The relegation battle in the Premiership has become increasingly intense. As the season progresses and Manchester United seemingly stumbling towards the title pursued by an equally reeling competition, the bottom of the table proves now to be the more intriguing are of the English top flight. This season sees the most intense dogfight to avoid the drop for many years.

It seems no-one in the bottom half of the table is immune, let alone safe. Before the weekend’s win against a Wigan outfit seeminly every bit mid-table Championship calibre, Sunderland had dropped like an action-movie elevator from potential European combatant to also-ran. Blackpool‘s astonishing start to the season came undone at exactly the same time as Charlie Adam’s Liverpool move was rejected. West Ham remain as consistent as the March weather. On the other hand, Wolves have proved the most plucky of all the teams in the relegation zone yet still prop up the table, hit hard by injury to target-man Kevin Doyle.

What confuses this situation more than in years past is that there are no “certainties” for the drop. Last year Portsmouth failed to break twenty points (thanks among other things to a nine-point deduction for going into administration) and in 2008, Derby County broke Sunderland’s record from 2006 for the fewest points in a season. This year, no such luck: the bottom nine clubs sit within one “six-pointer” of the drop zone.

When comparing this season to the previous decade, the only real precedents for such a tight battle was in 2003, 2007 and 2008, where – aside from the three in the relegation zone – five other clubs finished within six points of the drop. In all cases, however, one club was cut adrift much earlier in the season: in 2003 it was Sunderland, 2007 Watford and 2008 the hapless Derby County. Generally (60% over the last ten years), one club is mathematically relegated much sooner in the season than their compatriots. With only four (or five) matches remaining in this EPL season, there is no such bunny.

As always, the complicating factor in the relegation battle is Goal Difference. Goal difference has been known to be crucial – just ask Fulham fans, who in 2008 saw their club survive thanks only to a GD 3 superior to that of relegated Reading’s. Interestingly, while it’s mentioned often and loudly, that’s one of only two times since the turn of the twenty-first century that a club has avoided relegation by virtue of goal difference. The other was the year before, when a David Unsworth penalty against his former club Sheffield United lifted the Latics out of the drop zone at the expense of the Blades.

Another trend over the decade has been that as more teams are involved in a relegation battle, a greater impact is seen in goal difference over the course of a season. For example, in the years where eight clubs each year finished the season within six points of relegation (2003, 2007 and 2008) – or one crucial win against a fellow straggler – the average goal difference of any threatened clubs was much lower. The same is true in 2011, where nine clubs are still classified “in danger”.

Excepting Derby County in 2008 (who finished the season with 11 points and an all time goal difference record of -69), it’s easy to see that the average Goal Difference of relegation-threatened clubs decreases as the number of clubs increases.

Derby County are excluded because they are a statistical outlier – their season-long goal difference of -69 a whole 57% worse than any club’s during the past seven years – the next worst club in Goal Difference was 2003′s Sunderland squad, with -44. Since they lost almost every game (season record 1-8-29) we can assume everyone took points off them. This assumption may not necessarily be correct, but statistically speaking, it is safe.

As you can see, the tighter a relegation battle gets, the tighter clubs tend to become – with the possible exception of Ian Holloway’s Blackpool. If more club become involved in a relegation battle, it leads to lower average goal differences across those threatened teams. This season has produced another statistical anomaly which is interesting (but not very interesting) – Mark Hughes’ Fulham join Leeds United’s 2003 squad as the only “threatened” club in the last decade to boast a positive goal difference (+1).

It stands to reason that with an increased number of threatened clubs that average goal difference is reduced. If more clubs are involved in the Relegation battle, then that means for an even competition. An even competition means for even scores across a week-to-week basis and no matter if this Premier League has not been one of “vintage” calibre, it certainly has gone nearly unparalleled for intrigue and competition. In days past, the magic total of 40 points has been suggested to be a minimum safe distance. Only once has a club been relegated who had scored above forty points: West Ham, who were desperately unlucky to go down in 2003 with a record points tally.

Therefore, we can say safely with approximately 10% of the season still to play, the 2010-11 average Goal Difference figures are going to be amongst the lowest of the past ten years. If we extrapolate the figures as they stand now, it could mean an average goal difference as low as -16.85 for all threatened clubs over the course of the entire season. If we use Goal Difference as a marker of how intense a relegation battle is, then this relegation battle is statistically slightly (5%) more intense than than the previous most intense fight in 2008 involving Birmingham, Reading, Fulham and Bolton. Only this year, there’s no Derby County – there are no (relatively) easy points.

For more analysis and opinion, shoot across to Matthew Wood’s blog, Balanced Sports.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Morning all. Throughout January Soccerlens is going to be bringing you a daily round-up of the morning’s various goings-on. Be it juicy morsels of spurious transfer gossip or real, actual bona fide news, rest assured, we’ll have it covered.

Here’s this morning’s batch.

Mexes-matosis…

It should come as absolutely no surprise that, over the course of the weekend, Arsenal suffered yet another setback in terms of Thomas Vermaelen‘s agonisingly slow comeback from an Achilles twinge.

After months of recurring niggles, the Belgian defender is now set to undergo surgery on the tendon in question, a procedure that will keep him sidelined for at least the next six weeks.

With that (and the fact that Johan Djourou is a bit on the waff side) in mind, manager Arsene Wenger has conceded that he may have to delve into the January market to land a wee bit of defensive cover – with Roma centre-back Philippe Mexes the latest man to be strongly linked with a move to the Emirates.

The good news is that Mexes may be available for as little as £4.5 million, after being told by the Italian outfit that his current deal will not be renewed.

Calm, composed and, above all, cheap – it’s almost too perfect ain’t it?

Spitting image…

Blackburn are believed to be ready to allow troublesome forward El-Hadji Diouf leave the club this month, after finally admitting that trying to reign in the Senegalese gobshite is just not worth the effort anymore.

The player’s agent Willie McKay said:

“El-Hadji is looking to make a fresh start. He is a good player and there is plenty of interest.”

