Walsall picked up where they left off and Nelson was forced to save from Egan after he turned winger Anthony Forde's low cross towards his own goal.
Bradshaw blew a great chance to put Walsall ahead ten minutes before Dack's winner when he scuffed a shot wide from fourteen yards with only Nelson to beat.
Walsall set up a Johnstone's Paint Trophy final clash with Bristol City when they beat Preston last week and are only five points off the play-off places.
Substitute Grimes last found the net for Rochdale in April 2013, but grabbed a scrappy equaliser in the 75th minute.
Full back Andy Taylor's free kick caused chaos in the Gillingham box and Grimes pounced to net from two yards after a snap shot from central defender Paul Downing bounced off the chest of keeper Stuart Nelson.
Frustrated Walsall manager Dean Smith admitted: "I'm disappointed a wee bit. We were well on top in the first half and then it got sloppy. You have to credit their keeper though. We worked him."
Bradley Dack had opened the scoring six minutes earlier as the Gills made a rare venture forward.
Central defender John Egan picked Dack out with a long ball forward and the midfielder raced into the area before nutmegging keeper Richard O'Donnell for his sixth goal of the campaign.
Gillingham are now unbeaten in three league games under caretaker boss Andy Hessenthaler and assistant Darren Hare said: "Good runs are all about self belief and confidence. We now have a very noisy dressing room. The players have worked hard recently and deserve a lot of credit."
Nelson had to stay alert in the first fifteen minutes to keep out long range efforts from strikers Romaine Sawyers and Tom Bradshaw and a curling twenty yard free kick from Taylor.
In the sixteenth minute Walsall peppered Nelson's goal and he was forced to claw away a stinging shot from Taylor and gather a Bradshaw header before midfielder Josh Pritchard helped him out by clearing a twelve yard effort from midfielder Michael Cain off the line.
In the second period Walsall picked up where they left off and Nelson was forced to save from Egan after he turned winger Anthony Forde's low cross towards his own goal.
Bradshaw blew a great chance to put Walsall ahead ten minutes before Dack's winner when he scuffed a shot wide from fourteen yards with only Nelson to beat.
Cheltenham Town 1 Luton Town 1 (old reports - catch up)
Kevin Stewart is backing a 'little rat' to lift Cheltenham up the table.
Midfielder Stewart, 21, watched fellow Liverpool loanee Jack Dunn tee up local lad Zach Kotwica for the opener before revealing:
"We call Dunny the little rat. He gets everywhere and he's a real goal poacher. He's similar to Michael Owen in the way he plays. He's either 'little rat' or 'pocket rocket'.
Stewart, Dunn, 20, and defender Lloyd Jones, 19, have helped the Robins to five points from the last four games since being brought in by boss Paul Buckle on loan from the Premier League club.
And the Anfield outfit and one of their all time greats are keeping a close eye on the highly rated rookies. Stewart explained:
"We text and talk on the phone after games and a few times each week and get little pointers. Steve McManaman also called and told me he's there if I ever need advice which is great."
Striker Shaun Whalley, 27, grabbed the equaliser for the promotion chasing Hatters and said:
"We're still in the chasing pack. There's always been a winning mentality at the club and most of that is down to the gaffer. He's a real straight talker and a great motivator.
"We came looking for a win, but it was a fair result. We don't shirk away from a battle which is what we got."
Luton manager John Still has been linked with a transfer window move for two players including 33-year-old former England striker Andrew Johnson, but said:
"We’re hoping in the next day or two that we might find a way forward with one or both of them. They’ve got to be the right ones."
Buckle said:
"It's good to be disappointed not to have won against a team like Luton."
Midfielder Stewart, 21, watched fellow Liverpool loanee Jack Dunn tee up local lad Zach Kotwica for the opener before revealing:
"We call Dunny the little rat. He gets everywhere and he's a real goal poacher. He's similar to Michael Owen in the way he plays. He's either 'little rat' or 'pocket rocket'.
Stewart, Dunn, 20, and defender Lloyd Jones, 19, have helped the Robins to five points from the last four games since being brought in by boss Paul Buckle on loan from the Premier League club.
