History will be kind to me because I intend to write it

HOLLAND: CHARLTON CLOSE TO GAME OVER

Matt Holland admits that if Charlton fail to win tonight (TUES) in their
home game against Doncaster it would be nearly impossible to escape the
relegation trapdoor.

The Addicks are glued to the bottom of the Championship and have 10
points to make up if they are to avoid the drop.

But the 34-year-old believes that the team spirit has improved recently
with a number of impressive results - they have five points from their
last three games. And that it is not necessarily 'game over' yet.

"It won't be mathematically 'game over' if we don't beat Doncaster, but
it is a massive match for us," said the former Republic of Ireland
midfielder, whose team have only 27 points after 34 games.

"The last three games have shown that we have made strides - the second
half against Swansea was a good performance.

"I think the performance has been better in the last few weeks and
generally the form of individuals has been better. The confidence has
improved, for one thing.

"These two games at home this week, against Doncaster and Watford, are
crucial for us - it is an extremely important week for us.

"It is very doable - I think the confidence is there going in to the
games now. It is important that we press Doncaster and don't allow them
to impose their game on us."

Holland added: "The key at the moment is to take it game by game -
hopefully each game can get us that little bit closer to survival.

"We know we have a big challenge ahead of us and that it will take a lot
of effort from everyone. We need to be together on and off the pitch, as
a unit. It will be a very important couple of months for the club."

Labels: Championship, Charlton, Doncaster Rovers, Matt Holland

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 5:03 pm | Permalink | Comments

QPR VICE-CHAIRMAN - CREDIT CRUNCH IS BITING

Queens Park Rangers vice-chairman Amit Bhatia claims the credit crunch is hampering the club's Premier League ambitions.

When Formula One supremos Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone teamed up with steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal - Bhatia's father-in-law - to buy QPR 18 months ago, the West London outfit were hailed as the richest club in the world.

Briatore said at the time that QPR would be challenging the likes of AC Milan in Europe within four years but it seems the goalposts have moved because of the global financial crisis.

QPR are currently 10th in the Championship, and have, in Paulo Sousa, their fifth manager since the takeover.

"When we got involved with the club we were last, [and] we finished 14th [at the end of the season]," said Bhatia. "That was success. We were 14th last season so if we finish seventh [one place outside the play-offs] this season we've definitely shown improvement.

"We are heading in the right direction but, just the same as any other supporter, I wish we could do better than seventh - I wish we could make the play-offs.

"We've shown progressive success and as long as we continue to do well there's no reason we shouldn't be playing Premiership football soon, and I hope that we will happen."

Bhatia explained that the downturn in the global economy has changed football, and predicts substantial problems for even the biggest clubs.

He continued: "A lot of the top clubs are sponsored by financial institutions - Manchester United and AIG, Northern Rock and Newcastle.

"And as we find ourselves in a crisis I think not only will the clubs lose sponsors, which means they'll have less money to spend, but they'll be less money spent on players.

"In other aspects, also, I think clubs have been over-leveraged in the past and that's one of the things that we came in and tried to fix at QPR. But these are tough times and the industry is definitely being affected by what's happening."

Labels: Amit Bhatia, Championship, Queens Park Rangers

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 1:24 pm | Permalink | Comments

BLACKSTOCK LATE SHOW LEAVES SOUSA PROUD AND PRESTON BITTER

Dexter Blackstock came off the bench and headed the winning goal four minutes from time in Queens Park Rangers’ 3-2 victory over Preston North End at Loftus Road to keep alive their hopes of promotion from the Championship. Heidar Helguson had scored twice in the first half for Paulo Sousa’s side but Preston twice equalised – however the Portuguese’s late gamble paid off.

“We needed to take a risk as we wanted to get the three points,” said the 38-year-old who has won all three of his home games since taking charge last month. “It was very important – we had planned for these occasions in training. It was fantastic when Dexter scored and I am proud of my players for getting the three points.”

The Portuguese’s team started the brighter and first tested Andy Lonergan in the Preston goal after only two minutes. Lee Cook, handed a free role behind strikers Helguson and Patrick Agyemang, fizzed a shot from the edge of the area that Lonergan could only parry. First to the rebound was Agyemang, who, having not scored since September, would love to have netted against the club he left last January. But Lonergan was quick to charge down the Walthamstow-born forward and his shot was turned wide of the post.

QPR had their tails up, and with Cook pulling the strings, it was no surprise when they took the lead after 16 minutes. The 26-year-old Cook, whose loan deal from Fulham is set to become permanent in January, was the provider. His delicious cross from the left flank was met by Helguson’s head at the far post, and the Icelandic international cleverly nodded back to the left of the goal, giving Lonergan no chance.

But having scored and dominated the first 20 minutes Sousa’s team relaxed and the travelling side took advantage of their complacency in the 28th minute. Paul McKenna cleverly clipped over a pass from the left that found Chris Sedgwick, who had sneaked in from his right wing. The 28-year-old stole in and skillfully steered his header past Radek Cerny, into the bottom right-hand corner – it was his first goal of the season.