Several Premier League sides are reported to have already made tentative enquiries, with Blackburn considering the prospect of letting Diouf leave for a ‘fire sale’ price just to get him off their hands.

I wonder if QPR will be tempted?

Feed the Ox…

It looks like Southampton’s teenage sensation Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is on the verge of joining Arsenal, after the League One side revealed that they’re only willing to sell their highly-rated tyro to a club that will ‘nuture him properly’ – which, to the Daily Mirror‘s mind, seems to rule out Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool.

Said Saints manager Nigel Adkins:

“We would only let him go to a club that would nurture him and treat him properly.

There is going to be no auction for Alex. We love him and want to make him a better player.”

Aww, bless.

Queue forming for SWP…

Newcastle, Bolton and Fulham are all vying for the signature of winger Shaun Wright-Phillips after Man City formally told the diminutive winger that he will be allowed to leave the club this month.

All three clubs are hoping to tie up a loan deal within the next few days, though City’s insistence that any successful suitor will have to pay all of Wright-Phillips’ sizeable wages may just prove to be a stumbling block for Bolton – who don’t have a pot to p*ss in.

The best of the rest…

• Everton have officially confirmed that the bid they have accepted for winger Steven Pienaar is from Chelsea and that the bid they rejected was from Tottenham…

• Dutch giants PSV and Ajax are squaring off once again, this time in the race to sign Stoke forward Eidur Gudjohnsen on loan until the summer…

• Leicester City have failed with their bid to take Manchester United ‘keeper Tomasz Kuszczak on loan…

• Inter Milan midfielder Sulley Muntari has handed in a transfer request in a bid to push through a loan move to Sunderland, though the Ghanaian is still thought to be pining for a switch to a London-based club…

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

As we cross the cusp from morning to afternoon, it is being widely reported that Newcastle are within hours of appointing Alan Pardew as their new manager, following owner Mike Ashley‘s seemingly illogical decision to sack Chris Hughton from his post on Monday.

According to nearly all of the foremost bastions of the British media, Pardew will be named as Hughton’s successor at some point during the next 24-48 hours, as we wait for the culmination of the ‘advanced talks’ that are currently being held between the two parties at St James’ Park.

It is further understood that a five-and-a-half year deal has been placed on the table for Pardew, with a relatively low wage that is said to have been ‘highly-incentivized’ by loading the contract with a multitude of performance-related bonuses.

Several sources are also claiming that the former Southampton boss will not been given ‘penny one’ to spend on transfers and contract-renegotiations until summer at the earliest.

Hughton’s sacking, which has been met with blanket scorn from the footballing community at large, was prompted by Ashley’s desire to install a ‘more experienced’ (his words, not mine) man at the helm of the club into which he has poured £200 million of his personal fortune – and, considering that Pardew has a 500-game, four-club managerial career behind him, the devil’s advocate in me can just about vindicate his appointment in Hughton’s wake.

Chris Hughton was sacked by Newcastle on Monday

However, Pardew’s 11-year career isn’t exactly dripping with plaudits, with most of his success coming early on in guiding Reading and West Ham to a high-ranking Championship finish and a promotion to the Premier League (via the play-offs) respectively.

His crowning achievement was arguably piloting the Hammers (who were mired in tumultuous mid-decade upheaval at the time) to the 2005/06 FA Cup final, in which they lost out narrowly to Liverpool in extra-time, thanks to a belting strike from a visibly knackered Steven Gerrard – and that’s about it really.

Pardew was duly sacked by West Ham in December 2006 after guiding them to their worst run of results in 70 years and, a fortnight later, took over at 19th-placed Charlton – who went on to finish up in…well, in 19th place.

Despite being touted as favourites for an instant return to the top table, Charlton rapidly descended back into second-tier obscurity under Pardew’s charge and he was forced out of the Valley ‘by mutual consent’ in late 2008.

The following summer, Pardew was sworn in at nouveau riche League One hopefuls Southampton and, despite battling admirably against the effects of a pre-season 10-point deduction, he and his staff were jettisoned after narrowly missing out on a play-off spot amidst rumours of cripplingly player low morale, hierarchical conflicts and increasing isolation at  St Mary’s.

And here we are.

Pardew delivers the verdict on his time at Charlton

The question I’d like to put to Ashley is whether he’s just chasing a cheap Cockney knees-up with one of his old chums, or whether he actually considers ‘periodical middling’ mixed with a healthy dose of ‘ill-fated lower-league slumming’ to constitute the ‘necessary experience’ needed to ‘take Newcastle forward’?

I guess technically it does, in so much as that any back-story technically constitutes experience – though Chris Hughton may feel aggrieved that single-handedly rescuing an imploding giant from the brink of ‘belly-up’, achieving the instant promotion back to the big-time that Pardew failed to negotiate at Charlton and punching his weight in the Premier League with a squad that was all-but completely written off not so very long ago (all within the space of 18 months) somehow does not.

The mind boggles, it really does.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Whereas I have to admit that Liverpool’s ongoing takeover saga has provided good copy since their boardroom civil war broke out nine days ago, it’s probably fairly safe to say that we (that is, those of us that have no real vested interest in the outcome of  chronicles) are now heartily sick to the sodding molars of it.

The fact that even the most insignificant of minutiae has been poured over by all and sundry has led to unprecedented levels of over-saturation, which in turn has led to a kind of nationwide apathy – which is the last thing that a football club in dire straights should be generating.

There have been lengthy reports drafted to cover all the ins-and-outs of every little bit of desperate refinancing and legal skullduggery owners Hicks and Gillett have undertaken, minute-by-minute updates from the High Court hearings, detailed examinations of the accounts of even the most hopeless of potential buyers, soapboxes given to various supporters’ groups to voice their ire, doomsday headlines aplenty and even .pdf copies of legal writs released to the public.

All of which must be pretty galling to fans of teams like Sheffield Wednesday, Cardiff City and Chester, who saw their clubs dragged through the mire with barely a murmur from the national press.