And the Anfield outfit and one of their all time greats are keeping a close eye on the highly rated rookies. Stewart explained:
"We text and talk on the phone after games and a few times each week and get little pointers. Steve McManaman also called and told me he's there if I ever need advice which is great."
Striker Shaun Whalley, 27, grabbed the equaliser for the promotion chasing Hatters and said:
"We're still in the chasing pack. There's always been a winning mentality at the club and most of that is down to the gaffer. He's a real straight talker and a great motivator.
"We came looking for a win, but it was a fair result. We don't shirk away from a battle which is what we got."
Luton manager John Still has been linked with a transfer window move for two players including 33-year-old former England striker Andrew Johnson, but said:
"We’re hoping in the next day or two that we might find a way forward with one or both of them. They’ve got to be the right ones."
Buckle said:
"It's good to be disappointed not to have won against a team like Luton."
Oxford United 2 Southend United 3 (old reports - catch up)
Phil Brown was given a rough ride by Oxford fans before being rescued by an Eastenders cabbie.
Southend boss Brown reacted to abuse given to him by the home support and was then sent to sit WITH them by referee Christopher Sarginson where the hostility continued until actor, comedian and Shrimpers fanatic Terry Alderton offered him a place in his box.
Alderton, 44, played Eastenders cab driver Terry Spraggan in the soap, but was on Southend's books as a youngster and was signed as emergency cover during a goalkeeping crisis by former manager Steve Tilson in 2004. He said:
"Phil got sent to the stands and he's sitting there like a naughty schoolboy surrounded by their fans, so I went all tribal and shouted 'come up here Phil'.
"He was so blind with rage or panic, or just didn't know who I was, so I just waved my Southend hat so he could see I was friendly.
"It was funny just watching him for the last few minutes living every moment and kicking every ball as we clung on. Having him there was like watching Frank Bruno on the ropes just getting battered and you're thinking, 'hang on Frank, just hang on in there'.
"I follow them everywhere and it was exciting all round for me as a fan. Very dramatic and I half expected the Eastenders theme tune to kick in at the end.
"I've now got to go and do a charity gig in Oxford so maybe I'll get abuse as well!"
Former Hull chief Brown was furious with fourth official Gary Muge and revealed:
"He forced the referee's hand, but what happened was so, so wrong.
"I was sent up to the stand and I was as nervous as hell up there because I was getting abused again, it wasn't safe.
"It was bang out of order. The game's got it wrong when a supporter can give you abuse, if you're not allowed to at least respond to it. And I've not abused anybody.
"The fourth official was after me all game because I was six inches over the line in my technical area."
Brown's dismissal came shortly after substitute Barry Corr's 82nd minute winner. Striker Corr, 29, admitted:
"I scuffed it, but I'm happy with that. I've played here four times and scored four goals. I also get to go and see my kids who only live twenty minutes away. I normally only get to see them twice each week and it's a two and a half hour drive, so that will cap a perfect day."
Midfielder Callum O'Dowda gave Oxford the lead and David Worrall equalised before Southend midfielder Gary Deegan was dismissed by Sarginson after picking up a second booking in the 34th minute.
Rookie defender Sam Long put the Us ahead just before the break with his first senior goal, but Charlton loanee striker Joe Piggot levelled again two minutes into the second half.
Honest Oxford skipper Jake Wright called on Oxford's fans to blame him and not manager Michael Appleton for the defeat. Central defender Wright, 28, said:
"The manager's picking the right team, but if individuals like me make mistakes, there's not much he can do. I apologised to everyone at the end and owned up. I could've done better for all three goals and it's definitely ruined my weekend."
Appleton said:
"This is a real low point for me. Some of our senior players had a bad day today, but we've got to take responsibility as a unit and as a group."
Southend boss Brown reacted to abuse given to him by the home support and was then sent to sit WITH them by referee Christopher Sarginson where the hostility continued until actor, comedian and Shrimpers fanatic Terry Alderton offered him a place in his box.
Alderton, 44, played Eastenders cab driver Terry Spraggan in the soap, but was on Southend's books as a youngster and was signed as emergency cover during a goalkeeping crisis by former manager Steve Tilson in 2004. He said:
"Phil got sent to the stands and he's sitting there like a naughty schoolboy surrounded by their fans, so I went all tribal and shouted 'come up here Phil'.
