Post by Macmoish on Sept 10, 2010 16:03:32 GMT
No pressure on the team...But a future QPR Supporter might hinge on the result tomorrow... 
Football League/Chris Charles Blog
THE CHRIS CHARLES BLOG 6
Posted on: 10.09.2010
Well, thank goodness that's over.
It's not often you get a blank Saturday in the football calendar, but for those of us who support Championship clubs, last weekend was a little disconcerting.
Instead of attending the game or following the latest score updates, I found myself (shock, horror) having to play with my children.... "Kids, this is Daddy - Daddy, kids."
I jest, of course - in fact my eldest insists I'm the "best Daddy in the whole world" and she never tells fibs. And just to show willing, I'm going to combine football and children this weekend by taking her along to her first ever football match as Middlesbrough visit Loftus Road.
We live midway between Arsenal and Tottenham, so if my lot don't do the business on Saturday, I face the very real prospect of losing her to one of the nasty big boys. No pressure then, lads....
Over on Cardiff City Online they were so bored with the lack of action, someone started a thread called 'Christmas Countdown 2010 - 109 sleeps, 13 hours, 15 minutes'. Others chipped in with contributions including: "What decorations?" and "Angel or star?"
It made for such depressing reading, I went for a pint to cheer myself up, only to be confronted with posters informing customers "We are now taking bookings for Christmas lunches". Bah humbug.
With the top two divisions out of commission, all eyes were on npower Leagues 1 and 2 - and they didn't disappoint.
The game of the day was undoubtedly at Gigg Lane, where Bury saw off Gillingham by the odd goal in nine. Gills boss Andy Hessenthaler admitted: "It's going to be some video when we watch it" - and for some of his defenders it could well be a video nasty.
Meanwhile, the last 100% record in The Football League went as League 2 leaders Torquay lost at Southend. There was a collection at Roots Hall before the game for Help the Heroes, with the match branded 'Camouflage Day' in the charity's honour. And fair play to the hosts for cunningly disguising themselves as Brazil.
As well as delighting in the hard-earned victory, Southend fans on the 'Shrimpers Chit-Chat' forum were also concerning themselves with 'the worst ever item in the club shop'.
Branded mountain bikes were right up there, along with car mats, toothbrushes and rubber ducks, but the best answer came from 'Yorkshire Blue', who wrote: "My all-time favourite item from the club shop was the car tax disc-holder, with Southend United and the badge on, which proclaimed "tax applied for". This always tickled my fancy, as at the time the club hadn't paid its tax either."
Torquay were replaced at the summit by Shrewsbury Town, who saw off fellow-high-fliers Rotherham United thanks to a goal from Lionel Ainsworth. Millers chief Ronnie Moore was particularly magnanimous in defeat, saying: "At the end I think Shrewsbury thought they had won the FA Cup."
In a week of shocks, League 1 leaders Sheffield Wednesday lost to struggling Brentford, second-placed Peterborough United were beaten by Tranmere Rovers and Barnet saw off Cheltenham Town 3-1.
Arguably the biggest shock of the day (I'll come to Rochdale in a minute) was Stockport County's 2-0 win at Macclesfield Town in League 2, capped by a marvellous Messi-esque individual goal from George Donnelly.
The last time County won a league game, Everybody Hurts was number one, Gordon Brown was still debating when to call the Election and the Icelandic volcano had not yet erupted.
Stockport boss Paul Simpson admitted afterwards: "It's a monkey off our backs." You can say that again - in fact, if I can paraphrase a famous quote from Wolves manager Mick McCarthy: "It wasn't a monkey on your back, Paul, it was Planet of the Apes!"
Rochdale's fine win at St Mary's was capped by a scorching goal from Gary Jones, as Saints fans showed their disapproval by chanting "There's only one Alan Pardew!" Ouch.
Best individual performance belonged to Oxford's James Constable, who should be promoted to Inspector after his stunning hat-trick (which included a 30-yard pile-driver) sank Morecambe to give the U's their first league victory since 2006.
Oxford United also gave us two of the week's best stories. First up was diehard supporter Val Kemish, who took not one but two for the team as she was smacked on the head by a wayward shot in the warm-up for the second season in a row.
Fortunately the tale had a happy ending as the sheepish culprits, Simon Eastwood and Sam Deering, presented her with a bunch of flowers and a Bob the Builder hat to protect against future mishaps.
Story number two involved this appeal on the club's website: "One of our supporters has reported the loss of a personal item following Saturday's home match with Morecambe. The item - a light blue sweater - was lost around Row K, Seat 75 in the South Stand Lower after the end of the game. Any supporters with information regarding the missing item are asked to contact the club on 01865 337500." Bet that doesn't happen at Chelsea.