You could perhaps argue that Liverpool have received such unfettered attention due solely to their brand name’s prominent standing within the global game. Never before has such a high-profile English club flirted so publicly with becoming financially comatose, so tales of administration and points deductions are bound to fuel the imagination of the masses.

Liverpool co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks

The scare-mongering has been rife during the ordeal. It’s a safe bet that Liverpool won’t be put into administration as that particular ball is entirely in creditors Royal Bank of Scotland‘s court and, seeing as though it is they who are also being dragged through the courts by Hicks and Gillett (and with a £300 million bid waiting in the wings), you can imagine that a certain amount of empathy will be forthcoming regarding their imposed debt deadline.

Even upon the remote chance that Kop Holdings are placed into receivership, it is highly likely that the Premier League will grant special dispensation and waive the nine-point deduction, as it was only the continued rankling of the baseless court proceedings brought about by Hicks that prevented the Liverpool board (and, by proxy, the club itself) from hammering out the deal with New England Sports Ventures that would have seen the outstandings paid off in full with time to spare.

All this melodrama served to promote Liverpool’s campaign to have their cancerous moles lopped off onto the national stage, but must have rung oh so hollow to fans of clubs that have actually witnessed their teams come within hours of liquidation – or have had to watch them wiped from the realm of existence altogether.

For example, last month League One side Sheffield Wednesday narrowly avoided going into administration by the skins of their collective teeth after seeing their relatively piffling £700,000 tax bill settled by the Co-operative Bank, after having a winding-up order placed upon the club by HRMC three months prior.

Entering administration would have meant that Wednesday would’ve faced a ten-point deduction by the Football League, and would have also seen their plans to host World Cup matches in 2018 (should England’s bid be successful) ruined.

The Owls are still looking for a buyer (although a takeover bid is currently in the offing), but you wouldn’t know it if you didn’t know where to look, and over the past few years it’s been a similar story for Cardiff, Accrington Stanley, Bournemouth, Darlington, Crystal Palace, Southampton, Luton…etc, etc and we all know what happened to Chester City not so very long ago..

Portsmouth administrator Andrew Andronikou

The closest we’ve ever come to the levels of hysteria currently surrounding Liverpool’s financial turmoil is when Portsmouth became the first Premier League club to officially enter administration last February.

It caused a low-level stir when Pompey were docked nine points and rather confusingly fined £1 million by the Premier League board for ‘breaching rules and regulations’, but the interest soon waned. The fact that their crippling levels of debt have ensured that they are still in administration eight months down the line is seemingly neither here nor there.

The critical lesson that the Premier League need to take from Liverpool’s judicial and financial torments of the past few days/weeks/years (delete as you see fit) is that, if things continue in their current unsustainable vein, then the bottom is going to fall out of English football – and, given the plights of so many of our lower league clubs, you could feasibly argue that the terminal rot has already well and truly set in.

Sh*t always rains from the top and pools at the bottom.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Sheffield Wednesday moved to the top of the embryonic League One table after demolishing Hartlepool 5-0. ‘The Owls’ were 2-0 up in ten minutes after an own-goal from Paul Murray and a Giles Coke volley set them on their way. Neil Mellor, signed from Preston in the summer, made it three before Marcus Tudgay scored from the penalty spot and a Clinton Morrison scored his first for the club, in the last minute, to put a gloss on the victory.

Another side that were relegated from the Championship last campaign, Peterborough United, also moved into the automatics spots with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Plymouth Argyle. After a competitive first half, where neither side found top gear, it was Craig Mackail-Smith who headed home a Grant McCann free-kick, on the hour mark, to open the scoring. Mackail-Smith doubled his tally for the match with a powerful volley before Aaron McLean headed another Grant McCann set piece beyond David Button, in the Plymouth goal, to complete the scoring.

Craig Mackail-Smith and Aaron McLean celebrate.

Oldham Athletic, under new manager Paul Dickov’s guidance, remain unbeaten but couldn’t find a way past Yeovil Town in a disappointing 0-0 draw at Boundary Park. The hosts had chances but Yeovil goal-keeper, John Sullivan, was on fine form to keep ‘The Latics’ from scoring. The visitors almost snatched all three points at the end but Oldham ‘keeper Dean Brill lived up to his name and managed to keep Terry Skiverton’s side at bay.

In what was the game of the day, Notts County came back from three goals down to grab a point at Dean Court. Bournemouth were 3-0 up within the first half hour thanks to two goals from Josh McQuoid, who is making light work of filling a Brett Pitman sized whole, and Anton Robinson. But Notts County pulled a goal back to make it 3-1 through Ben Burgess before half-time and two injury times goals from Craig Westcarr and Kevin Smith meant that Notts County snatched a dramatic point.

Huddersfield Town secured an impressive three points with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Charlton Athletic. After a disappointing defeat to fellow promotion hopefuls, Peterborough, last weekend ‘The Terriers’ were looking to bounce back in front of their own crowd. A superb chip from Jordan Rhodes set them on their way before Jamie McCombe scored a towering header to put the hosts 2-0 up. Gary Roberts put the points beyond any doubt with a well placed volley but the visiting supporters did have something to cheer about when Matt Fry scored a consolation goal deep into stoppage time.

Jordan Rhodes put Huddersfield in-front against Charlton.

Southampton picked up their first three points of the season thrashing Bristol Rovers 4-0. The pre-season favourites for promotion took the lead when, centre-back, Jose Fonte tucked home from a corner. Adam Lallana then opened his account for the season to put the visitors 2-0 in-front. Rickie Lambert scored from the penalty spot, against his former club, to seal all three points before Lee Barnard completed the rout with an expert finish. This result was still not enough to stop Alan Pardew being sacked along with members of his back-room staff. Paul Hart has emerged as the early favourite for ‘The Saint’s’ job.

At the bottom of the table, Brentford couldn’t pick up their first three points of the season losing 3-1 to newly promoted Rochdale at Griffin Park. Anthony Elding gave the visitors an early lead but Andy Scott’s side hit back through Robbie Simpson. In the second half Chris O’Grady restored Rochdale’s lead with a powerfully hit shot but there was controversy when Jason Kennedy, after putting the visitors further in-front with a clever header, celebrated with the ‘Dale’ fans and was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Chris O’Grady scored in Rochdale’s game against Brentford at the weekend.