"He was so blind with rage or panic, or just didn't know who I was, so I just waved my Southend hat so he could see I was friendly.
"It was funny just watching him for the last few minutes living every moment and kicking every ball as we clung on. Having him there was like watching Frank Bruno on the ropes just getting battered and you're thinking, 'hang on Frank, just hang on in there'.
"I follow them everywhere and it was exciting all round for me as a fan. Very dramatic and I half expected the Eastenders theme tune to kick in at the end.
"I've now got to go and do a charity gig in Oxford so maybe I'll get abuse as well!"
Former Hull chief Brown was furious with fourth official Gary Muge and revealed:
"He forced the referee's hand, but what happened was so, so wrong.
"I was sent up to the stand and I was as nervous as hell up there because I was getting abused again, it wasn't safe.
"It was bang out of order. The game's got it wrong when a supporter can give you abuse, if you're not allowed to at least respond to it. And I've not abused anybody.
"The fourth official was after me all game because I was six inches over the line in my technical area."
Brown's dismissal came shortly after substitute Barry Corr's 82nd minute winner. Striker Corr, 29, admitted:
"I scuffed it, but I'm happy with that. I've played here four times and scored four goals. I also get to go and see my kids who only live twenty minutes away. I normally only get to see them twice each week and it's a two and a half hour drive, so that will cap a perfect day."
Midfielder Callum O'Dowda gave Oxford the lead and David Worrall equalised before Southend midfielder Gary Deegan was dismissed by Sarginson after picking up a second booking in the 34th minute.
Rookie defender Sam Long put the Us ahead just before the break with his first senior goal, but Charlton loanee striker Joe Piggot levelled again two minutes into the second half.
Honest Oxford skipper Jake Wright called on Oxford's fans to blame him and not manager Michael Appleton for the defeat. Central defender Wright, 28, said:
"The manager's picking the right team, but if individuals like me make mistakes, there's not much he can do. I apologised to everyone at the end and owned up. I could've done better for all three goals and it's definitely ruined my weekend."
Appleton said:
"This is a real low point for me. Some of our senior players had a bad day today, but we've got to take responsibility as a unit and as a group."
Oxford United 2 Southend United 3 (updating old reports)
Barry Corr gave gutsy ten-man Southend the win, but Phil Brown also saw red before blasting the officials.
Substitute Corr stroked in Ben Coker's cross from eight yards for his his sixth goal of the season in the 83rd minute, but Brown was sent to the stands one minute later after reacting to abuse from the home support.
Angry Shrimpers boss Brown fumed:
"With Nigel Pearson getting done for what he did I think it's almost given the supporter the licence to slag me off when I'm standing there and I can't retort. And for the fourth official to get involved, do me a favour. It's an absolute embarrassment. The referee's hand was forced and I was put in the stand with the very people who were abusing me."
Substitute Corr stroked in Ben Coker's cross from eight yards for his his sixth goal of the season in the 83rd minute, but Brown was sent to the stands one minute later after reacting to abuse from the home support.
Angry Shrimpers boss Brown fumed:
"With Nigel Pearson getting done for what he did I think it's almost given the supporter the licence to slag me off when I'm standing there and I can't retort. And for the fourth official to get involved, do me a favour. It's an absolute embarrassment. The referee's hand was forced and I was put in the stand with the very people who were abusing me."
Brown continued:
"I was getting abused in no uncertain terms and I replied to the abuse and the fourth official said I'm not allowed to do things like that. I said 'Do things like what?' and he hadn't a quote for me and he said it was some sort of signal to the supporter. He's got it so wrong, he absolutely has got it so wrong and and he's forced the referee's hand and he's put me in the stand.
"Now there's no facility for a manager so I'm sitting with the supporters who've been abusing me and that is not safe. And then I got rescued by a Southend supporter who's from Eastenders. I'm sitting in a box with him and I was as nervous as hell in with the supporters.
"The game's got it wrong. It's got it wrong. When a supporter can give you abuse.
