Blue Square’s Jon Sykes takes a look at what’s happening in the Football League.
14th January, 2010
The exploits of Football League clubs over the ‘big boys’ over the past week has ensured the ‘magic of the cup’ line can be flaunted around by lazy presenters, commentators and journalists alike but it’s back to the ‘bread and butter’ of the league this weekend. Yes, I have been watching too much ITV football coverage lately and you can blame any more clichés in this piece squarely on the likes of Steve Rider and co.
To say West Brom looked utterly shell-shocked as they were reminded that Championship success won’t come as a formality would be an understatement after their 3-1 loss to Nottingham Forest last Friday. Roberto Di Matteo had accurately suggested pre-match that Forest were a strong, defensive team. That he, reading between the lines, believed that meant Billy Davies would set the Reds up with a negative mentality was to show naivety not usually associated with the steady Baggies.
By the hour-mark a statement had been made by the Championship’s in form side. Winning battles across the pitch their dominance was punctuated by Chris Cohen’s 20-yard strike to make it 3-0. The move that led to it was a microcosm of the game itself. Forest were first to the 50-50’s, comfortable in possession and offered the kind of clinical finishing usually associated exclusively with the higher echelons of the game. Although they deserve credit, the Hawthorne’s ground staff will wish they’d followed their colleagues at West Ham, looked out the window and cursed the ‘big freeze’ I fondly remember referring to as Winter.
The Baggies will have to bounce back quickly as they face Newcastle (Yes ok, after scrutinising Sky’s football league scheduling last week, this one is worthy of the nation’s attention!). Having just faced a side unbeaten away all season in Forest, they now travel to a side unbeaten at home. The Geordies have simply been too strong for many of their opponents but haven’t yet displayed any real dominance on the league. No one wants to lose this – go for the draw.
There’s been a lot of managerial movement over the last few weeks with more ins and outs than a quick verse of the hokey cokey. It brings us to another of football’s wonderful expressions, the managerial merry-go-round. It conjures up a strange image. Gary Megson riding up and down on a horse doesn’t really work for me (especially as he’ll be there for a long time). Yes, the wonderfully titled merry-go-round - where out of work managers wait for that opportunity at a club with exactly the same ambitions and budget as their previous one. The latest off football’s favourite theme park ride (just ahead of the season rollercoaster) are Alan Irvine and Darren Ferguson. Irvine has the difficult task of ridding Sheffield Wednesday of that ‘sleeping giant’ tag whilst Fergie Jnr gets the opportunity he deserves at Preston after being discarded by deluded Peterborough. They aren’t Posh and they should appreciate a manager that provided them with back-to-back promotions. Fergie the younger has a tough trip to Bristol City but there’s value in backing his old boys as they host a Derby side in disarray.
‘Posh’ face a club with, like Ferguson, another legendary name at the helm - Nigel Clough. When Clough joined Derby County last January it buoyed disgruntled Rams fans. With an obsession of re-claiming all association with the Clough name from bitter rivals Forest, Derby fans were perhaps too over-zealous in proclaiming him as the second coming. They’ll now be more concerned they can keep their heads above water in what has turned into a season of turmoil. Oh and if you haven’t heard Robbie Savage’s radio rant yet, make sure you give it a listen!
Finally, League One offers an intriguing tie as Paul Lambert’s old side Colchester face his new one in Norwich. After a stuttering start from the Canaries (thanks to Lambert’s Colchester giving them a seven goal thrashing on the opening day) they’ve risen to prominence with a number of strong performances. Last week I suggested Rickie Lambert is in line to finish top of the scoring charts. I’m not one for changing opinions (come on Rickie!!) but you’ve got to take notice of Norwich captain Grant Holt.
After a brief flirtation with Shrewsbury in League Two, Holt was summoned back to England’s third tier by Norwich in the summer. 20 odd goals later Holt has proven he’s a quality lower league marksman. Lambert (Paul rather than Rickie!) will be hoping he’ll add to his tally this weekend in a promotion ‘six-pointer’. The Canaries have improved away from home in recent weeks but Colchester look a big price for a side that are fourth in the table.
That’s my view but maybe you disagree? Check out Blue Square's markets on all this weekend’s Football league matches.
By Gina
