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Championship Round-up

Arse from his elbow: It came off Morgs' arse on Monday night

but he won't be using his elbow on Saturday...

Newcastle United went back to the top of the Championship with a hard-fought win at Bramall Lane on Monday night. It was a scrappy affair with little quality on show from either side and the highlight of the first half was probably Fabricio Coloccini trying to kick any Sheffield United player who came near him.
The highlight of the second half was seeing Ryan Taylor’s shot fly off Chris Morgan’s rear end and into the corner of the net past a helpless Ian Bennett. United will complain that Kyle Walker was fouled by Kevin Nolan but in truth the hosts can have no complaints after failing to make the most of the possession they were gifted by a lethargic Newcastle in the first half.
Morgan was of course booked in the first-half meaning he will conveniently miss next Monday’s trip to Oakwell where he was last seen with his elbow halfway through Iain Hume’s skull (allegedly). The Blades will of course be looking to prevent a fifth successive defeat at Barnsley; a run which has seen them drop below city rivals Wednesday on goal difference.
The new Championship leaders meanwhile host struggling Peterborough against whom they will be confident of another three points.


Watford’s team of Premier League youngsters came unstuck at The Hawthorns on Saturday, getting stuffed 5-0 by West Brom just a week after beating Wednesday 4-1 at Vicarage Road. The Baggies have quality by the shed load and should be coasting this league by now.
However Roberto Di Matteo insists he would rather see his side win 1-0 for five weeks running rather than win 5-0 having failed to score in three of their previous four games. It will be interesting to see how they get on at Leicester next weekend with Nigel Pearson’s side on such a good run of form. Their 2-1 win at Loftus Road on Friday night has certainly made the media sit up and take notice as they sneaked into the top four virtually un-noticed.
Chairman Milan Mandaric meanwhile is determined to bring a big name to the Walkers Stadium (why?!) after being snubbed by Edgar Davids after two weeks of talks. "If another target shows up, and it seems to be the right thing to do for the club, we will approach it," he said. "We have not been put off by what has happened."



Nottingham Forest deservedly earned a point in the Welsh capital on Sunday evening after outplaying the hosts for large parts of the game. It staggers me that Cardiff are third in the league having seen their abysmal second half showing at Hillsborough and then another dismal display against the two-times European Cup winners.
Of course, the obvious reason for their lofty position is that they score plenty of goals; indeed in Michael Chopra and Peter Whittingham they have the division’s top two goal scorers. If they stop scoring though I do expect the Bluebirds to run out of steam although I do expect them to make the playoffs after losing out on the last day last season.
As for Forest, I am almost willing to forgive their cheating and time-wasting at S6 after two excellent TV displays against Newcastle and then this weekend against Cardiff. Steve Claridge proved once and for all he knows jackshit about football/anything as he stated before the game that he expected Forest to play it long and Cardiff to knock it about. Anyone who watched the game or has seen either side this season would have known to expect the exact opposite.
Forest host Bristol City before a trip to the Riverside after the international break; two games which will be a real test of their promotion credentials. Cardiff meanwhile have the small matter of a Cambrian derby as they make the short journey to Swansea for Sky’s Saturday lunchtime game.

Mr Keane’s beleaguered Ipswich side finally got that first league win of the season by beating Derby 1-0 at Portman Road. They stay bottom below Peterborough on goal difference and travel to Reading on Saturday which is already something of a six-pointer at this early stage (I should work for Sky with bollocks like this).
Peterborough themselves have had to come out and deny crisis talks between Darren Ferguson and chairman and Darragh MacAnthony as reported by the Mirror on Monday morning. I wouldn’t mind seeing Fergie Jnr get the chop as he’s a smug bastard only he hasn’t got the medals to carry it off like his Dad.
His side face a fairly daunting November with their trip to St James’ and the visit of Boro but they should get at least three points as they visit Sheffield United in a couple of weeks.


Finally, my favourite thing this week comes from a Cardiff City blog called ‘Bluesy’s Blues’.
Although bloggers don’t have anything interesting to say and having a blogspot account is not a sign of credibility they do sometimes have some funny videos that have nowt to do with the Championship whatsoever. Enjoy!

Sticking the boot in...



Enjoy your football!

Creg,