QPR hit back with 10 minutes of the first half remaining. At the far post the hard-working Agyemang headed Martin Rowlands’s corner back across goal where Cook and Helguson were the first to react. From three yards out the pair managed to bundle the ball into the net, though the goal was attributed to Helguson, who scored his first goal for his loan club last weekend in the 1-1 draw with Plymouth and looks to have found his touch.

QPR had chances to put the game to bed, but Preston were handed a lifeline in the second half when referee Alan Wiley deemed that Cerny had felled Sean St Ledger in the area. Callum Davidson stepped up and cracked the ball straight to net his second spot kick of the season.

Sousa threw on leading scorer Blackstock with nine minutes remaining and it proved just the tonic. Cook was awarded a free kick on the left and Rowland’s kick was nodded in powerfully by Blackstock, who scored his tenth goal of the campaign.

Sousa’s opposite man, Alan Irvine, felt hard done by, and said: “In the first half QPR were the better team. I was praying for the whistle to go before any more damage was done. But in the second half we were the better team and I expected us to win the game.

“We deserved something. I thought it was a good game of football but it was disappointing to lose to a late goal. It was harsh to come away with nothing.”

Sousa, whose team are now only three points off a play-off place, picked out Cook, who is due to return to Fulham in January, for special praise. He said of the 26-year-old: “Lee came to us with an injury but is getting better and physically stronger. We need players of Lee’s quality to help us achieve the success that we strive.”

He will hope to extend Cook’s deal, but remained tight-lipped when asked if he would be doing more business in the upcoming transfer window. “I believe a lot in my players. With them I’m sure – I don’t have doubts – my team can get better and better and be more consistent. We can be competitive until the end.”

Man-of-the-match: Lee Cook
The midfielder was behind all that was good about QPR, particularly in the first half.

QPR: 4-4-2
Paulo Sousa 9/10
Cerny 5; Ramage 6 (Blackstock 6 81), Gorkss 6, Stewart 6, Delaney 6 (Hall 6 81); Ephraim 6, Mahon 6 (Leigertwood 6), Rowlands 6, Cook 8; Agyemang 7, Helguson 8.
Subs: Hall, Leigertwood, Blackstock, Ledesma, Di Carmine.

Preston: 4-4-2
Alan Irvine 5/10
Lonergan 6; Nolan 6, Mawene 7, St. Ledger 7, Davidson 6; Sedgwick 7 (Whaley 90), Nicholson 6, McKenna 6, Wallace 5; Parkin 7, Chris Brown 6.
Subs: Neal, Hawley, Carter, Simon Whaley, Jones.

MATCH RATING: 8/10

REFEREE WATCH: Alan Wiley 7/10

Labels: Championship, Dexter Blackstock, Paulo Sousa, Preston North End, Queens Park Rangers

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 7:53 pm | Permalink | Comments

HELGUSON DEAL OVER?

Gareth Ainsworth, the Queens Park Rangers caretaker manager, will not be able to call upon the services of Heidar Helguson for Saturday's Championship match at Loftus Road against Burnley.

The London club, seventh in the table, had been trying to speed up the loan deal for the Bolton forward having learned that Akos Buzsaky is likely to be out for the rest of the season with cruciate ligament damage following the 1-0 defeat to Manchester United in the Carling Cup on Tuesday.

QPR had targeted the out-of-favour Icelandic international, 31, but Ainsworth, who cannot suggest possible targets himself, has revealed that the deal could be scuppered.

"It's something that I'm not really dealing with - people above me are trying to sort things out out with Heidar," said the 35-year-old of Helguson, who had a medical at the club on Thursday afternoon. "But I think they have hit a couple of stumbling blocks. The squad I have at the moment is the squad I have to select from against fifth-placed Burnley, who defeated Chelsea on penalties on Wednesday.

"Being caretaker manager it is very difficult to suggest players for the club. I have a lot to deal with at the moment. But at the moment I am very happy with the squad - it's very strong.

"We have a strong enough squad to defeat anyone in the league. So hopefully we can get a result against giant-killers Burnley at home."

On Buzsaky's absence Ainsworth added: "Akos has been one of our best players of late. He came back and has been opening defences up. He does magical things so he is going to be a huge loss."

Labels: Akos Buzsaky, Burnley, Championship, Gareth Ainsworth, Heidar Helguson, Queens Park Rangers

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 1:56 pm | Permalink | Comments

QPR CLOSE IN ON HELGUSON

Queens Park Rangers will step up their approach to sign out-of-favour Bolton striker Heidar Helguson following the news that Akos Buzsaky has been ruled out for the rest of the season.

Hungarian attacker Buzsaky hopped off in the London club’s 1-0 defeat to Manchester United in the Carling Cup after 33 minutes. Scans have revealed that the 26-year-old suffered anterior cruciate ligament damage and he will undergo surgery later this week.

“Unfortunately, Akos will be sidelined for between six to nine months,” said the Championship club’s physio, Paul Hunter. “His studs got caught in the turf and his right knee twisted and regrettably he now faces a long period out.

“We've see the surgeon and he'll be going in for surgery in the coming days.”

QPR had been looking to loan a number of players to boost their attacking options, but manager Gareth Ainsworth has now contacted Gary Megson at Bolton about Icelandic striker Helgurson, 31. Sources suggest that the 31-year-old, who had a medical at the club on Thursday, will move on loan initially, with a view to a permanent move worth £1m.

