The 2011-12 Championship league fixtures have come to an end and finally the automatic promotion positions have been confirmed. However, at the other end of the table, the relegation picture had been clear for some time. The bottom three teams can now begin preparation for a spell in League 1.

Below are the final league positions that really matter:

Reading - Champions
Southampton - Promoted

West Ham United - Play-Off semi-finalists
Birmingham City – Play-Off semi-finalists
Blackpool – Play-Off semi-finalists
Cardiff City – Play-Off semi-finalists

Portsmouth - Relegated
Coventry City - Relegated
Doncaster Rovers – Relegated

Promoted Sides:

Reading

Reading claimed the Championship title over a week ago, following a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace. The Royals boss, Brian McDermott, held back the tears as he watched his side lift the trophy for the second time following the achievements of Steve Coppell’s side in 2005/06. Following Reading’s heartbreak in last season’s Play-off final, the fans will be delighted with their clubs return to the top flight, after a four year absence.

Southampton

Yesterday, Southampton were promoted to the Premier League after beating Coventry City 4-0, ending their seven-year exile from the top flight. The comprehensive win, completed a fairy tale rise under manager Nigel Adkins which has seen the team transform from a League 1 outfit into a team fit for the Premier League. The promotion is their second in succession, after rising from League 1 last term with a second-placed finish, behind champions Brighton & Hove Albion. Clearly this a remarkable achievement for Adkins team, hopefully this form can be carried into the top flight next season.

Chances of Survival in the Premier League

This season, the promoted Swansea, Norwich have drastically exceeded expectations. Both teams sit in mid table positions, a situation they could only dreamed of 12 months ago. No doubt, Reading and Southampton will look to emulate this success. Both teams have the advantage of large financial backing. I expect both managers will look to bring in new talent once the transfer window opens in July. However, this alone will not ensure their survival come next term. QPR have been a clear example of this, despite amounts of spending, the London club have struggled for points this year against other top division teams. McDermott and Adkins will look to sustain the core of their team, whilst bringing in a few quality new players. The likes of Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert will be vital for the Saints next season, whilst Reading will rely on Harte, Kebe and various other key players. As long as both teams move positively into next season’s fixtures, playing their own style of football, I’m confident they will do well.

Play-off Position Round-up

This season the play off finals will be a very tough contest. The road to Wembley now begins as Blackpool, Birmingham, West Ham and Cardiff will battle for the final chance of promotion to Premier Division.

West Ham United had to settle for third place even as a Carlton Cole brace sank Hull 2-1 at Upton Park in the final league game of the season.

Cardiff City wrapped up the final Play-Off spot, but made their fans sweat first before beating Crystal Palace 2-1.

Whilst, a 2-0 win, against Reading on the final day, lifted Birmingham into fourth place above Blackpool, who were held 2-2 at Millwall.

Personally, I would love to see Blackpool back in the Premier League. Ian Holloway is such an entertaining manager and this is even seen by the way his teams play on the pitch, pure attacking football! The Seasider’s were unlucky to be relegated a year ago as they suffered defeat to Man United on the final day of the season.

However, West Ham are the side most likely to go up. Sam Allardyce has arguably the strongest side of the six. The Hammer’s fans will be expecting play-off success.

Championship Play-off Semi Finals confirmed as follows -

1st legs

Cardiff City v West Ham United – Thursday 3rd May 2012 kick-off 7.45pm

Blackpool v Birmingham City – Friday 4th May 2012 kick-off 7.45pm

2nd legs

West Ham United v Cardiff City – Monday 7th May 2012 kick-off 4.30pm

Birmingham City v Blackpool – Wednesday 9th May 2012 kick-off 7.45pm

Final

Teams TBC – Wembley 19^th May 2012

Relegated Sides:

Coventry and Portsmouth were both relegated to League 1 after losses last weekend. For Portsmouth, relegation is the latest chapter in a turbulent recent history and in a season in which the club has endured administration and a 10-point penalty. While it has been 29 years since the south coast club were in the third tier, Coventry, another club with off-field issues, were last in the old Third Division in 1964. Meanwhile Doncaster finished bottom of the league with just 36 points.

