Post by QPR Report on Dec 2, 2008 12:58:38 GMT
The Guardian - John Ashdown
Football League review: the 10-point guide to the weekend Action
So the Championship remains a three-horse race. Reading's victory over Chris Coleman's hapless Coventry last night kept the Royals within waving distance of Wolves and Birmingham at the summit and reasserted their superiority over the chasing pack. And the chasing pack, of course, consists of pretty much everyone down to Norwich in 21st. Such is the nature of the division that Charlton fans might, with some justification, be irked by their omittance.
It's difficult to remember a season when three teams have dominated this division to such an extent. Fourth-placed Burnley are 14 points behing the leaders, Wolves. Two years ago, QPR were 14 points behind the leaders after 20 games. They were 17th. In recent years it's happened with two teams – Reading and Sheffield United in 2005-06, Portsmouth and Leicester in 2002-03 – but not, after 20 games, with three. And from what I've seen of the Championship this season, I'll be amazed if whoever finishes third isn't at least 10 points clear of fourth come the end of the season. While the Premier League has the Big Four, it seems the Championship now has its own Big Three.
Is it good for the division? Well, yes and no. Only three sides since the turn of the century have matched or exceeded Wolves' tally of 47 points after 20 games - the aforementioned Portsmouth (48) and Reading (47) sides and the runaway Fulham side (49) of 2000-01. Each of those teams went on to have successful first seasons in the top-flight, thus, in some eyes at least, proving the rude health of the second tier in the process. In the past two years, the majority of Championship clubs have been considered much of a muchness – with most being a match for each other on their day. That's hardly an accusation that can be levelled this season.
On the flip side, the very competitiveness of the division has made for compelling viewing lately. Take that away and we're left with the pitched battle to squeeze into the play-offs and, such is the gap between the top three and the rest, surely it is a formality that the third placed team – probably Reading – will cruise into the Premier League at Wembley? Don't be so sure. In 2005 third-placed Ipswich were nine pointclear of fourth and lost out to West Ham in the play-offs. So maybe that is what will help sustain the excitement this season – even if the top three run away with it, there are no guarantees for the team that misses out on automatic promotion.
• While Reading were not at their fluent best last night, the big west Midlands top-of-the-table clash on Saturday was a terrific advert for the league. Mick McCarthy was rightly delighted with the four points gleaned from that fixture and Wolves' visit to Bramall Lane last week.
• Loan signings always play an important role outside the Premier League – a glance through Birmingham's teamsheet on Saturday will tell you that – and one of the best has been made by Plymouth. Blackburn's Paul Gallagher is on his fourth sojourn in the Championship after two spells with Stoke and one with Preston. He's 24 now – surely it's time someone takes a punt and tries to sign him permanently. On Saturday he gave Argyle the lead over Blackpool only to be outdone by another loanee. With the Seasiders 1-0 down with 15 minutes to go Simon Grayson threw on Liam Dickinson, on loan from Derby. Six minutes later Dickinson had scored twice and Blackpool were on the way in ending their four-match losing streak.
• Burnley kept some of the pressure on the top three with a 17-minute salvo against Derby. They go fourth and face the team they usurped from that position, Sheffield United, who are fifth after Saturday's 1-1 draw at Ipswich, this weekend.
• It was a crucial weekend in the lower reaches with Charlton and Southampton battling out a 0-0 draw in a clash of the fallen giants and Doncaster claiming a valuable point away at Watford.
• Result of the weekend: at the very foot of the table, Nottingham Forest manager Colin Calderwood staved off the axe for another week with a crucial home win over Barnsley after five matches without a victory.
• The south Wales derby was a typically feisty affair – two red cards, a penalty, four goals and honours even. Both Swansea and Cardiff remain just outside the top six.
• It also finished all square in the battle between Neil Warnock's Crystal Palace and Paolo Sousa's QPR at a freezing Selhurst Park. Warnock admitted that half a dozen high-earners could leave the club next month. He will have to hope that doesn't damage his improving squad, who have now lost just once in their last six games.
• Norwich remain perilously close to the dropzone after their third defeat in four. Sheffield Wednesday got the better of five goals in 29 minutes and remain well-placed in mid-table. If they can sort out their form away from Hillsborough, the top six is a realistic aim.
• Swindon fans will be dreading January as Simon Cox, scorer of 14 goals in 17 appearances this season, is thought to be on the shopping lists of several Championship clubs. Swindon are still seeking a new manager after the departure of Maurice Malpas and are struggling. Even with Cox, they remain in trouble after defeat to Walsall. In League One's other game, Colchester eased their own relegation fears with a win away at Northampton.