“There was contact from QPR,” revealed the Bolton manager, “but I can't say at the moment what will or won't happen.”

QPR host giant-killers Burnley on Saturday as Ainsworth looks to continue his impressive start as caretaker manager – the Hoops have won seven points from four games since he took over from Iain Dowie.

Labels: Akos Buzsaky, Championship, Heidar Helguson, Queens Park Rangers

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 4:26 pm | Permalink | Comments

AINSWORTH HOPING FOR "UNBELIEVABLE" OLD TRAFFORD RESULT

Gareth Ainsworth hopes that an "unbelievable" result against reigning European and English champions Manchester United on Tuesday night in the Carling Cup Fourth Round will help convince Queens Park Rangers co-owner Flavio Briatore that he is the right man for the manager's job on a permanent basis.

The 35-year-old caretaker boss, who took over from Iain Dowie at the end of last month, is currently QPR's longest serving player and has impressed in his first few games in charge.

And he will put another superb entry on his short managerial CV if he can mastermind a famous Rangers victory at Old Trafford.

Ainsworth, who saw his team defeat Cardiff on Saturday, said: "I'm enjoying it a lot and at the moment I am taking it day by day. Flavio Briatore and the fans have given me their backing so far. As long as that is going on I am a happy man - I'm proud to be at the helm of QPR.

"I've been here a long time and I just want the club to do well. If Flavio does decide to put me in charge then fantastic. If he doesn't then I will stay in some capacity. I'm really enjoying pitting my wits against managers.

"I'm in at the deep end but when troubled times do come I can look back at this and say: 'We got through that OK. We can keep together and get through anything now.'

"It's been a real baptism of fire. We have moved into the top six in the Championship, defeated the top-of-the-table team Birmingham and now we have a trip to Old Trafford to play the European Champions in the Carling Cup."

Ainsworth added: "I've faced United twice as a player, in the 1999/2000 season when Wimbledon were relegated. But we drew twice, so perhaps that bodes well.

"Playing in the Premier League against sides like United was the highlight of my playing career. Some of the boys can have a taste of what that is like tonight. It will be a fantastic experience and opportunity for them.

"I don't need to get them up for it - what more motivation do they need when they are playing the European and Premier League champions at Old Trafford? If they can't get up for it then they shouldn't be in my squad.

"I'm a Blackburn Rovers fan through and through. I was a season-ticket holder and I did my apprenticeship there. I'm sure everyone in Blackburn will be very happy if we manage the unbelievable and get a result against Manchester United."

Labels: Carling Cup, Championship, Gareth Ainsworth, Manchester United, Queens Park Rangers

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 12:15 pm | Permalink | Comments

DOWIE DISMISSES RUMOURS AS "TITTLE TATTLE"

Iain Dowie has dismissed rumours linking Terry Venables and Kenny Jackett with his position as Queens Park Rangers manager as "tittle tattle". He has refused to let such unfounded negativity seep into the dressing room, feels he is doing "a decent job" and is positive he has the players' backing.

Stories had been circulating that the west London club's mega rich owners - F1 supremos Flavio Brigatore and Bernie Ecclestone, and steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal - were lining up a replacement for Dowie, and they would act if QPR were not on course for promotion to the Premier League.

The alleged candidates are former England manager Venables, who had a stint in charge of QPR in the early 1980s and last month spurned Newcastle United's advances, and Millwall's Jackett, the ex-Swansea manager.

QPR currently sit 11th in the Championship, and after hosting bottom-of-the-table Nottingham Forest on Saturday, Dowie's team have tricky away trips to high-flying Swansea and Reading.

But the 43-year-old has hit back, claiming that he feels no added pressure. "This season we have played 13 games and won seven of them and we are also in the last 16 of the Carling Cup," he said.

"I can't affect what these rumours will do to the players. All I can do is do my job, get my head down and work hard. Whoever wants to make mischief and start these stories, they can do that.

"But I'm not going to be involved in negativity - I don't believe in it. I will concentrate on doing what I am doing.

"This is whispering tittle-tattle, and until it comes to fruition I'm not going to worry about it. I know I am doing a decent job here and I think I have got the support of the players, which is the most important thing.

Labels: Championship, Iain Dowie, Queens Park Rangers, Terry Venables

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 4:24 pm | Permalink | Comments

DERBY CORNER QPR IN LOFTUS LATE SHOW

Queens Park Rangers' 100 per cent home record was ended as Paul Jewell's Derby County earned their first away win in the league for 18 months thanks to two goals from corners in the last ten minutes. Defender Martin Albrechtsen struck home the first from eight yards when the ball rebounded kindly for him and eight minutes later substitute Emanuel Villa nodded in to ensure the result.

The travelling side, relegated so unceremoniously from the Premier League last season, have now earned eight points from their last four Championship games and look to be finally getting over their relegation hangover.

Iain Dowie's side had been in great form going into the game, having claimed the unlikely scalp of Aston Villa in the Carling Cup Third Round in midweek - a victory that has earned them a fixture against Premier League champions Manchester United at Old Trafford in mid November. But they were brought back down to earth with a bump after failing to deal with set pieces late a match that only took light in the second half.