"Oxford United have got good supporters, I believe that and the ones around the touch line and the dugout in particular have got to hold their abuse for want of a better word. It's abuse, end of story and if we're not allowed to protect ourselves, the game's going the wrong way.
"I'll stand hand on a bible if necessary in a court of law - I've not abused anybody. It's provocation.
"I have to conduct myself in the right way. Supporters can get together and conjure up a story if they want to, but the fourth official is bang out of order. And I mean bang out of order.
"If I'm going to get fined for that then fine me, but he's bang out of order for what he did. He was after me for the majority of the game because I was maybe six inches, a yard, half a yard, six inches - he kept on about the white line in front of me. I'm not saying 'get a life' or anything like that because they've got a difficult job, but the fourth official's bang out of order and needs to take a long hard look at himself for forcing the referee's hand to send me to the stands for something as trivial as what's happened. And it was provoked by the supporter."
Midfielder Callum O'Dowda had put Oxford ahead in the thirteenth minute with his second of the campaign after Danny Hylton combined with co-striker Will Hoskins to give him space to slide a low shot past helpless keeper Daniel Bentley.
Southend replied twelve minutes later when winger David Worrall found himself unmarked six yards in front of goal and nodded in a cross from left back Coker for his fifth goal of the season.
In the 34th minute when midfielder Gary Deegan rashly scythed down opposite number Michael Collins to earn a second yellow card and defender Sam Long took advantage on the stroke of half time when he met O'Dowda's right wing corner to bury a bullet header from six yards.
Striker Joe Pigott equalised three minutes into the second half with a diving header from four yards to convert another Coker cross.
Disappointed Oxford manager Michael Appleton said:
"We got ourselves into a winning position, made positive changes and then gave away a sloppy goal after half time."
"I was getting abused in no uncertain terms and I replied to the abuse and the fourth official said I'm not allowed to do things like that. I said 'Do things like what?' and he hadn't a quote for me and he said it was some sort of signal to the supporter. He's got it so wrong, he absolutely has got it so wrong and and he's forced the referee's hand and he's put me in the stand.
"Now there's no facility for a manager so I'm sitting with the supporters who've been abusing me and that is not safe. And then I got rescued by a Southend supporter who's from Eastenders. I'm sitting in a box with him and I was as nervous as hell in with the supporters.
"The game's got it wrong. It's got it wrong. When a supporter can give you abuse.
"Oxford United have got good supporters, I believe that and the ones around the touch line and the dugout in particular have got to hold their abuse for want of a better word. It's abuse, end of story and if we're not allowed to protect ourselves, the game's going the wrong way.
"I'll stand hand on a bible if necessary in a court of law - I've not abused anybody. It's provocation.
"I have to conduct myself in the right way. Supporters can get together and conjure up a story if they want to, but the fourth official is bang out of order. And I mean bang out of order.
"If I'm going to get fined for that then fine me, but he's bang out of order for what he did. He was after me for the majority of the game because I was maybe six inches, a yard, half a yard, six inches - he kept on about the white line in front of me. I'm not saying 'get a life' or anything like that because they've got a difficult job, but the fourth official's bang out of order and needs to take a long hard look at himself for forcing the referee's hand to send me to the stands for something as trivial as what's happened. And it was provoked by the supporter."
Midfielder Callum O'Dowda had put Oxford ahead in the thirteenth minute with his second of the campaign after Danny Hylton combined with co-striker Will Hoskins to give him space to slide a low shot past helpless keeper Daniel Bentley.
Southend replied twelve minutes later when winger David Worrall found himself unmarked six yards in front of goal and nodded in a cross from left back Coker for his fifth goal of the season.
In the 34th minute when midfielder Gary Deegan rashly scythed down opposite number Michael Collins to earn a second yellow card and defender Sam Long took advantage on the stroke of half time when he met O'Dowda's right wing corner to bury a bullet header from six yards.
Striker Joe Pigott equalised three minutes into the second half with a diving header from four yards to convert another Coker cross.
Disappointed Oxford manager Michael Appleton said:
"We got ourselves into a winning position, made positive changes and then gave away a sloppy goal after half time."