However, it’s not all doom and gloom for these sides. In the last 5 seasons, many clubs have displayed the resilience to bounce back from relegation. Both Norwich and Southampton are the good examples of this. These sides have won consecutive promotions and now find themselves playing in the Premier League next season. If Portsmouth can sort out their financial issues I’m sure they will take a similar course. The clubs prestige and history will be enough to keep them afloat and see them through a tough year in League 1. Leeds, Charlton and Sheffield United are further examples of clubs that have ended a period of decline. These 3 teams have all recovered following a short spell in the lower leagues. They now find themselves climbing back up through the divisions. There’s no doubt fans of the newly relegated sides should be optimistic going into next season.

For similar articles, visit my blog chrisslinnell.wordpress.com and follow me on twitter https://twitter.com/#!/ChrisLFootball.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

With 6 games to go in the season, the race for promotion to the riches of the Premier League is hotting up.

It is seemingly a three-horse race for the two automatic promotion places on offer. Southampton and Reading are the two clubs currently in the driving seat but a strong West Ham United side are lurking close behind in third.

The race for the Play-Offs also looks set for an intriguing finish as a number of sides look to seal their place in the top 6 and be in with a chance of promotion to the “big-time.” 3rd spot looks likely to be taken by one of the top 3 but the positions of 4th, 5th and 6th are still up for grabs with Birmingham, Blackpool and Brighton currently occupying these all important play-off spots.

The teams just outside of the play-offs such as Middlesbrough, Cardiff and perhaps even Hull will be looking to string together a few good results in the last six games to ensure that they get the chance to be in the play-offs. The big question on every fans lips is who will be in the Top 6 of the Championship come the 28th April when all the teams’ fates will be decided?

1st – SOUTHAMPTON
Manager: Nigel Adkins
Played: 40 Points: 78 GD: +34
Current Form: DWWWWL

The Saints have been the frontrunners nearly all season for automatic promotion and have set the pace right from the off. Unlike other sides in the promotion mix, they have been consistent from the start and are deservedly top of the Championship with six games to go. The question is can Southampton hold their nerve for the final run-in to complete unexpected back-to-back promotions and a return to the Barclays Premier League?

Their home form this season has been extraordinary having only dropped 8 points at St. Mary’s all season. This form coupled with a number of crucial goals from star-striker and top scorer Rickie Lambert has seen the South-Coast club stay ahead of the pack at the top of the Championship.

Southampton’s remaining fixtures don’t look tough on paper as they have to play rivals Portsmouth & Coventry who are threatened by relegation and Crystal Palace & Peterborough who are sitting in mid-table with nothing to play for. But no results are set in the stone and if they underestimate such opposition, Southampton could be left red-faced. A home clash against second-placed Reading on the superstitious date of Friday 13th April will have a huge bearing on the race for automatic promotion.

Our Prediction: We think that Southampton will have enough left in the tank to see out the remainder of the campaign and be sitting in one of those two automatic promotion places come the end of April. Adkins is a firm manager who won’t allow for any complacency in the final run-in and will still expect the best from his players to ensure that the Saints achieve their aim of promotion. There is no reason why Southampton can’t continue their excellent form which they have shown all season for the crucial final six games.

Rickie Lambert's goals have been instrumental in Southampton's promotion bid

2nd – READING
Manager: Brian McDermott
Played: 40 Points: 76 GD: +24
Current Form: WDWLWW

On the 21st January after a sloppy 1-0 home defeat to Hull, the Royals sat in eighth position in the league. However, three months later and Reading are flying after a remarkable transformation which has seen them claim a phenomenal 34 points out of a possible 39. Reading’s rich vein of form is in no doubt down to the players, who really stepped up to the mark in this crucial period, but also to their manager Brian McDermott who they managed to keep hold of despite strong speculation of interest from Premier League side Wolves. The much-admired manager then signed a new contract to keep him at the Madejski until 2015 as he made a statement committing himself to the Royals.