The first 20 minutes were played at a high tempo without either team managing to engineer a clear-cut chance. QPR's solitary striker Dexter Blackstock, who had been rested for Wednesday's shock Carling Cup Third Round win at Villa Park, had few chances to test Roy Carroll in the visitors' goal.

But when he first did, after 22 minutes, Carroll's defence came to the rescue. Real Madrid loanee Daniel Parejo sprung the Derby offside trip on the right-hand side of the area, having been cleverly found by Emannuel Ledesma. The borrowed Genoa youngster squared to Blackstock, who slid in for what looked like a certain goal.

But Derby right-back Paul Connelly had other ideas and, having tracked back, managed to put his body between Blackstock and the goal-line. His goalkeeper thanked him with a ruffle of his hair.

Derby had their best chance of the half five minutes later, when full-back Jordan Stewart fed Stephen Pearson on the left wing and he hit a low cross towards attacker Rob Hulse, who could not quite step round the onrushing home goalkeeper Radek Cerny. Hulse's toe-poke was first blocked by the former Tottenham stopper and then booted out for a corner.

After the interval the game opened up more and both sides had good chances to score. Two minutes into the half, tricky Italian Ledesma weaved his way into the box on the right. His deflected shot had Carroll scrambling back across his goal, but it found the post and bounced behind. From the resulting corner the 20-year-old flashed a shot over the bar, and two minutes later he tried to chip Carroll but dragged it wide right.

Blackstock then hit a post when he cleverly turned his marker from six-yards out, but the away team soon hit back in this ding-dong battle. On 62 minutes Hulse should have scored when put clean though but he was brilliantly tackled by Damion Stewart.

Defender Miles Addison shaved Cerny's cross bar with a 35 yard screamer and winger Nacer Barazite, on loan from Arsenal, then blazed over from Jewell's side. But it was his corner from the left, with 10 minutes remaining that found its way to Albrechtsen, who cooly finished. Substitute Steven Davies then swung a corner in from the same position and Villa's header was too good for Cerny.

Labels: Aston Villa, Championship, Derby County, Iain Dowie, Queens Park Rangers

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 5:49 pm | Permalink | Comments

DOWIE FEARS DERBY WILL RECOVER FROM RELEGATION HANGOVER

Queens Park Rangers fear Derby County are about to come round from their relegation hangover - starting at Loftus Road on Saturday.

Rangers are fourth in the Championship with Derby struggling in 20th spot having been relegated last season with the worst ever top-flight record.

But QPR boss Iain Dowie has the utmost respect for his counterpart Paul Jewell.

The pair, both 43, locked horns five years ago when they managed Oldham and Wigan respectively down in League One.

And Dowie is full of praise for his under-fire old sparring partner.

"Paul is a very good manager and I have a lot of time for him," Dowie said. "He is a training ground manager like I am and he is a passionate man.

"We'll look to share a beer or a glass of wine after the game at Loftus Road, I'm sure."

Jewell has made wholesale changes at the County Ground, and Dowie believes that it is only a matter of time before things click for his former sparring partner.

"The supporters need to give him time to make his mark," Dowie added. "He is getting the staff he wants around him now, and Chris Hutchings is a good NO.2.

"Derby is a very big club with a very big fan base, so Paul doesn't need anyone to tell him about the expectations. They are starting to turn things around and they have posted five points from a possible nine on the board. We know it is going to be a very tough task for us.

"They have spent decent money and brought in decent players, like Rob Hulse. Their current position in the table belies the manager they have and the quality they have in their squad. At the end of the season they won't be far away from where they want to be."

Labels: Championship, Derby County, Queens Park Rangers

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 5:45 pm | Permalink | Comments

QPR MUST NOT UNDERESTIMATE DERBY THREAT

Gavin Mahon has warned his QPR team-mates that they must not underestimate Saturday's visitors, Derby County, as he believes that Paul Jewell's side are still suffering a "relegation hangover" from last season and will be in the play-offs at the end of the season.

The 31-year-old defensive midfielder took special delight in Wednesday's Carling Cup Third Round win over Premier League Aston Villa - he is a Birmingham fan and scored an own goal when he last visited Villa Park.

But he knows that the team must now refocus on gaining promotion from the Championship, starting with victory over 20th-placed Derby, who last season became the most unsuccessful club in top-flight history.

"Derby are going through a transitional period like us, and they have brought in a lot of new faces," Mahon said. "They still seem to be suffering from the relegation hangover from last season. Sometimes that bad form does carry over into the following season.

"But everyone knows that on paper they have got a really good, solid squad, with a good manager. It is no surprise that they have picked up in the last few weeks and I think they will be in the top six come May.

"But we know our home form is key to our success. Teams have come to Loftus Road and found it very hard to play us. We have got two home games in a row now, against Derby then Blackpool, and we are going for maximum points."

Labels: Championship, Derby County, Gavin Mahon, Queens Park Rangers

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 5:40 pm | Permalink | Comments

DOWIE: DEFENCE KEY TO QPR SUCCESS

Iain Dowie, the QPR manager, is delighted with the way his team have responded since they were downed 3-0 against Sheffield United five games ago and believes that a watertight rearguard is the key to promotion to the Premier League.