Dagenham and Redbridge and Tranmere Rovers already look set to be fighting a relegation battle at the end of the season. Both are still looking for their first win of the season after playing out a 2-2 draw at Victoria Road. Romain Vincelot put Dagenham in-front with a powerful header, after some clever skill from Peter Gain, and Mark Arber’s first of the season seemed to put the points beyond any doubt for ‘The Daggers’. Tranmere, with two late goals, broke Dagenham hearts though. Enoch Showumni got the first before a brilliant free-kick from Aaron Cresswell sent the visiting fans home happy.

Elsewhere Leyton Orient beat Exeter in a comfortable 3-0 victory. MK Dons fought back from 1-0 down to win 2-1 against Swindon Town with two headed goals from Sam Baldock. Brighton and Hove Albion fought off their home jitters to beat a ten man Walsall side 2-1 and, on Friday night, a late Paul Thirwell strike earned Carlisle a point away to Colchester United.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

A great second week to League One has seen 31 goals scored in the 10 fixtures this week and plenty of incidents and action to get ourselves stuck into.

As we will do regularly we start with the League One news:

• The football world was saddened by the news of 2 deaths this week. The Exeter striker Adam Stansfield, aged 31, and Southampton owner Markus Liebherr, aged 62, have both left huge voids not only at their clubs but in football and I’m sure you will all be wishing the friends and families of both your condolences. For those unaware of the two in question I refer you to a moving blog about Adam here and for Markus here is a link to the fans and players views.
• A mixed weekend for League One clubs in the Carling Cup during midweek the two stand out results were the defeat of Bristol Rovers 6-1 by Oxford and on a brighter note for League One the upset caused by Hartlepool against Sheffield United.
• The Johnstone Paint Trophy draw was made this week and it goes as follows.

JOHNSTONE’S PAINT TROPHY – FIRST ROUND DRAW

Northern section (west): Macclesfield v Morecambe, Oldham v Shrewsbury, Port Vale v Rochdale, Tranmere v Accrington.
Northern section (east): Hartlepool v Northampton, Rotherham v Lincoln, Sheffield Wednesday v Notts County, Walsall v Chesterfield.
Byes in northern section: Bradford, Burton, Bury, Carlisle, Crewe, Huddersfield, Peterborough, Stockport.
Southern section (west): Aldershot v Oxford, Bournemouth v Torquay, Southampton v Swindon, Yeovil v Exeter.
Southern section (east): Brighton v Leyton Orient, Charlton v Dagenham & Redbridge, Southend v Gillingham, Stevenage v Brentford.
Byes in southern section: Barnet, Bristol Rovers, Cheltenham, Colchester, Hereford, Milton Keynes Dons, Plymouth, Wycombe.

Ties to be played week commencing 30 August.

And so we move onto this weeks reports, we start at Dean court where newly-promoted Bournemouth face the challenge of a visiting Peterborough looking to add to their win at home to Bristol Rovers on opening day.

Bournemouth 5-1 Peterborough
A Brett Pitman hat-trick was the catalyst of Peterborough boss Gary Johnson describing his teams performance as ‘pathetic’ and ‘embarrassing’ and its hard to disagree with the damning comments. The hosts were dominant in the first half and went in at the break at 2-0 thanks to goals from Marc Pugh and Anton Robinson. The cherries didn’t let up and by the 57th minute were 4-0 to the good.

Pitman firing a shot into the corner before capitalizing on a Charlie Lee error, Kevin Langmead grabbed a goal back for the hosts but the day was to be Bournemouth and Pitman’s as he completed his hat trick with a smart finish from 18 yards out.

Next fixture – Bournemouth: Tranmere(a); Peterborough: Huddersfield(h)

Brentford 1-2 Walsall
Walsall earned their first points of the 2010/2011 season with a hard-working but undeserved victory. Brentford had much of the game but paid for poor finishing and key defensive errors. Walsall took the lead in the twelfth minute with their first attack of the game. Thanks, in most part, to hesitation in the Brentford back line allowing Alex Nicholls to convert a long ball.

It didn’t faze Brentford too much and carried on as the better of the two teams and got just rewards. Gary Alexander grabbed his first goal since his summer move from Millwall by heading in a cross from Robbie Simpson on 44 minutes and the teams went in level.

Parity lasted nine minutes into the second half when poor defending allowed Darren Byfield to cross for Julian Gray to score what proved to be the winner. Brentford tried to get back on terms but a mixture of Walsall organisation and poor finishing allowed the visitors to hold on.

Next Fixture – Brentford: Swindon(a); Walsall: Plymouth(h)

Brighton 2-2 Rochdale
10-man Brighton were left frustrated as Gary Jones equalized deep into stoppage time to give the visitors a share of the spoils. The first half went by without much incident and didn’t provide any inclinations to the drama that would follow in the second.

It started when Glenn Murray, once of Rochdale, headed in after being quickest to react to his own header hitting the crossbar. The drama then began to unfold when Gordon Greer punched Anthony Elding to be sent off and concede a penalty. Gary Jones leveled the game up from that penalty but still the hosts pressed and pressed with the lack of a man hardly seeming to effect them.

Reward was gained when Elliot Bennett scored in the 67th minute and this seemed as if it would be the winner until Gary Jones’s lob from 20 yards shared the spoils.

Next fixture – Brighton: Sheffield Wed(a); Rochdale: Colchester(h)

Bristol Rovers 2-1 Yeovil
Byron Anthony was the Rovers hero as his stoppage time goal which earned the hosts victory. The goal came four minutes into stoppage time and was only five minutes after Adam Virgo had volleyed in what everybody thought would earn 10-man Yeovil an unexpected point but Anthony unleashed a rocket of a shot to send the Memorial Stadium into rapture.