Moan of the week came from Stevenage boss Graham Westley, who objected to Crewe wearing the Conference champions' away strip following a clash of kits.
"I think you should never have to play against your own badge, that's fundamentally wrong," he complained.
Ashley Westwood scored the equaliser for Crewe and promptly celebrated by...kissing the badge. Cheeky!
As for the chants, again none sent in (sniff) but I did find this suggestion on a Derby messageboard for new boy Alberto Bueno, to the tune of 'Day-O': "Bueno, Bue-e-e-no. Alberto come and don't wanna go home." Marvellous.
And a big up to the Brighton fans on North Stand Chat who were recounting the best chants they'd heard down the years.
There were the fans with a poor view from the away end at the Withdean who sang "Will you tell us if we score?", plus the one about former Brentford defender Sam Sodje and his sibling: "He ain't Efe - he's his brother!"
But the best was their encounter with Norwich fans, who, prompted by the "Norwich, Norwich, give us a song" taunt, instantly responded with:
"Delia Smith's a classic cook
"She makes the whole team porridge,
"She also makes a steak au poivre,
"But that don't rhyme with Norwich!"
Quote of the week went to ex-Sheffield United boss Kevin Blackwell, reflecting on his sacking after a defeat by mentor Neil Warnock's QPR. He said: "It's ironic. There's no doubt that Neil has had a big influence on my career playing-wise, coaching-wise and now getting the sack as well. He's done everything for me!"
Just to rub salt in the wounds, Warnock was named Championship Manager of the Month, which he responded to by saying: "Everybody knows you don't win anything in August - apart from Manager of the Month awards."
The other divisional awards went to Sheffield Wednesday's Alan Irvine and Torquay's Paul Buckle. Players of the Month were Adel Taarabt (QPR), Giles Coke (Sheffield Wednesday) and Adam Le Fondre (Rotherham).
And finally, this from 'Portchy Castle' on Portsmouth's Blue Army website: "Just found out from a mate of mine that his brother-in-law has a tattoo of the Saints badge on his arm. Only thing is the tattooist spelled Southampton wrong, leaving the 'u' out by mistake. So apparently there's a corrective 'u' beneath with an arrow where it should be! Cheered me up no end!"
And me, Portchy. And me. Have a good weekend one and all.
To contact Chris with an interesting story/quote/chant to share, then email him on chris.charles@football-league.co.uk or contact him via Twitter at twitter.com/chris__charles.
www.football-league.co.uk/page/ChrisCharlesBlog/0,,10794~2149721,00.html
Football League/Chris Charles Blog
THE CHRIS CHARLES BLOG 6
Posted on: 10.09.2010
Well, thank goodness that's over.
It's not often you get a blank Saturday in the football calendar, but for those of us who support Championship clubs, last weekend was a little disconcerting.
Instead of attending the game or following the latest score updates, I found myself (shock, horror) having to play with my children.... "Kids, this is Daddy - Daddy, kids."
I jest, of course - in fact my eldest insists I'm the "best Daddy in the whole world" and she never tells fibs. And just to show willing, I'm going to combine football and children this weekend by taking her along to her first ever football match as Middlesbrough visit Loftus Road.
We live midway between Arsenal and Tottenham, so if my lot don't do the business on Saturday, I face the very real prospect of losing her to one of the nasty big boys. No pressure then, lads....
Over on Cardiff City Online they were so bored with the lack of action, someone started a thread called 'Christmas Countdown 2010 - 109 sleeps, 13 hours, 15 minutes'. Others chipped in with contributions including: "What decorations?" and "Angel or star?"
It made for such depressing reading, I went for a pint to cheer myself up, only to be confronted with posters informing customers "We are now taking bookings for Christmas lunches". Bah humbug.
With the top two divisions out of commission, all eyes were on npower Leagues 1 and 2 - and they didn't disappoint.
The game of the day was undoubtedly at Gigg Lane, where Bury saw off Gillingham by the odd goal in nine. Gills boss Andy Hessenthaler admitted: "It's going to be some video when we watch it" - and for some of his defenders it could well be a video nasty.
Meanwhile, the last 100% record in The Football League went as League 2 leaders Torquay lost at Southend. There was a collection at Roots Hall before the game for Help the Heroes, with the match branded 'Camouflage Day' in the charity's honour. And fair play to the hosts for cunningly disguising themselves as Brazil.
As well as delighting in the hard-earned victory, Southend fans on the 'Shrimpers Chit-Chat' forum were also concerning themselves with 'the worst ever item in the club shop'.
Branded mountain bikes were right up there, along with car mats, toothbrushes and rubber ducks, but the best answer came from 'Yorkshire Blue', who wrote: "My all-time favourite item from the club shop was the car tax disc-holder, with Southend United and the badge on, which proclaimed "tax applied for". This always tickled my fancy, as at the time the club hadn't paid its tax either."