Following that defeat at Bramall Lane he enforced a new defensive system which the players have adopted with great success, conceding twice and dropping only two points since.

The 43-year-old, whose team have moved up to fourth in the Championship and take on 17th-placed Norwich City on Wednesday, said: "I think a decent defence is the key to QPR's success this season and we have spent a lot of time on that.

"We have been working hard since the Sheffield United game - we have changed the system since that disappointing display. I am delighted with how the players have responded and we haven't looked like shipping a lot of goals since then.

"It has really made a difference to us. We look much more solid and we have big pace back there - we are not going to get run away from too many times."

Dowie hinted that his defensive midfielders Alan Mahon and Mikele Leigertwood's recent performances might even marginalise Italian international Damiano Tommasi, who signed as a free agent last Wednesday.

"[Alan] Mahon and [Mikele] Leigertwood deserve a lot of credit for the success of the new defensive system," Dowie added. "Damiano, who plays in the same position, is an established international and won't take long to get up to speed, but I have to be fair to the lads who are here and incumbent.

"However he is a very welcome addition to the squad and with when he is fully fit there will be good competition for places."

Dowie is wary of 17th-placed Norwich as they are a team packed with new faces including Premier League old boys Dejan Stefanovic, Antoine Sibierski, Arturo Lupoli and Elliot Omozusi.

Dowie continued: "There's been a big turnaround at Norwich - a sea change. They have had some sizable investment down there - it's a different team.

"Carrow Road is a difficult place to play - they get 25,000 fans every week. If we're not on our mettle we'll get burnt. We'll go there in good spirits, with great heart and that's very important."

QPR travel to Coventry, Dowie's former club, on Saturday and he knows these two away games are a tough challenge.

"There are two away games coming up but we're in good form, let's go there in good spirits but also be very respectful of two good opposition teams," he added. "It will be a good litmus test and indication of where we are."

Labels: Championship, Iain Dowie, Queens Park Rangers

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 11:46 am | Permalink | Comments

MONEYBAGS QPR SIGN ITALIAN PHILANTHROPIST

Queens Park Rangers, one of the richest clubs in the world, have signed experienced Italian international Damiano Tommasi, a player famed for playing on a youth player's wages.

The 34-year-old, who spent a decade at AS Roma and was one of the club’s top-earners, famously instigated the paltry one-year contract in 2005 at the Serie A club in the name of fairness, as he struggled to regain full fitness.

The defensive midfielder, capped 25 times for the Azzuri, was paid, at his own request, the minimum youth wage of just over £1,000-a-month.

Tommasi is also noted for channelling footballers’ disciplinary fines to charitable causes.

Tommasi has joined the London club on a one-year deal, having signed as a free agent. He was released from Spanish club Levante, who were in such financial trouble that they could not pay their staff - not that the Italian would have minded.

Manager Iain Dowie was delighted to sign the midfielder who made over 250 appearances for AS Roma alongside stars such as Francisco Totti and Cafu.

Dowie said: "The signing of Damiano adds great experience to the squad.

"He’ll compliment what Gavin Mahon and Martin Rowlands provide in that area. In the short term, he could prove to be very useful to us.

"He has played at the highest level for club and country and to have a player of that calibre available can only be good for QPR.

"We’ve got some fantastic young talent in the squad, such as (Emmanuel) Ledesma, (Angelo) Balanta, (Daniel) Parejo and (Hogan) Ephraim, and training with someone of Damiano’s stature will be of huge benefit to them I’m sure."

Labels: Championship, Damiano Tommasi, Queens Park Rangers

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 1:06 pm | Permalink | Comments

BOOTHROYD HOPING TO CREATE HISTORY

Aidy Boothroyd, the Watford manager, is "strangely excited" despite the fact that his team are two goals down going into their Championship play-off second leg against Hull. The 37-year-old could become the first man in play-off history to pull back more than a single goal deficit tomorrow at the KC Stadium. He has been given a boost, however, by the news that captain John Eustace will be available.

The central midfielder had been shown a straight red card by referee Kevin Friend in the first leg against for an alleged butt, though the Football Association rescinded his automatic suspension in London today.

Earlier in the tie referee Friend had disallowed a seemingly good Danny Shittu goal, scored after only four minutes. Hull's Nicky Barmby netted four minutes later and Dean Windass fired the visitors two goals ahead on 23 minutes.

Boothroyd was disappointed by Friend's performance, and said: "We were the victim of two very poor refereeing decisions which you don't expect in a game of that magnitude. But I am quite enjoying this in a strange sort of way.

"We are now the hunted rather than the hunter and I enjoy it because you want these tests. You go on all the courses and do all the theory but there is nothing quite like being on the touchline and having to make a battle plan.

"Without doubt this is the biggest game for the club, but all the pressure is on Hull to perform."

An optimistic Boothroyd, whose team have won only once in the last 15 games, will hope central defender Shittu comes though a late fitness test on his hamstring, continued: "I think 3-0 would have been almost impossible, a massive task. But at 2-0 we always have a chance. If we get the first goal, then you never know. It is different when people don't expect you to do it."

"I won't need to pep the players up - it is a do-or-die game. We are going to have to have all of our big-game players."