Jo Kuffour had put Rovers into the lead on 45 minutes when he headed powerfully past John Sullivan in the Yeovil goal. The second half seemed to be passing away without much note until JP Kalala picked up two bookings inside six minutes and meant Yeovil played the last ten minutes with 10 men and the late goal drama gave Rovers a deserved win.

Next fixture – Bristol Rovers: Exeter(a); Yeovil: Hartlepool(h)

Colchester 1-1 Sheffield Wednesday
For the second week in a row Colchester drew when in a winning position. The game was a tight contest and up until the 50th minute Wednesday had the better of the chances with Clinton Morrison hitting a post and just shooting wide. The game changed though on that 50th minute as Andy Bond scored a spectacular goal on his home debut.

The goal galvanized the hosts and David Mooney was guilty off missing two great chances to extend the lead. The hosts looked to have done enough to gain all three points only for Neil Mellor to score a wonderfully taken goal. After bringing the ball down on his chest, he got himself past two defenders and shot home to equalize and give Sheffield a share of the spoils.

The result was probably a fair one on reflection of the whole game but Colchester will feel they should of hung on for three points.

Next Fixture – Colchester: Rochdale(a); Sheffield Wednesday: Brighton(h)

Hartlepool 2-2 Swindon
Hartlepool threw away a two goal lead in this enthralling encounter. Hartlepool raced out of the blocks and were two up inside 12 minutes of the game. Adam Boyd, fresh off scoring his first goal since February in the midweek cup game, scored again having the simple task of tapping home from eight yards and the second came from Anthony Sweeney pouncing on a poor back pass from Lescinel Jean-Francois.

Given the bad start it showed immense character for the visitors not to fold in front of jubilant home fans and a home team smelling blood. Swindon began to have lots of possession and created half chances as Hartlepool refused to let their grip on the scoreline go.

Then in three mad second half minutes Swindon were back on level terms substitute Thomas Dosevvi powered in a first-time strike and then Charlie Austin finished well when a defensive mix up provided him with the chance. Swindon were rewarded for persistence but Hartlepool will be kicking themselves at letting the opportunity go!

Next fixture – Hartlepool: Yeovil(a); Swindon: Brentford(h)

Huddersfield 0-0 Tranmere
The only 0-0 of the week and by far the worst game for a neutral in this division. Tranmere set their stalls out and invited Huddersfield to attack them and the home team were unable to do so, missing the tempo and industry we have come to know from Huddersfield of the past season.

Joe Collister in the Rovers goal had to be alert to save from Jordan Rhodes and Gary Roberts but apart from that he had a quiet day. Rovers rarely threatened but did have a long distance effort comfortably saved by Alex Smithies in his only action of the game.

To add to Huddersfield frustrations Gary Naismith was sent off late on for his second booking and capped a fairly forgettable afternoon for Lee Clarks men. All credit to Tranmere they got the point there organisation and labor deserved.

Next fixture – Huddersfield: Peterborough(a); Tranmere: Bournemouth(h)

Oldham 3-0 Notts County
Newly promoted Notts County found life hard again and succumbed to successive 3-0 defeats. County although having more shots and corners than their opponents never had a guilt edge chance and manager Craig Short revealed after the game he had a ‘heart to heart’ with his players asking for ‘25%’ more from each of them.

In truth Oldham have gained a ruthlessness under Paul Dickov and many teams will lose games at Boundary Park. Dean Furmans opener from 25 yards was the pick of the goals with the others scored by, Sunderland loanee, Ournare Tounkare and Kieran Lee.

An impressive afternoon’s work by Oldham and they sit as deserved leaders of the League One table.

Next fixture – Oldham: Charlton(a); Notts County: Dagenham & Redbridge(h)

Plymouth 1-1 Carlisle
Rory Patterson was the Plymouth savior as his last gasp goal salvaged a point where it was scarcely deserved after an impressive Carlisle away performance. Ian Harte had given the visitors the lead when he headed in midway through the second half. The game was void of clear cut chances and, up until Harte opened the scoring, the closest we had come was a 25 yard shot going close from Harte himself.

Plymouth’s obvious nerves in front of their home crowd made Carlisle’s job easier as misplaced passes were breaking down promising Argyle moves. Carlisle were looking comfortable until Patterson four minutes into injury time swept in from eight yards out.

Harsh on the Cumbrians but Plymouth will look to the cliché of the best teams in leagues avoid losing when not playing well.

Next fixture – Plymouth: Walsall(a); Carlisle: Mk Dons(h)

Leyton Orient 1-3 Charlton
In Fridays game, Counter attacking Charlton made the most of Orient’s profligate shooting to register successive wins in the league despite being reduced to 10 men. Charlton took the lead, thanks to Alan McCormack’s header in the 28th minute and missed Orient chances meant the half time score was 1-0.

The lead didn’t last too long inside the second half, however, with Scott McGleish drilling home from inside the six yard box five minutes in. Two minutes later Charlton were reduced to 10 men, Christian Dailly received his second yellow and suddenly Orient were looking certainties to go on and win the game.

The home team flooded forward with wave and wave of attack with numerous half chances but the numbers flooding forward allowed Charlton to hit Orient with a sucker punch. Lee Martin picked out Scott Wagstaff on a brisk counter attack and he finished with ease to give Charlton an unlikely lead.

The home teams dominance continued but they couldn’t force an equalizer and it was Charlton on a brisk counter again made the points safe in stoppage time as Wagstaff turned provider to give Chris Solly the easiest of tap ins. Orient had 20 shots in total in this game and will wonder how exactly they let this game slip from their grasp but all credit to Charlton, who were down to 10 men, defended stoutly and counter attacked with great pace and skill.

Next fixture – Leyton Orient: Southampton(a); Charlton: Oldham(h)

A fantastic weekend of games (apart from at Huddersfield) where neutrals would have been able to enjoy the pace and skill of England’s 3rd division.

Performance of the week came from Bournemouth and if they can continue the attacking displays shown this weekend it would take a brave man to say they couldn’t achieve back to back promotions.