• It was a weekend of derbies and none was more keenly contested than the local set-to in Lancashire between Accrington Stanley and Bury. Two goals in quick succession just before half-time kept the Shakers in the promotion hunt. Stanley, though, could be comforted by the thought that for the first time ever they boasted League Two's highest attendance of the weekend.
www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2008/dec/02/championship-leagueonefootball
Football League review: the 10-point guide to the weekend Action
So the Championship remains a three-horse race. Reading's victory over Chris Coleman's hapless Coventry last night kept the Royals within waving distance of Wolves and Birmingham at the summit and reasserted their superiority over the chasing pack. And the chasing pack, of course, consists of pretty much everyone down to Norwich in 21st. Such is the nature of the division that Charlton fans might, with some justification, be irked by their omittance.
It's difficult to remember a season when three teams have dominated this division to such an extent. Fourth-placed Burnley are 14 points behing the leaders, Wolves. Two years ago, QPR were 14 points behind the leaders after 20 games. They were 17th. In recent years it's happened with two teams – Reading and Sheffield United in 2005-06, Portsmouth and Leicester in 2002-03 – but not, after 20 games, with three. And from what I've seen of the Championship this season, I'll be amazed if whoever finishes third isn't at least 10 points clear of fourth come the end of the season. While the Premier League has the Big Four, it seems the Championship now has its own Big Three.
Is it good for the division? Well, yes and no. Only three sides since the turn of the century have matched or exceeded Wolves' tally of 47 points after 20 games - the aforementioned Portsmouth (48) and Reading (47) sides and the runaway Fulham side (49) of 2000-01. Each of those teams went on to have successful first seasons in the top-flight, thus, in some eyes at least, proving the rude health of the second tier in the process. In the past two years, the majority of Championship clubs have been considered much of a muchness – with most being a match for each other on their day. That's hardly an accusation that can be levelled this season.
On the flip side, the very competitiveness of the division has made for compelling viewing lately. Take that away and we're left with the pitched battle to squeeze into the play-offs and, such is the gap between the top three and the rest, surely it is a formality that the third placed team – probably Reading – will cruise into the Premier League at Wembley? Don't be so sure. In 2005 third-placed Ipswich were nine pointclear of fourth and lost out to West Ham in the play-offs. So maybe that is what will help sustain the excitement this season – even if the top three run away with it, there are no guarantees for the team that misses out on automatic promotion.
• While Reading were not at their fluent best last night, the big west Midlands top-of-the-table clash on Saturday was a terrific advert for the league. Mick McCarthy was rightly delighted with the four points gleaned from that fixture and Wolves' visit to Bramall Lane last week.
• Loan signings always play an important role outside the Premier League – a glance through Birmingham's teamsheet on Saturday will tell you that – and one of the best has been made by Plymouth. Blackburn's Paul Gallagher is on his fourth sojourn in the Championship after two spells with Stoke and one with Preston. He's 24 now – surely it's time someone takes a punt and tries to sign him permanently. On Saturday he gave Argyle the lead over Blackpool only to be outdone by another loanee. With the Seasiders 1-0 down with 15 minutes to go Simon Grayson threw on Liam Dickinson, on loan from Derby. Six minutes later Dickinson had scored twice and Blackpool were on the way in ending their four-match losing streak.
• Burnley kept some of the pressure on the top three with a 17-minute salvo against Derby. They go fourth and face the team they usurped from that position, Sheffield United, who are fifth after Saturday's 1-1 draw at Ipswich, this weekend.
• It was a crucial weekend in the lower reaches with Charlton and Southampton battling out a 0-0 draw in a clash of the fallen giants and Doncaster claiming a valuable point away at Watford.
• Result of the weekend: at the very foot of the table, Nottingham Forest manager Colin Calderwood staved off the axe for another week with a crucial home win over Barnsley after five matches without a victory.
• The south Wales derby was a typically feisty affair – two red cards, a penalty, four goals and honours even. Both Swansea and Cardiff remain just outside the top six.
• It also finished all square in the battle between Neil Warnock's Crystal Palace and Paolo Sousa's QPR at a freezing Selhurst Park. Warnock admitted that half a dozen high-earners could leave the club next month. He will have to hope that doesn't damage his improving squad, who have now lost just once in their last six games.
• Norwich remain perilously close to the dropzone after their third defeat in four. Sheffield Wednesday got the better of five goals in 29 minutes and remain well-placed in mid-table. If they can sort out their form away from Hillsborough, the top six is a realistic aim.
• Swindon fans will be dreading January as Simon Cox, scorer of 14 goals in 17 appearances this season, is thought to be on the shopping lists of several Championship clubs. Swindon are still seeking a new manager after the departure of Maurice Malpas and are struggling. Even with Cox, they remain in trouble after defeat to Walsall. In League One's other game, Colchester eased their own relegation fears with a win away at Northampton.
• It was a weekend of derbies and none was more keenly contested than the local set-to in Lancashire between Accrington Stanley and Bury. Two goals in quick succession just before half-time kept the Shakers in the promotion hunt. Stanley, though, could be comforted by the thought that for the first time ever they boasted League Two's highest attendance of the weekend.
www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2008/dec/02/championship-leagueonefootball