Hull manager Phil Brown would be vexed if his team do not advance from their position to Wembley's final - dubbed the "£60m game", such are the riches of the Premier League. The fact that Hull is the largest city in Europe never to have had a football club in the top flight is an extra burden that the former Bolton assistant manager also feels.

Brown, who first joined the club as assistant to manager Phil Parkinson only to succeed him in December 2006, said: "When I first arrived at the KC Stadium, under Phil and under [then chairman] Adam Pearson, I could tell that the club has been built for bigger things - for success.

"That relative success came from two successive promotions: from second division to first; first division to Championship. And now, after two survival campaigns in the Championship, we have a full stadium every game, and we are on the verge of the Premier League.

"It would irk me if we didn't make it. We have given ourselves a great chance by going two goals up but we need to get the job done - it is not over by any stretch of the imagination."

Labels: Aidy Boothroyd, Championship, Football Association, Hull City, Premier League, Watford

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 6:01 pm | Permalink | Comments

PLAYOFFS MAKE WARNOCK SICK

Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock has steered six teams to promotion, four coming via the playoffs, and as he goes for lucky number seven against Bristol City this afternoon, he has revealed that he finds it a tremendously nauseating experience.

“The playoffs are a horrible thing for managers,” said the 59-year-old, who took the reins of the south London side in November, when they were second bottom in the Championship. “I have suffered in every one.

“My worst feeling in football was my second play-off experience in 1991, at Notts County, when we played Middlesbrough. We drew 1-1 up there and we should have won by six, but they equalised late on. It was 0-0 at half time at Meadow Lane and I was feeling physically sick and thinking we do not deserve this.”

For all his nausea, Warnock has a 100 per cent success rate in playoff semi finals, and has only lost one final – at the hands of Wolves in 2003 when in charge of Sheffield United. He insists there is no magic formula, however, and scoffs at the idea of Palace as favourites.

“I don’t see why the bookies think we are favourites,” he continued. “Probably just for my record, but I’m not playing! I don’t know what the secret is (to winning) – I just manage to get through the games.

“It is just a great relief and a delight to be in the playoffs – in that respect we are the underdogs. It would be my greatest achievement even if we get beaten by Bristol City. Considering the position we were in and how we looked at that stage in November, we are just glad we are not in Leicester’s shoes.”

Labels: Championship, Crystal Palace, Neil Warnock, Premier League

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 7:29 pm | Permalink | Comments

ODEJAYI HOPES TO SAVE BARNSLEY

Barnsley striker Kayode Odejayi has had a bittersweet week in football. He missed a glorious opportunity to equalise at Wembley in last Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Cardiff and then scored a brace against promotion-chasing Watford to help lift his side out of the relegation zone.

Now the Nigerian-born forward believes that the only way is up for the Tykes and after his double strike on Wednesday he can sleep a lot easier. The 3-0 victory at Watford pushed Barnsley to 18th in the Championship and on Saturday they travel to Preston in search of only their third away win of the season.

The 26-year-old, who signed from Cheltenham last summer, admits he needed picking up by his family, friends and a mind coach after his Wembley howler.

He said: “It is hard not to think about the chance – it has been going over in my head. But the more days that pass, the better I feel. And after Wednesday's goals I think I am well on the way to getting my confidence back. There was a lot of relief when I scored.”

The powerful attacker praised his manager, Simon Davey, for continuing to select him. “A lot of managers might have pushed you to one side and forgot about you,” he continued. “But the gaffer has been good and stuck by me.

“He told me: ‘Get your head up, don't beat yourself up about it too much, it's not just down to you, it's a team performance’. You have the ups and downs and you have to deal with all of them so everyone's been brilliant."

On relegation survival – Barnsley are only two points above the drop zone – Odejayi said: “We have all got to try and keep us up. Against Watford every single one of those Barnsley players on the pitch was a hero and we will be going to Preston to try and do the same thing.

“We've got six massive cup finals to go now because we're trying to stay in the Championship. They're all massive games now, we have to take them one at a time and hopefully get the points we need.”

And Odejayi is hoping that his strikes will go a long way to helping Barnsley retain their Championship status. He is convinced that, as he is sleeping better now, he will be banging the goals in.

He added: “Rather than having that missed chance going through my head when I try and sleep, I can have Wednesday's performance and goals. So I’ll probably get a better night's sleep from now on.”

Labels: Barnsley, Championship, football, Kayode Odejayi, Preston North End, Simon Davey, Watford

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 1:06 pm | Permalink | Comments

FRUSTRATED WATFORD FAIL TO GO TOP

Goalkeeper Richard Lee is just as infuriated as the home supporters who barracked the Watford players after they slumped to a 3-0 defeat to lowly Barnsley. Aidy Boothroyd’s men would have gone top of the Championship had they beaten the FA Cup semi finalists, who began the game in the relegation zone.

But Kayode Odejayi scored a goal either side of the interval while Stephen Foster netted a free header to complete a rare away victory, which moved the Yorkshire club up to eighteenth.

Watford have recorded only one win in their past ten league matches and Lee can't put his finger on why their promotion push is losing thrust. He said: “I’m not sure what the problem is – before the game the lads were buzzing and we had a good attitude. After winning at the weekend we came into this game with high expectations.”