Next week’s fixture provide us with an early first versus second battle as early pace setters Oldham and Charlton face off at the Valley. Other notable things to look out for will be Peterborough’s response to the drubbing they received this week and whether Notts County can give manager Craig Short the ’25% more’ he is asking for.

For the gamblers out there it is a hard week with teams with similar starts battle one another for this reason I would only be having small bets on draws at Sheffield Wednesday, Peterborough, Charlton and throw in Bournemouth to carry on where they left off this weekend next weekend at Tranmere.

As always I welcome fans’ questions and opinions on the division and their own teams displays.

Until next weekend this is goodbye.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

We’re now over halfway through Soccerlens’ full season preview ahead of the big League kickoff this weekend. Today we’re up to League 1, which contains fallen ex-Premier League teams Leeds, Charlton, Norwich and Southampton as well as smaller teams like Yeovil, Exeter and Wycombe.

Can the Saints overcome their points deduction, can Brentford keep on their buzz after winning League Two? Read on…

Bluffer’s guide to the League

The third tier of English football is often overlooked. There’s none of the relegation from the League drama, nor the potential of promotion to the Premier League, but there’s still a mix of the big clubs, the ambitious and thestrugglers. Four clubs have been in the Premier League while five have done their time in non-league. All are in the mix.

If League One were a footballer it would be…

Phil Neville. Not exactly pretty to look at but often seriously underrated. Has a lot of past glories but is capable of producing a surprise and challenging for a higher spot despite competing in an area with less cash than bigger teams.

Last season in a Tweet

Leeds pay for a slow start, Leicester dominate, Peterborough and MK Dons keep up their promotion momentum, Scunthorpe win over neutrals, heartache for Northampton.

Table toppers

Last season we confidently predicted Leeds would be champions. Wiping the egg off our face, we’ll confidently predict THIS will be Leeds’ year. Simon Grayson already has one promotion to his name with Blackpool. Even with Fabian Delph departing, the whole squad has quality and United will be keen to avoid the playoffs, where they have a habit of choking.

Promotion pushers

Much as it hurts to write this, MK Dons are probably best placed to take the second promotion spot. The club others love to hate have got plenty of cash behind them and have spent it wisely. PaulInce will be looking to prove a point on his return after his short-lived time at Blackburn. Losing Sean O’Hanlon to injury is a blow but the Dons should be strong enough to survive this. Sadly.

Playoff prospects

The focus will be on the ‘big three’ relegated from the Championship last season, and of those Norwich City looked best placed to be challenging at the top of the table. Manager Bryan Gunn has built a squad from scratch and they’ve gelled well in pre -season. The team has experience and quality and if Grant Holt can make the step up a division then the Canaries could be singing again.

Huddersfield Town had a disappointing season by their standards last season but the board have got out their cheque book for rookie manager Lee Clark. Although the ex-Newcastle man is untested, there’s much to suggest the Terriers have what it takes to push into the top six. Peter Clarke will be a solid signing at the back.

Last season Millwall fell short at the final hurdle but despite a relatively quiet summer on the transfer front, look at have a squad that can again challenge for a play-off place. Neil Harris will again be the focal point for the attack but keep an eye on new signing Steve Morison.

Southend United’s squad may not be littered with eye-catching names but Steve Tilson’s side will still be very difficult to beat. Run out of steam last season as they looked to bounce back to the Championship but the Shrimpers have a strong, settled squad and could be this season’s surprise package.

Outside bet

Charlton Athletic’s fans will be demanding an immediate return to the Championship, but the debt-ridden club may find League One tough going. On paper, then Addicks squad isn’t bad but much depends on how they can pick themselves up after a disastrous last season. May have to settle for consolidation rather than promotion.

Relegation fodder

Since reaching the playoff final in 2007, Yeovil Town have found it tough going in League One and have struggled for form and consistency. Terry Skiverton is a popular figure at Huish Park but lacks experience and his appointment felt like a cheap option. With strong teams coming into the division, the Glovers could get squeezed in a long season.

Carlisle United are another team who’ve found the going tough since a storming first season in League One and only just escaped relegation on the final day of last season. There is experience and talent in the squad but Greg Abbot is working under budget constraints and the Cumbrians are still looking short in key areas.

Traditionally one of the promoted sides will struggle in League One and Wycombe are likely to be that team. They’ve suffered off-the-pitch instability and limped over the promotion line rather than sprinting. Already hit hard by injuries, Peter Taylor will need every ounce of his experience to keep the Chairboys up.

Stockport County are another side that have had their problems behind-the-scenes and a new, untested manager in Gary Ablett. The former Liverpool player can expect a tough season and still needs to add to a very small squad short on talent. Goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams is a decent shot stopper and could be called into action more than he’d like this coming season.

Joker In The Pack

Southampton are starting life in the third tier for the first time in 50 years but have spent much of the summer fighting off liquidation. The Saints start on minus ten, and new boss Alan Pardew will have to rouse his squad into life quickly. It’s impossible to tell if the south coast club will struggle or storm up the table.

Solid gold gaffer

Russell Slade saved Brighton from certain relegation last season and the Seagulls will be hoping the ex-Yeovil, Grimsby and Scarborough boss can work some of his magic on the south coast. It says much for the 48-year-old’s abilities that, as he moves slowly up the Leagues, his old clubs struggle once he leaves them.

Three to watch

Grant Holt scored goals for fun at Shrewsbury last season and it was always a case of when not if he’d move up the leagues. The powerful forward will now be expected to lead Norwich’s assault on the title and his performances will be under the spotlight like never before.

Simeon Jackson was another striker who lit up League Two last season, scoring 22 times and attracting attention for other clubs. Has never played at this level before and much of Gillingham’s survival chances depend on the nippy frontman finding the net on a regular basis.

Had Sven been watching Notts County last season, he would have been frustrated that the Magpies couldn’t tie Myles Weston to a new deal. Now the young winger is atBrentford and will have a point to prove against Charlton, where he started his career. Could be a star for the Bees this season.