Bristol City 4 Notts County 0 (old reports - catch up)
Joe Bryan helped City to top spot and sent a message to the chasing pack: Catch us if you can.
Winger Bryan, 21, opened the scoring as the Robins ripped County apart before saying:
"It puts the onus back on Swindon and two other teams dropped points so we just need to keep doing what we're doing.
"We don't need to focus on the other teams. We know we're good enough to see out the season and keep winning."
Striker Matt Smith, 25, added the second - his ninth in five games - before revealing he would like to extend his loan deal from Fulham. He said:
"I'm really enjoying it. They're a brilliant set of lads and the manager's been great with me. I'd like to stay, but I genuinely don't know what's going to happen. It's up to Fulham. It's their prerogative. If they want me back, I have to go back."
Full back Derrick Williams, 21, wrapped up the rout after man-of-the-match striker Jay Emmanuel-Thomas had added a third.
Emmanuel-Thomas has warmed the bench for most of the campaign, but Williams said:
"When he's on his game, he's pretty much unstoppable and I'm happy for him. He hasn't had the easiest of seasons, but now he's back on track."
Robins boss Steve Cotterill revealed the attention he is getting from the Ashton Gate faithful is making him blush. He said:
"When they sing my name I have a little bit of banter and say they're not singing it loud enough. I keep it going and it keeps the buoyancy going around the ground, but it's a bit embarrassing really. If they want to sing someone else's name I'd be happy with that as well."
County chief Shaun Derry admitted:
"We were left wanting a little bit at times."
Winger Bryan, 21, opened the scoring as the Robins ripped County apart before saying:
"It puts the onus back on Swindon and two other teams dropped points so we just need to keep doing what we're doing.
"We don't need to focus on the other teams. We know we're good enough to see out the season and keep winning."
Striker Matt Smith, 25, added the second - his ninth in five games - before revealing he would like to extend his loan deal from Fulham. He said:
"I'm really enjoying it. They're a brilliant set of lads and the manager's been great with me. I'd like to stay, but I genuinely don't know what's going to happen. It's up to Fulham. It's their prerogative. If they want me back, I have to go back."
Full back Derrick Williams, 21, wrapped up the rout after man-of-the-match striker Jay Emmanuel-Thomas had added a third.
Emmanuel-Thomas has warmed the bench for most of the campaign, but Williams said:
"When he's on his game, he's pretty much unstoppable and I'm happy for him. He hasn't had the easiest of seasons, but now he's back on track."
Robins boss Steve Cotterill revealed the attention he is getting from the Ashton Gate faithful is making him blush. He said:
"When they sing my name I have a little bit of banter and say they're not singing it loud enough. I keep it going and it keeps the buoyancy going around the ground, but it's a bit embarrassing really. If they want to sing someone else's name I'd be happy with that as well."
County chief Shaun Derry admitted:
"We were left wanting a little bit at times."
Sunday, 4 January 2015
Who's really out of Toon?
Newcastle fans seem to sum up a change in the mindset of football fans across the land in recent years. A noticeable shift from passion to outright bitterness. A move from support to hostile attack on their own clubs and representatives both on and off the field of play.
It could be that in a world that depends increasingly on electronic or virtual communication, people now see little difference in venting their frustration at the TV or via online outlets and spewing hatred in the faces other human beings.
The Geordies are a case in point as the club continues to underachieve. Some of them are even cheering on Rangers as they try to get back into the Scottish Premier League - the sooner that happens, the sooner owner Mike Ashley is likely to sell up and ship out.
But will that ultimately benefit the Magpies? And is their current plight all down to Ashley? Should those fans take a long look at their own behaviour and ask what sort of negative contribution they've made themselves?
Ashley (via a club statement) stated earlier this season that he has no intention of selling the Tyneside outfit for at least two years. The statement read:
“The truth is Mike Ashley remains committed to Newcastle United. For the avoidance of doubt, this means that for the remainder of this season and at least until the end of next season, Mike Ashley will not, under any circumstances, sell Newcastle United at any price. The club cannot be stronger in stating its position on this matter.”