On hearing the boos of the Vicarage Road faithful the 25-year-old added: “The jeering is not nice, but understandable. When we don’t perform then the fans will get on our backs. We can understand their frustrations because we are just as frustrated as they are.

“But this is a funny league. I can’t remember a Championship that was so tight from top to bottom. There is so little difference between the teams.”

Manager Boothroyd was livid with his troops and demanded reasons for the feckless performance. “There was a chance to go top with four games to go and we haven't taken it which is very irritating,” he fumed. “I'm very disappointed and I would like a few answers from my players.”

Labels: Aidy Boothroyd, Championship, Kayode Odejayi, Richard Lee, Watford

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 1:38 am | Permalink | Comments

ODEJAYI STARS AS BARNSLEY MOVE OUT OF DROP ZONE

Kayone Odejayi was instantly transformed from FA Cup villain to Championship hero, as his brace helped lift Barnsley from the relegation zone in the back yard of promotion hopefuls Watford.

The Nigerian-born striker had squandered a gilt-edged chance at Wembley on Sunday, when the northerners were booted out of the FA Cup semi-final by fellow Championship club Cardiff.

But Barnsley manager Simon Davey showed confidence in the former Cheltenham man and it paid off on Wednesday as his side romped to a 3-0 victory at Vicarage Road and moved up to 18th in the table.

Aidy Boothroyd’s men could have gone top of the Championship with a victory, but looked sluggish and lacked confidence from kick-off.

Showing no FA Cup hangover, the visitors started brightly and on 16 minutes Odejayi had a great opportunity to open the scoring after an inviting ball by strike-partner Jon Macken sent him galloping though with only Watford ‘keeper Richard Lee to beat.

In a carbon copy of Sunday’s shocker, the striker fluffed his shot, though he soon made amends. Ten minutes shy of the interval he shuffled the ball in from a yard out after Macken’s low cross caught the home defence out.

Barnsley doubled their lead three minutes after the break, with unmarked captain Stephen Foster making the most of a dozing Watford back line, lead by skipper Danny Shittu, from a Diego Leon corner.

Foster’s headed goal was soon followed by Odejayi’s second of the night – a cool, confident loft over Lee from just inside the area.

On this evidence there can be little surprise that Watford have won only once in their last ten league matches. If they had shown half the determination that their opponents displayed they would be walking to automatic promotion.

As it is they travel to table-toppers West Bromich Albion on Saturday and have only four more games to secure a play-off place or even more. Meanwhile Davey will ask for more of the same from his Barnsley troops in order to survive the drop.

Labels: Aidy Boothroyd, Barnsley, Championship, Dutch football, Kayode Odejayi, Watford

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 12:15 am | Permalink | Comments

FULHAM HEADING FOR CHAMPIONSHIP AS RED HOT ADEBAYOR CLIMBS TO CONQUER

Fulham’s need for taller defenders was underlined at Craven Cottage as Arsenal’s Emmanuel Adebayor netted twice in the first-half by out-jumping the home side’s central defenders. Those two goals put paid to Roy Hodgson’s plans of eeking out a draw – Fulham lined-up in a 4-5-1 formation – and Tomas Rosicky completed the scoring in the second-half.

Before kick-off all 6”5’ of Norwegian international centre-back Brede Hangeland was unveiled to great cheers from the home supporters. But the former FC Copenhagen giant could only watch from the stands as after just 19 minutes the Togo international rose above Dejan Stefanovic to nod home from Arsenal’s first meaningful chance.

Rosicky – back in the Gunners’ side after recovering from a viral infection – played a reverse ball to over-lapping full-back Gael Clichy on the left-hand touch line. The pacy Frenchman, with bags of time, hit a first-time cross which found the corn-rows of Adebayor, whose neat header in to the corner left Antti Niemi with zero chance.

Lighting struck twice for Fulham as six minutes before the interval the Togo forward used his head to good effect again, though this time around his supply was from the right-hand side. Alexander Hleb’s driven ball pin-pointed Adebayor, who again jumped higher than his opponents. Captain Aaron Hughes was the guilty party for goal number two.

Fulham failed to muster a single shot on target as Hodgson’s tactics looked feckless and limp. American Clint Dempsey huffed and puffed on his own up front for his team; but he was never going to blow the cottage down.

The biggest cheers of the afternoon occurred when Jimmy Bullard entered the fray at half-time, but despite his creative touch, the result was in the bag for the visiting east-Londoners by the time he was introduced.

Never, in any of the 26 league games that Adebayor has scored in, have Arsenal lost a match. With the striker in such red hot form, manger Arsene Wenger must be delighted that Togo failed to qualify for the African Nations Cup which begins in Ghana tomorrow.

Rosicky scored his side’s third and final goal in a flaccid second-half, sliding in after a superb dribble and pull-back by Brazilian-born Croat Eduardo, who shone again. Arsenal remain on the coat-tails of Manchester United – equal on points but behind on goal difference, after late goals from Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo secured their win at Reading.

Fulham remain in 19th place in the Premier League and Hodgson must hope he can bring more players to the club, and soon. Marlon King’s £5m switch from Watford hit a snag late on Friady when Fulham’s medics raised doubts over the striker’s right knee – the same knee that had cause the Jamaican international to miss six months of last season’s Premier League campaign.