Make sure you return tomorrow when we preview The Championship ahead of the big kick-off this weekend. Full of big name clubs, this season looks to be tighter than ever. And we haven’t even mentioned the ongoing saga of Newcastle. Come back tomorrow to get the lowdown on who’ll be heading for the Premier League.

Also See:

09/10 Championship – Season Preview
09/10 League Two – Season Preview
09/10 Blue Square Premier – Season Preview

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Southampon FC has been sold to DMWSL613 Limited (owned by Swiss national Markus Liebherr) for an undisclosed sum (reportedly £12.5m). Markus Liebherr also owns and controls the Swiss-based Mali Group, which consists of five companies engaged in technologically advanced engineering.

Joint Administrator Mark Fry commented:

“The sale of the Saints to Markus Liebherr is a fantastic opportunity to rebuild the Club.

Markus Liebherr was attracted to Southampton by a number of qualities which include the Club’s rich sporting heritage, loyal fan base, first class stadium and training facilities and the potential for the Saints to regain their rightful place at the higher echelons of English football.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all Saints’ fans for their support and patience in what have been uncertain times for the Club. I would also like to wish both Markus and the Club well for future success.”

Things could have been so different for Southampton

Matt Le Tissier was supposed to come back and save Southampton from going out of existence. The former England player and Southampton legend played 540 games for the south coast side, scoring 209 goals over 14 years. But now, after a deal was agreed in principle, it seems like this role has been passed onto someone else.

The group Pinnacle, led by Le Tissier, entered a period of exclusivity on 29th May but saw that pass as they argued over the 10 point deduction put on place of Southampton next season for going into administration. This exclusivity passed on 19th June and the Pinnacle group withdrew its offer on 30th June, leaving Southampton in a state of panic and the new season approaching even closer.

Just over three months ago Southampton entered administration with debts amounting to £30 Million, and after Pinnacle pulled out there was worries that Southampton would not be able to continue as a football club. The club have already sold players in Andrew Surman for £1.2 Million, Nathan Dyer for £400,000 and David McGoldrick for £1 Million in order to ease the debts for a while and pay the wages of staff and players.

With the new owners coming in Wotte can expect to be given sufficient funds to bring in new players to mount a push for promotion back to the Championship next season.

One thing seem certain – Southampton’s troubles seem to be over and they can look forward to the new season with renewed hope and expectation as they see their troubles from the last couple of seasons lifted.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Calculators and collection buckets look to be the order of the day this summer as at least three football league clubs – Southampton, Stockport and Darlington – fight for their very existence. If rumours are to be believed, these aren’t the only clubs from Championship downwards who are sailing close to administration.

Even if the three teams do survive, it’s likely we’ll see a repeat of the multiple points deductions in League Two where three teams started off on minus points and, in the case of Luton, effectively decided their relegation before a ball was kicked.

More worryingly, these points deductions are creeping up the football league and it could well be League One that has the most lopsided look when the new season kicks off in August.

The stadium issue

It would be tempting to say that the recession has finally caught up with football but the problems at many of these clubs were already deep-seated and would have come to the fore with or without a global economic meltdown.

Both Southampton and Darington’s problems stem from their stadium. In the Saints case, the debt incurred when building St. Mary’s has hung around the neck the club like Alfonso Alves after a particularly heavy lunch. The £30m debt wasn’t helped by relegation to the Championship and failure to bounce back before the parachute payment run-out.

Two consortiums are thought to be involved in buying out the south coast cub – who turned down a £40m takeover bid in 2007 – and it’s looking, at this stage, increasingly likely that the Saints will start next season, albeit with a ten point penalty. But proof, if any were needed, as to how fragile their position is, comes in the form of talks with the Conference about reforming the club at non-league level.

This option is one that’s increasingly looking like it may be Darlington’s only hope for keeping football in the town. The club are £5m in debt with no discernible assets and have been laying off staff as they attempt to survive the summer.

At the heart of Darlo’s problems is the Darlington Arena, a 27,000 seater white elephant built as a fanciful ego-trip by former chairman George Reynolds as part of his ‘vision’ to establish the Quakers as a footballing force. For the average match, the ground normally sees 3,000 fans if they’re lucky. It’s no surprise this is a massive drain on the club’s resources.

And that huge empty hulk of a stadium could well be the ultimate downfall of Darlington. It’s currently owned by chairman George Houghton via a holding company (the discerning owner’s financial method of choice these days), and Houghton is refusing to throw in the stadium along with the club.

It’s this sticking point that saw former vice-chairman Raj Singh withdraw his bid that could have saved Darlington. As time ticks by, the future looks increasingly grim for the North East club who, but for the points deduction they suffered for going into administration, would have been competing in the League Two playoffs last week.

Testing times for the trust model

Stockport’s troubles can also be traced to their stadium, which isn’t owned by the Hatters. Edgeley Park is currently owned by the Sale Sharks, who took it off the hands of the Cheshire Group consortium who used to own the club. This means that the club are somewhat hampered by the fact they can take very little additional matchday revenue.

But what’s more troubling is the fan-owned club has built up half a million pounds work of debt, most of which is owed to the taxman. This has meant administration, and the inevitable ten point deduction, while Jim Gannon – one of the most successful managers in their history – has been made redundant.

It’s not a great advert for Trust-owned clubs, who were meant to fly the flag for a different way of doing things at boardroom level, an alternative to the boom and bust of chairmen with big ideas but no so big pockets. Now they have to raise £250,000 by next Monday or the future looks bleak.

Given the points deductions handed out to Rotherham, Bournemouth and Luton this season, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Stockport and Darlington start next season on minus points, given the difficulties clubs have in satisfying the league’s rules in coming out of administration.

With Southampton already starting next season on minus ten points, this could give an all-too familiar lopsided look to the League One table next season.

Staying solvent

What’s more worrying is that, as times get tighter, clubs that have pushed too far may find it harder to extend credit, as Southampton have already found out. Newcastle, if they get relegated from the Premier League, may be the most obvious club to find times tighter than expected but they are by no means the only one.