Coincidentally The Gers should be back in the Scottish Premiership by then. They may have problems at the moment (and over-turning the thirteen point lead promotion favourites Hearts have over them is a massive one), but assuming they can keep their financial heads above water, there is no doubt they can again become the sort of cash cow Ashley loves.
Imagine it. One other major rival for the title and the two domestic cup competitions each year. Guaranteed Champions League pay-outs every season and a home support that are every bit as loyal and nutty as the mugs on Tyneside ... oh, and a chance to start again in an industry in which he has developed experience and understands a little better.
Newcastle is a cash cow itself of course.
More than 50,000 turn up at St. James' Park and while they are in the Premier League the money will continue to roll in. All Ashley has to do is ensure the club's status in the top flight by buying players of sufficient quality to stay there.
There is also the odd possibility of improving the balance sheet by selling on staff who exceed expectations. 'Staff' because it's not just selling players like Andy Carroll or Yohan Cabaye that add to the coffers - the compensation paid for the services of long-suffering manager Alan Pardew won't have done any harm either.
Palace have reportedly shelled out in excess of two million quid for Pardew, although Ashley might well feel it's not enough - given that he now finds himself on the front line again as his former manager had been taking a lot of the vitriol that would have otherwise been directed at him.
And maybe it's the abuse he received from the Toon Army that is the root cause of the owner's seeming lack of desire to win things.
Ashley famously started his tenure standing in the Gallowgate and downed pints in local pubs with the fans, naively believing he could be one of the them.
Owners and directors of professional football clubs can never take on that mantle.
As soon as things go awry - as they inevitably will for every team at some stage - the punters look for someone to blame and the suits from the boardroom are usually next in line to be targeted after the manager.
Pardew himself cited unacceptable abuse aimed at his family during a lengthy losing streak this season and if anyone believes that sort of treatment can be easily shrugged off and forgotten, they are fooling only themselves.
Who among us would shake the hand of someone who had spat venom at our loved ones? Family comes first for all of us surely?
The feelings of those particular Newcastle fans certainly won't have registered with Pardew when Palace came calling and they may also have soured his feelings towards the vast majority of the club's support.
Maybe it's a similar situation for Ashley.
Having spent over one hundred million pounds bailing the club out and getting it onto a sound final footing, the fans turned on him because the team wasn't living up to expectations.
Expectations of what?
Newcastle have been one of - if not THE - biggest underachieving clubs in English football since the mid-1950s. One 'real' trophy in 1969 when they won the Inter City Fairs Cup - the weaker (if you can believe it) fore-runner to the UEFA Cup.
So again; expectations of what?
Coming second in the Premier League as they did under Kevin Keegan and Kenny Dalglish in successive seasons in the nineties? Losing the four FA Cup finals or the one League Cup final they have appeared in since that 'heady' European win in 1969?
Don't misunderstand. If the Toon actually won something, there will be one hell of a wonderful party and they'll drink the city dry. It would be great to see that happen, but have they hindered their own success to a certain extent?
Ashley may well have been in it for the long term when he took over. He may have been thinking logically about building for the future. Unfortunately football fans are merely a microcosm of the rest of society - a society that expects instant gratification - and when you mix malice and vitriol to unrealistic, immediate expectation and serve it up to men like Ashley, don't expect sweetness and light in return.
The Sports Direct chief may not be able to walk away as easily as Pardew, but he has a history of serving up cold dishes to business rivals and this is what the Toon Army may have been feasting on and might continue to munch on for some time yet.
And will the players themselves fancy rising to the challenge of Premier League games after facing the hostility thrown their way following Saturday's FA Cup exit at Leicester? The club is still thirteen points from avoiding relegation if the forty point benchmark is to be used.
Mike Ashley knows how to make money, of that there is little doubt. He has a dazzling reputation in the City for turning tat into gold and knows his own worth, but he may well have lost any interest in turning football's pig's ear into a silk purse.
Mismanagement of Newcastle from the boardroom and selling supporters short is a tradition and has been since Wor Jackie Milburn hung up his boots. In fact even the great Milburn (a loyal Newcastle legend who has arguably done more for the Toon than any other man) advised his young nephew Bobby Charlton to give the club a body swerve!