Hodgson is looking secure the services of Kansas City striker Eddie Johnson (pending work permit), Werder Bremen’s holding midfielder Leon Anderson, and Guglielmo Stendardo – a central defender from Lazio. Will they be enough to save them from the drop? Only time, and 15 games, will tell.

Labels: Arsenal, Championship, Emmanuel Adebayor, Fulham, Premier League

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 8:13 pm | Permalink | Comments

OLD BOY BRACE FELLS IPSWICH

Darren Ambrose netted a brace for Charlton against his former club Ipswich – but he badly wanted the first hat-trick of his career. The 23-year-old thought he would have the chance when referee Neil Swarbrick pointed to the spot in the second half.

While the Charlton forward went to grab the ball from regular penalty taker Andy Reid in order that he would have a chance of his third goal, the referee consulted his linesman, who deemed that Fabian Wilnis had in fact chested the ball rather than handled it in the box.

No penalty was awarded, but Ambrose was pleased at the 3-1 result – especially as Charlton had lost four of their previous five home games. Ipswich have still not won away from home in the Championship – they now have gained only four points from a possible 33 on their travels.

Ambrose, who was given a central role by manager Alan Pardew on Saturday, said: “The boss changed the formation a bit – he put Andy Reid on the left and put me in the hole. I like to get forward, and I’m glad I popped up with a couple of goals.

“The referee pointed to the spot – I don’t think it was handball as it hit him on the chest – and Andy said: ‘Go on, get your hat-trick’, and I was delighted.

“I’ve never scored a hat-trick before – I’ve never scored two in a game before, so I was begging for it. But it wasn’t to be.”

When asked whether he would have given Ambrose the attacker the chance to score his third goal, Pardew said: “He doesn't take them. I would have been shouting to get him off it. Reidy takes the penalties.”

To which Ambrose said: “He wouldn’t have had a choice! He was on the sidelines and Andy and I agreed that I should go for my hat-trick, and I was confident at the time that I would have stuck it in. Andy does take the penalties but I would have kept the match ball.”

Ambrose opened the scoring with a simple header in only the fifth minute, after ‘keeper Neil Alexander failed to punch away the cross of Matt Holland – another former Ipswich player.

November’s Championship player of the month, Chris Iwelumo, scored his side’s second in the 30th minute with his shoulder from captain Reid’s corner.

Ambrose then struck his second six minutes before the interval. Danny Mills’ long ball was controlled by Reid perfectly. The Republic of Ireland midfielder laid it off for Ambrose on the edge of the area and he laced it home, first time.

For Ipswich manager, Jim Magilton, going into the break at 3-0 down was too much. He rang the changes at half time and his team scored a consolation goal through Pablo Counago’s neat back heal with 20 minutes to go.

It could have been worse for Charlton – Alan Lee had a penalty saved by Nicky Weaver, and Counago hit the post.

Jonathan Fortune was sent off at the final whistle after an aerial challenge on Lee, much to Pardew’s frustration – he, along with Mills, will be suspended for next week’s game against WBA.

The Charlton manager said: “The ball was travelling to them in the air and Jon's done something stupid. Unfortunately, he will be disciplined and find himself out of the team, which I'm sure is the last thing he wanted after a good day's work.”

But Magilton vowed to use the money from Marcus Evans’ takeover, which will be cemented on December 17, on many new players in the January transfer window.

He said: “It’ll be nice when we have investment in the football club and I can go out and buy players. I certainly want quality, characters, people who are going to stand up and be counted. At the moment, we haven’t got an awful lot of them.”

Labels: Alan Pardew, Championship, Charlton, Ipswich

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 12:25 pm | Permalink | Comments

PROVE WE CAN DO IT WITHOUT TODOROV - PARDEW

Alan Pardew has challenged his Charlton team to prove they can bounce straight back into the Premier League in spite of losing their top scorer and most talented player - Svetoslav Todorov - for the season.

The Bulgarian striker, who has netted three times this season, was hurt in a tackle by Krisztian Timar in Tuesday's 2-1 home defeat by Plymouth.

The 29-year-old, who signed from Portsmouth in the summer, sustained cruciate knee ligament damage and a fracture in his knee. He is due to undergo reconstructive surgery in three weeks' time.

"I thought it was a bad, clumsy challenge," said Pardew. "It's a big blow - it has taken out our most technically gifted player.

"Now we have to prove we can do it without him. I'm going to ask the three strikers we have to prove to me they can do it. They need to come to the fore now."

Ahead of their London derby against bottom club QPR, Pardew responded to criticisms that his team were soft against Plymouth.

"If I was a player I would take that as a motivational statement," said the manager. "We are not going to whinge, but stand up to it."

He also praised the work of visiting caretaker manager Mick Harford in an attempt to ease the pressure on his team.

Pardew continued: "The change in manager has seen an upturn in results for them. They have some good professionals.

"It's a difficult game for us because we are expecting to win and anything QPR get will be a bonus for them. The pressure will be good for us."

Labels: Alan Pardew, Championship, Charlton, Svetoslav Todorov

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 1:25 pm | Permalink | Comments