Strangely, one league that’s not seen any points deductions for administration (although has had plenty of points deductions for misplaced paperwork) has been the Conference. Non-league’s top flight have tightened up on clubs who overspend, while there’s a strict salary cap in place. Boston United have already suffered two enforced demotions because of their recent financial problems.

That isn’t to say that the clubs in the Blue Square Premier are more financially secure. Salisbury, Lewes, Weymouth, and Northwich, among others, have sailed close to the wind. But the Conference’s threat to teams who head into administration does seem to be slowly filtering through.

Indeed, Chester City, relegated from League Two this season, could fall foul of the authorities, as the Seals are incredibly close to administration. Given the precedent they set when Boston suffered a double demotion, it’s not inconceivable Chester could start next season in the Blue Square North.

Interestingly, if Darlington do fold then Chester will be the team who get a reprieve. It’s not an inconceivable situation and it will be interesting to see how the Football League deal with it.

What this all shows is that being well-run and financially stable off the pitch is now more important than ever. Over the coming seasons, it wouldn’t be a huge shock if, from the Championship downwards, those sides who’ve not gone overboard with spending are the ones who succeed on the pitch.

For the time being, the future looks bleak for the clubs detailed here. By suffering another financial meltdown, Stockport became the 98th league club since 1982 to go into administration. It’s unlikely they’ll be the last.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

When Lord Mawhinney last week voiced his fears that a big name club could go out of business if football’s worst excesses weren’t reigned in he could have hardly asked for a better example than Championship club Southampton. Having struggled on and off the pitch for several seasons the Saints announced their financial troubles were such that the troubled team may not even see out the season.

Yet while the fans rally to save the club, the plight of the Saints hasn’t attracted too much support from other clubs in crisis due to the way they’ve handled the situation.

The Loophole

Rather than put the club itself into administration, it’s the club’s holding company – Southampton Leisure Holdings – that has called in the administrators. Their argument is the holding company is a separate entity from the club itself so, by placing SLH in administration, Southampton FC won’t take the ten point points deduction automatically handed out for clubs who enter administration.

It’s a neat loophole and one that may just succeed. SLH has argued that given it also owns a piece of land known as Jackson’s Farm, that was donated to the club by former president John Corbett, the football club is not its only going concern and there is a clear distinction.

Legally, the Saints seem to have a case as the League’s rules state that the points deduction can only be applied if the club itself enters administration. But SLH is intrinsically linked to Southampton FC to the point that is SLH collapses, so does the football club.

This, then, could be the ‘Leicester moment’ for the league’s administration rules (the Foxes entered administration in the 02/03 season, restructured their debts and got promotion, prompting the league to introduce the penalty). If the Saints escape a points deduction then other financially stricken clubs may be tempted to go down a similar route.

Certainly clubs who’ve already taken a points deduction this season will be watching with interest. Luton Town, for one, have been owned by a holding company in the past and at least one of their points deductions acknowledged the link between the company and Luton Town FC. Where points deductions and potential financial losses are concerned, you can bet the lawyers won’t be too far behind. Just ask West Ham.

Although this situation is not of the league’s making, it hardly helps their case when it comes to making sure clubs don’t overreach themselves. The points penalties handed out to the likes of Leeds, Luton, Rotherham and Bournemouth have been as arbitrary as they have been, in some cases, punitive. While you can sympathise with the current plight of Saints fans, the south coast team won’t win too many friends if they dodge the penalty.

And, as is always the case in situations such as these, it’s the fans who suffer most. While many of their Premiership years could be classified under the file “suffering, suffering and more suffering”, this current bout stems from the construction of the St. Mary’s Stadium.

New Stadium Blues

Southampton had been one of the founding members of the Premier League, having enjoyed top flight football since 1978. But as the Premier League slowly evolved into the cash cow it has become today, it was clear that the compact and somewhat cramped Dell needed serious work or replacing. By the time the Saints moved to St. Mary’s, the Dell could accommodate just 15,000 compared to the 32,689 of the new ground.

Yet in recent years the Saints have barely come close to filling the ground on a regular basis and corners of the stadium have been shut as the club desperately looked to save money. The current financial problems stem from the building of the ground, which cost £34m. Of that, £24m is still owed to Norwich Union, while Barclays are waiting on another £4m, along with a host of other small creditors. In total the debt is around £30m.

Former chairman Rupert Lowe, who resigned last week, oversaw the construction of the stadium and remains a divisive and often unpopular figure in the city. His removal from the board should smooth matters for the next owner, assuming there is one.

Ultimately, Southampton’s tale is all too familiar. The team had struggled against relegation from the Premier League on a regular basis, bar the period under Gordon Strachan. After the Scot left, the club lurched from manager to manager as they dropped further down the table.

When they were unexpectedly relegated in 2005, many predicted the Saints to bounce back up. With several players still on Premiership wages, Southampton failed to bounce back at the first attempt and the club have been slowly sliding backwards since then. It’s a cautionary tale that many current Premiership teams like Newcastle would do well to take note of.

The Future

There are a few reasons for optimism on the south coast. Southampton’s excellent youth setup, which counts Theo Walcott and Gareth Bale among its graduates, still continues to produce top-quality players, with Andrew Surman the latest to be linked with a move to the top flight while Adam Lallana has also attracted interest from other teams.

The fans have also swung into action and there’s a real momentum behind the campaign to keep the Saints alive. With talk of the local council buying the stadium, the Saints could well become the highest-profile community, or even fan-owned, club in the country (although it’s likely they’ll be starting next season in the same division as the Trust-owned Stockport County, and possibly even Brentford and Exeter City as well).

According to the administrator, there have also been 17 inquiries to buy the Saints. Many of these will come to nothing, but there may still be a white knight out there for Southampton, who are a big enough club while a large enough fanbase to make them attractive to a potential investor.

But previous history and reputations will count for nothing come the end of the season as the club look likely to be playing in League One, assuming they survive. And points deduction or no points deduction, if they play like they did in their loss to Charlton at the weekend, on the pitch that is, sadly, where they deserve to be.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News