At the start of the season, many would never have said that Reading would be in such a strong position with a matter of games remaining as many questioned whether the squad would be strong enough to claim promotion back to the top-flight. However the likes of Noel Hunt, goalkeeper Adam Federici and veteran Ian Harte have all contributed towards Reading’s surge up the table in the past few months. Last Saturday’s crucial 4-2 win at Upton Park against third-placed West Ham really emphasised their dominance and the strides that they have made in order to be in contention for automatic promotion.

Our Prediction: Reading should feel confident of winning their three remaining home games but tough away games against Southampton, Brighton & Birmingham will be decisive in determining Reading’s fate. We think it will be close between West Ham and Reading as to who can grab that all important second place but we believe that West Ham won’t be able to claw back a four point deficit after defeat to the Royals on Saturday, and that Reading will be celebrating automatic promotion. We even think that Reading could overtake Southampton and pip the Saints to the title come the 28th April.

Brian McDermott has earned the plaudits this year but can he lead Reading to a return to the Premier League?

3rd – WEST HAM UNITED
Manager: Sam Allardyce
Played: 40 Points: 72 GD: +21
Current Form: DDDDWL

After a disappointing campaign last year that concluded with West Ham being humiliatingly relegated from the Premier League, everyone associated with the club was keen to see the Hammers return to their rightful place in the top division. They managed to secure a reputable, experienced manager in Sam Allardyce and brought in the likes of Matt Taylor & Kevin Nolan in the summer and Nicky Maynard & Ricardo Vaz Te in January to ensure that the aim of automatic promotion could be achieved.

However, despite all the money being ploughed in to the club from the backing of the owners, things haven’t gone as smoothly as many expected this season for the London-based club. Despite the Hammers sitting in the top two for most of the season, they now find themselves in third place and four points adrift of second placed Reading after a recent erratic run of form which has seen 5 consecutive frustrating draws.

There is no doubt that West Ham have the personnel capable of automatic promotion but in recent weeks they have struggled to string together a good run of results. If the Hammers are to stand any chance of overtaking Reading then they need to look at possibly gaining maximum points from all of their final remaining games which is a tough ask from the players.

Our Prediction: As disappointing as it will be for West Ham, we think that the Upton Park club will have to settle for third place in the Championship and look at gaining promotion through the play-offs, and they should be confident of booking their trip to Wembley for a chance to return to the top-flight.

The Hammers will have to work hard to secure automatic promotion as the play-offs look the most likely option.

4th – BIRMINGHAM CITY
Manager: Chris Hughton
Played: 40 Points: 66 GD: +23
Current Form: LWLDWW

Although Birmingham have played 55 games this season already due to League & Cup commitments, the Midlands club still remains on course for a stab at promotion in the play-offs, despite indifferent form at the start of the season. Since relegation from the Premier League on the final day of the season in May, the future of the club has been clouded in uncertainty after money laundering from Carson Yeung and having to sell a number of its Premier League stars.

However, the club under the guidance of manager Chris Hughton has been able to compete successfully in the Championship with a small squad of players and are deservedly in the mix for a spot in the play-offs. Players such as a rejuvenated Marlon King, Chris Burke and talented youngster Nathan Redmond have all helped the Blues climb up the table. A win against Burnley in their game in hand last night helped to consolidate Birmingham’s position in the play-offs and moved them to only 6 points off third placed West Ham.

Our Prediction: We are more than certain that Birmingham City will be in the top-six come the end of April and we believe that they have enough in the tank to overcome the opposition in the play-offs and make it to the final at Wembley. Personally, we think a clash between West Ham & Birmingham City in the play-off final is looming but as we know anything can happen in football!

King has spearheaded Blues' attack this season and contributed with 16 goals.

5th – BLACKPOOL
Manager: Ian Holloway
Played: 40 Points: 63 GD: +13
Current Form: LLWDLW

Ian Holloway’s so-called “Tangerine Army” earned their praises last year after a hard-fought campaign last year saw them go down on the final day of the season to break the hearts of all Blackpool fans. However, ‘barmy’ manager Ian Holloway stayed with the club and has led them to be in the hunt for the play-offs with six games remaining as they look for an unlikely immediate return to the Premier League.