How things could have been so different if Milburn had persuaded the Charlton boys to pull on the black and white stripes. But Milburn was no mug and he too put his family first.
A long line of club custodians have been happy to pick the pockets of the faithful and misguided supporters while offering little in return. Only Sir John Hall (in tandem with Keegan) showed what the club is capable of achieving - his son was the polar opposite of his father and Ashley in a business sense.
So why should Ashley be any different to those who preceded him? Especially if he feels his initial 'generosity' was thrown back in his face.
The Toon Army might be eagerly anticipating the day Ashley sells up and buys Rangers, but they should be careful what they wish for as he may not have their best interests at heart given the way he feels they have treated him and - more importantly - his family.
Who knows? If he sells the club to people with the financial acumen and ability of the characters who ran Portsmouth and Leeds into the ground, the Geordie faithful may just look enviously to regular Champions League football in Glasgow and wonder what could have been if they had been a little less hostile.
Walsall 0 Coventry City 2
Jim O'Brien was Captain Fantastic as he scored a belter before setting up another to seal a derby win.
Skipper O'Brien scored his fourth goal of the season with a screamer in the sixth minute when he fired in from 25 yards shot to the right of the area past helpless keeper Richard O'Donnell and into the far top corner.
O'Donnell was a Saddlers hero for less than one minute before O'Brien's stunning opener.
Winger O'Brien was sent sprawling in the box by back-tracking striker Romaine Sawyers, but O'Donnell saved Marcus Tudgay's penalty with his feet.
But Tudgay made amends in the 87th minute when he sealed the win by heading O'Brien's corner past a static Walsall defence from ten yards for his first Sky Blue's goal since joining the club from Nottingham Forest in the summer.
Delighted Coventry boss Steven Pressley was delighted said:
"The mentality of the group was outstanding. It wasn't just a great performance, it was a wonderful result and both sides played with a real intensity."
Skipper O'Brien turned defender in the tenth minute to deflect a twenty yard shot from opposite number James Baxendale safely into the arms of stopper Ryan Allsop.
And within one minute Allsop did well to save a 22 yard free kick from winger Andy Forde at the base of his right post.
Allsop produced two great saves within seconds of each other in the 52nd minute when he beat away Baxendale's low shot from the edge of the box before getting up to block striker Tom Bradshaw's attempt to turn in the rebound.
Furious Walsall manager Dean Smith blasted:
"The way we started the game meant we ended up chasing it. It's disappointing, but it doesn't kill the season.
"We'll talk to the players on Monday, iron it out and start again."
Skipper O'Brien scored his fourth goal of the season with a screamer in the sixth minute when he fired in from 25 yards shot to the right of the area past helpless keeper Richard O'Donnell and into the far top corner.
O'Donnell was a Saddlers hero for less than one minute before O'Brien's stunning opener.
Winger O'Brien was sent sprawling in the box by back-tracking striker Romaine Sawyers, but O'Donnell saved Marcus Tudgay's penalty with his feet.
But Tudgay made amends in the 87th minute when he sealed the win by heading O'Brien's corner past a static Walsall defence from ten yards for his first Sky Blue's goal since joining the club from Nottingham Forest in the summer.
Delighted Coventry boss Steven Pressley was delighted said:
"The mentality of the group was outstanding. It wasn't just a great performance, it was a wonderful result and both sides played with a real intensity."
Skipper O'Brien turned defender in the tenth minute to deflect a twenty yard shot from opposite number James Baxendale safely into the arms of stopper Ryan Allsop.
And within one minute Allsop did well to save a 22 yard free kick from winger Andy Forde at the base of his right post.
Allsop produced two great saves within seconds of each other in the 52nd minute when he beat away Baxendale's low shot from the edge of the box before getting up to block striker Tom Bradshaw's attempt to turn in the rebound.
Furious Walsall manager Dean Smith blasted:
"The way we started the game meant we ended up chasing it. It's disappointing, but it doesn't kill the season.
"We'll talk to the players on Monday, iron it out and start again."
Cheltenham Town 0 Newport County 1
Chris Zebroski returned to haunt his old club and keep County's promotion push on track.