Torquay were replaced at the summit by Shrewsbury Town, who saw off fellow-high-fliers Rotherham United thanks to a goal from Lionel Ainsworth. Millers chief Ronnie Moore was particularly magnanimous in defeat, saying: "At the end I think Shrewsbury thought they had won the FA Cup."
In a week of shocks, League 1 leaders Sheffield Wednesday lost to struggling Brentford, second-placed Peterborough United were beaten by Tranmere Rovers and Barnet saw off Cheltenham Town 3-1.
Arguably the biggest shock of the day (I'll come to Rochdale in a minute) was Stockport County's 2-0 win at Macclesfield Town in League 2, capped by a marvellous Messi-esque individual goal from George Donnelly.
The last time County won a league game, Everybody Hurts was number one, Gordon Brown was still debating when to call the Election and the Icelandic volcano had not yet erupted.
Stockport boss Paul Simpson admitted afterwards: "It's a monkey off our backs." You can say that again - in fact, if I can paraphrase a famous quote from Wolves manager Mick McCarthy: "It wasn't a monkey on your back, Paul, it was Planet of the Apes!"
Rochdale's fine win at St Mary's was capped by a scorching goal from Gary Jones, as Saints fans showed their disapproval by chanting "There's only one Alan Pardew!" Ouch.
Best individual performance belonged to Oxford's James Constable, who should be promoted to Inspector after his stunning hat-trick (which included a 30-yard pile-driver) sank Morecambe to give the U's their first league victory since 2006.
Oxford United also gave us two of the week's best stories. First up was diehard supporter Val Kemish, who took not one but two for the team as she was smacked on the head by a wayward shot in the warm-up for the second season in a row.
Fortunately the tale had a happy ending as the sheepish culprits, Simon Eastwood and Sam Deering, presented her with a bunch of flowers and a Bob the Builder hat to protect against future mishaps.
Story number two involved this appeal on the club's website: "One of our supporters has reported the loss of a personal item following Saturday's home match with Morecambe. The item - a light blue sweater - was lost around Row K, Seat 75 in the South Stand Lower after the end of the game. Any supporters with information regarding the missing item are asked to contact the club on 01865 337500." Bet that doesn't happen at Chelsea.
Moan of the week came from Stevenage boss Graham Westley, who objected to Crewe wearing the Conference champions' away strip following a clash of kits.
"I think you should never have to play against your own badge, that's fundamentally wrong," he complained.
Ashley Westwood scored the equaliser for Crewe and promptly celebrated by...kissing the badge. Cheeky!
As for the chants, again none sent in (sniff) but I did find this suggestion on a Derby messageboard for new boy Alberto Bueno, to the tune of 'Day-O': "Bueno, Bue-e-e-no. Alberto come and don't wanna go home." Marvellous.
And a big up to the Brighton fans on North Stand Chat who were recounting the best chants they'd heard down the years.
There were the fans with a poor view from the away end at the Withdean who sang "Will you tell us if we score?", plus the one about former Brentford defender Sam Sodje and his sibling: "He ain't Efe - he's his brother!"
But the best was their encounter with Norwich fans, who, prompted by the "Norwich, Norwich, give us a song" taunt, instantly responded with:
"Delia Smith's a classic cook
"She makes the whole team porridge,
"She also makes a steak au poivre,
"But that don't rhyme with Norwich!"
Quote of the week went to ex-Sheffield United boss Kevin Blackwell, reflecting on his sacking after a defeat by mentor Neil Warnock's QPR. He said: "It's ironic. There's no doubt that Neil has had a big influence on my career playing-wise, coaching-wise and now getting the sack as well. He's done everything for me!"
Just to rub salt in the wounds, Warnock was named Championship Manager of the Month, which he responded to by saying: "Everybody knows you don't win anything in August - apart from Manager of the Month awards."
The other divisional awards went to Sheffield Wednesday's Alan Irvine and Torquay's Paul Buckle. Players of the Month were Adel Taarabt (QPR), Giles Coke (Sheffield Wednesday) and Adam Le Fondre (Rotherham).
And finally, this from 'Portchy Castle' on Portsmouth's Blue Army website: "Just found out from a mate of mine that his brother-in-law has a tattoo of the Saints badge on his arm. Only thing is the tattooist spelled Southampton wrong, leaving the 'u' out by mistake. So apparently there's a corrective 'u' beneath with an arrow where it should be! Cheered me up no end!"
And me, Portchy. And me. Have a good weekend one and all.
To contact Chris with an interesting story/quote/chant to share, then email him on chris.charles@football-league.co.uk or contact him via Twitter at twitter.com/chris__charles.
www.football-league.co.uk/page/ChrisCharlesBlog/0,,10794~2149721,00.html