Vital goals this season from old-timer Kevin Phillips have helped the Seasiders to many crucial points along the course of this campaign as the likes of Matty Philips have also been give a chance to shine this season. Blackpool famously clinched promotion to the Premier League last time out with an epic performance in the play-offs but can they secure their place in the top-six once again to have a chance to repeat their heroics once again?

Our Prediction: Over course and distance this season, Blackpool have looked stronger than the likes of Brighton, Middlesbrough and Cardiff who are behind them in the table and waiting for the Seasiders to slip up. Therefore we think that come the end of the season, Blackpool will be in the top six and fighting for promotion via the play-offs.

Kevin Phillips has shown that he's still got the ability to score goals at the ripe age of 38.

6th – BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION
Manager: Gus Poyet
Played: 40 Points: 63 GD: +8
Current Form: DWLWDD

Considering this is Gus Poyet’s first managerial role, the Uruguayan is doing very well for himself after securing promotion from League One last year. Many expected the Seagulls to struggle in the Championship but Brighton have defied the odds and after just one loss in the League in 2012, Brighton have climbed up the table to leave themselves firmly in play-off contention with only a few matches to go.

However, the last six games will prove to be a serious test for Brighton’s promotion credentials as they have to face Reading, West Ham & Birmingham in the final run-in which could make or break their season.

Our Prediction: We think it will be close between Brighton and Cardiff but in the end the Seagulls fans will be celebrating come the end of the season as we believe that they will just pip Cardiff to 6th place.

Gus Poyet will be hoping that his side can hold their nerve and claim a spot in the play-offs.

7th – MIDDLESBROUGH
Manager: Tony Mowbray
Played: 40 Points: 63 GD: +3
Current Form: LLDDDD

After a great start to the season, Boro were lying in 2nd position at the end of 2011 as hopes were high that the Yorskhire club could reclaim its place among the best in the Premier League. However,a dodgy 2012 so far has seen Middlesbrough slip back down the table as they now find themselves just outside the play-offs on goal difference after recent erratic form has seen the Northern club winless in 6 and facing the prospect of missing out on promotion after what seemed to be a promising start to the campaign.

Goals from Marvin Emnes have played a pivotal role in Boro’s success so far this campaign and the fans will need to see the Dutchman score a few more goals if they are to overtake Brighton and claim a spot in the play-offs.

Our Prediction: Unfortunately for Boro fans we think that Middlesbrough just won’t have enough left to secure that all important play-off spot as the club will ponder what could have been after a bright start to the season.

Emnes' goals have been crucial in this season's campaign.

8th – CARDIFF
Manager: Malky Mackay
Played: 40 Points: 61 GD: +7
Current Form: WLDDDD

In the past few years, Cardiff have been one of those sides that have always missed out on play-off glory as they are still looking for their ultimate quest to be part of one of the 20 sides in the Premier League. The Welsh club, who are now sitting in the shadow of their arch-rivals Swansea who are impressing in the top division, had hoped that they would be sitting higher in the league after a successful start to the campaign; but a run of just one win in 8 after the Carling Cup defeat to Liverpool has seen the Bluebirds slide from 4th to 8th in the league.

However, in spite of their recent miserable form, the side from South Wales are still in contention for a place in the play-offs as they only lie two points behind 5th placed Blackpool and are therefore still in with a shout of reaching the play-offs.

Our Prediction: Cardiff have an easier run-in of fixtures compared to many others as they don’t have to face any of the top-six in their final run of games and they will compete with Brighton for that last play-off spot. However, ultimately we think that they will just miss out on the play-offs as fans will have to wait another season for a chance at making it to the Premier League.

Cardiff's recent dip in form has made it difficult for Malky Mackay's men to achieve promotion.

So fundamentally, we believe that there will be no change to the current top six in the final six games as Southampton & Reading will gain automatic promotion to the Premier League and West Ham, Birmingham, Blackpool & Brighton will battle it out in the play-offs. Nonetheless, as we know a lot of things can change in six games and there are bound to be plenty of shocks and surprises still left in store as the Championship campaign reaches its all important climax.

Please let us know your thoughts on who you think will triumph and who will be in the top six come the end of the season.

This article was written by Alex Grove and originally published on The Tactician.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

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