Striker Zebroski had an unhappy six month spell at Whaddon Road two years ago, but was all smiles after netting his seventh goal of the season in the eleventh minute.
Midfielder Adam Chapman laid the ball off to the unmarked Zebroski in a central position just outside the box and he drilled a well placed low shot past helpless keeper Trevor Carson.
County have now won five from their last six games as they edge closer to the automatic promotion places, but manager Justin Edinburgh said:
"We had to put our bodies on the line today.
"I thought we rode our luck slightly in the first half, but we were resilient in the second half and once we get in front we're hard to beat."
Cheltenham should have taken the lead in the third minute.
Striker Terry Gornell hit the inside of the post from twelve yards and as winger Omari Sterling-James dithered with the ball stuck under his feet inches from the line, keeper Jamie Stephens fell on it to snuff out the danger.
County responded one minute later, but former Robins hitman Shaun Jeffers curled his fourteen yard strike over the bar from the left side of the box.
Stephens pulled off two more great saves in the first half as Cheltenham pressed for an equaliser.
In the 20th minute Gornell shrugged off two defenders to dart into the area only to see the alert Stephens save his close range effort with his feet.
And six minutes before the break the keeper needed to beat away a stinging twenty yard drive from the nippy Sterling-James.
Ten minutes after the restart the Robins were fortunate not to go further behind.
Chapman saw a goal bound 22 yard drive deflected inches wide and central defender Ismail Yakubu had a header cleared off the line by midfielder Matt Richards.
On the hour both teams came close to scoring.
Zebroski had a dipping shot saved by Carson and Sterling-James raced past three defenders, but saw his effort fly narrowly wide of the upright.
In the 91st minute central defender Darren Jones sealed a man of the match performance by timing a last ditch tackle perfectly as striker Harry Williams ran in on goal.
Cheltenham boss Paul Buckle is still waiting for his first win six games after taking over from Mark Yates, but said:
"I'm absolutely gutted because I thought we were very good today.
"I'm thrilled with the players and their work rate. There were pluses all over the field.
"They're fifth and we're nineteenth, but there wasn't a gulf between the sides."
Striker Zebroski had an unhappy six month spell at Whaddon Road two years ago, but was all smiles after netting his seventh goal of the season in the eleventh minute.
Midfielder Adam Chapman laid the ball off to the unmarked Zebroski in a central position just outside the box and he drilled a well placed low shot past helpless keeper Trevor Carson.
County have now won five from their last six games as they edge closer to the automatic promotion places, but manager Justin Edinburgh said:
"We had to put our bodies on the line today.
"I thought we rode our luck slightly in the first half, but we were resilient in the second half and once we get in front we're hard to beat."
Cheltenham should have taken the lead in the third minute.
Striker Terry Gornell hit the inside of the post from twelve yards and as winger Omari Sterling-James dithered with the ball stuck under his feet inches from the line, keeper Jamie Stephens fell on it to snuff out the danger.
County responded one minute later, but former Robins hitman Shaun Jeffers curled his fourteen yard strike over the bar from the left side of the box.
Stephens pulled off two more great saves in the first half as Cheltenham pressed for an equaliser.
In the 20th minute Gornell shrugged off two defenders to dart into the area only to see the alert Stephens save his close range effort with his feet.
And six minutes before the break the keeper needed to beat away a stinging twenty yard drive from the nippy Sterling-James.
Ten minutes after the restart the Robins were fortunate not to go further behind.
Chapman saw a goal bound 22 yard drive deflected inches wide and central defender Ismail Yakubu had a header cleared off the line by midfielder Matt Richards.
On the hour both teams came close to scoring.
Zebroski had a dipping shot saved by Carson and Sterling-James raced past three defenders, but saw his effort fly narrowly wide of the upright.
In the 91st minute central defender Darren Jones sealed a man of the match performance by timing a last ditch tackle perfectly as striker Harry Williams ran in on goal.
Cheltenham boss Paul Buckle is still waiting for his first win six games after taking over from Mark Yates, but said:
"I'm absolutely gutted because I thought we were very good today.
"I'm thrilled with the players and their work rate. There were pluses all over the field.
"They're fifth and we're nineteenth, but there wasn't a gulf between the sides."
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